The Web of Iron

Chapter Twenty-one: William and Grendesh

The Iron Kingdom was changing. As William walked along the path some days later, he could feel it in the air. Everything he looked at bore new life. Birds began to chirp. He saw animals scurrying here and there. A brook he passed was gurgling merrily, and flowers were starting to bloom along the side of the road.

The black pillars seemed to be struggling. It was as if some mighty power had arisen in the Iron Kingdom to contest its king's will. Sometimes the hopelessness would return, then be driven back, then return again. In other places, it still stood dominant over the land. In still others, the pillars seemed to have given up, and the majesty of nature had gained it.

It was like he was watching a battle or even a war. Yet there were no soldiers or generals to direct conflict. It was the spirit of the land itself that was at war.

Yet when he came to Calacosh, he knew that the war had not yet arrived here. Misery and horrible depression were well established. Stronger even than any place he had seen until now. The village was surrounded by a palisade of stakes. Yet it had been broken in several places. Several of the stone buildings looked to have been broken inward. The entire site radiated despair of such purity and depth that it hurt.

He wanted to lie down and wither away. Or draw out his sword and fall on it. Or better yet turn and run. William had become well accustomed to horror and despair in his adventures. He knew there was a difference between wanting to do something and doing it. But it was sorely tempting.

How did these people stand it?

As he came to the gate, he saw a lone man hacking firewood on a stump. As he approached, the man looked up and raised his axe. "Stop! Who goes there! Don't come any closer now, you hear me!"

"Calm yourself," said William. "I am not your enemy. I am here to help."

"Help?" asked the man. "We've had none of that since those damn cultists raised an altar to Elranor. Now giants are devouring us one household at a time, and the Iron Kingdom has sent no aid. Who are you that wants to help?" He practically spat the last word.

"I am William Gabriel," said William. "I have been sent by Elranor to slay the demon." Not true, of course. But Elranor would probably be fine with taking the credit. Probably.

"That is mighty dangerous talk," said the man darkly. "You could be crucified just for saying it."

"Perhaps," said William. "But that would still leave the problem of the giant."

"That it would," said he, and the man lowered his axe. "Well, if you be wanting to die trying to stop it, you can be my guest. But you won't find any hospitality from me. You'll be better off trying some way up. Old Chief Anna is the sort you are looking for. He lives by the pillar at the top of the hill."

"My thanks," said William, and he walked past.

"Just don't go telling no one I directed you to him!" called the man. "Last thing I want is to be associated with your kind."