“May I ask first how it is that I’m alive? The last thing I remember was an axe coming down to split my head.”

The duke chuckled.

“Your distraction enabled us to plow through the orcs quickly. I arrived in time to dispatch the orc leader before you were killed. It would indeed have killed you had I not removed its arm in mid-swing.”

I bowed.

“Then I have you to thank for my life!”

Though it would have only meant that I came back at my spawn point. Still, better to be alive here than back at Spiral Castle, or wherever I would have ended up.

Duke Benedict waved away my thanks.

“Your attack saved many of my men. Killing all those orcs had put quite a terror into those that you were attacking which was why the leader took it upon himself to dispatch you. When the wing faltered, the rest of the orc formation collapsed.”

I mused over that, and it made sense. In battle, a sudden attack from unexpected quarters could confuse an opponent, causing a loss of morale and breakdown in command. Oftentimes, those those being attacked didn't even realize how small the force might be. It had been one of my favored strategies when--

When what? Damn it! Had I been a commander of troops?

The duke asked concernedly, “Is something wrong, Paol?”

I realized that I had been standing silently for several moments. I didn’t know what expression I had on my face, but it was probably somewhat distressed.

“I’m sorry, your grace.” That was how you addressed a duke. How did I know that? “Just an odd memory coming to mind.”

He returned to his original question.

“So tell me, Paol, what brings you to my lands?”

I thought furiously. Did I dare tell him about myself? That I had no memories of who I was? That I saw strange words in the air before me? That I had been killed and respawned?

Only a moment’s thought was enough to decide to keep all of that secret for now. I had no idea if he would believe me or try to take advantage of me or simply think me insane. Any of those seemed possible, so despite his friendliness, trusting him with all of my secrets seemed unwise.

“I’m a traveller from the east,” I spun. “A well-journeyed friend of mine told me of Paravel, and I wanted to see the kingdom for myself.”

Duke Benedict frowned.

“The east is orc territory,” he stated.

“I come from far to the east and south,” I made up. “I skirted the lands of the orcs for the most part, though I can say that they appear to be moving in this direction.”

The duke inquired, “Why do you say that? I’ll admit that this orc raid was surprisingly large and well-organized, but our border with the orcs has been an uneasy one for generations. They have been known to attack for slaves...or food.”

It seemed that I would have to tell at least something of what had happened to me. I took a breath.

“I said that I skirted the lands of the orcs, but I underestimated their reach. They captured me and imprisoned me in Spiral Castle.”

The duke froze and said sharply, “Spiral Castle? That fortress is deserted.”

“No longer. It’s occupied. Well, it was occupied. It no longer stands.”

A worried look on his face, the duke waved me to a chair, “Please sit and tell me more. If the orcs have reinvested Spiral Castle, that is cause for alarm. Though the peace has been uneasy, it was understood that there are stretches of land that would not be claimed by either side. Spiral Castle...that holding has but one purpose, and that is as a fortified position to support an invasion.”

“Yes, that was my understanding as well,” I responded. The duke was at the head of the table, and I seated myself on his left. Barnabas took position to the duke’s right.

“The group that took control of the keep was small, but they were led by a fierce practitioner of magic. From what I saw, I gathered that they were just the initial occupying force, readying the fortress for a larger army.”

The duke’s frown deepened.

“Do you know who this practitioner was?”

“Actually, he’s dead. And Spiral Castle is no more.”

He blinked.

“Explain please.”

I couldn’t hide too much, but I didn’t know if my benefactor would have wanted his identity known. Well, since I didn’t actually know the man in brown’s name, that was a moot point. However, letting the duke know of my savior’s connection to me might also not be wise. He would have too many questions to which I would have no answers.

I dissembled as best I could while telling them what happened had to Spiral Castle. Trust or no trust, these people deserved to know what they might be facing soon.

“A man came to free the prisoners from the castle.

Well, actually it was just one prisoner--me--but saying that would have raised even more questions. And who knew? Maybe I was the only prisoner, in which case he had come to save "all" the prisoners from the castle.

“The man had strong magical talents. He fought the master of the castle as well as the orcs and held them to a standstill. I fled because there was nothing I would have been able to do. When I looked back at Spiral Castle, a great conflagration arose and the castle fell in on itself. The battle between wizards must have been too much for the old keep and walls. I do not think anything is left except ruins.”

Duke Benedict breathed, “Ill news. Ill news indeed. If the orcs are moving west to take old, forgotten castles, it can only mean that they intend to use those castles as launching points for their armies. Do you know who this man was? Can you tell us more about his battle with the master of the castle. Wait--was this master of the castle an orc? Few orcs become powerful spellcasters."

"I have little familiarity with magic, your grace, but both men were puissant in the arts. The master of the castle was a man, not an orc. The battle between the two was unlike anything I have ever seen."

I had seen very little of anything, so that was certainly true.

"Both men tossed around arcane forces of flame and force like children tossing sand. The master of the castle summoned elementals and transformed himself into some type of demon. The man who had come to save the prisoners mainly used some kind of shield of force and threw magical bolts or flames. He...told me to run while he held my jailers in check. I'm ashamed to say that I ran, just as he ordered. I felt like a coward."

Duke Benedict shook his head. "Magic must be fought with magic. You have nothing to be ashamed of, Paol."

I hung my head a bit before ending, "When I was far enough away from the castle and felt that I was not being followed, I turned around in hopes that my benefactor had escaped as well. Instead, I saw a whirlwind of lightning and power shatter the fortress. No one could have survived it."

The duke’s frown deepened before he asked, “Paol, would you be willing to see the king? This information...it needs to be passed on. I have command of the men of my duchy, but I do not have the authority to raise all the troops of the eastern marches, only the king can do that. And he should have ways to confirm this information.”

He asked, “What of you, Paol? I already owe you a great debt, but I ask you for further aid. Would you be willing to travel with some of my men and tell your tale to the king? An eyewitness to the orc preparations would be powerful evidence for the king to take some action. My lands border the neutral zone between Paravel and the orcs, so if they invade, my people will suffer first.”

I hesitated.

Barnabas begged, “Please, Paol. If what you say is true, Paravel--and maybe its allies--will need to levy troops and send them to the border.”

Looking into those idealistic, pleading brown eyes, it was impossible to refuse.

“All right, your grace. I’ll go. However, before we leave I’d like to visit Bermindon's tavern, if it has one.”

The duke blinked.

“Tavern? Well, if you’re that badly in need of a drink, I’m sure we can find something for you in our stores. Though Bermindon lies under my aegis, I do not live near here. I was on a journey to visit my aunt when runners from the town chanced upon my traveling party and explained the situation to us. Since I was journeying, we brought some of our own ale, if that’s what you’re thirsting for.”

I shook my head.

“My friend--the one who told me about Paravel--suggested I meet an acquaintance of his, someone named Rafe. He told me that this Rafe often frequented pubs.”

The duke’s face remained blank when I mentioned this, but Barnabas pursed his lips and then asked, “Do you know what this man looks like? Or what he...likes...to do?”

I shrugged. “Actually, I don’t. My friend simply told me to look for him at taverns.”

Barnabas grunted. “Well, I can’t be sure, but I think I know who you’re talking about.”

“What? That’s amazing! Can you take me to him?”

Barnabas pressed, “Is that really all your friend told you about him?”

“Uh, yes, we were in a hurry at the time.”

Barnabas looked at his duke, but Duke Benedict merely shrugged. He had no idea who Rafe was.

Barnabas looked back at me and sighed.

“All right, follow me please.”