Huma glanced at Magius; the mage was staring longingly at the distant mountains.
There were renewed cries when the sentry noticed that one of the two strangers was a fellow knight. The wooden gates swung open as the three reared them, and it appeared that nearly all of the outpost’s inhabitants were coming out to welcome the newcomers.
“Buoron! Back so soon? What have you brought with you?”
The tall, elderly speaker must have been a knight even when Lord Oswal was a child. He was deeply wrinkled and his voice shook slightly, but his moves were graceful and Huma suspected he could still handle a sword. Unlike the majority of the knights, who seemed to favor Ergothian beards, the aged knight still sported a traditional, if somewhat silver, mustache. He was a Knight of the Rose, the only one Huma could see upon first inspection.
“Hail, Lord Taggin. Two travelers in need of rest, one of them a brother to our ranks. He has news of the utmost importance.”
Taggin nodded grimly. “I’d thought as much.” To the rest of the assembled knights, he said, “Return to your duties! Remember that you are Knights of Solamnia, not a gaggle of hungry geese!”
Some disappointment showed in the faces of the knights, many of whom, Buoron explained, had been assigned to the outpost for nearly ten years. Taggin had been there twice as long. In fact, he had manned the outpost by himself for many years.
Huma could not help smiling. Somehow, he felt that he was among a different breed of knights than those back at Vingaard Keep. They were less strict with the rules, more willing to bend to circumstances.
As it turned out, the outpost included only three buildings. One was the tower, which also served as armory and stable. The second was a type of longhouse, which Huma recognized as the living quarters of the company. The third and, surprisingly enough, the most insignificant-looking of the three was Taggin’s command center and quarters. All were made of wood. To Huma, raised in a village, it was more like home than the proud Keep had ever been.
The outpost’s builders had planned as well as they could. Huma noted that the structure was close enough to the woods to allow the knights easy access to hunting and to gathering fuel for fires, yet was far enough into the plains so that any attempted assault would force the enemy to rush across long stretches of flat, open field. Water was provided by a small stream and a deep well. Later, Huma would discover that the knights even grew their own crops in a fortified extension behind the rest of the outpost. Again, Huma could not help marvel at the differences between the knighthood here and back in Solamnia.
Taggin ordered Buoron to deliver the two over to him as soon as they were clean and fed. Magius quite bluntly stated that he would talk to no one until he was finally allowed some rest. The commander frowned at the mage’s arrogant manner but conceded the necessity.
Huma awoke to the sound of men preparing to ride out. He glanced briefly toward Magius, who stirred restlessly and then turned to the nearest window. The mage peered out. The sun was going down. A number of fully armored knights were riding out of the gate, more than one armed with weighted nets in addition to their normal weaponry. For a patrol, it contained a large number of horsemen.
He saw Buoron walking past the doorway and signaled to him. The knight waved to him and turned back. Huma began to dress. Buoron entered.
“Are you better now?” The other knight was talking low.
“Much. I’ve not slept this long in weeks.” Huma was silent until he was fully clad. Then he and Buoron stepped outside. By this time, the last of the riders had left and the gates were closed.
Huma indicated the gates. “Why the heavy patrol? Is there activity by the ogres?”
Buoron shook his head. “I am beginning to doubt if there will ever be. No, this problem is more local. We do a little trade with the Qualinesti elves, though they generally tend to stay to themselves, like most of their kind.”
“One of the few who meet with us regularly told us a beast has been lurking about this general region.” The bearded knight smiled. “We wanted to ask them what they were doing so far away from their own lands, but our relationship would not stand the strain. Instead, we thanked them and began to investigate.”
“Did you see this creature?”
“We simply call him the Beast. He’s crafty, perhaps an ogre scout, even. Three times he’s given us the slip. Tonight, though, they think they can hunt him down to his lair. With any luck, the patrol will take him alive.”
“For what purpose?”
“If he’s a spy, he might have information. If he’s some sort of animal, Taggin still wants to see him. The Qualinesti are concerned about his presence; the commander wants to see why.”
Lord Taggin was finishing up his daily routine when Buoron brought Huma to speak to him. The elderly knight greeted his visitor amicably—protocol was unimportant out here—but he seemed nervous.
“You have no idea how it stands at present?”
Huma shook his head. “None. The hope was to regroup. That is all I know.”
“I see.” Taggin stared at him with penetrating eyes. After several moments, the elder knight said, “Nothing we can do. It will be best to break the news to the men first thing in the morning, Buoron.”
Buoron, who had been standing quietly through the entire talk, did not hesitate. “I’ll do it. Lord Taggin.”
“Fine.” The commander cleared off everything from the table he used for his work. “You are excused, lad.”
Huma turned as Buoron did, but Taggin immediately stopped him. “Not you, Knight Huma. I still have a few things to ask you. Be seated, please.”
Nothing was said until Buoron had departed. Huma felt uncomfortable alone in the presence of Taggin but was disciplined enough not to show it. Taggin tapped his fingers on the table. After evidently gathering his thoughts, he spoke.
“What is the purpose of your travels?”
“Milord?”
The nervousness of the senior knight had vanished. His voice and stare were both steady. “Don’t hedge, Huma. This is not Vingaard. I will not hold you to anything you say. This is between us. I like to think that I’m a good enough judge of character, and I trust you despite the company you keep.”
“Thank you, milord.”
Taggin smiled ruefully at the politeness. “I’m already well aware of my status and especially of my age. Please, call me Taggin. Now then, what is your purpose for coming here? I can think of a hundred different routes that would have taken you back to Vingaard long before now. Why head south? Is it the mage? Despite his less-than-savory attitude, I gather the two of you are close.”
“We grew up together.” Huma was hesitant about expanding on his friendship with Magius any more than necessary.
“Did you? Unusual combination. Still, a man is more than symbols or robes, be they white, red, or even black.”
“He is not evil, Lo—Taggin.”
The outpost commander smiled slightly. “I did not say he was.”
Huma began to break down in the presence of understanding. “He fears for his life, but he also thinks to end this war.”
“Which was his first priority?”
“I—” Huma tensed. “I would have to say his life is more important to him.”
“Understandable. Providing, of course, it is not to the detriment of the world.”
Huma had no answer for that.
Lord Taggin stood up and paced around the room. “Why have you decided to join him on this—shall we say ‘quest’ for want of a better word? Is it merely out of friendship?”