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

by Quil Carter

  Tseer’s eyes widened as he took it in. It was incredibly detailed which was shocking. Azryane, on top of having a forty-foot-high stone wall, had an impenetrable magical barrier. It was one that no one, not even an archmage could break through. A Serpent had never stepped foot in Azrayne or anyone under Erick’s rule and the same went for Manderlyhall, the castle where Lord Philrick and his House lived. To have such a detailed map of it was… was almost impossible.

  Vex reached over and grabbed a small green pin. He placed it a few inches away from a red pin that had been stuck in the map.

  “We’re here, a quarter day’s ride from Azrayne,” he explained. “Grand Master Keleon has approved of your plans with the girl. Our part is rather simple: Tolney has given us the clear, everything is ready for you. Once you’ve infiltrated Azrayne and darkness falls, you’ll take care of any guard seen on the east wall. Then you’re going to lower us a rope; all we need is one elf on the wall and in a matter of minutes we’ll have them all inside.”

  Tseer nodded. “I want down the first ladder; I’ll have Philrick with me. What you do after is your business.”

  “How are you going to get Philrick outside of Manderlyhall, without making a scene?”

  “I have my magic I can utilize,” Tseer said. “Philrick’s mind needs to be completely dimmed in order for me to translocate with him or, as you know, he will go mad. That will also serve to direct him to the wall.”

  “Yes, malkahvi magic does indeed have interesting effects on the other races,” Vex said quietly. “Your talents in mastering the malkahvi art has certainly been beneficial to King Erick’s newest campaign.”

  “Yes, my years of practice has finally paid off,” Tseer said quietly, then he looked up at the general. “Speaking of paid off?”

  Vex motioned over to a soft leather pouch behind him. “Your pay, and your new uniform.” Tseer looked over to see a large bundle of clothing wrapped up in twine. “The high priests sent note saying they’ll give you the rest upon the delivery of Lord Philrick.”

  Tseer walked over and picked up the large leather pouch. He weighed it with his hand and smiled to himself. “Perfect.”

  It won’t be long, Tsoren.

  “Since we’re done discussing the classified portion of this mission, I’m going to call my leaders back in,” Vex said. “Josrik,” he called. A few moments later a young Dashavian opened the flap of the tent and poked his head through.

  “Yes, General?” he said.

  “Bring in food, and some wine, and fetch Chaus and Xindel,” Vex said. The squire nodded and left.

  Vex motioned over to a wooden chair. “Pull up a chair, Tseer.”

  Taelie ran her hand over the smooth silk of her pale pink dress. She liked how this dress had ruffles in it, unlike her usual everyday dresses. This one was elegant and had been made by Lady Fielline.

  Humming to herself, Taelie placed her hands to her sides and picked up a piece of the dress. She smiled and did a spin before practicing her curtsying.

  Behind her she heard a laugh. Taelie turned around and saw her older sister giggling at her, then behind Taelie’s sister she saw her older brothers primping themselves in the mirror.

  “That’s close but not quite right,” her sister said with a kind smile, then showed Taelie herself.

  Taelie watched her sister’s hand placement and tried to memorize it. This would make Mum smile when she saw her.

  “Now… hold the ends out…”

  Taelie tried to lift up her hands, but to her confusion she felt them start to become heavy.

  “Hold them up, don’t let them fall.”

  Her brow furrowed. She tried to move her hands again, then when she couldn’t do that properly, she instead tried to move her feet.

  Everything was frozen in place…

  “Hold her up… make her walk.”

  Then Taelie felt a cold chill hit her face, followed by a grey haze that started to coat her mind like how the morning fog would roll in from the hills.

  No – it wasn’t only starting to coat her mind… it had always been there.

  Her world was made of it.

  How strange…

  “There, tell the –”

  “– malkah she’s ready,” General Vex said.

  The squire Josrik nodded and exited the tent. A frosted chill brought on by the cold of the winter morning sweeping the warm tent as the flap shut behind him. The ground didn’t freeze today, with any luck it would be a mild day but Vex had smelt more rain.

  The general motioned towards Chaus, who was unlocking the shackles on Taelie’s chafed wrists.

  The Lady of Alathéa stood there, a blank stare was the only portrait on her stained face. She was still wearing the blue dress she had been captured in, ripped now and the colour of mud.

  A moment later, a tall light-haired hibrid entered the tent. He had the same curly blond and blue streaked hair that Taelie had and was dressed a dark purple silk blouse and brown trousers, both of which had been purposely torn and soiled.

  It was Viradin.

  “She’s ready, we’re waiting for your signal,” Vex said. His second and third-in-command, Chaus and Xindel, stood beside him. Everyone was dressed in their armour and had their weapons strapped to their backs.

  Viradin walked over to Taelie and wordlessly grabbed her chin with his hand. He moved it around, trying to get Taelie to look at him.

  “Do you recognize me, dear sister?” the hibrid said quietly.

  Taelie’s eyes suddenly widened; her eyes darted back and forth several times before focusing on the hibrid’s face.

  “Viradin?” she whispered faintly. “Mother – Mother will be so relieved.”

  The hibrid smiled and closed his eyes. Taelie whimpered but stayed still, then closed her eyes as well.

  “What’s he doing?” Chaus whispered. Vex held his hand up for silence.

  Viradin’s eyes opened, though instead of blue, his eyes shone a deep blood-red. As he stared at Taelie his lips raised then separated into a grin, showing pointed teeth.

  He took his hand away from Taelie’s forehead and, as he did, she opened her eyes.

  “Tseer is…” Vex stopped midsentence when Viradin raised a hand.

  “I am no longer Tseer. Do not use that name in front of her,” Tseer said, his voice temporarily changing back to its natural tones. “I’ve done what needs to be done to her mind but a hibrid’s will is strong. Call me Viradin because, until this is done, that is who I am.”

  Then he turned back to Taelie and put a hand on her shoulder. “Come, sister,” he said sweetly. “We must get to Azrayne as soon as we can.”

  “Yes, Viradin.” Taelie watched her brother, a serious and grave expression on her face. Without a moments more hesitation she wordlessly followed her brother out of the tent.

  28

  On the other side of the kingdom of Alcove, in the largest town in all of Valewind, Ben relaxed in one of his most favourite places in all of the castle.

  As the sun rose in front of him, Ben sat perched and content in between two battlements. It was a guilty pleasure of his to come up here with a mug of tea and whatever breakfast Torasen had given him, to have a few moments of peace and quiet.

  He had discovered this balcony when he had taken to wandering the castle when his wounds had woke him up in the middle of the night. Almost all parts of the castle were visible to him from this tower and the land around him too. Ben was even surprised to see the Forest of Jare in the distance, looking like a shadow in the otherwise beautiful landscape.

  There were tall mountains too, all of them covered in snow but in the morning’s sunrise they temporarily put on cloaks of red and orange. Ben had asked Teal which mountains they were and was told it was the very ones they had wanted to avoid, the cannibal elves called the Azoris were said to live there.

  Ben finished his ceramic mug of tea and placed it beside him, enjoying his much needed moment of privacy.

  “Benny?” Malagant’s
voice called from inside the tower, it echoed off of the spiral staircase.

  Ben rolled his eyes. Well, so much for privacy, but he was about to go in anyway so he wasn’t that put out.

  “Up here, Malagant,” Ben turned and called down the open door.

  The sound of footsteps filled the tower, the octave rising higher and higher until Malagant appeared in the doorway. He was carrying a half-eaten apple, an uneaten one, and his usual warm smile.

  Malagant handed him the apple and leaned over the railing. He gave an impressed whistle at the view of the castle, the town below, and further on the landscape, before turning to Ben. “Grady said he saw you slink up here. Of course he knows these hiding places when he’s sneaking around making out with whoever his chaylen is that month. Did you sleep well?”

  Ben nodded, taking a bite out of his apple. “I saw him earlier this morning with his squire. He says that Korivander arrived last night with Tass?”

  “That’s right and it looks like they were successful in calling back all of the lords and highborns for this emergency council meeting. Aurelle’s festival ended up being perfect or else we’d have to wait a month to pull in everyone from around Alcove. However it looks like the council meeting won’t happen until we’re long gone. They’re sending peregrine falcons to Darancove, Lelan Island, and Evercove.”

  Ben would’ve loved to stay for the council meeting but he was eager to get back on the road. He was healing quickly and was starting to become restless having to stay in the medical wing. Malagant had been busy discussing Alcovian politics with Gorat and Grady, and Teal spent a lot of time talking to Torasen about apothecary things instead of entertaining him. Though he couldn’t be too mad at Teal for that; it was nice to see his friend become a little more social and not as timid around new elves.

  “Is the rest of the Luceon family coming for the meeting?” Ben asked.

  “Yep, Eliander, Taugis, and Aurelle arrived with Korivander. Korivander’s brother Kordalis, who is acting steward for Lelan Island, is on his way too.”

  “What about the third son?” Ben remembered him mentioned but his name escaped him.

  “Chesirae? I think he’s staying with his aunt. He’s kind of a soft little thing; I don’t think Korivander is going to bother trying to force him into caring,” Malagant chuckled, then he smiled. “I actually was thinking of seeing if you can handle a ride in the woods behind the castle. When you can handle a horse we can leave. Want to give it a try? I just came back from speaking to Aurelle and she was wanting to go pick snowflowers or some girl crap. I think there is someone here in Castle Rhastt she fancies.” Malagant made a soured face. “I want to go with her so I can try and get her to slip his name, just so I can rough him up a bit and make sure he treats my little cuz properly.”

  Ben laughed; he did love Malagant’s odd personality. “I’d love to give it a try. Where’s Teal?”

  “Teal is saying hello to them right now,” Malagant said. “You got your stitches out, right?”

  “A couple days ago,” Ben said, trying to hold back his excitement over escaping this castle for a few hours, “and I can walk a good distance now too. Plus the splint is off of my arm. I’ll have to be careful with my healing arm but it isn’t my sword arm, so I’ll be fine.”

  “Then I’ll go check with Torasen,” Malagant said smiling back; he must’ve sensed Ben’s excitement. He threw his apple core over the edge of the balcony and sprinted back down the stairs. Ben looked over the railing to see if he could spot the apple core. He hoped, deep down inside, it landed right on Taugis’s head; preferably in front of everyone.

  A quarter hour later there were more boot steps and Malagant returned. He gave Ben the all clear and the two of them started back down the stairs and into the castle.

  When they were walking down a well-lit whitewashed hall, Malagant took Ben’s broken arm into his hand and started examining it and putting pressure on the bone. “The break wasn’t that bad Torasen said,” Malagant said as he prodded. “It won’t be long until we’re off of horses anyway so you won’t have reins to hold onto.”

  This made Ben groan. “No horses again? At least my feet have toughened up since I first came here. No more basketball blisters for me, I hope.” They crossed an open room with the sun shining through windows draped in white curtains, maids were on either side setting a table for something Ben wasn’t sure of, the servants always seemed busy here.

  “We’re getting new boots anyway, that’ll help,” Malagant said as he looked around the open room. He passed a bowl of strawberries and picked up two, he quickly handed them to Ben before picking up two more. His eyes were scanning the room as he did this in an obvious attempt to be sneaky. Ben had never met Malagant’s father Anagin before but he had a feeling he was seeing the old mage-thief in that moment.

  “That’s right; they measured my feet a day after I came here. It’s nice being friends with highborns and royalty,” Ben chuckled. He popped one of the strawberries into his mouth and immediately wished Malagant had stolen the entire bowl for them.

  “You’re telling me!” Malagant said with a shake of his head and a smudge of strawberry on the corner of his lip. “Korivander and Gorat have been throwing gold coins at us too. I’m going on a complete shopping binge before we leave.” Then Malagant opened another door leading to outside. It wasn’t as chilly as it had been high up in the tower but Ben still found himself pulling his cloak closer to his body.

  When they got near the stables Malagant’s face brightened, though it had an odd condescending look to it. Ben wasn’t sure why but his question was soon answered.

  “Oh, will you look at that! All primped up from his hard ride from Lelan. Hello, Taugis!” Malagant called, his voice cheerful yet dripping with mockery.

  Ben looked ahead and saw Prince Taugis stepping out from behind one of the stables, leading a long limbed chestnut horse. If he had just arrived this morning from the back of a mikau he certainly didn’t look like it. He was dressed in a blue surcoat, so dark it was almost black, leather trousers and silver buckled boots. And as Ben got closer he saw Taugis also had a stunningly beautiful black bow with silver thorns engraved into it. It was strapped to his back over top of a matching quiver bursting with arrows.

  The prince turned to Malagant and Ben. He adopted the same sneer he always seemed to have when he saw them and brushed his freshly combed blond hair back with his hand.

  “Oh, wonderful.” Taugis stuck his nose up in the air like he had just smelled something rancid and continued to lead his saddled horse.

  “Whatcha doing, Your Grace?” Malagant cockily strolled up to the front of the stables right next to the prince. He leaned up against one of the horse’s stalls and loudly drummed his fingers against an iron stable gate.

  “Hunting,” Taugis said acidly.

  “Indeed. You know I was a part of the hunting team when I was a knight? Fairly good at it too.”

  Taugis snorted; he adjusted the quiver that was belted across his chest. “You? The only thing you can catch is a fever.”

  Ben heard the murmur of voices behind him. He looked to see Teal, Aurelle, and an elf Ben didn’t recognize coming down a dirt trail. He beckoned them over quietly, not wanting to disturb Taugis’s and Malagant’s verbal showdown. There was little more he enjoyed than watching Taugis get harassed. Ben never forgot the threat he got after he’d gotten the prophecies with Teal and Taelie.

  “I think you were the one with the fever,” Malagant said airily. “If I remember my brother saved your life and mentioned you might have developed brain damage.”

  The prince snorted again and jumped onto his horse; he flicked his hair back in the cockiest way imaginable. “Josiah? Now there is an elf good at catching things – diseases from male whores for one.”

  “You finally got a job did you, spare?” Malagant snarled. “I would–”

  “Hey, Malagant!” Aurelle said loudly, just as Taugis made the motion to get off of his horse. He shot a gl
are at his little sister and stayed mounted, though his gloved hands were twisting the reins.

  “Little cousin!” Malagant said cheerfully. He inclined his head and did the same for the elf walking beside them. “And looky here, it’s Migheer Rodyn. Always a pleasure.”

  The elf, with short brown hair, large hazel eyes, and a trimmed beard inclined his head too. “Aye, Malagant. How’s ya pa?” he asked. He seemed to have a slight accent.

  “Not sure, but we’ll be going to Lazarius next and we’re going to stop in,” Malagant said. “Are you coming with us? Taugis is going hunting it seems and I just might join him. Would you like to come too? He’d love the company.”

  Migheer laughed and slapped Malagant hard on the back. “Ya, ya. That never gets old. Sure, I’ll be joinin’ ya. Teal ‘ere was just tellin’ me about him and deh Galan boy been catchin’ squirrels over at Silverwood, eh? You good at catchin’ squirrels, Ben?” The elf laughed again. “I hear you smashed one’s bloody head in, eh?”

  It took a few seconds to process the elf’s unique lingo but Ben found he could thankfully understand him. “With my bare feet.” Ben grinned back. “And I finished off a Serpent the same way weeks later.” He could hear Taugis let out an angry hiss behind him but he ignored it.

  “Vicious sort them hibrids. Ya don’t mind the company, Prince Taugis?”

  “I do mind, I’ll be going alone,” was Taugis’s crisp reply.

  “The humiliation of us catching more game than him may be too much for the prince to bear,” Malagant said. He opened the stable gate he had been leaning against and started leading out his own brown horse.

  “Care to put coin on it?” Taugis snipped. “Or are you all just funny comebacks?”

  “Name your bet,” Malagant said as he started prepping his own horse.

  “Five covis,” Taugis said back. “If you can afford that. Is that too much for you, Ahris?”

  Malagant smirked. “Oh, I have it, and I didn’t get it from Daddy’s coffers either.”

  Ben took a step back as the two of them hashed out their bet. He shook his head at Teal. “We need to get him on the road and away from that prince before one of them ends up with an arrow between the eyes.” Or before he did for that matter. He had never told anyone about Taugis threatening him and now he was wondering if he should have.