Armor

Visiting the other gods wasn’t exactly the thing I’d prefer to be doing—I had a trip to get underway, after all—but I knew it was necessary.

The ether I was drifting through felt comfortable, likely more so to me than it was to them as I was still, at least partially, made of it. I could sense the other gods ahead of me, behind a barrier of their own creation, but I had no such restrictions. I could feel conflicted emotions on the other side of the barrier, gods afraid of themselves, and afraid of each other, but I could also sense excitement, anticipation.

If they’d had a vote, they might have chosen to remain as they were. Separate from the mortal plane, acting through intermediaries and distant blessing. Fortunately, the decision was out of their hands. As I was the only god outside of the barrier, I was the only one who could choose to bring it down.

I extended my hand, grasping at the threads of the barrier. I could feel the godly magic flowing through it and see their origins, meanings, and the wills that were woven into them. I gripped it tightly, and pulled. It shattered easily in my hand—there was never meant to be an entity powerful enough to reach it, on the outside of it.

I felt in that moment the energy of hundreds of gods, major and minor, fly past me, eager in spite of their fear to return to the world they’d helped shape. All but three, who instead chose to stop in front of me.

One I recognized as Dur, who had so recently been kind enough to have me at his table. The others were a dwarf, who looked distinctly like Stone, but younger and with a somehow wider smile, and an older elven woman, who had manifested in a chair holding a cane firmly in one hand and a small cup of tea in another. It was she that spoke first.

"Do you think this is wise?" she asked, a wry smile on her lips.

"Hard to tell this soon," I responded.

"Wise answer," said Jeiri. "Let’s see how he feels after we’ve been roaming around for a while."

"Did you three spend all of your time behind that barrier working on this little routine?" I asked.

"Well, not all of it, lad. It took me a couple centuries to get them to agree to it," said Jeiri.

"We were woefully short on preferred company," said Dur with an exaggerated frown.

Sidi took a sip of her tea. "We have all grown quite comfortable with our roles since we were formed. It’s not very difficult for us to lean into it. My question is, what role you are going to be playing going forward?"

"Indeed. What domain you encompass will affect the balance of this world," said Dur.

I considered it. I’d had a feeling as soon as I ascended, a connection to abstract concepts I hadn’t had before. When I began to speak, I felt certain that I knew what I had become the god of.

"Magic, and change."

Sidi’s eyes twinkled. "The thing you were born of, and the thing you’ve done the most. Fitting."

Jeiri shuffled from foot to foot. "Well, if that's settled, I have some mischief to make and some cavorting to do."

I held up my hand. "I actually have a suggestion for the first thing you could do. I think it’s a pretty funny option, if you’ll hear me out."

He raised an eyebrow. "I’m listening."

* * *

Stone was sitting on a porch when we arrived. He was relaxing, a mug of ale in one hand and a pipe in the other, a satisfied but tired look on his face. A visit from all of his daughters and grandchildren was enjoyable, but he needed to make an escape every once in a while to breathe. He sat up when he noticed Jeiri and me approaching his porch, a smile spreading quickly across his face.

"Lad!" He bounded up and wrapped me in a hug, which I enthusiastically returned. "It’s been a few weeks. How’re things in the heavens?"

"Not as exciting as things here are about to be."

"Oh, really? You’ll have to tell me about it. Oh! You should come meet the family. The grandkids will really get a kick out of you. Stay for dinner?"

"Of course. Can my friend join us?"

Stone turned his attention to Jeiri, noticing him for the first time. "You making other dwarf friends? Am I not enough all of a sudden?" he asked in mock offense.

Jeiri chuckled.

Stone’s eyes widened. "That laugh… I know that laugh."

"I have a gift for you," said Jeiri, approaching him.

"Aye, what would that be?" asked Stone warily.

Jeiri stepped forward and smacked Stone in the crotch with the back of his hand.

Stone’s eyes widened, and he stumbled backward, cursing.

I winced. This wasn’t exactly what I’d had in mind, but Jeiri laughed.

"The one time wasn’t enough for you?” asked Stone through gritted teeth.

"Maybe you should make sure."

"What do you..." Stone’s eyes went out of focus for a moment. "You cheeky bastard."

Jeiri laughed. "I thought I’d return that."

* * *

Kyren had been busy. The theological implications of everything that was happening, on top of the political implications of a dead king and her personal responsibilities, hadn’t given her much time to relax.

I felt some guilt for that; the majority of it was my fault. I found her asleep against an old oak tree, an aged tomcat sleeping peacefully on her lap. I could feel that Sidi had been nearby recently. The air had a feeling of calm to it, and there was the faint smell of tea. She stirred as I approached and smiled sleepily.

"You alright?" I asked.

"Great, actually. That was the best sleep I’ve had in quite some time."

"Seems like being on the receiving end of a sleep spell isn’t too bad."

"I suppose not," she said, standing and brushing a few bits of dead grass off of herself. The old cat hopped off her with a discontented mrrow. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from the god of magic and change?"

I winced a bit, projecting the feeling out to her. I’d chosen a form without a face, but I’d found a workaround for emoting.

"Would you prefer Sevy?"

I let out an exasperated sigh. "I just came to check on how things were doing. I wanted to make sure you were alright."

"Well, the gods walk among us again, so things have been a bit crazy at the temples. Politically, things are surprisingly okay. It took the court researchers quite some time to determine who was next in line for succession. The Caedus line had been unbroken for centuries. It turned out to be a branch line that was barely holding on to a viscount title. It’s good, though, he’s weak, so the nobles who were focused on peace have been able to control him well enough, and he’s deliriously happy from the weight of a crown on his head. Sylfen was willing to settle quickly; they were happy for terms that left their borders intact, considering they lost their entire army in a day."

"And the thing I asked you to take care of?"

"Sevald’s grand-nephew is doing well. I have no regrets fostering him."

"You think he’ll do well for them?"

"With my help, and Ellis’, I know he will."

I let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Kyren. I know his family still hasn’t forgiven me, and my ascension likely leaves a bitter taste. I appreciate you helping me to make amends."

She smiled and wrapped me in a hug. "Of course."

We separated.

"Anything else up?" I asked.

"Well, I don’t know if he was able to send you an invitation, but Duke Ellis is getting married soon."

"Really!? Anyone I know?"

"Yes, it’s Clara."

I emanated surprise.

"Apparently, they got quite close while planning the attack on the Twin Kings."

"Well, I’ll be there. I’m sure Hrig would like to go, too."

"And how’s the trip going so far?"

"Pretty well, but I think she’s a little miffed. I keep teleporting off the boat."

"Can you blame her?"

"No, but it’s hard to sit still when you can be anywhere in almost an instant."

"Well, you should probably be getting back to her. Come visit when things are less busy."

"I will. I just have a couple more stops, and I’m all hers."

"While you're gallivanting about, you may need to think about selecting a few clerics. You're already starting to accumulate some followers. It’s important to give them some direction."

"That’s actually what the next couple stops are about." I started to leave before turning around. "One more thing before I go, actually."

I moved over to Old Osric, whose fur stood on end as he started to back away.

"I’m not going to hurt you, and you no longer have to live in fear. I’m not going to punish you for what you did. Just go. You’re the only one left. Remind people what it’s like to see one of you in the sky again.”

Osric’s scared appearance dropped, and he turned around, walking far enough away for there to be a good amount of space between us. He shimmered, glowing silver and black and expanding. As the glow faded, what remained was a large silver-black dragon, shining in the sunlight. He spread his wings and flew off with powerful wing-beats, heading west.

* * *

Vash stood on the edge of a battlefield. She’d won another victory, but the cost was only growing larger. They’d fought clan after clan, pushing them back, trying to force them to negotiate, to come to the table, but they’d been stubborn. They’d preferred to send wave after wave of men after her and her people rather than just giving them what they wanted.

She stood on the dock of a small village, one that had been evacuated by a clan they’d been warring with. She breathed deeply, taking in the sea air. If her strength hadn’t failed her like it had, if Aurum’s blessings hadn’t left her, she might have been able to do more herself, but even without those abilities, her people still depended on her.

She didn’t notice me behind her until I made a gentle coughing noise. She spun around, swinging a hook sword at my head, but the blade stopped dead as it hit me.

"Hello, Vash."

"You…"

"Yes, me."

"What are you doing here?"

"Well, I was hoping to help you get what you want."

She spat on the ground. "We don’t need your pity."

"My help isn’t offered freely. There will be a cost. What I’ll grant you won’t ensure victory either. I wouldn’t want to step on Krish’s toes like that."

"What is it you’re offering?"

"What you lost when Aurum died. A touch of godly power. As well as some very helpful contacts and a bit of information."

"And the cost?"

"Well… I’m in need of some priests. I thought you might be my first."

Vash laughed. Took a breath. Laughed some more. "Are you an idiot?"

"Sometimes, but I have my reasons for this."

"Which are?"

"I’m the god of change now. You’re an example of change. Both within and without, you’ve been an agent of it. I think you’re uniquely suited to being my priest because of it."

"If I refuse?"

"I’ll leave you alone. I think there’s a possibility of victory for you either way. I’m just trying to push the odds a bit more into your favor."

She looked toward the buildings her people had sheltered in, then back to me.

"I’ll do it."

I smiled and sent a portion of my energy toward her. I saw her posture straighten, and her eyes, which had reverted to their natural brown, shimmered in a silvery steel color.

"Now, aside from that, I’d like to introduce you to some people that can make orcish maritime superiority a problem. How do you feel about learning to speak mer-folk?"

* * *

My last stop was just outside the capital. It had been several months since I’d seen him, but in spite of what he must’ve heard about me, Rock still insisted we meet for the duel. I stood across from him in a field, my hand resting casually against my sword. Rock was standing in front of a tent, not yet in armor, which made me hope this might be over quickly.

"You don’t have to go through with this, you know. I’m perfectly willing to return your shield to you. It’s not like it would be a fair fight."

Rock smiled widely. "You're right, the fight won’t be fair, but you won’t be fighting me; you’ll be fighting my champion."

"Whatever brute you’ve enlisted to help you, I can’t really imagine it’ll make much of a difference."

"Oh, really?" he asked.

At that moment, a woman walked out of the tent. She was an elf, with sharp features and red eyes, wearing armor the color of blood, a single long braid of black hair falling down her back. She was all smiles as she approached, and her teeth were pointed.

"Krish! You’re his champion?"

She nodded. "I’ve been wanting to get a good match with you since I got here," she said, cracking her neck as she approached.

Rock was wearing the most self-satisfied expression I’d ever seen on any living creature.

"Shi—"

* * *

When I returned to the boat, I was covered in scorch marks and missing large chunks of myself. Hrig looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

"I don’t want to talk about it."

She walked across the deck to me and gave me a long kiss on my faceplate. "I already know. Krish asked me permission before she fought you."

"She did?"

"She said it wouldn’t be right if she didn’t get permission. It sounded more like she was asking to sleep with you than asking to fight."

I sighed. "The gods are all so damned weird."

Hrig gave me a firm pat on the rear. "Don’t worry, I’ll help you get back in fighting shape." She started leading me back to our cabin.

"How are Jade and Dorsia?"

"They’re good. They say they’ll part ways at the next port. Otherwise, they’ve been spending their time in much the same way we’re about to."

"I’ll be sorry to see them go. I’m also sorry I was so busy today."

We reached our destination and she led me into the bedroom.

"Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll make it up to me." She locked the door.

END