First lands fish beside our camp and if I didn’t know better loud enough and splashy enough to disturb my sleep. I pretend to ignore her as she then throws twigs and branches about.
“Mother I know you are awake. Your chest rises and falls more rapidly now than at dawn.” Child-like mocking and tut-tutting laces her thoughts. The grown-up child outsmarts the mother, not fooled by parental tricks, apparently, I happily sigh.
“She is cheeky for a child. She would be eaten if Gar. The young obey and give proper respect, anything less and they are declared food.” Alba’s haughty thoughts are amusing. Perhaps a good tactic if your children number in the hundreds, not so good if unique and one of three and apart from those thoughts I don’t pay the comment any further attention.
The aroma of fresh fish over an open fire lures me from my pretence. Blinking my eyes open, First’s sharp toothy grin greets me, victorious.
“I welcome you awake Mother and thought to spoil you with burnt flesh.” She waves a freshly sizzled fish, skewered and woven along a sturdy branch before my salivating lips.
Licking my lips, I take her delicious offering, as I finish, another is ready and then another.
“Hungry Mother? Tut-tut, you are not taking care of yourself, luckily you have three daughters who will.”
Bucket One and Bucket Two land, timing their arrival perfectly to their introduction. Both bearing gifts of fresh fish.
“When will my daughters eat?”
They look at each other, exchanging celebratory smiles. “We have eaten sleepy Mother, at dawn, fresh fish caught then eaten, no campfire, no burnt flesh,” answers First.
I eventually wave no more and my three daughters then crash land upon me, no thought or consideration of my gluttonous overly full stomach. After some moments of hugging and rolling in my great cat fur, I feel both my breasts being suckled. Bucket One and Bucket Two unashamedly latching on. I doubt they contain any Mother’s milk, although I don’t have the heart to push them off. Instead, I catch First with my eyes, questioning.
First strokes them both, one under her left hand, the other under her right. “They have missed you Mother and soon they will be Mother themselves and worry, like every Mother to be, will they raise their children right, when no one has taught them how and all they have is their Mother as an example.”
I embrace them both rejecting the idea to push them away, even though I know their actions are futile, my Mother instinct forever lost I fear, when I evolved to Lammasu.
“What of you First and your pending Motherhood?”
“I look to my Mother for guidance and while our days as Mother and Child were few, they provided me with enough wisdom I believe,” she answers.
“Tell me, what wisdom could I possibly have imparted in such a short while?”
“Easy Mother, do you best, encourage when your child does right so they know what is right, enquire when they do wrong, don’t accuse, so they aren’t fearful to explain and receive learning.”
“What if they are naughty and mischievous, for example not allowing their Mother to sleep in and then calling her bluff?”
First loses all humour when she replies, surprising me. “Truly naughty, ignoring your Mother, the world will decide.”
Regaining my composure by kissing Bucket One and Bucket Two on the tops of their respective heads. My eyes upon them I ask First a simple question and hope she will reply.
“What has happened First?”
Bucket One and Bucket Two’s sucking intensifies.
First digs her talons into the river sand and then releases them to turn away from me.
“The males and their lust.”
First stares out across the river, her head level, perhaps her eyes are fixated on the opposite bank. I wait.
“What of your plan High Priestess, we are wasting time here.”
“Quiet!” I growl in reply.
“Their lessor wives begat fertilised eggs, which begat young. Children are innocent when firstborn and yet these abominations were cruel and thoughtless, savage and selfish. The worst traits of Mother and Father.”
Bucket One and Bucket Two shed tears, and warm droplets cascade down my chest freely.
“After days of ignoring us, we quietly slew them, Mother. One endless night. We included unhatched eggs. Some Mothers woke as we started, some when we finished, all distraught, unseeing of their children’s evil naughtiness, a Mother’s blindness.”
Bucket One and Bucket Two squirmed into me, desperate for more skin contact.
“The Mothers conspired with the Males, the Kobolds our spies as they received most of the evil spawn’s ill-treatment and therefore became our most loyal allies. Another endless night Mother, all nine slain by our clawed hands. Two of the nine were less guilty, yet they still died. No loose ends, no false words spread and no future plotting. The Males humble before our wrath and now understand the fate of any lessor females they lay with.”
“I like First, very Gar.”
I ignore Alba’s comment, waiting for First to face me, to return to me. Bucket One and Bucket Two relax and steady themselves.
First spreads her leathery dark wings and from deep down in her lungs she issues an ear-piercing scream. The scream transforms into a bird song of pain and lament bringing tears to my eyes.
First appears before me, on one knee, head bowed. I raise my patting hand from Bucket Two to her head.
“Will … I … be forgiven, I slew children in their shells and children far too young. Mothers, I slew Mothers blaming them for their children. What seemed just and right at the time, I now have doubts. I pity Bucket One and Bucket Two who didn’t hesitate to follow my lead and as you can see yearn for their life before, to suckle, to live under the guidance of their Mother and not their Sister.” Her freely flowing tears create wet divots in the river sand beside her talons.
In battle, there is a contest. When I slew many Beast kin with my putrid excrement, I felt shame and questioned the means to justify the ends. My child is approaching a similar crossroads.
I tug First’s head forward until she overbalances and splays across the wings of Bucket One and Bucket Two. I arch my neck to enable me to kiss her leathery forehead.
“As your Mother I forgive you. I forgive you because of the remorse you are now feeling, you are questioning your actions, weighing up your choice. You are the Matriarch of your Clan, as Matriarch, decisions need to be made and decisions have consequences. You need to accept you are mortal and as a mortal, you will make mistakes. For what it is worth, while brutal and gruesome, I consider your actions necessary. You need to maintain the divide between Karpy and Kobold as the mix is true evil.”
First hitches her chest, sobs and her eyes find mine. “I wished for punishment Mother and when I received your summons, I accepted my fate. I ordered Bucket One and Bucket Two to follow. Our fertilised eggs remain unguarded, our future young possibly in jeopardy.”
“You must return, forget your Mother, save your young!” I scream, not realising I have.
“No Mother it is a test. If the Kobold Tribe wish us to rule them, they will protect our eggs. If our Male Karpy are now truly enlightened they will protect our eggs. If either fails in their duty, we will know our worthiness without needing to protect our lives from our subjects. And it is fair Mother.”
“You don’t wish to defend your eggs yourself?”
“Bucket One and Bucket Two haven’t left your side since arriving, they wish to live safe when in the company of their own whether that is a whole tribe or their Mother, they know outside is unforgiving and they accept that. What they can’t accept is constantly wondering about those sworn to your service and yet secretly plotting your demise.”
The four is us lay in a comforting embrace while the river laps and splashes beside us. Occasional birdsong issues from the forest, the wind in the trees drowning it out now and then.
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“I have decided she is not Gar.”
“I am glad, now be quiet or be left on a branch.”
---
As dusk approaches, I discuss my plan with my Daughters, and they are eager to assist. They accept their eggs are either safe or destroyed by now and rushing back to the Kobold lair will not change the fact. When they have assisted me, they will return to accept the verdict of the tribe, by their actions and deeds not by their words.
We establish a new camp, almost exactly opposite the Lizard Beast kin shanties. My Daughters spend their days scouting from the air assessing the Market Days and any caravans leaving or arriving. While they do this I hunt. Spear and Bow feel comfortable in my hands. I range far and wide and when I encounter Beast kin, I avoid them. The days tick by and I am conscious of the need to find refuge in a Temple of Zeus before I am forced to return to Azizos or forced to respawn.
---
From a great height Bucket One and Bucket Two drop excrement upon the streets separating the Dog Beast Kin and Cat Beast Kin Quarters from the Amphitheatre. First drops excrement between the Badger Beast kin Quarter and the abandoned Quarter. This effectively cuts the town in two and spoils the noses of Cat Kin and Dog Kin alike. If fortunate the breeze will be strong enough to waft back into the town and spoil other Beast Kin's senses of smell and taste as well.
Those in the Market crowd away from the putrid aroma to avoid vomiting and incapacitation. I land lightly, [Invisible] and position myself with the Market and the abandoned Quarter before me, I hold great hope. Before I begin, I command Alba to protect me with her spells if any approach me, especially Cat, Dog or Snake Beast kin.
My Daughters aren’t to interfere unless I am directly threatened, they wait in the sun, their inherited eyesight scanning the town, alert and watching.
The Market is full of conversation, wondering about the cause of the stink, wondering who is going to clean it up. Each Beast kin nominates another, bickering. All occupy the town, yet none accept responsibility. The Badger kin try to mediate and because of their stature, are ignored.
I begin [Sanctify Area] Ceremony and I draw upon the magic of the two Magic Spirits bound to Alba’s ring. Zeus’ presence surrounds me immediately, his light possibly visible to any who investigate the shadows of the Amphitheatre, hopefully only visible to me his High Priestess. I drained a great deal of magic establishing the connection to Zeus in establishing his Temple amongst the Frost Giants, this time the connection seems effortless, easily answered. The magic I drain from the Magic Spirits is almost entirely devoted to establishing the sanctified area.
The Market is enveloped in a wave of holy magic, a realisation by those within that they have been called to a higher purpose, some embrace, some resist and some successfully reject the call. Those who embrace Zeus in all his glory, glow, caught in a rapture of enlightenment and knowledge transfer. Those who resist are overwhelmed by his majesty and come to accept his glory. Those who reject his call are cast aside, Zeus doesn’t waste effort on non-believers. Snake Beast kin reject Zeus more often than not, while Bear and Badger Beast kin embrace Zeus almost to a Beast.
The ground beneath the Market shimmers and glows as the sacred area spreads and establishes itself. Those who reject Zeus are pushed outside of its limits, an invisible, intangible feeling of rejection overpowers their will to remain. Unfortunately, several non-believers spill out towards the Amphitheatre stunned and dazed for now. I feed the Ceremony my magic now and shape the area to expand towards the abandoned Beast kin Quarter. Being buildings they neither resist nor accept, they are simply included. I am overjoyed as I believe the Badger kin Quarter, the building frontage, and the first row will be included in Zeus’ Temple.
On the verge of greatness, the magic rapidly drains, and multiple sentient beings exist within the abandoned Quarter absorbing it considering their choice. The beings I am unable to identify as I am wary of the three Beast kin currently sniffing out my presence comparing results and I am unable to act, helpless unless I cease the Ceremony.
My eyes are closed due to the Ceremony, although I still mark its total loss and can only assume Alba utilises my sight to act on my behalf. The repugnant to some Karpy faeces aroma wafts over me.
Three screams followed by three bouts of heaving vomit are a joy to my ears.
“Well done Bucket One, a spray of three at once with your throw!” First celebrates by sharing the news.
“Mother many Cat Beast kin have skirted around the edge of the Amphitheatre, advancing up the grassed area their intentions not yet clear, should we soil the edge before they descend the block steps?” asks Bucket Two.
I am unsure if I can reply and maintain the Ceremony.
“Mother?”
“She can’t reply, witless daughter, be Giant Gar and defend your Mother!”
It is Alba and I will my disagreement.
“Not Mother be quite!” vents First. “Wait and watch Bucket Two as Mother taught us.”
I sense Alba’s curiosity and she investigates using my eyes. She hesitates, dumbstruck from disbelief.
“They assemble, Panther, Lion, Tiger, Fox, Wolf and Dog along the grassed edge, surveying the Market and the abandoned Quarter. I believe they are nervous and in awe at the same time, the holy ground is being smelt by them? Can a creature’s senses be so fine-tuned?”
I can’t answer, although my magic is almost drained and then I feed upon Alba’s, ignoring her protests.
“How will I defend you High Priestess unable to cast a single spell?”
Bucket One is the first and then all my Daughters report in. “Many from the Market advance upon your position Mother, their eyes fixated upon you, you must escape now!”
I trust in Zeus, the faithful are gathering to acknowledge their High Priestess, I am certain, well possibly. I have almost drained Alba, regardless of my situation I intend to complete, to finish.
“Mother they surround you, facing outwards, protection. They cart away the downed Beast kin to clear the way. They bend down, many paws are upon you. Do you not feel them? Are they gouging you? No, they lift you and carry you forward towards the Market. Who is commanding them, Mother?” First is distraught throughout her report.
I sense Zeus’ blessed ground as they lower me into the Market area.
[Aphrodite, Priestess of Zeus has entered the Sanctified Area of Zeus, link to Quest Dungeon of Azizos severed.]
[Exception Detected. System recalibration … New Sacred Ground object creation required: Great Temple. Pending …]
The Ceremony completes, and the available magic within me drains. Within the sanctified grounds and Zeus upon my shoulder, I scavenge enough regenerated magic from the two bound Magic Spirits to cast [Worship Zeus]. Their worship floods over me and drains as quickly into Zeus’ sacred ground, pooling like a lake, a reservoir of holy magic. Dusk falls upon the congregation when everyone returns to their senses, including me as I swipe away multiple messages announcing the creation of Guardians, Myrmidon, Champions, Initiates, Adepts and at least one Priest devoted to the worship of Zeus.
“I admire your creation High Priestess,” announces a deep gravelly voice.
“Nasim? But how?” I ask.
“When your High Priestess can fly, you must suppose she flies directly to her destination, not West along a Mountain Range searching for a path to the plains below and then back East across forest filled plains navigating by the stars to ensure you return to your High Priestess’ flight path. Until following that path you arrive.”
His grey bald head, broken up by a wide white tooth smile beaming at me celebrating his cleverness. His wife’s eyes glowing with adoration, their children surrounding them.
“How did you approach the Town without being attacked? You aren’t exactly sized to sneak in?”
“Where my High Priestess steps, she garners much attention to her so lessor beings can do as they wish around her if not caught in her glamour!”
“Plain speak, I distracted the entire Town?”
“You do yourself an injustice High Priestess, such a feat requires many words. Now my labour begins, upon his Holy Ground, I will build Zeus a Temple to rival any. If permitted I will call my Clan to assist.” I see the askance in his eyes, he wishes to free his Clan from the Mountains, liberate them for all time by placing them out of reach.
“Perhaps I can assist in this speedy migration. What words would your Clan believe, if told to them, to cause them to believe the messenger and retrace your footsteps?”
His family answers before he can, joy in their hearts, celebration in their voices.
“Aphrodite, High Priestess of Zeus calls for your help, follow the footsteps of Nasim with haste!” they shout, drawing the attention of Beast kin around them, questioning looks although nothing more as they bob their heads in my direction.
“Bucket One are you able to follow the path I envision and find Nasim’s Clan? Can you deliver his message? ‘Aphrodite, High Priestess of Zeus calls for your help, follow the footsteps of Nasim with haste’ My Daughter?”
“A big lake in the Mountains, tall grey-skinned beings, I will find them, Mother, never doubt.”
“How long did your journey take?”
“Many days, I am uncertain as we needed to stop and hunt.”
“Well, your Clan will be told to follow you before sunset.” The astonishment upon his face is a welcome reward.
“Thank you, High Priestess, we take our leave to find an abode suitable within Zeus’ Blessed Ground.”
---
No message appeared declaring the Holy Ground a Temple. Why not I wonder. The Ceremony claimed the Market, the entirety of the Abandoned Quarter and half a street towards the Badger Quarter, the Feline Quarter and the road to the Quest Dungeon. The Holy Magic from Worship hums beneath me. The pieces are there, what has failed to bind them? I walk the perimeter, investigating, what, I don’t know as I am at a loss.
“I thank you First for your assistance, we can leave the Beast kin to clean up.” I mentally smirk for her benefit.
“Yes, Mother, I will call Bucket Two and find Bucket One as we need to face our future.”
I sense she wishes to say more, and I don’t wait for her, nothing should be left unsaid between a Daughter and a Mother, neither should feel they need to be afraid to speak their mind or ask for help. I solemnly close my eyes.
“You are always welcome to join your Mother, as High Priestess I am certain I can join you to the Mythos of Zeus if needs be.”
“Thank you, Mother, it will ease our minds knowing we have a sanctuary to return to if … the worst occurs.”
I inwardly smile and send my warmth to each Daughter. Opening my eyes, a large feminine Panther Beast kin kneels before me, head bowed. Fortunately, I didn’t blindly place a paw forward.
“Arise Priestess.” As High Priestess, the ranks of all Zeus' worshippers are known to me, perhaps a gift from Zeus.
“I don’t wish to offend … Zeus commands me to establish his Temple on his behalf and perhaps the grey creatures aren’t as welcome as you have presumed.” Her dark eyes are full of trepidation, her brow and ears pulled back.
“Calm yourself High Priestess,” councils Alba unable to restrain her mirth.
Admittedly my first thoughts revolve around strangulation after casting [Teleport] to land my bodyweight upon her shoulders to crush her face down to the ground.
“Commune with Zeus, advise him, his High Priestess is claiming a privilege and the Stone Giant Clan will be welcomed, they are his faithful worshippers who only wish to build in his name. Now begone.”
The Priestess rises quickly and hurries from my sight.
“You punish the messenger High Priestess,” Alba, again. Sniping and unhelpful, therefore I ignore her.
Considering the message, my belief is Zeus doesn’t wish me to influence this Temple’s design and use. He wishes to be its architect perhaps and influence the direction of his Mythos on this world and perhaps anything guided by a sentient creation of Prometheus is an anathema to his senses. Then my blood stills and I can’t breathe. Trying to speak my lips move and no words sound, an unknown past, returns and my mind freezes.
“Hail, High Priestess of Zeus, I am Pleasant Voice, Adept of the Goddess Hera, Matriarch of the Long Grass Pride.”