Chapter 13 - Baron Mournfell

Tarn looked at the man who for ten years had beenhis superior, and even sometimes his friend.

Time hasn’t changed him much.

He looked much the same as he had — thinning black hair, average height, average build. In short,there was nothing distinguishing about the man — savehis eyes. His piercing blue eyes were a window to the man’sintelligence, the one thing about him that was not averagein any way.He dropped to one knee before the Baron. “Greetings,

my Lord. I hope this spring day nds you well?”

“Well enough, old friend. Well enough. Rise, and tellme, what brings you here on a matter so urgent that Alec

overcame his hatred of you and sent you back to see me?” Tarn stood stify. “Milord, Alec doesn’t know I’m here.

It is his hatred of the orcs that has brought him to hisruin, and possibly that of us all. Five days past, as youmay know, Alec broke the siege of the village of Greywall.I arrived two days later on…. other business, and foundthat the village Elderman had taken custody of four orcprisoners, one of which we interrogated.“Your Excellency, let me be blunt. Alec has ridden intoa trap. A chieftain named Grom Ten-Kill has conquered agroup of orc clans and offered up a thousand warriors just

to bait a trap for Alec.” The Baron visibly stiffened and the

mention of Ten-Kill’s name. “The orc told us that many warriors wait across the river. The orc couldn’t count, buthe said there were ‘As many as sands on river bank.’ Their

goal is to wipe out Alec’s command.” Tarn hesitated briey.“ Milord Baron, I fear Alec might already be dead.”

The Baron nodded almost imperceptibly. “If what you

say is true, he very well could be. I always said his hatredof the greenbacks was most irrational. But then, you of all people already know that. How sure are you of this

information? Have you done any scouting yourself?”

“No, milord. I haven’t, for the ‘other business’ Imentioned may be even more serious than an orc invasion,if that is possible. It appears that some one, or something,

has been summoning…. demons.”“Demons?” His voice was incredulous. “What proof have you of this? No one has practiced such black arts incenturies!”

“I myself have no proof, milord. However, accordingto an orc Shaman we met, that it isn’t orcs doing theraiding. Rather, it is some sort of ancient demon called a

soul stealer.

At least, that is what the Shaman said, andthe cleric, who is familiar with the clans and their ways,

believes him.”“Do you believe him?”

“I don’t know what to believe anymore. I never wouldhave thought that the orcs could do something so clever,

either. But a demon? By the hells, I don’t know. But yes, I

am inclined to believe that there is

something

strange going

on.”“So what would you have me do, Tarn? Tonath tells

me he has already made provision to double the watch. Idon’t have the men to go chasing after whims and fancies! This gods-cursed war back west will be the death of us,Nohmahl, but how can I refuse a direct summons from Earl

Stoutheart? He says he needs the men! Who am I to argue with him?”“Milord, you know the conditions here better than his

Grace does. Surely you could send someone to protest these

troop withdrawals...”

“Don’t you think I’ve tried! By all that is holy, man,I’ve tried! But always the replies are the same. ‘You haveenough men to face the orcs,’ he says. ‘All will be made up

to you in the future.’ Bosh! It’s all he ever says!”“I…. I don’t know what to say, milord.”

“Say nothing, old friend, for there is nothing left to say.Simply pray that the warning you have brought me hasarrived in time to do some good. Now, what is this beast

you speak of?” Tarn did his best to ll the Baron in on everything

they had already learned. With every word, the noble’s

expression became grimmer until nally, when he

concluded, the Baron looked at him and said “What do you

and your companions hope to do now?”

His answering chuckle held no mirth. “I was hoping,

milord, that you could help us out there. If we can even nd

the thing, the old mage insists we need an army to go afterit —and that doesn’t mention the magi and clerics we would

need to bind it and banish it.”

The Baron splayed his hands apart as he slouchedinto his seat, thinking. “I suppose I could send one moremessage to Earl Stoutheart. For that matter, I could evenpetition him again to have one of his magi open a portal, sothat I might consult with him in person. But beyond that,all we can do, I guess, is be vigilant. Tell me, does your

friend believe Ulric Icethorne could defeat the demon? Ormayhaps that old dwarven priest down at their temple?”

Tarn could only shrug once more. “I actually don’t havemuch knowledge at all. I only came to see you because we