Free The Destroyer of Worlds by Jonathan Moeller

“I think it is time that we took the fight to Marugon.”
    “And how shall we do that?” said Arran. 
    “Lithon is King of Carlisan,” said Conmager, “and perhaps it is time he claimed his throne.”
    “And how will he do so?” said Arran. “Most of the High Kingdom’s people have perished. Even if a remnant could be gathered, Marugon’s soldiers would quickly slaughter them.”
    “Marugon’s dominion over the High Kingdoms is crumbling.” Conmager’s dark eyes gleamed in his lined face. “From what you said, it seems that he has wearied of his conquests. I would wager that the High Kingdoms are breaking into petty domains, ruled by winged demons or ambitious gunmen. If the surviving people of the High Kingdoms rose up, it would not be hard to defeat these petty tyrants. And we could fight the gunmen with their own weapons.”
    Arran stared at him. “Guns. You want to bring more guns to our world.” 
    Conmager nodded. “Five of the Tower’s doors open to Earth. One stands in Wycliffe’s warehouse. That door and its ill history we already know. The second door stands in the woods behind the Westers’ old house. You came through that door, Sir Arran, as did Ally and Lithon. The third door stands in New York, the fourth someplace in Ghana. But the fifth door opens in the town Broken Skull.”
    “Charming name,” said Ally.
    Allard grunted and swallowed a mouthful. “Actually, it’s a little town in South Dakota. I’ve been there; Regent took me. Little shitburg, but lots of cheap beer.” 
    “I own a warehouse there,” said Conmager, “and it is filled with guns. I purpose we return to our world and take the guns, bit by bit, with us. We shall have to set up caravans, as did Marugon, but we can ferry the weapons over. And then we can arm the people of the High Kingdoms and drive out the winged demons and Marugon’s soldiers.” 
    “I dislike this plan,” said Arran. “We shall do again to the High Kingdoms what Marugon has already done.”
    “And it must be done again.” Conmager leaned forward. “It is the only way to restore the High Kingdoms, if only as pale shadows of their former selves. The High Kingdoms will take centuries to heal. But that healing cannot begin until Marugon is defeated.”
    “Marugon is here on Earth,” said Arran. “How shall waging war across the High Kingdoms defeat Marugon?”
    “We cannot confront Marugon, not yet.” Conmager gestured around the room. “His winged demons and changelings almost destroyed us. Alastarius Prophesied that Lithon would defeat Marugon. I say we must restore the High Kingdoms, raise an army, and return to Earth to kill Marugon.” 
    “No,” said Arran. “We are not ready to fight Marugon. But we must not fight the gunmen in the High Kingdoms. I tried and failed. We should wait until Lithon is old enough, until Ally is strong enough, and then attack Marugon here.”
    Conmager blinked. “I do not believe that is wise. Marugon is the last of the Warlocks, yes, but he is the mightiest. He could kill us all with little effort.”
    “He is still a man,” said Arran, “of mortal flesh and blood. One bullet could kill him, if we caught him by surprise. It would not surprise me if his spells protected him from bullets. But if we catch him off guard, when Ally and Lithon are stronger, we can kill him.”
    Ally shook her head. “No. He’s not mortal. At least not entirely.”
    Arran frowned. “What?”
    “Marugon is…” Something fluttered just behind her conscious mind. “It…I don’t know. Something. I thought I remembered.” She shook her head. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”
    Mary pointed her fork at Conmager. “Shouldn’t Ally and Lithon have a say? After all, if you’re making these big decisions about their lives, shouldn’t they say what they think?” 
    Conmager nodded. “Of course.” He looked at Lithon, and then at Ally. “What do you think? Should we stay, or should we go?”
    Lithon shrugged. “I