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

real opponent. Keep that in mind as you also need to check your anger; I could feel it from here. When the time comes, direct it against those we know to be responsible for this grievous and cowardly deed.”

“You’re millennia ahead of me in those kinds of mind games, Thaut. For now, my only concern is getting the company back to Skaney safe and sound. I am already happy that Asem is still alive.”

“I could help you there a bit, though I have only explored part of the Barren Lands. It was a vastly more dangerous place in those days. But I desisted from proceeding further due to my concerns about arousing the ire of the Norse pantheon. We were not on good terms during those days.”

“Anything to get us closer to our destination would be of great help,” answered Tyler.

“It will be near the second mountain range, the one bordering Skaney and the edge of the Dry Plains. That’s the farthest I was able to reach. The mountains in the distance only mark the center of this broken land.”

“Thanks,” replied Tyler with enormous relief. “Avoiding the creatures populating the central part of the Barrens puts us in your debt.”

“No, First Mage. Keeping the ember of life in my daughter until I arrived placed me in your debt. I am just repaying the favor. But you’re right. Monstrous creatures infest the middle part of the Barren Lands. Not as bad as the cursed Void or even the Death Lands, but still a struggle for deities, much less mortals. Or even a First Mage.”

Thaut then waved his hand and with a quick flash of gold, the magical barrier disappeared. Tyler could now see the rest of the party around the mound though each was on its edges, facing a different direction. Astrid had taken a position nearest to the unconscious priestess.

“It’s time for me and mine to go, First Mage. But rest assured that Asem will come back to your party if she wants to return. With all the risk such a decision entails, it is not my wont to tamper with the threads of fate. But your path appears to be a difficult and tumultuous one. Unbelievably interesting though. No wonder my daughter embraced your quest.”

The deity suddenly stopped talking and stared into the sky. Moments later, he slowly turned to Tyler and shook his head.

“And it appears my daughter joined a mission which would make or break this world. A tall order, even for deities,” Thaut said gently. “But even if I told her that, it would only make her more determined to continue on this path with you. Mortals. You never fail to amaze me. Willingly taking on impossible odds.”

Huh? Impossible odds? Nobody told me that! Well, Viracocha might have let slip a few words to that effect, but that old man never used the word ‘impossible,’ Tyler thought as he inwardly cursed Viracocha.

“Can you clarify what you said? Somehow, that doesn’t help my confidence. Terrifying, even,” said Tyler in a tremulous tone.

“No. To tell you the few details my vision showed me is interfering with the future. I am sure you know the dangers inherent in such an act. No deity on Adar is infallible, and I am not stupid enough to think that showing you one possible future would be of help,” came Thaut’s emphatic reply.

“I am screwed, am I?” Tyler blurted out.

“Only if you allow yourself to be,” replied the deity with a laugh.

“Farewell, First Mage. When I leave, keep your company on this knoll. You’ll have a few minutes to prepare and gather your gear. Your party will be transported to the farthest point I have explored. Hopefully, it’s less dangerous now.”

Less dangerous?

“Wait! Please wait!” a voice cried out. It was Astrid. The Valkyrie was openly weeping as she ran to where Tyler was standing. Reaching the mage, she immediately went on her knees and lowered her head. The mage was astonished. From what he knew of the people of Adar, the presence of a deity was enough to make them keep their distance and Thaut was no ordinary god of a pantheon. That was more than enough to discourage the companions from coming closer. Even Tyndur stayed away. But the mage noticed that Kobu had positioned himself closest to the mage.

Come deities or dragons, the man will keep to my side, thought Tyler. It could be a complication in the future if and when I want to be alone.

“Sire, a boon! I beg of you!” came the supplicating entreaty from the Valkyrie. Thaut looked on, the beginnings of a smile on his face.

“Rise, Astrid. You don’t have to do that. We all have been through a lot and are all comrades-in-arms,” said the stupefied mage. Tyler noticed how the flow of tears created tiny furrows on the dirt-filled face of the Valkyrie. She looked terrible. Heartbreaking sadness mingled with extreme concern marked her countenance. It was the first time Astrid had done such a thing.  The incident broke his image of the warrior of the wind.

“I would like to go with Asem, if the Great Thaut, her father, would allow it. The priestess had been a dear sister to me. Not only as a comrade and companion. I… it wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t know if she had recovered or not. All I ask is to be at her side while she recovers and then I’ll be back,” said the Valkyrie.

Habrok’s observation back at the temple, the thought came to Tyler. But who am I to deny Astrid?

“Of course, Astrid. You can go with Asem if her father allows it. Your concern for Asem will be the death of you if you continue with us. The lands ahead are still dangerous, and a split second could mean the difference between saying hello to the sun the next day or greeting your gods in the afterlife,” answered Tyler who then looked at the deity.

“A great heart brooks no denial, First Mage. Who am I to stand