In the wizard’s house there are many rooms…
Within the Magnificent Mansion of Valerius. Location and Time Unknown.
Sir Hamral, Vandoren, Dominic, Purer, Mendelor, Valerius.
In the wizard’s house there are many rooms…
small, austere cells connected by divers silent passages
turning to and fro,
branching, crossing,
winding back upon themselves,
before meeting again.
Sir Hamral, Bailiff of Upchurch.
Hamral:
What is to be done with the prisoners?
Valerius, the Magician.
Valerius:
The rucks should be separated and asked the same questions. Afterwards we may compare their answers.
Vandoren, the Minstrel.
Vandoren:
I can’t imagine Cataphracts giving up much during a simple interrogation. These aren’t the usual foot-soldiers we’ve questioned in the past.
Valerius:
Perhaps a ruse is in order? We let them believe they are alone, and while they natter freely Noxumbra hides herself in a tree above them…
Vandoren:
I could attempt a charm to make them more cooperative. Mayhap we send them back to Derwich under an enchantment?
Beyond that, I am unsure what to do with them—other than to strip them, beat them, and leave them for their prince, king, or popinjay.
Mendelor, the Woodsman.
Mendelor:
Even should they speak, I dislike the idea of letting them go free, charmed by your witcheries or no.
Purer Grundy.
Purer:
Why is that?
Mendelor:
The Cataphracts—except under the command of Busirane—have never left the battlefield to their opponents. Should these two return alone to Derwich without our heads, something would clearly be amiss.
Dominic Gadling.
Dominic:
And I wonder how effective our magicks may prove against these prisoners. I would guess that all Cataphracts are given potent drugs or protective spells to ward against just such efforts.
Hamral:
Simple tricks or spells will not make these rucks speak. If we gave them half a chance, like the Argussaries, they would fall on their own swords.
Vandoren:
Then what shall we do to loosen their tongues?
The magician ponders for a moment…
Valerius:
Leave them with me.
Hours later…
Valerius:
The rucks have told me all that they could. They are from a detachment of Cataphracts assigned to guard the excavation site.
Hamral:
What is the ruckish strength there?
Valerius:
Of Cataphracts, a full squadron—numbering perhaps a score or more. Also a full company of Black-Blades, three or four score strong. And perhaps another score of conscripts and ruckish craftsmen. All led by the Cataphract commander Glurach.
Mendelor:
And at Derwich?
Valerius:
Three times that number guard Derwich, only a two hour march away. Fast runners are always kept ready in case reinforcements are required.
Purer:
How many poor Pentians are kept enslaved at the excavation site?
Valerius:
Evidently, no slaves reside there now. Once the Colossus was unearthed, the slaves were all killed or else marched back to Derwich.
Mendelor:
Did the rucks say how Tereus plans to break Heremac?
Valerius:
It appears the rucks place most of their hopes for conquest on the Colossus. But so far, and despite several attempts, Hecatesseus has failed to revive the construct—much to his sorrow.
Vandoren:
I would like to hear what the prisoners had to say about Hecatesseus, then.
Valerius:
The Cataphracts, as we expected, bear no more love for the Popinjay than do the other rucks. And his failures with the Colossus threaten his standing with his king.
Hamral:
Did you learn where the wissard makes his lair?
Valerius:
A stronghold, somewhere in the Sheldings. Several years ago, a heavily guarded train was sent out from the Yron Citie, with enough supplies to last two weeks. They marched north and east of the Citie, and were never heard from again.
Dominic:
Does Hecatesseus have any more lions or other magickal creations in wait for us?
Valerius:
The two lions we destroyed are believed to be the only ones ever made. At least two eagles have been placed at Derwich, two at Heremac, and two at Antace.
Vandoren:
That’s a relief, then.
Valerius:
Unfortunately, at least one more construct that we have not yet seen guards the excavation site: A terrible bronze giant, fashioned as a smaller version of the Colossus. The rucks call it the Goliath that Burns.
Finit.