Tartarus Beckons, Edmund Batara [bts book recommendations .TXT] 📗

of some human domains,” rebuked the dokkalfr mage in a calm voice.

“I apologize. An instinctive aversion to politics is to blame. What if we kill attacking dokkalfr on our way to the mountains? Would that affect how I could act and be received in your realm?”

“It’s a faction-ridden and power-obsessed world, First Mage. It wouldn’t matter at the least if the group which attacked you find it later to be more expedient to have you by their side. To tell you the truth, even now, with Ymir’s legions at our doors, inter-faction wars are still being waged, with dokkalfr killing dokkalfr. My advice? Defend yourself. The guilty leaders themselves would go to extreme lengths to avoid being connected to any attempt on your life. Freyr would not be pleased, nor would his priests and the mages of the temples, if such a thing would come to light.”

It appears I am about to deal with another level of crazy, thought Tyler. But Freyr’s direct involvement in this war was one he obviously wanted to avoid, especially now with Asgard itself under attack. There must be some rules for this kind of thing? Is conflict on Adar considered different from a war waged on the deity’s home grounds?

“But first, I have my duty to make sure you arrive at the Dokkalfr Mountains,” said the stranger.

Map of the Dokkalfr Mage

Chapter Seven

A Roll of the Dice

Later that night, Tyler watched the sleeping town from his window. Beside him stood the ever-present exile. The dokkalfr mage had left, and with him, the spots of magical power he had earlier detected. The intruder wasn’t stupid. He came with insurance.

The intruder had also left him a map, explained some of the landmarks, but never gave his name. The opened chart was now on the small round table. Kobu had gone through it, having also heard the dokkalfr’s descriptions but Tyler ignored the illustrated paper for the time being.

That was rude, thought Tyler about his visitor’s intentional act of not giving his name. Could it have something to do with their politics? Was he afraid I would give his name if I were captured? That mage could lie about it, but I guess he was also apprehensive about Freyr’s reaction.

“What do you think, Kobu?” he asked the exile. The young mage was still confused about the entire thing. Fighting a war to save a people who might also kill you when your back was turned was going to be a new and unpleasant experience for him. He knew it posed problems which demanded unique solutions. Right now, he was fumbling in the dark.

The price of our lives, Tyler thought as he reflected on the desperate deal he made with the deity Freyr.

“The dokkalfr reminds me of my own people. Not as bad, but the politics and relationships are similar. The absence of a strong center results in every faction or group thinking it has the right to rule. But the coming venture does demand a higher level of caution,” answered the exile.

“How would you approach the problem?” he asked further.

“I believe there are two issues which now confront us. The first would be being able to avoid entanglements in their internal carnival, and the second deals with the problem of stopping Ymir’s legions. The former must be resolved first; otherwise, we will never be able to get to solve the latter.”

Tyler nodded; the same considerations had also occurred to him. But those were the broader issues. The dokkalfr mage didn’t give them any detailed information on the status of the conflict, only promising that he’ll meet them at the abandoned temple of Freyr. Nor did the stranger give information about the dangers of the route, and merely warned that the area was riddled with cave networks and predators.

And how secure is the location, not to mention the information about where we’re going to meet? thought Tyler. The news about my involvement seemed to have come from Freyr’s priests. No issues there, but in societies like the dokkalfr, secrets are prized and sought after. Like exactly where I am headed.

“Habrok and Tyndur are arriving tomorrow. Let’s wait until then to discuss everything. At least those two have a long experience in fighting the dokkalfr and traveling, or in Habrok’s situation, hunting, in their lands.”

The two did arrive the following morning, but at the break of dawn, on the heels of a mere three hours of fitful sleep for the unlucky mage. It didn’t help that Tyndur’s loud voice was booming his morning greetings to everybody, and the two immediately went up to Tyler’s room to say hello. The mage got out of bed with a wry smile and bade the two to sit as he did his morning ablutions.

“I apologize, sire,” said Tyndur. “We could have been here yesterday, but this fellow was apparently stuck to his bed.”

“I was resting!” protested the ranger instantly.

“And from what, may I ask?” asked the einherjar. A question which resulted in loud laughter from everyone. Even Tyler half-dazed state was chased away by the exchange. But he still felt light-headed from the lack of sleep.

“So! Anything interesting while we were away?” continued Tyndur.

Tyler grinned and looked at the exile.

“You tell them,” he said with a slight smile.

Nodding, Kobu turned to the pair with his usual reserved expression.

“Nothing much. A blue mountain, a demon called a gallu, various interesting though unfriendly creatures, a demon hunter who happened to be also a Demon Lord, and a visit from a dokkalfr mage. Oh, and our leader here got an island as a gift from some deities,” said the exile.

Tyndur’s eyes bulged, and his mouth opened. Then he turned to Habrok.

“I should have dragged your naked butt out of that room, and carried you all the way here,” said Tyndur grimly.

“Not my fault!” replied Habrok immediately as he got out of his chair and rushed to the door.

“I’ll see if breakfast is ready!” came his parting shout.

The day-meal, if one could call it that, considering the Gothi’s penchant for three meals