Chapter8

"That was an excellent speech, Captain... A wonderful, rabblerousing mustering of words that's sure to get you Kendrik in no time at all! I mean, think of all the people that will be out to kill him to collect the reward!!" Grahn babbled on at the heels of Krynn, waving his arms about excitedly. "I mean, he's your brother and all... I wouldn't blame ya if you didn't want him to be caught cuz..." Grahn never finished his sentence. Krynn spun around, unsheathed his sword, and held it to his aide's throat in one fluid motion.

"What in Hythloth are you implying?! That I won't do my job or fulfill my duty as Captain simply because he's my brother?!" Grahn had gone too far this time. "How dare you insult me like that!" Krynn exclaimed. "My first and foremost responsibility is to my king and my country and her people. Never... ever imply again that it's not my top priority or that I have another agenda!! You hear me?!" Stablehands and general castle staff had begun to stop and stare at the outburst.

"Y-y-y..." Grahn stammered.

"Just say it, boy... say 'Yes... I promise to never do that again, Captain.' Say it!!"

"Y-y-y..." Krynn backhanded him with his gauntleted fist.

"SAY IT!!" He pressed the tip of the sword into Grahn's neck enough to draw a trickle of blood.

"Yes-I-promise-to-never-do-that-again-Captain!!" Grahn blubbered. Krynn released him, gave him a shove, and continued onward into the castle gates, resheathing his sword. Grahn stood there for a moment, wiping the tears and blood away, then chased after his angry Captain.

Krynn stormed past the guards posted out front, silently impressed that they had neither done nor said anything during the episode. He ascended the stairs and headed down the hallway towards his quarters. As he got to his door, he turned to see a still sobbing Grahn hot on his heels. "Go get me Tim. I'm in need of some repairs." He turned and entered his chamber without listening for a reply and slammed the door shut. Even through the thick metal door, he could hear Grahn rattling down the hallway.

The Captain sighed as he noticed the time. He would soon have his weekly battle training session for his men. Hopefully Tim would be quick in his repairs. Many of his men needed a lot of work, but there were others that gave even him a good beating now and then. Practice weapons were used, of course... but there was never a session from which someone had not needed the assistance of a healer to close up some wounds. His practice suit of armor was quite beaten up in places and the helm he had used the last session was bent so badly that it barely fit any longer, the result of an overzealous trainee using an overzealous warhammer. Krynn swore his ears were still ringing two days later.

But it was good that there were men in his army like that. Always ready to push the limit... strain themselves a bit harder... swing a warhammer like there was no tomorrow. He'd need men like that for the upcoming war that was brewing. It was of course denied to the general populace, but he had known about it for quite some time. Minax had set up a stronghold not too far outside the frontier city of Papua in the new lands. It would be only a matter of time before she made her move on the nearly defenseless city. And when she did, British had made it clear to everyone in his trusted circle that he would not stand for it. They would mobilize immediately.

A rap on the door drew him out of his dreaded reverie. "Yes?" he barked.

"M-m-my liege, sir. Tim is quite busy tending to an order for the king. But uh... he asked me to bring you these..." Several orange pieces of parchment were passed under the door at this point. "He says that you'll be able to repair your things using these." the muffled voice instructed.

"Mmm ... very well. Inform the battle trainees that this afternoon's session will be postponed for an hour," Krynn replied perusing the documents.

"Aye, sir... will do." Grahn rattled his way back down the hallway. Krynn was impressed by the deeds in his hands. They were apparently magical scrolls which held the ability to repair his armor as if it were done by a Grandmaster Blacksmith! The deed informed him he would need to be near a forge and anvil for the magics imbued within the scrolls to work, so he gathered his beaten armor and headed down to the forge.

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