Champion of the Gods Box Set

by Andrew Q. Gordon

  “This is hardly a formal visit.” Miceral accepted the informal offer of Drendar’s arm. “That would require Farrell come with me.”

  “He’s not back yet?” Thrinton asked. He greeted Miceral as Drendar had done.

  “No. He returned briefly with an injured friend from somewhere in northeast Erd, but I was in Honal at the time. He left me a message explaining what had happened and where they’d been.”

  Drendar raised an eyebrow. “A message? Why didn’t he wait for you to return?”

  “Kel didn’t want him to remain. I don’t think he trusts Farrell to leave a second time.” Or perhaps that was wishful thinking on Miceral’s part. “Whatever happened wherever he’d come from required he return. Master Heather said his friend had some very serious burns.”

  “I didn’t know Farrell knew anyone in Tilerstig,” Drendar said. “They’re a rather secretive lot.”

  “They sound like dwarves.” Miceral said.

  “Not exactly.” Drendar pointed to the seats. “Once they were the terminus for a long trading route. The tundra makes it difficult to trade with them. There was only a short time when merchants could travel over land, and even we couldn’t build a road there that endured. But they had abundant resources and a good harbor, so we found a way. We made deals with ports on the southern trade road, and they brought their goods in by ship.”

  “You speak of them in the past,” Miceral said. “Clearly the kingdom still exists.”

  Drendar shrugged. “In most ways that matter, it does not.”

  “That’s cryptic, even for you.”

  “Ha, I’m not trying to be mysterious. As is the way on Erd, war came to Tilerstig. A dynamic leader turned a small kingdom into a larger one by conquering his neighbors. He couldn’t resist Tilerstig’s wealth and didn’t let its location deter him.

  “There are few details, but we know the invasion happened. Tilerstig sent a plea for help. Days later the new king and queen retracted the call. A week later the severed head of the warlord arrived at his palace. As soon as someone touched it, the broken weapon from every soldier in his army fell from the sky. No one from the invasion force returned alive.”

  “A powerful warning to other would-be conquerors,” Thrinton said.

  “Indeed,” Drendar said with a smirk. “The new rulers also sent a message that Tilerstig’s borders were closed. Anyone who attempted to reach them overland would end up dead. They provided a map of their borders and posted magical warnings to let travelers know to turn back.”

  “That worked?” Miceral asked.

  Drendar nodded. “It did after many failed attempts. They also sealed their land to all Doors and hid their harbor with a powerful spell. Trade continued, but only with countries that agreed to their terms.”

  “Why would anyone do that?” Miceral asked. “If they closed their borders to me, I’d bar them in return.”

  “They offered very favorable terms to their new partners. Fracturn’s merchants had little desire to travel to Tilerstig, and their offer was generous. My treasury gets two-thirds of the profits generated by the trading company we created.”

  “And in exchange you have a powerful incentive to maintain the system,” Miceral said.

  “Exactly. By creating deals with the right kingdoms, it made it more likely they’d be successful.” Drendar took a sip of wine. “All of which does nothing for why we are here.”

  “No, it doesn’t,” Miceral said. “I’m assembling a force to take to Wilhelm’s rescue. King Markus is sending aid as well. Garreth controls everything south of the Weive River. We need to end this threat before it shows up on Trellham’s western gate.”

  “If they could find it,” Thrinton said.

  “Point taken, but they know the general location. I also take nothing for granted. Neldin has been plotting this war since His defeat three thousand years ago. The Six have sent Farrell cryptic messages across the centuries. We’d be fools to think Neldin hasn’t done the same.”

  Drendar nodded. “How soon do you need us to be ready?”

  “I would like to leave tomorrow my time, but I need you both to stay back.”

  Drendar’s lips squeezed tight, and he looked across at Thrinton. The younger dwarf tapped his left index finger on the table.

  “I assume you have a reason for this?” Thrinton said.

  “Several, actually.” Miceral stood. “I could tell you that it makes sense for us to avoid being in the same place at the same time, but that isn’t the real reason. Rothdin and Klissmor believe this is only one of many forays Meglar is making in the lead-up to the final battle. We need to remain close to our own kingdoms until we get a clearer picture of what Meglar is planning.”

  “What if this is actually the start of the final battle?” Drendar asked.

  “It’s not. I don’t have any hard evidence, but if this was that moment, Farrell would be back.” Miceral held up a hand. “I know that’s not precise, but the final fight has to be between just Farrell and Meglar. If Meglar moved on Haven, the Six would direct Farrell to return immediately. That isn’t just my opinion. The others agree Farrell needs to be there.”

  Thrinton lifted his cup and held it near his mouth. “Unless this actually is that time and the Six will be calling Farrell home soon.”

  “That could be, too, but if that’s true, all the more you need to stay close to home.”

  “I don’t follow your logic.” Thrinton drained his cup and set it down. “Unless you are telling us there are no circumstance under which we could join you.”

  “There are some, but they’re only a few. If we knew for sure Meglar planned nothing in your area, then you could leave your kingdoms. Without the Eye, I don’t see how we can determine that.”

  Thrinton bowed to Miceral and smiled. “I wanted to be sure you understood what you had told us.”

  “Don’t let him fool you,” Drendar said. “He thought he caught you. I thought he caught you as well. I’ll send Dondred, my middle son. He could use the experience leading our dwarves into battle.”

  “My younger brother, Ganfin, will stand in for me,” Thrinton said. “As our brother said, he could use the experience.”

  “And you?” Drendar rose and retrieved the pitcher. “No siblings to send in your stead?”

  “None living.” A wave of sadness struck Miceral like a punch to the gut.

  “My apologies, I shouldn’t have been so callous.” Drendar put a hand on Miceral’s arm and squeezed. “We know little about you, and I had hoped to inquire if you had any siblings. Had I known—”

  “Nothing to apologize for. We should not have secrets.” Miceral steadied himself to keep the emotions from his voice. “I had an older brother and a younger sister. Thargon was twenty years my senior and Belrose was six my junior.

  “When I was ten, my brother disappeared for a few days. His absence prompted a massive hunt. Nerti and Rothdin organized their subjects to scour the area. Four days later, Thargon appeared at the gates of Northhelm, bloody and bruised. He didn’t remember what had happened to him, where he’d been, or how he’d gotten home. Everyone was so happy to see him they ignored everything but his return.

  “To shorten the tale, wherever he’d been, they’d broken his mind. When we got to our home, Horgon carried Thargon’s things to his room. My sister and I were thrilled our brother was back. Belrose ran to him for a hug, and he snapped her neck. I was in shock and didn’t move as he reached for me.”

  Miceral swallowed as the events of so long ago appeared in vivid detail in his mind. “My mother screamed and pushed me out of the way. That left her off-balance, and Thargon pounced. My mother was a formidable fighter in her own right. I’m not sure Thargon could have beaten her if she hadn’t stumbled keeping me away from him. Even still, she fought back as only a mother defending her young can.

  “I had recovered and tried to help her, but my father tossed me aside. I heard bones break just before Horgon grabbed him from behind and flung him agai
nst the wall. I could tell from his face he knew my mother was dead before he gathered her in his arms.

  “Unfortunately, Thargon was only dazed. He used Horgon’s grief and tried to attack him from behind, but I was watching him. I’d never felt such hatred in my life. As he moved on my father, I launched myself at him.

  “I should have died—maybe I wanted to—when I attacked. My brother was already a trained warrior. But Thargon was sluggish, be it from Horgon’s blow or the mind control, and he’d broken his arm against the wall.

  “He wore an odd expression as I punched him over and over. He flicked me off with his good arm. Before he could get up, my father stabbed him through the heart with his sword.

  “Afterward, Nerti and Rothdin probed what was left of his mind. A dark wizard had captured him and set the trigger for him to kill us when he returned home. I think Rothdin knew then that Neldin had returned, but they never said as much.” Miceral shrugged. “It didn’t matter who planned it, the damage was the same.”

  He looked up. Drendar and Thrinton had the same look of horror he’d seen when he told others.

  “I’m beyond sorry for your loss,” Thrinton said.

  “As am I,” Drendar said.

  Miceral closed his eyes and nodded. “Thank you. I’m not sure why I shared that now. Farrell knows, but only a few others. A simple no would have sufficed.”

  He knew the reason. Neldin had killed his mother, brother, and sister more than a hundred years ago. Now He wanted to take Miceral’s life partner. The connection was too real. Miceral took a deep breath, pushed that sad day aside, and opened his eyes.

  “Back to the present. I need as many legions as you can spare on short notice ready to march from Haven the morning after tomorrow. Can you make that happen?”

  Penelope didn’t return from the palace in time for dinner. The others ate, but their mood was somber. Peter poked at his food with a fork. He ignored Claire and Wallace’s attempts to distract him from his need to get home. The servants cleared the table, but Marisa had them leave a setting for Penelope.

  The sun had set and Peter had paced enough to circle Dreth when the Door flared to life. Penelope stepped through and flicked her hand to close the portal.

  “Great Gods above, I’m tired,” she said as she stretched.

  “Did Markus make you wait?” Marisa’s voice carried the annoyance she’d shown since before dinner.

  “Not exactly.” Penelope stretched again. “Is there anything left from dinner? I barely had anything at the palace.”

  “Markus ought to know by now not to let you skip meals.” Marisa already had them moving toward the kitchen. “If there’s nothing suitable, I’ll make you something myself.”

  “Thank you.” Penelope caught up to her life partner and kissed her cheek. “To answer your question, Markus didn’t keep me waiting, his staff did. I had to threaten them to announce me, but when they did, Markus was glad to see me.”

  “Markus?” Marisa asked. “The oaf of a king who forgets to feed his aunt and chief wizard?”

  Penelope laughed, and the others joined her. Peter hadn’t heard Marisa so peeved before.

  “The same,” Penelope said. “His first words were, ‘Auntie, so glad you’re back. We need to speak.’ I didn’t get the chance to tell him what I’d learned from Miceral before he ushered me to his war room.”

  “What did he want?” Marisa set a plate on the table and stepped aside so Claire could put down a knife and fork.

  Peter waited anxiously for a chance to ask when he could leave. From the conversation, he suspected the answer wouldn’t make him happy.

  “To share information and get my opinion—mostly.” Penelope kept her gaze on Marisa, and Peter felt like she avoided looking at him. “According to reports from Dumbarten and Yar-del’s navies, pirate activity has all but ceased. What’s more, there are no merchant vessels departing the free northern cities. Markus’s advisors believe Meglar is amassing a fleet in preparation for an invasion. Whether it’s meant for Dumbarten or Lourdria is not clear. He wanted me to find where Meglar anchored these ships.”

  “They’d be fools to try to invade us by sea. Our navy will crush their ragtag fleet,” Marisa said. “And that doesn’t count the ships the crown would commandeer for the common defense.”

  “Perhaps, but we can’t take anything for granted. We know he had at least one base on Lourdria. The intelligence branch doesn’t believe he left the continent when he abandoned Tunid.”

  “He’d still need ships to get here from Lourdria,” Wallace said.

  “True.” Penelope moved aside while the staff set food on the table. “Our size, which is one of our strengths, is also a liability when you have thousands of miles of coast to defend. With all eyes on our west coast, it wouldn’t be hard for a lone ship or two to land a few wizards on the east coast.”

  Peter kept to the back of the room. If they were concerned about an invasion, there would be no help from Dumbarten. He hoped that didn’t mean they’d try to stop him from leaving, but at the least he’d need to find his own way home.

  “Yes, I’m still going,” Marisa said. She had her hands on her hips and faced Penelope. “Why would you think otherwise?”

  Penelope glanced at Peter and back at Marisa. “I can’t go with you. My first obligation is to Dumbarten.”

  “You don’t know he’s going to invade Dumbarten,” Peter said. “He might be gathering his forces to attack Belsport.”

  “Exactly, he might. We don’t know what he plans, which means I need to remain here to defend the kingdom.”

  “As I’ve said before, that might be the outcome Meglar is trying to provoke,” Marisa said. “Keep us guessing to keep everyone apart. Alone he can defeat any of us, but if we come together, we can stop him.”

  “Agreed, but unless we know, how can I leave?” She met Marisa’s gaze for a moment before turning to Peter. “I feel for Belsport’s plight, but my first obligation is to Dumbarten’s safety.”

  “I understand,” Peter said. “Will you still send me home?”

  “Of course, and I’ve spoken to Markus. He’ll send you troops and wizards to help, but I can’t go myself.”

  That gave him a measure of relief. Even without Penelope, he was better prepared than if he had left alone. “Thank you.”

  “I wish I could go with you.” She gave him a thin smile. “Much as I hate to admit it, if Farrell had been available it would have helped.”

  “He’s still not back?” Peter asked.

  “No,” she said. “They haven’t even told him.”

  “Why not?” Marisa asked. “If things are moving as fast as everyone says, he should be told.”

  “You would think.” Penelope snorted. “But a few weeks ago, Farrell snuck off to destroy Kentrish alone. He would have died except Kel figured out where he’d gone and rescued him.”

  “Great Gods above!” Wallace said. “Did he lose his sanity?”

  “No, that’s exactly something he’d do,” Peter said without humor.

  “Humph.” Penelope frowned. “In keeping with who he is or not, Kel was not happy. He also worried that one act would speed up Meglar’s pace of conquest, so he took Farrell away.”

  “Why?” Marisa asked.

  Peter didn’t see the connection either. “If Meglar is likely to come sooner, shouldn’t he have stayed at Haven?”

  “There were things he and Kel needed to do before Meglar attacked. He needs to recover the last Gift. Kel wants to finish his training and reach out to allies Kel has cultivated over the centuries.” Penelope sat in front of her food. “Kel didn’t know if they had time do all three separately, so he plans to teach Farrell as they travel.”

  “Can’t Klissmor let him know you need to speak to him?” Peter asked. “As Farrell pointed out, Doors work between two places.”

  Penelope shot him a dirty look and then shook her head. “If only it were that easy. Nerti is still refusing to tell him what is happening. Kliss
mor told Miceral the world must fend for itself while Kel trains Farrell.”

  “That’s outrageous! Meglar could conquer Belsport and Dumbarten while he and Kel are away,” Marisa said.

  “Better to lose a battle or two than a war,” Wallace said. Everyone looked at him, and he shrugged. “If he cuts short his training to save Belsport, he might lose to Meglar when they meet. Belsport would fall anyway if that happens. Hard as this is to say, Farrell needs to finish his training no matter the cost.”

  “He’s right,” Peter said. “You’ve said this war is about more than just Farrell.”

  Peter braced for a lecture, but instead Penelope winked at him. “When did these children grow up that they remind us of our own words?”

  “It’s been happening for a while, but we don’t want to admit it.” Marisa smiled, but it faded a moment later. “You have to stay, but I’m still going with them. We need to put Dumbarten first, but we can’t ignore our allies either. If we let Meglar pick them off, we’ll end up standing alone. Even Dumbarten can’t stand against Meglar if he’s conquered the rest of the world.”

  The gong rang through the house and Penelope swore. “I turned the volume down, but it is louder than ever.”

  “What’s that?” Wallace asked, searching for the source of the sound.

  “A notice Markus is trying to reach me,” Penelope said. “I don’t allow him or anyone to open a Door into our home without my approval. This lets me know someone wants to use my Door. On my life, I can’t imagine why we need to speak again so soon.”

  Penelope led them back to the room and waved her hand in front of the blank wall. The lines embedded in it lit up and the space between them came into focus. A teenager dressed in the king’s colors waited on the other side. When Penelope motioned, he hesitantly came through the portal. He looked relieved when he arrived.

  “Your Highness.” He stopped in front of Penelope and bowed. “The king requests your presence at the palace.”

  “Really?” Penelope’s tone set the page back on his heels. “I just left my nephew. What could be so important it can’t wait until morning?”