Teryn bit his lip. I guess so. Still . . .
Just think about it. The king of Coontan holds the Sword of Power and the dragon the Sword of Spirit. Combine that with the blade you’ve already collected, and you could unlock the spell and save your dear Valeria once and for all.
True . . .
It’s a plan, at least, which is more than you have now. Just think about it. Besides, there’s other stuff you could do with the three Swords of Valor, too, that’s not quite so . . . destructive.
His ears perked up at that. Like what?
Get all three swords together and I can show you. An image of a wide, disembodied grin and two hands rubbed together.
Teryn was intrigued at the thought of learning more powerful magics. He had always been eager to learn the upper limits of his craft. But he had little time to muse on such things, for at that moment Xanatos came back, a large pitcher of expensive wine in his hands. Gingerly, he refilled their goblets, starting with Valeria's cup.
As he poured, he asked them all, “So, ever drink with the enemy generals before going to war?”
“No, I'm pretty sure this is my first time,” Teryn replied quite seriously.
"Where did you get the name Xanatos?” Valeria asked all of a sudden. “It sounds so familiar. Like I used to know someone by that name, or at least heard of them.”
“It's a family name, really. My grandfather had that name.”
“Isn't Xanatos the name of one of the gods?” Talon interjected. “The god of magic and illusion, isn't it?”
Xanatos mindlessly rubbed at his goatee. “Hmm, is that so?” he replied. “I guess it could be. But it's just a family name, I assure you. Even if I do know a few paltry magic tricks.”
He waved his hands as he said the last bit and a bouquet of flowers appeared out of thin air. He gave the bouquet to Valeria and bowed deeply. Valeria smiled in spite of herself, which made Teryn scowl.
The enigmatic barkeep turned and stared at Teryn. “Rough night, my friend? Got a lot on your mind?”
Somehow, in spite of the tone, Teryn thought it wasn’t just a friendly question. It was almost as if this Xanatos figure could sense his inner debate and turmoil, which would be impossible. He knew quite a few knowledge magic tricks, including how to block off his own thoughts from the minds of fellow prying mages. Even if Xanatos could use knowledge magic, there was no way he’d be able to get past Teryn’s internal magic defenses.
He shrugged. “I guess you could say that,” Teryn admitted at last.
“Quite understandable,” Xanatos replied, nodding. “If I had such a lovely lady at my side with such an uncertain future, I would be worried, too.”
Teryn’s eyes widened and he rose from his chair. “How do you? What do mean by that?”
“Sit, friend, I mean no harm,” Xanatos insisted. “I merely meant that your lady friend here is good company, and you never know, if the night goes right, she may go home with a guy like me instead of you.”
She threw up her hands in disgust. “Don’t count on it, creep.”
Xanatos backed up a half step and placed one hand over his chest. “I see her bond with you is stronger than I initially thought. In that case, let me say that you are quite the lucky man. Whatever it takes to keep a girl like that, you should do it.”
Teryn again had the sense that, despite all appearances to the contrary, Xanatos wasn’t talking about their chance encounter or where Valeria went that night, rather he was talking about her future safety from the Guild and Teryn’s own role in protecting her.
But how could a random barkeep in a town he’d never visited know such intimate details?
“Understood,” he replied after a moment’s silence.
Xanatos gave a knowing nod. “I thought you might.” He looked around at the three one more time. “Well, my friend, timing is everything, and I think my time here is about up.” He made another flourish with his hands. “As they once said a long time ago, in a strange land, a very strange land, I might add, Auf Wiedersehen.”
With that, Xanatos disappeared once again in a puff of black smoke, leaving the three companions to scratch their heads at everything he had said.
* * * * * * * * * *
A short while later, the three got up and left the tavern. As they did so, an old man wearing a tattered, crimson cloak sat in a shadowy corner, watching them and seething with rage. It had taken all of its willpower not to kill them with its concealed scythe.
The creature had already been forced to stay its hand once for the fool general in Fusong, and it didn’t care to leave someone alive twice.
Still, the Master had told Lange Du Mort the time would come soon enough. Teryn was needed a bit longer, and he wouldn’t be able to complete his task if his friends died too soon.
And the Master would not be disobeyed.
So, the hooded figure of Lange Du Mort, disguised as an old drunk, sat in the corner and seethed. “Soon enough,” the creature said to itself, over and over. “Soon enough.”
Chapter ThirteenCoontan’s King
“And kings shall bow at his feet,
And grant the great leader his every request.”
Book of Gallian, 12:8.
Year 4999 (Present day)
The three companions completed the rest of the walk to the castle in silence. No one really wanted to talk about the previous incident or their overly friendly host, so they all kept quiet instead. They soon arrived at the castle gate without further complications.
Teryn strolled up to the castle gates first, much to Talon’s amusement, with his head held high and a look that demanded respect.
Talon watched as the young mage examined the doors for a moment to make sure there weren’t any traps. The young man was still a little on edge from the
