《Enna is a Land God: Book 3》


 Adventures in the Forest

    Braid watched his party members with growing irritation. It is true what they say, that the greatest of talents have the strangest of personalities. This motley crew was proof of that, at the very least. Braid thought that he was fairly normal... but he was pretty sure the others felt the same way.


    They had just broken camp in the morning of their thirtieth day in this accursed forest, and Braid could not be happier, because it meant he could return home. Not that he had much to return to than a comfortable bed and a mug of ale, but that was much preferred to spending any more time here. he ran a frustrated hand through his tousled dark hair before dragging it through the stubble on his face.


    "You look beat." Chuckled Sora. She was an elven mage and the only one of his four companions that he had know personally before joining these people. They had become adventurers at the same time, rising through the ranks along side one another to become A-Ranked. Though she had achieved that feet well before he had. The elven battle mage was a complete beast when she got serious, even if she looked every bit the aloof elf the rest of the time.


    Unlike Braid, Sora seemed to just- breeze- into wakefulness, fully clothed and not even slightly disheveled. Her platinum blonde hair never seemed out of place, and her reddish eyes were always intense and calculating. And, unlike Braid, she still looked in her early twenties. And she likely would continue to, long after Braid aged and died an old man. If her got lucky and a monster didn''t take him out first.


    "I am glad we can finally get out of this forest. I am not sure if it''s the monsters of the company, but I need a stiff drink."


    "Ooooh, Care if I join you, oh fearless leader?" Purred the amused voice of Reinga. The wolf beast woman seemed to just materialize out of the winter landscape as if she were a ghost. Damn assassins''... they gave him the shivers more than the frigid temperatures could. This particular assassin slash adventurer was particularly good at her job, despite all the personality flaws that would make one think she would be deplorable.


    The dark haired, dark furred woman was a lush for one. Even here, in the depths of the Monster Nation of Aeros, he had seen her sipping from a flask a time of two. And to top that off, she was also an insatiable flirt. the very definition of a predator. But that was nothing knew for the members of the Bloodwolf clan that she descends from. The only oddities is that members of that clan are often hailed as great warriors, much like Braid himself, not stealthy assassins''.


    Ignoring the lush, Sora said. "It will be good to return to Pern. Still, I feel that we haven''t really accomplished what we came to do..."


    "How can you say that Sora!" Sighed the youngest, and most treasured, amongst this rag tag band: Porsha. The priestess was not yet into her twenties with flowing pink hair, clear blue eyes, and an innocence that was nearly painful to look at.


    Porsha was a letteral national treasure to the kingdom of Pern. Healers, as a group, were highly valued, as they were uncommon, and if in a poor party, easily picked off. But Porsha was the most powerful healer the kingdom had seen in several generation, and she was still so young. Her holly magic was, indeed, a sight to witness, and Braid was grateful that the king agreed that she would be needed for this mission.


    Though, the very fact that she was needed, proved just how dangerous this mission truly was. Every member here was an A-Ranked adventurer. That made everyone here some of the most powerful people in the entire kingdom in their respective fields.


    "This has been nothing but constant monster extermination!" Sighed the young girl, pulling the draw string closed on her packed bag. "I would say that we have been doing a great deal for the kingdom. Every monster we slay is one less that can crass the border and attack the people of pern."


    The bag was removed from the priestess''s grasp before she could even lift it. "Miss Porsha is absolutely right!" Beamed the finally, and perhaps most insufferable, member of this party: Prince Arthas. Though not a full time adventurer, he did still hold the A-Rank. Normally the third prince of the Pern kingdom spent his days protecting the people as a knight of the realm.


    Braid could not deny the prince''s talents with a sword, and he did, truthfully, seem to have the kingdom''s best interests at heart but... Well, if ever a man had a ''hero'' complex it was this one. The prince seemed to always be posing for adoring fans, with his wavy golden brown locks, deep blue eyes, and perfect smile. But, the people loved him and he got the job done, so they all really couldn''t complain.


    "That''s not what Sora meant." Braid sighed as the prince slung the priestess bag over his own armored shoulder with his own. "Yes, we came to eliminate any monsters that pose a threat to the kingdom... but that was not our main objective."


    "The mass migration?" Said Reinga, her voice more serious that it normally was. Braid nodded. "Its true," She said, glaring off into the leafless trees covered in a light dusting of snow. "We have yet to find the cause."


    "Are the monster we killed not the cause?" Asked Porsha as Arthas began stomping out last night''s fire. "Would they not have driven lesser monster, like the goblins, out?"


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    Braid sighed. "Possibly, yes. If the land was still as poorly as we once thought. It could have been the battle fore food drove the weaker monsters out... but this place is more vibrant that it''s been since I''ve been alive."


    True, the forest was in the grips of winter right now, so it wasn''t as easy to see as when the scouts reported a few months ago... but Braid could tell that there was plenty enough game in these woods, and the rivers and streams they had passed seemed to hold plenty of fish. No, this forest, even in the dead of winter, was teaming with life. The monsters would not be hurting now. So why was there a mass of goblins migrating to the dwarven lands to the north? Why would they leave this land if it was suddenly improving? And, more importantly, why was it improving? these were the true reasons for their mission.


    "I can not believe that the Dragon is the core cause of this." Stated Sora, her red hood over her head in an attempt to keep her long ears warm. Elves were not made for the snow.


    "Well," Said Reinga with more cheer than the situation called for, taking a swig from her mysteriously disappearing and reappearing flask, causing the young Porsha to glare. "Then there must be a new boss in town right? Its the only explanation that fits. No way would that old, evil dragon, have aloud us to wander around this forest for a month like we have been."


    This was true. The group had been cutting a zig zag path along the border of the Monster nation and Pern, getting progressively deeper into enemy territory as they went. They had already exterminated many powerful monsters including Ursa, Great Arachne, packs of Fenrir, and even a very large Earth Golem. Their power had been great, and even one of these monsters could have devastated the small villages that had begun to spring up along the border since Aeros stopped paying attention to these lands.


    But Braid found it hard to believe that they were the cause of the migration of goblins. Especially since it had only been the goblins, so far, that had left the depths of these dangerous lands. It lent one to believe that the goblins were exiled from here... and according to the old tales, the goblins had been favored by Aeros, and were among the most numerous and prosperous monsters in the Nation. So where were they?


    They had cut through plenty of monsters now, but had not seen a single goblin. Yes, there had been a large number seen leaving the forest, but from what Braid had heard, there was an entire kingdom of the green skinned devils! No way that small group constituted a kingdom.


    "Well, if there are some bigger questions to be answered," Said Arthas, flipping his hair out of his perfect face. "then it will have to be for another expedition. We are out of supplies and are in need of rest an recuperation, isn''t that right leader?" He asked braid, flashing a prefect, white, smile.


    Exasperated, Braid sighed. "Yes, we must return. We were given a month, and it has been a month. We will report what we have found to Frost and the king, any further action will be up to them."


    "Right!" Smiled Porsha. This had been hardest on her, as she was not exactally accustom to long, drawn out, missions. Especially ones that involved camping and eating nothing but rations or the odd rabbit stew. But she had held out well, and hadn''t even complained once.


    Braid was about to order the lot to start heading back. it was time they all got the break they had earned. But then her froze as the sound of something large breaking echoed through the dense winter silence. He and Arthas had their swords drawn in an instant, Reinga- claws raised- stood before Porsha protectively, while Sora held twin balls of fire at the ready in her pale hands.


    "Are those Ursa?" Asked Arthas, sword gripped tightly but the very picture of calm.


    Braid could see them too: three large, bear shaped, forms slowly drawing nearer. Every now and then a resounding snap and creak could be heard as they broke a tree in passing.


    "No," Said Sora, confusing Braid, as he could tell that they were, indeed, bear monsters. but the elf''s vision was far greater than his, so he would trust her eyes. "they are Dire bears."


    "Dire bears!" Gasped Porsha. But, despite the fear and the extreme danger, she bravely began to cast strengthen and protection spells over their group, the yellow glow of her holly magic reflected off the snow.


    "This will be fun." Grinned the some what masochistic wolf woman.


    Dire bears, though smaller than the Ursa, were known to travel in small groups. And unlike the Ursa, who tend to hunker down in small areas and make dens, the dire bears were known to veracious rovers, killing and eating anything in their path. Three bears was not a large group, but it would still be a challenge when only he and Arthas were their to pull their attention. One of the bears may try and attack Porsha and Sora who were not front liners. And though Reinga was a formidable enemy, she was also not built to tank large monsters.


    "Ready?" Braid asked the prince.


    "Always." He said, the anticipation of battle reflected in his eyes.


    The bears had drawn close enough, and the two men charged, wanting to keep them off their relatively defenseless back line. Braid heard Arthas roar as the man''s blade found its mark and then the bear he had cut roared back. Braid''s first slash had been parried by one of the bear''s massive paws, but he did not let that stop him, as he dodged a swipe and aimed another strike at the bears unprotected neck.


    His strike was about to land when Braid was taken out from behind with a loud crash of armor on armor. "Sorry..." Gowned Arthas as the two men hurried to untangle themselves from one another and the thistle bush they had rolled into. One of the bears had flung Arthas at him. Damn intelligent beasts!


    "Charge again!" Braid ordered, lifting his own blade when he saw that one of the bears had already made its way to the women. Reinga was on its back, plunging a dagger again and again into the nap of its neck.


    Sora shot spell after spell at it, but she could not use any major power to deflect the beast when, not only was Reinga on top of it, but it was also too close to them. And strong magic would take the lot of them out with the bear.


    Just as Arthas and Braid reengaged the two bears advancing on them, Reinga''s bear finally fell to the ground. The wild looking assassin stood on its back, exhausted but pleased, dagger dripping blood into the torn up earth and snow.


    "One down, two to go!" Called Arthas, above the roars of the last two bears.


    Braid was about to push forward when another noise got his attention: Voices. Voices and the sound of many feet running over frozen earth.


    "There they are!" He heard shout out above the din of battle. A young voice full of excitement. "Surround them and fire!"

 Men and Monsters

    Braid''s first thought, when he saw the fire lit arrows plunged into the thick hide of the dire bears, was that it had to of been Sora. But that thought was banished quickly when a most terrifying sight met his eyes: Men- no, not men, but monsters- riding on the backs of other monsters. These monsters, about half a dozen mounted pairs, stormed into their broken down camp, and surround both the bears and his party.


    Three of the mounted monsters took up a triangle formation around he and the others, while the other two confronted the dire bears, their beastly mounts snorting and growling. Sword at the ready, Braid eyed the nearest of the monster. It could only be a foxie! But they were incredibly rare, highly evolved, monsters. Yet, as his eyes passed over the other threats, he saw that four of them were foxie, the other two-looking nearly identical to beastmen to untrained eyes- must have been Foxmen...


    "Sir?" He heard Arthas hiss at his side while they both, and Sora, surrounded Porsha. He did not see Reinga, but knew she was some place near, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.


    "Hold your blade." Braid growled to the prince, needing to evaluate the situation.


    Another barrage of arrows rained down on the dire bears, making them even more agitated. One rose up on its hind legs, but instead of being intimidated, a blood red foxie urged his mount forward, lowered his bow, and stretched out his empty hand- paw?- and in an instant the bear was engulphed in a roaring fox fire that killed the bear but touched nothing else.


    The third bear then attempted to flee, letting out a finale roar. But the foxmen mounted on the monsters Braid thought was called a rohgek- a robust mix of what appeared to be a wolf and a boar- dashed forward, stowing away his bow and withdrawing a thin bladed sword. It took him but a second to dispatch the last of the dire bears.


    Now all six monsters formed a circle around their group. Braid could see the tension in his people, especially Porsha who was basically a non-combatant.


    "Come out of the trees, beastwoman." Growled the red foxie, not taking his eyes off Braid, but clearly addressing the hidden Reinga. When she did not respond, Arthas suddenly found a thin blade at his throat, causing the prince''s eyes to widen. Neither of them had even seen the foxie draw the blade, so swift and smooth had the movement been.


    Braid heard and aggravated ''tch!'' and watched as the wolf assassin dropped from a tree, her dagger in hand and still smeared in bear blood. The foxes seemed to pay it little heed as she slowly made her way back to the rest of them, walking cautiously between two mounted rohgek that growled, but other wise ignored her too.


    "Good." Said the foxie that Braid decided had to be the leader of this band of monsters. Then, to his surprise, the fox sheathed his sword. The others still had bows drawn on them, but the red fox got off his mount. "Why are you in this forest, human?"


    If Braid had not been worried for the safety of his people he may have aloud himself to be shocked that a monster wanted to have a conversation with him. But he did not have such luxury.


    "A Job for the adventurer''s guild..." Stated Braid, not untruthfully.


    "Brillum, what should we do with them?" One of the other foxes spoke up. He sounded nervous, which could be good for Braid and the others.


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    "Kill them?" Asked a foxmen with brown hair and fur to the left of the one that had been addressed as Brillum. Braid did not even think monsters named each other... Sure, the more powerful beast had names. But Braid had assumed that they were given by humans once they became famous. True, these monsters were rare and impressive, but not on the level of -say- a dragon.


    "Don''t be stupid, Rozzen..." Sighed the fox faced boy closest to braid after the one named Brillum. He looked like a boy, at least. He was a little shorter than the others and his orange and white face screamed youth.


    The brown foxmen growled- literally growled- but Brillum cut him of with a red and black arm, silencing any retort. "Ozzie..." He rumbled, causing the younger boy to look away, annoyed but mollified as a teenager might.


    "Well, human, what business does the human''s adventurers guild have here?" Brillum continued to question. "Is this place not off limits to your kind?"


    "I apologized," Braid said, carful to keep his sword lowered and his voice polite. Maybe they could reason their way out of this after all. "But I can not share that information with you."


    Brillum sighed, his large eyes roving over their group. "I suppose you are unable to tell me if there are others of your ''adventurers'' roaming about?"


    "I''m afraid not." Braid said, wanting them to believe that back up could be coming at any time.


    "Brillum, they are too close to the estate." Hiss another monster, this one on the other side of braid, facing down Sora and, now, Reinga. "What if they were sent to assassinate the Lady?"


    At that, Braid had the odd experience of watching a man sized creature with the face of an animal roll its eyes. Brillum took his eyes off Braid for the first time to stare past him, to the fox that had spoken. "Real brilliant assassin then, the kind that make glaringly obvious camp sites next to their targets home?"


    "This one is stealthy." The other one said indignantly, no doubt indicating Reinga.


    "Indeed. But what assassination mission has the assassin traveling with a cumbersome warrior and knight? I am fairly certain, that we can rule out that, at least."


    "More like they came to check the place out." Stated the younger one, hitting the nail on the head. "Remember, Lady Enna thought they might?"


    Braid had no clue what form of monster this Lady Enna was, but it was clear that she held some higher authority over these monsters. Perhaps the chief of their band?


    "Either case, she will not be happy if we kill them, unprovoked..." This sentence, spoken by the red Brillum, was very pointed and Braid got the meaning no problem: Keep civil and we won''t attack. "I am sorry for the inconvenience, but we will be escorting you to another location. Feel free to refuse, but it means that we may have to act accordingly."


    Accordingly, hu? Sounded more like, ''we will have to kill you.'' to Braid... He and his group were no slouches. As A-Ranked adventurers, they could very well take out these foxes. But they were surrounded, and Porsha would be a liability. She may get killed in the attempt, and Pern could not afford to loose her.


    Mind made up, Braid sighed and sheathed his sword. "I understand-"


    "Sir!" Growled Arthas. No doubt the prince knew it was often ill advised to follow a threat to an unknown location. But Braid was the leader at them moment, and Arthas was not with the knights. He shot the younger man an aggravated glare. The man had vast talent, but he was still a young and spoiled prince at heart. At least he had the sense to look chastised and step back.


    "I understand, please lead the way." Braid finished with a slight bow of his head. the monsters were being civil- shockingly- and he would do the same. At least until civility need to make way for barbarism.


    "Seems like human have just as much trouble with their young one..." Braid hear the one called Brillum sigh, shaking its head, large ears flapping slightly with the movement.


    With out another word, he remounted his Rohgek and indicated the others keep formation and escorts the prisoners. Not that he used that word, but Braid had no doubt that that was exactly what they were. He only hoped that this ''Lady Enna'' was reasonable, and he could negotiate their release.


    Braid gritted his teeth and cursed inwardly. Bears or no bears, he should have been more alert to these foxes. Would they still be able to make their report to the guild-master?

 Playing Dress-up

    Currently collapses on my overly large bed, I sighed for, probably, the tenth time, causing the other woman in the room to giggle. They were indifferent to my suffering.


    "Lady Enna, I think you maybe, being a little over dramatic." Chuckled my head maid, Trixie. She was extremally reliable, but often stern Except with me. I got the feeling that she saw me as a bit like a grandchild?


    "I am, absolutely not, being dramatic." I grumped. "I''m not a doll!"


    For the last two hours- not to mention several more hours of many other random days- Trixie and many other maids and such had been gathering together for the sole purpose of dressing me in progressively more extravagant cloths. Why? Because they thought I was a doll!


    Owing to over extending my self during a rather terrifying battle some weeks ago, I went through a ''de-aging'', and came out the other end looking like a ten year old. Ever since then the ladies'' have been clamoring to dress me up. But I was also growing at an accelerated rate, and so they had to keep making more cloths to fit me. At least that was the excuse they had all been using to barge into my life and strap me in lace and silk every few days.


    I usually just ran around in a barley there copper robe for goodness sake! Sure, since the construction of the estate I had expanded my wardrobe a little... But what the heck was I going to do with a bunch of fancy cloths for young teens? I could donate them, of course, but we didn''t exactly live in a metropolitan society where young ladies needed fancy gowns. We were a big church/ mansion and a small, mostly temporary, town.


    But it was the resides of said town that had ignited this whole trend. How and why? Well, the town was filled with the recently displaced kobold villagers, and, unlike the other residence of the estate- i.e. fox people and goblins- they were more talented in the finer craft works, like making cloths and embroidery for example. And with the influx of these new talents came a trend of trying to get me into fancy dresses, pretty hair combs, and even light makeup.


    Never mind that I wanted no part in it and I was- supposedly!- their god and my opinion should have been the leading factor. Clearly I was still far too much of a push over and they did not take my protests in the seriousness that I tried to convey them in. I wasn''t going to be little forever, and they were determined to dress me up, and, make me sit through sketches and paintings for ''posterity''s'' sake.


    Luckily I was saved from another two hours of this when someone knocked on the door. Everyone stopped in their efforts and I sat up, more elated than I had been in a while. Mitten''s ear twitched where he lay curled up on the corner of the bed. He was probably secretly reveling in my torture. but I turned him into a cat, so I win.


    "My Lady?" Called a familiar voice beyond the tick door.


    I smiled. "Come in Brixie." I said, relived. She may have been the person who gave me my first copper outfit, but she was not one of the people who saw me as a doll.


    Brixie was only here for a very short stay, as she was very busy these days. She had just inherited the role of Village Elder from her father, Brax, and the job was something she took very seriously. Brax, the elderly foxie who was rarely seen without his smoking pipe, was now living here, at the estate. He was supposed to have retired, but apparently he has come to be a representative of the foxes here at the estate.


    Really, it seemed like they were all starting to make a rather cohesive, if young and inexperienced, governments here at the estate, with representatives from all participating races. Even the newly added Kobolds took part. I was pretty pleased about this, actually. It was my greatest desire, after all, for all the people under my care, to get along and make these lands great as a unit.


    I knew that this was not always going to be as easy as it seemed to be going right now... Monsters were a species that evolved to be confrontational and combative, and have been so since life evolved on this planet. I knew that I was trying to accomplish something pretty well unheard of: A united monster front.


    Mind you, I was not just looking to have monsters in this ''union''. My full goal is to have all the races come together. I wasn''t naive enough to think I could change the world, but I could damn well attempt it in my own lands, couldn''t I.


    "What is it?" I asked, my smile falling slightly when I saw the worry on the orange furred face of one of my first friends in this world.


    "We will excuse our selves." Said Trixie, with a bow. She then hurried the others out of the room.


    Trixie may have been a maid but she was one of the most influential people here, but she knew better than to let just anyone listen into important matters. She knew that she would be informed soon enough.


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    Once the door closed behind the foxmen woman, and Brixie and I were the only ones in  the cloths strewn room, she began to speak.


    "We have visitors." She said, but I could tell by her tone that this wasn''t Margund, the goblin king, or some other high ranking guest requesting- no one would dare demand it- my presence.


    "Who is it?" Was it another group of displaced monsters or demi-humans. The last time I got a mystery guest it was a group of ragged kobolds seeking aid. then I felt my heart sink, remembering that Ozzie had gone out with the raiders today. Brixie''s sixteen year old son had just graduated from Nord''s training and opted to join the group that patrolled the forest, making sure that no hostile monsters came near the estate nor the new road connecting us to the fox village and the Goblin kingdom of Gurten. Once the winter''s hold makes way for spring, another road was to be constructed to the kobold village, though probably a less elaborate one given the apparent intent of the kobolds to stay in the make shift village. "Is Ozzie hurt?"


    Brixie shook her head. "No, he and the others are perfectly alright. But they did have an encounter during their patrol."


    "What kind of encounter?" I asked, getting up off the bed and brushing ribbons and strips of lace off my newest short dress.


    "Humans."


    My head immediately snapped up, eyes wide. Humans? I knew that we would come across them eventually- I even planned to make contact with them at some point. But I was not prepared. I thought this would happen in a year or two, once I had a chance to interact with the majority of my own peoples, and secured my hold on my lands. In my mind I would be the one reaching out to them...


    "They were in the forest?" I asked.


    "Yes. Brillum''s group caught them while they were under attack. The raiders aided the party of humans and decided to escort them back here, as they were too far from the boarder to just send them on their way, assuming they would just return whence they came."


    I nodded. that was the best course of action.


    Damn it... I guess I relied on the general fear of the last land god, Aeros, to keep outsiders at bay. I should have known better, really. The fact that the kobolds had been on these lands for so long, or that Reihekiu the half-dwarf-half-elf weapon smith also entered, meant that the shield that was once the old dragon''s wrath was no longer in place as it once had been. It was a major oversite on my part.


    "I take it that Lagdon is already on top of this?" I asked, knowing that my muscle bound, hobgoblin prince, of a body guard would not sit idly by. And it was also why Brixie was bringing me this news and not him.


    "He and Nord met Brillum and the humans when they arrived. I was told that the counsel has been called, and asked to inform you before heading back to the village. I need to up security there, incase there are more humans wandering about..."


    "Yes, please do. Draxly can escort me to the meeting."


    Brixie bowed, and left the room in a hurry, Draxly looking though the open door and holding out an arm for me to take. The Black furred foxie was one of my assigned guards today... cause why would I ever be alone, even in my own room?


    As the tall, fox faced male lead my through the halls toward the stairs I noted that Brixie was already out of sight. I was glad she was hurrying. Even if the humans were not openly hostile, they would be indiscriminate in attacking the people here. After all, to them, a monster was a monster. And humans kill monsters. I would hate for another party of them to stroll through the village and just wipe them all out without ever questioning if they should. It was one of the reasons I wanted to be the one to initiate contact with humanity, rather than the other way around. As a girl who was born human- and I did not think I could comfortably call myself one much anymore- I knew very well how the race would attack first when they don''t understand something.


    "Miss Brixie already told me which room the humans have been brought to." Draxly told me; probably the longest sentence he had said all day. The black furred, ninja like, foxie was pretty well known for his long silences and, generally hardcore, fighting skills. The foxie were not big tankers and were usually silent and speedy. But both Draxly and Brillum had proven to be strong enough warriors that they gained Lagdon''s respect, getting a coveted spot on my personal guard.


    Once we reached the ground floor, Draxly lead me past the kitchens. As usual, the place was noisy, after all, the hard working people in there had a great many people to feed. Breakfast was over but there were plenty of dishes to be done, and prep work for the next meal. If it I wasn''t on my way to a very important meeting I would have run in for some of the bread I could smell baking. I didn''t need to eat normally, not since I arrived in this world, but since my age regression, I actually needed food and sleep again. Not as much as a normal human, but it was a novel experience to once again feel sleepy and hungry.


    The meeting room was a fairly large place with a very long and sturdy wooden table and a couple dozen chairs around it. They had once been fairly simple, but a goblin craftsmen and a kobold one got together and made a very beautiful and elaborate one for us just recently, and I liked it quite a bit. Since the kobolds came to the estate, our decorative sense around the place had gotten quite the upgrade. Drazdon and his glass working sons were quite talented, and all the stained glass in the estate was crafted by them. But such creativity amongst monsters was actually quite rare. The kobolds made for a very colorful and beautiful addition to the estate.


    I saw that Gabreal, the young hobgoblin male, and his friend, the pretty goblane, Lorma, were on guard duty. The two goblins were often with me whenever I went to train with Lagdon and Nord. It was nice to see that they had earned the right to be put on guard duty.


    I didn''t great them, as I knew the goblin''s took this type of work very seriously. The foxes were more open to chatter while on duty, so long as nothing was going on, but the goblins were not known for their cheery disposition on the best of days. So i gave them my best ''friendly, but not too friendly'' nod to acknowledge their hard work, before Draxly knocked three times on the door. Then he entered before waiting for someone to answer.


    After all, a god does not wait to be let into a room in her own home. At least, that''s what I''ve been told. had I of been by myself, I probably would have waited.

 Meeting with the Pernians

    I wish I could say that the first thing I noticed when entering the meeting room was our guests. I mean, they were supposed to be humans and I hadn''t laid my eyes on one for the better part of a year now... but no. It was not our visitors but the venue that made me stop in the entrance way for half a beat before continuing on.


    Last time I was here it was a fairly simple place with a sturdy and functional table and chairs. All very workable and efficient, if not extravagant. Well, that was no longer the case. I knew they had replaced the table, I saw the thing in the work shop being made! But this was far more than I would have expected.


    The table was big enough to fit three chairs at one end and ten more lengthwise. It was carved from the rich wood that grew deeper into the forest and was polished to perfection, the chairs like wise treated. I had thought they were going to make them out of solid wood, but I guess the kobolds informed the goblins that not everyone''s back sides were made of iron and padding might be appreciated. Now every chair had green padded seats and backs.


    But it wasn''t just the fancier table that had thrown me. The whole room had been given a make over with stunning sheer curtains over the long windows, wood decals all over... holly crap were those candle lit chandeliers? All this place needed were some massive paintings of men on horses or Greek goddesses to make it look like a freaking palace!


    Oh, man. Better keep that thought to myself, lest I give my adoring subjects weird ideas... I already had beautiful- but rather obnoxious- stained glass windows covered in images of myself, the last thing I wanted was paintings. People were going to think I was full of myself pretty soon.


    Sighing, I faced forward as Draxly led me farther into the room. There were at least fifteen people here yet it still did not feel crowded. Unfortunately something else caught my eye.


    Oh no. They didn''t...


    Draxly almost had to pull me along now, as he lead me toward the far end of the room, where, at the head of the table, set up on a raised platform, was a pretty little throne. They made me a dang throne.


    I felt myself blush, but tried my best to contain the irritation and embarrassment. We had company after all, and I could hardly complain in front of them. This was a political situation darn it!


    Besides, I was sure that the monsters would end up winning in the end anyway and the throne would stay. I am such a push over...


    So. I let Draxly hold my hand as my fifteen year old looking self- still dressed like a doll in a white and copper dress that fell to my knees in the front and almost to the floor in the back- ascended the few short steps and sat on my freaking throne like it was what I did every single day of the week.


    It was then that I focused my attention to where it should have been in the first place: the humans.


    First thing I noticed was that they were not all human. The group was easy to pick out given they were well armored and had three beefy hobgoblins standing around the chairs they had been seated at. But the one that caught my eye first had been the elf. Not so much because she was an elf, but because of the deep red cloths she wore. She also had strikingly red eyes that were a surprise. But I guess I shouldn''t hold what earth had told me an elf was supposed to look like as straight facts here.


    I mean, I am pretty sure the hobgoblins were proof of that. Any story I read on earth about goblins they look pretty much how I found them before we were allies. Now they looked wildly different.


    The next person to catch my eye was the wolf lady. For a split second I had thought she was a monster like the foxie. But there was no way a group of humans and demi-humans would have a monster in their party from what I had heard of the world. Then I saw that there were subtle differences between them, making me sure that she was, indeed, a wolf beastmen, rather than a monster.


    If I didn''t spend so much time with the foxmen here I may not have know the slight differences in them, but it was clear that the beast woman looked far more human like than the foxmen did. Though she look significantly wild with her thick mane of dark hair, and her fluffy black ears and tail.


    As I settled into my throne, sizing up the wide eyed people brought before me- or was I brought before them?- Mittens hopped up onto my lap. I hadn''t even realized that he was following us. Though I wasn''t surprised. The cat got irritable if he felt like he was being left out of important matters. Lagdon didn''t like it, but I didn''t really care all that much. The cat was pretty much a slave at this point, and there was no way he could do more than scratch a person''s eyes out.


    Reihekiu- who I saw was seated to my left now that I wasn''t distracted by the decor- thought I should just boil the cat.


    There was a deep, but short, growl to my right. I peered over the side of my throne and saw that Kishi was also here. She was laying on the floor, eyes narrowed on the cat. The pair often got in arguments because he liked to needle the Fox Guardian, making it seem like he was closer to me than the fox. I was just surprised I hadn''t noticed her till now. She was bigger than a grizzly bear for goodness sake.


    Still, giant fox aside, the three humans in the room were what really stood out to me. It was true that it had nearly been a year since I had laid eyes on one, but I don''t think anyone of these people would have ever been seen in the hospital. Not on my floor at least. I don''t think they allowed swords, for one thing.


    The one that stood out the most was the young girl in white robes and startling bubblegum pink hair. Now, I had seen pink hair before, Earth was all about the strange dye jobs, after all. But it looked totally different when the pink was natural.


    She was small, looked absolutely horrified, and was sitting on the edge of her seat, eyeing the huge hobgoblins with damn near terror in her wide eyes. Who would send such an innocent girl into a freaking monster forest, I had no idea.


    Though, it did bring my brain back into a perspective I had lost long ago: The human perspective. Hell, if the first contact with monsters had been the evolved Lagdon rather than the formally foxkin Ozzie, I too may have be scared out of my mind.


    Really, a quick glance around the room, and I fully understood the girls terror. My monsters looked far more civilized than when I had first met them, trading in their fur and leather armor for actual cloths in most cases. Except for Lagdon and the guards, that was. I might have feinted if I had seen that hobgoblin in anything but leather and fur...


    The man seated to the right of the girl had pulled his chair a little closer to her, and was altering between staring hard eyed at just about everyone and then his eyes would flick my way. Then He would look confused and even a little worried. Not sure why I would make a man dressed as a knight more worried than a room full of men and women with muscles as big around as tree trunks or with fangs and claws.


    He was fairly young as well, but he at least looked as if he may be drinking age. Wait, what was drinking age in this world...? He had golden brown, wavy hair and what could be described as dreamy blue eyes. I pegged him as nobility, at the very least. I may not be used to mediaeval like, fantasy world, human society, but he just screamed ''fifth son of the king'' too me.


    The last man was visibly the oldest here, but given two of his companions were not human, judging by looks could be pretty deceiving. He had the makings of a dark beard starting, and messy dark hair. He looked like what I would expected a seasoned adventurer to look like, dressed in armor fairly similar to what the goblins liked to wear.


    This man''s eyes were dead locked on me, like prey who know who the real predator was. Given we were in a room of monsters, I wasn''t sure if I should have been flattered or offended, if I were to be honest. Given how the rest of the people here liked to coddle me, I was leaning towards flattered. I was a god after all, and when I got mad I got scary... or so I was told, anyway. I don''t remember my last ''power up'' super clearly. But if you believed Kishi, I was awe inspiring. Or so she keeps telling anyone who will listen... oh man, will they really start painting portraits of me around here? Ugh.


    "Lady Enna, I am glad you were able to join us." Said Brax, breaking the uncomfortable silence and drawing my attention to his furry fox face.


    He had arrived here not too long ago, giving up his elder role in the fox village to become the representative of the foxes here at the estate, leaving the village to Brixie. He seemed to be taking to his new role well, and the others were very respectful of him.


    "Sorry if I am late." I said with a somewhat awkward smile. I really wished I was not seated above everyone on a freaking throne right now.


    "Not at all." Said Nord, the representative of the goblins. He had taken that duty on, on top of his job of training the guards. The old Hobgoblin was a far cry away from the Aeros fanatic I had seen locked in a wooden cage so long ago. "We apologies for taking so long to inform you of the situation.


    I smiled at the hobgoblin, before turning to our guests. Were they guests? I mean, I am sure in their eyes they were probably prisoners. I didn''t want them thinking that! the last thing my people and I needed was to get on the angry side of the human nations.


    "I am sure that Brillum and the others brought you here safely, I only hope you did not run into too much trouble out in the forest." I said to, what I assumed, was an adventuring party.


    After an awkward silence, where the adventurers glanced nervously and rather confusedly at one another, the older male spoke. "No more than we expected. Much less, in fact." He said, eyeing me strangely.


    "Good." I said, realizing that the others were going to be leaving all this to me, I guess. "Though, I really should ask why you are here at all. I was under the impression that humans and demi-humans did not come to the forest?"


    "Wait." Said the knight, raising a hand and interrupting the older warrior as he was about to speak. I saw the older man glare at the younger, but I wasn''t sure the knight noticed. "Why is everyone here acting like a little girl is in charge? And why does this place even exist in the first place?" He asked, eyes cold as he glared up at me.


    It wasn''t so much anger that he spoke with. More like the growly tone was to hide the fear I could see about him.


    Suddenly a short dagger was placed at the knight''s throat as one of the hobgoblin guards glared down on him. The others in the room had risen in anger. Kishi had even gotten up off the floor where she had been pretending to be small. It was suddenly very clear that she was a great deal bigger than the adventurers expected as the pink haired girls eyes grew wide and the color drained from her face.


    "Stop it!" I snapped at my over protective companions. Gosh, you couldn''t take a pack of monsters anywhere these days, could you? "His questions are perfectly valid, if rudely delivered."


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Not liking it much, the others settled back into their seats, while the elf shoved the knight back into his seat with such force that the chair nearly toppled. Clearly she was way stronger than her slight frame suggested. "Fool!" She hissed at him.


    I reached out a hand and set it on Lagdon''s forearm. He was tense, and though he looked calm and collected, I had no doubt he wanted to do more than call the knight a few choice names. I left my hand there till I felt him loosen up and take a half step back, not taking my eyes off the adventurers.


    "I''m sorry." I told the group. "I should have introduced my self. I am Enna, and I am the land god here."


    Silence.


    I saw the the two younger humans eyes widen in shock, while their older companion simply sighed, lines around his eyes looking worried but resigned. The wolf woman looked more intrigued than anything, while the elf looked the same. She probably noted my feint glow from the start and knew before I ever said anything.


    "I am also sorry for the way I look. I swear that normally I don''t look like a child." I said with an attempt at a friendly smile, trying to put them at ease. "I ran into some trouble recently that had me reverting to a younger self, but I should be back to normal very soon. Might I ask who you are, now?"


    The older man sighed, brushed a hand down his face then stood up, causing the guards to tense. But he made no move to advance on me or draw a weapon. "My name is Braid, I am the leader of this party. Sora, here," He said pointing to the elf dressed in red. "Is my second. Reinga is the wolf and that is Arthas. I apologies for his rudeness, Lady... Enna, was it?"


    I nodded. "Yes, and its fine. I am usually surprised that I am in charge here too."


    "The real question," Growled Nord, eyeing Braid. "Why are you here? We have zero obligation to explain a thing to those who invade our lands."


    Braid eyed the older hobgoblin right back, then slowly retook his seat. "I can tell you that much, at least. We were sent by the guild under orders of the king of Pern, his Highness, King Damian Rightwell."


    "And what does your king care for what happens in lands not under his rule?" Asked Brax, lighting his pipe with a finger of fox fire and clamping it between his jaws. "The Forest of Monsters is not of his concern."


    Oh, right... I forgot we named it that. It was not a good name, but I could not think of anything witty in time. The monsters had started throwing around names like "The Great Nation of Enna'', or ''Ennanasia'' and I had to come up with something fast. If I left it to the monsters everyone else would think me a narcissist, naming everything after myself like that. The Forest of Monsters was in the tradition of their bland naming habits, and the only name that didn''t have mine in it, so I jumped right on it.


    Reihekiu had a good silent laugh about the whole thing...


    Braid did not bat an eye at the name change. He either expected it, or the name was so on point and generic that the human''s themselves were already calling it that, rather than the mouth full that was ''The Monster Nation of Aeros''. I was betting it was the latter. Hell, I had been calling it that in my head since I got here after all.


    "It becomes Pern''s concern when monsters begin leaving the forest and coming close to our towns." Said the human. "Some months ago, a large horde of goblins exited the forest and passed through Pern."


    I remembered the goblins I had banished. The ones that refused to recognize me as the new land god, and insisted that Aeros was still alive. On my request, Margund the goblin king had allowed them to live, but banished them from the forest.


    "Did they attack anyone?" I asked, a mix of both fearful and angry, because I was sure I knew the answer to this question.


    "They were delt with before they could." Stated the human.


    No one batted an eye. No one but me, that is. Afterall, the goblins were willing to kill them as traitors in the first place, and the foxes knew as well as the goblins that this was a world where the weak and unprepared died. I was the only one who had been naive enough to think that they had some how made it to their ancient homes before they had migrated here to live under the rule of Aeros. I was the only one who thought the world was so kind as to allow that...


    The air in the room grew heavy and the light of the candle chandeliers grew dim as I glared at the table, angry at myself more than the humans. After all, it was only second nature to kill monsters, especially ones that arrived en mass next to their homes. I was the fool here.


    "Enna..." Said Lagdon, his face suddenly right next to mine, and a four fingered hand on my much smaller shoulder.


    Startled, I looked at my hobgoblin, his eyes sad and worried for me.


    I turned back to the others and saw that all looked frightened or concerned. I realized that my glow had strengthened enough that I even noticed it now, and that power was skittering along under my skin. Mittens was now on the floor, hidden behind a table leg, fur on end, and staring wide eyed at me.


    "Sorry." I said softly, getting my emotions under control and letting the power I had been unconsciously gathering fall back to where I had left it before, nourishing the slow and sluggish winter lands. I turned back to the adventurers. "I do not blame Pern for wanting to protect their lands and homes... This was due to my own naiveite, please report my apologies to the king upon your return."


    Arthas and the yet unnamed pink haired girl looked afraid, the man blocking my view of the girl for the most part, hand on the head of his weapon. Sora, the elf, was half out of her seat, while Reinga the wolf woman was completely on her feat, wild eyes narrowed on me. Only Braid had looked mostly unaffected, though he did look a little paler.


    "So we will be allowed to return then?" He asked.


    Now it was my turn to looked shocked. I blinked at him probably rather stupidly. "Of course. If you had killed or attacked my people I may have been hesitant, but I am not about to keep you here for no reason."


    It was then, looking at their faces, that I realized that they had not expected to be kept prisoner. No, these people had fully expected to be interrogated and killed. They probably thought that they would have to fight the monsters to escape for their lives, having not expected to also have to fight a land god. No wonder Braid looked resigned.


    Seeing my face, the older man chuckled darkly. "Yes," he said, reading my thoughts as I was always pretty bad at disguising my facial expressions. "I had thought you were going to order our deaths. I guess I will risk asking ''why'' we will be spared then?"


    I saw a few of the monsters tense, not liking the man''s tone, nor the way he questioned me. No doubt the monsters would have liked just killing the humans and demi-humans, not really thinking through the consequences of such a drastic act.


    "I am not Aeros." I stated. I felt like it was a sentence I had to say far too often, and it was getting old. "I have no hatred for humans, nor demi-humans." I said indicating Tera, who sat a few chairs down. She was on a raised cushion, that looked a little like a child''s booster seat, as she was the kobold representative. An old friend of the kobold mayor, Wallace, she had been elected as a representative for the kobolds. I didn''t know too much about her yet other than she was pretty stern but fair. "I have no reason to be hostile to Pern, or anyone else, at the moment."


    "I see..."


    I sighed, seeing that the adventurers did not fully believe me. "Before I became the land god here, I was also human." I said, but did not elaborate further. They had no right to deeper insight of my life and circumstances. "In fact, being surrounded by monsters may be second nature to me now, but it was quite a shock at first. So I can understand your reticence. Still, going forward I will need to put forth some ground rules."


    "Ground rules?" Asked Arthas the knight, eyebrows raised and stance still protective. I wasn''t sure if their was something special about the girl they all seemed eager to protect, or if it was just a need to shield the youngest among them.


    "Yes."


    "I am afraid that I do not have the authority to make any such promises..." Braid said, glaring down Arthas once again.


    I nodded. "I understand. I am aware that an official meeting will need to happen between our two nations for anything to be put into writing. These will be more like guidelines if we are to even start discussions."


    Braid looked nervous to agree to anything, but in the end he nodded. "Very well, I will listen."


    I smiled. "Good. First of all, I will not hold it against Pern that they had to protect what is theirs, but you all must understand that I will do the same. If I were to follow Pern''s example, than you all would have been killed on sight, yes?"


    "That was different..." Whispered the girl with pink hair, her eyes sad and afraid.


    "Porsha, shhh." Hissed Reinga the wolf, hand on the other girls shoulder but eyes locked on me.


    "Why? Because the goblins your people killed were monsters?" I asked, needing to get this one point across very clearly. "Are you saying that monsters can not be people? Because, you are currently surrounded with proof of the contrary, are you not?" I said, looking at all the angry monster faces around us.


    I sighed, then gave the teenager my best ''understanding'' smile. "Just because something is different from you, does not mean that it is inherently, evil and needing to be killed. The people you see here have family, friends. They laugh, they cry, they think and feel for themselves. They love and protect what they will, and hope for a better future, just as any human might."


    "Enna is correct." Spoke up Reihekiu who had been rather quiet till now. The adventurers seemed to have not noticed her either. "I will be the first to admit that I had thought monsters nothing more than mindless beasts before I came here. And it took some time for me to see other wise. But, in the last couple months especially, I can tell you that these monsters are, indeed, people, and are just as deserving of respect as any human, elf, dwarf, or what ever else."


    "I don''t expect the entire nation of Pern to see this immediately." I told the others, drawing the adventurers eyes back to me. "But, I do expect this to be respected by any Pernian entering my forest. So, that being said, I have to ask that the adventurers stay out of The Forest for now."


    "Adventurers depend on jobs taken in here-" Began Arthas, seemingly unable to help himself. I think I was right in thinking he was of some kind of noble status. That boy was just far to used to his words being listened to for someone hardly into his twenties. But Braid''s cold glare shut him up fast enough.


    "I understand that some may have gotten accustom to entering the borderlands... but can you comfortably tell me which monsters may or may not be considered people here?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. I saw the man''s eyes darting to the others in the room and cut the thought off before he could fully form it. "Do not think that a monster needs to have a humanoid appearance to be considered sentient." I said, this time using my stern voice.


    I turned to Kishi, and she stepped forward, standing in a way that there was no way the others would miss her now. Not that it was easy to miss her in the first place. "This is Kishi, would you not try and kill her on sight?" I asked.


    Arthas grew pale and lowered his gaze. I nodded. "I thought so. I can assure you that Kishi is a person, with as real and vibrant a personality as any one else you may consider to be a person. She is one of my nearest and dearest friends, as a matter of fact."


    "Thank you, Mistress." Stated Kishi, causing the pink haired Porsha''s eyes to widen. The Fox Guardian bowed her head slightly my way, her lightly wagging tails indicating her pleasure at my words.


    "And this-" I said, bending over and snatching up the black cat that had been trying to slink his way back up the steps to hop up in my lap again. Holding him by the scruff as I lifted him up, glaring, for the others to see. "Is Mittens. He too, is a person."


    "Debatable." Mumbled Lagdon standing above me.


    "A matter of opinion.." Sighed Kishi at the same time.


    For his part, Mittens just continued to glare and growl, seeming very cat like. SO I gave him a hearty shake that made Reihekiu chuckle. "Stop that!" Snapped the cat, making Reinga jump slightly and eye the purpled eyed feline like it might be a snack.


    "He is a bad person." I said. "Killing him, would probably be fine... But I am sure that it is something a court of law would need to decide." I pulled the cat closer to my face. Had I of been anyone else, Mittens made have made a swipe for my eye, but he was well aware that I could declaw him just as easily as I had trapped him in that body in the first place. "Or for an exceedingly generous land god to decide, right?" I asked the cat, giving him another little shake.


    He did not answer, but I hadn''t expected him to. I set him down on my lap and patted his head.


    "So, since you all do not know what is and is not alright to hunt, I can safely say that it is very fair to ask that no one be allowed to enter just yet." I told Braid. "Maybe, with further discussions, I can arrange for your guild to set up shop here, or make it so that we can send requests to the guild in Pern. That way, we can pay your people to deal with problem monsters while also preventing senseless deaths and war, yes?"


    "I understand. I can, at the very least, inform the king of these stipulations..." Stated Braid. "Was there anything else?"


    "Yes, I would like to request a meeting with a representative of your kingdom. I wish I could go and see your king myself, but I would imagen that a retinue of monster marching to your capital would not be looked on favorably."


    Besides, I had no clue on the rules of a land god leaving their domain. Maybe I would just die the second I left my lands, or turn back into a powerless human. Heck, for all I know I would make the other land gods mad for just showing up unannounced. I know that I wouldn''t be best pleased to learn that another god had shown up and not even announce them selves first. The problem was that I had no clue how to go about announcing myself to them.


    No, it would be better that the humans come here, all things considered.


    "You- you wish to enter peaceful negotiations with pern?" Asked Braid, this time looking genuinely surprised.


    "Of course. I think it could prove beneficial to both of our nations, once the finer points are ironed out." I smiled down on my guests. I really wanted this to work out. "I want to build a nation that accepts all forms of life here, in my forest. As I have told the monsters and demi-humans you see here before you now, I ask only that they all get along, and respect the land that I am working very hard to rebuild."


    I could only hope that other people were willing to go along with my idealistic views. At least, long enough till I could build up a sufficient power base that they would have to respect them.

 Lunch With Monsters

    Braid sat in silence with the other members of his party. All of them were clean and currently sitting in a well appointed cafeteria within the estate of Enna, this nation''s Land God.


    If he had to describe it, Braid would say that they were all in shock. Yes, they had been sent here to discover the happenings of the forest, but none of them would have ever thought they would find what they had. An entire community... of monsters! Different monster races living together under the apparently generous hand of their new land god.


    And generous was putting it mildly.


    Braid did not know too much about land gods other that they were all vastly different and wildly powerful, most choosing to take a hands off approach to their charges. But he did know that this Enna was very much involved with the development of the Forest of Monsters. There was no way that hundreds of foxkin and goblins evolved themselves, after all. She must have done it.


    But, why?


    By her own admission she had been born human. Not that Braid understood how a woman went from being an average human to becoming a land god, but still... Why would she take to monster kind so readily.


    Braid looked around the hall. It wasn''t very busy at the moment as it wasn''t a meal time, but there were a few stragglers hanging about, gawking. He couldn''t blame them, he would stare too if a group of monsters came and sat down in the guild hall as if it were nothing. Given how humans were forbidden from entering here, he had no doubt that the vast majority of these monsters had never seen one before.


    "That Trixie lady, she was very nice..." Porsha stated softly, running her fingers through her hair, staring down at her plate of untouched food. They had been served some kind of roasted beast along side root vegetables.


    For some reason, it shocked Braid to know that they ate such normal food here. He had just assumed that all monster just ate raw meat. Preferably human meat. Having thought about it, he saw now how foolish and biased that may have been. This whole ordeal was a bit of a cultural shock.


    Trixie had been the foxmen woman that Enna had put in charge of their party once she decided that she had said what she needed to and left, taking her massive hobgoblin body guard, the equally humongous fox beast, and the strange talking cat, with her. She claimed that Trixie was her personal maid and in charge of all the others, and told the monster to look after them.


    And Trixie had done just that. No word of complaint, no hostility to a race of beings that would have killed her on sight had the situation been reversed. She had been polite and stern, but had softer eyes for the innocent Porsha, almost mothering her.


    They had been brought to empty bunk rooms that were currently un used and Trixie got them settled in. Ordering other servants to go and fetch them a change of cloths and the like. Before any of them knew it they had been lead to the baths- escorted by Trixie and the two huge hobgoblin guards that had been following them closely since their arrival- and told to wash up.


    The guards were reluctant to let the girls and Trixie go off to the woman''s baths on their own but the older fox monster waved them off. "There are others in the baths already, besides, what would these lovely girls gain from attacking a land gods personal maid? Her wrath I would imagen."


    Somehow that seemed to placate the two hobgoblins. Though Braid couldn''t see why. Sure, angering a god was never overly smart, but she was just a girl. Clearly even a rather naive one given her reaction when he told her of the fate of the goblins caught parading through Pern''s borderlands.


    "Yes." Stated Reinga, using her fork to toy with her food, eyes hooded as she thought. "If I did not know better, I would simply think her a fox beastmen... Its rather disconcerting." It wasn''t a side of the wolf assassin that Braid had ever seen before, still and contemplative.


    "This is all far beyond us being able to deal with." Stated Sora, her usually cool and aloof meaner still firmly in place, though Braid suspected she was just as shook as the rest of them. "Sure, we thought there may very well be a new land god, but..."


    "She is but a child." Sighed Arthas, the fool of a prince who nearly had his head removed a few times since arriving at this compound. Someone should tell the king to knock some sense into the boy.


    "Stop being a fool." Snapped Reinga, clearly deciding that she might as well take the liberty, never mind that she may be killed for insulting a prince. Though, the king was not usually seen as a man who would do such a thing. "If a land god appeared before me in the shape of a fluffy bunny I would still fear it. Only a moron would insult such a being."


    "But-"


    "No!" Snapped the wolf woman in a haggard but quiet hiss. The last thing they wanted was to draw attention to the group more than they already had. Their guards sat only a table away, not eating at all, but watching closely. "Look what that ''small child'' has done Arthas! All of these evolved monsters! A cohesive group of normally fighting beings, and  even a working- if young- governing body... I say again, do not be a fool."


    Arthas looked annoyed, but also chastised. He may have been a young and some what spoiled prince, but as a knight he knew well about the chain of command, and every one here out ranked him on this mission. Aside from Porsha, that was, except when it came to matters of her own safety.


    "You should listen to your dog." Said a sardonic voice, at a much louder volume than the party had been using. The small black cat that had been sitting with the land god hopped up onto their table, glaring purple eyes on their group. He licked a paw, seemingly happy that he had startled them.


    Reinga held a dagger in her hand while the rest of the group had half risen from their chairs. The fact that they had been aloud to keep their weapons spoke volumes to how insignificant these monsters saw them. Still, even if they had been allowed to keep them, Braid would have thought that the guards at the very least would have made a move. But a glance their way showed that, though they still watched, not a single one had even stood up to defend the cat.


    Braid raised an eyebrow. "It seems that your friends do not care if Reinga were to gut you right now..." It was odd, talking to a little black cat.


    The cat''s eyes shifted to the hobgoblins and he snorted. "The moronic oafs know that your little pin sticker would not do me much harm, even in this accursed body. Though, you are correct in assuming that they would not care."


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "Enna said he was a bad person." Said Porsha, eyeing the cat like he might well explode. Clearly their healer already held the young land gods words in rather high regards.


    "She did, didn''t she." Said Sora, glaring at the cat. "I wonder why that is."


    "Because I am." The cat stated, his eyes doing little to hide the desired violence behind them. "If this went my way, you would all be nothing but blood smears and a snack. "And if you continue to act as your little princeling wants, maybe you will be. I have never been able to feast on a human before."


    "And you won''t now either!" Snapped another voice as a small, orange furred had entered Braid''s line of sight, swatting the cat to the floor. Braid looked up to see the young fox boy that had been with the group of hunters that had saved them out in the woods. "Go on, before I tell Lady Enna you were harassing her guests."


    On the floor, the cat glared at the boy before lifting his tail into the air, flashing the fox his back side, and sauntering off, showing zero urgency.


    "Don''t mind Mittens." Stated the fox, sitting across from Braid and next to Arthas. "I am Ozzie by the way. Brillum already told me your names, so need to worry about introducing your selves!" He added with a bright, if odd smile. "I figured I would come say hi, given the dumb cat was being a bother."


    "Er, what is he anyway?" Asked Reinga as she watched the cat disappear out the door.


    "A left over of Aeros is what I was told. He was causing a bunch of problems- killing kobolds and the like- and Lady Enna turned him into a cat as punishment." An even wider smile spread across Ozzie''s face. "She also renamed him Mittens. He is pretty upset about the whole thing, but most of us think he got off rather light. I mean, he gets to spend all day with Lady Enna, eats where and when he wants, and isn''t dead or in a dungeon."


    "That does seem rather lenient of Lady Enna." Said Reinga.


    Ozzie shrugged. "Apparently he doesn''t think so. I guess it is pretty hard to go from almost being a god, to being an enslaved house pet. The way he makes it sound, he would rather have died."


    Braid wasn''t sure what to make of that, other than the fact that, apparently, that cat was far more dangerous of a creature than it appeared.


    "Don''t worry." Stated Ozzie. "Lady Enna holds his life in her hands, and she would never allow him to hurt anyone. All he can do now is be lippy."


    "Is Lady Enna always here?" Asked Sora. She clearly wanted to know weather or not she was only around now because they were here. After all, what god lived with the people?


    "Yup. She likes living with us. I was the one who found her, you know?" he said, sounding pretty proud of himself.


    "Found-"


    "That''s enough of that." Said yet another voice. What was with these monsters and sneaking up on them. How sneaky were they? But a quick look up told Braid that this wasn''t a monster at all. It was the strange elvish woman that had been in the meeting. "You should know better than to mouth off about what ever pleases you, Ozzie."


    The young fox snapped his jaws shut and looked mollified. The elf woman sighed and sat next to him.


    "I was curious about you so I thought I would come and chat. Besides, you all huddled up here is making some of the others antsy."


    "I guess human/ monster relations still have a ways to go." Braid said on the tail end of a sigh.


    The elf laughed. "No doubt. But, our Enna is nothing if not idealistic. Any man woman or child in this forest would kill to keep her happy." The sheer ice in the woman''s voice had them all on edge, the threat very apparent.


    "Rei... Enna will get mad at you." Sighed the fox.


    "No she won''t. And who told you, you could call me Rei?" She snapped.


    The fox rolled his eyes. "You did, over a week ago. Something about getting tired of people pronouncing your name wrong."


    "Hmmm." Said the elf, scratching her caramel colored chin. "I guess that does sound like something I would say."


    "Exactly. And Lady Enna would not want you threatening the humans and demi-humans."


    "Threatening? I was not! I was warning them. You want someone to threaten someone, then you should get the oaf."


    "You shouldn''t call Lagdon that either."


    "Why? It is just a nickname." She said, brushing off Ozzie''s concern. "Anyway, you all should relax a little. No one here is going to eat you. In fact, for a group of rowdy monsters, they are all almost sickeningly polite."


    "That''s not nice." Huffed the young fox monster. "Maybe we all just wanted to make you feal welcome, as you are new."


    "Pfft! I am many times your grandfather''s age, boy, I need no coddling. Save it for Enna."


    Ozzie laughed, eyes bright and full of merriment. "If poor Enna was coddled anymore she might run away."


    Braid watched this exchange and wondered what kind or turn his life had taken now. He was seated, surrounded by monsters, watching one conversing with and elven woman. If he had been told that was what he would have been doing today he would have laughed.


    "You all seem to love Lady Enna quite a bit." Observed Porsha, a soft smile on her face. The fox boys attempt at relaxing the party seemed to be working on their little healer at least.


    "She has done... well, everything, for my people." Said Ozzie, honestly. "Before Lady Enna, we were all on the verge of starving, nearly at war with one another. Don''t you all like your land god too?"


    Braid saw the other exchange looks. "Most gods are not involved as Lady Enna, it seems." Stated Sora, while Reinga nodded. "And any land gods in and around Pern keep rather silent. Though there are some who worship other gods. Each person is different, I suppose."


    Rei- or what ever the elf''s name was- laughed. "Don''t let Enna hear you speaking about worshiping things. The poor girl is already uncomfortable with the over protectiveness of you all, much less being worshiped."


    Ozzie squinted a the elf. "Did you not swear yourself to her too though?"


    "My fealty has nothing to do with worship, and everything to do with gratitude and respect." Huffed the elf. "Speaking of respect, are you not supposed to be training with that crotchety old hobgoblin right about now?"


    Ozzie hopped to his feet. "Shoot! I nearly forgot. I just wanted to check on these guys first." He turned to Braid and the others. "Sorry, I have to run. If Nord catches me showing up late again he will have my pelt."


    With a cheery wave, the fox boy took off.


    "That boy is in for a tanning." Sighed Rei, shaking her head.


    "Sorry," Said Sora, eyeing the older elf curiously. "But what was your name again?"


    Rei glared at the younger elf, but answered all the same. "Reihekiu Fein''Tria."


    "Fein''Tria?" Braid asked. He had spent enough time with Sora to know that an elf''s last name was actually the name of where they came from. But Braid had never heard of Fein''Tria before.


    "It means Forest of Monsters. Tria is short for forest, and Fein is the elvish word for monster." Explained Sora. So, apparently this elf came from here? "But you would be the first to hold that name, I think."


    "Indeed. Though, if our little goddess has her way, I will not be the last." Stated Reihekiu.


    "I do know of a half elf by the name or Reihekiu, however." Sora went on, earning a narrow eyed glare from the other elf. "Quite a famous one."


    "tch, you need not worry about that." Huffed the elf as she got to her feet. "You all just rest up, and be good kids and take Enna''s message back to your king and the like. I am sure that a worthwhile alliance could be in the works if everyone just keeps an open mind." With that statement, she spun on her heel and walked out of the hall, not even looking back once.


    "What was that about?" Braid asked the elf.


    "There is a smith who made many of the most famous weapons of the last age. She was half elf and half dwarf, known as Reihekiu. Even among elves, it is a strange name. I can''t imagen another elf sharing it... I would not have thought her still alive. One day she just vanished."


    "If that is indeed the very same elf, then this Enna is drawing powerful people to her side." Said Reinga, giving in and stuffing a chunk of meat into her mouth. "I think the elf spoke wisely, and we should take the land gods message back to the king."


    That went without saying. Still, Braid was not fully convinced that there could be a truly symbiotic relationship between humanity and monsters. Heck, there were countries out there that still would not accept Demi-humans, much less monsters. Still, looking at what the monsters here had accomplished, Braid could not deny that they were more than just mindless murderers. It would take some solid self evaluation of his own biases, at this point. And he was sure he would not be the only one who needed time to process all this...

 Seeing Off the Adventurers Party

    I was back in my room, fluffy fox laying on my bed and me and the cat out on the belcony. I wanted some fresh air and had slipped into a fur lined cover. When in my normal body, temperature hardly effected me at all, but right now I found the winter quite chilly.


    Afternoon had come and gone, and Trixie was off getting me my evening meal.


    Was I hiding in my room? Maybe. But I felt a little awkward around the adventurers, for some reason. I could only assume it was due to having no interactions beyond monsters for so long. It was very strange, setting my eyes on humans once again. Even the elf was a little startling, despite having lots of interactions with Reihekiu.


    Did I just view the cantankerous, older half elf as a monster after all? Was I being rude in my head?


    The wolf Beastmen was a little easier to get my head around, but even the slight differences between her and the foxes felt a little jarring. Like her human like eyes, and the lack of animal like claws.


    It was rude to ignore my guests. And probably rather mean to leave them at the mercy of a mass of monsters...


    "Quit thinking so hard about it." Huffed the sarcastic cat, licking a paw. I often found it funny when he acted like an actual cat. "Do you think those humans would be any less stressed to be in the presence of a god, rather than the mere mortals that are monsters? Tch."


    I laughed awkwardly. "True..." I said, having not thought of that. I guess I would feel way more intimidated in the presence of a god than my enemy. "But its not like I am an all powerful being or something. I''m just a land god, right?"


    The cat glared at me. I never mentioned it out loud before, but I found Mittens pretty refreshing. He was the only one who really said what was on his mind, no filter to what he thought would or would not offend or hurt me, as the others here did. I loved my monsters, but they did not treat me as an equal most of the time.


    "I am often reminded just how dumb you are." Stated the cat, no inflection present. Like it was just fact.


    Kishi growled from the bed. "Watch your tone, Cat."


    Mittens ignored the guardian, as per usual. "There is no just when it comes to being a god. Perhaps, a land god, is not a all encompassing as a true god... but how likely is the average person- what ever their race- to come across one of the true gods?"


    "Never?" I hazarded a guess.


    "Quite. Some may even claim that the true gods do not even exist."


    "Then they would be fools." Sighed Kishi, setting her head down, as if taking a nap. I knew she wouldn''t. Despite my assurances, most people still saw the little cat as a potential threat to my life. But there was no way Mittens could do a damn thing unless I allowed it.


    "Either way, at least there is a slight, almost impossible chance, a person could come in contact with a land god. Hence they fear and revere them more."


    "What do you mean?" I asked, with an eye roll, adjusting my shall so I was covered better against the frigid wind. It was late and cold, so I had told the others to inform the adventurers that they should at least spend the night before leaving, though I would not hold them here if they really wanted to go. Apparently they had taken me up on the offer. "People see me multipole times, every day."


    Mittens put the black paw down, narrowed his violet eyes on me, and said slowly, as if I were a moron. "That is not normal. You are absurd."


    Ouch.


    The cat sighed, then sauntered along the rail to sit nearer to me. It was a familiarity that he rarely showed. "Even among the gods that tend to interfere with the lives of those residing in their lands, most only appear very occasionally. Perhaps at a yearly festival, or at times of great peril. No god in their right mind wants to live amongst these weak and misguided fools, eating with them and caring about what they may or may not do. They are fodder for the god and the land, not pets!"


    "And who here is the pet?" I asked coldly as Kishi growled once again. "They are my friends, not pets or anything."


    Mitten''s sighed, flicking his ears. "You are young. Give it time and I am sure you will see just how stupid you are- GACK!!"


    A large, cream colored paw had suddenly appeared, and in a split second the cat had been sent plummeting off the rail. I gasped, leaning over the edge, only to see the little black mass leap out of a shallow snow bank, murderous purple eyes flashing up ward as he shook himself off.


    "Kishi!" I said in a some what high pitched voice.


    "He had it coming." Drawled the fox, stretching her neck over the railing so that she could flash the cat a very toothy and threatening grin. I heard muffled cursing and cat yowls from down below.


    Of course that bit of noise on my part had my door swinging open, revealing a highly agitated Lagdon, eyes wide and searching for danger as he tanked his way into the room. "What''s happening?" He snapped.


    "I was removing vermin." Kishi stated simply as she and the hobgoblin passed one another, she headed back to the bed, and he stepping up to the place she had vacated, leaning over the rail. Apparently the cat was still down there making a fuss, because I got the rare chance to see Lagdon''s face crack into a viciously pleased grin.


    They all took such pleasure in bullying my cat when ever they could... I couldn''t really complain too much. I mean, this was supposed to be Mittens'' punishment, and he was an evil, soul sucking, mass murdering megalomaniac under all that black fluff. But he was my soul sucking, mass-murdering, megalomaniac... and he looked like a cute kitty! Who pushes cute kitty cats off of railings fifty feet or more up?


    To be fair, Kishi was a monster, and there for it was to be expected, right?


    "Try not to worry about him." Smirked Lagdon, putting a hand on my arm and guiding me back into the room, shutting the glass doors behind us. "He gets what he deserves."


    "And there is no need to worry about his words either." Huffed the fox, kneading the bed as she settled back in. "Every one of us is delighted that you want to walk among us, Lady Enna. If you didn''t, I would be out of a purpose, do not forget."


    Lagdon nodded, likely catching on to what had been discussed before he came in. "Many of us, if not all of your monsters, would be vastly different, and worse off, without your interference. Do not let that fool convince you other wise."


    "I don''t think he was trying to convince me of anything..." But I decided to drop it all the same. Both sides had merits, after all. I was strange for my choices, but if I had not made those choices, then this nation would be on a far different path than it was now. And, so far, I rather liked the path it was taking.


    The next day, I resolved myself to at least see our guests off.


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    Lagdon informed me that they were fed, well rested, and ready to head home. No incidents had happened during their stay, and I liked to think that they had at least a positive experience amongst my monsters.


    I wanted our nations to get along, at the very least. I would hate to have to close the borders as Aeros had done, cutting us off from the rest of the world. But it was all up to the Pernian king at this point. Him and his people, I guess.


    I followed Lagdon and Trixie out the large front door of the estate. I was dressed in my usual garments of copper robe, but also wore soft leather, fur lined boots, and my fur lined shawl. Trixie wanted me to dress up, stating that this was about a much as a political matter as meeting with Margund, the goblin king and Lagdon''s older brother, would have been. I didn''t disagree with that sentiment, but I didn''t want to leave the adventurers with an intimidating impression of me.


    Yes, the humans needed at least a little fear towards me, so they knew better than to think they could just come and invade if that''s what they wanted... but I wanted them to also see me as a more open, and less hostile person too.


    All and all, this just showed how unequipped I was at dealing with political issues. I think I would just pull the ''god card'' in these situations... I am a god, I can act as I want and be real bad dealing with politics! In fact, maybe I wasn''t bad, and it was all a calculated move on my part! yeah... right.


    The adventurers were gathered out front in the courtyard, and they were not alone. Besides the expected guards, there was also the kobold representative, Tera, and also Elder Brax. Well, I suppose it was just ''Brax'' now that his daughter Brixie now held the title of Elder. Brillum and his scouting party-including young Ozzie- was also present, given they would be the ones to escort the Pernians to the border.


    I was pleased to see the two groups chatting amicably enough.


    When they all noticed me, the atmosphere grew a little tenser. I saw the eyes of the one called Arthas flick from me to some place above my head. On instinct I turned, looking up. All I saw was the face of the estate, decorated with the beautiful stained glass windows depicting me, mostly.


    I couldn''t help but chuckle when I turned back to the group. A slight blush passed over the knight''s face. "It is embarrassing, but who was I to stop someone else''s art, right?" I asked.


    I could see the Pernians actually resisting the urge to bow, taking the hint from the monsters who had not. I am sure it is a hard habit to break, bowing to those who were supposed to be superior... so I appreciated the restraint. I always found bowing so awkward.


    "That is your true form then?" Asked Reinga, the best-woman, eyeing the stained glass skeptically. I knew what pane she would be looking at too: the one showing Drazdon''s depiction of my subjugation of the Specter, now known as Mittens. It was very artistic, but the massive work of art the glass worker was currently getting ready to install at the head of the church was what he called his ''Master Piece''.


    That one I had not seen in its entirety yet, but what I had was impressive. He was setting it up so that it was the center of the chambers back wall, the very first thing you would see upon entering the church/temple/sanctuary- whatever they called it these days. It was many times life sized stained glass artwork of me in all my ''true form'' glory... antlers and all, apparently. It was weird to think I had antlers... no matter how small and twig like they were.


    "So I am told." I answered the woman with a smile. "I didn''t really have a mirror on at the time. Mostly, I think my ''true form'' is the one I use every day." I indicated my current body. "This, but about seven years older." I said with a laugh.


    "I-I see..." Arthas said awkwardly, no doubt uncomfortable swapping small talk with a land god.


    "When you are feeling better, I''d love to see it." Stated the very innocent looking Porsha. The pink haired girl was said to be their healer, but I could tell that these people were extremally protective of her. I wasn''t sure if it was because she was a healer and they were fairly rare, or if it had to do with the large amount of mana I felt coming off of her. Either way, she seemed like a sweet girl, and not someone who aught to be sent out to explore the deep, dark, and scary monster forest.


    "Porsha!" Groaned Their leader, a hand dragging through his five o''clock shadow in exasperation.


    I laughed. "It''s fine. I don''t mind who sees, but I would not bet on it happening too often. Most of my energies are directed to more important things than making myself look impressive."


    "Lady Enna, your efforts are always much appreciated." Brax smiled around his pipe.


    "Indeed." Agreed Tera, smoothing out her fur lined long coat that would have fit on a human child pretty easily.


    "You will be sure to keep them safe, Brillum?" I asked the dark red furred foxie, who stood near by, making sure all of their mounts had their saddles on correctly, and that all his members were present. They would be mostly walking while they escorted the Pernians, but the mounts would let them get home fast enough.


    "On my honor, Lady Enna." Stated one of my oldest friends in this world, even if some other had become a little closer. "I will guard them as if it were you I was protecting."


    "You do realize that we are seasoned adventurers, don''t you?" Asked Braid, both mildly offended and amused. "I understand the need to have some one with us, but I am quite confident that we can defend ourselves."


    "The more the merrier, as they say." I laughed. "Truly though, travel safely. I would hate if our first guests- uninvited though they may be- came to any harm."


    "Your concern is most welcome, Lady Enna." Stated the pretty elf that was Sora, bowing her head ever so slightly.


    "We will be sure to deliver your words to the guild master and the king." Stated Braid, securing his sword more comfortably.


    "No doubt the king will wish to send a reply..." Said Arthas, a look of worry on his face as he eyed the dangerous monsters around him. Maybe he feared for the king''s messenger?


    I smiled at the young noblemen, wanting to put any such notions to bed right away. "We want only for piece, I assure you. I have no issue with your king sending a messenger, but it may be best to have them wait near the border for one of my patrols, before entering. Just because these people here would not attack unprovoked, does not mean that every monster is a kind and forgiving. I would hate for something terrible to happen."


    Braid nodded. "I will make sure that this is delivered as well."


    "We should be going..." Stated Reinga in Braid''s ear. I felt that it was meant to be quieter than it sounded, but given how all but the kobold, Tera, had great hearing, we all heard her just as well as if she had spoken plainly. I think she realized this too, given the awkward smile she shot our way after a second of staring.


    "Take care." I told the adventurers. The I turned back to Brillum. "And come home safely."


    "I have yet to fail to follow an order Lady Enna, and I do not plan to do so now either." Smiled the Foxie archer, patting the side of his Rohgek fondly. "Everyone, ready yourselves for departure!" He called out over his shoulder, where Ozzie and the others called out the affirmative.


    I stood with Lagdon and the others, waving off our first ever foreign ''invaders'' with a smile. I thought it went better than I would have expected of a surprise encounter.


    I blinked in surprise when the curvy wolf woman looked over her shoulder and flashed a smile, clearly winking at something above my head. I felt Lagdon stiffen behind me and heard Tera chuckle. As the group vanished out of sight, I looked back at my hobgoblin quizzically, eyebrow raised.


    "Stop looking at me like that..." He growled, his own eyes narrowed in irritation.


    "Do you have a thing for busty wolf girls?" I asked, finding it hard to contain my amusement.


    "I do not!" He snapped.


    "Eh? I didn''t say it was a bad thing..."


    "The woman, Reinga..." Chuckled Tera. "She was asking about Lagdon. And a few other of the hobgoblin guards. After I showed her and the others the gardens and the like, she was flirting with them."


    "Probably fishing for information." Grumbled Lagdon, looking more annoyed than embarrassed. Which was very like him, I suppose. Poor man wouldn''t be able to recognize a girl with a crush if she jumped him in the hall way... "I hope none were fool enough to provide a sneak assassin any sort of information." He added dangerously.


    I did not recall anyone mentioning that Reinga was an assassin, but I was not surprised either. I had only met her and the others for a short time, but they all seemed like very accomplished adventurers... Well, maybe not Porsha, but she was quite young, and probably her talents out weighed her experience, for now.


    Still, Lagdon did have a point. I felt no directed malice or subterfuge from the group, but it was best not to be overly trusting of strangers in the end. Not until we all got a better feal for each other at least.


    "I bet the babies would be cute..." I mumbled, partially to myself, but also to bug Lagdon. After all, there were so very few opportunities to do so.


    He merely let out a low, animal like growl of frustration, before engulfing the top of my head in his much larger, four fingered, hand, making me grunt. "I think you are over due for a training session, Lady Enna."


    "What!" I exclaimed as he forcibly led me out of the courtyard and away from the traitorous laughing people like Tera and Brax. "But-but, I''m not well..." I said in desperation, referring to my current, teenaged state.


    "What do you mean, Lady Enna?" Sneered my most trusted and loyal friend that, surely, would never wish me ill will. "You current physical age is near enough to young Ozzie, isn''t it. And he trains every day..."


    "Laaaagdooon!" I whined as I was dragged off for what was surely going to be several hours of informative, valuable, and brutal training. How could he be so mean!

 A Summons?

    In the two weeks after Braid and his party left the estate, I decided to buckle down and concentrate on getting back up to form. Training with Lagdon showed me just how vulnerable I actually was in my shrunken state, and it made me uncomfortable. Sure, I had unending body guards, but I wouldn''t be able to forgive myself if one of them died just because I was not willing to put in the effort to look after myself.


    Besides, it was winter and there fore it was as good as time as any to store up power. The land was in its winter sleep, so the mana I would normally have sent out to boost the earth''s fertilization, or bump up the breeding rates of animals and monsters was currently being funneled into my monster friends. And thought it was true that I felt that was a very worth while thing to invest it, it wasn''t completely necessary.


    They were always telling me I was strange for being so generous with the mana, rather than hoarding it for myself. So, I figured they would have no complaints if I got myself back up to fighting form. Well, maybe not ''fighting form'', but at least out of a dang training bra.


    So, I was now back to being ''me'' again. It felt good to not look like a child anymore.


    Currently escorted by Lagdon and Kishi, I decided to have a look at the temporary kobold town. Though, it was more like a temporary ''everything'' town now, given that just about every race wanted to live here. I really didn''t mind. it was nice, having everyone near.


    As we walked past the simple wooden cabins the goblins had constructed, I smiled. They were all fairly small and uniform in design, all built on crisscrossing wooden foundations. Come spring I am told that they will start work on more permanent buildings. There were even plans in the works for shops, I had been told.


    I was really looking forward to there being a bustling town less than a half an hour from my home!


    And, if the talks with Pern went well, and their king believed the report Braid was taking to him, we may even find a branch of the adventurers guild here. It would bring humans, and humans brought trade, and trade meant that we were becoming a true nation! We wouldn''t just be a vast, unmanageable forest of scattered villages.


    If I could have a guild here, then it would mean that, at least one human nation, recognized my monsters as ''people'', not just savage nuisances in need of eradication. It was a small, but necessary step to me and mine living a long and comfortable life.


    "What''s Nord doing here?" I heard Lagdon asked, curiously, breaking me from my musings.


    I blinked in the light glaring off the small snow banks along side the dirt roads. Sure enough, there was Nord. But he wasn''t alone, either. Both the older hobgoblin and the even older (?) foxie, Brax, were seated on a porch outside the cottage, looking thick as thieves.


    I had, honestly, never once suspected the two would be friends. But they were currently seated, dressed in fur-lined cloths, and smoking pipes, chatting with amused looks on their faces.


    "Lady Enna! A pleasure to see you!" Smiled the older hobgoblin, pipe clenched in his teeth and four fingered hand stroking his short, white, beard. "Surveying your subjects today?"


    I sighed, rolling my eyes with an affectionate smile. "You all are not my subjects... I''m not a monarch you know?"


    "Ah, well, your devotees then?"


    "We are taking a look around the town, yes." I sighed. "Since when have you two been so chummy?"


    "Neh!" Brax huffed around his own pipe, the smoke and the white curls of his breath in the frozen air mixing together. "When you get old enough, you tend to not worry about the small details."


    What kind of question dodging was that?


    Not bothering to push the issue I stated something else. "Why are you smoking?" I asked Nord, hands on my hips like some aggressive hall monitor. "And you, why are you getting others int your nasty habits?" I said, rounding on the foxie who had the decency to at least look frightened, even if his eyes were actually smiling. "Smoking is bad for you!"


    Nord choked out a laugh. "We are so old, that this will hardly matter in the end, Lady Enna."


    I pouted, crossing my arms and glaring. Probably acting like the child I had looked like a fortnight ago. "I would rather none of you sent yourselves to the grave earlier than you need to! Have a heart for your poor, immortal, god why don''t you."


    "We aren''t ready to go off to the next life just yet." Chuckled Brax.


    "though, given most recent events, you seem more in danger of loosing your life." Rumbled Nord. He had spoken to me, but was glaring at Lagdon, who I felt tense behind me.


    So I glared back at Nord. "Don''t you go blaming Lagdon for that." I huffed. "He did everything he was supposed to. It was just a string of bad luck that got us messed up in that forest."


    "I take it you wouldn''t dream of putting the blame on yourself then?" Laughed Brax, basically slapping his knee in amusement.


    So I glared at him too. "No, I do not! I did nothing wrong either. It is hardly my fault that a bunch of stumps snatched me from the edge of a forest while I was doing my job of checking on things. I was being very care-"


    "Lady Enna!" Some one called, interrupting the steam I was building. We all turned to see a younger Foxie boy dashing our way, hand raised high to get out attention. Hmmm, this was probably bad. Every time I am interrupted it seems to be for something bad...


    The boy, about ten or twelve and a hobgoblin, reached our small group around the porch, and Stopped. He was bent over, one hand on a knee for support and the other raped around his ribs as he panted, clouds of breath billowing about.


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    "What''s got you in such a hurry, Lad?" Grumped Brax.


    It was still a little strange seeing children here. Not that there were none before the Specter incident, but since more people had decided to move to this town, they had also brought their families. Before it had been just guards and servants. Still, It was a pleasant thing to see, as my home felt less like a dang military base now, and more like how I had envisioned it the first time I set eyes on the monstrosity of a mansion the goblins and foxes had built me, when I had thought I was getting a cottage. At most, a little temple.


    Trust a bunch of goblin craftsmen to go overboard I guess.


    "Sorry," The boy panted before sucking in a deep breath of frigid air and straightening up. His bright red hair marked him as a magically inclined goblane. "But I have message for you Lady Enna."


    "What would that be?" I asked. It was a big relief to me that the people here had gotten a little more used to not bowing or looking awe-inspired every-time they saw me these days. It felt a lot more comfortable around here these days. The younger ones were doing it better than the older ones so far, but I appreciated the change to less formal behavior all the same.


    "Terra sent me. She says that there has been an urgent message come in and that it would be best to come. Err-" He added, eyes moving to the two elderly people on the porch, smoking pipes. "She sent people to find you two as well. But she said that if I were to find you- well, she said that I should tell you: ''to get there decrepit backsides back here and do their damn jobs!''- Er, sirs..."


    I felt for the boys awkwardness, but couldn''t suppress a chuckle. That sounded like something the kobold would say. "Did it seem like it was bad news?" I asked.


    "No Miss." He said, turning back to me and shaking his head. "She didn''t seem upset of anything. She said something about a ''meeting'' as she hurried off, I think."


    A meeting? Had the Pernians gotten back to us already, maybe? It seemed awfully soon. Well, only way to know was to go and find out.


    As a group we hurried back to the estate. I thanked the boy, and told him to go get something to drink at the cafeteria. Goblane were not prone to having as much stamina as their hobgoblin brothers, so it must have been hard for him to have run all the way to the village to deliver his message.


    We found Tera in the conference room, once again. She wasn''t alone either. Reihekiu was there as well as another being I had never expected to see, though I had been told that they lived on my lands: A harpy!


    She was tall and beautiful, with long chocolate brown hair wrapped in a braid that hung below her waist. she had feathers on her head, but I could not tell if they were natural or just a head- piece she wore. She had stunning, bird like eyes and a small nose, her skin almost milky white. And though she was nearly seven feet tall and lanky, she did have fairly large breasts. From her back sprouted two of the most gorgeous wings of brown, white, and black feathers, and her feet were not feet at all. Instead her slender legs, wrapped in leather straps, ended in two taloned raptor claws, the skin a yellowish brown color.


    "Ah, you all made it!" Sighed Tera, where she stood between the very tall harpy and the caramel skinned Reihekiu. "Everyone, This is whisper." Tera then introduces us all to Whisper, starting with me and ending with Nord. "Whisper is here to deliver a message, Lady Enna."


    "Nice to meet you, Whisper." I said, with a smile. I was more than glad to meet another resident of this nation, especially from a race I had yet to interact with, but I was a little worried as to why she was here.


    "I am honored to meet you as well, Lady Enna." She said in a sort of hollow, echo-y voice that reminded me of the sounds you could make when blowing into empty glass soda bottles. She gave me a slight bow, with a small smile.


    The three woman didn''t seem agitated nor in any kind of hurry, so maybe this was not bad news after all? That would make for a pleasant change of pace.


    "I am here to deliver you a message, Lady Enna." Whisper stated, once everyone had finished their greetings. Straight to the point. I could appreciate that. "We have been informed that you showed interest in acquainting yourself with the other clans."


    "Yes! I very much am interested." I said, truthfully, getting excited.


    "Well, there has been a summit called, for the major clans to meet and discuss important topics. Though, I do not think a god has ever attended before, I was informed that you may like to participate."


    "There hasn''t been one of these since I was a young Lad..." Said Nord, thoughtfully. "Though, given all the recent changes to the land, I am not surprised to here it."


    "Margund will be in attendance as well." Lagdon informed me.


    "Yes." Said Whisper, nodding. "I went to the goblin kingdom first, and he has confirmed that he will also take part, personally."


    "Would he not normally?" I asked. It seemed like a pretty important meeting to just skip out on.


    "Some leaders just send a representative." Said Brax.


    "My father would not have gone himself." Added Lagdon. "He would have seen such a thing beneath him."


    Not to mention, getting his bulbus back side there, on that chair of his, would have been a chore and a half.


    "Well, I would very much like to attend." I said happily. "Is there anything of import I need to be made aware of?"


    "None would dare call you rude or the like, Lady Enna." The harpy said, brows furrowed.


    But, Lagdon, knowing me best, just sighed. "Normally an attendee is permitted two guards during the actual meeting, though most tend to bring several for the actual journey. The summit meets for five hours each day, and last until everyone has addressed everything they wished to discuss. If I remember correctly, the longest meeting lasted a week and a half. Though, the summit is not called often, so sometimes the material tends to pile up."


    Nord had said that the last one was when he had been young, so this one may very well take as long to.


    "I take it, this meeting will be held at Talon''s Pass again?" Brax asked, fingering his pipe that I knew he had stashed in her robe.


    Whisper nodded. "Yes, it is still the best place."


    "Talon''s Pass?" I asked.


    "It is the only, easy, route to the other side of the mountains." Explained Lagdon. "Any other path would mean going over them rather that through."


    "It has long since been the home of we harpies." Said Whisper. "Even before Aeros came to these lands. It is a steep, rocky valley, where we have carved out our homes. It is both the best place to get though the mountain, as well as fairly central to the country too."


    I nodded. It sounded like a pretty important place then.


    "When will this summit take place?" I asked, already making plans in my head.


    "In three weeks time, Lady Enna." Replied Whisper.


    "It is not common to have it in the dead of winter, for obvious reasons..." Observed Nord slowly.


    That did seem problematic. Sure, the winter here didn''t seem too bad, but it was still much harder to travel in than the other seasons, what with the cold and the lack of resources along the way.


    Whisper nodded. "Yes, but due to many recent events, it has been conveyed as an emergency."


    Confused, I asked, "What events?"


    This time everyone looked at me like I was the ridiculous one. What did I say?


    "Well, your existence for one." Laughed Reihekiu. "Not to mention, I am willing to bet that that little stunt you pulled, allowing the old gods to return to their old haunts, will come up too."


    "Lets not forget all the changes the nation has been going though." Tera added with a chuckle.


    Alright, alright! I got it already, this was all my doing. Gosh! Well, all the more reason to attend myself then. If anyone had issues, I would like to hear them up front, and I could get a clearer idea about what the races who lived farther away needed, and how best to use my influence over the land to aid them.


    I do believe that this is going to be a very fruitful adventure!

 Its Getting Way too Crowded in Here!

    "My head hurts..." I groaned, thumping said head on the desk.


    The library had gotten a lot of upgrades since I had helped out when we first arrived at the estate. The number of shelves and books, for one. The kobolds had left most of their things back at there village, they were in a hurry to escape, after all. But there were more than a few suborn old book lovers that had insisted on packing up at least some of their collections, and copies of those books and scrolls had been made to add to this collection.


    But it wasn''t just the books. Some crazy smart monster or Demi-human had convinced the builders to get a fireplace in here, and it, as well as the new cozy chairs and desks had made this room one of my favorites in the whole estate now. I figured a fire place in a library would be bad for the books, but I was told that Reihekiu- who had taken to teaching magic to those with an aptitude, as well as becoming the resident blacksmith- had performed some spell on the thing so it wouldn''t result in heat damage, nor would ash and soot get on the works.


    Still, the up-do did nothing to improve my current mood.


    "Barring some kind of high level magical interference, I am quite sure you are incapable of getting a head ache, Lady Enna." My torturer said, amused smirk firmly in place on his handsome face.


    Margund, The goblin king himself, had made it his personal mission to get me up to date on everything he knew about the monster races that were to be present at the up coming summit. Apparently, the moment he heard of it, he decided that it would be best if we went together, despite the fact that it meant that he would have to travel for twice as long.


    So, I have been in study hall hell for the last three days. Tomorrow we would be on our way to the harpy''s lands.


    "Aren''t you supposed to be protecting me?" I asked Lagdon, the younger brother of my torturer. He stood several feet away, skimming though some titles. He couldn''t fool me, however. He may know how to read, but I knew for a fact that his least favorite place to be was here. He hated studying more than I did. "Where is your sense of loyalty?" I sighed, rolling my head slightly so that I could glare at him without having to pick up my head.


    "You''re fine." Lagdon said, shaking his head and disappearing behind a shelf. Like a freaking traitor.


    "I thought you wanted to learn this?" Laughed Margund. He was slightly shorter and slimmer than Lagdon, but he always carried the air of an older brother, and especially that of a king. It had been that way, even before they had evolved to hobgoblins. Though, technically, Margund had evolved into the rare subspecies of Goblin Lord. It suited him well, as it was essentially a more regal type of hobgoblin.


    "Learn, yes. Though Cram School? No way." I said, picking up my head and glaring down a rather good drawing of an ogre. It was detailed but lacking color, so I could not see the vibrant skin colors the race was known for.


    According to my trauma inducing studies, Ogres were a peek evolution of a small, nearly blind, race of cave dwelling monsters known as Gremlins. But Ogres were about the opposite of that. They were as big as the hobgoblins with skin colors ranging from bright reds, deep blues, or even lime green. They had a variety of horns, usually inherited via the maternal line, and sharp, pointed teeth.


    They seemed like a really interesting race. Margund had told me that it was the Ogres and the Harpies that were the apex races when Aeros ran things. I found that odd, given I had been told that the goblins had been Aeros'' favorites. But, apparently, they were the favorite in that Aeros thought they were amusing, and their subservience to him was desired. Essentially, harpies and ogres were the jocks and goblins were the teacher''s pets.


    The third race that I was likely to meet at the summit were the Equestrians. It was a name used to encompass the monster line, much like how I call all hobgoblins or goblane ''goblins'' or how the foxie and foxmen to me were just ''the foxes''.


    As the name suggested, they were a monster race of horses, evolved from the very simple monster known as an equas. They, essentially looked quite similar to a mundane horse, but had some skill in using earth based magic. With Aeros'' blessing some evolved into other races, like Pegasus, or unicorns... apparently there were even a couple hippocampi. But most evolved into the branch race known as sterna, they were about the size of the massive Shire Horses of my old world. They may as well be skinny elephants with feet that could take a man''s head off without a thought.


    The sterna were a magical based race. Where the equas specialized in earth magic alone, the sterna could be born to any element, and the element they were born specializing in would effect things like the color of their hide. They were a truly beautiful race.


    According to Margund, they were considered an intelligent race in that they were self aware and possessed language. But they were pretty primitive and had not need for books, writing, math, or anything else that most might think of as intelligence. They were proud and suborn, and refused to be left out of any summits, however, even if they rarely interacted in them.


    "Shouldn''t I be helping with preparations for tomorrow?" I asked, in a last ditched attempt to skip out on another hour of staring at paper.


    "You are a Land god." Smirked Margund, his face infuriatingly soft and relaxed. This man always seemed amused and understanding. "If it is silly for a king like me to be down their, running around, collecting rations and making sure the Rohgek don''t have sore feet, than it would be down right scandalous to have you doing it."


    "But-"


    "I am sure your people are more than trustworthy enough to get the job done with out you micro managing them."


    But I wasn''t going to do that...


    "And it would be just as discourteous to be down their, under their feet, distracting them, while they worked." The kings mouth was smiling, but his eyes were squinted, knowingly. Shoot, I was found out.


    I groaned again, bopping my head back on the table with a thud.


    "You may as well send her to bed." I heard Lagdon sigh from around the corner. "She will just keep moaning."


    "I hope Reinga comes back soon." I said, maybe a little cattily. But I was tired and Lagdon always got so relaxed and deferential when Margund was around. The relaxed was annoying, cause it wouldn''t kill him to chill out around me too. As for the other thing... well, a non-in-charge-Lagdon was just weird to see.


    "That''s not funny." He snapped, poking his head around the corner.


    But the desired effect had been achieved. Margund perked up at Lagdon reaction and asked "Who is Reinga?"


    "No one!" Snapped Lagdon, hurrying over and and yanking my smiling self to my feet.


    "Probably your future sister-in-law." I said as Lagdon frog marched me out of the library, leaving Margund grinning, still seating in a chair that looked way to small for his massive form.


    "That was uncalled for." Lagdon huffed once he was sure Margund wasn''t following us and we were out of earshot of his body guards who were stationed outside the library doors.


    "You should have saved me hours ago." I said, stretching out. I was still getting used to being full grown again. "We both know that you were laughing on the inside while I was being tortured.


    He didn''t even have the decency to deny it.


    We walked to my room in companionable silence, passing only a few people on the way, due to the late hour. Twp hobgoblins stood guard outside my room tonight, and I thanked them for their hard work before wishing Lagdon a good night. Tomorrow would be busy and the workaholic needed some rest.


    Kishi was already curled up on my over sized bed. At a distance, you may not even think she was roughly the size of a horse. She had looked up briefly when I entered, but settled back down immediately. It was going to be a long trip for her as well. She would be carrying me.


    I tried to banish that idea, especially when I was informed that they were going to make a saddle for Kishi to wear. She was my friend, not a pack mule. But even Kishi insisted on it, saying she would feel much better if I were with her for the long trip rather than locked in a wooden box. Apparently it was either ride on Kishi, or these over protective monsters were hell bent on making me a dang carriage. And a carriage would be a huge pain given the lack of roads in this forest.


    I had given in. As per usual.


    No that I was full size again, I didn''t need sleep, but it had become a habit to settle in with Kishi and Mittens- when he and Kishi were moderately civil to each other- and read a book or something. But tonight I was planning on doing something that had been neglected as of late: Visit my mind space.


    It wasn''t so much that I had forgotten to, just that it had been a hectic few weeks. And when I was ''Little Enna'' I couldn''t enter the dang place. Every time I tried I would just fall into a dreamless sleep.


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    I got ready for bed, ran my fingers through Kishi''s fur, and clambered up to join her, her warmth firmly at my back. Once I was settled in, the grouchy cat appeared out of nowhere and settled down against my belly, stoutly avoiding eye contact. I''d win him over eventually.


    It was surprisingly easy to enter the dreamscape this time. Almost as soon as I shut my eyes I was there. But I could tell immediately that things were very different. Though, at first I couldn''t pinpoint why...


    The trees were the same, same purple blossoms... There was the dais with its Greacen pillars and the merry fire dancing in it. And it was still dark.


    Then I realized that, yes, the trees were the same, but the seemed farther away than I remembered, making a good sized clearing around the temple now. The fire was dancing, alright. A little too much. It looked as if there was a fierce wind tossing it about, embers flicking up and around. And the temple itself looked odd. After a second I realized that it was because it now had a domed roof where it had previously been open to the stars.


    Well. it wasn''t like this didn''t happen every time I came here. Still, something felt very off. Was it darker than usual?


    I was mid, lifting my head I gaze up at the normally star strewn sky when I heard something i had never thought I would here in this space: A woman crying like a two-year-old, followed by pleas for help.


    My eyes jerked back down just in time to see a small woman with a long mane of curly, fiery red hair, big, tear streaked, blue eyes, and a pale skinned face etched with fear.


    "What-?" I managed to get out just as the woman- barely above four feet tall- slammed into my stomach, knocking the wind out of me, and wrapped her slender, yet oddly strong arms around me.


    "Don''t let him eat me!" She bawled, shivering against my diaphragm.


    "Hu?"


    I heard a deep rumbling noise, and felt my head start to rise again, back to the sky once again. Up, up... up.


    Wide eyed, I found my neck bent back and my wide lilac eyes staring into the huge eyes and even bigger teeth of an obsidian black monster.


    "Why is that thing here!?" Wailed the girl at my hip.


    Wait, why were either of these beings here? What the heck was going on!?


    "You are the one trespassing here." Growled what was now, very clearly, a dang dragon. A dragon bigger that a commercial air plane!


    "I Just came to introduce myself! I though you were dead, you cantankerous old demon!" The redhead spat at the dragon, glaring while hiding behind me.


    "Wait! Stop!" I shouted, waving my arms frantically. "What in the world is going on?" I glared up at the dragon first. Should I fear a dragon that had teeth nearly as tall as me, who could swallow me in one bite? Sure. But I recognized the voice and so I was more incredulous that afraid. I suppose that just shows how acclimatized I had become to dealing with monsters that could snap me in half if they really wanted too... This ain''t my hospital bed anymore.


    "Aeros!" I snapped at the mountain of scales, towering above me. "Why aren''t you dead?"


    "Well, that is surprisingly blood thirsty of you, human." Mused the dragon. I just glared back. "I am dead, this isn''t me."


    "What?" I asked, flabbergasted. What the heck was that supposed to mean. Feeling bad for the strange, terrified girl, I set a comforting hand on her head.


    The dragon sighed, settling back so that I didn''t have to crane my neck back to look at him. I saw that his big, obsidian scaled body, was seated behind my temple, and that he had been blocking out a good chunk of the sky.


    "I am but an imprint of the dragon known as Aeros. An after image. A pale imitation of a mana ghost." He said, waving a paw in a circular mothing, causing a gust of wind.


    "What?" I asked, yet again.


    Aeros narrowed his eyes at me. "I sometimes forget how slow humans are..." He sighed again, then proceeded to speak slowly, like I was an infant. "You recently took in a significant- er, large- amount of concentrated mana that had once been mine. Due to its size and concentration, it held a slim piece of my consciousness within it. A manifestation, if you will... Do you know what mani-?"


    "Yes I know what it means!" I snapped, annoyed at the dragon already. "Can you not, I don''t know, go away?" I asked, really not wanting to deal with this insufferable, self involved, neglectful, egotistical...


    "I can not." He said. "Though, you may, eventually, burn though the mana that holds this portion of my self. You are the god now, after all. How a human has succeeded me, I have no idea."


    "Do you not remember the last time we spoke?" I asked, my curiosity putting a temporary hold on my ire.


    "No." Said the dragon. "I am not the- ''real''- Aeros. Just an imprint that had been left in the condensed mana of the Dark. Why would I speak with a human?"


    "You are doing it now, aren''t you?" I asked, back to being annoyed.


    "Tch."


    "Must you be so large?" I asked, yet another question. It was really very annoying having to crane my neck to speak with him.


    "This is in your head." Said the woman, still clinging to me and glaring teary eyed at the dragon. "You can make this manifestation any way you like. Or banish it completely." She added acidly. It was nice to know that I wasn''t the only one displeased to se the former god.


    I sighed, and focused on the dragon. As I watched, he shrank in size. He still was not small, but at the sized of an extremally heavy giraffe, he was much easier to speak to. Aeros eyed his new size with distaste, but didn''t complain.


    "Now, who are you." I asked the woman, who blinked up at me innocently. then i glared back at the dragon. "And don''t you go anywhere, I am not done with you yet." The dragon made another ''tch'' sound but listened all the same.


    I turned back to the woman.


    "Oh!" She said, followed by releasing me and taking a few hops backward so I could get a good look at her. "I''m Pilo!"


    "Pilo? Not to be rude, but I don''t know that name." I said.


    She giggled. "I am not surprised. Most Land Gods are actually not well known by name, you know. Unlike you and that horrendous dragon over there."


    "So I have been told."


    Pilo was very short. It could just be that it just ran in her family, but I had a suspicion that it was more race related, than a family trait. She looked sweet and delicate, but I could see a mischievous glint to her eyes as well. And despite her youthful looks and the childish way she acted, I also sensed that she was much older than she appeared. Maybe even as old as the currently ignored dragon who was examining his now smaller claws like he couldn''t be bothered.


    "I look after the plains land to the west of your lands." Pilo went on. Her fear of Aeros seemed to have been forgotten. That or she had a great deal of trust in my ability to keep a ages old death machine in check that she really should have.


    "You mean, Pern?" I asked, surprised. It was the kingdom located to the west, after all.


    "No. Well, maybe?" She said, confusing me. "I assume ''Pern'' is the name of a city or some such? I don''t really bother myself with the happenings of the races." She said, waving a disinterested hand. "I protect the entire plains lands there. The borders of humans, elves, or dwarves mean very little to me. I am not a land god who cares to much about what the people do, so long as it doesn''t interfere with the land itself."


    Ah, so Pilo was what others would call a ''typical'' land god. She didn''t care to much about worshipers, or intense interference like myself. So long as the land was happy, she was happy. And that made her a hundred times better than the dang lizard as far as I was concerned, at least.


    "Okay." I said. "It''s very nice to meet you. I am Enna, the new land god of these parts... but, ah, why are you here?"


    "Well," She said, thinking. "I just felt a change in my neighboring lands recently. I figured the dragon had finally disappeared, and I wanted to come introduce myself. Imagen my shock to find him here still!"


    "You and me both." I sighed. "I didn''t even know that land gods could meet one another this way."


    "They don''t" interrupted Aeros. "It''s considered highly rude."


    Pilo puffed out her tiny chest and glared bravely at the still disinterested dragon. "And you would know all about rudeness! You absolutely destroyed my lands when you came here to be a land god!"


    "Please" Aeros rolled his eyes, picking a tooth with an equally long claw. "A slight torching from time to time is good for the soil. You should have thanked me."


    "How do land gods normally meet?" I asked Pilo, trying to put an end to a fight.


    "Normally we don''t..." She admitted, looking a little ashamed. "Every few hundred years we meet up for a sort of world review to discuss things. But it''s not a requirement to attend. And then, if there are major world events, sometimes we all meet up then too. But... Well, I just thought I would come say ''hi''."


    She felt lonely. I could understand that. I mean, if she didn''t interact with the people living on her lands, and only attended meeting once every few hundred years... yikes.


    I smiled at the woman. Maybe it wasn''t normal for a land god to be friends with one another, but I hadn''t done anything ''normal'' so far, right?


    "I don''t mind you coming to visit from time to time." I said as kindly as I could.


    A bright smile crossed her face and she fairly beamed up at me. "Really!?"


    "Foolishness." Huffed Aeros, earning another glare from me.


    "Yes. Though, I do spend a great deal of my time in the physical world, you know. So I don''t know how often we can meet here. It may only be a few times a year..." I realized mid sentence how silly I was. Once every few months might seem long to me, but for long lived beings, it might as well have been once a week.


    "That''s fine! I don''t mind at all!" She laughed, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "And, if you like the physical world so much, we can meet there too, sometimes! Pern, you said, right? Feel free to come to my lands if you like, and if I sense you there I will come say ''hello'' then too."


    "Are you sure that it is okay?" I still was unsure the rules around a land god leaving their territory and entering another''s.


    "Oh yes! Just leave that one here." She added, glaring at Aeros and folding her arms over her chest. "He is not welcome!"


    I chuckled. "I can do that."


    "Great!" She smiled happily, clapping her hands. "I will leave now then. I really did just want to come and introduce myself."


    Without even waiting for me to say goodbye, Pilo just vanished, taking her mane of hair and bubbly personality with her. Now it was just me and the dragon.


    "That was irritating." Aeros said, breaking the silence.


    Irritated was how I felt about this honking lizard. "Are you really going to be here forever now?" I sighed, not really wanting to deal with this at all.


    "That is up to you really. I am but a phantom of my true self. Even your measly human powers are greater than the ones this aspect of myself have been left with. Conceivably, you could expel me if you like."


    "I don''t suppose you have any solid reason I shouldn''t do that?" I asked, kinda hoping that he didn''t.


    "Other than it being a waste of power when you clearly do not have much?" He asked, still sounding very nonchalant about the whole thing.


    "Yes, other than that." I ground out.


    "Hmmmm. Well, I do possess minimal autotomy. So I could act somewhat independently here, in this space. Given the rather embarrassing level of defenses you have here- evidenced by that puny dwarf goddess getting in without you even knowing about it- I could be used to defend here while you play with my old toys?"


    I took a deep breath, trying my best to put aside the nasty comment about my people being his old toys. Now was not the time to get angry and frustrated. As he already said, my measly powers out classed his current levels, and so I could be rid of him any time I wanted.


    But he was also right that anyone being able to barge in here was a big problem. First the Specter, and now Pilo. She was a nice visitor, but the next one may be as unpleasant as the dragon standing before me. Time to be logical, I guess.


    "Fine, do that. But you had best not make a mess in here!" I turned from the dragon, who was now examining his claws like they were more interesting than me. "Please don''t let me regret doing this..." I sighed to myself, rubbing my head like there really was a dragon flapping around in there.

 The Fox Princess

    "It just doesn''t seem right..." I said, uncomfortably. "Kishi, you are not a horse!"


    The fox guardian sighed, and she and Lagdon shared an amused glance. "Enna, I already said I was fine with this. I insisted, as a matter of fact."


    She had said that, multipole times. But I just couldn''t get over the fact that seeing the beautiful fox with a saddle- admittedly a very lovely one- as being wrong. Kishi was a person, not a pack mule. She was not a beast of burden. Riding on her back from time to time was one thing, but an actual saddle?


    Currently there was quite a lot of activity going on. We were all getting set to leave for the summit. There were twenty Rohgek riders, eight-teen of them massive hobgoblins and two the most intense looking goblane I had seen. Clearly it was a show meant to impress and intimidate the other races.


    I would have objected, but I had decided long ago to let the monsters handle their own politics as best as I could. Its not like were were dealing with a foreign nation of humans this time, just other monsters. And Margund and the others still had a lot more experience in this than I. But I was looking forward to being a part of all this, at least.


    "Deal with it Girly." Laughed Reihekiu as she and Nord approached. Neither was joining us, as both were needed here, especially with Lagdon and I leaving. I trusted both to look after things while I was gone.


    "People have already started calling you the Fox Princess, you know? It would look right if you show up riding on such an impressive specimen such as Kishi: the grandest of fox monsters."


    "What!?" I exclaimed, having never once heard that absurd title.


    "Your flattery is appreciated, but it will not get you overly far with me, hobgoblin." Kishi sated.


    Nord chuckled. As he and the halfling woman reached us, he held up a thick cloak. "Wear this. Trixie and the seamstresses worked hard on it, and dyed it just the right color."


    I aloud the older hobgoblin to tie the thick pelt and fur cloak over my shoulders. It was gorgeous! Thick fur that I recognized instantly as Kishi''s was dyed my now signature copper color and brushed out to a glossy finish along the seams. The main make of the cloak was a thick pelt lined in a delicate copper silk like material, also copper in color and stitched with golden flowers.


    "It''s beautiful!" I breathed, loving my newest gift, petting the fur as if it really were Kishi herself.


    "I will be sure to convey your gratitude then." Smiled Nord, tugging the hood up over my head where it partially covered my eyes for a moment.


    "Hey!" I laughed, reaching up to fix it. My hands brushed against an odd shape so I fingered the stiff leather covered in yet more fur. "Ears!" I laughed happily, enchanted with the stylized fox ears added to the hood. I loved it, but was also pretty sure that people would truly be calling me obnoxious names like ''Fox Princess'' while I wore it.


    Oh well. I wasn''t about to snub such a great gift for such a silly reason. Especially since I really did like this gift.


    "Well, don''t you look lovely?" I heard the voice of Margund announce. Most of the current hobgoblin guard were his men. the population of my estate was growing, but I was uncomfortable with too many of the ones trained to fight leaving it unguarded. Most of our most recent population boost was, after all, noncombatant kobolds. So, a few of Lagdon''s best joined Margund''s personal guards, but that was mostly it.


    We had fox escorts as well, but they were mostly sticking close to Brixie. This would be the young foxie''s first official summit as the new elder of the fox village. Brax had wanted to go, but Brixie put her foot down and told him to just sit at home and smoke his pipe like the good retired fox that he was.


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    He had griped and moaned a little, but seemed more amused by his daughter than anything. Ozzie wanted to come too, and he was becoming quite the talented and reliable ranger here at the estate, but he wasn''t quite ready for such a job. Not according to Lagdon at least. There were only three foxes accompanying me, personally: Draxly and Brillum, of course. But there was a third fox with us this time.


    Her name was Luxana. She was the granddaughter of the old foxie healer from the village, Zix. Like her mother, Luxana was trained as a healer. Unlike her mother, she was a foxmen, not a foxie. Also, unlike her mother, Luxa was also quite proficient at self defense. She was not as gifted as many of the other guards, but Lagdon apricated having a healer around that didn''t need to be babysat at all times.


    His words, not mine.


    The young Luxana was currently getting a crash course on how to ride a rohgek from the other two foxie males several yards away. She was in her late teens with white hair and fur, like her mothers, and sapphire blue eyes.


    "Now that we are all gathered, I think it is about time to go." Margund said, gazing out over not just the large number of guardsmen, but also the three hastily constructed wagons of supplies, and about ten servants specially selected for this mission. It was a whole dang production! "Mount up, Fox Princess." He added with a playful smile that would look odd on any other, usually serious, hobgoblin. But it looked about right for Margund.


    The goblin king bowed slightly before heading toward his own rohgek mount, a rather large and fierce looking specimen that had a fancier saddle with a sword strapped to the saddle. About as fancy as a goblin got, I supposed. Unless he wanted to dust off one of his father''s old palanquins.


    "Be happy you are riding me, Mistress. At least you are not sitting in one of those flashy carriages humans favor." Kishi said, nudging my arm, proving that she just knew me so very well. It was very true that I would not have liked to be in a carriage. Talk about flashy.


    Besides, it was already going to be an effort, bringing the supply wagons though the untamed wilderness, mush less a carriage. Come the nicer weather I would have to suggest that the monsters start work on more roads. The one they had made, connecting the estate with both the fox village and Gurten was truly a marvel of convenience.


    Sighing in defeat, I took to Kishi''s saddle. It was a beautifully made thing, both comfortable and light. It was made of durable leather. Still, I wasn''t really sold on poor Kishi having to wear the darn thing.


    As Lagdon checked my straps and got the other hobgoblins organized, I saw that Margund was also getting people moving.


    Before long we were all in formation. Margund and his guards were up front, followed by me and mine, and lastly came the supply wagons and servants, like cooks and a few maids. This was going to be an interesting trip.


    "They are moving." Draxly stated as he and Brillum stood either side of me to the rear. Lagdon, as always, was right at my side on a rohgek. But the two foxie were better off on foot than mounted, as they were faster and more agile than the rohgek anyways.


    Luxana was just behind them, with the supply wagons at her back. She looked less than confident at being mounted of the boar wolf, but smiled back at me when I gave her a reassuring nod of encouragement. She was a brave and diligent foxmen, but this was her first important task. i was sure she must have been nervous.


    "Don''t die." I heard a sardonic voice mewl near by.


    I looked to where Nord and Reihekiu stood to the side and was not surprised to see Mittens sitting at their feet, licking a paw. The smith and battle instructor were glaring down at him, but the cat couldn''t have cared less.


    I chuckled and shook my head, knowing that the cat was a little torn on weather or not he still wished for my death. If I did die he would be free... Maybe. But I also knew that he was starting to enjoy his life at the estate. Even becoming accustom to being a cat, for that matter. Heck, some of the maids had even begun to soften to him, giving him cream and clearing off sunny patches for him to nap on throughout the estate.


    I decided not to warn him that several had started to make him little outfits. Teach the snarky little creature to mind his manners a little.


    It made me laugh to imagen them trying to stuff him into a tiny little vest.


    "Best not to keep the Fox elder waiting!" Margund called over the din, making everyone go silent. "Lets go!"


    Smiling, I settled into the saddle and Kishi stepped forward with the rest of the procession. We would meat up with Brixie and the foxes along the road before leaving the paved way and heading for Talon''s Pass, where the summit was to take place.


    I was really looking forward to meeting the other monsters, even if the summit itself was a little nerve racking. I was assured that nothing would be expected of me. I was basically a guest of honor and could sit there and say nothing the whole time if I really wanted. But it did not help much with the nerves.

 The Investigators Return

    "Ugh, this is taking ages." Grumped Reinga for about the fifth time in the last twenty minutes. Braid would have been surprised to know just how irritating a famous assassin could be if he had not just spent over a month with the woman.


    "Now Now, Reinga!" admonished Porsha, her pink hair glittering next to her fresh white priestess robes. They had all been quite relieved to be aloud to freshen up before their audience with the king and guild master. The last comfortable day they had had was at the monster''s mansion. "His majesty is a very busy man, you know?"


    "Ho Ho!" mock laughed the dark haired wolf woman, eyes sparking with a mischievous light. "Haven''t you gotten brave with your words as of late, young miss?"


    Porsha blushed but did not shy away like she once might have. this last mission- and the monsters the group had met- had really opened her up. She had grown, truly, in such a short amount of time.


    "My father will arrive shortly, I am sure." Arthas sighed. He was acting cool, but Braid could tell that he was anxious as well. After all, this report could very well determine weather or not his majesty was willing to set their kingdom to war with the monsters.


    Braid heard Sora sigh in the comfortable high backed chair next to him, but she kept her mouth shut. Out of the whole group, she was the most composed, but that was no surprise, was it? The elf would hardly let a meeting with the king about such a monumental topic affect her at all.


    Braid was about to ask her, her opinion when the door at the far end of the conference room opened and two knights entered. An image of the hobgoblins entering before the child god flashed before Braid''s eyes for a moment.


    Admittedly, King Damien Rightwell struck a more intimidating figure than the small girl had, with his scarlet cloak draped over broad shoulders, tall bulky frame of a man who had once worked as a knight himself, and strong jaw line that rivaled Braid''s himself. But some how the god had more impact. But, he supposed a god would, wouldn''t they?


    Braid and the others hurried to their feet and bowed their heads.


    "That''s enough of that. Sit." Rumbled their leader.


    When Braid raised his head he saw the king taking his own, much nicer seat, pulled out by Frost, the guild master, who must have entered the room when their heads had been lowered. He looked even more stressed than normal, which had Braid''s lip twitching. Good to see that some things would never change, he supposed.


    But it was the last man that confused him. A wolf beastmen with hark hair and ears, sharp eyes, and the stance of someone light on his feet. Perhaps sensing Braid''s eyes on him, the man flashed a smirk at the adventurer and he felt a twinge of familiar irritation.


    "Brother!" He heard Reinga grump, confirming Braid''s suspicion. "Why are you here?"


    "I came to assess the situation, dear little sister." Said the man now confirmed to be Gill, the new head of the top tier assassin clan. He doubted the others in his party knew this- Reinga aside- as the clan was hardly more than a rumor in the kingdom. A family of assassin''s everyone of them, each trained to be shadows in the night, protecting the kingdom and its interests.


    Braid only knew about them due to a job he had taken a few years back. He had met Gill then, and though the man was a bit of a mystery, and seemingly young for his position, he struck Braid as a good man.


    "I thought it appropriate that he hear your report as well." The king stated. "I assume everyone is here then?"


    "Yes, your majesty." Stated Jillian Roth. She and the other advisors had been waiting, right along with Braid and his party. Though, they had been able to keep a little quieter than his group. The older woman eyed Reinga disapprovingly, but the wolf woman wasn''t going to be cowed by anyone, not even a retired knight.


    "Very well, then lets hear it." Sighed the king. He was well composed, but Braid felt that he was waiting for the hammer to fall and to learn that they were all doomed.


    "How many to the beasts number? Has the dragon truly returned?" Asked Bishop Rodrick, his eyes flashing the mania of the devout and terrified.


    "Numbers?" Sighed Braid. "I do not think numbers are the issue. Quality over quantity, I should think."


    "What do you mean?" Frost asked, standing behind the king rather than taking a seat of his own. "Did something happen?"


    "When we first entered the forest, we were confused at the lack of activity." Reported Braid. "We did not have to fight many monsters at all for the first half of our mission."


    "As for the forest itself." Interrupted Sora, though Braid didn''t mind. He actually hated giving reports. "It was not overtly apparent due to the time of year, but I would say that the reports have been right, and vitality has, indeed, returned there."


    "Damn it... Aeros?" Cursed Jillian.


    Braid shook his head. "Dead. at least, all evidence seems to suggest that."


    "Evidence?" Asked the king, thick eyebrow raised and fingers woven together, chin resting on them.


    "We were contemplating returning with a report of nothing more than a confusing lack of monster activity and a healthy forest when we came under attack." Here was where the tricky part came in. How would the king and his advisors react to the tale of the little goddess and her estate full of seemingly civilized monsters? "We were surrounded and hard pressed to get out of the issue. But then we were saved. And by the most unlikely of rescuers."


    "Well? Don''t leave us in suspense." Drawled Frost.


    "Foxie saved us." Sora stated bluntly.


    "Foxie? As in the rare evolved form of the Fennik line? There were such highly evolved monsters in the forest?" Asked an alarmed Jillian.


    "Most alarming." Agreed Gill. Like Frost, he too, had declined to take a seat, instead standing at the king''s left shoulder.


    "Yet you say the dragon is gone? Are you claiming that that demon has been replaced by an even stronger beast?" the other woman asked, her usually resolute face loosing a little of it''s color.


    Arthas snorted, but did not elaborate, so Braid continued. "Yes, we were saved by several foxie hunters, mounted on the Rohgek, no less."


    "Rohgek?" Asked the bishop, looking quite pale himself.


    "If I remember correctly, they were the monsters that the goblins use as mounts are they not?" Frost speculated correctly. "Large wolf like creatures with the traits of a boar?"


    Braid nodded. "Yes, sir."


    "But you say they are the mounts of goblins. Why in the world would the lesser monsters, foxes, be using them."


    "I would not call the foxie lesser, Mr. Frost." Said Reinga, her usually cheeky face now set into a more serious shape. "From what I have seen, both the foxie and foxmen in the forest are as skilled as any adventurer out kingdom has to offer.


    "Indeed." Agreed Braid, remembering even the young Ozzie''s skills in taking down the Ursa.


    "there are Foxmen as well?" Asked Jillian, now looking clearly pale.


    "What are foxmen?" Asked Rodrick. the bishop needed to brush up on his monster knowledge if he did not even know that much.


    "They are another rare evolution of the fennik line." Sighed the advisor, looking drained. She had best pull it together, however, considering Braid had not even gotten to the most shocking news yet. "though their combat skills are not stellar, they do have the advantage of looking remarkably similar to the fox beastmen. An untrained eye would even mistake one for the other... I am sure the implications are not lost on you, bishop."


    The bishop did, in fact, still look confused.


    "It means that they would be more than capable of acting as spies in our cities." Huffed Frost, his anxiety making him sharp. "the average citizen could easily be fooled. the beastmen may be able to tell them apart at least. But in nations that resent the demi-humans and wouldn''t know the difference, it could be a major security risk."


    Braid saw the guild master''s point. It was true that such nations would not allow any beastmen- let alone monster- just walk around freely, but the foxmen might be able to sneak in as slaves. Even a week foxmen would be stronger than the average beastmen citizen. Putting a few in disguise amongst the slaves could, potentially, do a lot of damage.


    The king sighed, worrying his short beard. "You still did not explain the rohgek the foxes were riding."


    "We found out about that after we were taken." Said Arthas, not looking happy about it still. the boy had far too much pride in him still.


    "Taken?!" this spoken by several in attendance.


    "Yes. We could have tried fighting our rescuers off, and we may have won, but..." Braid''s eyes drifted to the young Porsha. She saw him looking and flashed him an apologetic smile.


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    "I understand." The king accented. "Please continue. You are clearly not captured now, so what happened?"


    "We were taken to the monster''s estate in the woods, next to a lake they have come to call Silver Lake, I think." Spoke up Reinga, leaning in her chair so that it stood only on two feet. Her brother narrowed his eyes at her, but no one else paid it any mind. She was respected and liked enough to get away with a little break from decorum.


    "Wait, an estate?" Mumbled Jillian, her mind clearly racing as her brain tried to process all this. Braid wished her luck with that, given he was still having a hard enough time with it.


    "Oh yeah. A big one. With walls, and guards. Big, muscley, hobgoblin guards." Said the wolf, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. At least she was still able to crack jokes.


    "Hob-hobgoblins...?" Breathed Frost, he too, now deathly pale.


    Braid didn''t blame the man. The foxes evolving was bad enough, but at least they were hardly scarier than a mid rank adventurer for the most part. But hobgoblins? Even before Braid had set eyes on them, he knew that they were a supremely dangerous race, and the kingdom had been very lucky to have never come access them before. But now...


    "Lots, and lots of them." Reinga confirmed mercilessly. "And even a few Goblane to boot. Not a single, regular, goblin to be seen in the whole freaking mansion. And it was more like a wood and stone palace than a mansion, to be honest."


    "This is terrible news..." Breathed Jillian, looking truly shaken. "But, how did you escape? I am not disparaging your skills, but if there were as many as you claim, I find it hard to believe you could just walk out of there unscathed."


    At that, it was actually the usually stoic Sora that began to laugh. It was a low and almost self-deprecating sound. likely because she, as well as the rest of the party, knew that, had thing not gone as they had, they never would have made it out of that estate. Perhaps Reinga could have made it out on her own to deliver the tale to the king. But the rest of the party would have been doomed.


    "What is so funny?" Growled the bishop, not looking amused in the slightest.


    "The fact of the matter is, we were not being threatened in the slightest." Sighed the elf, looking resigned. She smiled wanly at the men and women around the table. "We were not treated as anything less than uninvited guests."


    "What? Explain?" Demanded the king.


    "This was not a rag tag rabble of violent monsters. they were not gathered around campfires, sharpening spears and salivating over our flesh." sighed the elf. "Trust me, I was among the most shocked to see that these monsters were as civilized as any human, elf, or whatever, race I had seen... they were dressed smartly, well organized, and smart as any sentient race I have ever seen."


    "How could that be..."


    it was not that all monsters were dumb. Any adventurer would tell the average citizen that if asked. Braid had come across plenty of monsters that were capable of speech and even critical thinking. the number of times he had nearly been caught in a goblins trap... No, most realized that not all monsters were slobbering beats.


    But it was a shock to see them as they were at the estate. Monsters did not live with other races. Foxes and goblins were enemies. Monsters were selfish, greedy, and merciless. Even if they were also intelligent. They did not all come together and make a functioning, united, prospering, nation. It just was not done!


    "It is all Lady Enna''s doing!" Piped up Porsha, looking delighted, even as the rest of the summit looked devastated. The priestess was truly taken with the young land god. "She is amazing. And so cute!"


    "Who?" Asked Frost, looking like the Porsha may have lost her senses due to the stress of her first dangerous mission.


    "Enna is the new land god of The Forest of Monsters." Said Arthas to his father. "When we were brought to the estate, the monsters brought us to a meeting room of sorts."


    "It was actually quite beautiful." Said Reinga. "I was impressed. I never would have thought monsters capable of such artistry."


    "Indeed!" Beamed Porsha, getting excited once again. the girl was far too innocent for her own good. though, it was thanks to this innocence that she was so loved amongst the Pernians. "And all that stained glass too! It would be lovely to have some of it in the cathedral too-"


    "We are getting off topic, Porsha." Sora sighed. She may not admit it, but Braid knew that the young priestess was growing on his old friend. "When we were taken to the room, we had all thought it was the end of our lives... to say it was a shock to find a conference room rather than an executioners block would be putting it mildly."


    "Right." Agreed Braid. "We were made to sit, thee massive hobgoblins at our backs, and wait." He thought back on that day, and realized that it was then that his opinions on monsters really began to change. They had just acted so, well, human. Not always... Braid could still feel the inherent aggression of the monsters, even if they appeared a little more civilized that he had expected.


    "People began filtering into the room-" Braid continued, but was then interrupted by Gill''s soft voice.


    "People?" He asked, clearly thinking that Braid meant several humans or demi-humans had entered the room.


    Braid chuckled to himself, shaking his head at the clear proof that he had come to accept that some monsters were, indeed, ''people'', as the land god had professed them to be. "Other monsters. Goblins and foxes, yes. But There were others too."


    "What others?" Asked the king.


    "An older elf woman for one... not that she looked overly old, of course..."


    "She was Reihekiu, the famed sword smith of the last age." Said sora with confidence. "And, though she was as rude as rumors said she would be, she appears to hold great respect and faith in Enna. According to her, she has sworn fealty to the land god. Not that she elaborated as to how or why that may be the case."


    "I have heard of this woman before. Though I did not realize she still lived." Said king Damien thoughtfully. "So then, this Enna has no qualms about having demi-humans in the forest then?"


    "None." Said Braid. "She wasn''t the only one their either. There were a goodly number of kobolds living at the estate as well. From what we could make out, the land god saved them from some great calamity some months prior and had taken their people under her protection."


    "Why would a land god be so involved?" Mused Frost. "I understand that she is likely new to this position, but what land god hangs about and interferes so much in the daily lives of the creatures that live on their land."


    Reinga chuckled at that. "We have it on good authority that this Enna spends all of her time amongst her people. She is highly involved with everything from revitalizing the lands to evolving her subjects... And I mean, all of them." She added, her voice all seriousness now.


    Arthas nodded. "If what we heard and saw of the people in the estate is correct, then Enna has evolved every foxkin and goblin within the entire forest. Not including the ones we saw passing through our boarders, that is."


    "Yes, we were told that those goblins were not willing to accept that Aeros was gone, and Enna had banished them." Said Sora now. "She was highly shaken to learn of their deaths, however.


    There was a moment of silence among the party members then, as they all remembered the darken of the room, and the oppressive power surrounding them when they had informed Enna of the fate of the goblins she had driven from her lands. "Enna seems almost naive to some things in this world." Braid said.


    "Does the land god seek retribution for their deaths?" Rodrick asked, fearful. To be on the bad side of a god was never a good thing.


    "She said that she under stood." Spoke up Porsha. "She looked very sad for their deaths, but claimed to blame herself for not considering the consequences of their banishment."


    "This all seems to fantastical to be true..." Said the king, leaning back and contemplating things. "Clearly she let you go. I assume it was to deliver a message?"


    Braid nodded. "Yes, and you maybe shocked by what it is."


    "Has she declared war?" Growled the bishop, ready to fight monsters from his cushy church it seemed.


    "Not at all. As a matter of fact, Enna has requested diplomatic relations between the Forest of Monsters and the Kingdom of Pern."


    "I beg your pardon?" this time from Gill, looking actually shocked.


    Reinga seemed pleased to see her brother off his guard. "That''s what she said. She stated, quite emphatically, that she was not Aeros, and that she bore no ill will toward humans, nor demi-humans. She wishes for us all to live in peace."


    "Peace?!" Boomed the bishop, jumping to his feet. "With monsters? How absurd!"


    "Take your seat, Rodrick." Ordered the king, not looking pleased with the other man''s exclamation. "Were those her words, exactly?"


    "She made it very clear that she wanted nothing but peaceful relations between our two nations, father." Arthas stated reluctantly. He still seemed a little put off with finding out the land god was a human child. Despite ethe fact that it was told to him that that was not her usual form. and even if it was, it hardly mattered.


    "She did have some stipulations, moving forward." Braid said, getting to the heart of the issue.


    "Oh? And they would be?" the king asked, not liking others telling him what he could and could not do. But the king was no fool, and knew better than most in this room, the delicate situation they found themselves in.


    "She says that any further adventurer activity in the forest must be put, temporarily, on hold."


    "Not possible!" Huffed Frost. Braid had known that he would be the first to object to this one. "Men and women rely on-"


    "I know, I said as much to the land god when she first uttered the statement."


    "You back sauced a land god?" Asked Gill, clearly amused at the thought.


    Braid glared at the wolf man. "She had some good counter arguments. And, given what we saw in the forest, the monsters at the border are not as grave a threat as they had once been.


    "It''s true that we have had to send out fewer adventurers to deal with monsters at the border..." Frost relented. "Still, what were these counter arguments then?"


    "That it would be a poor start to good relations between our nations if our adventurers died to ursas before talks could be established, for one." Sighed braid. It was a good point, but not a definitive one. Adventurers were responsible for their own lives, and the guild would not fault the other nation for their deaths. "Also, there was no way for us to know what monsters were a threat, and which are not..."


    "She had a good point." Agreed Porsha. "Before that day, I would have said that any monster would deserve a quick death... but Miss Trixie, and Lady Kishi... Well, they are good people! Even if they are monsters. And I know that I am not informed enough to know which monsters would kill me on sight, and which are just innocent people living their lives."


    There was another silence after this. It was a pretty indisputable reason to keep the adventurers out of the forest. It would be a political disaster if a wary adventurer accidentally killed Ozzie, for instance. the adventurer would see it as him just doing his job, but Enna would see it as the slaughter of one of her most trusted people, right after asking quite politely, for them to stay out.


    The king nodded and turned to frost. "Make sure to make it very clear to the adventurers that the forest is off limits for now. We will post men along the border as precaution, but no one crosses the tree line."


    Frost sighed, but relented. He was no fool. "Yes, you majesty. I will have it posted and spread the moment I return tot he guild."


    "Good." The king returned his gaze back to Braid. "Anything else?"


    Braid nodded. "She requests that we send a representative to discuss further relations."


    "Why should we do that?" Huffed the bishop, earning an irritated look from Jillian. "She is the one requesting the-"


    "I am sorry, bishop." Interrupted Arthas. "But Enna made a very good point when she said that our people may be a little distressed if a foreign land god showed up in our capital with a retinue of monsters..."


    "Yes, I can see how that would not go over well..." The king said as the bishop looked pale. "Very well, we will make all the preparations necessary."


    "You can not be serious, your majesty?" Breathed Rodrick, looking deflated. "Political discussions with monsters?"


    "It may be unprecedented," Agreed the king. "But it is much preferred over being at war with a nation of highly evolved monsters. You have never seen a hobgoblin, Rodrick, but I can tell you right now, that if every goblin residing in that forest has become one, then our kingdom would not make it out unscathed should war break out."


    "And just imagine if the god her self were to get involved in the fighting..." Said Reinga ominously.


    It was clear that this had not even passed through the noble''s minds as they all grew pale. But after only a short interaction with Enna, Braid had no doubt, what so ever, that that girl would do all she could to protect her people.


    He had no way of knowing if the threat she possessed was as all encompassing as the dragon, Aeros, had been. But he had felt the power in the conference room briefly, and had seen and heard what the monsters described as Enna''s ''true form'' and knew that it was not a fight that mere mortals could hope to win.


    Pern had no choice but to enter negotiations with the Forest of Monsters. For good, or for bad.

 Ogres, and Harpies, and Unicorns... Oh My!

    I knew that traveling in a large procession like we were, the going would be slow. But the fact that it took us nearly a week, on our nice paved road, just to get to the river crossing, was surprising. Normally it would take less than three days, if you rode hard along the path. Even faster if you were one of the foxie, gifted with real speed skills.


    At least it was a pleasant trip. We spent the majority of the days making our slow progress, breaking only in the evening when we set up camp for the night and ate. It was a livly, and surprisingly well organized, endevor. I hardly had to do a thing except sit on Kishi''s back and chat.


    It did give me time to question Margund and the others for more information concerning the other races we were going to meet at this summit. We may have a library at the estate but it was still rather empty, especial for anything covering politics and the like.


    "I know that the harpies live in Talon''s Pass, but how do they live there?" I had asked at one point. "Is it like the goblin city? Built into the side of the land formation?"


    "Hmmm." Thought Margund, his rohgek on one side of me and Lagdon''s on the other. "Sort of. Though not exactly. They do have a city of sorts carved into the side of the mountain, but their race is more migratory than ours. They are constantly traveling from one side of the gorge to the other, hunting other monsters there. Normally they do not live this side of the Pass, this time of the year."


    "Why not?"


    "From what I understand, it is because the hunting is not as abundant this side of the mountains during the winter months. On the other side it is mainly plains lands and rolling hills with many monsters that are less... er, carnivorous. For the most part, the Eastern side of our Forest of Monsters is much less violent than this one."


    That was a weird thought. Mostly because of the fact that I had become so desensitized to just how ''carnivorous'' it was here. I almost argued with the goblin king that it wasn''t all that bad here. But if I looked at it objectively, that wasn''t really true.


    There were the foxes and the goblins here, that, until just recently, were basically at war. Add to that the fact that the west had many monsters like the Ursa that were highly aggressive. All of these monsters were fighting over dwindling resources just to survive. And that isn''t even accounting for the large chunk of the west that was filled with the Dark.


    "It is the mountains them selves that are the most dangerous in our nation. Though, I would not call the East ''tame'' either Brother." Lagdon added, eyes scanning either side of the road for danger. Draxly and Brillum were doing the same just ahead of us.


    "I agree about the mountains." Margund nodded. "Its the home of the Ogre clan, after all. Since the decline of our race, we haven''t had too much contact with the ogres. They are very insular and self important."


    At that I laughed. "And goblins aren''t?"


    "She has a point." Brixie called over her shoulder with a teasing smile. She was just ahead of the two foxie with the pretty healer, Luxana, at her side. The two had been spending much of this trip chatting.


    "I guess I can not argue that..." Sighed Margund with good humor. He turned back to me. "The Ogres are probably the strongest of the superior races that live in this nation. Though, with our evolution to hobgoblins, the gap is not quite as large between us, I think."


    "That sounds intense." I had seen ogres described in many different ways in my old world, but I couldn''t think of any description that is kind and welcoming.


    "They are about as big as a hobgoblin, but their skin colors are many and varied, seemingly not affected by lineage. But they have horns, that are. Every child inherits the horns of their maternal line. They are also a matriarchal race, each clan led by a female. Usually the strongest, determined by fights to the death."


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    That sounded intense, indeed. Go girl power?


    "Their clans are spread around the mountains to the east, while we goblins lived mostly on the largest mountain and a few small villages to the west side of the range."


    "And what about the plains on the other side of the mountains?" Lagdon had said they were tame, but he is a psychopath of power and training... not sure I could trust his determination on what was and was not tame. I was pretty sure that that hobgoblin thought a dang volcano was tame.


    "There are many dangerous monsters there, but not really large groups of them from what I understand."


    "I don''t understand."


    "There are a lot of large groups of lesser, or mid ranked, monsters like there are here." Explained Margund, adjusting his reins. "You will not run into a heard of dangerous creatures. But there are several powerful, individual monsters, that would be bad to disturb. It is why there is only one race of superior monsters that tend to call it home."


    They must be a scary strong race... I was beginning to wonder if the goblins former assertion that they were the strongest and closest race to Aeros back in the day really meant that they were just the race that sucked up to the old dragon the most? The Harpies had been here since before Aeros, and were already evolved to the highest rank of their line, and then there were the ogres, who sounded like they were the most fearsome. How scary were these plains dwellers?


    Margund chuckled. "It is not as scary as you think. Indeed, of all the races that call this nation home, they are the most docile."


    "Who are they?" I asked, curiosity peeked.


    "They are called the Equestrians."


    "Wait, horses?"


    Margund laughed. "Yes, though many of the race a very proud and would not appreciate being called ''horses''."


    "Oh... I will keep that in mind."


    "Like us foxes-" Brixie chimed in. "They are a small clan. And they are mostly non-confrontational."


    Margund nodded. "In total, there may be less than a thousand of them. but they are the most diversly evolved race of us all. The bulk of them are Sterna: an equestrian rase of elementals. Their pelts and magical power determined by what element they are. You will find Sterna that can bend the earth, command the winds, and even call forth fire."


    "That sounds amazing." I said, imagining beautiful horses casting magical spells.


    "They are the most magically inclined of the superior races here." Said Lagdon. "The Goblane can''t even compare when it coms to elemental magics."


    "I am looking forward to meeting them." I said with a smile. "But, you said that most were Sterna. What are the others?"


    "There are a few of the Sterna who have managed to evolve beyond the race. I have heard Nord speak of Pegasus, unicorns, and even hippocampi that live in lakes and rivers."


    Wow, this all sounded like a little girls dream. I lived a goodly chunk of my life in a single room, but even I fantasized about having a pony or meeting a freaking unicorn as a kid! And it would be nice to meet a monster race that was less inclined to eat people for a change...


    "It sounds like it is going to be an interesting group of people heading for Talon''s Pass then." I observed, getting more excited.


    Margund laughed again. "Yes, I suppose you could say that."


    We eventually made it to the bridge. It was still crudely built, as the goblins had their hands full with the road and estate and didn''t have time to make it pretty before the winter set in. At least it looked sturdy, built with wood and large stones, stretching over the narrowest part of the river. I was told that, come the spring melts, it may be flooded and impassible for a couple weeks.


    For now it provided a steely grey break to the otherwise white world.


    The monsters waisted no time setting up camp, pitching tents and getting the Rohgek fed and watered. Mean while, I decided to explore. After the first couple days of trying to help and being shut down, I just gave up.


    But, I was not alone, of course. Lagdon, my ever present shadow, and Draxly were with me. But they were not all. I was surprised by Luxana asking if she could come walking with me this time.


    She had been cheerful and pleasant throughout the trip, but also a little nervous and shy around me. It often took some time for monsters new to the estate to get used to me. I guess they expected me to be some kind of aloof godly being at first. But once they see me trip over my own two feet a couple times, they tend to loosen up and treat me normally.


    Actually, most treat me like a little princess. Did I really have such a sweet and innocent air about me? Still, I preferred the coddling to the avoidance.


    Today, I decided to stick to the edge of the river, following it upstream a little and enjoying the sounds of running water. It wasn''t the same as the rumble of the waterfall back home, but it was comforting and made me smile.


    I had best enjoy the easy travel we had while I could. Starting tomorrow, our procession would be leaving the paved road and the journey would be a little rougher. Still, the thought of meeting all those races kept me motivated for the more hectic half of our path forward.

 Foxes and Snow

    "Miss Luxana, please do not go so far ahead." Sighed Brillum. He had hurried after us at the last moment, when he saw that we were wandering from the camp site. I felt that three body guards was a bit of an overkill for to woman going for a stroll withing shouting distance of camp. In the middle of a barren forest.


    I rather doubted that we were going to be jumped by bandits, after all. Still, it wasn''t like I was unaccustomed to the over cautious behavior of my people. And that vigilance had saved me more than once.


    "Oh! My apologies." Gasped Luxana, hurrying back to my side. She was almost too innocent. I didn''t mind, however. It was nice to see such kindness and openness amongst monsters who normally were prone to evisceration rather than chasing butterflies. Not that there were any butterflies this time of year. "I have never come to this part of the forest before."


    "If you''ve seen one tree you''ve seen them all." Sighed Brillum while Draxly eyes the near by barren trees, looking like he expected an enemy to pop out of each and every one of them.


    I laughed. "I don''t know... I feel like everyone of them has a slightly different feel about them."


    "Well, you would, wouldn''t you?" Laughed the red foxie. "You are a land god. It wouldn''t surprise me if you went and named each one individually."


    "That wouldn''t surprise me either." commented Lagdon dryly.


    "Rude!" I snapped. "I have not named a single tree, I''ll have you know."


    Luxana giggled, now keeping close to myself and our guards. "I don''t think it would be horrible for them to have names. Besides, I like the side of Lady Enna that cares so deeply for us and our forest."


    "Is that not every side of her?" Drawled Lagdon again, sounding exasperated with me.


    "But isn''t that wonderful?!" The pretty young Foxmen lady said happily, her silvery white hair just as sparkly as the untouched snow around her.


    I was about to huff about how I was right here, and that I would appreciate that they all stop talking as if I weren''t.. But then I caught the smile, and the soft expression on the black furred foxie''s face.


    Oh? Draxly, with a smile? Do my eyes deceive me?


    Well, well, well...


    Draxly was normal so stern and aloof that I most often associated him with a ninja. He certainly had the skills of one. His stealth was killer, as was his speed in a fight and his accuracy when throwing a knife. There was no concept of throwing stars in this world- none that I had seen at least- but he really did give off that vibe.


    I knew he was also kind and compassionate, and took his job very seriously, but I had never once seen him out of his ''work mode'', so to speak.


    "Wonderful or not, i can not seem to figure out why we are out here right now." Grouched my ever present shadow, Lagdon.


    He was pretty tense for a situation that didn''t really call for it, but I couldn''t blame him either. I mean, look what happened the last time I decided to go for a little walk out in the forest. Mind you, this was a forest next to a well used and marked road, and not a shadowy place know by an ominous name like ''The Dark''. I thought Lagdon could do with a little less hyper vigilance. Poor guy was going to give himself a n ulcer.


    Could monsters get ulcers?


    "I enjoy the forest in the winter." Stated Draxly. It was a rare thing for him to share personal information, even information as mundane as that. "It is silent, and clear of all disturbance. It reminds me of new beginnings."


    "Oh, that is a lovely point." Sighed Luxana as she and Draxly walked side by side.


    Brillum was directly behind them and shot an uncomfortable look over his shoulder at me that made me giggle. Poor fellow was feeling like the third wheel over there.


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    "I''m surprised." I called out to the dark furred foxie. "You always seem to like to blend in, and your fur sticks out so much out here. Do your parents also have dark fur?" I asked, the thought simply popping into my squirl brain. It occurred to me that I had no clue if I had actually met Draxly''s parents? Or even Brillum''s for that matter...


    "They did..." Draxly stated. It wasn''t exactly sad, the way he said that, but I suddenly got the feeling I may have hit on a sensitive issue.


    Brillum patted his long time friend on the leather padded shoulder while Luxana looked on with concern. The Red foxie looked back at me once again. "Draxly and I are orphans, Lady Enna. My parents died when  I was far too young to remember them... Draxly''s passed due to illness when we were a little younger than Ozzie."


    "Oh... I am sorry for bringing it up." Way to go Enna, sticking that foot in your mouth once again.


    At my words I saw Draxly shake his head, then look over his shoulder and gift me one of his smiles. Though, this one was a little sad compared to the smile full of affection he had used on Luxana. "You need not concern your self with it, Lady Enna." He said softly. "It was several years ago. Besides, the blight that took them, you cured. I am nothing but grateful to know that no other children must loose their families due to the sorry state this forest home of ours was once in."


    "We finally live in a time where we need not worry about bringing kits into this world!" Smirked Brillum, nudging the other male in the shoulder suggestively as he wiggled his fox faced eyebrows, eyes darting to the oblivious Luxana.


    Draxly glared at his oldest friend, glancing at the she fox to be sure she had not caught on to what the red Foxie was eluding. Luckily, Luxana was even more of a doey-eyed innocent than I was, and was currently examining the icicles hanging off a branch, blue eyes wide with wonder.


    Sighing, Draxly addressed me once again. "When my parents passed, Elder Brax took me in. He was already looking after Brillum as well. Brixie was there as well, of course, but she was a little older than us two, and already learning to be the next elder."


    "So she was like an older sister to you too?" I asked, eager to learn more about the lives of the men and woman I had come to love in this world.


    Brillum nodded. "Though, like Draxly said, she was older by about ten or so years. So Draxly didn''t really get to know her as well as me. But their family has been really good to us. It was a great honor to have been made trusted guards by Elder Brax, and then to be entrusted with your safety, Lady Enna."


    I smiled at the foxie male, also glad to have gotten to know them. People like Lagdon and Kishi may spend more time with me these days, but these two fox males had been with me since nearly the beginning. It warmed my heart to see them both living and thriving, all thanks to what little strides I could make to the improvement of life here. I hoped to continue in that way as well.


    With any luck, the summit with the other monster races would go well, and then I could add those others under my care as well.


    Well, actually, it wasn''t like they had much of a choice. So long as they wanted to live on my lands they would be under my care. Still, their cooperation and active participation would be of great help in the long run. I knew that, in the past, many of these races had a weak truce at best, and open hostility at worst, so it would not be simple to bring them together cohesively...


    Still, i managed to get the foxes and the goblins to see eye to eye, and they had been basically mortal enemies since Aeros was in power around here! And there were our newest members, the kobolds. Until a couple months ago, demi-humans would have been killed on sight, never mind living right along side monsters.


    I didn''t want to toot my own horn, but it would be nice if I could pull off just a little more of that Enna magic, and get the others to be part of our ever growing family.


    Heck! Even the humans of Pern seemed, at least, open to discussing future relations. If humans could see eye to eye with monsters, surly that meant that other monsters could get along as well, right? Or was I just being ever the optimist, once again?


    "Enough." grumped Lagdon, four fingered hand resting on my shoulder. "Lets go back. We have wandered far enough away from the others as it is."


    Party pooper.


    "But we have hardly gone any distance at all." I pretty much pouted. Not sure why I thought ''puppy dog'' eyes would work on my hobgoblin... they never had before now.


    At Lagdon''s steely glare, Brillum laughed. "No, he is right my Lady. We should return. I am sure the afternoon meal is finished now anyways."


    "Hnnnn!" Pouted Luxana, her puppy dog eyes far more effective than my own. Though, as a foxmen, I rather think she had an unfair advantage. "But I would like to see farther down stream! the ice hangs off the trees so splendidly along the river."


    "Ice is ice." Huffed Lagdon, physically turning my around and frog marching me back through the snow from whence we came. "We have seen nothing but the stuff since departing the estate."


    "You just have no sense of beauty nor adventure." I said, doing my best ''Lagdon being grumpy voice''. "Hobgoblins..." I sighed.


    I listened as Luxana laughed behind us, Brillum and Draxly bringing up the rear. I too, wanted to keep wandering, but I knew that there would be no talking Lagdon out of it if he had already resorted to man handling me. Besides, I could already smell the stew wafting on the wind... Now that I was back to my proper shape, I did not need to eat, but that smell was even making my needless stomach growl.


    I suppose I could let Lagdon have his way. This time.

 The Grandness of Talons Pass

    When I had pictured Talon''s Pass in my head, it was a vast and desolate canyon between the towering mountains of the yet unnamed range that split my lands down the middle. At least, none of the monsters have told me the name of the mountains, them being so good with names and all. Though, to the north, the nation of dwarves shared the range with us, so I assumed that they had a name for them.


    In any rate, my inner image of a Grand Canyon like land formation could not of been farther from reality.


    The first hint was about a day out from the home of the Harpies. I noted that the weather, though still in the throws of winter, had become some what warmer, and there was a clinging dampness to the air. When I brought it up, Margund cut off the answer Lagdon was about to provide and said simply: "Let her see for herself when we get there." With that coy smile he so often wore, in stark contrast to the serious, blank look, that Lagdon often sported.


    The sentiment made me smile, and I did like surprises so long as they were good ones. So I did not press the issue, and I was glad that I hadn''t.


    Soon, the woodlands I was accustom to began to change. The soil was becoming richer and wetter, and the trees started to grow a little closer together, the conifers fading away to be replaced by broad leafed trees, most of them still holding their leaves. It wasn''t like it wasn''t cold any more, but it was above freezing now.


    The earth beneath my feet was so spongy that if almost felt like a mattress and was covered in vines and moss, even the boulders were covered in the stuff. At first I had thought that this was going to be a swamp, like the one in the Dark. But that wasn''t it. If I had to pick, I would call it a temperate rainforest, sort of like the redwood forests back on earth, but with out the massive red wood trees.


    This had already been fascinating enough for me, but my mind was completely blown when we crested a hill, the trees opened up, and I found myself gazing out over a truly magical sight.


    "Its beautiful!" I gasped, seated in the saddle on Kishi''s back.


    Before me was a grand delta of sorts, a multitude of little streams and rivers branching out around and between trees at the base of the mountains, the call of strange birds dancing on the cool breeze.


    As my eyes followed the little rivers to where they all met, I was that the originated from one very large, slow moving one. And that river wound it''s way, not through a desolate canyon, but a wide and verdant valley. It was like the two sides of the mountain range opened up to a vista of blue skies and vibrant greenery. Spires of stone reached upwards, some needles of rock nearly as tall as the rocky monoliths themselves. And upon their slight, flat surfaces, grew more greenery.


    I think it was the first, truly, magical scenery I had seen since arriving mysteriously to this world.


    Margund and Brixie chuckled. "I thought you might like it." Smiled the goblin king.


    "I have only been this way once before, myself." Stated Brixie as Luxana stood, awestruck, at her side.


    "I am surprised it''s so warm here." Stated Brillum, his red fur sticking out vibrantly amongst so much green and grey.


    "It''s due to the mountains and the valley." Said Margund. "Or so I am told. The weather does get cooler here in the winter, but it tends to rain more than snow. There is also, quite often, a lot of fog. Especially early in the mornings."


    "It must be hard on the harpies wings..." I said, thinking that water and feathers did not mix well. Unless they had oily feathers, like ducks?


    "I am sure they have ways of dealing with the weather, Lady Enna." Smiled Brixie. "They have been living here far longer than any of us, after all."


    "That''s true..."


    The next leg of our trip was a little unpleasant. Mainly due to how wet everything was. Apparently it would get even worse in a month or so, when the rainy season started. Though, from what I was told, it rained a lot here, regardless. I was right in thinking that this was a rainforest, after all.


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    We had to locate old, dilapidated, wooden bridges to get over the larger streams, and wade through the smaller ones. It seemed like there was yet another construction project to be had, come the nicer weather. Probably once the rainy season passed. Though, I would have to remind the goblins to be careful of the environment when they did. I didn''t want them to just start ripping up the rainforest and damning up streams, just for the sake of a straight road.


    Still, we eventually made it out of the delta, and to the mouth of the valley, where the large river branched out. This was the most life I had seen since arriving in this world. There were animals and monsters a plenty, most I knew nothing about, in and around the river mouth and in the trees. They were all so colorful and eye catching.


    I wasn''t afraid. One, I was a god and doubted anything here could do me any serious harm, but also because none of the others looked worried. I could only assume that these creatures actively avoided monsters like the foxes and goblins.


    "Mistress, I see a road." Kishi''s voice broke me from my gawking, where I was staring quite avidly at a flock of brightly colored birds the size of swans, soring above the water.


    At her statement, however, my eyes darted back to the path ahead. I didn''t see the road she spoke of at first, given there were several beefy hobgoblins a head of me. I really had no clue how Kishi had seen it, to be honest. But, after a moment longer of walking, I did notice that the path we had been traversing became more hardened, and used.


    It was a man made- er, monster made?- dirt road, and it wound its way close, but not too close, to the large river. It lead farther into the valley and out of sight, though, I could just make out buildings of some sort on the opposite bank, making me think there was a town or settlement of some sort there.


    "That''s Sky Keeper." Margund stated, pointing toward the town. "We should make it there in about a day."


    "The Harpies live there?" I asked, curious. It some how seemed wrong for beings with wings to be stuck to the ground...


    "In a sense. The Harpies are migratory, and move from one side of the pass to the other throughout the year. Sky Keeper was once a human city, built by a civilization that has faded out of any living mind. It is merely used by the harpies for a short time each year. And, even then, they do not live in the town too much. "


    "How do you mean?" I wondered, also, what this ancient civilization of humans were. I some how just thought that this had always been a hub for monsters. But, I guess, before Aeros, it was probably a little more diverse.


    "They have their own constructs up on the cliffs and between the spires. I''m sure you can imagine that they much prefer to live far above the ground, rather than on the ground. But, Sky Keeper has been where these summits have always been held. It keeps the other monster races out of the Harpy''s nests, and also lets us all have shelter down on the ground, where most of us are more comfortable."


    That made sense.


    But I was even more eager to get to Sky Keeper now. It would be the closest I had been to humanity, aside from the short visit of the adventurers not long ago. It would be interesting to get an idea on how they lived in this world. Though, I supposed that an ancient settlement would not provide an accurate gage on current affairs...


    "If you plan of exploring, be sure to take guards with you." Stated Lagdon, knowing far to well.


    "Who?" Asked Margund, looking innocent.


    Lagdon narrowed his eyes on his older brother. "Both of you."


    Brixie chuckled just ahead of us. "We would all do well not to wander alone. There has never been great relations between the races, and I am sure that- present company exempted- has not changed too much either. Especially where the Ogres are concerned."


    "Will they really be that opposed to us?" I asked. Not that I saw it as there being sides either way. That didn''t mean that the others didn''t see it that way, however.


    Margund sighed, adjusting the reins of his rohgek. "Even compared to us goblins, the Ogres are beyond prideful, and domineering. They respected Aeros'' power in ages passed, but even then, they did not bend to the old god''s will so easily. Not that Aeros cared to interfere one way or the other. So long as what minimal commands the dragon made were met, anyone could do just about anything. And the ogres did not let that lax oversight go to waste."


    Brixie nodded. "As poor as our relationship had been with the goblins, it was down right deadly with the ogres. They despise weakness, and the foxkin could hardly have been described as powerful in any sense. The Goblins once kept us as slaves, but the ogres would hunt us for sport if we dared ever pass into what they saw as their territory."


    Scary... I was, suddenly, not as eager to meet these monsters. Not so much due to fear of them harming me, but rather in that we may not ever see eye to eye. I was really hoping not to have to banish anyone else from these lands. Though... If the ogres were as aggressive as Brixie and Margund claim, exile may not be an option. I could not simply set such beings loose on the human population, after all.


    I really, really, did not want to have to be forced into genocide. Humans might not see the mass destruction of an entire monster group as anything more than a bad Tuesday, but to me it would leave a very unsavory taste in my mouth. Monsters were people to me, not just slightly more intelligent animals.


    I could only hope that it never came to such a drastic conclusion.

 Yevette

    We reached Sky Keeper nearing on midday. It had rained a little in the morning, but by the time we rounded a bend and came face to face with the stone city, it was back to being beautiful. Warm even. And I was in a stellar mood, fairly bouncing in my saddle on Kishi''s back.


    Stupidly, I had not been prepared for the fan fare, however. One second I was jittery with excitement and the next I was trying to make myself as small as I could on the back of the fox. We had stepped onto cobbled streets that were lined with people for a good long stretch, leading to a rather large, if somewhat crumbling, stone building.


    I heard Margund laugh next to me. "Sit up! Wave!" He said boisterously, flashing a grin and flicking his own wrist in a short wave. "They are here to see us, after all. And I have no doubt it is you they wish to see most of all."


    "Somebody please burry me in a hole..." I mumbled, displaying what was likely more of a grimace than a smile at the gathered harpies that we passed.


    It appeared to be true that most of these monsters were far more interested at getting a look at me than anyone else in this rather stately procession. As stately as a march of monsters could be, anyway. The many gathered harpies stood on their clawed feet along the road, clapping or waving, while also craning their necks and pointing once they got sight of me.


    I was very uncomfortable, but at least the harpies themselves were rather nice to look at. Most of them were around five and a half feet tall with hair in shades of brown, white, or grey, with a few other colors splashed in here and there. Many seemed to keep their hair long, and often braided and decorated with colorful beads and feathers.


    As we drew closer to the building I saw that the harpies actually were not alone in making up this crowd of spectators. In, amongst them, were what I thought, at first, were horses. Actually, I guess they would be Equestrians, as I was told that calling them horses was rude.


    I could not get a good look at them between all the feathers and bright colors worn by the harpies, and their wide spread wings. But I could have sworn I saw what looked like a red furred stallion for a second, before we moved forward and it was lost in the crowd once again.


    "Seems like the Ogres are not here..." Mumbled Brixie. She, too, was looking at the crowd, but her eyes were more searching than full of wonder.


    Margund sighed. "Are you surprised?"


    "They never show up when they are told to." Grunted Lagdon, making sure that he was between me and the people.


    I guess the ogres didn''t like being told what to do. I sure hope they didn''t wait too long to show up, however. If they took too long, I wondered if the summit would start without them.


    "Welcome!" I heard a voice call above the noise of the crowd. As we neared the speaker, the people surrounding us began to settle down.


    As the guards and such split, making room for we dignitaries to pull to the front, I saw that there were three harpies standing before us, standing on a short rise before the entrance of the building. Two of the harpies were younger males, each built compactly with bright yellow eyes and short brown hair. Neither wore a shirt, but both had their chests painted in interesting designs of turquoise, white and red. Even the feathers of their wings seemed to have been painted. Both looked enough alike that I decided they were related, if not out and out twins.


    Between the two men was an older woman. She was slightly hunched, her own wings looking heavy on her back. Her hair was long and shiny, but greyed, and her face was weathered and tanned. Despite that, I still thought she looked quite pretty. She definitely had a very beautiful smile that had a little of my anxiety melt away.


    "Welcome." She said once again, this time quieter. Her bright eyes looked over us all, and her smile never wavered. "We are glad to have you here, in Sky Keeper. Please-" She said, taking a step back and waving her hand in a becoming motion. "Come in and we will get you all comfortable."


    Things happened in a bit of a flurry then. Several buff harpy men hurried forward as Margund and the others slipped of their Rohgek, and the harpies led the mounts off. One male stepped up to me, but Lagdon waved him off.


    "Kishi stays with Lady Enna." He said in his best, deep dark and scary voice.


    The harpy did not look intimidated, however, but he also didn''t put up a stink. He simply nodded and moved off. Once Lagdon was sure that no one he did not know was anywhere near us, he helped me out of Kishi''s saddle.


    Once I was on my own two feet, another hobgoblin hurried forward and freed my fox guardian of her saddle. Kishi shook out her luxurious fur as the hobgoblin vanished with the saddle. I could only assume that it was being stored some place safe, likely with the rest of our supplies.


    That done, I was then lead up the stairs and into the building. Lagdon and the others had me so well surrounded, and they were all so huge, that I really couldn''t see much of anything past their grey and green bodies clad in leather armor. Brixie was just as blind as me, and she rolled her eyes my way, sharing in my exasperation at the over protectiveness of hobgoblins.


    Though I could not see much, I could tell that the building we entered was much larger than I had originally thought. The entrance was wide, and double tall, and once inside, I saw that the ceiling was quite high above me. Everything seemed cleaned, but also old and neglected. No doubt the ancient structures were in dire need of restoration.


    "Thank you all for participating in this summit. I know it was called fairly last minute." Said the elder harpy.


    "Not at all." Stated Margund, just as my view finally opened up and I saw that we were in a great atrium. I, the goblins, and the foxes were lined up, facing a small group of older harpies; both men and women. "It must have been hard for you to set up as well."


    "Thank you for the understanding." Smiled the harpy woman, offering Margund a slight bow. "We felt it rather necessary to get it done before the spring rains set in, though I am sure travel in the colder weather must not have been great for you."


    "It was not so bad." Said Brixie, also bowing slightly to the group of harpies. "This winter has been milder than the last few. I am Brixie, the new elder of the foxes."


    "Greetings Brixie. I remember your father fondly. Please, send him my congratulations on finally being able to retire. i am sure that he will have a great deal more time for smoking now."


    Brixie laughed. "I will be sure to tell him."


    "And you, of course, are Margund." She said, low looking at the massive hobgoblin king. "I hope you do not find too much offence in my next words, but I can not say that I am upset that your father will not be joining us."


    "I am sure your sentiments are shared by many." Stated Margund. "He will not be missed."


    Then the harpy too a deep breath and set her eyes on me. "And you- You must be Lady Enna."


    "Yes, that''s me." I said, quite lamely if I did say so myself.


    The older woman chuckled. "I am Yevette, Grand Elder of the harpy clan. It is the highest of honors to have you gracing both our halls and our homes. We, of the harpy clan, do not have much in the way of material items, but we hope to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible."


    I waved my hands before me, panicked. "Oh, no. Um, please, there is no need for a fuss. I was the one who intruded on your summit for my own selfish reasons, after all. I don''t want you to go through any extra trouble for my sake."


    The corners of Yevette''s eyes crinkled with her smile as she chuckled. "You are very different to your predecessor, Lady Enna. Though, i do admit that I never had the displeasure of encountering the old dragon myself, i have been told that it was not an experience that I would want to have anyway."


    I wonder what she would say if I told her that the old Lizard had gone and made himself home in my head. In fact, i wonder what any of them would say. I couldn''t I was overly comfortable with that myself.


    "I doubt there are many who are sad to see Aeros gone, even if he did provide us some protection from human kind." Sighed one of the older harpies, his eye lids so droopy that he looked like he had his eyes closed. And, it didn''t help that his eyebrows were so bushy that I would have been surprised if he could see past them, even if he could open his eyes properly.


    "Quite." Agreed Yevette. She pointed out the elderly harpies lined up around her and addressed me once again. "You see here our Council of Elders, Lady Enna. It is not normally needed for the whole council to be in attendance, but I must admit that we were all far to curious and delighted to meet you, that we all ended up coming." She said with a chuckle.


    "Um, it is a pleasure to meet you all." I said, awkwardness still in full swing.


    That seemed to be good enough for Yevette, however, as she turned back to Margund, her eyes loosing a little of her warmth as she continued to speak. "All have arrived, besides Vesta, of course. Leave it to an ogre to show up unfashionably late..."


    Margund chuckled. "I am not surprised."


    "I just hope they show up at all." Stated another of the harpy elders, fingering the head of a polished cane. Did he have to carry that around when he flew? He must, right?


    "Oh, they will show." Sighed Yevette. "If for no other reason than to see exactly the back bone of our new land god..."


    Suddenly all eyes were on me. I felt very back bone-less. I think the ogres might be in for a rather disappointing surprise.


    Yevette''s lip twitched in amusement. "But, I am keeping you all from rest! Come, let us show you to your rooms and let you all freshen up and get some hot food in your bellies. You say the trip was not too difficult, but I am sure an actual bed and a properly cooked meal will not be wasted on you."


    So far I had been feeling rather like a herd animal. I was being shuffled from one place to another without much say in the matter. It was a change from what I had been getting accustom too, but I wasn''t really complaining. It was nice being a background character for a change, and it wasn''t like I was alone. Kishi and Lagdon were always right next to me, and Brillum and Draxly were not far off.


    We were lead through several connected buildings, some in worse shape than others, but all immaculately clean. Did harpies have OCD or something? Or was this just because it was an important event that they were hosting?


    We were eventually all separated, but not by much. The harpies lead us all to separate suites throughout a large mansion of sorts. The goblin group, as well as the foxes, were situated on the ground floor, while I was lead higher, up to the second floor. A pretty young harpy girl brought me to what they said was the room with the single greatest view in the city, then left me to get settled, saying that Miss Yevette would stop by shortly to have a word with me.


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    She did not stick around to be questioned, instead hurrying past Lagdon with greater speed than I would have thought those talons would have aloud on stone floor.


    But, i was too distracted to pepper her with questions anyway. Because, the girl had been right. He view was astounding!


    The room itself was rather lovely, and open to the elements too. It was a large space with a very spacious bed, and a stone basin I suspected was used to hold water to was your face. It didn''t appear that the place had running water, but it was an ancient place. Heck, even the Estate had only rudimentary running water, and that was provided using magic.


    The room was decorated in pretty bits and bobs made of pretty stones and feathers. There were several constructs in varying sizes and shapes that looked a little like dream catchers, and the huge window that lead to a wide balcony had several wind chimes hanging from the frame.


    But the view outside was the real treat. As I stepped out, followed by Lagdon, i saw that I had a wide view of the entire city and the river. Across the river was the rainforest and the tall spires of stone. The whole place was vibrant and full of life.


    Looking down over the side of the stone railing, I could see that the harpies had started a mini party down there. A festival where barrels of alcohol were rolled out and the scent of meat cooking. I smiled, watching them simply enjoy life.


    Again, my eye was caught by a very vibrant pelt. Looking, I saw what must have been a Sterna. It was a monster that was shaped like a horse, but had bright green fur, with a mossy colored mane and tale. Its wide eyes were dark as night and its hooves clicked merrily on the paving stones.


    "That''s a Sterna?" I asked Lagdon, looking for confirmation.


    The hobgoblin looked over the side of the rail and nodded. "I would guess one that has gifts in either plant or earth typed magic. As was mentioned before, their hides often advertise the element they are born with."


    "They are beautiful!" I said with a smile. "I hope I get the chance to speak with them."


    "I am sure you will. No doubt they are looking forward to it as much as you are."


    I laughed. "Do these summits always turn into parties?" I asked, leaning against the rail and gazing off dreamily into the trees where I could see various colorful birds flittering about. I thought that I could very much like being here in Sky Keeper.


    At my words, Lagdon shared a rare chuckle. "No." He said. "They are usually quite somber and full of tension. Most of us monsters tend to not get along, normally, after all. On top of that, there normally is not nearly as many monsters present. No, i would say this is all thanks to you."


    "Me?!" I said, confused.


    "Of course. There are so many monsters present. because many wanted to come and get a look at you. For good or for bad, they wanted to see what their new land god was to be like. And it''s not like people often get a chance to see a god in person. Gods don''t usually come and mingle with others, after all. You are rather special in that regard." I pouted in protest, but Lagdon continued. "I am willing to bet that the party is due to the fact that they are all rather relieved that you seem to be exactly nothing like Aeros."


    "And that''s a reason to party? I thought most monsters like Aeros, in theory. I am not exactly looking to encourage the isolation of monsters, after all. Shouldn''t they all be worried about me getting them all mixed up with humans?"


    "True, I am sure there is more than a little unease around what your future plans are. And, many may even hope that Aeros'' base beliefs stay in place, preventing humans and demi-humans from interfering in our lives."


    I figured as much. Monsters may be a little quicker to adapt that the average human when it came to changing life circumstances, but I didn''t think that a major reform would be that simple. I had gotten rather lucky in that regards, so far. The foxes were basically pacifists that were just happy to be thriving once again. As for the goblins, they were a prime example of peek adaption. And Margund was a strange mix of competent and eccentric, leading the masses into the change I was looking to make.


    I would be foolish to think the other monsters would quite as easy to persuade.


    "But, i think you are under estimating just how much of a relief it is that you have arrived." Lagdon stated, catching me a little off guard. "Sure, under Aeros'' rule we achieved peek monster supremacy in these lands... but being the king of a trash heap is hardly a stellar achievement. What good does it do any of our people, if we were all doomed to either starve to death or kill one another off."


    "That''s true..."


    "I am sure that all the races are just relived to be able to live freely, without the fear of starvation, war, and subterfuge looming over their heads." He looked out over the beautiful vista. " I am willing to bet that this time last year, this valley was not half as prosperous and full of life as it is now, Lady Enna. Everyone just wants to live a happy and fulfilling life. I think that is the truth, no matter ones race, background, or lineage." He looked down on me and smiled. "They party, because it is as good a time to do so as any."


    I laughed, patting the silent Kishi on the head as she joined us, having just spent the last couple minutes checking out every corner of the room. Probably looking for booby-traps, if I had to guess. these monsters expected danger in everything.


    Twenty minutes later another harpy knocked at the door. She started nervously when it was Lagdon who opened it, but hid her initial fear quickly enough. She had come to bring us some food and then excused herself with a smile and a bow. I had caught her staring at me, but otherwise acted like what I would expect a servant would act like.


    Lagdon and I had just finished eating our roasted meat and vegetables when there was yet another knock on the door. But, before Lagdon could answer it, the door opened, causing the hobgoblin to glare aggressively and the fox to growl.


    "Peace!" Huffed an elderly voice as Yevette breezed into the room. "What do you think I will do? Gum the land god to death?" She said, flashing an almost toothless open mouthed smile.


    I couldn''t help myself and laughed. "A horrifying thought."


    Lagdon clicked his tongue in aggravation, an attitude he most often reserved for dealing with Reihekiu. But he set his weapon down and retook his seat as the elderly harpy fully entered the room, careful not to shut the door on her wings.


    Kishi was a little less apt to calm, and instead sidled up to me before wrapping herself around the back side of my chair and glaring at the older woman.


    "How will the girl ever learn to look out for herself if you all baby her so much." Chided Yevette, glaring at the fox.


    "She takes care of herself just fine." Growled Lagdon. "That aside, I think it rather unwise to just barge into a land gods rooms..."


    "Pft!" She said, waving a dismissive hand. "Unwise for myself, perhaps. Unless you think that a poor, decrepit, old harpy can some how deal damage to a young and vibrant land god in her prime."


    "Enough of your tongue wagging, old one." Said Kishi, her voice rather growly. "You and i both know that you are no weak and wasted little old lady. Not any more than I am."


    "Ha!" Barked the harpy, looking like she was having the time of her life despite my own confusion. "You look as virile as the last time I laid eyes upon you, fox. I, on the other hand, have grown old."


    "Wait... You know one another?" I asked my fox companion, now more confused than ever.


    "I would not say ''know'' is the appropriate word, my Lady. Met in passing one time, would be more accurate." Stated the cream colored fox.


    "It may have been a passing thing for you, Guardian, but it was quite a big event for me!" Laughed Yevette, taking it upon herself to sit in a chair opposite of me. She set her girlish eyes on me, and set in for a tale. "I was but a spring chicken, hardly twenty years old. I had gotten into a tiff with my father you see. He thought it was a good idea for me to marry one Zeree, a fellow I had exactly zero interest it."


    "You don''t say..." Drawled Lagdon, but I was rather enjoying myself. Clearly Yevette was my kind of little old lady!


    "Well, it took off for greener pastures. Back then I was more apt to run away from an issue than I was prone to confronting it head on, you understand? So I flew fast and I flew hard. I may not have been the wisest harpy at the time, but I sure was the most athletic." She said with a wink, flashing that gummy smile once again. "But, not only was I working on a young and silly woman''s single brain cell, I also had darn near no directional awareness at all."


    "I thought harpies just had an innate awareness of their positions-" Interrupted Lagdon indignantly.


    "Are you telling the story, or am I?!" the older woman snapped, glaring at the significantly younger hobgoblin, making me laugh once again. Kishi just sighed and rolled her eyes.


    "Anyway... I went and found my self fluttering about the edge of the Dark, wouldn''t you know it! Now, i did not want to marry Zeree, but I would take him over that place any day. I had started to rethink my decision to run away from home."


    "What happened then?" I asked, enthralled. It wasn''t so much that the woman''s tale was all that captivating- though I liked a little gossip as much as the next person- but simply that Yevette''s energy was just contagious.


    "Ah... You see, it seemed that Zeree had about as much common sense as I did. the bird brain had come flying after me once my father had told him i had taken off. He was smitten, and I couldn''t blame him. I may not look it now, but I was a prime catch back in the day."


    "I am sure you were." Lagdon mumbled, looking like he really, really, wanted the woman to run away now.


    I didn''t know if she had just not heard Lagdon''s words, or if she simply decided to ignore him. Either way, she continued on wither her seemingly senseless tale. "So consumed in his thoughts was the buffoon, that he wasn''t looking where he was flying! Before I knew it, he had crashed right into me! So, of course we both careen down into the nasty swamp of the Dark."


    "Oh no!" I laughed.


    Yevette nodded, looking grim. "We were not hurt, but  was furious! Have you any idea how hard and nasty it is to get swamp muck out of feathers?"


    I shook my head. I did not know that, but I did remember just how nasty that swamp water was.


    "Well," She sighed. "I spent a good long while ripping a new one into Zeree for his stupid blunder as we both did our best to remove the slime. I was terrified, of course. I grew up hearing horror stories about the Dark, as any good monster does, and I wanted out of there and fast."


    "Exactly where does Kishi come into this sordid love saga of yours?" Sighed my hobgoblin muscle man, glaring at Yevette with crossed arms.


    "Slow your roll, I am getting to it!" Huffed the harpy, glaring straight back. She rearranged her face back into a pleasant smile than took her sweet time getting comfortable once again, making me smile as I saw a vein begin to throb in Lagdon''s jaw. "Now where was I...? Oh! right, the swamp. It was starting to look like we were going to have to spend the night there, which, as I am sure you can imagine, was less than ideal."


    "Of course." I said.


    "It was cold and miserable that night, but did that stop Zeree from trying his best to sidle up to me? Absolutely not! Males! Come morning I was angry and he was more than a little frustrated. We spent that morning in angry silence, me- stomping ahead- and Zeree lagging behind looking like a damp swallow. Neither of our wings had managed to dry out over night and we were both absolutely over being in this swamp."


    I saw Lagdon growing increasingly irritated, meanwhile, Kishi may well have fallen asleep, despite her initially irritation with the elderly harpy.


    "It was right about then that I came across your lovely fox. Mocking me and my muddy wings, with her stunning fur and crimson eyes, those tails looking like swamp muck would not even dare touch them." She shook her head in mock despair. "I thought I was a dead girl right them. Zeree, for his part, did jump out to defend me, but he was a fool and likely would have been eaten in a flash."


    I was starting to feel real sorry for this poor Zeree fellow. Clearly Yevette was not an easy woman to love.


    "Luckily, the guardian wasn''t interested making a meal of us. Indeed, she offered to lead us out of the wood. Yet, i could not figure out, for the life of me, why, as time went on, the fox seemed to be getting more and more short with me."


    "A complete mystery..." Sighed Lagdon.


    Yevette narrowed her eyes on Lagdon, but did not comment. "In any case, we ended up running into several nasty creatures along the way. Lucky, also, that I was born with more than just my stunning good looks. Like a pair of mad woman, the fox and I tore a blood path through the swamp that day, till we eventually made our way out, just as the sun was setting. A truly glorious adventure, to be sure." Sighed Yevette, looking dreamy and wistful. "Oh, to be young again."


    "Wait," I laughed, tears in my eyes. "What happened to Zeree? Didn''t he help you too?"


    Yevette snorted. "that man couldn''t fight his way out of the nest. No, we managed to keep the poor fool alive, the whole time he tried to keep up a bravado, offering to aid me over puddles, claiming that he would protect me..." She shook her head as if it was all madness. "HE and I parted from the fox then, and were soon able to fly once more."


    "So you both went back home then?" I asked.


    "Or did you kill Zeree and burry him in the woods?" Huffed Lagdon, making me swat his arm while suppressing a laugh.


    "What? No, of course not. I went home and married the dummy! Been happily married ever since. You met him but an hour ago..."


    "You have got to be kidding me..." Said Lagdon, rubbing a budding migraine out of his grey forehead, looking like he wanted to punch something.


    "Wait! You mean the old man with the big eyebrows?!"I crowed, almost doubling over with my mirth. I didn''t know the last time I had laughed so hard.


    "Yes, that is Mt Zeree. Been together nearly fifty years now, had four chicks, and now have nine grand babies and one great grand baby on the way. I believe you met one of my granddaughters, as a matter of fact: Pretty little thing by the name of Whisper. Takes after her grandma."


    I laughed for a solid five minutes, remembering the stunning harpy woman that had delivered the summons to the summit. So Yevette was that girl''s grandmother?


    "What-" Hissed Lagdon, looking totally drained. "Was the point of that tail, precisely? Did you seriously come here just to relay that?!"


    "Don''t be ridiculous. I came to invite Lady Enna to come visit Fartha! Who in the world comes to visit a god to share old love stories? What in the world have you been doing to the girl when no one is looking...?"


    "Its okay Lagdon, she is just teasing you!" I laughed, holding on the hobgoblin''s muscled arm, preventing him from getting to his feet and bodily flinging an elderly woman from my room. Seeing him so not composed was just as entertaining as Yevette''s bazar sense of humor.


    "So, how about it?" laughed Yevette, getting to her feet with more ease than her age would suggest. "Would the new land god like to pay a visit to an old one?"

 Fartha Windweaver

    Fartha, one of the three old land gods I had encountered just after I locked Mittens into his grumpy cat body, was a large white bird with mottled brown and grey feathers mixed in, as well as a pair of extremely striking orange eyes. I could remember her quite well, though I had to admit that I had not thought of her too often since the last time we had met.


    I could always sense her, of course, on the edges of my awareness, just as I could Citrine the large white stag with the golden gem in his forehead, and Gouldar the swampy giant. Their powers as land gods may have been lost to the machinations of Aeros as well as the ravages of time, but they were still old powers in their own rights.


    But, had I really put much thought into what she or the others had been up to since that fateful day in the Dark? Not really. I had simply assumed that they had returned to the homes they once held, as they had requested. I knew that Fartha resided here, in this mountain range, but I had not realized that she lived so close to Talon''s Pass, much less that she was on speaking terms with none other than one of the elders of the harpies.


    Much like everything else that I managed in my territory, I had been sending Fartha and the others their fair share of my energies as well. I had tasked them as being my eyes and ears in these farther reaches of my domain, and figured they could use all the juice they could get now that they would not be getting much- if any at all- from their former charges.


    But, if truth be told, i had not expected much. Maybe my view of other gods had been skewed due to my interactions with Aeros, but I had mostly just figured they would go where ever they wanted and so long as they didn''t cause any issues, I''d let them be.


    Still, according to Yevette- as she guided Lagdon, Brillum, and I toward the massive bird''s roost- Fatha had returned to Talon''s pass almost immediately after my encounter with her in the Dark. Once here she had immediately made her presence known to the harpies, and confirmed rumors the feathered monsters had already been hearing, that a new land god had arrived.


    "We had been ecstatic to see Fartha once again." The older woman explained as she led us through the city streets, taking back roads to avoid the majority of the festivities.


    Kishi had stayed behind when Yevette explained that we would be taking measures to scale the sides of spires and the like, seeing as how Fartha made her roost far above everything. My guardian had not been pleased, but understood all the same, and begrudgingly stayed behind to keep an eye on Brixie with Draxly and the others.


    Yevette had also given Lagdon the once over and stated that he might not be able to take the lifts up to the top either, given his muscle density. To that, my hobgoblin growled that he would free hand his way up before he allowed me to venture off to meet with a powerful entity with out him there. The older harpy has simply laughed and stated that she would enjoy watching that.


    "Our old god had vanished when Aeros claimed all these lands for himself." She continued. "And we had thought her dead. To think that she was in the Dark this whole time." She shook her head sadly. "I may have foolishly entered those swamps in my youth a time or two, but I am sure many others would have as well had we of known she was there."


    "I suppose I never really considered how much of an influence the old land gods still had." I stated, accepting Lagdon''s help as we ascended some stone stairs in need of heavy repairs. It seemed that the harpies might have tidied up the city for the summit, but they did not bother to keep the ancient human made city in good repair. Its not like they lived in the place, after all.


    "It was all long before even my time, Lady Enna." Yevette laughed, employing her wings to get from one floor to another. :"But, yes. We harpies were the only truly intelligent race that Fartha had under her rule when she first became the Land god here. Later, humans and the ogres came along, bringing with them their waring and disharmony..." She sighed, looking upward where I could see a rather rickety looking platform being lowered.  "When Aeros arrived he drove off the humans- or killed them- and then the ogres mainly kept to themselves."


    "This was one of those ancient human cities?"  I asked as we waited for the platform to make it to the ground. I, too, wondered if it would hold poor Lagdon. I flashed an amused glance his way, and he shot me a very unamused glare back.


    "The only major one the humans had built in the lands you now call your own, I should think. There may have been a few minor settlements, but even before Aeros arrived, this place was always over run with many monsters. They must have been a brave sort of human, to want to live amongst so many creatures that viewed them as food."


    I nodded. Wasn''t that the truth? Still, I was willing to be that this city would have been magnificent during it''s hay-day. Perhaps, in the future, the harpies and ogres would not mind if this place was revitalized. It was at a prime location for trade and the like amongst my lands. Pretty much dead center of the territory, and in the only location where the east and the west met and no mountain stood in the way.


    "I think we should, perhaps, go up in two different groups." Said Yevette, her eyes dancing with amusement as the platform- which looked to be a manually operated elevator of sorts- touched the cracked stone we all stood on. "I and the scarlet fox will head up first, shall we?" She stated, eyebrow raised at Brillum.


    The red furred foxie chuckled and stepped forward. "That may be for the best."


    He and Yevette stepped into the wooden contraption, seemingly held together with vines and prayers, and then I watched as they were jerkily lifted up and away. It was not a speedy process, and I was glad that I was not the person at the top of this particular stone face that had to operated the contraption. especially not when it was Lagdon and I''s turn.


    "Its fine." I told him as we both watched the elevator make its slow progress upward. "Your muscles come in handy in many other situations."


    Lagdon sighed. "I do not see why the bird does not come down to us." He grumbled, glaring upward. "You are the land god, not she. You should not be made to come to her for an audience."


    I chuckled. Logically speaking, I could see where he was coming from. And, had there been a need for some kind of power play here, I may have insisted that Fartha come to us. But there wasn''t, and I had wanted to get a look around the city in any case. Besides, Fartha was a very large avian... Having her show up amidst the party goers would have just caused even more ruckus than necessary.


    Lagdon and I waited in companionable silence till it was our turn to load into the elevator. Had I still of been your run of the mill human, I may have been a lot more hesitant, but I had a feeling that, even if i fell out oof the thing, I would make it out just fine. Lagdon, I was not so sure of.


    In fact, as we made our slow and jerky progress upward, and I was happily taking in the sight of the city growing smaller beneath us, I realized that Lagdon was not as comfortable as I was. Green was a skin tone that goblins had, but Lagdon was typically of the grey variety. But I could see a distinct mossy hue to his skin as he had a white knuckled grip on the railing.


    The elevator jerked, and Lagdon''s other hand shot out, landing on my shoulder and gripping tightly. At this point I wasn''t sure if he was trying to prevent me from falling out, or himself.


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    "Lagdon?" I said, astounded. "Are you afraid of heights?"


    He glared down on me briefly, hand still held tightly to my shoulder, before his eyes flicked back straight ahead. he was glaring at the mountain face opposite of us, across the canyon valley now. Like if he held the rock and jungle there in sight, than he would not have to look down.


    "I am not." He insisted through clenched teeth, his four fingered hand flexing on my shoulder. If I had still been a regular human, he may very well have broken my shoulder. "I simply see no reason to go to high places. I am not a bird."


    I couldn''t help but laugh a little, reaching up and holding the hand that had a death grip on me. "We will be at the top soo, then you can pretend that we are down on the ground."


    Luckily, poor Lagdon did not have to wait overly long before we reached the top. He hurried off the elevator before me, acting as if he were checking for potential threats and not like he was fleeing for his life. I exited at a much more sedated pace, with a slight, amused, grin on my face.


    We were a top one of the many stone spires that lined the sides of Talon''s pass just before it formed back into the nameless mountain range. It was a wide flat surface with sparse vegetation and rocks.


    As bleak and dull as the flat surface was, it still held notes of intrigue. Mainly would be the clear, ceremonial alter that sat at the far end. It was a simple stone table on a slightly raised platform, around which were more than a few animal skeletons.


    "Is this really safe?" Asked Brillum, eyeing the bones.


    Yevette looked at him like he was a little slow. "Of course not, this is a feeding station for a god. Fartha has always been wise and forgiving, however. And surly not dull witted enough to think she would mistake you for a literal fox?"


    Brillum scrunched up his nose, eyes briefly flicking my way. And at this Yevette broke into incredulous laughter. "You are not worried over Lady Enna?" She coughed out, her wings rustling on her back. "My dear boy... She is a Land God herself! I dare say, as innocent as her form is, that she could smite us all without too much effort if she put her mind to it. And, as diminished as Lady Fartha is, I doubt she would fare much better. Indeed, I am sure that falling off this spire would hardly be more than a minor inconvenience for her, in the end."


    "I have tried telling them all this... Often." I said, amused at how entertaining the old harpy found my people''s over-protectiveness. "I''ve just gotten used to it. Besides, I haven''t tested the whole, if I die I just come back, theory. And I just got finished being a pre-teen, and would rather not experience that again any time soon."


    "It sounds like I am not the only one with intriguing stories." Laughed Yevette.


    Any further talk was halted when the lot of us looked towards the sky. We had all heard the thrumming of wing beats swiftly approaching, making the air almost shiver.


    I was quite confused at first. Not about the source, which would obviously be Fartha coming in for a landing, but by the fact that I couldn''t see her at all. Not only was she massive, and there fore hard to miss, but it was also a very clear and sunny day. What clouds there were, were bright and fluffy and high up in the sky, even accounting for the hundreds of feet we, ourselves, were above the ground.


    That was explained in less time than it took me to scan side to side. Whether she had been looking to make a big entrance, or if this was the way Fartha always came in for a landing, I wasn''t sure; but it made quite the impression all the same.


    Rather than descending from above, Fartha swooped up from below, the air causing our hair to dance about and Yevette to laugh gleefully. She hovered before us, her white ant molted feathers glittering in the light and her startling orange eyes flashing. I felt no malice coming from her, but it was still an awe inspiring and almost threatening display all the same. I saw that Lagdon had a hand resting on the hilt of his sword, just incase.


    Reihekiu was in the process of making him a new club to replace the one that shattered during our fight with Mittens some months prior. The half elf, half dwarf had a lot on her plate, but I was told that Lagdon did have top priority. I half expected her to make delays just to spite the hobgoblin. After all, those two loved to hate one another, just on principle in my opinion.


    "Lady Enna." She said, in a soft and feminine voice that I remembered, even though the last time I heard it I had barely been conscious. "Thank you for coming to meet with me."


    I smiled up at her. she was several feet taller than me, but she no longer felt threatening. Her eyes were bright and curious, and I noted that she looked healthier than I remembered her being. I suppose getting out of that swamp was doing wonders for her. "I am glad that you seem to be doing well." i said.


    She chuckled, the sound coming through both over her thought projections, as well as a soft cooing like noise bubbling up from her feathery breast. "All thanks to you, I am sure. Though, clear skies and calm winds are also much appreciated."


    "I hadn''t even considered that you would be hanging out with the harpies, to be honest."


    "Yes, they have long since been a good conduit between myself and the workings of these mountains. I no longer have the abilities as I once did, but I thought that they would be of help all the same."


    "Lady Fartha has already explained to us that she now serves you, Lady Enna." Said Yevette, her usual jovialness diminishing slightly as her voice took on a more serious note. "I and the other elders already discussed things amongst our selves, and have agreed that you will have the full backing of the harpy clan. Not that you require it at all, but you have it all the same."


    I assumed that meant that they would not have any push back on changes I planed to make around here. I, in no way, wished to upset peoples ways of life, but I was the new manager around here and some changes would have to be tolerated. Yevette was right in that this was not a democracy, and I held all the say. But I still appreciated cooperation over antagonism as a whole.


    The last thing I needed was a war breaking out and many people needlessly dying just because of me. I would eventually have my way, but with the harpies not putting up a stink, it meant much less aggravation on my end.


    "Thank you, I appreciate that."


    "If only we could expect the same from the others." Sighed the elder harpy, shaking her head.


    "The ogres?" Lagdon asked.


    Yevette nodded and Fartha spoke. "Of all the monsters here in the mountains they are the newest, and by far the most aggressive. They value strength over most anything else, and have never taken direction from any god very well, from what I understand."


    "They do not. Aeros'' outstanding power forced them to submit or he would have eaten them, but they did not do it quietly, and have never gotten along well with any of the other greater races in his- now yours, lady Enna- lands. Even now, they insult us, and even more horrible, Lady Enna, by purposefully showing up late."


    "Do you think they just won''t come at all?" I asked.


    "Oh, they will come. There is no way that they will miss a chance to belittle or demean others, and prove how it is that they are superior. It''s not their way. Now, when they show up... well, that is another matter."


    "They have no right to complain where it comes to Lady Enna, from what I have seen." Stated Yevette, now looking annoyed. "I had some trepidations before we met; It seemed incompatible, a human woman presiding over a land of monsters. We would have no say in the matter, of course, but I had almost thought that the harpies might have to up and leave our ancestral homes. But, now that I have spoken to Lady Enna, I have put those concerns aside. I see that she is not opposed to a monster''s way of life, but rather willing to work with it. And that is more than Aeros ever accomplished."


    "Unfortunately, I can see the ogres being opposed to the unity you look to foster in this nation." Fartha said to me.


    "I really hope that is not the case..." I said. It would be the worst case scenario, really.


    "My advice to you, in this, is to not be soft with them, Lady Enna." Fartha said, turning those orange eyes my way. "They will fight you, no matter your stance. But, I think if you show them spine, you may be able to at least win their respect, if not their reluctant cooperation."


    "I am not sure the ogre language has a word for ''cooperation'', come to think of it..." Stated Yevette, breaking the tension that the serious talk had built, and causing Brillum to chuckle lightly.


    I smiled. "Alright, thank you Fartha, I will take your advice to heart."


    The giant bird bowed, and though she did not have the facial muscles for it, I rather think she smiled too. "I will continue the task that you have set for me, My Lady, and hope that these beloved mountains continue to thrive under your care."


    I bowed back, happy that I could meet her once again. That done, we all stepped back and watched as the former god spread her massive wings, ready to take back to her domain: The skies of these beloved lands. As she took to the air and we watched her fly back our over the mountains, I thought about the ogres, and the problems that may arise.


    The goblins had been a bit of a handful, but I was able to take advantage of the situation, and Margund already being set to take over for his father, to bend their opinions my way without too much added effort. I had a feeling that the ogres were going to be far more trouble.

 Ogres in the Night

    The Harpies had put us up in a well kept building near the center of the city, close where the summit would be held. It wasn''t as comfortable as the estate, but it beat the pile of furs I had slept on when I had first arrived in this world. My room was large enough, but empty of much of anything other than the bed and a stone table that looked like it had been carved out of solid rock.


    It now held a few other things, namely a sizable trunk with cloths for myself, a rug on the floor that I hadn''t even known had been packed, and a large stuffed floor pillow. The pillow had been intended for Kishi to rest on, as the fox was glued tighter to me than even Lagdon, who, even now, sat outside my door, protecting his god.


    But, Kishi was not on the pillow at the moment. No, the large fox was on my bed, where I was resting at her side. This bed was no where near as large as the one back home, so the fox was partially on the floor. If that bugged her any, she wasn''t saying. Currently she was snoring faintly while I leaned against her chest, reading by the light of a candle mounted to the wall.


    When Yevette learned that I did not require sleep, she had offered to lend me a few books that she had. Harpies rarely recorded their tales in writing, but there were a few scattered copies made of old, harpy myths and legends, passed down through the years and now scrawled out on a lambskin like material bound between a pair of thin but sturdy pieces of wood.


    I found the folk tales amusing and informative about the harpies way of life. Most of the stories were framed as lessons portrayed through humorous anecdotes and catchy poems that had me smirking, or even chuckling every dozen minutes or so.


    Harpies had a very optimistic view on life that I found reassuring, especially coming from monsters who, until the harpies, I had seen as mainly very serious and fatalistic in their views on life. There had been a few exceptions, like Brixie''s steadfast determination, Nord''s hope in the future of his student, and Margund''s unfathomable, and often bemusing personality. But a great many were like Lagdon: determined, steadfast, and a little bullheaded. Though a sense of loyalty seemed to run deep in them all.


    I was about to close my book, thinking this was as good an opportunity to go make sure Aeros wasn''t making a mess of my brain, when the ruble of voices had me freezing, hand half way stretched out, in the processes of setting down the book. The sound was not lost on Kishi either, who''s ears twitched followed by her head lifting up, blocking my view of the door for a moment.


    My vigilant companion let out a soft, but rather menacing growl.


    I highly doubted I was in any danger. I mean, if something did manage to get through both Lagdon and Kishi, I would be able to handle them myself. But there were a great deal of innocent monsters around at the moment, and I didn''t want them caught up in anything either.


    "Hmm." I tossed the covers off myself and threw my legs over the side of the bed. Noticing that I was getting up, Kishi swiftly followed suit, her hind legs on the stone floors and her fore paws still on the bed, head hovering some place over my shoulder. "It doesn''t sound like the party is still in swing."


    "No, my Lady. There is arguing in the hall." Kishi stated, as I reached out and snatched a fur lined robe (copper in color... of course.) and pulled it over my short, white, night dress. "I hear Lagdon and Draxly... Yevette too, I believe. But there are also voices I do not recognize, with rumbling accents."


    Rumbling accents? Given there was only one group late to the show, it was my best guess that the ogres had finally arrived. Though, why they would be outside my door, I had no idea. Also, what was Draxly doing out there? It was his and Brillum''s night off.


    Lagdon should have been resting as well. But, telling that hobgoblin to take a nap was like asking Aeros to put on a frilly dress.


    I calmly walked to the door, preparing myself to see the so called, terrifying, ogres for the first time. Kishi followed, needing only two steps to my six. She didn''t bother to tell me to leave it to the others as she once might have. My monster friends were still over protective, but they were starting to accept that I could, at least, decide what was and was not too much for me to handle. Mostly.


    I pulled the ringed handle, and flickering light shone through my opening door, the torches in the hall lit, casting menacing shadows on the stone walls.


    I didn''t see too much at first, having to step around Lagdon''s enormous bulk that had been blocking my door. But when I did, anger over rode my initial curiosity about the ogres.


    The hall was fairly packed, despite there being less then ten occupants. But it was clear that the ogre''s bulk and size rivaled, if not dwarfed that of the hobgoblins. Add to that their vibrant skin tones and it was a little disorienting to make heads or tails of just how many there really were.


    But that was besides the point, because what I saw right then was a scared Luxana, wedged in a corner, the ever dependable foxie, Draxly, poised before her, and an ogre towering above them in a threatening manner. Draxly snarled up at the man, white fangs a startling contrast to his dark fur, which was currently on end, in clear threat.


    However, the ogre did not appear to be intimidated in the slightest. He was so tall that he was actually hunched slightly in the corridor, muscles bunched and hand slightly extended, as if her were thinking of wrapping that meaty mitt around the foxie''s throat. His skin was an interesting shade of mustard yellow and I saw that he had a good many tattoos that I couldn''t quite make out. And, on his face were two jagged tusks, and a splattering of strange markings that I took to be some kind of paint.


    Beyond the yellow ogre gathered a handful of others, with none other than the frail Yevette blocking them, her wings spread as best as she could get them in such a tight space. I heard her telling off someone who stood beyond her, but could not make them out.


    "The fox was the one to cause insult." I heard some one respond, a sneer evident even if I could not see their face. "Burlen has every right to defend himself."


    "That is enough Varda!" The harpy snapped, stomping her taloned foot to the ground, black claws clacking on stone. "I told you that this was not the way to your assigned quarters."


    "Assigned?" Laughed the woman- I decided that the voice, though deep and rumbly as Kishi had stated, sounded feminine- clearly entertained by the spectacle taking place. "You do not assign us anywhere. We go where we please in these mountains. Besides, I thought it would be rude not to introduce ourselves to the Land god, and we were told this is where she was sleeping."


    "That is-" Began Yevette, but she was interrupted mid sentence as there was a choking noise that drew all of our attention back to the foxie/ogre stand off.


    "Draxly!" Wailed Luxana, trembling against the wall.


    The yellow gore had taken the fox by the neck and had lifted him a good foot and a half off the ground so that Draxly''s pointed fox ears brushed the ceiling. Draxly gripped the thick arm in his hands and I saw his claws dig into the ogre''s flesh, not yet breaking the skin, but clearly warning the ogre that he would fight back.


    Alright, the line had been crossed.


    Lagdon looked as if he was about to interfere, but I laid a hand on his arm, stopping him. I could tell he wanted to protest as I stepped beyond him, but held himself back. "Careful." I heard him growl as he and Kishi made sure to stay no more than two steps behind me, both of their own bulks adding to the already jam packed corridor.


    You really could tell that this city had not been built with monsters in mind...


    Draxly was the first to notice my approach. I saw his eyes go wide and he growled deeper, making the oblivious- what was his name? Burlen?- laugh, thinking that he had been the cause of the fox''s ire.


    Burlen saw quite swiftly that I was the cause. I set my comparatively tiny hand on the ogre''s yellow arm, causing the brute to look round at me. He looked confused, which was understandable, but when I squeezed my hand he grunted, a second later his fingers released Draxly and the foxie fell to the stone with his usual grace, crouched before the shaking Luxana.


    "Wha-" Stammered the ogre and I continued to squeeze, employing the same strength I had used to toss a tree some weeks ago, to tighten my hold on him farther. He grunted and tried to pull away. Not that I would allow that.


    "Good evening." I said, in as falsely cheery a voice as I could manage, flashing Burlen a toothy smile full of malice. "Odd time to be roaming the halls, is it not?"


    At the sound of my voice Yevette folded her wings and turned to see over her shoulder. In doing so, I could now see the group she had been attempting to stop. There was a mass of several ogres lined down the hall, but the one at the forefront was another yellow ogre.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Varda, as I assumed this was, was about two feet shorter than the tower that was Burlen, and- though still a great deal more fit than myself- was markedly smaller than her male associate. I''d say that she was about six foot tall, with mustard yellow skin, dark eyes and even darker hair that flowed down her back and over her strong shoulders as if she were some kind of Amazonian goddess. If amazon goddesses also had large tusks protruding from either side of their mouth and pointy teeth, that was.


    Also, like Burlen, Varda had an assortment of dark tattoos over her mostly exposed yellow skin, and a few lines of white paint on her face. She looked equal parts beauty and beast.


    Though, at the moment she looked equal parts angry and curious. I suppose that was my doing.


    "Sorry to have disturbed your rest." Said Draxly, eyes still narrowed on the ogre despite addressing me. I saw that his fur was still on end and that he still held his protective stance before Luxana.


    "I was merely reading." I said, as if we were swapping small talk and I wasn''t slowly crushing an ogre''s radius and ulna at the moment. I turned to Luxana. She looked unhurt, just scared, her powder blue dress rumpled and her tail wrapped around her legs. "Luxana, are you hurt."


    "Oh, um, no. I''m alright, just surprised is all." She said, still trembling and now making an attempt at a reassuring smile. It wasn''t a convincing one.


    "Draxly, please escort Luxana back to her chamber, if you would."


    Having received an order, the fox righted himself, pulled down his shirt as if to get rid of wrinkles, and glared one last time at Burlen, before setting his eyes on me. "As you command, Lady Enna." Was all he said, his composure returned.


    As if the corridor of ogres were meaningless, he turned his back on them and extended at black furred hand toward Luxana, his usually black face setting into a kind expression. "Come, Miss Luxana. Let us leave these matters to Lagdon and Lady Enna."


    "Are you sure?" She asked, looking worriedly between our two opposing sides. "I may be needed..." She said, clearly worried a fight was about to erupt and there may be people in need of healing.


    "No need to worry Luxana." I assured her brightly, squeezing a little tighter, causing Burlen to grunt and fall to a knee. "I won''t break anything too important, so you can just go and rest. I will be sure to send some one to you if your services are needed."


    "This way..." Urged Draxly, shuffling her forward. Instead of taking the direct path beyond the mass of ogres, Draxly instead turned her down the left corridor, deciding that it was probably best to take a detour.


    "Enna?" Asked Varda, eyes narrowed on me as her man began to sweat. I was pretty impressed that he was still not calling out. These ogres really were made of tough stuff. As it was, he was surly going to have a very nasty bruise, maybe even a fracture. Much more, and I really would brake the thing.


    "That''s right. I am Enna, your new land god." I said before my voice took on a frosty edge. "And who, might you be?"


    Varda, an amused look on her face, opened her mouth to answer, but she never got the words out as another voice interrupted us.


    "I apologize, Lady Enna, for Varda and the Drallda tribe''s brashness."


    I saw Varda''s face contort into a look of disgust and contempt as another ogre woman pushed her way to the forefront, stepping past a rather tired looking Yevette to do so.


    Perhaps it was the ogre genetics, but it seemed that ogre females were significantly smaller than the men. That or it was a coincidence that both these women were about two feet shorter than their male companions. But, as a third female appeared, I figured my first hunch to be correct, as she two was even shorter still.


    "I am Astrid, and this is my daughter, Gwen. I am the chieftess of the Morell tribe, and the one that was elected to represent the ogres at this summit."


    Astrid was just as powerful and beautiful as Varda, but she had bright red skin and an equally red mane of hair. Her eyes were an almost ghostly shade of green, so bright they almost shone with their own inner light, and her tusks were a little shorter than Varda''s. Her face and chest were marked with white war paint, and both of her arms sported several ring like tattoos. Standing there, in her leather and fur armor that was very like what the hobgoblins wore, she looked like a battle queen.


    As for her daughter, Gwen, well she too had red skin and green eyes. But she was also slightly smaller than her mother, with shorter tusks, and dark black hair instead of the red. I also noted that, though she too had white paint, she didn''t seem to have any tattoos. She stood at her mother''s side, giving Varda a dirty look while the yellow chieftess stared daggers at her red skinned counterpart.


    "I do not need you to apologize for me, Astrid." Spat Varda, looking far angrier than I had been making her. "Nor do I have the need to apologize at all!"


    Astrid glared at Varda, her eyes screaming the same thing Varda''s did: These women despised one another. "I am the one who was elected to be the representative, Varda. I will be the one to do the talking."


    Apparently that was enough to make Varda back off, though she didn''t look even slightly intimidated or resigned. I wouldn''t want a woman sporting that look to stand at my unguarded back.


    Still, once Varda made it clear that she was backing off, Astrid put her green eyes back on me, as if Varda was no threat at all. But it was Lagdon who was the next to speak.


    "What do you think you are all doing, advancing on the land god''s chambers in the dead of the night, Representative?" He rumbled, doing a pretty spot on impression of the ogre''s accents, even if it wasn''t his intention. I could feel the man radiating aggression at my back.


    "As Varda stated, we came to greet the new land god." Astrid replied coolly and without inflection. "And it seems that we have now met." Her eyes roamed over me, also ignoring the yellow ogre shaking with his arm firmly viced into my own pale hand. Did no one care if I broke this man''s arm?


    "And that couldn''t have waited for a more reasonable hour?" Stated Lagdon, still irritated. So was I, but not about the late hour, rather because they had attacked Draxly and Luxana. Lagdon, apparently, was displeased over this as well. "And what reason did you have in assaulting a woman simply for walking the halls at night."


    "How is it our fault that the fox women are weak in both mind and body?" Sneered Varda from behind Astrid, clearly not as silenced as I thought she might have been. Astrid did not look back at her, but her daughter Gwen certainly did, eyes dripping with contempt.


    There was as sickening grinding noise and Burlen could hold back his cry of pain any longer. It was not my way to cause undo harm, but I had these ogres pegged now. Both from these observations, as well as from what Yevette had told me since coming here. The ogres respected power above all else, and the strongest dominated the week, and the weak got trampled. And that was especially true for the women. They may have been physically smaller than the men, but they were the leaders of their race, in the end.


    "See, its true: the Fox Princess does play favorites." Hissed Varda, cool eyes trained on me now.


    Displaying strength that should, clearly, be beyond me, I tossed Burlen at Astrid''s feet. The Man Quickly stood, cradling his arm but doing his level best to not show any pain on his face. I am pretty sure I had not broken it, but he probably did have a fracture now.


    "Draxly and Luxana are part of my retinue, not Brixie and the fox''s. Therefore, in accordance with the rules of this summit, they are under my command and protection. I hardly call defending one''s own subjects ''favoritism''." I stated, annoyed at Varda''s attempts to provoke a fight. "If you, or your own, have some grievance to air, then here is not the place for it. Voice your complaints at the summit."


    Varda looked as if she were about to snap something else at me, but was cut off once again, this time by Astrid raising her hand in front of the other woman''s face. I watched as the red ogress finally looked over her shoulder and glared at the other chieftess. "I am the elected speaker here, Varda." She warned in a deadly voice. Astrid turned back to me, her face still rather expressionless. "We will do as you suggest, Land Goddess. Let us speak again tomorrow."


    With that as her only farewell, Astrid turned on her heal and ushered the rest of the ogres down the hall. Varda tried to linger, if only to glare at me some more, but eventually turned to leave. One of her hands gripped the upper arm of the injured Burlen as she hurried him along, seemingly telling him off under her breath.


    Gwen was the last to turn and go. Her green eyes lingered on me for a brief moment, seemingly curious where her mother had been stone faced. She nodded respectfully to me once, then again to Yevette, before following a few steps behind her mother. The rest of us stood in the hall in silence till the ogres cold no longer be seen nor heard.


    Once they were gone, Yevette let out a long suffering sigh. "I am sorry about that Lady Enna. The ogres arrived about an hour ago and were lead to their quarters. I thought that would be all for the night till my granddaughter came flapping into my nest claiming they were on the move. I arrived here just in time to see the young foxmen girl getting accosted."


    I, too, sighed. "It''s fine Yevette. From what I have heard of the ogres so far, this probably should have been expected. It''s done now and no one got hurt, that''s the main thing."


    At that the older harpy laughed. "Well, no one but poor old Burlen. That ogre will be out of commission for a few days, I have no doubt." Shed chuckled.


    "No less than he deserved." Kishi said icily before attempting to turn in the hall. After about a second she gave up and just backed into the room. "Come, let us back to bed." She called, pretending it had never happened.


    I chuckled then turned back to Yevette. "I think that, maybe, we should take up rooms in a less cramped place starting tomorrow."


    "Agreed." Huffed Lagdon, eyes still glued to where the ogres had vanished. "We would be in a bad way if a fight broke out in here."


    "Just a bunch of giants, banging against the walls?" Laughed Yevette. Lagdon didn''t seem to find it humorous, and took to glaring at the old woman instead of the empty hall. "There there, mister hobgoblin. I will be sure to get a less- restrictive- location prepared for you by the morning."


    I frowned at the older woman. She looked exhausted. "Shouldn''t you be resting as well?" I asked, worried.


    Yevette shook her head. "Once I am awake there is no getting me back to sleep. No need to worry your pretty little head about me young lady. I may be up there in years, but I can still handle my self as well as anyone half my age." With that, and a gentle pat on my cheek with her cool and rather boney hand, she, too, disappeared down the dark hall. Her wings the last thing I saw before she made it past the torch light.


    "Come on, back in the room." Lagdon grumped. Figures he wouldn''t be able to resist ordering me around for long. Still, it hade been a stressful night so I didn''t bother complaining. I complied and entered my room, where I saw Kishi situated back half-on-half-off the bed. She opened on sleepy read eye briefly before seemingly going back to sleep. "I will see you in the morning."


    "Alright." I said, thinking it was bound to be an eventful one.


    Lagdon shut the door behind me, returning to his post outside of it, and I dropped my robe to the floor and crawled back into the bed with my fox pillow. As I settled back into her thick furr, pulling the blanket up over my legs, I thought about the ogres and the coming summit.


    Despite all the really important things that should have been weighing on my mind, there was one thing I couldn''t stop asking myself, even if it was rather irrelevant on the whole: What in the world were Draxly and Luxana doing wandering the corridors at night?

 Day One of the Summit

    Despite the hassle of the night before, I would have taken another confrontation with the aggressive ogres over this mornings activities. Mainly, having to get ready for the summit.


    I had been set upon by Brixie, Luxana, and even a very enthusiastic Yevette, at the crack of dawn. The ladies had taken it as their personal responsibility to make sure I was ''adequately dressed'' for the summit. From what I could tell, that basically meant that I was to be used as a doll once again.


    Brixie had a heavy chest brought into my room just as other hobgoblin guards were just finishing packing up what had been set up in there already. True to her word, Yevette had chosen new rooms for us to stay near by, where the halls were not as cramped. So, while I was getting dressed up, Lagdon was supervising the move and inspecting the area for potential dangers, leaving Draxly and Brillum to guard me, along with Brixie''s guards and a select number of hobgoblins. Clearly the arrival of the Ogres had set Lagdon''s over protectiveness into overdrive, making him assign an abundance of guards.


    Even if I wanted to complain, I didn''t have the the time or opening to. Before I had time to slip out of the bed, the ladies had already dragged me out, and Brixie was removing outfit after outfit out of the chest. I saw various versions of my signature copper robe, as well as several dresses, suits and who knew what else. How all that copper, white, and bronze colored fabric fit with in the trunk, I had no idea, but I was impressed.


    Brixie and Yevette seemed to be dressed in finer cloths than I had seen them in yet, so I felt I had no room to argue this time around. Though, Why I could not pick out my own cloths, I had no idea. Clearly this was just another case of me being too much of a pushover. It made them happy, and I would feel bad telling them to stop when it wasn''t like it was an inconvenience or anything, just frustrating and a little smothering.


    Between them all I was dressed in a silky copper robe, longer than what I usually wore at about mid calf. It was embroidered with copper vines along the hem and the long, draping sleeves. It looked like a cross between a night robe and a kimono. Coupled with an elaborate copper head piece that seemed to be an approximation of my strange branch like antlers when in my "god Form", I wasn''t sure if I was supposed to be going to a summit or going to bed.


    "Stunning!" Beamed Yevette, she, herself, dressed in a dress of thick fabric and a myriad of feathers that trailed past her clawed feet, as well as a very large beaded necklace.


    "This seems so unnecessary, especially given I am more of an honorary guest then an actual participant." I sighed, smoothing a hand over the silk in appreciation. Those kobolds really had a knack for textiles, I had to admit.


    "It is never unnecessary to make an impression, Lady Enna." Stated Brixie, reaching down and straightening out one of my long sleeves. She was dressed in a robe as well. Hers was of a more traditional design in a flattering green hue. I recognized it as being very similar to the very robe she had fist gifted me when I came to this world, though this new one was now sized for a foxmen, rather than the foxkin she had been at the time.


    I remember Brixie had worried at the time that the silken fabric may never be available to the foxes again, due to the animosity between them and the goblins. The very fact that she and I were draped in the silk on available in the caves of the goblins now, was proof of our new found alliance.


    I smiled at the tangible evidence of the fruits of my efforts in bringing the people of this realm together.


    Escorted by Lagdon, a harpy male introduced as Zypher, and the foxmen Oren, we made our way to the building set to be used for the summit.


    I hadn''t seen Oren in quite some time, not since I had moved to the Estate at least. He was a man with mousy brown hair and fur, as well as a stern face marred by a deep scar stretching from his right eye to his chin. He had originally been Brax''s bodyguard, but now served under Elder Brixie.


    As for Zypher, he was fairly tall with a chiseled jaw and a mop of messy black hair. According to Yevette, he was amongst the strongest of the Harpy fighters, and also wielded rather devastating wind based magic. I would have loved to have seen a demonstration, but now was hardly the time.


    As it turned out, we were the last to arrive at the designated location. It was a sort of open air coliseum, though I would put it at less than half of the size of the one I had read about back on Earth in Rome. The building it self was located near the back of the city, near the mountains the it was built next to. Much like the rest of the city, the coliseum was rather run down, but surprisingly clean. It was odd seeing partially crumbled walls, yet no corresponding pile of rubble beneath them.


    Outside I saw that there were already several guards waiting and watching. Draxly was there, as well as Yevette''s granddaughter Willow. I noted a couple familiar goblins and foxes, both races keeping an awkward distance from the others. Clearly interspecies relations still needed some work...


    I saw that the ogres had chosen the uber cheerful yellow ogress, Varda, to guard the coliseum. She stood off to one side, the only ogre in attendance, and glared daggers at us as we approached, her arms folded over her muscular chest, and eyes narrowed in evident animosity.


    I decided ignoring her would be for the best.


    Instead, I allowed my eyes to linger on the two beings that stood out the most, even amongst the motley group currently standing watch. They were two- no word of a lie- unicorns! The giddy little girl in my was rather delighted to see them, even if they did not look quite how I pictured such beings in my mind. Both were white, but it was a far more natural color than the shimmering color I had expected, their coats well maintained but nothing I would describe as ''ethereal'' in anyway. They both had long, grey horns, and blue eyes, though the unicorn on the left had darker ones than the one on the right.


    What really set the pair apart from what fantasy stories led me to believe a unicorn should look like was their size! I would have thought them to be either the average size of a horse, or maybe a little smaller, but for these two, that wasn''t the case. They were quite massive, as a matter of fact. No one would call them pretty, but rather intimidating. They were like the Lagdon of horses, the muscles making me believe that they actually could cart around my massive hobgoblin around without even breaking a sweat.


    As we passed, the collective group of monsters bowed. Well, all of them but Varda, that was. I saw Lagdon glare at the woman, but decided to ignore the rudeness myself. I didn''t think it wise to start what would probably dissolve into a screaming match right before a meeting designed to keep the peace.


    We were just entering the long walk way to the center of the coliseum when I spotted Kishi. She was draped over a partially crumbled wall a short distance away, eyes locked on Varda. The fox guardian was no required to be here, but I was not surprised to see her all the same. She was my guardian fox, after all. I should just count my blessings that she had given in and let Lagdon be the one guard I was allowed during the summit. Lagdon eventually pointed out to the stubborn fox that, with her speed and excellent hearing, if anything did go wrong during the summit, being outside would still allow her to intervene if needed.


    The inside of the coliseum was surprisingly intact. I had half expected it to be partially crumbled (All debris removed, of course), but the white stone was almost pristine. The oval shaped center was about the size of a playing field and made of packed earth with a stone dais taking up a large part of the center. The benches were high up and tiered, the farthest ring being nearly five stories above my head, and the lowest almost two.


    Set at the very center of the dais were the participants of the summit. Someone had set up a rather large wooden table up there and the ogre representative was seated there, her daughter standing at her back and both watching us enter with more interest than hostility. I would take that over Varda''s disdain at least.


    Also already on the dais were the Equestrian representatives. If I had be expecting another unicorn, then I had been wrong. But the horse like being standing next to the table was no less majestic. I would guess it to be at least as tall as an ogre, and though it had no horn, its green hair and mane made it stand out all the more in my eyes. A long mane far silkier than any horse I had ever seen, and it had huge, dark and sorrowful eyes that seemed to be sizing me up just as much as I was it.


    Blushing a little at getting caught ogling the pretty pony, I adverted my gaze. In stead I caught Yevette smirking at me, causing me to be even more embarrassed. She chuckled and hurried to ascend the short stone steps of the dais.


    "At last, we can begin." Smiled the harpy as she took a seat in a high backed chair.


    Brixie followed, taking a seat next to her. And, as I brought up the rear with Lagdon, I saw that Margund was already seated next to Astrid, another hobgoblin at his back. It was a testament to just how large both the ogres and the equestrians were that I had not even noticed him till this point. He flashed me a cheeky smile and a slight wave before a nudge from Lagdon had me moving away from the table.


    Confused but obedient as a little chick, I turned in the direction he wanted me to go. Then i had had to suppress a horrified groan when I saw what it was I was being guided to: Yet another throne...


    At least this one was fairly plain. Just a large wooden chair with a carved back and red cushions. I didn''t even bother to complain other than shooting a pained look at the goblin king as I passed him, earning a small chuckle from the man.


    Resigned to my fate of being the girl on a pedestal once again, I accepted Lagdon''s large, four fingered, hand as he helped me onto the throne as if I really were some kind of monarch. Once I was seated, legs crossed, back straight, and hands folded in my lap, Lagdon took up a ''military stance'' to my right, glaring at everyone else in the room. This got another little chuckle from Margund and a smirk from Brixie and Yevette.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    "Thank you for attending these meetings, Lady Enna." Stated Yvette, getting to her talons and offering a short bow in my direction. "It is a great honor to have our land god present."


    The other representatives bowed their heads slightly in my direction and I simply smiled back at them. Gosh, this felt so awkward.


    "Not at all." I said softly. "I am happy to be present for such an important meeting. I am also glad to finally meet more of the people living in these lands."


    Luckily that little, painfully sad and awkward, couple of sentences seemed adequate enough to be getting on with things. They simply bowed to me once again, and immediately delved into discussions, leaving all but ignored at the back of it all. I was equal parts relieved and bored at about the half an hour mark.


    So far they hadn''t really discussed much. Mostly each representative merely went about making very vague comments on how each of their people had been doing since the last meeting while not really saying anything at all. It was very clear that these people did not trust one another in the slightest and none of them were ready to come right out and air any grievances.


    But I wasn''t surprised by this either. It was already explained to me that it would likely go this way for the first day. Yevette told me that day one was mostly an introductory meeting where everyone sized one another up.


    As the harpy predicted, the meeting was steered mainly by Astrid and Margund. Both were the clear power houses amongst those gathered here, and both were bull headed and sneaky in how they spoke. It actually made me smile a little to see the ogress play so well at Margund''s game of politics. From how the ogres had been described to me up until now, I thought that they would simply start making brash demands and belittling remarks. But Astrid had a very cool and collected demeaner about her, and seemed to make sound points throughout the proceedings.


    Eventually I learned that the harpies were enjoying a more bountiful season than they have had in a long time, hampered only by the fact that several ogre tribes had been making hunting in the mountains difficult for them. Of course, the foxes and the goblins did not have too much to complain about, but they also didn''t go into too much detail as to what was happening in their cities nor at the estate. I got the feeling that they were trying no to reveal too much to the ogres.


    It appeared that the Equestrians were the only ones having much of any trouble. The only ones openly stating it al least.


    The horse race seemed to use some kind of thought projection to communicate, involving a mixture of broken words, impressions, and mental projections of the senses. It was confusing when I first experienced it, but after about two hours I was adapting. Enough to at least understand the gist of what he was trying to say.


    I couldn''t tell how I knew the green stallion was, indeed, a male, other than that was the impression I got from his projected thoughts. I also learned that the Equestrians did not have official names. They didn''t need them given they way they communicated. As a formality he chose the simple name of ''Speaker'' for the purposes of the summit.


    Speaker informed us, in a series of images and impressions, that the plains to the east have been going through some hardships. My influence had yet to fully reach the other side of the mountains, and, they were experiencing several years of drought, each year getting progressively worse. On top of that, I saw though Speakers eyes, that, with the continued absence of Aeros, eastern human kingdoms have started to encroach on the plains. On top of that, a race of demi-humans have started to compete with the Equestrians over territory.


    Through the eyes of Speaker I saw that the threat to their homes was none other than centaurs! I watched the visions pass by of people who were half horse and half human, galloping over the plains, hunting various monsters for food. They did not appear to attack the equestrian''s directly, but there antics were disturbing their ancient haunts, places where the Equestrians birthed their foals and where they spent their days grazing...


    "It sounds as if the Equestrians are simply weak." Sighed Astrid. Her red arms were folded over her chest but her voice held no inflection, despite the inflammatory nature of her words. "These demi-humans can not even use magic. Both they, and the humans, should be easy enough to drive off of your lands."


    Speaker let out an irritated snort, his ears flicking and a single hoof striking heavily upon the stone dais. "Despite what the ogre tribes may think, violence is not always the answer." His voice sounded in my head, accompanied by a sense of irritation and offence. I was a little surprised, given that before now he had not used actual words at all.


    "Besides," Interrupted Brixie, giving Astrid an annoyed side eye. "Lady Enna has forbade any direct confrontation with humans or demi-humans unless ones own life needs protection."


    "Both are existences that have long since been forbidden to be in these lands." Huffed Astrid. She may be a little less confrontational than her counterpart, Varda, but it was clear that she was still a stubborn Ogre all the same. I wasn''t very surprised. It wasn''t like generations of bias could be change over night. Not voluntarily at least. "If you were to take my advise: use the considerable magical powers of the higher equestrians such as yourself, Speaker, and wipe them off the face of the plains for good. Make it swift and complete to discourage any farther stupidity on part of the dim witted humans."


    "Enough, Astrid." Stated Margund. He looked mildly displeased, but his voice was cool and collected. "As Elder Brixie already stated, Lady Enna has forbade any such rash actions."


    "Communication may very well solve the issue readily enough..." Said Yevette, though she did not look convinced of that. I couldn''t blame her. Humanity wasn''t exactly famous for talking out their problems peacefully, especially when they think themselves the righteous ones.


    "A weak minded response." Snapped Astrid, her calm demeanor starting to crack. "I see no issue with simply removing the issue. If you are so opposed to killing them all, then why not kill half and give the rest a days head start in fleeing back to the holes they came from in the first place."


    This way of thinking was rubbing me the wrong way. I was in agreement in that I would rather try and work though these issues diplomatically first, before resorting to violence. Not only to stop the whole sale- and probably needless- slaughter of humans and centaurs alike, but also because of the retaliation that was likely to follow such a massacre. It all seemed very rash and simple minded.


    But, I had decided to let the monster try and work out these things on their own first. It was stupid, given that I had no intentions of letting this issue go Astrid''s way, but I didn''t want to seem like some kind of dictator to these people. But, for the good of my lands, there was no way, no matter what the consensus, that I would let any of them thoughtlessly wipe out the humans and centaurs.


    The argument went back a forth for another forty minutes without actually coming to any sort of resolution. It felt more like everyone had simple decided that this topic was the best one to use to spark arguments. The constant back a forth with zero forward momentum was getting on my nerves, and I was seriously debating going back on my own resolve to interfere, when Yevette raised a hand, calling everyone to silence.


    "That is enough for today. It is getting late and none of us have eaten." She sighed, looking her age for once. "Let us pick this up again tomorrow, after we have had some time to rest and think about it amongst ourselves."


    One of the things I loved most about monsters was that they were not huge on formalities. There was simply a collective sigh from the group, followed by everyone getting up and separating without a further word.


    I had just gotten to my feet as well when Astrid and her daughter approached, being sure to keep far enough back to not aggravate Lagdon too much. She glared briefly at the hobgoblin, before turning back to me. She offered a short bow... More of a nod really.


    "Lady Enna, thank you for your attendance. We will take our leave fist." Astrid said, her daughter offering a slightly deeper bow behind her back.


    Without even waiting for a response from me, the two ogres spun on their heels and stepped off the dais. The other participants watched the pair leave the coliseum with a mix of relief and irritation.


    I wasn''t really sure how I felt about Astrid at the moment. She seemed far more honorable than Varda, at least, but there was an air of violence and aggression around her that I wasn''t sure I would ever be able to break through. It was a shame, really, as I also felt like she did have the best interests of her people, as a whole, at heart.


    Other than the burst of aggression she had just shown, she had been fairly collected throughout the days talks, and even communicated calmly with the others at times I had thought she would blow up. I saw there was a time or two that her daughter was nearly fuming from the ears. I felt like I could grow to like Astrid, if only she could let up on that need to kill anything that got in the ogres way.


    Taking Astrid''s lead, the other representatives also came up to me and thanked me for coming to the summit. All of them being far more polite than they usually were. Though, I had to admit that Speaker seemed almost regal compared to the others. He may not use many words, but there was just an air of dignity and grace about him that I found refreshing.


    Plus, It was very hard to resist reaching out a hand to stroke that super glossy mane of his. I managed to hold back, barely, as he and I exchanged greetings.


    "I am sorry to hear that you and your people are having trouble, Speaker." I Told him as he and his unicorn guard stood before Lagdon and I, the others in the coliseum making their way out. "It is my wish to unite the many and varied peoples of my lands together, and the Equestrians are no exception. If I can, I hope to help you with the problems you are facing once this summit concludes. It may have to wait until the spring thaw, but I swear that I have no intention of abandoning you and your people to their plight."


    Speaker''s tail flicked and I felt a tingle of amusement pass over the telepathic connection between us. "That is appreciated, Lady Enna." He said as a curious image of a stunning sunset over a field of high grass passed before my eyes. It was hard to interpret the images he transmitted, but I thought that they tended to associate with the emotions Speaker felt towards them. And it was a very pretty sunset, So I would just assume that he was happy. Until I had reason to believe other wise at least.


    "As upsetting as the humans and centaurs are, it is the droughts that are the main issue at the moment." Said the unicorn. It was the first time he had spoken since the summit started. During the meeting, typically it is only the representatives that are aloud to speak. Out side of those restrictions, the unicorn must have felt fine to speak now.


    I nodded. "Indeed. It is rather upsetting, I agree. I am surprised that my influence has had so little effect over there still. It may be due to the fact that there is still some opposition to my supremacy over these lands from the ogres... Faith has a large influence of my reach at the moment. Hopefully, with time, that will matter less... But for now, I must rely on my people as much as I do the powers of a land god that I possess."


    Speaker nodded and a series of images flash before my eyes: several herds of Equestrians in a rainbow of colors, a crystal clear lake, and a bright blue sky with a single, white fluffy cloud skirting across it. "I may speak on behalf of my ilk here at the summit, but I do not control their hearts. I can tell you, for my own part, that you have my devotion, Lady Enna."


    I actually felt touched, and smiled, unconsciously sending the sensation across the connection between us. I sensed the surprise of the two Equestrians. "Thank you. It is most welcome, and I hope that I will not disappoint you, and the faith you have given me." I said sincerely, a hand over my heart.


    Speaker and the unicorn knickered and I could feal their amusement and delight. "To think you can speak in the way of the Equestrians already! Most impressive young goddess."


    Another moment later, it was just Lagdon and I on the dais. The Equestrians having left in better spirits than when I had first met them. With any luck, by the time this summit ended, I would have gained at least some trust amongst the beings gathered here, and that should speed up my influence over the east. If I could manage that, then the spring might very well be better for the Equestrians out on their plain.


    Better for the humans and centaurs too, I would assume. Though, they were going to be a problem for another time. Their invasion could not go on being ignored, of course, but until the snow thawed and the rainy season of early spring passed, it would be difficult to travel there and do what needed to be done.


    For the first time I actually wished that I could manifest that scaly slime bag that now rested in my mind space. His wings and bulk would come in real handy right about now...