Champion of the Gods
Copyright© 2025 by QM
Chapter 51
“I had Serulon around recently,” Venicia said after taking a sip of wine. “Asking me if I could look out for a certain likeness via my varied servants.”
“Yes, she did the same for me,” Erren replied, giving nothing away as yet.
“Bit of a waste of time as the denizens of the air don’t really have the smarts to recognise features, but I might get lucky,” Venicia frowned.
“It’s more to do with reporting on any figures appearing as if from nowhere,” Erren explained.
“Are you suggesting our brother has found a way to get to the planet without triggering any alarms?” Szavona asked.
“There are some deliberate attempts to massively divert the narrative from its path by people supporting our brother using knowledge they shouldn’t have,” Erren replied.
“I suspected so,” Szavona nodded. “The likeness I was shown was a pretty close match to his avatar.”
“I thought similarly,” Erren agreed. “But there’s no proof other than a likeness.”
“Yes, that’s why I said nothing to Serulon but wanted to talk to you about it, as it would likely be affecting you.”
“It has, though fortunately, Darras here was able to correct things before they changed anything major,” Erren replied.
“Damn him! I knew he was obsessed with directly influencing the world, though I thought that had stopped when he found that First One and the Ubaids,” Szavona sighed.
“Do you know what he was looking for?”
“I don’t, though it might have been something that he discovered via this first one, as any conversations on the subject ceased after he found him, and I assumed he’d gone back to normal meddling.”
“Transfer circles,” Darras spoke into the silence.
“Pardon?” Venicia asked, looking confused.
“There’s one area you gods can’t go, Tsumi’s realm,” Darras explained. “Not even Tsumi can go there as to you gods, it doesn’t exist.”
“True enough, though I fail to see your point,” Venicia shrugged.
“Transfer circles operate via the dream world ... according to Erren and backed up by Tsumi, so gods can’t detect people using them, except when they go in and come out,” Darras continued. “Except it may be possible for you to use them in your avatar form, because I know you do dream in that form.”
“Do we?” Venicia asked, still confused.
“We do,” Erren confirmed. “I only found out by accident due to my ... interactions with Darras here.”
“Interesting, not something any of us, with the exception of our dark brother, would consider,” Venicia nodded, with Szavona following after a second.
“It’s not an area that I had any interest in either,” Erren admitted. “Yes, I do dream in this form, but I just assumed it was dreams.”
“Yet the First One magic was heavily bound up in control of the dream world, for both transportation and war,” Szavona replied, looking shocked. “Yet none of us studied it, as to us, it never really existed, other than as an abstract concept.”
“It does appear we’ve missed a trick,” Venicia agreed. “Assuming that’s the method he uses.”
“When Doriel went to Ventris to set up her safe zone, it was the turning of her spiritual body to her avatar form that was detectable by all gods,” Erren said thoughtfully. “I think Dad set it up that way.”
“Probably,” Venicia smiled.
“But, if we already were in our avatar form and came out via the dream world...”
“Interesting concept, but I’m not sure how you could even begin to experiment with it,” Venicia frowned.
“Casal might know,” Darras smiled.
“True, though getting him here could prove ... troublesome,” Erren giggled.
“Yep, and I doubt Klea could take the sword away from the Dark Kin village again,” Darras sighed. “Look at the trouble that caused the last time.”
“Also true,” Erren nodded. “Still, thank you, sisters, for the information.”
“I’m pretty sure it is him,” Szavona replied. “He’d also be pretty dangerous to any who tried to interfere in his actions.”
“I noticed,” Darras chuckled, then explained what had happened near Yarrosh.
“I’m surprised he didn’t kill you,” Venicia frowned.
“I’m difficult to detect if I can’t be seen,” Darras shrugged.
Venicia closed her eyes for a second before opening them, looking at Darras in surprise. “Yes, I see why you survived,” she nodded.
“That and exposing himself to the gaze of the watching Woodnymphs would not have been smart,” Erren added.
“I only saw one, but I’m not surprised,” Darras chuckled.
“They were interested in what you were up to, most of the forest folk are,” Erren smiled.
“Yes, they usually observe from a distance.” Darras nodded.
The conversation drifted into generalities after this until the two goddesses took their leave. Erren and Darras then moved to the house, where, after a minute, a knock at the door brought Serulon in.
“So, Szavona is sure it is him?” Serulon said after the explanations.
“A good likeness, but no proof, naturally,” Erren replied.
“And he hung around to observe his intervention?”
“Assuming it was him, yes.”
“True, I doubt there’s anyone who can use magic that way, though, on the planet, particularly the disappearing trick,” Serulon frowned.
“There’s Casal, though he’d stick out like a sore thumb,” Erren replied.
“Ah, yes, though currently he’s keeping a low profile in Ssthastar, hoping you won’t decide to come after him,” Serulon noted.
“He’s still an agent of our brother, but for now, he’s not active,” Erren shrugged. “But someone, possibly our brother, is.”
“Unfortunately, I need proof; I can’t take guesses to the Allfather,” Serulon sighed. “Not these days anyway.”
“Pointless asking our brother,” Erren shrugged. “He’d only deny it, or point the finger elsewhere, probably me.”
“I’ll keep looking,” Serulon nodded. “But if it is him, he’s being clever in going about it.”
Darras and Erren sat in companionable silence after Serulon had left. Erren was clearly deep in thought, so Darras chose not to disturb her but read from one of the histories of various nations that Erren kept (and updated) on the bookshelf.
“It’s no use,” Erren finally sighed. “There are too many ways to interfere with the narrative that could have a major effect upon it that I can’t say for certain which he might choose.”
“I notice you didn’t mention the dream world to Serulon,” Darras chuckled.
“No proof he’s using it, though I suspect he is,” Erren smiled.
“Tsumi unable to help?”
“He can monitor the transfer circles as it takes a great deal of magic to operate one,” Erren explained. “But whatever method my brother uses does not impinge on Tsumi’s senses.”
“Oh, right,” Darras nodded. “Guess I’ll just have to intervene when you spot one and hope we get lucky.”
“Yes, which could be dangerous for you as the incident in Yarrosh proved.”
“Wonder if Casal does know something?”
“I doubt he’d tell me or place himself in my domain anyway,” Erren smiled.
“Not even for an amnesty?”
“Amnesty?”
“He stays where he is and gets left alone so long as he no longer interferes in the world,” Darras replied.
“He’s still the agent of my brother; I doubt he will cooperate.”
“Can’t hurt to ask, we can get the Elves to drop off a letter to him.”
“That would be extremely dangerous for them. Casal has based himself in the centre of their main village,” Erren replied. “The Lizardmen who now consider Casal akin to a god would spot any approach.”
“Attach the letter to an arrow, fire it at night and retreat under the cover of Darkness,” Darras suggested.
“That may be possible, the Lizardmen go sedentary at night,” Erren replied thoughtfully.
“Cold-blooded?”
“This type, yes,” Erren confirmed.
“Wonder how Casal managed to get in with them?”
“He sort of looks like a giant version of them,” Erren smiled. “As do the Ubaids, naturally.”
“No guarantee he’ll come, though.”
“No, but we can ask Firios to see if it is possible to do,” Erren smiled.
“They’d enjoy an invite here,” Darras smiled in return.
“Yes, but not until we’ve had some rest ... eventually,” Erren giggled before kissing Darras.
“You want us to get a message to this Casal?” Firios finally replied as his team, including Klea, found themselves in Erren’s demesne, while they had thought they would continue their scouting in Ssthashar.
“Attached to an arrow, at night,” Erren confirmed. “Is it possible?”
“It might,” Tinara replied thoughtfully.
“I do not want you to endanger yourselves,” Erren nodded. “But if it’s possible, please?”
“It will just be instructions on where to meet,” Darras added. “I’ll be the one at the spot ... along with Erren.”
“We are not to be spotted?” Demala asked.
“No, the Lizardmen and Casal’s people are not to know Elves are there,” Erren replied.
“We can do this,” Firios confirmed. “It will take two days to get back to the gateway; we’ll be able to farstride.”
“Thank you, my friends,” Erren acknowledged with a smile. “Please be careful.”
A day later, Tinara was perched high in a banyan tree at the edge of a swampy area overlooking a large village of Lizardmen. Darkness was falling, and the temperature was beginning to drop as she scanned the village for signs of the Lizardmen settling for the night. Her comrades were on the ground, well concealed, after helping her climb the massive tree. They had not been spotted, though hunting parties had occasionally come close. Though being too far to spot Casal personally, Tinara knew where he and the Ubaids were based and knew that she could land an arrow outside of the door of their hut, even if the range was extreme for an Elven scout. Finally, though it was time, and Tinara drew back the arrow, relying on both instinct and memorisation of the terrain and makeup of the village.
“Wenderos guide my aim,” Tinara murmured before releasing the bowstring.
Tinara then tugged on a concealed rope, and Firios and Traskis lowered her silently to the ground.
“Success?” Firios asked.
“I believe so,” Tinara confirmed.
“Best we away,” Klea said. “This is far too close to their village for comfort.”
“Agreed,” Demala nodded. “They likely spot our track in the morning.”