Downfall

A lanky human woman, scantily dressed in pale green scarves, bid them to select a spot at the table, and whispered that they should wait to sit. Then she clapped her hands and an ogress entered with a tray of drinks served in tall wooden cups. Behind the ogress came Do

The chieftain was the largest ogre they'd observed since entering the city. Nearly eleven feet tall, he had wide shoulders on which sat shining bronze disks festooned with military medals-some recognizable from the Dark Knights and Legion of Steel Knights, a few with Nerakan markings. He wore a heavy mail shirt, which glimmered in the light of the thick candles that were spaced evenly throughout the hall, and beneath that an expensive purple tunic. Though dressed as regally as any monarch, he was nonetheless obviously an ogre, with warts and scabs dotting his wide, ta

He moved gracefully and silently, however, gliding to the thronelike chair at the end of the table and folding himself into it. The human woman stood to his right, awaiting his orders. A nod from Do

The mariner's gaze occasionally rested on Fiona, who did not seem as concerned about her surroundings. But then the mariner reminded himself, she was being ruled by her belief that being here would somehow get her the coins and gems with which she could ransom her brother.

"We have not entertained a Solamnic Knight before," Do

Fiona didn't reply, although she was surprised he knew her name. And Do

The mariner had been glancing at another painting, one depicting the eastern coast of Mithas, the Black Coast. The artist had rendered an early evening sky, and three moons hung suspended above the water-from a time before the Chaos War when Kry

"He is called Rig Mer-Krel," Fiona offered.

"An Ergothian?"

Rig nodded, his attention finally on Do

"You are a long way from home, Ergothian."

Rig opened his mouth to say something, and then thought better of it. He nodded again and prayed to the absent gods that di

"Lady Fiona, our advisors tell us you've need of a considerable amount of coins and gems to serve as a ransom for your brother. That the chieftains of the Solamnic Knights will not aid you in this."

She nodded, another hint of surprise in her eyes that he knew so much about why she was in his city.

"Your brother is being held with other Knights in Shrentak?"

Again a nod.

"And you intend to go to Shrentak? It is a very deadly place."

She shook her head. "No, Chieftain Do

Do

Do

"Why?" This came from the mariner.

Do

"And what's this go

"As you said, Ergothian, everything has a price. Including our help," Do

"You've an army of ogres," Rig cut in. "Why not have them help your very loyal subjects?"

Do

The kobold dropped his napkin. He'd only been halfway listening to the exchange. Goafs? he mouthed to Mal-dred. "When did we agree to rescue goats?"

"Yes," Fiona said. "I will agree to help in exchange for the ransom and the assistance of your forty men."

"It should take but a few days of your time," Do

"Waitaminit!" Rig rose from the table, tipping over his wine glass. "You can't be serious, Fiona. Helping a… a… You can't mean it."

Fiona glared at him. "I intend to free my brother. And this is my means to do so." Her tone was quiet but tense, as if she were scolding a little boy. "We need the coins and gems, Rig. You know it."

"Would that I could go with you into the mountains, Lady Knight," Maldred offered. "I have other things to tend to in town. But I will look forward to your return."

Rig sat heavily in the chair as the ogress servant busied herself cleaning up his spilled wine and casting disapproving glances his way. His glass was righted, but not refilled.