[Let me know if any changes need to be made to this story. Though this sets up an action in 1452 it actually took place in 1450.] In the dreaming, the centaur stamped a hoof nervously. Feroze had set protections on her and she bore a safe conduct from Demerhaze, but annoying a god was never safe, and that was exactly what she was here to do. For the third time she passed a deliberately clumsy divination through the Mirrish spell and admired the result. She had never seen anything quite like it. The spell was quite attractive in its bulky and grandiose way. The spells of this type she was familiar with tended toward a delicate dynamic balance, while this one fairly flaunted an ornate enduring strength. Casting the divination for the fourth time, the alcove of dreaming that she occupied was rocked by the angry cry, "FEROZE!" as Miracradsa appeared. "Parr!" she said in disgust as the centaur quailed before her. "Forgive me great goddess," the centaur was quick to say. "You never responded to my messages and the matter can wait no longer." "Go on," the goddess said ominously. "As it currently exists, the testing spell cannot handle glimmering magic. To assure a fair test of our espiri Mirafelle we wish to arrange to alter the spell so that it will deal with her abilities appropriately." "As tender of our goodwill," Parr hurried on, "we offer this." A globe of light floated from her harness and over to Miracradsa. "Divine information of the current capabilities of glimmering and sufficient knowledge for your priests to adapt all their spells to it." In the silence which followed this offer, Parr attempted to judge the goddess's reaction. She failed, of course. Though a goddess in her own right, Parr was the youngest and weakest of Feroze's retinue, and no match for Miracradsa's history or power. In her observation, however, she discovered something else. One area in which she possessed great skill was perception of patterns, including relationships. By this time, she thought she knew all the families of dieties on Celandra, but Miracradsa was related to none of them. In fact, in Parr's analysis, Miracradsa's origin was completely different from the rest of the gods! "Do you expect me to make these changes myself?" Miracradsa asked suddenly. "If you wish; but I am prepared if you want me to make the changes." "Show me." No mortal could understand what then passed between the two goddesses. Suffice it to say that Miracradsa was convinced and allowed Parr to make the needed changes. With the changes complete Parr turned back to Miracradsa. "There is one other matter." "Yes?" "Feroze offers magical alliance; that the areas that strengthen each priesthood strengthen both priesthoods." Parr continued, "If you accept this alliance he is prepared to turn over control of Exquaestio's Sanctus gleam to you, and explain exactly what was done to create the powers of the rohain. You will be worshipped in the 'inner circle' of Exquaestio beside Feroze and Demerhaze, and gain the full knowledge of glimmering." "Has Demerhaze accepted a like offer then?" "Not yet, but it seems likely she will. She will assume control of the Obscurus gleam." "And?" Parr frowned, annoyed at being read so easily. "Like offers have been made to Arrumanthus and Arlova. They will probably be refused." "I will require time to consider." "Of course great goddess. A message may be sent to me through Demerhaze's realm if you want to speak further." ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
