Fortia stood in her command centre. A small tent in Kirinyaa’s northern desert. Maisara and Alkom were sent to the east and Kassandora wasn’t overextending in a follow up. Smart that, Fortia would have done the same, pushing through the centre would open her up to a flanking assault by Zerus and Sceo on one side, and Maisara’s army on the other.
That didn’t matter though. She stared in awe at the multitude of screens in the tent, a generator outside was whirling loudly as it powered them up. Technology truly was amazing.
Four of UNN’s satellites were monitoring the front line. They couldn’t go as far as to see individual men, but now, there would be no surprise attacks. Leona was useful in the Great War, but this was like having a Leona that could see and look everywhere at the same time.
Neneria hated parties. Neneria hated sociability. Neneria hated meeting people. Neneria, very simply, was not made for these sorts of things. It wasn’t that she couldn’t handle it, she didn’t panic or say anything out of place, but she merely did not enjoy the company of people she didn’t know. So naturally, she hated being in the AIC. It was held in a private resort. The sun had set and a starry night had taken its place, and now the throngs of politicians had filtered to the outside courtyard a full view over a lake. Tables had been arranged, and waiters were bringing food and drinks.
Neneria readjusted her dress as she looked at Arascus and Anassa. Both of them were dressed nicely. Arascus in a black suit, Anassa in a red dress with a deep neckline, no frills though. Anassa always said frills were for little girls, but the red silk was long enough for it to trail along the ground behind her if she wasn’t using her sorcery to hold it in the air as if a team of maids were carrying it. Even Iliyal had a good sense of fashion, with a military coat over his black clothes. Supposedly they were going to bring a whole team of sorcerers at the start to serve as the elf’s bodyguards, but with Anassa here, the situation had changed.
And then there was Neneria. Helenna had dressed her up in something fitting for the Goddess of Death. In a black dress, Neneria had wanted her shawl of raven feathers too, Helenna had tried to put bracelets and rings on her too, but Neneria hadn’t accepted those. Death didn’t need any emphasis to make an impact after all. The only compromise they had found was a set of small earrings that dangled with a single dark purple amethyst each.
And now, they were in the Arikan International Congress. Neneria was supposed to stick to Iliyal for when he met the leaders of Epa, hopefully they brought their mascots. They had apparently been invited to, but the only people who stood out in the crowd in the sprawling courtyard was Iliyal, Arascus, Anassa and Neneria herself. Most of them didn’t reach up to the Divines’ stomachs and Iliyal’s head popped out through the dark suits wherever he walked.
The AIC was being held in southern Kirinyaa, to show Arikan unity against the White Pantheon invasion for one, but also because no other country but Ausa would actually take the diplomatic hit and invite Arascus to their lands. It was all nice while they talked and shook hands and sent supplies, but it was the difference between holding a gun and actually pulling the trigger. The gun could be holstered at any time, the bullet, once flying, could not be put back in.
And so Neneria stood there and watched the people. Arascus had already ingratiated himself with the elites of other nations and had sat down to discuss something important no doubt. Anassa was in the centre, she had attracted a group of politicians and was loudly telling them about how great she was, and how her sorcerers were worth a hundred of Elassa’s mages. Iliyal was stalking about, as Kassandora would do. And so Neneria was left standing by the edge of the lake, some distance from the crowd. No one was brave enough to try and talk with Death, and so no one did.
Neneria sighed and looked out over the water’s edge. She turned to look out over it, flies and mosquitoes were buzzing about, their wings almost inaudible over the talk of the crowd. She got bored, and turned around again. Iliyal had been looking at her. Why? She watched the elf talk to some waiter, and realised what was going on. The waiter came, back straight and eyes low, with a bottle of sparkling champagne and a glass. “General Tremali says you ordered a drink.” Neneria smiled across the crowd to the elf, she could almost see Kassandora in him, always one to be aware of everyone and everything around them.
“Thank you.” Neneria took both and the waiter retreated. She popped open the cork and poured herself a glass. It was sweet and light, with a tinge of sourness, quiet good. Nothing like the fine wines of Rancais, but nothing she would turn her nose up at either.
And so Neneria stood and watched from the edge. Anassa launched into tale of heroics from the Great War, about how she herself had managed to fell an entire army. That one wasn’t true either, Olephia was the Divine Kassandora gave a green light on facing armies alone. But Neneria wasn’t so petty as to go up and embarrass her sister right now.
And she waited there.
Until she saw another Divine. A new face, one she had only seen on the news before. Saksma. And Paida close by her side. Mascots of Doschia and Rancais. Saksma was colder, her face harder, the angles in her cheeks more prominent. With blue eyes and golden hair and dark dress, she… Neneria drew a comparison in her head. Like Kassandora, the first thing her sister also would do when entering somewhere is stand by the entrance and give a full inspection.
And Paida, both of them were undoubtedly beautiful, but Saksma was a common flower compared to Paida’s refined grace. Hair slightly paler, eyes purple like the famed wines of Rancais. Just as tall, although Neneria had a head over each of them. They both inspected Arascus for a decent time, they tilted their heads at Anassa’s twisting tales, and they eventually met their gazes with Neneria.
Should Neneria call them over? Give a wave? Neneria didn’t know what to do. She was here, they were there. Frankly, she hoped they would come over to talk, even if it was just to engage in gossip, but she stood there silently, watching them watch her. Paida leaned over to Saksma, said something and the over Goddess returned a whisper. And another walked out from the building. Olonia, Lubska’s mascot. In a thick coat with lined with fur and pure white hair tied into a braid. Shorter by an inch either of the other two, but sterner.
And the three Goddesses set off. Neneria watched them make their way around the crowd. That was another oddity, she did not know of a single Divine who would do that. Even she would simply stroll and expect people to make way for her, they usually did. Fer and Kassandora just had that aura about them, they didn’t even need to walk, they’d simply look and the sea of people would of part.
But Neneria wasn’t them, so Neneria felt her heartbeat quicken when she saw Paida, Saksma and Olonia approach her. She finished her glass of champagne and poured herself another as the three came closer. Who should introduce first? They were younger, so it should be them right? It should. Of course. Yes. She’d let them speak, they were most likely to ask a question. The three stopped a step away from Neneria and Paida spoke for them. It was a sweet voice, although Neneria had always liked that accent, almost like a gentle tune, each word curling into the next. “Greetings.” Paida said. “We are honoured to meet you.”
“Paida, Saksma, Olonia.” Neneria said, her hand pointing to each Goddess as she said their names, then it finally settled on own chest. “Neneria.” The three smiled and nodded. Saksma spoke up, more guttural with in her pronunciation, but still understandable.
“We’ve been told to meet you and introduce ourselves.” Neneria raised an eyebrow. Kassandora would have something to say. Fer would have a joke. Anassa would boast. Olephia would scribble something down. What was Neneria supposed to say? Everyone knew her already, there wasn’t much to explain.
“Hello.” Neneria replied. She hated that she said that, couldn’t she have just asked a normal question? Couldn’t she have said anything else?
“Hello.” Olonia said, she had a colder voice. High-pitched though, cute.
“So?” Neneria asked. “What do you wish to discuss?” Neneria hated that she always spoke in a quiet monotone, but the only time she could rile herself up was when the Legion was about to be deployed. Other than that, it was difficult. Olonia though, luckily, didn’t have such reservations.
“Are you Neneria?” She asked. “Actually?” Neneria felt a flutter in her heart that the girl had chosen to lead the conversation. Thank everyone for that.
“I am.” Neneria said, harder this time. “Actually Neneria.” Olonia, whether impressed or not, merely stared up at her.
“I thought you’d be louder.” Olonia said and Saksma playfully slapped her arm.
“I apologise for the insult.” Paida said, Neneria merely watched without a reaction. What was there to even say? What Olonia said was true, people always assumed Neneria would be… more than she was. “But we’re here to get to know you.”
“I see.” Neneria replied and the three Goddesses shut up for a moment. Paida spoke up again.
“Are you enjoying the lake?”
“I am.” Neneria replied.
Olonia looked up at her again and leaned forwards. Neneria merely stared unmoving as the Goddess poked her arm. “I thought you’d be a ghost.”
“I can make ghosts.” Neneria said. Olonia blinked up at her with some satisfaction.
“Could you make a ghost out of me?”
“Easily.” Neneria replied. It wasn’t difficult, and simply from the energy of the woman, she had a weaker soul than Atis. All of them did, although that was the fate of mascots. “You’d last about twenty days before I broke you.” Neneria added flatly. Olonia looked up her, her mouth half open in surprise. Saksma and Paida both answered with shocked gazes.
“Twenty days?” Olonia asked.
“Give or take.” Neneria replied. If Atis had taken fifty, and Atis was a stubborn God, then this girl would take half the time. Paida came in to cover for her friend.
“We don’t…” She said quickly, then waved her hands. That was like Fer or Kassandora, both of them knew what to say immediately, but they’d play dumb to add to the point. “I mean, we don’t really want to test you.”
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
“Do you not?” Neneria asked. Now that they were getting jumpy, she was starting to get some satisfaction out of the conversation and their discomfort. “Are you not curious?”
Olonia leaned back as Saksma’s happy expression gave way to caution. Paida returned with her standard diplomatic tone. “Curiosity killed the cat, as they say.” She made a giggle and Saksma shook her head.
“You’re not a diplomat.” Saksma said coldly. Neneria merely smiled at the Goddess.
“I do very well in diplomacy.”
“I meant in conversation.” Saksma said and Neneria shrugged.
“It is what it is.” Neneria replied. “What is there to say?” She extended her arm out to the lake. “I assume you’re smart enough to see the beauty in this that I see, I simply will not insult your intelligence by explaining it to you.” Saksma tilted her head, then looked over at Anassa who had somehow attracted an even bigger crowd.
“Do you not get jealous of her?” Saksma asked. Neneria’s eyes lost their pleasant glow.
“You do not get to talk about my family.” Neneria said coldly. “Otherwise I will actually test you.” Saksma smiled at the reaction.
“Now we’re talking.” She said it like a snake. “I knew there’d be some life in you.” Neneria lost all her energy immediately and she returned to the dull tone.
“Saksma, I am merely old.” Neneria said. “If you get to my age, you’ll see what it’s like.” Saksma, Paida and Olonia all shared a quick look.
“Don’t pretend you’re just skin and bones.” Saksma said. “You obviously have a heart.”
“I am alive, so obviously I do.” Neneria responded flatly. Did she like these three? Neneria supposed she did, although it was a meagre amount of fondness. The fact they hadn’t left yet meant they were trying to get to know her, and that was already enough for Neneria to like someone. Saksma took a heavy breath and Paida came in again.
“What do you make of the champagne?”
“Rancais purple is better.” Neneria swirled her glass and drank the rest, Paida smiled proudly at that. She poured herself another. “And it’s not strong.”
“That!” Paida excitedly exclaimed. “I can agree with.”
“Of course you can.” Saksma said.
“It is though.” Olonia said from Saksma’s side.
“So?” Paida said. “Anything else?”
“It’s a drink?” Neneria said. What else was she supposed to say? A drink was a drink, she liked some, she didn’t like others, that was enough for her. “What do you want me to say?”
“Well, an explanation?” Paida said and Neneria shrugged.
“I like it.” Neneria said. “That’s all the explanation I can give, I don’t care why I like it or why I don’t.” And Paida finally lost her posture as she leaned, sighed and shook her head.
“You are odd.” Olonia said.
“Am I?” Neneria asked and chuckled. “I suppose I am.”
“I meant to talk to.” Olonia went on. “Not odd, you’re… you’re how I assumed you would be, but not at the same time. Detached, but not in a…” Olonia paused and searched for a word, she tugged that white braid of hers. “Not in a Divine sort of way.”
“Do you know how old I am?” Neneria asked. The three exchanged looks.
“Three thousand?” Saksma asked.
“I don’t know how old I am.” Neneria replied in her usual flat tone. “I incarnated before the calendar was invented. You get to my age, if you do, and you’ll see why explanations aren’t important. Things just are.” Neneria shrugged.
“If?” Saksma asked and Neneria tilted her head.
“If?” Neneria asked. “What do you mean, if?”
“I meant why add that?” Saksma said sharply.
“Are you confident you won’t die?” Neneria asked. The three shared looks.
“I don’t think about it.” Saksma admitted.
“I just live. I die when I die.” Olonia added.
“I’m with Saksma here, it’s depressing to think about.” Paida said as Neneria watched them. They were cute, like little children. She merely shrugged.
“So be it.” Neneria said. “I’m not here for a debate.”
“So what are you here for then?” Saksma asked. Neneria caught the woman’s gaze with her eyes and stared her down.
“I was asked to come.” Neneria replied flatly. “So I did.”
“Are you not needed in the war?” Saksma said, Neneria maintained her gaze and extended an arm out to Anassa and Arascus.
“We all are, this is war too.” Neneria said. “Do you think war is just a series of battles?” That was Kassandora’s line, but her sister didn’t mind when her sayings were stolen. Saksma did not reply, but beating dead horses was Neneria’s speciality. “Besides, you’re here for the same thing aren’t I, there’s a meeting to do with your countries’ future, right?”
“We don’t make the decisions.” Saksma crossed her arms and Neneria smiled back.
“That we can relate on, I also don’t tend to make decisions.” Neneria said and Saksma clicked her tongue.
“I meant Wissel chooses the direction of the ship, I’m just there to make sure it doesn’t sink.” Neneria lazily shrugged.
“Kassandora and father do the thinking.” Neneria said. “I just give ideas every now and then and make myself useful.” Useful usually meant following Kassandora’s orders. But her plans worked, and they were better than whatever Neneria could think of, so it was as simple as that. There wasn’t any need for ego.
“Arascus you mean?” Paida said as she looked to where Anassa stood.
“Father.” Neneria said again. “But yes, it is that way, I assumed you know the history.”
“I have studied it.” Paida replied. “What do you then, when you’re not…” This wasn’t a pause for effect, she simply didn’t have a word. “Working?”
“I find things to do.” Neneria said. “I like baking now.” Olonia’s jaw dropped, Saksma raised her eyebrows and Paida chuckled.
“Excuse me?”
“Is it wrong to have to a hobby?” Neneria said defensively. “I raise animals too! I do all sorts of things!” She realised she had shouted and turned to the crowd that had started gazing at them.
“You…” Olonia shook her head. “Are one in a million.”
“I’m just normal!” Neneria said. “You three are like Kass! She’s always working too, never has time for anything fun!”
“We didn’t mean to offend.” Paida said. “And apologies, it’s just unexpected from you.” Saksma shifted from one leg to another and crossed her arms across her chest.
“Can I ask you something?” Saksma asked.
“You just did.” Neneria replied dryly.
“How strong are you?” Neneria felt her jaw tighten. Her private life, she didn’t mind people talking about, or rather, she was used to it. No one really expected much from the Goddess of Death, she knew they would assume she wasted her time in a dark cave to sit and meditate endlessly. So it was simply tiring rather than agitating when people questioned her on hobbies. She ignored the question. Saksma said it again. “Are you really strong?”
“I pretended not to hear you the first time.” Neneria said. Paida realised who she was talking to, and poked Saksma.
The Goddess of Doschia did not care. “I would like to see your strength.” Saksma said.
“I am not a circus.” Neneria replied coldly.
“Neither am I, I am simply curious.”
“Why?” Neneria asked and Saksma smiled.
“Because everything written about you is the opposite of how you act.” To think she had the gall to still have that stupid grin! “So I assume your power is too.” Neneria blinked in disbelief. Hobby annoyance, she was used to.
But this wasn’t that. This was… this was some smarmy little upstart mascot asking her how strong she was. She was Neneria. Goddess of Death. Wasn’t that enough? Death’s gaze fell on Saksma. “Mascot Goddess, you are not in any position to question my strength.” She found the opening that had been needed to fulfil Kassandora’s objective of scouting these girls out. “And besides, shouldn’t the junior try and show off first?” Saksma froze under Neneria’s eyes.
“We didn’t mean to-“ Paida’s elbow rammed into Saksma’s side, but Neneria interrupted her.
“I wasn’t asking.” Neneria said. The blood drained from Paida’s face. “Have you ever faced Allasaria? Elassa? Zerus even?”
“No we’ve not.” Paida replied and Neneria smiled. They were attracting a crowd now. Arascus had shut up and was watching from the table. Anassa was the closest to them, with all the mortals behind her.
“I see.” Neneria replied. “So who have you faced?” Anassa appeared next to Neneria and put her hand on Death’s shoulder.
“Sister.” Anassa said, her tone gentle but leaving no room for argument. “Calm down.”
“I am perfectly calm.” Neneria replied. She shrugged Anassa’s hand off herself and continued staring down at the three Goddesses. “Well? Who are you to ask me how strong I am?” Anassa grabbed Neneria’s shoulder again.
“This is a bad look.” She said, harder this time. Neneria ignored her, what did Anassa even know? Sometimes, when talking nicely didn’t work, then a dose of discipline was needed.
“Go on.” Neneria said. “Show me what you can do!” Paida took a step back, Olonia did too, but Saksma stood her ground.
“Should the elders not teach first?” Saksma said. “You two Anassa, I heard your speeches.” Anassa let go of Neneria and turned to face the upstart newcomer.
“Bravery is an important trait, girl, but you have just crossed into the realm of stupidity.” She said coldly.
“I simply want to see what you can do.” Saksma said.
“You said you studied your history.” Neneria argued back. It was a matter of Pride at this point, she didn’t demand newcomers kneel and avert their eyes but this was a farce. She hadn’t survived through so many terrible ages to know how some mere mascot come and talk to her like this.
“I find it hard to believe such power exists.” Saksma said.
“I’m not in this.” Paida raised her hands. “I believe it.”
“Well I’d like to see too.” Olonia said. So one of the three had a working brain. That was good information to know.
“You’re not even at Kassandora’s level.” Neneria replied. “And Kassandora cannot touch me.” Anassa made a sour face at that.
Saksma put up a valiant defence. “I would say I am strong.”
“Go on then.” Neneria took a step away. “Death or Sorcery, make your pick. Strike at us.” She raised her arms to either to expose her torso. This Saksma, she liked. Girls that had character were always likable, and this Saksma, whether stupid or insane or just egoistic, had the gall to ask her how strong she was as if there was any doubt.
“Are you sure?” Saksma asked.
“I won’t repeat it. Go on Saksma, proud Goddess of Doschia, show me what your little nation can do against Death.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Saksma spread her arms out and an eagle cried from above. Neneria looked up to the huge bird that came out of clouds, all its feathers black with a beak so yellow it may as well have been solid gold. Each beat of its wings sent the clouds roaring back, easily as wide as two planes next to each other. It circled around them and cried again.
So a large bird. Neneria turned her gaze back to Saksma. The woman stared up with pure pride at her humungous bird. Neneria simply had to wipe that expression off her. “Is that it?” She asked dryly. And Saksma’s expression did fade. To shock and surprise.
“What do you mean is that it?” She shouted back. Neneria spread her arm out over the lake as she called forth upon her army. A ghost appeared, in pale armour, opaque yet glowing with a green hue. And another. A dozen. A hundred. A thousand. Banners of Neneria’s headless horseman hung still even though there was a slight breeze. And Neneria realised what she had just done.
She didn’t turn to look at the crowd, she could just imagine their shock and fear. The endless judging eyes upon seeing the living dead. Hopefully no one saw anyone they knew. Neneria wanted to run away right now and clamber into Arascus’ arms. Or Fer’s at least. She had come her here upon Arascus’ and Kassandora’s request to do diplomacy, and this was how she simply did diplomacy. It was all she knew.
There had to be a way to handle it, to recover some of the damage at the minimum. If the house couldn’t be rebuilt, at least she’d repair the door. “Saksma.” Neneria clicked her tongue as her Legion started to spread out like a sickness. More and more of the dead she had collected, giants and elves, dwarves and humans, even dead Divines she had captured the souls of, until the entire surface of the water was flooded entirely, and then they started to climb over the hill in the distance. “You stood up to me, you dared question me, and then you managed to rile me up.” Neneria took a step closer. “Whatever your reasoning, I find that admirable. Not many Divines have the character to do that. I can quite honestly say you’re one in a million.”
Neneria extended her hand for Saksma to shake. “But the simple issue is that even though you’re one in a million, I am a million in one.” Saksma turned from the Legion, the eagle above gave out one final cry and disappeared.
“I understand.” She said, her tone changed entirely. Now polite and careful, with that hesitation people always had when they talked to Neneria. She hated that tone, the only Divines who didn’t have that curse upon them were her immediate family. Even Helenna was afraid of her. Saksma moved slowly and carefully, as if afraid that simply touching Neneria would conscript her into the Legion.
Arascus stood up and started clapping wildly. “Ladies and gentlemen, what a show!” His voice boomed across the entire gala. Iliyal started to clap too. Another man joined in. One cheered. Neneria recalled her Legion. Paida started to clap. And the rest did too. Neneria shook Saksma’s hand eagerly and turned to the crowd. Not a single man looked at her with fear or reservation in their eyes. It was all excitement and awe. Neneria smiled back and waved as Anassa disappeared from view and reappeared close to Arascus. Her sister was smiling too, and clapping slowly as she shook her head. Neneria knew what that face on Anassa meant, her sister always wore it when one of them messed something up. But even though she had, six of Arascus’ words had fixed it.
And this was why she loved Arascus, because no matter how many souls she collected, she would never be able to do that. Because he looked at her with those warm eyes, others did too.