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

“A group of three dokkalfr approaches, with a white flag. What do you want me to do?” the demon said quickly.

“A truce?” commented Tyndur as he spat on the ground.

“Let them come.” The mage told Asag, who then left to fetch the dokkalfr delegation. Tyler turned to the einherjar and gave the warrior a wan smile. “Tyndur, behave. You’re more bloodthirsty than usual.”

“I noticed, sire. But it’s an improvement. I usually go berserk at the news you brought. The old me would have jumped right into the valley against that army. And that version of Tyndur is more powerful than my lucid, handsome self. Possibly quite deranged too.”

Tyler looked at the einherjar and raised his eyebrow. He wanted to ask the einherjar about the decision to leave the company.

“Forget what I requested, sire. We’ll talk about it when I had my fill of Titans,” said Tyndur, getting the import of Tyler’s action.

The mage nodded and simply said thanks to the warrior. Tyndur grunted and moved to Tyler’s side. Kobu was already beside the mage, and Habrok positioned himself on the left flank while Astrid took the right. Tyler couldn’t help but marvel at the smooth coordination of the movements of members of the party. Even without commands, each knew precisely what to do.

In a few minutes, the three dokkalfr were in front of Tyler, though Kobu didn’t allow them within four sword lengths of the mage. The three had been stripped of their armor and weapons. Tyler could feel the preternatural alertness of both Tyndur and Kobu, each watching for any sign of treachery. But the mage also had the utmost confidence in his shields. A sudden magical attack, even if powerful enough, might do away with two barriers, but for such magic to penetrate all three, a major deity’s power was required. He doubted if Freyr would grant the bastards such a boon.

“Your guests, First Mage. They’re weaponless. They could try magic, but they’d be betting their balls if such exercises would work,” said Asag with a smile as he moved to one side. Then the demonic being graced the dokkalfr with his trademark smirk – an expression between a leer and a grin. As Tyler watched Asag smile, he couldn’t help but wonder how that expression came to be since the open-mouthed expression could only be explained if the person had gotten used to having fangs forcing the gap between the upper and lower jaws.

“Oh, and until matters are satisfactorily resolved, my soldiers of stone will continue to attack,” said Asag, who gave a small bow this time.

The three only nodded, and the mage could see the instinctive movements of their bodies, all trying to keep away from the demon. Tyler could only guess that his dokkalfr guests could involuntarily sense the darkness within Asag despite the entity’s efforts to appear nonchalant. Two of three were unfamiliar dokkalfr faces, but the third was High Thegn Galar, Hersir of the dokkalfr force they had met in the forests on the other side of the mountains. The same person who tricked them into stepping into an ancient Alfar terrestrial gate. The mage could see the angry reactions of Astrid and Habrok. He assumed the two other companions at his sides shared the same sentiment.

“Speak,” said Tyler.

“Why did you attack us? We were waiting for you! To escort you to dokkalfr lands!” came the accusation from Galar suddenly.

The unexpected denunciation stupefied Tyler and the rest of the company. Of all statements the mage anticipated hearing, the words uttered by Galar were ones he never expected. The mage slowly shook his head, trying to clear his mind from the surprise brought by the sheer arrogance and audacity of the High Thegn. The ensuing silence which followed Galar’s words was broken by Asag’s laughter.

“Now that’s a twist!” giggled the demon.

Everybody stared at Asag, including Magna and Hoenir who had come closer to the gathered assembly.

“And it’s funny because?” Tyler heard Kobu’s calm voice beside him.

“Ah, Kobu-sama! There are times when a lie is so blatant that it amuses me. A lot,” replied Asag, who was now rubbing his eyes in the aftermath of his laughing fit.

Galar tried to glare at Asag, but his fear of the demon masquerading as a mortal got the better of him. Instead, he turned to the mage.

“Well? What do you have to say to that? This is war!”

“Where’s the mage who was with you?” asked Tyler.

War. What do you think is happening down in the valley? thought the mage.

The unexpected response surprised Galar.

“Gone. He was of a different House.”

“And I guess that army down there belongs to your House and its allies or vassals. With no other Houses in attendance. A decision solely made by House Anari,” continued Tyler.

The High Thegn abruptly found himself at a loss for an answer to the mage’s statements. If there was one thing the dokkalfr noble didn’t expect, it was the knowledge displayed by Tyler about dokkalfr society, especially the name of his House. Then he saw Magna and Hoenir.

“Traitors! You shall pay for this!” shouted Galar. He tried to rush the two, only to fall flat on his face.

That should hurt, observed Tyler.

“Bad Galar,” said Asag. “Attacking other guests of your host does not speak well of your manners.”

Tyler couldn’t determine how Asag did it but assumed the entity surreptitiously placed invisible magical bonds on the three. He had to admit, with more wariness, that Asag was sneakier than he expected, and the mage knew this was not the last time he would come up with that thought. Magna and Hoenir had stood their ground and merely looked on the fallen High Thegn without any expression. Watching the two, Tyler remembered that Magna, and probably Hoenir too, belonged to a different House, though he couldn’t remember the name. He did recall that that she was a swordmaster, a High Jomsviking of her House, and more importantly, he recalled Magna saying that their two Houses were also rivals.

“There will be no truce, Galar. You come here with lies and false accusations. That, in addition to the treacherous act back in the forest near Fargravik. You wanted us dead then, and you wanted