Crown of Fire - Ed Greenwood [17]
"Zhentilar troops, on horses, attacked us at Thunder Gap. We escaped them, and got as far as the guard post at Thundarlun before they caught up with us. Their arrows killed all the soldiers and the war wizard there. They set fire to houses and threatened to burn all the village if I did not come out to them.
So I did." Shandril paused for a moment, and then added simply, "When they were dead, we took what food and drink we needed from the guard post, and went on."
"You slew them all?"
"You know what I bear," Shandril said sharply, more cold anger in her tone than she really felt.
"I do," came the voice. "I do not question your words, but I must know if any Zhentilar still ride free in eastern Cormyr."
"All that I saw are dead," Shandril said wearily, "but again and again they find me with magic-as you have done. Zhents may listen to us even now; I feel they are near."
"How many did you kill? And how many soldiers of Cormyr did you see dead in Thundarlun?"
Shandril fought down sudden tears, struggling to speak.
Her voice, when it came, was a fierce whisper. "I don't count the dead any more, wizard. I can't bear to!"
"Have you heard enough?" Narm could no longer contain his anger; his shout echoed back at them from the nearest trees.
"Peace, lad!" Delg said gruffly, and tromped closer to the floating light. "As near as I can tell," he told it without introduction, "Shan burned about a score from their saddles at the Gap. That many and a dozen more at the hamlet where we fought. I saw near two dozen more Purple Dragons lying dead there. And I have a question for you, wizard: Is it Azoun's will that we pass freely through Cormyr, or are we going to have to fight every soldier and war wizard we meet? Tell us now-or that's just what we'll have to do, for the sake of our own hides."
The light shimmered. "I cannot speak for the king," it said, after some hesitation.
Delg bent closer. "He's there with you, though, listening, isn't he?"
A heavy, waiting silence hung in the glade after those words, and the light slowly grew brighter.
Then a new voice spoke from it, younger and more melodic-and yet somehow heavier with authority.
"I am. I have heard of you, sir, and have heard now three voices speaking; how many of you are there?"
Delg said promptly, "I'm no longer young enough to willingly wear the cloak of a fool. Would you make true answer, in our place?"
"I understand," the king's voice replied. "There is a harp rhyme, known to some, that begins with the words `I walked in the woods and dreamt I felt the kisses of maidens'-do you know it?"
"I do," said DeIg roughly, breathing hard. Narm and Shandril were both aware that a great tension had suddenly fallen from the dwarf. "The song is well chosen."
"I've heard harps, more than once. You have good taste in ballads."
"Thank you," said King Azoun, and they could tell he meant it Shandril also sensed more than one meaning lay behind those two simple words-something only Delg would understand. She glanced at the dwarf, but he had turned to peer alertly into the forest about them, his battered, bearded face expressionless.
The king went on. "Word has come to me of all of you, then. Shandril, know that Cormyr has no designs upon your powers or person. Yet, I warn you never to forget this: whatever the challenge, I will keep peace in my realm, no matter the cost. My knights and armsmen will do what they must to defend the good land and folk of Cormyr. We will not seek you, or offer war to you and yours. Pass in peaceand let us hope that we can one day meet openly, as friends, and give no thought for battle or danger."
"Pretty speech," Delg-grunted, in a low voice.
Shandril rushed to cover the dwarfs words. "I-I thank you, Your Highness. I mean no harm to any in Cormyr, and-I hope to know you as a friend, too." She paused for a moment, and added, "I'm growing impatient for the day when, gods willing, it won't be a dangerous thing to be my friend."
The light drifted a little closer to her, sparkled, and then drew back.