The Fire and The Storm - The Nexus of Kellaran #2 novel Chapter 155

Part 23

“For now, continue as you have; continue to develop your stealth warfare, continue to train to fight the demons with the military ways of these newcomers, seek always to do both together. Also, breed. Bear and raise as many children as is practical. Be ready to begin the training I will give you when the time-bubble ends.

“Know that I am proud of you, and committed to the responsibility of my leadership over you.

“Rise, and I will bestow my Blessing upon you.”

His people stood and closed their eyes as he held forth his hand, and every one of them felt him lay his hand on their head, felt his mind touch theirs, felt his power active within them.

He considered the Sylvan newcomers, and spoke in Common. “You Serminaki seek to join my people, but you are sworn to The Just Alliance on The Truthstone of Falgaroth. I know it was not your choice to do so.

“If you will swear your allegiance to me and accept me as your god, and commit to keeping the ways of my people, you can join us. I will promise to never command you to act in conflict with the vows you’ve already sworn. If you will not do these things, I will not allow you to remain on these islands when the time-bubble resumes.”

He considered Mark and his family, and said with a scowl; “If any here choose to act against me in any of these matters, I am released from my agreements with the other gods, and there will be a conflict here today. I have been caught by the other gods, but I wasn’t trying to kill any of them at the time. If there is conflict here today, I will lay waste to those who oppose me, and then I will take my people and be gone before any here can strike against me. Any who choose to pursue us will die, be they god or mortal.”

“Stop.” Mark psionicly commanded his children and Karz, who were already fully Linked and Shielded and were preparing thousands of attack spells. His grim look said that he expected their obedience. They let their spells fade, but were obviously unhappy about it.

Mark turned to the gathered Sylvan and called; “You Sylvan newcomers; are there any of you who both refuse to swear allegiance to The Sylvan God of Stealth and take his people’s ways, and who insist on staying here anyway? If you refuse to swear and you’re willing to leave, raise one hand, if you refuse to swear and insist on staying, raise both hands.”

None of them raised a hand.

“All right.” Mark said to The God of Stealth. “I respect that you and your people were living here and not bothering anyone before we came here. I’m grateful that you told them not to interfere with us before you left. I understand that you were forcibly separated from your people, then hunted down and detained by the other gods, and probably had to make agreements with them under duress, even though you’ve committed no crime nor offended against anyone.

“So I certainly understand why you’re in a snarly mood. There’s no reason for any conflict here today.

“And if you disagree with any of that, you can take your people elsewhere, or we can have a conflict right here and right now. The first thing I’ll do is make many of us into gods, and we’ll see if you can do anything about it before I’m done. Then you’ll have us to contend with, along with the pantheons of Kellaran and The Triax, and the militaries of Serminak.”

The Sylvan god considered Mark’s right hand with a raised eyebrow. The hand hung at Mark’s side tightly gripping the Truthstone with the Godspell in it. Little sparks of crackling blue light were leaking out from between his fingers, as the Godspell was on the verge of being cast.

“I respect your position.” the Sylvan god stated. “There need be no conflict between us.”

He turned and stretched out his hand again, contacted the minds of his new Sylvan, got their silent and instant vow of allegiance, and gave them his Blessing.

Then he was gone.

“Four minutes until the time-bubble is cast.” Visinniria announced.