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

“And that female dokkalfr, she didn’t remove her faceplate. Is that normal or was it an indirect insult?” Tyler continued.

“Not an insult, sire. A matter of choice. Some dokkalfr women are warriors too,” answered the einherjar.

“She did have a spectacular figure, despite the armor, and a lovely butt,” commented Habrok.

“Habroookkk!” exclaimed Astrid.

“You’re deep shit now, ranger. Your sister-in-law heard that,” said Tyndur.

“Hah! Not as lovely as Astrid’s,” piped up Kadir.

Astrid furiously turned to the rogue.

“One of these days, Kadir, I am going to cut off your balls and make you eat them raw. No, I’ll cook them first before cutting them off!”

Chapter Ten

Tricked

The company became quiet after a while. Everyone knew they were nearing the dueling field. But despite Tyler’s constant scrying, he didn’t detect any sign of betrayal. The dokkalfr host remained where they were, and the only change the mage saw was that their number was higher than he expected.

“I am surprised, Tyndur. I sensed no hidden forces preparing to stab our backs. The dokkalfr host, though bigger than I expected, is still where they were, waiting,” said Tyler.

“They’ll have a trick up their sleeve, something magical, no doubt about it,” replied the einherjar.

“You know we could have just have left, right?” said Kadir.

At his words, the entire group stopped and looked at the rogue.

“We are not cowards, Kadir. This is now a matter of honor,” Orm told him.

“Not to mention giving them a perfect excuse to kill all humans they could lay their hands on. The status between our races is back where it was – a state of watchful belligerence. Small skirmishes here and there, with nobody wishing to escalate matters. Now we’re faced with the words of a High Thegn, and that’s something not to be taken lightly,” explained Tyndur somberly.

“Kadir, please don’t talk for a while, and don’t force me to cast a spell on you,” said Sford wearily. It was clear that Kadir had already exhausted the mage’s reservoir of patience.

At his words, the party went back to walking towards the dokkalfr. Meanwhile, Kobu moved closer to Tyler.

“Their leader is cunning,” said the exile with a chuckle. “He used the concept of honor to draw you out. If not for Kadir’s mistake, they would have come up with something else to get you to where they want you to be. A challenge, perhaps? Something to test your status as Freyr’s champion?”

“Astute observations, Kobu. What’s on your mind?” asked Tyler.

“You said their numbers were larger than what you expected. So, more than what we saw back there?”

“A lot more, details were sketchy. It’s as if a magical defense interfered with my scrying,” said the young mage.

“Then I would assume there’s a large number of mages with them. Defending against the scrying ability of a High Mage requires power, one which can only be provided by a mage of equal rank, or a substantial number of lower-ranked ones,” observed the exile.

“Here’s my guess and I’ll bet all of Habrok’s former girlfriends on this – the dokkalfr host is made up of those of don’t want you in their mountains. Why would such a large dokkalfr army be in human lands when Ymir’s legions are busy attacking them?” continued Kobu.

Tyler chuckled and glanced at the exile.

“I guess we’ll know when we get there, Kobu. But this isn’t our first outing, isn’t it?” said the mage.

“No, sire. Given what we have faced and fought so far, a dokkalfr army of that size wouldn’t be a problem,” laughed Kobu. “At least we know they’re there and we won’t get lost looking for them.”

Tyler caught Orm and Sford exchange glances. They heard the exile’s comment.

They’re probably wondering what Kobu was talking about and why we’re not worried about meeting a hostile dokkalfr host, thought Tyler. Well, it’s not our fault they got dragged into our surreal and peculiar adventures. I hope they don’t die. Our last meeting was not a slice-and-dice situation like this one. And if I remember correctly, we saved their asses while they were fleeing that undead horde.

That train of thought immediately led to the reminder that the deity Viracocha had a hand in the company’s encounter with the trio, a reflection interrupted when he noticed ruined structures hidden under trees. The crumbling and time-ravaged stones had been covered by forest vegetation, but they still stood out as artificial constructs. As Tyler looked around, he could observe the remains of shaped rocks along the trail they were following. A magical examination didn’t reveal any threat, but the area gave off a faint aura of power.

“Tyndur, why are there ruins here?” he asked the einherjar.

“Must be an Alfar-Human settlement or camp, sire. I know there are Alfar ruins to the north. A vestige of the time they were powerful enough to keep the dokkalfr penned in the bowels of their mountains. I know that this region was a major military area of the Alfar before, with the consent and active participation of the human rulers, of course.”

“But stone ruins? And I sense magical emanations. Quite strong in some areas,” said Tyler.

“Then I guess there were human contingents here too. Alfar were not partial to stone for their structures though they mainly use it for fortifications. As to the magical aura, I am not surprised, the Alfar used magic as frequently as they piss.”

A short distance from the stone ruins, the forest gave way to a large clearing. It was flat and surrounded by the forest. More ruins appeared at random spots among the trees. Near the middle of the field waited a group of dokkalfr, with the familiar figures of the three leaders in front.

“We’re here,” said Tyler, stating the obvious. Another spell revealed nothing on their flanks. Though he could sense that the residual magic in the area was a lot stronger in the clearing. The company walked forward, spreading out as they did. Tyler strengthened his shields, and he could sense that Sford was already gathering magical energy.

The dokkalfr champions also began to move and position themselves in a line facing the company, but the party didn’t