“Our stance, coupled with the silence of the Six, prevented any formal declaration of Fracturn’s supremacy. Short of war with Colograd—an act even the most foolish dwarf in Fracturn knows will end badly for them— the kings of Fracturn had no way to enforce their desire. They continued to assert their claim whenever they could, and we continued to state our opposition every time this subject arose.”
“That would make it hard to deny the title to Trellham’s new kings,” Miceral said.
“Exactly.” Thrinton nodded. “Colograd spent the last three thousand years stating we would only acknowledge Trellham’s king as high king when the gods restored someone to the throne. To not honor that pledge would shame my ancestors.”
“Whatever your reasons, I’m glad to be allies.” Farrell held out his arm.
Thrinton grabbed Farrell’s forearm in a crushing grip. “I am indeed your ally, but I meant what I said about being vigilant after the welfare of my dwarves. With your leave, I must attend to my daily affairs. Even the crowning of new high kings does not relieve me of my responsibilities.”
Thrinton stopped before he left the room. “A word of warning, Your Majesties. If you think humans or Muchari are difficult, wait until you try to rule a kingdom of stubborn dwarves.”
“Another generous Gift from the Six.” Farrell watched the king leave.
“Are we to assume you’ve been assigned to watch over us?” Miceral asked one of the guards.
“Not exactly, Your Majesty,” a dwarf with a stripe on his shoulder said. “We are descendants of families that left Trellham before the war. After the city was sealed, our ancestors came together and vowed to return to Trellham one day. Every generation renewed that vow.
“Your arrival signals the advent of Trellham’s rebirth. We six sought release from Colograd’s palace guard so we could form the core of Trellham’s new palace guard. So more precisely, we are here to watch over you for as long as we may live.”
“Just what we needed. Someone else who will want to join us,” Farrell said silently to Miceral.
“You forget, one of the perks of being king is you get to tell your subjects what to do, not the other way around.”
“I’m not in the mood to have an argument with another armed dwarf.” Farrell looked at the dwarf who’d spoken to them. “Sir, what are you called?”
“Jagwin, Your Majesty.”
“Do you lead this company?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” He stood a bit straighter, and a look of confusion crossed his face. “Unless you would prefer another.”
Farrell shook his head and smiled. “No, that’s not necessary. You honor us with your offer. Once we have time to consider our new situation, we can discuss your duties.”
Jagwin nodded. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”
“Captain Jagwin,” Miceral said.
“Nay, Your Majesty, I’m not a captain. Only a junior officer.” “Is there a captain of our guard?” Miceral asked.
“No, sire.”
“Is there another who outranks you?”
“Again, no, sire. I was the highest-ranking officer to volunteer so far.”
“Very well.” Miceral glanced at Farrell, who nodded. “Will you accept the role of captain unless and until we see fit to remove you?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Jagwin’s neutral expression shifted to one of concern. “If you believe it prudent to make such a decision.”
“We do,” Miceral said. “Are there others who lay claim to Trellham as their home?”
“Many, Your Majesty.”
Miceral clasped his hands behind his back. “And do they want to return?”
“Most surely, sire.” Jagwin and the others nodded vigorously. “It has been the stated dream of countless dwarves over the centuries to see the birthplace of our race.”
“What are you up to?” Farrell asked.
“Until you free Trellham, it would be useful to have people in the city,” Miceral said.
“There are two things wrong with that. First, it could be years before I know how to free the dwarves. Second, where are they going to live? You can’t set them loose in Trellham. We don’t know whose home is going to be empty.”
“They can live in Haven.”
“Then they’re not living in Trellham, so what’s the point?”
Miceral avoided looking at Farrell. “They’ll be there to help when the others arrive. We can just take the soldiers first and add them to Yar-del’s forces.”
Still not convinced it was a good idea, Farrell decided to stop arguing. “If you think this is wise, I’ll defer to you. But since it is your idea, you explain it to them.”
“Captain, Haven, our home, was built in the northern outpost of Trellham. Those who wish may join us, and from there they can assist in the restoration of the kingdom when the time is ready. For now, we will need to limit it to soldiers who can serve in Farrell’s guard.”
“Not yours as well?”
“Until Khron appointed me king of Trellham, I was merely the royal consort.”
“I thought you were my concubine?”
“It would be unseemly for a king to be a concubine.”
Farrell laughed despite himself. “Sorry, Captain. It’s a private joke. I rule Haven in theory. In practice Miceral’s father is my first minister, and he handles the details of ruling. Once we return, I assume we’ll need to create a new regiment for Miceral.”
“Perhaps one new regiment for both?” the dwarf suggested.
“Or make all the guards for both of us,” Farrell answered before Miceral could decline. “Either way, you’d be part of the new detail.”
“How shall we get to Haven, my lords?” Jagwin asked. “It will be hard to march across the ocean.”
“Details, Captain Jagwin, mere details.” Miceral clapped him on the back. “When the time is at hand, we’ll get you where you need to be.”
“I suggest you not ship off your new army just yet.” Nerti’s voice reminded him she was still sharing his thoughts.
“Why not?” Farrell asked.
“Have you forgotten the army that threatens Agloth? Even if the dwarves do not send an army, those who will swear fealty to you both personally will be numerous enough to perhaps make a difference.”
“Jagwin, how many descendants of Trellham are we talking about who wish to join our guard?” Farrell asked.
“In Colograd, the Trellham families number close to five thousand. I’m told there are more in Fracturn. Of our number, at least a thousand stand ready to fight at your side.”
“As I said, they can help.” Nerti didn’t hide her “told you so” tone.
“No one likes a gloating unicorn.”
“Being right—as usual—is not gloating.”
Miceral and Farrell laughed, earning them confused looks from their guards.
“Does that number disappoint you, my lords?” Jagwin asked.
“No, quite the opposite,” Farrell said. “How soon can your dwarves be ready to march?”
“We can be ready when you need us.”
“Excellent.” Miceral smiled. “We may have need of you sooner than we thought. A unicorn friend reminded us that an army threatens Agloth, and your assistance may be needed to help defend the city.”
“The business of kings is beyond a simple guard’s need to know, but at the risk of offending you, what role do you play in the defense of Agloth?
Haven and Trellham are half a world away.”
“My presence in the city is the reason an army threatens Agloth,” Farrell explained. “As such, I feel obligated to help defend the city.”
“Then you shall have a thousand dwarfish hammers to aid you.” His men all nodded and laid hands on their weapons. “Or more if you can convince your fellow kings to aid you.”
Farrell nodded absently. Drendar had not agreed to accept their rule, much less commit an army to aid a fight the upstart kings of Trellham had instigated. “Perhaps, but please keep this informat
ion to yourselves. Do not spread word that we are recruiting an army until we have a chance to speak to Thrinton about his position.”
“Thrinton is a fair and wise king,” Jagwin said. “He deserves the courtesy of being told first.”
A pair of soldiers dressed in livery of Thrinton’s personal guard stood before the door to Farrell and Miceral’s quarters when they arrived.
“His majesty apologizes for placing the kings of Trellham in such unworthy quarters,” one of the two said. “We will escort you to your proper rooms, Your Majesties.”
“Is this a joke?” Farrell asked Miceral.
“He probably thinks he insulted us with these rooms now that we are high kings.”
“But I don’t want to move. We won’t be here that long.” Each change only added to his irritation.
“You must go with the guards,” Nerti said. “To avoid any slights, each dwarf king was granted quarters in the other kingdoms. They will take you to Trellham’s quarters.”
Farrell sighed but let go of his objection before voicing it.
Jagwin and his dwarves packed Farrell and Miceral’s few possessions. Farrell started to object, but Miceral stopped him.
“Let them do it. They want to make it clear they guard Trellham’s kings.”
Soon, the guards had packed everything and moved into formation.
“Kings Miceral and Farrell are ready to travel,” Jagwin announced.
When they arrived at the king’s rooms, a troop of palace servants rushed about, moving things and cleaning. They entered into a large sitting area with several chairs and couches. A bedroom was through the open door in the back. The doors on either side were closed, but he thought he heard activity behind the one to his right.
A female dwarf issued orders, and others scurried to do as she directed. When she noticed who stood behind her, she bowed deeply.
“Accept my apologies on behalf of King Thrinton,” she said. “These rooms have not been used in three thousand years. We do regular upkeep, but with no king of Trellham likely to visit, we’ve given these rooms less attention then they needed.”
Miceral stood next to a chair and gave it an odd look. “I don’t think this furniture will fit us.”
The supervisor looked at Miceral and then surveyed the rest of the room. “Great Khron! This is not good.”
Rather than let someone suggest they move back to the old rooms, Farrell inventoried all the too-small furniture in the room. Most of it could remain, but the bed and two chairs needed to be resized.
“I can fix it.” He grabbed his staff from his back. He ignored the startled expressions and walked to a pair of chairs that looked the most comfortable. Touching each with his staff, Farrell expanded the pair to what he considered the right size.
A dwarf next to him stepped back and a few others gasped softly behind him. Since he hoped to renounce his title one day soon to a dwarf, Farrell didn’t alter the other furniture in the room. The housekeeper stood next to him.
“You’re a useful human to have around. If I could enlist you to help with the rest of the palace, I’d cut my work in half.”
Jagwin’s body went rigid, and he stepped closer. “The high king of Trellham is not to be addressed as common house staff. Expect I shall report your insolence to the king.”
The dwarf turned red. “I meant no offense, sir. I was merely thinking out loud.”
“No offense taken. That’s mild to how my own housekeeper treats me.” Farrell winked at her, hoping to put her at ease. “Captain, it is not necessary to report this to any king other than Miceral. Since he already knows, this is as far as it goes.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty.” Jagwin didn’t look as though he agreed, but Farrell expected he’d let the matter drop.
The supervisor smiled weakly and quickly left to direct her staff. When they finished, Jagwin escorted them out, saluted his kings, and shut the door behind him as he left.
After adjusting the size of their bed, Farrell checked out the other two rooms. The library had books likely dating back to before Kel’s birth. The bath chamber had been built for dwarves, but Farrell didn’t want to expend the effort needed to resize the stones, so he left it alone. When he returned to the main room, he found Miceral in front of an open window that overlooked the cavern. Below their window, a company of dwarves conducted weapons training.
“We should test this new armor before we leave Colograd,” Miceral said. “I’m also feeling caged given our limited ability to wander the castle.”
“Not that I’m eager for you to bruise me today, but some practice before Vedric attacks Agloth would serve me well.”
They found their practice swords and asked Jagwin to escort them to the practice field. The new captain raised an eyebrow but didn’t question the request. He and another dwarf guided them through a maze of corridors until they reached the field Farrell had seen from his window.
A trio of older dwarves ran the practice, barking orders and occasionally swearing at their students. The arrival of two humans caused a disturbance. The closest pair of trainees halted their practice and stared. Soon others lowered their weapons until nearly everyone stopped.
“Hey there!” an old dwarf shouted. Despite all the white in his beard and hair, he carried his war hammer without issue. “Get off my field! Can’t you see we are training here?”
“A moment, Master.” Jagwin stepped in front of his kings. “The kings of Trellham respectfully request a portion of the training grounds so they can practice.”
“Khron’s holy arse, what are you babbling about?” The dwarf put his weapon down with enough force to kick up a puff of dirt. “Trellham hasn’t had a king in three thousand years. What do two humans have to do with that, anyway?”
“Sir, King Miceral and King Farrell are the new kings of Trellham.” Jagwin kept his position in front of them. “If you don’t believe me, you may send a messenger to King Thrinton. Until then, their majesties would like a small corner of your field so they can practice.”
The elder dwarf shifted his eyes between Jagwin and the two humans. Finally, he shrugged. “I don’t know what this is about, but if you don’t mind the walk, you can use the far corner over there.” He pointed to his left with his free hand.
“That will be acceptable, sir.” Jagwin didn’t wait for a reply before heading where the dwarf directed.
Miceral took them through their warm-ups, and Farrell found his armor didn’t constrict his movements. Once he was ready, he assumed a fight stance and Miceral began their training. Typical of how their “lessons” usually went, Miceral stopped every few minutes to go over some move or miscue Farrell made. After a long series of moves that left Farrell sweaty and winded, a dwarf brought over a bucket of water and a ladle.
“For a wizard,” the young dwarf said, “you fight with the skill and determination of a dwarf.”
“Did you hear that, Miceral?” Farrell said between gulps. “I fight as well as a dwarf.”
“He qualified his praise by stating ‘for a wizard.’” Miceral took the ladle from Farrell when he finished using it. “That’s akin to saying you fight pretty well for a human.”
Farrell gave him a sour face. “If that’s what he meant—and I’m certain you’re changing what he intended—I’m fine with fighting well for a wizard. The day you can do wizardry half as well as I can fight is the day I’ll feel any shame for not being as gifted as you.”
Miceral laughed, nearly spitting out his water. “Excellent point. Shall we continue?”
“Why?” Farrell shook his head. “No one but you could possibly attempt that move, much less do it correctly. Why in Honorus’s name do I need to practice ways to defend against it when I will never be forced to defend myself from it?”
“Just because you don’t know anyone capable of launching such an attack doesn’t mean such a person doesn’t exist.” Miceral picked up Farrell’s staff and held it out. “Besides, practicing these moves helps your reaction time and
quickness. Even if you never find the need to perform this maneuver, simply practicing it could be handy at some point.”
Farrell knew better than to argue and set his mind to learning what Miceral wanted to teach him. Several failed attempts later, Miceral took a break.
“Better,” he said. “Not perfect or even right, but it is better. We can practice it another time now that you understand what I expect.”
After another water break, they took positions for a sparring session. Farrell did his best to score a hit on Miceral while sustaining as little punishment as he could. Even though Miceral pulled his blows to prevent injuring Farrell, he landed several stinging strikes to remind Farrell of his mistakes.
Focused on their fight, Farrell didn’t notice all the other training sessions had come to a halt. A crowd of dwarves had assembled at the edge of the small field. After pressing his partner for close to an hour, Miceral leapt back and stabbed both swords into the practice field. Farrell recognized the signal that the session was over and leaned heavily on his staff to catch his breath. Only then did he observe the throng of dwarves staring at the pair.
Thrinton pushed his way forward, followed closely by Drendar and the three high priests of Khron. “Quite a demonstration. The soldiers and instructors appear impressed. However, in the future I would prefer you use my private training grounds so my staff and trainees won’t neglect their duties.”
His voice was loud enough that most, if not all, heard his words. The king looked directly at several members of the palace staff and the three weapons masters. The crowd dispersed, leaving only the two kings and three priests.
“By the time we return to Fracturn, the telling of this story will make you sound like Khron and Honorus trading blows,” Lamenar said.
Drendar had stayed back, but now he moved to stand in front of Farrell. “You surprise me at every turn. I expected Miceral to be a formidable warrior, but who ever heard of a wizard holding his own against a Muchari with naught but a wooden staff? I want to dislike you, but I find I can’t.”
Champion of the Gods Box Set Page 89