The genie looked at him angrily and said, “Shut up, you. I can kill you just as easily as I made you. Don’t think I won’t.”
Xander immediately said, “Watch yourself, Sion. Intimidating the judge has to be cheating.”
Sion glared at Xander but said nothing else. He waddled back to his seat and sat down.
“I admit you have stumped me with this question. I want to answer: Tia, goddess of righteousness and truth, but I don’t think that’s correct. Instead, I think I will say Sentinel, the god of neutrality.”
Xander slumped in his chair. So close, yet so far away. Sion smiled as he saw that he had guessed correctly. The genie brought his hand up to his chin in thought. The smile continued as Sion came up with his next question.
“Who is the one god who has never had a temple or a priest, because he does not desire worship? Who is the one god who is above all others, but whose name is never spoken?”
Xander did not know the answer immediately. More time passed, and the answer still did not come to him. What the genie said didn’t make any sense. Every god in the heavens craved worship. That was the source of their power. It was well known that many gods had faded into obscurity because they lost all their worshipers.
He pounded his fist on the table and said the only answer that came to mind. “Seker, God of the Dead. The ruler of purgatory doesn’t need worshipers to carry out his sacred task.”
Sion smiled and said, “Wrong. The Overlord’s name is Nu. He is all powerful. He created the heavens and rules them with an iron fist.”
Xander knew he had lost. Clearly his knowledge of the divine was still not what it should be. He had much work to do. “Good game, Sion. This round is yours.”
Sion bounded out of his chair and landed on his stunted legs with a bounce in his step.
“I believe I have won two of the five games. One more victory and the ring is mine.”
_______________________________________
Evisar couldn’t stand the smug look of superiority on Sion’s face. “First you have to get past my sword, you pompous windbag.”
“There is no need to be rude. You wouldn’t want me to get angry.”
“Why not? What are you going to do, you arrogant pile of steaming dung?”
Sion got red in the face as he drew his curved blade. His muscles bulged to three times their previous size. “I would not say such things if I were you.”
“Why not? You can’t hurt me. Come on. Come and teach me a lesson.”
Sion’s muscles reduced to their normal size as he regained control of his emotions.
He shook his finger at Evisar and said, “Ah, nicely played, Evisar. You almost got me to break the contract.”
Evisar was clearly disappointed. If only he could have gotten in one more insult.
Sion said, “You and I will fight a duel with only our swords. Whoever makes the first cut will be declared the winner. Any questions?”
Evisar drew his father’s blade, Neverlost, from its scabbard and said, “Bring it on, coward.”
Sion stuck his scimitar in the dirt and clapped his hands once. Evisar was startled to see observation stands appear off to one side that were filled with screaming fans. Evisar also noticed that the companions had been moved to the front row of the observation stands. And then he was nearly killed as Sion picked up his sword in the confusion and rushed toward him. Distracted by the appearance of the crowd, Evisar somehow managed to hear his brother’s warning above the din. Evisar brought up his sword and Neverlost moved almost of its own volition. Metal struck metal and sparks flew from the weapons. Left, right, and left again. The two warriors tested each other’s strength and skill. Evisar had always been strong as a bull and had never fought anyone stronger than himself – until now. When Evisar normally sparred with someone, he was able to gain an advantage with every swing by forcing his enemy to step backward with his raw strength. With this duel, Evisar found himself fully on the defensive as Sion pushed forward with every swing. Evisar was off balance and confused. His main strategy had been taken away from him. The battle continued with Evisar stepping back, then stepping back again. Luckily for Evisar, the lush grassland that made up the genie’s estate was quite large. Evisar could continue to retreat another thousand feet and still not run out of room.
Evisar could tell that Sion’s blade had magic properties, but he also knew that whatever magic was imbedded in the blade, it could never hope to match Neverlost. Evisar could also tell that he had more skill with the blade, although it was a near thing. Sion had probably practiced for many years with a sword in his hand, but Evisar had been practicing his entire life for moments like this.
As the combat continued, he noticed Sion’s attack was not very creative. The genie swung across his body with all of his might, going from left to right. If he hit Evisar’s sword, he would push him backward and swing again from right to left. If he did not hit Evisar’s sword, he would regain his balance and swing sideways once again.
After many repetitions of this cycle, Evisar moved back just enough to let the blade pass within inches of his throat. Then he quickly brought Neverlost over his head for a downward strike. Sion was caught off guard by the quickness but managed to get his curved blade up in time. Evisar pulled Neverlost back and spun around Sion to the left. He knew that the spin would confuse and infuriate the genie, making him overcommit on his next attack. Evisar used all of his warrior instincts to feel his enemy’s scimitar slicing through the air from left to right. Evisar spun around Sion and was almost behind him when he felt the genie coming around. Evisar finished his spin and went down on one knee. He ducked his shoulders and his head as Sion’s curved blade passed overhead so closely that Evisar felt a breeze. He remained on one knee as he extended his right arm and brought Neverlost around in a wide arc that bit deep into each of Sion’s stunted legs. The genie yelled out in pain and dropped his sword.
Sion went down on all fours with a whimper. “You cut me. You hurt me. A mere mortal. I’ll never live this down. Never.”
Evisar almost laughed at the absurdity of what Sion was saying. The selfishness of this creature knew no bounds. He and his friends were fighting for the existence of the last elven kingdom on Tellus; in fact, they were fighting for the existence of Tellus itself. Yet all this magical being cared about was himself. How small. It almost made Evisar feel sorry for him.
Uncontrolled anger returned to Sion’s face as he lunged toward Evisar like a wounded animal. Evisar easily moved backward as Sion’s wounded legs would not support him, and he fell to the ground in a heap. Evisar almost thrust his sword through Sion’s back in order to kill the genie, but there were two things that held him back. The first was that he would be breaking the contract and his word. The second, and most important reason, was that he didn’t think stabbing the genie through the back would kill him. His magic was so strong that he could probably heal himself instantly, even from a wound that severe.
Sion stood there supporting himself on all four limbs, defeated. The genie hit the ground with his fist and slowly brought his emotions under control. He clapped his hands together once, and his wounds healed instantly. The stands and the spectators disappeared, and the companions were standing close by once again.
Evisar could easily have enraged Sion again by gloating about his victory, but that was beneath him. He had won. That was all that mattered. “I believe the score is two to two. The next round determines who keeps the ring.”
Sion climbed back to his feet and was his confident self once again. He nodded at Evisar with an all-knowing smile, just as surely as if he had won the duel, and turned to Valihorn.
“Ah, my young wizard friend. I thought it might come down to you and me. Are you prepared for the final game? Winner takes all, you know.”
______________________________________
Valihorn looked at Sion with confidence, feeling anything but. In his heart of hearts, he had hoped the game would have been decided before he was
forced to participate. Instead, the fate of the ring lay entirely on his shoulders. The gods had been cruel to him this time, just as they had been so many times in his short life. Valihorn looked Sion dead in the eye and said, “I am ready.”
Sion said, “Grand,” and clapped his hands once.
Valihorn looked around the estate, expecting to see another profound display of magic. After a short time, Valihorn and the other companions turned back to Sion for an explanation as to why nothing had happened. Sion crossed his arms over his chest and smiled.
Sion suddenly became serious. “Are you finished wasting my time? Are you ready to start the final game?”
Valihorn’s face grew red with anger as he realized what had happened. Sion had used his magic so often that the companions had come to expect it, particularly after the genie clapped his hands. This time, Sion had clapped his hands without any magical effect in order to embarrass Valihorn and place him off guard. No doubt, he thought this would give him a mental edge over Valihorn. If anything, he felt the exact opposite. Where a moment ago there had existed doubt at his abilities and doubt about the outcome of a contest against such a being, now there was only determination and anger.
“I am ready when you are.”
Sion smiled smugly and said, “Fine. As you know our game will be a game of riddles. We will take turns asking riddles until one of us gives the wrong answer.”
Valihorn nodded his head.
Sion said, “I will go first. What is so heavy that it can be on the ground and is so light that it floats in the air? What looks solid, but when you finally get there, doesn’t really exist at all?”
Valihorn said, “Clouds. The answer is clouds.” Sion muttered bitterly to himself for a moment before he nodded in agreement. Then it was Valihorn’s turn. “What can be formed in a short time, but last for millions of years? What grows smaller with time with each passing winter?”
It took Sion more than a moment to think, but he smiled confidently and said, “Rocks. The answer is rocks.” Valihorn accepted his failure and nodded his head. Sion thought for a while before launching his next offensive. “What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening?”
Valihorn had no idea. As time passed by his panic grew. As his panic grew his mind became smaller. As his mind became smaller the answer moved farther away.
Sion clapped his hands, and a pendulum appeared ten feet away. Sion smiled as the pendulum moved back and forth, giving an exaggerated tick-tock sound.
Sion looked at him smugly and said, “Well, what is your answer?”
Valihorn had no idea what the pendulum was supposed to represent, but he knew when he was being mocked. He ignored the taunt, cleared his mind, and let his thoughts move in and out of all the books he had ever read, libraries he had visited, and stories he had heard. Finally, a possible answer came to his mind. He was not sure, but it felt right and it fit the criteria.
“The answer is people. People are born walking on all fours, walk on two legs in the prime of their lives, and die using a cane.”
Sion’s expression instantly changed from smug arrogance to anger. “Fine, enjoy your small victory, but I will get you with my next one.”
Valihorn thought carefully about what areas of the universe Sion would be least familiar with. He decided he did not have enough information to answer that question. Sion was from the Plane of Chaos, a world Valihorn had never visited, so he had no idea what knowledge the genie possessed and in what areas he was ignorant. Valihorn sifted through a few riddles he had heard in his lifetime and decided on the one he thought was the most difficult.
“It comes and goes twice a day, not caring if it’s night or day. Water is its unwilling hand, which it uses to beat the land. What is it?”
Sion immediately furrowed his brow. Valihorn took this as a good sign. Sion crossed his arms over his chest and concentrated for what seemed like a long time. Valihorn did not say anything. He just stood there like a statue and allowed his riddle to speak for itself. Sion shifted from side to side and eventually said, “A waterfall.”
Valihorn smiled broadly and said, “Wrong. The answer is the tide.”
Evisar immediately seized on Valihorn’s victory. “We have won three out of five games. According to the contract you signed, we get to keep the ring. Furthermore, you agreed to transport us to Jewlian and never bother us again.”
Sion stared at the immaculate green grass, waiting for Evisar to finish his ultimatum. When he was through, Sion looked up with a fire in his eyes that could melt stone.
“The code says I must honor my contract.” Then, if it was possible, his face turned even more grotesque. “But I am sick and tired of their rules! Once I have the ring, I will make the rules!”
Sion snapped his fingers and his body grew larger. The companions stared in mesmerized amazement, with nowhere to go, as Sion grew to ten times his previous size. Not only that, the genie also grew two more muscular arms, another head, and continued to transform into a hideous monster. He raised one of his giant arms and pointed a finger directly at Valihorn. Without another word, a long white-hot lightning bolt formed at the end of Sion’s finger. He held it there for a moment as it grew brighter and more powerful. Then the bolt left his finger. Valihorn and the companions cowered in fear, but there was nothing they could do.
The bolt lanced toward its target with pinpoint accuracy until it hit some sort of invisible shield twenty feet in front of the companions. Sion launched another bolt, and then another, but each one dissipated against the invisible shield.
A loud, deep voice was heard from across the estate. “Sion, your life is forfeit!” The genie’s estate disappeared, leaving the companions standing in the great prairieland of Kentar, on the road between Locus and Jewlian, with the massive genie monster looming overhead. The snapping of a fingers was heard, and then Sion was no more. The companions disappeared, only to reappear in an urban alleyway with tall houses all around.
Chapter 99: Retaking Endwood
Jon waited in a clearing with General Donell as his soldiers and a few Sorcerer scouts marched into Endwood and took control of the abandoned town. Although only a few moons had passed since Jon’s forced retreat to Locus, he was surprised at how quickly the forest was reclaiming the town. Weeds crawled up and over the wooden palisade. The area outside the wall, which had been cleared of vegetation out to fifty feet with fire, already had trees and other weeds sprouting toward the sun.
After what seemed like half the day, two of Jon’s lieutenants appeared at the top of the wall, directly above the gate, and gave them the all clear sign. The General urged his horse forward with Jon at his side. The memories were so thick as Jon walked through the gate that he nearly had to close his eyes to fight them off. He saw rotting logs floating on the river that bisected the town. He saw one of the houses that had been repaired after one of the giants ripped off the roof and grabbed the couple inside. He saw the spot where Captain Shival had died, forcing him to spin the coin to call for Sorcerer reinforcements. Most importantly, Jon looked back at the gate he had just passed through. It was the very gate where Corporal Darron and he had met the elves for the first time so many moons ago. Corporal Darron held it open even now, much as he had that fateful day, as the rest of Kentar’s army marched into Endwood.
The sun was high in the sky, meaning they had plenty of time to secure the town and look for further evidence of elf involvement in the destruction of Endwood. As one of two captains under the General’s command, and being most familiar with the town, Jon instructed his search parties on where to concentrate their efforts, while General Donell set up his command tent in the center of town. Captain Lewis was charged with security, and he placed sentries along every wall with patrols walking up to a half mile outside the palisade. The few Sorcerer wizards traveling with the army stationed themselves on top of the wall, where they had a clear view of the surrounding area, and outside the General’s command tent.
Jon’s search teams performed their jobs well, but as the sun approached the western tree line Jon called an end to the investigation for the day. He received reports from the lieutenants and sergeants under his command, then he walked over to the General’s command tent. The sentries let him enter the command circle easily enough, where he saw the General looking down at a table with several other members of his staff. On the table lay a very old parchment with many holes and tears. Jon came up to the table in front of the General and gave a crisp salute.
The General returned the salute and asked, “What have you found, Captain?”
“Sir, my search parties haven’t found anything new. We’ve searched every building and every alley from north to south, and east to west. There is no additional evidence the elves had anything to do with the destruction of Endwood.”
The General nodded his head. “From what little I have seen of the town, I believe you are correct. We will hold up here tonight and resume the search in the morning. If we don’t find anything by mid-morning, we will march farther into the forest.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Don’t worry, Captain Campbell. We will find out why the elves attacked Endwood. We will march to the very center of Glenmyr Forest if need be, but I assure you they will answer for what they have done.”
The other soldiers around the table voiced small cheers of approval at the General’s speech, but Jon did not feel as jubilant. The General was driven by a sense of rage that Jon did not share, which was odd since he was the one who abandoned Endwood, not General Donell. Jon didn’t know if he wasn’t committed enough to the cause, or if he just didn’t have as much pride in Kentar as his fellow soldiers.
Do the Gods Give Us Hope? Page 27