Champion of the Gods
Copyright© 2025 by QM
Chapter 20
The group assembled at the gateway in the morning, watching as Balat, assisted by Demala, cast a spell upon it, transforming the wood into stone; the form then shifted to resemble a standard gateway. They then stepped through it as a group, aided by Erren’s blessing to arrive on her lawn and pay respectful greetings to her and Doriel.
“Welcome back and well done,” Erren said as she led the way to the bathing pools and the feast laid out on the tables beside them. “A good first test of your abilities and tolerance.”
“It was not easy, Wenderos,” Klea admitted. “Even with my meditations, my upbringing occasionally came to the fore.”
“I was the same,” Demala added.
“Yet you strove to overcome them,” Erren nodded. “That enhanced your souls in my sight.”
“Will it get easier?” Firios asked.
“It will, even now, you don’t see Klea as an enemy or someone to kill,” Erren smiled.
“This is true,” Firios acknowledged, as did the others of his party.
“Nor do I see them as enemies,” Klea added. “Simply, people I must work with to achieve a goal.”
“For now, that is a good start,” Erren smiled.
“Has anything more been found of the Dwarves who built that base?” Traskis asked.
“A little,” Erren replied. “They were cast out over five centuries ago after attempting a coup, no doubt influenced by my brother, the Dark Lord,” Erren replied. “Dwarves tend not to go in for mass slaughter, so the Konstak were ‘encouraged’ to head south from Dwerronag and presumably wandered as a nomadic tribe until they found themselves in Asulnarath.”
“That is a long way to travel,” Tinara mused.
“Indeed so,” Erren nodded. “Though the more time that people who favour me and my sister,” Erren indicated Doriel, who nodded politely. “The more it appears Gresh has a spell of attraction drawing followers of my brother to it, should they be defeated.”
“I suspect some Thenarronians might be making their way there,” Darras added with a wry smile.
“It’s possible,” Erren chuckled. “Though they wouldn’t survive long without the protections those amulets give.”
“As happened to the Dwarves,” Demala nodded.
“Yes,” Doriel replied. “Nor will the nature of that land change any time soon in my vision of the narrative.”
“Indeed not,” Erren agreed. “Yet still we’ll explore it and find its secrets.”
“Armies?” Darras asked, frowning.
“If necessary, though foot soldiers only,” Erren replied.
“Elven archers, Dwarven heavy infantry and Human pikemen,” Darras nodded.
“Yes, a mixed force that will be assembled once we know what Gresh contains.”
“So, our endeavours to distract this agent of Erren have failed?” Casal asked the Ubaid, who now guided the agents of the Dark Lord in the north.
“He has not been observed at any of the events we orchestrated, no,” the Ubaid admitted. “Still, someone interferes as several of our agents have been arrested and executed by the rulers of those lands they worked in.”
“Do we have any indications of where he may be?”
“None, great one.”
“Most frustrating, he has proven to be a major block upon our plans, and for all we know, he could be penetrating Gresh even as we speak!”
“He will likely die, great one,” the Chickrith ascended replied. “The very air is dangerous unless you are protected magically, and we know magic does not work on him.”
“Only his body,” Casal hissed. “A barrier can be placed around him!”
“We have detected no such barrier,” the ascended replied.
“Do you even know what type it may be?” a frustrated Casal hit back. “Bearing in mind a god would have created it.”
“We do not, apologies, great one.”
“If possible, increase the number of patrols you carry out,” Casal ordered. “Even if he is not here, complacency could ruin our plan.”
The Elves had returned home, Erren getting their word that they would continue to meet and scout out Gresh, penetrating deeper into its interior. This included Klea, who, though surprised to be asked, agreed immediately.
“So, where now for me?” Darras asked.
“Asul, I need you to set off the revolution by eliminating a noble whose troops would be able to slow the tide of the anti-slavery faction,” Erren replied.
“At last!” Darras smiled.
“It will still be bloody, but everything is in place to ensure that if a victory is declared, the slaves will not be cast out.”
“Understandable, now, who and where?”
“His name is Dalm, he’s the Lord of Trenulgath,” Erren replied. “He’s an evil, if intelligent, man with the most powerful force in southern Asul.”
“I take it he is a slaver?”
“He is, he was the one who organised the slave raids against the Elves of the north until it became too risky for the slaver bands,” Erren replied.
“Any links to other gods?”
“Unlikely, though I’m sure Colanthus would think him a prime candidate,” Erren smiled. “He gives lip service to Rustav, though that’s only to keep his people happy.”
“And after I ... deal with him?” Darras asked.
“His son takes over, though he will not oppose the anti-slavery faction, seeing it as an inevitable outcome of recent changes and sentiments in Asul.”
“A pragmatist,” Darras chuckled.
“He is, like his father, though less conservative and not inclined towards slavery or other evils.”
“When do I go?”
“In a few days, now relax, I’ve missed you and want to make the most of your company,” Erren giggled.
After passing through a forest folk gateway, Darras rode into Trenulgath, a large village close to Lake Asul and the crossroads of various trade routes through southern Asul. It was a prosperous place, surrounded by fertile farmland, a significant portion of which was tended by slaves. After obtaining a room in the local inn, Darras listened to the conversations of the patrons, picking up information on Lord Dalm and realising that the man was not very popular, if respected.
‘Typical noble of the old school, ’ Erren confirmed. ‘Well, the old school of Asul.’
“Irredeemable, too,” Darras murmured.
‘Very, ’ Erren confirmed. ‘This area would be far more prosperous if he were gone, as his brutality is well known and he cannot attract skilled tradesmen, or keep the ones he has.’
“I’m surprised he hasn’t tried?”
‘He has, but the court nobilis in Pelethor censured him; freemen are not subject to movement restrictions.’
“Surprising move,” Darras pondered, as in his estimation, nobles tended to be a rule to themselves.
‘He attempted to use duress on the smiths of other demesnes, and the Pelegardian smiths took it to the king, ’ Erren explained. ‘Smiths and other trades in Asul are regarded as tied to the crown, not the local noble.’
“Odd system,” Darras chuckled.
‘Taxation, ’ Erren giggled. ‘They pay a tithe to the crown directly; the nobles are supposed to discount this.’
“Supposed?”
‘Just another reason why Dalm can’t attract or keep skilled tradesmen, just farmers and merchants, ’ Erren explained.
“Short-sighted of him.”
‘Very, but he’s only going off what his father did before him, though intelligent, he’s very conservative, what worked before will work now type of thinking, ’ Erren confirmed. ‘His one talent is his military prowess and troops who use the new Rachtelinian tactics.’
“Horse archers, I presume?”
‘Yes, not pikemen and pursuit tactics.’
“Surprised he’s not planning to seize the throne.”
‘It crosses his mind occasionally, ’ Erren giggled. ‘Though he knows due to his past actions, he’s watched constantly.’
“I doubt he has much support because of his previous actions, true,” Darras nodded.
‘He’s deeply unpopular, if untouchable, mostly due to paying his taxes and having a strong military force, ’ Erren confirmed. ‘His son will be far more popular and will marry into the direct royal line.’
“How old is this son?”
‘Sixteen, far more intelligent than his father, having been educated in the royal court, where he caught the eye of the sultana and was further educated to bring him into the royal faction.’
“He’ll probably be a decent ruler,” Darras shrugged.
‘He will, his holdings will grow, and he’ll become very wealthy as well as a moderating influence upon the court.
“Moderating?”
‘Although not as bad as Crusal, Asul has its own extremists pushing for a violent resolution of the hostility between them, ’ Erren explained.
“Might have known,” Darras sighed.
‘It is fading, only a couple more generations to go, ’ Erren replied.
The following morning, Darras explored the village, noting various workshops, none of which displayed a guild sign. Nor did they appear very prosperous, with many of the buildings exhibiting various signs of disrepair. The local market, however, offered an abundance of reasonably priced goods on sale, brought in by various merchants as well as local farms. It was from here that Darras learned of Lord Dalm’s whereabouts; he was currently out hunting on his estate, guided and protected by his bailiffs.
‘Stray arrow should do it, ’ Erren advised.
“Our thoughts match,” Darras chuckled as he left the village and set off for the Lord’s hunting ground.
Slipping into the woods, Darras noted several forest folk, though none approached. He then dropped his travelling merchant pack, knowing it would be safe and drew his bow and arrows from a hidden compartment. Following traces of movement on the ground, he soon picked up the trail of what he presumed was a hunting group, including dogs.
“That could be a problem,” Darras murmured.
‘Use the insect repellent Mirion gave you, ’ Erren advised. ‘A few drops here and there should mask any retreat.’
“Good idea,” Darras replied, fishing it out of his belt pouch.
Darras now advanced cautiously, finally hearing the sounds of men and dogs as a hunt was performed in the more open parts of the woods. Climbing a tree, Darras used his spyglass to pick out various men acting as both scouts and beaters, though no sign of Lord Dalm. Still, Darras now had an idea of where the man could be, and so he made his way towards the location, slipping silently past the bailiffs as they watched for signs of prey.
Soon, Darras heard the sounds of the braying laughter and again took to the trees, using his spyglass to spot a party of well-dressed nobles all armed with a boar spear, along with retainers armed with bows.
‘Dalm is the one in the centre, ’ Erren said. ‘But hold a moment, their conversation is of interest to me.’
“Of course, my love,” Darras murmured.
‘It appears Dalm is not unaware of the brewing revolt against slavery, ’ Erren replied. ‘These men also are involved in the trade and are seeking his help in dealing with the ones trying to end it.’
“Dealing with the abolitionists in Pilth, no doubt,” Darras nodded.
‘Yes, Hama’s name has been mentioned several times.’
“He succeeded?”
‘He did, Pilth no longer permits the sale of slaves, though this has angered these ... merchants and they are seeking Dalm’s aid.’
“Your advice,” Darras asked, wondering if he could get them all.
‘Go for it, ’ Erren replied, knowing precisely what Darras was thinking.
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