“Those small packs won’t hold a tenth of your belongings, Your Majesty,” the soldier said.
“Yes, they will.” Farrell placed the first stack of clothes into his bag. He ignored the gasps as the pile disappeared into an opening half its size. In less than a minute, he’d packed his things and switched to Miceral’s bag.
Farrell had hoped that by taking care of the packing, he’d encourage the soldiers to leave. Instead they began asking questions. Thankfully Jagwin barked an order and they all saluted and left.
The captain stood by the door as the last guard left. “With your leave, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
Alone, Farrell sat in the nearest chair and conducted an assessment of his power stores. The ride to Colograd had depleted them, but not as much as he feared. The area between Agloth and the dwarf realm had been largely unsettled, and with few wizards in Colograd foraging for power, he’d been able to replace some of what he’d used. The real problem would be going forward.
During the trip across Lourdria, he and Penelope tried to gather as much energy as they could. With all they’d had to do during the ride, their collecting had been limited to when they were stopped, and that didn’t yield enough.
In theory Colograd should have been a fertile place, but that hadn’t been the case. Thinking it through, he realized if the few wizards who lived here didn’t venture out of the city, they’d have absorbed most, if not all, the free power in the area. That didn’t help Farrell. He didn’t know how much time he had before Vedric arrived. The only sure way to replenish his energy was to go back to the ocean, and he didn’t want to. He stood up and walked through the bedroom to the window. Staring at the moat below, he followed the current backward, but they were on the wrong side of the castle to see the waterfall. Reversing direction, Farrell found the exit and followed the water to where it disappeared into the rock.
On his way to the door, he summoned his battle staff. “Guard?”
A dwarf opened the door and saluted. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I feel like taking a walk outside the castle.”
Farrell directed his guard to take him to the marshaling area. The trip to the moat took longer than he expected, but it had been worth the effort. Using the knowledge he’d gained in Rastoria, Farrell pulled enough power through the water to fill his staff and his armor. The latter’s capacity proved greater than he had expected, but he took the time to add as much as he could. He’d grown accustomed to the limitless supplies he had at Haven and always felt apprehensive when away.
On the way back, Farrell briefed Miceral on what he’d done, and they agreed it was time to leave, after he opened a couple of Doors.
“Everything go well?” Thrinton asked when Farrell arrived.
Several stoned-faced dwarves in uniforms stood near the kings. Thrinton’s generals didn’t appreciate Farrell’s arrival. He ignored their glares.
“Better than expected.” He clasped forearms with Thrinton. “I shall return to Agloth ready for the battle ahead.”
“It is well we could send you off to battle better prepared than when you arrived.” Thrinton forced a smile onto his face.
“You have my thanks, Thrinton.” Turning to Miceral, he said, “Are you ready?”
“I thought I would remain here and arrive with Thrinton and Drendar.”
Farrell’s face must have shown his surprise.
“Unless you want me to go with you now.”
“No, this is good.” He’d have preferred Miceral go with him, but he understood why it was best for him to stay behind. “Just be sure you make it back before I need to shut the Door. I don’t want to give Vedric any chance to usurp it for his own use.”
“With your help, we expect to have all our forces ready to join you by early morning,” Drendar said. “We’ll send the first legions ready to Agloth in a few hours. That should give you time to see that Agloth is prepared to accept and quarter them.”
“Um . . . right.” Farrell hadn’t raised that topic with Jolella. Although he didn’t expect a problem, showing up with a dwarf army probably required preparation.
“You did realize you have to find a place to house the dwarf armies, didn’t you?” Miceral asked.
“Actually, I thought you’d deal with the army while I focused on the wizards. I did tell Jolella to expect we’d be bringing a force, so I’m sure this won’t be an issue.” At least he hoped it wouldn’t.
“I alerted Jolella to the situation, and she and Randgar have begun making preparations.”
Nerti’s sudden interruptions had started to unnerve him. “Thank you for thinking of it.”
“Of course.”
It occurred to him that despite his attempts, he didn’t think of Nerti as an equal partner. At least not when they were apart. His face flushed as he remembered they were still connected. “You heard that, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but I take no offense. You try. It would be easier if you included me in the meetings, but allowing me to be present through you is more than most would allow.”
“I’ll work on doing better.” He didn’t need an answer. “Nerti said Agloth is taking care of your quarters.”
The dwarves stared at him with puzzled expressions. “She and I are linked, so she sees and hears everything I do. She anticipated the need and notified Mother Jolella.”
The explanation didn’t erase their confused looks, but Farrell worried he’d get mired for too long if he tried to elaborate. “I should get started creating the Door.”
Drendar perked up and spoke first. “Lamenar enlisted the other temples, and we’re moving troops through all six houses plus the one reserved for the kings. We are well ahead of schedule.”
“That leaves getting thirty legions to Agloth,” Thrinton said.
“That will be simpler.” Farrell scanned the open courtyard for a good place. Finding none, he changed tactics. “I need you to identify a large wall where I can create a large Door. One where your troops can march through in formation.”
“I would like to return to Agloth with you,” Nerti said.
“Certainly. I’ll tell Thrinton.”
“That’s not necessary, I’ll be there in a moment.”
As she promised, Nerti arrived a heartbeat later. The others looked surprised, but Farrell walked over to give her a hug. “I will do better.”
“You’re quite acceptable, Little One. But we can all improve, even I.”
He smiled, gave her a kiss, and faced the others. “I’ll be back once Mother Jolella shows me where she’d like me to open the Door. Unless you oppose it, Thrinton, I’ll leave this Door open until I return.”
“I’ll let your guards know where to find us.”
Farrell embraced Miceral and after a kiss, he quickly created the frame and pushed the magic into the lines. A wall appeared on the other side of the portal. It was so nondescript it could have been anywhere, but he and Nerti stepped through.
Penelope and Grenda waited for them outside their quarters.
“I understand events in Colograd turned out slightly different than you expected.” Penelope barely concealed a smirk.
Farrell snorted. “‘Slightly different’ wouldn’t begin to explain what happened. But as high king of the dwarves, I now outrank you, so a bit of respect is in order.”
He made an exaggerated hand gesture in front of his face, which provoked an equally mocking bow from Penelope.
“Of course, Your Most August Lordship. I forgot how much you value the rules of decorum.”
“I know my old reputation, but with great titles come great pomposity.” He gave her a hug and a friendly kiss on the cheek. “Glad your anger toward me has abated since I left.”
“Your new title compels my forgiveness. I can’t have someone of your stature mad at me for something so mundane as being left behind on a grand adventure.”
“Grand adventure, eh?” Farrell followed Penelope’s lead and mounted up. “Does anyon
e want to tell me where we’re going?”
“If you must know, we are going to see Jolella and Randgar,” Nerti said. “For a high king, you don’t know very much.”
Penelope laughed. “Queen Nerti, that isn’t really the proper respect for his majesty.”
“My apologies.”
Farrell rolled his eyes. “I didn’t want the job, if anyone cares to remember.”
“Of course not.” Penelope didn’t sound sincere.
“Fine.” Farrell’s half-sulking expression brought a roar of laughter from his companion.
“Are you really pouting over my comments?” she asked.
Farrell remained silent and then flashed her a smile. Penelope hurled a clump of snow at him.
“Hey!” He wiped icy crystals from his face. “That’s cold.”
“Sorry, it must have slipped.” Penelope urged Grenda to move quickly.
“Running away won’t help.” Farrell created a wall of snow inches in front of Grenda that struck Penelope full in the face.
Sputtering with the snow in her face, Penelope laughed. “This is not over!”
Farrell cast a drying spell, which removed all the snow from his victims. “Not that you are not a formidable opponent, but you don’t want to pick this fight with me. I’ve had far more experience being on the lookout for retaliation.”
“You do, do you?” Penelope seemed unconvinced.
“Yes. When I was a child, a couple of persistent bullies chose the small nobody to pick on. I grew accustomed to being prepared at all times for their fun. One of them eventually joined Meglar before I killed him.”
Penelope’s mood changed instantly. “Gods above, that’s a sobering end to a bit of fun.”
“Sorry.” Someday he’d learn to stop talking about his childhood. “Perhaps we can forget I said that, and you can fill me in on what is happening here.”
Penelope forced a smile. “Everyone’s preparing for battle, and they’re clearing space for your dwarf army. I’ve asked my nephew for some extra wizards, and he’s putting together a new force. Beyond that we’re going to rely on you to tell us where to find your brother’s army.”
“I wish you wouldn’t call him my brother. Meglar ceased to be my father the day he betrayed my mother.”
“Very well, Meglar’s son and his army.”
“I’ll check once I get the Door open for the dwarves.”
“That’s going to be loud,” she said. “Not that you need me to tell you.” “Did you see what’s out there?” He pointed to his right.
“I did and it is formidable, but it isn’t anything you or I couldn’t handle.”
Farrell didn’t doubt Vedric and his wizards could deal with the defense if nobody bothered them, but he had no plans to just let them march on the city. “They know we’re here. I’d rather force them to act sooner than later. I think Vedric can raise a larger force faster than we can, so I’d like to force his hand if I can.”
Grenda and Nerti maintained a modest pace as they rode. Agloth bustled with activity as Ze’arderian soldiers and temple guards moved with a purpose. The rest of the Ze’arderians worked to move supplies, stock defensive positions, and prepare food. Farrell didn’t see an idle person. Even small children helped where they could.
“Once he feels the Door, won’t he think we’ve headed home to Dumbarten?” Penelope asked.
“He thinks we’re on a quest for the Six—”
“And he would be correct,” Nerti added.
“—and we rode across Lourdria like the hounds of Neblor chased us. He probably assumes if we could’ve used a Door, we would have. But I’ll see what he does once I’ve finished shouting to the magical world what I’m doing.”
“You’re baiting him?” Penelope raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t we know we can defeat him before we lure him here?”
“He’s coming either way. You heard him. He thinks he can raze Seritia’s city and gain favor with Meglar. If I keep the Door open and ‘shouting,’ he’ll know we’re still here.”
“Which, if he’s got the brains of more than a donkey, will tell him this is a trap.”
“Fine.” Farrell noticed they were heading east to a part of the city he’d never been. “If he does, he’ll either abandon the attack, which I doubt, or he’ll attack before he’s totally ready. Either works for us.”
“If we can convince him we’ve left, why try to bring him here?” she asked. “Does this have anything to do with your desire to fight your brother?”
Farrell scowled at her use of brother.
“Sorry.” Penelope held up her hand. “Meglar’s son.”
“Yes, but not in the way you’re suggesting. This isn’t personal.” Farrell checked his motivation to be sure what he said fit reality. “Do you really want Meglar’s son running unchecked on Lourdria? Imagine the hordes of Chamdon he can create using the population of the continent as breeding material.”
“Leaving without dealing with Meglar’s threat is not an option,” Nerti stated. “If we can bring him to a place of our choosing, we should. It would be foolish to let Meglar’s son establish a foothold for his father on this continent. Meglar’s ambitions extend beyond Ardus.”
“I’m also worried Vedric will attack anyway,” Farrell said. “Not only does he want to destroy Agloth for Neldin, if we leave, he’ll want to know where we went.”
“Very well,” Penelope said. “I wanted to be certain you weren’t risking the lives of everyone in Agloth to settle a personal matter.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Grenda led them to the wide square on the west side of the massive temple complex. Jolella and Randgar walked out a tall door and moved quickly down the steps. Farrell dismounted to greet his hosts.
“Greetings, Chosen,” Randgar said with a broad grin. “I’m glad to see you made it back unharmed.”
“The trip went well, if not according to my plan.” Without thinking, he ran his hand across his breastplate. “But I achieved my goal.”
“And then some if the news is to be believed.” Randgar scanned the area. “Where is Miceral? Did you forget to bring him back?”
Farrell laughed. “No, Your Majesty, I could not forget him. He remained in Colograd to coordinate the mobilization with King Thrinton of Colograd and King Drendar of the dwarf kingdom of Fracturn.”
“Both kingdoms?” Randgar asked.
“Though they have a reputation as being aloof, dwarves are a close-knit race,” Nerti said. “If you attack one, you attack them all.”
“The dwarf army is a most unexpected blessing.” Jolella pointed to his armor. “Did the dwarves give you that as well? It looks like their work.”
“The armor was a gift from Khron and the dwarves of Fracturn.”
“You don’t appear pleased by Khron’s decision to make you king of Trellham,” Jolella said.
“I do not want the new responsibilities that come with the title. I already have enough demands on my time. Hopefully when Trellham is free and the war is over, Khron will appoint a dwarf to take my place.”
Randgar nodded. “Most people see only the spoils of being king and fail to recognize the costs.”
“Before this becomes a discussion of my feelings on being the new king of Trellham, I need to discuss with you both where I should open the Door to Colograd so the dwarf soldiers can come to Agloth.”
“I had us meet here because this side of the temple faces the training grounds and barracks built for times such as this.” Jolella pointed away from the temple to an open field lined with long, wide, low buildings. “Unless this isn’t suitable, I would suggest you open the Door here.”
“I’ve seen many Doors in my time,” Penelope said. “And though I’m sure this one will be grand and magnificent, I would like to confer with Markus on the contingent of wizards he’s agreed to send. My nephew is a good man and a fine king, but he knows nothing of wizardry. He’ll probably send us a force of conjurers and fair entertainers.”
�
��Very grand.” Farrell winked at her. “It needs to fit my new position. I’m not just a king now, I’m a high king. Please let Markus know that I also outrank him now.”
“Boys.” Penelope shook her head, and Grenda rode off.
Farrell followed her departure for a few seconds and asked his hosts, “What made you build all these unused barracks?”
“In the days before order was brought to Lourdria, the threat of attack lingered at all times. If Seritia called for an army to defend Her city, Agloth would then have a place to house them.”
“That . . . that is impressive planning.”
“She’s an impressive goddess.” The twinkle in Jolella’s eye reinforced the devotion Farrell already knew she had for Seritia.
He scanned the long row of buildings on either side. “How large an army did She plan to call?”
“There are two hundred buildings on either side.” Randgar pointed to the left and then the right of the wide boulevard. “Each can hold a quarter of a legion comfortably. Half a legion in an emergency.”
“That’s in addition to Ze’arder’s army?”
“Indeed.” Randgar tore his gaze from the training grounds. “Our army is setting up staging areas in the North and South. To us just a few days have passed since we marched out the gate. We are prepared for this fight.”
Farrell raised an eyebrow and looked at Jolella. “An interesting coincidence, wouldn’t you say?”
“I see it as more impressive planning from Blessed Seritia.”
Rather than voice again his opinion on what the Goddess had done, Farrell turned his attention to the Door. He motioned to his left. “That wall over there is long enough, and it empties onto the road. Does my ability to use magic extend to the temple wall?”
“She told me you have permission to do whatever you deem necessary to protect Her city.” The priestess shrugged. “I suggest you try and see.”
He moved to one end of the wall and paced out the amount of space he could use. When he reached the end, he repeated the process in the other direction. Twice more he counted, to be sure he had the correct number.
Champion of the Gods Box Set Page 93