Another chilling late autumn day led into another freezing cold night. The days were getting very short and winter was less than a couple weeks away at this point. Because of this there was little to be done in regards to farming which opened people up for other forms of outside work. Just because the crops had been harvested doesn't mean there wasn't plenty to do! There was firewood to cut, construction projects, repairs to do, and plenty of textile making.

Girls my age would be doing sewing or basket weaving, arts and crafts stuff like that. Well that was if I wasn't a literal goddess anyway. Because of my situation my responsibilities were much greater than just providing upkeep for the family's clothing. I still needed to take some time off though and right now I was doing just that. Well actually I was doing a public relations survey but I considered it relaxing.

One of the important things for a serious ruler is keeping their public image in good standing. After all what good is it to be in charge of a kingdom if the people hate you? Figuring out public perception of oneself when they're famous or powerful can be difficult due to the natural aversion people have to conflict. Thus people are less likely to speak their mind about you to you. Thus I was doing another one of my semi-undercover missions.

Tonight in the cold and the dark I had taken myself to the far north of the kingdom. Here on the very boarder of the neighboring kingdom there was one of many small towns, this one going by the name of Frelesh Broad. A strange name perhaps but it was what they had chosen for themselves. Due to its location it actually had people living in it from both Celuduun and Pheoa, as to be expected of a place stuck between two large kingdoms.

It was due to this unique population makeup that I had chosen to come here for a visit. The people here are the furthest from the capital and would feel themselves most independent from the royal family. Also while they are in the same province I had appeared in they likely are the least educated on my existence, or if they do know about me care little due to the same reason. Most certainly wouldn't know what I look like. So with just a simple clothing change I could blend in and listen in on what others might think about me.

Here I was this cold night, wrapped in a large brown cloak and sitting down in the local tavern. Children being in taverns isn't entirely out of the ordinary, but someone that appeared my age being out this late certainly was. The way I got around this was by claiming to be an orphan which quickly dismissed any major concerns most people had for me. A somewhat understandable but still deeply saddening reaction in this day and age.

I was sitting at one of the tables at the far wall of the tavern closest to the big fireplace. The flames within were cackling brightly as the warmth filled the large room. The main floor was about the size of a basketball court and had many tables and chairs arranged around it. This late at night there were few patrons. Currently besides me there were about ten or so men of various ages here for the latest of late night drinks.

Miya and I were having a small conversation about what my public perception may or may not be while I sat there in the glow of the fire and watched the men. They were drinking and joking around with each other about various things, but also talking about some of the rising tensions between the two kingdoms. It was true what they said about peace being an abnormal state of affairs. None of them were mentioning the goddess however.

One of the smaller men, a guy with short blonde hair and gruff face, had been looking over at me on occasion. Whenever he looked over I instinctively turned my gaze away but he had caught me staring at them twice now. Despite trying to keep a low profile it seemed with this guy I had failed to remain unnoticed. He had finally had enough it seemed.

He stood up from the small group of guys and walked over to the table I was sitting at, his tankard of ale still in his right hand. His left hand slammed down on the table and he leaned in over me. He was clearly drunk.

“Hey you little brat!” He said angrily. “You got a problem? Street rats like you aughtta know when to keep outta sight!”

I kept my head down and remained silent. He clearly didn't like me being here but I wasn't leaving. If I ignored him he might get bored and leave me alone again. Some of the other men had looked over to see where he was going but didn't say anything.

“I'm talking to you!” He snapped.

The man then reached out with his left hand and put it on my right shoulder. He then jumped in surprise as I instantly reached up and grabbed his forearm with my right hand. My grip was ironclad and I pulled his arm from my shoulder and held it extended. There was even a hint of fear in his eyes when I lifted my face and looked up at him.

“I'm a follower of the goddess.” I said calmly. “I'm allowed to be here.”

This man laughed and then became a bit angry.

“The goddess? That good for nothing shit!” He said. He then started pulling his arm away while talking but was confused when he couldn't. “What- What's she ever done for us?”

That kind of language just wouldn't do and I pulled on his arm drawing him closer. He struggled in confusion as this little girl began overpowering him and the flagon of ale he had began spilling as he twisted around. My voice was low and dangerous as I glared up at him.

“I'll dislocate your arm if you keep struggling like that.”

Now there was real fear in the man's eyes and he only struggled more of course. When he had put all his weight into pulling directly away from me I let go, the drunkard stumbling backwards and tumbling onto his backside from the sudden release.

I then stood up on the chair and pulled back my cloak, revealing both my face and faintly glowing hair. My face was a mixture of anger and smugness as I looked down on the man on the floor now covered in his drink.

“I am the goddess.” I said firmly. “And I won't be disrespected by the likes of you.”

The other men had noticed what has going on by now and some of them had stood to their feet. Seeing a little girl acting in this way was certainly going to be an eyebrow raiser and they were curious what was going on if nothing else. The innkeeper was also drawn out from the room behind the counter by the commotion.

“What's going on over there?” The innkeep asked.

The man on the floor had scooted backwards a couple feet and was visible shaken from the ordeal and probably didn't entirely believe what was going on. It was clear I wasn't just a little girl though. He pointed up at me.

“You're a monster!”

There was no point hiding anymore and I just smirked, stepping down from the chair and taking a few steps towards the man.

“No I'm a goddess.”

All the others were looking at me with disbelieving expressions and before any of them could say anything I put my arms out on my sides.

“What you don't believe me?” I asked rhetorically. “Want me to prove it?”

One of the bigger and more muscular men who was standing up slammed his drink on the table and started walking over to me, stepping around the guy on the floor. His voice was rough.

“A little girl like you making claims like that.” He said sternly. “If you can use magic that's one thing. But to claim being a goddess that's just stupid.”

I lowered my arms and gestured for them to follow me with my left hand.

“Come on outside then.”

After that I walked across the room to the main door and pushed it open, stepping out into the bitter cold of the night while dropping the cloak onto the floor of the inn near the door. I didn't have to look behind me to see most of the men following after me, enough to see out the door anyway. The night was dark after all and the inn was warm.

Once I was outside the building I turned around and grinned, growing to full goddess size within a few seconds. Now my little girl body towered over the entire town, the inn itself barely bigger than my two feet put together. As I towered over them into the night sky my glowing hair lit the rooftops and mixed in with the pale light of the moon.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The spectators down below at the toes of my boots were overcome with awe and terror. Most stumbled backwards and collapsed to the ground, their knees giving out underneath them. My overwhelming presence simply too much for their little minds to comprehend.

I had been especially careful not to take any steps as the earthquakes would have alerted the entire town to my presence. My point had already been made so I quickly changed back down to my human form, my arms crossed across my chest with a big grin on my face. I then walked towards the terrified group causing them to stumble or crawl backwards away from me.

“That's right!” I said smugly. “Get down and worship me!”

I stopped approaching when I reached the threshold of the inn and tossed my hair behind me over my shoulders. Some of the men had in fact thrown themselves at my feet in prostration while others were still retreating back to the far side of the inn in fear. While I liked putting these people in their place there was a limit to how far I could push it. Despite my subconscious egging me on I decided the point had been made well enough and dominance asserted.

“That's enough of that.” I said waving my left hand in the air.

Everyone looked at me with ever more baffled expressions as I then walked back into the inn as if nothing had happened. The men still on the floor were simply stepped over as I passed by them without a care. Those still inside were not given nary a glance as I walked straight up to the counter and jumped up onto one of the stools in front of it.The innkeeper looked down at me sitting there with a mixture of fear and uncertainty.

I just looked across the counter at him and then back at the other patrons out of the corner of my eye.

The innkeeper gulped nervously and rubbed his hands together. He had the feeling he needed to say something and so defaulted to what he always asked people.

“D-Did you need something?”

With that I turned back to look at him, my gaze somewhat serious but not angry. It still made the poor man jump regardless.

“Yea.” I replied curtly. “I'll have some of whatever food you have ready and a large cup of ale.” I looked over to the fireplace. “You can bring it to where I was sitting before when its ready.”

With my order placed I hopped down from the stool. At this point there was no reason not to act like I owned the place.

The other patrons had all reacted in different ways. Some of them had returned to the table they had originally been sitting at as if to hide behind it while others were still standing in a small group at the doors. One or two had also just left, vanishing into the night and probably leaving town as well.

That big muscly man had stepped forward and was being surprisingly brave considering what he had just seen. He was in fact even a bit angry looking as he addressed me.

“What? Are you just going to show up to our town and terrorize us then act like nothing's changed?”

I gave him one side glance without replying before walking back to the table I had originally been at. While that one look was enough to make some of the men jump the one who had spoken last barely flinched.

One of the other men shouted over at me. From the safe position behind the others I noticed.

“Y-You just going to ignore us?” He cried.

Even with these protests I remained silent until I had reached the table and sat back down in my chair by the fire. Once I was seated I put my arms out on the table in front of me and spoke without looking over at them.

“Ya'll are free to go back to whatever it was you were doing before.” I replied. “My point has been made. Don't disrespect me.”

With my permission most of the men did return to their tables and drinks, the mood of the place shifting into a much more negative one. I didn't care though, their little pissy attitudes did piss me off. Sub-chan wanted me to do something more to put them in their place and I had to remind her that doing that would only sour them towards me further. She was disappointed but accepted it.

The men were grumbling about me and mentioning how it was so like a goddess to just show up and dominant everyone without care. I ignored them and as they settled down again the innkeeper brought me out my order.

He was carrying a small plate with some sausage and a bowl of some kind of soup which he put down on the table in front of me. He also put down a large cup of stinky ale. When I looked up at him he backed away with his hands up.

“Oh don't worry g-goddess!” He said nervously. “It's on the house!”

I figured as much and just nodded to him before he scurried away. It was to be expected they would react to me now that I'd shown myself. However as is typical of people the fact I was still peaceful meant they were not entirely terrified of me anymore. When something is generally gentle people had a habit of not only dropping their guard but also taking it for granted. This was fine with me. I'd rather have them easily at ease than terrified on their knees.

They were free to discuss me among themselves as I wasn't going to stop them their free expression. However they were careful not to say anything disrespectful which was good. I just started eating me food and taking sips from my drink. It was more so to make the appearance that I was more like them than I was some almighty monster. Just seeing me eat and drink like a regular person went a long way in making even the most powerful person seem normal.

To my great surprise the big muscly man actually walked over to my table. Whatever he was besides he was surely brave. I respected that and while I did mostly ignore him I didn't make any movements or comments in his direction. After a few moments of standing there he spoke.

“Ahem.” He cleared his throat. “Excuse me.”

I stopped eating and looked up at him with a slightly annoyed expression.

“Yes?”

He looked down to avoid eye contact and shuffled a bit.

“Well I...” He started.

It was clear he wanted to talk to me so I cut him off and motioned to the chair across from me. The other patrons were watching closely and judging both me and him surely.

“Take a seat.” I half invited and half ordered. “And speak.”

The big burly man sat down across from me and seemed a bit more calm than probably even he expected to be sitting in front of a goddess. He was in his late twenties and had very short black hair with dark blue eyes. His dress was plain but he was wearing leather armor with a short sword on his hip.

“Well I was going to ask.” He said with a slight bit of confidence returning. “Should a little girl, er goddess, be drinking?”

I roll my eyes and actually had to keep myself from cracking a smile.

“I'm immune to alcohol poisoning.” I replied. Then after noticing his confusion expression I clarified. “I can't get drunk.”

He scratched his chin clearly in thought about the implications. “I see.”

“Your name?” I asked taking another drink.

After being asked he straigtened himself up in his chair, the fact a goddess was asking his name seeming to give him a confidence boost.

“My name is Larsen.”

I looked him over again briefly.

“And what do you do around here?”

Larsen put his arms down on the table and kept studying me himself.

“I- Well I'm a free ranger. I live here in town and help take care of local animal problems like wolves and such.”

After taking one last bite of the food I put my own arms down on the table in a manner mirroring him. I then looked up at him with a serious glare.

“What do you think of me?”

He seemed nervous and looked down and away again.

“I-I don't know.”

“Make an assessment.” I pressed.

Without much choice but to answer poor Larsen was put on the spot. He seemed to think seriously for a few moments before putting his hands in his lap and sitting up straight once again. There was a confidence in his posture that showed he already had a large amount of trust in my reaction not being an angry one.

“Well I'll be honest you're nothing like a goddess is supposed to be like.” He started. “At least not the ones I've ever heard about.” There was a pause as he waited for my reaction. When I was silent and waiting he continued. “You're clearly someone who expects respect for yourself and I can agree with that. You certainly carry yourself unafraid to show off your power.”

I let out a small sigh and lean back in my chair, my hands sliding off onto my lap.

“You don't approve?”

Larsen frowned and then looked over to me.

“I'll say that the mere presence of a goddess changes much about the world. Not everyone I've spoken to likes the changes you're making to the kingdom. Even if you have the power to force them that only makes the disapproval worse for some.” He shrugged. “Others seem to like you just fine though.”

I nodded and looked over at the other patrons, then back to Larsen.

“That's fine. Not everyone is going to approve of me. You have your own questions for me though don't you?”

Larsen looked a bit embarrassed again with a slight blush. He nodded however and did a slight bow in his seat.

“Yes actually. I-If the goddess would allow me to ask them.”

“Sure go ahead.” I replied waving my left hand in the air again. “I'll hear you out.”

Thus did I spend the rest of the night speaking to the local ranger of this small town. He had many questions for me about what my plans were for the kingdom and how someone as lowly as him might fit into them. I answered them as well as I could and didn't feel the need to divulge any more information than I felt necessary. My answers were enough to satisfy his curiosity and in the end he came to understand me well enough to consider me his personal goddess.

The other patrons warmed up to me as well after seeing me get along so well with someone they considered a community leader. Eventually other men came and sat down at my table, asking their own questions before leaving again to be replaced by another. Eventually I moved to the counter and was therefore more easily accessible for everyone. It was kinda fun actually just handing out with some local townsfolk and talking about random things.

To my great embarrassment I enjoyed myself a bit too much in ways I'd never admit to anyone else. I might have gotten into a drinking contest at one point, one I won easily of course, but it still wasn't befitting a goddess. There was also some arm wrestling I might have involved myself in and of course also remained undefeated. Honestly despite the fact I was doing un-goddesslike things it still felt great to just let loose and enjoy myself. I felt like I was just hanging out with the guys as they say.

Tonight would definitely help my public image out here in the fringes of the kingdom, thought that's not the reason why I stayed until morning light. No. It was a night where I could truly be myself: spouting random trivia and impressing others with my vast stores of knowledge while hearing fun personal stories from the locals. This was what it meant to truly be alive, at least for me. Even if the events of tonight would be forgotten with the passage of time its not a night I'd ever regret.