Kavaa awoke to Olephia prodding her arm. They had both fallen asleep on the balcony, wrapped under separate blankets. Olephia had rolled a mat to stare at the stars, Kavaa had simply reclined against the wall, she had slept in far worse before. And the stars had been pretty.

And the alcohol had sent her off to sleep. Five empty bottles were lined up against the wall. They were Divines after all. Olephia made a sour expression and pointed to her head. Then her tummy. Kavaa blinked grogginess away as she stretched out from under the blanket. Olephia grabbed Kavaa’s hand, placed the palm on her head, and made a pained expression.

Kavaa blinked and realised what she was trying to communicate.

Poor Olephia had a hangover.

Olonia stared at the five men in the room. Jozef in front of her, in a dark suit. Then Wissel to his side, in a royal suit and wearing a tiny band to signify his crown. Saksma stood behind him, taller than Olonia although after Waramunt, Olonia did not really care about the height differences. She stood there with a stern and sober expression, hands behind her back. Then President Artois, Paida behind him. Her lips were quirked upwards, they always were, Paida could see the world destroyed and still carry that vaguely-positive expression. Aimone next, with Agrita. In a classic dress of her own choosing that did little to help the men in the room concentrate. And Aliana of Allia, hair a golden-red. In a naval officer’s uniform and a red cape bearing a lion on her back.

“I think the success calls for a drink.” Jozef said proudly. “We are ready to begin with Epan separation from the Pantheon.” The other four men cheered and Olonia leaned forwards. Jozef turned to her.

“Can?” She began and stopped immediately. Would Anassa say that? Would Neneria? How many words did Neneria waste on questions? She took a breath. “We’ll go to a different room, alright?” That was still weak, but it was the best she could do on the spot. “Me and the other Divines.”

“Go ahead.” Jozef said. Aimone was already bringing out a bottle of Rilian wine from his side. Artois a bottle of Rancais one. There’d be an argument over who had better and Olonia did not care enough who drank what. Lubskan vodkas were the best anyway. Saksma, Paida, Aliana and Agrita all raised eyebrows in surprise, all smiled gently as if questioning the situation, but none of them said anything.

Olonia felt the tension drain from her body, and then come back. Would Anassa even care? Anassa would tell people to leave and then leave herself. Would Aslana? Aslana was only a mere sword. Aslana had stood nude in front of two dozen men she had never met before, and yet she stood like a Divine who could have ruled the world. She stood as naked as a proud blade. And Olonia could not even say a word to her. Olonia could not get the events of the night two days ago out of her mind. She turned without waiting for affirmation from the other rulers, and simply left.

And at the door, she saw Saksma sway from side to side, as if unwilling to ask Wissel for permission. Paida’s smile dropped and she took a tentative step towards Olonia. Aliana bent down to whisper a question to Richard. Agrita was the only one who actually moved towards her, but even her steps were slow as if she was waiting for Aimone to recall her.

And so they moved to the room on the other side of the corridor. This meeting was being held in Chateau de Chenon, near the town of its namesake. A grand building, stretching out over the water. But Olonia and Jozef had not come here to discuss the architecture of a stone mansion built on top of a pier. They were here to discuss the next steps of Epan separation from the Pantheon, but Olonia did not really care. It’s not like she wielded any influence in those discussions. Why even bring her along? The doors were wide and tall enough for Divines, but none of the furniture was.

A week ago, Olonia would have been impressed. She would have commented how thoughtful it was that she didn’t have to lower her head, she would sung praises for the builders, and commented on how unnecessary it was. And now Olonia stared at the room, with all its tiny little human-sized furniture and scowled. Saksma saw the scowl and narrowed her eyes as she stepped in. Agrita flung herself onto the couch. A Divine filled it up entirely. Aliana sat on the made bed. Paida simply crossed her arms and leaned against the door as Olonia shut the door behind them.

Why even build the mansion to fit Divinity if there was no furniture? Why go through the trouble? It wasn’t thoughtful whatsoever. It was simply a waste. A game, a mere pantomime at this strength the White Pantheon and Arascus’ Divines wielded without actually being the proper thing. What? So Olonia could take a brisk walk through all the corridors and not sit down once? She took a deep breath. “What did they tell you?”

These ancient castles had been Wissel’s plan. Every country in Epa had its heritage buildings, and Epan Community building laws had been pushed through by Wissel. The buildings were to be maintained as they were, that meant no electricity, even the lamps were still candle lights. More importantly, there weren’t any hidden wires about. It was annoying that a Doschian thought of it. But whatever, it meant they could talk. “What do you know?” Olonia asked sternly and Saksma raised her eyebrows.

“What a tone Olonia.” Saksma said. Paida came in, ever diplomatic.

“We understand you’re not going to be happy with the fact it was held on Lubskan territory.” Olonia raised an eyebrow as her mind had to repeat the words three times.

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

“Richard’s told me nothing. He said it was a success, but that’s it. I know we’re getting the Axe, Halberd, Spear and Gauntlets.” Aliana said. Olonia blinked. So they knew nothing? So Jozef had no said anything? Or did he?

“I meant about the battle, not after.” Olonia said. “And the Axe is called Labrys.” And that immediately got four sets of Divine eyes looking at her in surprise and confusion. Even Agrita sat up on the couch, straightened her back, put her hands on her knees and listened in.

“The axe is called Labrys.” Aliana had to repeat it to herself.

“I’m getting Aslana, she’s Of the Sword.” Olonia said. “Pridwen is the shield. Bess is the Musket.” Even more shocked expressions. Even Saksma, usually so stern and combative, dropped her hands and stared in awe at Olonia. Poof. And something came about within Olonia. Something that told her this was exactly how people should always be looking at Divines, it was the way she had looked at Aslana.

“Been doing your reading?” Paida asked.

“How do you know that?” Saksma asked at the same time. Olonia took a deep breath. Closed her eyes. She let the air out. She swallowed the air again.

And she said what needed to be said. “I was there.”

No one laughed. No one said anything. No jaws dropped, but faces became pale. Aliana stood up from the bed, Agrita somehow managed to sit even straight. Paida pulled herself off the wall and turned to face Olonia. The Goddess of Rancais spoke first. “Excuse me? You were there?”

“I went myself.” Olonia said. She felt her legs shake, thought about sitting somewhere, but then Aslana reappeared in her mind. What would she do? What about Neneria? “Iliyal led the operation, as was set up. I went there to assist him.” And this time, blood did drain. Faces paled. Jaws did drop open. Even Paida let out giggle of nervousness and smooth her shirt down.

“You fought?” Saksma asked and Olonia nodded.

“They wouldn’t have made it without me. When I got there, it was only the fact I brought Bielik they survived. There were…” Bielik was the name she had given her eagle, it was one of the few decisions she had ever made alone. She didn’t know what Iliyal had called those gold-bronze things. He said the name once, she shamefully didn’t catch it. “Machines.” And Olonia explained the battle. She ran through it quickly, there really wasn’t anything to say about it. “I just saw how they fought. Iliyal, he would just.” She mimicked holding up a pistol, holding two fingers for the barrels. “Like that, and gone.”

And no one said anything. So Olonia continued. “And then inside, there was a God in there. Waramunt.” Olonia felt her quiver legs again. Agrita quickly moved to support her. “I…” Olonia smirked. “He was just a fortress deity. Just…” What word should she use? She didn’t really know. “Just nothing. He was merely fast, taught by Maisara though apparently. I was stronger than him.” And the Goddesses huddling around her all smiled. Saksma even smiled proudly and patted Olonia’s shoulder.

“I knew you could.”

Olonia pushed Saksma’s hand off herself. “I couldn’t.” Olonia said. “I would say even if it was all five of us, in there, without our summons, we wouldn’t make.”

“He was that strong?” Paida asked.

“I am that weak.” Olonia said. She looked to the other Goddesses. “We are all that weak. Saksma, our duels… they’re worthless.” Saksma blinked, any other time she would have taken it badly. Olonia knew she would, but now. The woman only looked stunned.

Paida asked another gentle probing question. “How did you defeat him then?”

“I did not. Iliyal Tremali did.” Olonia smiled, blinked a shameful tear away, and mimicked pulling a pistol again. “Poof.” She said. “Just like that. Poof. And Gone. There was a God. And then there wasn’t. I merely gave him the opening.”

“He interrupted the duel?” Saksma asked. Olonia nodded.

“I had lost by that point. Waramunt was simply gloating.” These tears came too quickly to blink away, but she had to get to the point. “He… Iliyal! He called me a useless bitch.” And Olonia grabbed Saksma to maintain her posture. “And he was right! He was right Saksma! We are! All of us!”

“Olonia.” Aliana said gently. A delicate hand brushed the hair from her face.

“No Aliana, no no no.” Olonia had to force herself to stand before she knocked herself and Saksma over. “He was right. He was entirely right. I saw them. I saw the Weapons. You’ll see them too.” Olonia said. “And you’ll know what I mean when you see them. They’re proper Divines.”

“Olonia, they’re…” Paida said and her trailed away.

“What are they Paida!? What are they!? Are they veterans!?” Olonia shouted. She didn’t even know why she was shouting. “Are they weapons!? They’re heroes aren’t they!? Great War participants!? What are we?! Seven hundred years we’ve been here! Seven hundred! Iliyal is a mortal!” That was it. “Iliyal is a mortal! And he did more!”

“Olonia. You’re shouting.” Aliana said.

“I’m sorry.” Olonia said as she wiped the tears from her face. A handkerchief from one of her friends was put into her hands. “But…” She took another deep breath. “I want to ask you something.” She realised what she said. “Or I don’t want to ask in fact.”

Olonia straightened her back. She was no Aslana, no Neneria or Anassa, she wasn’t even Iliyal. But she wasn’t going to be the Olonia of a few days ago. “I will send a letter to Arascus. We see what is happening here. All of us, we’re in every meeting. If it comes to war.” Olonia took a deep breath. “I will not be killed in the first battle. I refuse.”

Something inside Olonia went Poof. It wasn’t a disappearance. Something appeared. Something new. Something Olonia had never felt inside her, she couldn’t quite place her finger on it. Paida spoke up. “This is top secret.”

Olonia blinked. Was she mad? She didn’t know. She shouldn’t be laughing in this situation though. There was nothing funny about it. But then what else did you do at farce? “Top secret? After Aimone went to Iliyal? Do you think Arascus doesn’t know? We saw them didn’t we? Or did you forget? Did you not see Neneria? Did you not hear?”

Why had Paida shrunk away? And why was Olonia pointing her finger at them all? She looked down at herself and caught whatever it was inside her. “I’m sorry.” She said. Poof. Something hardened. “But I’m correct. I don’t care if you believe me or not. I love you all. I don’t want you to die. I don’t want to die.” She took a breath. Frankly, Olonia didn’t even know if she was making sense at this point.

She looked at her four friends. When did her tone get so cold? She didn’t know. But she said what needed to be said whilst she could still think straight. “I refuse to wait.” Poof. “I refuse to sit here and pretend I’m fine.” Poof. “I refuse to stay useless.” Poof. “I will send a letter to Arascus. And I won’t care if he sends me even the lowliest peon of his, because that lowliest peon still has more authority than me.”

Poof.

And Olonia took a deep breath. “And, most of all, I am the Goddess of Lubska. I refuse to be a mascot.”

Poof.

And there was something there.