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

first before any explanation is made. And between Hoenir and me, the requirement of two witnesses who had been victims of the criminal and his associates had been satisfied.”

Then Galar and company were fucked the moment I let Magna decide their fates. But how was I to know? thought Tyler as he nodded, encouraging Magna to continue.

“First, know that their deaths and the destruction of that army down there will allow the dokkalfr race avoid a much graver problem in the future, and possibly let the First Mage evade a situation where his aid might again be requested,” said Magna.

Huh? Now, I am confused, thought Tyler.

Magna explained that the Anari House, their retainers, and their vassals comprising Lesser and Minor Houses brought out most of their elite forces to the ambush. The Anari faction, admittedly the most powerful among the Great Houses, was the most violently adamant against strangers, the First Mage included, stepping on what they deemed as sacred dokkalfr lands. Though in the still-going battle, only House Anari was present. Other Houses didn’t participate.

“But other Houses were in the forest where the Alfar gate was located?” asked Tyler.

“Indeed. Some were convinced, others forced. The High Thegn’s argument was to send the First Mage to where he could do the most damage to the jotnar, and breaking the flow of reinforcements was, admittedly, a vital factor in the present dokkalfr-jotnar war. But this… ambush was never discussed as the other Houses would have never agreed to it. It’s tantamount to directly breaking our deity’s command and trust. Unfortunately, House Anari believes itself to be the ultimate interpreter of the Lord Freyr’s desires,” clarified Magna.

“Wait, Magna. You mean that huge host down there represented only one Great House? And what do they have against humans or other beings on dokkalfr lands? The war with the jotnar or probably even Sutr’s forces in the past must have brought strangers to their midst,” noted Habrok.

“That’s not all their forces. I hazard they only brought their elite with them, the rabid few among already fanatical believers in the twisted and heretical Anari vision, roughly a tenth of their entire military might. This small valley also couldn’t hold more than that number,” explained Magna.

A tenth? In terms of raw military power, that’s incredible! observed the amazed mage.

“Two questions then. How many Great Houses are there, and didn’t jotnar enter dokkalfr lands during your wars as Habrok mentioned?” said Tyler. He also wanted to know why Magna wanted House Anari crushed and the High Thegn dead. The mage could still hear the furious sounds of battle from the valley, and there must be a reason why the slaughter should be allowed to continue.

“Most Great Houses are based in the capital, my lord First Mage. But there are, at last count, around fifty or so Great Houses. As I said, and must emphasize again, that the Great House Anari is, and now, fortunately, was, easily the biggest and most powerful among our nobility. Hopefully, they’ve lost most of their leading lights in the battle below us. As far as the jotnar were concerned, they have merely reached the outer domains of dokkalfr lands in the past. The inner realm, which starts past our internal strongholds and forts guarding the roads, had so far remained inviolate.”

“But with that kind of military capability, I mean with the kind of force one House could bring to the battlefield, what more if the collective might of the dokkalfr goes to war as one combined host? The jotnar shouldn’t be a problem,” commented Tyler, who was already beginning to think that his presence was superfluous.

“Dokkalfr politics, my lord First Mage. No House would be so rash to expose its forces to a battle which would reduce its capability for defense. Weakness and defeat would expose them to attacks by the other Houses. Though Great House Anari is of a different mold. It is fanatically obsessed with what they call dokkalfr purity.”

Right. I did remember something about internal armed conflicts for power being a hobby of the dokkalfr. And I don’t think the adage that politics is merely war without bloodshed would apply to this race.

“This is insane. Fifty or more Great Houses! That represents an unbelievable fighting force. With the numbers the dokkalfr have, the jotnar, as I said, shouldn’t be a problem. I really can’t understand why your people are losing the war, as mentioned by the deity Freyr. Even with your lethal political squabbles, there should be enough warriors left over to take care of Ymir’s minions,” exclaimed the mage.

“I beg to disagree, my lord. Ymir’s domain is vast. Nobody knows for certain where its northern borders end. For every one of us, women and children included, there would be a hundred of Ymir’s minions. We do know large forces of the Ice Lord are still facing Sutr’s creatures along their long border, and more hordes are still on their way from the interiors of Ymir’s Domain.”

What kind of figures is she talking about? Millions?

Tyler sighed heavily. For a while there, he thought the quest wasn’t necessary. And the numbers involved staggered his mind.

How am I going to stop hundreds of thousands coming from Ymir’s Domain? Millions, even. Shit.

“Back to the topic, lassie. Tell us why House Anari and those dead pieces of meat over there deserved to be grilled over a slow fire?” asked Tyndur. The horrific image raised by the einherjar’s statement jarred the mage.

Fucking gross.

“My pardon, lord Tyndur the Einherjar. But what I described is the reason why House Anari should be gone from dokkalfr society. They have subjugated other Houses by means fair and foul. Bribery, blackmail, name a devious method, and that House had used it at least once. They have destroyed those they cannot control even to the extent of weakening the defenses of our lands. They are attempting to subvert our beliefs and give rise to House Anari as the only true voice of our god,” said Magna.

“I don’t think Freyr would be happy if that happens,” observed Tyler.

The female dokkalfr explained that thought the Freyr was a patient and forgiving god, his sister, also a dokkalfr deity, was not. It was the wrath of the sister, the