Champion of the Gods Box Set

by Andrew Q. Gordon

  “I’m sorry I disappoint you so much.”

  “Nay, young one, that is not what you hear in my voice.” Flemin blinked, and whatever Farrell thought he saw disappeared. “I am anxious. You are the hope of the world, and Kel has devoted his life to you long before he knew who you would be. There can be no uncertainty in your mind of who and what you are. Too many sacrifices will be wasted if you can’t clear your thoughts of doubt.

  “I know it is hard and you are still so young for the burden given you, but Kel believes in you with all his heart. I do as well. All that has been said is true. You are that powerful, that good, and that important. The world looks to you with hope. Be the being we all know you are.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Farrell scowled as Greigel and his dwarves squeezed together around him. Drendar “betrayed” him by telling Captain Jagwin Farrell was in Fracturn. He also told the captain Farrell and Kel were going to Thyian, Othasus’s capital. Predictably, Jagwin sent two hundred dwarves to protect him during his journey.

  Farrell would have objected, except Kel said it would be good to have guards for the trip. Not because Othasus was dangerous, but rather to impress their king.

  Greigel glanced at him, too happy with the current arrangement. Farrell toyed with expanding his shield so he could move the dwarves away. He chided himself for his thoughts. It wasn’t Greigel’s fault a visit to Othasus required two hundred guards.

  “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” Farrell asked.

  Greigel’s smile widened. “Of course. You almost never accept having guards escort you anywhere. The fact we number two hundred is worthy of a smile.”

  “Since we both know neither Kel nor I need guards, your glee must come from the knowledge you get to parade through Thyian’s street like it was my coronation all over again.”

  “We are very proud of our king, even if he can be difficult at times. We are eager to remind Nendor that Trellham has been reborn. How better to do that than by marching through a human city escorting our king and his allies?”

  Farrell chuckled at how Greigel relegated his companions to allies. “You’d best be careful how you speak, Lieutenant. Nerti is second to no one, not even me.”

  “Especially not you,” Nerti said as she walked up.

  Greigel avoided her gaze and found something of great interest on the head of his war hammer. “My apologies, Queen Nerti, I meant no disrespect.”

  “It’s good that I am fond of you, Lieutenant. My horn would be most unpleasant if stuck in the wrong place.”

  “Perhaps you should check on the front of the formation,” Farrell said to give his officer a reason to leave. “I think I see a couple of dwarves out of position.”

  Greigel snapped to attention. “I will correct it at once, Your Majesty.” He spun on his heel and disappeared.

  “I saw no one out of line in the front.” Nerti moved closer so Farrell could greet her properly.

  He tried not to laugh as he kissed the spot below her horn. “Of course there isn’t, but he needed a reason to leave.”

  “So to ease his discomfort, you sent him to make the guards up front suffer?”

  “It’s one of the hazards of life in the royal guard.” He ran his hand along her neck and scratched just above her shoulder. “I apologize for the comment. Even if they don’t understand, I know you do not answer to me.”

  She leaned into his fingers. “I am not offended by his comment. Your dwarves are proud of you and want Nendor to recognize their great king.”

  “I know they are glad that I’m the king, but there are ways to show their pride without insulting others.”

  “Oh, you silly human,” Nerti said with a laugh. “Boasting and exaggerating go hand in hand in dwarfish culture. If you ask them to keep that out, they might not be able to speak for weeks. But I am pleased that their king stands up for his friends.”

  Kel, Flemin, and Rojas headed their way accompanied by King Drendar. “Let me say goodbye to Drendar and we can let my guards have their moment of glory.”

  Farrell was convinced dwarves, not humans, had founded Othasus. The precise angles of Thyian’s streets and the orderly flow of traffic caught his attention. The city barked commands to its citizen and sucked the life out of them as they moved in compliance. Pairs of alert guards stood watch on nearly every corner. Farrell wondered what they made of two wizards riding unicorns surrounded by two hundred dwarves. The addition of Rojas only added to the confusion.

  Although he chafed at the presence of his guards, Farrell was happy to have them. In a city so steeped in order, nothing fit in better than the precise march of the Trellham Royal Guards. Jagwin’s insistence on perfection was on full display as they made their way to the palace.

  “Why are we here, Grandfather? This city seems to have more in common with Meglar than us.”

  “Looks can be deceiving, Grandson. Beneath the beat of the military regiment, these are a vibrant, happy, creative, and productive people. The order you see has been a way of life for thousands of years. Now it is second nature. While it may seem it takes the light from the city, behind closed doors these are people who have rich and full lives.

  “But to answer your question, we are here because Othasus is a powerful ally of Dumbarten and Yar-del dating back to Hevnor’s time. He sent his eldest daughter to marry their future king. At the time my reputation and friendship with the dwarves were seen as valuable assets. The kingdoms have remained close ever since.”

  “Have we come to request their aid?”

  “In a manner of speaking. We need Othasus to contain Meglar’s ambitions in Lourdria. More importantly, I fear Meglar will target them using smaller and weaker rivals.”

  “That discussion could take days.”

  Kel glanced at him. “This isn’t the first time I’ve had this talk with King Gorfin. He is aware of the danger and has taken steps to shore up Othasus’s alliances already.”

  “Then . . .,” Farrell checked his anger, “why did we needed two hundred Royal Trellham Guards to parade through the city to tell him what he knows?”

  “That is the reason we’re going to give Gorfin.” Kel stared in the direction of the palace. “Our true purpose is to visit an old friend.”

  “Do I know this old friend of yours?”

  “Unlikely. He is something of a recluse.”

  They turned right down a wide avenue that led straight to the palace. Like the rest of the city, the foremost purpose of the king’s home was to defend the royal family. The high stone walls and thick metal gates radiated magical energy. Turrets speared into the sky at regular intervals and gave the sentries a full view of the city and the port below.

  At the end of their route, soldiers lined up on either side of the roadway. Out of habit Farrell scanned the soldiers and the surrounding area for concealed dangers. He found an array of powerful defensive spells but nothing unusual for a fortified city.

  “If your friend likes his privacy, arriving at his doorstep surrounded by two hundred heavily armed dwarves isn’t going to endear us to him.”

  “Had I planned to march your guards right up to his door, I would have to agree. But once we get permission, just the five of us are going to pay a visit to Pfellcuk.”

  “Pfellcuk?”

  “He is Velchuck’s grandson several times removed, though not half as many times as you are from me.”

  The blare of trumpets cut off his next question. Two black stallions led a formal procession. The pair and their riders wore full battle armor. The guards held long pikes pointed up. Their chests were emblazoned with a crest Farrell had never seen before. Given his inadequate knowledge of Lourdria, especially the east coast, that didn’t surprise him.

  The horses moved in a showy but useless manner, and Farrell thought he heard a mental sigh from Nerti. If they thought they impressed their guests, they were mistaken.

  Behind the mounted guards, a large contingent of pikers marched in near-perfect step. Beyond that g
roup, a pair of white horses pulled a chariot. He caught flashes of gold as it moved.

  “This will be awkward,” Kel said. “Gorfin is putting on a show for us in front of his people, but he will be upstaged when the crowd sees Nerti and Flemin.”

  “Don’t even suggest you mask our true nature, Old Man,” Flemin said. “I’m not going to pretend to be an ordinary horse to avoid bruising this being’s fragile ego.”

  “One time I ask that you do that, and you have never let me live it down,” Kel said. “And that was to allow us to sneak somewhere unnoticed. It is too late for that, anyway. The king is well aware we are here.”

  Greigel shouted a loud command, and the dwarves launched into a song. They announced the presence of the high king. Were it not so impressive, Farrell would have ordered them to stop since no one understood the words.

  At a predetermined point, the guards on the sides stopped walking. The four dwarves in the center of each row continued marching. As soon as they moved far enough ahead of the main body, they peeled off to the sides.

  Kel took the lead, followed by Rojas. As befitting his status as the high king, Farrell was to be the last to greet their host.

  “Hail, King Gorfin,” Kel said in a booming voice. “I am honored you came in person to greet us. You have proven yourself a most generous host yet again.”

  One of the soldiers in the lead stood in his stirrup. “In the name of His Majesty, Gorfin, king of Othasus and defender of the peace on Lourdria, I welcome you to his kingdom.”

  “Pretentious oaf,” Nerti said. “Defender of the peace? As if no other beings had a hand in this?”

  “On behalf of my mother, Queen Nerti, eldest of the unicorns, I grant you permission to approach her and her companion, Farrell, king of Trellham and high king of all dwarves,” Flemin said.

  The tone and the choice of Flemin’s words took Farrell by surprise. It didn’t seem be the best way to remain on friendly terms with their hosts.

  “Allow me to deal with this being,” Nerti said. “Otherwise we will be tied up for days waiting for their pompous ceremonies to play out.”

  “It sounds that you’ve been here before,” Farrell said.

  “Yes, but not recently. Flemin and Kel have been here not long ago.” Nerti stopped walking to allow the others to move ahead.

  Greigel appeared at his side, staring straight ahead at the chariot. “I trust if needed you can upend that ill-made cart?”

  A thin smile escaped Farrell’s control. “It shouldn’t come to that, but that will not present a problem.”

  The soldiers in front appeared at a loss for what to do. Twisting, they looked back at their king. For several moments no one moved. Finally, the king said something Farrell couldn’t hear. The chariot driver flicked the reins and its horses moved forward.

  The king appeared somewhat older than Wilhelm but still carried himself well. He kept his balance as the unsteady cart rumbled toward them. His eyes darted from person to unicorn to guards to Rojas and made it hard for Farrell to read his mood.

  Although Flemin’s words no doubt stung, Nerti wasn’t just any guest. Still, if Gorfin had said that to Farrell, he would have turned around, gone back into the city, and shut the gates. Fortunately, Kel had greeted the king first.

  Gorfin’s driver pulled them up beside Kel, and the king smiled. “Welcome, friend Kel. What interesting company you keep.”

  Kel laughed. “These are most interesting times.”

  “Indeed they are. A human king of the dwarves? The queen of the unicorns and an enormous feline who carries itself like the others in this group. I never would have believed you would visit and not be the subject of most of the conversations.”

  “Once such a situation would have ruffled my pride, but now “I’ve come to terms that my day has passed and it will fall to my grandson to bring glory to our house.”

  “Grandson?” Gorfin turned his attention to Farrell. “He’s a wizard king?”

  Kel nodded. “And more.”

  “These are wondrous days we live in.”

  “For some they are dark beyond words.” Farrell bowed deeper than required. “Your Majesty, may I present Queen Nerti.”

  Gorfin stepped out of his chariot to greet her. “It is a great honor and privilege to welcome you to my home, Your Majesty.”

  “Thank you, King Gorfin,” Nerti said. “I shall speak to Flemin about his misinformed assessment of the king.”

  Farrell dismounted. He didn’t know who else heard the last bit, but Gorfin clearly had not. “On behalf of Queen Nerti, we accept your invitation.”

  He held out his arm to Gorfin, who smiled and accepted. “It is rare to meet someone who probably outranks me in my own kingdom. To meet two such beings in one day is something my bards will sing about for years.”

  Despite the promising start, their meeting became a long, tortuous affair. Kel did most of the talking and Nerti and Flemin chimed in where needed. After his third yawn, Farrell excused himself to get some air. Kel chastised him privately, while publicly he made a suitable excuse. Rojas joined him, and a guard led them to a garden inside the palace grounds.

  Greigel and the four dwarves allowed into the palace stood watch near the entrance to the gardens. When servants arrived with drinks, Greigel took a sip before he allowed one of the servant women to approach Farrell.

  “Do all humans outside Bendar engage in such lengthy conversations?” Rojas asked.

  “Not all.” He shrugged and scratched behind his friend’s ears. “But in fairness, Kel’s information is the most important news since Trellham fell.”

  Rojas purred in response. The servant set down the pitcher of water he’d requested and a deep bowl big enough for a snow panther. Before Farrell took a drink, he noticed an older man holding a wizard’s staff stopped by his guards. He motioned to Greigel to let the man pass. As the wizard approached, Farrell pointed toward an empty chair.

  “You are welcome to join us, sir.”

  “Sir? Me? Oh my, no. I’m just an old wizard, Your Majesty. Hardly worthy of your courtesy.” Despite his words, the man walked over and sat.

  Farrell picked up the pitcher and held it out. “Would you like a drink? It’s only water, but I can request something else if you prefer.”

  “Water will do fine.” He reached for a cup and raised it. “My former teacher used to say, ‘A wizard with a cloudy mind is—’”

  “A dangerous wizard.” He filled the man’s glass. “You trained under Heminaltose?”

  He raised his cup as if to toast. “As did you. Though I daresay my time was well before you.”

  Farrell hadn’t studied the list of students who’d trained with his master, but he knew most of them. He stood and held out his arm. “My apologies, sir. I have been rude. I am Farrell and this is my friend, Rojas.”

  He stood, accepted Farrell’s arm, and sat back down. “You two are an interesting pair. A human high king of the dwarves, and a male snow panther from frigid Bendar with the talents of She Who Guides. There’s a story here. Two, actually.”

  “Surely you are wise enough to see Farrell was asking for your name.” Rojas flexed the claws on his right paw.

  “Spoken like one born to endless snows—very direct.” He took another sip and set his cup down. “If he had wanted my name, he should have asked—as you just did. I am Pfellcuk, occasional court wizard to the kings of Othasus.”

  Farrell returned to his seat. “Occasional? I would think a kingdom as large as Othasus would need a full-time wizard.”

  “Indeed.” Pfellcuk smirked. “Although they value my skill, I have been told on more than one occasion I’m unreliable.”

  The playful lilt to Pfellcuk’s voice amused Farrell. “Are you? Unreliable, that is.”

  “Not when it matters. If Othasus were in trouble, I would be as steadfast as a mountain. But in times of peace, I find it difficult to remain available in case an emergency arises. Invariably, the king would call upon me just as I started so
mething interesting. Do you know how many projects I’ve abandoned in the middle of my work because a king summoned me? When I went back to it, I could not recreate what I had done.”

  “If you chafe at answering to a monarch, why do you come back?”

  “I return when they need my help. But once the crisis has passed, I find myself bored. At that point I go home without asking for permission.” He finished his water and held out his cup. “If you would be so kind?”

  Farrell smiled as he refilled his companion’s goblet. Pfellcuk’s candor was refreshing. “That sounds like an ideal arrangement. When this war is over, I think I’ll try it myself.”

  “Unless I’m mistaken, your path will lead you in a different direction. One that will not afford you the opportunities to come and go as you will.”

  Farrell put the pitcher down and stared at his guest. “You seem to know quite a bit about me.”

  “Do I?” Pfellcuk asked wistfully. “I didn’t think I knew much about you. Funny how people see things differently.”

  As he thought of something to say, Farrell remembered something Kel had said. “Do you come to court often?”

  “When I feel moved, I show up. I received word Kel was visiting. Since I knew he would come find me, I decided to save him the effort of riding out to my home.”

  “He’s rather impressed with himself,” Rojas said.

  “Given we came here to see him, it might be justified.” Farrell studied the peculiar old wizard. “Where is your home?”

  “High in a mountain. My distant sire, Velchuck, built it for his family. I’ll skip my granddaughter and leave it for her son when I’m gone.” He smiled and shook his head. “She’s a bit fastidious, but Barett is a good lad. Strong, too. You should get to know him. You two would be great friends.”

  “Did they come with you?”

  “What? Did they . . .? No, they live in Thyian. My granddaughter is one of the court wizards.” He waved a hand dismissively. “She thinks it makes her important.”