Champion of the Gods
Copyright© 2025 by QM
Chapter 40
The usually calm Galbras was clearly unsettled in meeting Erren in person for the first time. Though Erren soon put him at ease as the group relaxed around a table under the pergola.
“That could have been most dangerous for Demala,” Klea said.
“I know,” Erren nodded. “However, you needed to be tested in a tense atmosphere, not where you had prepared yourself.”
“I was most nervous myself,” Demala admitted. “Though I trusted Wenderos.”
“We, the elders, being there probably kept our few violently inclined hotheads from any acts of violence towards you,” Galbras replied. “Still, it was nerve-racking.”
“It was,” Darras confirmed. “However, I believe it served several purposes.”
“Yes,” Erren nodded. “It tested Klea under stress. However, it also showed the People of the Sword that their enemy is very much like them and that meetings can occur without recourse to violence.”
“True,” Galbras agreed. “Though I would not advise it to happen with any regularity, we’ve barely got our people used to Mirion, and I still wouldn’t advise her to turn up on her own.”
“I believe she could,” Erren replied thoughtfully. “However, for the moment, I’ll ensure she’s escorted.”
“Thank you, we do still have a few who struggle with their anger.”
“It is the same in the Elven world,” Demala replied. “Though it is good to know that it will fade.”
“Have the Dwarves begun their survey of the central volcano?” Klea asked.
“They are setting up a base now,” Erren replied. “Along with the University of Iversirion, who are studying the magical defences of the door as they cannot get into the tower as yet.”
“They need Darras to dispel it?” Demala asked.
“Currently, yes, though the leader of the expedition, Sondrast, will eventually figure out the key,” Erren smiled.
“Is Annos with him?” Darras asked.
“Yes, she is, she’s working with the water magic users to keep the expedition fully supplied with water.”
“So, they’re only ferrying food in?”
“Yes, dried bulk food for the most part,” Erren smiled.
“Much easier than when we were there,” Darras chuckled.
“So much of the world I’ll never get to see,” Galbras mused.
“Sadly, this is true,” Erren commiserated. “Though Klea is likely capable of travel now, assuming she’s cautious.”
“I doubt I will ... for now,” Klea replied. “I intend to seek out a husband.”
“Interesting,” Galbras chuckled. “I have yet to meet anyone whom I would consider worthy of you.”
“Wenderos has confirmed there is one,” Klea replied. “Though I have yet to meet him.”
“I won’t spoil the surprise,” Erren smiled. “Though he does not live in your village.”
“You want the dragon dealt with first?”
“No, I have as yet no idea where the dragon is,” Erren smiled. “You will meet the one you are destined for in good time, and I look forward to your pleasure in doing so.”
“I understand,” Klea nodded.
“Doriel is the same with Balat,” Darras chuckled. “He knows there’s someone out there for him, she just won’t say who.”
“True,” Erren smiled. “The only one I’ve ever helped was Kina, who will soon visit your village.”
“An Elf?” Galbras frowned.
“No, Human and very special,” Erren replied. “She will teach your people how to worship and live joyfully.”
“She transformed Iversirion from an insular, inward-looking society to a vibrant, joyful city,” Demala explained. “Though there are still some who do not care for what she did.”
“I know,” Erren nodded. “But Leandomus and Harinas have them isolated from any power.”
“And they are?” Galbras asked. “I know so little of the outer world.”
“The Land King and Priest King, respectively, of the Elven part of the Forest Kingdom.”
“Two kings?”
“One deals with secular matters, the other deals with spiritual,” Erren explained. “Generally, it works so long as they follow the tenets in my book.”
“Ah, yes,” Galbras nodded. “I have read your book, amongst others; its wisdom is profound.”
“Thank you,” Erren smiled. “The problems start when some interpret it into saying what they want, not what it says.”
“Comarre being a prime example,” Demala smiled thinly.
“Yes, I’m aware of their rejection of the true history of the sundering,” Erren nodded. “Fortunately, they have little influence on the rest of the Elven kingdoms, who, though shocked, are coming to terms with what Harranis was and did.”
“They still preach Elven superiority,” Demala sighed. “And refuse to let any enter their kingdom who do not ascribe to that view, or indeed any who come from Kingdoms with Humans in them.”
“Not all their people ascribe to such views,” Erren replied. “Though they are not those in power.”
“Will they return to the world?”
“Yes, though it will take some time, even by Elven standards.”
“I’m glad that worked,” Darras said to Erren after the Elves had left, Erren having personally anointed Galbras as her chosen leader for the Dark Kin.
“So am I,” Erren agreed. “The odds were good, but individually, there are a few Dark Kin who will not forgive or forget.”
“I would have kept Demala safe, though any incident would have soured things badly.”
“It would, though it worked and when the dragon is found, it will be dealt with.”
“Yes, though I still expect a fuss when Klea tries to remove it from the Island,” Darras chuckled.
“Yes, though at least they are warned,” Erren smiled.
“True,” Darras nodded. “Where next?”
“Tumul in Perenoth, the king there has been poorly advised and is planning an extermination mission against the Germuli in Tremiln.”
“They’ve discovered them already?” Darras quizzed.
They aren’t aware they are Fiends,” Erren replied. “Just reports on possible bandit activity.”
“Ah, and conflict will expose the presence of the Germuli?”
“No, the royal force will sally forth from Tumul, and a coup will be launched.
“You want the King to remain in power?”
“Yes, he’s weak, venal and generally incompetent, but his son will be an excellent King and settle the issues with the Germuli being in Tremiln.”
“And this coup would put someone else on the throne?”
“Yes, a potential champion of Colanthus who will embroil Perenoth in wars between Gomesh, Geeshorn and Surrant,” Erren explained.
“I somehow doubt Perenoth would survive that,” Darras grimaced.
“They wouldn’t, but they’d do a lot of damage to the surrounding countries in falling,” Erren replied.
“And how do I warn this king?”
“I’ll provide you with the names of some of his more ... honest ministers. Depending on how they act, the coup may be nipped in the bud.”
“And if it isn’t?”
“You’ll have to resort to direct action.”
“Can’t I just take out this potential champion?” Darras asked.
“He’s not irredeemable, yet.”
“Colanthus found a good one?”
“I don’t think Colanthus is aware of him yet,” Erren said with a smile. “But he will be if the coup succeeds.”
“Right, so the best path is to warn the king and neuter this expedition?”
“Yes, if the royal force remains in Tumul, the conspirators will move to ally themselves with the prince and thoughts of a coup will wither on the vine.”
“And Colanthus misses an opportunity to indulge in savagery,” Darras chuckled.
“Yes, which is my preference,” Erren nodded.
Tumul was hot, humid and generally not a very pleasant place to do business, as the local traders tended to attempt to short you on goods and overcharge you as well if they weren’t observed closely.
“No wonder there’s a coup brewing,” Darras murmured as he walked through the town.
‘Yes, but it’s only in the major towns, the rest of the place is a slightly backwards, if pleasant, place to live, ’ Erren replied.
“And worshippers of you?”
‘For the most part, there are a lot of followers of Rustav too, in the big towns.’
“Who is causing the issue with the traders? I doubt it’s Darmelans.”
‘It’s mostly the followers of Rustav in the nobility, though as I said, localised, not prevalent.’
Darras reached the first contact provided by Erren and handed over a letter of introduction to a servant. He was then escorted to a waiting room and told to remain as the master was summoned. An hour later, a man entered and introduced himself as Baron Clevy.
“The agent of Erren, eh?” Clevy said. “A bold claim, yet it did pique my interest.”
“Erren is observing Perenoth closely and is concerned about how events are unfolding,” Darras replied.
“Concern?”
“A coup is brewing; she would seek to prevent that.”
“I’m aware of dissent, our King is weak, and he has permitted knaves and charlatans a measure of power over the kingdom’s finances and laws,” Clevy shrugged. “A coup would deal with those.”
“Normally, yes,” Darras agreed. “However, with its current leadership, it will lead to the destruction of Perenoth and grave damage to the surrounding nations as the country attempts to resolve its finances by invading others.”
“Ah, I see,” Clevy frowned. “Yet I fail to see how they could be stopped.”
“If the moderates unite behind the prince, the radicals will withdraw for lack of majority support,” Darras replied.
“And Prince Reglon will be an improvement?”
“As King Rigilo was in Rachtelin,” Darras nodded.
“An astonishing claim, if true.”
“Erren confirms it. Reglon is wise beyond his years. You should speak to him.”
“I will,” Clevy announced. “Whilst I have doubts about your claimed identity, you have at least given me an alternative to consider.”
Darras was escorted out after various pleasantries were exchanged and moved on to his next contact.
“Not going via the temple?” Darras asked Erren.
‘The high priest is not held in wide regard with the nobility, ’ Erren explained. ‘She’s a good woman, but because she’s a woman, she has limited influence.’
“Oh dear.”
‘Callani had similar issues until she married Rigilo.’
“Yes, hopefully one day that will change,” Darras sighed.
‘It will, but we work with what we have.’
The merchant Haskild was clearly very sceptical of Darras’s claims; however, the ‘gift’ (read bribe) Darras handed over got him a meeting with the man, who listened politely, if looking bored.