Champion of the Gods
Copyright© 2025 by QM
Chapter 23
“I take it there are other reasons for advice to Tazzad?” Darras asked, once he was alone.
‘Yes, there’s a potential crisis building in Burral where the ore extraction they have is proving difficult to obtain, making their goods less economic compared to the Dwarven Realm and Gomesh, ’ Erren explained. ‘They also missed a trick with Ismor in not aiding the repair of the irrigation works, allowing the Dwarven Realm a foothold there.’
“They appear to be very insular. One incident and you’re banned.”
‘That’s due to incidents with the Elves of Jizzard, they stay well away from the border now.’
“As do the Elves,” Darras nodded. “Yet it seems worse here.”
‘Not really, you haven’t seen incidents between them because of other factors, such as the war in Thenarron, ’ Erren explained. ‘You saw a little of it in the Dwarven Realm with Mirion, though.’
“Ah, yes, they were convinced she was the murderer, despite having only arrived in the town of Hammek,” Darras replied.
‘Most of the time, it isn’t an issue, particularly in Human kingdoms, as they separated and fine them for any incidents, ’ Erren continued. ‘But if in numbers, there’s always at least one who can’t hold their tongue.’
“Will the crisis be averted?”
‘Not for a number of years. This is why Tazzad and the jewellers of Burral will be vital to sustain their economy for that time.’
“Is that why you had me use his name on the western continent?”
‘Yes, there was the potential for the Dwarves to attempt to seize the mountains to the south of them and come into conflict with the Lizardmen of Sthistor and the durglin they keep, and Rossaris too, ’ Erren replied.
“That would be a nasty war,” Darras grimaced.
‘With no real winners, as there are no great quantities of any ores in those mountains, well, not at depths the Dwarves could get to.’
“So, there is a seam of ore they haven’t discovered yet?”
‘They know where it is, but explosive gases inundate the area, and the development of a specific type of lamp needs to happen, ’ Erren replied. ‘The Lizardmen of Caragryth will develop it to deal with swamp gas buildup in their fixed constructions, causing fires and explosions.’
“Then be passed on via the Dwarven Realm?”
‘Yes, though Klavin will likely take it to Burral directly.’
“All part of the grand plan,” Darras chuckled.
‘Yes, the rise and fall of civilisations, though this time the rise will be far greater, hence my brother’s opposition.’
Darras was glad to get away from Burralsteig, as the officials had kept a close eye on him through regular checks with guards and constant surveillance. They’d even questioned Frenklon and Tazzad after his visit, though Darras gathered from Erren that both Dwarves had given short shrift to the questioners. The good news was that Tazzad’s introduction to the emissaries from Perdolis had gone exceptionally well, with the extremely wealthy merchants seeing a market for the fine jewellery in their desert kingdom.
“Welcome back, my love,” Erren greeted Darras when he finally appeared on the lawn.
“So good to be here,” Darras smiled.
“A lot of work for you, I know, but you aided my cause and advanced it significantly in some areas,” Erren replied. “Now come, bathe, we’ll have guests later.”
“Welcome ones, I hope?” Darras chuckled.
“Yes, our allies.”
“Good, I take it things down south are becoming relevant?”
“Yes, but for now, relax, this is our time,” Erren replied in a sultry voice.
Doriel was the first to arrive with Balat in tow, followed by Hallis and Mirion. All were greeted warmly by Darras and Erren and guided to a sheltered open area where food and drink were available. Other gods began to arrive, accompanied by their agents, if they had any, and soon the sound of conversations and occasional laughter filled the relaxed setting.
“So, you think our brother is trying to give you the runaround?” Pelegard asked Erren.
“Yes,” Erren replied. “Looks like he realised he had some sort of leak via his allies and Szavona.”
“Guess it was inevitable, he can be quite methodical if he thinks he’s being thwarted,” Pelegard nodded.
“I still don’t think he realises the extent of the opposition against him,” Erren replied.
“Let’s hope that continues.”
“How are your forays against the agents of darkness going?” Darras asked Amina and Tiruk.
“Quite well, we haven’t had cause to get you involved yet,” Amina smiled. “The various temples can be quite ruthless in dealing with uncovered corruption.”
“Some of these agents are just being obstructive,” Tiruk shrugged. “We usually manage through various means to have them moved on.”
“They can be quite ingenious,” Crannok said as he approached. “Their approach often amuses me.”
“They’d likely have me running from crisis to crisis,” Darras replied. “I’m grateful.”
“It’s fun, for the most part,” Amina chuckled. “Plus, the temples donate to the orphanage fund we manage.”
Erren then requested that everyone sit and proceeded to share her vision of the narrative with the gods and their agents, relating it to the ongoing dispute with the Dark Lord.
“So you do not believe that he intends to release the dragon upon the northern kingdoms?” Tsumi asked.
“Not at this time, no, his aim seems to be to blind me with distractions,” Erren replied. “Fortunately, Tiruk and Amina have managed to deal with the more obstructive of them.”
“And he does not realise that our penetration of the kingdom of Gresh is ongoing?” Osruit asked.
“Not yet, though I expect he will sometime in the coming year, but I have taken steps to keep him and his forces confused.”
“Confused?” Hallis queried.
“The Elven scouts of the Forest Kingdom are wearing a version of the homespun of the local Elves, though adapted to blend in with the flora of Gresh,” Erren explained.
“My people also ensure they cannot be observed until they enter Gresh,” Doriel added.
“I doubt it will fool our brother, at least not for long,” Sorella said thoughtfully.
“True, but they’ve penetrated far deeper into Gresh than I expected,” Erren smiled. “There appears to be a range of foothills in the interior that will enable further bases for observation.”
“And what of the swordbearer?” Saltak asked.
“Klea is adjusting to working with a select group of Forest Kingdom scouts,” Erren replied. “Whilst there are tensions, they are gradually building trust.”
“Interesting,” Saltak nodded. “Though I doubt things will change for the majority of them.”
“Not for several generations, no,” Erren agreed. “But they do accept, for the most part, Mirion.”
“I’d still advise against her going there on her own,” Hallis demurred.
“Yes, that would be most inadvisable,” Erren replied. “And I thank you for allowing your agents to escort her.”
“They have their own healer now, Selmak. Though he lacks experience.”
“Not as if you can send him to a healer school either,” Pelegard nodded.
“There are none,” Hallis agreed. “They are either in countries that ban or dislike Elves, the rest there would be too much chance of running into Elves.”
“What about sending a teacher to him, say, once a week?” Doriel suggested.
“My healers tend to be very much in demand, even those who teach in my temples and guilds,” Hallis shrugged.
“Hmm, I see the problem,” Pelegard nodded. “Advice over a scryer ... assuming he can use one is about the best you could hope for.”
“He can request the aid of Mirion, too,” Hallis added. “It’s better than nothing.”
“Whilst working in the south, I’m not usually near a scryer,” Mirion admitted. “Though Hallis informs me of situations.”
“And then we have to arrange an escort,” Hallis added.
“It will eventually get easier,” Erren replied. “As inconvenient as it is at the moment.”
“What of the situation on Golsten?” Tsumi asked.
“Asul is in a state of infighting between factions centring around Sulimas, though there are several incidents between factions in other towns,” Erren replied. “The Khedivate of Crusal wish to involve themselves, though Korch will not permit them to transit through their territory.”
“Nor are any Asulian cities easily conquerable by sea assault,” Pelegard chuckled.
“How long?” Crannok asked.
“Two or three years,” Erren replied. “It will mean a lot of work for Tiruk and Amina at times.”
“Weakening the slaver factions,” Crannok nodded. “I understand.”
“Darras will be available for any required assassinations,” Erren continued. “Though mostly the differing factions deal with that themselves.”
“Yes, there is a lot of that going on,” Hallis nodded. “My healers are being kept quite busy dealing with the wounded.”
“Mostly from slaver factions, I assume?” Sorella asked.
“Yes, the religious temples will no longer deal with slavers, even the temples of Rustav.”
“He’s going to try and claim the glory,” Pelegard chuckled.
“I’m not bothered,” Erren shrugged with a smile. “It’s the result that’s important, not which one of us brought it about.”
“Some fifty years ahead of schedule, too,” Doriel nodded.
“I did it for my Darras,” Erren admitted. “He finds the whole business repugnant.”
“Surprised Serulon didn’t step in,” Osruit mused.
“I suspect she disapproves of the institution, too,” Erren smiled. “She’s certainly never mentioned it when she visits.”
“Not been told off recently?” Saltak chuckled.
“Not since dad told her to tell my brother’s supporters where to get off.”
“And Darmela is no longer part of their group either,” Doriel said with satisfaction.
“She’s currently trying to keep Fordel as a single realm,” Erren replied.
“She’ll likely succeed,” Doriel nodded. “None of their neighbours are expansive, and my people in the Holy Forest have no desire to declare independence.”
“They pretty much are independent,” Pelegard chuckled.
“True, but it’s not like they want the trouble of someone deciding to conquer them, thinking Fordel won’t interfere.”
“I doubt they could anyway,” Pelegard shrugged. “Though taking on your Dryads would give most countries pause.”
“Never stopped the First Ones,” Doriel replied. “Though their magic was far more powerful than the current realms’ use.”
“And we still have one of them lurking in the south,” Osruit pointed out. “I suspect this Casal will not be easy to defeat.”
“He won’t,” Erren agreed. “His ability to use magic would put my Darras at an extreme disadvantage.”
“Is this why you are cultivating allies?”
“One of them, the other main one, is to keep our brother off balance as he struggles to cope with the different ways his plans are thwarted.”
“Long may it continue,” Pelegard chuckled, raising a toast.