Swirling all around the air were snowflakes of various sizes, some as big as a person's fingernail. The day itself was gray and overcast as one expected from deep winter, though thankfully the wind was dying down as the day dragged on. Here in the town of Vemdelen life was thankfully bereft of the political turmoil of the inner kingdom. Situated so far to the north it meant that even the bandits rarely caused widespread issues, with only the occasional animal attack daring to threaten the meager populace.
This was the location in which I was bringing my new “friend,” or prisoner, to test out their reaction to the wider world. Barthenor may currently be an undead being of extreme power, but in the inner recesses of his mind he still is fundamentally human. He is similar to me in that regard. I wasn't born as a goddess, well not originally anyway, so my reactions are likely much different than those of a true goddess. Thus the both of us needed to interact with the mortal world in order to keep our perspectives in check.
That was the purpose of this little foray into the kingdom. Though the lich claimed to be trustworthy and changed to be less willing to commit mass murder than his starting days there still needed to be proof to such claims. Taking a field trip thus allowed a chance for me to see him interact with humans while under my supreme supervision. If he stepped out of line I was there to correct him and if he did anything dangerous I could stop him. But without a chance to prove himself like this there could be no progress in our relationship.
Some people asked me why I would even bother trying to rehabilitate Barthenor. Wasn't he beyond saving as an inhuman monster? Well honestly to a certain degree he is, there is no reversing lichdom. However even my detractors agreed that there were great contributions he could make to society, both in intellectual and magical ways. His knowledge on magic and science are unparalleled in this world, something he can use to benefit the public. He also has great magical power which can be used in defense of the innocent as a protector.
Of course this entire path of redemption was not being forced upon the former mage. I had gone over my plans for his introduction into society with him and asked him if its what he wanted. Obviously he would naturally agree with the plan due to his continued imprisonment or even destruction should he refuse, however that clearly wasn't the entire reason. There was an actual want in his spirit to help others on some level, tarnished as it was due to his undeath and previous insanity. Sanity is something one can recover and this path was at the very least worth exploring.
So here the two of us were walking through Vemdelen on a rather chilly winter day. The two of us are immune to the cold, being a goddess and skeleton respectfully, though we had to keep up appearances. I did so by wearing my fluffy winter outfit and cute fuzzy hat, something everyone knew me by despite the fact I could honestly get away with wearing whatever I wanted. Barthenor on the other hand was more complicated.
See having an actual skeleton man walking around as little more than a bag of bones in rags is not conducive to pleasant interactions with the public. Thus I had the lich dress in a suit of armor from head to toe, including a covered helm that hid his face. In addition to this there was plenty of fabric padding to fill out the spaces between metal plates to hide his bony nature. He also was temporarily going under the false name “Jackson” in order to hide his identity.
Jackson's clutched the sword on his right hip in his gauntlet clad hand and followed closely behind me. His armor clanked together as he walked, his plate boots crunching in the snow. All in all he looked like an actual knight, though the lack of foggy breath coming from his helmet was something there was no solution for. It was clear by the way his pin light eyes scanned the street that he was unimpressed with his surroundings.
“So goddess.” His magical voice echoed from his helmet. “Are all these humans your worshipers? I'll admit my knowledge on the mechanisms of worship are unknown to me. I simply know that a goddess knows all who worship her.”
My own boots were crunching in the snow as I somewhat happily walked down the street, my hands tucked away inside the pockets of my coat. To the casual observer it looked like a knight father walking with his adorable young daughter down the street, or perhaps more likely a little noble girl with her escort. I responded to my ward without turning to look at him.
“There really isn't much to it.” I responded somewhat flatly. “It's like everyone who worships me is marked and I can see them whenever I want.” My voice got slightly annoyed. “And no. Not everyone in this town worship me. Thanks for reminding me.”
This seemed to puzzle the lich greatly and he was silent for several moments before speaking again.
“It is like scrying then.”
I let out a huff of air, the cloud of fog scattering in front of me.
“Yes it's like scrying.” I replied. “I keep forgetting you actually know magic stuff.”
Barthenor continued following after me with his methodical pace. Whenever the rare townsperson was in view he would look over to them and watch them with curiosity. Eventually he spoke again.
“Why do you allow these humans to continue defying you?” He asked. “Surely you should demand their worship. What utility do they offer a goddess if they refuse to bow down and grant you their energies? What reason do you have to keep them alive?”
I let out another annoyed huff of fog and thought a couple moments before replying. Its understandable he would ask such a thing, especially considering his history with other actual goddesses in the past. For someone so logically minded as he the sheer thought of people just doing their own thing in defiance even himself is likely hard to grasp. He did command unthinking undead previously after all.
Finally I answered. “Well there's more to having worshipers than their utility to me. There are certain duties a goddess has to preform for them as well, though you already knew that.” I glanced back over my shoulder at him before returning my gaze forward and continuing. “There is a certain saying from the place I came from. 'Better to gain loyalty through love than through fear.' That's because when someone loves you that loyalty is unbreakable.” I then shrugged. “If someone's loyal from fear all it takes is them fearing something else more and then they aint loyal no more.”
Barthenor looked down towards the ground and clearly thought about what I had said for several moments.
“I see.” He finally said.
I figured that he didn't quite see as he was still looking down in clear pondering thought.
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“See Jackson if I just let people worship me out of their own free will that gives them a choice.” I explained. “Clearly I have the power to force them to obey, so the fact I'm giving them that choice makes them see me as more benevolent.” I shrugged my shoulders slightly. “Makes me trustworthy. So when they do eventually come around they're very willing to give me their will through that trust. Does that make sense?”
After a few more moments of thinking Barthenor looked up at the back of my head. He also finally released his grip on his sword.
“Yes it makes logical sense.” He said with a sigh in his voice. “Even the rulers of men are loath to use such a method. So you can imagine my reluctance to believe a goddess would do so.”
Hearing him say that made me want to tell him to trust me. Thinking that made me realize that he needed to trust me just like how I was trying to trust him. We were both trying to find out if we could trust each other.
I let out a little laugh and stopped walking forcing him to stop as well. Then I turned around and looked up at the metal clad knight with a smile on my face.
“I know I seem really bizarre compared to these goddesses you've seen before.” I said putting my fists on my hips. “But you're just gunna have to trust me.” As he stared down at me I lifted up my left hand and pointed straight at his face. “Just as I'm seeing if I can trust you.”
My eyes lit up for a brief moment as I summoned a conversation cone around us to prevent others from hearing what I was about to say next. Once it was up my eyes stopped glowing and I lifted my arms out at my sides, turning around in a circle while I spoke to end facing parallel to the lich.
“You think I'm bringing you out into the world and dragging you around some backwater town for fun Barthenor?” I asked. Then I turned back to face him and pointed up at his face again. “Risking the lives of my worshipers with a lich in tow? You think its fun to babysit your bony ass?” I asked accusingly.
After this I took a quick breath and dropped my arms to my sides, my head lowering to my chest. The lich stood there unmoving with no visible response. I shook my head and turned to the side, looking out into the town.
“I see a path of redemption for you Barthenor.” I said much more calmly. “Honestly there's utility I see in you sure, but really you remind me a lot of myself. We're both abnormal existences in this crazy fantasy world. Both trying to find our place and someone to connect with.” I shrugged again. “Sure I'm a goddess and you're a lich, but we have more in common than we do with any of this little humans.” Then I turned to look up at him again. “Trusting you isn't easy though. You've done some pretty horrific things in your past and are an undead abomination to boot. Just like you have trouble trusting a goddess just because she said you could.” I huffed. “What a mess!”
Barthenor had stood there in silence as I went on my little tirade, his unblinking yellow lights continually locked onto my currently tiny frame. Whatever was going on inside his mind was for him alone to know, though it was clear that he was deeply thinking about all I had said. After several moments of continued silence he simply looked away, clearly not having anything to say at the moment.
In response I let out a deep sigh, dropping the magical barrier and allowing sound through once again. Honestly I thought I had completely lost the lich at this point, probably ruined our relationship beyond repair. Maybe he would go crazy and attack the down now and I'd have to put him down. As these scenarios went through my head I turned around and started walking away somewhat dejected. Much to my surprise and relief both Barthenor started walking behind me.
We continued our walk through the town in silence for a while after that. Only the sounds of the wind, the crunching of snow under our feet, and rare conversation between humans between us. It was obvious that everything I had said had shaken the entire worldview of the once living mage. This sort of conversation was one that could fundamentally transform one's beliefs. Honestly I couldn't blame him for staying silent for so long. I had made it quite awkward I'm sure.
Eventually however Barthenor did speak again, his hallow voice not raised in emotion but remaining subtle. Perhaps out of respect for our privacy as to keep others from overhearing without cause. There was something in his voice as well, almost like a spark of emotion once thought ancient history.
“You speak the truth of it.” He said. “The mere idea of trusting a goddess is absurd, yet here you are putting forth your horn in peace.” There was a brief pause as he seemed to choose his next words. “I admit the responsibilities that a goddess holds have never entered my thinking when regarding them. Perhaps it was my own ignorance. Its clear to see you are taking a risk having me here.”
He continued walking behind me as I hadn't stopped yet. Whatever emotions might be awakening inside his long stagnant spirit could sense that I was going through some emotions myself at the moment.
“To speak honestly I had many a scheme in my mind should an opportunity like this present itself. To be captured by a goddess is a great shame and so escape is paramount.” He paused for a moment as he heard me scoff loudly. “I can see you imagined such a scenario. Foolish of me to assume otherwise.” He then was silent for a moment again. “In truth your words have moved something deep inside my spirit, perhaps awakening emotions long thought lost. A passion. Your allowance of those mages to visit me began this transition. It reminded me of my days teaching pupils in the way of magic. Perhaps that was your intention in doing so.”
Once again he paused to see if I would respond. It was extremely difficult for me to hold my tongue to be fair. But I had Sub-chan screaming in the back of my mind to shut up and not interrupt him so I was taking her advice. So seeing my silence he continued.
“I thank you for this unnatural kindness of your kind.” He said with a bow of his head. “Truly you are a goddess unlike any other. This relationship of trust you seek to foster with me, I'd rather like to experiment with it. After all as I believe you have said before other goddesses will soon be upon us and having even allies such as us is better than nothing in those coming times.”
After he had said this he seemed to have finished his piece. So in response I came to a stop and once again forced him to stop walking as well. Then I turned around to face him. What he expected from me in that moment I can only imagine, though it was clear from his reaction there was clear fear there.
Much to both his surprise and relief there was a beaming smile upon my face, the very air around us warming as if on a summer day as my hair shimmered and glowed. This was in reflection of my heart which was filled with genuine joy at the response he had given. There was hope to actually had someone even slightly considered my peer to act as a friend in this crazy world. Maybe this wouldn't work out I thought, but I'd cross that bridge when I got to it. For now I would try to make a friendship with this bony boy.
I reached out my right hand towards him to offer a handshake.
“I'm glad to hear it Barthenor.” I said still smiling.
It took a moment for him to realize why I was offering my hand to him but once he realized he lifted his right hand as well. Then he took my petite flesh hand in his gauntlet covered skeletal one and we shook hands firmly. Once it was done our hands fell away.
Another deep sigh escaped my chest as I lifted my hands to place them on my hips. I then looked up at the lich towering above me with a smile still on my face. It was clear that I was feeling quite high in spirits.
“So Mr. Jackson.” I said with a teasing tone. “I have another place in mind to visit. That is if you're still wanting to expand upon this trust we're building.”
Barthenor looked down at me and nodded, the visor of the helmet clanking a bit as he did so.
“Very well.” He replied. “What manner of place is it?”
I turned around with my hands still on my hip and laughed in a very fake manner. A glowing golden portal then opened up in front of me in the cold winter air, the snow swirling around its symbols but not ever crossing the threshhold.
“You can call me Jenna for now.” I said with a grin. “Don't make me regret it.” I then glanced over my shoulder at him. “As for the place. Well its someplace you won't need that armor that's for sure. I have a couple friends I'd like you to meet.”
This clearly intrigued the lich and he watched me with curiosity as I stepped through the portal. He then followed after me as I beckoned him with my hand. Thought he didn't know it we would soon be standing in the capital city of the kingdom itself. Our next destination being The Grand Temple of the Sisterhood.