Dear Muse (Those Whom the Gods Wish to Destroy Book 1) by Shawn Mackey

like charcoal and colored a dark pitch. While many of the tribesmen perished during this cleansing, Ennok and many of his kin acquired impenetrable skin and tremendous strength. An unfortunate victim, bringing Ennok’s share of loot, awoke his leader from a meditative state and suffered a fist through the abdomen, a reflexive motion rather than agitated strike. He apologized to the dead by forfeiting all loot to his devoted disciples from that point onward.
    Narg was known for his plunder. War trophies were not exclusive to this tribe, though it was the most avaricious by a large degree. Whether a necklace of bone or a finely crafted weapon, Narg took pride in loot. Each piece was a symbol of victory, an accumulation of glory. A warrior’s greatness is measured by his possessions obtained through combat, and each piece had its own story. Narg’s treasure was carried in long caravan, which he led at the head, adorned with his rivals’ former prized possessions. These carts were carried on the shoulders of his subordinates. The labor was considered an exercise in body and humility. Attempts to pilfer the hoard could not dent his vast riches, for he had accumulated in a single vessel more than all the clans combined.
    Lug was known for his engineering. His camps were built of stone instead of sticks, and the surrounding area was littered with various traps. A strong defense left little room for ambush, and ample time for planning. The clan was more stationary than the others, less territorial, and the least hostile. The lack of aggression was supplemented by the ability to take advantage of their terrain to the greatest extent. The primary purpose of raiding was to acquire stronger material to fortify their towers. He was the first to temper steel and create armored plates strong enough to deflect iron-tipped projectiles and, eventually, a steel fortress.
    These were the six tribes of Kel. Their war raged at a stalemate for countless eons. Casualties were replenished as soon as they were fallen. No clan made an effort to exterminate another, hell bent on sustaining a consistent level of warfare. Victories and defeats were dished out in the same measure. The notion of a supreme conqueror never seemed possible, since the tribal chiefs were invincible, nor would they bend to their foes.
    This all changed the day Gar pried Karkrak’s head from his shoulders and proclaimed the imminent supremacy among the other clans. Since no spear point could piece Karkrak’s skull, Gar tied the trophy with rope and wore it as a necklace. Word of the event quickly spread, prompting each chieftain to declare their legitimacy. The clans would unify under a single leader adorned with a wreath decorated by the skulls of his rivals.
    To prove Gar possessed only the good fortune of striking the first blow, Narg attacked Floon with the intent of massacring the entire clan. He ordered all iron to be melted and forged into a single ball. His subordinates thought him mad, for they owned enough of the metal to arm every Kel from every clan one hundred times over. The result proved to be even more bizarre. This massive iron ball, towering halfway to the sky and wide enough fit the broadest plains, required immense strength to push. Even worse, their draconian chieftain ordered them to roll it up the steepest hill.
    They patiently waited until Floon’s forces marched at the hill’s base. At the decisive moment, Narg signaled his men to assist pushing the iron ball. It tumbled down the slick surface at tremendous speed, rumbling so loudly that the soldiers paused to watch it roll, frozen in a mixture of awe and fear, knowing they were helpless to flee, yet fascinated by the sight.
    The ball flattened nearly every Kel, painting the dark gray material into a glistening crimson within seconds. Narg charged down the hill to finish the remaining forces, reaching the bottom in time to witness Floon flee from the massacre, abandoning the survivors of his clan.