Dragons of the Valley - Donita K. Paul [136]
Bealomondore returned to the valley with good news. In just three months, the Chiril Alliance had taken back all the lost territory and had the enemy forces scrambling for the hills that led to Baardack. The people of Chiril rejoiced and celebrated Wizard Verrin Schope, Warrior Prince Jayrus, also known as Paladin, and the brave swordsman, Graddapotmorphit Bealomondore. The three men had rallied the underground troops and strategized a successful campaign. Chiril had beaten Baardack.
The three honored men came themselves to tell Fenworth and Librettowit. A band of the alliance came with them to meet the Amarans and see the now famous cathedral cavern.
The old wizard from Amara willingly undertook giving advice as to how they should proceed.
Bealomondore sat back and watched with amusement as the visitors from Amara concocted a scheme for Chiril’s handling of the evil neighbor to the north.
“I believe Paladin should go to Baardack and deliver the bad news to King Odidoddex,” Fenworth said. “As the official emissary for Chiril, he can list the things we won’t do and King Odidoddex won’t do.”
Librettowit sat down and pulled out a pen and paper. “I’m ready.”
Fenworth began his list. “Baardack will not attack Chiril again.
“Chiril will not return Odidoddex’s army.
“Baardack will not withhold payment for damages to Chirilian crops and sundry property.
“Chiril will not plunder Baardack for compensation.
“Baardack will not abuse any Chirilian citizen doing business within Baardack borders.”
Librettowit looked up. “That’s three ‘Baardack won’ts’ to two ‘Chiril won’ts.’ ”
“Well, we won after all. We shouldn’t have to even up.”
Librettowit agreed, wrote something more at the top of the page, and put it away. “I think the first order of business should be to send The Grawl home.”
“Good idea.”
The wizard scurried down one of the corridors and soon came back with The Grawl, walking sedately in front of him.
“Don’t worry,” he told the men in the room who had reached for their weapons as soon as they spotted the huge man. “He’s confined, but you can’t see the restraints.”
The Grawl’s deeds were well known. Most of the soldiers in the room knew someone who had disappeared, never to be found. As many as his crimes were, any malicious act that went unexplained was also blamed on the man-beast.
One of the men stepped forward. “He killed two in my family. Five altogether in my village. Is there a punishment vile enough to match his crimes?”
Another man’s cold voice asked the question on all their minds. “What shall we do with him? How do we get rid of something that depraved?”
The wizard pulled a silver box from his robe and handed it to The Grawl.
“This is yours.” He addressed the soldiers. “He has his silver box. Let him use it.” Fenworth gestured toward the men standing around the wall of the chapel. “We’ll send him on his way.”
“What is it?” asked one of the men.
“It is a transport device. It will take him away.”
Bealomondore thought of all the people this prisoner had murdered and started to object. Fenworth sent him a stern glare, and then his face altered to mischief that included a wink and immediately transformed back to the stone-faced wizard of judgment.
Every man in the room, including Bealomondore, stood ready lest The Grawl make a wrong move.
The creature stared at the wizard.
“You have the means to leave us. Do it,” said Fenworth.
The Grawl turned the box over and over again in one huge hand. He looked around the room.
Bealomondore shivered when The Grawl’s gaze passed over him. This “man” should not be given his freedom. Many would suffer from his hands if he was allowed to use the box. He started to object again and heard Fenworth’s voice in his mind.