Everyone froze as a deep giant voice asked a question from the next room. A resonant female voice replied, and something that sounded like a large dog whined eagerly. Vlandar gestured for Nemis to join Rowan, then drew the others just into the hallway leading up to the gentry’s quarters. “There isnothing for us in here. There is at least one chamber behind those hides where Rowan keeps watch, and beyond it, two giants and two wolves.”
Jebis made the safe to talk sign, even though Vlandar had been speaking, if very quietly.
Malowan held up a hand for yes and nodded. “Beg pardon, sir,but that voice we just heard? That was their leader, I’m sure of it.”
“I believe you may be right,” Malowan said. “By the location,if nothing else, and I sense power in there. If so, the other may be his lady, and the wolves both pets and guards. Back north is a vast cavern, with many giants. Families, I think. If the Jarl is here, they may be his nobles.”
“It seems likely,” Vlandar said. “We’ve a pocket of silencehere, thanks to Nemis’ spell. I’d like one of his sleep spells to deal withwhat’s in there. I don’t want to start a fight here. Those nobles or whateverthey are would not hear, thanks to Nemis, but others might be drawn from passages or guard points eastward.” Vlandar considered this briefly. He thenwaved to catch Nemis’ eye and broadly pantomimed sleep.
The mage smiled grimly, nodded, and turned away. A few moments later, he turned back to nod once more.
Vlandar led them back into the main room. Nemis, who had beenwalking with Rowan, approached the warrior. The ranger looked very unhappy about something, Lhors thought.
As Rowan marched over to begin speaking in urgent tones with the paladin, Nemis stepped close to Vlandar and said, “Listen, please. We darenot leave the Jarl and his lady alive.”
Vlandar gave him a puzzled look.
“They sleep now. Execute them while they sleep-call itjustice for the deaths they’ve caused. They will feel no pain. Leave those twoalive, and they’ll spill more innocent blood.”
Vlandar nodded sharply. “I agree. Still, to kill anyoneasleep like that…”
“You need have no part,” Nemis urged. “Mal certainly must notbe part of it or even know what we do until it’s done. Rowan will distract himonce we’re in there, but-”
“Too late,” Malowan said. He’d come up unnoticed. Behind him,Rowan cast Nemis a tired glance and shrugged. “Nemis, you cannot do this, notwhile I am here, and I will not leave.”
“I’ll send you to sleep then!” The mage hissed inannoyance.
The paladin shook his head. “No. If we were attacked, youwould need me.” Malowan looked at Vlandar. “Tell me you have not countenancedthis.”
“Not here and now,” Vlandar broke in grimly. “Get inside thatchamber, and we’ll talk.”
Malowan set his jaw, beckoned his ward close, and went.
“Sorry,” Rowan muttered as she passed Nemis. “I did all Icould, but he became suspicious.”
“A plague on the pure-hearted,” Nemis growled and followedher up the two steps and around the leather drape. Vlandar waited until everyone else was out of sight, then gestured for Lhors to go ahead of him.
It was nearly warm inside the Jarl’s private chamber-and thatwas what it must be, Lhors decided. The furnishings were too fine for any but the ruler and his lady. He glanced around. The chamber was large but so cluttered that Lhors wondered if frost giant nobles even knew the concept of cleaning maids.
Vlandar got everyone close together again to get everyone searching the chamber, but Malowan, his face pale and his mouth set, interrupted. “We are blocked from behind by Nemis’ spell of silence, and thereis nothing and no one to the east. I tested. Vlandar, you cannot let him do this.”
“I can,” the warrior replied steadily, “and if it seems thebest course to me, I will. Mal, be sensible. Take Agya and go out of sight. What bloodshed these two have caused-”
“That is between them and the gods,” Malowan said flatly.“They are living beings, and unlikely as it seems to any of us, they may one daybecome good.”
Khlened snorted in disbelief.
Malowan fixed him with a flat look, and the barbarian subsided. “Even if they do not, their fellow mortals are not given the right tojudge. I will not risk the path I have taken for so many years, simply because this mage-”
“This mage, is it?” Nemis said stiffly. “Your Heironeouswon’t take your powers from you because of my choices, my friend, and youand I both know it.”
“I will not let you do this,” Malowan gritted.
“You cannot stop me,” Nemis replied.
“Mal, listen at ’im,” Agya urged in the uncomfortable silencethat followed. “C’mon, you an me, we’ll just go that way, y’won’t see a thing.”
She shrank back as Malowan transferred the glare to her. He must be upset or very angry, Lhors thought. As far as he could tell, the mage didn’t even notice his ward’s reaction, though normally he was careful notto upset her.
“I have not decided yet,” Vlandar began.
Malowan shook his head, silencing the warrior. “Yes, youhave. Don’t think me a fool because of my calling, Vlandar.”
“I don’t-”
“Then don’t pretend you haven’t seen them dead in your mindand felt good because of it!” the paladin snapped.
“I have seen them dead, and I’d be glad for it,” Vlandar saidevenly. “My friend, we’re wasting time we do not have. Search the chamber forthe things you know we need, and I’ll study the problem while you do.”
“Oh?” Malowan swung around to face him. “And what of theirtime?”
“Give it up, Mal,” Vlandar demanded harshly. “Take Agya andgo past that drape to the east. I’ll see to it they don’t suffer.”
“And if I won’t go?”
Vlandar’s jaw clenched. Even Lhors could tell that thewarrior was swiftly becoming angry himself. “You will go, even if I have to getKhlened and Bleryn to drag you. I’d rather not, but Mal, I will if you leave meno other choice. I ask this out of our friendship, but remember that you swore to follow my orders along with everyone else.”
Silence. Lhors noticed the four kitchen prisoners had moved back away from the verbal sparring. He couldn’t blame them. It made himuncomfortable to hear Malowan, Nemis, and Vlandar arguing.
Lhors jumped as someone touched his arm. It was Nemis, who was very red in the face, particularly for one normally so pale.
“What say you, lad?” the mage asked quietly. He used his eyesto gesture behind him at the sleeping giants.
The two had been at table drinking wine. On the far side of the great slab of wood, a massive, silver-haired giantess slept awkwardly in a chair, her face pressed into the table, arms dangling. Lhors could just make out the two wolves sprawled by her feet. Nearer to him, the Jarl lay in a heap on thick fur rugs. The giant was snoring faintly.
“What do you mean?” the youth whispered.
Nemis smiled grimly. “I know these two by repute. They havepersonally killed hundreds of humans and elves. By their orders, many hundreds more have died-just as your family and all those in your village died, or asJebis and the hunters would have.”
Lhors stared at the sleeping giants, vaguely aware of Vlandar and Malowan still arguing behind him.