of the Warlock Knights and their peculiar methods for ensuring obedience. It was said that an iron ring could not be removed once the wearer put it on of his own free will. “What of it?
Everyone knows that Warlock Knights all wear one.”
“It is a pact ring. I am bound by what I swear. And he who swears to me is bound too. If you take me for your liege, you will be accounted a lord ofVaasa, and I will give you a ring of your own so that you may bind others to their oaths. Yes, you will rule in the name of the Warlock Knights. You will send me warriors when I ask you to, and you will render to me the yearly tithes your oath demands. Those are the things a vassal lord owes his liege. But in turn I will be obliged to come when you call, to honor the laws and judgments you levy on your lands, and to respect the vassal oaths you extractfrom others. And perhaps most importantly, what you conquer in my name you will keep. “Terov let his hand fall to his side and paused, measuring Mhurren’s reaction. The half-ore chief glared at him but said nothing, so the Vaasan continued. “Today I offer you Thar, but with the power I can give to you, the whole of the Moonsea North will be yours to govern as you see fit… with only a few small exceptions.”
“Hah! I thought so.” Mhurren bared his fangs. “All right, then. What ‘small exceptions’ do you have in mind?”
The Warlock Knight shrugged. “If I take some city or town under my protection, you may not sack it. I will levy suitable tribute against it and pay you your due, but once my word is given to someone else, I will not permit you to break it.”
Mhurren returned to his throne and sat down again. It would be easy to tell this Kardhel Terov no, or better yet, have his warriors draw and quarter the man for his impudence … if in fact they could overcome the powerful magic the Vaasans evidently wielded. On the other hand, if Terov made good on his offer, Mhurren would be the strongest chief for hundreds of miles around. Tribes such as the Skullsmashers or the Red Claws as his vassals instead of his enemies would give him enough power to dominate Thar and any city within a tenday’s march. And the ability to demand unbreakable oaths from those around him would be useful indeed.
“What does the human offer us, Warchief?” the priest
Tangar asked. “Does he insult us? I will gladly spill his blood on the altar of the Mighty One!”
Mhurren ignored him and spoke to Terov. “I claim the land from the Giant’s Cairn to Sulasspryn and Glister to the sea as my kingdom,” he said. It was a broad definition of Thar, broad indeed, but Terov nodded. “And before I agree to your terms, you will give me a sign of your sincerity: The arms and armor you mentioned, and the services of the Skullsmashers and the monsters at your command, so that I can raze the town of Glister. When Glister falls to the Bloody Skulls, then I will know that you speak truth, and you and I will swear oaths together.”
Mhurren leaned back, satisfied with himself. If the Vaasan’s promises failed to materialize, well, then, he wouldn’t take Glister. And if Terov was as good as his word and Glister fell into Bloodskull hands, on that day Mhurren could decide whether he wanted to swear any oath or not. It had been a long time since any ore had been called the king of Thar, and if he brought about Glister’s destruction, he would be the greatest of Thar’s chiefs in centuries … maybe a king indeed.
“It is fair,” Kardhel Terov allowed. “But you will be obligated to me, King Mhurren, if I give you your arms and armor and Glister as well.” He bowed slightly and straightened. In Orcish he said, “I will arrange for the arms to be sent from Vaasa by the end of the tenday. And a Warlock Knight will come in the next day or two to serve you. He will relay your commands to the giants and the other monsters who will answer your call.”
Mhurren stood and descended the steps of the dais,
Everyone knows that Warlock Knights all wear one.”
“It is a pact ring. I am bound by what I swear. And he who swears to me is bound too. If you take me for your liege, you will be accounted a lord ofVaasa, and I will give you a ring of your own so that you may bind others to their oaths. Yes, you will rule in the name of the Warlock Knights. You will send me warriors when I ask you to, and you will render to me the yearly tithes your oath demands. Those are the things a vassal lord owes his liege. But in turn I will be obliged to come when you call, to honor the laws and judgments you levy on your lands, and to respect the vassal oaths you extractfrom others. And perhaps most importantly, what you conquer in my name you will keep. “Terov let his hand fall to his side and paused, measuring Mhurren’s reaction. The half-ore chief glared at him but said nothing, so the Vaasan continued. “Today I offer you Thar, but with the power I can give to you, the whole of the Moonsea North will be yours to govern as you see fit… with only a few small exceptions.”
“Hah! I thought so.” Mhurren bared his fangs. “All right, then. What ‘small exceptions’ do you have in mind?”
The Warlock Knight shrugged. “If I take some city or town under my protection, you may not sack it. I will levy suitable tribute against it and pay you your due, but once my word is given to someone else, I will not permit you to break it.”
Mhurren returned to his throne and sat down again. It would be easy to tell this Kardhel Terov no, or better yet, have his warriors draw and quarter the man for his impudence … if in fact they could overcome the powerful magic the Vaasans evidently wielded. On the other hand, if Terov made good on his offer, Mhurren would be the strongest chief for hundreds of miles around. Tribes such as the Skullsmashers or the Red Claws as his vassals instead of his enemies would give him enough power to dominate Thar and any city within a tenday’s march. And the ability to demand unbreakable oaths from those around him would be useful indeed.
“What does the human offer us, Warchief?” the priest
Tangar asked. “Does he insult us? I will gladly spill his blood on the altar of the Mighty One!”
Mhurren ignored him and spoke to Terov. “I claim the land from the Giant’s Cairn to Sulasspryn and Glister to the sea as my kingdom,” he said. It was a broad definition of Thar, broad indeed, but Terov nodded. “And before I agree to your terms, you will give me a sign of your sincerity: The arms and armor you mentioned, and the services of the Skullsmashers and the monsters at your command, so that I can raze the town of Glister. When Glister falls to the Bloody Skulls, then I will know that you speak truth, and you and I will swear oaths together.”
Mhurren leaned back, satisfied with himself. If the Vaasan’s promises failed to materialize, well, then, he wouldn’t take Glister. And if Terov was as good as his word and Glister fell into Bloodskull hands, on that day Mhurren could decide whether he wanted to swear any oath or not. It had been a long time since any ore had been called the king of Thar, and if he brought about Glister’s destruction, he would be the greatest of Thar’s chiefs in centuries … maybe a king indeed.
“It is fair,” Kardhel Terov allowed. “But you will be obligated to me, King Mhurren, if I give you your arms and armor and Glister as well.” He bowed slightly and straightened. In Orcish he said, “I will arrange for the arms to be sent from Vaasa by the end of the tenday. And a Warlock Knight will come in the next day or two to serve you. He will relay your commands to the giants and the other monsters who will answer your call.”
Mhurren stood and descended the steps of the dais,
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