Champion of the Gods Box Set

by Andrew Q. Gordon

  “What did you see?” Kel asked.

  Horgon opened his mouth, then shut it and remained silent for a few seconds. “Clearly not what you saw, Grand Master Kel.”

  Erstad turned to Kel. “You recognize him, too?”

  “I do.” Kel nodded. “But I do not know what to make of it.”

  “What or who are we talking about?” Jursten asked.

  “The wizard,” Farrell told his friend. “They know who he is but prefer to be mysterious and cryptic.”

  His mentors glared at him, but Farrell ignored them. They always chided him for doing the same. “His name is Tixel,” Erstad finally said.

  Farrell had never heard the name before. “Is he powerful?”

  “Depends on your perspective,” Wesfazial answered.

  “Enough!” Rothdin stood and clicked his beak loudly. “My son needs useful answers, not evasive words that dance around the truth. If you persist in this childish behavior, we will be here until the enemy arrives.”

  Cylinda put her hand on Wesfazial’s arm before he could respond. “Our apologies, King Rothdin. You’re correct. This is a time for everyone to share what they know for the good of all.”

  Farrell nodded his thanks to his father. Had he said the same thing, the response would have been different.

  “To answer your question, Farrell,” Cylinda said, “Tixel is very powerful.”

  Erstad pounded his fists lightly on the tables. “Tixel’s presence changes everything.”

  Farrell fought the urge to yell at his mentor to be more forthcoming. “How so?”

  Erstad turned to Cylinda and Wesfazial, and when they nodded, he continued. “First, Farrell, you will not engage this wizard. That job will—”

  “What?” Farrell shouted.

  “Will fall to Cylinda, Wesfazial, and myself.”

  Before Farrell expressed further disagreement, Wesfazial held up his hand. “Sorry, lad, but this smells like a trap. As you said, Meglar didn’t send enough troops to expect to conquer Trellham. Even if he doesn’t know about Haven, he knows the dwarves are opposing him. He knows they’ll fight to the last dwarf to defend Trellham. That points to something else. Like trying to draw out the mysterious grand master who is always opposing him.”

  “We’ve had dealings with him,” Cylinda said. “Tixel disappeared before you were born. He was considered the worst of the dark wizards until Meglar showed his true nature. I can’t say it surprises me he joined forces with Meglar’s army. Heminaltose and Sanduval tried for centuries to corner him and defeat him, but he always eluded direct confrontation. Heminaltose thought he’d left our continent. Perhaps he did, but clearly he’s back.”

  Wesfazial walked over to Farrell. He put a hand on his one-time student’s shoulder. “Listen to us. Tixel is a survivor. He avoids fights that aren’t wildly in his favor. It doesn’t sit well with us that he’s come out of hiding for this. We think Meglar is using Tixel to lure you out into the open so he can gauge the full extent of your power.”

  “Meglar knows who I am?”

  “Not you, Farrell, but the wizard who has been fighting him,” Wesfazial said. “After Belsport, he knew there was at least one very powerful mage opposing him. Then you killed Vedric, something I’m sure he got in great detail from Brezlaw, and now someone just did the impossible—freed the dwarves of Trellham.

  “Meglar is many things, but he isn’t foolish. He only proceeds when he thinks he can win. Meglar must not know the full extent of your powers until we want him to have that information. You are to confront him on your terms, not his.

  “Trust us, the three of us are capable of handling Tixel.” Wesfazial’s lips twisted into a smirk. “Besides, you’ve hogged all the good fights. Give us one for a change.”

  The room erupted into tense laughter, but Farrell didn’t join them. If this were a trap, this plan would expose his friends to whatever Meglar had in store for him. Despite their assurances, they weren’t capable of defeating Meglar.

  “Your friends do not have a death wish,” Rothdin said. Nerti, Klissmor, and Hesnera nodded. “They believe quite strongly they can defeat this intruder.”

  “Just because they think it doesn’t mean it’s accurate.” He included the other three in his answer.

  “That is also true, but we agree this is a trap designed to give Meglar a chance to assess your skill.” Rothdin left unsaid that he and the other three were willing to sacrifice Farrell’s friends rather than risk him.

  “I am uneasy with the approach,” Farrell said out loud. “But I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to let you three scrape the rust off of your battle skills when I can still help you if needed.”

  More tense laughter filled the chambers. Farrell might be joking, but he wanted his mentors to know he would not agree to sit back and let them die.

  “A ringing endorsement of our abilities,” Erstad said.

  The discussion progressed to battle tactics and troop numbers. Farrell’s mind remained fixated with worry over his friends. When the conversation stopped, he realized the council had reached a consensus on what action to take.

  “Sorry, Miceral, I wasn’t really paying attention. I’m still worried about Erstad and the others.” He avoided looking at Miceral and tried to appear like he was mulling over the facts. “Are you happy with this plan?”

  “Yes, I think it’s a sound strategy.”

  Farrell straightened his back and met the expectant stares. “I think what we’ve discussed is well thought out and sound strategy. You have my approval to proceed.”

  With a plan in place, the leaders left to prepare their parts. Farrell motioned for Kel and the other wizards to remain. He asked Horgon, Rothdin, and the other beings to stay as well.

  “Are you okay?” Miceral asked.

  “Yes, I have a few questions I didn’t want to air to the larger group.”

  “Fine, but don’t do anything to hurt them. I don’t want you to ‘have’ to fight Tixel because they are injured.” He winked at Farrell.

  “There’s that dopey grin he always gets when he and Miceral are talking privately.” Wesfazial elbowed Erstad. “Remember to invite Farrell next time we play cards.”

  “Just make sure he brings money,” Kel said. “There would be little point in having him join you if you can’t profit from it.”

  “You, too?” Farrell laughed with the others even though he was the butt of the joke.

  “I’m certain you did not ask us to stay for these curmudgeons to insult you,” Nerti said, moving closer to Farrell.

  “That would be correct.” He rubbed the spot above her horn. “Thank you.”

  Kel chuckled. Farrell searched the room for Cylinda, who sat next to Rothdin and Hesnera.

  “So,” Kel said. “Why are we here?”

  “I had some questions, or better said, a few thoughts I want to run by you all.”

  “Really?” Erstad appeared overly shocked before he turned to Kel. “You’ve had a positive effect on the boy. He’s seeking counsel other than his own.”

  “Don’t make me regret that I thought to ask.” Farrell tried to look upset, but no one seemed cowed by his efforts.

  “What is it you want to discuss?” Kel asked.

  “Two things.” He motioned for everyone to have a seat. “First, I’m worried this is just the first step toward a full invasion.”

  “That I can assure you is not the case,” Kel said.

  “Assure us?” Horgon asked. “Do you have information we do not?”

  “I do.”

  When Kel didn’t elaborate, Horgon rolled his hand. “And will you share it?”

  Kel scanned the room. He pointed at the open door, and it swung shut. Farrell felt the privacy spell surround them. “Over the centuries I’ve placed numerous spells around the royal palace and the capital city of Kentrish that allow me to monitor what goes on there. There is no general mobilization underway at this moment.”

  “Were you ever going to share this with us?”
Miceral asked.

  “I just did.” Kel sounded unabashed.

  “Are you certain Meglar doesn’t know about these and is feeding you false information?” Erstad asked.

  “Quite.” Kel leaned his staff forward to rest it against the table. “These have been in place for centuries.”

  “That doesn’t mean he hasn’t noticed them,” Erstad said.

  “Give an old wizard his due. I’m certain the ones I rely on have not been found.” Kel chuckled. “I left several layers of ‘eyes.’ Some obvious, some less obvious but cleverly hidden to appear to be ones I didn’t expect found, and some I didn’t expect to ever be found. They found the ones I wanted found, some of those I’d hoped they find, and none of the ones I didn’t want found. Interestingly enough, they only neutralized some of those I’d hoped they’d find. They left a couple of them active.”

  “How do you know they found some and didn’t turn them off?” Miceral asked.

  Kel laughed again. “Because Meglar thinks himself quite clever. He and his inner circle make a big show of discussing their plans in front of the ones he found but let remain. Those plans are never what he actually does. After he feeds me false information, they go into the supposedly safe rooms and discuss their real plans.”

  “If he were as clever as he thought himself, surely he’d have realized his ruse hasn’t worked,” Hesnera said.

  Others chuckled, but Farrell glared at his grandfather. “You let her die.”

  “What was that?” Kel looked confused.

  Farrell stood and pointed at Kel. “You knew what Meglar planned, and you let my mother die!”

  “Calm yourself, Grandson. I did no such thing.” Kel turned his head. “Meglar’s plans to destroy Yar-del happened while I was in preservation. When I woke, I distilled the information. Sadly most of it was stale. The only bit of information I gleaned was that my spells were still working as planned. I also determined what information was true and what was meant to deceive me.”

  Miceral touched Farrell’s arm and looked at his empty seat. “Don’t do this now.”

  Farrell sat, struggling to reconcile what he’d heard. Kel had nearly died fighting Krendrew, so it was plausible he’d been unavailable to give Zenora a warning. But it still left him angry that Kel could have prevented her death.

  “And you’re certain this is the only army he is sending?” Horgon asked.

  “Certain? No. But there are no other mobilizations happening in the city or any of the other places that serve as staging grounds.” Kel shrugged. “Could he be planning something at other locations in the conquered lands where I have no eyes? I suppose so, but his pattern to date has been to gather his wizards in Kentrish before any major offensive. That hasn’t happened yet.”

  “So then what is he planning?” Erstad asked.

  “Most of my spells only show me what he is doing, not what he says.” Kel waved his hand over the red jewel in his staff, and an image appeared over the table. “This is the most relevant information I found.”

  Events moved quickly, but Farrell easily recognized Meglar speaking to a less-than-happy Tixel. At one point Meglar stepped down and Tixel cowered before nodding. The images shifted to a place outside. It appeared to be a staging ground. Meglar touched a wall, and a vast Door opened. Chamdon rushed through, followed by the handlers and Tixel. Once the last of the force went through, Meglar shut the portal down. He walked away, and the scene faded.

  “As I said, there is no other activity of note.”

  “Can we have access to those spells?” Erstad asked.

  “I intend to share the information I glean in the future.” Kel looked at Farrell. “But I will not give any save Farrell access to the spells themselves. They are part of Yar-del’s legacy, and so they shall remain.”

  If anyone disapproved of the arrangement, no one spoke it out loud. After a few awkward moments, Farrell cleared his throat.

  “I have another concern.” He waited until he had their attention. “The detection spells we use to protect Haven announce the presence of a powerful wizard or wizards. They are too extensive and established to have been put in place after the dwarves were freed. Nor would they be the work of those newly freed dwarves. Tixel will know there is more of interest than just Trellham once he encounters them.”

  “Let Meglar look.” Wesfazial waved his hand dismissively. “He won’t find anything. We’re too well shielded.”

  “And that itself might raise his suspicions.” Horgon and Kel nodded. “Why go to the effort of laying detection spells if there is nothing to hide?”

  “Interesting.” Erstad stroked his chin. “I’d not considered it like that before, but your reasoning is sound. Were I to encounter a series of well-laid detection spells but find no trace of anything worth protecting, I’d be highly suspicious.”

  “Turn them off now,” Kel said. “Tixel and his army are a day’s march away. Those spells he’s already detected are far enough removed from Haven that even if he made the connection to Haven, he’d need years to find it.”

  “But that would cost us our most efficient means of tracking their movements,” Wesfazial said.

  Farrell took out the Eye and held it up. “I’ll wager this is much better than those detection spells.”

  Erstad shook his head. “That may be, but only you possess the Eye. The rest of us will be blind to any danger.”

  “This is only temporary,” Kel said. “And for now everyone, myself included, will need to rely on Farrell to tell us what is happening. Deceiving our enemy is worth this bit of inconvenience.”

  Before anyone could further protest, Farrell stood again. “Kel and I will turn off the spells. You three go prepare for tomorrow.”

  Erstad looked at Cylinda and then Wesfazial. “I believe we’ve been dismissed.”

  “Yes, you were.” Farrell laughed. “By the Six, that felt good. I’m usually on the receiving end of that order.”

  Farrell resisted the temptation to retrieve the Ear of Lenore and hear what his friends were saying as they left. Instead he began turning off the detection spells between Haven and Meglar’s approaching army.

  Chapter Eight

  Farrell and Miceral donned their dwarf armor and walked to the front gates of Trellham to meet Horgon. Two dozen dwarves surrounded them. They found Horgon near the entrance, accepting information reports from a half-dozen soldiers. If the pending attack made Horgon anxious, Farrell couldn’t tell.

  Before Horgon finished, Father Aswick and General Aleem joined them.

  “Don’t look so dour, Father,” Miceral said. “Trellham is in no danger this day.”

  Aswick twisted a bit of cloth on his sleeve. “How close are the troops you’re bringing south?”

  “We’ve moved most of them overnight. The rest will be coming throughout the morning.” Horgon reached out and stopped the priest from destroying his robe. “That will not help the troops move faster.”

  The dwarf gave a nervous laugh. “For three hundred years I had nothing to worry about save dying before someone freed my people. Now I find myself with too much to worry about.”

  Farrell put a hand on the old dwarf’s shoulder. “Perhaps it would be best if you wait in the central square for the troops from Colograd and Fracturn to arrive.”

  “Am I that distracting?”

  “No, but nothing is imminent. Rather than fret over every update, your time would be better spent making preparations.” Farrell tried to sound convincing.

  “You will let me know if things change?”

  “You have my word,” Miceral said.

  Aswick nodded and returned to the city.

  “What’s the status of the soldiers from the other dwarf kingdoms?” Horgon asked.

  Miceral laughed. “Their pride is a bit dented, but they’ve started to arrive.”

  Horgon gave the pair a questioning look.

  “When we sent word to Drendar and Thrinton, they each offered to empty their kingdoms to defend Trel
lham to the last dwarf,” Miceral said. “We had to insist they send no more than five thousand troops each.”

  “Why only that many?” Horgon didn’t sound happy with the arrangement.

  “The dwarves just fought at Agloth a month ago,” Farrell said. “We’re also worried Meglar will attempt to sow dissent on the other two continents. If that happens, it could threaten Fracturn and Colograd. We don’t want them to deplete their forces.”

  “And,” Miceral said, “needing human soldiers to man stations inside Trellham would only serve as a further reminder of their shame.”

  “You seem to have thought it out,” Horgon said. “But you can never have too many soldiers before a battle.”

  Farrell was about to leave when they heard chainmail jingling and shod feet marching their way. “Drendar or Thrinton?” he asked Miceral.

  “Thrinton.”

  “I think it’s Drendar,” Farrell said.

  They didn’t have to wait long for an answer. Drendar led his guards around the corner. Farrell flashed Miceral a grin and addressed Fracturn’s king.

  “Hail and well met, brothers.” Drendar struck his breastplate and bowed deeper than required. “I see you’ve found another fight for us to win.”

  “That’s one perspective,” Horgon whispered.

  Drendar searched the surrounding area. “Has Thrinton arrived?”

  “Not yet, brother.” Farrell held his arm out to Drendar’s viselike grip on his forearm. “You and your dwarves are the first.”

  “Excellent.” Drendar smiled broadly. “Thrinton is always so by-the-book. I expected he’d be here already, bunked down, and scouted the entire mountain, looking for places to defend.”

  Farrell laughed at the accurate description of the young king of Colograd.

  “As the first, you get to select which side of Trellham you want to defend,” Miceral said.

  “Speaking of that.” Drendar rested his hand on his hammer. “Is there no talking you out of relegating us to guard duty?”

  “No, there is not.” Farrell shook his head. “For all the reasons we laid out yesterday, it is necessary for our troops to engage Meglar and his army.”