Chapter 39

“I challenge this agent of a lesser goddess to a duel,” the Human demanded of Dhromil. “That is my right after all in this city.”

“It’s certainly your right to challenge,” Dhromil replied. “Darras does not have to accept though.”

“What are the rules?” Darras asked.

“In this city, it’s either swords or spears.”

“I accept then.”

“As you will. Well, Human, what is your response?” Dhromil asked.

“Swords,” the man responded.

“Very well. We shall retire to the training yard and you can begin there.”

“Are you sure of this, sir Darras?” Gemoldus asked as they made their way to where the palace guards trained.

“It needs dealing with. I’m fairly sure this is the one who cast the curse,” Darras replied thoughtfully.

“There is a dark aspect around him, to be sure,” Gemoldus agreed.

“He is possessed,” Darras replied. “Cleverly so. I only detected it when he came into the room.”

“I see. Well, I’ll pray for your success.”

In the yard, both men were handed a Dwarven short sword by one of the guards who then joined the observers as they formed a circle around the two of them.

“Please state your names,” Dhromil requested. “That your gods may be appeased should you fall.”

“Darras Blain, agent of the goddess Gilmea,” Darras replied.

“Coman Trennt, acolyte of Darmela,” the Human replied, causing a few of the Dwarves to start in surprise.

‘Careful, my Darras. He’s an expert swordsman, ’ Erren warned.

“Figured something like that,” Darras murmured. “Explains his keenness to duel.”

‘It does. Just remember your training with me, ’ Erren replied.

“I will. I suspect he’s in for a surprise.”

‘Let’s hope so.’

Darras went through a few practice swings with the sword, getting a feel for its balance and weight before turning to face Coman who had been doing something similar. Seeing both were ready, Dhromil simply said, “You may begin.”

It was clear Coman was expecting to win easily, though he did not rush into an attack. Instead he made several cautious swings at Darras who parried them easily.

“So, you’re more skilled than the reports said, not that that will save you,” Coman mocked.

“You still have no idea what you face,” Darras chuckled, launching an attack of his own and seeing Coman frown at the strength of the blows.

“You’re strong, but that won’t help you,” Coman snarled as he launched a blistering set of blows at Darras, all of which Darras again parried with ease.

The fight went back and forth as each man tested the other, looking for an opening. Darras basically ignored the taunts sent his way as he used his experience of training with Erren to get a feel for Coman’s style. It was also becoming clear to Coman that Darras was at least his equal in speed as well as very much stronger than he was, if possibly not as experienced. The end came swiftly, though not in the way the watching and wagering guards expected. Coman finally broke through Darras’s defence only to find that Darras was spinning past the thrust to slam the flat of his own blade against Coman’s now unprotected head, knocking him sideways, totally dazed. Taking the opportunity, Darras simply used his spare hand to grab the shadow within Coman’s throat and drag it from the now unconscious man and choke the life from it despite its desperate struggles.

“Told you, you should fear me,” Darras stated as the shadow dissipated to the shocked gasp of the watchers.

“You destroyed his soul!” one of the Darmelan priests screamed out.

“Don’t be silly,” Darras chided. “It was a parasite of the Dark Lord and not a soul. Nor is he dead.”

“Sir Darras is correct. Coman will live and eventually be judged,” Gemoldus added. “Nor can he do magic, simply deal through those creatures.”

“It appears you are full of surprises, Darras,” Dhromil said into the silence.

“I do the work of my goddess,” Darras replied.

“As you are the winner, I will keep my agreement with you. The priesthood of Darmela is forbidden entry to the city of Halgard. You may collect your belongings and go,” Dhromil stated to the sullen priests.

“But, Dhromil...” a priest began.

“Do not forget you brought one into my city who cursed me,” Dhromil interrupted. “I will not ban the worship of Darmela. I just do not trust her priests.”

Dhromil then had the guards escort the priests back to their dwelling to collect their worldly goods and then escort them out of Halgard. He then led Darras and Gemoldus back to the office to complete negotiations.

It was the following day that Darras and Gemoldus finally left Halgard, Darras travelling with Gemoldus in the carriage the priest had arrived in.

“A most interesting Dwarf,” Gemoldus mused thoughtfully.

“Cold and calculating, yes,” Darras agreed. “Though I expect he’ll keep his word.”

“Seems likely, though he reduced the impact of any terms he could.”

“More out of practicality I think,” Darras replied. “Banning Darmela’s priests is a lot easier than banning her worship.”

“Yes, banning may well have led to civil strife.”

“How is Linota fairing?”

“She is currently in Rossaris, going over troop dispositions with the other Allies. I bade her to be polite with the Elves,” Gemoldus chuckled.

“I hope that will not be too great a burden for her,” Darras replied, then laughed out loud.

“A challenge certainly, but one I believe to be within her grasp,” Gemoldus answered with a smile.

“Dissent between parties could be disastrous in any campaign,” Darras added thoughtfully.

“She is well aware of this, as well as of the fact that she will initially be operating in an Elven country,” Gemoldus nodded.

“The King of Iversirion as well as the Prince of Rachtelin will be good Allies to have as aid in any disputes,” Darras informed Gemoldus.

“That’s good to hear, particularly about Iversirion.”

“Leandomus had a run in with my goddess,” Darras chuckled. “He feels he has a lot to prove.”

“No doubt,” Gemoldus joined in the chuckle.

As it was a three day journey, their conversations took myriad paths and Darras learned a great deal about the Dwarves that they normally didn’t discuss with outsiders, including relationships and traditions, all of which was concealed from the world by their gruff bluntness. Gemoldus in return often spoke to Erren via Darras and received instructions to authorise the return of the priests to Halgard as well as further means to restrict any chance of a shadow returning to Sorrak and causing issues between the city and its main trading partner, Dobra. Finally though, the carriage arrived at the gateway house in Dobra and the pair returned to their homes.

“Well done, my Darras,” Erren greeted him joyfully when he emerged upon her lawn.

“Took longer than expected and there was a shadow involved, but it’s good to be back,” Darras replied, returning her hug.

“Yes, that was a surprise. They appear to have some who are very good at hiding,” Erren agreed thoughtfully as she led the way to the bathing area.

“Dhromil will need to have an eye kept on him too.”

“Yes, Gemoldus will ensure that,” Erren nodded. “He’s pragmatic though, not evil as such.”

“Probably what makes him a good King,” Darras shrugged.

“Yes, he didn’t have my priests executed as they did in Fordel, though he might have if he’d known about the curse ... though again, perhaps not as he’d know for certain my wrath would come ... eventually.”

They both disrobed and got into the pool, with Darras washing Erren’s back, causing her to sigh in contentment.

“Thenarron next?” Darras enquired.

“Yes, I need you to ensure the shadows haven’t planted spies amongst the leadership and their retainers.”

“Elves should be clear, from what you’ve told me before,” Darras replied thoughtfully.

“That was before this sneaky type showed up.”

“True, I had to be in the same room and even then, it was hard to detect,” Darras nodded.

“Yes, most disturbing,” Erren agreed as drinks and snacks floated over. “It’s why you’ll meet up with Balat as Doriel has had him training in light-based magic and he’ll be useful to me in detecting them for you.”

“So the boy will get a chance to see war?” Darras sighed.

“Yes. Please ensure his safety as best you can,” Erren requested as she moved to wash Darras, as well as tease him into arousal.

Later, when their lovemaking had ceased, the conversation continued and Erren snuggled closely into the man she adored, even as Darras held her closely in return.

“I take it Sondrast and Annos now have the means to break the barrier?” Darras asked.

“Mmm. He’s actually impressed Quinall, Annos’ master, with his abilities in the use of shielding in the way of dark magic and has learned a great deal from them both, as well as vice versa.”

“Ah yes, the symbology conundrum,” Darras chuckled.

“Yes, Sondrast has none of the secretive tendencies of most magic users when discussing their abilities and the means to produce them,” Erren replied. “This was reciprocated by Quinall who, though somewhat crotchety himself, did take to Sondrast as the future partner of Annos.”

“I’m glad she’s found happiness.”

“I didn’t make her wait that long, she’s only one hundred and fifty ... ish,” Erren giggled.

“That’s young for an Elf?”

“A Human would be about twenty-five.”