“Captain,” Farrell called softly. “I’m more likely to embarrass you than your dwarves. They are good soldiers who will be a credit to their position and their captain.”
“Sire.” Jagwin’s voice held a mixture of humor and concern. “With all due respect, I can do naught to improve your poor adherence to protocol. My dwarves, however, are not allowed to lower their standards to meet yours.”
Jagwin arched an eyebrow as if to dare Farrell to comment.
Farrell laughed instead. “Well put. I will do my utmost to be exemplary as well.”
“Please see that you do,” Jagwin said. “Or else I shall be the butt of numerous and lasting jokes from Colograd and Fracturn’s captains.”
“Ah.” Farrell slowly nodded. “The truth comes to light. This is about your pride, not Trellham’s.”
“Not so, sire. Both are equally important.”
“The other captains already gave him words about how lax things are in Trellham,” a stout dwarf to Jagwin’s left said. “But we do our best to carry on.”
“I’m sorry I’m not up to standards,” he said. He hadn’t meant to embarrass his guards. “Trellham might be better served if Father Aswick only crowned Miceral today. Then at least you would have a monarch worthy of respect.”
Jagwin snapped straight up. “Your Majesty. First, you can’t get out of this that easily. Father Aswick will never allow it.”
Everyone laughed, including Farrell.
“And second, there is no one more respected in all the dwarf realms than you. Soldiers from Colograd and Fracturn talk of your bravery at Agloth. You have earned our respect. We just wish you were a bit less—”
“Human?” He raised his eyebrow, trying not to smile.
“It’s not your fault, so we all make allowances.” Jagwin smiled. “Just don’t expect us to fawn over you. We expect our kings to be one of us, not above us.”
Farrell bowed to his guards. “Thank you, Captain. I will do my best not to embarrass you.”
Horns blared from Khron’s temple, signaling the beginning of the procession. Jagwin nodded to his lieutenant, who sang out a note for those around him. With the first word of their song, the assembled guards marched up the ramp toward the King’s Staircase.
Emerging into the city proper, Farrell saw dwarves packed everywhere. The crowd sang back and threatened to drown out the guards.
“Where did all these dwarves come from?” Farrell asked. “The population of Trellham is half this many.”
“A guard told me the temple Doors have been in full use since dawn.”
Looking around, Farrell saw every ledge overlooking the city packed with spectators. “Did every dwarf in the world attend?”
“Don’t exaggerate,” Miceral said. “Only half the dwarf population is here.”
Up the stairs and to the right, the guards led the kings toward Khron’s temple. Walking past the forty-foot statues, Farrell thought for an instant the faces of the Six replaced the stone visages. Remembering his promise to Jagwin, Farrell resisted the urge to stare up at the faces.
Jagwin called for the kings to halt. The guards marched down the aisle and stood shoulder to shoulder. When every dwarf was in place, they stretched to the altar. Jagwin marched ahead, checking every inch of the route as he walked. Halfway to the dais, at the appointed time, the kings followed after him.
On the steps to the altar, Drendar and Thrinton waited, surrounded by seventeen priests and priestesses. The eighteenth stood in front of Jagwin.
Pride mixed with joy emanated from the faces of the entire assembly. Even the kings of Fracturn and Colograd didn’t hide their emotions. Farrell felt goose bumps under his sleeves as he realized the magnitude of what was unfolding.
Together Miceral and Farrell stopped a pace behind Jagwin, who stood on the bottommost step. Father Aswick descended, stopping one step up from Jagwin.
“Holy Father, Farrell and Miceral present themselves to prove their worth to rule Trellham and its dwarves.” Jagwin’s voice reverberated against the stone walls.
“Do you vouch for them?” Aswick asked.
“With my life.” Jagwin faced the crowd, hand on his war hammer. “Any who would say differently, approach so we may fight to the death.”
The challenge, while heartfelt, would never be accepted. The double row of guards made sure no one would reach Jagwin. Turning back to Aswick, Jagwin shook his head. “There are none who challenge my words, Holy Father.”
The elderly dwarf nodded. Jagwin bowed deeply and stepped down to assume his position behind Miceral and Farrell.
“Approach the altar,” Aswick said.
Miceral entwined his fingers in Farrell’s, and they followed Aswick to the top stair. Bare and lonely, the altar waited on the level below the top of the dais. Three empty thrones stood watch just beyond the altar: two for the kings and the third, thirty feet tall, for a god.
Aswick stood between the two, and they all knelt to show reverence for Khron. He held out his hands for Farrell and Miceral. “Pray with me as we ask for His guidance.”
The three bowed their heads and Aswick sucked in a deep breath.
“Most Holy Khron. Today we return life to Your city. The kings You chose stand before You, asking to be found worthy to rule. None here doubt their worth, but only by Your word may we crown a king.
“It was at Your direction that I gave Miceral and Farrell Your gifts. Today we seek confirmation that their conduct pleases You. On behalf of the dwarves of Trellham, I ask for Your guidance before I place the crowns of Trellham upon their brows.”
Farrell wanted to ask Khron to change his mind, but the absurdity of that notion stayed the words. Behind him, the audience kept silent in anticipation of what would—or would not—happen next.
Between one breath and the next, Farrell felt the familiar tingle announcing divine intervention. The temple shook as two enormous boots appeared in front of the giant chair.
“RISE AND STAND BEFORE ME!” Khron’s voice bellowed.
Seated on the massive throne, the God of War curved his lips into a smile below His face guard.
“IT PLEASES ME YOU STAND IN MY HOME. LET ALL WHO HEAR MY VOICE KNOW THIS: THESE ARE THE ONES I CHOOSE TO RULE TRELLHAM. IF YOU DOUBT THEM, YOU DOUBT ME. DEFY THEM, AND YOU DEFY ME. FOLLOW THEM DUTIFULLY AND THEIR STRENGTH, COURAGE, AND WISDOM SHALL REWARD ALL OF TRELLHAM.
“PRIEST OF MY HOUSE, ATTEND ME!”
Aswick rose slowly and ascended the stairs until he knelt before his God.
“YOU HAVE PLEASED ME GREATLY WITH YOUR SERVICE. YOUR DESIRE TO SEE THIS DAY IS FULFILLED. IT IS MY GIFT TO YOU FOR YOUR LABORS. BE AT PEACE AND ENJOY THE DAYS I SHALL GIVE YOU AS A REWARD FOR YOUR DEDICATION.”
“Thank you, Most Holy.” Aswick beamed at his Master’s blessing.
“NOW I COMMAND YOU TO CROWN MY KINGS SO ALL WILL KNOW WHO THEY ARE.”
With the hulking figure of Khron ensconced on His throne, Aswick motioned for the kings of Fracturn and Colograd to approach. Each bore an identical crown upon a green velvet cushion.
As Drendar and Thrinton passed the assembled clerics, Fathers Lamenar and Wasquar broke ranks. They walked beside their respective monarchs. The four dwarves ascended the stairs until they reached their counterparts from Trellham.
Under Khron’s watchful eye, the kings of the other dwarf nations stood next to Trellham’s kings. Drendar took a position beside Miceral, while Thrinton assumed a similar stance next to Farrell.
Facing the four kings, Aswick, flanked by his brothers, raised his arms, palms facing skyward. He showed no sign Khron’s presence made him nervous.
“To the great joy of King Farrell, I will make this ceremony brief.” The crowd laughed. “Where Holy Khron has spoken, what more can I say?”
He nodded, and Lamenar and Wasquar each lifted a crown from its cushion. Farrell and Miceral knelt, waiting for Aswick to anoint them kings of Trellham. For the first time, Aswick appeared flustered. Looking over his shoulder, he rece
ived a curt nod from Khron that revived his flagging spirit.
“In Khron’s name and in His presence, I declare you both kings of Trellham. Your subjects expect you will rule wisely, with strong, steady, and fair hands. We expect you both to put the good of Trellham and its dwarves above personal gain. Do not rule for personal aggrandizement; rather, rule with Trellham first in your thoughts. Lead with the skill and courage that will inspire dwarves of all nations to follow you into battle without hesitation. Do not ask of a dwarf that which you would not do yourself.
“To be sure, these are difficult tasks, but a good king must be able to do all this and more. To kneel here today, you have proven yourselves worthy not only to the dwarves of Trellham but the holy father as well.
“I ask my brothers Lamenar and Wasquar to place upon your brows the symbols of what we already acknowledge in our hearts and minds.”
Carefully the dwarf priests placed the crowns on Miceral and Farrell’s heads. Wasquar adjusted the crown twice, drawing a smile from Farrell.
“Sorry, lad, these old hands are not as strong as they once were,” he whispered.
“They were equal to the task, Father.” Farrell winked as the elderly dwarf stepped back.
“Join me in welcoming King Miceral and King Farrell to sit on their thrones and assume their duties as kings of Trellham and high kings of the dwarves.”
Aswick had to shout the last several words to be heard over the roar of the crowd. Drendar and Thrinton drew their war hammers and smashed them together. The guards rapped their weapons against their breastplates in unison with the clanging war hammers. The din filled the temple, and it sounded like a pitched battle.
With all the restraint he could manage, Farrell took one step each time Drendar’s hammer met Thrinton’s. When the pair reached the thrones, the dwarf kings let loose a strike of such power that the sound threatened to overwhelm Farrell.
Waiting until the echo of the weapons’ clash subsided, the two kings sat upon their thrones. Khron immediately stood up.
“IT IS DONE! RULE WISELY IN MY NAME!”
A flash of light enveloped the temple, and Khron was gone. With the coronation complete, the palace guards broke into song. This time the other dwarves sang along. Even the clerics and kings of Fracturn and Colograd joined in the song.
“It is a song of welcome,” Nerti said into his mind. “They also wish you a long, prosperous reign, full of wisdom, strength, courage, and compassion.”
Farrell grasped Miceral’s hand and relayed Nerti’s information. Miceral looked over and smiled.
“That was the easy part,” he said to Farrell. “Next comes the all-day-and-night banquet in our honor.”
“I’ve been practicing my smile all week. No one will know if I’m unhappy.”
Jagwin bellowed an order before mounting the steps. He dropped to one knee and the temple went silent. “Just this once will I kneel before you. From this day forward, I shall be too busy guarding your backs. My life, and those of my dwarves, are yours to command. Unto our last breath, we pledge to serve and protect you both. While there is life left in our bodies, we will preserve your lives with no regard for our own. This we swear before Most Holy Khron and the Six.”
In a display Farrell hadn’t seen practiced, every guard in the temple dropped to a knee. They emulated their captain and bowed their heads.
“Stand up,” Miceral said. “We have to accept or they will lose face.”
They stood together, and Farrell followed Miceral’s lead. “Draw your sword when I draw mine.”
Unsure what they were doing, Farrell did as Miceral told him.
“Place the tip on his left shoulder when I touch mine to his right.”
Farrell waited for his cue and raised his sword in unison with Miceral. Carefully, he touched the point to Jagwin’s shoulder.
“Your offer is gratefully accepted.” Miceral’s voice filled the temple. “No finer captain or guards could a king or kings hope to find. Having such stout dwarves guarding us is a comfort that allows us to rest peacefully at night knowing we are safe. Khron truly blessed us when He sent us so fine a dwarf to be captain of our guard.”
“That was a bit much, don’t you think?” Farrell asked when he was sure Miceral had finished.
“Klissmor gave me the words. He said I would end up insulting Jagwin if I didn’t listen to him.”
Together they withdrew their weapons, allowing Jagwin to stand. Acting as if nothing had happened, Jagwin spun on his heel and barked a new order. The guards formed into ranks as he led the kings down the stairs. They paused briefly to formally greet Drendar and Thrinton. The visiting kings assumed a position behind the newly crowned kings.
Singing loudly, the assembly trailed behind the procession. They marched into a city ready to unleash a celebration worthy of the day.
Forty-Three
The celebration went all day and into the night. By the time it ended, Farrell abandoned his original plan to return to Haven to avoid waking the children. While the rest of the city slept off the effects of rivers of ale and wine, Farrell woke early and spirited his family away before anyone noticed.
When the children resumed their daily routine, Farrell retreated to the shelter of his new safe room to continue his studies. Miceral agreed to meet with the Trellham council every morning, which placated Father Aswick for a time.
On the second day after the ceremony, Kel arrived at the vault with a sour expression.
“What’s wrong?” Farrell asked when he sat without speaking.
“This room prevents others from communicating with us.”
“Right, we talked about that when we built it. Otherwise we’d leave an opening someone could exploit.”
Kel raised both hands and looked about the room. When his gaze fell upon the table, he pointed to the pitcher. “Coffee?”
“Yes.”
“Is it hot?”
Farrell picked it up and passed his hand over the top. “It is now.” He poured a cup and gave it to his grandfather.
After sniffing the top, Kel took a sip and relaxed. “The others don’t approve of being unable to access the room. Heminaltose in particular has asked why they cannot even speak to us when they wish.”
Farrell could see how that exchange went. “Maybe we can reason with them.”
“I doubt that, but I decided to fetch you so you can try to mediate.”
“It needs to be accessible to more than just you two,” Heminaltose said, looking to Zenora for support. “If both of you are in there, no one can reach you. You’re cut off from us.”
“And if we open it to everyone, it wouldn’t be secure,” Kel said.
“Is it really necessary to exclude everyone but you two?” Zenora asked.
Farrell was about to say no when Kel spoke first. “Yes! The contents are only meant for Farrell.”
Zenora laid a hand on Heminaltose’s shoulder. “If what’s there is so valuable, the rest of us could benefit as well.”
“No doubt,” Kel said. “You would also benefit from using the Eye of Honorus, but you aren’t given access to that, either.”
“You think what you collected is the equal of a Gift of the Gods?” Heminaltose snorted. “History said your ego was great, but this is incredible.”
Kel gazed at him with a fire Farrell rarely saw. “Stop playing the role of fool. For one of your training and reputation, you whine like a petulant young novice from a noble family.”
“Grandfather, I—”
“That’s it?” Heminaltose said. “That’s the best the mighty Kel can do? You couldn’t come up with a real answer, so you resort to insults?”
Farrell felt things spiraling out of control. “Master, please. This—”
“I’ll handle this,” Kel said curtly. “I reserve my wisdom for those who’ve earned it, not for childish complainers.”
“Enough!” Farrell slapped his hands on the table and they both looked at him. “Your constant sniping at each other ha
s to stop.”
Neither spoke immediately, so he continued, “They’re right, Grandfather. We need to make sure they can contact us. But Kel is also right. No one else is going to get access to the room. You may go with us, but I’ll not expand the permissions to include anyone else.”
“Why not?” Zenora asked. Something told him she agreed with his position.
Farrell looked at Heminaltose. “Do you allow me unfettered access to your workroom?”
“No, of course not.” Heminaltose’s expression softened a bit.
“This is our workroom, and you must abide by our conditions.”
“As is the usual practice,” Zenora said.
Heminaltose nodded. “Agreed.”
“But we cannot be unreachable when we’re inside the room.” Farrell directed this to Kel. “We’ll need to find a way to allow that without compromising its integrity.”
“The wisdom of Falcron?” Kel asked with a playful lilt to his voice.
“Hardly.” Farrell walked to the nearest wall and began to open a Door.
“Are you going somewhere?” Kel asked.
“No, we are all going to meet Nerti and Rothdin to work out this problem.”
“I believe we just experienced a royal decree,” Heminaltose said with a laugh.
“Yes, Master, you did.” There was no humor in Farrell’s tone. He finished the Door, and it sprang to life. “You raised the issue. You can help solve it.”
It took several hours and three failed attempts, but they finally found a workable solution. Zenora suggested they create markers similar to the beacons used to access the Source. They placed one inside and outside the room that could only communicate with each other. They were also sealed to everyone, including Kel and Farrell.
After they finished, Kel put a hand to Farrell’s chest before he could open the Door for them to leave the room. “I’m not dead yet.”
Farrell knew what he meant. “I understand. And I intend to do everything in my power to see that day is as far off as possible.”
“Bah!” Kel snapped a hand at him in frustration. “Trying to do every bit of magic yourself won’t prolong my life. As I’ve said many times, this petty magic isn’t draining.”
Champion of the Gods Box Set Page 164