The god sighed and stood up. He went to the map laid out on the table.
“The group left the town of Erineus. And instead of following the road, which will take them up and around the hills around Dori, on the other side of the Dorian Plains, they have taken a cross-country route. They have kept their march to the flatlands at the foot of the hills. I have been told that they are now here,” Dionysus pointed to a spot on the map, halfway to Dori.
“Can you bring the three of us there? Or to a nearby position?”
“Of course. It’s only Dori which has that preventive spell. Unfortunately, your return may be a problem if they use a similar spell. I am sure they will try to cover as wide an area as they can to prevent escape. So, if you are successful and are ready to go back, you may have to walk south from where you were. Not north. That’s deeper into Dorian country. Ten miles south would be a safe place to activate transport stones. Five to six miles perhaps but that’s too close. If you crush the stones within the area of the spell, that’s it. You get to walk all the way back to Akrotiri. That’s more than two hundred fifty miles.”
“I hope not. That’s a long way.”
“Oh, after bringing you there, I can’t stick around. That’s Kriti. A region beyond the scope of my babysitting duties. And being around while you play with those demigods and minor gods will give the wrong impression of a drunkard taking sides. I’ll probably go check on the land the Pelasgoi promised me.”
“Got it. Talking about demigods, what’s the news about Erethizo?”
“Still at his mother’s domain. Now that you mention it, I find Eris’ absence in this entire situation odd. She is Ares’ sister and usually his partner in many plots and schemes. For her to be absent in a campaign of this magnitude, that is strange. Troubling, in fact.”
“Unless another or others are playing the game with Ares as the front. I mean, you have Ares and a huge army. Add to that his retinue. Against Akrotiri and its joke of a defense. Do you really need Eris? It’s not a pantheon-wide conflict after all.”
“You’ve got a point there. Even Athena did mention something like that. She doesn’t believe this all came from the battle god’s brain. Eris is probably involved but not in this invasion. She may have another part to play. You know, if this is not controlled, it may end up as a pantheon-wide war.”
“From what Athena told us, at least indirectly, that’s what she wants to avoid. But Zeus told me it might be part of something bigger. A plan which reaches across pantheons.”
“I had my suspicions. BUT! We are here! And the stage awaits! So, gather your players! The audience attends! Ready to play your part, High Mage?”
“As ready as I will ever be. I guess. Do you really think I had any choice in the matter?”
“No, you didn’t. Same as me. But here’s a gift,” said Dionysus as he placed his finger on Tyler’s forehead.
The familiar warm energy surge filled his head and his mind.
“What was that?” asked Tyler who was blinking his eyes and shaking his head.
“The spell of befuddlement. I thought you’ll find a lot of use for it,” laughed the god.
Chapter Lore:
Pelasgoi – Greek. The Pelasgoi, or Pelasgians in English, are an ancient people who are said to have predated the rise of Hellenic civilization in Greece. Opinions vary, but it is believed that the various tribes of the Pelasgians either merged with the rising Hellenic tribes or formed their separate tribes elsewhere under a different name. The Etruscans, in particular, are believed to be Pelasgian in origin.
Cortana – Greek/Pelasgian word though it has Albanian roots. The name of an ancient city in Tuscany, Italy, believed to have been founded by the Pelasgians. In the story, it is the name of a prosperous settlement near the Barren Lands, in an area settled by the Pelasgians.
Reze – Greek/Pelasgian. A word meaning “beam”.
Petteia – Greek. An ancient Greek board game, similar to checkers. The objective being to catch an opponent’s piece between two stones belonging to the other player.
Master Dio's Old Trade Map
Chapter XV
The Hills of Dori
“Thanks, I guess. You know, I do have something to ask you. It’s been on my mind.”
“Ask away. As I said before, it doesn’t mean I have to answer it,” chortled the deity.
“It’s about Rumpr, the earth elemental. How come you knew about him?”
“So that’s his name back in Skaney? Here, the few who know him called him Geros Gis. The Earth Lord. Quite an imposing title. I just call him Geros. He tends to keep a low profile. But do remember this. The circle of truly powerful deities and beings is a small one, compared to the number of pantheons and gods on Adar. He and his friend belong to that circle. And it pays to know. Otherwise, one finds himself ground to dust all of a sudden.”
The memory of Rumpr saying Hrun had to rebuild the mountains around Scarburg came back to his mind. One never really knows, he mused. Even back home, one hears of tycoons ordinarily dressed and walking around malls and such.
“I’ll start my list, Dio. You’re right. Appearances mislead. For deities and humans alike.”
“Says the young man who happens to be a High Mage. More than a High Mage, if one considers that he is the most powerful mortal mage in this world.”
“Flattery gets you everything, Dio. I still have to call Habrok and Astrid.”
“No need. They’re outside waiting to come in. I had them fetched.”
Tyler went to the door and opened it. The two were sitting at a nearby table. With a gesture, he asked them to come in.
The two marched in, small sacks and waterskins carried on their shoulders. Tyler looked at them. Habrok with his usual gear. But it was the first time he saw Astrid in full battle gear. The Valkyrie was wearing her new cuirass, now colored black, removing all possibilities of a glint or reflection due to sunlight. She had two crossed xiphos on her back, two throwing axes on her belt which also had two knives slung in their sheaths. Tyler also knew she had a boot knife.
Her helmet was of an Illyrian design, which differed from other Greek helmets by leaving the face open. No nose guard. But the bronze helmet, also blackened, had a flared back for additional neck protection and openings for the ears in order not to impair hearing. She also wore greaves and arm bracers. In addition, small leather pieces with metal plates were strapped to her upper arm and connected to the cuirass. A trio of javelins slung over her shoulder completed her ensemble.
A skirmisher. A stalker. A deadly hunter. These impressions flashed through Tyler’s mind. Considering what he was planning, the mage thought that the light warrior style Astrid adopted was appropriate.
“Now, I have here three return tickets,” announced Dionysus, as he produced three small white stones. “You crush them in your hand and you’re back in this inn. But, as I mentioned to the High Mage, you get to crush it only once. Make a mistake and you walk the long way home. And I have discussed with him the possibility, very high I presume, that your enemies will have a spell to prevent you from leaving the immediate area. In case he forgets, remind him that you have to walk at least ten miles south of where you find your enemies. Then you can use the stones. Now, should I distribute them or give them all to the High Mage?”
“For me, Master Dio, give the stone to my Sire,” replied Habrok. “Having such an artifact on my person will only distract me.”
“Likewise, Master Dio,” said Astrid. “It’s better that way. Habrok is right.”
Habrok looked at Astrid but made no comment.
“Here, High Mage. You get to be the custodian,” said Dionysus, handing the mage a small pouch.
“Everybody ready?”
“I guess we are, Dio,” replied Tyler.
“Now, I will drop you off as near as I dare. But be aware that the sudden surge of energy will alert any being with a modicum of brains and magical or divine power to your arrival. So, it’s really not an ambush. More of an u
nexpected encounter. From a distance. No, I guess that’s not right either. It’s their trap in the first place. Forget it, it’s your show. Don’t forget to live. Eyes closed please.”
A shimmer of light encircled them, starting from the floor and up past their heads. The bright glow covered the four, increased in intensity for a while, and suddenly disappeared. They were gone.
Simultaneously, in a secluded defile in a part of the hills around Dori, a bright glow appeared and flashed for a second, leaving four figures in its wake.
“We’re here, lady and gents,” said Dionysus.
Tyler looked around. They were in a small space at the bottom of two hills nestled close to each other. Trees were around them. Not the tight and sometimes impassable foliage of a true forest. The tree cover in the hills looked as if it would be possible to pick their way through without any great difficulty.
“What do they call these hills, Dio? I seem to remember no marking or label on the map,” asked Tyler.
“I don’t know why they never got to formally naming these hills. But people refer to them as the Dorian Hills. Shows you the kind of thinking their rulers have. Dorian Plains, Dori, Dorian Hills. As if they’ve run out of names. I wouldn’t be surprised if they change everything in the future to something related to Ares. Ares City, Ares Plains, Ares Hills, Street of Ares, Toilet of Ares. Well, that is if they win.”
“Don’t you think naming the god will let him know we’re here?” asked a slightly anxious Tyler.
“Hah! They already know you’re here. As for me, time to go. They’re in that direction. Around thirty minutes’ walk. Watch out for predators, there’s some in these hills. Now, I really have to leave before they activate that stop-Havard the mage-from leaving spell.
And in an instant, he was gone.
No bright glow? thought Tyler. The spell must work differently when mortals are included in the transfer.
“Well, here we are. Keep your wits with you. No heroics, as I always say. Play it safe. We do not intend to die here,” said Tyler.
“Order of movement, Sire?” asked Habrok.
“You take the lead, scout for us. Astrid, rearguard. Keep the noise down. Avoid engagements with the local predators if you can. Let’s move.”
The party moved as noiselessly as they could through the bramble and bushes between the trees. Most of the time, Tyler couldn’t see Habrok. The man was like a shadow. Sometimes he could spy him in front and at times on their flanks. From what he could determine, Astrid was also a silent forest walker. And despite how careful he was, Tyler knew he was still noisy. Thankfully, Astrid was unlike Habrok and refrained from sarcastic comments on his dismal forest skills.
Twenty minutes after starting, he stopped. Astrid went to him.
“Astrid, get Habrok. We’re doing this all wrong.”
Astrid left, as quiet as any forest creature. While she was gone, he hurriedly took one of the return stones, held it in his hands, and called on the two AIs.
“Yes, Elder? ” asked X.
“Hurry, analyze the stone in my hand. It’s a return artifact. It’s supposed to bring one back to the inn.”
X didn’t respond. Tyler assumed she brought in Hal and both have started on their task of analyzing the stone.
“Task terminated, Elder,” said Hal. “Please wait for the results.”
Tyler put back the stone in the small pouch and returned it to his pocket, taking care to tie its long string to his belt again.
“Result available, Elder,” announced X. “It is an enchanting spell and used on artifacts. An easily broken or crushed object is enchanted or filled with energy in the location where the return point is desired. Once activated, the energy operates as a catalyst for the transfer and as with the stone you used in the cave, it uses ambient energy to bring the person back to the chosen point.”
“You can’t use it to return without infusing energy at the return point first?”
“Yes, Elder. The point of return is determined first before use of the spell.”
“That’s a bummer. I was expecting to use it to return us if we lose the stones.”
“Then don’t lose them, Elder. However, the spell is a basic one. The possibility exists that one can derive from it more complicated travel spells.”
“Good. Please try to pursue that line of study, guys.”
“We will do as instructed, Elder,” said X.
Though disappointed, Tyler was mollified that at least he got something out of it. After a few minutes, Habrok and Astrid appeared.
“Any indication how far are we from them, Habrok?”
“None yet, Sire. I am beginning to think Master Dio’s thirty minutes is based on traveling through the plains or flying like a bird. The forest foliage had been delaying us. My best guess is that we are, as of now, the better part of an hour away from them. And if what he said about being expected is true, they must be getting impatient.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Why are we going to them? By now, they would have been positioned in favorable terrain. Let’s assume they are in that direction,” said Tyler as he pointed to where Dionysus indicated where the lochos was.
“What if we proceed in an oblique direction instead. We find a good defensive position and let them come to us. Force them to leave their ideal positions. It's their trap. They probably would be anxious to spring it. And if we proceed directly to their location, they'll know about us long before we arrive. We’ll wait for you here. I don’t think it would take you long to find such a site ahead,” he continued.
“Of course, Sire.”
“One more thing, try to find one with some flat terrain below. Mind the flanks. We can prepare the ground once we find our site.”
“Exploding squares again, Sire?” asked Habrok with a meaningful smile.
“Of course. Nothing like explosions to greet our new friends,” replied Tyler. “Once we are in position, try to look for them if we have time. Keep your distance. Then come back and advise me on their progress.”
“Will do, Sire,” said Habrok, who then moved in the discussed direction.
“Sire,” piped up Astrid. “What are exploding squares, if I may ask?”
“Magical constructs on the ground which I can detonate when needed. Makes for a deadly welcome party,” replied Tyler.
“Oh. First time I’ve heard of it,” said the Valkyrie.
“There are a lot of things and ideas you'll hear for the first time, Astrid. You’ll learn that as you spend more time with us. Just don’t be surprised if you see me do something unusual,” commented Tyler. “If I may ask, what made you choose to be a Valkyrie?”
“From birth, I was trained in the use of weapons, Sire,” said Astrid. “Thinking about it now, it does seem strange. My parents were adamant about it. But only me. Not my sister. We were relatively well off growing up so I had the best teachers my parents could afford. Then pestilence hit the crops, the cattle started dying out, jotnar raids, and other misfortunes befell us. It was a long season of bad luck. My parents got sick and died, leaving a young me to run the estate. I found we were badly in debt. So, I sold everything, paid the debts, and bought a small house instead. With my skills, I started joining jotnar hunting bands to earn money. My sister also started working as it would be a long time before I could return home from my trips. And a hunter’s life is not that stable. Sometimes, I go home with money good for two seasons. But there are times when the coin can barely cover our costs for a week. We did finally set aside money to buy a field to use as a farm lot. It does augment our income but not enough for Leda to stop working at the tavern. And now she has a young boy to take care of.”
“No wonder you were that angry with Habrok.”
Astrid sighed.
“Yes, Sire. After everything we have gone through, and just when it looked like we had our lives sorted out, Habrok happened.”
“You can’t blame Habrok for everything, you know. It appeared your sister did fall
in love with him.”
“I know, Sire. I was just so angry. But now, I came to realize what is decreed will happen.”
“No, Astrid. What you do is what will happen. You make your future. The gods usually are too busy to bother themselves with the affairs of ordinary mortals. And the Valkyrie part? You haven’t answered that.”
“It’s the trade, Sire. I started on the path of the blade. And as long as I am on it, then I should try to be the best at it. Or among the best. Though I have to admit hunting jotnar and dokkalfr is a lot different than fighting the wars of men and gods.”
“It is. But only because of the numbers involved. When the fighting gets personal, there’s no difference. It boils down to who gets to kill whom first.”
Habrok appeared out of the bushes.
“Sire, I found a location. But I guess we have to hurry. There is a dirt track not far from the site, and I saw some horsemen about. Probably on patrol. If they’ve got horsemen, then they’ve got either slingers or bowmen too.”
“Any signs of Ares’ retinue?”
“There’s a fellow with very nice and shiny armor with them. I don’t know if it’s one of the four or an officer with a penchant for showing off.”
Tyler let his affinity with the energy around them flow through the area. As far as he could. No concentration of magical power registered in his senses.
“I can’t sense any magical being. Must be a pompous officer. Let’s move. Same order of movement.”
The three reached the selected site without incident. By the time they got there, the mounted enemy patrol was nowhere in sight. To Tyler, it was indeed an excellent defensive site. It overlooked the flat area below, with a few bushes on the approach slope. The gradient facing the enemy was steep, cratered with natural shallow depressions in the ground. It was a physical protrusion of the hilly terrain, flanked by trees and other forest foliage.
He assigned Astrid to the right flank and Habrok to the left. Eight feet distance from him on either side. Again, he repeated his injunctions against engaging the demigods and minor gods, the need to avoid killing them, and the fact that they are supposed to guard against flanking enemies. But he told Habrok to use his bow as he saw fit.
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