Duke "The border is closed," the elf explained. "If you leave now, you will not be allowed to return." "We'll leave," Sutekh replied. And they did, continuing down the road. "Odd," Sutekh muttered when they were away from the patrol. "What's that?" Adaz inquired. "They are preparing for war by closing their borders instead of strengthening ties with the Uleks. That could cause problems." "You come from Celene?" The guard seemed skeptical. "But Celene is closed to all travel." "That it is," Sutekh replied as he thought, "Another annoying thing about horses is that they require one to enter cities through gates." "Do you know why Celene has been closed?" the guard pressed. "I have a pretty good idea," Sutekh said with a sigh. "Then the duke will want to talk to you." "Then the duke will have to wait. We have just traveled two days through rain and mud. First we must find an inn and get cleaned up." "Wrong, he will see you now." "Look at us," Sutekh indicated Adaz and himself. "Do you think the duke would want to see us in this condition? We look terrible. Wouldn't it be better to let us clean up a bit before seeing the duke? I mean, will a couple of hours really make that much difference? Surely you can see the wisdom in letting us find lodging and getting settled in, first. I can meet you somewhere this afternoon and you can take me to the duke then." "You're right. Meet me at the main gate to the duke's estates after you take your noon meal," the guard replied. "Oh, by the way, what is your name?" "Runner, and I'll see you this afternoon." As Adaz and Sutekh walked their horses into the city Adaz commented on the incident. "I didn't know you had such a silver tongue." "I don't," Sutekh replied, unable to suppress a smile. "Just a magical one." Aside from a few villages, the capital of the Duchy of Ulek was the first populated area Adaz and Sutekh had passed through since they had started their journey. They purchased lodging at the first inn they found that had hot baths. With both themselves and their clothes clean, they enjoyed their first full course meal in two weeks. "Word has it that winter has come early to the mountains, so we will need cold-weather clothes," Sutekh said, giving Adaz a purse of coins. "Would you go shopping? Just buy two sets of everything. What fits you should fit me." Sutekh, tall for an elf, stood eye-to-eye with Adaz, and his elven frame matched her feminine one. "You can buy anything else that catches your fancy, too. I know you didn't get out of Greyhawk with much." "Off to talk to the duke?" "Yeah, I'd better," Sutekh sighed. "I doubt that the Free Lords bothered to tell the duke the information I gave my master. He really should have the chance to disbelieve it for himself." "So, Runner, you can explain to me why Celene's borders are closed?" The duke, an elf, was standing before his throne looking very much like a duke. "I can give you a very educated guess, sir." Sutekh was more than a little annoyed that he had not known the Duke of Ulek to be an elf. After all, Sutekh was supposed to be a spy and had spent a great deal of time in the Uleks. "If you will allow, I need to digress somewhat." When the duke nodded Sutekh continued. "What do you know of the Pomarj and the politics therein?" "The Pomarj is a mountainous peninsula bordered by the Principality of Ulek and the Wildcoast," the elf replied, seating himself on the throne. "Except for the city of Stoneheim, the population is almost entirely humanoid. The Slave Lords had managed to loosely bind the various tribes of orcs, goblins, etcetra together; however, since a group of heroes destroyed that villainous empire, the humanoids have not bothered the Principality. Doubtless they now spend most of their time warring with each other." The duke gave the hooded figure before him a puzzled look. "And just what do you find so funny?" he demanded. Despite Sutekh's attempt to hide his smile, it had not escaped the noble's keen eye. "Forgive me, sir, I do not mean to offend. I would not even bring the subject up if I did not think it important," Sutekh said, unsure of how to proceed. "But that group of 'heroes' did not destroy the Slave Lords' power." As one of that group, Sutekh knew only too well how it had really happened. "What do you mean?" the duke demanded. "Certainly they did. The tale is a fairly popular one." "Sir, have you ever heard of the Baron Ecthalion?" "No," the duke replied curtly. "He is a sorcerer; the master of Stoneheim and the one who held the leash of the Slave Lords. He is also the one who destroyed their hidden city." At least, that was Sutekh's guess. "Impossible. How could one so powerful be unknown? And why would he destroy a force as strong as the Slave Lords if he controlled them?" "Were not even you, the least affected of the Uleks, mobilizing to do something about the Slave Lords? Had not the Slave Lords drained the wealth of the Wildcoast and that of sea trade into their own coffers? Not to mention the Uleks. The slavers had amassed an incredible fortune, but they were recognized as a threat to this entire region. Ecthalion's plans extend far beyond wealth, but he needs gold. The Slave Lords gathered it and he then destroyed them, hoping we would all feel safe again and ignore the Pomarj. Granted, some of what I say is speculation, but I know for a fact the Ecthalion's forces looted the Slave Lords' city. He now has their wealth." Sutekh paused for a moment. "Sir, you, the ruler of a realm, should know better than any. There is only one reason for Ecthalion to gather such wealth..." "War," the duke answered. "You think the Pomarj will go to war," he said, shaking his head. "That is laughable." "The population of the Pomarj is greater than the Uleks and Celene put together," Sutekh answered. "Unified, they could field an army to threaten even you who are most distant from them. Ecthalion has bred an unknown number of dragonels, a fearsome flying beast thought exterminated; thus he can sweep over walled cities. His henchmen and generals are both well equipped and experienced, and his coffers are full. The only thing he lacks is a fleet." "Well?" the duke asked. "You cannot win a land war from a peninsula unless you control the sea. How do you answer this?" "He is going to steal a fleet," Sutekh said flatly. It was the duke's turn to laugh, and laugh he did. "You expect me to believe all of this?" Sutekh was getting more than a little annoyed at the elite. Their arrogance barred them from understanding what even Sutekh had to admit was a brilliant plan. The first reaction from the agent who had helped Sutekh gain access to a meeting of Ecthalion's generals when Sutekh told him of the generals' plan was, "They wouldn't dare!" With the exception of Bernaldo, that had been the reaction Sutekh had gotten ever since. He was tired of it. Tempted to dispel his disguise, Sutekh drew himself up to full height. "My master is Paladin Bernaldo Bravos, holder of Autumnwell, Knight of the Hart, and member of the Council of Free Lords. What I say is the truth as I know it. If you need further evidence, look to the closing of Celene. That should be warning enough." With that Sutekh turned to leave, but the way was blocked by guards. "And me with a dagger and a boot knife," Sutekh thought. "Here." Sutekh turned in time to catch the purse the duke threw to him. Laughing to himself, he nearly threw it back. But, thinking of Adaz's current financial situation, he reconsidered. "My own spies do not seem to be as well informed as you, spy." "When it does not conflict with my master's will or business, I am open to reasonable offers," Sutekh said with a bow. "Until then, might I suggest that you check with the prince. I think you will find that the humanoids, although not sending out more raiding parties than usual, are better organized against retaliatory raids than is the norm." "I just might do that."