Free Wistril Compleat by Frank Tuttle

House
Carthrop," he said, puffing out his chest. "My House is renowned
for its lenience toward lesser houses," he said. "You need have no
fear."
    "Oh, we all need a bit of fear, Baron," said
Wistril, with a smile. He opened his hand, and the standard floated
lazily from his grasp and bobbed toward the rider. "After all, sir,
is not fear the parent of caution, and caution the watchword of the
wise?"
    The Baron's jaw twitched. Wistril made as if
to stifle a small yawn. "What brings Carthrop to Kauph, Baron
Caron?" he asked.
    Horses shuffled nervously as Sir Knobby's
stomach suddenly growled.
    "I come to meet the Lady Hohnserrat," said
the Baron. His eyes narrowed, and he took a step toward Wistril.
"She is to be my wife."
    Wistril beamed. "Indeed, sir. What a happy
occasion. But where, pray tell, is the most fortunate Lady
Hohnserrat?"
    "On her way," said the Baron. He glared, and
his hand fell to rest upon his sword-hilt. "I trust we may be
assured of the hospitality of your House."
    "Certainly," said Wistril, with a small bow.
"My House welcomes you. Will you dine with us?"
    The Baron's eyes went soft, and his scowl
became a smirk. "We will," he said. "Poor fare though it may be."
He turned to his troops and bellowed in Oomish. Kern watched
Wistril, but the fat wizard's round face was betrayed no hint of
anger.
    "How many may we expect?" asked Wistril.
    The Baron turned. "My officers and I. A
dozen. Oh, and my wizard." The Baron spat. "So make it
thirteen."
    "I shall have rooms for you all," said
Wistril. "And your men may camp outside my walls, if you wish."
    "I do," said the Baron. He motioned toward
the gate. "Sunset, then," he said.
    "Such is the custom," replied Wistril.
    The Baron turned, mounted, and wheeled away,
bellowing as he went.
    The ranks of dirty soldiers facing Kern,
Wistril, and Sir Knobby glared and shuffled. "So, fellows," said
Kern, brightly. "I have the most ferocious appetite, these days.
Which one of you weighs the most?"
    None ran, but within moments the gates were
clear.
     
     
    Kern sat uneasy in his chair and picked at
his food with his five-tined victual fork. He resisted the urge to
peer about at the Hall, in appreciation of Wistril's glamour spell;
the Baron can't see me gawking, thought Kern, if he is to believe I
see this every day.
    Though in truth, mused Kern, I've never seen
anything like this. Oh, the true Hall is pleasant enough, in a
plain, well-scrubbed sort of way -- but now it looks like the court
of the High King himself. Gold candlesticks, silver chandeliers?
Master, wondered Kern -- are you perhaps overdoing this just a
bit?
    Kern frowned. Though the Hall was rendered
gold-plated and splendid by Wistril's spell, the food was,
reflected Kern, unusually spare. Beef, boiled yet tough and hardly
seasoned; chunks of potatoes in a thick beef stock, and a helping
of wilted, chewy green beans that bore the tinny flavor of
vegetables too long in a jar.
    Not once could Kern recall such a poor table
set at Kauph. Not even for wandering tradesmen, or the time both
Wistril and Cook had fallen ill and Kern and Sir Knobby had manned
the kitchen; even we knew better than to boil beef without a bit of
salt, he thought.
    The Baron chewed and smacked and wiped his
lips with apparent gusto, though, as did his men. All except the
wizard, who had yet to lift his hands above the table to pick up a
fork.
    Kern's eyes darted about the table. Wistril
ate slowly, his expression pained, and more than once Kern caught
Wistril stealing glances at the Carthrop wizard, as well.
    The wizard, whom the Baron had introduced as
Herthmore, was robed and cowled, and sat so that his hood fell over
most of his face. Kern hadn't seen the man's eyes, or his nose. But
Kern did see the sickly yellow cast the man's skin, and the sheen
of old sweat that covered it. The wizard wore a chin-beard in the
fashion of Eastern sorcerers, and by watching the movements of bits
of old food lodged in the whiskers Kern could tell the