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

by Quil Carter

  “I… I… I didn’t–” Taugis sputtered; he started taking steps back. Ben looked past Migheer to see Teal quietly approach.

  Malagant walked up to Migheer and kneeled down. Though it wasn’t the same carefree, lighthearted elf he had come to love. Malagant’s deep blue eyes were enraged and his hands were shaking. There was a look of pain on his face that Ben had never seen on anyone else before, and hoped to never see again.

  Malagant gently put a trembling hand to Aurelle’s neck; he brushed her blood-stained blond hair away from the arrow and let out a strangled cry. “S-she’s already cold, Migheer.”

  “What happened? What in Shol happened?” Migheer said in a broken voice.

  “Taugis was shooting at me,” Ben said, his own voice breaking from emotion. “One of the arrows must’ve hit her.”

  Malagant drew his hand away from his cousin’s neck and got up. He raised his head and looked at Ben. The elf who was once his funny, charismatic friend made eye contact with him for just a moment before looking behind him.

  Ben looked behind him too and saw that there was no one else there. Taugis was gone, the only thing left of him was his black bow and, further on, several arrows sticking out of the grey-barked trees.

  “Bring her to Korivander,” Malagant said, his voice low and flat. “He’ll send the guard after Taugis. He won’t make it far.”

  Suddenly Teal took a sharp intake of breath. He looked over to see his friend kicking off his own leather shoes, before Ben could stop him, Teal took off into the woods.

  Ben cursed as his friend disappeared; he wasn’t about to let Teal take on Taugis by himself. Taugis might be dangerous with his bow and quiver full of arrows but now his bow was laying on the forest floor. Whatever dagger or small weapon he might’ve hidden on him would be no match for the two of them. If they could both take a malkah by themselves they could certainly take a spoiled, pompous little prick of a prince.

  Ben ran too.

  He poured on the speed until he was running pace with Teal. “I need a weapon,” Ben said as they both jumped onto a large rock and leapt onto a fallen log a few meters away, both landing with a thud.

  Teal drew the same dagger he had handed him when they were battling Tseer and continued running.

  Ben sheathed it and carried on after Teal.

  “Climb,” Teal said suddenly. Ben nodded, never before had he felt so in tuned with his friend. It was like he was a part of a two person pack. He was following his leader, as they stalked their prey and with every step he felt jolts of excitement go through him. His terror and his sadness had been left behind with Aurelle, Migheer, and Malagant – it was now time for some much anticipated revenge.

  They both started climbing up thick elderwood trees growing side by side, their claws making the familiar scraping noise as they ascended. Ben watched as Teal ran across a tree limb before leaping onto the tree next to it.

  Then Ben saw him; the blond-haired prince was sprinting away. Ben could hear his ragged breath as he crashed through the forest. He must’ve fallen down several times because his surcoat was soiled and ripped, and blond hair had twigs sticking out of it.

  With the two hibrids on his heels, Taugis finally realized someone was following him. The prince looked behind him and when he saw the two, his face twisted into a sneer.

  As Teal jumped from tree to tree to get ahead of Taugis, Ben went in the opposite direction to cut off any means of escape. The trees in the forest were perfect for climbing and most of their branches strong enough to support both of them.

  Ben crouched down before he sprung to the next branch. He felt himself once again swing from the branch and become airborne.

  But instead of finding another limb – he found the prince.

  Ben landed right on top of Taugis, crushing him under his weight; the prince fell to the ground with a surprised cry.

  A growl erupted from Ben’s throat. He drew his dagger he had tucked into his trousers and smacked Taugis over the head with its pommel. The prince groaned before, with a burst of strength, he reared back and threw Ben off of him.

  Then, as Ben fell backwards, Taugis sprung to his feet, his chest heaving, without a moment’s hesitation he jumped on Ben and clamped his strong hands around Ben’s throat.

  “I may be as good as dead, you godless pyke, but I will take you with me!” Taugis screamed maniacally.

  Ben tried to pry Taugis’s hands off of his throat but they were as strong as iron. He could feel his head start to gather pressure as the Lelander crushed his neck. Unable to think properly his instincts kicked into overdrive, making Ben kick and thrash, desperately trying to get any amount of breath he could into his lungs. Though it was no use, the instincts quickly left him and instead Ben found his body start to panic.

  His head throbbed and filled with pressure, the blood roaring behind his ears and pooling into his brain. It gathered and swelled, pressing against his skull with such ferocity Ben was sure it was splitting in half.

  Taugis’s blue eyes glared crazily at Ben as he squeezed, before the prince started fading into black, everything was – was going – black.

  Then Teal found him.

  Teal charged into Taugis, knocking the prince off of Ben. Ben inhaled a desperately needed breath of air and got back to his feet, gasping and coughing. As he held his neck, wheezing and choking, he saw Teal on top of Taugis, raking the prince’s face with his fully extended claws.

  Ben watched, momentarily stunned as Teal completely massacred Taugis. Cat-like screams and snarls coming from Teal like he was both toms in a cat fight, and to top off his friend’s insane state – Ben watched Teal open his mouth and sink his pointed hibrid teeth into Taugis’s neck… and tear out a chunk of flesh. He then spat out the piece of flesh, held out his hands and slashed Taugis’s face, neck, and chest with his extended claws, blood and flesh now flying in all directions, several even sprinkling against Ben’s jerkin.

  All teasing aside… Teal was just a little bit feral.

  Ben walked over to Teal, his dagger in his hand. When Teal saw Ben approach he stopped his bloody assault and stayed sitting on top of Taugis; his teeth bared, his green eyes dark and distant, and his breathing laboured.

  “Not so god damn tough now, huh?” Ben said, pushing the dagger into Taugis’s neck.

  “Kill him, Ben,” Teal suddenly said; his eyes lit up in such a savage way Ben knew his friend wanted to see nothing else.

  Ben held the dagger firmly in his grasp; his own chest rising and falling with the adrenaline coursing through his veins.

  Then Taugis lurched forward, his fist suddenly rising up and hitting the dagger out of Ben’s hand. The sudden movement took Teal off-guard which Taugis took advantage of. He pushed Teal off of him and shot to his feet, then turned and lunged for the dagger.

  But Ben was too quick; he managed to snatch it just as the prince’s hand grazed the pommel.

  Teal was on one side of the prince and Ben on the other. As Taugis’s head snapped from Teal to Ben, not wanting to take his eyes off of either of them, they circled Taugis like predators circling prey.

  “You think we should show him exactly how twisted a human can be?” Ben was surprised to find himself laughing. The prince twisted around, his body heaving, blood was freely falling down his face and neck, staining his once royal surcoat and dripping like jewels onto the snowy ground. Teal’s claws had left their mark, the prince’s face was split right open. Ben could even see a sheen of yellow from the prince’s ripped cheeks.

  “Let’s end this,” Ben growled. He quickly unbuckled his leather trouser belt and wrapped it around his hand. When Taugis whirled around to face Teal, Ben jumped onto his back and, like he had done with Tseer, started strangling him with his belt. It seemed like a fitting way to finish him off, considering what Taugis had just tried to do to him.

  Teal grinned as Taugis grabbed onto the belt with his hands, desperately trying to pry it off of his already injured throat. He tried to thrash Ben o
ff of him, but he held strong.

  “Kill him, kill him!” Teal cried, his taunting almost a twisted chant. Ben felt his adrenaline boil and he pulled the belt back tighter. He didn’t want to strangle him, he wanted to crush his windpipe; he wanted to snap his neck, he wanted–

  “Ben, get off of him,” Malagant suddenly barked. Ben looked over and saw the friend, his crossbow in hand though pointed at the ground.

  Malagant’s face was expressionless but his voice was firm.

  “NO!” Teal cried, his voice bordering on crazed. “He tried to kill my Ben; he dies by him.”

  “Ben, he has to go to trial. We have to respect Korivander’s law,” Malagant said, holding his hand out towards Ben. “Please – release him to me.”

  Ben let out a frustrated growl and swore. He let go of the belt and jumped off of the prince.

  Taugis fell to the ground wheezing and gasping.

  The prince didn’t look like he had it in him to try another escape, but Malagant wasn’t taking the chance. He picked up Ben’s belt and bound Taugis’s hands together. Malagant roughly jerked him to his feet and kicked him forward.

  “You talk; I’ll break your jaw. You run, I’ll break your legs,” Malagant snarled. Taugis, his breath still ragged and his eyes now as blood-filled as his face, didn’t say a word, he just walked.

  Teal’s jaw was locked as he watched Malagant lead their prisoner back towards Castle Rhastt, but he didn’t say anything, Ben didn’t either. They both walked side by side back to the castle, the prince in front of them and a trail of blood-stained snow behind.

  29

  The walk through the woods seemed to take forever. No one spoke. Teal and Ben walked behind Malagant as he stalked the footsteps of the crouched over prince. Both of them stayed a good several paces behind, mostly so they could both silently wash the blood off of their hands and faces with handfuls of snow. Teal especially, he had Taugis’s blood all over his lips and chin.

  As soon as the four of them broke through the woods, a dozen Rhastt guards met them. They were all stoic and stone-faced, dressed in white and red doublets and steel breastplates with shortswords strapped to their sides.

  “King Korivander is awaiting the prisoner in the grand hall,” one of the guards, a balding elf with a long black beard, said. Ben noticed one of them was carrying Taugis’s bow in his hand, another had his and Teal’s boots.

  “I am no prisoner!” Taugis said in a strangled voice. Malagant immediately kicked him in the back, sending him to the ground. The guards picked him up and started dragging him towards the entrance to the castle.

  “Drag him right through the doors, I want everyone to see him, make a spectacle of the fallen prince,” Malagant said, his voice a razors edge. The guards nodded and hoisted Taugis up.

  Malagant fell behind the guards so he was walking beside Ben and Teal, but he didn’t speak to them. They crossed the empty field, their feet, both Teal and Ben’s still bare, crunching through the snow. It was crisp and cold beneath him but Ben could feel the grass right below the surface.

  One of the guards pushed the tall oak doors open and they all walked into the hall, the light from the open doors flooding the grey brick. There were red and white banners hung everywhere and in between those banners were luma rocks sitting in carved holders.

  In the middle of this hall was a stone fire pit that was surrounded by a black grate. It was burning brightly, the smoke from the fire going up a white chimney that was painted to look like one of the many magnificent stone columns that held up the vaulted ceiling above them.

  Ben looked past the fire pit and saw that Korivander, Gorat, and Grady were standing at the top of four stairs that led to an upper level of the hall. The crippled Prince Eliander was there as well, his hand being held by Migheer; though whether it was for emotional support or to help him stand, Ben wasn’t sure.

  Behind those five were two elves Ben didn’t recognize but one, from his similar appearance, Ben guessed was one of Migheer’s fathers. And to the far left-hand side were several elves dressed in uniform, and Rylet.

  The mood in the room was thick, Teal twitched beside Ben as if he was needing to will himself to stay. In response to this, Ben put a hand on Teal’s shoulder in support and urged him on.

  Malagant however held no hesitation in his body language or stance. He was walking proudly in front of them, looking every inch a knight. His head was held high and his walk that of a soldier. Ben felt a flicker of pride and respect for his friend. He might be a cheerful, friendly elf but his origins had never been clearer. Malagant was a knight of Alcove, and when he needed to step back into that role, he did.

  As the party walked down the red runner which led to the stairs, Ben noticed Eliander moving away from Migheer to stand on his own.

  Eliander’s legs were weak but still he stood tall, wearing clothing Ben knew they must’ve just changed into. A royal uniform of a green and blue doublet with golden patterns going up the sleeves and back, and a fur-trimmed black cloak with the Lelan emblem.

  The crown prince was staring forward, his blue eyes firm. He looked surprisingly together, but Ben could see that his jaw was clenched.

  Korivander was standing tall as well, no expression on his face. Like his son he was dressed in royal attire, with his golden leaf circlet crown resting on his head. Instead of the usual robes Korivander was in a green doublet with a black blouse underneath. He didn’t look as put together as his son; his shoulders were shaking with rage.

  Not surprisingly, as the guard untied the prince’s binds and left Taugis to stand before the king, King Korivander walked down the four steps… and backhanded his son hard.

  Taugis fell to his side with a cry and a grunt, a fresh spray of blood speckling the white stone floors.

  “Get up!” Korivander’s voice boomed; it echoed loudly off of the stone tapestry-covered walls.

  Although no one had spoken a word, the hall seemed to become even quieter as his voice faded. Ben watched as Taugis rose to his feet, only his breathing could be heard. No one else talked, no one else moved, everyone around them had seemed to become statues.

  All eyes were on the prince.

  “Guards, I thank you for your service. Leave us now. Rylet, you too,” Korivander said. “Lord Gaevon, Lord Fideus, I kindly ask to take their places in guarding the prince.”

  The two elves stepped past Korivander and stood vigil on either side of Taugis. The guards bowed and left the hall.

  “Ben, step forward,” Korivander said.

  Ben’s chest clenched. He slipped his hand off of Teal’s shoulders and stepped forward. His heart was thrashing so hard inside of his chest he was sure it was loud enough to echo throughout the room.

  His feet felt like they were stepping on air but he walked with confidence and stood in front of the Lelan King.

  Not knowing what else to do, Ben bent down on one knee and bowed to Korivander, before standing back up. Korivander nodded approvingly at him.

  “Let the records show, on this date: Old Winter, two thousand and forty-seven days into the fourth age. The trial and punishment for Prince Taugis of House Luceon is to take place.”

  “Trial? TRIAL!?” Taugis suddenly screamed. “For what? You value the life of a human over the life of your son?”

  Lord Gaevon and Lord Fideus’s heads snapped towards Ben, and their eyes widened as if Ben had just transformed into a dragon, however they were smart enough to say nothing.

  Ben looked back to King Korivander and saw his usual calm face twist in anger. “You valued a grudge that is older than the mountains over your sister’s life,” he said slowly, each word said like the king’s mouth was full of poison. “Now be silent, lest I have your tongue. I’ll tell you when it is your turn to speak.”

  Ben looked over at the prince. For a brief moment Taugis made eye contact with him. Never had Ben seen such hate in someone’s eyes.

  “Ben, what god will you swear under?” Korivander asked, his voice once again
returning to a level tone.

  “He is GODLESS!” Taugis screamed.

  Korivander looked to Lord Gaevon, his eyes narrowed. “Gag him.”

  Gaevon nodded, and moments later the large Lord Gorat walked down the stairs with a cloth crumpled in his fist. There was then a scuffle though Ben didn’t look; his eyes were focused on Korivander.

  “The god of the hibrids, Your Grace,” Ben said when the scuffling stopped. “Elder God Anea.”

  King Korivander nodded. “Do you swear by your god, the Elder God Anea, father to all gods, that you will tell me, and Lord Gorat who is lord of this castle and Hold Lord of Valewind, the truth?”

  “I do.”

  “Then tell me, Ben. What happened?”

  Ben took a deep breath and re-told the events leading up to him standing in front of the Lelan King. It all seemed surreal. Wasn’t it just this morning that he was sitting between the battlements enjoying the view? Wasn’t it just a short while ago that Aurelle was holding purple flowers in her hands, excitedly telling him and Teal about her potential new brother? The same elf trying so badly to let Eliander let him help him stand. How could all of this happen?

  “Malagant stopped me and I dropped my belt,” Ben said soberly. He tried to stand as tall and proud as Malagant had been walking down the castle hall, but he felt small with all the eyes on him.

  “… and we brought Taugis to you.”

  Then Ben paused and took in a slow inhale. He looked at his feet for a moment before his eyes travelled back up to King Korivander’s piercing gaze. “King Korivander, this isn’t the first time Taugis threatened me. At the gathering in Lelan, while I was away from the party, he threatened my life as well.”

  “What?” he heard Teal say behind him, but Ben didn’t turn away from Korivander.

  “He made it quite clear he would kill me, if–” Ben paused, but since Lord Gaevon and Lord Fideus already knew Ben was human, he decided he might as well push on. “–if I brought anything from my world here – which, of course, I would never do and cannot anyway since I no longer have access to it.”