The Heir of Kings

Prologue: The Thief

Tanith slipped up the mountaintop, a burlap sack over one shoulder. A dark cloak covered her armor, and her swords were by her sides. She scaled her way up to the cave entrance. The coldness seemed exceedingly terrible here, and the darkness loomed before her. Tanith halted for a long moment. Then, turning, she glanced back to the border villages.

She had some doubts about what she was about to do. But she'd come here to fight. And there hadn't been a fight yet.

She'd spent enough time throwing knives at dartboards. Now was the time for action.

Tanith returned to the cave and slipped into it, careful not to make a sound. As she made her way down, she heard a heavy breathing sound like a sleeping dog. A smile came to her face as she turned the corner.

A dragon. A black dragon.

It would be so easy. She could cut the nasty things head off any time. But that wouldn't start a war, would it? No, Benarus would beg and scrape about how it was a mysterious group of adventurers. He was worthless as far as lords went.

She needed the dragons to make the first move. That would bring their werewolf allies into things. Kneeling down, she took hold of the treasure. Instantly, she felt a blow. Not a physical impact but a spiritual one. Tanith felt like there was something within this treasure. There was something more than mere gold.

It was watching her.

It certainly didn't stop her as she filled it up. She didn't take much. Just enough to notice, just enough to provoke. The dragon would follow it back.

Stealing back up the cave, she slipped away into the night.

She moved quickly down the mountain road, one long since fallen into disrepair. She was as good as dead if she was spotted at this stage. And nothing would come of her plan. It had to succeed if they were going to make any progress.

But she wasn't spotted.

Soon, she had reached human lands and was walking along a regular road. This one was well-paved and kept in good repair, with cobblestones. Steward Benarus at least kept the roads good in his territory. Not that he protected his people any.

Coward. Well, he'd have to after this.

The morning was dawning, but no one had gotten up just yet. As she came near a village, Tanith took some gold out of the coins and scattered it across the fields nearby. She moved with speed and stealth, learned from the Calishan Wars.

Tanith threw every coin she'd just stolen into various fields. Then she tossed the bag away and pulled off her cloak. From there, she walked up to the village and entered the inn.

There was Argath, looking over the map. She paused. "Argath, what are you doing here?"

The dwarf looked up. "Oh, Tanith. I apologize; I sent word ahead. But the messenger said you'd already gone off on your own. Where were you?"

"In the Wolven Forest," said Tanith. "I wanted to get a look at these werewolves myself."

"Did you find them?" asked Argath.

Tanith shrugged and sat down before motioning to the barmaid. The girl had chestnut hair and wore a white shirt, which showed off her assets. Tanith appreciated it more than most men. "Get me the usual, Emma."

Then she looked to Argath. "No. They didn't attack me."

"Well, that is a relief," said Argath. "Perhaps Telix is serious about this."

Tanith stared at him.

"What is it?" said Argath.

"You pick now to start acting like Calishans are people?" asked Tanith.

"Telix isn't a Calishan," said Argath.

"The hell he isn't," said Tanith. "He's a son of Baltoth. He's more Calishan than any of the animals we killed while raiding. So what did you say, 'Kill them all, and they'll be reincarnated as something worthwhile?"

"What happened to you, Argath?"

Argath remained silent for a long moment. "...What we did. What I made you do, Tanith, it was too much."

"Like hell it was," said Tanith. "You did exactly the same thing a dozen times. I talked with Raynald. What? So it's alright for you to crucify a priest of Baltoth and rape his daughter. But we're stepping over dangerous bounds when I try to do the same thing.

"When did the greatest mercenary captain in Harlenor start hiding behind meaningless treaties?"

"The day I realized I'd taught you everything I knew," said Argath. "And I saw myself in the mirror with clarity. Tanith, Baltoth is pure evil. Everyone knows that. But I went too far."

"Yeah, you also dragged me down here with the promise of battling werewolves." snapped Tanith. "I haven't killed anything since we got back from the raid. I could have gone to visit William and Felix and my family. But then you told me there were dragons and werewolves to fight."

Argath sighed. "The situation has changed, Tanith. When Duke Vanion made this... arrangement, no one thought it would work. But so far, it has.

"Our services might not be required at all."

"So am I still getting paid?" asked Tanith.

"We could find employment here," said Argath. "You've already improved the skills of the trainees by your very presence. Benarus could use you as an instructor-"

"I came here to kill dragons, Argath," said Tanith. "If we don't have a war soon, I'm leaving and going to Artarq. I hear there is a war coming there."

"...What do you want from me, Tanith?" asked Argath.

Tanith considered the question. "I followed all your orders, Argath. I did everything you asked of me. I became everything you wanted in a subordinate while Eitrigg was talking mutiny.

"So why the hell do you look at me like I'm some kind of monster?"

Argath said nothing.

And then screams of terror came from outside the village. The roar of a dragon echoed in their ears. The waitress clutched her ears in pain. People rushed outside to see what was happening. For her part, Tanith smiled.

"Now see," said Tanith, "this is what I wanted from you."

She threw aside her cloak. Her swords were out and thirsting for blood in a moment. Tonight, she dined on dragon meat.