In the Halls of Judgment, two goddesses walked side by side.
On the surface, they seemed very different. One was tall, pale, and
blonde; the other was short and dark of hair and skin. The taller wore a
chiton of white and gold while the shorter was wrapped in a cloak of
black and silver. And yet, anyone observing the pair closely would see
an odd similiarity in the faces of the goddesses, suggesting a certain
kinship.
The taller spoke. "Demerhaze, Coron and I are concerned by the recent
behavior of your followers with regard to the Exquaestio."
The shorter goddess smiled. "My dear sister Lucia, since when have the
actions of my followers been of concern to you? Always, you and the
others try to avoid me--is it any wonder that I should look elsewhere
for . . . companionship?"
Lucia glared at her sister. "Demerhaze, we are concerned because Feroze
is not one of us, he is an outsider, and in more ways than one. As for
us avoiding you, you have yourself to blame in part for that--your past
behavior has not inspired trust."
Demehaze giggled. "But my dear, I am naturally untrustworthy, as
changeable as the moons! After all, vengeance is oft inspired by
betrayal, but he who seeks vengeance may find himself betrayed by his
own quest, if he does not know himself." The small goddess laughed
again, then sobered. "But, Lucia, never think that I would betray our
family to an outsider."
Lucia smiled slightly, saying, "So family loyalties count for something?"
Unusually serious, Demerhaze replied, "I sometimes think that it is the
only thing we Gods have, sister, the only thing we have. In any event,
much of Feroze's philosophy forms a good match to my more sophisticated
cults, which is why I have suggested to my priests in the Free Cities,
Parglug, Videssia, and Burcancy that they ally with Exquaestio. But my
worshippers in Kasovia and Cedonia and elsewhere will stand apart for
now, some because they are too unsophisticated, others because they
follow different paths of worship."
"In time, you and the others may have to find an accomodation of your
own with Feroze, Lucia. For myself, I find him quite . . . attractive,
but my siblings will always have my first loyalty and my love."
The two goddess reached the end of the hallway they had been walking in,
and turned to the left down a high-arched arcade. As they walked on,
Lucia said to her sister, "Will you come with me to the concert later in
Kaskasoevin's Halls?"
Demerhaze said, "Certainly, it's been some time since I've visited that
rogue. Do you know who will be playing?"
Lucia shook her head. "I'm not sure. I do know it's a new style of music
that Kaska's become enamored of lately. He calls it "big-band" music,
for some reason."
The two goddesses vanished into the mists of the Dreaming.
******
Andrew
----------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
