After a few hours of resting and healing of the villagers, the ogre began to stir. "What happened to human?" it shouted, trying to regain its footing, but was sent back down by Humus hard boot, "Owww, head hurt! Stop hurting Grog!" Looking around, his green face turned a lighter shade of green, "You kill Olar, and dead men! You no kill me? I not do anything!" it pleaded.
Seeing Humus' intent, Da Ghiri smiled a bit to himself, remembering other times for a moment, then in full view of the Ogre, took his wooden rice bowl out of his pack and poured some water in it, then sprinkled some rice in the bowl and chanted over it for a few moments. The little priest stuck his fingers in the bowl and flicked some of the water on the Ogre, telling him, "I woould not see yoou slain out of hand, so I give you this warning. Choose your words carefully, for I have cast a spell upon yoou and will know if yoou lie." Da Ghiri then moved to one side, still near the Ogre and in his sight, and sat down studying the rice bowl, as Humus asked his questions.
With a scowl on his face, Humus addressed the ogre, "We are going to ask you a few questions before we determine what to do with you, and you are going to be a nice ogre and answer them."
"I not a good ogre, but will be for now, you hold big sword!" he snorted.
"What do you know of Olar?" Humus asks.
"Olar is Knight of Blood, he bad man, big man!"
He added "Why was he taking prisoners?"
"He want more Knights of Blood."
"Where were they going to be imprisoned?"
"Don’t know, he give me money to fight for him just outside town, me take, and start fighting weak humans, then he get mean and hit Grog, hurting Grog!"
"Are there any more like Olar anywhere near here?"
"Don’t know, he just pay me outside of town, me only know he is knight because he told me, scare Grog, never seen human so big and scary"
"What do you know about Balazaar?"
"Who? I know nothing of Badzar."
"You said that you did not do anything, but what were you doing here?" His eyebrows crinkled for a moment, "I told you, me get paid beside road to come beat up weak humans. I come, beat up some, then Grog get knocked out, dont even have money !" he said reaching into his pockets and pulling the insides out.
After all the questions had been asked, Humus turned to the others in the party. "We need to see justice done. Let us ask the villagers what Grog has done before we determine what to do with him. If he has committed major crimes against the good people here, he probably needs to be executed, but if not, maybe we can have him imprisoned while we proceed on to Balazaar. We definitely don't need to have him running around loose telling everyone that we've been this way, but I hesitate to kill him if he has not committed any crime other than being born. What say the rest of you ?"
The villagers responded quietly, as if in shock, then getting roused as time passed, "The ogre mutilated the people, he killed with a savageness that only bespeaks his lineage ! He beat the people to death with his club, refusing to stop when they stopped moving, he just kept beating and beating" a woman sobbed, "until they were nothing but crushed versions of their former selves." A voice shouted, "The giant ordered the ogre to burn the villagers, he hesitated, then picked a torch from the crowd and began throwing flames at houses and people !" The attrocities seemed to go on forever. Da Ghiri confirmed that no lies were being told by the ogre.
Caladan put his chain mail back on. Afterwards he picked up Olars sword and brought it to the group. "This sword, even though it probably has been used to commit evil tasks, isn't evil. I have discovered that the enchantment on this sword, is offensive in nature, it makes the blade extremely sharp. I think this blade should be turned against the cause of its previous wielder and be worn by one of us. Who of us are proficient in the use of a two-handed sword ?"
Jardel looked towards his leg, As to the minor wound he smiled. "It is always good to have a reminder that one is mortal." Helm, shield and gauntlets remained resting on Aistlins saddle. Standing with the group milling around Grog he listened to the interrogation. "Humus, an interesting moral challenge you presented me with before. I have a clear defined answer in mind, but I shall speak of this at a later more appropriate time, perhaps this evening whilst sitting around the fire. We have more important themes at hand. I cannot percieve you scouting any dire physical injuries from your melee with Olar, but if you require any healing, Heimdall is willing to grant his follower wisdom to perform some aid."
Humus turned. "I was slightly injured from my fight with Olar, but it was far from a mortal blow. I would be appreciative of any healing that you might provide, Jardel."
Looking at Grog Jardel continued "When time permits Humus, I will grant you healing from Heimdall. First we shall get some information out of this sorry fellow." Perceiving Caladan wielding the sword in his hands a quick smile crossed his lips while his gloved hand played with his beard. "Caladan, if what say is true we may have been very fortunate to dispose of Olar so quickly. We should divy up and use whatever magical items we find to the best of our abilities and sell any treasure not wanted. As this two-handed sword is enchanted with a powerful magic we should let someone among us wield it. Should any member of our party here be skilled with a two-handed sword and value its posession speak up, BUT it seems the blade has already found a master for it to wield, as it has accepted your touch - Caladan. I myself am proficient with two-handed swords, but my prefered weapon is the long sword in combination with presenting my heralded shield to any and all foes met. My scholarly teachings of evil beasts remind me of certain immunities conjured evil has to non-magical weapons. This will present me with a challenge later, as my sword is a simple iron blade, but this is a bridge to be crossed later. As the enchanted armor is too large for any of us to use we should leave it here in Valmour - for now." Turning his attention to the interrogation, Jardel imposed himself next to Humus, hand resting on his long sword. "Grog ! I am Jardel Jar'axel, protector to the faith of Heimdall. Tis would be wise to have answered all questions truthfully and to the best of your knowledge. In my eyes you - as all ogres - are inherently evil and deserve to be killed. It would be my pleasure to have my blade run you through immediately ! If you help us though and that I will decide, I will refrain from harming you. For the others though I cannot speak." Letting the Ogre speak, Jardel concentrated on the emanating waves of feelings from Grog.
Grog pulled his head back, looking at Jardel thoughtfully." I tell truth, nothing I tell is lie, he paid me to come here."
Humus turned to Caladan, "I agree that you should wield it if you can. I was taught that weapons that deal damage at a distance - including two-handed swords - calls into question the personal bravery of those of my order." Glancing briefly at Jardel, "and I wouldn't have that called into question here as well. Anyway, I much prefer the long sword - you could even say that it is my weapon of choice."
Jardel shook his head with a seldom seen grin on his face "Humus, enough hidden sarcasm regarding your duties and services to your profession. One valuable trait I do have, is the gift to forgive and forget - so on my behalf, let us put this whole deal behind us. It was merely my duty to speak up - not judge. Life goes on and we do have hard times ahead - to bear together."
"Jardel, I agree that we should put all of this behind us. Just remember that we are equals on this quest. My teachers drill the virtues and knightly codes into my head when I was much younger - I don't need another teacher now looking over my shoulder grading me on my performance. In the past, I have not judged you for your words or actions, and I am not planning on doing so in the future. I would appreciate the same from you. We all must be able to trust each other if we even hope to have a chance to defeat the evil that is plaguing the land. That means no attacking each other - verbally or physically." Glancing over at Kethas, Humus added, "Too much of that has gone on already in one form or another - whether it be following a belief, or scolding another for their actions. This must end here and now." Then grinning broadly, he jovially added, "And Jardel, what's this about HIDDEN sarcasm? I thought that it was fairly obvious. Oh well ! I guess that I need to work some more on my humor."
Talthan looked at the oger "Well Grog what where you doing here if you weren’t helping our former adversarys. I’m more interested in what you know about why you fellows were here rather than expending the effort to slay you, which I could do. So why don’t you tell me what you know."
Grogs eyebrows bunched together in anger, "I tell you everything, nothing more do I know !" He shouted as he began to rise, "Grog no like humans asking so many questions, maybe Grog break weak humans in half !" he shouted as he rose to his full, 9 foot hight.
Caladan, oblivious to the ogres actions continued his barter. "Jardel, since the sword has accepted my touch, I propose a trade, you train me in the use of a two-handed sword and you wield my blade in combat, it was a gift from a elven tribe which I lived with after my accident and it has been enchanted. That is if no one else claim the two-handed sword?"
Kethas walked from the corner of the battle field, "I make this offer: After I have meditated for many hours, and regained my spells, I shall guard, and try to interrogate the Ogre. Should anybody choose what I should study before the morrow, let them speak now, or forever hold his peace."
Grogs anger grew. With no club in sight he just looked at the group with madness in his eyes. Defenseless, but angry the villagers began shouting "Kill the beast ! Kill it ! Kill it!"
Recieving the enchanted long sword from Caladan another rare smile of appreciation crossed Jardels lips. Gently his hand caressed the scabbard as he slowly drew the blade forth to got a glimpse of the swords quality. "Thank you Caladan. I will use your sword with the utmost respect to its owner." Abrubtly he shoved the half drawn blade back into the scabbard. "You Caladan, are the first of our party to profit from finding valuable treasure, especially a magic item. Be it known that this is your first share of all loot found. Before recieving your next item the others are entitled to a fair choice themselves." He carefully unstrapped his exterior belt, carrying his holy symbol, several pouches, packs and sheaths. Removing the old scabbard he exchanged it for the new sword and tightened his buckle again. "Caladan, I will gladly train you in the proper use of a two-handed sword, but I tell you sincirely that you will NOT learn this overnight. The two-handed sword is a weapon whose strike is used sparingly and well timed as to the increased length, weight and slow weapon speed. Later tonight we shall practice effective striking and slashing with physical routines against different weapon sizes and talk about the mental guidance whilst wielding such monster of a blade."
Holding his sheathed old long sword, Jardel turned his attention to the now standing Grog and waited for a moment of silence to speak quietly. "Grog my evil adversary. Your answers prove no real value to me or my comrades here. Therefore I deem your life forfeit. I will however refrain from personally splitting your skull in half. Humus, please deal a swift sentence - death by sword. Let us prepare Valmour for the night."
Seeing Grog get angry and rise to his feet, Humus drew his blade. Speaking directly to Grog, "You had better settle down. You are in no position to be making demands. You are just lucky that we haven't cut you down already." Then shouting out to the villagers so they could hear hear him, "Please be quiet for now ! Let us hear what he has to say !" Turning his head slightly so he could keep Grog in his vision he quietly spoke to the others so that Grog couldn’t overhear, "By his word and that of the villagers his fate has been sealed. He cannot be allowed to remain unpunished, and there is only one punishment for his crimes - death. If anyone objects to it, you need to do so now. Also, you had better ask any questions that you have quickly. He will not be controllable much longer.
The villagers cheered to the possible death of the ogre, "Death to the foul creature !" Humus sighed, "We must wrap this up as quickly as we can. We need to press on. The evil of this land is growing, and we are running out of time."
Kethas looks pleadingly at the group, "Would all of you declare this ogre's life forfeit because he was following instructions? He could be a useful ally, and as he said, he wasn't even paid after his deed. Let this harmless ogre live, but release him far away from this town so that he will not bother these civilians. Please, spare his life."
Jardel jumped in, "Kethas, I value your opinion, but we are not talking about pixies, brownies or humans here. Ogres belong to the evil half of the giantkin family and they are truely EVIL. They live on bullying others and have the size to do that. I can feel absolute evil intentions emanating from him - he will not change. He is so evil, he even eats little children for breakfast. No, turn your back once on him and he'll club you. He is not harmless and he WILL die !"
"Please, do not let this creature die because of his races ways. This ogre may not be truly evil. No creature is evil, only its actions, and your actions, by his standards, may also be considered evil. Let this creature live."
Hearing Jardels pronouncement of Grog's fate, Humus groaned. Knowing that the ogre was most likely to run amok now trying to get away, Humus stepped in to deal out swift justice for Grogs crimes against the people before Grog had a chance to react. Humus swung his sword with precision, but the ogre was no longer there. Agile for one so large, he skipped to the side and reached for a club that no longer existed. Seeing his opening, Humus struck quickly towards the ogres neck, slashing a mighty gash that would have decapitated a human. But the ogres neck was thick, now with a cut quite deeply and bleeding profusely. Soon the ogre was to die, by sword or by blood loss. Grogs head hung as if in resignation. Humus lifted his blade for a merciful cut, when Grog parried with an uppercut born of panic and caught Humus square in the jaw, nearly knocking him unconscious from the blow. Landing a few feet a way, he shook his head and looked at the charging ogre, a sight to behold, a 9' monster with utter insanity in its eyes bearing down on a human. Grog leapt into the air with the intent of landing on Humus and crushing him, but Humus rolled at the last second, and left his sword sticking point up where he was laying a moment before. Grog landed with a look of confusion. Looking down, he saw he had impaled himself on the sword, in the most indignant places there was, his groin. He fell to the ground without a sound, other than the crash of one so big. The life ebbed from his wounds as his eyes glazed over. Humus was injured badly. His jaw was not in the same position as before, now it was half off of his face as he struggled to stand, quite unsuccesfully. He fell back to the ground in a seated position and stared at the dead ogre. Humus will be sung in song for many generations as the Ogre-Slayer of Valmour. He had killed an ogre by himself ! Quite a feat for a beginning cavalier !
You can e-mail me at
mauldinl@hotmail.com