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Date Posted: 06:44:28 03/06/00 Mon
Author: Belamore
Subject: Cliffs of Cree-Day-3

Cliffs of Cree-Day-3

High winds of fifty miles an hour raged across the cliffs making
standing difficult. Troyellen braced himself against the gusts to look
over the edge. He watched as his men struggled against the breath of
nature trying to move logs and carry rocks to the cliff edge. Lean-to
and make shift shelters blew apart. The men were cold and hungry,
growing restless. If the winds continued they could render the arrows
useless, blowing them against the cliffs and a destroying true aim.
"Belamore is insane!" He cursed and backed away from the edge as a
runner from the east cliff watch approached, out of breath.

"What news?" Troyellen said.

"Riders approach the eastern passage. Fifty or more."

"Scouting party." Troyellen knew. "Captain get your men away from the
edge and stop everything. Be still. Go, pass the message along the
positions to stay out of sight."

Within half an hour the scouting party passed below along the beaches
and headed for the western pass toward the road to Drice.

After the scouts had passed Troyellen ordered his men to hurry with the
final preparations. "Belamore was right. The army will follow within a
day or two." He sent his aids to find his captains.

....

Central Road to Canaday-Day 3

Hoodless, the winds blew my pepper and white hair whipping in front of
my good eye. The villagers of Canaday filed out from their houses and
shops to see the spectacle of Pallaus' army galloping through the
cobbled streets. I sat as straight and as proud as I could, showing the
shield and insignia of Belamane in full view with the alteration that
Bernardo had made. He had removed the crossed swords in font of the
Griffin and replaced one sword with a stable pitchfork, proclaiming that
I am Belamore, King of Canaday for the People and the State and no
longer Belamane the Butcher. The criers announced this throughout the
columns as we passed by house and shop:

"Belamane is dead...Long live King Belamore! Down with The false ruler;
The traitor Justin Case!"

As the last of the foot soldiers followed the mounted soldiers, the
townspeople fell in behind the parade to Canaday Castle.

Nikoli stood on the boardwalk and did not follow the procession. Ezella
was nowhere in sight. I must find her and bring her to the castle. If
anyone should find out who she is her life would be in grave danger.
Only Janora knows who Ezella and Shane really are, besides myself.

As we approached the west bridge to the castle, Pallaus sent 20 lancers
at full gallop to stay the gate keepers and keep them from closing the
gates.

We rode through the tunnel and filled the courtyard taking up positions
to attack and defend from as quickly as trained, elite units could.
Justin's archers and men at arms readied their weapons from catwalk to
courtyard, out-numbering us three to one.

Pallaus cut the tethers that held me in the saddle and Sir Fayle and he
helped me down with some dignity. I stood with bow and artificial arm
down, my banner driven into the ground by Pallaus. Magan stepped to my
right side and Fayle to my left. Pallaus remounted to lead his lancers
and swordsmen if need be.

Lord Justin and Sir Talorone and Sir Garth and the two others of the
order of six moved casually down the court steps from the great hall,
followed by forty of the elite guard.

With a motion from his arm, Justin's garrison lowered their weapons.
Pallaus honored the gesture with the same motion. His troops lowered
their weapons.

I could feel the adrenalin from Magan and almost hear the pulsing at his
temples. "Steady, man," I whispered. "Cool head and cold blood.
Remember." I don't know if he heard me or not. The hatred in his eyes
could kill a griffin.

"Well, well, well. Belamore, the dung forker is king for a moment." He
spoke as he approached. "Good of you to join us in our dire hour of
need." He looked at Sir Pallaus. "But foolish Pallaus, to leave Drice
undefended and follow a dead king." His eyes fixed on me. "Have you
come to offer your, your...wooden leg and cedar chest to the defense of
Canaday?"

"I have come to thank you for keeping my seat warm." I quickly stepped
in front of Magan as he made to lunge forward. He stopped and took a
deep breath. "If you move recklessly he will kill you. Trust me." I
whispered. Magan stepped again to my right side and contained his
fury, just barely.

"So, it is true. Belamane has risen from the dead. You are a hard chap
to kill. But look at you. You are not fit to rule a kingdom such as
this. You could hardly rule the asses in the stable. You are half tree
and half man." He placed his hand on my shoulder. "I kept your bed
warm as well, Belamore. Tillanova is my wife. You are legally dead. I
married her after your hapless brother passed away." His grip
tightened on my shoulder. "Come, come, Belamore. I am a reasonable
man. How would it look if I killed a cripple? Pledge yourself and
those loyal to you and I give you an honorable seat in the forum. What
say you?"

Fayle walked behind me and quietly stayed Magan's sword hand. Magan
calmed again as Fayle took his place at my left.

I extended my good arm and three-fingered hand on Justin's shoulder. "I
was about to offer you the same terms...old friend." My smile matched
his own.

He laughed and took three steps back. "Belamore, you cannot be serious.
You agree it would be foolish with the Tancan at our walls to squander
our troops in a battle here?"

"Agreed."

"Then it would have to be trial by combat and God would decide.
Agreed?"

"Agreed."

"In your prime you could not best me with any weapon. With what will
you fight? I give you that choice as an honorable man."

"I choose Sir Magan of Dragzfuth as my weapon and champion."

"Ah...the boy wonder knight." He cast a dismissing glance at Magan.
Magan almost lost control then but remained still. Justin raised his
arms and revolved in a circle as he called out. "Belamore challenges my
throne with Sir Magan as his proxy. To the victor belong the spoils.
All of Canaday will pledge their loyalty to the man standing...Let it be
known also..." Justin glared in my eye. "When Magan falls, Belamore's
life is also forfeit!"

"Agreed." I said as I stepped back. "Cool head and cold heart wins
the day, Magan. Remember." I don't know if he heard me.

Magan stepped forward and drew his sword and held it, hilt as a cross,
toward heaven, as did Justin. Both men prayed in silence facing each
other. They righted their swords and took shields. Then crossed swords
and bowed in gesture of respect...as Justin leaned close he said..."It
is about time you avenged your whore of a sister...she was tough...it
took her a long, long time to die..."

...continued

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