Waylander by David A. Gemmell

‘We knew one another once,’ said Gellan, ‘but not very well.’

‘No matter,’ said Karnak. ‘Tell me, Waylander, why do the Brotherhood hunt you?’

‘I killed Kaem’s son.’

‘Why?’

‘His father owed me money.’

‘God, you sicken me!’ snapped Gellan. ‘Excuse me, general, but I need to ride awhile and stretch my back.’ Karnak nodded and Gellan pulled his horse from the group.

‘You’re a strange man,’ said Karnak.

Waylander smiled coldly. ‘So are you, general. What are you seeking?’

‘Victory. What else is there?’

‘Immortality?’

Karnak smiled. ‘Do not misread me, Waylander – I am no man’s fool. I am vain. I am conceited. My strength is that I know what I am. I am the finest general you will ever know, and the greatest warrior of the age. Yes, I want immortality. And I will not be remembered as a gallant loser. Count on it.’

Although they pushed on through most of the night, a sudden storm bogged down the wagons and Karnak called a halt. Tarpaulins were hastily erected against the sides of the wagons to create makeshift The man was overweight and outlandishly garbed in clothes of green, blue and yellow. And yet he was still impressive.

‘What are you thinking?’ asked Karnak, drawing his cloak about his shoulders.

‘I am wondering what on earth possesses you to dress like that,’ said Waylander, grinning. ‘Blue shirt, green cloak, yellow leggings! It seems that you dressed in stages while drunk.’

‘I am not shaped for fashionable garments,’ admitted Karnak. ‘I dress for comfort. Now tell me about this Armour of Egel’s.’

‘An old man asked me to fetch it for him and I said that I would. There is no mystery to it.’

‘How splendidly you understate your mission. The old man was Orien, while the Armour is legend and hidden in the lands of the Nadir.’

‘Dardalion told you. Well then, there is no need for you to question me further. You know all there is to know.’

‘I do not know why you chose to go. What does it profit you?’

‘That is my business.’

‘Indeed. But the Armour means a great deal to the Drenai and that is my concern.’

‘You have come a long way in a short time, general. It is hardly the concern of a First Dun at a rundown fort.’

‘Understand me, Waylander. I am a genial man with a heart of gold … when people humour me. Now, I like you and I am trying to forget that a man dressed in black and carrying a small crossbow killed King Niallad. Such a man would receive swift sentencing.’

‘Why do you need to know?’

Karnak leaned back, his pale eyes locking to Way-lander’s gaze. ‘I could use the Armour, it would help me.’

‘It would not fit you, general.’

‘It can be altered.’

‘But it is promised to Egel.’

‘He does not even know of it.’

‘You are a man full of surprises, Karnak. Here you sit on the edge of defeat and already you plan your brilliant future. What is it to be? King Karnak? That has a ring to it. Earl Karnak, perhaps?’

‘I am not looking that far ahead, Waylander. I trust my judgements. Egel is a fine warrior and a good general. Cautious, yes, but there is steel in the man. Given certain advantages, he could swing this war.’

‘The Armour would be just such an advantage,’ commented Waylander.

‘Indeed it would. But it could be put to better use elsewhere.’

‘Where?’

‘Purdol,’ said Karnak, leaning forward and watching Waylander intently.

‘The fortress is already surrounded.’

‘There is a way in.’

‘What do you have in mind?’ ,

‘I will send twenty of my best men with you to fetch the Armour. You will bring it to Purdol – to me.’

‘And you will stand on the battlements in Orien’s Armour of Bronze and carve yourself a role in the history of the Drenai people.’

‘Yes. What do you say?’

‘I say forget it. Orien asked a favour of me and I said that I would attempt it. I may not be a great man, Karnak, but when I speak you can rely on my word. If it is humanly possible to retrieve the Armour, I will do so … and deliver it to Egel in Skultik, or wherever he may be. Does that answer the question?’