The Accidental Archmage - Book Five, Edmund Batara [best way to read ebooks txt] 📗

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 and 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