Horin nodded. "That is only prudent. How long will you need?"
"A week?" Grimm hazarded. "A month? In all truth, Dominie, I don't know. I want to cast a few more spells on my staff and try to lay my hands on a few useful protective periapts: an amulet to ward off missiles, for example; and various types of wards for specific threats. I have little idea where to look for such items, although I know they exist."
"I can help you there," Horin said, "High Lodge has a large store of such charms. Give me a list of what you think you require, and I'll try to obtain the items for you under the guise of personal research.
"These charms are only loaned, mind you." Horin wagged his index finger and frowned. "You are not to consider them as gifts. On this, I refuse to negotiate."
Grimm stood, and bowed. "I understand. Thank you, Lord Horin. I also ask that I be allowed to make my preparations from my stronghold in Crar."
"As long as you keep your purpose from as many people as possible, including your… your paramour.
"I mean it, Questor; keep your mouth closed. Is that understood?"
"Understood, Dominie; it may be difficult to come up with some kind of rationale, but I'll think of something."
Horin lowered himself into the seat opposite the Questor. "This may be the most important Quest you are ever asked to undertake, Questor Grimm. Make it a good one. No record will ever be made of what you do, but it is a vital Quest, nonetheless. Is that all?"
Grimm considered the Dominie's words; it seemed like he might be risking his life, his sanity, for little reward. "With regard to our bargain, Lord Horin: if I should find incontrovertible evidence of my grandfather's innocence, will you consider restoring his name to the Guild roll of honours? That would mean more to me than any other reward."
Horin closed his eyes and meditated for a few moments before he spoke. "I'll do what I can within the strictures of Guild Law; I am constrained by it as much as anyone else. That's all I can promise at this time, but I swear I will explore every possible avenue, including any that may arise due to future changes in the Laws. Is that acceptable?"
Grimm nodded; his heart was full. A tear rolled down the side of his nose, but he paid it no heed. "That's all I ask, Lord Mage. Thank you, with all my heart."
Horin settled back in his armchair; he appeared well satisfied. "You'll have the seventh ring on your staff by noon, and I'll have your cognomen ratified and approved by this evening. Congratulations, Grimm Dragonblaster.
"Now, can I interest you in some of this pickled herring? It's delicious."
Grimm smiled. "Thank you, Lord Horin. Perhaps I am a little hungry, after all."
The young mage felt happy beyond measure. With the possible restitution of Loras' honour in sight, he would give his utmost to the Quest, and he put all concern for his own safety behind him.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 20: Homecoming
Grimm drew the wagon to a halt in front of the gates of Crar. From his vantage point, high above the entrance passage, a guard called out, "Who goes there? What is your business in Crar?"
Grimm swept the cowl from his head and shouted, "I am Baron Grimm, lord of this city." The title still sounded fanciful and ludicrous to his ears.
"One moment, please, Lord Baron."
A few minutes passed, during which, Grimm had no doubt, a number of weapons were being trained on the vehicle. At the end of this period, a small door in the great gate opened, and the Questor recognised the green-clad form of General Quelgrum.
"General, it's good to see you," Grimm called. "How goes it?"
As he drew closer, the General's lined, leathery face broke into a broad grin. He stopped several yards from the cart. "Well met, Lord Baron! I must apologise for the delay in your entrance; however, there are a few formalities to complete. With your permission, may I search your wagon?"
Grimm frowned. "This is me, General; Grimm Afelnor. You do remember me, I presume? I'm hungry and tired, and I have two Guild colleagues with me, in a similar state." He felt little inclination to play army games.
"Your pardon, Lord Grimm. There is sickness in the city of Hagarn; a grave illness, Baron. Doctor Querl is inspecting all incomers for signs of the ailment. I trust you understand."
"Hagarn? I never heard of it, General."
"It's seventy-five miles to the south-east of here, Lord Baron. That may sound a long way off, but it's better to be careful."
Grimm suppressed a smile, despite the torpor that possessed him after the long, hot journey.
Quelgrum's taking his oath to protect the city from all assaults very seriously.
"Very well, Generaclass="underline" we'll wait for the Doctor."
"Don't you teach the hired help more respect than that?" Guy hissed from the back of the wagon. "I'm so hungry, I could eat one of these bloody horses, or maybe two. Just tell soldier-boy to step aside and let us in."
"Shut up, Guy." Grimm knew the sullen Questor responded better to defiance than diplomacy. "The man's just doing his job. You'd be more than ready to berate him if he skimped his duties and you got sick."
He could not hear Guy's sotto voce reply, but the tone of his voice, if far from cheerful, carried a note of grudging, grumbling acceptance.
A strange apparition, dressed from head to foot in a leather cape with a cowl stepped from the portal. A bizarre mask in the form of a bird's face covered the man's face, and he wore heavy gauntlets. The unearthly figure seemed to float over to the side of the wagon, since the cape hid his legs and feet from view.
"Would you mind stepping down, please, Lord Grimm?"
Despite the hollow, ethereal tone caused by the strange mask, Grimm recognised the gentle voice of the man who had nursed him in the aftermath of the final defeat of Starmor in the streets of Crar. The Questor owed Querl a lot for bringing him back to the world of the living, after his prodigious expenditure of energy during that Quest.
"Of course not, Doctor Querl." Grimm's face crinkled into a smile. He complied with the physician's request, and Querl subjected the mage's mouth, ears and neck to a close examination, his searching eyes just visible through the heavy glass lenses in his mask.
"You seem unaffected by the disease," the medical man concluded. "May I now examine your companions?"
Numal submitted to his examination without a murmur, although Guy grumbled and complained throughout his own, as Grimm had expected. At last, the doctor declared himself satisfied that all three mages were in good health.
Quelgrum approached Grimm and saluted. "Welcome, Lord Baron. It's good to have you back."
"It's good to be back, General," the young mage replied. "Might I prevail on you to visit me this evening, after I've had a good wash and something to eat? I have an important matter I'd like to discuss with you."
"I'm at your command, Lord Baron."
Grimm nodded. "Perhaps you'd like to accompany us into the city, General?"
"Thank you, Lord Grimm; these old legs aren't what they used to be," the soldier said in a soft voice; Grimm suppressed a smile, guessing that the General did not want any of his juniors to hear this admission of mortality.
The magic-users clambered back onto the vehicle, and Quelgrum ordered the gates of the city opened. Grimm flicked the reins, and the wagon trundled into Crar, with the General riding on the foot-rail beside the young Baron.
This isn't the Crar I know!
The Questor's eyes took in the pristine, gleaming buildings and the spotless thoroughfares. Ramshackle ruins had been replaced by new, spotless edifices, and the marketplace, once a dingy, dismal haunt of Starmor's puppets, now sported gaily-caparisoned stalls, by which people chatted, haggled and argued in an animated fashion.
"Not quite how you remember it, eh, Baron?" Quelgrum's voice bore an unmistakeable note of pride.