I spent the next two weeks in the company of the foxkin, acclimatizing myself to the strange new world I had found myself in. And, surprisingly enough, it turned out to be an easy adjustment for me. I expected confusion, anxiety, and even resentment for the fate i had been given, and there was a little of each of those over the days. But what I most felt was an overwhelming amount of gratitude.

Every day I was more and more grateful for the world I had entered, the body I had been given, and most of all? I was grateful for the foxkin. God or not, these little fox face people were welcoming and patient with me. I don't know if I would have accepted someone so green to the role of my lord and savior, or what ever. Gods should be powerful, confident, competent even. I was very much none of these things these last two weeks.

I spent my days learning what ever the foxkin could teach me. Brax was very forthcoming with what limited knowledge he possessed about the world. I learned that There were many land gods and very few true god. The people had little or no contact with the true gods but the land gods were a little more accusable. Much as Aeros had explained, there were gods who interacted little, or none, with the people who worshiped them, while others were so involved that they were seen as both gods and rulers over their territories.

Also, the land that I was presiding over: The Monster Nation of Aeros, was one of the few nations that were both protected by a god, and a entire nation of their own. This was mainly due to the fact that humans and demi-humans feared Aeros, and also, they did not want to deal with a country infested with monsters. So long as the monsters kept within the boarders, the other nations kept their distance. But many of the land gods actually did not have legally recognized borders according to what most races would recognize.

Brax had taken out two rolled sheafs of treated animal skin and showed me that they were maps. Apparently they were quite old, and therefore not necessarily accurate any longer, but they gave me the visual aid I had requested. One showed the vast lands of this world. It seemed to be one super continent dominated by a vast, branching mountain range that snaked around it. he pointed out a large chunk of land that was separated out with dotted lines, indicating the border. It was near the center and a little south on the map.

"this is the Monster Nation of Aeros." Brax had said, pipe in his mouth and a furry claw tipped finger pointing to the location. "Our borders have been this way for countless generations. Two-thousand years, since Aeros became the land god and separated us from the others."

It was this large chunk of land that was mine to care for. A daunting task, but one I was beginning to become hopeful of accomplishing in time. "So this border is where my influence ends?" I had asked.

"indeed." The elder had said, nodding. "It is also the border that the other nations recognize as the Nation of Aeros. However..." Brax looked mildly worried as he went on to explain that, when word got out about Aeros being gone, the other nations may try and take territories for themselves. Since Aeros' decline, the strength of the monsters had waned, and it was only the threat of the dragon god that kept the other countries at bay.

he went on to point out the other borders on the map, explaining- again- that this was an old reference so much may have been changed. I saw that there were about a dozen other gods that had large chunks of land, but there were also several smaller territories circled there. Some as small as a single forest or mountain. Brax explained that those, smaller territories, were often held by the oldest of land gods who either had faded to obscurity, or never relied heavily on the support of worshipers.

"I thought land gods needed the prayers of the people..." I said, mulling it all over.

"Most do. But the older gods usually have enough power to keep up small territories and cede the larger part of their lands to other gods. A young one like you who- er..."

"Was a human?" I asked, trying not to laugh at his awkwardness.

"Well, yes. They need more energy to keep up the lands. From what we are given to understand, the larger the territory, the greater the energy needed. And, depending on the level of involvement of the god, the more energies needed."

"I suppose that makes sense..."

Brax's second map was one out lining what the recognized borders were for the continent. Immediately I saw that the lines were very different to the first map I had seen. In places were there had been one territory, there were several kingdoms parsed out. While other kingdoms seemed to encompass parts of multiple gods territories. I was not sure my brain would ever be able to keep it all straight.

Luckily it wasn't just Brax's geographical lesson that kept me occupied through out the days. I also spent some time with the other villagers, learning the simple things in life. The foxkin looked at me oddly when I asked to be taught how they did simple household chores like laundry and cooking. I appreciated that they were all more than willing to take care of my needs, I felt bad relying on them completely. I wished to be of some help.

"But you're a land god!" Ozzie had laughed when I asked if I could go out with him and the others to learn about hunting and explained my wish. "Isn't your very existence helpful?"

All the same, Orvil and Brin- though originally hesitant about me- gave their blessing for me to join in with some of the hunting and gathering expeditions. Given how simple and non-intensive they ended up being, I expected that they were just for my amusement. Still, I liked to think I at least learned something, even if it just was what berries in the forest were edible and how to set a rabbit snare.

It was on one of these 'hunting' forays that I saw my first goblin. Several of them, in fact. I was in a small group of four foxkin, all of whom claimed that they were going to take me fishing. I was looking forward to it, and even the assertions that foxkin were hardly experts did little to dampen my spirits. I followed the group, led by a middle aged foxkin named Brillum. He was tall for one of the fox like race with dark reddish fur and even darker hands and feet. He had a sense of humor that I appreciated seeing as how most of the foxkin seemed more studious in their everyday workings, even if they could party when the occasion called for it.

Ozzie was also part of this little expedition as it seemed that he was actually Brillum's junior amongst the hunters and it was the older foxkin's job to teach him the ways of their kind. With us were two other young Foxkin, but not as young as Ozzie. They were seasoned hunters and appeared to be treating this trip as a fun day off.

I couldn't blame them though, as it was a stunning day. The sky was a bright blue with hardly a cloud and there was a slight cool breeze blowing that took the edge off the late summer heat. We were traveling farther than I had been from the foxkin village today, and going to a large lake. Ozzie swore up and down that it was one of the prettiest places in the forest, and the single best place to get fish.

"Like every other resource in the forest, the fish are not as plentiful as they once were." Explained Brillum as he lead us through a path that amounted more to a game trail than anything. "Even as recent as when my father was young, the fish were better."

"But with you here," Smiled Ozzie as he hopped over a bolder. "I bet the fish will come back! the deer too."

I smiled softly, but I didn't really know what to say. As far as I could tell there was not really a noticeable difference in the current state of the forest. Not that I had intentionally done anything to improve circumstances. I had no clue how.

One thing I did realize, however, was that the small campfire of my dreams, where I met Aeros, seemed to be growing. Not that I visited it often, seeing as how I no longer required sleep, but the three times I had, I did notice differences to that barren place.

Most obvious was the merry little fire. I had been like a small campfire, but now it was more like a small bonfire. Kind of like a fire that would be lit for a good sized group of kids to roast marshmallows over. And, around the fire, the desolate ground was more like a soil with short little grass growing from it. Other wise, it was still a dark and empty place, but it didn't feel quite as lonely any longer.

"Here," Announced Ozzie, excitedly, ringing a chuckle from the older foxkin. "This is one of the streams that feed the lake."

I looked past the foxkin and sure enough there was a small, burbling stream cutting through our game trail and then snaking off in the same general direction we had been going. It looked about knee deep but some previous foxkin had felled a couple logs and place them across the water, sparing us the hassle of wet feet. We trekked over the logs and then Brillum aided me over another fallen tree, we were suddenly there.

My breath caught because it really was the most beautiful view I had ever seen. The forest grew thick around the sparkling blue lake. It was a large body of water but I could make out the distant bank where the forest rolled into hills, likely stretching to the large mountain range i could make out in the far distance. I could make out a few rocky peached, including where our little stream touched the lake.

I stepped farther ahead of my fishing companions/ guards and craned my neck, trying to see around the oaks that surrounded us, trying to see where the loud burbling I could hear was coming from. Ozzie laughed, tugged my hand, and led the way farther around the river bank, abandoning the path. the others followed closely, all smiles.

"Right here." Ozzie said with a laugh in his voice. He tugged me around a tree that had rather darker bark than any tree I had seen on earth-not that I had seen many in person- and I stumbled forward onto another small stony beach.

I laughed in delight at the small waterfall that met my eyes, connected to a small river that was running happily into the lake. The fall was no more than the height of two grown me and maybe fifty feet across with large boulders under and round it. The trees that hang over the river both above and below the waterfall were of the same dark bark and I realized that amongst the olive green leaves were scattered purple blossoms.

"Its so beautiful!" I breathed, actually nearly moved to tears. "I love it!"

"If that is the case, then maybe we should build your temple here." Laughed Xaxel, a very tall foxkin with fur that was more brown than red and the fur on his paws was black. He dropped the pack he had been carrying on the ground and began untying the fishing poles that were tied to the side of it. "It would make a very scenic location."

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"Temple?" I asked, a little alarmed.

"Every god has at least one Milady." Said Brillum kindly, taking the poles from Xaxel as the younger foxkin freed them. "Some have many. Aeros has one very large one on top of the largest mountain in the forest, close to where most of the goblins live. No one was ever aloud to go there."

"But, what about that little statue I saw you at when I arrived." I asked Ozzie, still very uncomfortable with the thought of people preying to me, much lest coming to a temple.

Ozzie laughed, sitting on a large boulder, legs crossed. "That was just a shrine. We journey to them to leave offerings and offer prayers. Temple's are usually much larger from the stories I have heard."

Brillum nodded. "Shrines act as a kind of direct line to the gods. I have always been told that if you made a journey to one to offer your prayers it is more likely that Aeros will hear your please."

"Which is why I went." Nodded Ozzie be fore a bright smile broke over his face again. "And found you! Ha! Maybe Aeros listened to a foxkin for once after all."

Zoran growled low and shot the younger male a dirty look. "Mind your tongue boy. Aeros may have left but he was still your god, and you would do well to show a little respect." Zoran was of average height with deep set eyes and fangs a little longer than most foxkin. Long enough that I could see them even with his muzzle shut. He had been mostly quiet yet pleasant this journey, but now I wondered if he was on of the foxkin that wished that I had not come here and that Aeros- despite being quite absentee- was still their land god. "He may have not favored us foxkin, but he did keep these lands alive for two thousand years. With out him we would have died off ages ago."

"Sorry..." Said Ozzie, looking chastised, his ears drooping a little.

Zoran sighed, Setting those eyes on me. "Sorry Lady Enna. I did not mean to imply that we are not grateful for your reign..."

"Mmmn." I said shaking my head. "No, its fine. You are right after all. I am also grateful to Aeros, even if he is a little self centered. Maybe its a dragon thing..." I shrugged. "I can say that I did not like that he pretty well ignored your people, just because they were physically weaker than the goblins, or what ever other race he liked better."

"It is simply the way of us monsters Miss." Said Brillum as he and Xaxel settled on the pebbly beach, fixing the lines on the rods. Apparently we were just gonna fish right here. I didn't mind, as I t was a very lovely spot. "Monsters live by the Law of the Beast after all, we follow the strong and the week must fend for themselves of exist on the generosity of their betters."

I thought that over for a second. I can't say I full agreed with that mindset, even if I could understand the thought process behind it. But me distaste of it may be colored by my time as a human, where, mostly, the strong defend the weak.

"Not sure where that leaves me..." I admitted, feeling a little melancholy now. The foxkin may be seen as week for monsters, but what the heck did that make me. The title 'land god' sounded powerful and all- and maybe for most it was a thing of power- but for me? not so much.

Not that I was complaining, perse. I could freaking walk, eat and drink for myself and to me that was its own kind of super power. But other that the gaining of control over my own bodily functions and the nifty hair color change there wasn't too much in the way of difference that I had noticed. I didn't need to eat or sleep, but I could if I wanted to, i guess that was something... but as for magical powers or inhuman strength... not so much.

"You need not worry, Lady Enna." Brillum said, a paw on my shoulder soft and warm. "You are so very young, and I am sure that you will come into your power with time."

I sighed. "I'm not so sure of that. I mean, so long as I can do the job that I have been brought here to do, than I will be satisfied. But, as a human, I don't hold out much hope of being strong in any real sense of the word. How can I be a good land god to a bunch of monsters if even the tiniest of them could take me out..."

"Here," Said Ozzie, handing me a strung fishing rod, a worm already wriggling on the end of a rather warn metal hook. "Take that and lets get some fish. Worrying about it won't do you any good. Besides," He added, jumping to his feet and sloshing out to knee depth into the lake. "It just means that we foxkin have to work better at powering you up!"

The other foxkin chuckled and set about getting the rest of the rods ready while I followed Ozzie out into the water. It came only to the middle of my calves but I didn't want to get the copper robe Brixie had given me wet anyways.

I understood what the young foxkin was saying, it had been explained to be before after all. The fact that much of my power- since I had none of my own- would come from the prayers and energies of those who worshiped me- as uncomfortable with being worshiped as I was- and sent that power my way. The fact was that, despite Aeros telling me I could just be a hermit in the woods, as a human land god, I would need the faith of others to make any real difference. Especially in a land as massive as the Monster Nation.

Brax had told me that, if I felt I had to, I could just let some of the other gods slowly take over Aeros' former lands. It was a viable option in theory, and the foxkin didn't seem to mind it at all. But I just could not do that. The foxkin may be the race taking care of me right now, but they were, by no means, the only race of intelligent monsters in the forest. If I let my grip over these lands slacken then it was likely that humans and the like would begin to encroach onto the territories. Most of the monster races would suffer greatly if the humans decided they needed to be wiped out 'for the good of man kind'.

I just could not bring myself to let that happen. Not if there was the slight chance to prevent it at least.

If I had been asked a few months ago weather or not I would sympathize with monsters, I am sure my answer would be much different than what I felt now.

We enjoyed a whole half hour of fishing on the lake. A half an hour of calm and happy fun, even if not a one of us caught a damn thing yet. I laughed a lot, Ozzie tripped on a slimy rock- probably why there were no fish to catch- and I saw what looked to be a huge bird flying towards the mountains that Brillum said was most-likely a Rook.

But then the air around me shifted. The boys grew stiff, eyes darting to all sides, and Zoran stuck his rod between two boulders before drawing a hunting knife from his belt.

"What is it?" I asked in an urgent whisper. Ozzie placed a paw on my shoulder and guided me out of the lake behind Xaxel. Both looked strained and worried.

Brillum shook his head, indicating it was best to keep quiet, and I took the hint. He took Ozzie and my rods, stuffing them between the same boulders that Zoran had, before ushering us into the tree line.

It was as Ozzie gently pushed me behind a boulder that I heard a branch snap fairly close, followed by a strange snuffling noise that I would have associated with the grunting of a pig. I squeezed in close to Xaxel's side with Ozzie while Brillum and Zoran shuffled in next to us, both with blades now. They all looked frightened but determined.

I raised a hand to my mouth when I nearly gasped in fright as a loud thump echoed on the other side of our hiding place followed by the sound of several large animals lapping up water. I looked fearfully to Ozzie. I was pretty impressed with my lip reading skills when I realized that I could understand the foxkin's mouthed 'goblins' with his doggy muzzle. I am pretty sure I went pale.

I had asked Brax about the race the foxkin were currently strained with at one point. i was told that they were a bit taller than the foxkin, furless besides the hair that some of them grew out of the tops of their knobby heads. they hard large ears and eyes, better to hear and see in the darkness of their cave like dwellings. Brax described them as hunched and looking rather brittle but processing an unnatural strength. their skin was thick like hide and usually in shades of green or grey, some had knobby horns and all has four long, nimbly fingers with blunted, but thick nails they used for digging.

He described than as being vicious and cruel but I was not sure how much of that was true or just the twisted perception of a person who grew up knowing that they were the enemy. Don't get me wrong, i had no doubt that , if found, I would be in big trouble. But did that mean that the whole race was as bad as the foxkin made them out? I rather doubted it. Maybe, one day, peace could be made between the two races and they could all work together to make this forest a better place.

Was this a juvenile and optimistic, idealized view of a world more likely geared to cruelties than the one I had left? Probably. But, surely, as a god, I was aloud to have some idealized views to work towards, right?

"Its getting late." I heard a strange voice grumble and i flinched.

"I ain't blind yeh know?" snapped another, followed by more of the pig like noises.

The first voice snarled. "I never said you were!" he grunted then sighed. "How long is the king going to keep us out here..."

The other goblin snorted and I heard the pebbles of the beach shift under his feet. "Till we is done, I should say. Not like there is much in the point O' goin back anyways is there?"

"For you, maybe." Huffed the first speaker. "But I got three mouths to feed at home, don't I?"

The more accented goblin cackled. "Well, that's what yous gets for settling done then id'n it?"

"Shut it Rollen."

The ma cackled again and i did my best not to move. Apparently goblin's did not have the best of sight and smell, but they had excellent hearing, and at this distance any peep from me would give us away in an instant.

"I think ol' Ravia smells somthin' here." Grunted goblin two causing my blood to run cold.

"Tch." Huffed the first one. "Well its probably just some of them little foxkins then isn't it? we're pretty close to their village here after all."

"Should we track 'em down?"

"Why? They'll be all dead and gone soon enough if the king has his way, now won't they? Let the poor little whelps enjoy what time they have left."

The second goblin snorted in apparent amusement. "Tha' attitude is why Midden got the premotion over you, you know?"

"Like I care. So long as I make it home again then that's fine by me."

"And you call your self a goblin." he sighed, exasperated. "Aeros favors us for a reason you know? You think he'll bless you for let'n a bunch of bush tails off light do you?"

"Oh? And when was the last time you ever saw someone blessed by Aeros then, hu?" Snapped the first goblin. I heard him take a few step on the beach rocks, the grunt of one of their strange animals, then the sounds of rummaging. There was the sound of a cork popping followed by someone chugging liquid.

"King has been bless." The accented goblin said, sounding affronted.

"Eye, he was... over two hundred years ago. Have you heard anyone being done since."

There was a second of silence before the now more sullen sounding man said. "No..." He made an irritated grunting noise while my thighs shook from squatting for so long. I wish I had gotten into a more comfortable sitting position before it had been too late. "You ain't thinking that Aeros is gone then are you? Like them rumors that have been going around..."

I could almost hear the unnamed goblin shrug. What I did hear though, was the sound of water being filled into what I assumed was a canteen or water bottle of sorts. "Its not like we can deny that the forest is not what it once was... my father used to say that the underground lake was filled with fish and those cave lizards. When was the last time you ate a cave lizard?"

"A long time..." Admitted Rollen. "But its not like the place has turned to dust though, right? He most still be watching over us!"

"Makes no difference in the end though does it? There isn't enough food to go around anymore. That's why his majesty has us out on this job after all."

"Well, thas' the truth of it."

"Come on, we need to report back to the princes. We will let them know that Ravia smelt the foxes too."

"Yes, the more we know about their movements, the better our job will be, yeh."

"Yeah. I hope the fuzz balls give in with out too much of a fight..."

Rollen cackled once again and I heard a set of larger bodies moving around on the rocks. "I bet that lady will be really proud of her husband, bein' afraid o' some foxes!"

"I'm sure she will just be happy to have me home at all to be honest."

there was a series of more grunting and snuffling and the shifting of wet pebbles underfoot. then a few grunts and the sound of leather being pulled tight before I heard a couple 'hiya!'s followed by two or more large creatures running off along the beach, opposite the water fall we were crouched near.

After a second Brillum let out a relived sigh and Ozie's paw on my shoulder slipped off. I looked at the younger fox and he appeared frightened, eyes wide and his paws shaking slightly.

"Good thig we decided to be near this water fall." Grunted the older foxkin, reaching down to aid me to my feet, my knees protesting to the change in position while my thighs and calves celebrated. "Without it blocking out the sound of our breathing and heart beats we may have been in big trouble."

"What were they doing here." Asked Ozzie, his voice a little higher pitched. "they never come this close to the village, right?"

"This far south? No." Said Brillum, rubbing the back of his neck. "Its troubling... maybe if they had been to the east of town, but to be here they would have had to follow the river south."

"Almost like they are looking to circle around the village..." Said Xaxel, reaching between two boulders to get our rods.

That did sound bad. Not to mention what the goblins said about the foxkin's time being short. Brillum wasted no time gathering us all up and making our way back to the village. The mood was much less fun during the return trip.