“What’s that?” Erin said, eyeing the small clay pots Radic pulled from a bag as they gathered in the forest a few hundred yards from the fort.

“Our new King’s special fire,” he replied, handing each of them a pot. “Just a little backup.”

“How’d you get a hold of these, Radic?” Callum said, eyeing the pot that filled his palm.

“Got them from Dober,” Radic grinned. “He’s not so bad… just needs a little convincing.”

“Convincing? What do you mean by that, Radic?”

“Well, he didn’t just give them to me. I did what I had to. You know,” Radic shrugged.

“You didn’t threaten him, did you?” Erin glared.

“Radic?” Callum said. “Please tell me you didn’t do anything stupid.”

“What? We’re going to need all the help we can get out there. Now, as I was saying, insert and light the cloth when you’re ready to use it,” he said, dangling the white piece of cloth that came with the grenades. “It’s been soaked in some special alcohol mix, and boy, does it burn.”

“It’s a pity you didn’t get horses as well,” Clay sighed.

“Don’t encourage him, Clay. Trying to get horses from the stables would raise far too many suspicions. We’re trying to improve our standing, not get our titles taken from us when we return.”

“Okay, okay, enough chatter. Are you boys done? Can we get a move on already,” Erin interrupted as she finished organizing her pack. “In and out. No fussing about. Let’s get this done as planned.”

“Wow, look at her go,” Radic nodded with a smug grin. “To think I never liked you much, Erin. Maybe I had the wrong impression.”

“Yeah, maybe,” Erin rolled her eyes. “Alright, just hurry up. We’ll have plenty of time to talk on the road.”

“You heard her,” Callum said. “Let’s move,” he added, gesturing for the others to follow as he turned into the forest to take the lead.

“Too late to go back now, huh?” Clay nervously chuckled as he followed.

**Imperator**

Holding onto a metal handle beside the cockpit entrance, Gorfang directed Mark into the temple. The trip was a struggle at times, and the veteran Warmaster grew confused as he tried to direct from above. But once they reached the Western lands, his knowledge of the landmarks shone through, and he was able to direct Mark confidently.

The trip west was further than his trip to Xaarn and required a stopover, which lasted for a few hours as the ship recharged. Mark could funnel some of his own power into it, as he had discovered in the battle against the Imperators, but that was also draining, and he wanted to be at his best for the upcoming meeting.

The throne ship rocked as they climbed through the hailing weather, into the high altitude mountains. Somehow, these people had found an even colder place to call home than the Frontier he had come to know.

Ice frosted up the ship’s camera feeds, but a jolt of energy rushing through the ship melted it away.

“There it is,” Gorfang said. “Put us down there,” he added, pointing past Mark into the snow blanketed platform before the stone facade of the temple, which was carved straight into the mountain. Several stone walls zigzagged across the mountain edge, cutting off any walkable paths, and Mark immediately understood why they considered their home impenetrable.

The stone doors to the temple ground open and several armored warriors marched out to greet them as the ship lowered onto the platform.

Metal groaned against the cold, and the hatch lurched open. Gorfang led Mark to the formation of warriors, who lowered to one knee as they greeted their commanding officer.

“Rise,” Gorfang said. “Our honored guest, King Atlas,” he added, introducing Mark to the men.

The warriors thumped their chest and rose to their feet.

“Come,” Gorfang waved on, and walked by the men who stood guard as he led Mark into the temple proper.

Warm air greeted Mark as they stepped into the mountain, surprising him.

“The temperature,” he muttered. “How?”

“Do you think we would live up here if it was as inhospitable as outside? No, the Lava God rumbles deep below, his power meeting underground rivers with a roar and sending steam up through the temple.”

“Tell me, you don’t have hot springs, do you?” Mark said, his lower jaw quivering.

“Hot springs?” Gorfang’s brow rose. “I’m not sure what that is. Wait, you don’t mean the steam spas, do you?”

“Steam spas?” Mark repeated, internally drooling. “What’s a steam spa?” He asked the question, but his mind had already decided what they were.

“They’re rooms where heated water flows into small pools. They are where our people bathe. They get their name from the steam that fills the rooms. They have great healing properties, and our priests are known for the herbal mixtures they add to the steam vents, which fill the rooms with aromatic scents.”

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Steam, aromatic scents?” Mark mouthed in disblief.

“Come,” Gorfang said. “Let’s not dally any longer. The Body of the Goddess will wish to speak with you.”

Mark nodded wordlessly and followed.

Carved tunnels lined with stone effigies led them into a grand hall. Its jagged rock ceiling was far above their heads, and thick bear skin rugs were lavishly laid across its stone floor.

The light caught on the silver-haired beauty who lay at the center of the bear furs. Her skin was like milk, and her light robes hung precariously from her narrow frame.

“Body of the Goddess,” Gorfang dropped to a knee and beat his chest. “I have returned from my mission with a potential ally worthy of your greeting.”

“Oh?” She looked up, her features soft and forgiving, with thick lashes that fluttered.

“This is King Atlas, formerly Imperator Atlas of the Imperium.”

“I have heard of you, Imperator. Or should I say, King?”

“As I have you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Yelinda,” Mark said with a short bow.

Gorfang opened his mouth to berate Mark’s use of her first name, but stopped as Yelinda raised a silencing hand.

“It’s not often you meet an Imperial that goes against his edicts. I must ask you before we continue, King Atlas. Why have you chosen this path for yourself? Was it purely out of greed? Or do you desire something else?”

How should I answer that? Am I really just doing this for the people of Winterclaw? It would be a lie if I said I didn’t enjoy the freedom to rule my own state.

Mark cleared his throat as he searched for the right answer.

“I won’t claim to only serve altruistic purposes, but I do wish to see the people of the Frontier united against a common enemy. I don’t impose my beliefs on others, nor do I expect them to abide by foreign laws and customs. What I have created is a land of freedoms that strives for our universal benefit.”

“What a speech,” Yelinda clapped. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

“Well, I believe in what I’m creating. I answered your question, now you can answer mine. You sent your people to make demands that I bow to you. If either of us should be questioning one another, perhaps it should be me. Why should I subjugate myself to someone who hides in the mountains without an army?”

“How dare you,” Gorfang growled, marching toward Mark with clenched fists.

“Stop, Gorfang, be still and silent. Our goal is to unite against the wargs, or had you forgotten?”

“I’m sorry, Body of the Goddess,” Gorfang said and fell back to his knees.

“I understand you point. However, is it not true that the people of this land need a common banner to fight beneath if we’re to have a chance?”

“And why yours?”

A smile tugged at Yelinda’s full lips. “Why indeed. Take a pause for a moment. I ask another question?”

“Of course,” Mark nodded.

“What are you, King Atlas?”

“S, you do you see it, don’t you?”

“I see something, yes,” she nodded.

“If you do, then you should understand the potential. Why limit ourselves to one deity? Religious differences have been at the root of our division. They make us weak while our enemy remains united.”

“What is your suggestion, then? Should we rule together, perhaps?” She grinned mischievously.

“Together?” Mark stammered. “I–uh.”

“You’re not truly suggesting–”

“I asked for silence, Gorfang.”

“Sorry, Body of the Goddess,” Gorfang bowed his head to the ground.

“What are you,” Mark cleared his throat.

“Something wrong, King? You’re not going to take advantage of a young maiden like myself, are you?”

“No–I–never—”

“Relax. You’re right. The avatars of two great gods, together we would be unstoppable. Who better to lead our people toward the light of salvation and the defeat of our enemies?” Yelinda said, rising from the bear furs.

“To an alliance, then?” Mark said, extending his gloved hand.

“Yes, an alliance,” Yelinda smiled. “Precisely what I meant.”

“Good,” Mark nodded. “Well—umm—what’s next?”

“Why so suddenly short of words, Mighty King?”

“I’m not short of words, nor am I sure that mighty is how to describe me,” Mark cleared his throat.

“Gorfang, please see our guest to our temporary accommodation and make sure he is taken care of.”

“Yes, Body of the Goddess,” Gorfang rose. “This way,” he added, waving Mark on.

What is going on here?

His accommodation was carved straight into the cave. It had timber flooring overlaid with furs and a spacious bed of soft cushions mounted into a pile atop the furs.

Not bad for a mountain top temple, Mark thought as he entered.

“One of our serving aids will be by shortly. Please let them know if you need anything.”

“Ah, excuse me, Gorfang. What about the steam spas?”

“Ask your sever. They should be able to arrange one for you.”

My goodness, is this really happening? A real bath. I can hardly believe it.

Mark swallowed the tantalizing thought bubbling away in his mind. Suddenly, he felt more like he had gone on a mountain retreat than in search of allies to fight back hordes of monsters.

Some twenty to thirty minutes later, a knock came at the door. “Esteemed guest.” a soft voice came.

“Yes?” Mark said, cracking his neck as he rose from the bed of cushions.

“Food has been prepared for you.”

“Come in,” Mark called.

A young woman entered, carrying a tray of bowls and plates, covered with various meats, stews, and stodgy, dense bread.

Is that bread made of rigar?

“Is there anything else I can help with?” She said as she placed the tray down on a rock table.

“Yes. The steam spa. Am I able to have one?”

“Oh, certainly. I will have a room prepared for you. How long would you like for dinner?”

“Gove me twenty minutes,” Mark grinned dimples into his cheeks.

“I will let the attendants know. Oh, and what scent would you like for the spa?”

“What are the options?”

“Haxel Wood, Western Lily Blossom, Rose Worth, or Dark Wood Cherry. We can also do a blend of two if you would like.”

“I’ll take the Haxel Wood and Rose Worth,” Mark said. He had no idea what they were, but they sounded nice, and he didn’t feel like asking endless questions.

“I’ll have it arranged,” she bowed and backed out of the room.

This place… it isn’t half bad.

With a full stomach, Mark sighed with joy as he stepped into the spa, the floral, and somewhat earthy scent of the steam filling his nostrils.

This is it. This is really living.

Dipping a toe into the water, he gradually lowered himself into the steamy broth. It was hot, almost too hot, but after so long in the Frontier, that was exactly what he needed.

“Get a rgip,” he mouthed as he let his head lull back and steam to fill his senses.

Don’t forget why you came here.

Mark needed to remind himself there was still a war to be won, and a Frontier to save.

He needed to keep a straight mind. They may have casually talked about an alliance, not to mention their mutual reasons for doing so, but he couldn’t ignore the seriousness of the matter.

Their sovereignty was on the line, and if he let himself get distracted with pleasantries, he might sign them up for something they couldn’t back out of.

What was that woman suggesting back there…

That thought quickly drifted away as Mark considered the benefits of their alliance. If her powers were on par to his own, that alone was worth power sharing. After all, without his power Fort Winterclaw would have no doubt fallen, even with all the defenses they had built up. With the avatar of another god on their side, perhaps the cultists wouldn’t have managed to even breach the walls.

Mark sighed and slid further into the water as his mind played a confusing back and forth.

The Frontier is a big place. I’m sure it can be shared… if that’s what her proposal was. It was, wasn’t it?