by Dan McGirt
“You’re not starting that again, are you? I haven’t even had breakfast!”
“You cannot escape your destiny,” said Timeon.
Merc was about to make an undoubtedly sour comment, but Raella cut him off. “Your role in unfolding events is important, as we have seen. But no one expects you to do more than is reasonable, nor to carry on your quest alone.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“But before we discuss your journey, there are certain duties I must perform in my capacity as Supreme Raediatrix of the Holy Church of Rae. We must formalize your acceptance of Rae as your patron goddess.” She thrust a faintly growing sheet of parchment and a pen into my hands. “Sign here.”
“Did I accept?”
“Her mark is quite vividly upon you.”
Seeing my tanned face in the mirror, I had to concede the point.
“You hesitate,” said Raella.
“I don’t mean to give offense, Your Majesty, but did not the Bright Goddess strike you as a bit...ah...scatterbrained?”
“What of it?” said Raella sweetly, but with a hint of steel in her voice.
“I believe Jason is suggesting that Rae is not quite what he is looking for in a patron deity,” said Merc, with characteristic tact.
“I’m really not looking for a patron at all,” I said. “As I told the Goddess Rae, I’m deeply honored, but—”
“But?” said Raella. I promptly shut my mouth. Seeing that I had no further comments to make, the queen continued. “The Goddess Rae is responsible for the life giving, warmth bringing sun, and she has chosen to favor you with her patronage. I must believe that your thoughts of spurning her gracious offer spring from ignorance. You witnessed her destruction of the demonic horde—know you not that in times of gravest peril you too may call upon her for succor? Wheresoever the sun shineth, there she will watch over you and guide you in need. All who honor and serve her will welcome you like a brother and honor you like a king. They will render you whatever service you may require if it is within their ability. Would you, in your present straits, refuse these boons?”
“When you put it that way, no.”
“If it is any comfort, you will most often communicate with the Bright Goddess through me. As her chief representative in Arden I am charged with interpreting her will and guiding her worshippers.”
“In that case, I heartily accept the Goddess Rae as my patron.” I signed the document and returned it to her.
“Excellent! I welcome you to her service. May the sun ever shine on your face, but not in your eye.” She touched my brow with both hands as she spoke these words. “Just between us,” the queen whispered, leaning close, “she does seem a bit unfocused. But mysterious are the ways of The Gods.” She smiled covertly and stepped away from me. “Now we must discuss your expedition.”
“Yes,” said Timeon. “It is of utmost urgency that you make your way with all haste to the Shrine of Greenleaf. The League will provide you what assistance we can.”
“I’ll need it if I’m going to have more days like yesterday.”
“Not to worry,” said Merc. “I’m coming with you. And we can avoid many problems by flying.”
I felt queasy at the mere thought of taking to the sky again. “I’d rather take my chances on the ground, thank you.”
“This flight should be less harrowing than the last.”
“How could it not be?”
“We survived, didn’t we?”
“True.” I swallowed hard. “When do we leave?”
“Immediately. Before our enemies mount another attack.”
Timeon withdrew from his pocket a gold ring set with a clear purple amethyst. “Behold the Ring of Raxx, reputedly worn by the Mighty Champion, your ancestor, the first Jason Cosmo. It is said to possess wondrous magical properties.”
“What does it do?” I said, my imagination fired by the possibilities. I knew many tales of magic rings and their powers. “Will it make me invisible?”
“No.”
“Grant wishes?”
“Doubtful.”
“Make me invincible in battle?”
“You wish.”
“What then?”
Timeon coughed in embarrassment. “In truth, we have no idea what the ring does. It has been in the keeping of the League for many centuries. We have studied it carefully, but we are unable to determine its capabilities. Still, if you are truly a new incarnation of the Mighty Champion—”
“Which I’m not.”
“—the ring may reveal its powers to you.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“We can always pawn it for quick cash,” said Merc.
I accepted the ring and slipped it onto my hand. It was a good fit, but I felt absolutely no sort of arcane tingle or other indication that the item was in any way enchanted.
“May it serve you well,” said Timeon.
“I’m sure it will.” I waited, expecting more. After a moment of awkward silence I realized the Ring of Raxx was the extent of the League’s assistance.
Mercury headed for the door. “Eat your breakfast, take your leave of the twins, and join me on the north landing within the hour.”
The trio of wizards departed. A bevy of servants brought in my breakfast of fruit, bread, cheese, eggs, sausage, and steaming porridge. I wolfed down the food, combed my hair, and strolled across the hall to see the twins. Sapphrina lay in bed, her face puffed with bruises. Rubis sat beside her, holding an ice pack in place against her sister’s swollen jaw.
“Good morning,” I said, approaching the bed. I took Sapphrina’s hand in mine. “How do you feel?”
She gave me a weak but winning smile. “Not much better than I look. Between dodging demons, being possessed, and duking it out with a certain dashing Darnkite, I took quite a pounding yesterday. But I’ll be back on my feet soon enough. Where did you get that fabulous tan?”
“Long story. I have come to say farewell. I am departing within the hour for the Incredibly Dark Forest.”
“The Incredibly Dark Forest!” exclaimed Rubis. “By The Gods, why?”
“That is where I will learn the truth. And, I hope, learn how to end the madness and danger that have taken over my life.”
“The Incredibly Dark Forest will end your life, period!” said Sapphrina. “Oh, Jason, don’t go there! Come with us to Caratha!”
“The queen has promised us safe transport as soon as Sapphrina is ready to travel,” said Rubis. “Oh, do say you will come!”
I shook my head. “I still have the Dark Magic Society, the Demon Lords, and hordes of bounty hunters on my trail. But once I take care of those little problems, I will come to you in Caratha. I promise.”
“Are you mad?” said Sapphrina, her eyes welling with tears. “You’ll be killed and I will never see you again!”
“Thanks for the encouragement.”
“You know what I mean. Come with us! Please?”
“For your own sake, I dare not. Not until all this is behind me. You have been in constant danger since you met me. Wolves, mercenaries, bounty hunters, demons. More demons. You’re lucky to have made it this far alive. I will not have your blood on my hands!”
“Too late for that,” said Sapphrina. “You bloodied my nose only yesterday.”
“I know.” My face reddened with shame at the memory. “But that is exactly my point! You’re in danger every second we are together, from one enemy or another.”
“It’s a dangerous world,” said Sapphrina.
I shook my head. “This must be goodbye for now.”
“I suppose you’re right,” said Rubis, rising and planting a kiss on my cheek. “I think I will take a well-timed walk now.”
She handed me the ice pack and left the room. I took her place at Sapphrina’s side. She caught my hand as I positioned the ice.
“Enough. My face is frozen. Rubis is worse than a mother hen when I am ill.”
“Very well.” I put the ice aside.
“That makes two of us.”
She smiled. “I have known you but a short time. Yet it seems like forever.”
“I feel that way too.”
“Oh, Jason, I will miss you! If anything should happen to you—and let us not deceive ourselves, it probably will—I shall be devastated. You are the kindest, bravest, noblest, best man I have ever known.”
“Thank you,” I said. “As it happens, you are the best, bravest, and kindest woman I have ever met. No slight to Rubis, but you have an extra special spark that makes you...”
“Yes?”
“Well, extra special.”
“Jason...”
“Sapphrina...”
“Before you go, I want you to know that I—”
“Before I leave, I wanted to say that—”
“Yes?”
“Well?”
“With all my heart I—mmmph!”
On impulse, I cut her off with a kiss. Considering her condition she was surprisingly energetic in her response.
Eventually we came up for air.
“Whatever you were about to say,” I said, “Save it on your lips and tell me when I return to you. That will give me the most powerful incentive of all to come back alive.”
“Why, Jason! What a romantic thing to say!”
“It just came to me. But I will return to you, I swear it!”
Her eyes sparkled. “I’ll look forward to it. Now kiss me again and go smite the forces of evil.”
“Gladly!”
Our lips met once again. And became fairly well acquainted.
***
After taking my leave of the twins, I mounted a long and winding flight of stairs to the north landing, where Mercury and Raella awaited me. I took barely two steps into the morning light before a surge of invigorating energy suffused my limbs. Caught unawares, I staggered backward.
“Whoa!” I said, steadying myself against the balustrade.
“What is it, Jason?” asked the queen.
“I feel...tingly.”
“Zastrian girls have that effect on some men,” said Merc.
Raella shot the wizard a stern look. “Can you describe this tingling sensation, Jason?”
“Every sinew and fiber of my body feels strangely warm. As if I am filled with fire, if that makes sense. But not a burning flame. More like a sustaining heat. Like the warm glow you feel after quaffing a good rotmelon brandy on a winter’s eve. But without the temporary blindness and loss of bowel control.”
“That’s to the good,” said Merc.
“I feel strong!” I said, flexing my arms. “Stronger than I’ve ever been in my whole life! I feel like I could lift an ox straight over my head!”
“Why would you do that?” asked Merc.
“What?”
“Lift an ox over your head.”
“I don’t know. Maybe it fell in a hole?”
“Does that often happen in Darnk?”
“Mercury, stop teasing poor Jason,” said Raella. She came to me and took my hands. “This is an occasion for reverent thanks, Jason. You have been favored by the Goddess Rae with one of the most potent blessings she bestows upon her Champions. Henceforth, you will have the strength of ten men, possibly eleven, whenever you stand in the light of the sun.”
“This is incredible!” I flexed my arms. I felt like I could rip a mighty oak tree from the ground with my bare hands. Or punch out a bear. Or perform other astounding feats of strength I couldn't quite imagine at the moment. "It's amazing!"
“It's fairly standard, really,” said Merc. “Ready to fly?”
“Sure,” I said, mustering a brave smile. My sudden surge of strength did nothing to relieve the ominous clenching of my guts at the prospect of another magic carpet ride. “Nothing like soaring hundreds of feet above the ground on an airborne welcome mat.”
“This rug has been thoroughly inspected for defects,” said Raella reassuringly. “You got a bad patch last time.”
“We’ll head northwest, over the Longwash and Orphalia, to where the Arbenflow emerges from the southern end of the Incredibly Dark Forest,” said Merc.
“What of the invasion?” I said.
“The latest reports are most favorable,” said Raella. “General Vixen Hotfur, who commands my northern army, has halted the Orphalian advance. The Brythalian drive has been blunted as well.”
“We’ll be well above the fray,” said Merc. “Halogen lacks the imagination to field any sort of air corps. I expect no problems from that quarter. So enough stalling. Let us go.”
“May the grace of Rae and all The Gods be with you, Jason Cosmo,” said Raella. “And with you, my love.”
The couple embraced for a final kiss and an exchange of whispered endearments I did not try to overhear. Then Merc and I stepped aboard the flying carpet. At his command, we shot straight up, above even the pinnacle of the palace, before speeding northward.
“We should cover fifteen leagues in an hour,” said Mercury. The wind whipped against our faces. Merc’s cloak billowed behind him like an azure banner.
“Wonderful,” I said, fighting to keep my breakfast down.
“Shift the coloration of your clothing to match the blue of the sky, as I have done. It will make us more difficult to spot from the ground.”
“You don’t think the red carpet will give us away?”
“Just do it.”
I willed the transition, again marveling at Raelnan garment magic.
“So just how bad is the Incredibly Dark Forest?” I asked.
Merc shrugged. “Standard evil forest fare, only much worse and more of it. The physical environment is unforgiving. Not exactly a pleasure garden, when every root, leaf, and vine wants to kill you. Bloodthirsty wild animals, strange monsters, ogres, goblins, trolls—the usual assortment of dangerous denizens. We’ll be lucky to survive, much less find this shrine.”
“What do you know about the Shrine of Greenleaf?”
“I’ve never heard of it. The only tales I know that reference the juncture of the Hidden River and the Arbenflow tell of a haunted castle filled with cursed treasure. I know nothing of a holy shrine. It seems an odd place to locate one.”
“Do you think my aura is false?”
“No. But The Gods could have made this easier. Though that is not the way of gods.”
“I’ve noticed.”
“No one has ever found the Hidden River. My plan is to skim up the Arbenflow until we do. Or until we are forced to turn back.”
“What could force us back?”
“You don’t want to know.”
***
Soaring over the gentle hills of northern Raelna, we saw the unmistakable signs of war. Geysers of black smoke stained the horizon like dark blood gushing from a chest wound. Ragged streams of refugees clogged the roads to Rae City with rivers of misery, unaware that the capital itself was in ruins. In a matter of hours we neared the Longwash and saw clearly that the boiling smoke came from the burnt husks of two river towns and numerous smaller villages put to the torch by the Orphalians.
The invaders had penetrated less than a league into Raelnan territory before their advance was halted by the realm’s defenders. A knotted string of fortified hills guarded the way to the rich interior of the kingdom. It wouldn’t be easy for the Orphalians to breach this line. The Raelnans were dug in behind ditches filled with pointed stakes and wooden palisades atop earthen ramparts. A barricade of logs and stones blocked the main highway to Rae City. Heavy catapults and mobile ack guns pulled by teams of horses supported these defenses.
Yet the Orphalian forces were undeterred. A pitched battle raged through the hills. Lacking advanced artillery of their own, the Orphalians hoped to overwhelm the defenders with sheer numbers. They attacked tirelessly, clambering up the slopes and crashing against the barricades, falling back under the withering spears and arrows of the Raelnans, then regrouping to charge again. King Halogen’s forces re
sembled a green-uniformed mob more than a true army. Most of his foot soldiers were seasonal levies, farmers and herdsmen performing the service due their king. They fought with admirable courage, but with little coordination of actions. Each little band of troops followed their local baron or knight up this hill or that, with no overall plan apparent in their attacks.
The Raelnans, by contrast, exhibited superb discipline. They left no gaps in the defensive line and seemed able to anticipate every spontaneous tactic of the enemy. Ack gunners directed their fire where it was most needed, backed by the powerful catapults. Reserve troops moved efficiently to relieve hard-pressed sections of the line. The Raelnans wasted not a single sword stroke.
“Orphalia fields antique knights and ill-equipped peasants,” said Merc. “An outdated force best suited for fighting among themselves. Even at their best, they’re no match for Raelnan regulars.”
“Those don’t look like peasants,” I said, pointing to a section of the line where King Halogen’s forces were making something resembling an orderly advance.
“Mercenaries,” said Merc scornfully. “And the dregs at that, by their banners. The Red Weasels. Bilgewater. Gabard’s Goons. Regrettable Outcomes. Halogen has augmented his third-rate mob with second-rate sellswords. To field a force of this size, he must have mortgaged his entire kingdom to the Society.”
“The Society?”
“There is not enough gold in Orphalia’s coffers to pay this many soldiers for single day’s fighting, much less a doomed campaign against Raelna’s finest. No, I smell the Society’s rotten purse at the back of this mess. Here, and in Brythalia too, I’ll warrant.”
“Raelna seems to be holding its own,” I said.
“Raella fields the best army in the Eleven Kingdoms,” said Merc. “With the possible exception of Caratha. But look! What have we there?”
He pointed out an encampment beside a small creek half a league north of the Raelnan lines. Safely out of ack range, the camp was surrounded by a wooden palisade. Only a light guard was on duty, though it seemed a squadron of mounted knights was being held in reserve there.
“See the huge green pavilion in the middle?” asked Merc, steering the carpet to hover high above the camp.
