Champion of the Gods
Copyright© 2025 by QM
Chapter 27
“Ah, you’ll be needing the services of Lord Temlis then,” Rienne nodded.
“Not a name I’m familiar with,” Darras mused thoughtfully.
“You’ve met, but were never introduced,” Jertin replied. “He commanded the pikemen in Fordel during the clashes.”
“Ah, right, I never did get to know names,” Darras nodded.
“He was an original member of the Royal Army during the rule of the Council,” Jertin continued. “He then rejoined after I took charge and took up the role of training the newly formed pike regiment, much to his peers’ surprise.”
“Understandable,” Darras chuckled. “Fighting on foot for the Royal Army was done with commoner men-at-arms.”
“It was,” Jertin agreed. “Though these days, being a lancer just means sitting on a horse scouting, or waiting for the enemy to break so you can chase them down.”
“None of them being skilled enough with a bow to join the elite horse archers,” Darras nodded.
“True, though many of our archers also fight on foot, we do, however, have to be careful with them as it’s a very skilled ability and they are not easily replaced if we have major casualties.”
“True, the loss of them would hurt the army,” Darras nodded.
“That’s why we’re looking for alternatives, training an archer takes over ten years, though there seem to be few alternatives around.”
“It’s why modern armies will remain small and rely on tactics, rather than overwhelming a foe with numbers,” Darras nodded. “Though I’d lay odds your men could lay waste an Orc horde.”
“Wouldn’t care to try,” Jertin chuckled. “But it is a nice thought.”
After a pleasant visit, Darras left the manse and made his way to Fordel, taking two days to reach his destination. He then strode to the gateway to his next destination, the Dwarven city of Sorrak in the Dwarven Realm. There, he made his way to the central temple and asked to see Gemoldus, the senior priest.
“Darras, my friend, it’s good to see you,” Gemoldus gruffly greeted him.
“It is good to be here,” Darras replied. “I bring documentation to back up the vision you were given for the expedition south.”
“Ah, good, the King will expect to see it,” Gemoldus nodded. “Not that he was opposed to going.”
“He intends to lead it himself?” Darras asked.
“He does,” Gemoldus confirmed. “He now has a suitable heir and needs to fulfil a basic function of Dwarven royalty.”
“Ah, battle honours?”
“Yes, normally a bandit hunt, or somesuch,” Gemoldus chuckled. “But now he has the opportunity for a genuine campaign.”
“I hope he leaves things to Linota,” Darras smiled.
“He will, he’s just keen, not an idiot.”
“Good, just make sure they know the air purification spells necessary to keep them alive,” Darras warned.
“The Paladins know this, don’t worry, Darras.”
“Guess I am worrying a bit,” Darras chuckled. “I’m unsure how good these Chickrith are in combat, is all.”
“We’ll find out, soon enough,” Gemoldus smiled.
“True, but not until we are ready,” Darras nodded.
“Where are you off to next?”
“Chassal in Caragryth, Mirion needs some supplies, and I have a contact there,” Darras replied.
“Ah, the young Elf,” Gemoldus nodded. “She made quite an impression last time she was in the Realm.”
“I somehow doubt the Dwarves of Hammek have forgotten her, no,” Darras chuckled.
“They haven’t, my priests have had to admonish some of Gilmea’s followers for asserting she was to blame for the pestilence and murders, despite only turning up at the end,” Gemoldus replied with a wry smile.
“I doubt that issue will go away for a while,” Darras sighed.
“It won’t, though we now have good relations with Dorlianath in the Forest Kingdom as well as Ismor and Rachtelin.”
“Yes, I’m told your people study fire magics at the university in Iversirion,” Darras nodded.
“They do, the Dryad Mesoli is steeped in knowledge of all kinds of magics, but we have an occasional goblin problem, and a skilled fire user is a talent worth having for our towns.”
“Where do they come from?” a curious Darras asked.
“Surmindia, via Cuivre,” Gemoldus replied. “There are also isolated tribes lurking in our unexplored mountains to the north.”
“Ah,” Darras nodded. “An issue if they gain numbers, true.”
“They are, though mostly they fight amongst themselves,” Gemoldus agreed. “Quite dangerous to travellers if caught by them, though.”
“Having fought them, yes, though they rarely seem to come in small numbers on Golsten.”
“Civilisation is somewhat sparse to the east of that continent, hence yes, their tribes can get large,” Gemoldus nodded.
The following day, Darras travelled by gateway to Chassal in the country of Caragryth. He was admitted after paying an entry fee to an indifferent Lizardman and made his way to a business he trusted to get the supplies he was after.
“Greetings,” the Lizardman hissed. “Do you perchance have more Perdolis glass?”
“I do,” Darras nodded. “Same terms?”
“Of course,” the Lizardman replied, rubbing his clawed hands together. “May I examine them?”
Darras dropped his heavy pack carefully to the ground and opened it to reveal the carefully packed glassware. He then removed several items to place upon the counter for the Lizardman merchant to examine.
“Excellent quality as ever,” the Lizardman hissed. “I have several customers who paid me a retainer to let them know if you returned.”
“I have more,” Darras replied. “I can have it brought through via the trade route.”
“How much?”
“A standard cartload, all from the temple line,” Darras smiled.
“Ah, the new line that recently gained a lot of attention?”
“The very one,” Darras nodded.
“What is it you want?”
Darras handed over a detailed list, which the Lizardman pored over. “I can have all this ready by tomorrow afternoon,” he (probably) said.
“I’ll have the cart here tomorrow,” Darras nodded, before unpacking the rest of the glassware for the Lizardman to store.
“Good, good, it’s always a pleasure when you turn up,” the Lizardman nodded.
Outside the warehouse cum store, Darras paused, his senses telling him he was being observed, though he was as yet unsure if it was hostile. Shrugging, as it wasn’t something he could do anything about unless a move were made, Darras made his way back to the gateway to make an advance payment for a freight delivery, ensuring the staff knew it would be fragile. He then made his way to the market to a particular store to pick up a skin of wine. The store itself now looked relatively prosperous, and there were several humans, along with a couple of Elves, buying the skins of wine.
“Greetings,” Darras acknowledged the matriarch. “I’d like a decent red, please.”
“Of course,” the matriarch replied. “Try this.”
“Your daughter Wendree is well?” Darras asked as the matriarch poured a small serving of wine into a glass beaker.
“Ah, a repeat customer, indeed she is,” the matriarch replied.
“I met her during the Tookhro business when she brought me here.” Darras enquired. “A fine wine, how much?”
“Fifty coppers, and yes, that was the time my business started to flourish.”
“May Erren continue to bless it,” Darras replied, handing over the five coins.”
“My thanks,” the matriarch nodded.
Buying a couple of meat skewers, Darras made his way outside of the city walls to a boarding house where he knew he’d be undisturbed by any hostile intent, paying for a room and breakfast before sitting outside to sip his wine. It did not take long before he was approached by a Lizardman who was both nervous and also emboldened by the skinning knife attached to his belt. On closer inspection, aided by Erren, Darras realised that the Lizardman was not from Caragryth, which put Darras on his guard.
“You are the agent of Erren?” the Lizardman asked.
“I am,” Darras politely replied. “How may I help you?”
“You have offended the gods,” the Lizardman hissed. “For this, you must die!”
“Which gods?” Darras asked, though he already suspected who it was.
“Cheelath, the bountiful!” the Lizardman hissed, before reaching for the knife, only to collapse when the matriarch landlady slammed a rolling pin onto its head.
“I don’t permit trouble here!” the landlady hissed as a passing guard approached.
“You won’t get it from me,” Darras replied. “Though he (Darras guessed) is not one of your kind.”
“No, Human, you are correct,” the guard replied. “Similar, but not of our race.”
“You would bring assassins to my business?” the matriarch hissed, looking directly at Darras.
“I did not know I was being hunted,” Darras replied calmly. “Nor was I in any danger from him.”
“Another incident and you’ll be gone!”
“Understood.”
‘I’ve informed Serulon, though I doubt she’ll do anything, ’ Erren added. ‘It’s more to warn Cheelath of what I’ll unleash on her people should any harm come to you.’
“It appears most foolish of her to pick an open fight with me,” Darras mused.
‘It is, normally she’s quite rational.’
“Wonder if that village is special to her?” Darras murmured as an extra guard turned up to haul away the dazed Lizardman.
‘She only alluded to some improvements that ceased because they ran out of money, ’ Erren replied.
“Don’t suppose it was a temple?” Darras chuckled.
‘Probably, I’ll pull some strings in Jizzard to get them some help, as this silliness will cause resentment to grow between them and my followers.’
“I suspect you have more followers,” Darras smiled.
‘A lot more.’
“I’ll leave it in your capable hands.”
The following morning, Darras picked up his hand cart at the gateway freight entrance and made his way to the merchant. There, the goods were inspected, with the Lizardman hopping from one foot to another in delight.
“Such beauty,” he hissed. “You’ll make me rich as a bidding war has started in advance of an auction tomorrow.”
“I wish you good fortune,” Darras chuckled.
“You have delivered it,” the Lizardman replied, his head bobbing up and down. “Your herbs will be ready this afternoon, please return then.”
“I’ll be back,” Darras nodded, heading back to the centre of the town.
Darras found a tavern that catered to all races, and he relaxed with a chilled wine. Although the attack yesterday had come as a surprise, he doubted it was a concerted effort to get him. He also felt Erren’s silent agreement on the randomness of the attack. At one point, Darras was approached by the town guard, although this was only to determine if Darras had any intention of pressing charges against the accused. As Darras did not, the guard informed him that the lizard would be released in the evening, after Darras had left.
‘When you return, Cheelath and Serulon will visit to sort this nonsense, ’ Erren informed Darras.