Even Gods Must Fall (37 page)

“That is good since you will have to explain to little Nothol how he got his name,” Rekka said with a smile.

Dorl’s head snapped up in confusion. “What are you…what do you mean?”

She laughed and hugged him fiercely. “I believe it is time for me to put down my sword and look to starting a family. A son would be a fitting tribute to Nothol Coll.”

Dorl Theed spun her around three times before setting her back down. The ride south wasn’t going to be half as bad as he imagined.

* * * * *

Trumpets blared out across the land. After nearly a year of continued hardship and warfare, peace had settled across the north. Thousands of citizens from Rogscroft, Delranan, and the Pell Darga clans converged on the growing city of Grunmarrow for the wedding of Aurec and Maleela. Their union would cement the bonds of fellowship between kingdoms and usher in a new age of prosperity. Envoys had already been sent south to Averon and the King was in attendance. Seldom were the times when such grand affairs kissed the world.

Pacing nervously in her chambers behind the wedding chapel, Maleela wrung her hands. She’d loved Aurec from the moment they’d met. This day never seemed like it would arrive. She was scared and excited. The combination of emotions threatened to make her go crazy before stepping out in front of so many people.

“Relax, you’re already queen in all but name,” Bahr told her.

He was the one person allowed in her chambers before the wedding once she’d succeeded in shooing away her attendants. Being the only family she had left, he was her rock during this storm. That didn’t do much to ease her nerves.

“I’m trying to but it’s not every day one gets married and crowned at the same time,” she told him.

He chuckled softly, admiring the way this young lady had grown into a responsible individual.
Through no part of my own, nor her father’s.

“If anyone deserves this moment it is you,” he said.

She stopped and looked him in the eyes. “You’re leaving, aren’t you?”

Letting out a deep breath, Bahr replied, “After the wedding. I’ve done all that was asked of me and it is time to move on. Don’t think I won’t return to check up on you from time to time, though. You may be a queen but you’ve not a quarter of the experience I do.”

“I’ve only just now gotten you into my life, Uncle. I don’t know what to say,” Maleela said while trying to keep the tears from coming.

Bahr embraced his niece for the last time. Sadness clung to the corners of his eyes. “I love you, child. Your mother would have been proud of you. Now go, before you make this old man cry. You’ve a husband to accept.”

“Thank you, Uncle,” Maleela said and hugged him fiercely around the neck.

EPILOGUE

The roads wound across the face of the world, stretching endlessly in sheer amazement for Skuld. Born a street rat in Chadra, he was now a hero of the realm, whatever that meant, and a valuable friend to some of the most important people in Malweir. Never in his wildest imaginations did he think he’d live long enough to see the end of the war much less the dawn of a new chapter in his life.

Youthful eyes stared out across the landscape, absorbing all he could in passing. The world was wide and far and he’d live several lifetimes before seeing it all. Skuld wasn’t too keen on spending so much time wandering the back roads and using his years collecting knowledge. His travelling companion felt otherwise.

Anienam Keiss, once last descendant of the order of Mages, had been granted life eternal by the gods of light and made custodian of Malweir until they deemed it necessary to return. His battle with the Dae’shan had left him near death, perhaps making it easier for him to pass into this new life. Now he was the only Dae’shan. His role was to replace Artiss Gran as the defender of Trennaron and to replenish the ranks to four. The quest would last long after his friends and companions were dust in the ground, but time no longer concerned him. Eternal, Anienam meant to right all of the wrongs committed through the years out of his lack of vision.

“Anienam, what is Ipn Shal like?” Skuld asked when the tedium of endless roads grew too much.

“Naught more than well-preserved ruins these days I’m afraid. Time has not been kind to magic users,” the wizard replied.

“Can it be made great again?”

Anienam smiled from within his gossamer hood. His flowing white robes were pristine in their innocence. “I’ve dreamed of the day when Ipn Shal returned to its former glory and became a place for the wealth of knowledge of all races. Those days are returning. I can feel it in my soul. Others will soon come to join you, Skuld. It will not stand empty for long.”

“But the magic failed before. What can prevent it from doing so again?” the boy asked.

Anienam was both pleased and impressed with his train of thought. “The gods are gone now, Skuld, both light and dark. Their influences are removed from the world and they have given us all free will to make what we will of the future. I cannot promise the road ahead will be easy, nor should it be. With great wisdom comes even greater responsibility. You are now charged with rebuilding all that was lost. I think your hardest task will be in convincing the leaders of the world to allow their subjects free practice of magic. The Mage Wars were long ago but many kingdoms continue to maintain…protective policies designed to prevent another war.

“This is an exciting time, young Skuld. No matter how difficult you find the road ahead, always remember that I shall never be far away. As the guardian of Trennaron it is my responsibility to ensure the world uses magic wisely. It would not do well to squander the gifts of the gods. Together I believe we can forge a better world.”

Skuld beamed at the thought, though his mind couldn’t escape the seemingly impossible task awaiting him. Frightened and excited, he couldn’t wait for his chance to finally make something grand of his life. Dreams of treasure seeking and glory hunting faded as the burden of responsibility settled over his shoulders.

“Will it truly become a grand world, Anienam?” he asked.

The wizard nodded. “Anything is possible.”

* * * * *

Sea spray washed his face as the
Regret
broke waves. Bahr named his new vessel for all that had happened over the last year, choosing to use it as a reminder that, while he had made mistakes, his life ahead was unwritten. Now that his niece was married to King Aurec and Delranan was in the capable hands of Rolnir and Ingrid, he no longer had any ties to his homeland.

Life wouldn’t last much longer. He felt it in his bones. He was tired, mentally and physically. The war against the dark gods had removed certain parts of him he could never get back. Bahr didn’t mind so much. A world traveler, he decided it was time to set sail and see those remote parts of the world he’d missed in his youth. Perhaps there was another adventure waiting over the horizon.

The Sea Wolf gave one final look back at the rocky coast of Delranan and smirked.

END

Thank you for taking the time to enjoy my Northern Crusade series. I hope you will continue enjoying my work by following a link on the next page.

The Northern Crusade Series

Hammers in the Wind

Tides of Blood and Steel

A Whisper After Midnight

Empire of Bones

The Madness of Gods and Kings

Even Gods Must Fall

A History of Malweir Series

Armies of the Silver Mage

The Dragon Hunters

Beyond the Edge of Dawn

The Dark Ranger
(price FREE)

(Book One of the Many Kingdoms series)

Dark Ranger is the first book in the Many Kingdoms trilogy, a familiar fairytale world of monsters and wizards, evil and magic.

Garrett is a Ranger of the Light, a sworn guardian of the natural world and its inhabitants. His duty is to root out evil and destroy it before it can destroy the land he cherishes, but he finds it difficult to identify that evil in himself. His heart is broken by the brutal murder of his beloved, and his thirst for revenge leaves him vulnerable to the manipulation of the blood-wizard, Scythe.

Fellow rangers Wren and Nolan are determined to reclaim their friend's soul and bring him back to the Light. They are aided by a wandering dwarf and a wild fairy who longs for humanity. But as the companions discover, even magic can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved.

Look Homeward, Clockwork Angel

Stanford Parker has a choke-hold on the legalized slave industry. Breeding his brand of clones for whatever horror his clients may have in mind—from hard labor to spare organs—there’s no questioning his product’s quality. But his days may be numbered when someone hires the crew of the airship Masamune to put him out of business. Violet: the gun-slinging airship captain, Moriarty: a disgraced former Inspector, and Tibbs: a genius inventor struggling with a ‘pheta addiction, have a tall order in front of them in bringing down Parker’s heavily defended ranch. They have a plan, but a secret from one of their pasts will endanger the mission; tensions between Violet and Tibbs over differing moral ideals will heighten; and Moriarty’s inquisitive nature will draw him to ask: why haven’t they met their client? Look Homeward, Clockwork Angel is the first in a series of Steam Punk novellas and stories chronicling the harrowing post-apocalyptic adventures of the crew of the airship Masamune and the lives they touch along the way.

Christian W. Freed was born in Buffalo, N.Y. He recently retired from a twenty year career in the U.S. Army. Armies of the Silver Mage is his first book for sale and was written during his tour of duty in Afghanistan. Much of the experiences and battle sequences in his novels come from his three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and a keenly developed understanding of military tactics. He graduated from Campbell University with a degree in history and is pursuing a Masters of Arts degree in Military History from Norwich University. He currently lives outside of Raleigh, N.C. and devotes his time to writing and to his family and their two Bernese Mountain Dogs.

Dramatis Personae

Delranan

Badron- King of Delranan

Bahr- “the Sea Wolf”, captain of the Dragon’s Bane, brother of Badron

Rialla- Queen of Delranan, dies in child birth with Maleela

Maleela- Princess of Delranan

Skuld- street thief

Dorl Theed- sell sword joining Bahr

Nothol Coll- somber partner of Theed

Harnin One Eye- Badron’s adjutant

Ionascu- Harnin’s spy with Bahr

Jarrik- Delranan Lord

Skaning- Delranan Lord

Inion- Delranan Lord

Argis- Delranan Lord- Traitor

Torg- cook aboard the
Dragon’s Bane

Ingrid- Assumes control of rebellion

Inaella- former rebellion leader

Orlek- Ingrid’s second

Harlan- Mercenary aiding the rebellion

Joefke- Rebel

Amendeas- Rebel

Fenning- Rebel leader

The Wolfsreik

General Rolnir- Commanding General

Commander Piper Joach- Rolnir’s second in command

Col. Herger- Cavalry commander

Major Brun-left in Rogscroft to oversee reconstruction

Col. Udo- Infantry commander- leads assault on Arlevon Gale

Rogscroft

King Stelskor- King of Rogscroft

Prince Aurec- prince of Rogscroft

Mahn- scout for Aurec

Raste- rookie scout, Mahn’s partner

Venten- Aurec’s second

Paneolus- Minister of State

General Vajna- Commander of Army

Sergeant Major Thorsson- Highest ranking enlisted man, advisor to Aurec

Yorl and Gaml- brothers that save Thorsson during the siege of Rogscroft

Iocta- master carpenter

Pell Darga

Cuul Ol- tribal leader of the Pell Darga

Sintl Ap- clan leader

Gol Mad- Pell Darga warrior

Others

Boen- Vengeance Knight

Anienam Keiss- aged wizard who joins Bahr, descendant of Dakeb

Rekka Jel- expert swordswoman, from Teng.

Thord- Dwarf Lord of Drimmen Delf

Cpt. Ironfoot- Dwarf warrior that joins Bahr

Amar Kit’han- Lord of the Dae’shan

Kodan Bak- Dae’shan

Pelthit Re- Dae’shan

Artiss Gran- last True Dae’shan

Blekling- Giant, leader of Venheim

Joden- Giant, Elder smith of Venheim

Groge- Giant, chosen to join the quest for the Blud Hamr

Cashi Dam- Warrior from Teng

The Old Mother- Mystic in the village of Fedro

Brug- Dwarf general at the battle of Arlevon Gale

The Aeldruin

Faeldrin

Euorn- scout

Aleor- Faeldrin’s brother, Aeldruin

Aele- Aeldruin

Mearlis- Aeldruin

Freina- Harpy

Brom- Harpy

Garelda- Harpy