Dragonlance Tales, Vol. 3 – Love and War

other was a giant who looked capable of breaking the thin

man in two without trying. They seemed to be arguing

about something. Occasionally, one would point at Garrick.

The knight waited patiently for someone to ask him a

question. When none was forthcoming, he drifted slowly

back to sleep.

THE GOLDEN-ARMORED MAN LOOKED DOWN

AT GARRICK WITH FONDNESS AND RESPECT.

GARRICK FOUND HIMSELF UNABLE TO LOOK THE

OTHER STRAIGHT IN THE EYES. HE DID NOT FEEL

WORTHY OF THE AUDIENCE GRANTED TO HIM.

THE OTHER SMILED. “IT IS TIME, GARRICK, TIME

YOU JOINED THE RANKS. TIME YOU JOINED HUMA

AND THE OTHERS.”

FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE YOUNG KNIGHT SAW

THE RANKS BEHIND PALADINE. AMONG THEM

STOOD ONE HE KNEW WELL. FROM HIS PLACE,

STANDEL NODDED GRAVELY TO HIM – AND THEN

BROKE OUT INTO A BIG SMILE.

PALADINE BADE HIM STAND. “THE TIME IS NOW,

GARRICK.”

“Time to wake, Knight!” A rough hand shook his head.

Garrick’s vision was red, and he realized belatedly that

blood was dripping from his forehead. His right foot felt

numb, his arms burned with excruciating pain. He spat

blood from his mouth.

A draconian stood next to the general. It was Ssaras and

what expression was readable on the reptilian face showed

that the creature was angry beyond words. The draconian’s

breathing was haggard, as if it had been laboring hard. Of

the cleric, whom Garrick only vaguely remembered, there

was no sign.

General Krynos scowled at him. “What are you made

of, Knight? For three days, you’ve endured tortures that

have turned other men into screaming maniacs! You’ve sat

there all this time, mumbling to your god! Even Thaygan

could get nothing from you!”

Garrick did not answer. There seemed no need for a

reply, and his head hurt too much to think, anyway.

“You are useless to me, Knight. Whether or not your

allies are out there – and I admit for the first time that you

may have fooled me by giving me the truth – I will lead my

army come the morrow. We will be through the pass and

well on our way to the garrison by the time the day is

ended. The Queen will see who among her followers is

most valuable to her.”

Ssaras swayed unsteadily. The general frowned. With

some effort, the draconian stood straight. Its mottled color

looked even more splotchy than before.

Krynos wiped the sweat from his forehead. “In all

fairness, you’ve proved a worthy challenge. Any last request

before I have Ssaras make an end of you?”

With superhuman effort, Garrick forced himself to sit

straight. The glazed look was gone from his eyes. “I

demand death in combat.”

The general raised an eyebrow. “Combat? You can

barely stand, much less fight. I will make Ssaras give you a

swift, painless cut across the throat. Yes, that would be

much better, much more efficient, I think.”

Garrick virtually ground the words out with his teeth. “I

demand death in combat – with you, unless you’re afraid.”

One mailed fist went for a weapon. The general was

barely able to restrain himself. He slowly released his grip

on the hilt of his sword.

“Very well. I shall grant your request for death.”

The torturer looked at him in shock. “Master! Think

what you say! This is a trick!”

“It is the request of a dead man, Ssaras! If he wishes to

fight me, then so he shall. It will give me some little

amusement before I begin final preparations for our

departure. Untie him, Ssaras.”

“Lord master Krynos, powerful warlord, I beg – ”

“Untie him – unless, of course, you think that I am

incapable of defeating one such as he.”

Ssaras moved over to Garrick and pulled out a knife.

For a brief moment, the draconian eyed the knight’s

unprotected throat. A frown appeared on the reptilian’s face

as it tried in vain to discern something.

“I’m waiting, Ssaras.”

The draconian hurried about its work. The strangling

bonds fell away. Slowly, carefully, Garrick rose from the

chair he had been tied to for at least four days. His muscles

were cramped, but he otherwise felt little pain.

He moved one foot and discovered part of the reason

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