Tanith turned the blade of the knight, then brought down her sword. She smote him across the helm, and he fell backward. Landing with a crash, he attempted to rise. But Tanith set her left foot on her sparring partner's neck and pointed her sword at his eye.

Just a few inches. Just a few more, and she'd gouge it out. Blood would spill. She could say it was an accident. No, no, don't act on those urges; they were for enemies, not friends.

"I yield," said Esgroth, laughing as he sheathed his sword. "I see your martial skills are as great as ever, Tanith."

Tanith smiled and stepped back. "Good match, Esgroth." She spun her sword around then sheathed them. Nodding to him, she walked out, washing the sweat from her face in a fountain. Glancing up, she saw Felix standing by. He had been observing, like always. Only then did she sigh.

"I need something to kill," said Tanith.

"What?" said Felix.

"You heard me. I haven't shed any blood in days and days," said Tanith. "I hate sitting idle like this, just waiting for the winds to fix themselves."

"Why are you so obsessed with killing?" asked Felix.

Tanith shrugged. "I enjoy it.

"I enjoy chess," said Felix. "I don't feel a compulsion to go out and play it. Eitrigg had a point."

"You're only saying that because you're Calishan," huffed Tanith.

"Given that others have said it who are not Calishan, I'd say you are more than proven wrong," said Felix. "Why don't you try sparring some more?"

"No good," said Tanith. "Sparring is a poor substitute for real blood. I guess. Where is William? Usually, you're his shadow."

"He went out on his own walking last night," said Felix. "Then he never came back."

"Well, he can take care of himself, I'm sure," said Tanith. "He'll be back."

"Would that that were so, daughter of Azgora," said a voice.

Tanith looked up to see a shower of gold. Into sight appeared a white-haired beauty that Tanith would love to have sport with. She had beautiful breasts and hips that were nice and wide. She was a bit muscular for Tanith's taste, but no one was perfect. Even so, Tanith licked her lips at the idea of covering this woman in her blood. She cutting off the air going into her lungs by clenching her fingers around her throat. She could hold it there for a minute until the woman's face began to go blue. Then she could release it, enough so she could take a breath then...

Her thoughts were getting a bit forward here. Tanith knew she ought not to think about women whom she'd just met like this. Mother had always told her to only think about slaves like that. And not to actually physically cut them or anything, just have her way with them. These fantasies were not healthy.

Still, she could hardly be blamed for thinking of it. Wearing a tunic that bared legs like that, this woman was practically asking for it.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" asked Tanith, pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind. This wasn't the time or place.

"I am the goddess Zeya and your ancestor," said Zeya.

Oh, so this was the Rape Goddess then. That explained the shower of gold. She really was asking for it; it'd be no more than she deserved. What kind of slime went around raping people on her own team? "I'm fully human. I think I'd know if the Telus bloodline had any divine in it."

"Telus?" asked Zeya.

"Yes," said Telus. "That's my name. Tanith Telus. What did you think it was?"

"She isn't related to Lady Azgora," said Felix, voice hard. "William is."

Zeya froze. She clenched her fist and looked upward. "...Fortenex."

"What?" said Tanith.

"Nothing. There is a grave mission I have for you," said Zeya. "William has been captured by my husband Herus and in a faraway land. If you are to rescue him, you must come with me now."

"Wait, what?" said Tanith. "Why would Herus want to capture William?"

"Yes, Zeya," said Felix. "why would Herus want to capture William?"

"That is unimportant," said Zeya quickly.

"I think it is," said Tanith.

There was a crack of thunder. "Do not question me, mortal! I am Zeya! Arbiter of the Heavens!"

Zeya had tried to rape William, hadn't she? That didn't seem all that bad. William was far too tightly wound as it was, and there were far worse possible ways for it to happen. Although they were blood relations, so it actually was kind of sick. "...As you say, Goddess of Heaven."

"Good," said Zeya. "Then, we will go now."

With a motion of Zeya's hand, they shifted.

Suddenly they were standing upon a beach of golden sand. The plants here were very different from those of Estal. The soil was rockier here, and Tanith noticed a huge ruin of white stone. It had been built with pillars rather than arches. Vines were growing up those pillars, and at the far end of a plaza, Tanith saw a tomblike structure.

"This is the island where William has been taken," said Zeya. "He is imprisoned within.

"What kind of resistance can we expect here exactly?" asked Felix.

"There is only one guardian in this place," said Zeya. "A creature called a medusa. Do you know what that is?"

"No," admitted Tanith. Although she had read about a lot of things, her expertise was focused on Harlenor. That and the surrounding nations. Duke Vanion rarely spoke of Themious.

"She has the body of a snake and the upper body of a human," said Zeya. "Her hair is snakes, and all who look on her directly are turned to stone. Long ago, she was a priestess of mine before she was cursed."

This medusa sounded cute. If she was Tanith, she just needed a way to deal with the stone gaze. "Why was she cursed?

"The Fish King, Lord of the Waves, had his way with her in my Temple," said Zeya. "Thus, I transformed her into what she is. Herus has promised to lift her curse if she holds William here until he dies."

"Did she consent?" asked Felix.

"What?" asked Zeya.

"Did she consent to the Fish King?" asked Felix.

"Why should that matter? My temple was desecrated, and someone had to suffer for it," said Zeya. "Medusald was an easier target. I couldn't afford to have a war between gods."

"How exceedingly just of you," said Felix. "In Calisha, we prefer to punish the person responsible for the crime."

"I know who you are, Felix," said Zeya, and her voice held a warning. "Do not presume to judge me. I have been the goddess of the heavens since before you even existed."

"Hold on, why can't you just kill Medusald yourself?" asked Tanith.

"I do not want my actions to be known to Herus," admitted Zeya. "For reasons beyond your comprehension, this must remain a secret."

"I think I understand," said Tanith. Herus had caught her in the act, hadn't she? And this was Zeya trying to cover for her own screwups. "But I want something in return."

"William is your friend, is he not?" asked Zeya, eyes narrowed.

"Sure, but I'm still taking a serious risk to rescue him," said Tanith. "The first rule of working as a mercenary is never do something for free if you can get something out of it." Right now, Tanith was imagining the snake woman. She must have been a real looker to attract the attention of a god. Although it was possible, the transformation had ruined her beauty. Or maybe the Fish King just had terrible taste.

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Why would the God of the Unknown want to have his way with a mortal woman? Wasn't he supposed to be completely incomprehensible. Although maybe he wanted to try experimenting or something. Then again, all those people in the Islands of Power who had his bloodlines had to have gotten them from somewhere.

It didn't really matter. What mattered was the medusa.

Okay, so if she were nice to look at, Tanith would have her way with her. If not, she'd get to kill something. Either way, she won. Tanith would decide when it came to it.

Zeya looked at her with narrowed eyes. "I could destroy you with a word."

"Yes, but then you'd have to find someone else to rescue William," said Tanith. "Besides, you wouldn't go to all this trouble to free William unless you needed him for something. He and I are close. Kill me, and you alienate him."

Zeya held her gaze for a moment. Tanith had difficulty keeping the gaze. Zeya eventually looked skyward in resignation. "...Very well, I will grant you whatever you desire, within reason, once he is freed."

"Great," said Tanith. "So how do I kill something I can't look at?

"You can look at her," said Zeya. "Give me your swords."

Tanith drew out her swords and tossed both into the air. As they came down, she caught the flats between her fingers. She offered both to Zeya, who took them in her hands. The blades flickered, and then Tanith saw her own reflection in them. It was clearer than any mirror she had seen. Zeya offered both back to Tanith, who took them.

"See her through these blades," said Zeya, "and you will be safe from her gaze."

"Does she sleep?" asked Felix.

"All mortals sleep. So yes," said Zeya.

"When does she sleep?" asked Felix.

"At night," said Zeya.

"All right then. Here is my plan," said Felix. "We'll wait until nightfall when she is sleeping. When she is, I will go in there with one of those sword's mirror, kill her in her sleep, free William, and bring him out here."

"That is... pragmatic," said Zeya, voice disapproving.

"It will work. Won't it?" asked Felix.

"Oh come on, Felix, that plan won't let me kill anything," said Tanith. "Nothing that can't fight back anyway. Trying to kill something I can only look at with a mirror sounds fun. Also, killing someone in their sleep is just dishonorable. I'm a knight; I'm supposed to fight people in single combat."

"Well, Tanith, if you are in such a hurry to be turned to stone, you may try it first," said Felix. "Just leave one of your swords here so I can make my own attempt."

"Fair enough," said Tanith. Then she drove a blade into the ground before them. "If I'm not back soon, just assume she got me."

"There is one more thing," said Zeya "William has been transformed into the form of a white bull. You will know it by the scar over his eye."

"How did that happen?" asked Tanith. She knew Herus had probably caught her in the act. But what connection did that have to being turned into a bull? Some sort of attempt to cover up.

"You need not know that either," said Zeya.

Did she seriously think she was fooling anyone? "Whatever you say."

Her tone must have irritated Zeya. "I am a god. I need not account for anything I do to you."

"So you did do something," said Felix.

"I will return to this beach when you have rescued him," said Zeya. "You must not fail. This is far more important than any petty matter." She was gone in a flash of lightning.

Felix looked to Tanith. "Are you sure you want to try and fight Medusald?"

"Sure," said Tanith, spinning her new mirrorlike blade. "It wouldn't seem fair, just going and cutting off her head while she was asleep."

"Your funeral," said Felix.

This was going to be so great.

Tanith made her way toward the entrance. Drawing near, she entered it. To her surprise, it was quite well lit. Torches were on the walls, and her shadow was very long. She guessed that it would be difficult turning people to stone if they couldn't see anything.

Her suspicion was proved correct as she rounded a corner and saw a set of statues. Most of them were women and very beautiful ones at that. All were statuesque with large breasts and wide hips. There was also a pleasant tendency for their armor to bare their long legs. Tanith probably would have had great sport breaking a few of them. It was a pity they were statues now.

She listened and kept her eyes peeled as she came to a branching hall. On a whim, she took a left, peering into the darkness. Wait, that was the last thing she should do.

Coming to a corner, she brought up her sword and looked into the reflection. On it, she could see a hall of many pillars. And between those pillars were dozens and dozens of statues: satyrs, more of the women. A low hissing sound could be heard, but she could see nothing. Slipping around the corner she turned the blade. She saw that there was another doorway some ways away. Tanith guessed that it led into the hall she hadn't taken.

Stepping out into the hall, she checked past the corners using the reflection. As she did, she heard a sound, a low hissing. Raising the sword, she ducked behind a pillar and brought up the sword. In its reflection, he saw a shadow — the lower body of a snake with hips wider than were possible with any normal human. Her scales were sea green, and her waist was thin, leading up to a pair of enormous breasts covered by rags. Tanith could see two glowing green eyes as the creature came forward upon a shapely face.

Well, she was certainly worth Tanith having her way with.

"Well, human. I smell you and hear the footfalls of your armor," came a hissing voice. "Have you come seeking glory and my head? You will find neither?" Tanith saw her face and immediately decided she wasn't going to cut it off. She was very beautiful.

How to finesse this?

"Of course not," said Tanith. "I wanted to look at you and know if you were truly as beautiful as the tales said they were. I thought they were only exaggerating."

"...That's a first," said Medusald. "What do you make of them then?"

"The stories I have heard of your wondrous beauty are far short of the reality," said Tanith. "I'm certain that many jealous of you have sought to demonize you in vain."

The medusa was drawing very near. In a few moments, she would come around the corner. Tanith moved to another pillar and hid behind that.

"Stay still..." said Medusald. "Everyone who has ever looked at me since I became this has been turned to stone, don't you? You lie very well, but I know you're only doing it to get nearer to me.

"Why else would you have come here with a drawn sword?"

Tanith smiled. "Far from it. The radiance of your appearance is as the light of the world. Were you to walk beneath the open air, the sun itself would fade in comparison."

"Go on," said Medusald, sounding pleased.

Tanith bit her lip. "...Truth be told, I'm out of lines. I'm not here to kill you."

"And what else could bring you to this place?" asked Medusald.

"A friend of mine has been transformed into a bull and kidnapped by Herus," said Tanith with a shrug. "It all happened very quickly."

There was hissing laughter as the snake women halted. "Well, that puts us at cross purposes. Who are you, and where have you come from?"

"I am Tanith Telus of Haldren," said Tanith. "I've traveled far and won many battles. Who were you before you became this?"

The medusa halted, and her expression became suspicion. "A priestess of Zeya, of course. Though I doubt much else is known about me now. I had two brothers and a sister. My parents were very proud of me. I sacrificed animals at the altar of Zeya and lived to serve her.

"Then the Fish King met me, and I became... this. However, Herus has promised to break Zeya's curse if I keep your friend here until his death. I can be free of this... form."

If that curse got broken, the whole plan was ruined. Also, William would be dead, so that was bad too. "Is that really so appealing?"

"Why wouldn't it?" asked Medusald. "For a hundred years, I have been unable to interact with anyone or anything without turning them to stone. Amazons have continually come against me, seeking to slay me to prove their worth, and I am tired of it."

"And what are your plans?" asked Tanith. "Once you're returned to your old form?"

"I'm not really sure," admitted Medusald. "I don't age like this. I may wither up and die. Or I may simply have to pick up where I left off. My family is all very old if they aren't all dead."

"Wouldn't it be better to have the ability to control your stone gaze?" Asked Tanith.

"What do you mean?" asked Medusald.

"You might not believe me, but I find you beautiful, Medusald," said Tanith. "I wish I could look at you with my own eyes. Imagine if you could still turn people to stone, but could control the power itself. If you didn't have to worry about using it by accident, it could be very powerful. And you wouldn't have to worry about dying of old age since you'd keep your eternal youth."

"You really mean that, I think," said Medusald in a quiet voice. "Your voice isn't as insincere as it was before. I spent weeks learning how to move in this form. If I were returned to how I was, I'd have to learn how to walk again. I suppose I might ask Herus for a change of contract." She drew a bit nearer near enough. "However, that is neither here nor there. You've given me something to think about. So I will grant you this once chance: Leave now and never return, and I will allow you to live."

"Sounds like a fair deal," said Tanith. She took one more look to make sure she knew where Medusald was. Then she closed her eyes. "Here's mine."

She stepped around the corner and brought around the flat of her blade. She struck something and heard a hissing noise. There was a crash as something hit the ground. Tanith threw aside her sword and followed the sound to grab for her throat.

She ended up missing her target and instead hit the snake-woman's shoulder. She tumbled over her and slammed face-first into something soft but firm. She tried to reach for the woman's throat. However, before she could, the snake tail came up and wrapped around her arms, forcing them to her side. She could hear Medusald hissing, her hot breath against her neck. The sensation of the coils wrapping around her waist was a pleasurable sensation. But she knew it would turn lethal.

Medusald gripped her by the face, grabbing her eyelids. "You had your chance. Now open your eyes. I'd love to add you to my collection. I don't usually get women of your-."

Tanith leaned in and kissed her. She forced her tongue into the medusa's mouth. The inside of her mouth was different from most of Tanith's slaves. And she tasted a bit different. Either way, the effort did its job. The coils loosened, and Tanith had her chance.

Bringing up her arms, she gripped Medusald by the head and smashed her against the pillar twice. Medusald slouched and fell forward onto the ground. Tanith kneeled by her and checked her pulse. Good. She was still alive. Tanith hadn't wanted to kill her. She pulled off her cloak and threw it over Medusald's face. Then she stood up and opened her eyes.

"Okay, now to find William," said Tanith.

She picked up her sword and sheathed it. Walking deeper into the statue filled room, she found a back room. Within it, she found an enclosure filled with straw. There, tied to a wall by a golden rope, was a golden bull. It had a jagged scar over its left eye.

"William, is that you?" asked Tanith as she came forward.

The bull made a sound and pulled upon its harness. Tanith drew her sword and got behind the bull. She brought down the blade she struck the rope. It held firm, and her sword bounced off. Bringing down her blade a second time it frayed. A will was set against her, demanding she leaves and never return. But Tanith was never one to listen. A third blow cut full through the rope.

"Great," said Tanith. "Come on, William. Don't look at the medusa on your way out; her face will turn you to stone."

She led William quickly out of the shrine and into the light. Outside she found Felix sitting upon the beach. His red sword was placed over his knees, and he was sketching pictures in the sand with a stick. He looked up. "Oh, you're back. Good. William, is that you?"

The bull nodded.

Zeya appeared in a flash. "Finally, it is done. Now I will remove the spell at once." She raised a hand, and it glowed.

The bull shifted and became writhed in light. That light then took on the form of a human. Then William was standing before them in full battle armor. He glared at Zeya silently. "Give me one reason I shouldn't cut your head from your shoulders right now."

Zeya met his gaze with pride. "Ingratitude suits no one, young Gabriel. I have saved you-"

"From a danger which you put me in in the first place! After-" he struggled to speak.

"I did not know your lineage when I made my advances," said Zeya.

"Oh, you didn't know my lineage," said William. "Well, that certainly means absolutely nothing!" And his hand went for his sword.

Tanith caught him. "William, calm down. She's our only way home."

William remained silent, looking between her, then Felix, then Zeya. "Very well. Thank you, Tanith, for rescuing me from that dungeon. Do you have a means of escape?"

"Yes. Zeya," said Tanith.

"I see," said William.

He turned away.

Tanith didn't see what he was so upset about. Gods did this kind of thing all the time. Anyway, he probably would have enjoyed it. It didn't really matter either way. "Zeya, about my wish."

Zeya looked further annoyed. "Yes, what is your desire?"

"I want you to make it so that Medusald can control whether she turns people to stone when she looks at them," said Tanith. She supposed she could have wished for something else. But Tanith sort of felt sorry for Medusald and she didn't envy her the headache she'd have.

Zeya looked stunned. "You mean you didn't kill her?"

"No, I hit her with the flat of my blade and knocked her unconscious," said Tanith. "Now, are you going to grant my wish or not?"

"You should kill her," said Zeya. "When she dies, the curse on all those turned to stone will be broken. Otherwise, they will remain trapped forever."

"That's not my problem," said Tanith.

"...Are you sure you don't wish for me to return those within to flesh from the stone?" asked Zeya. "Many of them were valiant warriors. And they were sent here to achieve your task before you."

So, the truth came out, Zeya wanted to use Tanith as her personal hitman. Why hadn't she just tossed a lightning bolt at Medusald to begin with anyway? Well, Zeya was the Goddess of Heroes, maybe she set Medusald up as the victim of a heroic narrative. What was a hero without monsters to slay, after all?

That was really sick, actually. "Sure, if you'll do that alongside my request for Medusald," said Tanith. "As long as they aren't allowed to hurt her."

"You're making three wishes now," said Zeya.

"If you don't want to restore those women to flesh, that's your choice," said Tanith. "I'm only interested in the medusa and her safety. The statues in there aren't my responsibility. She turned them to stone when they were trying to kill her, fair and square. And I didn't ask them to come here, you did."

"But surely you would have suffered their fate if you had failed," said Zeya.

"But I didn't fail, so we have nothing in common," said Tanith. Then she thought maybe she could wish the women in there be returned to flesh as her obedient slaves. However, Tanith decided that wouldn't really be right.

Besides, being able to control her stone gaze would help Medusald a lot. Much more than having a harem of obedient slavegirls would help Tanith. So, Tanith supposed she ought to take it.

Zeya shifted and looked to the temple. "...Very well, then. I shall do as you wish and return the women to flesh as well. And I shall guarantee the safety of Medusald."

Raising a hand, there was a shifting. Great, now Tanith could go back in there and finish what she started. Admittedly she'd have to seduce her, but it wouldn't exactly be hard. Anyway, Medusald owed her now.

Maybe Tanith could also learn a bit more about Themious from those women. This region of the world was a bit of a blind spot for her. That actually sounded a lot more fun than seducing Medusald. William liked history nearly as much as Tanith did, and she didn't want to make him uncomfortable.

Also, they could provide Medusald some much-needed protection on her way out. Tanith didn't trust Zeya much.

"It is done," said Zeya. "Now, I will transport us back."

"No wait-" began Tanith too late.

And they were gone.

What a complete waste! This was a real chance to learn about another culture! And she didn't even get to kill anything!