Free Greyrawk (Book 2) by Jim Greenfield Page A

pierced by an arrow and fall from your horse?" Greyrawk grinned.
    "Then you play it as you see fit. Don't stop and ask me anything."
    "Don't worry; I shall be moving too fast to see to you."
    Brandalay looked at him.
    "Ian, I almost believe you when you say that."
    "Your face is very familiar. You've never told me your given name."
    "No, I haven't."
    "Well?"
    "Tarlac. I was once Lord Tarlac Brandalay. I had lands to the southeast near the town of Triss. Now, just call me Brandalay. Let's go."
    "Hm. Never heard of you. Never been in Peradon? Led any caravan's through the desert?"
    "I said I've never set foot on Anavar. Our paths have never crossed before. Of that at least, I am sure."
    Brandalay rode briskly ahead while Greyrawk watched his progress.
    Brandalay rode to within several yards of the bridge and raised his left hand. Greyrawk spurred his horse and charged forward. Brandalay waited until Greyrawk was nearly upon him and he charged forward too. They crossed the bridge together as shouts came from both sides of the road. A dozen horsemen gave chase. Greyrawk grinned at Brandalay when he saw they had the jump on the ambushers. They rode hard and kept the lead constant. Greyrawk Mountain rose up two miles beyond them. They would reach it ahead of their pursuers. Hooves pounded the road and the horses labored the last half-mile, but Greyrawk and Brandalay leapt off their mounts and led the horses into the thick brush at the base of the mountain. Swiftly, they passed upward into the constant wind and mist that surrounded the summit.
    Greyrawk looked back and their pursuers stopped at the foot of the mountain. They cursed at Greyrawk but would not climb the hill. Not one would venture up the trail. Some of them must have been part of the first group that tried to catch him.
    "Where are Arenna's men?" asked Greyrawk.
    "I do not know," said Brandalay. "I was starting to worry about my horse making it all the way. They should have been here. But I will tell you one thing: neither Arenna's men nor our pursuers will come up the mountain. No one will."
    "You have."
    "I've never been accused of high intelligence. Can you tell me you saw nothing strange up here?"
    "No. I have seen things."
    "As I did the one other time I was here. I thought I would never come back. I hoped I would never come back." He looked at the wild overgrown summit.
    "Why, Tarlac Brandalay, what a thing to say," said Ioane Adan. She stepped out of the trees to meet them and Greyrawk felt his pulse quicken. She was as stunning as before and looked even more alive if possible. Brandalay stared at her; a vision out in an unlikely place.
    "You are a distant relation to the Greyrawk's, are you not, Brandalay?"
    "Who are you?" asked Brandalay. "Where did you come from?"
    "Her name is Ioane Adan."
    "Yes, thank you for the introduction, Ian. Brandalay, this was once called Adan's Hill before Men came here. My father is Jerue Adan and he named this place."
    "Celaeri?"
    "Very good, Brandalay. You see, Ian, not everyone has forgotten us. I am glad you came back. We have much to discuss. Father wants to meet you and Brandalay will be welcome too. Blood is very important to Celaeri and you both have some Celaeri blood."
    "Ioane, I have seen Belderag. He keeps grandfather's sword on his wall. I must get it back."
    "Of course you must. It is Celaeri forged, after all. Belderag is unworthy to possess such a treasure. But I am being rude. I have prepared a meal on the summit for you both. Let us dine and continue our discussion. Your horses can graze up there too. The grass is overgrown and needs trimming."
    "How did you know we were coming?" asked Greyrawk.
    "The view from the summit commands a wide area. I recognized you as you approached."
    "And you prepared a meal? I am impressed," said Greyrawk.
    "The meal was in progress before I saw you," said Ioane Adan. "We Celaeri do not have that kind of magic."
    Brandalay followed Ioane and Greyrawk looked back down the trail but