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