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

by Quil Carter

  “That was wow.” Ben shook his head. He looked down at his sapphire pendant, it sparkled as if greeting its new owner, and like the jewel it almost seemed like it was alive. “So this is a good thing then?” He really didn’t know what else to say.

  “It is,” Malagant said. His hand entered Ben’s vision and he picked up the sapphire and examined it. “Dad says when he was a prophecy walker the jewel split and took the form of rings. He wore his until the prophecy was over. So this definitely is a prophecy.” Malagant looked over at Korivander who was still staring at the area Kelakheva had been in.

  “I – I should check the prophecies again,” Korivander said, finally breaking himself from his trance. “Perhaps it’s–”

  “Isn’t there another thing we should be addressing first?” Taugis suddenly said, a crispness to his voice that put Ben on edge. Nothing that came out of that Lelander prince’s mouth could be good.

  “What is it, son?” Korivander asked.

  Taugis’s blue eyes narrowed and to Ben’s surprise the prince looked directly at him.

  “Why don’t you tell us, human?”

  Terror ripped up Ben’s spine; the look the prince was giving him was not only caustic, he looked ready to murder Ben where he stood.

  “Ah…” Ben took a step towards Malagant and, also noticing the expression on Prince Taugis’s face, Malagant stood in front of Ben.

  “Ben was brought here by Kelakheva himself,” Malagant said coolly to Taugis. Ben was relieved to see that Korivander, Eliander, and Aurelle were looking fascinated, not angry, at Ben. But it was only a slight comfort considering that Taugis looked ready to drive a sword up Ben’s ass.

  “He’s a human?” Korivander asked, looking at Ben. “I never knew they resembled hibrids so much.”

  Teal also stepped in front of Ben; he now had an elven forcefield around him. “He was transformed into a hibrid by Kelakheva,” Teal explained. “But the humans look a lot like normal elves except their ears are rounded. He’s not dangerous, he’s…” Teal looked behind him and put a hand on Ben’s shoulder. “He’s my best friend.”

  Taugis’s jaw was clenched. He stepped in front of his father his eyes glaring slits. “The Anean Prophecies have given us a good idea as to who the humans were. The demigod has brought godless scum to Elron. What was that idiot thinking?”

  “Taugis Luceon!” Korivander barked, and to everyone’s surprise, he raised a hand and struck Taugis across the face. “You will say no ill to the demigod of Anea in this castle. You spit on Lelander himself when you question the methods of the deities. If I hear such filth spill from that tongue I will slice it off.”

  Taugis’s glared at his father, his stance rigid, and his cheek reddening under his father’s blow. He looked both livid and embarrassed over being struck by his father in front of everyone.

  “My apologies,” Taugis answered sharply, then his icy eyes flickered to Ben. “Do regale us with your tale of how you managed to come to Elron, human.” He seemed to spit the last part like it was something rotten on his tongue.

  Cautiously, Teal and Malagant stepped aside, but they both stuck close to Ben. Ben shifted uncomfortably and, picking up bad habits from Teal, he ran his claws down his arm.

  “I was just… a normal human in my world,” Ben said slowly, feeling awkward over the Luceon family’s inquisitive gazes. “Tee came to my world and told me… I had to come here, and here I am.” He shrugged.

  “What is it like there!? Are you a peaceful race?”

  Ben swallowed hard and decided it was best for him to sit down before he passed out. Wave after wave of heat was hitting his body, threatening to spill him onto the floor. All of this was too much for him. First the demigod splitting the Jewel of Elron, and now his deepest secret being revealed? Ben felt nauseous.

  “It’s… it’s a lot like here…” Ben said after he’d sat down.

  “Well, that’s some good news; Anea was rewarded for his mercy!” Korivander laughed. He banged his fist against the table and shook his head. “A human in my castle, in this world no less!”

  Ben tried to smile as the tension in the air started to die down. “I’m not that important, Your Grace. Believe me, in my world I’m a secretary. I was quite normal there.”

  “A secretary?” Korivander looked at him surprised, his green eyes wide and curious. “You have secretaries in your world?”

  “Yeah, we do,” Ben said slowly. He could feel the strain coming off of Teal and most likely Malagant as well. They both seemed to be waiting for Ben to say something stupid, and Ben was waiting too.

  “What is your current population?” Eliander asked. Taugis was standing behind him in the shadows, a sneer of distaste on his face; it complimented the red strike mark that had now covered his entire right cheek.

  Ben swallowed at this question. The excitement in King Korivander’s voice told him that the king wasn’t about to let go of the subject.

  He decided a lie was in order. “One billion,” he said, “more or less.”

  “Wow, already?” the King of Lelan exclaimed, “Well, I suppose I should not say already… the history books have told us that time varies from realm to realm; the size of the world as well, but I regress, that’s incredible! Oh, I must know, what kind of economy do you have? What is your mode of transportation?”

  “Well, we get around mostly by horses.” The more Ben talked the more he found the lies coming easily to his lips, with his past profession as a drug dealer he’d gotten used to having to lie.

  And the expression on the king’s face, and Aurelle and Eliander’s, told Ben they didn’t suspect a thing.

  “So nothing new or unique has been invented? Nothing that you think could aid us here? Or aid us in the war?” the king pressed.

  Ben shook his head. “No, I’m afraid not. It’s mostly the same… some differences in houses, culture, and things like that but nothing has been invented that is vastly different.”

  “Well, that’s good in a way. You’re not repeating past mistakes.” Korivander smiled. He opened his mouth to say more when the door to the sitting room opened.

  Ben was relieved when the general he had met the night previous, Geldirin, walked in.

  “My king.” The stern-faced General Geldirin gave a bow. “Could I request your presence in the council chamber? Lord Bosdin Joneer has brought word that they are in need of aid after the blizzard last night.”

  The king gave him a nod, and turned to the others. “I must take my leave now. Please, feel free to make yourselves at home. I will see you tonight; I have more to discuss with you three, especially considering these events.”

  “Of course, Uncle.” Malagant nodded.

  As soon as the large doors closed behind the king, the blond-haired Prince Taugis started walking towards it. The prince looked down at them all, his light blue eyes injecting as much hatred and malice into Ben as they possibly could. Ben was surprised he hadn’t burst into flames from the look he was giving him.

  “If you need to find anything I suggest you locate a servant,” Taugis said curtly. “Everything besides the royal library is open for you to view, but do remember, you are guests. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have duties to attend to.”

  He turned to his brother and sister who were still standing unmoving. His eyes flashed in annoyance. “Well? Let’s go!” he snapped.

  Eliander, and Aurelle reluctantly made their way to the door.

  “We will see you tonight.” Aurelle smiled sweetly, curtseying to the three of them.

  “Please, enjoy yourselves, you are guests of honour here, and it is an honour to have such guests,” Eliander said warmly at them; he patted Malagant on the back and chuckled. “It’s nice to see you back, Malagant.”

  Malagant winked at him. “Say hello to Migheer for me, if you’ve let him get out of your bed yet.”

  Eliander’s face reddened and he playfully pushed Malagant. “None of that! I’m a pure elf who won’t give himself to such desires un
til my wedding night!”

  Malagant snorted at this; Aurelle giggled and shook her head before they both disappeared out the door.

  “Prince Fuckhead certainly doesn’t like me,” Ben said after they were alone in the sitting room.

  “I don’t want you going anywhere without me,” Teal said nervously, then he looked at Malagant. “Taugis looked like he wanted to kill him.”

  “Taugis has always been a miserable little shit,” Malagant said. “He has a lot of chips on his shoulder and he has a short fuse.” Malagant’s eyes went to the closed door. “And it doesn’t help that all Lelanders are knowledgeable with the history of not only Alcove, but all of Elron. Taugis is extremely well-read, and I’m sure those history books have embellished the reasons why Anea and the six banished the humans. Needless to say, you’re right to worry, Teal. We’ll keep a close eye on our Benny, but I think his bark is worse than his bite. He won’t try anything. You’re a prophecy walker now and –” Malagant picked up his ruby pendant and grinned. “– a pendant carrier too.”

  Ben picked up his sapphire pendant and admired it. “So what do you think these pendants can do?” he asked. “Did your father say what it could do when it was split into rings?”

  Malagant shook his head. “Not from what I can remember, I think he just used it as a focus stone.” Then his smile widened. “He’s going to flip. I really can’t wait to tell Dad about this. Even if the prophecies aren’t–”

  Malagant paused and Ben knew why. It seemed like at exactly the same moment they all remembered the other words the demigod had said; that their prophecy wouldn’t be found in King Korivander’s prophecy book but rather in the library.

  “The library Taugis said was off limits…” Teal said slowly, speaking their mutual thoughts out loud. “Kelakheva doesn’t want Korivander knowing about our alternate prophecy book… but why?”

  “There is an old saying my father used to tell me when I’d question him about some of the things he had to do during his time as a prophecy walker,” Malagant said. “Rather sage advice: Don’t try and understand the gods’ games, you’ll just go fucking insane.”

  Ben laughed and shook his head. “Your gods are fucking insane, Malagant.”

  Malagant hissed and waved his hand, before giving Teal an accusing glare. “You’re teaching our human your blasphemy, heretic!” He thought for a second. “The demigod was right, a perfect time to do it would be during the get-together. Everyone will be busy and no one will notice if we break away from the gathering and snoop around in the library. We can get the book and see just what’s going on.”

  Ben and Teal both nodded, and Teal reached over and picked up the pipe that had dropped. “Sounds like we have ourselves a plan – we’ll break into the library then.”

  20

  With their plan set in motion, Ben, Teal, and Malagant spent the next week relaxing and enjoying the fringe benefits of being honoured guests in Lelan Castle. They were fed until they were bursting from the seams and almost every Lelander Ben came across engaged them in conversation. Ben had recited his ‘from Galan’ excuse so many times the lies rolled off of his tongue like butter on hot bread.

  Malagant and Aurelle had been enjoying giving Ben and Teal tours of the castle. The old red brick castle was huge, with multiple levels and many corridors that weaved into one another like a maze. Ben had gotten lost more than once to Teal’s horror, but there was always a friendly Lelander or a guard to help him find his way back to their personal quarters.

  They also took this valuable time to continue to teach Ben how to use his sword. Down in the lower levels of the castle were the barracks, which were always full of Lelan knights, squires, and soldiers happy to give Ben pointers. He even had General Geldirin give him some one-on-one training.

  At dinner each evening they would join the royal Luceon family. The meal would always go the same way: King Korivander and Malagant debating the prophecies and why they hadn’t started writing yet. Although they came up with some interesting theories, Korivander would always say the same thing back.

  “Once the Anean Prophecies write again everything will be made clear, at least to the pendant carriers,” he said on the ninth day they had been in Lelan. “Even if I will not be able to make sense of them, you three will be able to. I just hope Holy Lelander will answer our prayers and give us insight on what Lelan should be doing. Not just Alcove’s Lelan Hold but our entire race; relationships with Alcove right now are incredibly strained.”

  Malagant nodded; he nodded every time Korivander said that. The gathering Korivander had arranged was happening in several days, and on that night they would sneak into the library to find their real prophecy book.

  “I just wish I knew if Lelander needed me to do something.” Korivander shook his head, a troubled expression darkened his face. “King Erick has been quiet when it comes to his dealings with us. We’ve received no sparrows or hawks, no messengers, but that is rarely a good thing. I shudder to think he is involved with the prophecies too. That it may be writing for… them, but as we know the prophecies know no good and evil. What is, shall be what is, as Holy Anea has always said.”

  Ben didn’t even look up from his food, he stayed silent as a statue. The Luceon family knew many of Ben’s secrets but this one would never see light in front of the king. It would be too much for them. And from the way Alcove, hell, all of Al’Anea, seemed to function, blood was incredibly important.

  “Father, perhaps we should be considering another rebellion with the pendant carriers’s arrival?” Eliander was tapping his cane with his hand, looking deep in thought. “This would be a good time to discuss it with the lords of Alcove’s holds since many of them are starting to arrive.”

  “That may be something to consider,” Korivander murmured.

  “No,” Taugis’s disgruntled voice rang out. “We’re still too weak from our last failed rebellion; we can barely defend ourselves right now. We must take care of our own kind and not give the Draken King another reason to suspect our non-compliance, not until Calin gets the jewel.”

  “Do not forget yourself with me, Taugis,” Korivander chastised lightly. “If Lelander asks we must obey.”

  “It isn’t even Lelander talking – the gods left us eons ago,” Taugis said bitterly.

  “No elf knows how the prophecies work, it could very well be him. Or do you suddenly have some divine insight on the matter?” Eliander said curtly. Taugis glared at him but remained silent.

  “I think Calin will regain power before we have to do anything,” Aurelle said. “And when he does, hopefully Alcove will be at peace without a civil war starting.”

  “Do not be stupid, sister. They’re dirt-eating Dashavians; they’ll draw blood and lots of it once King Calin takes the jewel,” Taugis growled. “Calin won’t just get the jewel and the Dashavians and Crithians will disappear; they’ll go down in a sea of blood. I want Lelan to have no part in it. This isn’t our fight. We already aided Alcove when King Erick took the throne, our pledge to help Alcove has been fulfilled.”

  “Once again, we must wait and see,” Korivander said, ignoring Taugis’s rude remark even though he had just corrected him. Ben glared at the blond prince, if Taugis was his son and he was a king, Ben would’ve knocked him off his ass.

  Korivander continued, “However we will be careful as to whom we tell about the pendants. Erick has many interrogation tactics and he knows the jewel is out there from Malagant’s stories.”

  “Should we even tell any of them?” Teal asked. Korivander thought for a moment, his brow furrowed.

  “No, perhaps not,” he said finally.

  The next day was a busy one. Ben, Teal, and Malagant watched from their balcony that overlooked the horse stables as the lords and highborns of Alcove start to come in.

  “So strange…” Malagant murmured. He was sitting between two brick battlements watching four figures dressed in black cloaks get greeted by Lelan guards. “They usually come in with a grand
cavalry. Uniformed guards carrying brightly-coloured banners, horses dressed in flashy attire, and covered wagons with a palace inside to accommodate their highborn needs.” He shook his head slowly as the four cloaked figures disappeared out of sight. “Now with Erick in power and every highborn in a state of terror… they slink around like bandits.”

  “Is it wrong for me to feel slightly validated by that?” Teal said quietly. “That they have to taste what it’s like to be a lowborn?”

  Malagant smirked at this. “You’re not a lowborn, Teal. If anything I was a lowborn. My father’s House name was given to him by Calin after the war ended. But, yes, in a way it does make you seem like a bit of a coidog for such thoughts, but I understand it. Just know – a lot of these Houses have to pay with their blood for their status. Don’t envy the highborns, friend, their lives are complicated and their freedom is limited.”

  “You’re right,” Teal said. He looked away from the boot prints of where they’d last seen the cloaked figures and towards the snow-covered forest. “I see more of them coming. These ones are wearing red cloaks.”

  “Perhaps it’s House Firemane,” Malagant said, sliding off of the battlements. “We should go to the hall and greet them. Lord Gorat is a grand friend of my fathers.” Then he looked up at the sky and smiled. “We haven’t had snow in several days… if we’re lucky this odd weather will clear and we can continue on our journey. I love it here but…” He shrugged. “I do miss being on the road with my little hibrids.”

  Three days later found Ben standing in the doorway to the great hall of Lelan Castle, looking in at over a hundred Alcovians and Lelanders.

  It was a rather overwhelming sight. Everyone was either sitting down at cloth-covered tables with drinks in hand, or mingling with each other in the cleared away left-hand side of the decorated hall. There were tables upon tables of food that lined the far wall, all surrounded by servants dressed in black vests and green blouses, most carrying either silver pitchers of wine or plates of food which they ran over to the lord or lady they were waiting on.