Quarely finally awoke from his restless sleep. After the goddess had appeared in the distance like a towering specter of the night he hadn't been able to get more than a few minutes of sleep here and there in the remaining hours until dawn came. He couldn't forget that sight: her standing towering over the forest with her hair glowing like the light of the moon. Those eyes though, brilliant windows of light like bright stars in the night sky. He shuddered at the memory.

He quickly rose from his bed and began getting dressed in his under-clothes. This was the day he would meet the young goddess Jenna and the fate of his lordship, nay the kingdom, would be decided. Doubts rushed through his head again. Should he have let the king handle this? No. There wouldn't be enough time for that. The king would also involve the military, try to control this goddess. That would only end in disaster. If the goddess had her first interaction with nobility be with someone reasonable and down to earth it would surely result in something better for everyone.

Thinking of himself of some kind of symbol for how nobility should act wasn't something his ego truly pressed itself with, he simply knew his king well enough to know that diplomatic relations weren't his strong suit. Fighting was more his style. He wondered if Ferherlyn wasn't his longtime friend if he would have turned out something like the king.

Shaking these thoughts from his mind he called out for his servants who appeared to help him dress in today's garments. It was a regal tunic and robe that was filled with colors of autumn. Reds, greens, and yellows adorned it with simple gold jewelry around his neck and wrists. He didn't want to appear flamboyant but he did have his lordly status to uphold.

"Make breakfast a simple ordeal" Quarely told his servants. "It's important we're ready by the time the goddess appears. She'll likely be here soon."

His servants nodded and gave the affirmative.

"Oh, and make sure the others are prepared in time as well!"

As the servants left the room another figure appeared at the door. It was Ferherlyn who was dressed in radiant white robes to symbolize the air element he was a grand master of. He had a solemn smile on his face as he knocked on the open door.

"Sorry to bother you so early the morning. I couldn't get a wink of sleep myself. Terribly frightful sight last night wasn't it?"

Quarely sighed and retrieved his sword from the trunk at the end of the bed.

"I thought at that very moment she appeared that my time had come and I would be meeting my ancestors."

"Yes quite." Ferherlyn replied stepping into the room. "I met her during the daylight hours when I went to invite her here. Despite how terrifying she appears I can assure you she is much more reasonable than she looks. She is quite... childish however."

"Another immature child with power. Unbelievable power at that."

Ferherlyn smiled and chuckled.

"If you're referring to the king then perhaps. If you're referring to this goddess then I'm afraid you're incorrect. She's quite mature in fact. Again in stark contrast to her appearance."

Quarely walked over to the door and his friend.

"You're the only one who's spoken to her that I can trust. I'll take your word for it. Where's Hernan? I assume that lazy lout is going to make his appearance."

"Of course my lord. He's currently asleep if I recall. Slept like a baby through the whole thing last night."

"Typical of him..." Quarely muttered. "Lets go get some breakfast while we still have time."

Together the two of them walked out of the room and into the hallway. They were all staying as guests in the castle of the duke Hernan Ulbe. Another man who had met the goddess and lived. Though his testimony involved mass chaos and destruction whereas the townsfolk saw a savior saving them from certain death.

Quarely had come here with several people from his council. Most had refused to come out of fear and he couldn't blame them, though the ones that did were quite nervous. Besides himself and Ferherlyn there were two mages and two humans.

The two humans that came along were of brave hearts to face a goddess but their true motives were the furthering of their own power and political power. Despite the historical event that was transpiring before their eyes nobles are often more concerned how such situations can benefit them.

Helena Iren was a middle aged woman who's husband declined the invitation. While she was a bit on the portly side she did have a quick wit and a sharp tongue which earned her a place on the council. Her family had riches gathered from their barely business which not only ground flower but made mead as well.

The other was a man who was quite muscular as he was a knight of the province. Judge Olifact. Not a man to be trifled with as his knighthood was earned in combat during a jousting tournament. While his brawn made his brain a bit less inclined to political pursuits he was quite adept at military strategy which earned him a seat on the lord's council.

As for the mages the first was Kelnesale Curac. He was someone who could be trusted in most things, though his schemes certainly did exist. Of average height and build he looked much like a normal civilian might. However he was a master of both water and ice, able to summon jets of water only to freeze them into spears of ice to impale enemies of the land. His personality reflected this. He was able to go with the flow until his anger was roused which brought about an icy and spiky mannerism that made more harm than good.

Then there was the other mage.

Yoko was a tall and thin man with a oddly sickly appearance. He was a mage specializing in void magic. One of the most, if not the most, dangerous types of magic known to man. It was a magic that brought upon terrifying effects that caused items to vanish from existence or appear from nowhere, suck the air out of a man's lungs, and even negate light itself. Like the magic itself the man was somewhat unhinged, yet the wisdom he was able to dispense between spurts of odd behavior could be invaluable, especially in a situation like this.

These were the six that had come to the town of Vemdelen to meet their destinies with a goddess of light and knowledge. What the end result of this morning's meetings would be Quarely could only imagine and pray for the best. There would be no privacy for them with how large the goddess was. Their behavior would be on display for all in the town to see.

First however was breakfast and he walked briskly with his mage friend right behind him.

Ferherlyn spoke up.

"You're quite quiet at the moment. Is something troubling you?"

Quarely huffed. "Quite the motley bunch we've gathered here today. To think the future of the entire kingdom could rest on our heads. How could this not trouble me deeply?"

"You take too much onto your own shoulders" his friend replied. "I have a feeling this will go better than you realize."

"We shall see. Lets hurry and get something to eat."

----------------

After breakfast had concluded the sun was already rising well up above the horizon and Quarely had just stood up from the table. He had had a simple breakfast of eggs, bread, and oats with honey. Due to the speed of which they needed to eat it was far from the normal meal of a lord. He had barely gotten onto his feet before there came a distant boom.

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The boom was followed by another, then another. They were the rumblings of the goddess, her footsteps sending tremors through the earth that he could feel even from here in the castle.

Panic filled his mind. Where were they to meet her? It was at the town's walls. They would never make it there in time! He turned towards Ferherlyn who was oddly calm.

"Whats the matter with you man!" Quarely demanded. "We're out of time here!"

Ferherlyn just smiled a big smugly as he looked up at the ceiling in thought.

"She'll probably come straight to the castle. Our goddess isn't the patient type from what I've seen."

Suddenly there came a thundering voice that shook them to their very bones. The goddess must have just arrived at the town walls and was asking someone where they were.

"Hey you! Yeah Mr guard. I was told to come meet a guy named Quarely here today. He's the lord of this province."

There was a pause which likely was the response from whatever poor soul had been singled out by her on the wall. Her voice then returned with a clear hint of irritation.

"Of course he is. I was told we were meeting in the morning. Just step aside everyone I'm going to the castle. Ready? I'm coming in."

The rumbling quakes of her footsteps returned and began getting closer and more powerful. The various objects around the room were beginning to shake as the tremors increased in strength. She would be here in a matter of seconds.

Quarely turned to his friend and glared when he saw the mage had a knowing look on his face.

"Don't say it! Shit! Let's get up onto the castle walls! Why can't goddesses wait for porters like everyone else does?"

They both rushed out of the room running in almost a sprint down the castle corridors. They paused for only a moment for Quarely to shout out orders for the various servants and guards to bring everyone else to the center platform of the front castle wall.

It was a scene of pandemonium inside as people ran every which way. Some ran to find places to hide in terror of who was walking up to the castle, some ran towards the approaching footsteps in hopes of seeing their goddess, and even more still went about their duties as if nothing was happening at all.

As one of the number running towards the goddess Quarely didn't know which group was the most insane.

The goddess's voice came again as the footsteps stopped. She must be right outside the castle now in the courtyard.

"Will you all stop panicking? Have I smashed anyone like a bug yet? Just please bring Quarely up here. I'm going to sit down."

There was another boom, this one powerful enough to almost knock people off their feet. She must have sat down in the courtyard and her butt hitting the ground caused the effects of an actual earthquake.

"You know I forgot how tiny this castle really looked."

Quarely and Ferherlyn ran around a corner and up a flight of stone stairs that led to the balcony. They almost ran headlong into an armored guard who was rushing down the steps in a panicked rush. When they all stopped momentarily to avoid a collision the man recognized them.

"Lord Quarely! They goddess... she's demanding you!"

Quarely who was out of breath at this point waved his hand is frustration.

"I'm aware! Out of the way sir!"

The guard pressed up into the side of the stairwell as the two pushed past and up. From there it was only a short run to the openings that led out onto the large stone balcony that overlooked the courtyard. Quarely almost tripped over himself as he came to a stumbling stop with Ferherlyn stopping right behind him.

There was the goddess. Her frame rose up higher than the castle balcony which was easily sixty feet off the ground. Even sitting down she loomed over the castle like some great dragon looking to feast upon those trapped inside. As he walked stumbling and staring out of the archway he saw her form rise higher still, more so than he could have ever imagined.

She looked so young like a child, yet something about her demeanor made her seem otherworldly and wizened. Her golden hair still had a slight glow, the two braids in her hair giving her a cute appearance as they fell to the sides of her perfect face. There was some kind of brooch in her hair and her dress was so elegant and beautiful like the season of autumn itself.

Ferherlyn walked behind him as her eyes turned to look at the newcomers. Quarely felt his heart stop as if a crushing weight was upon his chest. It was everything he could do to keep himself from collapsing on the balcony. Her eyes. They weren't angry or distant but oddly human. Were the goddesses of old like this?

"Hey its that old wizard guy!" Jenna exclaimed seeing Ferherlyn. "How is it?"

She leaned in closer, her head blocking out some of the sunlight and casting a shadow across the stone platform. Both men were kneeling over to catch their breath as their exhaustion caught up with them.

Quarely raised one of his arms in the air as he gasped for breath.

"One... Please..."

Jenna's head lowered closer and her face loomed over them, her eyes studying them intently as they recovered. The nearby guards that weren't collapsed in terror were themselves keeping close to the exits and posts in stiffened postures. The goddess's eyes didn't flick to them once as she had probably already seem them. Once the two men had begun to stand up again her head retreated as she returned to a sitting position.

"So who are you then?" Jenna said. "And sorry Mr mage I don't remember your name exactly. It was Featherlyn or something?"

Ferherlyn managed a bow as he finished taking a few deep breaths.

"Ferherlyn your exaltedness. And this is Quarely."

He motioned with his hand as Quarely stood up and attempted to adjust himself. He then bowed deeply before standing again.

"Yes I am Quarely oh goddess. Your name is Jenna I am told."

Jenna smiled and closed her eyes as her head tilted slightly to the right.

"Yep! That's me!"

Her head returned to normal and her eyes opened to look at them once again. Her stare just as intense as before.

"So is it just you guys or-"

Her sentence was cut short as Kelnesale swept onto the balcony from a far entrance, his blue and white swirled robes fluttering as he skated on a trail of thin ice. His frozen path stopped and he came to a sudden and stumbling stop as he looked up at Jenna looming over the courtyard.

"Woah woah!"

He avoided a tumble and jogged the remaining distance to where the other two men were standing.

"Pardon my entrance. I had barely finished eating breakfast when I heard, well more felt, the commotion."

Jenna's eyes turned to the new arrival and her mouth opened to speak when there was a sudden clapping from the arches. Out from the shadows walked a thin man in a pitch black robe that was tattered and torn. It was Yoko who was giggling and clapping his hands with a wild grin on his face.

"Behold a goddess of yore! Look at her size and might! And so cute as well ehehe!"

"Please forgive him." Quarely immediately said up to the goddess as the crazed mage walked to join them. "He's a bit strange but I assure you he means no disrespect to you great goddess."

Ferherlyn turned Kelnesale.

"Where are the others? Did you see them on the way up?"

Kelnesale shook his head. "I didn't I'm afraid. Though I'm sure they'll be here shortly."

While they spoke Jenna looked down from above with a frown on her face. Quarely immediately had noticed this but was unsure what he should say or even could say. It was hard to explain but it didn't seem like a frown of anger but more one of someone who was deep in thought. He couldn't even imagine what went on in the mind of a goddess.

"Stop you!" Came a female voice, one that was quite out of breath. "Don't start the meeting without me!"

Walking out of the center archway came a group of three people. The rather chubby Helena was being supported by one of the castle guards on one side and Judge on the other. By the looks of how tired they were they had likely carried her most of the way while running in an attempt to get here as quickly as possible. She likely attempted to run herself at least part of the distance.

Their clothing was nothing less than one would expect of nobility. Helena wore a frilly dress in red and green with jewelry adoring her with a fancy wooden walking cane on account of her weight. Judge on the other hand wore leather armor with fancy black trousers and small brown and white cap upon his head. His sword was attached to his right left hip.

Jenna's frown had disappeared as her eyes flittered between all those gathered. Her expression was eerily blank as she studied them like a child might insects crawling upon the ground. This gave Quarely an easy feeling but this sort of behavior he supposed should be expected of something as large and powerful as her. She had been strangely quiet during all of this commotion which didn't seem in character for the goddesses he had heard described in the ancient stories.

"Is that everyone?" Jenna asked. "I don't see that duke." She raised her voice which caused everyone to cover their ears. "Or is he hiding in his castle from me?"

Quarely removed his hands from his ears and cleared his throat which caused the goddess's gaze to snap onto him. He felt some sweat on his brow.

"I'm to assume he won't be joining us for this meeting. I'm afraid it would be unseemly anyway. This is to be a meeting between me, my council, and you goddess Jenna."

He looked around the castle exterior and then up to her.

"Though it seems privacy won't be something we'll be afforded. Such is the nature of this meeting I suppose."

Jenna crossed her arms.

"It can't be helped. Though I suppose I could carry you all somewhere off in the forest for our talk."

"No!" Came a shriek of fear from Helena.

It was Ferherlyn who spoke next, bowing to Jenna.

"I do have a magic carpet with me. I could fly us out to wherever you decide to sit great goddess. If that is acceptable to everyone else of course."

There was a round of agreements from everyone.

"Very well. If you would go ahead Goddess Jenna we will come out to you."

Jenna uncrossed her arms and nodded.

"Don't keep me waiting now ok?"

She then lowered her hands out of view and pushed herself into a standing position with a slight grunt. Everyone below gasped in awe as her body only loomed even higher above the castle now, her long legs alone probably reaching its towers. She turned and began to walk away, her thundering footsteps shaking them all to the very marrow of their bones.

"Look out everyone! Clear the streets!" She called.

Once she had passed the wall Quarely turned to Ferherlyn.

"Go and fetch the carpet. Everyone else stay here and collect yourselves. This meeting needs to go well for all our sakes."