Penitent

Chapter 241 Book 4 Ch 22: Congratulations

The trip back to Hume was uneventful. That was unfortunate as it gave Michael fewer distractions. He wouldn't wish for a kraken or pirates, as he didn't want to bring harm on everyone else travelling with him, but if the only possible victim would've been himself he would've considered making that devil's bargain to occupy himself.

The ship was more crowded this time, with a number of other diviners including Meera, as well as a handful of takers and even some Stent volunteers like Tain. Michael had been concerned about how Tain might take the death of his sovereign, but whatever had happened to the boy since the last time he'd seen him seemed to have made him far too jaded to care. Michael was concerned for him, but at least he seemed to want to live and fight. That was better than wanting to simply fight and die.

When the colorful domes of Hume's capital came into view, Michael had to keep himself from leaping off the ship and swimming the rest of the way. Luckily, the wind was good so they made it there and docked before the sun had set. Michael busied himself with helping the people they'd brought from Stent properly unload, leading them to the logisticians in whose care they would be in the short term, and giving brief reports to some of King Marlo's assistants. Once that was done, he along with Ollie, Marcus, and Pyotr were escorted to the palace. Outside the gates Michael saw Knight's Laird and Blake awaiting them.

"Hail!" yelled Laird as they approached.

"Hail!" replied Michael formally. Unlike usual Laird had a soft smile on his face. Michael presumed it was because the man's wife was nearby.

"Congratulations on your great successes. I did not anticipate we would begin receiving the diviners and takers so quickly."

"He kind of insisted," replied Ollie with a smile.

Blake walked up to him and drew him in for a forceful kiss.

"I'm glad you're still alive, tall boy," she said, unconcerned about the eyes that were on her.

"We'll see how you feel about me once you're with me for real for a bit instead of just thinking about me," replied Ollie with a smirk.

Marcus was shaking his head. "Maybe we didn't cast our lot with the right group. A knight that's into Ollie makes me question the whole country's judgement."

"Ollie is one of the finest mages and soldiers I've ever fought alongside. Blake's judgement on many things may be suspect, but I would not have you question her taste in a man as fine as he," replied Laird, his soft smile turning into a serious frown.

"It's fine, mate. Marcus is just having a bit of fun."

Laird's frown remained. "King Marlo would like to see all of you right away."

"Thank you, Laird. Any word from Trina or Lance?"

"They're both in the field fucking up rifts," said Blake. "That girl you trained is a real monster just like you, eh? You must be proud."

"Incredibly," replied Michael with a smile.

"Lance should be heading back this way. He's meant to travel with you through Swandia," said Laird.

Michael nodded. "Thank you," and then he began walking through the palace. They received a number of bows, nods, and salutes as they moved which Michal and the others returned.

"That guy was a bit sensitive, huh?" asked Marcus.

"Laird's just a bit formal," said Michael. "Though I'm surprised he stuck up for Ollie and Blake that strongly."

"We fought together for some time while you were on the other side of the rift. Guess I won him over a bit."

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Marcus shook his head. "Honestly, that just makes me question their judgement even more."

They shared a laugh at that as they reached the door to the King's study. Bren stood outside of it, wearing the black armor of the King's personal guard. He bowed to Michael and the others as they arrived.

"Congratulations. I've heard many reports of your successes in Stent."

"Thank you," replied Michael, wondering when he'd get a break from needing to make all of these acknowledgements.

"How are you?" he asked, real concern bleeding through his voice.

"Eager for the next step," he replied honestly. "Is the king prepared to see me?"

Bren nodded, and gave the door three firm knocks before pushing it open. King Marlo's study was a wide room filled with hundreds of books of records, logs, and other information that he gathered while running his kingdom. There was a large window that opened to show a view of the docks and the ocean beyond it, and the salt air was so thick within it that for a moment Michael thought he'd need to regain his sea legs.

King Marlo himself had continued his recovery since Michael had healed him. He was still very lean, and his cheeks a bit hollow, but he'd begun to fill out and his parchment white skin now had a more healthy tint to it. He stood from behind his desk, gesturing to a sitting area with several chairs. On his desk Michael couldn't help, but notice a number off oddly shaped objects wrapped in canvas, golden letters bleeding from them within his vision.

"Welcome back, Counts Mann and Mason as well as Dragoon Marcus and Bladedancer Pyotr."

"Bladedancer," said Pyotr. "I like that."

"Good. I stole it from an Old Hume hero that slew a nest of ogres by himself. Thought it suited what I'd heard of you."

They all settled in their seats and Marlo raised his hands, holding them in a pointed steeple as he gathered his thoughts.

"I'm sure you've already received a number of congratulations on your way here, but let me start by saying it myself. Well done. Not only did you manage to kill the king as we promised, you also got them to send the takers and diviners far ahead of schedule."

Ollie shrugged. "What can we say? We're the best."

"I am anticipating some difficulty feeding them, but I was already mitigating that before you arrived."

"There is a dwarven quartermaster among those we've brought. His name is Dugan. He's uniquely talented at managing supplies," offered Michael.

King Marlo nodded. "I will ensure that he's involved." He paused for a moment. "Now, I'm sure you've already been told that I was successful at getting both Burndan and Swandia to agree to a mediation between them."

Michael nodded, leaning forward.

"All of you here will be a part of the group that will be going, along with a unit of knights, and a handful of diplomats. Burndan agreed without much pretense, but Swandia had a number of demands."

"They have requested two items from the royal treasury. A titled spear and sword of tremendous value, as well as for our assistance in the closure of ten rifts in their southern region."

Michael nodded. "I'm happy to help."

King Marlo nodded. "I'm glad. I was worried you would find the delay intolerable."

He shook his head. "It's what I need to do to make sure that I can see my son at all, and it's part of my duty. I will be fine." It wasn't like having to wait on a boat or twiddle his thumbs on a palace balcony. It got him closer to Gabriel and served the gods. That was something that he could be patient about.

"Good. When I heard that you were on the ship back I sent for everything your group would need. Count Kreg is on his way, and Knights Blake and Laird will be joining you as well. I am anticipating some trouble with Broan, as they have been encroaching a bit on our Eastern border, but on paper at least they have guaranteed you safe travel along their roads." He shook his head with a small smile. "I feel that if they do attempt to harass you in any way it will be much to their detriment."

"How long do you think the trek will take?" asked Michael.

"The weather is good, and you'll have fine horses, carriages, and carts. A few weeks of near constant travel, I believe." He frowned at Michael. "Enough time for you to return before the great rift opens, I presume?"

Michael expanded his senses, feeling the state of the rifts and listening to the voices of the gods at the same time, trying to get a clear picture of everything's status. The great rift in the south was a terrible presence, filling him with the same level of dread that a rift only a few feet away might cause. Still, he could feel that it was growing and building, not yet ready to open. Like a boil ripening before it burst.

"It will be a close thing, especially if we're lucky enough to be able to bring support back from Burndan after I speak with my son, but I believe it's possible."

King Marlo let out a long breath. "Okay… I will trust in doing this. The reports to the south grow more dire each day, and if things are as terrible as we predict with that final rift then we will need Burndan's help to survive anyway."

He stood up.

"All that said. You will all need to be here at least one day, possibly two before things are prepared for your journey to Swandia. In the meantime," he went to his desk where the canvas wrapped items Michael had noticed sat. "I have rewards for a job well done."