of it could be called fat. Strength alone, though, was not
sufficient to coordinate a major army with great success.
The knight did not doubt for one minute that the massive
frame was matched by an equally impressive mind.
“I am General Krynos of Culthairai, a land I’m sure
you’ve never heard of and which does not deserve any
notice whatsoever. When I learned of the Queen’s return
and the armies being raised, I seized the chance to join and
prove my skills. Up until now, though, I’ve lacked a
sufficient challenge.”
In truth, even the Knights of Solamnia had been awed by
some of the accounts they had heard about Krynos. The
armies he had crushed would have turned back a number of
Dragon Highlords, much less their various generals. It was
even said that the next opening in the ranks of the Highlords
would see the addition of Krynos.
Only a garrison stood in his way. A tiny army. A tiny
army and Garrick.
Krynos stroked his rich, black beard. He was a
handsome, proud man. Proud and stubborn.
“What is your name, Knight of Solamnia?”
“Garrick.”
“That’s it? Just Garrick? Not Garrick the Great? The
Champion? The Draconian Slayer?”
The wings of the torturer spread in anticipation. The
draconian bore a huge reptilian smile that told of deadly
delights to come when Garrick was its to play with. The
knight pointedly ignored the creature.
“Just Garrick.”
“Well then, ‘Just Garrick,’ how many of your comrades
lie in wait in the forest? The scouts and patrols count at
least three dozen fires. The Knights of Solamnia, whatever
their faults, do not run away. Even against impossible
odds.”
“I am the only one. You can search all you like. You
will find no others. I came on my own.”
Krynos laughed, and the draconian hissed. The sharp
claws of the latter slapped Garrick hard across the mouth.
He could feel the blood flowing from his lip. The general
put a hand out to halt another blow by the torturer.
“Not yet – and not the mouth. We want to be able to
understand him when he talks. And you will talk, Knight.
Ssaras is very good at this job, especially with humans. You
would do well to give up on such a stupid tale and tell us
where your comrades have hidden themselves. I can afford
to wait them out for a few days. Nothing lies beyond them
that can stop me. Only an already-battered land and a tiny,
insignificant garrison. The nearest force of substantial
strength is two weeks away and much too busy with
problems of its own to bother worrying about me.”
It did not surprise Garrick that the general was so well-
informed about the region. That was perhaps one thing that
had helped the knight. Used to the thoroughness of his
information network, Krynos could not accept the solitary
presence of Garrick. The fires might be real; they might be
fakes. If one knight could wait in hiding, could not others?
Everyone knew that the Knights of Solamnia were skilled in
all aspects of warfare. Who knew what sort of tricks they
might pull? Krynos could not afford a mistake at this time.
Even a minor one would cause him a loss of face.
Garrick remained silent. Krynos frowned and then,
nodded to Ssaras. The draconian waddled eagerly to a table
upon which a number of devices, recognizable and
unrecognizable, had been placed. The creature selected one
and showed it eagerly to its master. The general eyed it with
almost clinical interest before shaking his head.
Disappointed, the draconian put down the instrument and
waited for further orders. Krynos turned his attention back
to his prisoner.
“Where are your companions, Garrick? How do they
plan to meet us? In one massive charge on the field? Sounds
foolish, but I know your Order. I wanted to become of your
kind before I came to my senses and turned to the Queen.”
Earlier, such a statement might have stung Garrick.
Now, though, he was well beyond such petty things. It was
difficult enough just to remain conscious, much less be
bothered by meaningless slurs from the tongue of his foe.