CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE BENEVOLENT BARON MICHAEL
Garrick looked out the window from his room at Baron Michael’s mansion and toward the hills that were being mined for iron under the emergency request of King Brock. The mercenary and his six companions' voyage on The Wet Wanderer, from the bottom of The Cloud Shroud Mountain, down The Living River, to their current location of Fawndale, had been more treacherous than he’d thought it would be, especially after they had recently taken the dwarven ring that held one of the three Holy Stones of Elion from the dragon Firebaugh.
Who could have forseen that they would go from fighting the dragon in the mountain to leviathans in the river the next day. If they had learned anything though, it was that not only would times to rest be far and in between, they must also always be on their guard. Even so, they now had two of the three Holy Stones needed for the Scepter Sword and as soon as Elias was completely revived they could continue the quest. And hopefully complete it before Lord Grimdall marched even farther into Danaria.
“Rowlee and Wompit have taken a liking to Onyx. And I must say, I have too,” said a gentle voice.
Garrick turned around and looked at the well-dressed, tall, fit middle-aged man standing in the doorway, then down at the two big dogs flanking him. Baron Michael’s dogs looked imposing, but Garrick had come to see that they were as lovable as they were fierce.
Garrick smiled and nodded. “We are all grateful, not only for your hospitality, but for what you have been doing for our friend.”
Baron Michael leaned against the doorway, rubbed his fine trimmed practically gray beard, then crossed his arms. “I will admit, if it were not for Captain Lestada’s assurance, I am not sure you would be here, but he and I go way back, even before the king bestowed on me the title of baron. When he sent word after docking that a Knight of Providence needed help, I was all for it. My brother Logan served the high priest as well, but when I read that he would be accompanied by a mercenary, an elf maiden, a wizard, a dwarf, a cleric and a thief, of all things...”
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
Michael rubbed his short, graying brown hair then continued “...I was skeptical, to say the least. I have never seen a Knight of Providence or a cleric, for that matter, travel in such strange company before. However, seeing how even the thief cares more for him than the valuable items I have laid out in this house, tells me that not only is Elias not an imposter, but something important must be going on for you all to be traveling together.”
Garrick looked back out the window at the hills, where Ondibar was helping Baron Michael’s men in his mines. Then he looked down.
“I am sorry. I cannot tell you what we are doing. Just know that we are on the same side in this new war,” assured Garrick. Then he turned around and looked again at the baron. “King Brock bestowed the title of baron on you because he has counted on you time and again to deliver iron for his weapons, in the rare event that he cannot get them from The Dwarven Kingdom, and you have never failed. You aided him during Landon Rosser’s rebellion a year ago. You are aiding him now, as no iron can come from King Ironhearth while Lord Grimdall invades his Mountain Kingdom. When Elias is healed completely we, in our own way, will aid in this fight as well. You have my word.”
“I believe you, mercenary,” replied Baron Michael. “I will pry no further.” After he nodded respectfully he continued “You and your friends have shown me and my people nothing but respect, even when I was skeptical. Please let me now show you and yours respect with wine and dinner tonight. I will send for the dwarf in the mines. I trust you can seek out the rest of your friends. I believe the wizard, the cleric and the elf maiden are in the library.” Then the baron looked in the direction of the room next to the library. “Of course, I am sure you know where the thief is. She has never left the knight’s side since you arrived.”
Baron Michael whistled and motioned to another door with his hand and Rowlee and Wompit rushed outside. Then he turned again to Garrick. “Tell the girl that I am sending one of my most trusted attendants to watch over Elias while we eat.”
Baron Michael turned to leave, but then stopped after seeing Alturas walking quickly toward him. A second later the man handed him a letter. After a brief moment the baron placed the note in his coat pocket and smiled at Garrick.
“Even better, my fellow compatriot, one of my underworld connections may have found a way to heal Elias completely, and soon,” announced Baron Michael.
Garrick’s eyes lit up and he started to open his mouth when Michael raised his hand and grinned. “No no. Let us all discuss it together at dinner.”
Garrick’s mind started to race as he watched Baron Michael start down the hall. Then the mercenary stepped out of the room and walked the opposite way toward the library. There was still much to be done before they could leave, but Garrick knew for sure that this was one dinner he would not be late for.
