War God for Hire- Gladiator by David Burke (books under 200 pages .TXT) 📕

“Well thank you, m’lord…” Hilde began.

“Whaddya mean? I was talking about Saber.” Kyle held his laughter for a minute but then burst out.

“I’m greatly sorry if my instruction has been lacking,” Hilde replied. He could almost see her prostrating herself on the ground like she had before.

“Dang it, Hilde. You are awesome. Yeah, Saber is helpful, but the only reason I’m getting anywhere is because of you. But it’s no fun to tease you if you don’t develop a sense of humor.”

“Ah, I think I understand. But the truth remains, you would have gained all of this inevitably. It is your destiny. I can only help you along.”

“Maybe, maybe not. Either way, thanks. I want you to accept that I appreciate you. This new subservience isn’t nearly as much fun. I used to complain about you busting my balls, but now I’d rather have that,” Kyle said.

“Oh, I would never try to strike your testicles,” Hilde said, a sense of embarrassment coming through with her words.

“I thought you understood the meaning of my words, the context behind them rather than just the words.”

“Most of the time I do, but sometimes your expressions are so bizarre I can’t figure them out. Especially if they can mean more than one thing,” Hilde replied.

“Never mind. Do you think that we should simply escape now? I do trust your judgment,” Kyle said.

“Partially, but if we are going to stay here, then I think you need to start gathering followers. At first your followers will be mortal, but that will change as your power manifests more.”

“Wouldn’t Marie be a logical choice then?” Kyle asked the question knowing full well he was going to get a reaction from Hilde. He just wanted to know if she had a bias against the former war god’s servant or if there was a rational basis.

“Hmmm… You will need to be careful with her. Sure, she is strong, skilled, and experienced, but her allegiance can’t be certain. I wasn’t able to discern if she has any mixed allegiances. She seemed to have some anger towards you, but also was shocked that you were back. I just don’t know if she surrendered to one of your siblings, though. The word was that Begaer was making an effort to convert your virgin battle maidens into her own twisted form of whore warriors.” Hilde’s tone was slow and deliberate as she spoke.

“But if she is faithful, then wouldn’t she be an invaluable resource? And honestly, if she was Krig’s servant, don’t we owe something to her?” Kyle asked.

“I keep telling you that you are a god, one of the creators and sustainers of this entire world. You don’t owe anything to anyone. In fact, it is probably time that you bring the elf to heel. You already began to impart a divine splinter to her. You need to confirm her loyalty and then activate it.

“You have a much better way of reeling her in than Krig ever had, and she seems more than willing. She already has as much as offered herself to you. I’ve seen the way you look at her. So why not claim a potentially valuable servant? At least if you can awaken her sorcerous bloodline. After the other day, I know you enjoy that sort of thing.”

“Okay, that is enough. I want your counsel, but I’m not going to talk about using anyone. I will forge a team. Yes, I will be the team captain, but I want a team of people who want to be here. I want you, and not just in that way and not just because I need your help. Do you understand?” Kyle demanded.

“As you wish. But please take the elf and turn her to your side. It might be advisable to do the same with the lycan.”

“And are you advising that I only gather women to this team?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. From your memories, I thought that your interest was only in women.”

“No, that isn’t what I meant. I’m not a switch hitter. I mean everyone can do them, but yeah, that isn’t me. But if what you told me about Krig is true, then he certainly didn’t recruit his servants by sleeping with them,” Kyle protested.

“Quite right. I’m sorry. I just got very lonely in complete solitude for three years. There was absolutely nothing to do trapped in your mantle until you reformed. Maybe I developed a bit of a twisted sense of things. Can you blame me, though?”

“Blame isn’t the question. If possible, I’d like to add Gilthan and maybe Skrug to our group. We would just need a healer and then we would have a well-rounded party.”

Before they could formulate a plan any further, Saber suddenly appeared. He looked harried and dirty, which was not surprising. Much of the stadium seating had been destroyed and the structure was going to likely require major repairs after some of the Aekor’s energy blasts had shaken the building.

“There you are. I’ve been looking for everyone. You need to clean up quickly,” the trainer said in a rushed voice.

“Why?”

“Oh no, boy, don’t go doing that to me now. You’re a flipping slave. You go where you are told,” Saber barked. Then his face seemed to soften. “I’m sorry, that came out too harsh. Thank you for helping take that thing down. I still don’t know what burnt it up, but all the talk is about the flash of fire that blinded anyone who was watching. But Lady Sorengaard has asked to speak to you. And until the auction, you are still property of their family. You had best clean up. I will have one of the guards take you to a guest room that she has asked to meet you in.”

Kyle looked at the man, uncertain what this all meant, but eventually just said, “What the heck. This might be interesting. Is this Soren’s wife?”

“Oh gods, thankfully no. That poor woman is a bitch from the pits of