25 - A Noble's Guide to Killing Underlings

The King’s Road South, Two weeks in the Wrong Direction

Sir Grey's rangers gathered around the bodies of a dwarf, elf, halfling, and a couple humans. The riders had been tracking the walking corpses for two weeks. The scouts had finally caught up to the party and slew the creatures. Sir Grey was displeased that they had been following a decoy.

With a swift swipe of his blade, the two scouts who had discovered the ruse lost their helmets and all the fleshy parts inside. Twenty-three rangers were left. Corwin patted his throat to make sure his head was still attached. Everything seemed to be in the proper order, for now.

“At least we know how they were moving so fast,” Corwin offered. “Undead don’t need to sleep.”

"They've gone to the Woods of Volunar," Sir Grey said. "We can get there in half a day if we go through the cliffs of Jagadoom."

"But, sir," a rider protested, "there are wyverns that patrol the—"

Another head rolled, and Sir Grey barked, "We ride!"

The rangers spurred themselves into a gallop. Corwin was about to kick his horse into a run when Sir Grey held his sword out in front of the squire. It didn't help that Lady Mordock also held back. When the end came, Corwin wasn't sure which one of them it would be.

Despite living in the threat of being offed by his employer, he had seen more of the country in the last several days than he had his entire life. It was beautiful. Majestic mountains touching the sky, rolling hills, fertile plains, and verdant forests. They had even stopped one night at a lake so clear; Corwin could see to the bottom.

Sitting on the water's edge, relaxing in the sunshine, he had almost concluded that being murdered by his boss would be worth it for the moment of raw connection he felt with nature. Corwin had never thought of the land much, being that he was from the city. But away from the stench and the people packed together, he had found a part of him he never knew existed, and on the off chance he would survive the hunt for Lovantus, he'd take up farming.

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"Let them ride," Sir Grey said. "Never open yourself to a wyvern attack if you have men that will give their lives for you. Remember, not all lives are considered equal."

"Equal, sir?"

"Take the rangers, for example. They are far superior to the average soldier, but do not even come close to one of me. I keep the kingdom operating. Without me, there is no kingdom. Whereas new rangers can be recruited from anywhere."

"Doesn't seem right, sir."

"It is the natural order."

"But supposing we change things around. Make a new order."

"What are you implying? That you should be king?"

"Oh, no, sir. I would never presume."

"Lady Mordock then? While talented she may be, she is a commoner like you."

"I'm merely saying, maybe create a system that values everyone. Seems like people might work harder if they feel valued. Might make the kingdom a pleasant place to live."

"It's already the best place in all the realms. We have feasts and riches. The finest clothes. Wood to keep our fires blazing and steel for our armies. I even have halflings sing to me while I eat. That's about all the grubby little things are good for."

"Begging your pardon, sir. But not everyone lives like you do," Corwin said.

"Of course, they don't. They can't all be great men like myself. Now, enough talk. Wyverns have keen hearing. The thunder of the soldiers should distract them from our footfalls, but it is still best to keep a watchful eye."

They spurred their horses forward. Corwin wondered how great his lord really was if the man couldn't see anything beyond himself.

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