- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
      Copyright (c) 1992, 1993 Charles Tryon / All Rights Reserved
 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

			T h e   T o w e r s

 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =


8:  The Return to Arabel

   Travel was slow heading back down the mountain, since the prisoners
were so weak.  GreyEagle had given up her horse to Gloria and the child to
ride and she walked next to them as they slowly crept down the rocky
slopes.  Amelia spent most of the time huddled in her mother's arms,
starring wildly off into space.  Occasionally Mathur would take and hold
her a while, freeing her mother.  Most of the time though, Gloria insisted
on holding her only remaining child.
   As they stopped for the first night, GreyEagle was still quietly
concerned about Sucaba.  He sat a short distance from the others, leaning
with his back against Horton, just beyond the light of the small fire they
had built.  She went to him and spoke with him quietly.
   "May I talk with you for a moment?" she asked.  Sucaba said nothing as
he sat staring at the fire.  "The star is a part of the tower," she
continued when he didn't protest, "and as such, belongs to Schimray." She
hesitated for a moment.  "You could fly ahead when we near Arabel and tell
Schimray about the star before the rest of us get there, and then let him
handle it from there.  I am sure that, if he wants it, he will have ways
of getting it.  I just don't think it necessary or profitable to make an
issue of it here in the wilderness."  She looked over to where the silent
mage was setting up his things for the night.  "I doubt it even has any
usefulness outside of the towers themselves, though it may contain some
other powers that we will find useful to defeat our enemies in the other
towers."
   Sucaba nodded.  "It will end up in the correct hands."  He smiled
slightly.  "Things always do."
   GreyEagle was not sure to what her referred, but she felt that at least
he was not planning on doing anything rash, so she left him for the
night.  Even as the others bedded down for the night Sucaba remained
there, motionless, staring into the embers of the fire.
   The next morning as they traveled, GreyEagle had much to think about.
She was still surprised at the ease with which they had taken the first
tower, and almost embarrassed at all of her concern beforehand, though she
was certain that the other towers would be more difficult.  The incident
with the star had, however, pointed out another threat, perhaps even more
insidious than the towers themselves, which lurked just under the
surface.  This was a group of strong personalities, and secretive lives.
She felt as if she knew the others in the group no better now than she had
when they had first left Arabel.  Each kept to himself, following his own
agenda.  Sucaba and the others had almost come to blows over the magical
star, and that chapter was not finished yet.  Sucaba was a driven man, and
she had no desire of getting in his way.  Somehow, she wasn't surprised
that Schimray had chosen him as the spokesman for the group.
   Yet, even as spokesman, he was not really the leader.  The individual
members in the group all seemed to be drifting along in the same general
direction, but there was no sense of companionship or working together.
They had made it through the battle at the tower, each doing their own
part, but what might have happened if they had met with anything worse
than a couple of ogres and a handful of orcs?  They could quickly become
splintered and separated, each trying to be a hero.  She was grateful for
Ormec's strength.  She had watched him fight and was impressed with his
skill, and even Conrad had fought well, though not with the same frenzy as
Ormec.  Still, they were individual fighters, and not a unit.
   GreyEagle longed to talk with Schimray again.  She somehow felt more
comfortable around him than any of the others, in spite of his age.
Schimray was as warm and gentle as the others were cold and distant.  She
remembered his tales from that night, and the feeling of his arms around
her, strong and protecting.  But even with him she still wondered how
complete a picture she had.  What was he really like?  Could it really
have been less than one day that she had spent with him?  How silly could
she be, falling in love with someone so quickly.  She had known plenty of
boys as she had grown up, but they had either been such simpletons, with
sights that never went any farther than the hills which surrounded the
tiny village they had been in, or over-sexed bullies, who could think of
nothing more than getting their hands all over her.  She shuddered with
the memory of some of the times she had spent with them out in the
wilderness tending the sheep.  She had learned a few subtle moves which
had always served to make them back off, sometimes causing them to limp
around for days afterwards, but ever since that time she had learned to
keep a careful guard on her emotions.  That was what confused her so about
Schimray.  She had just melted in his hands, even after he'd done some of
the exact same things the boys had done when she was growing up.
   Then she remembered his eyes.  As she had been ready to slug him,
sitting flopped on his lap, she had looked into his eyes, and something
within her had melted away, something which had not softened for a long,
long time.  Perhaps it was the deep look of sorrow she had seen there.
Schimray had a hard exterior, but the one window left into his soul was
his eyes, and she had looked right through them.
   As they inched their way down the rocky path, she looked around at the
others.  Sucaba had shown great interest in Schimray's tale of the dark
creature that night.  He was clearly interested in whatever magics might
still be left in the towers, and was not about to let others stand in his
way.  She thought that she could handle him if it ever came to a face to
face confrontation, but he had other ways to get at people.  She was
afraid of him, more so than any of the others, except perhaps for
Trouble.
   She looked at Trouble and wondered why Schimray had specifically warned
her about him.  He was another quiet one, though not so quiet as the
silent one.  He didn't seem threatening, though she shivered as she
remember the incident with the kobolds.  She had seen through Schimray's
eyes, but Trouble's were like locked and barred shutters.  It was not very
often that he would even look her straight in the eye.  He and Sucaba were
close enough though, often snickering at the little misfortunes or
mistakes of the others, treating the prisoners as dirt.  She was just as
glad now that Sucaba spent most of his time in the air on Horton, rather
than on the ground scheming with Trouble.
   The path was steep and treacherous, and they had to stop often to give
the prisoners a rest.  She was glad that they had the horses for them to
ride, but even then it was not a simple matter, for the horses often lost
their footing and threatened to stumble.  There was no clear path, and
they had to make their own way, often leading into dead ends, forcing them
to backtrack, which cost more time.  The prisoners were still stunned by
the gruesome ritual which they had just gone through, and prone to long
periods of silence.  As GreyEagle carefully tried to lead her horse over
the rough terrain, she longed for Arabel and Schimray.  She looked forward
to sleeping in a real bed, with food cooked in a real kitchen.  She looked
forward to some real wine, and a chance to relax and not feel like she had
to be continually watching her back.  She put her head down and trudged
on.
   It took three days to come down out of the mountains.  The fierce heat
had returned once again and again they were forced to travel at night.  It
was not long however, before it began to be apparent to everyone that the
food and water supplies would not last much longer.  They had been low
before, and the burden of feeding four more people had quickly depleted
their reserves.
   "We have a couple of days worth of water," Ormec told them after
checking through the supplies, "though I think we could stretch the food
out for four or five days if we had to."  They had stopped for the day in
the shade of a couple of scruffy bushes.  It was the best they could find
to protect them from the heat of the day.
   "I don't know what Sucaba may have spotted from the air, but I have
seen no evidence of streams as we have traveled," Trouble grumbled,
looking sharply at Gloria and the child.
   "I haven't spotted so much as a squirrel since we hit the edge of the
desert," Conrad added.  "Wouldn't it be just grand if we survived the
storming of the tower, only to die of thirst in this God forsaken desert."
   Thos walked over to where they were standing.  "I'm not so bad at
hunting, though I don't have my bow or arrows with me."
   "Fat lot of good they would do you here," Trouble spat.
   Just then Horton glided in with Sucaba on his back.  He was visible
now, and seemed to enjoy the look of fear which the sight of his dragon
brought to the eyes of Gloria and the child.
   GreyEagle turned to him.  "You were able to catch some game on the way
up here.  Can you catch more?"  Sucaba made no answer immediately, but
considered the group in silence for a while.
   "There isn't much I can do," Conrad said, "but I'll help out all I
can.  I think we should stay closer to the hills.  We won't last long in
the heat without water."
   "It took us a fortnight to get from the edge of the desert to where I
spotted the tower," GreyEagle said.  "We have four or five days worth of
food left.  We have already gone for two days.  If we can stretch things
with hunting, even if that means going further into the hills, we should
be able to hold out until we reach the road at Gnoll Pass.  The hills to
the south of the mountains should hold enough game to get us through."
   "Nothing but trouble, these prisoners," Trouble grumbled angrily.  He
shook his finger in GreyEagle's face.  "I told you we shouldn't have
bothered with them, but no, you and Ormec had to show how merciful you
were."  He cast an angry look at Thos and Mathur.  "I'll help look for
food, but do not expect any handouts from me."  He turned his back and
sulked off.  GreyEagle had noticed him eating at different times while
they traveled and suspected that he had brought along a small supply of
his own food which he was now dipping into.
   Ormec shook his head.  "Well, we had better start scouting for food and
water now before we run out."
   "Horton and I will depart and try to find game and water," Sucaba said
finally.  He had been standing a short distance off from the others,
leaning against Horton's side.  He paused a moment, and a wicked grin
crossed his face.  "The female prisoner might make a nice snack.  What'dya
say cutie?"  GreyEagle had been standing with her back turned to him, and
she wheeled around in a rage, thinking to slap him, but when she saw the
dragon slowly raise its head with a cold look of warning in its eyes, she
held her hand.
   "Enough of that kind of talk!"  Ormec flashed hotly, and the color rose
in his cheeks.  "You had best treat these people with a little respect,
considering what they've been through."  Sucaba sneered back at the two of
them and a low, cruel chuckle came from the dragon.  However, GreyEagle
now knew that she had committed herself to stay with the prisoners, and if
worse came to worse, she would tell the others to go on and she would
escort the others back, by herself if she had to.  Her eyes became cold
and hard as she stared at Sucaba.
   Since no one had any better ideas, Sucaba and Horton took off towards
the mountains to see if they could find food and water.  The others began
to search around for edible plants, but found little in the hard, dry
soil.
   Sucaba returned several hours later.  "We have been quite successful,"
he said with a smug look as he leapt down from Horton's back.  "I have
filled all our water bags and Horton brought down a couple of deer.  He
has eaten his fill of one, but here is another for Trouble to butcher for
us.  This should hold us for several days."  Trouble quickly began to work
on the deer, and by the time the sun had begun to sink in the west, had
butchered, cooked and dried most of it.  They estimated that they would be
very close to the end of the mountains before needing to hunt again.
   As they waited for Trouble, Sucaba sat watching Gloria and her daughter
as they played a game with the stones that were so plentiful along their
path.  "I hope you appreciate what we have done for you, and all the
trouble you've been to us," he mumbled.
   "Oh yes," Thos assured him, "and we plan to reward you well once we
return."
   Sucaba eyed him scornfully.  "I don't suppose you have much to make a
reward out of, but I will take what I can get."
   "You need not fear on that account," Mathur broke in.  "You're right
that we are not wealthy, but we are honest enough to not try to take
advantage of others."
   Sucaba laughed.  "You need not try to play word games with me, friend.
You would not want to try to cheat me."
   Mathur smiled and bowed slightly.  "No, wise Sucaba, for our motives
are as clear to you as the night sky above us."  Sucaba opened his mouth
to say something, but then changed his mind.  He frowned and turned his
back on them to attend to something with Horton.
   With the crisis over food passed, GreyEagle was able to relax some.
She had worried that the issue of bringing the refugees back with them
might end up splitting the group, in which case, it was likely that none
of them other than Sucaba would have made it back.  She was convinced that
they had to stick together as a group, in spite of their differences.
Each member of the group had a skill which they would need in order to
defeat the forces in the towers, and in particular, the dark creature
which lay ahead of them.
   She shuddered as she thought once again of the demon which they faced.
How would they ever be able to defeat it?  Schimray seemed to have
confidence in them, a confidence which she was not sure she shared.  He
had spoken of wonderful magics which lay hidden in the towers, but if this
first tower was any indication, she didn't want to bet her life on finding
some great and powerful artifact to help them.  She ate her meal in
silence that night.
   They continued to travel along the edge of the desert.  During the cool
of the evening, when the heat of the day had begun to pass, GreyEagle and
Ormec began to teach the basics of defense to Mathur and Thos.  Although
still weak from their time suffering under the orcs, they tried their best
to do exactly as they were told, and were grateful for the lessons.  Day
by day they continued to regain their strength, and after a while were no
longer slowing down their progress.  They learned quickly, and even Gloria
was starting to show some interest in how to handle a dagger without
killing oneself.  At other times as they were resting, GreyEagle spent her
time playing with Gloria and Amelia, learning the little games they played
to keep themselves amused and teaching them games which she had played as
a child.  She enjoyed having another woman to talk with.
   After about a week of travel, they reached the trade route which went
through the pass and back to Arabel.  Having left the heat of the desert,
they had gone back to traveling during the day.  They traveled through the
pass and soon the gates of Arabel came within view.  GreyEagle felt an
excited thrill as she spotted the gates and she wondered when she would be
able to see Schimray.  Then, she felt a sudden nagging doubt.  Would he
still be interested in her, or would his attention have moved on to some
other, more immediate object?  She bit her lip and went on.
   She looked at Gloria and the others as they passed by the outlying
merchants and vendors who lined the road approaching the city, and was
suddenly embarrassed at the rags they still wore.  She stopped at a small
stand and laid down a couple of gold pieces for some simple clothes for
them.  Amelia was the most excited, and danced about showing off the new
dress which GreyEagle had bought for her.  Gloria quickly shushed her, but
she smiled shyly at GreyEagle.  GreyEagle looked at her and thought that
she was actually pretty now that she had on some decent clothing.
However, the others were impatient to get back, and would delay no longer,
so they all headed back into the city and to the inn where it had all
begun.
   GreyEagle paused before entering the inn, and looked up again at the
sign hanging above the door.  She remembered the first day she had stood
there and the uncertainty she had felt.  If she had known what was to
happen, would she have entered then?  Breathing a sigh, she walked once
again through the darkened doorway.
   Mathur touched GreyEagle's elbow before they sat down.  "I have
relatives in this city," he said quietly.  "I will leave the others here
with you while I go to find them.  I hope to be able to collect something
to keep your friends there happy.  Keep an eye on Gloria and the child for
me, would you please?"  He frowned as he looked over at Sucaba and the
other mages talking in low tones in a dark corner.  Then, with a nod, he
slipped out.
   It did not take long for him to return.  There was a happy reunion and
they make plans to leave.  But first, Mathur came back to the group and
handed over a small sack to GreyEagle.
   "Thank you for all you have done," he said to her.  "This is not enough
to repay you but it is all we could come up with.  Please accept it with
all our thanks."
   GreyEagle quietly accepted the sack and bowed slightly to Mathur.  It
pained her to even accept the money, knowing how much it meant to them,
and how measly a sum it would be to the group.  She had put aside a sack
of her own, and hidden it within her cloak.  Inside were 80 gold coins,
twenty for each of the refugees.  Taking Mathur aside a moment, she
slipped it into his hand.
   "You have a greater need of this than I do.  I cannot expect the others
to see as I do, so please accept this quietly, and use it to your health.
It will not buy back a brother or son, but perhaps it will ease the pain
of starting over again.  Who knows," she added with a shy smile, "we may
meet again some time in the future, and you will be able to return me the
favor."
   "Most gracious, my lady," Mathur responded.  "You are truly one of
life's special people and it would be my honor to see you again.  I hope
then, however, to be able to entertain you under better circumstances." He
took GreyEagle's hand and kissed it.
   As they turned back to the others, the girl broke away from her mother,
running into GreyEagle's arms and giving her a hug before leaving.
GreyEagle smiled at the girl and kissed her forehead.  The woman came over
and also hugged GreyEagle warmly.
   "Take care of yourself child, it is a rough bunch you find yourself
with."
   "Do not worry for me," she said with a smile, hiding the uncertainty
which she herself still felt.  "Take good care of the yourself and the
child, and do not give up hope.  May mercy go with you."
   GreyEagle handed over the sack which she had received from Mathur to
Sucaba.  She stood by the door and watched as the remains of the family
walked away from the inn.  Amelia was already skipping as she held on to
her mother's hand.  She would probably be the quickest to recover,
GreyEagle thought as they passed from sight around the corner of a
building.  She doubted though that any of them will ever be the same, no
matter how many years come to cover the horrors of the last few months.
   The others had already gone up to Sucaba's room.  By the time she
rejoined them, he had counted out the contents of the pouch, finding the
equivalent of 210 gold pieces in assorted coins.  Having divided up the
small reward, they each retired to their rooms to wait for dinner.
GreyEagle felt a knot in the pit of her stomach as she thought about how
much this small pile of coins must have meant to Mathur and his relatives,
and how little it was to the likes of Sucaba or Ormec.  She was even more
glad now than before that she had given Mathur the pouch of coins.  It was
true, in a way, that they did deserve some sort of reward for rescuing the
family, but it still hardly felt fair.  However, there was nothing more
that she could do about it now.
   GreyEagle spent the time laying in her bed, gazing up at the ceiling
and savoring its softness.  No matter how often she traveled, there was
still something delightful about returning home again.  Then she sighed
deeply.  Where was home?  How long had it been since she had returned to
where she had been born?  Her thoughts returned to her childhood home,
wandering the fields where she had tended the sheep, seeing again the
faces of friends she had known there.
   Then it came again, a vague darkness and fear.  She didn't know where
it came from, but in her thoughts, she shrank from it, fleeing it as it
reached out to her.  She sat upright in the bed, shaking.  Still gripped
by the chill of the memory, she crossed to the window which stood open to
the sun as it slowly sank into the West.  She stood there for a while,
drinking in the smells of the late afternoon air, and as a slight breeze
tossed through her hair, the darkness crept back to whence it had come.
She remembered that she would be seeing Schimray again soon, and the
thought filled her with hope.  She heard the sound of the others walking
down the hall to the commons room below, and she joined them.
   Schimray was not there, but a short time after the meal was served, he
walked up to the table.  "Good job," he said as he handed each of them a
small pouch.  "Inside you will find the balance of payment -- 250 gold
pieces.  I have important things to attend to this night, so I will speak
to you in the morning.  You will have a couple of weeks to rest up from
your travels and I am sure several of you will put that time to good use.
Also, I have recruited an additional member for your group.  He will be
joining you tomorrow.  Good night."  With that, he turned and left the
tavern.
   GreyEagle felt like she had been crushed.  She had been looking forward
to this time for so long, and he had walked away without even so much as a
look in her direction.  It was not as though she expected his constant
attention or special favors, but he had spoken to them as if she had not
even existed.  She angrily shoved the pouch into a pocket in her cloak
without even bothering to look inside.  She ate the rest of her meal in
silence with no appetite.  She knew that she should have enjoyed the food
-- the first real meal since having spent nearly a month on the road, but
it sat on her tongue with a bitter taste.  Trouble noticed her reaction
and snickered under his breath, to which she shot back an angry look.
   The others seemed satisfied however, and continued to talk excitedly as
they ate.  They were giddy over the gold which Schimray had just given
them and looked forward to the possibilities of treasure and magic at the
towers before them.  They cared little what Schimray had to say to them,
so long as they had their payment.  They excitedly made plans to celebrate
their success in this first quest.
   As they were finishing up, Sucaba called for their attention.  "We must
discuss business," he began, clearing his throat.  He paused for a moment
as the talk died down.
   "Up until now," he began carefully, "my comrade Horton has worked for
us and the good of the mission as a favor to me."  Sucaba squirmed a bit
before he went on.  "It is my belief that we now need to count Horton in
for a full share of treasure and magic if he is to continue in our
service."
   The silent one had just stood up from the table and was walking away as
Sucaba started to speak, his attention on the women in the corner.
However, as it dawned on him what Sucaba was suggesting, he halted in his
tracks and spun around.  His face was one of rage and his right hand
reached to the left side of his belt where he kept his sword.  GreyEagle
saw him and immediately tensed, her hand flashing to her own sword, though
she made no move, waiting to see what he would do.  Then, as quickly as
his anger had flared, the silent one backed down from his threat.
GreyEagle relaxed and let out a sigh of relief.  He returned to the table
to see what the others would say to Sucaba's proposal.
   Sucaba was surprised to see such a reaction from the silent one, but
since he made no other moves, he nervously looked around at the others and
continued.
   "His service to us has been immeasurable, as I am sure you are all
aware.  He certainly contributes as much as any of us.  Remember the
ambush by the Kobolds?  The food shortage?  I am sure we can agree to make
him a full member.  Horton has been a faithful beast, but he cannot be
taken for granted."
   "`A faithful beast,' you say," GreyEagle replied, looking at Sucaba
thoughtfully.  "I think I would call him more than just a `beast'.  While
I am not fond of the idea of splitting up magical items between an even
larger group, I think that your request is reasonable, as long as we are
assured of his continuing commitment to the group.  I agree that we could
have been in deep trouble without his services when we were short on
food."  She sat back and nodded her head.  "I will agree to including him
as a full member of the party."  Sucaba relaxed some at her response, but
GreyEagle could feel the heat from the gaze of the silent one as he glared
at her.  She quietly loosened the binding on her sword, keeping the mage
in the corner of vision.  The feeling spread through her that something
was about to happen.
   Trouble heaved a sigh.  "I have no problem with him being considered a
full member of the party," he said, but GreyEagle could see the look of
lost gold in his eyes.  Sucaba nodded towards him and appeared to relax
slightly, but the silent one put the palm of hand to his forehead and
shook his head.
   "I have a few beliefs about who constitutes a party member Sucaba,"
Conrad said after a pause.  "The first is helping the party.  Others
include acting as a full partner in the success or failure of action,
communicating with party members," he said with a rather obvious look in
the direction of the silent one, "presence in the adventure, and personal
freedom.  Although Horton has gainfully aided us in our travels, I don't
know if he fulfills these other items.  If I am to accept Horton as a full
partner in this, I want Horton to suggest that I should.  I want
assurances that he will be with us during substantial portions of the
adventure, and I want him to have his own free will in all matters.  If
you continue to be his boss, I can not accept it."
   "It is not my desire as his boss," Sucaba replied, "but as his peer
that I make this plea for Horton.  He deems it my duty to converse with
you for him.  I assure you," Sucaba added with a smile, "he does nothing
that he does not wish to."
   Conrad considered this for a moment.  "Consider I hire a bodyguard," he
said, leaning forward in his chair.  "My bodyguard is clearly an
intelligent being, and may very well help us all survive through its
actions.  If I ask the party to accept this bodyguard as a member of the
party, I should not be allowed to still be the bodyguard's boss.  If this
is just a case of your `employee' wanting a raise, it should not come at
the party's expense."  He leaned back again and looked at the others.
"Least you think me too opinionated," he added with a shrug, seeking to
avoid a confrontation, "I will accede to the group's wishes in this
matter." The silent one grimaced at this, gritting his teeth.  Sucaba
continued to watch him carefully as the others spoke.
   Ormec had sat quietly thinking as Conrad spoke.  Finally he spoke up.
"Communication is very important for trust, and if a party member cannot
be trusted, he may be a threat."  He looked at Sucaba and scowled.  "While
you were commanding Horton he posed no problem for the party, but now you
say this has changed.  If he is to act on his own free will what will this
be like?  I say unless Horton comes to us directly, not through Sucaba, he
should not be given the freedom within the party to act as a full member.
Let him speak for himself.  Then we can decide."
   Suddenly, the silent one looked up into the beams above the table.  She
quickly followed his gaze, wondering what there might have drawn his
attention.  There, from the top of one of the beams supporting the rafters
above, a small whiskered face and beady eyes emerged.  The creature turned
towards Sucaba below.
   "My master is angered beyond words, mage-ling," it said in its high
screechy voice, "and it is my duty to speak on his behalf."  GreyEagle and
the others jumped as it began to speak.  She had heard stories of animals
speaking, particularly those attached to powerful mages, but still the
shock of actually seeing one caused her to catch her breath.  "In truth,"
it continued, "you have no idea of how his powers have aided our quest.
My master is clever and powerful.  Do not doubt this."  The silent one's
scowl deepened as he sank back from the table and leaned back against a
post behind the others, listening.  "He is angered that you put such great
value on Horton's contributions.  What did your pet do, Sucaba?  It routed
some kobolds and brought down a deer."
   The creature turned to Ormec, it's voice a hissing sneer.  "The dragon
chased away some kobolds Ormec.  Were you incapable of that?  I believe
you were more than able.  Why do dwarves let black dragons do their
fighting for them?"  In the darkness of the rafters, GreyEagle could just
make out the tiny face, covered with short brown-black fur with highlights
of white under its mouth.
   "It's her fault," it hissed, quickly looking over the wooden support at
GreyEagle.  "Did we require extra food, did we require the dragon's hunt
before she hobbled us with the survivors?  Was that our quest?  Were they
worth a share of every treasure in every tower we search from now on?  My
master thinks not!"  It spun back around to face Sucaba, and its entire
head was almost visible with its short ears poking out as it looked at
him.  "Sucaba, where was Horton, the dependable, when we battled at the
tower?  In truth, it was I that slew the twelve orcs on the second level.
All of you!  Take count of the creatures that you battled that day and
tell me who deserves a share of the of treasures again.  Tell me!" it
screamed at them.
   The creature scurried along the beams over Sucaba's head.  GreyEagle
could now make out clearly what it was, and she recoiled in disgust.  It
was a large rodent, a Sumatran rat, its body about two feet long and its
tail half that long again.  She looked around and saw that a number of the
other patrons of the inn had heard the voice and had begun to wander over,
curious about what might be going on.
   "Female human," the rat said, turning its attention to her, hissing as
it spoke, "you are fascinated by flying creatures, are you not?  Do you
not have the sense to know what a black dragon is?  The dragon killed a
deer.  Had it only found one, enough just for one dragon, who's belly
would have been filled with venison?  And had it found none," it turned
towards Conrad, "little one, do you think the dragon would have gone
hungry?  Gnome, you think that a party member should communicate with the
rest of the party?  Well then, by your own criteria, I say that I should
be granted a treasure share, not that overgrown bat, Horton."
   GreyEagle's anger was building, and her face was flushed.  She started
to say something, but she thought better of it and bit her tongue in
silence.  Turning towards the silent one, it appeared that he was about to
laugh, but no sound issued from his lips.  He stared at the rat as it
scurried down the post he was leaning against and climbed into a large
pocket in his robe.  A few of the other patrons now caught sight of the
rat for the first time, and there were some screams of terror as a number
of women rushed out the door.  The general noise level of the room
increased as people began to push each other to see what the matter might
be.  GreyEagle looked over at Ormec and saw his face redden and his jaw
working in anger.
   Once inside the mage's pocket, the rat turned about again and poked its
head out, apparently undisturbed by the commotion going on around him.
"And the dragon is dim witted, of this I'm sure," it said, wiggling its
whiskers at Sucaba, "or why would he be in your service Sucaba?  No, we
don't need the ever-hungry Horton.  Ormec has fought adequately for us.
And we can provision ourselves, as long as we don't let GreyEagle make
foolish decisions for the party.  I, for one, have grown tired of dragon
drool in my stew."  With that, the rat disappeared into the folds of the
silent one's robes.
   There was a moment of silence as everyone recovered from the surprise
of seeing the talking rat.
   Suddenly, Ormec could control himself no longer.  "The dragon does not
do my fighting for me, you stinking garbage eater!" he sputtered, jumping
to his feet and pounding his fist on the table in rage.  "You say you
killed twelve orcs eh?  Well, where were you then?  I saw nothing of you!
You accuse GreyEagle of being a problem?  You weren't even there!" he
yelled, waving his hands violently.  "Who are you?  Who is your master?
Is it the silent mage in whose pocket you hide?"
   Conrad jumped to his feet to stand between Ormec and the silent mage.
"Hold on Ormec," he cautioned, holding his hand out to stop the fuming
dwarf.  "Although that creature has offended you, it speaks the truth.
The dragon has done nothing that was vital to our mission."
   Ormec tried to push Conrad out of his way, but the gnome stood his
ground.  "You have no place with us," Ormec growled at the rat, "and you
have no business accusing and insulting!  If you are not careful, I will
cut out your tongue out to see that you do!  Someone lend me a dagger," he
hissed, looking around to the others.  "I'll need a small weapon to take
care of this puny creature."
   Conrad shoved Ormec back towards his seat.  "Ignore his sarcasm Ormec.
If we defeated the orcs and the ogres by ourselves, why should we need the
services of a dragon who does no more that chase away kobolds?  The rat is
likewise in service, but requires nothing from us that its master can not
provide.  Each of us will play a role in the searching of these towers,
but none of us are vital.  I do not wish this to split the group."  Ormec
backed up some, but his face was still crimson and his knuckles were white
as he grasped the back of his chair.
   Conrad turned to Sucaba and frowned.  "If you have lost control of your
mount Sucaba, then I suggest that we can no longer trust it.  I have no
desire to find myself rudely awakened.  The dragon cannot even enter one
of the towers with us.  No, you may be able to hire the dragon as your
personal mount, but I do not think we can consider him a party member."
   Sucaba's eyes burned with an intensity that GreyEagle had never seen in
him before as he held the silent mage in his stare, and she was suddenly
afraid.  The muscles around his jaw quivered as he struggled to regain his
composure.
   "Horton is not my pet," the mage said, his voice cold as ice, "as is
this useless little creature of yours.  I too am clever and powerful.
Think not that I am unaware of your machinations.  Horton has done far
more than that which you state, but no matter.  He is an independent
creature.  Just because I ride him, you assume him to be a mere animal?
Feel you that way about your wench, if you have ever really had one,"
Sucaba snickered.
   "You dare chastise Horton for not being in the tower with us?  Did he
not look into all levels of the tower with his flight?  Did he not stand
over the tower and assure no new assault came from outside while we fought
within?  Were your body as repulsive as your personality, it is no doubt
you would not have fit in the tower either."
   "For a trifle of treasure, you insult our valued ally Ormec," he said,
waving his hand towards the dwarf.  "Is this how you behave towards those
that have fought at your side?  You betray them for extra treasure?  Ormec
has proved his worthiness, while you simply claim to have done so.  Your
babble about GreyEagle was aimed solely at disrupting the party.  As a
party we agreed to bring the prisoners.  Unanimous or not, it was our
decision!  What part did you play in that?  You attempt to invoke fear in
Conrad, by implying unspeakable things.  Again you attempt to disrupt the
unity of the group.  Perhaps your allegiances lie somewhere other than our
appointed task?"
   "Friends, it has been my own ego that has caused me to present Horton
in the past as my servant and my mount."  Sucaba looked about at his
comrades and his voice now sounded forced.  "He is in fact, a powerful
ally," Sucaba paused a moment -- "perhaps even my equal.  Do not allow my
previous desire to appear as his master sway your decision.  GreyEagle was
wise enough to know this, even before now."
   Conrad thought for a moment.  "I propose a compromise: Horton will
share in all of the treasures we get from encounters while he is present,
providing he is assisting us.  He will get nothing from the encounters
where he is not present.  His reward is less, but so is his risk.  I will
leave you to think on this matter until we are ready to leave town again.
I have matters I must attend to myself."  He turned to leave, but Sucaba
held up his hand for him to hold.
   "It seems that communications is of import to you," he said, the
smoothness returning to his voice.  "You have been true party members
throughout.  Tomorrow we will include Horton in our meeting with
Schimray.  I will request of him that which you seek.  As far as the issue
of trust, Horton has already proved himself.  Again, I say that it is not
he who has changed, only that I have misrepresented his true nature in the
past.  He," Sucaba added with a glance in the direction of the silent
mage, "should not have to prove himself further.  Horton's risk is no
different from ours.  He confronts many things the party does not.  Do we
not scout each day alone?  Did he not guard the tower as I have said?"
   From deep within the pocket of the silent mage, the voice of the rat
came again with a muffled laugh.  "Since my master doesn't speak, does
that mean he shouldn't get a share of the treasure either?  My brain is
larger than his!        " With that, the mage angrily reached into his
pocket and yanked the rat out by the scruff of its neck.  There was a
nasty grin on his face as he held it out so that it squirmed in his
grasp.
   "Ah, my Master has commanded me to correct your mistakes, Ormec," it
sputtered.  It let out another squeal as the mage squeezed it tightly.
"MY mistakes, Ormec.  In truth he is amused at my folly.  Sucaba is clever
indeed, for he has twisted my words."  The mage continued to hold on to
the rat, and its legs thrashed the air wildly so that GreyEagle almost
laughed.  With some difficulty, it continued.  "Did I not say that you
were capable of the task which the dragon performed?  I think Sucaba tries
to anger you so that you will take his side.  With your axe leading the
way, Ormec, I said that we to not need the dragon.  If we needed it, I'm
sure a fighter of your reputation could recruit a hundred dwarves.  I do
not say this to flatter you, dwarf, I believe it is true.  Yes, you alone
have the right to be angered at the remarks about our battle in the tower
for you alone battled as many creatures as I did.  That you did not see me
is irrelevant."  The rat suddenly vanished from sight, but the voice
continued from within the mage's grasp.  "Yes, I was there and I did the
deeds I claim."  The mage shook his fist and the Sumatran reappeared.  "My
Master, as angered as he is with me, Ormec, would be amused to see you
chase me with a butter knife."
   "Sucaba, do not address my Master so, it might anger him further and he
has done nothing to upset you so.  It is I, his apprentice, I that learn
and share his power, that you should address.  It is I that address you
all and he was commanded me to make this clear to you.  Neither I nor my
Master betray Ormec for treasure -- it is you, Sucaba, that try to claim
the extra share.  I merely claim that if your dragon is to get a share,
then I too should get one.  My Master permits me to make this point, and I
speak on my own behalf."
   The rat, still dangling by the scruff of its neck, but no longer
thrashing, turned its head to look at Conrad.  "Conrad, Sucaba claims that
he misrepresented the dragon."  The silent one relaxed his grip and the
Sumatran climbed up his robe to his shoulder and then to his hat.  As the
point of the silent one's hat tipped over, he swatted it away, and the rat
settled down on his shoulder where it sat with its tail wrapped around his
neck holding on.
   "Sucaba calls us `Friends' and then says that he lied to us and
propagated the lie for weeks without end.  It is not a slander, Sucaba,
the conviction of your anger is apparent.  We could not tell then -- how
do we know now that this is not the lie?  One way or the other, the mage
admits he lies to us.  How shall we tell the difference between Sucaba and
his dragon's actions then and now?"
   Sucaba laughed, but it has a cold, forced laugh.  "If the speechless
one is allowed to speak to the party through a conduit, then why is it
that Horton is not?  No matter," he said with a shrug.  "I will not pursue
the issue, I merely want you to see the folly in your reasoning.  Horton
will attend tomorrow's meeting with Schimray.  As for the insinuations
that Horton would not understand a cry for help, I can only laugh.  This
rat claims that I ask for an extra share.  I do not.  I ask that Horton
receive one.  He charges me with a lie about Horton, while only a small
amount of information did I withhold.  The silent one, meanwhile, does not
speak and has kept this rat-servant completely secret.  Perhaps he has
other servants as well that he uses to spy on us?  Tell me then, who is
practicing the greater deception?"
   The rat looked around at those at the table.  "If you want to give a
share to the dragon, so be it.  But if it deserves a share of the
treasure, then so do I.  I too surveyed the tower, and I too kept watch
from above, after the fighting was over, for I too battled within it.
Sucaba, your dragon is too be large to depended on."
   "Small size has its advantages, doesn't it Conrad..."  The rat vanished
again, though it continued talking, and reappeared on the tall mage's
other shoulder, "...whether the rest of the party sees them or not!  Ormec
asks who I am.  I am Raal and I am in service to our party, as I have ever
been.  You ask my Master's name, I do not know it, of course!  What user
of Power reveals his true name to anyone, Sucaba?" the rat sneered at the
mage.  "You talk of party unity and question my Master's motives..."
   Suddenly, Raal seemed distracted, but then after a moment it
continued.  "Excuse me," it sputtered sheepishly, "my Master says that he
takes no offense at your unfounded accusations and he bids me to leave his
affairs alone and stick to my own petition."  It hopped nervously from one
foot to the other for a moment.
   Sucaba looked at the rat intently, and then turned the silent mage.
"To the issue of whether the rat deserves treasure, perhaps so.  Horton
has stood with the party, and has not been in hiding.  Is this creature
willing to do the same, and show how it can help the party?  How can we be
sure it really is a separate and independent beast, and not just a parlor
trick?"
   The silent mage returned Sucaba's stare without flinching, but a wicked
grin spread across his face.  Raal hissed, almost as if it were laughing.
"It is you, Sucaba, that instigate the unrest among us.  By way of a peace
offering, though, I will send the girl Anabelle to your room tonight.  I
am sorry that I ruin the surprise which that brief interlude might provide
you.  I think it important to rid you of the great burden that your
virginity is, that it will improve your outlook on life with so many years
of pent up frustration relieved."
   "I am directed, though, by my Master for the sake of the unity of our
group, that if Sucaba withdraw his petition that his dragon get a share of
the treasure that I too withdraw mine, though it is not fair.  I do
deserve a share, but my Master is wise beyond words and I will follow his
wisdom."
   Ormec glared at the silent mage and his rat.  "You insist I believe you
were at the tower and slew the orcs when I neither saw nor heard you.
Well, I have seen and learned to accept many strange things in this land,"
he said as he pointed his finger at the rat, "but I am not about to start
believing in what that giant rodent fancies as the way things should be.
I have had enough of this!" he said, throwing his hands up in disgust.  "I
say keep things the way they were."  He turned one last time towards the
silent mage, and his voice betrayed the anger which he sought to control.
"I am not fond of your little friend, and now I begin to wonder about
you!  I have no more to say to the rat and I'll thank you to direct his
attention elsewhere!"  With that he angrily left the table and ordered
something much stronger than the ale he had been drinking.
   Finally, Sucaba lost patience with the mage and rat.  "Think on my
words friends," he said coldly, "This small one is not worth my wrath.  I
will return on the morn."  With that, Sucaba spun around and stormed out
of the inn.
   Just as he left, a number of city guards burst into the room, looking
to see what was causing the commotion.  Seeing them, the rat vanished from
sight, and the silent mage looked up as if nothing had happened.  As the
guards headed towards the table where they sat, a hooded figure quietly
slipped from the shadows to intercept them.  There were some low words
spoken which GreyEagle could not make out, but she thought she saw the
glint of gold coins as the figure shook hands with one of the officers.
After a while, they turned and headed back out the door as if they were
looking for something.  The robed figure then passed silently over to the
bartender where again, there was a handshake and perhaps a glint of gold.
Then without another word the robed one exited the inn, and the bartender,
with a last scowl in their direction, returned to serving drinks.
   With Sucaba gone, and Ormec off by himself sulking, GreyEagle decided
that things were finally breaking up.  A deep weariness filled her, and
her shoulders slumped from the strain.  She silently pushed away from the
table and began to walk away.  The people who had gathered around the
table in curiosity began to break up and go their ways, some looking
relieved, some disappointed.  One tall young man remained standing there
however as the crowd left.  He was tall and slender, and had a head of
dark hair which framed a pair of piercing blue eyes.  He wore leather
armor under a cloak of deep green, and a longsword was strapped to his
side.  When the others were gone, he quietly approached the table.
   "Perhaps this is not the best of times to bring up the subject," he
began, looking nervously at those still at the table, "but I believe that
there is no time like the present.  I am Recuahc," he said with a slight
bow.  "I have spoken with Schimray, and he has told of a worthy group of
adventurers.  I see now that everything he said was true."  He hesitated a
moment before going on.  "I believe I can add something to your party.
May I make this proposal: If you will allow me to join your group on a
trial basis, I will contribute my skill and judgement as best I can, and
in return, ask nothing of you until such time as you feel I have proven my
worth."  GreyEagle watched him with a detached look.  He was young man to
be adventuring, she thought, but then she remembered with some amusement
that she herself had seen only seventeen summers, and that the young man
standing there could quite easily be her senior.
   "You say you talked with Schimray."  Conrad asked, leaning back in his
chair to get a look at the newcomer.  Recuahc nodded.  Conrad shrugged.
"He did mention something about a new addition to the group, but didn't
give any details.  Didn't seem like he was in a talkative mood tonight."
   "Let's hope he is more talkative in the morning," Trouble muttered as
he pushed back from the table.  "I will be back in the morning."  He gave
Recuahc a nod and turned to leave.
   "Please consider my request," Recuahc said.  "I shall be present in the
city until late tomorrow."  With a wide smile and a bow, Recuahc left for
the bar and sat down a short distance from Ormec.  He looked over at the
dwarf and raised his mug.  While Ormec returned the gesture, he made no
indication that he was in the mood for introductions.
   The weight of the evening bore heavily on GreyEagle.  Her head had been
swimming all evening as each mage had tried to twist each other's words
around to their own use, vying for control of the hearts and minds of the
others in the party.  Now, the vague darkness which she had felt before
had returned to her shoulders, and she could not bring herself to speak.
She turned slowly and continued up to her room.


 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Greetings all!

  If you are just picking up here for the first time, you should be able
  to find back chapters (via. ftp) in the directory /pub/frp/stories/towers
  on ftp.cs.pdx.edu.  I will also honor Email requests for back chapters.
  Please make sure you include a valid Internet address, and I will try to
  get back to you within a day or two.

  If anyone is interested, I've scanned in some B&W illustrations I've
  done for the story.  Pictures are at the same ftp site, or send me Email
  and I can send them to you.

  As always, I welcome any comments on the story.  I hope you enjoy
  reading this half as much as I have enjoyed writing it!


--
Chuck Tryon
    work: bilbo@kodak.com                                Your Servant,
    home: bilbo@Bah.Rochester.NY.US                      B. Baggins
 ______________________________________________________________________
   Experience is what you get when you were expecting something else.