“Ephaltus! Are you listening to me! Why did you pull me away like that? You frazzled my wits!”
Ephaltus turned to her, still fuming, “Such a silly way to say I frightened you, and frankly, I don’t care if I did. Did you forget to calibrate this infernal thing again?”
“Well, I thought I did.” Marlee said.
“As I expected. One of the gods or their servants was watching. I caught the culprit peeking into the side lens. That’s it! I am putting my foot down this time.” He cleared his throat. Gather yourself and put on something fitting. “We are going to Hearthhaven.”
“Marlee almost forgot to breathe for a moment and the air rushed back to her in a gasp. We are going to meet with the gods?”
“Oh, don’t be so dramatic. They are deities, but they are not the gods, not the ones who created this world. They are a bunch of spoiled offspring who have nothing better to do than cheat.”
“Why do they take such an interest in the tournament?”
“Well, the winner is the ruler, and the god of the ruler is usually the one who’s pushed on the rest of the kingdoms. It’s a bit of a strategy, this cheating. You see, the other gods find it necessary to thwart Cassany. They are afraid the kingdoms will plunge into darkness under Cassany’s rule or worship, and it probably will.”
“Isn’t that a good thing? We should allow them to defeat the god of darkness.”
“No, we are supposed to make this fair. We cannot allow favor or exclusion of anyone. It’s our job. The tournament must be fair, no matter the consequence. Besides, it falls in our favor too.”
“Our favor?”
Ephaltus cleared his throat again, “I just mean it’s easier on us if everything is fair. Can you imagine how the tournament might go if we took sides?” Marlee gave him a blank, contemplating expression. “You’ll find out what I mean all in good time.”
“What do I wear to meet gods?”
Ephaltus was even more irritated, “Dress as if you were meeting a king on his throne.”
“I don’t have anything so grand as that!” she said.
“I don’t know what to tell you then. Just get ready to leave. I want to get there as soon as possible.”
Ephaltus entered the chamber of the gods and headed directly for the long, wooden council table. He made himself comfortable sitting in one of the end seats, waiting for the meeting to begin. Helious was the first deity to arrive. It was no wonder Helios was early; his great dragon wings carried him swiftly to the meeting place. He shifted forms into a bearded, older gentleman with golden hair and golden robes to match. His face appeared sun kissed, and his golden eyes sparkled with the brilliance of the sun.
“Ephaltus.” The god of the White Mage said in greeting.
“Helious.” Ephaltus acknowledged.
Asrion entered the chamber next. His dark hair and blue eyes were accented perfectly by his ironic blue robes, ironic due to the fact he was the god of the Grey Mage. He glanced at Ephaltus, almost sneering before he took his place next to Helious. “Helious, brother. Good to see you.” He said without so much as glancing toward Ephaltus.
“You as well, brother.” Helious said.
Ephaltus sighed and Asrion stopped for a moment to glare at him. He opened his mouth to say something, something snide no doubt, when Andiel, goddess of the Red Mage, entered the room. She appeared as a nice-looking old woman, which grey hair and sparkling blue eyes. She smiled widely at the other two gods and then slipped into the seat next to Ephaltus. “Well met, tourney master.” She said in a sweet, melodic voice. Everyone loved Andiel. She was like the perfect grandmother, giving, caring, and sweet natured, unless she was crossed, that is, and then she would show her true and awesome power. But no one ever crossed that line on purpose.
“Andiel, how lovely to see you.” Asrion said.
“Yes, you look well.” Helious chimed in.
“Helious, Asrion.” She said with a nod. “It always fills my heart with joy to see you two.”
Benera and Nateria walked into the room together. An odd paring considering their champions, the Blue Mage and the Green Mage, are rivals and immune to most of each other’s magic. The two goddesses should be at odds, but they weren’t. Instead, they were getting on as if they were best friends. Benera was laughing at something Nateria said as they both took their seats.
“She won’t come.” Asrion was saying to Helious, “She never does.”
“Don’t be so negative.” Andiel cautioned. “I asked her here myself. She would not deny me.”
“So, she is running around as a female this century, then.” Helious stated.
“For now.” Asrion said, “Give her a few days and she will be bragging about how great she portrays a male. I find the gender swapping thing tedious. I say make up your damn mind and stick with it.”
“Hear, hear!” Helious agreed.
“Now boys. You know Cassany enjoys the attention. Why not give it to her?” Andiel said.
“Because it’s weird and unusual.” Asrion said flatly. He looked at Ephaltus as if seeing him for the first time. “Wouldn’t you say tourney master?”
“Don’t drag me into this.” Ephaltus said.
“No, I want to hear your thoughts on the matter.” Asrion insisted.
“All right,” Ephaltus breathed in sharply, clearly not wanting to weigh in on the matter. “You gods are all shadows of your parents, the old gods, and bickering on about each other should be beneath you, but here we are.”
“How dare you!” Asrion said.
“Oh, blow it out your ear.” Ephaltus muttered.
“Why, I should smote you where you stand.” Asrion said.
“Well, I’m sitting, genius.”
Helious shrank away slightly, shaking his head. Ephaltus saw him give Andiel a sorrowful, worried glance.
“I am going to teach you some respect, tourney master!” Asrion said.
“I would like to see you try, you
