Champion of the Gods Box Set

by Andrew Q. Gordon

  “Entirely reasonable.” He messed Farrell’s still-damp hair. “More eating and less talking.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Miceral heard the conversation around the table, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He scanned the horizon again. If he’d known where Farrell was coming from, it would have helped.

  Prince Saulmon’s whiny voice interrupted his thoughts. “How are Kel and Farrell going to help with that?”

  “What did he ask?” He knew Klissmor was paying attention.

  “That person is complaining about the dragon. Again.” Klissmor didn’t hide his dislike of Prince Saulmon. “I know you are eager for the return of your mate, but you need to pay attention.”

  “Only the bias against anyone not human prevented the others from choosing you to lead this army. Or in my case, looks human.”

  “In normal times I’d have called them on their ignorance, but these are not easy times. The marginal support of some of the princes requires that you lead.”

  “Still.” He disliked the ones who protested the loudest. “You will let me know if you disagree with me?”

  “Was there any doubt?”

  “No, but I wanted to be certain.” The others looked at him when he returned his focus to the discussion.

  “This is one dragon,” Zenora said. “During the last war, Neldin had many, yet we still won.”

  “They also had every great wizard of their age for that fight,” Prince Orinth said. He stole a glance at Zenora. “No disrespect meant to anyone.”

  “None taken.” Zenora let out her breath. “No one studies how to combat dragon magic because we don’t encounter them anymore. That is why we need Kel and Farrell. They will know how to deal with this.”

  “Well said.” Wilhelm tapped the map. “Getting back to our defenses, is there anything else of concern?”

  “We could use more time,” Dondred said. “We’ve focused on things to slow down a Chamdon’s charge. With additional time we could build things to give our warriors an advantage.”

  “For that, direct your request to the Six,” Marisa said. “It was They who chose this place at this time.”

  Dondred smirked and inclined his head. “Since I don’t think They will listen, we’re doing what we can with the time we have.”

  “With no disrespect, will even they make a difference?” Prince Erick asked. “Although we outnumber them, if Meglar turns his army into Chamdon, we’ll be overmatched.”

  He left unsaid that they also had nowhere to go if that happened.

  “Once Kel and Farrell defeat the dragon, we’ll hold a magical advantage,” Zenora said. “Then they will be on the defensive.”

  “Fine, but where are they?” Saulmon asked. “You’ve said Doors don’t work here. How will they reach us?”

  Miceral glanced out to sea. They’d set up the command center near the edge of the plateau, which gave him an unobstructed view. If only the Arlefors could stay out of the water longer. They’d turn the odds around.

  “Don’t forget Grand Master Heminaltose is leading a large contingent of Muchari,” Klissmor said. “Queen Nerti said they’ve slowed their pace to avoid arriving too soon. They will more than even the odds.”

  “Will they?” Orinth asked. “No disrespect, Prince Klissmor, but how many is a ‘large contingent’? We face more than one hundred legions of soldiers who are about to become Chamdon.”

  “Why don’t they attack right away?” Aldor asked “That will sow confusion with our enemy before they can charge us.”

  “Until we defeat the dragon, they need to avoid contact,” Darius said. “We’ll need to wait for Kel and Farrell.”

  “Ral?” Farrell’s mental call started Miceral.

  “Farrell! Where are you?” He calmed himself despite the rush of excitement.

  “Kel and I are heading north along the ocean. We had to stop and pick up Clayden before we joined you.”

  “Clayden?” Miceral twisted so fast everyone followed his movement. “He’s with you?”

  “Yes. His army is less than an hour’s march south.”

  Miceral turned back to face the others. “I’m talking to Farrell. He and Kel are almost here.”

  The serious and concerned expressions broke a bit, as he’d hoped, and relief pushed through. He could have told them about the army marching to help, but he didn’t know how to explain Arlefors to the others.

  “That’s welcome news.”

  “Is the edge of the plateau clear? I don’t want any guards rushing us when they see Clayden.”

  “No, but I’ll clear it. Give me a minute.” He took a moment to survey the personal guards of every monarch. Most were in front of the post, standing as a last line of defense if anyone broke through. Twenty stood between the table and the sea.

  “Everyone move away from the cliff.” He waved them over. “Farrell and Kel are going to need the space.”

  “Space? Why do two wizards need a lot of space?” Ganfin asked. Like his older brother Thrinton, he had a subtle sense of humor Miceral enjoyed. “Or do they wish to make a grand entrance?”

  “I could tell you, but seeing will make it easier.” Miceral turned to Zenora. “If they don’t move on their own, can you pull them away? They’ve got King Clayden with them.”

  Zenora nodded and the top of her staff flared blue. “Everyone more away now! If you refuse, I’ll move you by force.”

  The princes quickly ordered their men back.

  “It’s clear,” Miceral said. “But I think you’re going to cause a bit of a panic.”

  “They’ll get over it.” A moment later Farrell, Kel, and Clayden appeared a hundred feet from the cliff’s edge atop a plume of water.

  Everyone from Haven and Dumbarten knew about Rastoria and remained calm. The western princes reacted with fear as the trio drew closer to land. When some reached for their weapons, their guards drew theirs. Dozens of soldiers rushed forward to reach their sovereign.

  A shield flared around the table, and guards were flung back.

  “Stand down, you idiots!” Zenora shouted.

  “Thank you, Mother.” Farrell walked toward Miceral and kissed him on the cheek. “Nice to see you.”

  “I’ve missed you, too.”

  Farrell winked and motioned Clayden to his side. “King Clayden, this is my life partner, Miceral.”

  “The blessing of Holy Arritisa to you.” He bowed but still towered over Miceral. “My uncle told me he met you on the shell when he went to aid Farrell. It is my honor to meet you.”

  “The honor is mine.” He returned the show of respect. “I didn’t think I’d have the chance.”

  “May I have everyone’s attention,” Farrell said.

  The others followed his gaze as Grohl and another peregrine flew in from the sea. The two raptors landed, and Grohl walked over. Farrell stared at his brother, who nodded.

  “King Clayden can hear our words, but they are gibberish to him. My brother will make certain Clayden hears everything we say.”

  Despite his size, Clayden was a head shorter than Grohl. Miceral wondered what the Arlefor thought of a peregrine. The two appeared to be speaking. Clayden opened his mouth and appeared to laugh. Humans behind him gasped at the image.

  “King Clayden, this is my adopted brother, Prince Grohl.”

  “Yes. He told me how you saved your brother’s life and became a son of King Rothdin.” He put his big hand on Farrell’s shoulder. “You have more titles than I have soldiers.”

  He bared his teeth again, and Miceral laughed. It wasn’t humorous, but Miceral’s spirits were high. A hidden Arlefor army marched on the rear of their enemy. Things had turned in their favor.

  Farrell made the full introductions and then directed everyone to the map. He waved his hand over the table, and different units moved around. Pointing to the northeast, he said, “Nerti is still linked with me and is aware of the new information. She and the others are going to time their arrival to coincide with Clayden’s
army.”

  “Clayden’s army?” Erick asked. “How many soldiers does he have? Are they coming from the ocean too? Is that why you had us clear the area?”

  “Do all humans speak so fast?” He reached over Farrell and pointed to the south. “Twenty bands are marching from here. They will be here in less than a cycle.”

  “A cycle is a bit more than an hour, and bands don’t convert into legions,” Farrell said. “A band is sixteen runs, and a run is sixteen soldiers. It’s a bit more than fifty legions.”

  Many of the leaders expressed renewed hope with this new information. The murmur continued, and Miceral touched Farrell’s hand.

  “They have a dragon.”

  “Nerti told me.” Farrell glanced over and smiled. “Kel and I discussed how to handle him.”

  “Him?”

  “The dragon. His name is Qurol.”

  “Why do I feel I won’t like how you plan to handle him?”

  “I’ll get back to that.” Farrell held up his hand. “Clayden’s wizards have cloaked the army. Our enemy doesn’t know they are there. Once the fighting starts, they’ll fall on our enemy from the rear. By the time the handlers can turn the Chamdon around, there might not be many left to fight.”

  “His wizards have hidden fifty legions?” Darius asked. “How is that possible?”

  Kel chuckled and Farrell scowled at him. “Why do you do that?”

  “What did I do?” Kel tried to look offended, but he missed the mark.

  “What’s this about?” Zenora asked. “What’s going on with you two?”

  “Nothing,” Farrell said.

  “Farrell hid them,” Kel said with a satisfied smile.

  “He what?” Zenora looked at her son. “How do you hide an army of Arlefors that large?”

  “He used one of Meglar’s spells,” Kel said with another chuckle. “He fixed the problems first and then gave it to the Arlefors.”

  “That’s funny?” Marisa asked.

  “Meglar copies other wizard’s magic for most of his spells,” Kel said. “Usually his are not quite as good as the original. Like the poor imitation of a shield he used to try to protect Yar-del City. Farrell took the spell Vedric used at Agloth, improved it, and gave it to the Arlefors.”

  “Kel finds the it funny because we used the Eye to find Vedric. Meglar doesn’t know I had the Eye and assumes the spell failed. In truth it was a very good bit of magic. It just needed a few refinements.”

  “One of Meglar’s few good original ideas used against him is funny,” Zenora said. “It’s wonderful.”

  “What about the dragon?” Miceral asked. He knew Farrell had put him off on purpose. Now that he’d said it in public, Farrell would have to answer.

  “That cowardly lizard won’t be a problem,” Kel said. “Qurol fled Trellham before the fighting ended. I’m surprised he answered Meglar’s call.”

  “You know this dragon?” Wilhelm asked.

  “Yes, I know him,” Kel said coolly. “During the fight at Trellham, Neldin summoned several dragons from wherever they nested. Most were killed by the combined efforts of peregrines and wizards. Prince Vathvin, Rothdin’s younger brother, lost his life in the fight. As did more than a few of my friends. Qurol killed Vathvin and then fled while the fighting still raged. Rothdin and I scoured the world, but we never found him.”

  “How can peregrines defeat a dragon?” Erick asked. “And how is this one dragon defeating our magic?”

  “Dragons have powerful minds. They can use confuse and disorient other beings. Qurol is exceptionally powerful.” Kel swept his staff across his body. “Magic works, but he’s been manipulating the minds of the wizards to make some of their magic fail.”

  “How can that be?” Darius looked at Zenora. “My shields are intact.”

  “We didn’t want to believe it at first, either. I lost two friends before we learned the truth.”

  Zenora appeared shaken. “How do we fight him?”

  “By working with the peregrines,” Kel said. “Unicorns are immune to the effects, but only peregrines proved able to guard others. Don’t ask me to explain why one can and not the other. Velchuck believed it had to do with Honorus anointing peregrines as the lords of the sky. We never found out for certain.”

  Miceral understood why he felt so uneasy. “You’re willing to risk Farrell’s life on the untested belief of a long-dead wizard?”

  Kel’s lips tightened and his eyelids pinched together. “You know who and what he is and yet you persist with your foolishness. It ends now, Miceral!”

  Expecting a response to his question and not an attack, Miceral was thrown off. He looked to Farrell for help, but his partner simply shook his head and turned away.

  “Every time you try to hold him back, you reduce his chances of defeating Meglar.” Kel pointed his finger at Miceral. “Yes! You! Everything he’s done helps prepare him for that one moment. The things he’s done that you deem reckless have been part of his training. Nothing that happens to the Champion of the Six during this time has been by chance. Why do you insist on questioning him at every turn?”

  “This isn’t about me,” Miceral said. “You’re the one pushing him—”

  “Stop!” Klissmor’s voice carried enough force to echo in Miceral’s head. “This is not Kel’s doing. He’s training your mate to win. Exactly what the Six require of him.”

  “Each time you push back against him using his gift in new and different ways, you plant a tiny seed of doubt.” Kel’s tone softened a bit. “You know he loves you beyond words, Miceral. The desire to avoid hurting you is great, and he is forced to choose between the two. That is dangerous. Even a moment’s hesitation could cost him the fight.”

  “Do you think watching Nerti sit in front of the Gates of Agloth was any easier for me?” Klissmor said. “Or when she left Northhelm to get help? Despite your youth, the Six demand an enormous sacrifice from you. You must help Farrell shoulder his burden not put doubt in his mind or cause him to find a different path to ease your fears. There is enough on your mate’s shoulders already. Do not add to the weight, old friend.”

  When Klissmor stopped, Miceral realized Kel was still talking.

  “. . . that is why I know a peregrine will protect him.”

  “I understand. Thank you for explaining.” Miceral nodded once to Kel and reached for Farrell’s hand. “I’m sorry. I love you so much. All I want to do is protect you, even though I can’t. That isn’t my role in this war.”

  “Ral, I love you, too, but I need to do those things only I can do.”

  “I know.” He fought back the tears. Despite how much his heart said no, he knew he needed to give his approval. “You’re so special. I forget that because I only see Farrell. Go do this. Win this fight so you can win this war. Then we can have our lifetime together.”

  Farrell stared at him, and Miceral knew he searched for a sign. Miceral opened a link to his mind so Farrell could see, but he shook his head.

  “I don’t need to read your mind to know what is in your heart.” Farrell smiled and a tear slid down his cheek. “Thank you.”

  Miceral put his hand on Farrell’s face and used his thumb to push aside the tear. “Go! The sooner you end this, the sooner we can go home.”

  Farrell stared at Miceral as long as he could, but when the silence got awkward, he turned to Grohl.

  “I don’t think I need to ask, but are you willing to help me?”

  Grohl’s feathers stuck up and his eyes danced with anticipation. “You already know my answer. How could one brother not help another in his time of need?”

  “Brother?” Prince Yudres said. “How can they be brothers?”

  “Because that was the will of the Six,” Kel said.

  Grohl puffed out his feathers. “King Rothdin adopted Farrell after he risked his life to save Miceral, our brother Takala, and me.”

  “I assure you, to Farrell and Grohl, they are as much brothers as if they had been born of the same parents,�
� Kel said. “And because of that bond, Farrell and Grohl can work together in a way no one else can match. At this moment we need a powerful human wizard who can meld with a powerful peregrine to defeat a dragon.”

  “If you still had doubts, here is further proof,” Klissmor said. “Nothing that happens to the Champion and those who support him is by chance.”

  A thunderous roar rippled through the air from across the battlefield. Qurol’s head appeared in the distance. Though they all knew he’d been there, this was the first time the dragon allowed anyone to see him. He turned his green-scaled head toward the ocean and seemed to stare at Farrell.

  “You chose the wrong day to pick a fight, dragon,” Farrell whispered.

  “You are right,” Grohl said as he walked toward the edge of the cliff. “Today the sons of Rothdin will have their revenge on this coward for the death of our uncle. I will see you in the air, Brother.”

  Farrell smiled as Grohl launched himself skyward.

  “Don’t let his recklessness take over,” Miceral said. “He thinks he’s invincible.”

  “Actually, his spirit is exactly what we’ll need for this fight.” Farrell kissed Miceral’s cheek. “Together we’ll make the perfect dragon-killing team.”

  “Yes, you shall!” Kel stomped his staff on the ground once. “Go, before he turns his foul magic on our soldiers.”

  Farrell kept his eyes on Miceral. “Be safe, Ral. I’ll be covered in magic; you won’t.”

  “I’ll just be fighting Chamdon.” Miceral kissed him. “Nothing compared to a dragon.”

  The flippant response was an act, but Farrell loved him all the more for trying. “I’ll join you when we’re finished.”

  Farrell flew up to meet his brother. Despite what Kel had said, killing a dragon would be hard . . . not impossible, but not easy. Grohl’s confidence was a necessary asset for this fight. Fear killed. It caused hesitation at the wrong moment. Together they would be unafraid, and that would carry the day.

  He saw Grohl circling above him and pushed himself higher. Once he settled on his brother’s back, he extended his link and covered them in blue wizard’s fire. Grohl opened his beak, and they trumpeted a challenge to Qurol. The dragon glared at them, and Farrell settled against his brother’s back.