Champion of the Gods
Copyright© 2025 by QM
Chapter 30
The Fiends travelled swiftly through the woods and forests, guided by Balat. Finally reaching a wooded valley leading through some large rolling hills. Game was plenty, as were wild vegetables, and the tribespeople were able to keep up the pace, even the young and old amongst them. Also going was the innate hostility the Fiends showed, at least outwardly, arguments still abounded at times, though they did not descend into violence.
Once through the valley, the nature of the woods changed, and the forests became deciduous. This meant fruits were available for the first time, and the diet of the Fiends improved as the variety increased. Finally, though, they reached the open plain before the ruins and settled for the day at the edge of the forest, noting the trade traffic and messengers constantly using it.
“Your adults will cross at night as swiftly as possible,” Darras said as Trassaf observed the plain. “I’ll lead them, and we should reach the ruins before first light.”
“The younglings and elderly have been divided into groups,” Trassaf replied. “A leader for each group has been selected.”
“Balat will guide them one group at a time using his magic. We will find them there when we arrive.”
“And then?”
“And then you skirt the lake, cross a river and enter some foothills,” Darras replied. “Once through them, you cross another river and enter your new land.”
“Almost a dream,” Trassaf grinned, his canines making him look quite dangerous.
“You’ve earned it,” Darras chuckled. “Just don’t go back to bad habits.”
The plan worked perfectly. Road traffic died down as darkness fell, and the Fiend adults set off following Darras at a jog. Balat took the groups of elderly and young via a different route and left them at a specific spot in the ruins as he returned to collect the next group. Dawn was breaking when Darras led the main group into the ruins to join up with their dependents, and the Fiends finally relaxed as they were back under cover. Those collecting water at the lakeshore also found a bounty of fish at the shoreline, and the camp settled to rest well fed and satisfied with their fortune.
“Five more days,” Darras sighed as Veer and Kolnos set up camp, Balat, his task done now, heading back to the woods and what he considered his people.
‘You’ve done well, but don’t forget about Roesaf and her determination to fight you, ’ Erren replied.
“Something she’ll regret,” Darras chuckled.
‘Undoubtedly, though, try not to damage anything other than her pride.’
“As you command, my Erren.”
At noon, the camp set off, following the lakeshore and avoiding any boggy ground. The river, though deep, was crossed easily by the expedient of Darras swimming across with a rope, tying it to a tree, and the Fiends forming a chain with their bodies to help those less able to cross the swiftly moving water. Once done, the Fiends entered the deserted foothills and within four days they reached a slower-moving river that bordered their new land.
“Temiln,” was all Darras said, pointing across the river.
“Home,” Trassaf nodded.
It did not take long to cross the river, and Darras led the Fiends to a naturally defensive site that they could use to rebuild their clan in safety.
“The forest folk will help you until you find stability,” Darras said to Trassaf. “Game is abundant, as are the fruits of the forest.”
“And it is deserted?” one of Trassaf’s advisors asked.
“Apart from traders going to and from Perdolis.”
“Those we will leave alone,” Trassaf stated. “One day we may wish to trade ourselves, and it would not do to cause incidents.”
“It could be generations before they even realise your presence,” Darras added.
“That is my hope.”
“Now there is but one thing left,” Darras replied. “You wish to challenge me, Roesaf?”
“I do, you are nothing but a coward, and you need to be put in your place!”
“Come at me then,” Darras smiled, handing his knife to Kolnos.
Roesaf immediately charged Darras, drawing a bone knife, only to find Darras easily dodging her thrust and his hand gripping her arm and twisting hard to disarm her. With a screech, Roesaf dropped her knife only to find that Darras had dipped and used his leg to sweep her legs and drop her heavily to the ground, knocking the air from her body and leaving her helpless on the ground, winded and unable to rise. Darras then picked up her knife and handed it to the watching Trassaf, noting his advisors were watching with amusement.
“And that concludes my business with the Germuli,” Darras informed Trassaf.
“You do not desire her death?”
“She’s not worth killing,” Darras shrugged. “I won’t ask for an apology, or anything else, I doubt she’d keep her word.”
“Probably not,” Trassaf nodded. “Farewell then, Darras.”
“Fare well, Trassaf of the Germul clan,” Darras nodded, before turning and saying goodbyes to Veer and Kolnos.
“Erren will keep an eye on you,” Darras said to the pair. “You have grown strong and learned much; you have little to fear from others now.”
“Will we see you again?” Veer asked.
“Perhaps in a year,” Darras smiled. “There is much in the world that Erren desires me to deal with.”
“There will be a welcome here for you,” Kolnos replied. “Though perhaps not from all.”
“Roesaf will get over her anger, eventually,” Darras chuckled. “Normally, I’d kill anyone coming at me with a knife, but not this time, Erren forbade it.”
“We’ll do our best to avoid her,” Veer nodded. “Like as not, she’ll see us as a reminder of her defeat by you.”
“Probably, though her power is lost now, she won’t be able to influence others.”
“Farewell, Darras and thanks for everything,” Veer replied with a smile.
“Thank you for the opportunity to take you in hand and teach you to survive,” Darras replied, hugging the pair. “You’ll do well in this new land.”
Darras then set off deeper into the woods, eventually a path opened in front of him and closed behind him. This led him into the deep forest and a clearing where a Dryad stood waiting next to a gateway.
“Greetings, Sir Darras, I am the Dryad Nemuel,” she said.
“Greetings, Nemuel, May Erren and Lomarris bless you,” Darras replied.
“Please use the gateway, and rest assured, I will monitor the Fiends you have brought here.”
“I doubt they’ll be much trouble for you,” Darras smiled. “Though I think a new name for them needs to be found.”
“Yes, Fiend is not a reassuring title,” Nemuel smiled.
“Welcome back, my love,” Erren greeted Darras when he stepped through onto the lawn.
“Good to be here,” Darras replied, hugging Erren and then following her to the bathing area.
“You did well, the Germuli will prosper in Tremiln,” Erren said as she soaped Darras down, removing the dirt from his travels.
“Good,” Darras nodded. “I’m glad Veer and Kolnos will have good lives.”
“They will, as will Trassaf,” Erren replied.
“Roesaf?”
“Has lost her standing within the Germuli, though remains Trassaf’s mate,” Erren smiled. “All see her now as a foolish female who picked a fight with a Human and lost.”
“Hopefully, the taint of Ventris will eventually be cleansed from her,” Darras nodded.
“It will, the Germuli will eventually begin to interact with the traders, exchanging furs for goods and knowledge.”
“That’s good.”
“Your next task will be leading Firios and his team to scout out a city the Elves have observed in Gresh,” Erren continued.
“Klea too?”
“Yes, she’s very much part of that team now.”
“Except for visiting other Elves,” Darras chuckled, making Erren smile.
“She could actually manage that ... though I’d currently advise against it.”
“She has that much control now?”
“She has,” Erren confirmed. “However, it is still an issue for her at times.”
“And her efforts with the Jomanti blade?”
“Go slowly, but steadily,” Erren replied. “Soon, that will no longer be an issue for her.”
“Good, hopefully we’re approaching the end game.”
“An end game,” Erren corrected Darras. “As you saw with the Germuli, there are other matters where I’ll need your aid to create or change a narrative.”
“The work of a goddess never ends,” Darras chuckled.
“It doesn’t, though most of what I do goes on in the background,” Erren smiled. “Now get dried up, we have friends visiting.”
The allies of Erren arrived, bringing their agents with them if they had any, and sat in comfort under the expanded pergola. Erren was cooking a huge haunch of meat over an open fire, and the smell had everyone’s taste buds salivating as they enjoyed the beers and wines available.
“Well done with the Fiends,” Pelegard said to Darras. “Though I suspect they will be calling themselves Germuli now.”
“Probably,” Darras nodded. “Will Klavin visit them?”
“In about ten years or so,” Pelegard replied. “They should have started to interact a little with the trading teams crossing their lands.”
“Hopefully, they’ll be less inclined to paranoia,” Darras nodded.
“Should be,” Pelegard smiled. “The taint of Ventris will be long gone by then.”
“It will,” Doriel said as she approached with Balat. “They’ll still be somewhat combative, but it won’t lead to constant warfare.”
“Nemuel will keep an eye on them,” Balat added. “I doubt they’ll want to offend her.”
“Probably not, no,” Pelegard laughed. “Plus, she will be helping feed them for a while.”
“Not for too long, their warrior types are now focused on hunting,” Doriel replied.
“Yes, though you and Sorella were a big help in getting them there,” Darras nodded.
Pelegard then wandered off to speak to Crannok as Hallis approached, bringing Mirion with her. “Well done on getting Trunavisia involved in dealing with Garsimunel,” she said.
“All part of ensuring the south can’t be turned into an impregnable fortress ... of a sort,” Darras replied.
“Yes, it could certainly block any attempts to force an army past it, particularly as this Casal could manipulate its defensive magics to attack anyone approaching,” Hallis nodded.
“Like anything Erren does, it probably had a few outcomes she wanted,” Darras chuckled.
“True, it brought Trunavisia back into the world and away from an Isolationist stance,” Hallis nodded. “If you hadn’t, it would likely have taken a more ... aggressive approach later involving the downfall of one of their leaders.”
“I’ll take your word for it, I just do as I’m asked and enjoy the fringe benefits,” Darras gestured to the food now being served up.”
“Certainly a wonderful benefit,” Hallis laughed.
The gods and their agents all ate their fill before sitting down to discuss the goings on in Gresh and the likely outcomes. This included the various discoveries by the Royal Scouts as well as an idea of the sort of numbers they could face.
“The scouts have noted the presence of a city in the central area, though they did not approach,” Erren informed the gods. “This is where Darras and his friends will be going next.”
“That should be interesting,” Saltak mused. “The capital of the First Ones was mostly destroyed by magic, but they imbued all their buildings with repair magic.”
“It looks intact, according to the scouts,” Erren replied. “Unlike Garsimunel.”
“I suspect that may be where the last of these shadows are,” Crannok frowned. “The Elves with Darras will need to be careful.”
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