Reborn And Chosen By Three Gods

CHAPTER 8

Alex returned his attention to the form. He filled in his full name (Alexander Frost), age, sex and stopped at race. He looked at the Dwarf who told him to put Human. He pointed out other Adventurers who were Elves, Orcs, and even one of the Beast-Kin. Alex completed the form and signed it. He noted the deity field had all three names in it.

"This little box at the top needs a drop of blood to lock the spell on the form. This will prevent it from being destroyed or altered," the Guild Master explained.

Alex nodded and held his hand out over the form.

Grakkesh poked his finger with a blade to provide the blood for the spell. The cut on Alex's finger glowed red briefly, restoring it to its original state.

Grakkesh was watching closely and nodded to himself, pleased. "I've been alive for over three hundred years, and this is the first time I've witnessed Restoration Magic. It feels different too," he said.

This caused another stir among the gathered Adventurers. The ones who caught the glow told the others what they saw until there was a quiet rumbling amongst the group.

Alex looked back at the group and saw distrust, scorn, and, on some, outright hate on their faces. He turned to Grakkesh. "What the hell is wrong with some of these people?"

"Difference frightens the small-minded," Grakkesh muttered quietly.

Maera returned with a black and red card, the colors matching Agron's tattoo, apparently. This caused even more grumbling.

Grakkesh had heard enough and turned to face the crowd. "If you've got business here, get to it. If not, leave." The gathered Adventurers began reluctantly clearing.

Alex looked at his card, then smiled at the Elf. "Thank you, Maera."

Her smile threatened to derail his mind. "You are most welcome, Alexander."

"Please, call me Alex," he responded and received another dazzling smile.

The Guild Master turned to Alex. "Follow me. All new arrivals stay in the barracks upstairs until they've completed their training. I'll assign you a bunk and a locker keyed to your Guild Card. Once you complete your training, you're on your own for room and board."

On the third floor was a long room full of beds with lockers between them. Most were empty. Grakkesh pressed Alex's Guild Card to a locker and headboard. "Your card goes here while you use the bed.

Alex sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the Guild Master gratefully. "Thank you for your help today."

Grakkesh smiled. "Just fulfilling my part of the contract with the Gods," he said before he turned and left.

Alex took in the rustic simplicity of the furnishings and stretched out on the bed. He immediately fell asleep.

After all, it had been a rough first day.

Chapter 4

Commander Silvain stood in the antechamber of the King's Council Chamber, waiting to be called in.

He did his best to ignore the smug expressions on the two Royal Knights guarding the doors.

While his Genthale Knights were responsible for the safety and security of the city up to and including the neighborhoods of the lesser Nobles ringing the palace and castle, the Royal Knights were charged with the security for the Royal Family and the High Noble houses, the top ring.

The Commander of the Royal Knights, Willem Theroux, was a prick. In Silvain's opinion, that term was sufficient to describe the man. Arrogant, condescending, and dull were all excellent choices as well. But prick more accurately summed up the package.

To be a Royal Knight, you had to be blessed by Saphra, so every member was a weapons master, and their training revolved around swordsmanship and strength training. Not the most well-rounded preparation to protect citizens, but they were mostly for show, in Silvain's opinion.

Turning his mind from the distraction of the smug Knights, he confirmed he had his report on the destruction of the slavery ring as he assumed this was the topic he'd been summoned to discuss.

Silvain maintained the peace in the city far better than any of its prior commanders, so he knew there was nothing else it could be.

His thoughts were confirmed when he saw Guild Master Harkentoll approaching. The Dwarf gave him a smile and a nod as he also stopped to wait before the doors.

Only moments later, they opened, and the two men were gestured to enter.

They walked in side by side and stopped before the raised dais where King Harlen Alvarest sat gazing down upon them. His skin had a concerning grey tinge, a symptom of his declining health.

Standing at his side was his regent, Alois Charette. The two new arrivals bowed to the king and nodded to the regent.

A door opened at the side of the chamber, and Prince Ungar Alvarest stepped inside with his man at his heel. The prince was a larger man than his father, but at forty-seven, he carried more weight on his middle than was healthy.

The prince's shadow was a man well-known to the Commander. Gordier Jalviere would likely be named the regent when the prince assumed the throne upon his father's death.

It wouldn't surprise Thestree if Jalviere arranged for that to happen sooner rather than later.

He bowed his head to the prince and received a nod in return.

"Why are you here?" the king asked his son. "I didn't summon you."

"I was nearby when the news of what some are calling a miracle reached the castle. I thought it opportune to save you the time of repeating the information the Commander and Guild Master were summoned to give you, father," Ungar said politely.

The king scowled at his son for assuming he would share the report.

Considering the king was seventy-two and in poor health, it made sense that the prince would take a larger role in preparing himself for the exchange of power