Realms of Valen - Blasphemous Crusade (War of the Gods Book 2)

by Rickk Berry III

  “And you are?” Kai asked the young woman.

  “Lord Wythnold's top house servant, Lydia. Please, come inside,” she gestured, dark green eyes that were nearly hidden by long brown hair looking over each of the guests to her Lord's home. Rykar and Kaidia stepped inside, followed by Malcade and Echo. While Rykar and Kaidia tended to wear black clothing that seemed equally suited to both a fine dinner and a bloody battlefield, Echo and especially Malcade felt awkward. Echo wore the finest clothing she owned, which amounted to a dark blue tunic with long sleeves, black leather pants, and a pair of boots that were made of fine, black leather, but had seen better days. Malcade had decided on a deep-red tunic that bore golden trim, dark pants made of soft material that felt all too thin against his legs, and mostly covered the boots that adorned his feet.

  “This way, please,” Lydia said with a gesture, leading the warriors through the opulent dwelling to a large dining room with a long table and many chairs. In front of five of those chairs were plates and utensils made of silver. “Lord Wythnold will be with you shortly. If you'll excuse me, I have to help finish dinner. Take your seats, wine and bread will be brought to you in a few moments,” the dark haired woman said before leaving the room.

  “Is there some sort of proper seating arrangement?” Rykar asked, staring at the chairs near the head of the table.

  “I would think Kaidia and you would sit in the two chairs closest to the head chair,” Echo assumed with a shrug.

  “Makes sense,” Malcade agreed.

  Kaidia stepped around to the side of the table that would be at Wythnold's right whenever he happened to arrive and take his seat. Echo followed the god and the two took their seats quietly. Rykar sat across from Kaidia and Malcade across from Echo. A few moments later, another beautiful woman in snug fitting leathers set a silver jug filled with wine down on the table, followed by thin-stemmed wine glasses at each of the place settings. The woman turned and left the room, leaving the warriors to pour their own wine.

  After a few minutes of idle conversation and a few sips of wine, Cantus Wythnold made his entrance, sitting in his seat at the head of the table.

  “Mistress Kaidia, King Rykar, wonderful to see you again. And these are?” he asked, gesturing to Malcade and Echo.

  “Commander Malcade Collins,” Malcade stated.

  “General Echo-Seras of the Clan Baicorz,” Echo introduced herself.

  “Lovely to meet you both. Mistress Kaidia, if I may, how do you have a General as a second in command?” Cantus asked.

  “I don't. I'm not commanding any troops in this war. I have no army. Echo is the General of the united kyrian forces. Rykar and Malcade will be commanding one half of the Scorpion Company each. I will be running about merrily lopping off heads and cleaving people in twain,” Kai explained with a smile that was unsettling to someone unused to Kaidia's disposition, like Cantus.

  “Oh, I see. Well, whatever you believe will be most effective,” Cantus said, visibly uneasy for a moment before taking a sip of his wine.

  “Kaidia on her own in a battlefield, without the distraction of commanding soldiers, is dangerous, Cantus. Trust me, I've seen it,” Rykar assured the nobleman.

  “Well, I suspect that one doesn't gain titles like “Reaper of Kulvost” without reason,” Cantus agreed, giving a bit of a smile.

  “That they do not,” Kai affirmed with a nod.

  * * *

  Rykar sat back in his chair with a happy sigh.

  “Ah, damn... that was good,” he said, flashing a satisfied smile.

  “I concur,” Malcade remarked.

  “I am glad the meal meets with your approval gentlemen,” Lord Cantus said with a smile, his own plate utterly empty. “And what of you, ladies?”

  “Lovely,” Kai said. Echo muttered her agreement.

  “Wonderful. Now that we're all fed and have some wine in us, what is the situation we find ourselves in with the inevitable battle?” Cantus asked all four seated before him.

  “Well, even with the troops still coming, I'm sure we're going to be out-numbered two to one. However, we have the advantage in raw power from what I can tell. We have Kaidia, Echo, and me, all more than competent with offensive magics. The Scorpion Company is the best of the best. The remnants of the Royal Army are the best at what they do. I have no doubt in the skill of the kyrians, the dwarves, any of the elven races, or any other soldiers that will be fighting on our side. Not to mention Kai's dragon. But, we are still fighting an army roughly twice the size. I'm not going to lie, this could get really ugly,” Rykar explained before downing his glass of wine.

  “I suppose the possibility of loss is always a factor in war,” Cantus said with a sigh.

  “It is, but do not tell that to your guardsmen,” Echo instructed. “You want morale to stay as high as possible.”

  “I will give a speech to boost morale before the battle but we have, at least, a couple of days to go before that. I'll hold a meeting or two with you, the other Generals, Commanders, Captains, or whatever other titles the leaders see fit to take. We'll work out a strategy and go from there,” Rykar said, looking Cantus in the eyes.

  “Right. Sounds as good as it's going to get,” Cantus replied.

  “Indeed. Unfortunately, I grow weary. Being on the road all day for a couple of days does that to you. What's the best inn around your fair city, Lord Cantus?” Rykar asked.

  “The Golden Arrow. Just down the street. I'll send word ahead and have the best rooms prepared and paid for. It's the least I can do at the moment for you all,” Cantus said while calling Lydia over. She leaned down and the Lord spoke in her ear. She nodded, then left the room with haste.

  “Where does the name for the inn come from?” Echo asked.

  “It's named after the golden arrow the god Zebelous used to kill the ravenous flying demon, Vebor, that wanted to devour the world, or so the myth goes,” Cantus explained.

  “Interesting. There are so many gods and so many stories that go with them that I have trouble keeping track of them all,” Echo said with chuckle.

  “All the races like to create their gods and make up stories... and then every few generations they decide the old ones aren't good enough and make more,” Rykar said.

  “Yeah, I'll be old news in a few decades,” Kaidia quipped.

  “I doubt that, Kaidia. Unlike almost every other god in history, you actually exist. You are here for people to see... to touch and talk to. The only ancient gods you hear of now, like Zebelous, were actual people in their time that were exceptional, had myths and tales spun about them after their deaths, which made them legends, and that's why they're still talked about. Zebelous and his golden arrow, for example, is just the story of Zebelous defending his home against a mage with his hunting bow. He fired his arrow and it went through the mage's eye and into his brain. It was a hell of a shot, likely a lucky one. The arrow became golden in repeats of the story decades later. Zebelous was a prolific warrior in his day as well, winning many battles on behalf an ancient king whose name I don't recall at the moment. Hence, by the time he died, he was a hero. Decades later, he was a legend. Centuries later, he became a god, more myth than man. You are a living legend now, Kaidia. You will be talked about centuries after we're all dead,” Malcade expounded, causing both Rykar and Kai to stare at him. Echo and Cantus listened, utterly unaware of how odd it was for Malcade to talk at such length or with such insight into a subject outside of weapons, armor, and battle tactics, at which he was a veritable genius.

  “That was uncharacteristically scholarly of you, old friend,” Rykar remarked with a smirk.

  “Shut up,” Malcade retorted. Kaidia laughed.

  “Such speech directed at a king,” Cantus said, a bit surprised.

  “I hardly take offense to it, Cantus. Malcade has known me for a decade, at least. His words were friendly, believe it or not,” Rykar explained.

  “A decade? Hm, you must have some stories. I admit that I've heard of your mercenary com
pany, Sire... but I know little of its exploits, having little need for mercenaries here,” Cantus said.

  “Don't get him started on some of those stories,” Kaidia warned lightheartedly.

  “We will save them for another day, certainly. But I would think people would be trying to plunder a city such as this on a regular basis,” Rykar said, gesturing out the nearest window toward said city.

  “Strangely enough, no. While we have strong walls and a competent city guard, we could easily enough be overtaken by a force of raiders or brigands who had the mind to do so. Few of the residents know how to fight, we have no mercenary company in the city like most of the large cities have to back up our guardsmen, and many of the guardsmen, while well trained, lack any real experience on the battlefield. I can't honestly say why we've been left alone. Though I dare say we're about to make up for it,” Cantus said, giving a wry chuckle.

  “That you are, but you're far from alone in this fight,” Rykar reassured the Lord.

  “I am certainly glad of that,” Cantus replied.

  Lydia returned, slipping into the room quietly to stand beside Cantus before leaning down to speak in his ear. The man nodded and smiled faintly.

  “Thank you, my dear,” he said.

  “Of course, my Lord,” Lydia replied before walking from the room.

  “It seems your rooms are ready at the inn. There are two master suites at The Golden Arrow. I hope I wasn't rash in assuming that you four don't mind sharing two to a room,” Cantus said, looking between the four of them.

  “Malcade and I don't mind. We've shared inn rooms before,” Rykar said with a shrug.

  “I don't mind sharing a room with Kaidia,” Echo said with a shrug of her own.

  “I don't mind either,” Kai affirmed.

  “Wonderful. Then I will see you all when you gather your military leaders to form strategies for defending my city,” Cantus said as he stood, giving the four companions a warm smile as they also got to their feet.

  “Indeed, Lord Cantus. Thank you for inviting us into your home and sharing your dinner with us,” Rykar said, though in such a casual manner that it hardly seemed like a required pleasantry.

  “Ah, it was my pleasure,” Cantus said.

  “We can see ourselves to the inn. Enjoy your evening,” Rykar said with a nod of his head before turning and leading the way out. Malcade, Kaidia, and Echo each gave Cantus a nod before following.

  * * *

  The Golden Arrow was a stone's throw from the manor of Lord Cantus and the four warriors had no problems finding it. The building was large, four stories tall, and easily housed thirty rooms or more. The inn was built of stone and had intricate designs carved into the stonework, making the entire outside of the building look like one giant stone sculpture. Once inside, they were immediately met by a pretty young woman in a short skirt and snug fitting, sleeveless top. Her feet were, strangely, bare. She was meant to attract attention and she certainly did that. She led the four up to the fourth floor where the two suites resided. The stairs led straight up into a hallway that divided the two rooms. Two sets of double doors stood opposite each other midway down the hall. The woman pointed to said doors and smiled charmingly.

  “Gentlemen, you are in the room on the left. Ladies, yours is the room on the right. Enjoy your evening,” she said, then turned and padded back down the stairs. The four split off into pairs and after a brief good night, went into their separate rooms.

  Kaidia and Echo stepped into their suite and closed the doors. Inside were two large beds, a dark fireplace, and a few plush chairs with a low table between them. One corner of the room was partially shrouded by heavy curtains. Behind them the floor sunk about three finger widths and changed from carpet to tile. A large, highly polished nozzle sprouted from the corner where the walls met.

  “Nice. They have running water like the place I stayed in when I was meeting your tribal leaders,” Kai observed.

  “Dwarves and Esmera with their fancy showers,” Echo commented with a chuckle.

  “Prefer bathing in ponds?” Kaidia asked.

  “No, but I do prefer hot springs,” Echo replied.

  “Who wouldn't?” Kai asked rhetorically.

  “You might be surprised,” Echo said as she tossed her pack down on one of the beds. Kaidia threw her own pack down on the other before heading for the doors opposite of the ones through which they had entered. She pushed them open and stepped out onto a balcony. The city sprawled out before her, the moonlight glinting off the lake the city was built around. The place truly was beautiful, and Kai decided that she wanted to visit at some point when war wasn't hanging over her head. Echo stepped up beside Kaidia and looked around.

  “Not a bad view,” the kyrian said, her blue-eyed gaze sweeping over the city.

  “It's too bad that it’s overshadowed by the battle that's a day or two away,” Kaidia muttered.

  “True, but now is not the time to think on that, Kaidia,” Echo said.

  “It isn't?” the god asked with a quirked brow.

  “No. Now is the time to relax, breathe, and be calm before the storm arrives,” Echo answered.

  “I am not so certain that I know how to do that,” Kai admitted with a faint sigh.

  “Nonsense. Why don't you tell me about that kyrian tattoo.” Echo suggested, nodding to the intricate tattoo that covered the entirety of Kai's right shoulder, arm, and back of her hand.

  “You already know the basics about it just by looking at it,” Kaidia said.

  “I know it is a Clan Riix marking, but that is all,” Echo replied.

  “There was a slaver raid on one of their camps. I happened to be there, traveling through, just wandering. I made fast friends with the group and was camping with them for the evening when the raid happened. Biggest raiding party I've ever seen. The kyrians took up arms, of course... and I couldn't just watch. So I drew my sword and went into the fight without any armor, which was a bad idea, but I didn't really have time to put it on. Thank you for changing that, by the way. Anyway, I helped fight off the slavers and in the process, saved one of the female warriors who was being overwhelmed. I kept her from getting dragged off. In fact, they didn't lose anyone, which is astounding. As an honor, I was made a member of the clan,” Kaidia explained.

  “You're welcome... and that sounds like it was a rough night. Seems you earned your tattoo,” Echo said with a smile.

  “So I was told and subsequently shown,” Kaidia said.

  “It looks good on you and you honor it. You make a hell of an unofficial ambassador between the humans and the kyrians,” Echo complimented. Kaidia smiled.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “So, before a major battle, what do you do to relax?” Echo asked, scooting closer, her shoulder touching Kaidia's.

  “It depends on where I am. In a place like this, I'd take a long, hot shower... then probably read a book or something. I'd just have to see where the night took me,” Kai answered, her tone implying that she thought there might be more to Echo's question than was presented.

  “I assume that's if you're alone?” Echo asked.

  “Yes,” Kai answered.

  “What if you have company?”

  “Well then, that opens up more options, depending on the company I'm keeping at the time,”

  “Options like...?”

  “Sparring, discussion, or whatever else I might find entertaining...” Kaidia trailed off, her eyes meeting Echo's own.

  Echo simply grinned in response.

  Chapter X: Final Arrivals, A Visit to the Dragon's Temple

  Kaidia awoke to bright sun filtering in through the suite's windows... and a loud banging on the doors of her room. She grumbled and shut her eyes, wishing the noise away. It became apparent that her wish was not granted when the banging repeated itself. She slowly sat up, picked up her tunic from the night before and slid it on over her head. The fabric dropped down to her upper thighs and covered everything that most people would think ne
eded to be covered. She stepped to the doors and pulled one of them open, revealing a fully dressed and awake Rykar, who looked down over Kai's toned, bare legs and then looked back up with a smirk.

  “There are times I'm extremely disappointed that you prefer the company of other women,” he said, his tone half serious.

  “I know,” Kai replied with a chuckle.

  Rykar looked past Kaidia and quirked a brow, then returned his gaze to Kai.

  “Really?” he asked.

  Kaidia glanced back into the room and smiled at the sight that elicited the question. On the bed, tangled up in the sheets, was Echo, purring in her sleep. The other bed in the room had Echo's pack on it, but had otherwise been undisturbed. Kai looked back to Rykar with a shrug.

  “What?” she asked with a false innocence that lost any credibility it might have had when Rykar looked her in the eye.

  “One night. You're alone with her for one night and you get the legendary kyrian general into bed. One of these days you're going to have to tell me how you do that,” Rykar replied, his tone a mixture of admiration and jealousy.

  “You do well enough,” Kaidia reasoned.

  “With bar wenches and the like, not high ranking dignitaries,” Rykar objected.

  “Fair enough. Maybe I'll let you in on my secret sometime. Now what brings you to my door?” Kai asked.

  “Ah, well, a messenger arrived to tell us that Zathias and his army are a couple of hours out. The Esmera and the orcs aren't far behind. I was going to go eat something, then go meet with Zathias as he arrives. There's to be a meeting with all the high ranking officers and such tonight. That would include you,” Rykar answered.

  “I see. Well, let me wake Echo while you get Malcade and we'll all go find breakfast together,” Kaidia suggested.

  “A wonderful notion. Meet you downstairs in ten minutes?” Rykar asked.

  “Sounds good to me,” Kai answered with a nod. Rykar nodded as well, took a last look at Kai's bare legs, to which Kaidia just rolled her eyes, then walked back across the hall to his room. Kai shut her door and headed for the bed, intent on waking Echo.