“How many other students did Heminaltose have when you were there?”
“When I arrived, Haven was still what it was created to be—a place to train wizards. Heminaltose never had more than four or five students at a time, and he tried to stagger their ages so he could rely on the older ones to train the younger ones.”
He smiled as he remembered his master’s school. It hadn’t been a carefree or even fun childhood, but remembering his master at the dinner table telling of his adventures or watching him perform some complex magic like it was the simplest spell, were the memories he clung to most.
Miceral refilled their cups. “What happened to them?”
“One by one they moved on to other pursuits. The eldest I barely remember. He left when I was five. He went to Yar-del and died defending Heminaltose and my mother. Two others never achieved master status, and they left to find work with some noble family or merchant. The two closest in age to me were Samruel and Quonus. I think Heminaltose accepted Samruel when I was three or four. Quonus came when I was nine. He was three years older than me and a bully by nature. He didn’t like being told what to do and figured that since I was the youngest, whatever he didn’t want to do, he’d pass on to me.”
“Heminaltose allowed that?”
“Of course not. The first time he noticed I was doing something Quonus had been assigned was the last time Quonus passed off his chores to me. Heminaltose made it clear if he did it again, he’d be sent home, and I was under orders to report it.”
Miceral snorted. “Sounds like your master didn’t think he could trust Quonus.”
“In hindsight he trusted him too much, but I suspect he assumed we were boys, and what child loves chores?” He hadn’t remembered these events in years. “The first time Quonus tried, I told him no and if he asked again, I’d tell our master. He never tried again, but that’s about the time he started to try to bully me. Samruel protected me for a few years, but after he left, Quonus seemed Neblor-bent on making up for lost time.
“I was thirteen when Samruel left and already strong enough to stand up to Quonus, despite him being three years older than me. But I lacked his cruel streak, so I learned to fly to avoid him. It infuriated him beyond words that he couldn’t find me when I flew off into the mountains. He’d send seeking spells, saying our master wanted me back. I never believed him, but the last time it happened, Heminaltose really did want me back.”
Miceral shifted so he faced Farrell. “What happened?”
“Heminaltose came looking for me. He was not happy with Quonus or me when he found out the reason I’d ignored all his summons.”
“Why was he mad at you?”
“Quonus showed the potential to become a fairly powerful wizard—midlevel master class, at least. Meglar’s threat distracted Heminaltose so much that he never noticed Quonus’s mean streak. By failing to tell my master what I knew about Quonus, I allowed Heminaltose to train someone likely to become an easy recruit for Meglar.
“After that day, Heminaltose kept a closer eye on Quonus. Eventually, Quonus got tired of the constant surveillance and tried to take it out on me.”
“How did that go?”
“Badly for Quonus.” Farrell took a long drink. “The instant Quonus attacked me, Heminaltose sensed the assault and came to find us. Quonus must have hoped he’d kill me quickly and then make good his escape. He was such a fool. He’d mistaken my lack of interest in fighting him as weakness on my part. Had he taken the time, he’d have known that even at fourteen, I was already more powerful than he’d ever become.”
Farrell closed his eyes. Thinking about the day sent a chill through his body. It had been the first time he’d ever hated someone enough to try to kill them. “He must have thought himself clever, but his constant sniping taught me to wear my shields at all times. Even taken unaware, I easily withstood his assault. When I turned to counter, for the first time since he’d started to torment me, I saw fear in his eyes.”
He hated that he’d reveled in that moment. All the times he’d done as Samruel said and not retaliated, he’d felt weak. Seeing Quonus scared of him, however, made Farrell feel powerful. He’d never told anyone how much he’d enjoyed scaring Quonus that day.
“Did you kill him?” Farrell heard the fear in Miceral’s question
He looked over and quickly turned away, unable to face his life partner. Miceral was a true warrior, one who fought only when needed and didn’t take pleasure in killing. Farrell couldn’t say the same. He had wanted to kill Quonus.
“No. Not that I didn’t try.” He shook his head, still ashamed of what had happened. “I wanted to, tried even, but Heminaltose arrived just as I prepared to deliver a killing strike. He . . . he stopped me . . . barely.”
Heminaltose had told him later that even he had felt a twinge of fear when he saw Farrell about to attack his fellow student.
“You never had the opportunity to meet my master, but Heminaltose was without peer. Our shields might have been tissue paper to him that day. He shouted his anger at us and in a heartbeat, he locked us both in a stasis spell so powerful I could barely breathe.” Farrell swallowed loudly.
“I’ll bet Heminaltose wasn’t happy.”
Farrell snorted softly. “That’s an understatement. To that point in my life, I’d never seen him that angry.”
“What happened to Quonus?”
“Heminaltose expelled him with bindings on his powers.” Farrell sighed. “None of that really answered your question. Once I learned to fly, I discovered I enjoyed the peace of sitting where no one could intrude on me. This proved especially true when I went to Yar-del or other big cities. Over time it has become a habit.”
Miceral didn’t say anything, and Farrell worried he’d said too much. “Sorry you asked?” He made it sound like a joke, but he heard the fear in his voice.
Rather than answer, Miceral reached over. Farrell jumped at first from the contact but let Miceral lace their fingers together.
“No, I’m not sorry I asked.” He bent forward and kissed Farrell’s fingers. “As ridiculous as this sounds, I’m sorry I couldn’t have been there to stop Quonus from making your life so miserable.”
Farrell chuckled. “You being there is about the only thing that could have made it worse. If I’m skinny now, you should have seen me then. I did too much magic too soon, and it showed. One of the tailors used to say if I didn’t gain some weight soon, I’d blow away with the next good breeze.”
Miceral smiled, but before he answered, he pointed behind Farrell. Turning, Farrell saw a priestess of Seritia coming their way, escorted by Marisa.
“Farrell, Miceral, this is Mother Mergrania, High Priestess of Seritia for Dumbarten,” Marisa said. “She has asked to speak to you both.”
Marissa left. The middle-aged priestess watched their host walk away before she faced them. Her graying brown hair moved slightly in the gentle breeze.
“Greetings, Chosen.” She bowed toward Farrell. “The high priestess in Agloth has denied your request to use a temple Door. All pilgrimages, even from Seritia’s Chosen, must be made over land.”
“Pilgrimage?” Farrell looked to Miceral and saw the same confusion on his partner’s face. “We . . . I’m not coming to ask for her blessing, Mother. Grand Master Kel left something for me in the city.”
The priestess smiled. “I can see our Holy Mother has blessed you and Khron’s Chosen, but if you come to Agloth seeking anything, you are a pilgrim.”
Farrell resisted the urge to throw up his hands. “Mother, I’m not going Agloth for my own purposes. As the champion of the Six, I’m going to Agloth to fulfill Their will. Can you ask the high priestess to reconsider? Anything that makes my task harder can’t be the will of the Six.”
Mother Mergrania gave him a sympathetic shrug. “The denial came from Seritia Herself. Mother Joella was inclined to agree to your request, but the Holy Mother made Her will known.”
It felt like Master Thomas just knocked him on h
is arse. The Six were trying to make it more difficult?
“There is more.” The priestess sounded almost embarrassed as she continued. “In order to gain admittance to the city, you must bring with you a devotee of each of Seritia’s five siblings.”
“What?” Kel told him he had to go, but that was before he knew Seritia would make it so difficult. “Did She say why?”
“No.” She shook her head. “At least not to me.”
“This makes no sense.” He threw up his hands. “Why not tell me to bring Her Meglar’s head as well?”
“It’s not that bad.” Miceral pulled Farrell’s hands into his. “Whatever Seritia’s reasons, She wouldn’t impose these conditions if She didn’t think they were important.”
“Your life partner speaks the truth, Chosen,” the priestess said. “Though we might not see the wisdom in Her words, that doesn’t mean they are frivolous.”
Farrell nodded several times and pulled his hands free. “I understand. Thank you for coming by to give me the message personally.”
“Of course, Chosen.” She bowed her head politely. “The blessings of Seritia be with you both.”
As he watched her leave, his frustration built. He didn’t have the time to waste riding across half of Loudria to reach Agloth. Of course, before he could do that, he needed to assemble the right people. Something told him that Seritia had some very specific ideas on who She wanted him to bring with him to Agloth. The trick would be finding them.
“What now?” Miceral asked, breaking the downward spiral his thoughts created.
“Now? We figure out how to get to Agloth.”
Somehow.
Kings Of Lore & Legend
Acknowledgments
Kings of Lore and Legend, and the entire Champion of the Gods series, owes a big thank you to more than a few people. Anne Regan, for her calming influence. Sam, “AngstyG,” for the amazing covers. Claire Brown, for all her work behind the scenes. Lorraine Fico-White, for not being the editor I wanted, but being the editor I needed.
“To my husband, Michael, my personal happy ever after You encouraged me to write, and allowed me to chase this dream.”
What Came Before
It took the Seven to make the world. Each agreed to only hold sway over Their own domain. Until One wanted to rule it all.
The Great War of ancient times began when Neldin sought to rule the world. Using others as pawns, He sought to overthrow His Brother, Honorus, as Lord of the Gods and to subject the other gods to His will. When that failed, Neldin sought to turn the world into an extension of Neblor by flooding the world with His dark creatures. He almost succeeded, but Kel, the Champion of the Six, thwarted Him. Grand Master Kel destroyed Neldin’s bridge into the world, closed the Eight Gates of Neblor, and ended the war.
After His defeat, Neldin returned to Neblor. Followers of the Six destroyed His temples, and His followers abandoned Him or hid their devotion. Three thousand years passed, and the world forgot His evil and believed He’d been defeated for good.
Time, however, has no meaning to a god. While the world believed Him gone forever, Neldin spent the years plotting His next move. His followers worked in secret to set in motion His plans and to be ready to act when called upon.
Following the war, Kel founded Yar-del on the largely unsettled continent of Ardus. A few years later, rivals from Kel’s home of Kentar founded the kingdom of Zargon to the south of Yar-del. In time, other kingdoms sprang up to occupy the rest of the unclaimed land of Ardus.
Zargon and Yar-del developed a rivalry that often led to war. To aid his kingdom and his descendants, Kel created a Source, a near limitless storage vessel for magical energy. Kel and his heirs used the power advantage of their Source to defeat Zargon’s ambitions time and again.
In an attempt to end three millennia of hostilities, King Falon of Zargon proposed that his son Prince Meglar would marry Princess Zenora of Yar-del. King Bren of Yar-del allowed Meglar to court his daughter, and in time the two joined. Soon thereafter, they had a son, Halloran.
Unknown to Zenora or King Bren, Meglar secretly worshipped Neldin. Meglar’s true intention in marrying Zenora had been to obtain Kel’s Source. He planned to use it to not only conquer Yar-del, but Ardus and the rest of Nendor as well.
Just before Halloran’s second birthday, Meglar attempted to wrest the Source for himself. With the aid of Grand Master Heminaltose, Bren and Zenora succeeded in driving Meglar from Yar-del, but not before he’d managed to steal almost all the energy in the Source. During the fight, Meglar’s face was scarred, and he swore revenge on his former wife and her ally.
With his newfound power, Meglar returned to Zargon, killed his father, and assumed the throne. Worship to Neldin returned openly for the first time in three thousand years, and Meglar began to implement his master’s plans. Neldin gave Meglar an evil spell to warp human subjects into mindless creatures that could be easily controlled. By accelerating the aging process, the victims gained increased strength and stamina. These soldiers were called Chamdon and formed the core of Meglar’s army.
Heminaltose and Bren determined that Halloran could not be allowed to join his father and sent the toddler to Haven, Heminaltose’s hidden school for wizards. Word spread that Bren, fearful of what Halloran might become if Meglar captured his son, had ordered the child killed.
Once at Haven, Halloran’s name was changed to Farrell, and he was not told of his true birthright until after his thirteenth birthday. Heminaltose undertook the job of training Farrell while keeping an eye out for signs he might follow in his father’s footsteps. In the years after the theft of Yar-del’s Source, Heminaltose led a small army of wizards and clerics in converting Haven from a small school into a vast hidden sanctuary for refugees against the day Meglar launched his attack.
A few months after Halloran’s seventeenth birthday, Meglar began his war to conquer the world. Despite the efforts of Zenora, Heminaltose, and all of Yar-del’s allies, Meglar laid siege to Yar-del City. Zenora, now queen following the untimely death of her father, along with Heminaltose, put up a vigorous defense. During the fight, Farrell tried to slip away and kill Meglar but failed in his attempt.
When it was clear they could not defeat Meglar, Heminaltose and Zenora gathered all their energy and as much of their Source’s power as they could contain and launched a final spell. The enchantment blinded Meglar and decimated his army. When Meglar could see again, Zenora, Heminaltose, the remains of the Yar-del Source, and everyone left in Yar-del City had disappeared. By removing all the survivors to a hidden location, Zenora denied Meglar a source of human hosts to create a new army of Chamdon.
Not privy to what his mother and former master had planned, Farrell found himself sent to Haven with the rest of the survivors. Grand Master Sanduval spread the word that Farrell was a distant relative of the house of Hevnor, Kel’s brother, and would henceforth be the prince of Haven. Masters Erstad, Wesfazial, and later Cylinda continued Farrell’s magical training.
After rebuilding his armies, Meglar resumed his attacks against the kingdoms of Ardus, First Endor, then Arvendia and Respital fell, leaving Farrell the last grand master other than Meglar. Despite the losses, Honorus refused to let Farrell engage his father, commanding he wait until Meglar came to Haven.
Sometime after the fall of Respital, while Farrell worked on the weapon he planned to use against Meglar, Honorus instructed Farrell to meet a messenger from Lenore and render what aid he could to His Sister’s servants. Honorus also told Farrell that on this mission, he would meet his mate.
Nerti, queen of the unicorns and Lenore’s messenger, brought Farrell to Northhelm, already besieged by Meglar’s army. During the battle, Farrell met Miceral, a Muchari fighter. The attraction between the two was immediate, but time was short as Farrell deflected a direct attack from Meglar and erected a shield to protect Northhelm long enough to evacuate its populace. In the process he saved Takala, an injured peregrine, leading Grohl, Takala’s brother, to
name Farrell their brother.
Safely at Haven, Farrell’s bond with Miceral grew stronger. Six months later, a delegation from Honal arrived at Haven, seeking aid in the coming war. During the meeting with Prince Kerstand of Honal and his cousin, Baron Glaus, Farrell inadvertently proposed to Miceral. Miceral accepted and their union ceremony was set for the Winter Festival.
Despite Farrell wanting a small private affair, Miceral’s father Horgon prevailed on him to accept that as Prince of Haven, his union ceremony needed to be public. At the ceremony, the avatars of Honorus and Lenore appeared and blessed the union.
The next day, Farrell surprised Miceral by taking him to Belsport for the traditional postunion trip. While they stayed at an inn under false names, two of Meglar’s wizards accosted them. The fight drew the attention of Belsport’s chief wizard, who recognized Farrell and arranged a meeting with Prince Wilhelm, the ruler of Belsport.
As part of negotiating an alliance, Farrell offered to create a protective shield around Belsport, using skills he’d developed working on Haven’s defenses. No sooner was the shield in place than Meglar, alerted by the death of his wizard spies, attacked. After fierce fighting, Farrell was able to repulse Meglar but was injured and rescued by his peregrine brothers. Farrell returned to Haven to recover, vowing that those lost opposing Meglar would not have died in vain.
His victory over Meglar at Belsport proved physically and emotionally costly to Farrell. Spending time with Miceral was part of his recovery, and Farrell used the opportunity to take his life partner to the ancient dwarf city of Trellham. Long believed lost, the dwarf realm had been a casualty of the first war between the gods. During his years as a trainee at Heminaltose’s school, Farrell had discovered the city and helped map it for his master.
Their visit was interrupted by the arrival of the god of war. Khron gave Farrell a new task—free the lost dwarves of Trellham. Khron offered no assistance in how to accomplish the task. He instructed Farrell to go to His temple for answers.
Champion of the Gods Box Set Page 68