“Your majesty, you should prepare. I will take the Champion to the ball room for you.” Lord Pentecost suggested.

  “That’s fine Pentecost. I’d like him front and center for the speech. After that he can mingle with the nobles, high clergy, or leave. I don’t really care. Stay on top of this Pentecost,” relayed the King as he left the hidden chamber with the mural.

  “We thought this might help you in the future. Now are you sure there is nothing you can tell us about the last two?” Wotan asked.

  “Well the last one could be me, but my hair isn’t that long. My braids barely reach my shoulders. That person has long dreadlocks. If it’s supposed to be me, it won’t be for quite some time. This is some freaky shit. Do you all get painted histories or am I just lucky?” Deacon asked.

  “You are a champion of a God. The concept of prophecy should not be beyond you. We must go.” Answered Lord Pentecost.

  They stepped back out into the hallway as the entrance was shut and magically sealed behind them. Deacon wondered why they secured it so tightly if it wasn’t a state secret. They have armed guards in the hallway as well as a mage with a magic key stationed outside of it.

  “Why so much security? You said it wasn’t a big secret.” Deacon asked as they walked past the rows of guards in the passageway.

  “That isn’t the only thing kept in these halls. This way.” Wotan explained while gesturing down a side hallway.

  They walked on in silence for another ten minutes before Wotan stopped to talk to someone in the hall. Five minutes later a tray with three glasses of wine appeared. Lord Pentecost snatched one up. He quickly took three sips and swirled the contents of his glass. Deacon was snickering internally but held off from saying anything too soon.

  “This is my favorite vintage. If you like I can send the guild a bottle. I assume you haven’t taken up residence in the old Taurant estate at Iron mountain yet?” Lord Pentecost asked.

  “Couldn’t, I’ve been with you since getting out of the Wode.” Deacon said holding his glass but not drinking. They finally came upon the large doorway that led to the ballroom. Laughter and music could be heard coming from inside. As they reached the entryway there was an announcer standing on the inside of the doors.

  “Now entering the ballroom, Marquess Pentecost Minister of the Interior of the Griffin Kingdom. His titles include Master of the Inquisitors and Lord of the Northern Highlands.”

  “Now entering the ballroom, Baron Wotan Vess. He is titled as Aide to the Minister of the Interior.”

  “Now entering the ballroom, Duke Deacon of New Mulvaria. His titles include Champion of Chimera, The Mangler, The Blood River-- Slave Masters Bane, Dungeon Bound, and Wode Guardian.”

  There was an audible gasp from the crowd for every title after Champion of Chimera. Deacon stood there staring daggers at the announcer who was looking at a portable slate in his hand. The announcer faltered after reading blood river aloud. He decided to press on and just get through it. The crowds reaction was a mix of surprise, horror, and someone even fainted. The music stopped playing somewhere around Slave Masters Bane. Deacon easily heard murmurs from the crowd about a demon in their midst and how may titles can one man have.

  “Gathered friends and dignitaries please calm yourselves. Our guest Duke Deacon has led a full life before making it to the Palace. Just as many of you have. His majesty would like to speak with you all so please have some wine to calm your nerves. You are in no danger.” Came a voice from a terrace above the ballroom.

  The ballroom itself was as richly appointed as one could expect. There were many floor to ceiling windows leading out to several terraces above the gardens. It had just reached dusk by the time Deacon arrived in the ballroom and some kind of enchantment was enhancing the last rays of the sun. It was throwing shadows across the room of people dancing all while the gathered mass of people were mostly standing around watching. The large double doors than slammed shut behind Deacon who was still at the top of the landing taking it all in. There were royal guards stationed one on either side of the doors. He decided it was time to walk down the stairs into the shark tank.

  “Gathered lords, ladies, High Clergy, and Knights of the Realm. I’m addressing you all today to answer the question that’s been on everyone’s lips since the invasion of Iron Mountain Plateau. How will the King respond to an attack against the kingdom? I tell you all today, I am declaring a formal state of war between the Griffin Kingdom and the Vasilly Empire. We will no longer view skirmishes on our western borders as training exercises for our soldiers. With the help of the Champion of Chimera we will put an end to the slavers caravans hunting the outskirts of our kingdom. We will break their lines and reclaim the lands that have been lost for centuries. War is not to be entered lightly but diplomacy has failed. The empire wont’ even come to the table to discuss concessions for their actions. No more. This issue will now be resolved with sword and spear. I will be activating the Triumvirate Accords and with the help of our Elven and Dweller partners we stomp out this empire for good!” King Edric’s speech built to a crescendo at the end getting a boisterous round of applause.

  Everyone was clapping and cheering, except for Deacon who was reading his slate notification for the second time.

Kingdom Notice: The Griffin Kingdom has declared war on the Vasilly empire. All affected embassies have one week to be emptied to ensure guaranteed safe travel back to their homeland. The following offensive bonuses have been applied: Reinforced Supply Lines, Triumvirate Accords, Champion’s Advantage.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Reinforced Supply Lines- The Griffin Kingdom’s supply lines will be more difficult to disrupt. Defensive shield spells will cost half while protecting supply lines.

Triumvirate Accords- In accordance with signing of the accords, the Elven nation of the Kakiat Forest and Deep Dweller society of the Shattered Sky will lend aid to defend the Griffin Kingdom. As this is the first time the accords have been leveraged in war, all troops will have thirty percent bonus to their health.

Champion’s Advantage- The Champion of Chimera stands with the Griffin Kingdom. Chimera grants the following war ritual to all Generals taking the field: Farmageddon.

Farmageddon- This war ritual rains random farm objects down on a designated location to decimate the target. Farm tools, fencing, barns, livestock, crops, you name it. The effect will last one hour before it will need to be recharged. Be warned there is no friend or foe function for this war ritual.

  Deacon couldn’t believe what he was reading. If he knew Chimera, these could be farm implements from anywhere. He imagined a rain of John Deere tractors littering a battlefield. What about trout farms? He could tell that Chimera left the language vague on purpose. That’s when Deacon noticed the applause had come to an end and people were really reading their notifications at this point. The war notification had first in a list that Deacon had been ignoring. Most of them were skill and ability increases but there was one that stood out.

Message from your Patron: Find that hand- Chimera.

Quest Update- I’m not My Brothers Keeper: Chimera has asked you to find the hand in the last scene of the mural you found in the vault of the Crystal Palace.

  Deacon finally shrugged off his slate induced haze to see the gathered people all looking at him. The room erupted with angry voices and complaining about the Champion’s Advantage. Deacon backed up as the crowd started to surge his way. Several of the guards interposed themselves between Deacon and the crowd. Some of them were yelling about a free spell they were owed.

  “Champion. This way.” Gestured a guardsman putting his hand on Deacon’s shoulder. He was leading Deacon toward one of the alcoves where people could be separate from the hustle and bustle of the ball.

  Deacon sat on the cushioned bench and leaned back to look at the low ceiling above him. As he let his head return to its normal position, he could see a nobleman sitting across the table from him. The table was only three feet wide in a square formation. It was obviously meant for drinks and maybe a small plate of food, nothing else. The entrance to the alcove was now blocked by two armed guards with shields keeping everyone away. The gap was only big enough to see over their shoulders, otherwise they completely closed off the two people seated in this nook.

  “So you’re the great Champion of Chimera I’ve heard so much about. You’re dressed strangely. Other than that you don’t seem particularly special. You don’t even know who I am do you?” asked the strange nobleman.

  “I don’t. Should I?” Deacon asked in return not liking this guy’s attitude.

  “People used to beg, borrow, and steal to get a minute of my time. Thanks to you, I can barely get in the doors these days. From what I’ve heard, you’ll never guess so I’ll just tell you. I’m Cyrus Cullep, Lord of the Western District of the Crystal Cascade.” Cyrus said waiting for a hint of recognition or fear on Deacon’s face.

  “I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but it isn’t.” Deacon said flatly. He could see over the guards shoulders

  “Disrespect. It’s been quite a long time since I’ve been showed disrespect. There was a time when hardened soldiers wept facing my gaze. But that’s what you do isn’t it? Ruin things for other people.” Cyrus said.

  Deacon didn’t like where this conversation was going. He didn’t like this rambling man seated across from him and he didn’t want to go back out into he crowd. While Cyrus had been talking Deacon tried to phase through the wall, but it must be too thick. The power just failing to initiate. Although something about this man’s features seemed familiar.

  “I’ll get straight to the point since you’re too stupid to understand the situation you’re in. I’ve been looking for my son for quite some time. You see he got caught up in that invasion down south and I was unable to contact him for weeks. Until recently. Ring any bells?” Cyrus asked.

  “Nope. Are we done here? Why won’t these guys move?” Deacon asked looking out into the sea of irate nobility. He even saw a worried looking Pentecost pushing his way through the crowd toward his location.

  “Efimeo Cullep! You dullard. Efimeo is my son.” Cyrus said finally losing his composure and raising his voice.

  “You know you have a mouth on you. If I weren’t on my best behavior, I’d kick your damn teeth down your throat.” Deacon said casually as he noticed Armand in the crowd signaling danger with his hands. That worried him.

  “You know the men I sent after you kept complaining about your demon powers making it difficult to catch you. I told them it couldn’t be that hard. Just meet you at a specific time and a specific place and spring a trap. If you want something done right, you’ll have to do it yourself.” Cyrus said getting to his feet.

  Deacon stood up to stop him from leaving but Cyrus just held out a glowing onyx stone in his hand. Deacon moved quickly grabbing the hand with the stone in it and crushing the bones in Cyrus’s right hand. He held in his scream like a trooper but looked into Deacon’s eyes.

  “That’s it, that’s the look of fear I wanted to see. The moment when my enemy realizes I’ve already won,” said Cyrus as a spike of energy burned into Deacon’s back. In a flash Deacon was gone from the alcove leaving a wincing Cyrus to pull another stone from his pocket with his left hand. He crushed it and disappeared. Leaving just the two guards guarding no one.

  Deacon blinked the bright flash out of his eyes. He was falling face first toward an extremely well lit patch of sand. Slamming into the ground he gasped for air. Taking in huge lungful’s of air just managed to move the sand around his face. He wondered where that pain came from and where the hell he ended up. Deacon reached around to his shoulder to find a small pin embedded in his back. The same place that guard grabbed him as he was bringing him to the alcove. Finally rolling over on his back fully he looked around at all the bright light. He even heard some banging from somewhere to his left. Eventually his vision cleared up enough for him to see a great glass dome above him. There were bodies lying around and weapons lining the walls of the area he was in. It must be at least two football fields wide. It was then that Deacon began to sweat. He knew exactly where he was. Deacon sat up to hear an announcers voice coming from above him.

  “It looks like we have a new participant in this years games. If you’ll take a look at the magically enhanced glass provided by The Tower mages, you can see his name is Deacon. The Champion of Chimera. Is that right? The champion we all just read about in the Kingdom Notice. Well we have a treat for all of you tonight audience. It appears the Champion of Chimera has entered the games!”

  “Fuck me,” was all Deacon said.