Omen: 16, 20

“Oof!” Adam stamped onto the soft grass and dirt, squatting down to half kneel within it. He slowly righted himself, stamping both of his feet onto the earth, before glancing around. He could see the rest of his companions, as well as the Awakened Wolves, had managed to land well into the earth.

“Is this…” Adam glanced around, finding his cart to one side, beside a figure.

It was perhaps the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, her skin liquid platinum, her veins running like streams of gold. Her eyes held an a wisdom of the greatest of elders, swirls of all manner of colours floating around. In one hand she held a staff with a set of scales, which balanced every so often.

Ulaveil let out a low sigh, which caused Mara to perk up, crossing her hands over her navel.

‘Whoa,’ Adam thought. ‘Goddamn, she’s so hot.’

She raised her free hand in a greeting, before speaking, though it was more like she was reciting poetry than speaking. “I am Ulaveil.”

Adam stared at her, realising what she was by her sight. Though he was enamoured by her beauty, he steeled his mind, before walking over to the teen Iyrmen, before he began to don his armour.

“Good morning, uh, afternoon, Lady Ulaveil,” Adam greeted, before throwing a look to Jurot and the other Iyrmen, who stood relaxed, though he noted that Lucy and Mara were far more tense.

“There is no need for that, Adam,” she said, her voice still near musical. “We shall not be fighting today.”

“Of course not,” Adam said, still strapping his armour. “I have no doubt that yourself, a Goddess, are no doubt here to chat. Yourself, a Goddess with the suffix of veil. Any relation to Lady Elaveil?”

“She is my mother.”

“Of course, of course,” Adam said, slipping on his chain shirt, so that he had some protection at least. “The Goddess of Balance. I’m not sure if the Goddess of Balance has any issues with me, the one who disrupts such balance, in more ways than one, but…”

Adam paused, beginning to strap on his gauntlets, before glancing her way, eyeing her up, noting the scales, which were made of pure whiteness, like light, but Adam swore he could see its true form now and again, though his mind kept forgetting its appearance. “Last I spoke with your mother, the good Lady Elaveil, we seemed to have no issues. In fact, I believe she was on my side, alongside her brother, Lord Sozain.”

“You seem more eager to reveal your dealings with the Divine in front of all your companions,” she said, motioning a hand to the rest of his companions.

The teen Iyrmen were a buzz with excitement, meeting with one of the Lesser Divine, a child of one of the main pantheon, the child of Ritetu. More excitingly, perhaps they could even come to blows?

Vonda held onto her shield with both hands, praying silently as she stared at the young Goddess. Her heart thundered in her chest, though she tried to calm herself.

Rick remained frozen, his entire body both hot and cold. ‘A Goddess? Really?’ His eyes flashed across the Iyrmen, then to his own group, the farmers each staring at the woman. Rick dropped to his knees, with the other farmers, and the porters, following right after.

‘A Goddess!’ Brittany thought, also on her knees, her head growing lighter with each passing second. ‘It’s a Goddess! Lady Ulaveil!’ She had heard the name from when the village would have its religious sermons now and again. As far as she knew, she was the daughter of the Goddess of Balance, and she knew no more beyond that.

Nobby wasn’t sure who she was, but had dropped to his knees beside his uncles. He stared up at her, wondering how strong she was. The sweet, innocent Nobby, long corrupted by the way of the Iyrmen.

The Awakened Wolves lay on their back, revealing their stomachs to the Goddess, unsure of what to do.

“I’m not sure whether they’ll believe something that crazy,” Adam admitted.

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“Even though you’ve shown how you defy all reason?”

“Still, it’s hard to believe that I’ve met the Divine, isn’t it? Plus, it was only through a dream.”

“You may only meet the Divine through a dream.”

“Uhuh,” Adam said, staring up at the Goddess as he continued to strap on his equipment. “It’s fine for them to know, since most of them work for me. If they’re about to die, they should at least know the truth.”

“Why would they die?”

“Lord Sozain doesn’t exactly give people a heads up when he wants to claim them,” Adam retorted, tapping his amulet, which was cool to the touch, the kind of cool that revealed his ever watchful eye.

“A fair point.”

Adam remained silent as he continued to slip on his armour. Once he had donned most of it, he spoke up. “What do we owe the pleasure, Lady Ulaveil?”

“I remained with your cart to make sure no one stole it.”

“Well, thank you kindly,” Adam replied, staring into the Goddess’ eyes.

Lady Ulaveil could see it, the defiance in his eyes, the reason as to why she was so apprehensive about letting him live. She could hear the unspoken question from within his mind. “You must be relieved that you returned so soon.”

“How soon?”

“Six nights have fallen since you left,” the Goddess replied.

Adam finished strapping on his greaves, before leaning back slightly, stopping from donning any more of his armour. “Only six days?”

“Only six days.”

Adam continued to stare deep within her eyes. “That’s rather fortunate.” The Half Elf smiled, and did not make to don his breastplate.

“It is,” Ulaveil replied, her lips pulled taut as she almost glared down at the Half Elf.

“So, why did you send us between realms?”

“I did not.”

“You didn’t?”

“No.”

“Oh,” Adam replied, awkwardly. “So are you here to welcome us back?”

“No. I was to watch over your journey, and to make sure it didn’t happen.”

“What didn’t happen?”

“Whatever was to happen,” the Goddess replied.

Adam looked to Jurot, furrowing his brows, before returning back to look at the Goddess. “Right?”

“Unfortunately, you were taken, and so I remained to greet you upon your return.”

“Well, thank you.” Adam motioned to the cart. “Thanks for looking after the cart too. Did you try the fish?”

“I did not steal anything.”

“Not stealing,” Adam replied, raising his brows in alarm. “I wouldn’t dare to suggest a Goddess was stealing.”

“No, you would say it outright.”

“Thank you.” Adam nodded his head, smiling with satisfaction. “You’re no noble, though, I guess you’re above nobles?” ‘Maybe I should doublespeak with them?’

“…”

Adam narrowed his eyes, falling into thought. ‘Hold on. She was here to welcome us back? Then what sent us there?’ He waited for her to respond, but when he realised she wasn’t going to answer the question, he continued to think. ‘All of this seems so awfully… convenient?’ He caught Jurot’s eyes, who slowly nodded his head.

“Welcome back, Adam,” called a voice from nearby.

He was tall, with pale skin, and was pencil thin. He was adorned in long cloths all about him, with a rapier at his side, and a cane in hand. His eyes were dark, his face hard to see under the thin cloth across his face. Upon his head was a large crow.

“Crowseer?” Adam called.

Ulaveil turned to face him, her eyes full of judgement. The scales tipped even, and she clutched it tighter. She continued to glare at the stranger, whose presence she had not felt until he had declared himself.

“Have you been well?” Crowseer asked.

“Well enough,” Adam replied. “Did you have anything to do with this?”

“As curious as ever, I see,” Crowseer replied, smiling from behind the thin cloth. “I apologise for frightening you all, but I thought to allow you to finish your conversation before I spoke up.”

“How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough that it became awkward to not speak up,” Crowseer replied.

“Right. So… did you have anything to do with it?”

“You played a greater part than I.”

Adam looked to Jurot, sighing. “And I thought the Gods were cryptic.”

“I see you’ve not taken my warnings to heart,” Crowseer said.

“Well… I mean… I have, a little.”

“If you wish to act in such a way, you are free to do so. If you do not wish to act such a way, then you are free to do so.” Crowseer smiled, placing both hands top his cane. “I hope your children are well?”

“They’re good.”

“All… six of them?”

“Six?”

Crowseer began to think. “No, five, isn’t it?”

“Do I have another child I don’t know about?”

“I don’t believe so,” Crowseer replied, smiling innocently. “What of your sister?”

“She’s doing…” Adam paused. “Crowseer, the Iyr has corrupted her.”

“They do love their fighting.”

“What am I to do?”

“What are any of us to do?” Crowseer bowed his head lightly. “What of the other children? You must adore your new Cousins too.”

“I do, but they won’t let me spoil them,” Adam grumbled in response. “Shouldn’t I be allowed to get them as many magical items as I want?”

“Spoiling them too much will not help them in life.”

“You know, I hear that a lot, but how many times do you hear the children of nobles failing at life because they were too spoiled? Doesn’t matter if they’re snorting coke or go around killing peons. Hell, last I checked, telling a noble the truth can get you killed. If you’re rich enough to make the law, it doesn’t matter if you spoil your children and they cause a mess, no one’s going to punish them. Or they’ll be punished with kicking it at home, you know, to snort more coke.”

Crowseer remained silent.

“Sorry,” Adam replied, clearing his throat. “Anyway, my point is that if they get into trouble, I’ll be rich enough to sort the situation out, or strong enough to deal with it personally.”

“No one man can change the world.”

“No, but being rich helps you influence it.”

Crowseer remained silent.

Ulaveil also remained silent.

Adam cleared his throat. “Sorry.”