The succession is in doubt. The challenge is announced. The adventure begins.
Lorcan embarks on a quest with his servant Cokelli and two tiny gnomes to slay the dragon Fierelled and win the crown of Heftreeke. When a chance encounter with a witch le...
Author's note: This is one of the pivot points in the book; Lorcan's battle with the bandits shows him what he can do with the unicorn hair, and we find out why I keep describing Heshbon as "the hawk-faced clerk." This introduces the second subplot (we already have Kenn, Lorcan's dead brother's severed head having convinced a rival on the quest to bring him along as an oracle), which will twist through the narrative as we draw nearer to the dragon's lair.
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The following morning saw the road lead steadily downwards through hilly country studded with rocks. It was a while before they approached the treeline.
Beso drew the caravan to a halt and called for the guards.
Lorcan and Cokelli rode to join them. They found Beso, Heshbon, Henorm, and all the guards gathered at the entrance to the forest.
"Men," said Henorm, "we are about to enter the Forest of High Galap. It is infested with bandits that have taken many a caravan and plundered it, then sold the survivors as slaves. It is rumored that the bandit king Goloso and his chiefs devour the flesh of men to terrify survivors into obedience, and I believe it. They say he is a satyr: half man, half beast.
"The road is the quickest way through, and the bandits see that it is well maintained, the better to lure travelers in. We can pay a toll, but that would leave us at a loss. Ideally, we want to get through the forest without meeting the bandits, then carry on down to Belni, where we'll stop for a few days to trade for their wares. After that, we'll go on to Lista, then finish our journey at Gitesco."
Lorcan stepped forward. "Excuse me, Henorm, do you expect us to go into the forest with the caravan and fight there? Won't the bandits have the advantage of the trees, and knowing the forest? And won't they already know we are out here?"
"The scouts have checked the rocks, Lorcan," Henorm replied. "There's no one there. I think they are waiting for us in the clearing in the middle."
Lorcan gave him a quizzical look, his head tilted to one side.
"We've been through this before, and survived it by giving them what they wanted. I have called you here to make a plan for how to get the caravan through without losing anything."
***
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In a cave in the depths of the forest, the bandit king Goloso sat on a throne of human bones lashed together with sinews. On the ears at each side, human skulls grinned. The king himself, a huge hairy brute, lifted a bejeweled golden goblet to his lips with affected grace. The wispy maiden who held the tray that latterly bore it went backwards down the rough stone steps to the floor and waited for the king's signal by the back wall. The king's throne was a man-height above her.
