Eight Gods on a Windowsill

When the scenery finally focused in our eyes, I could see lush forests of red-leafed trees and verdant plains before the forest. Small animals moved about in the cover of the brush. But, there was nothing else to see. I glanced around to see who came with me. Abyri was being carried by Kratos. Hina stood close to her husband. Silas supported Rammel, who was nearing exhaustion. Rammel's attendants stood around them, trying to guard him. Baen and Campbell leaned on each other. Kerberos kept his ears out for everything. Around us, Sethyr, Yrh'danyr, and Sorem kept a lookout for anything that could possibly be a danger.

Suddenly, there was a blur of black. An unsheathing of a blade. "Who are you and why have you come?" A small demanding voice came from below me. The blade was not pointed at anyone in particular, just at the ready.

"Sethyr." Sethyr walked up to the stranger. "Now, quit lollygagging and take us to see Lousfrith, Anacted." She flexed her presence a little as a form of intimidation. "We have an accord?"

"Aye." Anacted sheathed his short sword. He stood up to his full height, nearly five feet tall. Robed completely in black cloth, tight to his body, and a headdress that covered most of his face, he reminded me of a ninja. He turned around and began walking. "First, we have to do something about that one on the back of the beast. He won't make the journey so easily like that." He snapped his fingers and a small group of about six men came out from the trees carrying a white litter. "This should suffice."

Once the men loaded Abryi into the litter, I recalled my summons. Their job was done for now. Rammel's attendants took up one-half of the litter while the other half was taken up by the men that Anacted called. Anacted led the procession, followed by Sethyr, Rammel, Yrh'danyr, and Sorem. Then came the litter. The rest of us walked behind the litter in two rows.

I had no idea how far this man intended to take us. But, I had a feeling whatever came of it would be beneficial to us. We marched in silence for a long while before everyone stopped. We came to a large clearing of grassland between two sets of trees. The light overhead was already beginning to wane. Night would come soon.

"We must camp here." Anacted said suddenly. "Lousfrith's location is one that cannot be easily reached. It is still a half-day's journey from here. And, she lives in a place that only those who can breathe water will reach."

"So, she really takes her namesake." I retorted with an awkward laugh. Lady of the Lake indeed.

"Lousfrith is connected to all the bodies of water throughout the multiverse, Mara." My father commented. "But, the way she does things has made her very difficult to find. She does this on purpose. It is how she protects her domain."

Stamina at sixty-seven percent and rising. I eased myself onto the ground and put my hands together. I began to use the black ash to create several tents for our use. Yog's ability was really versatile. "This should help."

Anacted's eyes widened a little. I could tell he was not used to seeing such abilities on display. "In all my years, I have not seen magic on such a scale." He said. "Not since, the Imperator."

"What about the House of Dinane?" Sorem asked. He seemed so puzzled that magic was rare.

"Extinct." Anacted responded. "Dianine II died in 1667. Almost a hundred years ago. That was right after his last battle with the dragon lord, Sufang. He must have died about a month or two after." He paused and looked like he was thinking something. "I could take you to pay your respects if you'd like."

"Perhaps after I will go alone." Sorem's tone was sullen.

"Why do you care so much, Sorem?" Yrh'danyr poked, trying to prod some bit of information out of him.

"The House of Dinane is my line of Fractions." Came Sorem's reply. He started to walk towards the edge of the clearing. "I wish to be alone." And then, he was gone. No one bothered to go after him.

 I took this time to get a better understanding of my surroundings. It looked like we were in a forested part of the world that had deciduous trees. The grass was very green in areas where the light shined. Where the trees covered the light, there were other plants on the ground and mosses that took up the role. This glade was very particularly perfect. Almost too perfect between two very wooded areas. Almost as though someone had made it.

"Rammel, don't think you are off the hook because he decided to separate himself." Sethyr cooed. "I did say I have questions for you."

Rammel sat down on the grass. "I never said I was going to run. Come. Let us have a conversation. I think you and your cohorts have been led astray from what you thought my goals were." Sethyr and Yrh'danyr sat down next to him.

Anacted motioned his men to begin to start rotation for guard shifts. Then, he leapt up a tree and was out of sight. More and more, he reminded me of a ninja.

"Come, Mara. You have just as much right to hear what I have to say as they." My father beckoned me over. When I sat down next to him, he began. "Long ago, when I discussed the eventual arrival of the Great Ones, I asked all of us to vote on a couple of things. I never meant to draw lines or cause a schism between us. Yet, my actions have caused blood to be spilled." He paused, briefly. I could tell he was trying to find the words to say that would make sense for what it was he wanted to convey. "My goal was to create a Fraction that was strong enough to reseal the Great Ones before they began to emerge. With A'grappa's appearance, that has gone out the window. My goal was never to destroy them. I don't even know what destroying them would do. But, I wanted to reinforce the strength of Gilgahlad's seal." He paused again. "Now, I think we have no choice but to destroy them. Each and every one. Otherwise, all that will come is destruction."

"So, on that front, our goals align." Sethyr hooted. "What about the Fractions?"

"I wish them to be left alone. They did not ask to be born. Their lives are theirs to live, much as ours are. They deserve life." Rammel looked over at me for a brief second. "They have done more to keep order than we have. Don't you think, Sethyr? Can you truly say that everything we have done was just?"

Sethyr hung her head. She didn't answer him. I could tell she had an answer; she just didn't want to say it. "What about her?" Sethyr pointed at me.

"What about her?" Rammel contested. "My daughter is no different than any other Fraction. The only thing I have done was ensure she could fill the role. She is nowhere near strong enough to take A'grappa down, let alone another Great One. She will need our help as much as you may not want to admit it."

Not much was said for the rest of the night. I went to rest in one of the tents. The others stayed sitting about, discussing whatever they wanted. Eventually, I heard Silas and Hina go off to bed, right before sleep took me. One of Anacted's men awoke me just at dawn.

"Time to go." He said abruptly and emotionless. At least, he had the forethought not to open the tent.

When I finally exited my tent, I could see Anacted and his men standing about, arms crossed. Rammel, Hina and Silas were standing off to one side talking. Sethyr was in a tree, eyes constantly moving. She really did remind me of an owl. The light in the sky was just beginning to rise.

I walked over to my father. "Can you tell me a little understanding of why we're here, besides to see Lousfrith?"

"This is Malakia." Silas answered. "The House of Alowen are well-known assassins for hire. Anacted is the Head of the House." I finally caught him looking at notes he'd made. I was very glad to know that Silas didn't just memorize everything. "The House of Dinane used to be full of dragonmasters. That allowed democracy in Malakia for a while until Criterion Danson was named the Dictator en toto Desperandum. His line is that of the Imperator now."

 Rammel didn't say anything. He shrugged his shoulders. He wasn't the one that brought us here after all.

"We should get going." Anacted suddenly uttered as he walked up. "Where is Sorem?"

Sethyr hooted from her roost. "He will find us, when he is ready." 

Anacted nodded. He called everyone together. We set off towards the forest. Anacted led us from tree to tree, past bushes, and other odd plants, to a large lake at a clearing. "This is where Lousfrith lies, the Lynn Sumiset." He spoke suddenly. "Prepare the bloodstone."

One of his men nodded and handed him a very large red stone that looked very reminiscent of a ruby. "Master Anacted, the bloodstone, sir."

Anacted cast the stone into the water. "Rise o' Lady of the Lake. Hear our prayer."

The surface of the lake began to bubble and froth. A deep hum emitted from within. The lake became increasingly violent, bubbling faster as if it were boiling. And then, it went silent. No movement on the surface, only a glass like sheen remained reflecting the light. Then, as if emerging from a mirror, a woman seemingly of Breton origin with long flowing reddish-brown hair, freckles, and very fair features emerged. She wore a dress the color of sea moss, deep green that glistened in the light and a water lily in her hair. "Who dares to disturb my slumber?"