Champion of the Gods
Copyright© 2025 by QM
Chapter 14
Darras relaxed comfortably in the camp as the Elves went scouting, often seeing what they saw as Erren allowed him to look via her spirit. The mercenaries were marching in good order, and scouting far and wide, though they did not observe the Elves observing them. What they were also doing was looting and pillaging of the various areas they passed through.
‘Typical mercenaries, ’ Erren sighed. ‘Nor is there any attempt by their captains to control them.’
“Elite troops, though,” Darras observed. “Many archers amongst them.”
‘Yes, Jertin will need to use caution, though I suspect his mobility will give them issues.’
“Is he on the move?”
‘He’s scouting the potential battlefield with his Elves. I think he plans to permit them to cross the river and attack them when they have crossed, ’ Erren replied.
“A good plan, assuming it works, as the Fordelians will be trapped against the river and unable to retreat easily.”
‘Will be a brutal battle.’
“Yes, I doubt the champions of Colanthus will make it easy,” Darras agreed.
The Elves returned the following morning and swiftly collated notes as the campsite was broken down and packed. The party then headed through the Holy Forest to rendezvous with Jertin and his command.
Caminas listened with satisfaction as Nimon reported on the progress of the mercenaries. Eight elite units were making good progress and were expected to be before the gates of Fordel within six days.
“The only issue so far is the complaints of the various mayors concerning looting and the occasional murder of our citizens,” Nimon finished his report.
“If these mercenaries can throw back the Rachtelinians, then that will be a small price to pay,” Caminas sneered. “Saving Fordel is the priority.”
“As you say, Holy Netas.”
“We believe the former Netas and his accomplice Shurmun have been hidden away in the merchant quarter,” Rogas informed Caminas. “House-to-house searches are ongoing, though their allies may well conceal them.”
“Sooner or later we’ll apprehend them,” Caminas replied. “Our priority remains the defence of this realm.”
“We have reports of the Rachtelinians gathering to the west of Lucil; they may be planning on disrupting our sea trade,” Nimon informed the council.
“They’ll soon return when the mercenaries advance against them,” Caminas replied confidently. “It may even be to our advantage that they cannot interfere with their advance.”
“As you say, holy Netas,” the council murmured, all choosing, as ever, to hide their thoughts.
Darras and the Elves found Jertin’s encampment late the following morning and swiftly reported their findings. “I doubt you’ll be able to ambush them,” Darras added.
“Too many scouts out actively patrolling,” Firios confirmed.
“A tough nut,” Jertin nodded. “But not an impossible one.”
“Will you have enough men?” Darras asked.
“Yes,” Jertin confirmed. “We know a few of their spies now and have passed information on our presence to the west of Lucil.”
“And Lucil itself?”
“Has been infiltrated by Amina’s people, though we won’t take it until a large shipment of goods arrives in about a week.”
“The situation in Fordel is expanding,” a dark Ubaid informed Casal. “Do you wish to involve us?”
“No, that was our mistake in the past and exposed the scales to retaliatory action,” Casal hissed. “Continue to grow our strength here, where we cannot be interfered with.”
“And the local inhabitants?”
Deal with them only if they come looking.”
As you command, agent of the Dark Lord,” the Ubaid replied obsequiously.
Darras and the Elves had withdrawn to Erren’s domain to relax and for Firios to receive a gift from Erren to give to his newborn. The Elves had then returned to Iversirion, taking several letters from Erren to hand over to Harinas the priest-King and Leandomus the land-King. There was also a personal letter from Erren to Tariel, the young Elf girl whom Erren had befriended after Darras rescued her from slavery.
“Helping with the homework?” Darras chuckled to Erren as they sat in comfort before a roaring fire.
“Not really,” Erren smiled. “Tariel’s gifts are about to blossom, and I’ve given her some advice on what to research in the university’s library.”
“I take it the print industry is now well established?” Darras asked.
“It is, and it’s spreading to other realms rapidly.”
“A renaissance on the horizon?”
“Potentially, yes, if my vision of the future is not interfered with too much,” Erren nodded.
“Ah, the deep south?” Darras replied.
“Yes, though Balat and the forest folk are now aware of the issue down there, if disinclined to do anything pre-emptive.”
“I will need to take a look eventually,” Darras nodded.
“Yes,” Erren agreed. “Though for now my focus is on Fordel and preventing a worst-case scenario.”
In the town of Lucil, the principal port of Fordel, a large convoy of ships had finally been unloaded. The contents would then be loaded onto wagons and sent north to the town of Vardille and into Hurinass to be sent west through the Dwarven Realm and finally to the city of Fordel, where it would be bought and sold by the various merchants of the Merchant’s Guild.
This was what various forces from Rachtelin were waiting for, and as soon as it was dark, several companies hurried forward and entered the town via the main gate, which men and women of the Thieves Guild of Dobra had seized. From there, the keep and various buildings were taken and held, followed by the docks and warehouses of the merchants. Fighting broke out at the keep and between Rachtelinian swordsmen and various town guard patrols. Yet in the end, the mission was a success, and the Rachtelinians held the town and blocked the harbour for shipping.
The following morning, the Rachtelinians rounded up several merchants and the priesthood of Darmela, placed them in wagons, and escorted them north to Vardille. The town’s mayor was informed he was in charge of law and order and that food and other goods would still be allowed to be sold as trade was not restricted, though the points of entry and excessive fees were not charged. This, the man accepted, simply glad to be alive, and as the Rachtelinians intended to remain in the keep was not tempted to go against their rules.
“Lucil has fallen,” holy Netas. Rogas informed Caminas and the council.
“Pah! Damned fools, weren’t they warned to keep a careful watch?” Caminas exploded.
“According to the scryer who reported it, they had help from people within the town.”
“Let us hope our mercenaries force the Rachtelinians back and we can begin to drive them from Fordel,” Nimon added.
“Indeed so,” Caminas fumed, realising his influence upon this council had taken a blow. “What reports on other groups supposedly working within Fordel who might be spying?”
“Several groups trading in the north have pulled out ahead of the mercenaries’ advance, though none were known to have spied upon them or even gathered information,” Rogas replied.
“Why did they pull out?”
“The looting and pillaging the mercenaries are carrying out, or so it was reported,” Rogas informed the council.
“Another blow to our finances,” Melbor, once a supporter of Caminas, now a growing critic, groused. “Even if the mercenaries succeed, it could take a decade to repair the damage done to the economy.”
“It is what it is,” Caminas replied. “Or would you prefer to live under Rachtelin and the Errenite temple?”
“No, but we may well end up with it anyway at the current rate.”
“We will win!” Caminas thundered. “The golden goddess promised it!”
“When?” Melbor asked pointedly. “Only you’ve not once entered the sanctuary to face her.”
“That is not her only means of communication, Melbor!”
“I know, it’s just I’m receiving reports from other temples suggesting our goddess has turned her back upon their entreaties.”
“Preposterous!” Caminas spluttered. “The golden lady would not abandon her people.”
“Not unless they have offended her ... somehow,” Melbor replied with a raised eyebrow.
“This meeting is closed,” Caminas snapped. “Idle speculation on non-existent issues is not debate, nor will I countenance it further.”
Darras had rejoined Jertin and the Rachtelinian forces as they made their way past Taescutt and the site of the ambush where Fordel had attempted to kill Jertin and the Rachtelinian leadership. Despite several of their forces being active in the east, the Rachtelinians were in fine spirits, followed as they were by a large group of merchants and camp followers. Jertin had admitted that he could do little about them, so he had organised them to suit the advance and not hinder it by slowing the men down.
Darras watched with a wry smile as the column came to a halt and orders were shouted out. Within minutes, work parties were digging latrines and assembling tents, with the bulk of the men digging earthworks around the military encampment to protect it further. Meals were prepared and water boiled for the following day’s rations, as outside the encampment, merchants and camp followers set up their own encampment to cater for the troops once their duties were done.
“You have it off to a fine art,” Darras chuckled.
“True,” Jertin smiled. “A lot of work, but it beats the alternative.”
“Organised the followers too, smart of you.”
“We promised them protection in exchange for following a few rules,” Jertin replied. “The main one being they stay out of our camp unless there is a battle.”
“It will keep their spies frustrated,” Darras laughed.
“As the men do not know where we are going, other than a few officers I trust and the Elven scouts, all they can do is report on our advance and speculate on a destination,” Jertin explained.
“The mercenaries have reached Fordel and are resupplying,” Darras informed Jertin. “Your timing is perfect.”
“I do have the help of an agent of the goddess,” Jertin chuckled.
“You do,” Darras smiled. “You do.”
Jertin planned his advance carefully, ensuring, via his scouts, that the mercenaries reached the village of Fisu and were crossing the bridge when he called a forced march to reach his chosen battlefield and prevent any further advance from the mercenaries. An encampment was swiftly set up there even as several mounted skirmishes occurred between the two forces.
“Hopefully, they’ll be thinking that our march was aimed at catching them crossing the bridge,” Jertin told his command staff. “Not to prevent them from running away easily.”
“We’ll know in the morning,” Darras shrugged. “Just remember, they have several champions of Colanthus amongst them.”
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