The way Ervend’s face got red, Farrell expected him to challenge Nerti. The prospect of her putting the king in his place would please him to no end, but it would not help ease the tension.
“Perhaps now would be a good time for a drink and something to eat,” Samruel’s older brother said. Matyhis was not as handsome as his younger brother, but he was more powerful.
Amid the chorus of agreement, Samruel appeared at Farrell’s side.
“Khron appeared at your coronation?”
“Among other times, yes.”
Samruel smiled and shook his head. “I definitely liked the old Farrell better.”
As Matyhis suggested, the food and drink softened most of the edge to the meeting. The icy start between Kel and the queen thawed, and he answered Pertrice’s questions. Kel did most of the talking but deferred to Farrell to provide the details of how he became king of Trellham. After more than hour of amicable discussion, they cycled back to Ervend’s question.
“Beatrice and I came to Tilerstig’s rescue at the direction of the Six to hide some of my descendants here.” Kel glanced around the table and nodded at each of the wizards who claimed kinship with him. “But we shielded Tilerstig to keep it apart from the petty wars of Erd so the Six could call on you when needed. Now is that time.”
“With respect, Your Majesty,” Samruel said, “that doesn’t mean we will blindly turn over our army to you or Farrell.”
“Nor would I ask you to do so.” Kel looked at the queen. “The war between Neldin and the Six didn’t end at Trellham. It will never end so long as the Seven exist. Each side is gathering its forces, and the final act of this round is rushing toward us. Unlike the meaningless conflicts that plague Erd, in this war, all beings must choose a side. Even Tilerstig.”
The room went quiet, and Farrell didn’t need Pertrice to speak to know her answer. Of all the places he’d been, Tilerstig stood apart, in more than the obvious way. Remaining apart from the world was a point of pride. Isolation had become almost their religion. Though he professed to dislike an appearance by any of the Six, it might require one to get Pertrice to agree.
Pertrice, the king, and her children had the look others accused Farrell of wearing when he spoke mind-to-mind with Miceral. From his encounter with Gertaf, he knew the royals wore amulets similar to his. He cleared his mind and focused on hearing stray thoughts as he had when he freed Hendris from the slaver ship.
The buzzing became more distinct and turned into garbled words. He made sure he didn’t smile, and that nearly broke his link. Soon, the sounds became clearer.
“He won’t like it,” Matyhis said. “What if he removes our protections?”
“No one has tested our defenses in centuries,” Tharles said. “If Kel removes them, no one will know they are gone before we can create new ones.”
“That is easier to say than to achieve,” Samruel said.
“Agreed,” Pertrice said. “But we are not defenseless without them. I have decided.”
The queen stood, and Farrell glanced at Samruel. His friend had been looking at him but turned away once their eyes met.
“We have considered your request, Your Majesty. We need more time to assess the situation before we commit our resources to a war on Ardus.” She didn’t shy away from Kel’s intense stare. “Surely you didn’t expect an answer immediately, did you?”
“I had hoped you were wise enough to recognize the danger.” Kel leaned on his staff and stood. “Queen Nerti and her son accompanied me—”
“Invoke the Warlord’s Command,” Flemin said.
Farrell turned toward the unicorns. “What?”
“Invoke the Warlord’s Command,” Nerti repeated. “It will give you command of Tilerstig’s armies.”
Despite the bad feeling he had, he trusted that Nerti knew what she was doing. Slowly he stood. Kel stopped speaking, which indicated he knew what Farrell was about to do.
“I invoke the Warlord’s Command.”
Gasps filled the room, and Samruel’s voice carried over them all. “Farrell, no!”
Kel’s satisfied smile reinforced that Farrell wasn’t going to like what he’d done. The queen stared at him with stony resolve while the king seethed. The others look shocked, all except Samruel. He shared his father’s anger, but he directed it at Kel.
“You’re sending him to his death!”
“You and your family had better hope that isn’t true,” Kel said without any humor. “Because if he fails, one of you will have to assume his task as Champion of the Six, and none of you are half the wizard he is. Either way, Tilerstig’s time of isolation is over.”
“I have to what?” Farrell glared at Flemin and Nerti.
The queen and her family had stormed out of the audience room, leaving their guests for the staff to deal with. Tharles stared at them, his expression unreadable.
“You must defeat a company of horned-bull cavalry without the use of magic,” Nerti said.
“Don’t you think you should have explained that before you told me to invoke the claim?” In his anger he forgot to speak mentally.
“It’s too late now,” Tharles said. He looked at Kel and the unicorns and shook his head. “I don’t know what possessed you to send him to his death, but it’s on your heads, not mine.”
“It is you who does not understand,” Nerti said. “Had you and your people not turned your backs on the Six, you would see that each of Them has chosen Farrell.”
Tharles appeared unconvinced. “What good is the favor of the Six against what he must face?”
“That is where you are blind,” Kel said. “Each of the Six has touched Farrell and given him Their blessings. If you believe nothing else I’ve said today, believe this. Farrell will not fail this test. It is not too late for the queen to change her mind and lend us Tilerstig’s support. Be sure she understands what she is about to lose.”
“I’ll convey your confidence to her.” Tharles waved his hands and the staff scurried forward. “Rest. We will talk again in the morning.”
He headed toward where the queen had exited. Farrell waited until Tharles left the room before he followed the young teen in court colors.
Despite her anger, the queen hadn’t relegated them to inferior rooms. His had a view of the bay and was well-appointed. He wondered if the queen would have sent them elsewhere if she gave it a thought.
Farrell kicked off his boots, removed his armor, and flopped onto the soft bed. He tucked his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling. Kel and Nerti could have warned him first, but in the end he’d be right where he was now. Another army and several strong wizards would be a welcome addition to their forces, assuming they actually answered his call.
He closed his eyes to clear his thoughts, and within seconds, there was a knock on the door. Feeling too lazy to get up, he sent a wisp of magic toward it.
“Come in. I’m in the bedroom.” Kel didn’t know where the bedroom was, but he knew his grandfather had the resources to find it.
“Am I disturbing you?” Samruel asked.
Farrell opened his eyes and sat up. “Sam! Sorry. I thought it was Kel.”
“I can leave if you like.” Though the offer was sincere, he clearly wanted to stay.
“No, please.” He swung his legs over the bed. “I was just resting. After what happened, I’m not expecting a state dinner in my honor.”
Samruel snorted and waved at him not to get up. He scanned the room and sat in a chair facing the bed. “No, that won’t happen. But Mother won’t poison you, either.”
Farrell laughed. “Perhaps I’ll just summon something from Haven for dinner.”
“Haven? I thought you were the king of Trellham?”
“Haven occupies the northernmost edge of Trellham. It’s easier for Miceral and me to stay in my old apartment than move into the palace.”
“That’s incredible.” Samruel looked into the air. “Everyone assumed the dwarves made the gates, but for it to be part of the
lost kingdom . . .”
Farrell didn’t tell his friend he’d found the kingdom years before Samruel had left. Heminaltose had limited who knew, and Farrell didn’t want to offend Sam. “Right. The gates we all thought so impressive are naught but a side exit to the kingdom. The main gates make those look common.”
“Common? The main ones must be incredible.”
“They are.” Farrell let the silence linger. He didn’t know why Samruel had come, so he let his friend guide their conversation. Samruel cleared his throat.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because Nerti told me to.” He shrugged. “I don’t totally understand, but I trust her.”
“Farrell, you’re going to have to defeat a company of mounted bull riders. Alone. Without magic. You’ll be killed.”
“I’ve survived worse.” He tried to laugh, but it came out weak. He’d handled most of those “worse” things with magic.
“This isn’t funny. Have you ever seen the charge of a horned-bull cavalry?”
“Yes.” Farrell nodded.
“What? Where?”
“Gertaf’s company. Nerti ordered the bulls to stop. Half the riders were tossed.”
“That’s not how the test will go. They’ll trample you, if you survive the lances.”
“I won’t get trampled and I’ll avoid getting pierced.” He wanted to say more, but he didn’t want to give away his advantage.
Samruel slapped his thighs and stood. “You’re going to die. This is insane.”
Farrell slid off the bed, walked over, and placed his hands on Samruel’s shoulders. “Trust me, I won’t. I’m not the same person you knew. Not even close. Things happened. Even without magic, I’ll be fine.”
“How?”
“It’s best I not say at this point. If your family knew, they’d try to find a way to change the test.” It pained Farrell not to answer, but this wasn’t the time.
“You don’t trust me?”
“I do, but this way I’m not asking you to decide between me or your family.” He shrugged. “Sam, be honest. If you knew how I would defeat the test, wouldn’t you feel obligated to share that with your family?”
The emotions played across Samruel’s face. They both knew the answer. He nodded. “I would.”
Farrell smiled and dropped his hands. “Now you can say you tried to get the information and I refused.”
“I’ll also spend the next few days worrying you’re going to die.” He walked around Farrell and went to the window. “Everyone in the royal family knows how Kel and Beatrice saved the kingdom. The Warlord’s Command was always viewed as an oddity. I never dreamed anyone would invoke the challenge. What was the point of it? We have no neighbors to invade, no allies to help. Why risk certain death when you couldn’t do anything with it if you survived?”
Someone knocked on the door before Farrell could respond.
“Are you expecting someone?” Farrell asked.
“No.” Samruel shook his head. “I doubt my parents would send anyone.”
Farrell pushed a bit of magic into his voice. “Who is it?”
“Kel.”
“Come in.” He sent a globe of energy to guide his grandfather to the bedroom.
“I should leave,” Samruel said.
“Why? It’s just Kel.”
Samruel laughed. “Just Kel? Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?”
“Why?” Kel said from the doorway. “That is who I am.”
“Right, but you’re Kel.”
“It would appear your mother doesn’t share your opinion.” Kel set his staff against the wall and sat in a padded chair.
“Not that you’re not welcome, but . . .” Farrell caught himself too late.
Kel raised a bushy eyebrow, and heat rushed to Farrell’s cheeks. “Was I interrupting something?”
“Of course not.” He avoided looking at Samruel. “But I know you wouldn’t have come if you didn’t want to talk to me.”
“You know me too well, Grandson.” Kel shifted his gaze from Farrell to Samruel. “Sorry, that was rude of me to suggest that of my grandsons.”
Samruel and Farrell looked at each other. “This is going to be difficult to get used to,” Samruel said.
“No more so than many things that are about to happen,” Kel said. “Which is part of the reason I’ve come. I wanted to discuss the Warlord’s Command.”
“Are you sure you want me to hear this?” Samruel asked.
“If anything, I’d be glad if you stayed and then told the queen what you hear. It isn’t too late for her to end this foolishness.” Kel expression said more about how he felt than his words. “The notion that Tilerstig is going to wait this out is a mistake.”
“She hasn’t said she won’t help, only that she wants more time to think it over before making a decision.”
“Don’t patronize me, young prince.” Kel crooked a finger at Samruel. “I ruled Yar-del for more than nine hundred years. I know how to politely tell someone no.”
“Even so, Farrell shouldn’t have invoked the Command.”
“Forget what you know about Farrell. None of it is accurate anymore.”
“That’s what he said.” He glanced at Farrell. “But you know this has nothing to do with how powerful a wizard he is.”
“Of course I know. I helped create the test and the spells that make sure it works.” Kel winked at Farrell. “I remember when Beatrice told me we needed to add this to our list of spells. I thought she’d lost her mind. Not only did it seem a whimsical bit of law, it seemed impossible to all but a Muchari. Now it all makes sense. I’ll have to ask her if one of the Six told her to do it.”
“Makes sense?” Samruel threw his arms wide. “Grandsire, none of this is logical. None!”
“Calm down, Sam.” Farrell knew it wouldn’t help.
“Farrell, I cared for you like a brother even before I knew you were my cousin. I still care. This is an act of suicide by cavalry.”
“No, it’s not,” Kel said. “Beatrice meant for her test to be impossible for anyone but Farrell to survive so he could use it at this moment. Farrell is the Champion of the Six. He is the only person ever to be the Chosen of each of Them. More, each of the Six have visited Farrell and touched him. Even without his magic, he can defeat your bull riders.”
“You can’t be sure he’ll succeed,” Samruel said.
“Farrell will because the Six want him to succeed.”
Samruel didn’t respond immediately and went back to the window. Farrell looked at Kel, who shook his head and shrugged. The silence dragged on until Samruel rapped his knuckles on the stone windowsill.
“Please don’t do this, Farrell.” He kept looking out the window. “Even if you survive, you won’t win. Mother will never give you control over her army.”
“She will,” Kel said. “If she doesn’t, Tilerstig will have a new ruler, and it won’t be from her line.”
Samruel spun around. He looked shocked. “You’d depose her?”
“If it came to that, yes, but I believe the Six would step in before I could act.”
“Why are you doing this?” Samruel asked. “There have to be others you can ask for help.”
Kel nodded. “Of course there are, and they’ve already agreed to help. The better question is, why is Pertrice being so stubborn?”
“You know why. You and Beatrice set this in motion.”
“We did not.” Kel shook his head. “We gave Tilerstig the means to defend itself. You were not supposed to keep the rest of Nendor out.”
“If you disapproved of our ways, why didn’t you return sooner?”
“Do you even understand what is at stake?” Kel’s tone bordered on insulting. “For the last three thousand years I have been helping the Six move Their pieces into place in preparation for Their war with Neldin. I didn’t have the time to babysit rulers who refused to see beyond their noses. Which is why I said, I understand now why the Six had us include the Warlord’s Comma
nd.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The Six move us around like pieces on a board,” Farrell said, trying to bring down the level of animosity. “Rothdin, the king of the peregrines once told me that even he, as old as he is and as favored as he is, only knows a tiny part of what the Six plan. He, like Kel, is told what to do, not why. The reasons only become clear when They want us to see the purpose.”
“You really believe all of this was set up by the Six?”
“The Six have controlled my life to get me where They want me at the time They want me there.” He tilted his head and looked at Samruel. “Tell me you don’t believe the Six would do this after you see how They’ve manipulated me and my life.”
“But this is different.”
“No, Grandson, it is not.” Kel stood and grabbed his staff. “The gods are fighting through Their followers. Those chosen to serve are moved about in a game of attack and retreat. Seritia hid the warriors of Ze’arder against this day only to return them now. Honorus united Dumbarten so it could stand in opposition to Neldin. And I hid Tilerstig in plain view at Their command so it could lend its might in the war that is coming.”
Samruel looked shook his head. “All these centuries we’ve been executing a covert plan for the Six? A plan so secret they never told us?”
“I know how it feels,” Farrell said. “Believe me, I do.”
“Go,” Kel said. “Speak to your mother and tell her it isn’t too late. Have her seek out the heads of the temples for guidance if she doesn’t believe me. But one way or the other, Tilerstig’s army is going to serve the Six in the coming war.”
The summons to attend the queen didn’t come in the morning as Tharles had suggested. Farrell used the time to plan instead of fret about the delay. With his new abilities, the outcome of the Challenge wasn’t in doubt. But defeating the company would hurt or kill some of the soldiers and bulls. That wouldn’t be a good start to the new alliance.
Champion of the Gods Box Set Page 189