of this world now taste naught, and of faded color it does show. My world is but a
memory of visions granted and taken. To ascend and return is my dream, and though
Odin and others may stand in my way, they will bar me not.”
“But Odin says Thor may be adamant about you returning to Valhalla?”
“Thor. A being of power, of thunder and lightning. Great be his might, but greater still
is his inanity. He thinks of glory, a passing fancy in the minds of men. His worship will
fade when mortals find peace, and his time will be spent amid old tales, ale, and
whores.”
“How about Odin?”
“The All-Father knows but cannot speak. The All-Father speaks but cannot show. His
mighty wisdom bound by chains of his creators, tight and strong. So play the role he
must, for Asgard and pantheon’s sake. Only thy duty fulfilled and true, will hold at bay,
the true nemesis of the gods, the wolves of greed and disbelief.”
Man, that’s brutal. Good luck to the Norse gods trying to bring him back.
“A lot of times I have wished that things would be far simpler to understand.”
“So do I, young Havard. So do I.”
CHAPTER XX
When Greeks Come Calling
Tyndur stayed with them only for a while after his talk with Tyler. They did leave him
the rest of their provisions. Which for Tyler was a good trade-off for not combing the
mountain to look for him. He also suspected that the hermit had something to do with
the lack of jotnar or dokkalfr disturbing them.
The three had an early mid-day meal and packed everything for their journey back to
Scarburg. The three started to move out of the trees, Tyler and Habrok on the wagon
while Jorund was mounted on a chestnut horse.
As they approached the main road, a wind started to pick up. The dust smothered
them. Yet the wind grew in strength, making it a struggle just to see where they were
going.
Suddenly, the wind stopped. The dust started to settle down. Jorund had his battleaxe
out while Habrok was holding his bow, arrow at the ready. It was clear the wind was
unnatural. Magical in origin. A suspicion confirmed when Tyler could see the faint
shimmering of a strong barrier enclosing them. The size and power of it indicated a
very powerful high mage or a divine entity.
Two beams of light flashed, hitting Jorund and Habrok at the same time. Jorund fell off
his horse with a crash. Habrok lay sprawled on the wagon. Tyler already had his
personal barrier activated and he waited for the foe to show up. He had started
gathering magical energy.
Then the form of a young man coalesced from motes of light, finally forming a familiar haughty youthful face. Erithizo.
“We meet again, mage. Did you think I would forget you?”
Tyler immediately launched the biggest fireball he could manage at the arrogant
demigod. But the fireball exploded a few feet from Erithizo. As it detonated, Tyler saw
that the flames flowed around an invisible form in front of the youth.
But Erithizo didn’t escape the overflow of fire. Whatever barrier he had was not able to
cope with the effects of the massive explosion. He staggered and Tyler could see his
figure giving off wisps of smoke.
The figure who stood before the youth and deflected his spell stepped out of the
swirling smoke. He was wearing the classic heavy Greek hoplite armor, with a hoplon
shield. A long leaf bladed sword was in his right hand. Bizarrely, the huge size of the
ornate plumed crest on top of his Corinthian helmet reminded Tyler of a strutting
peacock. But his armor was all red. Deep red. Even the hilt of his sword and his
sandals.
Herakles? Ares?
Erithizo had moved to the side of the armored figure. His clean-cut face was now
smudged, his armor giving off wisps of smoke, and his now visible cape torn in several
places.
“Hah! Meet my uncle. THE WAR GOD ARES!”
Ares looked at him and then looked at the youth.
“You didn’t tell me he was a visitor. Or that he and his companions were Odin's
Favored.” The bass voice of the Greek god echoed within the enclosed square.
“Does it matter?”
Ares cuffed the youth so hard he slammed into and broke a small tree.
“You stupid insolent pup! This changes things! The rules matter!”
The form of the war god blurred. Then he moved so fast that Tyler, even with his
enhanced senses, couldn’t see him. All he felt was the cracking of his personal shield
and then something hit him on the head. He fell off the wagon, facing the demigod.
As he lost consciousness, he heard Ares' enraged shout.
“THIS MEANS WE CAN’T DO ANYTHING HERE! WE HAVE TO BRING THEM ALL BACK
TO HELLAS!”
CHAPTER LORE:
HELLAS - Ancient Greek. Refers to the homeland of the ancient Greeks. Taken from the
mythological patriarch named Hellen from whom the ancient Greek tribes descended, such as
the Aeolians, Dorians, Achaeans and Ionians.
Author’s End Note:
I hope you enjoyed the story. Tyler’s journey continues in Book II.
Next Book in the Series:
New misadventures, new friends, new foes, new skills, new knowledge.
New encounters of the female kind.
More deities become aware of Tyler as he continues his quest to survive,
reach his potential, and carry out his burden.
Amid convoluted plans and plots designed by divine acquaintances of old
and newly met gods, what's an ordinary guy from Earth to do?
(SAMPLE PAGES FROM BOOK TWO FOLLOW)
THE ACCIDENTAL ARCHMAGE
Book Two
Δώρα των Ελλήνων
GIFTS OF THE GREEKS
A classical fantasy with a modern twist
By
Edmund A.M. Batara
@ soloflyte
AUTHOR’S NOTES
Incidents of people disappearing in plain sight
are well-known in recorded history. One of the
earliest known accounts was in the 1700s. One
of the most recent was in 2007. Various
theories have been advanced to explain such
disappearances. This story is not such a
