Champion of the Gods
Copyright© 2025 by QM
Chapter 48
Casal and his Ubaids were slowly integrating into Ssthastar’s culture. The native Lizardmen Matriarchy was wary of them; their introduction of various techniques in hunting and metalworking had earned them an almost godlike status amongst the masses. This made the matriarchs suspicious and occasionally hostile to Casal and his group, though so far they hadn’t acted directly against them, merely let their disapproval be known ... until they wanted something.
“The new smelter is complete,” one of the Ubaids informed Casal. “We can begin weapon and armour production.”
“Amongst other things, yes,” Casal hissed.
“Other things?”
“This is an impoverished society; the making of household items for cooking should also be considered to allay the suspicions of the matriarchs,” Casal explained.
“Ah, most wise,” the Ubaid bobbed its head. “We are in no position to conquer or rule these savages.”
“Indeed, though we can make ourselves indispensable.”
“Thus ensuring our safety?”
“Yes, I rather doubt this goddess or her agent will leave us alone,” Casal further explained. “Yet we can make our position here unassailable.”
“You believe the Dark One has abandoned us?”
“I believe he has other concerns,” Casal diplomatically replied.
“As you say.”
The greater Dark Lord floated alone in the void, considering the narrative. Years of planning and adjusting outcomes had come to nought. His abominable sister was in the ascendant, and the threads of the narrative all pointed towards a significant rise of civilisations with, as yet, few signs of the trends that would bring them low.
This could not be allowed to stand unchallenged; this he knew. Yet within the narrative, there were a few pressure points he could influence with the judicious use of his few remaining followers. Even his agent was embroiled in a state of nation-building, though in this case, it appeared to be used to keep itself safe from the agent of his sister.
The only option left was direct action, dangerous as it was, as that meddling hen Serulon could potentially have him overthrown. Yet his nature would not permit him to observe growth; it needed to be controlled and guided to stability, then finally, decline. Yet where...
Darras was finally home, being greeted merrily by Erren, who, as ever, was delighted that he was back.
“So, what now?” Darras asked after they relaxed in the pools.
“Just keeping an eye on things and guiding individuals down certain paths,” Erren replied.
“Casal?”
Firios and his team, including Klea, have begun probing Ssthastar, though all that appears to be going on is the Lizardmen improving their civilisation with metalworking,” Erren shrugged.
“No plans to attack the Elves of Embrith?”
“Whilst Casal may be aware of the Elves, I doubt it; there is no easy way for the Lizardmen to attack Embrith.”
“How are they smelting metals?” Darras asked. “It’s mostly swamp.”
“The metals come from the mountain range that seals Embrith off,” Erren explained. “Fire magic can then be used to increase the temperature of the poor-quality coals they mine there.”
“This seems very unlike the tactician we know Casal to be,” Darras frowned.
“I suspect he’s been cast aside by my brother and is making a safe place for himself,” Erren smiled thinly. “Successfully at that.”
“So Firios and team are wasting their time?”
“Possibly, though the bonds between them and Klea grow,” Erren smiled. “Which, overall, is a good thing.
“True, I take it things have settled down on the Isle?”
“Yes, the hardliners’ inability to wield the blade or even harm Klea with it has caused their total withdrawal from Dark Kin society due to the criticism and mockery they faced over it.”
“That’s good, though they have a long way to go,” Darras nodded.
“They’ll get there, unless someone interferes.”
“Someone?”
“My brother mostly, though there are the likes of Colanthus and Bimmlat, neither of whom, when worshipped, tend to found well-regulated societies, and Colanthus in particular would currently appeal to the Dark Kin psyche.”
“How come they can’t interfere on the Isle?” Darras asked.
“It’s magically sealed; the only way we gods can go there is via our agents,” Erren explained. “There are exceptions, Serulon, for instance.”
“But that won’t last?”
“No, as the Dark Kin become more mainstream, I’ll have to permit other godly activities there; it’s part of the rules.”
“Ah, it’s no longer your prison?” Darras smiled.
“Yes.”
“Will you ever need one again?”
“Not that I can foresee in the narrative, but, if necessary, there are other empty places I can use.”
In the city of Hilliam in the land of Crusal, the avatar of the Dark Lord phased into existence. He then made his way to the closed-off upper noble quarter, ignored by the gate guards until he reached a specific building.
“And who might you be?” Cantos Vellt asked when the servants brought the Dark Lord into his presence.
“A messenger from the one you secretly worship,” the Dark Lord replied in cool tones.
“Oh?”
“It’s finally time for Crusal to take its place as the ruler of this continent,” the Dark Lord thinly smiled.
“And how would we do that?” Vellt snorted. “We cannot move against Korch as Asul would support them.”
“The news hasn’t reached the upper echelons here, but Korch will revolt, a civil war will begin, and they will be in no position to prevent an invasion.”
“Really?” Vellt asked, eyes narrowed. “Though our troops are not ready.”
“This is why I’m here, to inform the High Commander of Crusal that the opportunity is here,” the Dark Lord replied. “You’ll have a month to prepare.”
“That’s enough time,” Vellt nodded. “I can call a muster near the border and move as soon as word comes.”
“Just be aware that some will attempt to interfere.”
“The religions, I know.”
The Dark Lord then handed over a list of people who could be trusted to keep quiet about any preparations, those who were Korchian agents in place, as well as a schedule of events that would enable Vellt to time his actions.
“Be prepared to take advantage of any opportunity once the Korchian insurrection starts,” the Dark Lord informed Vellt. “Ostensibly, you’ll be able to claim it is an attempt to restore the nobility of Korch.”
“Whilst in reality we’ll be there to make it part of Crusal and finally deal with Asul,” Vellt nodded, his eyes shining in anticipation.
“Good fortune, Lord Vellt,” the Dark Lord bade the High Commander farewell. “Serve the Dark Lord well.”
“I will,” Vellt smiled thinly.
‘Let’s see how you deal with this little kink in the narrative, sister, ’ the Dark Lord smiled grimly as he made his way to another noble to influence.
The greater Erren noticed the changes rippling through the narrative of time, though, as yet, she was unconcerned. Individual actions rarely affected the flow in significant ways, though the actions of the shadow scales had been troublesome to an extent.
She did note the calling of a muster of the Crusalian army near the border of Korch, though this was a common enough event and as yet none of the nobles leading it appeared aware of any underlying reasons for it. As yet, the narrative remained unchanged; still, the ripples could lead to unwanted futures, though not strongly enough to warrant any actions by Darras or the gods.
“A revolt in Korch has begun,” Erren informed Darras. “I’ll need you to keep an eye on things.”
“Rather early,” Darras frowned.
“It’s not the one that will lead to political reform, just another power-mad noble taking a chance.”
“Meddling?”
“Possibly, though as yet it’s not turned to violence,” Erren frowned. “Though there is a muster of the Crusalian army near the border.”
“That could be an issue if they decide to interfere,” Darras nodded.
“It could, though, so far there’s no indication that they are even aware of what is happening in Korch,” Erren agreed.
“Who do I need to keep an eye on?”
“You’ll need to be there to pass on a warning to the head of the Korchian military, should Crusal try to intervene.”
“Their army won’t be involved in the coup?”
“No, it has a tradition of being apolitical,” Erren replied. “The last time the head of the army tried, he was assassinated by his own senior officers.”
“So any fighting will be between retainers of the nobility?”
“Yes, small scale, but quite deadly between any involved,” Erren confirmed.
“I’m wondering why Crusal would bother?” Darras mused.
“It’ll be all about Asul,” Erren smiled. “They’ll hope Korch will capitulate, and then they’ll have an actual border with their perceived enemy.”
“Doesn’t seem likely.”
“It isn’t, though the Crusalian army is large enough to do a lot of damage if they try, hence the need for you to pass on an early warning should they cross the border.”
“Take it the head of the Korchian army is not a follower of yours?”
“No, like most of the nobility, he follows Rustav.”
“A pity,” Darras chuckled.
“Indeed, though my brother will not interfere, not unless it’s too late,” Erren smiled.
“Will the future revolution put you on top?”
“Yes ... in so far as its leaders will be followers of mine.”
“Well-educated followers of yours at that,” Darras nodded.
“Yes, though that’s at least twenty years away.”
Sveemas did not have the feel of a city in turmoil, though Erren assured Darras that a coup against the loyalists surrounding the King was ongoing. It appeared that the common folk had little interest in who ruled them, so long as they didn’t over-tax them and otherwise left them alone.
‘The nobility, whilst corrupt, are smart enough to realise that teaching the common folk to use arms would likely create another rival who could overthrow them, ’ Erren explained.
“Ah, hence the small scale of the coup?”
‘Yes, a common enough occurrence amongst the nobility, ’ Erren replied. ‘Though this one is happening whilst a Crusalian army is mustered near the border.’
“And the Korchian army’s leadership is distracted with the coup,” Darras nodded.
‘It is, though it’s mostly about keeping the plotters from damaging anything or burning cities down.’
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