The Accidental Archmage by Edmund Batara (read out loud books .TXT) 📕

Ares was at a loss on how to answer. His wide eyes and open mouth declared his

surprise at Athena’s declaration.

“Hear my judgment, Ares Enualios and Erethizo, son of Eris.

Athena turned to the fearful youth.

"Son of Eris. For disobeying the dictates of the gods, you are hereby banished to the

house of your mother for a period of three years, there to remain a mortal for the same

period, and not leave until your sentence is done.”

“No! Not that!” cried Erithizo as he disappeared in a flash of light.

“Ares Enualios. You have violated one of the oldest covenants entered into between the

pantheons. You have dishonored yourself by attacking the mortal hero responsible for

Ymir’s defeat. You have outdone yourself by being fooled by Erithizo. And in doing so,

you have meddled in matters beyond your ken.”

“What? This mortal? A hero? And you choose you to take his side? Instead of your

brother’s?”

“Half-brother. You have your uses, Ares Enualios. This is not one of those times. Hear

the sentence of Zeus, our father, as rendered through me. You are hereby forbidden

from leaving Hellas for three years. You are forbidden from taking any divine action

against the mortal and his companions. And by way of recompense, you will give the

mortal your divine ring.”

“My divine ring? It will take Hephaestus a year to make a new one for me! And you

know what he thinks of me!”

“Your problem, not ours. The sentence having been declared, now let it be done.”

“That mortal shall pay for this! Mark my words, Athena! He shall pay!”

Ares disappeared. And in his place, a ring lay on the marble floor.

Athena looked at Odin.

“My lord, your thoughts?”

“Oh, I am not worried about our young mage there, despite the threats of Ares. With

that ring, he can handle Ares just fine. What concerns me is what will he be at the end

of his journey?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to deal with him right now?”

“No. I have thought about it at first but didn’t choose that path. On hindsight, it was

the right decision. You saw the creature in the Gap. No god can control or defeat it. We

don’t know if it resides in our mage or if, by being alive, holds it in check. In this

matter, a single mistake will destroy us all.”

“The unknown always pose the worst problems.”

“My worry is that knowledge about him may spread to the other pantheons and the

hidden ones. If that happens...”

“Then we best make sure it doesn’t happen.”

“But Dori is not the best place for him right now. Nor bringing him back to Skaney. The

web of fate is being written and I hesitate to interfere more than I have done so far.”

“We do have to try to steer him to a path in our favor.”

“True. But I will leave them in your capable hands. This is Hellas, anyway.”

“There is a city not so far away. Dedicated to me. Though I have not visited it in a

while. I will move them there, away from the worshipers of Ares.”

“Don’t forget the ring. He needs it. That I foresee.”

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CHAPTER LORE:

Eisagogi - Greek. Meaning "introduction," or "insertion."

Ekdromos - Greek. Ancient Greek light hoplite.

Document Outline

COVER PAGE

Author's Notes

Prologue

Chapter I Wet Beginnings

Chapter II Inside Joke

Chapter III Dysfunctional Children

Chapter IV Mischief in Person

Chapter VI An Old Man"s Ring

Chapter VII A Dokkalfr Welcome

Chapter VIII Fossegrim Hal

Chapter IX Magic!

Chapter X Monsters and Coffee

Chapter XI Greeks, Gods, and Gifts

Chapter XII Para Bellum

Chapter XIII Unwelcome Guests

Chapter XIV Cry Havoc!

Chapter XV Rumpr

Chapter XVI When Mountains Talk

Chapter XVII A Method in Madness

Chapter XVIII Aftermath

Chapter XIX Of Gods and Plans

Chapter XX When Greeks Come Calling

Introduction to Book II