Free Gathering Of The God-Touched (Book 4) by Ron Collins

his animal.”
    Reynard gave a sigh, but turned to the Freeborn. “As Garrick says, we will curry the horses by hand.”
    “No,” Garrick replied. “This is as Commander
J’ravi
said. He has earned that respect and more.”
    Reynard held Garrick’s gaze a moment too long. “I agree, Lord Garrick.” He held his hand to Darien. “I apologize, Commander. I meant no disrespect.”
    Darien shook Reynard’s hand.
    “I will be in my tent, Commander J’ravi,” Garrick said to Darien. “When you are finished with preparations, I would like a word.” Then Garrick turned to leave.
    “Lord Garrick?” Reynard said.
    He hesitated.
    “The order needs a leader if it is going to grow into Sunathri’s vision. Will you serve?”
    “I am a poor choice.”
    “You are god-touched.”
    “That alone makes me an unwise choice.”
    “With all due respect, Lord. You are the only one who thinks that.”
    The mages looked to Garrick again. Garrick said nothing. Life force stirred inside him, though, and he felt the urgency of Braxidane’s desire. He knew better than take command of the Freeborn, though. He had no desire to lead, and no skills. And he would not expose Sunathri’s order to the whims of this abysmal force inside him.
    “The Lectodinians remain strong,” Reynard continued. “And we cannot be foolish enough to think the Koradictines will not rise from their ashes. We have to grow our roots now.”
    “I come with considerable baggage,” Garrick said. “The order does not want me at its helm.”
    “Then we are lost,” Reynard said.
    The wizards murmured with disappointment.
    “You are not lost.”
    All eyes turned to Darien.
    “The only way the Freeborn would be lost would be to coerce Garrick into serving against his will. He must be free to decline, otherwise you corrupt the base ideal of Sunathri’s vision for the Torean House itself.”
    “We need a leader,” Reynard replied.
    “If you would have me,” Darien said, “I would lead your house.”
    Reynard smiled. “You are no mage.”
    “You’re right. But I believe in what Sunathri stood for. I have fought for it. And I’ve grown up amid those who organize things. I can help you build this order.”
    The mages shared glances as Darien continued.
    “But I am not blind to the fact that I cannot cast magic, and without that I might well struggle to lead. So, if the Torean Freeborn will have me I propose to name a board of mages to provide me counsel in this area. My first two selections will be you, Reynard, and, of course, Garrick.”
    “I’m not joining the Freeborn,” Garrick said.
    “You don’t have to be Freeborn for me to ask your opinion. It’s always best to hear all sides in a conflict. In fact, your voice, coming as a free citizen, brings its own value.”
    Garrick had nothing to say. He didn’t want to tell Darien of his decision in this public moment.
    “It could work,” Reynard said, turning to look at Garrick. “Will you serve as Darien’s counsel?”
    Garrick put his hands on his hips.
    He thought about Sunathri.
    He remembered the velvet touch of her kiss and the strength of her passion.
    Reynard was right. This arrangement could work. And he wanted to do something for Sunathri. Could he find a way to make this work in conjunction with his own needs?
    “I will be away often,” he said. “And for long periods.”
    “Your learnings in these travels could aid the order,” Darien replied.
    “My god-touch makes me dangerous.”
    “And half of our army is alive due to that same touch.”
    Garrick nodded.
    The proposed arrangement was really no different from the arrangement they had come to God’s Tower under, and Darien’s response told him he was free to travel on his own as he had already planned.
    “I can live with it,” he said. Or at least try.”
    “Then I will serve, too,” Reynard replied.
    The mages gave a disjointed cheer.
    After a moment, Darien raised his hand and everything quieted.
    “I have only one