Private Into The Unknown

[Aoede]

It was honestly very endearing, the way in which Anhur spoke to little Roth, and the duality in his tone had her smiling. Quiet enough to be a whisper, as though telling some great secret, but still loud enough that she could hear. There was a playful charm to the man that was slowly setting her at ease, she'd never experienced anyone like this before. Everyone was so uptight around her, clinical. It was nice to feel seen. Properly seen, not just expected to always be there.​

​

"Ir muov systeb, ud'osa ebi Roth?" With all of her mini menagerie now nestled into place, they turned their attention toward ambitions. Apparently her goals were quite lofty, arguably too lofty. "Stri ott comet pesiv oculte" she rather boldly claimed, before that confidence wavered. "Aslo quero ebi xebic, yrv Gekni? Tig ebi swisi yra?"​

​

As for what he himself wanted to learn, as opposed to what he might suggest she start with, she was stunned to discover he wanted to learn her language entirely. To become fluent. She blinked once, twice, before a small smile returned to her lips. "Asur quero swis ekat... Y ud'osa odystic sact duelte." Not freely, at least. "Gyn y auk ebi Shaalite?"​

​

Horse was soon slowing to a steady walk as she made her request, and for a moment her heart leapt up into her throat as she feared she'd done something wrong, asked the wrong thing. Instead she found herself shifted until she was planted in front of him in the saddle, legs urged to set around him and head settled down against his shoulder. More than that, she was provided with the warmth of a blanket. Well, it was a robe... but close enough.​

​

Her eyes closed almost immediately, and she breathed in slowly through her nose as sheer bliss washed over her. She felt warm, and safe. His scent was more than pleasant, a stark contrast to the incense she had been raised around and the spices which underpinned her own. Earthy, woody, he smelled like nature itself, or what she had come to know of nature.​

​

That had her nestling her face down further, until her forehead was against his sternum. She said nothing more after that, for she fast slipped into a soundless sleep.​

​

Gods knew she needed it.​

​

Ir muov systeb, ud'osa ebi Roth? ~ She says thank you, don't you Roth?
Stri ott comet pesiv oculte ~ All the more reason to try
Aslo quero ebi xebic, yrv Gekni? Tig ebi swasi yra? ~ Where would you start, my God? If you were me?
Asur quero swis ekat... Y ud'osa odystic sact duelte. ~ That would be nice... I don't usually get to talk
Gyn y auk ebi Shaalite? ~ May I teach you Shaalite?

 

[Forrest Dinn]

Forrest laughed at the exchange and the thank you. His smile remained as he watched the cool confident woman slip a bit at the end of the sentence. He tilted her head upward to look into his eyes. "She's very welcome, and I think you can do anything and everything you set your mind to. So if everything's is what you want to know, then everything you shall. You'll have plenty of time with your new found freedom. As for where I would start, I'm a warrior, so I'll always start there. Have started there." he frowned slightly at another "my god" comment. "This isn't going to make much sense you you right now, and I promise to explain later but Anhur, God, those are my titles. My name is Forrest. You can call me that. There is a time when you need to call me Anhur or God, but together, alone, you can just call me Forrest."

Forrest smiled crookedly and looked downward and only lifted his eyes as he answered the last question. "If it means I get to spend more time with you, alone with you, you can teach me everything you know, and I will teach you what I know in return, if you want to learn. We need to learn each other's languages, if you want to spend that much time with me that is. I can be....difficult." better she knew now, she had seen a glimpse of his "godly" side and she would again when he got home and demanded an army to raise the city to the ground.

She was asleep almost instantly as she snuggled into him. His heart skipped a few beats as she got comfortable. The feeling of her laying atop felt....right, wonderful and filled him with an emotion his father had talked about but he had yet to experience. Joy. His right arm came up to cradle her head and keep her pressed firmly to him. His left grabbed the reins and his feet kicked and they shot of into the night not stopping until they entered his home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Forrest was exhausted but the tone he pulled to a stop near the stables. His life force slowly diminishing through the ride as he fed it into the horse to make sure she started healthy and strong for the duration. He cradled Aoede to him as he got off the horse and handed the reins to a stable hand. He walked her strongly and confidently into the throne room before allowing his weakness to show. "I need to see my father immediately, and send someone to call on Lord Cordel. He'll need to be here as well. We have much to discuss." the guard nodded immediately and moved to find Arc and get a messenger to Darien. Forrest, with the last of his strength carried Aoede to a seat and collapsed with her on top of him. He stroked her hair as he waited fighting for his consciousness. "Sleep well beautiful goddess. I will make sure you are safe for all time if you allow me." and there he sat with this beautiful being in his lap as he waited for his father and Darien.

 

[Aoede]

The revelation that his name was not in fact Anhur, and that such was just a title, was oddly... perplexing. Her head tilted a little bit one way, then the other. "Roti ebi muoi ebi rass Anhur, Gekni iy Morre, azzag y swe Aoede, Gekniir iy Isotho" she said, trying to make sense of it, "Urallo ebi pyva swis cubriswe yra asur Horse dov osia cerapiiri 'Horse'..."​

​

Then a fresh thought came to mind, one which was honestly rather daunting. ​

​

"Tig ebi rass lanzen cerapiiri Forrest, everon swe y vicas duelceri?" She could feel panic rising within her, existential dread. It was true that she did not know much about the world, but this she had felt certain she at least somewhat understood. "Dov Aoede yrv cerapiir xu dera o minari?"​

​

His hand in hers as it came time to get into the saddle helped to soften those questions and thoughts, and the dread began to drift with his mere proximity. These were things for later Aoede to worry herself with, right now she just wanted to get as far away from the City as she could.​

​

With such in mind, she was soon sound asleep. She didn't even rouse when they came to a halt hours later, and Forrest shifted her from the saddle. She was Sleeping Beauty, and no spinning wheel could tempt her body into rousing so soon.​

​

Roti ebi muoi ebi rass Anhur, Gekni iy Morre, azzag y swe Aoede, Gekniir iy Isotho ~ But you said you are Anhur, God of War, just as I am Aoede, Goddess of the Soul.

Urallo ebi pyva swis cubriswe yra asur Horse dov osia cerapiiri 'Horse'... ~ Next you will be telling me that Horse is not named 'Horse'...

Tig ebi rass lanzen cerapiiri Forrest, everon swe y vicas duelceri? ~ If you are actually named Forrest, what am I really called?

Dov Aoede yrv cerapiir xu dera o minari? ~ Is Aoede my name or only a title?

 

[Forrest Dinn]

Forrest put out a hand to slow her questions easing pushing the force outward to relay calm and serenity. "As I said, we can get into the details later, and actually, Horse is what the animal is, not her name. I haven't named her because technically she isn't mine to name, even though she's the only one I'd pick anytime I need one. As for your name, that is completely up to you. My parents named me Forrest, but created me for the purpose of being Anhur. If you have never known a name other than Aoede than it is up to you if you keep that as both your name and your title, or you create one of your own. It may well help to put all of this in the past and let you move forward with your new Freedom."

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

Things were still rather... fragile.​

​

With the mess of the sea monster now out of the way, and with it the good-for-nothing psychiatrist he had hired, Arcturus' attention had turned inward, to his family and his home, all while plans were being concocted in the background. Rhiannon was taking on a smaller, quieter role in general given that she was heavy with babe... All three of them. He had been by her side, gently rubbing her feet while dictating words to a scribe, when the messenger arrived.​

​

Forrest was sending for him? Chaos, he hoped this wasn't another tiff with the Mercurians or else his head might explode. Already he could feel the prickling beginnings of a migraine threatening to take over.​

​

Settling a kiss atop Rhiannon's forehead, he'd left for the throne room and once inside spotted Forrest sat in one of the chairs set aside specifically for the Pantheon. Not thrones themselves, but still regal and set upon a lower step of the dais. It wasn't his choice of seat which caught the man's Father off guard, but the fact that he was not alone.​

​

"Forrest, what is it? Is everything okay?" His gaze drifted from his son to the girl resting in his arms. He did not recognize her, but did note that she was some sort of human unlike the natives. Turning to one of the Shaal who had accompanied him here, he gestured to the girl.​

​

"Bring her to one of the guest suites, see that she's well cared for," he instructed, unaware of just how protective his son would prove to be.​

​

Forrest Dinn Darien Cordel Dev Ossian ​

 

[Forrest Dinn]

The moment the Shaal guard took one step toward him with the intent to take the woman Forrest moved with a speed none had seen of him yet. Almost as one he was on his feet even as one of his sabers connected with his hand, ignited and was pointed toward the guard.

"This woman has spent her entire life a slave to the people of the wretched city. She trusted me enough to allow me to bring her here, to safety, and with me she shall remain until she is able to make a choice to go anywhere she chooses. Call off your guards father and clear this room, because if he takes one more step toward me, his life is forfeit." Forrest stared down the guard forcefully, the fear and panic plain in his visage as he stopped short awaiting the instruction of Arcturus.

Only when his father complied, did Forrest deactivate his saber and let his weariness take him. He looked to his father to explain. "Father, I was scouting the desert as instructed. I came upon an Oasis near a white city where I found Aoede. She is one of us, they were keeping her a slave to rule as Goddess over their city, I disposed of two that were coming to take her back and warned I would return to burn their city to ashes. Considering your generous gift to Lord Cordel, I need his permission. But be warned, I have made peace with Lord Cordell and his manchild ward for the sake of the Pantheon, but I will go back alone if I need to and destroy everyone of those Slavers if I have to, with or without his permission. My request of you, is to have my back and allow this to happen."

Before Arc could answer Forrest made one last request. "Excuse me a moment before you answer Father. She's exhausted and this isn't the best place for her." then with a care and grace no one had yet seen of Forrest he carefully took her to his chambers. He laid her down upon his own bed then, carefully luring the critters in her pocket out with food, made a nest for them high up on a shelf where he thought they would feel at home. Making it as warm and as comfortable as he could he filled it with food and a bowl of water before exiting. He called two guards to him as he quietly shut the door. "No one but me enters. If the lady inside awakes before I return, explain she is safe and I am taking care of the details to keep her that way, escort her to the throne room if she requests, and have food and drink on standby, whatever she needs. If anyone, including my mother or father, so much as crack this door, I'll kill you both. Am I understood?" His words were cold and calculated and his room left no room for them to think he wasn't deadly serious. Once they had nodded confirmation of his words he left without another word to return to the throne room and continue his discussion with his Father.

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

It was a very unexpected show which played out when the Shaal stepped forward to collect the girl. Forrest did not even need to finish his threats and requests before Arcturus had waved a hand to dismiss the one now standing at the tip of the red-hot saber. "Leave us" he instructed, not just of that one Shaal but of the others, "And see that all things pertaining to our new guest first go through Anhur. On this I will not waver."​

​

They knew the implications held within such words, woe unto any who sought to defy his command.​

​

A quick explanation was given, and as each word was uttered Forrest's state of exhaustion seemed to grow more obvious, more dire even. He seemed about ready to collapse.​

​

"White city in the desert" he hummed, tilting his head to one side. He knew of only one such place, especially on Darien's side of the border. "The City of Muses," he said, "I thought that was a ruin." Looking at the girl, Aoede as Forrest had called her, he knew that such could not be entirely the case. "I will see the Mercurians sent for" he assured Forrest, after all he did have something to give them at any rate. Two birds, one stone.​

​

"Yes, by all means," he said as he stepped aside and watched as Forrest gently made his way from the throne room, cradling the girl with more care and tenderness he'd seen his son display, well, ever.​

​

True to his word, Arcturus reached out to Darien Cordel in the meantime and requested his presence at the Sky Temple. Though he understood if the man would be reluctant to bring Theryn along too, an invitation was extended for the Valkyri also. "I have something for you both, as an aside," he had explained.​

​

When Forrest returned his Father shook his head slightly. "We can discuss this more in the morning" he stated, a firmness to his tone that brokered no discussion on the matter. "Go to bed, Forrest, the last thing any of us need is for you to succumb to an exhaustion that cannot easily be reversed. It will take time for Darien to arrive, make use of it before we head out into the sands once more."​

​

He hoped that Darien would not balk at the idea of marching on the City of the Muses with its apparent slavers lurking in the depths, he really did not want to sow fresh discord among the Pantheon by forcing hands one way or another.​

​

Forrest Dinn ​

 

[Dev Ossian]

Rhiannon sat in a comfortable chair in her private suite. She heard the soft drone of Arcturus' voice as he dictated to a scribe, but she wasn't really listening. Her attention was fixed on little Star in her arms. These days she hardly ever put him down, so relieved was she to have her baby back again.

She hated that he had ever been taken away from her in the first place. It would not happen again.

The twins weren't far off, playing a board game together on the rug. Something they had brought with them from Thornwood Hall. Starlin whimpered faintly. He had started teething, and though she had tried a variety of remedies to ease his pain, she couldn't take it away completely.

While she murmured soothing words and stroked his red-gold hair, a messenger arrived. Rhi continued to comfort Star, all the while listening to the conversation. Forrest had returned and wanted to speak to his father, evidently about some important and urgent matter. Whatever excuse her son might have had for excluding his mother, it still stung. Ever since the campaign ended Rhi had felt like an outsider to the Pantheon. She sensed that even Arcturus might work against her, seeking to curb her power and push her into the background. While she was aware of her delicate condition and would never do anything to put her children in harm's way, she would not be reduced to a baby-making machine.

The goddess Adamanthea was so much more than that.

As Arcturus bent to kiss her forehead, she reached up and pulled his lips to hers. "Don't stay out too long, my love," she whispered. "I want you to sleep beside me tonight."

Once he had left, she rose from her chair. By now a little over halfway into her pregnancy with the triplets, she was already as big as she had been when she gave birth to Star. Had she been further along, it would have been far more difficult to do, but she managed to waddle over to Star's cradle and gently lay him inside it.

"Marcus, Eloise." They looked up from their game. "Watch Star for me, will you? Mama's going to take a little nap."

Laying down on her bed, she closed her eyes... and concentrated.

---

Dev Ossian leaned against a wall in one of the many corridors of the Sky Temple, devouring a piece of fresh fruit. The juices ran down his chin; his forked tongue darted out, licking the drops away as he sank his sharp teeth into the ripe flesh. So far his circumstances had improved quite a bit—he was no longer treated like a prisoner of the Pantheon and he had been allowed to indulge his bloodlust during the crusade against the slavers. That was all over now (a shame, really) but he was enjoying life at the Temple now more than ever.

His sulfuric eyes caught a glimpse of a comely Shaal serving girl. She was bent over, dusting the furniture with her back to him. As thought sensing his gaze upon her, she turned toward him and smiled mischievously, making a gesture for him to follow her. Taking a final massive bite of his fruit, he threw it aside and started after her.

No sooner had he turned the corner, his mind was flooded by a foreign presence. Dev grimaced as Rhiannon seized control of his senses, pulling him away from his would-be tryst and toward the throne room. He knew better than to try and fight back against her takeover, and not merely because things would go badly for him if he did. Intellectually he knew that she and the rest of them were not gods, but he couldn't quite suppress a shiver of superstitious fear. The shamans believed they could be "mounted" by gods and spirits—that is, possessed. Was this not precisely what the Sky Goddess was doing?

<If you wanted to "ride" me so badly, my lady, you could've just asked,> he thought, making a dirty joke more out of nervousness than bravado.

She ignored his mental commentary, focused completely on her goal. Dev Ossian entered the throne room by stealth, hiding behind a marble pillar while Arcturus met with Forrest... and a girl.

<Who is she? What is she doing here?>

<As if I would know—> Urgh! Dev's features twitched faintly as Rhi pressed deeper into his mind, probing for information... and was surprised to find out that the Shaal did know who she was. In fact, he knew quite a lot about the goddess Aoede . What she was, where she had come from, what his master's plans for her had been...

While all this was happening, Dev stood witness to Forrest's overprotective attitude. He threatened to kill a Shaal who stepped forward to lead her away, and demanded the rest of the guards be dismissed. The boy was practically throwing a tantrum, as if he had received a new toy he didn't want anyone else to touch. Rhi felt a spike of anger. He was behaving as if this was his temple, and the servants his to do with as he pleased. Had they really forged such a spoiled brat?

Worse, Arcturus catered to his demands rather than disciplining the boy, or at least reminding him whose house he was in. But Rhi could hardly do anything about it, confined as she was to the body of Dev Ossian. Her power was limited... for now. She was able to keep Dev shrouded with the Force even as Arcturus dismissed his guards, staying to watch from the shadows.

Forrest wanted to march upon the City of the Muses and slaughter its inhabitants. Aoede presumably either approved of this, or had no say in the matter. Arcturus sent for Darien Cordel to speak with them, though it was debatable whether he would even show up. Rhiannon was sick of her Sky Temple being used as a meeting place for the Pantheon anyway. Most of them seemed to either loathe her or think she was crazy, well let them stay away from her home then. Once Arcturus' city was built, they could use it instead to host their little powwows. Clearly Forrest needed to be provided with a domain of his own as well. She would not tolerate him killing her servants or bringing strange girls into her house.

Finally, Arcturus advised Forrest to get some rest. Dev took the opportunity to quietly leave the throne room.

<You will tell no one else what you know,> Rhi ordered him, an unspoken threat lurking in her telepathic speech. <You have served me well, Dev. Enjoy the rest of your night.>

With that, Rhi slipped free of his body. Dev returned to full consciousness, finding himself standing just outside the servant girl's quarters. With a fanged grin, he pushed the door open.

Arcturus Dinn Forrest Dinn​

 

[Darien Cordel]

Fragile indeed. Though perhaps less so than had been the case just a week before He had reached an uneasy ceasefire with Forrest and they were even going to try to cooperate, none of this absolved Arcturus completely however. Darien was still cross with him, perhaps a little for leaving him at Rhiannon's mercy, though he would not admit as much, but mostly for the events that had transpired with the sea monster. The killing of the psychiatrist Arcturus had hired to manage Rhiannon. A killing by all accounts done with Arcturus' full knowledge and support. As far as Darien could tell the Doctor had committed no crime, it was true he had failed to control Rhiannon but she was a woman who defied control and her recent behaviour was founded upon the solid Rock of Arcturus' own willful and persistent failure to live up to his own responsibilities. Dr Vancil had been given an impossible task.

Why should an innocent outsider die for Arcturus' hubris and folly?

They would be talking about that. Especially if Arcturus still wanted Darien's assistance as his right hand. Darien had no intention of allowing Arcturus to indulge in petty tyranny and sadism. Rhiannon was too far gone a monster made flesh but perhaps Arcturus could still be redeemed.

None of that was on Darien's mind at first though, He and Theryn were wrapped up on one of the balconies of the great Ziggurat. Theryn had suggested such. It was a nice night for it, stars shone in the sky and there was a slight chill across the desert. A Lull after the grand Crusade that had flowed over his lands. It was petering out now and in its place, Darien's influence would go. Already he had envoys out in the desert picking up the pieces scattered by the grand army of the Dinns. Perhaps Theryn had seen that his mind was filled. He was not stressed yet per se... no more than usual anyway but if he didn't take his mind off things he probably would become stressed. So it was that Darien was lying with his head on Theryn's lap having his hair fussed while Theryn recounted a Valkeryi folk tale. Darien was doing his best to listen and stay still. His hands fidgeted and he never settled still for long but he was relatively relaxed. Slowly he was losing himself in the crackle of the fire pit warming Thery's feet and the tales of the Snow King and Elf Queen.

That was all interrupted as Arc's voice filled his head and called him to the Holy City. Not a prospect he relished but not a summons he could refuse either. He looked guiltily up at Theryn and tried to find the best moment to interrupt "My Darling I'm sorry, I need to go to the Holy City ... Tonight apparently there has been something urgent" he slowly sat himself up and out of Theryn's lap, eyes fixing on the bruises and cuts still present on Theryn from all his misadventures the last two weeks. "If you don't wish to go with me you can stay here, I will make sure you are looked after" The servants and staff had become accustomed to the fact that Darien liked to know Theryn was being spoiled with his every whim tended to. He wanted them to do things for Theryn that they didn't even do for him.

He endeavoured to contact Arc Telepathically to answer but as with the day following his altercation with the crusading army, he found no success and instead had to send a Zaathri ahead of him to confirm he was coming and would need a room.

It was swiftly apparent that Theryn did want to come so Darien had items packed for the both of them. Regalia that would fit Theryn until some of his own could be made so that the man would look god-like. For the journey through Darien insisted ... quite adamantly... that Theryn bundle up in cosy nightwear, thick socks and extra blankets. He knew how cold his poor Prince could get. Then he had Theryn carried to the wheelhouse that would transport them through the night. It was just comfortable enough to ensure sleep could take place in the few hours the journey took. No doubt Theryn would object and claim that he could walk but Darien would not hear it. Theryn was still battered and bruised and the steps would do him no favours.

Once Thery was settled comfortably in the transport Darien's demands ceased and he returned to doing as Theryn pleased. Once they reached the holy city it was well past the sociable hours and they were shown to their room. Initially, efforts were made to offer Theryn his old room but Dari soon put an end to that and they were both soon settled in the Mercurian Room.

The next morning he arrived to meet the other gods present. an equal number of Zaathri and Shaal stood around Theryn to protect him and make sure he felt utterly safe and Darien stepped forward. Dee received a curious look, she was a new face and perhaps the reason for his summons. Hopefully, her introduction went better than poor Theryn's. To forrest a curt nod. Arcturus got a glare. "You requested my presence?" he queried with a slight smile as he went to his chair.

Forrest Dinn Arcturus Dinn Aoede Dev Ossian

 

[Forrest Dinn]

After a seemingly successful my morning with Aoede Forrest excused himself to go and tend to matters in which, admittedly, he probably caused on his entrance the night before. After telling Aoede she could have whatever she needed if she only asked the guards outside the door, and making sure they understood to keep her safe no matter what, and Forrest promising up and down he would return before Aoede would have to leave the comfort of his quarters, Forrest made his way through the temple to his mother's door.

He knocked softly so as not to disturb Abby sleeping babes and after waiting for permission to enter he opened the door and walked in. "How are you feeling mother? Are you and my new siblings doing well?" he took a seat beside the bed allowing her to answer him before moving on. Only when she did, no didn't in some veiled nastiness regarding his behavior the previous night, did Forrest speak again.

"I came because I owe you an apology. I should have called for you and father both when I returned last night but I wasn't....myself when I got here. Thanks to father's seemingly overzealous gift to Darien, I needed to have him here for what I found. Considering the way we left things with him, having to ask for him to come wasn't something I thought you would be interested in hearing. For that I am truly sorry. This is your house and you should be involved in everything." he allowed her to retort in whatever way she needed. Other than the needed greeting he had come here for a reason, one the her felt would be best served only by his mother.

"Mother, I have a question that may seem weird, especially coming from me, but I thought you would be the one that I would come to with it. What does love feel like? How did you know that's what you were feeling when you meet father?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After the conversation with his mother and as brief stop back at his quarters to check on Aoede and make sure she was with him when he reported to the throne room. He sat and waited as Darien spoke to his father when he stated his presence was requested he squeezes Aoedes hand and stood.

"That was me actually. If you wouldn't mind taking a seat I'll be more than happy to explain." Forrest waited for them to take a seat before moving into the center of the room and addressing them all.

"Let me try and make this short and sweet. I was out scouting in the desert, I wanted to make sure our campaign against the slavers was complete and we hadn't allowed any of their camps to slip through our fingers. After a grueling day of riding I came upon an Oasis, I stopped to rest and allow my horse to drink when I found Aoede hiding. She had sonehow gotten away from the city for the very first time in her life and was hiding there. She was kept against her will acting as the slavers god in the City of Muses, and they were hunting her when I found her. I brought her back here to be safe and learn what freedom truly meant and I have been protecting her since while she regains her strength."

He paused there for a moment allowing them to take in all that he had said. Letting the actions of the people in that city sink in fully. When enough time had passed Forrest turned looking directly to Darien.

"Lord Cordel, the reason for your summoning is simple. The City of Muses resides in your domain, therefore I need your permission to organize a strike against them. I want to be completely up front with you Lord Cordel. I am not coming to you today as Forrest Dinn, but as Anhur, God of War. I fully intend to go to war with the beings there. I will spare the slaves, and the children, but I fully intend to raise this city to the ground. I will kill every man and woman who ever dared keep one of us locked away for so long. Please, Lord Cordel, may I have your permission to move on the city." Forrest looked into Dariens eyes as he asked the question. Through the force he reaches out to just him. "I can't explain to you why this means so much to me, but this would the favor I request in return for the peace we talked about previously. If that's not good enough I'll owe you more, please Darien, I need this."

 

[Theryn Hearthfire]

"After walking for what felt like days through the darkest thicket he'd ever known, Prince Thrand was greeted by the sight of an enchanted forest. It thrummed with life, every inch of it deeply entwined with the Force. It was warmer inside than it had been on the edge, no snow could settle here and the crisp winds could not blow through the ancient trunks. Thrand was left wondering if he was even still on Midvinter at all, it felt like another universe entirely."​

​

Fingers traveled through Darien's hair as he lay within Theryn's lap, while the other had fast settled over the man's heart. No necklace lay around the Contra-Usul's throat, this was one of those rare moments where Dari could relax of his own accord, without Theryn pushing for it very much at all. That pleased Rin, and he was taking advantage of it while he could.​

​

Alas, it did seem as though while he could would not translate to very long. Darien apologized, stating that he was being called away, and Rin soothed him with a soft shake of his head and his mismatched eyes seeking the stormy counterparts. "You needn't apologize, Petal," he assured him, following as Darien rose up to his feet and put an end to their serenity, "I would like to come with you, if I may." ​

​

It was a bold statement given that the last thing Theryn wanted was to be face to face with the Pantheon again, never mind there. Still, he didn't wish to be apart from Darien either, he was still in a very uneasy state and the man had become something of an anchor keeping him grounded and free from panic. "I foresee a headache in your future, and I know just how to treat those."​

​

So it was that they journeyed quite hastily across the desert, Theryn bundled up extra-snug with Darien's head in his lap. Both managed to sleep, though how fruitful that rest was would not be known until the fatigue set back in again. Thankfully Darien's suite was ready and waiting, and therein they caught up on any remaining hours they could.​

​

The next morning, Theryn accompanied Darien down to the Throne Room. He sat beside the God of Prosperity, listening as Forrest explained the situation, then his eyes drifted to the woman in question. There was a very slight ache in his heart that he tried to quell, a jealousy almost as the shoe was now on the other foot and yet Forrest was not seeking to have her so cruelly questioned, was not making her plead for her own life.​

​

That issue was not with Aoede though, in fact he felt incredibly bad for all that she seemed to have endured. So he swallowed down that bitter pill, and waited to see what Darien would have to say. It was his Domain they were hoping to enter, after all, not Theryn's.​

​

Forrest Dinn Darien Cordel Dev Ossian ​

 

[Dev Ossian]

The next morning, Rhi was reclining upon a plush couch, having breakfast. Eating for four was a task in and of itself; she preferred to make her own food, but Arcturus had stepped up to the plate now that she was on bedrest. It certainly helped that he was a good cook.

Upon hearing a knock on the door from Forrest, she swallowed and called out, "Come in."

"How are you feeling mother? Are you and my new siblings doing well?"

"I'm feeling fine, Forrest, thank you for asking. The triplets too." But it was clear Forrest hadn't come just to inquire as to their wellbeing.

Sure enough, the boy of bronze took a seat in a nearby chair and apologized to her. Rhi's eyebrows rose. Probably Arcturus had had a talk with Forrest this morning... "It's all right, Forrest," she assured him with a smile. "I assumed you were just being considerate of my condition. There was no harm done." Quite literally, since she had found a way to circumvent his not inviting her to the conversation.

"Mother, I have a question that may seem weird, especially coming from me, but I thought you would be the one that I would come to with it. What does love feel like? How did you know that's what you were feeling when you met father?"

"I didn't love your father when we first met," Rhi replied. "But I was attracted to him. He was very handsome, smart, talented... and he was kind to me. Now, attraction and love are related, but they are not the same thing. Only after I had gotten to know Arcturus did I grow to love him." Her brow furrowed as she thought back to their time together at the Sith Academy on Korriban. "I don't know when or how exactly it happened. It was a slow, gradual thing. Then one day, he told me he loved me, and I realized I loved him too. I had loved him for some time, in fact. As for what love feels like... We built love into you, Forrest. You feel that you would lay down your life for the Pantheon. That is love."

Afterwards, when Forrest had gone and she had finished her meal, Rhi laid back and closed her eyes...

---

Aw, not again!

Dev groaned as his mind was once again invaded by Rhiannon. <You must really like me, my lady.>

<I have a proposition for you, Dev. An arrangement which I think you will find mutually beneficial.>

<I'm intrigued. Tell me more.>

A few minutes later, Dev threw open the doors to the throne room and strolled into the meeting right as Forrest was pleading with Darien to let him raze the City of the Muses. He towered over all of them; from his cloven hooves to the tips of his massive horns, he was around eight feet tall.

"What's up, Pantheon?" Dev greeted, flashing his fangs in a broad grin. "Don't shoot me just yet. I'm here to represent the Lady of the Skies while she fulfills her duties as a fertility goddess."

<Good grief,> Rhi muttered in his mind. <Please don't make this into a mistake...>

"Adamanthea says hello, by the way." Dev's yellow catlike gaze roved over those present, settling upon Theryn Hearthfire . "Well, well. I didn't expect to see you here, but the more the merrier," he purred. "You know, Lysius is the patron deity of the Shaal. It's because we're a very horn-y people." He threw back his head and laughed at his own joke as if it were the funniest thing in the world.

"Anyway." He cleared his throat and held up a black-clawed finger. "Where is Aoede? Oh, there she is. We are discussing the destruction of your realm. Do you have anything to say about it?"

Forrest Dinn Arcturus Dinn Darien Cordel​

 

[Darien Cordel]

It was a lot of effort for Darien to still himself. For some reason without the necklace, he could not make his mind stop. The necklace seemed to act almost like a barrier for him between him and his responsibilities. Perhaps he should ask for it. Perhaps that would help, it seemed like Thery wanted him to relax and yet something held him back. Something ... Someone ... Himself. He held himself back. Asking felt wrong, like he was demanding too much and abandoning his responsibilities. Taking the easy way out, the lazy way and he could never do that so instead he lay on the edge of turmoil. Kept from the brink only by the gentle chill of the hands at his heart and head. Hands that had unbuttoned his collar enough that he could breathe and urged him into comfort in a way that any right-minded person would see as a request or invitation to take the weight off.

Darien was not in his right mind though.

In some ways the summons was a relief ... no not a relief just an ending of the battle in his mind. He was thrust back into work and responsibility. He knew it was a big ask to have Theryn return to Rhiannon's domain after all that had happened. Still, it comforted him to know that Theryn would be there especially when he mentioned that he could see a headache and no doubt wider stresses in Darien's future and he knew how to fix such things. There was a promise in that, under it all. "I would be privileged to be joined by you" he smiled "And I want to apologise, so I'm sorry again, you'll accept it this time and I will look after you"

Despite his promise, it seemed like Darien got most of the caring on the ride over, succeeding only in wrapping Theryn up so there could be no risk of him getting cold. It was Darien who got to lie down properly with his head back in Theryn's lap as the story continued until sleep took them both. Darien tried to compensate in the brief time he was roused between the journey and the bed they shared in his guest chambers. Ultimately though they did little more than get in bed to sleep.

When they entered the throne room the next morning he pulled one of the other chairs to sit right by his own and urged Theryn to sit there. A statement of intent following his conversation with Forrest. Theryn was one of them now. His hand settled in Theryn's in another statement though one geared perhaps more to himself and Theryn. They were together ... in some form. Of all the things he considered Theryn might be feeling it did not occur to him how differently Aeode was being treated. whilst with Theryn the gods had been summoned to judge him with her they were summoned to help.

The pressing matter was Forrest's desire ... Or perhaps Arcturus' desire that no incursion into the MeriPhoril desert occurred without his approval. Darien did not need much time to consider he could not really refuse not in full anyway but as Forrest reached back he was resolved to make something quite plain to Forrest first. He did not speak to the god of war simply showed him memories and with them the feelings he had felt. The first time he saw Theryn lay in bed with his cheeky grin. The inexplicable fear and a strange sense of desire. The heart-pounding excitement of their first flirtations and the happiness of seeing Theryn spinning in circles in the garden, every agonising moment of watching the other gods or more particularly Forrest and his mother humiliate Rin, forcing him to kneel in the circle of judging eyes and have his life threatened repeatedly for the crime of existing, The terror of kneeling over Theryn's unconscious and broken body healing him.

Darien knew and now so did Forrest.

"You have my permission subject to some caveats you may kill every occupant if it pleases you but there will be no razing that city will belong to me when we are done and I shall decide whether to rebuild or demolish it, I will also be fighting alongside you ..." one of them was she? He debated a final caveat ... no he would not be so cruel as to put her and Forrest through another meeting of the Dinn's where it was decided whether this godess could be recognised or not.

He'd no sooner finished speaking than an obnoxious Shaal burst in. Seemingly he knew he did not belong but it didn't stop him. He was the tool of the great goddess of skies and insanity and he was tormenting Theryn. Darien squeezed Theryn's hand and turned another glare on Arc. He said nothing though, the great horned jester was right they ought to hear from the woman of the hour.

 

[Aoede]

She had been the first to arrive, alongside Forrest Dinn who had set her into the seat meant for himself and proceeded to stand protectively by her. Aoede had yet to meet anyone else. The God of War had done a good job of scaring off the staff when they arrived late last night, they had been brought sustenance which was given through the door, and when they left his suite the corridors had still been silent.​

​

For some it might have felt isolating, and yet for one like Aoede who had spent her life locked away with limited contact to others it was the best way to see her settled and secure before the chaos of the day could begin. She appreciated the care he had shown to keep her from becoming overwhelmed. Even now, as others filed in, she was given space to hide behind him, out of sight as she sat in his shadow and waited.​

​

The first to arrive was a man who was shorter than Forrest, hair red and eyes blue, freckles lined his nose and cheeks, fair skin slightly blushed with the heat of the morning sun. Shorter, but stockier, the stranger held himself in a way which made him seem taller than he was. It was one of the two grander chairs, nay thrones, that he settled into, up on the risen dais.​

​

He seemed to look right through the God of War, probing at her through the Force. Aoede sensed no malice, though, and soon his attention was set upon the next to arrive. Two men, and a whole host of attendants. One walked, the blonde with grey-blue eyes who nodded to Forrest and glared to the redhaired man, while the other was carried to a seat. He, the one with mismatched eyes and dark brown curls, looked a little worse for wear. Was he sick? He seemed gaunt, that much was for sure. Perhaps that was why he did not walk as the others had.​

​

Forrest went on to address those gathered, fewer than there were chairs to seat, and in doing so gave some inclining as to the identity of at least one of the men. Lord Cordel, he was named. Lord gave his permission for them to move on the City, which lay within his domain, though he made it clear that the walls themselves were not to come down. He intended to keep it for himself when the dust had settled, and Aoede could not blame him for that. It was a beautiful City, even with all of the issues hidden within.​

​

At least, the parts she'd seen of it were beautiful. She may have been misguided in that judgement, however, for looking around this throne room she realized just how opulent a place could truly be.​

​

It was the statement of death which had Aoede rising from the seat she had been given. She stepped forward, even as the Shaal entered so boldly and threw the vibes of the room off, going so far as to step around Forrest, and her eyes fell upon Lord Cordel.​

​

"Lord," she began, doing her best to drum up the confidence needed to speak to him, to all of them, "Ra rass osia stri lect, baulc ebi quero maws, piny rass, sevina udi ebi muo?.. Zaath.[1]" As she spoke, she noticed that one among the congregation Lord had brought with him was translating her words back to them in another tongue, the one Forrest spoke. For a moment her eyes fell on that individual, a Shaal like her High Priest, before she turned to look upon Forrest.​

​

"Palli y cass muoi te ebi remis, Gekni iy Morre. Y udi osia ilen rais stri ámisor, zartori. Y quero xalin iochte rais deyeste. Y ud'osa wije everon gotthav te ott skurag. Lord gyn kakoph lo.[2]"​

​

Darien Cordel Forrest Dinn Dev Ossian ​

​

[1]They are not all bad, those you would kill, some are, how do you say?.. Slave.

[2]This I have said to you before, God Of War. I do not want them all dead, please. I would like to see them free. I don't care what happens to the city. Lord may keep it.

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

As the Mercurians entered, Arcturus was more than aware of the disapproving glare he received from Darien. There were no doubt a thousand things he might have done wrong to earn such a look, but in that moment he tried to set all from his mind. By this point in time, Arcturus was well used to being in everyone's bad books. The twins had been unhappy about being brought to Eliad without their mother. Zachariah had been upset by all that had happened with the trial (and rightfully so) and was now absent on Jutrand. Theryn would not look in his direction... Forrest thought him weak and foolish, Rhiannon ... well he couldn't get a good read on what Rhiannon actually thought, as much as she had tried to placate his fears the night before.​

​

And Darien?​

​

Well... What about him wasn't Darien unhappy with? One step forward fast became ten steps back with that one.​

​

No, of everyone gathered in the room the only one not contributing to that throbbing headache which threatened to form into a migraine was the girl hiding behind his son. He was glad to see that things were being done rather more softly this time, no children dragged into the mix, no circle of judging stares, or demands for death. Well, the death of any present that was. He watched from his throne, largely allowing Forrest and Darien to simply talk it over among themselves. He had promised the God of Prosperity that he would not interfere in matters of his newfound land, and he meant it. Hopefully his silence would not be another reason for him to claim Arcturus was shirking in his position though.​

​

Just the thought of it caused a stabbing pain to jolt behind his eyes. He pinched the bridge of his nose, and then once the girl had risen and said her piece he too rose up.​

​

"We do not kill innocents here, Aoede," he proclaimed, taking several steps down from his lofty seat to meet with them all at the foot of the dais, "Mercurius here was not stating that all must be killed. Those who are innocent, the children and the slaves and those who simply had no hand in making a mockery of a Goddess, will find a new and revitalized existence away from the ruins."​

​

He looked to Darien then.​

​

"Unless you know of anywhere better for the refugees to go, I would happily welcome them to Celephaïs. Each day it rises taller, stronger, it will need good citizens to function as a City."​

​

As for Dev's presence...​

​

"I will be glad to see you put to use, Ossian. Serve My Lady well in this and we might make something of you yet. You, however, are not Adamanthea. You will heed your betters, and do as you are bid by the Lords of War and Prosperity. I do not need this fragile peace shattered."​

​

His gaze shifted then, back to Aoede and then Theryn soon after. "What is to be done with Theryn and Aoede in the meantime? This home." he made a point of claiming it a home, for soon it would not be the place for such meetings, "Already has much to prepare for. I would not see the task of hosting placed upon my bedbound wife." He also knew that Theryn would not be comfortable here, that Darien would balk at the notion of doing so long before the Valkyri would, and even Forrest might not be happy keeping Dee so close to his mother.​

​

"They too can find sanctuary in Celephaïs, unless you would rather them elsewhere?"​

​

Darien Cordel Forrest Dinn Dev Ossian ​

 

[Dev Ossian]

What a pretentious bunch of phonies these “gods” are, Dev thought, a fake smile plastered across his face. Aoede stood out if only because she was an innocent among them, ignorant of the farce. But that ignorance made her vulnerable.

"I will be glad to see you put to use, Ossian. Serve My Lady well in this and we might make something of you yet. You, however, are not Adamanthea. You will heed your betters, and do as you are bid by the Lords of War and Prosperity. I do not need this fragile peace shattered."

He was making himself useful, was he? “I am Kolinahr’s heir,” he replied with an indifferent shrug. “I know everything he knew. All his plans, every decision and discovery he made long before any of you arrived on this planet. All of my knowledge could be yours, if you would only put me to good use.”

Mercurius moved to stake his claim upon the City of the Muses. “A vast and ancient ruin, guarded by deadly machines, controlled by an intelligence more complex than any other we ever encountered here on Zaathru, and quite literally overflowing with the power of the largest Dark Side nexus on the planet,” Dev informed them with a smile. “Yes, go ahead and move in.”

Aoede finally spoke. She was clearly nervous, but she got her point across. It seemed she didn’t care about the City or the cultists who had cared for and worshiped her, though she did plead for the lives of its slaves.

“Ott skurag dov ebbia unno sutchzayerr, Aoede,” Dev said, speaking to Aoede in their shared native tongue. “Ott foscal ospen lo rass ebba ferveriallvi. Ebi rass osia rahn zaath, ebi rass rahn Gekniir. Rahn Eurica.” He took a step toward her, looking at her gravely. “Pyva ebi aiku baulid pyrotio taro khete ebi cass sabless scel maws rais stri ik prov everon belongs te ebi? Sabless xalin asur? Ebi krive veknul iy everon ra ilen xu everon ra pyva udi endt ebi. Dera everon ra muo, ik sevina ra gulka.”

"The City is yours by birthright, Aoede.

"The ones within it are your devotees. You are not their slave, you are their goddess. Their queen.

"Will you let these strange men who you have just met kill them all and take what belongs to you? Just like that? You know nothing of what they want or what they will do with you. Only what they say, and how they seem."

But Dev could tell just by looking at her that the child would not listen. She wanted nothing more to do with the City, or those who worshiped her, or indeed perhaps godhood itself. Kolinahr had left her in the City in the hopes that she would grow strong and cunning, but she was neither. Like too many of the other “gods” who had come to Zaathru, she was… disappointing.

Talk turned to where Theryn and Aoede would be hosted. “Adamanthea suggests that they each claim their own domains as quickly as possible,” Dev said, speaking on the goddess’ behalf. “So that no one need host them for long.”

Forrest Dinn Darien Cordel Arcturus Dinn​

 

[Forrest Dinn]

Forrest softened as Aoede spoke and turned to confront her directly, in a low voice that only she could hear he spoke, taking her hands in his as he did so. "I already promised you the slaves and children would be fine and find new homes with us. The mother's, well that will depend on their involvement in it all, but I tend not to rip younglings from their mothers breast. I assure you, I can temper my anger at what they have done to you and pick those who stand against us. You have my word, the innocent shall live, and I think I have a solution for that."

Turning back to the gathered bunch Forrests eyes went dark and evil as his mother's toy spoke. With a savage and evil tone Forrest addressed his response. "Lady Aoede has made it clear she never wants to be near that city again. Your betters have already explained what she could have done with the city, and, mothers toy or not, you should know your place servant. You may have an idea of the Gods of this Pantheon, but you have yet to meet me. I am Anhur, God of War, Storms and Steel, and I assure you, I will not be the pushover you see the rest of this Pantheon to be. If you care to test your mettle against one of us, I assure you I am more than up for the challenge, but I would hate to put my mother through the trouble of choosing a new play thing in her condition. If mother wishes you to come, then come you shall, but make no mistake, get in my way or speak out of turn once more in my presence and there will be nothing left of you to return." once said Forrest turned back to Darien and his father ignoring the servant for what he actually was. Less than nothing.

Looking toward Darien he nodded his agreement. "I can accept those terms, the city shall be yours, but taking mother's advice allow me to make a counter offer. I intend to strike out on my own, find my own domain and make something for myself, Aoede, can choose to come with me, or, as mother so rightfully expressed, find a domain of her own, away from the pain and suffering she has already endured. That is fully her choice, I promised her the freedom she has been withheld for so long, and I fully intend to deliver on that promise. That being said, Lord Cordel, I would like to propose, that Aoede be given the choice of what to do with the innocents. They are her followersz regardless of where the city lies, so she should have the right to decide their fate. Take them with her, allow them to remain within your city, bring them with me and allow them to thrive under my domain. I care not which she chooses, but the choice should belong to her, and her alone. She is the only one among us that knows their heart, has looked into their souls."

With that he waited for Lord Dariens retort. He looked to his father to see what his thoughts on the matter might be. Making a connection with him through the force he spoke to just him. "Father, I know things with Darien are shaky right now, and I admit my place in that situation, but I have already taken steps to relieve some of that tension, personally, I know you can see the wisdom in what I've said about Aoede, please, help me let her have that choice if Darien refuses."

 

[Darien Cordel]

There was now a litany of sins that Darien would lay at Arcturus' feet. Most recently the murder of a doctor he had hired to try and manage his wife as she descended further into madness. What the doctor's exact crime had been Darien could not rightly tell. Clearly, he had failed in his task, Rhiannon had launched a crusade after all and made war with him and a great creature in the sea (Now deceased) but if death was the price of a failure to manage the mad goddess then Arcturus should have been first in line. It was upon his head that his wife had been allowed to become such a tyrant.

There would no doubt be words on the subject later and wheeling out of the tired excuses. One could only claim that they were a mere slave given power, they still did not feel worthy of grasping yet, before the obvious response was to say "Let go properly then if you will not grip it properly" Darien had liked Arcturus, he had thought him decent. Decent people did not sacrifice doctors in acts of barbaric vengeance though. He had hoped that perhaps Arcturus might also be capable but every day that had passed since then had proved that he was not. Darien was running out of patience.

More pressing issues awaited though, there was little Darien could do about the dead doctor in the immediate future.

It seemed his plan to take over the city of muses met with the amusement of the great red mouthpiece. An 'intelligence more complex than any other we ever encountered here on Zaathru' that was hardly a high benchmark, much of Zaathru was characterised by tribal simplicity and whilst Darien had not yet seen the forge or any of the other great ruins yet he was not overly concerned. There were automated refreshers with more complexity than anything he'd seen on Zaathru. Besides, there was clearly some measure of safety in the city Aeode had lived there for what ... to look at her at least 20 years and she had nary a scratch on her. "I intend to Ossian ... or is it my lady of the skies talking now? ... it's so hard to tell the difference between the ravings of the dancing Kowakian and the input of the organ grinder" It was a short-lived burst of snideness, perhaps channelling his father before he retreated to silence again. He was riled up and it seemed that helped him overcome his shyness in short bursts.

Aoede spoke then, her words said in Shaalite but repeated in his head in high galactic by virtue of the force mostly in concern for her people. The ones she liked and felt no ill will towards. She did not wish them to be killed. "You need not call me Lord" he mumbled "Darien is fine" He did not have the chance to address her concerns before Arcturus spoke up to inform her that they did not kill innocents. recent history suggested that he was a liar but it was true of Darien at least and that is what mattered. Of course, it might be true of Arcturus too, perhaps the doctor had committed some heinous crime but somehow Darien doubted it and was there really a crime so heinous as to justify such barbaric reprisal?

Chaos erupted then with the horned one talking in fast shaalite to the lady. It took some catching up for Darien but his Shaal speaker looked appaled. By the time Darien had caught up Forrest was already well into a tirade and a threat that if the Shaal did not stay in his place he would be put down. In a rare moment, Forrest and he were of one mind. this Shaal had grown bold and high-minded under the neglect of his master and the apparent favour of his mistress and like a plant that grew too large for its space Dev might need pruning ... or uprooting. Darien turned a disappointed look on Arcturus. Yet another thing in his own home he could not control. This Shaal spoke as if he thought of himself as next to a god. Why had Arcturus allowed such a dangerous thought to balloon in his mind? Where was that famous concern for the future?

Forrest had made no clear response to the feelings and memories Darien had shared but the god of prosperity hoped they had illustrated that there was a commonality of feeling between them.

Still, Forrest was quick to say that he was agreeable to Darien's terms. He had a counter though, well less a counter and more a proposal, what was to be done with those innocents they did not kill? Forrest wished their fate to be left to Aoede and he was quick to agree "Of course, though I hope some of them will remain in post in the city so they can teach me to manage all these dangers our red friend seems to think us to feeble to manage ... all the same, I will not interfere in their fate they are as you say Lady Aeode's people"

The final matter was where Theryn and Aoede were to go while the city was cleared. He had a simple enough answer for that too "Fear not Lord Dinn, you would not see your bedbound wife made a hostess and I would not see Theryn left alone in the same city as your bedbound wife never mind the same home" He ignored what the lady in question had apparently remarked and made clear what he viewed as best "I imagine Prince Theryn would feel safest in Mercuitie but he may go where he pleases"

"Just not here please sweetheart" he communicated telepathically.

Forrest Dinn Aoede Theryn Hearthfire Arcturus Dinn Dev Ossian

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

"Prove yourself in this, Ossian, your loyalty to the Pantheon, and then we can talk about expanding your horizons." Arcturus was admittedly still wary of the Shaal for the part he had almost played in harming his boy back in the Grotto. Still, Rhiannon seemed keen to make use of him and it was true that he could prove a valuable asset where Kolinahr's affairs were concerned. Perhaps even beyond that. ​

​

Words were soon turned toward the Goddess of the Soul herself. Already stood, Arcturus watched the exchange between his son, Aoede, and the Shaal with an almost vacant expression. His focus was internalized, making sense of the Shaalite through Forcely means, and what he heard from the horned man had his head shaking quite immediately.​

​

"Enough of such dissenting talk, Ossian, or you will find yourself swiftly from grace. The girl has already made her wishes for the City clear, at this point it is you who is looking to connive. A dangerous and unpredictable city is what you claim, we should begin there. Clear it and then we can fight over governance."​

​

His eyes drifted over to Darien then, a man who was ever at odds with him it would seem. "Ultimately the decision falls upon Lord Cordel, and I will hear no more on it beyond that. The City falls within his domain, I care not for who held it previously when they did so on the back of slaves."​

​

Then it was that Arcturus shifted his attention to his son. He took a step toward him, and settled a hand over one of the blades hanging from the boy's belt. Leaning in, he spoke quietly to Forrest. "See that you do not allow these new found, heightened emotions to guide you into folly. There is a fine line between love and lust, my boy, and frankly you cannot yet know the former for you do not know her. Do not tear these lands apart for the first girl who takes your fancy. I will not allow it."​

​

At least Darien and Forrest finally seemed united in something, even if it was their apparent disdain toward Dev.​

​

"Now, I suggest the two of you pick Ossian's brains for information regarding these ancient devices. Aoede's too, if there's anything she can share. With Rhiannon so close to delivery I will not be coming with you, however I will send you with my best men." Making one subtle gesture, the General of his legion, a prominent member of the Rhan-Tegoth, stepped forth and dipped his head into a deep bow. "This is General Tollak, he will act as my proxy."​

​

After turning his gaze to Tollak, Arcturus spoke once more. "See that you defer to Lord Cordel for your orders." Though Darien had yet to accept his position as Arcturus' right hand man, Arcturus still valued his opinion. Not that he did not value Forrest's, of course, but his son was invested in a more emotional manner and that tended to muddy the waters where sense and mortality were concerned.​

​

Tollak nodded once. "As you wish, My Lord."​

​

Unless there was anything else directed his way specifically, Arcturus would then clear the floor and head toward the exit.​

​

Darien Cordel Forrest Dinn Dev Ossian ​

 

[Dev Ossian]

Forrest was quick to lash out in anger, going on a rant against Dev. The big red Shaal chuckled as Arcturus held the golem back.

“I say nothing without my lady’s approval,” he said, his fanged smile fading, but not fully disappearing. “It was a test to gauge the girl’s state of mind. Does she fear us—or would she find reason to fear us, if reminded of her current state?”

Walking casually to one side of the hall, Dev swished his glossy black cape. Forrest’s electrum heart was in the right place, it seemed, as he wanted Aoede to be given choices. Good.

Darien was quite adamant about taking over the City, or at least the parts of it currently occupied by the cultists. Dev thought back to the day when Kolinahr had selected them, men and women from all of the tribes under his banner, slaves to serve and slavers to manage things. They were chosen because they were the most devout, the most zealous, the most loyal. And now Aoede was revolting against them. He wondered if Kolinahr had meant for that to happen, too…

"Ultimately the decision falls upon Lord Cordel, and I will hear no more on it beyond that. The City falls within his domain, I care not for who held it previously when they did so on the backs of slaves."

“Probably best to kill them all, seeing as you will be destroying the region’s economy,” Dev remarked. “I’ll certainly be glad to help.” Not because he held any particular distaste for slavery, but because he enjoyed killing. It was such fun.

“Do you fight, Mercurius?” he asked. Darien seemed the sort to sit back and let his warriors do the killing for him, but perhaps he wasn’t as he seemed.

"Now, I suggest the two of you pick Ossian's brains for information regarding these ancient devices. Aoede's too, if there's anything she can share. With Rhiannon so close to delivery I will not be coming with you, however I will send you with my best men."

<What am I allowed to tell them?> Dev asked Rhiannon.

<Break it to them slowly, and make sure Aoede is there to hear it. She deserves to know the truth.>

With Arcturus having left, Dev glanced over those who remained. “The Trickster God Kolinahr, my late master, was Aoede’s father,” he said. “He put her in the City, surrounded by his most loyal guards and servants, for her protection. Now that Desdinova has slain him and Anhur has spirited away his daughter, it is only fitting that you will soon be meeting her mother Eshara.”

The Goddess of Desire and Madness.

Aoede Forrest Dinn Darien Cordel​