Champion of the Gods
Copyright© 2025 by QM
Chapter 21
“So, where now?” Darras asked after their guests had left.
“Gosvik, in the New Territories,” Erren replied. “It’s getting a visit from the Duke of Gees to ennoble Benevin and Loria to the lordship of the town, enabling them to expand its charter.”
“Ah, you intend to make an appearance?” Darras asked.
“I do, and it’s easier for me to do it via you,” Erren smiled.
“What’s so different about the way Doriel does it?”
“Whilst she dances in spirit, she isn’t watching her people,” Erren replied. “When she goes via Balat, as I do with you, we can still stay on task, as it were.”
“Oh, right,” Darras nodded, simply accepting the explanation as he wasn’t any too sure of the difference, one way or another.
“But first, let’s just enjoy each other’s company,” Erren smiled.
“Sounds like a plan,” Darras chuckled, before kissing his beloved.
Gosvik had grown since Darras’s last visit; many of the wooden buildings had been replaced by stone and brick, including the sheriff’s building and a now-attached cell block. Darras was greeted warmly by Loria, who was also thrilled when Erren stepped from Darras to bless her son, Yavas.
“Benevin is with the mayor, arranging security for the Duke’s visit,” Loria explained.
“Expecting trouble?” Darras asked.
“No, it’s more to do with ensuring the Duke will have an escort to see the town and the amount of growth it has gone through,” Loria explained.
“And you’ll finally become an official Lady,” Darras chuckled.
“Hah, yes! Much to Benevin’s delight,” Loria laughed.
“More deputies, too?”
“Yes, though Mettis will be the new sheriff after our accession,” Loria explained. “We’ll still be in charge of him, in a sense, but also the mayor and the town guard.”
“Lots more work,” Darras chuckled.
“Yes, Benevin will now be responsible for town growth and economic expansion, taking over from the Duke.”
“He’ll do well,” Darras smiled. “Erren says so.”
“I’m glad of that,” Loria replied. “It’s not something I have much experience with, though I’ve been working with Rolvas, the priest, to improve my letters and numbers past the wanted poster stage.”
“It will be necessary,” Darras nodded. “Benevin will often be out inspecting the territory and will need someone he can trust to keep an eye on the finances.”
“I know,” Loria sighed. “The days of Loria the bounty hunter are over.”
“Means Yavas is guaranteed his mum will be around,” Darras pointed out.
“True,” Loria nodded. “He’ll soon enough have a few siblings around too.”
“He will, Erren guarantees it,” Darras chuckled as Loria blushed slightly. “When you take over the guard, you could don your armour and practice your sword and bow work with them, just to keep your hand in.”
“Hmm, that’s true,” Loria nodded. “Thank you for cheering me up.”
“You’re welcome,” Darras smiled as Benevin returned.
“Darras, good to see you,” he hailed.
“Good to see you too,” Darras replied. “Erren wants to witness your accession.”
“She does? We are truly blessed.”
“You are, trust me on this,” Darras chuckled.
“The new duties will be daunting, though I at least understand them as my father is a lord,” Benevin nodded.
“Pretty sure he’ll be proud of you when he learns of your elevation,” Darras replied.
“As will my mother,” Benevin chuckled. “I’ll be the first of her children to be ennobled.”
“She still isn’t too sure about me,” Loria smiled. “But we at least aren’t enemies.”
“True,” Benevin laughed. “But that’s only because she heard talk of our first encounter.”
“I still get embarrassed by that,” Loria sighed.
“Worked for me,” Benevin said, cuddling her. “I found the woman I was to marry, awkward as it was.”
“So, when’s the Duke arriving?” Darras asked, interrupting the conversation.
“Noon ... ish tomorrow,” Benevin replied. “Big ceremony at the temple as it’s still the nicest building in all of the town.”
“Probably will be for a while,” Darras nodded, knowing the temple had been over-gilded by the previous priest who had confiscated trade goods from Elves and Dwarves.”
“Yep, then we have to plan a house for ourselves,” Benevin chuckled.
“True,” Loria smiled. “Can’t have the Lord and Lady living above the sheriff’s office.”
“Fortunately, the change in the charter gives us access to the trade revenue that was going to Geeshorn,” Benevin shrugged.
“Enough for a modest townhouse,” Loria noted. “Not a castle.”
“You’ll get us talked about,” Benevin chuckled. “The impecunious Lord and Lady.”
“I don’t care any more than you do, my love,” Loria smiled.
“True.”
“After the ceremony, there will be an outdoor banquet,” Loria added. “Will the weather be fine?”
“It will,” Darras replied. “Erren guarantees it.”
Bright and early the following morning, Darras wandered the town, taking in the preparations to bedeck the parade route from the gateway office to the temple of Erren. There was a lot of excitement among the townsfolk, particularly the children, who were, to some extent, running wild. Although not on the route, the market was also decorated, as the various traders attempted to offload celebratory merchandise related to the town’s increased stature and the ennoblement of their sheriffs.
Everywhere Darras went, there seemed to be a sense of pride among the people of Gosvik, as they became the first of the many towns in the New Territories to become an independent, chartered, self-governing entity with its own Lord and Lady.
“Ah, Darras, good to see you,” Rolvas greeted him as he finally reached the temple.
“Good to be here,” Darras replied. “All is well?”
“Other than being run off my feet preparing things for the visit of a Duke, yes,” Rolvas chuckled. “It’s the first time I’ve not been slightly embarrassed over the decorative work on the temple.”
“I take it the townsfolk contributed to its upkeep?” Darras asked.
“They did. They pay an addition to the tithe to cover it, and I check periodically to ensure that none are struggling because of it.”
“Erren approves,” Darras nodded.
“I’m glad,” Rolvas smiled. “The people here appreciate her many blessings.”
“They’ll continue as the town continues to grow and thrive.”
“Will she make an appearance?” Rolvas asked.
“Yes, though not a grandiose one as she would for a coronation,” Darras replied.
“I look forward to it,” Rolvas said with enthusiasm. “I’ll also pass word to the other temples.”
“I doubt their gods will turn up,” Darras chuckled.
“True, but their followers will probably want to see Erren manifest,” Rolvas smiled. “Plus, we are on good terms with them.”
Understandable,” Darras nodded.
The Duke arrived via the gateway and was greeted with enthusiasm by the milling crowds. An open-topped carriage had been prepared, and the Duke with three retainers entered it and were escorted by the town guard to the temple square, where all the town notables waited to greet him.
‘He’s impressed, ’ Erren commented. ‘Though one of his retainers is less than impressed.’
Rolvas came forward to greet the Duke personally, as the temple choir and a benediction of welcome in Erren’s name. Rolvas then introduced the local dignitaries, including Benevin and Loria, to the Duke’s party. Darras was impressed when Loria gave a precise and measured curtsey upon her introduction, wondering how much practice she had put into it.
‘Quite a bit, though her natural athleticism from her bounty hunter days helped, ’ Erren informed Darras.
“She impressed the Duke, at least,” Darras chuckled. “Though not the pinch-faced one accompanying the Duke.”
‘Nothing will impress the man; he’s the Duke’s reeve, and he sees the charter as a loss of income for the ducal purse, ’ Erren chuckled.
“Is it?”
‘No, the number of goods passing through Gosvik will massively increase, as will the border tolls from the road to Gees, which will more than double the income to the ducal purse.’
“Rather shortsighted of the man,” Darras murmured.
‘He’s unaware of the potential growth of Gosvik once freed of Geeshornian strictures and the new road bypassing Dwerronag opening Gosvik up to become the central trade hub for three nations, ’ Erren explained. ‘The High King of Gomesh is also funding a new road through the centre of his lands to link up with the southern towns of his kingdom, thus further isolating Dwerronag.’
“I’m sure he’ll find out,” Darras chuckled. “Plus, Dwerronag has it coming.”
‘It certainly does.’
“Are they aware?”
‘Not yet, though they will be within a year or so, ’ Erren replied as the Duke was led to the podium where the new charter was to be signed.
Before signing, the Duke gave a short speech, congratulating Gosvik on its new status and praising its inhabitants for their industriousness. He then, with a flourish, signed the document permitting Gosvik self-rule away from the control of Geeshorn.
“And now it is my great pleasure to ennoble the new Lord and Lady who will ensure Gosvik’s further growth and stability,” the Duke announced. “Step forward, Sir Benevin and Loria.”
Benevin and Loria stepped forward and went down on one knee before the Duke, who drew his sword.
“By the power invested in me by Arch Duke Fangis of the ruler of Geeshorn, I dub you Lord and Lady of Gosvik, entitling you to add the town’s name to your own,” the Duke intoned. “Rule wisely and well.”
“We swear fealty to Arch Duke Fangis, who granted our ennoblement,” Benevin and Loria replied.
“By the power invested in me by Fangis, I now release you from your fealty to him, allowing you the freedom to rule independently in Gosvik and its surrounding territories,” the Duke concluded.
“Our thanks,” Benevin and Loria replied with bowed heads.
Erren then manifested, stepping from Darras to face the pair, as the Duke took to the knee in awe at the goddess he worshipped.
“Benevin, Loria, I am pleased with you and your deeds in my name,” Erren gave a benediction. “Rule wisely and well.”
“Rule wisely and well,” the crowd repeated.
“Duke Onis, my blessings extend to you, Arch Duke Fangis and Geeshorn,” Erren continued. “You have pleased me.”
“My thanks, Lady of Light,” the Duke replied humbly.
Erren then withdrew into Darras as the choir gave a spontaneous hymn of praise to Erren before cheers and celebrations began. The Duke’s party looked slightly stunned at Erren’s appearance, though the Duke took it in his stride, clasping arms with Benevin and giving a polite nod to Loria.
“Arch Duke Fangis was right to permit this charter,” the Duke said to Benevin. “You’ll have the blessings of Erren with you, always.”
“We plan to expand the town to permit a greater quantity of goods to pass through, thus increasing its wealth and that of Gees,” Benevin replied. “The charter will benefit us both greatly.”
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