The Godless by James A Moore

Author:James A Moore
Language: spa
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780857668530
Publisher: Watkins Media
Published: 2021-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

Andover Lashk

Andover looked at the side of Durhallem and started to climb. He’d ridden Gorwich as quickly as he could at a hard pace and they were both tired. Gorwich could now rest. He could not.

The ground was rich black soil, with a scattering of fine onyx mixed in. Andover walked when he could, and climbed when necessary. His hands made short work of the business of digging. Metallic fingers sank deep into the earth and found purchase with ease. Still the mountain was very large, and the path he chose was deliberately challenging. He didn’t want Tusk or any of his people to see a simple method of climbing. They preferred challenges that were worthwhile, and he was visiting their home.

A third of the way up the eastern slope of Durhallem he found Tusk waiting for him. The man sat on a large outcropping and chewed on a sizable piece of roasted meat. He stared down at Andover with a smile on his broad face.

Tuskandru was a walking map of scars. The story of his life was laid bare in the old wounds that accentuated his form. He was a large man, and very possibly had the broadest shoulders that Andover had ever seen. His arms were thick, and it was harder to find a place on them that had not been injured in the past than it was to find still more scar tissue.

“We have trails, you know. And the gateway.” Tusk spoke and then tore a bite of meat from his meal.

“Sometimes a man has to challenge himself.” Andover dusted himself off and moved closer to the spot where Tusk sat. “It has been a long time, King Tuskandru.”

“The last time I saw you, you were a boy.” Tusk’s eyes looked him over appraisingly. “You are now a warrior.” From Tusk, that was high praise.

“The gods blessed me with many lessons.”

“I remember.” Tusk offered his food to Andover and he took it gratefully. Several hours had passed since he’d eaten anything. He took a chunk of the meat and offered the rest back, but Tusk waved it aside. While Andover ate, Tusk brought out a skin of wine from a small sack at his waist. When the wine was offered, he accepted that as well.

The two men sat in silence for several minutes while finishing their repast. When they were done Tusk asked, “Why do you come to Durhallem?”

“I have been gone from the Seven Forges for a long time. I wanted to speak with the gods.”

Tusk nodded. “You would ask favors of Durhallem?”

“I would ask if Durhallem sees any way to peace with Fellein.”

“Fellein can surrender to my will for Durhallem. Otherwise, no.”

Andover nodded. “I expected that answer.”

“Durhallem has no desire for forgiveness. He does not offer it. He does not ask it. We have warred with Fellein. What else is there?”

“I only ask on behalf of Fellein’s Empress.”

Tusk looked hard at him. “You are a messenger now?”

“No. But I was asked to convey that message and get answers.

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