Champion of the Gods Box Set

by Andrew Q. Gordon

  They spent the next few minutes trying any combination they could find. Everyone made contact with Penelope and Peter, but no one could touch Jolella and Farrell. On a whim, Farrell grabbed Peter’s arm and asked Penelope to take the other. When she did it, he shook his head.

  “Jolella and I appear to be the only two affected.”

  “Yet you are not restricted from contact with us.” Penelope indicated herself and Peter. “Step out of the circle and let me try again.”

  He crossed over the line and Penelope touched him. Peter and Jolella could also make contact. The only change occurred when he or Jolella were standing on the ground Seritia had altered.

  “Clearly Seritia wanted us to find this, but what is it for, why has it been hidden until now, and why this patch of ground?” Farrell asked without expecting an answer.

  “Why here is probably the easiest to answer.” Jolella looked at the city. “We’ll need to ask Randgar for confirmation, but I believe this is where Seritia appeared and told Amelt Jazor not to leave Agloth.”

  “If you’re right, that raises more questions.” No one responded. Farrell ran through the “facts” he had, certain Seritia had created this area for a purpose. The timing of the disclosure told him it had some connection to Vedric’s plans to attack the city. Tying the two together, however, escaped him.

  “Why create a place that isn’t protected by magic?” Peter asked.

  “What?” Farrell hadn’t been paying attention.

  Peter stared at his boots. “It’s probably nothing.”

  “No, no, I don’t mean to suggest it was a silly question.” He waited until his friend looked up. “I was thinking about something else when you spoke. Say it again, please?”

  “It’s odd, that’s all.” He swept his arm around the area. “Seritia had wizards put all those spells around the city to protect it. Why would She carve out a safe place in the middle of it for the enemy to stand?”

  “I agree.” Farrell shook his head. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

  “Yes, it does!” Penelope pointed her staff at Farrell. “Step into the circle.”

  He raised his shields and held his hand out. “What are you doing?”

  “Showing you why Seritia created this place.” Penelope waved him back excitedly. “Go back a few feet.”

  “Why can’t you just tell me?” He took three steps back but kept his defenses up.

  “Lower your shields.” The end of her staff glowed green.

  “By the Six, Penelope!” He pointed his staff at her. “Have you lost your mind?”

  “No, Chosen.” Jolella moved into the circle but stopped before she reached his shields. “I think she is correct.”

  “Correct?” He drew additional power from his armor. “She hasn’t said anything about what she thinks other than she wants to attack me.”

  “Magic can’t touch you when you’re inside the circle.” Penelope lowered her staff. “Seritia didn’t create this for Vedric. It’s for you.”

  The others made the leap from anomaly to weapon faster than Farrell could accept. “Assuming that’s true, why are you trying to strike me with your magic?”

  “Because it can’t touch you.”

  “What proof do you have?” He put the end of his staff back on the ground. “It’s wonderful to have a theory when you’re not the one being fired upon.”

  “Magic doesn’t work inside the circle.”

  “Yes, it does!” He sent a blue pulse through his shields. “See? Magic. Inside the circle. You’re wrong.”

  “You can direct the attack at me,” Jolella said. Farrell tried to protest, but she held up her hand. “I’m sure she’s correct. Call it faith if you like. This area affects us both the same, so I’m certain I’m in no danger.”

  Farrell didn’t have the absolute trust in Seritia that Jolella displayed, but he couldn’t let her take his place. Lowering his shields, he stared at Penelope. “Fine. Just don’t use anything too strong in case you’re wrong.”

  “She is not wrong, Chosen.” Jolella moved closer.

  Penelope directed a tiny ball of orange energy at him. It passed through his chest and fizzled out on the other side.

  “Incredible!” He touched where the ball entered his body. “Use something stronger. That would have bounced off my chest.”

  Penelope smirked. “Trust me now?”

  “Just try—”

  She fired a blast that would have burned a hole in his chest if they’d been wrong.

  “Honorus’s Balls, Penelope! Do you realize what would have happened if you were wrong?”

  He initially thought the horrified look on her face was for what she had done, but her eyes drifted to the high priestess. “You really need to watch your language, Farrell.”

  Her snicker became a full-on laugh when Farrell faced Jolella.

  “Sorry,” he managed before he averted his eyes.

  Jolella didn’t respond, and when he looked up, he saw her holding in a laugh. Finally, she let it out. She reached for his hand, but they were still inside the affected area.

  “Though I’m not prone to lecturing, it would be more respectful to the Six if you’d refrain from swearing.” She glanced at Penelope. “That goes for you as well, Princess.”

  “Of course, Holy Mother.”

  Farrell studied the area until the afternoon heat forced him to leave. They hadn’t had any new insights, and he didn’t have a compelling reason to stay. Penelope took Jolella back to the temple while Farrell and Peter returned to their quarters.

  When Peter left to visit Nordric, Farrell took out one of the books Kel had given him. Nerti rested on a cushion, so he joined her. Rummaging through his endless pocket, he took out a bright red apple. “I saved this for you.”

  “How long have you kept this from me?” Despite the accusation, she accepted the treat.

  “Since last night’s dinner. I grabbed it before they cleared the table. I meant to give it to you today, but I forgot I had it until now.”

  “Thank you for thinking of me.”

  Farrell leaned against Nerti and read quietly. As he expected, the book was silent on the mysterious circle. Shortly after Peter returned, Greigel and two guards escorted a Ze’arderian carrying their dinner into their quarters.

  Farrell stopped the corporal before he could back out.

  “Sit and join us.” Farrell indicated an empty seat next to Peter.

  “Your Majesty.” He shook his head. “It would be—”

  “Unseemly. Yes, I know, but I need to speak to you, and it would be even more unseemly if I forced you to stand there as I ate in front of you.”

  Greigel looked unconvinced but relented when Peter pulled back the chair.

  “How is the troop transfer going?” Farrell loaded a plate with meat, cheese, and bread and placed it in front of the officer.

  “Thank you, Your Majesty.” He hesitated, then picked up a knife and cut the meat. “Though I’m not privy to the kings’ thinking, I believe we are slightly ahead of schedule.”

  Farrell selected a large wedge of a soft cheese and took a bite. “What of Jagwin and the rest of the guard? Are they going to wait for Miceral before coming over?”

  “Captain Jagwin and three companies will wait for King Miceral. The other units have already begun to arrive.” He waited for a moment, then put a large piece of meat into his mouth and chewed quickly.

  “Take your time, Greigel. I’m not in a rush.” He poured everyone some fruit drink. “Sorry, I didn’t request ale or wine. I want to keep my thoughts clear.”

  “Of course, Your Majesty. The staff brought us a large cask of ale earlier.”

  Farrell raised his cup, but before he drank, he put it down. “Your dwarves are eating, aren’t they?”

  “Of course, Your Majesty. The temple has been very generous about seeing to our needs.”

  “No, I meant they’re eating now.”

  “Um . . . yes.”

  “If you’d rather
eat with them, you may go join them.” Having eaten with “the staff” for much of his life, he readily understood how much more relaxed he felt there than at his mother’s table.

  Greigel looked at his plate, conflicted.

  “Corporal, you can go without offending me.” The dwarf’s uncertainty didn’t diminish. “I understand you have a duty to take care of your dwarves. I don’t want you to have to choose.”

  “I should be there, Your Majesty.” Greigel stood up quickly. “We don’t want to offend the high priestess, and they can be an unruly lot without someone to watch over them.”

  After Greigel left, they kept the talk to a minimum and focused on their food. When they finished, Farrell removed the Eye from his pocket.

  “I need to check on Vedric’s army.”

  Peter nodded, and Farrell got comfortable by floating near the table.

  “Show me Vedric and his army,” he whispered to the stone.

  Instantly an image of the ground in front of Agloth appeared in his mind. It moved rapidly north, following the trade road. With no point of reference, he didn’t know how far he traveled before the image stopped.

  With the sun setting in the West, the enemy force cast long shadows to the east. Several companies of cavalry rode in front of a large army. The horses closest to the main body seemed skittish. Behind them, the mass of organized chaos churned and lurched across the ground. Farrell didn’t need sound to hear the grunting made by the army. No wonder the rear cavalry units were uneasy.

  He soared over the vast host, moving toward the small group in back. Farrell easily spotted Vedric surrounded by what appeared to be his command staff and senior wizards. His long, black hair moved as he rode, creating a stark contrast with his silver armor and pale skin. The smug, confident expression made Farrell bristle.

  He watched his sibling for a bit as he interacted with his subordinates. When he laughed at something they said, Farrell moved away before he did something he shouldn’t.

  With some effort and a couple of false starts, he was able to put their distance from Agloth into perspective. He had the Eye show him where he and his party had reached the road days before. From there he estimated how fast the army moved in relation to a unicorn and determined the soonest they could reach the city.

  Blinking, he set the gem down.

  “Nerti, can you send a message to Klissmor and Miceral?” He did his best to keep his voice steady.

  “I can.” She turned slightly on her cushion to face him. “What should I tell them?”

  He stepped down, and Peter looked his way. So his friend could hear, he spoke out loud. “Tell them I expect Vedric will reach Agloth the morning after tomorrow.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “They want to know if you are certain,” Nerti said after she relayed his message.

  “The morning after tomorrow is probably the soonest they could arrive.” He reviewed his calculations again. “They could march all night and be here tomorrow, but that would likely kill the horses.”

  “We agree with your assessment.” Klissmor’s thoughts appeared in his mind. “The mobilization of the dwarves will be completed before midday tomorrow. Over two-thirds have gone through already. The kings thought to suspend further movement after the next two legions go through. Do you feel this news changes things?”

  “Tell them to keep to their plans. I’ll check again to see if they’ve stopped for the night. If it looks like they’re going to march straight through, we speed up the transfer.”

  “Chamdon can move rapidly under the ministrations of their handlers,” Klissmor said. “They could be at Agloth sooner than you believe.”

  The needless warning irked Farrell, but he steadied himself before answering. “As I said, if not for horses, I’d agree. If they press too hard, Vedric and his wizards are going to have to walk, and I don’t think they’re going to risk that.”

  “A fair assumption,” Nerti said. “If we learn something new, we will let you know.”

  He ended the conversation and went to the front door. When he poked his head outside, the two guards snapped to attention.

  “Is Corporal Greigel available?”

  The one closest to Farrell saluted. “I’ll fetch him immediately, Your Majesty.”

  Farrell had barely shut the door before someone knocked. Greigel marched in.

  “You sent for me?”

  “Yes, I need you to ask Amelt Randgar if he can see me. I have new information about the enemy’s movement.”

  “Do you want me to relay specific details?”

  “No.” Farrell shook his head, thinking two steps ahead. “I’d prefer to go about this in a calm manner. It is best the amelt and I discuss this together.”

  “As you wish.” The dwarf bowed and started to leave.

  “One more thing, Corporal.” He waited until Greigel turned back around. “Find the dwarf general currently in charge of our forces in Agloth and ask him or them to join me here, please.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” He looked at Farrell but didn’t move.

  “That’s all, Corporal, for now at least.” He winked, and the dwarf smirked before leaving.

  “I already alerted Jolella, and she has sent someone to find Randgar,” Nerti said once the door closed. “But do not tell your guard his efforts are wasted.”

  “Did you tell Penelope?”

  “She, Grenda, and your brothers are on their way as well.”

  “Whatever would I do without you, my queen?”

  “You would wear out quite a few messengers trying to make sure everyone was notified and spend less time discussing important details.”

  Despite his effort not to, Farrell laughed. “I am indebted to you.”

  “You both need to clean up before the others arrive.”

  “Where are we going?” Peter asked.

  “The temple.” Farrell checked his appearance in the mirror. “The others will be here soon, so we ought to do as Nerti said.”

  Penelope, the other unicorns, and Farrell’s brothers arrived first. They’d barely settled when Greigel knocked to announce General Corwin had answered Farrell’s summons. An older dwarf in the silver and blue of Colograd entered with three junior officers. Farrell explained the situation and let them know Jolella and Randgar waited for them in the temple.

  In the waning light of day, the diverse group marched toward the temple. Grohl and Takala wanted to fly ahead, but Farrell, with Nerti’s support, told them to stay together. He wanted them to arrive at one time to avoid retelling the news more than once.

  Greigel must have done more than relay his messages, as the twelve guards Farrell had arrived with multiplied into thirty. They arrayed themselves around the small group and kept their hands on their weapons the entire walk.

  As they set out for the temple, Farrell realized it had been more than three thousand years since dwarves, humans, unicorns, and peregrines walked together. Despite that, the people of Agloth barely acknowledged their passing. With an attack imminent, they focused more on the approaching war than those who had come to help defend the city.

  Temple guards met them at the steps and escorted the group into the massive complex. Unlike on Farrell’s other visits, they descended rather than climbed as they walked. He took note of several thick doors, each covered by magical protections. If an enemy breached the walls, they’d still have a lot to contend with to reach the high priestess.

  For almost five minutes, they followed their guides. Twice the peregrines needed to duck to enter a corridor, and one of those times required they bow their heads the entire length of the hallway.

  Their destination was a large war room. The open door was as thick as Farrell was wide. Like the rest of the defensive areas, the stone door and frame were crisscrossed with magic. It wouldn’t stop someone forever, but it would give the priestess and her staff ample time to escape.

  Inside, Jolella and Randgar were in conversation with a pair of officers. One was an older woman
in the temple colors, the other, a man in a uniform similar to Commander Ignation’s. Master Lefliar and a trio of master class wizards talked behind the amelt. A dozen officers stood in small groups around the room. All conversation ended when Farrell and his companions arrived.

  Jolella appeared tense, with a forced smile. She looked out of place among the military people surrounding her.

  After brief introductions Randgar studied the map on the table in front of him. “You have information about our enemy’s current position?”

  “I do.” Farrell leaned over the map, but it didn’t help. “Unfortunately, what the Eye of Honorus showed me isn’t easily translated into a useable gauge of distance.” He pointed to a city in what was marked Zeron. “They are somewhere between here and Agloth. I know that isn’t helpful, but using our travel time as an estimate, I put their arrival at the morning after tomorrow. That assumes they break for the night.”

  “And if they don’t?” the temple officer with Jolella asked. Randgar introduced her as General Yolina.

  Farrell shrugged. “That’s hard to say. Midafternoon tomorrow? But I doubt they’ll march all night. Even Chamdon get tired. Not to mention the strain on the handlers.”

  “You’re risking our readiness on nothing more than your hunch?” General Corwin huffed, searching for support.

  “Be careful of your tone, dwarf.” Grohl clicked his beak and leaned in the general’s direction. Takala’s feathers puffed out, and he shifted toward his brother. When Greigel and the other guards laid hands on their weapons, Farrell held up his hand.

  “I’m not risking anything, General. With the Eye I can and will track our enemy.” He waited until the dwarf was about to respond. “I appreciate you asking what others must have been thinking, but can you hold any other questions until I’ve finished briefing the amelt and high priestess?”

  Corwin shut his mouth before speaking and bowed. “My apologies, Your Majesty.”

  “That was deftly done,” Nerti said. “Your brothers disapprove, but I’ve told them to let you deal with your underling.”