The Accidental Archmage: Book Eight (Where Titans Walk)

by Edmund A. M. Batara

  “Watch yourself, Archmage. My mark is on you. I can’t remove it from your changed mortal form. But the power of Chaos remains in Tartarus. There will be changes in your disposition and abilities. What those are, I really can’t tell. Yet remember that Chaos is neither good nor evil. It is a primal part of the universe. Whether you allow it to be a tool for something else is entirely up to you,” warned Kapnos. For Tyler, it was a strange experience to hear such things from a boy. It was discomfiting and the mage always had to remember that what was before him was but a facade, an illusion.

  The mage nodded. It was another dangerous complication he had to live with and manage. Then something occurred to him.

  “I’m curious, Kapnos. Did anybody visit Tartarus in the past millennium or so?” asked Tyler.

  “None that I personally know of. But there was an age when I was awake and Uncle Hades told me that a visitor had just left. But that fellow Lumeri has always been given free rein by all the pantheons,” replied the boy.

  Chapter Ten

  Welcome to the War

  With those parting words, the boy left, and the spouses found themselves in the middle of a few troubled individuals. Except for Habrok, Kobu, and Astrid, the rest had their own temperaments on display. The dragoness was cursing in the direction of Tartarus. Thyma was uncharacteristically quiet and sat by herself. The einherjar was murmuring angrily to himself while scuffing at the dirt with his armored boots. Asag was his unusually quiet self, idly looking at the broken Gates. Tyler sighed and decided to deal first with Tyndur.

  “I don’t know what’s troubling me,” replied the warrior to the mage’s query, glancing at the entrance to the dark domain. “But I feel like I’ve thrown out of favorite tavern through no fault of my own. Still thinking here, lad.”

  The dragoness was more vocal in her complaint. She felt greatly insulted by the boy’s assessment of her power. But Tyler knew Kapnos was right. Typhoeus could easily break Gullin in half. The dragoness just didn’t have the experience and the ability to fight in the big leagues. But the mage wisely kept quiet, letting the young draken blow off steam. He knew that deep down, the dragoness realized her limitations too. She was just too proud to admit it right now.

  “Too many things to think about, Archmage. I have to talk to my elders,” said Gullin finally. “I have to leave your company. When matters are clearer, I’ll be back to share my thoughts.”

  Without another word, the dragoness turned and walked away. The rest of the company stared at the departing figure. They heard everything, but Tyler believed the group expected some sort of farewell.

  “You have to excuse her,” announced the mage. “She’s a bit upset.”

  “A bit upset. Same as having diarrhea is mere stomach discomfort. Well, I would be if I were in her place,” knowingly grinned the einherjar. “The boy’s words were telling. But I also have to take my leave. Eira is back, and my own quest beckons.”

  Tyler was startled by the warrior’s statement. The warrior had told him about such an intention back in the Dokkalfr Mountains, but he didn’t expect the einherjar to leave so soon.

  “You could stay with us as we journey back to Fossegrim if that’s the direction you intend to go,” offered Tyler.

  “Ah, my thanks, sire, but my gut tells me to start with the Barrens. I have explored a bit of the north, and for some reason, the west beckons,” grinned the einherjar.

  “Then our thanks and until we meet again, Tyndur. I hope to see you back with the company soon,” said the mage as he clasped the einherjar’s hand. Eira came close and kissed the warrior on the cheek, together with a whispered thank you.

  Tyler just smiled at the resulting faint blush, and with a hasty, gruff goodbye to all, the warrior turned and left. The warrior wasn’t really into long farewells. The mage turned to the much-reduced assembly and grinned, both at the apparent awkwardness Tyndur felt and the group’s expectant faces.

  “It’s still a long way back to Skaney, folks. Plenty of things and people to meet and, hopefully, don’t have to kill along the way.”

  ***

  A wet, green scent came to his notice. It was a floral fragrance, yet sweet and cloying. The mage looked around and saw his companions had noticed the same thing. Except for Asag, who had begun throwing boulders at the gateway to Tartarus. The demon must be bored or instinctively expressing his distaste at what he experienced within the dark realm. The loud booming sounds as the huge rocks hit was distracting. Even so, Tyler thought it was petty, not to mention that the rock deity might actually attract unwelcome interest. He was about to call on Asag to stop when a soft touch on his arm called his attention. The mage turned and saw with a start that it was the old man he had encountered in the walls outside of Akrotiri.

  Asphodel. Tyler now remembered the flowery smell. Hades. The uncloaked deity had his staff and had a faint smile on its face. His black garb was a simple one. But the lord of the Greek underworld didn’t need the trappings of mortal royalty to exude power.

  “Could you please ask your pet to stop throwing rocks at the Gates? I know they’re broken, but Kerberos is back on guard,” said the Greek god of the underworld nonchalantly.

  Tyler whirled and saw Asag furiously throwing more boulders, larger ones this time, at six pairs of huge glowing eyes within the darkness beyond the entrance. The Hound of Hades had returned and the rock demon immediately reacted with hostility. Asag promptly increased the pace of his rocky barrage. Kerberos couldn’t step out of the Tartarus without Hades’s consent, and the mage knew that the deity wouldn’t let the creature leave his post. There was too much risk of damned souls and dangerous entities escaping their prison.

  “Asag! Stop tormenting that poor creature!” Tyler called out. But all the mage got was a shout that the demon still remembered how bad it was inside a dog’s stomach.

  “Kerberos wasn’t himself and you know that,” admonished Tyler as he yelled back. The demon relented, but still maintained his baleful watch on the fiery orbs. The mage turned to Hades and swiftly apologized for the demon’s behavior. The deity chuckled and said he understood Asag’s reaction. Then he reached out and gave the mage’s arm a gentle press. It was a touch of reassurance and thankfulness. Contrary to what he expected, Hades’s touch was warm, not cold. But he decided the deity could change it, depending on his mood.

  “Our thanks for resolving part of our problems. It’s chaos out here. War still rages, though the sides are presently licking their wounds and deciding what to do next. A breather of sorts. Though with Iapetus gone, we’ve only got brawns to worry about now. Tartarus is still a field of battle, and I guess Thanatos will have to practice his martial skills within Tartarus. My presence is needed out here. But instructions have to be given,” explained Hades.

  “Why not let Kapnos handle them?” asked Tyler, using the name Khaos chose for himself.

  “Kapnos. I guess you’re referring to the entity which forms the domain. Tartarus is a prison. The rogues have to be back in their cages. Obviously, we can’t expel them from that realm. Khaos could do it, but it’s imperative that he goes back to his slumber. Asking him to take care of the problem would be like asking a wolf to drive away the foxes threatening one’s chicken coop. Believe me, you wouldn’t want him awake and active for a long time. Anyway, he already had his fill of drama for an age. He’s still quite excited about his adventure. It would take me a while to calm him down,” grinned the deity. “Though he could do some small chores before he goes to bed.”

  The mage laughed and replied that the company will be on its way to Fossegrim shortly. Eira needed to be among her woods again, and afterward, the group has another destination in mind.

  “I might be of some help. Skaney is a long way from here and the route is even more dangerous under present conditions. Allow me to bring you there. Unfortunately, I haven’t explored that land after the war between our pantheons erupted millennia ago. The farthest I have been is a settlement called Sigtuna, some distance f
rom Hirdburg. Will that do?” asked Hades.

  Tyler nodded and gestured for the companions to gather around. He vaguely remembered the name of the town, but as long as it was in Skaney, it was a welcome development. Crossing active battlefields was never a good idea. Hades nodded with approval at the quick action of the mage. Tyler reflected that a lot of work must be waiting for the deity. At least Hades made time to thank them.

  “We’ll discuss matters lengthily when time allows. The Greek pantheon owes you a lot, Archmage, and you have made my task immensely easier. I am deeply in your debt and still have to thank you properly,” said Hades as he gathered magical power.

  Another IOU, though that of Zeus came in handy, reflected the mage.

  The mage could sense the raw energy being gathered by the deity. It was quite substantial, enough to level mountains, but the mage figured the distance to Sigtuna was also considerable.

  “Sigtuna is on a plain, but there are small hills nearby. Where do you want to go?” asked the deity when he was ready.

  “The slopes on the hills would be preferable. We don’t know what’s happening on the plains,” answered Tyler. And I have to consult my map.

  “War in Skaney. Didn’t you hear?” said Hades as he released the magical spell.

  I forgot! thought Tyler with alarm. There’s a civil war going on!

  ***

  As the brilliant glare around them dissipated, the company saw that Hades had transported them to the top of a small hill. Specifically, on a bluff overlooking a broad plain. The dim outline of a settlement could be seen in the distance. But the vast space before them was now overrun by men trying their best to hack, slice, crush and cut each other to death. The mage was stupefied, morbidly caught by the bloody and chaotic scene before them. The group was providentially some distance away from the fighting.

  Still, the startling experience of being thrust into being part of the audience of a clash between humans grabbed everyone’s attention. Then a soft whistle sounded and they saw Kobu motioning for everyone to crouch. The exile himself was already kneeling. Tyler realized the company had arrived standing and a wayward gaze would definitely notice them. The mage couldn’t help but observe that of all of them, the warlord was the first to recover from the sudden sight. Everyone immediately complied, though the rock deity adopted a more relaxed sitting posture and an entertained look. Asag was actually lounging on the grass, his eyes avidly taking in the mayhem on the plain.

  The exile made the right call, reflected the mage. Pending any decision on the part of Tyler, there was no point in calling attention to the company. But he wasn’t sure if the sudden surge in ambient magical energy arising from their arrival had attracted the attention of any of the mages on the battlefield. If it did, the group would be deemed neutral until it acted in favor of one side or the other. Tyler could see battle flags everywhere but didn’t have an idea of what was going on. He did recognize the banners of the jarls of Hedmark and Voss. Tyler involuntary glanced at Eira and then decided she would have no knowledge about the human kingdoms and principalities of Skaney. It would have to be the Valkyrie.

  As he called Astrid to his side, he heard Kobu tell him the battle was still in its skirmish stage. One side was testing the other’s positional strength. Tyler couldn’t tell. What thrust itself into his vision was the horrifying sight of bloodied bodies, the rain of arrows, and the loud cracks of magical spells being unleashed. When the Valkyrie arrived, Tyler asked about the flags he had observed. The standards of Hedmark and Voss, together with those of others, were on the defending side. The mage could make out troop dispositions, but decided he’d get Kobu to explain the situation in more detail after getting more information about who was involved in the battle.

  “I’ll try, sire,” replied the Valkyrie upon hearing Tyler’s request.

  Astrid told the mage that the defenders appeared to be that of Hedmark and Voss for the most part, with detachments from Ranrike, the independent fortress of Toten, and the Lord of the Barren Hills. She expressed surprise at seeing the standard of Ravndal on the side of the jarls, saying that the mining township had always been a close economic affiliate of the High King. There were a few other banners of small groups she didn’t recognize. Still, Astrid assumed they were from the mountain settlements on the western borders of Skaney. They were more like warbands rather than the larger regular formations the jarls deployed.

  The attackers bore the banner of the High King and the principality of Ahrensburg. A large contingent with the flag of Viken and the autonomous trading city of Norvegr were also present. The Valkyrie noted the absence of detachments from the eastern jarls such as Telemark and Vestfold, but suggested that those places were still recovering from the previous war with Ymir. Either that or they themselves were under attack if they didn’t accede to the new laws of the High King. In this kind of war, there were no neutral sides, commented Astrid.

  The mage thanked the Valkyrie and asked Kobu for his observations. The exile quickly pointed out that in terms of numbers, the jarls had a lot fewer men under arms. In the kind of troops fielded, the attackers had the advantage of cavalry and more heavily armored forces. The conventional formation the High King adopted merely emphasized the confidence of the attackers. Tyler could now see the differences Kobu had pointed out. Only in the number of archers did the jarls have an advantage. As to mages, it was difficult to tell as they were interspersed with warriors. At least nobody had yet summoned magical creatures, but the mage assumed those were spells reserved for the main event if the mages present were capable of such conjurations.

  “You did promise the Jarl of Hedmark your aid in this war,” Kobu reminded the mage suddenly.

  “I know. But it’s such a waste of military resources and lives. These warriors could be fighting a common enemy instead,” replied Tyler sadly.

  “One side could already be fighting for the common enemy, sire,” commented the exile thoughtfully.

  “That’s also possible. But for now, I have to keep my word,” answered Tyler firmly as he stood up.

  The defenders were, in his estimate, about twelve thousand strong. An impressive number for the defending jarls, considering Hedmark had just lost a lot of men during the undead invasion. But he could also see that most were bowmen and spearmen. Around a couple of thousand could be considered heavy infantry, and half of such armored heavyweights were flying the flag of Ravndal. This group was assembled in a rectangular formation to the left of the modified circular schiltron of the defenders. Two smaller groups deployed in shield walls formed the right flank of the circle. A third group comprising cavalry was positioned some distance to its rear. Tyler discounted the mounted warriors as a significant contingent. At most, they were about two to three hundred strong and could only serve as a harrying or clean up force.

  The modified schiltron looked like an unfinished circle. A gap at the rear was left open, though it could quickly be closed by a tightening movement of the ranks of arrayed spearmen. Inside the iron band of lances – long heavy boar spears by the looks of it – were the archers and the army’s baggage train. Tyler saw that the wagons had been unloaded and also arranged in a circular formation. Shields and planks covered the sides and archers crowded the improvised elevated positions. The entire placement looked like a mobile fortress. It also meant the rebel jarls had given up the initiative in the battle. Sharp wooden stakes have been buried in the ground in front of the formation and heavy ropes were tied to the killing posts, forming an impromptu net across the barricade. Some shorter spikes filled the gaps between the longer stationary pikes. There were some heavily armored warriors inside the circle, but they were dispersed and guarded figures the Archmage surmised were mages of the defense.

  The High King’s forces were far more numerous and were deployed conventionally. The mage calculated it at easily four times the defending army. Cavalry was on the flanks and infantry was stationed in the middle. The groundpounders were arranged in three large and squarish
shield wall formations. However, Kobu noted that the elements after the first three ranks were more loosely positioned. He surmised they were to serve as the final blow once the defensive circle was breached. Archers in front of the shield wall completed the battle array. The exile noted that the formation of the defenders at least presented a shorter and thicker line of defense.

  At that moment, several warbands were attacking the right side of the schiltron and the pair comprising the right flank element. The armored contingent from Ravndal was left undisturbed. Kobu asked to see Tyler’s map and then offered the view that Sigtuna was the linchpin to the northwest regions of Skaney. Taking it would put the High King in the perfect position to separate Hedmark from Voss, and offered a way toward the other rebellious western regions.

  “An interesting deployment. Not one which I would choose, unless other factors are in play. A schiltron, or a ring of iron flowers as we call it back home, is a purely defensive arrangement,” mused Kobu. “To have flanks and a gap, no matter how minimal, raises questions. I doubt if the Jarl of Hedmark is a stupid man. We’ve seen his mettle. But the odds are clearly against him. His formation is clearly not a kuruma gakari, indicating an offensive posture is farthest from his mind. Attrition, or mere survival, must be the sole objective of the defender.”