Backup of Alastair J Archibald Grimm Dragonblaster 04 Truth and Deception (v5.0)

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and he would have marched into it as if he owned the place, without the
warriors warnings.
"I think ... I'm sure you're right, fellows. I'll take your advice, I promise.
Just smack me on the head if I get a little over-confident in Yoren."
The two warriors laughed, their worries evidently appeased by the Questor's
conciliatory tone.
"We will, Lord Mage, the smiling Harvel said. But just remember, it might be
too late by the time we get to that stage."
What about Guy? The thought popped unbidden into Grimm's head. I may be a
little too cocksure for my own good, but he's like a bull in a china shop!
"Er, gentlemen, there's another mage who'll be coming with us: another Seventh
Rank Questor. It would be good if you had a few words with him before we go
any further. He's just a little hot-tempered at times. A bit self-opinionated,
too."
Crest's brows threatened to disappear into his high hairline. More
hot-tempered and self-opinionated even than you, Grimm? Get him in here now,
before we have a full-scale war on our hands! And is there any chance of
getting some breakfast around here? I'm starving."
"While you're at it, Questor, how about handing round the maps for the route
you're thinking of taking? Harvel said. Crest and I are pretty
well-travelled, and we may be able to give you a few more bits of useful
advice. Come on, you look like a soggy piece of string; you're worn out! You
can't do it all on your own, you know. You've got our word that we won't peach
to anyone what we're doing, so just trust us, can't you? Crest and I have
planned more expeditions than you've had hot dinners, so let us do the
planning while you get fit and mage-like. We'll do the logistics, too, if you
like."
Grimm shook his head. General Quelgrum's doing the logistics."
Harvel glanced at Crest and rolled his eyes. Oh, yes; I forgot you had a
real, live General on your household staff, Lord Mage! I suppose I should feel
honoured, but just five minutes ago you were trying to kill each other, as I
recall.
"If you want to invade some foreign country and lay it to waste with a lot of
fire and noise, I'm sure Quelgrum's your man. But if you want to plan a
sneaky, underhand, skulk through the gutters, I think you'll find Crest and me
more than qualified to do the job. So just leave the good General and your
arsehole mage friend to us and relax for a change, can't you?"
Grimm felt as if matters were being taken out of his hands, but he no longer
cared. Waving his hands in surrender, he felt a smile beginning to crawl
across his face.
"Hey, this mage can almost smile! Harvel said, and Grimm allowed his
expression to collapse into a full, unfettered grin. What do you think,
Crest, is he human?"
Crest nodded. Grimm, go and stuff your face, or scratch your spots, or do
whatever else you normally do at this time of the morning, and take it easy
for one day in your life.
"I wouldn't trust General Quelgrum a lot further than I could spit a rat. So
just leave a message for him and and your fellow mage to come and see us, give
us your maps, and then sod off, there's a good Mage."
"Don't forget the food. Harvel wagged his right index finger in admonition.
Grimm felt as if he ought to be angry, but he also felt as if ten tons weight
had been lifted from his shoulders.
"I'll do that; thank you, fellows. I was beginning to feel I was going to make
a complete idiot of myself, he said, as the tension eased.
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He knew he could trust these men.
"Early days yet, mage, Harvel said. It still might happen, but we can all be
idiots together when it does, eh?"
Grimm laughed happily, thinking of the happy prospect of a day spent with his
beloved Drexelica. Thank you so much, my friends."
"That's enough! Crest snapped, in a mock show of annoyance, and Grimm
recognised a parody of his own attitude just minutes before. Just get us what
we need, push off and enjoy yourself!"
Grimm stood and offered an elaborate bow.
"By your command, Lord Crest, he said, smiling.
As he walked from the chamber, he felt as if a string was being pulled tight
within him, as if he might be losing control, but he let it go with gratitude.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 22: Heartfelt Discussions
Grimm discovered Drexelica sitting alone in the immaculate kitchen of the
tower. He could not help but notice the disconsolate expression on her face,
and the way she flicked through the pages of a book, sparing each page only a
scant glance. Despite the fact that his shadow fell across her, she did not
look up.
"Drexelica, it's me: Grimm."
"I used to know somebody with that name, she said, without raising her head.
I wonder where he's gone."
The Questor noted the unmistakable catch in her voice, and made to sit on the
table opposite her high-backed chair.
"Please don't sit there, she said in a harsh voice. That table's for
preparing food, and I've only just cleaned it."
"What's the matter? Grimm said. You don't have to sit in here. There are
plenty of more comfortable rooms in the tower."
As her eyes lifted to meet his, the young mage noticed grubby tracks on her
cheeks.
"What's wrong with the kitchen, Lord Baron? Isn't that where a serving maid
belongs?"
"I don't think of you as a serving maid, Drex. I love you! Grimm longed to
take her in his arms, but he felt too awkward and confused to do so.
"At least you remember my name, she said, her eyes glistening. That's
something I can be grateful for, I suppose."
The Questor realised that in the fortnight since his arrival back at Crar, his
main topics of conversation with Drexelica had gone little further than
requests for meals. They had slept together, but he had always been too tired
to exchange more than desultory titbits of information. The forthcoming Quest
had so consumed his mind that he had spared no thought for the woman he loved.
Leaning closer towards her, he felt the catch in his own voice as he said,
Drex, I've been a fool these last two weeks, and I want to make it up to you
in any way I can."
Grimm felt helpless in the face of the torrent of tears which she no longer
held back.
"Please don't cry, was all he could say. It'll be all right now. I've come
to my senses, I promise."
The girl rose to her feet, flinging her book to the floor. It'll never be all
right! she sobbed. I want to tell everybody that we're together, but I [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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