With that, Gawain strode to the doorway, and paused. Allazar hesitated, eyeing the shattered flask and the unconscious man on the floor, and then his shoulders slumped.
"I cannot." he sighed, and turned, and followed Gawain down the stairs.
Outside the tower, all was quiet. But there was a group of men in the shadows by one of the long huts, and they stepped forward into the light from the blazing oil-barrels when Gawain and Allazar emerged.
"It is done?" Jerryn asked.
"Yes," Gawain replied. "We have what we came for."
"Then my men will fire the huts and the tower."
"The emissary yet lives up there." Allazar hissed, disgusted, though whether with himself or with Gawain, they could not say.
"In truth?"
"In truth."
Jerryn smiled. "Thank you, Longsword." And with that, the officer strode forward, and kicked over the oil-barrel so that its blazing contents lapped against the base of the wooden structure.
His men followed suit, setting fire to the long huts while Jerryn strode away, leading Gawain and Allazar towards the Keep.
Within, they found a small party of honour-guards, who flanked them and marched smartly through the corridors and up several flights of stairs, until they came to a guarded chamber. Jerryn strode forward, and opened the door, and stepped in.
A few moments later he beckoned Gawain and Allazar forward, and into the room.
King Willam of Juria lay in a huge bed, tended by healers and whitebeards, his wife seated in a chair nearby. Hellin stood by the window, watching the flames leap and crackle from the tower.
"You lied to me, warrior," she said over her shoulder, the bright yellow light from the flames flickering in her lustrous black hair. "You said you would spare the tower, and thus Juria."
"I did not lie, your highness.” Gawain replied, trying to keep his voice soft too, for her sake and that of her ailing father. "The emissary was alive and only slightly hurt when last I saw him. And I did not fire the tower, nor the long huts."
"Not by your own hand, perhaps, but you set in motion this night's events. I cannot command you, warrior, and it seems I cannot even command my own men."
Jerryn's head sank.
"Highness." Allazar spoke, and she turned.
There were tears in her eyes and streaking her face, and for a moment she looked like a child, vulnerable and confused and in need of strong arms and kind words. Gawain could give neither, and a part of him was surprised at that. A very small and distant part, like a buried memory echoing…
"I know you." Hellin said, "You spoke to the court, of Morloch."
"I did. I am ally to this warrior. I have the cure which will restore Juria, and this I swear. That is why Longsword brought me here this night."
"You know the cure? You can make the green medicine?"
Allazar grimaced. "Highness, that was no medicine, but the vilest of poisons. If I might consult with my brethren?"
Hellin nodded, and Allazar bowed low before beckoning the whitebeards to join him in a corner. Gawain watched them, and noted their expressions of shock and horror while Allazar spoke. Their brief conference over, the Jurian wizards then consulted with the healers. Herbs and bottles were produced from bags and boxes, there was much grinding of pestles, and then the antidote was administered to the king.
All the while, Hellin stood proud and silent, and Jerryn stood in silent anguish. Then a healer approached, and announced that the king was already showing the first signs of recovery, and that it was hoped he would be restored to full health by the week's end.
At this, Hellin of Juria wept openly, and alone. Again, a distant memory called to Gawain, and he stepped forward.
"Your highness. What was done this night was done not only for justice, and vengeance, but for all Juria. This officer, this Captain, has served you well, and the Crown. But for him, and but for his honour to you and your father, another royal crown would decorate the court in Death's kingdom. Do not judge him harshly who serves you so well."
The words, softly spoken but with such power, drew the princess up, and stemmed the tears. She wiped her eyes, and looked up at the black-clad warrior standing so close to her.
"Thank you, Longsword. For Juria."
Gawain bowed, and stepped back.
"And thank you, Captain Jerryn," she said, "For the Crown. Please forgive a foolish daughter's love, and the fear which prompted unworthy words. Honour to you, Captain."
Jerryn bowed low, and then with his back ramrod straight, he turned and opened the door for Gawain and Allazar.
Outside, they walked from the Keep in silence towards to the high walls surrounding the town. Then Gawain spoke.
"You should increase the guard on your walls and at the Keep, Captain. It was too simple for me to gain entry."
"I had already thought the same thing, moments after you dragged me into the shadows."
The fires at the Ramoth compound had died down to a red glow, but ash still fell.
"Allazar tells me that there are new enemies in the southlands to beware of."
"In truth?" Jerryn asked.
Allazar simply nodded.
"Black riders, sent by Morloch to hunt me down."
"Then they shall find no welcome in Juria if they come." Jerryn announced firmly. Then, as they reached the gates and they were swung open by the nightwatch, he added, "Where do you go now, friend Longsword?"
Gawain paused. "To the inn for my horse and my belongings. And then I think to Threlland."
"Then speed your journey. Would that I could accompany you."
Gawain smiled sadly. "You are too honourable a Jurian officer to partake of the deeds I must do, friend Jerryn. You have done enough this night by way of vengeance. Be at peace, and serve the Crown. They will have need of men such as yourself, and soon, I fear.”
They shook hands, and Gawain suddenly added "But thank you. I had thought not to find a single ally on my journeys. To find two strengthens my resolve, and my arm."
"All Juria owes you a debt. You know where to find me, if a need arises. Look yonder, to the east."
Gawain followed Jerryn's gaze, and saw a bloom of light on the far horizon.
"Could that be dawn come early?" he asked.
"In a manner of speaking, it is dawn come too late." Jerryn replied. "That comes from the town of Vardon. They have seen the light of our fire here, and have taken heart and courage from it, and have lit their own."
"Then farewell, Jerryn. Honour to you."
"And to you friend. You too, wizard, for all Juria this day."
They left Jerryn at the gates and made their way to the inn to collect Gwyn and Gawain's packs.
"It was kind of that officer to thank me." Allazar mumbled.
"It was indeed." Gawain muttered in response, and the ironic tone in his voice was not lost on the wizard.
"Are we held in such low regard by all?" Allazar persisted.
"What reason is there for you not to be?"
Allazar sighed.
"What is aquamire?" Gawain prompted again.
"You will see for yourself, if you make it as far as you hope. Sooner, if you encounter Black Riders and manage to kill them. It is the stuff which empowers them. Do not ask me to describe how it is made. I do not have your strength, and cannot speak of it."
"Yet Juria will recover?"
"He will. He was fortunate. Another month or two, and who can say."
Gawain fetched his pack from his room, shed his blackening cloths, and in the stables set about saddling Gwyn while Allazar looked on.
"Do you truly intend going to the Teeth?” Allazar asked.
"I do."
"I had hoped you might venture east."
"Why?"
"The Arrun and the Mornlanders suffer under the Ramoths. Both are a gentle people, and would welcome a warrior to fight for them."