Champion of the Gods
Copyright© 2025 by QM
Chapter 28
Darras stepped through the gateway on the Isle of the Dark Kin and acknowledged the watcher, who signalled another to send for Klea. ‘They must get bored, surely, ’ he thought. A minute later, Mirion stepped through, causing the watcher to stiffen and then relax.
“Darras, Mirion, please be welcome,” Klea said as she approached. “Is there something you require me for?”
“I just came to visit my friend,” Mirion smiled.
“You can use the gateway for that?” Klea asked, looking surprised.
“Of course, though I wouldn’t advise you visiting me, as yet,” Mirion replied, the smile growing wider.
“Er, no, that would appear unwise,” Klea conceded. “Please come with me, I’ll prepare some refreshments.”
“I cannot remain,” Darras said. “I have business in Trunavisia.”
“Ah, you were just ensuring Mirion arrived unharmed?”
“I was,” Darras nodded. “And now it’s done.”
“I will ensure her safety,” Klea replied. “Though there is little to fear in this town for her now.”
“That could still remain an issue for a while.”
I know, much as I wish it weren’t, at least for Mirion.”
“It will happen, soon enough,” Darras smiled. “Now, farewell.”
Darras stepped through the gateway of Tophis in Trunavisia into an idyllic town built on a lakeshore, with an extremely Elven character. Darras was there to contact the temple of Wenderos, as they called Erren, and see if the head priest could influence the nation into supporting moves against Gresh. Though surprised to see a Human, Darras had no issues with the administrator and was permitted entry.
“No Priest or Land King?” Darras murmured.
‘Not as such, though their joint leadership holds similar power, if tending towards isolation from the world, ’ Erren replied. ‘Sheenos, the head priest, is approachable, however, and she will hear you out.’
The temple was in the centre of town and had none of the usual accoutrements associated with an Elven temple of Wenderos, as it looked plain, if well-kept. Inside, though, it was beautifully decorated with scenes drawn from the book of Wenderos, though Darras was amused to see a figure imitating Erren’s likeness as an Elf.
“Greetings, Human, may the blessing of Wenderos be upon you,” a priest blessed Darras.
“May her blessings always be with you and this place,” Darras replied. “Would it be possible to see Sheenos?”
“I will ask,” the Elf replied. “Please wait here.”
It did not take long before the Elf returned, leading a female dressed in silken robes who looked both dignified and serenely calm.
“I am Sheenos,” she introduced herself. “How may I assist you?”
“I am Darras, agent of Wenderos,” Darras replied, as the two Elves looked startled. “I come bearing her word and seeking the aid of Trunavisia with the dark kingdom of Gresh.”
“We know little of Gresh, or indeed any lands outside of Trunavisia,” a puzzled Sheenos replied. “Nor would we involve ourselves with nations outside ours.”
“I’m afraid if you do not involve yourself, Gresh may well involve itself with you,” Darras countered.
“And this is the word of Wenderos?”
“It is,” Erren said as she stepped forth from Darras, though looking more like the Elven Wenderos on the artwork of the temple interior.
“My goddess,” Sheenos responded with a deep and graceful bow.
“Rise, good and faithful one, your aid is needed with the lord of Tophis,” Erren replied. “It is in his nature to ignore an issue until it escalates to the stage where it requires a great deal of effort to resolve.”
“This I know, my goddess,” Sheenos acknowledged. “Fortunately, little troubles Trunavisia and his people normally work around him on what few problems we have.”
“Unfortunately, Gresh cannot be worked around.”
“We have no army,” Sheenos sighed. “I doubt there is much we can do.”
“You have many magic users; they will be needed to remove the curses placed upon the city of Garsimunel,” Erren countered.
“The cursed city,” Sheenos replied in hushed tones. “Why there?”
“The curses will enable any forces in Gresh to expand,” Erren explained. “They will likely extirpate the southern Elves and then turn their attentions to the kingdoms north of Gresh with no means for the northern folk to strike back easily.”
“I take it you have plans to take the fight to them anyway?” Sheenos asked.
“I do, but the gateway rules limit me,” Erren smiled. “Whilst I can override them, it’s only for a limited time.”
“Ah, if it’s permitted for you, then the Dark One could do similarly?”
“Yes, hence the way into Asulnarath needs to be cleared,” Erren confirmed.
“I will see that Orintian accedes to your request, my goddess,” Sheenos replied. “Kicking and screaming if necessary.”
“My thanks, Sheenos,” Erren smiled. “You are a good and faithful follower of my ways, and your soul shines brightly in my eyes.”
“Your will be done, Wenderos,” Sheenos said with a bow as Erren retreated into Darras.
When this happened, the temple shook as the Elves who had been watching burst into a hymn of praise to their goddess Wenderos. Darras realised the Elven sensitivity to their goddess had caused many to flock to the temple as they’d sensed Erren’s presence. They had also witnessed Erren’s request to the people of Trunavisia, and that they would insist on their lord carrying it out.
“I’ll leave you to your task, priestess Sheenos,” Darras said.
“It will be done, it has been witnessed by many.”
“My thanks and may Wenderos continue to bless you, Trunavisia and bring joy into your lives,” Darras replied, before taking his leave.
“Welcome back, my love,” Erren greeted Darras upon his return.
“I assume there was a deeper cause behind your command than just removing the curses upon Garsimunel?” Darras chuckled after exchanging a kiss.
“Yes, of course,” Erren grinned. “Trunavisia was heading down a path of isolation, which was fine in the past, but times change, and it would have caused issues for the nations that will grow around them.”
“I see, so by getting them involved with a task outside the country, you’re encouraging them to become more involved in the world?” Darras asked as they walked hand in hand to the bathing area.
“I am, Orintian, their lord would ignore outside affairs until it’s too late,” Erren replied.
“Not just Gresh then?”
“I expect to succeed in Gresh,” Erren smiled as she disrobed and slipped into the water to wash Darras down. “However, should Trunavisia not deal with Garsimunel, they will eventually begin to clash with their southern cousins, the Humans of Perdolis and, especially, the Dwarves settling into Kulimbar, just to the north of them.”
“Are they aware of the Dwarves?” Darras frowned.
“Vaguely, they’ve set a watch on the border and refuse to permit contact.”
“I take it their forces are strong enough to cause issues, should they choose?” Darras asked.
“Oh, most definitely so,” Erren smiled. “They cannot compare to Rossaris, Dorlianath or Jizzard, but they are the one real power in the south.”
“Hence the need to have them interacting with others in the future,” Darras nodded.
“Yes, they won’t see others as rivals or enemies,” Erren replied. “Simply as trading partners.”
“So, where next for me?” Darras asked, relaxing with an ale as Erren sipped chilled wine.
“Gosvik, and then a long trip to the border of the New Territories with Benevin and his retainers to meet the Fiend migration.”
“Oh, they are on the move?”
“Yes, and little as I care for that race due to their affiliation with my brother, I’d prefer it if they succeeded in reaching Tremiln and starting anew.”
“I’ll see it done for you,” Darras smiled.
“Good, you’ll have the aid of the forest folk for scouting purposes when the Fiends are in the woods, but the eastern borders of the New Territories are open plains with rivers that need crossing.”
“How many Fiends?”
“Two thousand or so, mostly non-combatants, but enough warriors to cause major problems in the New Territories until the kingdoms of Gomesh and Geeshorn could get involved.”
“Let’s hope this Trassaf still controls his people,” Darras nodded.
“It’s looking promising, the Dolgek permitted them transit, and there were no incidents of note in doing so,” Erren replied.
“I suspect the Dolgek were more keen to gain the territory they were promised,” Darras chuckled.
“They were, they’ll be the onus behind the Fiend unification I foresee in the future,” Erren continued.
“Ah, though the Germul and their charismatic leader won’t be part of it?”
“They won’t, and the Fiends will not be able to fight their way out of Ventris because of it,” Erren nodded. “There will be a steady trickle of Fiends from Ventris to the south, a risky journey to be sure, but it will ensure that race survives.”
“I suspect the first meeting will be tense,” Darras smiled.
“Yes, just be careful, Trassaf has a measure of control, but the taint of Ventris will still be there.”
“I’ll ensure they have a good map, even guides if they’ll permit it,” Darras nodded thoughtfully.
“That’s why you’ll need Benevin; he’ll have the authority to negotiate with the other local lords.”
Several days later (by Darras’s reckoning), Darras stepped through the gateway and was met immediately by Benevin. Erren had informed the Gosvik territory lord via the priest Rolvas that he would be needed, along with his men-at-arms, to escort Darras on a mission.
“Well met, Darras,” Benevin greeted Darras upon his appearance. “Care to tell me what we’re about?”
“There’s a Fiend migration about to set forth along the coast,” Darras replied as he hauled himself up onto a horse. “Erren wants it to succeed.”
“Fiends?”
“Yes, hoping to make it to Tremiln,” Darras smiled.
“And they are ... peaceful? Benevin asked, looking doubtful.
“Not peaceful, but under the control of their leader and disciplined enough to obey his commands,” Darras explained.
“And you want them ... escorted?”
“Observed down to Gomesh,” Darras nodded. “After that, the Dwarves will ignore them so long as they don’t linger.”
“True enough, how many?”
“Two thousand.”
“That’s a lot of Fiends!” Benevin muttered as they left town, trailed by his men.
“We just need to lay down some ground rules for them, such as keeping out of the villages and not despoiling farms.”
“Yes, a grave necessity as the villagers won’t care to have their stores depleted,” Benevin nodded. “I take it I’ll be needed to talk to the regional leaders?”
“You will, if they choose to be awkward, the Fiends won’t show restraint in any clashes.”
“It’s sparsely settled, there’s enough game, though, to prevent that,” Benevin said thoughtfully. “I should be able to sell it, provided there are no incidents.”
“That’s what Erren is hoping for.”
Ten days later, the party had made it to the area where Erren, via Doriel, had pinpointed the Fiends. On the way, Benevin had spoken to several local leaders, warning them of the migration and advising against any foolish attempts to disrupt it, to which they’d agreed.
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