Inside Khron’s temple they found Father Aswick, high priest of Khron. Father Aswick explained the fall of Trellham and detailed the great war that nearly allowed Neldin to overrun the world. He explained that Kel ended the war, using a spell devised by Seritia, the Goddess of Love, that no other wizard had been able to cast. The spell trapped dwarves in the void, and they were awaiting Farrell to free them. Given the infinite nature of the void, Farrell had no idea how to find the dwarves. Father Aswick gave Farrell a book written by Kel suggesting he might find his answers on those pages.
The book raised more questions than it answered, but after reading it, Farrell was convinced of two things: Kel held the key to freeing the dwarves, and Kel was still alive. With Yar-del captured, Farrell decided the best place to begin the search would be Dumbarten—Kel’s birthplace.
Unable to open a Door to Dumbarten, Farrell asked Prince Wilhelm of Belsport for help. Wilhelm proposed that he “hire” them as mercenaries to guard his son, Prince Peter, on his coming-of-age journey. Farrell and Miceral agreed, and Wilhelm made arrangements for the trio to sail from Glaston, one of the city-states on the northern coast of Ardus. On board the Seafoam Rose, the three departed for Dumbarten.
Several days into the journey, Farrell received a message from a dolphin—creatures dear to Arritisa, Goddess of the Sea. Arritisa directed Farrell to go with the dolphins and travel to the bottom of the ocean. To survive that long underwater, Farrell was told to look to his ancestor for answers. Searching Kel’s book, Farrell found spells that would allow him to follow the Goddess’s command. After completing a successful test of the spell, Farrell left with the dolphins the next day.
The dolphins took Farrell deep under the surface. They stopped before a floating guard box containing a manlike creature. Speaking mentally, the being told Farrell his name was Argus, Lord of the Western March of the Kingdom of Rastoria. He and his kind were Arlefors, and he had been sent to escort Farrell to the capital city to meet the king.
King Clayden, after greeting Farrell, turned him over to Teberus, the chief wizard of Rastoria. Teberus used their time to teach Farrell the different ways Arlefors use magic. Before Teberus could teach Farrell much, King Clayden interrupted them to tell Farrell that pirates were attacking the Seafoam Rose. Farrell declined any offers of help so that he could leave immediately. The king summoned dolphins to take Farrell back to the vessel and promised they would follow close behind.
Miceral and Peter remained on the Seafoam Rose after Farrell left. Not long after the dolphins had disappeared under the waves, the lookout spotted a pirate vessel bearing down on their position. Miceral, unable to reach Farrell, managed to contact Klissmor instead. Klissmor believed the ocean blocked their ability to reach Farrell, but using a dolphin, was able to get a message to him.
While Farrell hurried to get back, the Seafoam Rose took evasive actions in an effort to buy more time. Their efforts came up short, and the pirates boarded the merchant vessel. Despite Miceral’s superior skills, the pirates quickly subdued the ship. When they asked the crew to yield, Farrell appeared and ordered the pirates to surrender. Sensing no wizards, Farrell approached the leader and demanded he surrender or be killed.
The leader, a human, released a magical weapon at Farrell. Scoffing at the attack, Farrell was shocked when the spell penetrated his shield and knocked him unconscious. Miceral led a renewed push against the pirates in an effort to reach Farrell but was stopped when Teberus and other Arlefors arrived. Teberus, unable to determine friend from foe, froze everyone so he could get to Farrell’s side. Miceral, unable to stop the unknown creatures, let out a mental scream that alerted Klissmor to his plight.
With Klissmor’s help, Miceral convinced Teberus to free him. Using Miceral as a conduit, Teberus was able to advise to Klissmor and the other wizards at Haven of Farrell’s plight. Erstad, looking through Miceral’s eyes, opened a door to the Seafoam Rose and sent Cylinda to help. After examining Farrell, she directed the captain to take everyone to Dumbarten, where she hoped to find a book written by Kel that would explain what happened.
Once in Dumbarten, Cylinda enlisted the aid of Father Gedrin, High Priest of Honorus, and had Farrell taken to the main temple of Honorus. Miceral overheard a conversation between Cylinda and Father Gedrin and was shocked to learn that Cylinda was actually Zenora, Queen of Yar-del and Farrell’s mother. Cylinda explained that Honorus changed everything about her to keep Farrell from learning the truth, and Honorus would prevent Miceral from revealing the truth to Farrell.
After finding the book she hoped would be in Dumbarten, Cylinda recruited the unicorn queen Nerti and the peregrine king Rothdin to help revive Farrell. She explained that Farrell was trapped in his own mind and only Miceral could save him. Rothdin agreed to help get Miceral inside Farrell’s mind but made it clear only Miceral could convince Farrell to come back. Before Miceral and Rothdin began, Cylinda warned them that if they took too long, Farrell would burn through his energy and die.
Using Miceral’s amulet, Rothdin and Miceral forced their way into Farrell’s mind. They found Farrell locked in a battle with creatures Miceral had never seen before. Rothdin explained that Farrell was subconsciously creating these enemies because of Meglar’s spell. He further warned Miceral that while everything Farrell threw at them would be an illusion, if Miceral believed he was killed, his mind would shut down and he would in fact die.
As expected, Farrell lashed out at them, but Rothdin successfully dismissed the attacks. With each failed spell, Farrell grew more frustrated and desperate. Nerti intruded into Miceral’s thoughts and warned him that Farrell was dangerously low on energy and would die soon if they couldn’t convince him of the truth.
Miceral made a final push to convince Farrell they were not his enemies. When that attempt failed, a desperate Miceral pulled out a knife. After telling Farrell how much he loved him and to win the war, Miceral tried to stab himself in the heart to prove he was not Farrell’s enemy. Farrell rushed over and pulled the knife away, telling Miceral he believed him.
Before Miceral could take too much joy in the moment, Farrell’s eyes rolled back and he plunged toward the ground. Rothdin swooped under and saved Farrell and a moment later, Nerti advised them they had rescued him in time.
When Farrell recovered, he learned that the spell Meglar had used was something Kel had created. It used energy Meglar had captured from Farrell during the attack at Belsport, and Meglar attached to it the spell that rendered him unconscious. Given that Meglar likely had access to other books on magic written by Kel, Farrell became more certain he needed to find his distant ancestor.
Father Gedrin took Farrell to the meeting place of the Order of Kel, a secret organization whose purpose was to guard against Neldin’s return. There Farrell was introduced to Markus, the king of Dumbarten, and Grand Master Penelope, the king’s aunt and chief wizard of Dumbarten.
Inside the council chamber was another room that no one had ever successfully entered. Farrell was allowed to enter the room, where he was attacked by spells left to guard the room. Working quickly, Farrell neutralized the attacks and Kel’s image appeared. Kel explained that the room had been left for his successor, and Farrell must surely be that person. Kel then gave Farrell two items: the Eye of Honorus and the Arm of Khron. These were two of the seven Gifts of the Gods. The Six had directed Kel to collect them for his successor. He also gave Farrell another book with the hint he might find his answers on those pages. Kel wouldn’t provide any further guidance, and Farrell left.
Penelope and Farrell searched the libraries of Dumbarten and found another message from Kel. In it, Kel explained that Farrell must travel to the temple of Seritia in Agloth, for Kel had left another item for Farrell in the city. As Farrell was planning to leave, the High Priestess for Seritia in Dumbarten arrived and told him he could not use a Door to enter Agloth and must do as all other supplicants did when coming to Seritia’s city—travel overland.
His plans shattered, Farrell
knew he had to regroup and find a way to continue his search for Kel and the answers he desperately needed.
Chapter One
“Why don’t we send up flares that write my real name and lineage across the sky?” Farrell scanned the room for support. King Markus of Dumbarten, Princess Penelope, and her life partner the Lady Marisa avoided his gaze. He shook his head and turned around. “I don’t like this plan.”
“You haven’t liked any of the suggestions we’ve made.” Markus stared at his cousin, his annoyance barely contained. “Do you have a better idea?”
“Not yet.” He stood up and walked to the window. The king and Marisa didn’t understand how magic worked. They assumed he’d wave his hand and make their impossible plan work.
“That is because you make it look easy.” Nerti’s mental voice reminded him he’d kept their minds linked for these meetings. “Perhaps if you let someone else do the hard things, they’d see the effort needed.”
“Even if I did that, they’d still expect me to find a way.” Seritia’s request that he bring a devotee from each of the Six and arrive like any other pilgrim played havoc with his original plan to sneak in and out without Meglar noticing. How was he supposed to travel to Her city in the middle of Lourdria—a nearly three-week journey on a fast horse—without attracting attention?
“Rothdin and I have a suggestion, if you’d like to hear it.”
The fact she and his adoptive father colluded in secret meant they weren’t sure he’d like the idea. “It can’t be any worse than sending a legion of heavily armored horse soldiers and accompanying support personnel.”
“You have such confidence in us.” Despite her words, he could hear the amusement in her voice. “Perhaps I should keep my thoughts to myself.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply anything other than the utmost confidence in your counsel. Please tell me your idea.”
“That’s better. But promise to hear me out before you object.”
In the past, whenever someone asked him to promise that, he’d struggled to comply. “I’ll do my best.”
“Have Penelope make a pilgrimage to Agloth. You, Miceral, and Peter accompany her as guards. Klissmor and I will find two more unicorns to carry Peter and Penelope. Your Brothers will fly with us as guards. The princess is a formidable wizard whose presence would explain any high magic you perform.”
The idea had merit. A small contingent would not draw undue attention, at least not on the scale of a legion or two. And as Nerti suggested, the use of high magic would be easily attributed to Penelope. That said . . .
“Your presence and that of Grohl and Takala is going to be hard to miss.”
“Agreed, but since I’m going to accompany you wherever you go, we need to find a plausible reason for Klissmor and myself to accompany you.”
“I think four unicorns and two peregrines are going to raise a few eyebrows, no matter what you say.” Despite his protest, he hadn’t dismissed the idea out of hand.
“This is also true, but after Belsport, Meglar is aware we are active in the affairs of the world. Would not the king of Dumbarten want to make sure the gods still look on him favorably?”
“Yes, but it is still going to stand out.”
“Not if we send out several other groups at the same time.”
Farrell smiled at the image in his mind of Nerti being pleased with her cleverness. “Can you explain that?”
“Klissmor suggested that when we leave for Agloth, we send similar groups to strategic allies around the world. If Meglar is looking for us, he will have to divide his attention.”
Dividing his attention wouldn’t stop Meglar, but it might slow him enough. And with everyone riding a unicorn, the time to Agloth would be less than half the usual journey. “I like it.”
“Like what?” Markus asked.
Lost in his conversation, he hadn’t heard the king walk up. “Nerti and Rothdin have come up with a suggestion on how to get to Agloth.”
Markus raised an eyebrow. “And you like it?”
“He is a wise human.” Nerti must have projected her thoughts to everyone, as the king reacted to her comment. He twisted, scanning the room before his confused gaze settled on Farrell.
Farrell tapped a finger to his head. “She sees and hears everything I do.”
A flicker of a reaction played across Markus’s face before he reined it in and presented a more neutral expression. “I’m not sure I’ll agree my cousin is wise, but I’m interested to hear what he does like.”
Letting Nerti explain, Farrell watched the reactions of the others in the room. Markus and Marisa disapproved.
“Three guards, and one of the three is a boy?” Marisa stood and stepped behind her chair. She gripped the high back and stared at Farrell. “And you like this plan?”
Markus leaned forward. “I agree. My aunt is far too valuable to Dumbarten to risk sending her across the continent with two guards and a child.”
“First—” Farrell caught himself getting angry. He closed his eyes and breathed in deep. Calmer, he opened them and continued. “First, four unicorns, two peregrines, a Muchari, and two grand master wizards is hardly ‘two guards and a boy.’ Lose the ‘only humans count’ mentality and you might see why this is a good idea.”
“Thank you.” From the way she spoke, Farrell knew Nerti only sent the comment to him.
“Second, and perhaps more to the point, the goal is to get to Agloth as safely and as fast as possible. Anyone not riding a unicorn is going to slow us by at least half.”
“Fast isn’t better if you don’t make it alive.” Marisa shook her head. “If they send any force of note—”
“The peregrines in the air will spot them well in advance, giving us time to flee.” Penelope stood as she spoke and locked her eyes on Farrell. “I agree.”
“You agree with him?” Marisa’s face had turned so red, Farrell worried she might faint.
“No, dear, I agree with Nerti and Rothdin.” She raised an eyebrow. “Those two have lived a very long time. I suspect they know a thing or two about only taking appropriate risks.”
“The princess is correct.” Rothdin’s booming voice filled their minds. “Queen Nerti and I would not have suggested this plan if we felt it was unduly dangerous for her, her mate, and my three sons. Everything we do from here on will contain risk. It is just a matter of how much. This task must be undertaken as quickly as possible.”
“Between Farrell and myself, there isn’t much we can’t handle.” Penelope directed her words at the king. “And what we can’t fight our way through, we can outrun.”
“The party we suggest addresses Seritia’s requirements and is fast enough and powerful enough to make it there safely.” Rothdin sounded more confident than Farrell felt.
No one spoke, and Farrell let them mull over the merits of the proposal. Markus broke the silence by drumming his fingers on the table. Nodding at last, he rapped his knuckles on the stone top.
“Explain to me again why this group?” He waved a hand in front of his face dismissively. “I understand the unicorns and peregrines represent Lenore and Honorus respectively. Miceral is the chosen of Khron, and you have to go, but why Penelope and the boy?”
Markus pretending he didn’t understand what they had already discussed and agreed upon irked Farrell. “Prince Peter is a follower of Arritisa.”
“And you are the Chosen of Arritisa. He isn’t necessary.”
Fighting the urge to sigh, Farrell said, “I don’t count. The message said for me to bring a devotee of each of Seritia’s five siblings.” Nothing short of Arritisa showing herself and picking someone else would change his mind that Peter needed to be included. Markus stared at Farrell but said nothing. “He’s necessary. If you don’t believe me, ask Arritisa.”
“Fine.” Markus sounded anything but fine with the decision. “But that doesn’t explain why you’re taking Dumbarten’s chief wizard.”
“Why are we doing this, Markus?”
Farrell skirted close to being disrespectful to his cousin, but he alone had the rank to speak plainly. “You know why Penelope is coming. I know you don’t like the plan, but being obstinate isn’t helping.”
“My aunt is a follower of Honorus, cousin.” Markus glared at him. “You already have your brothers. She isn’t needed.”
Farrell turned toward Penelope, and everyone else looked at the princess. Penelope scowled at him and shook her head. “Why couldn’t you just have said it?”
He shrugged. “I wasn’t sure you wanted me to tell him your business.”
“Said what?” Markus shifted his attention between the two wizards. “Tell me what business?”
“Markus, sometimes you can be so clueless.” Penelope rolled her eyes when the king’s eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened. “I’m going because I’m a devotee of Falcron.”
“What?” Whatever the king expected, hearing his aunt felt a primary affinity toward the God of Wisdom obviously wasn’t it. “The house of Hevnor follows Honorus.”
“Yes, outwardly we do, but like many wizards, my primary worship is to Falcron.” They looked at each other for a moment longer until Penelope shook her head. “It doesn’t matter what you want, Markus. The will of Seritia is clear.”
“Clear?” Markus laughed. “Telling Farrell he needs to bring a devotee of all five of Her Siblings is a clear sign you need to go?”
“Yes.” Farrell paused to find the correct balance for his response. His cousin was never going to like the idea, but Markus needed to accept the plan or it would complicate things. He briefly wondered how he’d moved from skeptical of Nerti’s plan to fully endorsing it. “Before we received Seritia’s message, I was planning to go alone or with just Miceral and maybe Nerti and Klissmor. The Goddess didn’t approve of my plans and imposed Her will in a way that made it clear what She wanted.”
Champion of the Gods Box Set Page 69