Champion of the Gods Box Set

by Andrew Q. Gordon

  “I thought Burtrum didn’t want to get involved.”

  “Penelope was no longer an heir to the throne. Dumbarten does not have a wizard king like Yar-del. Once Burtrum had Markus and two other sons, Burtrum ended Penelope’s claim. Not that she objected. She was happy to be Dumbarten’s chief wizard. When Marisa raised her army, Penelope resigned her post as royal wizard to help Marisa.”

  “Is that how they got together?”

  “That is another story for another time.” Wallace yawned. “The short answer is that is when they first had extended contact with each other. To finish my answer to whether Marisa is qualified, she chased that bastard from one end of Dumbarten to the other. They had several skirmishes before she herded him north. The entire campaign, Marisa outmaneuvered Dalcides. She left him two choices: fight her or flee in the direction she wanted. Her legend began to spread and so did her followers.

  “Finally she had him with his back to the ocean, and he had no choice but to fight. They were also in Oglithan, where Dalcides had family and friends. He told any who would listen that an angry Kentarian noble chased after him. It proved an effective rallying cry. When he turned to face Marisa, he finally had superior numbers. He sent an emissary to demand her surrender.”

  “I wouldn’t want that job if I had to face an angry Marisa.”

  Wallace snorted. “Word is Marisa wanted to cut his head off and send it back to Dalcides, but Penelope stopped her. The threat was enough to send the messenger scurrying back to his commander.

  “Despite being outnumbered, Marisa quickly put them back on their heels. Twice she demanded their surrender. Given how one-sided the fight was, Marisa suspected Dalcides was up to something. Penelope scanned the area and found two cloaked armies marching toward them.”

  “The benefit of having a grand master wizard on your side.”

  “True. Marisa divided her forces, keeping the bulk with her. In a furious push, she routed Dalcides and captured him alive. When the reinforcements arrived, Marisa’s larger army waited for them. Some surrendered, some fled, but none thought it best to engage her.

  “What happened to Dalcides? Did she kill him?”

  “Surprisingly, no. She marched him on foot back to Dreth and turned him over to the king. I think she’d had enough killing of Dumbarten citizens at that point. Burtrum gave Dalcides to Fergus to deal with, and the prince executed him as a traitor.”

  The two lay in silence as Peter mulled all he’d heard. “To have so able a commander must be a blessing from Arritisa and the Six.”

  “It is a good omen.” Wallace smiled and pulled Peter closer. “But now we need to go to sleep. It might be hard to find a good night’s sleep after tonight.”

  “I have news,” Horgon told Miceral as they set off for the parade grounds in Trellham. “Natice spoke to Flemin. Kentrish is nearly destroyed.”

  Miceral’s heart raced, and he almost walked into the guards. “How is that possible? Did Farrell go there again?”

  “No. He was fighting a wizard in Othasus, and she tried to target him for Meglar. Farrell diverted the energy to Kentrish. Because it was Meglar’s energy, his shields didn’t stop the attack. Kel said it destroyed much of the palace.”

  “And no doubt sent Meglar into a rage.”

  Horgon smiled. “Hard to say. The day before, the Arlefors unleashed Farrell and Kel’s plan. They destroyed much of the Chamdon pens in the Merchant Union cities.”

  “Does that mean Meglar can’t invade the west anymore?” he asked.

  “Unfortunately, no, but it does affect his plans. In Kel’s opinion, coupled with Farrell’s attack, these latest setbacks mean Meglar can’t attack Pelipan and Honal at the same time. But it’s not all good news.”

  “Oh?” Miceral glanced over.

  “Destroying Kentrish gives Meglar no reason to stay and protect it. He’ll likely lead the attack on Honal.”

  “Do we know he’s going to attack Honal?”

  “Not for sure, but Kel told Meglar to come to the Plains of Gharaha when he was ready to fight in person. If Kel is correct and this spurs him to action, he needs to cross Honal to get to Gharaha.”

  “And if I were Meglar, and convinced I was unbeatable, I’d find the wizard who is annoying me.”

  “Exactly. I’ve sent word to Wesfazial. Given his depleted numbers, Meglar will try to replenish his supply of Chamdon on the march. King Christian is doubling his efforts to get people in Meglar’s path to flee.” Horgon shook his head. “We’ll see if he is successful.”

  “That might not be as big a problem as we fear. Assume he captures thousands of Honalese citizens, then what? He won’t have enough weapons and matching armor to arm these new Chamdon.”

  “I’m a bit disappointed. All this time with Farrell and you draw that conclusion?” Horgon waved his hand in the air the way Farrell did when he used magic. “Maces and chain mail won’t be an issue.”

  Feeling foolish, Miceral turned away. “Let’s not tell Farrell about my mental lapse, okay?”

  “As the life partner of my son and heir, he deserves to know the truth,” Horgon said in a dramatic fashion. He then patted Miceral on the back. “Of course I won’t say a word. Of bigger concern are the Free Cities. Meglar’s forces have captured three cities so far. Only Hamble got the majority of their people to safety. Potentially, he has a huge army waiting to throw at us when we’re not expecting it.”

  “The last we heard, Garreth doesn’t have Chamdon with him.”

  “I wouldn’t expect he would. Garreth likely believes he’s in charge. Once Meglar changes his people into Chamdon, he’ll learn the truth.”

  “That’s never bothered Meglar.”

  “No, it hasn’t, but Chamdon have a finite life span. Right now he’s winning without them. If that changes, I suspect Garreth’s soldiers will become Chamdon.”

  “You’re probably correct. I’ll tell the generals to be on alert.”

  They finished their walk in silence. Miceral spent the time working out how he’d respond if they faced an army of Chamdon. Did he have enough soldiers for that possibility? Could they afford the delay it would take to assemble and provision more legions?

  When they arrived, the parade grounds buzzed with activity.

  “The quartermaster sent the bulk of the supplies ahead,” Horgon said. “Since they are the slowest part of the army, that will give them a day’s head start.”

  “What about Dumbarten’s?”

  “We sent the bulk their provisions ahead, but we didn’t know how much they’re going to bring. They’ll have to carry the rest with them.”

  “Are they still intent on approaching from the north?”

  “Yes.” Horgon shook his head. “They want to make contact with the relief force coming from Belsport.”

  “If the relief force makes it in time.” Miceral didn’t like splitting their force like this. “Wilhelm said the bulk of all five northern cities had deployed already.”

  “The fight for Hamble allowed Prince Orinth to evacuate Pelth. Nagden and Celtan are doing the same and sending every available soldier south. Anyone who can’t fight has fled north to the safety of Belsport’s shield.”

  “That might be part of Meglar’s plan. Are they screening people to be sure Meglar’s agents aren’t among the number?”

  “Yes. Rothdin dispatched a squad of peregrines who are good at truth-seeking. The constables won’t give sanctuary to anyone who refuses to be vetted.”

  “That’s wise.”

  “Wilhelm is no one’s fool,” Horgon said. “It’s unfortunate Pelth isn’t shielded like Belsport.”

  “Garreth would be stuck. He couldn’t conquer it, couldn’t ignore it, and couldn’t march around it.” Miceral wished Farrell were back.

  Glendora spotted them and waved them over. “I’ve been looking for you.”

  In his experience whenever someone started a sentence like that, it didn’t bode well. “How can we help?”

  She smiled.
“It’s not bad, Miceral. In fact, my news is excellent. I just need a bit of help.”

  “That’s vague. Can you give us a few more details?” Horgon said.

  “My apologies. I received word from Heminaltose. He plans to join us but needs a couple of days to finish his work in Pelipan.”

  “As much as I value his talents, we’re setting off tomorrow before dawn,” Miceral said.

  “Nor would I ask you to delay your departure.” She shifted her attention to Horgon. “Nerti has agreed to lead a few companies of unicorns to get Heminaltose to the fight. I need you to find some Muchari volunteers to guard them.”

  Horgon laughed. “If Nerti is leading this group, she could have chosen her own guards.”

  “True, but she’s being polite. You are their leader, not her.”

  “Convey my thanks for the courtesy,” Horgon said. “I’ll have them ready in two days.”

  “Excellent. See Miceral, that wasn’t painful, was it?”

  “I fear I’ve received too much bad news when people come to find me.”

  She sighed. “Sadly that is often the case. But having delivered the news and made my request, I need to finish organizing the other wizards. I hope you don’t object, but I’ve assigned myself to your command.”

  Miceral tried not to show his surprise. “You’re coming with us?”

  “Of course.” She raised an eyebrow. “Why does that surprise you?”

  Miceral’s cheeks burned. “My apologies. It shouldn’t have, but . . . well . . .”

  Glendora smirked. “I could let you twist, but you never worry about the wizards because you are always with Farrell. Unfortunately, he is so far above most of us that we require a team to do what he does alone. Besides, it was not so long ago I led the wizards of Northhelm in defense of our home. But I thank you for your concern.”

  Miceral squirmed, hoping his father would say something to change the topic. The pause lingered until he couldn’t let it go on anymore. “I’d best go see how the marshaling is going while you consult with your wizards. Father still needs to speak to find volunteers.”

  He heard them laughing as he walked away. In spite of his misstep with Glendora, it was a good omen. If he couldn’t get Farrell or Kel to help, Heminaltose was the perfect replacement.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The enormous Door deposited Peter and “his” army just west of the great Hamble Forest. A path, made by the supply train, marked their way. He didn’t understand why they had split their forces, but Marisa insisted.

  “Why didn’t we exit closer to Pelth? We’re half again as far away as your army,” Peter asked.

  “This is where our wizards shielded their work,” Miceral said. “I plan to delay my departure by a day. Drendar and Thrinton sent double what I expected. We need time to assemble enough provisions for the extra soldiers.”

  “Be safe and don’t be late,” Marisa said.

  The way she and Miceral interacted bothered Peter. He recognized he wasn’t as old or accomplished as Miceral, but he was still the heir to Belsport. He was leading the expedition even if Marisa was the general in charge of the strategy.

  A raffish smile stretched Miceral’s lips. “You wound me. Do you think I’d be late to save my life partner’s mother?”

  “Consider it a gentle reminder. If you’re late, a certain prince of Belsport might order me to attack without you.”

  Miceral laughed and glanced at Peter. “Fair enough. As said prince pointed out, we’ve got the shorter route by half. You’ve got a five-day march ahead of you; ours is little more than three. I promise not to attack until you arrive.”

  “Still incorrigible.” She moved closer and held out her arm. “And I used to think Farrell was the less mature.”

  “We each have our moments.” Miceral grasped and released her arm. He stood straighter and saluted her and then turned to Peter. “We’ll make it in time.”

  Peter’s voice failed him, so he nodded.

  Miceral navigated his way through the troops using the Door. They parted enough for him to get by. A moment later he disappeared.

  “Lady Marisa.” He waited until she acknowledged him. “A word, if you have the time?”

  “Of course, Your Highness.”

  It was going to take some getting used to Marisa referring to him as a prince. Since the moment he set foot in her house, he’d been Peter. Penelope and Marisa treated him like they did their daughter, setting curfews and giving him rules. The sudden shift left him off-balance. He waited for everyone to move away before he spoke.

  “I’m not sure how to start.”

  “Why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you so we can get past it and get the army on the move?”

  “I appreciate you deferring to me in public.” He struggled under her gaze to find the right words. “But I don’t feel I’ve earned your true respect yet.”

  “That’s unfortunate because you need to lead this army. You are the only one who has the right to be here with nineteen legions marching south toward Pelth.”

  “No, I meant, I don’t feel I’ve earned your respect in private, and this deference feels fake.”

  Marisa eyed him with a puzzled look. “If it were just for appearances? Would that affect your ability to make decision or give orders?”

  “I don’t mean to offend you, but I’ve never felt I earned your respect. Everything I’ve done so far, I’ve done with that in mind.” He shrugged. “So I don’t know if I’d do anything different if you believed in me.”

  “What prompted you to raise this at the cusp of our marching south?”

  “When you interact with Miceral, it’s clear he has your admiration and friendship. Compared to that, it’s easy to see what you give me isn’t genuine.”

  Marisa pursed her lips into an “O” and nodded. “I understand.”

  She put her hands behind her back and walked back and forth. Peter steadied himself for her response. When she stopped, he stiffened.

  “I do respect you, Peter, but I also think I have the greater experience and wisdom. The best example I can give you is what we’re doing now. Left to your decisions, you would be riding alone to help your father. You gave no thought to finding a real way to rescue him. With the advice and intervention of others, you have a large army marching to his aid.

  “One way is admirable and has no chance of success.” She raised her left hand and looked at it. “The other is admirable and wise and far more likely to give you the desired result.” She lifted the other hand and shifted her gaze to it.

  “Which reinforces you think I’m a fool.”

  “No, it does not.” She clasped her hands at her waist. “I think what is true—you are young and haven’t learned to ask for help. When I wasn’t much older than you, I nearly made the same mistake. Someone older and wiser than I made me see I was wrong.”

  “Is that when you chased Dalcides across Dumbarten?” He chose his words carefully and watched to see if he offended her.

  Marisa remained stone-faced, as if she were reliving those events again. She nodded. “I wanted to ride after him that night. It didn’t matter I didn’t have enough soldiers to capture a small farming village. I wanted him dead before the next time the sun rose. Penelope refused to let me go. I resented her at first, but she saved my life and those of anyone else foolish enough to follow me.

  “Instead, we raised an army and brought that murderer to heel.” She smiled and raised her hands again. “One was admirable, the other admirable and wise.”

  Peter smiled. “Point taken.”

  “Now, as for the other problem. You only just reached your majority and you traveled about Dreth with my daughter. Those two make it hard for me to see you as anything other than my child. When you are older, you will understand. You never stop being a parent, even when your children are grown and able to fend for themselves without you.

  “I can’t promise I’ll succeed, but I will do my best to change how I treat you. But be patie
nt with me. It will be hard to see the prince of Belsport who raised this army and not the child I’ve grown to love.” She held out her arm. “Is that acceptable?”

  “Quite.” He clasped her arm. “Thank you for listening, and more for considering what I’d said. It means a lot to me.”

  “When you find out all that you’ll have to worry about once we march, you won’t remember this.” She smiled and pointed toward their troops. “Shall we get this army moving?”

  On the morning of their third day, a peregrine scout reported an army heading south. A Dumbarten wizard created an image for them. Unlike when Farrell cast the spell, this was fuzzy and the details hard to see.

  “There are three columns, each with their own flag,” Dfelli, the leader of the peregrines with Peter’s army, said. “Per the information you provided me, these are soldiers from Belsport, Celtan, and Nagden.”

  Marisa glanced at Peter and then at the peregrine. “Can you contact them and let them know we are here? I don’t want them to set on us from behind thinking we are the enemy.”

  “We can,” she said.

  “Good.” Marisa spread a map on a makeshift table and picked up a pointer. “From what you’ve said, they’re here and we’re here.”

  The tip of the stick left a dot where Marisa touched the paper. She traced a line along the trade road from the other army all the way to Pelth. Next, she drew a line from their position to the route. Their path was considerably longer.

  “They’ll get there well before us,” Peter said.

  Marisa nodded but didn’t take her attention off the map. “Prince Cendreth, we need to intercept them and get them to wait for us.”

  “Do you think they’ll stop at my request?”

  “Doubtful,” she said. “If I led them, I’d want to reach Pelth before the enemy.”

  “My thoughts as well, but I’ll try to persuade them to see the benefits of our request.”

  “I can get them to wait for us.” Peter resisted the urge to fade back as all eyes focused on him. “All the princes are in the field with their armies, and it is doubtful any of their heirs are with this army. My rank should be enough to make them listen.”