--- Hrut, Prophet of Zeus POV

“We are almost there!” leers Stedman, his eyes popping and for a moment his face in mine.

Pigot jumps between us and cranes his head around and whispers, “Look at him, he can’t believe he has the gold for her, yet we know he treats himself when his pockets are so heavy, as do we!” He then wraps an arm around each of our shoulders swinging from us. Stedman and I need to dig deep to hold us all upright and sigh with relief when Pigot uses his own legs.

I didn’t think my face said anything except caution due to the general age and state of repair of the buildings we had passed. These are decidedly worse than those a couple of winding streets ago.

The humans are watchful as well, a hungry look in their eyes which I don’t understand because their intensity is that of hunters sizing up possible prey trying to identify the weakest which would suggest …

Is that how Pigot, Stedman and I appear to them? Are we prey? The other two talk as if we have ventured into this part of the human settlement before yet I can’t stop my head swivelling about …

A flick of fingers snaps upon my abdomen.

“Stop scoping them out. They haven’t much but will slip a knife between your ribs quicker than your death throws afterwards,” hisses Stedman. “What got into your head all of a sudden?”

“Sorry,” I mumble and train my face to look ahead. Somehow, given their height I consider them equals, when in truth they aren’t a threat, not really. What they can do though is break my illusion and destroy my mission. In any fight, I would want to grow to full height to intimidate and ensure some of the gutter rats pause, so I’m not overwhelmed by those who are careless about preserving their life.

We stroll on. A couple of more streets and the quality of the buildings improve, yet the hunger in the eyes of the humans remain. This hunger though is avarice, greed for gold for services rendered and we are known as several humans surge towards us. Not as in running in our direction, more subtle, posture leaning forward, eyes upon us and an instant transformation from boredom to alertness. They expect us and they expect to fleece us of our hard earnt gold.

They know us. Which means they know the real Adair …

“Is there a more expensive place?” I glance at both of my companions in turn. “We have the gold for once to really splurge,” I add.

A cackle from Pigot. “Mister spendthrift, finally recognising quality over quantity …”

“Ignore him, come with us then. Three days and two nights with one harlot is not the equal of one night with a courtesan,” says Stedman, with absolute belief.

Pigot slaps my shoulder. “We only walk this way to protect you but if you like our place then we can strut down the main street like all the important folk, won’t that be grand. Three miners, dirt from head to toe threatening our betters in their fancy clothes with soiling.”

As we swing by and hasten away their reactions almost make me laugh, scratching their heads, rubbing their chins and an equal balance between blinking their eyes and wrinkling their noses. I am certain they would have spoken, yet their confusion and surprise possibly tied their tongues.

Our dip into the poorer neighbourhoods of the town brief and solely for my benefit, Adair’s benefit. There would be no followers to be found there, they would most likely be here. Fine buildings on either side of this side street, of stone and polished wood. My eyes wander, everyone is clean, yet I note their avarice, the equal of any, as we walk up the grand stairs of my companion’s choice.

Off to the left, towards the wharves, it can’t be … I shake my head.

“You got stage fright, Adair,” calls Stedman as he tugs on my shirt and sends out a cloud of dust.

“Yeah, courtesans await,” adds Pigot, licking his lips.

Has Aphrodite already secured the humans? No, it can’t be, there isn’t a Shine, let alone a Temple …

Deep in thought trying to reconcile the anomaly, Pigot and Stedman easily bundle me into their favourite establishment.

--- Ottar the Oaf, Initiate of Aphrodite POV

My Cardinal’s dull grey tail snakes about like a whip. The Human’s face is almost glowing red. How can I be the cause?

“For the final time he is my guardian, my protector,” hisses the Cardinal although this time her tail slithers towards the human.

“It would make sense for him to accompany me and together we evangelise in the human town. We are or will be like them, humans.” The human points to herself and me.

Pointing out the obvious, even an oaf like me knows such is disrespectful, child-like talking.

“Ottar can decide since we can’t. Ottar?”

How did I come into this? I am nothing but one who wants to smash heads …

“Oh yes, of course. You are a Cardinal. I am a Priestess, of course, he will choose you because he has no choice! You are a Cardinal!” she screams, face really red now, arms stiff by her sides and fists ready. Nice curl to the fists, thumb tucked properly, she would deliver a nice punch.

“Ottar!”

Both call my name. Why?

Cardinal Pex’s facial skin is deep grey … I thought this would be good, yet she makes fists as well. Well, not well really, her thumbs would be broken. Should I advise her not to throw a punch? The other, the human who was once a fish, umm giant fish, now what did she call herself? Never mind, her fists are good to go. Nice instinct, need that in a fight.

Silence.

That must be good … oh no. They are both staring at me … Their faces are unpleasant looking …

“Ottar my loyal Initiate you must leave now to check up on my Shrine and seek solitude amongst the sand dunes.”

Her godly speak fills me with belief and devotion and I obey.

“I must check the Shrine, I will … not return for a while.” I dash out of the stone home, the moving sand sinking under my boots welcome yet reminds me of a recent feeling and I thank my Goddess for her command. I hear them call my name and decide I hear Aphrodite’s call loudest of all and know they can’t chastise me for disobeying them, mortals both.

--- Pex, Cardinal of Aphrodite POV

His wide strong back is the last I see of him. Our arguing chasing him away. No, not an argument between Cardinal and Priestess, my fear, my unreasonable fear because I can’t comprehend why I am like this myself. I am a Cardinal, in truth, Aphrodite permits my access to much of her Divine and Realm magic and I should be strong enough to defeat most, even the Sorcerer hiding behind Cale, yet my greatest fear, perhaps my only fear is he will return. I need someone strong beside me. Ottar would defend me, and his presence alone assurance I will not return to the dungeon with him either shouting of victory or rescuing me with his dying breath. This single truth sustains me and now Alba, once a Giant Gar, now a Priestess of Aphrodite in human form wishes to take him from me!

“Now you have done it!” she yells, fists on her hips while staring at me.

I wave a hand at her in the direction of the doorway.

“I am not leaving. When he returns, we will have reached an agreed position,” she says with a humph.

I draw up my body atop my tail and hiss. “We have an agreed position. I am your Cardinal. You will do as I command. Ottar is an Initiate he will do what I command. That is an end to our discussion.”

She rises on her tippy toes, yet her eyes only reach my breasts. Ha! “Stupid snake!”

“What did you call me, once fish?” I hiss-growl while holding my arms back and puffing my chest out.

Falling back from my breast-nudge the human launches herself again upon her toes.

“Gar, once Giant Gar and we don’t back down, as many we work together to take down larger prey and share the rewards. Don’t believe for a heartbeat this human flesh I wear will change me from my true nature. Wasn’t it you who asked me how we could re-enter the human town?”

I swish away, snatch my lonely mug of wine from a bare shelf and find the stone ledge bed and lounge back upon my tail. I am done with her.

She advances upon me! How dare this fish-human barely a Priestess, does she not know when she is dismissed!

“The plan is sound, Ottar and I walk into a place where many humans gather, do what they do and talk about our wonderful visit to the Shrine. I can make his axe shine as proof …”

“The plan is not sound,” I snap without a single hissing, such is my automatic response.

She rocks back upon her heels. As she should! Now she taps her chin. What does that mean, and the colour is no longer on her face …

She half-whispers, not managing fully because of an underlying excitement in her voice. Weird. “You have said no, explain your reason or reasons for no, my Cardinal, so this novice Priestess can better understand your wisdom.”

I can’t. I decide I don’t have to either. As I am about to answer a voice talks to me, her voice. “Trust Alba as I have.”

An inner glow fills my heart, and I am left in this moment of godly blessing until bursting.

My face stings and warmth rushes there. I blink my eyes open. The human’s hand is high ready to strike again, and I wave my hands back to protest.

“You hit me?” I say, my hissing voice at a high pitch.

She shrugs. “Your eyes rolled back and with that warning, I caught your wine.” She nods towards the shelf. “Then after several moments of nothing, I decided a sharp slap would help. And look it did!” Her smile of triumph is irritating, to say the least.

I rub the tough grey snakeskin on my face where she struck … that was no tap! Yet to admit … impossible.

“Thank you, Priestess.” I then hiss with an air of superiority, “You didn’t need to worry, Aphrodite needed to instruct me.”

“What?” Her hands leap to her mouth and so they should, I think. “What words of enlightenment did she impart?”

Oh. What can I say to that? Stupid airs and graces, of course, she would ask, any would ask what words your Goddess had spoken. What will I say?

“The Goddess instructed me …” The truth realm thwarts my intention, while she anticipates wisdom. “To …” Argh, this is difficult to avoid. She will laud this over me … “To … trust you.” The final words gasp out as the truth sets me free against my will.

Her hands rest upon her hips and she stands favouring one leg and then the next. “Trust me, huh? Nothing else? Not, erm something more specific like, trust my plan?”

Oh, Goddess. If I reply I will need to explain further, details about my great fear and show I trust her … I shake my head in denial and shortly after her warm hands steady my head and I taste her smell. My head rests between her modest breasts and a wave of anger rises within me. My head twitches in response.

“Aphrodite is more than a Goddess to us both, she walked alongside us and only has our best interests at heart. I wasn’t just a Giant Gar, no ordinary fish I might add.” Her words carry a jovial overtone, which disarms my anger somehow. Is she is laughing at herself or my derogatory comment or both? “No, I was an Elder of the Lake, guardian of our collective wisdom and this young human form doesn’t extinguish my origins. So be at peace Pex, Cardinal of Aphrodite and we can both wait upon whatever truth ails you because you can trust me.”

The rise and fall of her chest comforts me until I drift off feeling an overwhelming safety from lying in her bosom thinking I lie within another set long before I became Cardinal … and long before him.

--- Minor Goddess Fabia POV

“You have done well, wife,” says my husband, the God of Justice.

I recall the sea of faces attentive to my every word, my promise to deliver healing to the injured and the sick. I didn’t talk of returning life, there was still too much I didn’t understand …

I tap my cheek. “Yes, the majority female Lizard Kin, yet many other Beast Kin, even several Snake Kin interested in healing rather than harm. The greater surprise for me was the number of Badger Kin. They after all flocked to Aphrodite in the beginning.”

After the words he finally catches on and rewards me with a chaste kiss on my cheek, his second thought, I turn my head, my lips upon his, our arms draw our bodies together. My tongue invades his mouth first. He pulls back and I smile. My lips dive forward again, and he surrenders any hesitation. My Realm is life, the start of things and the repairing of things and our union is the first that I shall renew. His lips break from mine, his breathing hurries or should I say inhaling because as Gods we don’t need breath or food or water for that matter, we survive on worship, but we were once living, and this is difficult for us to simply throw away and why would we want to? They can enhance our endless existence without the risk of depredation. He interrupts my deliberations as his lips attack my breasts and nipples with a fever of abstinence. When did he unclothe me? Shortly after we are an intimate tangle of arms and legs making up for lost time, rekindling the physical side at least of our marriage and love.

Afterwards, we lay in silent reflection, well I do, he sleeps, as much as a God can sleep. I find this is more akin to exertion and then renewal from worship and since my Realm is life, I do so all more quickly. My hand rests upon my abdomen, underneath I know is my womb and I have a decision to make. Until now I have denied his seed entry. Is birth possible? My Realm is life, yet I feel an unease. Do I need approval? From Nasim? No, I know now who …

A Lamia the size of a Stone Giant occupies her God Plane throne room, and she looks down upon Nasim and I. I shudder. There is no escape, she is the Ruling God the adjudicator over the lesser Gods like me. She can help or she can hinder. I could give birth, a simple act yet she would determine any consequences.

“Why do you want a child Fabia, husband of Nasim?”

“Great Goddess I am uncertain myself. He was my mortal husband, and it seems he wishes to be my immortal husband as well, yet a child, a new life at this time … I am not yet strong enough to join you on the God Plane and I suspect, given his battle with Tor my husband is no longer stronger either.”

“You would worry about your child if he or she couldn’t ascend with you?”

I nod. Every parent has a duty to protect their child as much as before conceiving as well as after. No child at this time means he or she will not suffer from the unknown future we have before us. A child born once we are upon the God Plane means both parents can guide and protect the new life in a safe nurturing environment.

“You have my permission, Fabia Minor Goddess of Life. Know that I have already planted my seeds of birth, who will therefore be firstborn and so there is no competition from me.”

My relief is obvious. The choice truly is mine and perhaps Nasim’s. Should I wake him? “Thank you, great Goddess.”

“Don’t thank me yet, because I know a Truth.”

I swallow. Truth from a Goddess of the Truth Realm, there would be no greater absolute. “Would you share this Truth with me?” I plead.

“The union of your husband’s seed and your egg would be what?”

“Life!” I answer with conviction.

“What an opportunity for study, to reveal certain mysteries perhaps. I would counsel you to prepare well, for the creation of life is in an instant and so easily missed …”

She vanishes, is this from my mind? From my perception? I check, Nasim and I are still in his Temple upon the river … or was my discourse with Aphrodite only in my imagination?

“Wife?” He pats my arm drawing my attention.

“Yes, husband.” My eyes drink in him, all of him. Mortal or Immortal his flesh or godly body is not what attracts me. He is good, he is pure, and he will support me, yet I must test this again. Am I being selfish, childbirth to further develop my Godhead, not purely for the joy of bringing new life into the world? A child who may need to fend for themselves if his or her parents ascend without him. Left behind … like our other children. Oh, my heart breaks, in all these deliberations how could I forget my living children, what sort of mother am I?

His finger brushes up against one and then the other of my cheeks. “You shed tears, why? Purest joy would be my hope,” says Nasim, in his gentlest of voices while his arm wraps around my waist.

“I hold within me your seed …” I sob. How do I tell him of my selfish need?

His fingers wrap around my chin and draw my face up to look at his. Our eyes meet and within the depths of his, I see endless forgiving love. How do I deserve such as he? Without this birth I am certain with a great deal of time I will unlock the secret, yet I don’t wish to be left behind, I wish to rise to the God Plane when Nasim does … All I can think of is myself, my selfishness … I am a selfish bitch, underserving. I try to pull away from him, to climb to my feet and escape his perfection.

His voice rumbles. “You may leave this time, but there will be a next time even if I have to follow you every moment of every day. So, stay and tell me, what you believe I can’t comprehend or have a right to know. Justice is a scale, and each side needs to be weighed before judgement.”

I babble … give birth, the child left behind when we ascend, the birth could reveal the missing piece. Enabling me to unlock another Realm. My selfishness … Am I undeserving of his love? He simply listens without interruption …

He tenderly holds my hand and looks into my eyes. “If you give birth to our child, will you love our child as much as you have loved our previous children?”

Tears stream down my face while words fail to reach my mouth, so I simply hug him. I nod my head while it rests beside his.

“Conceive our child and learn what you must know.”

“But, what about …” I begin and his return hug crushes me to silence.

“Whats, ifs and maybes. We can worry about these later when I am stronger, and I suspect you will be stronger.”

Of course, I will owe my child, yet with what I can learn and then with further grow I will be better able to protect my child. No, all my children.

“I must prepare. I return at once to my Temple, to surround myself with life, not the corpses of battle or even their pyres or graves,” I state while climbing to my feet.

“As you must,” he replies. He grins at me as his hands slide off my shoulders. My naked shoulders and for that, I slap his chest and he, of course, pretends hurt. Then he grabs me while chuckling lifting and swinging my body around the once.

“Go my wife and return triumphant or not. Neither outcome matters to me as long as you return.”

--- Cale Exsmith, Head Overseer of Queensport POV

My wife sits off to one side, legs crossed beneath her in a plush and soft lounge chair. With her hands resting upon her knees, she chants to the exclusion of all else, the whites of her eyes the only difference disturbing her otherwise smooth faultless facial complexion, sharp nose, and plum rosy lips. The Duke’s eyes are drinking in her beauty and at the same time wary of the magic she casts on our behalf, both fixate him in different ways I sense.

“You have nothing similar at your disposal?” I enquire.

“Yes, although not as … pleasant and unpleasant at the same time. A third person is not usually required as we all have enchantments from a bygone era, family heirlooms I guess you would say, not a living substitute.” He finishes with a false smile.

“Alas, I have no family heirloom, simply a magic-using wife skilled in scrying obfuscation so we can speak freely my Lord.” I return a fake smile.

“Quite and what are these favourable circumstances?”

I take a sip of wine from my glass. “Religion or more exactly the worship of true Gods who grant tangible boons upon their most devout worshippers. In short Lord, you will be divinely chosen and forevermore your family line also.”

He places his glass of wine down and I try to relax my frown. “How is a mortal to control a true God, if such a being exists? You speak of foolish things, Gods?” He begins to climb out of his chair.

I hold out the palm of my hand. “A God’s will is entrusted to Priests, living and mortal like you and I. Men who I am certain can be manipulated as you and I well know. And for added insurance, if there is one God there must be others and perhaps, we play one off against the other like our King plays Dukes off against each other to maintain his power.”

He rests back into his chair, a finger tapping his chin. “Yes, God vs God, after one divinely appoints me King of course and then the worshippers of these Gods plot against each other for supremacy while some choice assassinations by the crown for the common good of course will limit all of them. Sort of like, a house on fire and supplying enough water to maintain only a portion.”

I lean forward and whisper, “I would propose we restrict the number of houses from the beginning. Make edicts that say all can worship whom they chose but certain Gods are permitted, and others are not. Those who are not will of course struggle to be recognised and if these Gods are as powerful as my recent guest suggested then special boons await those making the rules.”

He laughs from the bottom of his belly to the top of his head, until settling down, red face and all he adds, “Good Gods versus Evil Gods and of course everyone’s definition of good and evil is really a matter of perspective. For us, the decision is based upon those who can be friendly and supportive of the crown and those who can’t.”

“Will you be staying longer to manage … our …” He nods. “Our enterprise from Queensport?” I ask. His recognition of our partnership is important, assuring my survival for a while longer at least.

“No, I think you understand our requirements here. You have found one God, find others, pick a favourite, and send their emissary to me.” He pauses and strums his thigh. “There is no rush, selection of the correct God is very important to our future success.” He sweeps up his glass and takes a genteel sip. “By that time, I will have preparations either well underway or near completed. One doesn’t depose a King easily, otherwise, his family line would have ended years ago. No, they have been successful in breeding competent heirs, something I am ruthless about myself. How can a gardener allow weak and twisted branches to remain on the family tree?”

I suppress a shudder by shifting and grabbing the arms of my chair. With a certain amount of apprehension, I force out a personal question. “What does the future look like for me and mine, Lord?”

“Competent men in my service are always rewarded commensurate to their success. I should be in a position to lift you high, Lord Cale Exsmith, oh did I misspeak then, apologies Head Overseer. Now.” He rises from his chair. “I return to my diversions until I can catch the next tide. You shall not see me again, until triumph, which is probably best for both of us.”

“Yes, Lord.” I escort him to my office door, and he lumbers down the stairs, his escort falling in around him to guard his person and their future earnings.

Closing the door, I look upon my wife, my talented and loyal wife and snap my fingers. She shakes and then rotates her head, stretching her neck in the process. I massage her shoulders and lean over to kiss her cheek.

“Can we trust him?” she asks.

“Of course not. He is noble and we aren’t – yet.” She tries to struggle from my ministrations, and I will have none of it, she has earnt this and more! “The magnificence of this plan is that while we will manipulate to create two sides of Gods, we have a ready-made two sides of nobility, so if one falls short, perhaps the other will reward our accidental uncovering of a plot against the King.”

“Should you have spoken such words without scrying protection, my love?”

My stomach churns and the blood drains from my face. I realise too late her question wasn’t searching for the truth, she was providing me with an opportunity to confirm our loyalty to the Duke to whoever travels with him just for that purpose. The meeting after the meeting, a discussion where the other side tends to reveal their truths. Such a beginner’s mistake and her struggles were to allow her to stand and perhaps press her finger against my lips …

--- Arnora, Priestess of Zeus POV

The first thing I notice is the smallness of this human form, yet my footsteps sink deep into it, what I learn from Hrut, is called sand, deeper than when I am not in my illusion. I must struggle on though; my son has been away for days and as his mother, I worry. I spy the settlement. My first assessment, it is larger than I thought, how will I find him?

The gate opening catches my attention. Two men, leaning towards each other, their heads close exchange words once through the closing gate. My eyes follow this curious couple and when I need to relocate to maintain my line of sight while in the dunes I do so.

I see him several moments after them and yet they continue, showing no hesitation … when they should, shouldn’t they? He must smile because his teeth gleam white from between his red moustache and beard and I faintly hear a greeting. They return the salutation like old friends. What is this? What does this mean? How did Ottar the Oaf come to be here? Did he jump off the mountain? Ottar the Oaf would never have climbed down like my son and I. How did that useless Frost Giant become friendly with the humans? Perhaps he keeps company with the Snake Kin? If so, why would he be sitting by himself on a dune far from anything?