The Gods' Games Volume 1 & 2: Graphic Edition (The Gods' Games Series)

by Quil Carter

  The two Lelan brothers worked on Ben, Teal, and Malagant for the next two hours, draping fabric over them then sewing it together with their fingers, cutting long strips of trim to make cuffs and collars, and giving assistants buttons to sew onto the fronts. It was fascinating to watch, not just because of the magic but that the tailors both worked as a flawless unit. If the two had been warriors instead of tailors they’d be a force to be reckoned with.

  Once their new outfits were completed Léaun directed all three of them to a full-length mirror. The Lelander beamed at the three of them and started adjusting collars and rolling up cuffs until Malagant hissed and batted him away.

  “We look amazing!” Ben exclaimed. They had been made dark blue silk surcoats, Teal’s and Ben’s had green trim and Malagant’s black which they wore on top of black linen shirts with silver buttons. They had also been made blue trousers and given pairs of silk shoes which seemed to massage Ben’s feet. A far cry from the hard sole boots that Ben had been wearing previously.

  “I want to punch myself in the face,” Malagant complained as he checked himself out. “Dad would disown me if he saw me now. I look like a… a…”

  “Civilized elf,” Laugin said, picking a piece of lint off of Teal’s shoulder. “A proper nephew of the king. You clean up well, Malagant Ahris. If you get a drop of wine on this surcoat we will know, and we will hunt you down.”

  Malagant snorted but said nothing.

  “These clothes look wonderful, thank you,” Teal said with a bow. He looked quite fancy in his clothing and Ben could tell from the way he was looking at himself that he was enchanted with how different he looked. Both Teal and Malagant looked completely different than what Ben was used to.

  Both of this friends were rather easy on the eyes but it was in a more rugged sense. Seeing the two scrubbed clean and in perfectly tailored clothing, well, Ben was staring at them as much as he was staring at himself.

  “Such a kind boy,” Léaun murmured to his brother. “So much more appreciative than Anagin’s little cretin.”

  “Knight Cretin to you two,” Malagant said, and after Ben and Teal thanked the two tailors profusely they started walking towards the dining hall.

  “We look so different,” Teal said, looking down at his cloak, “and these clothes are so comfortable too. It’s so silky! I haven’t had new clothes since I was seven. I stole most of mine from traveller’s campsites or dead bodies.”

  Malagant shook his head. “I spent four years sleeping in ditches and guarding farms for kippins and you’re still managing to make me feel like a noble brat.”

  “The lords will be shocked that the noble brat of House Ahris has been hanging out with such hoodlums,” Teal teased.

  Malagant chuckled; he nodded at the two armoured guards standing in front of two double doors, and with a nod back, they pushed the doors to the dining hall open. “Any lord who knew my father wouldn’t be surprised with the company I keep.”

  They walked into the dining hall, a large room of red brick and carved wooden pillars, with the entire right-hand side a stained glass window that depicted who Ben suspected was Lelander, drawing a bow with forest surrounding him. The stained glass filled the room with a warm green light but the hall also had what looked like glowing lamps hanging down off of silver chains.

  Ben brushed his hand against one of the wooden pillars, it had intricate carvings in the red wood, laurel leaves and roses, which twisted up the wood to the top of the ceiling. He looked past it and saw many Lelan banners hanging over the red brick, and tapestries and paintings which added warm colour to the room.

  “I see the royal tailors have succeeded in their impossible mission!” a voice Ben recognized as Korivander called. Ben looked past the pillar and saw the king standing beside a long wooden table with a green runner on top, already set for lunch with bone-white dishes, sparkling silverware, and golden goblets.

  Behind him were who Ben suspected were his children: two elves and a ladyelf, all three of them in their late teens or early twenties, standing politely by a white marble fireplace.

  “Yes, I did not miss that from when I used to visit with Dad,” Malagant said with a smirk, then he turned to the three other elves and gave an embellished bow. “Am I fancy enough now to greet the royal children? The way Laugin and Léaun made it sound, you three would explode in fury and hang me for greeting you in my lowly peasant garb.”

  An auburn-haired Lelander and the blond-haired ladyelf laughed at Malagant’s joke, but the blond son only smiled with his lips, his eyes looked unimpressed. Ben could tell right away this one didn’t like Malagant at all.

  “Oh, Malagant,” the ladyelf said, “it surely will never be boring with you here.” She walked over and embraced her cousin.

  Korivander smiled and turned to Teal and Ben. “These are my children,” Korivander said, his voice was that of any proud father. “Crown Prince Eliander.” He put a hand on the one with reddish-brown hair, a tall elf who was the spitting image of his father. “Prince Taugis.” That was the sour-faced blond one. “And my beautiful daughter Princess Aurelle. My third born, my son Chesirae, is living with his aunt in Darancove currently.”

  Ben and Teal both bowed as they had seen Malagant do.

  “These two hibrids are the keepers of the Jewel of Elron. Tee and Ben. Lelander’s answer to our prayers,” Korivander said. “Holy Lelander has chosen our castle and hold to keep the jewel safe for the time being.”

  “It is an honour to have you stay with us,” the one named Eliander said, inclining his head. Ben couldn’t help but notice the prince was leaning on a polished wooden cane.

  “Father says you will be staying here until the snow starts to melt?” Aurelle said, looking at Teal. The princess had a soft face and light blue eyes, she seemed kind. “You will be staying for our gathering then?”

  Teal stared at her for a moment; the socially anxious hibrid’s mouth seemed glued shut but finally he managed to find his words. “Yes, Princess,” he said, “as far as we know that’s the plan.”

  “Speaking of plans.” Malagant pulled up one of the chairs of the dining table and sat down. “Were you able to look through those prophecies?” Malagant rested a hand on a book Ben hadn’t noticed before. It was a large tome with a black cover and designs on the border, the text in the middle was in a different language and it shone in the light.

  Korivander nodded but to Ben’s dismay he frowned. “I have and I have looked through them personally – nothing has changed, Malagant. Our auchtr says not even a comma is out of place.”

  Ben groaned, one that was joined by both Malagant and Teal. Malagant opened the book with a sigh and started leafing through pages. Ben could see small text on the pages, and although the outside of the book looked aged and worn, the pages were snowy white and seemed unaffected by age.

  “That’s impossible.” Malagant closed the book but immediately opened it again. “The prophecy that Dad was in – he said the book had writing in it when they found it. All of this is obviously a prophecy that much is known. Tee was with the damn demigod. We wouldn’t even have Ben without the demigod’s intervention and he’s been helping us on and off since before I joined up with them.”

  “For some reason the gods are putting the cart before the horse,” Korivander said as he walked to Malagant and looked over his shoulder. “Perhaps this is something else? Who’s to know how the gods play their games.”

  Korivander sat down beside Malagant and watched him thumb through the book. Behind Korivander servants started walking into the dining hall carrying heaping plates of food. However King Korivander and Malagant didn’t even look up as the plates were set down on the wooden table.

  “Father, shouldn’t we eat first? We do have honoured guests,” Aurelle chastised lightly. She took a seat beside King Korivander and on her signal Teal and Ben did as well.

  Korivander gave his daughter a pained look. “Aurelle, my daughter, this is Malagant and his companions, not the king of
Kal’Koah. This is important matters.”

  Aurelle wagged her fork at her father and narrowed her eyes, but she remained silent. Ben tried to stifle a laugh; he liked the princess already.

  “How can we even find the new writing when this book is thousands of pages,” Malagant said with a sigh.

  “There is a pattern that our auchtrs have figured out,” Korivander said. A servant beside him was dishing up the king’s plate of food, and one opposite to Malagant was doing the same. “Auchtr Danstin says the next prophecy should be appearing on page ten thousand seven hundred and thirty-nine.”

  Ben gave a confused look to Teal. “That book doesn’t look like it has near that many pages.”

  “It’s a book of the gods, it can have as many pages as it needs,” Teal said, in a tone that suggested this answer was so obvious even an inept elf should know it. Ben rolled his eyes and started watching a servant plate his food. His mouth was watering even though his mind was worrying about the prophecies. It had been a long time since he had fresh food after all.

  As everyone ate Malagant and Korivander continued to look through the pages of the book until, somehow, they got to the page Korivander had mentioned.

  “The auchtr was able to determine that this is where the new writing should be,” Korivander said, “but it’s all the same.”

  “Yes you’re right, there is nothing here but the creation of Kelakheva, that story has been in there since the beginning,” Malagant said. He popped a strawberry into his mouth, his face creased and troubled.

  “Indeed, nothing new at all,” Korivander sighed. “Anagin would know more about this than I, but it has always been the same formula: The prophecies write and then after the prophecy walkers appear and do as they will; sometimes with the jewel to aid them, sometimes not. It has always been the same. Why is this different?”

  Ben looked at Teal. The only one out of them that had spent time with the demigod, but Teal only shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t even know how to summon him,” Teal said loud enough for the others to hear it. He seemed to know that this was going to be the next question they’d ask him. “I just… you all know what I already know. I have no idea why the prophecy isn’t writing – but at least I do know we’re supposed to go to Garas.”

  “That’s something at least,” Malagant murmured. He looked frustrated as he turned the pages on the book. “I hate these gods’ games.”

  After the meal was done the seven of them retired to a sitting room with a large fireplace surrounded by comfortable chairs. Ben sat with Teal and started making light conversation with Eliander and Aurelle, Malagant and Korivander still in deep discussion over the prophecies.

  Prince Taugis stayed in the shadows, quietly sipping wine and staring into the fireplace. The prince had barely uttered a word since he had arrived – he certainly didn’t come off as the friendly type, unlike the rest of his family.

  “Killed the both of them just like that,” Ben said, holding a pipe of tobacco that a servant had brought him. He hadn’t had anything like this since he arrived and it was nice to finally have something to relax him. “Jumped down from the tree with two swords in his hands and made short work of them.”

  Teal flushed. Ben was regaling Aurelle and Eliander with the story of Teal and the two jare cats he killed. Teal was hating all of the attention of course, but the prince and princess were hanging on his every word.

  “My chaylen partner, Migheer, killed one of them once,” Eliander said, his green eyes alight. “He still talks about it! How can such a stealthy warrior such as yourself be so modest?”

  Teal stared at his hands, the tips of his ears going red. “It wasn’t much…”

  “Can we see the jewel,” Aurelle asked. Her hands, folded over a blue dress she was wearing, rubbed together eagerly.

  “Sure.” Teal shrugged. He brought out the jewel but a moment later he flinched and started playing hot potato with it. “The damn thing is getting hot…” He tossed it in the air and hissed. “Ben, it’s doing that… I think–”

  “RISE UP!” a thunderous and booming voice suddenly echoed in the sitting room. Every one of them jumped up from shock; the pipe slipping from Ben’s hand and a glass of wine Korivander had been holding, falling to the ground and shattering.

  All eyes were on Teal but Teal was looking ahead in utter shock.

  The Jewel of Elron was hovering in place.

  Then behind the jewel there was a shimmering of disturbed air, before a figure took shape.

  It was an elf with feathery silver hair and eyes a midnight blue that held silver flecks so bright it looked like Ben was staring into the stars of the universe.

  He was incredibly handsome with perfectly groomed eyebrows and a smooth complexion. His lips were full and pink, his skin porcelain white, and cheekbones high over a slender neck. He was wearing across his forehead a circlet of silver that had embedded in it blue and purple gems, the same types of stones that hung off of his pointed ears.

  “Kelakheva,” Ben heard Korivander gasp. Even though Ben knew who it was his eyes still widened when Korivander stated it. He stared like an idiot at this supreme being that he had only heard previously inside of his own mind.

  Kelakheva held out his hand so the Jewel of Elron was hovering over top of it. He smiled at the stone and held it lovingly in his hand, even running a tender finger over its smooth green surface.

  Then Kelakheva cupped the jewel in both of his hands, and through his fingers, a blinding silver light spilled forth, coating the room in its odd glow; one that seemed more of a solid entity than a light.

  And it was only getting brighter, Ben shielded his eyes as the light seared them and around him he saw everyone else do the same.

  When the light finally faded – Ben gasped.

  The Jewel of Elron was no more. In its place were three pendants, one green, one blue, and one red. Each of these teardrop-shaped crystals hung on a silver chain, floating in place where the Jewel of Elron used to be.

  “Behold!” Kelakheva’s voice rung out like a tolling bell. “A new prophecy has come forth, the Jewel of Elron, beloved to the Elder God Anea, has been split into the three pendants of Elron.”

  They all stared. Ben looked over at Teal and saw that his friend was frozen in place, his hand covering his mouth as he stared at Kelakheva.

  “Each chosen carrier is to wear their jewel around their neck, as aid and guidance during their journeys,” Kelakheva said. Then he reached out his hand and took one of the pendants, a flawless green crystal, and held it.

  “To the lost son of Alcove, I bring you the emerald pendant,” Kelakheva said.

  Teal obediently stepped forward on trembling legs. He stood in front of the demigod and got down on one knee. “It is my will to serve my god and you, until the end,” Teal said.

  The demigod smiled and fastened the pendant around Teal’s neck. Then his words echoed in their heads, and Ben knew it was only for the three pendant carriers. “You have done well, son of Cruz.”

  Teal rose to his feet and picked up the emerald now resting against his chest. “Thank you, Kelakheva.”

  The demigod nodded approvingly, before taking the pendant with the blue crystal.

  “To the godless one, the human who has returned to Elron.”

  Ben’s eyes widened at Kelakheva’s words. He glanced to his side and saw the equally shocked looks of Korivander and his children, they were staring at Ben like he himself was a demigod as well.

  “Step forward, Ben,” Kelakheva said kindly.

  Ben walked towards the demigod, his heart pounding against his chest, with every pump it filled his heart with even more anxiety. His legs were weak, his head dizzy, there was an intense fear that he was going to either fall over unconscious or throw up.

  Ben got down on one knee in front of the demigod.

  “I give to you, the sapphire pendant,” Kelakheva said. He latched the chain over Ben’s neck and rested a hand on his shoulder. “You have made me proud
– continue to do so, hibrid.”

  Ben found himself smirking at the demigod. “Thanks.” He didn’t know what else to say. After the demigod gave him a nod he stepped back and glanced over at Malagant who was looking pale.

  “To the son of Anagin Avahlis, I bring you the ruby pendant,” Kelakheva said.

  Malagant took a deep breath and stepped forward, he got down on one knee as well.

  “It would’ve been really awkward for me if you called someone else,” Malagant said with a smile.

  The demigod returned the smile and clasped the chain around Malagant’s neck. “You are finally seeing your destiny unfold before you, son of Anagin,” Kelakheva said before resting a hand on Malagant’s shoulder. “You will no longer stand in your father’s shadow. It is time for you to step into the sunlight and become the prophecy walker you were destined to be.”

  Malagant grinned; he was radiating pride and happiness. He rose and bowed to Kelakheva before joining Ben and Teal. There was a spring to his step; it was like he was walking on air.

  Kelakheva spread his hands, his body shimmering and shining in a silvery glow. “Together you three are the pendant carriers, the prophecy walkers,” he said. Then his voice echoed in Ben’s head; he knew the others could hear the demigod as well. “Your prophecies will not be found in Korivander’s prophecy book,” he said. “You are in Lelan for a reason. You must take the prophecies found in the library. You must be discreet, do it during the gathering.”

  The three of them exchanged glances before they nodded.

  “Keep the pendants close to your heart as they will aid you. Anea bless you on your journey.” And with those parting words Kelakheva vanished, leaving nothing in his wake but a deafening silence.

  For a while no one spoke, they only stared at the area Kelakheva had been in.

  “Wow,” Malagant finally said. “That was…”