Do the Gods Give Us Hope?

by Jeff Henrikson

  “So this is it, then. This is the end.”

  Nero shook his head. “No, this is just the beginning. I will tell you everything you want to know over the next year. I will serve as your mentor and guide you into this new world. I will also contact my superiors to arrange for you to receive your open book symbol.” Nero stood up and moved to the door. “I’ve given you a lot to think about. Try to get some sleep and I will see you in the morning.”

  He left and shut the door behind him. Everything was going according to plan. He wandered back to his room with a smile on his face to wait and see if Rafa would contact him later tonight.

  _______________________________________

  Valihorn and Evisar looked at each other with dread as they waited to see what the dragon would say next.

  Malachite said, “As payment of your debt, the two of you will steal the talisman around the Guildmaster’s neck that gives him immortality. I don’t care how you steal it; kill him if you like, just get me the artifact.”

  Evisar said, “Are you talking about the Guildmaster that controls the Talon Thieves Guild?”

  Malachite smiled and said, “The very same.”

  Evisar said, “There is no way we will be able to accomplish that task. I don’t plan on going back to Locus anytime soon. Also, I don’t know much about the Talon Guild, but based on the stories Xander has told me, they seem insanely powerful. Impenetrably powerful.”

  “I think some of your group will be going back to Locus sooner than you think.”

  This time Valihorn spoke up with a question. “Why do you want a talisman that grants immortality? I thought dragons lived forever.”

  “That is not your concern. Your concern is to answer my calling, no matter what I ask.”

  Evisar looked defeated as he seemed to accept the weight of the debt. “We are elves and Kentar is at war with Armena. How can we possibly enter a human city, sneak into Talon Guild Headquarters, face one of the most powerful beings on Tellus, and expect to walk out with his talisman?”

  The dragon chuckled. “You will think of something, or I promise you Armena will burn. Do we understand each other?”

  “Yes. We understand.”

  “Do not despair, my elven friends. Take your time in acquiring the talisman and plan it carefully. Decades mean as little to me as days do to you. Immortal and well-protected as the Guildmaster is, he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.”

  Before Valihorn could say a proper farewell to the dragon in his own language, Malachite cast the spell that would return them to their tower prison. Valihorn took a final look at Malachite’s magnificent form and the splendor of his lair. As he vanished in a blur, he sighed at all the wasted gold and artifacts of legend that lay carelessly about.

  Chapter 106: Unwelcome Ally

  King Jalid sat on the throne of Armena, with his mother on his right and Shane on his left, contemplating the decisions he had been forced to make since his father’s death. How many loyal soldiers of Armena had fallen because of his commands? How many more would die because of the decisions he made this day? In truth, he never wanted the burdens that came with leadership. He never wanted to fight the Krone and be forced to decide how many of their cities to destroy. He never wanted to battle the humans from the west in open warfare for invading the forest. His father fought wars against human bands from the north and east of Glenmyr Forest and ordered General Lacrue to destroy orcs, goblins, and other foul beasts that dared tread on the sanctity of the forest. Since assuming the throne, it seemed to Jalid that all of the battles his father fought had been trivial compared to the choices he had been forced to make over the last half year. For in none of those conflicts had the continued existence of Armena ever been in question.

  Jalid wished desperately that his father was still alive and sitting atop the throne, or at least that his brother Devin were here to take his place. Devin had been raised to rule from the time he was a baby. Jalid had never wanted any part of it, and so hadn’t really paid attention until after his coronation as king. He had spent most of his time with an elf woman named Elenor, whom he had visited often on the outskirts of Bethel. They had been quite happy living a life of ease and contemplation until his father’s assassination during the hunting trip. Now he sat on this cursed throne, with everyone expecting great things from him, without Elenor by his side.

  Elenor was low born. She was not a noble, which counted for more than it should in Armena. His father had tolerated her existence, if not her presence, when he was the second in line for the throne behind his brother. He had wanted to bring Elenor to court after his coronation, but Shane convinced him that it would not be prudent.

  Shane was a constant source of confusion to Jalid. He had been a trusted advisor to both his father and his mother, and now to him as well. With his father and brother gone, Jalid and his mother relied heavily on Shane’s advice and wisdom. This had been especially true when Jalid first assumed the throne, but now that some time had passed he found himself wanting to speak more often, not because Shane’s advice was poor, but rather because they had differing opinions as to the future of the kingdom. Shane’s advice was constant and sound, but there was always a sense of cruelty behind it that Jalid did not appreciate. Only a few days after his father’s murder, Shane had convinced him that Evisar and Jefon needed to be exiled for the good of Armena. He had not wanted them banished, but Shane had correctly stated that someone needed to take the blame for the King’s death. He had often pondered that decision, more so now that he had been on the throne for nearly half a year. He often wondered how Evisar and Jefon were faring in exile. He suspected they were either dead or hiding out in some small village somewhere to the north and east of Armena. Ultimately, it didn’t matter; he could speculate all he wanted, but the truth was that he would never see his two childhood friends again. That time in his life was over.

  Jalid was listening to one of General Holidor’s most trusted lieutenants who had arrived at the capital in order to give a firsthand account on the progress of the withdrawal of the army from the Underworld. King Jalid leaned forward on the mahogany throne as he listened intently to the Lieutenant.

  “We lost some score of our troops during the withdrawal, but now it is done and the entrance is sealed. We would have lost more, but one of our most decorated veterans held the line during a surprise attack, giving the rest of the rearguard enough time to escape.”

  Jalid hated having to pull back to the surface, but it seemed the only rational course of action given Kentar’s eminent attack on Ash. He was about to discuss the defense of the city when Shane spoke up first.

  “Your soldier is to be commended, Lieutenant. Have him sent here at once so that the King might show him his gratitude.”

  The Lieutenant shifted his eyes from the King, to Shane, and back again, clearly confused as to who was in command. There was a time not so long ago when Jalid had welcomed Shane’s leadership, but now it was becoming more of an annoyance.

  “I would, my lord, but the soldier died covering the retreat to the surface.”

  Jalid shook his head. Another good elf lost because of the commands he issued. Shane spoke up again, drawing a look of annoyance from his King.

  “That is most unfortunate. We need good soldiers like him if Armena is to survive.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  Jalid finally blurted out the first thing that came to his mind. “See that this soldier’s family wants for nothing and knows of my gratitude.” The Lieutenant bowed low with an approving nod of his head.

  Shane spoke up for a third time, turning the attention of the court back on himself. “How long will it take the army to reposition to Ash? The humans from the west will lay siege to our city in less than two days. Having pulled our forces out of the Underworld and given up our advantage against the Krone, it would not behoove us also to lose the city of Ash to these humans.”

  The Lieutenant looked annoyed, but he answered the question all the same. “We
should arrive at Ash a good half day ahead of the humans, giving us enough time to dig in and prepare whatever battle strategy we develop between now and then.”

  Shane seemed irritated. “The humans are less than two days away and General Holidor doesn’t yet have a battle strategy?”

  The Lieutenant went on the defensive. “The General has spent all of his time attacking the Krone and has just now finished coordinating the retreat out of the Underworld on his Majesty’s order.” The way the Lieutenant said the last statement made it clear he knew it had in fact been Shane’s decision to pull out of the Underworld. “Now he is trying to rush his army south to Ash in time to meet an enemy he has never faced in battle.” The Lieutenant paused for dramatic effect. “But rest assured, my lord, your Majesty, whatever strategy he comes up with, it will be enough to stop the humans from advancing farther into our country.”

  King Jalid spoke quickly before Shane could jump in again. “And how many troops does General Holidor estimate he has under his command?”

  Jalid noticed the fifteen-foot-high throne room door open and close with haste as one of the guards came forward.

  The Lieutenant continued uninterrupted. “With the city of Ash’s militia added to our numbers we anticipate a defensive force of …”

  The impatient guard did not wait for the Lieutenant to finish before he blurted out. “Your Majesty! Venal is at the entrance to the throne room, awaiting entry.”

  Jalid did not understand, but he didn’t have to. Shane jumped in again before he had the chance to say anything. “You saw fit to interrupt this critical war report because the High Priest of Venal has paid his Majesty an unexpected visit?”

  The guard cowered before Shane’s rebuke, but managed to look confused as well. “No … no, my lord. It is not a follower of Venal at the door – it is the God Venal himself!”

  Suddenly there was a resounding thud at the outer door. Then there was a louder thud followed by broken wood as the outer door flew open and came off its hinges. Wood flew through the air as the fifteen-foot door crashed loudly to the ground.

  A large elf emerged through the shards of wood and walked quickly forward. He was tall, lean, muscular, and wore nothing but black. Jalid watched the elf approach his throne. As he walked forward, Jalid was able to make out more and more detail. He compared the figure coming toward him with the description of Venal that had been passed down since the Year of Angels more than four hundred years ago. Both wore black clothing with a longbow slung over their shoulders. Both had a passive face that appeared to have never worn a smile, and finally, both were strikingly handsome. While none of this was definitive proof that a god was standing before him, there was no denying the godly aura surrounding the stranger.

  This had to be Venal. This had to be the stalwart watch guard who protects the elves from the Krone, returned to Armena from the heavens above to continue the battle against his sworn enemy. Why had he returned now? Jalid had the feeling he was not going to like the answer.

  Venal stopped at the foot of the dais and took the entire throne room in at a glance. Everyone moved unconsciously away from the god incarnate. When Venal spoke, his baritone voice carried throughout the room, seeming to grow stronger as it stretched toward the four corners.

  “Death to the Krone …”

  Everyone in the throne room reflexively finished the mantra. “Only then may the joy of life begin anew.”

  “Words to live by! Yet you have all fallen from the chosen path. Why has the Army of Armena turned away from the Underworld and toward the pathetic humans when we have the opportunity to crush the Krone once and for all?”

  Venal looked directly at the King, but Jalid could not find his tongue. After a moment, it was Shane who answered the god who had become flesh.

  “My Lord Venal, what other choice did we have? The humans will be at the city of Ash in less than two days. We cannot fight the Krone in the Underworld and defend Armena from the humans at the same time.”

  Venal looked slowly away from the King and focused his attention on Shane. He took in the measure of the elf and then slowly looked back at the King. “Why do you let this one speak for you? Are you the King of Armena, or is he?”

  Shane tried to speak once again. “My Lord Venal, I …”

  “Silence!” Venal shifted his gaze over to Shane once again. “You are a worm who wields power at the expense of everyone around you. You are a perversion of what it means to be an elf. Speak again and I will kill you where you stand.”

  Shane returned to his seat quickly and quietly. The silence of his retreat was deafening. It seemed as though he was willing the fabric in his clothes to remain silent.

  Venal continued, “The Philosophers are more than capable of defending the city from these humans.” Venal turned his head to the right and spat on the ground to show his contempt for the humans. “We must destroy the Krone first and then deal with these humans from Kentar. Even if the city of Ash is destroyed, it is a small price to pay to be rid of our most hated enemy.”

  Venal stopped talking and focused his granite eyes on Jalid. Jalid squirmed around on the throne, looking first to the right and then to the left. He wished someone else would speak for him, but after the god’s threat against Shane, no one dared. Not having any other option, Jalid sat up in his chair and finally found his tongue – but should he do what he thought was best or should he kowtow to the heavenly power standing in front of him.

  “You speak wisely, my Lord Venal. However, I am charged with the defense of all Armena, not merely with the destruction of the Krone. There is no guarantee that the militia of Ash” – he chose not to mention the Philosophers for a second time – “can defend the city, nor is there any guarantee the humans will stop with Ash. Without the army of Armena to throw them back, the humans could move on to destroy Bethel itself, and that would be the end of Armena.”

  Venal cocked his head to the side. “You speak in terms of half measures and absolute guarantees. Great accomplishment requires great risk. Did you think we could destroy the Krone without any threat to ourselves? That is not the way the cosmos was designed.” When Jalid did not say anything, Venal continued. “Are you saying that you will not recommit your troops to the destruction of the Krone?”

  Jalid looked diplomatically at the living, breathing god in front of him. When he spoke, it was so soft and uncertain that everyone had to lean in. “First, we need to defeat the humans. Then we can refocus our efforts against the Krone.”

  Venal looked like he was about to burst, and Jalid honestly feared for his life, but the flash of anger subsided. When Venal spoke, his voice was even and measured. “I could kill you in an instant and everyone else in this room shortly thereafter. You know that, do you not?”

  Jalid nodded. “I do, my Lord Venal.”

  “I could take over this kingdom and rule it with an iron fist.” Jalid nodded again. “But it is against the code. You are the rightful ruler of Armena, and I cannot harm you.” Jalid relaxed ever so slightly. Perhaps this wouldn’t be a catastrophe after all. “But I will not let this opportunity against the Krone pass. I will take my followers, and together we will invade the Underworld and finish off the Krone.”

  Everyone stood absolutely silent, waiting to see what Venal would do next. The god looked around the throne room and said, “I call on all of my followers to come forward and stand with me now.” Jalid breathed in sharply, knowing what this might mean. Of all the elves in the throne room, nearly one in three moved over to stand with Venal. As the followers gravitated to their god, Venal spoke to the rest. “Think about what the Krone have done to you and your family. Any Krone would happily go out of his way to kill you and yours. We have to be equally as dedicated, equally as relentless, and equally as ruthless if we hope to survive. I have reigned in the heavens for more than six thousand years, and in all that time, I have never seen a better chance to destroy the Krone than the one we have right now. I call on all elves who despise the Krone to stand
with me now.” A few more elves moved to stand by Venal. “I call on all elves who want to save Armena and provide a safe place for their children to grow up to stand with me now.” A few more elves moved to stand by Venal.

  Jalid sat on the throne in silence as a large portion of his court showed their support for the living god. Among those standing next to Venal were the lieutenant who gave him the war report, a large portion of his court, and even a few of his royal guards. Venal waited patiently as they all gathered around him. He looked at every elf in the room who did not move forward to stand with him, as if memorizing their faces for some future restitution.

  After a time, Venal unslung his great longbow and thrust it into the air. “Let the path to victory begin here!” Those standing near the god threw a fist into the air and cheered. Venal yelled forth his mantra. “Death to the Krone …”

  The hall thundered as every follower yelled with a conviction unheard of since the Year of Angels. “Only then may the joy of life begin anew!” Venal turned swiftly on his heel and marched out of the throne room and out of the castle.

  As the living god marched out of the castle hundreds of elves flocked to his banner. As he marched to the northwest word spread quickly of his arrival. Elves from the castle, the capital city, and the countryside joined his Black Legion of Tellus. Young and old, male and female, it did not matter. Venal had room for all as he marched toward the recently collapsed entrance to the Underworld.

  Chapter 107: The Past Affects the Present

  After their altercation with the Sorcerers, Mestel and Austen were bound, gagged, and taken into a stone building that extended deep underground. They were blindfolded, so Mestel could not see where they were going, but he felt the chill in the air and the echo of his boots against stone walls as they descended a spiral staircase into the depths of the earth. The guards took everything but their clothes, including Austen’s book of spells. Afterward, a Sorcerer wizard came forward and forced Austen to accept a geas that removed all of his spells. Austen clearly did not want to give up his only defense, but it was either that or death. With his spells removed and his spell book taken away from him, Austen had essentially been reduced to an old man in flowing robes.