Fortenex was in a good mood. A very, very good mood.

He lounged upon his throne, looking forward to the coming bloodletting. One of his wives was chained to his throne in her mortal form. Her eyes gazed up at him with mindless devotion. Breaking this one had been a great deal of fun, though he had long since forgotten her name. For all the affection he held her in, she was a pale shadow of Amysta.

When Karasush entered the room, his thoughts were distracted from that depressing note. His cloak was billowing in a cold south wind. Fortenex knew because he'd summoned up that wind himself to make the man look good. He succeeded. It added a formidable aspect to the mask, particularly. The sorcerer came before the throne and fell to one knee in fealty. "Lord Fortenex."

"Yes, Karasush, what is it?" asked Fortenex.

"There are strange lights in the sky," said Karasush. A figure with a trail of lightning is approaching the hall." His head was lowered, but there was a hint of an accusation. Fortenex, of course, had known of her coming already. That was the trouble with being a god: You had to wait for everyone else to catch up.

"Oh wonderful," said Fortenex. "Zeya always did like to make an entrance. Just let her in before-" The door was blown off its hinges, and Zeya appeared in the strike of a dozen lightning bolts. The floor was scorched. "-she does that."

"Fortenex!" roared Zeya.

Fortenex arose from his throne and threw his cloak aside, taking a stance as he did. Karasus took a stance as well, as though to defend the throne. Yet he needn't have bothered. "Ah, Queen Zeya! You look ravishing, as always. How did your affair go?"

"You wretch!" said Zeya. "You made me try and take advantage of my own descendant!"

"I did not make you do anything," said Fortenex in irritation. "And when did I suggest you take advantage of William Gabriel?"

"You told me that Tanith was Azgora's daughter!" said Zeya.

"No, I didn't," said Fortenex in irritation. "I said that you should look to her compatriot, William. I meant that he was Azgora's child, not Tanith. You must have misinterpreted my words." What part of 'trickster god' did these people not understand?

That was one of the errors a lot of people made. They assumed that Fortenex was all about kicking in doors and killing people. That was fun, but it had to be done in moderation. And the best people kicked in doors and killed people after tricking them. Tanith knew a thing or two about that.

"And how did Herus know of what I was doing?" asked Zeya, eyes narrowed.

"Well, you were pursuing your conquest around the time of one of his festivals," said Fortenex. "I suppose he might have been watching for something to that effect."

Zeya looked at him. "You're a damned liar."

Fortenex sighed and reflected that technically speaking was a damned liar. He was a demon, and he was a liar; that was part of their dynamic. Now, how do you evade responsibility for both? "Zeya, if you don't feel like taking responsibility for your actions, that's your choice. But don't come into my halls and demand compensation because you misread my words. This entire situation would have been avoided if you checked up on your descendants occasionally.

"Had you paid attention to Azgora even once in the past sixteen years, you would have learned that she had a son. Not a daughter. However, you didn't. And what exactly was so important that you were doing in the meantime?

"Hurling lightning bolts at people who displeased you?"

"As if you're any better," said Zeya, having the nerve to look with distaste at his mindless wives. Summoning a bolt of lightning, it flared to life, while Fortenex looked at her flatly and dared her to do it. Karasus began to arrange for the evacuation of the servants.

Which was nice. Fortenex might need them later.

"I'll have you know that I have never taken advantage of anyone," said Fortenex. "All of my consorts are consensual. My wives' entire purpose for existence is to serve me. I trained their minds for that purpose. I enjoy having power over others, and when that power is given to me freely, I am all the more glad of it. It is the one thing my brother and I have in common."

"On the contrary, Fortenex," said a voice. "You share many of the same failings besides that."

A cold north wind blew in, and many snowflakes flowed in. These snowflakes took the form of a man. He had pale skin and hair as white as snow. Then came many leaves which formed into the shape of a beautiful, yet terrible, woman. It was like her skin was of bark and her hair was that of leaves. Where she walked, plague spread and grass raised upwards. The skies churned above her.

"Ah, Elranor. And Laevian as well," said Fortenex. "It is a regular reunion of old friends. I must thank you for using the door. We just had that one reinforced. How may I help you?"

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"You can account for your actions for a start," said Elranor. Ever the humorlous and serious. You could tell exactly what Elranor was going to do and say without the bother of asking him. Perhaps that's why Harlenor liked him so much, you always knew what you were getting. "You've cursed one of my paladins."

"He cut the hand from one of my children," said Fortenex with a shrug. "I have a right to vengeance."

"Your son attacked first and was dead set on devouring an entire village," noted Elranor.

"When has revenge required a rational motive, pray tell?" asked Fortenex. "It is enough to know that your subject hurt mine. That justifies any level of force I can get away with. In fact, anything justifies any level of force I can get away with."

"Well, I'm afraid you won't get away with it," said Elranor. "Laevian has sewn the seeds of disease in Viokinar, and I am the god of healing. If you don't provide me with compensation, she will unleash it, and I will withdraw my magic from Viokinar."

Fortenex was almost surprised. Almost. He had expected some kind of threat, but threatening plague hadn't been it. Laevian must have been wanting an opportunity.

"I'm impressed, Elranor," said Fortenex, meaningfully. "You would kill your colonists?"

"Hardly," said Laevian, "I've been releasing the disease in small doses for centuries. Harlenor has developed an immunity to it. In Viokinar, however, they are isolated and have no such protection. Doing this will speed our conquest and render most of your subjects quite dead."

"I wonder how many coastal towns I could render obliterated by hurricanes?" mused Fortenex. "Perhaps most to all of them."

"You're not so foolish as to call my bluff, Fortenex," said Laevian. "Your brother is growing in power. He'll be the only victor if we start a war of the gods."

Fortenex sighed. "...You speak truly. What do you want?"

"I want you to bring the winds to bear against a fleet of ships of my choosing in a fashion of my choosing," said Elranor. "No questions asked. When I order it done, you will do it."

"Very well, it will be done," said Fortenex. "So long as the target isn't my subjects. Take that, or feel free to start a war."

"And you, Zeya," said Elranor.

"I have done nothing," said Zeya.

"On the contrary, you have," said Elranor. "You have directly violated my request not to bring your petty lusts into my domain. You also did it to one of my paladins no less. I desire compensation for this. As a token of apology."

Zeya shifted. "...So be it. What is it you want, Elranor?"

"I want you to summon a lightning storm in an area near Gel Carn," said Elranor. A great army of satyrs is attacking the Heir of Kings. Your power will be channeled through Lightning Trail to destroy them."

"Whatever you wish," said Zeya. "I'm going home." There was a crack of lightning, and she was gone.

"Goodbye, Fortenex," said Elranor.

Then he and Laevian faded away in a gust of snow. What a collection of absolute killjoys.

Fortenex remained silent for a long moment. Then he leaped with a cheer, pumping his fists. "Yes!"

"I take it that all that was as planned?" said Karasush.

"Yes, it was," said Fortenex. "I'm Not Allowed to Use my winds to alter the courses of battles very often. When I do it on my own, it allows the other gods to do the same with their domains. Elranor doesn't know it, but he's played into my hands."

"Ah, that is why you helped Safara's ship escape Calisha then," noted Karasush.

"Yes. Of course, Baltoth can't prove anything," said Fortenex. "It just so happened to be perfect winds for their escape."

"It will mean war between Estal and Calisha," mused Karasush.

"Yes, I know. There will be a great bloodletting, and I will be its architect," said Fortenex. "Elranor will use the winds to destroy the Calishan fleet. However, the Calishans do not give up easily and will not stand for their god's humiliation. They will build another fleet, larger still, and fall on Estal. By that time, Harlenor will have mobilized.

"That cursed truce made by Vanion will be torn to shreds. Blood and death shall rule the day. And when it is over, I will be able to raid and plunder freely. My armies shall march across the devastated kingdoms of Harlenor and Calisha!"

"It is a fine plan, milord. However, may I caution you not to be too optimistic," said Karasush. "Vanion and Elranor have a way of derailing such plans."

"I am well aware. Indeed, it is your cautious nature for which I choose you as my high priest, Karasush," said Fortenex. "A wise man never has someone just like him as an advisor."

"My thanks," said Karasush. "If I may ask, what about the girl? Tanith."

"Yes, one of my unwitting followers," said Fortenex. "I see great potential in her, despite the nature of her soul. She is a girl after my own heart. I hope to reveal myself to her eventually."

"Then you think she is the one?" asked Karasush.

"Possibly," said Fortenex. "William is a bad influence on her, however. He and so many other noble knights. If she is to unite my worshippers and finally strip away the mask of Kreshlak, it will take time to mold her. Perhaps lifetimes before she is ready."

"Well, we have time if nothing else," said Karasush.

That annoyed Fortenex. He sat down on his throne and fondled his wife. "Yes. And too much of it. Duke Vanion's absurd truce has interfered with my designs long enough. What should have been a world-ending conflict almost fizzled out? I'm going to have to find a special end for him."

"Might I suggest we wait, milord," said Karasush. "Peace is to our benefit, for now."

"Yes, I know," said Fortenex. "At the very least, we'll have a perfect view of the fate of Estal."

"And what of your daughter?" asked Karasush.

Fortenex blinked. What was he on about? "Which one?"

"I don't know her true name; she keeps it a secret," said Karasush. "She is called Arraxia, however."

"Ah yes, her. I've granted her limited dominion over the Axe of Fortenex," said Fortenex. "She's successful enough to warrant a chance to impress me. Even so, I don't see much hope for her. Her infatuation with House Gabriel will be her undoing. And she doesn't leave nearly enough bodies in her wake for my taste."

"There are virtues to doing things without mass carnage, milord," said Karasush.

Fortenex laughed. "Why do you think I keep you around?"