Author: Andrew Q. Gordon
Category: LGBT
Go to read content：https://onlinereadfreenovel.com/andrew-q-gordon/page,20,481374-when_heroes_fall.html
“Horned bulls,” Kel said. “Aren’t they magnificent?”
Chapter 13
THE RUMBLE increased as the bulls charged closer. Kel’s admiration aside, Farrell didn’t trust anything three times as big as a horse barreling down on them. And that didn’t include the mounted soldiers ready to lower their lances.
“You should go speak to them, Nerti,” Kel said. “If they listen to you, no one will get hurt.”
“Agreed.”
Without asking Farrell his opinion, Nerti trotted past Flemin and toward the running destruction.
“What are we doing?” he asked.
“I am going to tell them to stop, and you are going to protect us if their riders get angry.”
If she hadn’t already put them in the horned bulls’ path, Farrell would have objected to the plan. Not that she’d have listened. Nerti had decided to confront the soldiers, and nothing he said was going to change that.
Committed to this course of action, Farrell scanned the coming soldiers with his wizard’s sight. The lone wizard in the company was a master of average strength. She would be little more than a nuisance.
Focused on the wizard, he’d nearly missed the true threat. Someone wove a spell into the tips of the lances that would cut into a shield. He’d have dismissed it as harmless had he not used it himself recently.
“It seems you did more than just set a few spells for the Stigerians,” he said to Kel.
“I didn’t save all my tricks just for you.”
He wondered what Kel would have done if he’d missed the spell they’d used to destroy the shield at Yar-del. Even propelled by the force of a charging horned bull, a single lance couldn’t crack most shields. Several strikes at once, however, would overload all but the most powerful one. It was risky, but if done right it was deadly.
He added the necessary defense into his shield and wondered if the wizard could see what he’d done. Her troops needed to veer off to prevent serious injuries to riders and bulls. He didn’t want to see them strike his reinforced barrier at full force. Nerti needed to get them to stand down.
“Are you still in my mind?” he asked her.
“No.”
“Then you need to be.” Farrell opened a link and showed her the danger.
“Thank you, but they will heed my request.”
Farrell smiled at the unspoken threat. One way or the other she’d get them to stop. That didn’t prompt him to lower their defenses. There was no downside to staying prepared.
The bulls were less than ten seconds from impact when they pulled up. At least half of the twenty lancers flew ass over elbows onto the hard-packed road. The rest either dropped their lances or slid off the side.
“Deftly done.” He didn’t try to hide his amusement.
The soldiers scrambled to their feet and tried to get the bulls moving. Despite their riders’ efforts, the giant animals refused to budge.
“Riders from Tilerstig. Your mounts stopped because I told them to,” Nerti said. “If you harm them for obeying me, I will stick you with my horn.”
“I suggest you do as she says,” Farrell said, pointing to Nerti. “Queen Nerti is not forgiving to any who harms an animal under her protection.”
The soldiers formed ranks in front of their mounts. One in the center moved a half step in front of the others. “In the name of Queen Pertrice and King Ervend, we order you to surrender.”
“I think I will decline,” Kel said. “When you get your mounts to let you sit on them, you can follow us to the palace. Though I dare say, your horned bulls won’t be able to keep up with Queen Nerti and Prince Flemin.”
“Stop!” the leader barked as those soldiers who could stand held their lances out. “You may not pass.”
“Brave words, but your defenses—my defenses, actually—didn’t work.” Kel waved his hand at the ground. “Your mounts obey Queen Nerti instead of you, and you rely on my magic to try to defeat me. I don’t see how you can stop us from leaving.”
The wizard had looked a bit woozy at first, but her eyes focused now and she had them trained on Kel. Slowly Kel revealed his true aura, and the woman’s mouth fell open. “It can’t be.”
“It can.” Kel gave her one his most condescending smirks. “How else do you explain why the spells meant to repel intruders are active but not attacking us?”
“But…. You…. How is this possible?”
“I am Kel, what more is there?”
“Wow,” Farrell said without looking away. “You’ve just outpomped your own level of pomposity.”
“Hush, child, I’m posturing.”
Farrell didn’t find the situation humorous. Twenty horned bulls and their heavily armed riders stood between him and his destination. And though Kel didn’t appear concerned, Farrell kept a tight grip on his staff.
The wizard examined them for another moment and then reached inside her robe. Energy pulsed down Farrell’s arm and caused the tip of his staff to glow blue. The wizard held up her hands, but her troops closed ranks.
“Stand down,” she said.
Her command did little to calm her soldiers, but neither did they attack. Keeping one hand out, she pulled out a white pendant. The design was similar to the while hawk of Yar-del, but the bird was different.
Farrell glanced at Kel, who displayed a hint of surprise. “It appears your cousin has come to greet us, Grandson.”
“Cousin?” Farrell asked,
“Grandson?” she asked.
Kel laughed. “If I had any doubts, you two just dispelled them.”
Despite the revelation, Farrell refused to lower their protections. Blood relations didn’t mean much in the house of Vedri and less so the further out the connection. They continued to eye each other warily until Kel sighed.
“Please be polite.” He put his hand on Farrell’s staff. “She is no threat, and you won’t get much of a welcome if you maintain your shields all the way to Berstig.”
Farrell stowed his staff on his back but kept the shield up. “Are you certain?”
“Unless my descendants are giving out amulets to everyone, yes.”
Farrell rolled his eyes but kept the smart comeback to himself.
“We are here to speak to the Stigerians,” Nerti said. “If you don’t trust them enough to lower your shield, then we should turn around now.”
Her tacit agreement with Kel’s assessment convinced him to do as Kel asked. The shield winked out and Flemin moved forward.
The soldiers tensed, but the wizard smiled, her excitement barely in check. She nudged her mount forward, and this time the bull obeyed.
“It is an honor beyond words to greet you, Grand Master Kel.” She bowed as deeply as she could without falling off. “The queen and king and didn’t tell us you were coming.”
“They don’t know.” Kel smiled at her. “I realize our arrival is a bit of surprise, but you should not forget your manners. I’ve already introduced myself, but you have not given me your name.”
“My sincere apologies, Grand Master Kel.” She sounded as embarrassed as she looked. “I am Gertaf. My father is the queen’s cousin.”
Kel nodded. “Do I understand the queen can lay claim to kinship to me?”
“Yes, Grand Master Kel. Queen Pertrice is a direct descendant of Queen Lionia the First.”
Kel glanced over with a smug look. “Then I was correct. You and Farrell are cousins.”
“If he is your grandson, we are cousins. Though it is a distant kinship.”
Close or far removed, Farrell felt no connection to this “distant” relation. Gertaf’s troops remained on edge, so Farrell kept his attention on them and not her.
“Then I should like to meet her,” Kel said. “Would you escort us to Berstig?”
Gertaf’s good mood evaporated, and she looked to the troop leader. “I… I’ll need to get permission from the palace. My standing orders do not include bringing anyone from this outpost to the capital. I’ll send a message when we get to the fort. I’
m sure when they hear you are asking to see the queen, they will respond before morning.”
Kel frowned. “That would be a poor use of our time. I think it would be wisest for me to open a Door to Berstig and request an audience.”
“No one can open a Door to the city.”
“I can.” Kel glanced about and slid off Flemin’s back. “Send your message and let them know I’m going to be there in a few minutes. Tell them to expect us by the rear gate.”
She stared at him with her mouth open. “I… we can’t allow you to go to Berstig without authorization.”
“I don’t need permission.” Kel turned his back and a new shield surrounded the five of them. “I suggest you send the message before I finish. I would prefer the first moments of my return not be a consumed with a fight.”
“Now who’s being unhelpful?” Farrell ignored the angry glare from Kel. “Couldn’t we try to get permission before we force our way into the palace?”
“Ask me out loud so your cousin can hear this.”
“I spoke to you in private to avoid embarrassing either of us.”
“I’ve no intention of berating you. I want her to think you’ve stopped me, but only if she contacts the queen. We do not have time to waste two or three days in this Six-forsaken outpost.”
“Grandfather,” Farrell said. The hesitation in his voice made it seem all the more natural. “Perhaps we should ask before you show up unannounced.”
“I’ve asked your cousin to do just that.” Kel shot a glance Gertaf’s way. “She’s refused.”
“Let me try again, please.”
Silence met the request and Kel appeared to think it over. His expression was so realistic, Farrell worried he might have misplayed his role.
“Very well, but if she refuses, we’re going anyway.”
Farrell hoped he could reason with Gertaf. Forcing their way into the city wouldn’t help their cause. When he reached Kel’s shield, he parted the energy and approached his newfound cousin.
“If you have a way to reach the queen, I’d suggest you use it. Kel is… he can be irritable if he thinks someone is wasting his time.” Fortunately it was close enough to the truth.
“They will never grant permission.”
“Not even for Kel?” He raised an eyebrow.
“They will never believe Kel is here.”
Farrell shrugged. “If they don’t, he’ll open a Door and go anyway. Since only he could do that, they will realize you spoke the truth. If he shows up and you don’t ask, they will blame you for not warning them.”
She chewed her lip and rubbed her amulet with her thumb. “Give me a moment.”
Gertaf turned around and fingered the pendant. Farrell walked back to Kel and the others. “She’s trying, but she doesn’t think they’ll agree.”
“They will,” Kel said, getting back on Flemin’s back. “Tilerstig’s chief wizard has already scanned us.”
“What?” Farrell closed his eyes and tried to locate the spell. “I didn’t sense anything.”
“And you wouldn’t have. The spell is woven into the ground.” Kel waved his hand and Farrell could see the component spell. “He knows I’m here and he’s been able to see the unicorns. You and Rojas will be a mystery, but that won’t keep us out.”
“Why not?” Rojas asked.
“Because I’ve not visited for thirteen centuries. The queen and her advisors will be curious as to why I’m here. That and if I am who I claim to be, I can enter the city without their permission.”
“You speak as if you’ve met this wizard,” Farrell said.
“No, but I’ve used my spells to keep tabs on him.”
“Another cousin?”
Kel shook his head “No. Tharles is a descendant of Beatrice’s. But he is the only grand master not born to the royal house in a thousand years.”
“How many others are there?” Farrell couldn’t hide his excitement from his voice. If Tilerstig had enough wizards, they might tilt the balance of power.
“One and several powerful masters. Since Beatrice and I saved the kingdom, there have been four other grand masters born to Lionia and Mekeral’s descendants.”
“Is that significant?”
“I don’t know, but it is interesting how they only came from a union of both our lines.” He glanced over Farrell’s shoulder and nodded in that direction. “She is returning.”
Gertaf’s expression and body language had shifted to unsure. “Tharles said he will meet you where you suggested.”
Kel chuckled and slid off Flemin. “Told you to test me, did he?”
Without waiting for an answer, Kel went to work on his Door. The easy, offhand way he worked magic still amazed Farrell. He snuck a peek at Gertaf, and she seemed equally impressed.
Once he locked in the last point, Kel pushed out his will. The courtyard buzzed with activity. Soldiers ran toward the Door and lined up on either side. Kel shifted his attention from his work to Gertaf.
“Is Tharles convinced I’m who I claim to be?”
“I am.” The voice came from beyond the Door.
A tall man dressed in court attire appeared between the lines and smiled at them. He had a white staff with a red jewel similar to the one on Kel’s staff, only smaller and rounder.
“May I come through?” he asked.
Kel nodded, flicked his fingers, and the shield on his side of the Door disappeared. “You may.”
Tharles stepped over the threshold and bowed before Kel. “Grand Master Tharles, first wizard to the crown of Tilerstig. It is an honor to meet you, Grand Master Kel. Even in isolated Tilerstig your name is still spoken with admiration.”
“Considering Beatrice and I recreated the kingdom, I’d assume you remember my skills.” He winked and motioned to Farrell. “This is my grandson and successor as Champion of the Six, Farrell. He is also king of Trellham and high king of the dwarves.”
“The dwarves?” Tharles eyed Farrell warily. “And your heir?”
“A bit much, Grandfather?”
“No. As you will soon learn, titles are important in Tilerstig.” He smiled to their guest and nodded. “All in due time. Allow me to introduce you to Queen Nerti and her son, Prince Flemin.”
Without missing a stride, Tharles bow to Nerti. “It is an honor, Your Majesty. To my knowledge this is your first time to our land. Please be welcome.”
“Thank you, wizard.” She gave him the barest nod.
Farrell struggled not to laugh. At least she treated everyone the same when she first met them.
“The last of our group is from the far southern tip of Ardus. Rojas is a snow panther and son of the spiritual leader of the Bendari clans.”
“An honor to meet you, Grand Master Tharles.”
This time Tharles couldn’t hide his surprise. He looked over and Kel nodded in Rojas’s direction.
“This is a surprise,” Tharles said before he bowed politely. “You are as far from your home as you can be and still be on Nendor. Welcome.”
Farrell used the time to study their host. He dampened his aura some, but Farrell was able to pierce the veil. Farrell estimated his level to be just above grand master. Not as much as he’d hoped, but still a worthy ally.
From the corner of his eye, Farrell saw Gertaf studying him. When she noticed him looking at her, Gertaf turned away.
“I would like to see the queen, if I may,” Kel said.
“She is looking forward to greeting you as well.” Tharles motioned toward the Door. “I am to lead you to your audience.”
“Are you comfortable with this?” he asked Nerti. “I mean, I don’t want to walk into a trap.”
“I sense no deception from the wizard, but I still plan to remain vigilant.”
Pleased that her assessment matched his, he followed Kel and Tharles through the Door. Gertaf did not join them, and Kel closed the portal once Rojas padded across.
“Welcome back to Berstig.” Tharles nodded to an officer, and the soldiers forme
d into ranks on either side of them. “If you would come this way, I’ll take you to the queen.”
Tharles led them around the palace, affording them a view of life inside the castle walls. For a kingdom on the edge of the barren tundra, Tilerstig appeared prosperous. There were no signs of the decay Farrell had observed in Glaston and Jerdam. These people appeared content and didn’t wear harried, pessimistic expressions.
Their small procession attracted its share of gawkers. If the attention bothered Rojas, he didn’t show it. At a large guarded gate, most of the soldiers pulled to a halt. Inside the inner courtyard, another assembly of guards waited. Beyond them, two people stood alone.
“Queen Pertrice and King Ervend have come to greet you.” Tharles sounded surprised. “They must be eager to meet you all.”
“It is not every day that Kel returns from the mists of legends,” Flemin said.
“Or the queen of the unicorns pays you a visit,” Farrell added.
“Or the high king of the dwarves ventures from his mountain home,” Nerti said.
“If you are all finished being impressed with yourselves,” Kel said, “why don’t we go pay our respects to our hosts?”
Tharles laughed. “Legends did suggest you were not fond of ceremony.”
“Then they captured me well,” Kel said without any humor. “Hopefully your queens and kings took that to heart.”
Tharles shrugged. “Some more than others.”
They marched under the gate, and Farrell felt the power contained in the stones. He also felt a scan come from the courtyard and pushed it back. The second attempt was stronger and so was his response. Pertrice’s eyes narrowed and she regarded the group.
“What are you doing?” Kel asked.
“Someone is trying to scan us, or at least me. I’m letting them know I find it rude.”
“And you call me prickly.”
There were no more probes, and Farrell used the rest of the walk to study his hosts. They were both wizards, but Ervend was only a low-level master. Pertrice was on the cusp, either a powerful master wizard or a low-level grand master. Given the attempts to gauge his powers, Farrell assumed she couldn’t see his true power. He decided to keep them wondering why he was Kel’s heir.