Champion of the Gods
Copyright© 2025 by QM
Chapter 35
Darras stepped through the gateway into the Dwarven city of Sorrak and made his way to the temple of Gilmea. Once there, he was escorted to the office of his friend Gemoldus, the high priest and a hidden power behind the high king.
“Darras, my friend, be welcome,” Gemoldus greeted him cordially.
“Good to be here,” Darras smiled. “Just updating you that it’s time for the Dwarven Legion to start moving through to Asulnarath.”
“It’s ready?”
“Yes, the stores are in place, and the Elven scouts have mapped the routes available for your people to lead the advance,” Darras replied. “You’ll receive official confirmation within the week.”
“Good, it’s time to end the overt machinations of the Dark Lord and force him back to his remit,” Gemoldus nodded.
“Linota and Doorf to lead?”
“Yes, though I’ll need to send word to Doorf as he’s still busy in the mountains of Ismor,” Gemoldus replied.
“Found anything interesting?”
“A source of mithril, that would be enough to set up a colony town, it’s looking very promising.”
“Whose side of the border?”
“The Forest Kingdom claim the mountain group entirely, though Ismor has the easiest access routes,” Gemoldus replied. “That said, there’s also a border with Burral to consider.”
“Ah, they’ll consider it theirs?”
“No, the finder has the right to exploit it, that’s Dwarven law,” Gemoldus chuckled. “The issue will be access, as they’ll want to act as agents.”
“Can’t see Ismor or the Forest Kingdom being happy about a third party butting in,” Darras nodded. “Ismor especially feels indebted to you for the repairs to their irrigation works.”
“And we have a good trade relationship with the Forest Kingdom after our alliance against Thenarron,” Gemoldus added. “Nevertheless, I expect Burral to start agitating to build a road through to the find.”
“And avoid any duties to be paid to the other two,” Darras sighed, seeing the logic behind it.
“Precisely,” Gemoldus chuckled. “They also dislike the Dwarven Realm’s influence upon Ismor, despite their defensive alliance with that kingdom.”
“It was for defence only, they did not aid Ismor’s recovery, just bought what little surplus they had,” Erren’s voice came from Darras’s throat.
“Yes, my goddess,” Gemoldus acknowledged. “And we have reaped the benefit of aiding them as you commanded after the Halgard incident.”
“As has Halgard,” Darras chuckled. “Burral’s problems have all stemmed from Burral refusing to spend gold on aiding an ally.”
“They’ve always been that way,” Gemoldus nodded. “Their dealings with Jizzard have shaped their outlook.”
“They do take things to extremes,” Darras smiled. “Even kicked me out for dealing with a shadow.”
“Somewhat foolish of them, still, they do have a good reputation for armour and jewellery, which offsets some of their more abrasive attitudes.”
“Yes, the houses of Tazzad and Frenklon,” Darras nodded.
“And a few others, though the need for Dwarven armour in Human realms has greatly reduced,” Gemoldus replied.
“The day of the knight is at an end,” Darras shrugged. “Only their nobility had the cash to afford such armour, and they can’t use it in battle anymore.”
“Yes, though I doubt these horse archers would fare too well against the Dwarven Legions.”
“Probably not, though that wouldn’t be the way they’d go after them,” Darras chuckled. “They’d likely use siege weapons.”
“Hah, true!” Gemoldus snorted.
Darras’s next visit was to Rachtelin, finding the city now to be a vibrant and lively place with many Elven and Dwarven merchants hawking their goods in the central market. Nor did there appear to be any hostility to the races that had once been banned from entering the kingdom. Making his way to the palace, Darras observed all the signs of a kingdom that was thriving on trade due to low taxation and the opening of the economy to multiple suppliers.
“Darras, well met,” Rigilo greeted Darras as he was escorted to the king’s office. “Not bringing bad news?”
“No, Rigilo,” Darras chuckled, making a servant frown at Darras’s familiarity with the king. “Not this time, I’m here to tell you that it’s time to prepare your army for Asulnarath.”
“Yes, I’d heard from Leandomus,” Rigilo nodded. “The orders have gone out, and our pikemen are preparing to march to Torgel for transference under the command of Lord Temlis.”
“Hopefully, this will be the last time Erren needs an army,” Darras chuckled, making Rigilo smile.
“Let us hope so,” Rigilo nodded.
“I see the economy is growing.”
“It is, and with it comes many demands, couched as requests to spend the revenue on nonessentials,” Rigilo sighed. “Yes, we’re doing better, but the depredations of the past upon our infrastructure have yet to be set right.”
“After you to increase taxation, too?” Darras chuckled.
“Yes, and likely killing the goose that lays the golden eggs were I to do so.”
“Ah, the refurbishment of the banqueting hall,” Darras laughed.
“We allowed Baron Cole to repair the roofs of the former derelict buildings in the palace,” Rigilo smiled. “It kept him away from pestering Callani for funding.”
“No doubt keeping them in reasonable condition for when you do get around to it,” Darras nodded.
“Yes, we reasoned it could get costly building from scratch.”
“How much of the looted crown treasures did you recover?”
“Not as much as I’d have liked, and I still suspect some of the former Council are holding on to items,” Rigilo grimaced.
“They destroyed them?”
“Some, out of pettiness, yes.”
“Erren assures me they will die penniless,” Darras replied.
“Cold if satisfactory comfort,” Rigilo nodded.
“I take it Callani is causing all sorts of issues to those opposing your plans?” Darras asked.
“She is, though at the moment she’s with our children, relaxing in the grounds,” Rigilo smiled.
“Growing up fast,” Darras nodded, smiling himself.
“They are, and we try to spend as much time as we can with them, just not usually together.”
“Doing the hard things now means things will get easier later,” Darras replied.
“So we keep telling ourselves,” Rigilo chuckled. “And they will, in another two years, all the major projects will be finished, and we’ll have time to consider nonessentials.”
“That should please some people.”
“Welcome back, my love,” Erren greeted Darras with a smile.
“Good to be here, the main plan is proceeding nicely,” Darras replied.
“Yes, dangerous as it could be for our allies.”
“Then we find the dragon?” Darras asked.
“Assuming my brother doesn’t release it in an act of petty spite, yes.”
“I suspect that’s all he has left now,” Darras nodded.
“Possibly, though no doubt he will be considering some new plan to reduce civilisation to nothing,” Erren acknowledged.
“Where next?”
“A visit to Klea to test her ability with the Jomanti blade,” Erren smiled.
“As in a fight?”
“No, don’t be silly, in her hands that thing could cut you to ribbons ... if she landed a blow,” Erren chuckled. “It’s a test for her to see if she can control herself not to command you.”
“Ah, though I think a real test might be with an Elf,” Darras replied.
“She’s not quite there yet, but yes, one day Firios and his group will travel with you.”
“That could be interesting, though hopefully manageable,” Darras chuckled.
“It will, and all part of my ongoing plan to gradually reform the children of the blade into dealing peacefully with their kin ... and vice versa.”
“Long-term project,” Darras nodded.
“A very long-term project,” Erren agreed.
Several days later, by Darras’s reckoning, Darras stepped through the gateway on the Isle of the Dark Kin. There, he was greeted by the watcher, who told him Klea was waiting at her father’s home. For the first time, Darras wandered freely within the village, observed, but was not interfered with by the Dark Kin.
“Definitely an improvement,” Darras murmured, feeling Erren’s agreement.
Both Galbras and Klea were waiting for Darras, having been alerted to a visit by Erren, sending through a scroll with the information and what she’d like Klea to attempt.
“I believe she is ready,” Galbras informed Darras after the greetings.
“Good,” Darras nodded. “Shall we try?”
Galbras and Klea led Darras to what appeared to be an ordinary-looking building within the village, though not one he’d ever passed before. Outside it was an Elf Darras recognised, one of the blade keepers called Asperley. Darras could only presume he was more educated on what the blade actually was now, as at their first meeting, he’d been sent out to fob Darras off from his enquiries.
“It is forbidden for one not of our own to enter the sanctuary,” Asperley stated, though not with heat.
“It used to be forbidden for anyone not a keeper a year ago,” Klea replied. “Darras is here to test me, you may observe, but you may not interfere.”
“As you command, wielder,” Asperley replied.
All four entered the building, and Darras stared at the Jomanti blade for the first time. It was some sort of long sword, straight, though with only a single edge. It did not quite match any sword Darras had seen before, and so he couldn’t classify it. What he did notice was the feeling, similar to a shadow it was giving off.
“Please go ahead, Klea,” Darras said, being careful not to approach the sword, keeping Asperley happier.
Klea stepped forward, took a deep breath, lifted the blade from its holder and turned to face Darras. She then looked both surprised and concerned.
“What are you, Darras?” she finally asked, frowning. “The blade fears you.”
“I’m not from this world,” Darras finally replied, having been assured by Erren that it was safe to inform the three of this fact. “Erren ... Wenderos brought me here to oppose her brother, the Dark Lord. As he forged this, it recognises my ability to destroy it potentially.”
“You would destroy the sacred blade?” a confused Asperley asked.
“No,” Darras replied. “On that, you have my word.”
“It feels odd,” Klea admitted. “With others, there has always been the urge to command; with Darras, there’s simply the urge to get away from him.”
The spirit of Erren then stepped from within Darras and moved to the side.
“And me?” Erren asked.
“Wary, but not fearful, Wenderos,” Klea replied.
“Interesting,” Erren nodded before merging with Darras again.
“I don’t think you’ll get any answers as yet,” Darras said into the silence.
“No, I suppose not,” Galbras agreed. “What the gods forged, only the gods can understand fully.”
“It does mean we need another test subject,” Darras chuckled. “It’s clear the blade has issues with me.”
“Indeed so, Darras,” Klea agreed as she set the blade down on its holder.
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