Champion of the Gods, Books 1-2

by Andrew Q. Gordon

  “After that day, Heminaltose kept a closer eye on Quonus. Eventually, Quonus got tired of the constant surveillance and tried to take it out on me.”

  “How did that go?”

  “Badly for Quonus.” Farrell’s mouth felt dry, so he took a long drink. “The instant Quonus attacked me, Heminaltose sensed the assault and came to find us. Quonus must have hoped he’d kill me quickly and then make good his escape. He was such a fool. He’d mistaken my lack of interest in fighting him as weakness on my part. Had he taken the time, he’d have known that even at fourteen, I was already more powerful than he’d ever become.”

  Farrell closed his eyes. Thinking about the day sent a chill through his body. It had been the first time he’d ever hated someone enough to try to kill them. “He must have thought himself clever, but his constant sniping taught me to wear my shields at all times. Even taken unaware, I easily withstood his assault. When I turned to counter, for the first time since he’d started to torment me, I saw fear in his eyes.”

  He hated that he’d reveled in that moment. All the times he’d done as Samruel said and not retaliated, he’d felt weak. Seeing Quonus scared of him, however, made Farrell feel powerful. He’d never told anyone how much he’d enjoyed the feeling that day.

  “Did you kill him?” Farrell heard the fear in Miceral’s question

  He looked over and quickly turned away, unable to face his life partner. Miceral was a true warrior, one who fought only when needed and didn’t take pleasure in killing. Farrell couldn’t say the same. He had wanted to kill Quonus.

  “No. Not that I didn’t try.” He shook his head, still ashamed of what had happened. “I wanted to, tried even, but Heminaltose arrived just as I prepared to deliver a killing strike. He… he stopped me—barely.”

  Heminaltose had told him later that even he felt a twinge of fear when he saw Farrell about to attack his fellow student.

  “You never had the opportunity to meet my master, but Heminaltose was without peer. Our shields might have been tissue paper to him that day. He shouted his anger at us and in a heartbeat, he locked us both in a stasis spell so powerful I could barely breathe.” Farrell swallowed loudly.

  “I’ll bet Heminaltose wasn’t happy.”

  Farrell snorted softly. “That’s an understatement. To that point in my life, I’d never seen him that angry.”

  “What happened to Quonus?”

  “Heminaltose expelled him with bindings on his powers.” Farrell sighed. “None of that really answered your question. Once I learned to fly, I discovered I enjoyed the peace of sitting where no one could intrude on me. This proved especially true when I went to Yar-del or other big cities. Over time it has become a habit.”

  Miceral didn’t say anything, and Farrell began to worry he’d said too much. “Sorry you asked?” He tried to make it sound like a joke, but he heard the fear in his voice.

  Rather than answer, Miceral reached over. Farrell jumped at first from the contact but let Miceral lace their fingers together.

  “No, I’m not sorry I asked.” He bent forward and kissed Farrell’s fingers. “As ridiculous as this sounds, I’m sorry I couldn’t have been there to stop Quonus from making your life so miserable.”

  Farrell started to chuckle. “You being there is about the only thing that could have made it worse. If I’m skinny now, you should have seen me then. I did too much magic too soon, and it showed. One of the tailors used to say if I didn’t gain some weight soon, I’d blow away with the next good breeze.”

  Miceral smiled, but before he answered, his eyes darted over Farrell’s shoulder. Turning, Farrell saw a priestess of Seritia coming their way, escorted by Marisa.

  “Farrell, Miceral”—Marissa motioned toward them—“this is Mother Mergrania, High Priestess of Seritia for Dumbarten. She has asked to speak to you both.”

  Marissa turned and left. The middle-aged priestess watched their host walk away before she turned to face them. Her graying brown hair moved slightly in the gentle breeze.

  “Greetings, Chosen.” She bowed toward Farrell. “The high priestess in Agloth has denied your request to use a temple Door. All pilgrimages, even from Seritia’s Chosen, must be made over land.”

  “Pilgrimage?” Farrell turned to Miceral and saw the same confusion he felt etched on his partner’s face. “We… I’m not coming to ask for her blessing, Mother. Grand Master Kel left something for me in the city.”

  The priestess smiled. “I can see our Holy Mother has blessed you and Khron’s Chosen, but if you come to Agloth seeking anything, you are a pilgrim.”

  Farrell resisted the urge to throw up his hands. “Mother, I’m not going Agloth for my own purposes. As the champion of the Six, I’m going to Agloth to fulfill Their will. Can you ask the high priestess to reconsider? Anything that makes my task harder can’t be the will of the Six.”

  Mother Mergrania gave him a sympathetic shrug. “The denial came from Seritia Herself. Mother Joella was inclined to agree to your request, but the Holy Mother made Her will known.”

  It felt like Master Thomas just knocked him on his arse. The Six were trying to make it more difficult?

  “There is more.” The priestess sounded almost embarrassed as she drew Farrell’s attention back to her. “In order to gain admittance to the city, you must bring with you a devotee of each of Seritia’s five siblings.”

  “What?” Kel told him he had to go, but that was before he knew Seritia would make it so difficult. “Did She say why?”

  “No.” She shook her head. “At least not to me.”

  “This makes no sense.” He turned to Miceral and threw up his hands. “Why not tell me to bring Her Meglar’s head as well?”

  “It’s not that bad.” Miceral pulled Farrell’s hands into his. “Whatever Seritia’s reasons, She wouldn’t impose these conditions if She didn’t think they were important.”

  “Your life partner speaks the truth, Chosen,” the priestess said. “Though we might not see the wisdom in Her words, that doesn’t mean they are frivolous.”

  Farrell nodded several times and pulled his hands free. “I understand. Thank you for coming by to give me the message personally.”

  “Of course, Chosen.” She bowed her head politely. “The blessings of Seritia be with you both.”

  As he watched her leave, he felt his frustration build. He didn’t have the time to waste riding across half of Loudria to reach Agloth. Of course, before he could do that, he needed to assemble the right people. Something told him that Seritia had some very specific ideas on who She wanted him to bring with him to Agloth. The trick would be finding them.

  “What now?” Miceral asked, breaking the downward spiral his thoughts created.

  “Now? We figure out how to get to Agloth.”

  Somehow.

  GODS OF NENDOR

  Arritisa—Goddess of the Sea.

  Falcron—God of Wisdom. He and his sister, Seritia, are sometimes referred to as the “The Twins.”

  Honorus—Eldest and king of the gods. Often referred to as the Sky Father and Lord of the Sky. The patron god of the peregrines.

  Khron—God of War. Closely associated with dwarves.

  Lenore—Goddess of the Earth. Often referred to as the Mother of Us All. Closely associated with Honorus. The patron goddess of unicorns and Muchari.

  Neldin—God of the Underworld. Sometimes referred to as the God of Death or God of Evil. Ruler of Neblor, the netherworld where his worshippers go after death.

  Seritia—Goddess of Love. She and her brother, Falcron, are sometimes referred to as “The Twins.”

  PEOPLE

  Aderic—Captain of the wizard constables of Belsport. Master wizard.

  Alicia—Princess of Belsport.

  Bartholomew—Master wizard residing at Northhelm who assisted Farrell in evacuating the city.

  Baylec—Muchari weapons master who trained Miceral and later Farrell.

  Beatrice—Legendary grand master wizard often mentio
ned in the same breath as Kel. Helped hide Northhelm from the world at large. One time teacher of Grand Master Heminaltose.

  Bren and Gena—Parents of Kel and Hevnor. They lived in Kentar and the island of Dumbarten over three thousand years before Farrell was born.

  Bren—Last King of Yar-del, descendant of Kel, father of Zenora.

  Christian—King of Honal and father of Prince Kerstand.

  Clement—Last King of Endor. Helped Farrell lead the resistance before his death.

  Covis—King of Respital.

  Cylinda—Master wizard who resides at Haven.

  Darius—Master wizard and chief wizard of Belsport.

  Erstad—Master wizard, mentor and teacher to Farrell.

  Farrell—Birth name Halloran. Grand master wizard and Prince of Haven. Son of Queen Zenora of Yar-del and King Meglar of Zargon. Descendant of Grand Master Kel. Was sent from Yar-del at the age of two and rumor spread that he’d been killed to keep Meglar from kidnapping him. Champion of the Six and Chosen of Honorus. Life partner of Miceral.

  Glaus—Baron of Honal and cousin of Prince Kerstand. Sent along with Kerstand to secure aid from Haven.

  Glendora—Wizard priestess of Lenore who came with the Muchari to Haven.

  Grohl—Peregrine. Son of Rothdin, brother of Takala, adoptive brother to Farrell.

  Heldin—King of Pelipan.

  Heminaltose—Grand master wizard and first teacher to Farrell. Considered the greatest wizard of his age. Founded Haven. Died along with Queen Zenora fighting Meglar at Yar-del City.

  Horgon—Father of Miceral, leader of the Muchari and first minister of Haven.

  Jameson—Master wizard residing at Northhelm when the city was evacuated.

  Jursten—Prince of Endor. Refused to be crowned king until Endor is restored.

  Kel—Grand master wizard. Considered the greatest wizard of all time by many. Ended the first war of the gods. First Champion of the Six. Founder of Yar-del.

  Kerstand—Prince of Honal. Sent to Haven to ensure the line of Honal survived the coming war.

  Klissmor—Unicorn. Mate to Queen Nerti. Allows Miceral to ride him.

  Lilian—Muchari wife of Ostert. Pregnant when her husband died at the battle of Belsport.

  Lisle—Housekeeper and surrogate mother to Farrell.

  Miceral—Muchari warrior. Son of Horgon, leader of the Muchari. Life partner of Farrell.

  Nerti—Unicorn queen. One of the oldest beings on Nendor. Mate to Klissmor. She allows Farrell to ride her to aid in the fight against Neldin.

  Ostert—Friend of Miceral and Farrell’s. Died at the Battle of Belsport.

  Peter—Prince of Belsport.

  Reinhard—Captain of the constables of Belsport.

  Rothdin—King of the peregrines. Father of Grohl and Takala. Adopted father of Farrell. One of the oldest beings on Nendor.

  Sanduval—Grand master wizard. Friend of Heminaltose. Assumed leadership of Haven after Heminaltose died. Mentor and teacher to Farrell. Killed by Meglar defending Endor.

  Takala—Peregrine. Son of Rothdin, brother of Grohl, adoptive brother to Farrell.

  Thomas—Weapons master of Yar-del.

  Wesfazial—Master wizard, mentor and teacher to Farrell.

  Wilhelm—Prince and sovereign of Belsport. Father of Peter and Alicia. Ally of Haven.

  Zenora—Queen of Yar-del, Halloran’s mother, and descendant of Kel. Married Prince Meglar of Zargon in an attempt to combine the two kingdoms. Betrayed by Meglar soon after the birth of their son. Died with Heminaltose fighting Meglar.

  PLACES

  Ardus—Smallest of the three main continents of Nendor. Home of the Seven Kingdoms as well as Haven. Last of the three major landmasses to be settled and developed.

  Arvendia—One of the Seven Kingdoms. Third kingdom to be conquered by Meglar.

  Belsport—A Free City of the West. Wealthiest and most northern of the Free Cities.

  Blue Marlin—Upscale Inn where Farrell and Miceral spent their postunion trip.

  Celtan—A Free City of the West.

  Colograd—One of the three dwarf kingdoms. Located in Lourdria.

  Cytus Wood—Tree native to Nendor. Its dense white wood is favored by wizards for its ability to store and channel large amounts of magical energy.

  Dagur—A Free City of the West.

  Dumbarten—Large island off the western coast of Lourdria. Birthplace of Kel.

  Eight Gates of Neblor—Mythical gates that bar the dark creatures of the underworld from invading the world. Often used as a curse or to express surprise.

  Endor—One of the Seven Kingdoms. Ally of Yar-del. Second of the Seven Kingdoms to be conquered by Meglar.

  Erd—Northern continent. Home to the dwarf kingdom of Fracturn and Falcron’s city of Bowient.

  Free Cities of the West—A collection of city-states on the Delmun Sea on the west coast of Ardus. No formal association among the cities.

  Fracturn—One of the three dwarf kingdoms. Located in Erd.

  Glaston—A Northern Free City.

  Hamble—A Free City of the West.

  Haven—Hidden sanctuary originally founded as a school for wizards. Built inside the Trellham Mountains. Expanded by Heminaltose as a place of refuge in anticipation of Meglar’s goal of conquering the Seven Kingdoms.

  Honal—Southwestern-most of the Seven Kingdoms.

  Kelse—A Northern Free City.

  Kentar—One of the three original kingdoms of Dumbarten. Home of Kel and his brother Hevnor, who became King of Dumbarten.

  Lourdria—Largest of the three main continents. Home of Seritia’s city of Agloth and dwarf kingdom of Colograd.

  Merchant Union City-States—A collection of small city-states on the Kessan Ocean on the east coast of Ardus.

  Nagden—A Free City of the West.

  Neblor—Underworld. Home of Neldin and his dark legions.

  Nendor—Name given to the world by the gods.

  Northern Free Cities—Collection of city-states on the north coast of Ardus.

  Pelipan—Northwestern-most of the Seven Kingdoms.

  Pelth—A Free City of the West.

  Plains of Gharaha—Grasslands that abut the Trellham Mountains in the valley where Haven is located.

  Realth—A Northern Free City.

  Respital—One of the Seven Kingdoms. Fourth kingdom to be conquered by Meglar.

  Spagrom—One of the Northern Free Cities.

  Spine of Khron—Large mountain range that forms the northern boundary of the Seven Kingdoms and separates them from the Tehbra Desert and the Northern Free Cities. Home to Northhelm.

  Southern Wastes—Frozen area on the southern tip of Ardus.

  Tabrum—A Northern Free City.

  Teclelion—High Priest of Honorus for Haven.

  Tehbra Desert—Large desert that covers the northern part of Ardus. Home to the Northern Free Cities.

  Therssen—A Free City of the West.

  Trellham—Oldest of the three dwarf kingdoms. Site of the first great war between the gods.

  Trellham Mountains—Mountain range running north-south on the western side of Ardus. Home to Haven and the dwarf city of Trellham.

  Valencia—A Free City of the West.

  Verona—High Priestess of Lenore for Haven.

  Yar-del—One of the Seven Kingdoms. Founded by Kel at the behest of Honorus. First of the Seven Kingdoms to be conquered by Meglar.

  Yar-del City—Capitol of Yar-del.

  Zargon—One of the Seven Kingdoms. Ruled by Meglar after he killed his father. Traditional enemy of Yar-del.

  CREATURES AND THINGS OF NENDOR

  Chamdon—Humans warped by dark magic into mindless creatures with enhanced strength and stamina. Meglar created them by accelerating the aging process in the subjects. Chamdon have short life spans, as they burn out their life force within a few days. Because of their limited mental capacity, they are easily directed by handlers who implant a command that the creatures carry out until redirecte
d again or until death.

  Doors—A means of instantaneous travel between two distant places. Only certain wizards can create a Door, and the wizard must have a firm image of the destination in order to create a terminus to the portal.

  Muchari—Human-looking race of beings who have enhanced strength, speed, stamina, and senses. They are protectors of the unicorns and peregrines and are devoted to Lenore.

  Peregrines—Large raptors who are highly intelligent. When standing upright they are about eight feet tall. Peregrines can communicate mind to mind and have no defined lifespan. Rothdin, the peregrine king, is over seven thousand years old. Peregrines act as guardians of the skies for their lord and master, Honorus.

  Source—A near limitless vessel for storing magical energy. Created by Kel, the spell used to make a Source was a closely guarded family secret among Kel and his heirs. The Source at Yar-del was the only one until Meglar stole the spell and created his own Source. The remains of the Yar-del Source was transferred to Haven when Yar-del City fell to Meglar. Farrell created a second Source outside Haven to store energy to use in his battle with Meglar.

  Summer Festival—One of two major celebrations on Nendor. A traditional time for couples to hold their union ceremonies.

  Unicorns—Beloved of Lenore. They are the guardians of the earth and, like peregrines, communicate mind to mind. Queen Nerti is their ruler. She and her mate, Klissmor, are over seven thousand years old.

  Winter Festival—One of two major celebrations on Nendor. A traditional time for couples to hold their union ceremonies.

  Keep reading for an exclusive excerpt from:

  Farrell thought his quest would end in Dumbarten, but he learns it has only begun. Now he needs to get to Agloth, the temple city to Seritia, but the Goddess Herself orders that he travel as a regular petitioner, and he must bring at least one follower of each of the Six gods of Nendor.

  Along with Miceral, Nerti and Klissmor, and Prince Peter, Farrell enlists the help of Grand Master Penelope and his peregrine brothers. Despite being attacked by a wizard allied with Meglar, they safely reach Agloth. The city, however, has its own secrets, and acquiring the Gift of the Gods Kel hid there will require undoing a millennia-long curse.