Champion of the Gods Box Set

by Andrew Q. Gordon

  “More riddles from your mysterious ancestor. Why does he make it so difficult to find anything he wants us to know?”

  Farrell’s head snapped up. “Because he wants it to be hard—nay, impossible—to find.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Feeling confident he knew what to do, he smiled at her. “It means I need to use the Eye to find what’s hidden.”

  “Isn’t that what you did?”

  “Yes, but not enough.”

  “That makes no sense.” The sour, disapproving expression returned. “You don’t even know how to fully use the Eye, and you know you didn’t use it correctly?”

  “You lack the tricky nature of a scion of the House of Kel. Think about it. Everything Kel has done has been a test. Finding the book is only half the challenge.”

  He didn’t wait for a response before he picked up the Eye again. “The first time I asked it to show me what he left for me. That’s not specific enough. This is what he left. The better question would have been, show me what he wanted me to see.”

  “Do you do this often?” she asked.

  “Do what often?”

  “Act on a hunch without any further research.”

  Farrell laughed. “According to every master I ever trained under and Master Healer Heather, yes, I do it all the time. And other than a few injuries that required I spend some extended time with Master Heather, I’m no worse for the wear.”

  The princess didn’t show even a hint of a smile. “Magic is not a game. Someday you will attempt something which no amount of healing can repair.”

  “Now you sound like Heminaltose, Sanduval, my mother, Master Heather, and a half dozen other master wizards I know or knew.” Farrell lowered the Eye. “I will tell you what I told them. Wizardry is not a static, finite subject. We don’t know everything there is to know, not even close. For every bit of magic we use, someone had to have taken a chance at some point in time to discover it. Only through experimentation, trial and error, and attempting what no one else has done can we advance the body of knowledge.”

  Penelope sucked in her bottom lip and held it for a few seconds. When she released it, she tilted her head to the left.

  “That is more than I expected from you, and for that I apologize.”

  “Apologize for what?”

  “For thinking of you like a powerful but untrained novice. Your response proves the depth of your knowledge. And you are right. By all accounts, Kel was considered a radical in his time because he challenged everything, including the relationship between wizards and rulers. It is not surprising he is widely considered the greatest wizard to have lived. If he were still alive, I suspect he would see much of himself in you.”

  The tension drained away. “We can ask him when I find him.”

  “He’s dead, Farrell. No one could live that long.”

  “No, he’s alive. The cagey old wizard keeps leaving me clues that he’s not dead but won’t give me enough to find him.” He showed her the Eye. “But I think I have a way to find him now.”

  “First you should find out what he left for you in this book.”

  “Agreed.” Without thinking, he used his right hand, the one with the Eye, to reach for the book. When Honorus’s Gift touched the cover, the entire book glowed pale blue. Farrell withdrew the Eye and stepped back.

  The blue light pulsed brighter and coalesced to a point in the center of the leather cover. Another pulse and a small image of Kel formed out of the pale blue energy.

  “Greetings to you, my descendant and heir. As the new Champion of the Six, I wish you well in whatever tasks they’ve set for you. Since only contact with the Eye of Honorus could activate this message, I congratulate you on passing that test.

  “The book explains what I know about the Eye and the Arm, so look to those if you have questions. As I’ve explained, I never used the Arm, so I do not know what Khron requires for its use. I’ve been told to instruct you to ask the assistance of the High Priest of Khron in Trellham to learn that secret. But, as I will explain, learn to use it you must.

  “One of the reasons I left Yar-del was so I could scour the world in search of weapons and knowledge you could use to fight Neldin’s evil. After many centuries of doing that, the Six decided I should collect the Gifts of the Gods. I was never told why, or what I should do with them, but I was told you would need them.

  “In your possession are two. Another awaits you at Seritia’s city of Agloth. As the new Champion, the task of finding the rest I hand off to you.

  “Once you leave Dumbarten, make your way to Agloth. Though I do not command you, still, the next stage of your journey is to Seritia’s city in the desert. Fare thee well, descendant of mine. I wish you all the blessings of the Six. Your devoted servant—Kel.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  GEDRIN MET them in a small but lavishly appointed dining room. A table that could easily seat eight had three places set for what looked like a formal dinner. Farrell groaned at the two novices standing next to a low table ready to serve them. He’d suggested they not accept, but Penelope insisted decorum required they attend.

  Gedrin stood to greet his guests and quickly indicated they should sit. “Much like you, Chosen, I’m quite famished. Please, take a seat and we can get started.”

  Penelope wore a neutral expression that told him to never play cards with her. At least Father Gedrin didn’t take offense at his breach of etiquette. He quietly took the seat to the right of the high priest. Penelope sat across from him but refused to make eye contact.

  “Had I known you’d be working so late, I’d have sent my invitation before the dinner hour.”

  “I really don’t notice my stomach when I’m working. Before I met Miceral, I routinely forgot to eat when I worked on important projects. At one point my two mentors used to join me at mealtime just to ensure I stopped and ate.”

  The priest looked down at his small paunch. “Unfortunately, that isn’t a trait I share with you.” He laughed, allowing his guests to do likewise. Their guides, Meekam and Arnold, joined their fellow students and began to serve dinner. “I asked the cooks to keep some food warm for us, but I fear we may have waited a bit too long.”

  Farrell found his words of apology unnecessary, as everything they ate was excellent: a fish soup in a light cream sauce, pheasant, fresh warm bread with plenty of butter, a fried potato cake he had never experienced before, and grilled vegetables.

  After he accepted a second heaping plate, he said, “If this is second-rate fare, then I can see why you don’t forget to eat.”

  “Where does he put it all?” Gedrin asked, looking at Penelope.

  “You know that wizardry is every bit as physically demanding as sword practice. Farrell has more tiny permanent spells he powers than any wizard I’ve ever met. His body needs as much as he can put into it not to burn out.”

  Enjoying his meal, Farrell ignored the conversation until he realized it had stopped. With a fork of potatoes and broccoli almost to his mouth, he saw his dinner companions watching him. He slowly lowered the fork and picked up his napkin.

  “Sorry. Sometimes when I’m enjoying my meal, I forget other people don’t eat like I do.”

  Father Gedrin waved his hand. “Please, don’t stop. It was rude of me to stare like that.” Gedrin motioned for the server with the pheasant. “Refill his plate, Hefrim.”

  Before Farrell could protest, the novice slid several slices of meat covered in gravy onto his plate. Despite how much he’d already eaten, he salivated. Mindful of his audience, he ate what he had on his fork and cut into the pheasant. Rather than keep his host waiting, he quickly cleared his plate and waved off any more.

  After his staff cleared the empty dishes, Gedrin motioned toward the table being restocked with desserts, spirits, and a pot of coffee. “Queen Nerti informed me and my staff you enjoy coffee, so I had it included on the menu.”

  “Bribing me with sweets and coffee will often get you what you want.”
Farrell selected several pastries with chocolate and accepted a cup of coffee from Meekam.

  Gedrin took a sip of sweet wine Arnold had poured for him and leaned forward. “Rather than pretend I asked you here just to keep me company, which, I might add, is a rare treat for me, I’ll get right to the point. Did you find anything useful?”

  “Indeed we did. Kel evidently snuck a book into your library with a hidden message.”

  Gedrin dismissed the novices from the room, then sat back. “Any indication how Kel obtained either the Eye or the Arm?”

  “None. But I sense you don’t approve of something.”

  “The Eye was Honorus’s Gift to His people. One person ought not be allowed to possess it.”

  Farrell expected this topic but hadn’t figured out his response. If Kel’s message was correct, the Eye was meant for one person to possess. “It will be used for the benefit of all Honorus’s people.”

  “By you.”

  Farrell pushed his chair back, prepared to leave, but Penelope raised a hand.

  “Holy Father, Farrell isn’t just any one person. He is the Chosen of Honorus and the Champion of the Six. Would you deny Their champion the use of such a powerful weapon in his fight on Their behalf?”

  For an instant, Gedrin glared at the princess, but she met it with a stony expression Farrell envied. “That is a decision for the temple elders to determine.”

  “No, Holy Father, it is not.” Farrell folded his arms on his chest. “Until such time as Honorus Himself tells me to turn over the Eye to the temple, it shall remain with me to be used in my efforts to do His will.”

  “As the head of Honorus’s temple, I speak for Him.”

  “No, Holy Father. My task came from Honorus himself, not through the filter of a messenger.” He might have gone too far, but the debate had no merit. The Eye stayed with him.

  “How dare you talk to me like that?”

  “And how dare you treat me without the deference and respect I’m owed as Honorus’s Chosen!” He put his hands on the table and leaned forward. “I am His Chosen, His Champion, the one who must act for the Six in this war. Your job as head of His temple is to help me do His will. It is not to create meaningless bickering that does nothing but help Neldin.”

  To Neblor with lessons from Penelope. His glare had the edge it needed.

  Gedrin’s anger caused his eyes to twitch.

  “Farrell, calm down.” Penelope’s words caused him to take a deep breath and rein in his anger. He exhaled and sat down.

  “Father Gedrin, I owe you my life for the help you and the temple gave me, but I will not yield. I need every weapon I can get to fight Meglar—the same Meglar who killed my mother, Sanduval, and Heminaltose. If I seem arrogant or heavy-handed, I suppose I am, but I can’t—won’t—go into battle with one hand tied behind my back. Answering to you, the council, or anyone else would do just that. I’m sorry if you disagree, but unless Honorus tells me otherwise, I plan to keep the Eye—and the Arm—and use them to fight Meglar.”

  Rather than answer right away, Gedrin reached for his wine and drained the crystal goblet. Still without speaking, he rose and went to the sideboard to retrieve the decanter of dessert wine. After pouring himself another cup, he turned back to his guests.

  “You are unique in all the world, young Champion. Perhaps I did not treat you fairly, but as head of His temple, I have the good of all to take into account. Though I still believe the Gifts were given by the gods for the benefit of all, I recognize these are not normal times. You make a sound argument. Anything that prevents you from fighting Neldin’s evil must be avoided. I think it prudent to table this discussion until after you have defeated Meglar.”

  Farrell nodded. “Thank you.” He decided not to add if he survived the war and if he decided not to keep the Eye, he would only give it to Rothdin. Let Father Gedrin or any other priest tell his adopted father he didn’t have a claim on the Gift.

  PENELOPE TOOK him back to the palace. Doors were forbidden inside the royal house of Hevnor, but that prohibition didn’t apply to the princess. Not familiar enough with his room, she took him to her rarely used suite. Farrell contacted Miceral and found him with Markus in the royal library. The king sent guards to fetch him, so Penelope waited with Farrell until they arrived.

  “Tomorrow you three should come stay with Marisa and me. Not only will it be better for the young heir to Belsport, but I can also grant you access to the ground so you can come and go as you need.”

  Farrell didn’t think she liked him that much. “I’m honored, but I’ll need to speak to Miceral first.”

  Her laugh took him by surprise. “Oh, I suspect when you ask, you’ll find he’s planning to ask you, too. Marisa suggested we invite you to our home and had plans to work on your partner in your absence.”

  The guards appeared before he could answer.

  “Until tomorrow, Chosen.” She gave him a wink and a bit of a smile.

  “Good night, Princess.” Not only did Penelope have an amazing ability to be hard to read, she found new ways to throw him off balance. He heard the guard speak but hadn’t listened. When they started to move, he instinctively followed. Without meaning to, he wore a silly grin as they made their way to the library.

  Miceral met him at the door with a hug and kiss before Farrell bowed to his cousin.

  “Thank you for sending me an escort.” He took Miceral’s hand, and they moved toward a group of chairs.

  “Miceral tells me you dined with Father Gedrin.” Markus tried to affect a casual, almost indifferent air, but Farrell saw behind the façade. “Did he corner you with his ‘I waited to eat to make sure you did not go without’ story?”

  Farrell chucked at how closely Markus’s words mirrored Gedrin’s. “Aye, that he did.”

  Markus’s face changed as if a lever had been pulled. Gone was the casual, jovial persona he’d shown for much of their interaction. “What did he want?”

  Farrell hid his surprise. “Father Gedrin was of the opinion that the Eye of Honorus belongs with and to the temple, not an individual.”

  “Let me guess. The good father felt his particular temple would be the best place to safeguard and properly use Honorus’s holy artifact.”

  “We never got that far.” Farrell shrugged and sat next to Miceral on a small couch.

  “You didn’t find his logic persuasive?” Markus asked.

  Farrell laughed at the not-so-subtle hidden question. “Perhaps it would be better said that I pointed out why I had more need for the Eye right now than the temple. He decided we could revisit this discussion once this war is over.”

  “And you agreed to that?” Miceral didn’t sound convinced.

  “Not exactly. I agreed we didn’t need to discuss it anymore right now. But if he decides to raise this issue again, I’ll see what my adoptive father has to say about it first.”

  “Yes, I can see where the good father’s claim on the Eye would be seriously derailed should Rothdin want to claim it first,” Markus said.

  Farrell went over what he and Penelope had learned, keeping it short but not leaving out anything important. Several times during his explanation, he yawned. Each time Miceral’s body tensed, as if he expected Farrell to fall over or faint.

  As soon as he finished, Miceral stood up. “You’re tired. We should get you to bed.”

  “Not yet.” He stifled another yawn. “We need to go to Trellham first.”

  “That can wait. You’re supposed to be taking it easy. It can wait until morning.”

  “Actually, it can’t.” Farrell scanned the room for a place he could open a Door. “Tomorrow morning will be night in Trellham. Better to do it now and let me sleep in tomorrow.”

  “Farrell . . .” Miceral’s eyes had the same concerned look he’d seen too often.

  But it needed to be done. “I’m fine—really. Sitting in the library, I used almost no magic, and Father Gedrin stuffed me full before raising the issue of the Eye, so I’ve hardly exe
rted myself at all today.”

  “If Gedrin invited him for dinner, I can vouch for the excellent and plentiful food.” Markus laughed. “The good father makes sure his priests are well fed.”

  Farrell looked at his partner, almost pleading for him to say yes and let them get on with things. He’d decided to go to bed if Miceral pressed him, but he wanted to deal with this now.

  “How long will this take?” Miceral asked

  “I can’t say for sure. It’s really up to Father Aswick and Khron.”

  “Fine, but if it takes too long, you’re going to bed and we’ll try another time.”

  Rather than argue and delay their departure, Farrell nodded. “That’s acceptable. Hopefully this will be quick and we won’t have to discuss the definition of ‘too long.’”

  “Would it be rude of me to invite myself along?” Markus inquired.

  Farrell looked to Miceral for guidance but found no help. “Haven probably isn’t prepared for a royal visit.”

  “Nonsense.” Markus waved his hand and stood up. “I’m your cousin coming to see your home.”

  “Help me out here?” Farrell sent Miceral. “If we have to make plans for him to visit, we might be talking about what’s ‘too long’ before we even go.”

  “Give me a moment.”

  “Markus,” Farrell said out loud. “We’re going to the Khron’s temple in Trellham, not Haven. I have no way of contacting Father Aswick to ask if he’s receiving guests.”

  “Father said he’s happy to entertain Markus.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Be quicker than arguing with him.”

  Farrell hadn’t heard the start of Markus’s explanation on why his visit should be allowed, but he wanted to leave now. “Enough.” He laughed and held up his hands. “I surrender. You may come along.”

  “Really? You caved in after just that little bit?”

  “I’ve got a short curfew.” Farrell nodded toward Miceral. “We can bring you to Haven. Horgon, my first minister and Miceral’s father, has agreed to entertain you while we pay our visit to the temple.”