The Worlds of the Sheaf

Gromm - Part 1

     Saturn ignored them and marched up to the biggest, grandest building of all, reaching the door just as it opened to reveal a magnificently dressed man wearing a chain of office around his shoulders. An older man arrived behind him, unmistakably a wizard and looking flustered as if he'd just been dragged away from something. He stepped around the official to stand protectively between him and the new arrivals, one hand resting on a wand hanging from his belt.

     He and Saturn eyed each other appraisingly, but then Saturn pointedly turned away from him to face the official, a deliberately provocative move designed to make an impact not only on him but on everyone present. They had come to do business and they weren't going to be distracted by mere functionaries. More people, meanwhile, were appearing behind them in the doorway, lesser officials, scribes and assistants, and faces were appearing at the windows, peering warily as if afraid of attracting hostility if they were noticed.

     "Good sirs, welcome to Gromm," said the man with the chain. A rather overweight man clearly used to expensive living who was beaming nervously all across his chubby red face. "I am Archchancellor Mowbray, chairman of the ruling council. It is always a pleasure to welcome practitioners of the magical arts and I can assure you that you will find our hospitality second to none. Please come inside, where we can discuss the business that brings you here in more comfortable surroundings."

     Saturn nodded his acceptance, and the Gromman wizard eyed each of them in turn as they filed past, his eyes widening just a fraction at the sight of Lirenna. There were no shae folk on Garon, and almost none had ever visited the island continent in all the centuries since the two races had first encountered each other, which, meant that the man had never in his life seen beauty to match hers. Seeing this, Thomas gave the wizard a warning glare in return, which the Gromman wizard interpreted correctly.

     The Gromman wizard looked away, seeing Braddle Bandock instead. Nomes were also unknown on Garon, and the sight of the tiny humanoid caused a crooked smile of cruel amusement to appear on his face as if he was wondering how the midget managed to cope with his deformity. The nome saw the look and smiled back at him. A beaming smile of happiness and contentment, of pure joy at being alive. It was a smile that would have sent a chill of fear through the heart of anyone familiar with the demihuman race. Braddle was Pastoran on his mother's side, and the unfortunate wizard was soon to become acquainted with the famous Pastoran sense of humour.

     Archchancellor Mowbray led them along a short, carpeted corridor to a large council chamber, clearly the place where most of the town's business was conducted. A semicircular table lined with plush chairs faced a straight table lined with five taller, much grander chairs behind with, mounted on the wall, was a huge design of crowns, dragons and colourful ribbons. Presumably the coat of arms either of the council or the town itself. Along the other side of the room was a raised area separated by a low wooden fence containing three rows of chairs. The spectators gallery where interested members of the public could watch the business of government taking place.

     The room was empty at the moment and the Archchancellor invited them to seat themselves while he sent for refreshments to be served. A few moments later the wizards were sipping hot tea from tiny porcelain cups, all sitting except Saturn who remained standing, sweeping his single eye around the room as if wondering where the snipers were hidden.

     "Thank you for your gracious welcome," he managed to say, his face remaining stonily unemotional. "The reputation of your city as a refuge for the weary traveler is well deserved."

     "You are too kind," replied the Archchancellor, taking his place in the central, throne-like seat behind the straight table. "And now, perhaps you could tell me exactly how we can be of assistance to you."

     Saturn nodded, but he paused a few moments before replying, to create an effect. The official would be imagining all kinds of dreadful things. Frightful magical creations threatening his city. Rogue wizards on the rampage. Perhaps these strangers would themselves be the danger! He had his guards and his wizards standing by, of course, ready to come running if these five strangers suddenly turned nasty, and the fear was visible in his face and the set of his body as he faced them. He had to be a man of no little courage, Thomas realised, to place himself in danger like this. He took his responsibilities as guardian and protector of Gromm seriously.

     Saturn cared nothing for his courage, though. He was deliberately playing on his fears, so that when he revealed their true reason for being there the Archchancellor would be so relieved that he'd grant their every request immediately. Give them everything they required. Such manoeuvring came so easily and readily to the old wizard now, Thomas guessed, that he no longer realised he was doing it.

     "We are historians," he said at last, enjoying the look of confusion that appeared on the man's face. "We have an interest in the very earliest eras of human existence. We have travelled far, delving into ancient civilisations that were dust before the earliest dawn of recorded history, and when we heard that your fair city has such an ancient history we of course had to come to see what could be learned."

     The Archchancellor stared in astonishment and relief, precisely the effect Saturn had wanted to create. "Historians?" he said hesitantly. He sounded as if he expected Saturn to suddenly pounce on him and say "No you fool! I was only joking! We've come to lay waste to your stupid city and we're going to start with you!"

     Saturn simply nodded, however, smiling pleasantly, and the Archchancellor mopped his face with a handkerchief he took from a sleeve. "Historians," he said again. "Yes, of course. Then you'll want to see the museum."

     "If we could," agreed Saturn. "We'd also like to examine the sites themselves, if we could. The places where the relics were dug up. The ruins of the ancient buildings. If that wouldn't be too much of an imposition, of course."

     "Of course, of course," agreed Mowbray, nodding vigorously. "Although I'm afraid there aren't very many ruins, as such. Newer buildings were built on older ones, you see. The original site is right under our feet, in fact..." His eyes widened with fear as if he thought the five visiting wizards were about to tear the building down. Raze the city to the ground to clear the site in preparation for their dig.

     "Some interesting items were dug up while the foundations were being laid, however," he said, rather hurriedly. "You'd be welcome to examine them as much as you wish."

     "That would be perfectly satisfactory," said Saturn, and the Archchancellor sighed with relief. "Would now be a good time?" continued the elderly wizard. "Our time is precious, you see, and we have other business to be about."

     "Yes, of course, of course," said Mowbray, mopping his forehead again. "I'll detail one of my assistants to accompany you. Offer you any help you require." He pulled a bellrope and a functionary appeared so quickly that he had to have been waiting just outside the door, probably along with half the city's army. "Tosce, fetch Galia, will you? I have as assignment for her."

     The man nodded and slipped quietly out again.

     "And perhaps, later tonight," Mowbray continued, "you'd like to join me and my staff for a formal luncheon. Let us show you Gromman hospitality at its very best."

     "We'll look forward to it," said Saturn, smiling pleasantly.