Chapter 16

“So, what now?” Darras asked the gods.

“Balat, Mirion and others are still setting up a gateway network in the deep south,” Doriel replied. “There has, so far, been no attempt to spread spores again.”

“How is Nione doing?” Darras asked, mentioning a Woodnymph from the south who could use fire magic.

“She studies under Mesoli in Iversirion and remains a good friend of Demala, who also aids with her gift,” Doriel replied. “She returns to the south daily via the gateway.”

“And the Elves down there?” Darras asked Mirion.

“I’m increasing their knowledge of herbology,” Mirion replied. “Klavin is improving their smithing.”

“It’s odd to work with Elves who have no prejudices against me,” Klavin chuckled.

“A miracle,” Pelegard laughed. “But it goes to show the Elf, Dwarf nonsense is something learned, not natural.”

“Iversirion and Sorrak are slowly moving away from that,” Hallis added. “Both species are now regular visitors to the cities.”

“Sorrak is setting up a similar university to Iversirion, though it has issues getting magic users to be open with their secrets,” Erren smiled. “They will get there, though, as Annos and Sondrast visit as lecturers and are popular.”

“Ah, they encourage others to share,” Darras nodded.

“Indeed so.”

“There is an attempt to unite the Orc tribes ... again,” Saltak spoke up. “This time it’s natural, though I expect it to flounder on Orcish intransigence.”

“Most likely,” Tsumi chuckled. “If you aren’t tribe, you’re nothing to another Orc.”

“The Mataki tribe look like they may begin an invasion of Lirrant, though I suspect they’re in for a shock,” Saltak replied. “Lirrant now has horse archers in numbers, and Orcish mobility will be countered easily.”

“That should send ripples through the other tribes,” Erren said thoughtfully. “Knowing the neighbouring countries are not pushovers may bring reform ... of a sort.”

“I doubt they’ll change that much, but they will respect others more,” Saltak agreed.

“I’ll keep an eye on it,” Erren nodded. “Lirrant aren’t that popular amongst their neighbours, though other than Ismor, they aren’t hated.”

“The Dwarven Realm engineers have completed the water system repairs around Callande,” Pelegard informed the group. “Ismor will soon have a surplus of food.”

“Still a way to go before their population recovers,” Hallis added.

“Aye, though the Dwarves intend to keep the rebuilding going in return for a portion of the food grown.”

“Smart of them,” Sorella nodded. “It will rub Burralsteig up the wrong way, too.”

“The Dwarven Realm now has close ties with Halgard via Dobra,” Pelegard shrugged. “Their influence because of Sorrak will be a force for good on the continent.”

“Expect some kind of embargo to go in place,” Hallis smiled.

“Almost certainly,” Klavin chuckled. “It’s how my people operate when a perceived rival steals a march on them.”

“So, the only real issues we have are to the south?” Darras asked.

“Our brother still has agents amongst the realms, Kervak the Elf being amongst them,” Erren replied. “So expect occasional issues in the north.”

“Do we know what’s in this southern enclave Tiruk, who sat next to Amina, asked.

“We’ve observed insectoids,” Doriel replied. “This suggests a hive-like culture.”

“And numbers,” Osruit added. “The waters are pure enough, though my people are reluctant to travel there because of First One magics still affecting large swaths of the land.”

“Same with my people, though the fungal growths are also an issue,” Doriel nodded.

“So, assuming this Casal is down there ... and possibly the dragon, there could also be an army in hiding down there?” Darras asked.

The gods all looked at one another before nodding. “Definitely a possibility,” Erren replied for all. “Possibly other types as well.”

“I conjecture that whatever held the dragon in stasis also trapped others, though fortunately, Casal is the only First One,” Hallis added.

“Very likely, the insectoids are out of time and place, too, though they appear to have adapted better than the dragonoid,” Doriel agreed.

“Much as I would like to examine one,” Mirion said. “I expect it would be most foolish to approach them.”

“It would,” Hallis smiled. “They would see you as food.”

“I suspected as much,” Mirion nodded. “Are the southern Elves in any danger?”

“Not yet,” Erren replied. “But perhaps eventually.”

“My people would call for aid,” Doriel added. “These insectoids would not find things going well for them.”

“I doubt we could easily get Human or Dwarven assistance to them,” Tsumi frowned.

“Infantry only via a trade gateway,” Erren replied. “No mounted archers unless the Elves take up horse breeding.”

“I’ve never seen a single horse down there Mirion smiled. “They use bullocks to pull anything heavy.”

“There has been an upswing in the number of true worshippers down there,” Hallis added. “For all of us.”

“True, the books Mirion, Balat, and Klavin have freely distributed have given the Elves focus,” Erren agreed.”

“Having living examples of the gods’ power and influence amongst them has helped too,” Klavin added.

“True,” Mirion smiled. “They only had a ... vague idea of who you are; those we have spoken to are now devout believers, and this faith is spreading.”

“Hallis and Pelegard?” Darras asked.

“Yes,” Mirion replied. “They see our acts personally and naturally respond to them.”

“Good,” Erren replied. “This also strengthened the faith in the rest of us, if indirectly.”

“It has, faith in you has increased too,” Mirion acknowledged. “They even recognise you as Erren, not Wenderos.”

“I know,” Erren smiled. “I feel it ... in a sense. Though honestly, I’m not bothered by what anyone calls me.”

“Just as well,” Pelegard chuckled, making Erren’s smile broader. “Though you aren’t dependent on individual worship, unlike the rest of us.”

“Yes,” Erren nodded. “Same as Tsumi.”

“I’m acknowledged,” Tsumi chuckled. “You simply are due to the mandate of our dad.”

“Doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate people’s worship,” Erren giggled. “During the time of the First Ones, I didn’t get any.”

“That’s true,” Sorella acknowledged. “What there was went to our foolish brother and the rest of us; they really didn’t care for you at all.”

“The concepts of mercy, compassion and forgiveness were not a factor in their dominance,” Erren shrugged. “It led to their downfall, eventually.”

“Yes, they eliminated all rivals and then looked for more within themselves,” Hallis nodded.

“They really were different,” Balat murmured.

“They were,” Doriel confirmed. “Whilst my folk are intolerant to an extent against non-forest dwellers, they have no desire to eliminate any but the most abusive of them who attack the trees.”

“As Fordel constantly found out,” Pelegard chuckled.

“They did, though those who were killed were not the instigators of the trespass.”

“If it happens now, you have me,” Balat chuckled.

“I do, though you’ll soon meet your future wife,” Doriel smiled.

“Wife?” Balat replied, swallowing in shock.

“Indeed so,” Doriel replied. “Your legacy must continue.”

“But...”

“My Balat, you knew this time would come,” Doriel said softly.

“Yes, but...”

“You will know when you meet her,” Doriel continued. “You and she will be soul mates and love each other with all your hearts.”

“But I’ll remain your agent?” Balat asked.

“For the rest of your days,” Doriel smiled.

“I ... er won’t outlive her?”

“No, you and she will grow old together until your children are independent, then you will become like Tiruk and Amina,” Doriel explained.

“Ah,” Balat nodded.

“Anyway, back to the subject,” a smiling Erren interrupted. “We are in no position as yet to take action in the south, so I’ll request your aid for Darras to track down any allies of our brother in the northern lands.”

“Of course,” the rest of the gods acknowledged.

“My people will continue to strengthen the lands of Asulnarath and Tuthraman,” Doriel replied after the acknowledgements.

“Good, sister,” Erren nodded. “Sooner or later, I expect Gresh to try and expand.”

“Yes, we will be prepared.”

Casal listened patiently as the insectoid general droned on in their clicking tongue. The news, such as it was, was good with insectoid numbers increasing to the stage where an invasion by enemy forces would prove costly. The bad news was that magic-using insectoid types were extremely rare, and the killing of several of them as they attempted to spread spores west had left his forces with a dearth of magic users. This prevented any expansion as he was well aware of the presence of a Dryad in Tuthraman.

“And the mother?” Casal enquired of a shadow scale.

“Is somnolent for now, though not in a deep sleep,” the scale replied.

“Should she awaken, inform me immediately, and I will activate the transfer circle,” Casal ordered.

“As you command.”

“Our agents are preparing various disturbances in the northern lands,” an Ubaid informed Casal.

“Good, they are merely distractions and the agents’ expendable,” Casal nodded. “Yet they keep our enemies distracted.”

“Fordel capitulated, as you predicted,” a squat figure added.

“Yes, the lesser goddess Darmela has repudiated her alliance with the Dark Lord,” Casal replied. “It matters little, our future uses for her were limited.”

“He is wise,” the squat figure replied obsequiously.

Darras was visiting Iversirion, bringing a gift for the child of Gallira, the wife of Harinas the priest king. Iversirion was markedly different from the days of his first visit; the suspended walkways were crowded with Elves, Humans and a few Dwarves, creating a vibrant, almost joyful environment. Word had naturally swiftly gone out to the university, where Harinass and Gallira had rooms, and Darras was met by Tariel, a young Elf he knew well and who was delighted to see Darras.

“I knew you would come once the baby arrived,” Tariel said after giving Darras a joyful, un-Elven hug.

“Of course,” Darras smiled. “Gallira is a good friend of both Erren and Hallis.”

“Yes, our time spent there was wonderful,” Tariel enthused.

“Your studies go well?” Darras asked as they walked to the living quarters.

“Yes, so much to learn in herbology, surgical techniques and magic,” Tariel replied. “Though I finally managed to sit through a lecture by Quinal and understood most of what he was teaching on the precision needed for spell casting.”

“Well done,” Darras smiled, knowing Quinal was an extremely elderly Elf and an acknowledged master of wind magic.

“I still didn’t understand it all,” Tariel sighed. “There’s so much I don’t know.”

“You’ll get there,” Darras smiled as they reached the quarters of Harinas and Gallira.

“Darras, how wonderful to see you,” Gallia said when the pair entered.

“Erren’s blessings be upon you, Gallira,” Darras replied. “Also, upon your son.”

“Thank you,” Gallira smiled. “Mirion visited not so long ago to give a blessing from Hallis.”

“Well, you are Erren and Hallis’s friend,” Darras chuckled. “Of course they’d want to bless you and your son.”

“Yes, we all were blessed,” Gallira smiled.

“Decided upon a name yet?” Darras asked.

“We have, though it’s tradition not to use it until the naming ceremony,” Gallira replied with a smile.

“I guess you do have to stick to tradition, knowing Harinas’ position in society,” Darras chuckled.