Black wizards - Douglas Niles [60]
"That's the least of our problems," said Pawldo. He took the lead, his little shortsword drawn as they slipped quietly down the spiraling stairway. They circled three times to reach the ground level, where a door led to an alcove off the great hall of the manor. As Pawldo reached for the doorknob, they heard the unmistakable snort of an ogre coming from the other side of the door.
"How are we going to fight that thing?" whispered Daryth in exasperation. "With nothing but that little pigsticker between the three of us!"
"This little blade has stuck some pretty big pigs!" declared Pawldo. "Now, shut up and follow me!"
Before the men could react, the halfling pushed open the door and stepped past the hulking ogre who stood outside. Tristan and Daryth were about to lunge after their friend. At the very least they could not let him die alone.
But the ogre didn't move. Pawldo turned after a few steps, gesturing them forward, and kept on moving. Stunned, Tristan watched the ogre for a reaction.
The monster clutched a glass ball in his huge and hairy palms, staring intently at the object as he turned it this way and that. He did not look up as the unbelieving trio tiptoed stealthily past. Tristan looked back to see the ogre still in the thrall of the shiny sphere.
Pawldo, meanwhile, had pushed aside the curtain screening the alcove and stepped boldly into the great hall. Here, too, were ogres – three of them. Each of the monsters sat upon the floor, legs outstretched to either side, and each stared intently at a glass bauble that seemed to be a match for the one in the alcove.
Amazed at their good fortune, the men followed Pawldo across the hall to a wooden door. Although the halfling boldly stepped over the outstretched leg of one of the ogres, the men could not bring themselves to test the limits of their good fortune further. Instead, they slipped quietly along the walls until they reached Pawldo. The halfling had already removed a wire probe from a slim leather case. He handed his sword to Daryth and knelt, carefully concentrating, as he began to pick the lock of the huge oaken door.
"This one was guarded," he whispered. "I'll bet it's where they've put your sword." In a second the lock clicked free, and Daryth raised his eyebrows in admiration.
Pawldo shrugged, unsuccessfully trying to conceal a smile of pride. With a cavalier gesture, he pushed it open.
"You miserable oaf! I ordered you to knock – "The hawk-nosed captain shrieked as he rose. But the tirade halted as abruptly as it began when the speaker realized that the intruders were not clumsy ogres. The officer's hand went to the hilt of his sword, but not before Daryth could act.
The Calishite sprang over Pawldo and through the door, landing in a catlike crouch halfway to the man's desk. Pawldo's blade quivered overhead as Daryth held the tip in his fingers, poised for throwing.
"Stay where you are or die," he snarled, his voice low.
The captain appeared to consider drawing his sword, but his eyes flicked to the slim dagger. He lifted his hand from the hilt of his sword.
Tristan ran to his side and drew the sword himself, turning it against its owner. "Where are our weapons?"
The officer nodded to a cabinet against the wall of the room, and Pawldo hurried over to open it. He pulled out both swords and the scimitar and was about to close it when something else caught his eye. He lifted out a leather sack, hoisting it a few times to hear a satisfactory clink, before closing the cabinet and handing the Sword of Cymrych Hugh to Tristan.
"Here," said the halfling, handing the other swords over to Pontswain and Daryth. "Of course," he told the Calishite, "it won't do for throwing, but it'll give you a better reach."
Daryth laughed. "I couldn't have thrown this clunky thing either. I just had to make him think I could." He smiled at the captain as he handed the weapon back to Pawldo.
"Check the hall," said Pontswain, walking to the desk. The captain stood behind it, hatred burning in his eyes. The lord met his gaze squarely,