The Accidental Archmage - Book Five Read online

  Again, with the “Lady of the Eastern Wind”?

  “And have no fear, First Mage. A daughter she will be to me. And they will return to your party if and when Fate decides. I will find you when that time comes,” advised the deity. “Come, daughter. Let us go heal your sister. Perhaps you’ll learn something new during your stay with us.”

  A suffused glimmer surrounded the trio and then they disappeared. Quiet reigned on the mound as the rest of the companions, Tyler included, looked at the empty spot where Thaut, Asem, and Astrid left the Barrens.

  “Why only her? Can’t I be adopted too?” asked a grumbling Tyndur.

  Chapter Three

  The Feathered Serpent

  Bragi spake:

  8. “A place and a seat | will the gods prepare

  No more in their midst for thee;

  For the gods know well | what men they wish

  To find at their mighty feasts.”

  Loki spake:

  9. “Remember, Othin, | in olden days

  That we both our blood have mixed;

  Then didst thou promise | no ale to pour,

  Unless it were brought for us both.”

  Othin spake:

  10. “Stand forth then, Vithar, | and let the wolf’s father

  Find a seat at our feast;

  Lest evil should Loki | speak aloud

  Here within Ægir’s hall.”

  The group chuckled at Tyndur’s comment. The einherjar grinned back at the remaining members of the party.

  “A little laughter goes a long way, my friends. It ails me to see our party disheartened by such misfortune. But look at it this way, we are all still alive. It is said that not every cloud that darkens the sky brings rain,” said Tyndur with uncharacteristic seriousness though a smile lingered.

  “One of the sagas, I remember,” remarked Habrok.

  “Indeed, it is,” replied Tyndur. “Now our party is two fewer, but it does mean more heads for us to bash.”

  Now that’s the Tyndur I remember. But that serious part of him I have not seen before, thought Tyler. But I appreciate his effort at lifting the spirits of the remaining companions.

  “Gather your things and come closer, our time to leave is nearly upon us,” advised the mage.

  Each man, including Tyler, quickly took hold of waterskins and provisions, shouldering some packs and holding onto others. To the mage, they all looked comical, loaded down with various sacks and bags.

  We’ll sort everything out on the other side. I doubt if all of the bags are full, the mage thought just as a bright circular glow suddenly erupted from the edges of the mound. It rapidly shrank and the luminosity intensified, though Tyler could see that the lower portion of the dazzling half-orb enchantment was not touching the ground. It reached the group, gave off a flash, and disappeared. The knoll was now empty.

  ***

  Disorientation struck Tyler as soon as his feet felt the ground. He dropped the bags slung on his right shoulder while he hung on to the staff. The mage had to close his eyes as a spinning sensation assaulted him when he tried to open them. At the same time, he hoped his companions were better prepared than he was for the sudden change. But even as vertigo made him dizzy, he erected a square barrier around them, estimating the distance from his memory of the positions of the members of the group as they departed the mound.

  Thaut’s transportation spell has a different flavor. I never felt this sick in the transfers made by the other deities, the mage observed as he held onto his spinning head.

  “I have erected a barrier around us. Give me a moment. That transfer made me dizzy,” he called out to the companions.

  “It was a disconcerting trip, sire. But we have recovered. We are on another desolate plain. No creatures in sight. The ground is rocky, and the terrain hilly. But there appear to be trees in the far distance,” Kobu updated him.

  “Elder, if we may?” spoke X.

  “Yes, X?”

  “We apologize, but you should be aware that we have detected faint Elder emanations in front of us, right in the direction you intend to go.”

  “What kind of signals? There are dark Elders in this world as we have confirmed. It could be another cult,” replied Tyler. An image of cockroaches abruptly entered his mind. Quite apt, he concluded.

  “We don’t believe so, sire. It is similar to what one would detect from an Elder shrine, comparable to what we once occupied, but this one is heavily shielded. We doubt if even dark Elders could detect it, much less those of the pantheons of this world. Our temple barriers are specifically attuned to a frequency not accessible to the lost ones,” answered Hal.

  “Interesting. We don’t have any record or information about a shrine in these parts. We’ll find out sooner or later what’s waiting for us. Monitor it. Hopefully, we won’t need to divert from our present course,” said the young mage.

  “Of course, Elder.”

  “Can you call me Tyler or First Mage instead? Even ‘sire’ would do, it’s how members of the party address me. Seeing that Zin structure made me uncomfortable about being called an Elder. I know, they’re Lost Ones. But still…”

  “As you want, First Mage,” replied X.

  “Yes, Elder First Mage,” added Hal.

  I swear Hal really is developing a human sense of humor. Or is he learning it from Tyndur’s dialogue? Well, as long as he doesn’t affect a skaldic air, I guess it’s okay. It was an amusing observation, one that has constantly cropped up since X joined them and Hal was upgraded. The young mage suspected that full sentience was possible once the knowledge required was available. He just didn’t know whether it would be a positive development or a cause for concern.

  Slowly, Tyler opened an eye, trying to gauge its reaction to the bright sun. The dizziness affecting him was now disappearing. Thankfully, it left no queasiness behind. As his vision swept across the surroundings, the morning glare reflecting off the ground momentarily left tears in his eye. Finally, he was able to open the other one. The vista that greeted him did appear to be the same bleak and empty land of the Barrens. He noted the ground seemed to change the closer one got to the second mountain range he could espy ahead. And a dark smear several miles away was indeed a forest, a scraggly one, but a welcome green in the hallmark shades of brown and gray dominating the region.

  That first mountain range must have shielded this part of the Barrens from the worst effects of what happened, Tyler concluded. That means we would be encountering animals and vegetation of the normal kind the closer we get to those tall peaks. But it’s still a long way off.

  He turned around to find Habrok, ready to ask him to sort out their provisions. He found the ranger and the einherjar already doing it while Kobu stood guard. Tyler walked to the exile.

  “Your thoughts, Kobu?”

  “A much better land than the one we left, sire. Hunting animals to add to our food is possible here. I don’t think it would be difficult for the ranger to find water too. If those mountains are our destination, then we have at least several days of travel ahead of us. But if we survived the Void Lands, then I believe the journey would not be too difficult,” replied the man.

  “I pray it would be so, Kobu. Though be warned that, disconcerting and frustrating as it may be, this world has a way of making matters complicated for me,” replied Tyler.

  “I noticed that, sire. But what is food without some spice or salt in it? What is life without its challenges and mysteries?”

  “Oh, don’t go Zen on me, Kobu. It’s easy to say those things when you’re not on the receiving end.”

  “Ah! You know of that discipline, sire? Impressive. Very few outside the lands of Wa know of its existence. Maybe a few priests and monks from the Zhong empire, but for a man of the East to know of Zen, that is a pleasant surprise.” The answer was accompanied by a faint smile.

  Tyler was about to comment when a small shining orb abruptly made its appearance in front of them. It was several meters away, but its gold an
d white radiance made it impossible to miss. The glowing sphere grew and the pair stepped back a few paces, joined by Tyndur and Habrok. The group slowly spread themselves out, a few feet separating them, weapons at the ready.

  “Life in our party never ceases to be interesting,” he heard Tyndur comment with a chuckle.

  “We’ll see if this encounter would be spice or salt,” added Kobu, alluding to their earlier conversation.

  “It could be vinegar,” said Habrok with a laugh.

  Tyler could just shake his head though he was relieved that the remaining members of the group had not lost their usual demeanor despite what had happened to Asem. The orb grew larger and dissipated, revealing a very tall, muscular, and blonde-haired man attired in an Aztec warrior’s garb. He towered over them, easily ten feet in height.

  A massive conch shell adorned his breast and the visitor wore a headdress with a gold band to which were attached numerous multi-colored feathers. The flamboyant adornment reached down to his waist. He was unarmed and held out his right arm, palm out, as a greeting.

  “Sire, what is it with you and deities?” he heard Habrok whisper.

  Tyler didn’t reply. His attention was on the newcomer who walked through his barrier as if it didn’t exist. Meanwhile, he was already furiously trying to come up with options in the event the visitor turned out belligerent or the meeting became a disaster. Either way, he knew he had to come up with a plan. Anything. But nothing came up. The encounter was too sudden for him to think of an idea.

  “Guys! Who is this deity?” he quickly asked his guides.

  “We believe he’s Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent. Known as Kukulkan to the Mayas,” answered Hal.

  “Friendly?”

  “Viracocha did speak well of him, but next few seconds will show if things have changed,” the guide answered. “Remember though, he’s Aztecah. But with a bit of everything thrown in.”

  “Hail, First Mage,” said the giant in the Inkan language, his voice surprisingly gentle for his imposing bulk.

  At the greeting, Tyler noticed his companions all stared at him.

  Now the freaking cat’s out of the bag. My companions now know I am not a mere High Mage, he reflected. Well, except for Tyndur who probably already knew it. He put that consideration out of his mind for the time being. A more pressing concern was right in front of him.

  “Rimaykullayki, great Quetzalcoatl. What brings the Feathered Serpent way out here, in the middle of a wasteland,” replied Tyler.

  The deity grinned. A good sign, thought the mage.

  “My mentor did tell me you were full of surprises. You knew my name. Fortunately, Thaut was kind enough to send me your way. I haven’t been to the northern parts before. Pantheon politics and easing the burden of blood on our people took up my time. I have sent Tlazolteotl, the Aztecah goddess of healing and purification, to help in the recovery of Thaut’s daughter. That’s how I found a way to get here. Patecatl would be of help too, but he’s the messenger of the deity you squashed,” Quetzalcoatl laughed.

  “How is she?”

  “A lot better than worse, but a lot less than hale,” came the cryptic answer.

  “Thanks, that makes matters a lot clearer,” said Tyler in a sardonic tone.

  Quetzalcoatl laughed again, a loud sound that showed genuine merriment and amusement. The deity intently stared at him, a spark of humor in his features.

  “You do know us, First Mage. Without a veil of mystery and a cloak of enigma, what would a deity be? A mere walking focus of power. Bland, colorless, uninteresting in the scheme of things. Even a volcano would have more personality. No, that wouldn’t do. Only those of the dark appear like that. Blind terror, no artistry at all. Some mad ones do try to wrap themselves in their own versions of what we naturally exude… but many fail.”

  “You mentioned a mentor; do I know him? asked the mage.

  The deity looked at him, slight disbelief on his face. Then he relaxed.

  “It doesn’t do your mantle any honor when you ask questions to which you already know the answer.”

  “I apologize,” said the mage.

  Come on, don’t tell me it’s Viracocha! On second thought, it does make sense. The old man has been around for a long time. Even predated a lot of the pantheons around here.

  “How may we be of service?” he asked. “To travel such a distance, far from your usual fields, makes your visitation an urgent one indeed.”

  Good God. It’s so difficult to talk this way. It does keep you on your toes! Verbal fencing, knowing when to be polite, how to conceal intentions within words… And the ability to recognize when indirect insults or hidden threats are being thrown left and right.

  “I wanted to meet the mortal who gave us a chance,” the deity said. “And that incident with that arrogant upstart was an entertaining one. Don’t worry, he still doesn’t know who made a mess of his face. We’re in open war now with the rest of our pantheon. But what else is new? That cycle had been going on for millennia. Though this time, my misguided brethren are severely weakened and facing conflicts of their own making on several fronts. We might win this time.”

  “Fighting against one’s own?” asked Tyler.

  “Don’t mind it. It has gone on since we first laid eyes on the First World. We’re like mortals in that aspect. Peace followed by war—though sibling conflict is brutal, unforgiving. But my time here grows short; I must attend to an ongoing war, as my enemies’ patrons had been defeated, leaving them where we want them. The mortal war is another matter. So, First Mage, how can I show my appreciation? You cannot wriggle out of this one; Zeus’s debt is still unpaid. I heard it’s making him uncomfortable,” replied the deity with a meaningful look.

  A favor? But I think I have to make it realistic and uncomplicated. From what I heard, I doubt if he’s recovered his full strength during his exile and war does await him, the mage considered. And I guess he won’t take ‘no’ or ‘not yet’ for an answer.

  “Well, we are a little the worse for wear. My companions lack armor or weapons of appropriate power, given what we will be facing,” requested Tyler.

  “I will see what I can do. But I cannot include the Valkyrie and Thaut’s daughter. That’s within that god’s purview,” replied Quetzalcoatl. The deity walked toward Tyndur first.

  “An einherjar! Far from the halls of Valhalla!” the entity exclaimed as he neared the warrior.

  “And there’s no way I am going back there. Even if Thor’s blasted goats come to drag me back,” commented the einherjar surly.

  The deity looked at Tyndur closely.

  “An einherjar Fate had marked for a different path. Ah, fear not, warrior. If I could see that, your Allfather could too. Nobody wants to anger Fate. Now, to your weapons and armor. Your armor is of Aesir make, protected and enhanced by their runes and a strange power I cannot identify. It is good enough. And your battleaxe appears to be an ancient one, power smoldering under its shell. The only gift I could give is to awaken it from its slumber; time for it to rouse itself. Great deeds await, Eldhofud! Awake!”

  Suddenly, flames burst around the head of Jorund’s Justice, a great flowing ball of fire. It wrapped the blade in a liquid embrace, with yellow and red tongues moving down to caress the shaft. The einherjar nearly dropped it out of shock. But it didn’t burn Tyndur as the fiery tendrils now danced their way down the handle, caressing the hands of the wielder now tightly gripping the shaft.

  “It will immolate your enemies provided the power of the axe exceeds theirs, but for more powerful opponents, each successful hit will burn the area around the inflicted wound. Unfortunately, the blade of the weapon, due to its nature, won’t be successful against fire draken, flame drakes, salamanders of a fiery affinity, and similar creatures. Demons, though, are fair game. Its fire is a purifying one,” clarified the deity who then turned to Kobu, leaving Tyndur examining his enhanced weapon gleefully.

  “So that’s its secret name, Eldhofud. Fire Head. Quite pr
oper,” Tyler heard the murmuring of the einherjar.

  “The exile from the lands of Wa. Be warned, Lord Warmaster of the clan of….” Quetzalcoatl started to say, stopping upon seeing Kobu’s shocked, desperate look.

  “My apologies for saying things before their time. But three disguised creatures passed through Aztecah lands amidst the conflict and confusion. Ehecatl noted their momentary appearance and sudden northward movements. I brought the aspect of the wind’s description to Viracocha, a fount of lore and knowledge. He suspected them to be Jorogumo from your native land, spider-like traits being their most prominent features. And there is only one target on the mainland worthy of such expenditure of magical power and baleful animosity,” the god continued.

  Tyler believed he saw Kobu’s jaw clench tightly for a second. The man quickly recovered and bowed his head.

  “My utmost thanks for the warning, great deity of the Aztecah. But it will be as Fate decides.”

  “Truly said, exile. But a good suit of armor would help,” said the deity.

  A black suit of armor abruptly appeared on Kobu, replacing his mish-mashed protection. Even the exile was caught off-guard by what happened.

  “A tribute to your homeland, though an old man did contribute something to its appearance. Light but quite difficult to penetrate with conventional weapons and highly resistant to acid and poison. Also to fire—but that idea was not mine. The grandfather recommended it. I decline to improve your weapon. It is exceptional enough.”

  Old man. Grandfather. Wilan? In his true persona? wondered Tyler. I doubt if Quetzalcoatl would use those descriptions lightly. Compared to him, Wilan is indeed an old being.

  The exile quickly got down on his knees and bowed deeply.

  “This is a fabulous gift. One fit for kings and emperors. My utmost thanks, great one,” said Kobu. There was no mistaking the sincerity of the exile’s gratitude.