Asrion stood up.
Ephaltus smirked, “Careful Asrion, with all your smarts, philosophies, and mental faculties, you think you would remember the last time you tried to show me up.”
“Asrion, please sit down.” Andiel said. “Ephaltus, please stop antagonizing him.”
Asrion hesitated and then sat back down. “We will be rid of you soon enough.”
Ephaltus glanced around, “Yes you will, and where is my apprentice by the way?”
Marlee had a piece of parchment and was talking intently to Nateria. Knowing her sister was the goddesses’ Green Mage made him a little uncomfortable about it. What was his apprentice discussing so fervently? He was about to find out when he spotted the black smoke rising up from a widening black hole in the floor. He pointed to the spot to alert the other nearby gods, “There she is. Cassany’s portal spell.”
Asrion glanced at the widening hole and smoke, “So dramatic, as usual.”
“Be nice, Asrion.” Andiel scolded.
The black smoke wafted through the air until the figure of a woman appeared to step out of it. The smoke cleared and Cassany floated to the seat beside Asrion, who groaned at realizing the goddess wanted to sit beside him. Marlee came to sit next to Ephaltus, and he welcomed her company. He would have to ask her what she was talking to Nateria about later.
Ephaltus stood from his end seat and held up his hand for silence. “Good, you are all here. Now, I will get straight to the point. I know you are all looking through the Oculus at your champions to gain an advantage. What will I have to do to make you all stop?”
“To whom are you referring exactly, Tourney Master? I have not looked through your spy glass.” Asrion said. “I’m not at all certain how something like that is even done.”
“What possible advantage could spying on our champions give us?” Benara asked. “I can already see my champion without your contraption.”
“No, no, no,” Ephaltus shook his head. “Don’t play coy. You know I am not talking about watching your own champion. I am talking about spying on the competition and possibly plotting to sabotage them.”
“Perhaps it’s good you are set to retire, tourney master, your paranoia is appalling.” Helious stated.
“Is this the reason we have been summoned here? If so, I have better thins to do.” Asrion said as he stood up.
“No, please sit back down, Asrion.” Andiel said. “I am afraid there is another matter we must discuss. There is an anomaly in the selection process.”
“What kind of anomaly?” Nateria asked.
“The former White Mage, Zedy, has accidentally become the White Mage again.”
“What! Impossible.” Helious said. “I would have sensed it.”
“See, you have been looking!” Ephaltus accused Andiel. “how could you have known otherwise?”
“All right, yes, I have been sneaking a look here and there.” Andiel said. “Now that you know, I would thank you to shut up about it and let me speak.”
“Why did you do it, Andiel?” Ephaltus asked, while sitting back in his chair.
Andiel glanced around the room at the face of her brothers and sisters before answering. “I have always been honest with you all. The fact is my champion is a sweet and kind-hearted woman and it’s about time we had a good calm leader for a change. I don’t want anymore of your horrible champions to win anymore. I have always played by the book and I have very few champions to show for it.”
“What of my champion?” came a demure voice from beside Asrion. It was Cassany, and she was speaking in low tones.
“Oh, speak up, Cassany. We know that demure voice and pleasant manner you’re displaying is just an act.” Asrion said.
Andiel pursed her lips, “I would say your champion is a good one too, Cass, but I know what you will end up doing to her in the end.”
“Why? Who’s her champion?” Nateria asked.
Asrion huffed, “As if you don’t know. All of you are so tiresome. We have been at this for hundreds of years. We all know each other’s tricks and mannerisms.”
“I really don’t know. You pompous fool!”
“Oh, name calling already, Nateria?”
“Stop it, the both of you.” Andiel said. “Nateria, Cass’s champion is a tragic one. She is the daughter of my champion. A former blood feeder who Cass has manipulated before and will again.”
“Your champion’s daughter! Is that allowed, Tourney Master?” Helious asked.
“I know of no rule against it.” Ephaltus replied.
“Could we get back to the matter at hand?” Andiel directed.
“There is no rule against a former Mage from taking another go a round, is there?” Benera said.
“Technically no,” Ephaltus said. “but, I think I know what Andiel is getting at here. Zedy was a mage long ago. He is experienced and will probably run circles around your new recruits. He is now a reviewer and training Arran. Does that give the Blue Mage an unfair advantage?”
“I don’t believe so.” Benera said.
“Of course not, Benera, The Blue Mage is your champion. Nateria pointed out.
“We knew this would happen one day.” Asrion said. “We let the former mages keep their abilities and now there are several of them running around.”
“What do you propose? Andiel?”
“What if we evened the odds by allowing each mage to train with an older one?”
“I can’t sanction that.” Asrion said. “I think we should leave everything as it is. If each god wants a champion to train their mage, so be it. It’s just part of the process.”
Chapter 5: Tanyth Veridian
Cassany had secretly instructed the former Black Mage, Sarren, to report in on Thessa’s progress at regular intervals. The transport spell was not particularly difficult at Sarren’s present size and weight, and she almost used too much magic and overshot the mountain hideaway of the winged goddess. When she did arrive, she found Cassany waiting for her in the goddess’s favorite sitting room. A replica of the six kingdom’s throne room, complete with a slightly different customized throne to suit Cassany’s extravagant tastes.
For a long moment after Sarren entered the room, Cassany sat staring at
