Champion of the Gods Box Set

by Andrew Q. Gordon

  Farrell saw the truth in Kel’s words. It wasn’t arrogance or hubris, just the facts. Still, it was a risky gambit on the part of the Six.

  “Is it your belief that if I tell the Six I accept, Neldin can no longer speak to me?”

  Kel rubbed his chin but didn’t speak for a time. “It is, but I would wait before I make that decision.”

  “Wait? Why? I’ve already made my—”

  “Stop!” Kel leaned forward in his seat. “Before you blurt out your next words, hear me out. I believe you have stumbled onto something with your analysis. Nothing about Neldin is ever as it seems. It may be that until you accept your role as Champion of the Six, the final confrontation can’t take place.”

  “Why not?”

  “While I have no proof, it makes logical sense. When you and Meglar face each other, it will be only you two on Gharaha. There would be no reason for each side to select a Champion if others could participate. Thus, if you haven’t accepted, the Six have no Champion and no fight will occur.”

  “But I’ve used that title many times since They chose me.”

  Kel shook his head. “That isn’t the same. Honorus appeared and told me he wanted me to be His Champion. He explained what that entailed, not only for me, but for my descendants. He also gave me an opportunity to ask questions. Only then did He ask if I accepted. And I did.

  “From what you told me, Honorus appeared after the fall of Yar-del and told you that you were the new Champion. Did He ever ask you if you would accept?”

  Farrell shook his head. “No. None of the Six ever asked me if I wanted it or if I would agree to be Their Champion.”

  “Which would explain why Neldin can speak to you.” Kel squinted and rubbed his forehead. “I don’t think Neldin is using these incidents to sway you to his cause.”

  “He’s not?”

  “If He is manufacturing these events to speak to you, it is to push you to agree to be Champion for the Six, not Him.”

  “Why?”

  “Why what?” Kel sounded tired. “Why does He want you to make a choice now or choose the Six?”

  “Both.”

  “Neldin doesn’t want you. You would never sacrifice members of your family for any reason. Certainly not so Neldin could goad someone into making a choice sooner than later. But Meglar has. And that is but one example of the things Meglar will do for his master that you would not.

  “As for why now, that is simple; the sooner you choose, the sooner the fight may take place. It is in His interest for you to receive less training than more.”

  “How come you never told me this before?”

  “In truth, I didn’t realize it until you raised the issue just now. Once you pointed it out, the connection was clear. Neldin didn’t visit you until after I started to pass on my knowledge. Nothing the gods do is by chance, and neither was the timing of His first visit.

  “Like the others, I didn’t look beyond what appeared to be obvious.” Kel smirked. “You, however, are rarely satisfied with what is plain to everyone else.”

  “Does that mean I can put off facing Meglar indefinitely by never accepting?”

  “In theory I suppose so, but I think the Six will not allow that to happen.”

  “Why not?”

  Kel leaned on his staff, pulled himself to his feet, and made his way to the window. “Right now the world belongs to the Six, and Neldin seeks to take it away from Them. The simplest way for the Six to end the war is for Their Champion to defeat Neldin’s. For now They are content to put off that confrontation until you are fully trained. The longer they wait, however, the more misery Meglar inflicts on the world. Eventually, They will require you answer Them.”

  He faced Farrell. “You need to be properly trained or else you will lose. But while that is happening, Meglar’s terror continues. The suffering that causes is regrettable but necessary. If Meglar defeats you, what he will do is far worse. It might be decades before another Champion is ready.”

  “You mean that even if I win, this won’t be over?”

  “As long as the gods exist, Their war will never be over. When you win, there will be peace for a time. How long it will last I can’t say, but I would guess it will be many centuries before Neldin can try again. Right now He has few followers. When He loses, it will be harder to recruit more. Especially since you and your allies will be rooting them out.”

  Farrell nodded but didn’t speak. Much as he wanted to accept now and force the confrontation, he knew it was wisest if he waited.

  “How much longer before I’m ready?”

  “I could spend years training you and still have more to teach you, but I’m certain the Six will not wait that long.”

  Left unsaid was that Kel didn’t have years left. “Then how will I know when it is time to accept?”

  Kel chuckled. “You will know when it is time. Or else They will let you know when They think you’re ready.”

  Farrell had Kel retrieve Samruel from Haven. He didn’t trust himself to leave if he fetched his cousin. Another reason not to go back to Haven was the royal guards. Jagwin would insist on sending several companies to guard him. That was an argument Farrell had no intention of having.

  While he waited, Farrell packed the few things he’d taken from his endless pocket. They had finished their business in Tilerstig, and he felt pressed to move on.

  A loud knock interrupted his thoughts. He opened the door expecting to see Kel but instead found a tired-looking Samruel.

  “Sam? Shouldn’t you be in bed?” He stepped back to allow his cousin to enter.

  “Probably.” He smiled and gingerly entered Farrell’s suite. “Kel mentioned you were leaving soon, and I didn’t want to miss a chance to say thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Farrell motioned for the most comfortable chair in the room. When Samruel sat, Farrell pulled another one close. “Not to sound morbid, but I didn’t expect you walking around so soon.”

  “From what the healers told me about my injuries, I’m not sure how I even survived.”

  “Master Heather is the finest healer I’ve ever met. She’s pulled me through enough serious injuries that I’m sure this barely concerned her.”

  A mischievous grin crossed Sam’s face. “She said much the same. To hear her speak, you do this on a regular basis.”

  “Regular is too strong a word. Every now and then, my work results in my hurting myself.”

  “She would disagree. To her it’s your reckless nature.” He smiled again and settled back in the chair. “But despite her words, she has tremendous respect for you and what you’re doing. I think she talks to you the way she does to hide how she really feels.”

  The conversation reached that awkward spot where the topic had exhausted itself, and Farrell didn’t know what to say next. The silence became uncomfortable as he waited for Samruel to say something. Finally, he couldn’t take it any longer. “So, how does . . . how do the . . . does the side feel?”

  “Sore and sensitive.” He glanced at his side. “I can’t say thank you enough. What happened . . . I never imagined someone could do something like that. How . . . You have to face him?”

  Farrell forced a smile. “It comes with the title.”

  “This is serious.” Samruel started to stand, winced, and sank back onto his chair. “That attack came from thousands of miles away, and you barely stopped it. How are you going to defeat that?”

  “If I hadn’t had to defend you, it would’ve been much easier.” It came out angrier than he intended, and seeing the pained look on Sam’s face made him regret his words. “I didn’t mean it like that, it’s just I had to act fast, without the chance to plan. If I had more time, it would have been no effort at all.”

  Samruel tilted his head to the side. “No effort? You could’ve just brushed it aside?”

  “Sam, I faced him before. The last time he had four other wizards and I held my own until Kel arrived.” That wasn’t entirely true, but it was close enough. “
That and I win as long as I don’t lose.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Kel and I discussed this yesterday. The Six control Nendor. Even if Meglar kills me, this war is far from over. Without Meglar, Neldin’s latest attempt ends. As long as Meglar dies when we meet, it doesn’t matter if I survive.”

  “That’s ridiculous! If you die, you lose.”

  “Me personally, yes. But in my role as Champion of the Six, I’ll have won. That’s all that matters.”

  Samruel squinted and kept his gaze on Farrell. After a few seconds, he shook his head. “Why?”

  “Why me?” Farrell shrugged. “Someone has to be the Champion of the Six.”

  They looked at each other for another moment before Samruel turned away. A tear rolled down Sam’s cheek as he swallowed hard. “It’s not fair. You spent your whole life alone. Now that you have a family, They want to take it away.”

  “No, Sam, They want me to protect everyone, including my family. It’s a powerful incentive to do whatever’s necessary to make sure Meglar doesn’t win.”

  “So They gave you a partner and children so you would be willing to sacrifice yourself to save them? That’s heartless.”

  Samruel’s comment brought to focus something Farrell hadn’t considered before. “It is cruel, but not how you suggest. Miceral and the children will suffer, not me.”

  “That makes it worse.”

  “What would be worse is if the Champion of the Six failed and everyone paid the price. I’m not suggesting I plan to die, I’m only saying I’m prepared to if it comes to that.” Farrell let out a nervous laugh. “The goal is to win and see my family when it’s over. If Kel heard this conversation, he’d berate us both for being so negative.”

  Sam gripped the arms of his chair and levered himself up. He walked over and stood in front of Farrell. “I agree. There’s nothing to be gained dwelling on the negative. When we were kids, I used to think of you as my little brother and made it my job to protect you. When my mother called me home, I asked her if I could bring you with me. I told her you had no family, no one to watch over you, and you would be an asset to the kingdom. She refused my request, and it tore me apart having to leave you with no one to turn to if you needed help.

  “When I saw you in the courtyard, my fraternal instincts reemerged. Foolish as this sounds, I want to protect you again. To keep you safe and fight off those who wish to hurt you. I can’t, of course. You’re so far beyond me I can’t even imagine what you’ll face. But I want you to know I still love you like the brother I always thought you were, and the one I wish you had been.”

  Farrell stood to face his friend. He wanted to say how much those words meant to him, but his voice betrayed him. Instead he gently hugged Sam. After a few moments, Farrell felt he could trust himself to speak and pulled back a bit.

  “Thank you, Sam. You were the only one I could count on when I was a kid. There were times when I felt like I abused the privilege, but I had no one else. Grandfather says nothing happens by chance where the Six are concerned. And since I am Their Champion, nothing in my life happened by chance.

  “I never forgot you stood up for me even though I was no one. I carry that with me in everything I do. You would do the same if you were in my position. If you tell me you wouldn’t, I’ll call you a liar. We both know there were times when you risked everything to help me.

  “I’m going to win, Sam. One way or another. And when I do, you can tell your children and your grandchildren how you helped save the world.”

  “I don’t want to save the world, Farrell, I want to save you.”

  “Thank you.” He grabbed Samruel’s good arm and squeezed. “You already did.”

  Sam smiled and his cheeks turned red. He put his hand over Farrell’s and rubbed it gently. “You’re welcome.”

  They stood until Samruel started to tremble. “You really should be in bed resting. If you have a relapse, Master Heather will never let me hear the end of it.”

  “When I leave, I promise to go lie down. But before I go, tell me how I can help you.”

  “Help us convince your mother Tilerstig can’t stay isolated anymore.”

  Sam chuckled. “You don’t need my assistance for that. She’s madder than a wet hen on a cold spring day. If you asked me to convince her to stay out of the fight, that would be a struggle.”

  “One less thing to worry about.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  The gray sky and bleak landscape that greeted Farrell as they exited the Door did nothing to raise his mood. Their mission had been a success, but Neldin’s visit made it feel otherwise. Neldin’s attempts to manipulate his choice weighed on him. Even Kel seem pensive. Twice Farrell asked where they were going next, and both times his grandfather had been vague.

  The tundra looked even less inviting than when they arrived. At least then Farrell knew where they were going.

  “Do you know what’s wrong with Kel?” he asked Nerti. “He’s been more stingy than usual with the details.”

  “I have not asked him, so I don’t know,” she said. “Were I to guess, I think he blames himself for missing the true reason for Neldin’s visits.”

  “And refusing to tell me where were going next makes it better?”

  “No, it doesn’t help.”

  “What do you think Neldin is doing?” He felt a pang of guilt he hadn’t asked her sooner.

  “I don’t know what He is planning, but you are right to be wary of every encounter. Neldin loses nothing trying to sway you to His side. His visits also sow doubt within your mind. I would not trust that you know His plans despite what Kel says.”

  “Grandson, it is time we continued your lessons,” Kel said. “We will be riding for several days, and we might as well put the time to good use.”

  Kel spent the rest of the day training Farrell, breaking only when they stopped for a short lunch. Much of the lesson involved improving Farrell’s ability to move from one spell to the other. Farrell marveled at the complexity and sheer brilliance of the things Kel tried to teach him. By the time they stopped for the night, Farrell was exhausted.

  Once camp was set up and their protections in place, Farrell approached his grandfather.

  “I would like to know where we’re going.” He tried to be nonconfrontational, but he couldn’t keep out the hint of annoyance he felt.

  “Does it change anything?” Kel looked up from his food. “Will knowing get us there any sooner?”

  “Would telling me prevent you from teaching me? Would it get us there any later?”

  “Your sarcasm is noted, Grandson.”

  “I wasn’t trying to irritate you, but unless there is a good reason not to tell me, I don’t understand why you won’t.”

  Kel poked at the food on his plate, stabbed a piece of meat, and then set it aside. “As with all things, what I have planned may not mesh with what the Six want. My intention is to ride to Rhoga, a small city between here and Bowient. There we will use a Door to take us to Fracturn. Last, we will make a visit to Othasus, a large kingdom on the east coast of Lourdria.”

  “Why were you reluctant to tell me that?”

  “I wasn’t. My mind is still unsettled at not seeing Neldin’s plan before you raised your question.”

  “We don’t know what His true motive is. Even this new theory is just that, speculation.”

  Kel laughed and returned to his food. “Now you sound like me when I would argue with Beatrice over some plan or another. You are correct. We don’t know what Neldin plans, but we must choose the most likely outcome and plan for its eventuality.”

  “May I disagree with you?”

  “Of course, I welcome the debate.” Kel shifted his weight in his seat. “What part did you want to discuss?”

  “As I said before, I have no intention of joining him. I’d be more comfortable if we determined the time and place of my acceptance.”

  “I never suggested we should let Neldin decide,” Kel said. “I want to
prepare you for his attempts to force the issue.”

  “I agree, but wasting time preparing for something that may or may not happen is not the best course of action. I suggest we press on with how we want it to go, always keeping in mind that He may try to influence us one way or the other. In that way we don’t get distracted and can best use what time we have left.”

  “I think we both want the same end, but we assess the risks differently. Perhaps it is that I’m so much older than you that I’m not prepared to ignore Neldin’s threat. I recognize you prefer to press on, and I admire that trait. You should proceed in that manner.

  “My job as a teacher requires less focus and concentration than your role as a student. So I encourage you to stick to the plan that helps you get the most from your training. I have the free time to contemplate what our enemy is up to. In that way, we will achieve both ends in the same amount of time.”

  Farrell stuffed the last bite of food in his mouth. He used the time he was chewing to mull his grandfather’s words.

  “As you say, we both want the same end. So long as you feel comfortable that you can do both, I have no objections. I appreciate that you afford me the same respect that you request, and do not berate me for how I approach the issue.”

  Kel placed both hands on his knees and pushed himself up. “I know you have great affection for your master, but I don’t agree with his methods. I always thought it counterproductive to hem in a student’s natural curiosity. I know you will take this as a criticism of Heminaltose, but it is not intended as such. Many teachers do the exact same thing.

  “The few times I took on a student, I thought it more important for them to learn things on their own than to always do it my way. In that way we both might learn something. What you call respect, I consider fundamental for your growth as a wizard.”

  “Whatever your reasons, I appreciate being treated like an equal.”

  “Old as I am, I haven’t forgotten what it’s like to be young and treated like a child.”

  “You mean when you were at Trellham?”