I am still on Denver time - so 2 hours behind. Will outline the next chapter before going to bed. It should be the last chapter in book 10, not including the epilogue of the fight with Hephaestus and Khrusos

Chapter 594: All Roads Lead to Nausis

We appeared behind Maveith as he was addressing his people. I immediately sank a few inches into the mud, while Evie barely compressed it. The air was thick with goliath body odor and ammonia. Maveith’s goat helm was tucked under his arm, and both hammers were tucked into their belt loops.

His voice boomed as he spoke to his people. “The archers need to be more mobile after their initial volleys and the shield wall needs to slide more quickly to prevent the enemy from breaking for the archers…” Maveith suddenly stopped, and I could tell we had been given away by the grinning goliaths. Maveith’s hand went to his face and rubbed, looking for dirt. “Is there something on my face?” He asked as the Goliaths started laughing. His people and the Sentinels let it go on as Maveith tried to figure out why everyone was laughing at him, and he suddenly felt self-conscious. He was not one to get mad at people for laughing at him, but was always up for puzzling something out. Finally, one of his trusted Sentinels pointed behind him.

Maveith’s artificed boots allowed him sure footing in the mud, and he spun rapidly, eyes going wide, “Eryk!” He moved to embrace me in what I deemed would be a painful hug, so I teleported behind him. I wasn’t quick enough in tying off the anchor points before he located me again in the throng of his men. I was picked up and squeezed by my odorous friend.

“Maveith, you're embarrassing me!” I said jokingly, patting his shoulders to put me down. The truth was I could have avoided his embrace if I really wanted to, but for goliath’s, affection was more physical in nature.

“You are back,” he dropped me, and my own sentinel boots prevented me from losing my footing.

“Didn’t they send word two days ago?” I questioned.

“Perhaps,” Maveith looked guilty. “I don’t go to the war council as it is just a bunch of generals and sovereigns arguing who is going to march where in the procession. They care more about appearances than getting prepared to fight,” he gestured at the straw dummies. I could tell my friend was frustrated.

“When is the next war council?” I asked.

“There is one every night at sunset in King Torvane’s castle,” Maveith replied. “Are you hungry? Our camp has simple fare, but a lot of it,” he beamed, not hiding his childlike giddiness at seeing me.

“We can sit and talk. The others are coming down the hill now,” I gestured to the procession.

“Evie, it is good to see you too!” Maveith said. He scooped her up as she squealed in surprise and put the young woman on his shoulders with ease. “We can’t have you getting your shoes and pants muddy.”

The goliaths dispersed, and I noted that about one in five were women. Probably a higher percentage than any other army. I followed Maveith back to his residence in the hillside. I think he was carrying Evie because he missed his girls, and he pointed things out to her as we crossed the field. Evie didn’t seem to mind his smell. When we reached the hillside, only Blaze was waiting for us. Maveith lowered Evie to the ground and embraced Blaze as well.

Blaze coughed from the stench, but returned the brotherly embrace. “Where are the others?” I asked.

“Kyrenic went to see his mother. Castile took Lexi to find somewhere in the city to practice her healing. I think Lepidus went to find the Sentinels, but he didn’t tell me anything and just walked away. Should we be calling him Venere now?” Blaze said mischievously.

“No, keep calling him Lepidus,” I said stubbornly. “What about Lesna and Benito?” I asked.

“They didn’t want to stay with the goliaths, and went to find something to eat in the city,” Blaze replied, causing Maveith to frown.

“My table should be ready,” Maveith said, but with a note of disappointment at Benito’s absence. We passed the two guards at his door and entered his domicile. The entry room had been enhanced with a massive round table and twelve goliath-sized chairs. Maps of the southern continent were in the center, and plates heaped with roasted potatoes, glazed nuts, and shredded pork were at each station. A single attendant was present. “Take the meals to the others; I am eating with my friends this afternoon.” The attendant nodded and carried them away. Maveith explained, “We usually review the drill and discuss changes, but I can do that later tonight with them.”

Just enough plates were left for the four of us. “Maveith, please do not take offense, but this needs to be done.” The cleanliness shield came out, and I poured all my aether into it. The musty stench of body odor vanished, and the air was finally breathable. I inhaled deeply and relaxed in my chair. Evie hadn’t seemed to mind, but Blaze visibly relaxed. Maveith smelled his pits and nodded satisfactorily.

“Where is Raelia?” I asked.

“She is training with the advanced scouting units. The generals do not think the Nashasari will have mounted avian units, so it will be our largest advantage during the battles,” Maveith said and started eating. I noted he was not wearing the ring of sustenance I had purchased for him, choosing instead to enjoy his meals.

“Where can I find her?” I asked.

“The Bartiradian camps are north of the city. She visits me every few days. I will send a runner!” Maveith said excitedly. “Grath!” Maveith yelled, and one of his guards stuck his head inside. “Run and tell Raelia that Eryk has returned!” The guard vanished without questioning the orders, and it was now a waiting game.

We ate for a time and talked about more mundane things to fill the time. “What is the state of things with the alliance?” I asked after friendly banter had run its course.

Maveith nodded gravely and paused his eating. “Fenlorian and a number of generals are holding things together, but everyone is always arguing about who gets what supplies and who gets to go on which ship when we sail. I fear once we land on the southern continent, some might abandon the cause due to personal pride.” Maveith wasn’t far off the truth; Renna might not abandon fighting on the front lines, but she planned to send reinforcements to occupy cities and not join the front. I would tell Fenlorian and let him deal with the Empress.

“Where is the Telhian camp?” I asked.

“Their camp is on the other side of the bay. Since they are arriving in Petros through the gate, they are marching and camping there. To my knowledge, the Empress has brought more troops and mage companies than promised,” Maveith informed us. “The Empress teleports over in the evening with her guard for the war council. She has asked about you…”

“Of course she has. I can’t wait until she meets Raelia,” I said sarcastically.

Maveith coughed. “Umm, about your past dalliances. The Adventurers Guild has hundreds of volunteers in Nausis as well. The Shorebreaker is among the ships anchored.”

“How is Captain Desdemona?” I asked, not quite as worried about those introductions. Our tryst was just a tryst. I supposed it was inevitable with millions of people coming to Nausis in preparation for the assault that I would run into a few past acquaintances.

“We play checkers when I visit her ship. She is well and asked after you. I am happy that the Adventurers Guild will be taking my people through the Belt of Storms on their ships,” Maveith answered cheerfully.

“Who is Captain Desdemona?” Evie interrupted.

“Just a friend,” I answered quickly. Evie was at the age that she might use such knowledge to sour my relationship with Raelia.

A loud knock came at the door, and I assumed it was Raelia. “Knight Kyrenic is here to see you, Honorable Maveith,” the guard said.

“Let him pass,” Maveith returned. Kyrenic entered, and he was still road weary.

“You bathed?” Kyrenic asked incredulously after taking us in. “How did you have time?”

“Eryk always has time for a bath,” Maveith winked at me. Evie giggled, and Blaze rolled his eyes.

The knight was not in his normal affable state. “There are important happenings going on. I need you to come see my mother. She thinks your voice might lend some weight to the news,” Kyrenic said anxiously.

“What news?” I asked. Kyrenic was never anxious, and when he was, he didn’t show it. The fact that he appeared rattled now was an indication something was amiss.

“It comes from a werebear. He fears revealing himself as his kind are not trusted. Werebears are generally not feral beasts like the other lycanthropes, but there is too much uncertainty among those on the war council. Time is short as my mother must leave for the war council soon. She wishes you to be at her side to support the news,” Kyrenic said urgently.

“Tell Raelia where I am,” I said to Blaze. “Maveith, are you coming?” My friend nodded and rose, taking more food with him. “Blaze, watch Evie. And no, you cannot come with me this time,” I headed off her protest and rose to follow Kyrenic.

It was a long walk to the city, and I matched Kyrenic’s swift pace. “The werebear’s name is Morvayn. He seems like a good fellow, but a bit rough around the edges socially. He is somewhat direct,” Kyrenic explained. “It is best if I let him explain himself.”

“Just the kind of person I like,” I said.

When we reached the city, I was astounded. We had passed through a number of camps, and I recognized a large number of flags from across the continent and even as far away as the Principality of Papehaulcu. The principality was a human kingdom located on a large island five hundred miles off the northeastern coast of the Duchy of Manch. I only knew of them from my studies on dungeons, and I theorized they were descended from either the Aztecs or the Mayans in South America.

When we crested the hill overlooking the city, the throng of people flowing in and out of the city was nothing compared to the number of boats anchored in the bay and beyond. The count had doubled since the last time I had been here, and it was every type of vessel imaginable. From traders to warships and everything in between. Colorful flags flew over the ships, and I recognized the contingent of Caliphate ships and could see the olive-skinned orcs working the rigging.

“How many?” I asked no one in particular.

“The goal is to take everyone in one go,” Maveith answered. “Two thousand ships here, and another thousand across the bay. Perhaps five hundred further up the bay as well, but those are smaller and anchored near camps of their countrymen. We have delayed sailing, waiting for you and more ships. Desdemona claims you can now sail around the entire continent and not see a single ship on the seas since they are all here.”

“It is impressive an impressive fleet,” were all the words I had. Not just the sight but the smell. I assumed sanitation was a priority, but it was impossible with so many people crammed into a few square miles.

Maveith’s presence got us through the gates quickly, and Kyrenic led us through the press of people in the streets. I wasn’t surprised that Queen Adelin had secured a large villa for herself. The livery of the Kingdom of Aurelith was worn by the guards. “Is your sister here too?” I asked, hesitating a moment.

“She is. She plans to lead our forces across the sea,” Kyrenic answered with a grin. Kyrenic had tried to set me up with his sister, and she had taken an interest in me, but I had rebuffed her. I could see Raelia picking up on some flirting and losing her temper. I continued up the steps. “Don’t worry, she is currently occupied with her old sword instructor. I think you will like him. He was once a gladiator in Telha, and his name is Thomas.” I nodded, recalling the name from the last time I met Princess Elenara.

We walked through the halls that were busy with servants and toward a large ballroom. There were a number of people here, many of them soldiers. Maps were on the walls, and dozens of discussions were going on at once. I recognized Princess Elenara first. She was dressed in warrior leathers, and talking to a tall man dressed in comfortable clothing. If this was the sword master, it was odd that he didn’t have a sword on his hip. An old halfling woman sat on a chair, dangling her legs next to them and looking decidedly bored.

The man craned his muscled neck to look at us as we entered. He looked to be in his fifties, his salt and pepper showing his age. His crystalline blue eyes showed a dangerous depth of a competent warrior. We were sizing each other up when Queen Adelin called for me. “Thank you for bringing him, Prince Kyrenic!” she yelled across the room.

I kept my awareness on the older man as he reminded me of Konstantin—someone you didn’t want to put your back to if he was not an ally. I started to follow Kyrenic to meet his mother when the eyes of her companion fell on me. The man was huge, easily six and a half feet tall and wide and muscled. His bushy hair covered his face, and he wore furs as well. This was clearly the werebear, and his dark eyes were narrowing. A loud, throaty growl of a challenge came from him, causing the room to go silent and everyone to turn their attention to our confrontation.

“I take it you two already know each other,” Kyrenic said, trying to add some levity to the tense environment.

“You could say that,” I replied. This werebear was the same one who had tried to stop me from taking the pixies during the Supreme Trials. This should be fun…

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