Thread: To Serve the Goddess

The Supplication Do you know the tale of the Onyx Queen? They settled into two rooms, with Matthias and Diana taking one room, and Mykel and Oracle taking the other. Diana was already lying in bed, and Matthias was sitting at the table by the window. Mykel had been going over the route, and where the safe places to put up camp would be, when the soft sobs caught both mens attention. It was Matthias who had spoken first. Not to offer more condolences or platitudes, but to tell a story. Diana didnt speak, just sniffled and shook her head. Matthias continued, She was a princess in the Jeweled Archipelago, Rashida Aregawi. Diana interrupted, Whats the arch-pala-goh? Archipelago, Matthias repeated, enunciating each syllable. Its a series of island chains, to the south of the Cerulean Coast. The river Sarn flows from Mount Fearfire, winding through the lands of Phileon before depositing in the Vishanti Sea. What did she do? The Onyx Queen? She sailed the Vishanti sea, and all along the Phileon coast, even as far north as Streganna. She led the largest fleet of ships in the region, and eventually married the king of the neighboring kingdom, Caliph Suleiman al-Udain. Diana perked up at that, Were they in love? Not exactly, Mathias shook his head. It was political, to bind their kingdoms together after five generations of war. But, Matthias continued with a smile, they did fall in love, over the course of their marriage. He went on to describe their story, emphasizing the fairy tale aspects. He continued talking until Diana dozed off, her tiny body snuggled under a mass of blankets. That was pretty impressive, Mykel noted, nodding towards Matthias. Im proud of you. Matthias shrugged, Shes had a rough day. I figured a little distraction couldnt hurt. You should be getting to sleep as well. Youll be leading the townsfolk back to Hopeshire at first light. And you, Master? Mykel studied Matthias for a moment. The boy was perceptive for his age. A trait that would serve him well in his calling. I am going to cover their retreat. Keep the demons at bay. Ill meet up with you at Hopeshire. Matthias held his gaze for a moment longer, lips pursed and brow knit. He likely heard the lie in Mykels words, and was debating whether to let it pass or to call his master out. Respect won, and he nodded with a simple, Night, Master. Retiring to the other room, emotion weighed heavy upon him, and Mykel knew sleep would not come easily. Oracle stayed up with him, too stubborn to heed his order to get some sleep. Though, if he were being honest, he did appreciate the company. Fire crackled in the stove, heating the smallish hovel. Mykel opened a wineskin, hoping the bite of alcohol could chase away the memories of the woman he couldnt save. Wounds reopened after encountering Diana. You have a daughter, Oracle said, and Mykel noted that it wasnt a question. He took a long tug off the wineskin before deigning to answer. Yeah, back at the order, now at least. Shes about the same age as Diana, and chosen by the Goddess, as well. But she was younger when her mother died. Mykel shook his head and snickered. Same godsdamn way though. Sometimes I question why we have this power, these gifts, when we cant even save them. Its not our place to question the Goddess wisdom. We save the ones we can. Oracle offered, leaning in closer. Slender fingers brushed his hands as she took the wineskin, but didnt drink yet. Tell me more about your daughter. Mykel met her gaze, the golden glow of the goddess grace, before sighing. She doesnt know shes my daughter. I wasnt around when she was born, and I only found out about her because I sought out her mother years after wed been together. To encourage her to relocate to the temple, away from the growing demonic threat. Finding her raising my child all alone Mykel waved his hand before himself, and exhaled deep. Why havent you told her? she asked. Her tone was neutral, but Mykel could hear the judgment in the question and it stung. Lyara, her mother, wasnt sure if we should tell her about me. She didnt know if I was going to stick around and, well, she wasnt wrong to worry. I hadnt expected to discover that I was a father out of nowhere. Mykel stared into the dancing flames, years of regret and loss resurging within him. Then we had to bury her mother and I had no idea how to tell her that Im her father. Still have no idea how to tell her. Maybe Im hoping shell figure it out, on her own. A deeper drink of alcohol dulled the vulnerability, the guilt. But if she was going to probe deeply, perhaps he should too. Passing the bottle back, he posed his own question, What all did you give up? For the sight, that is, Oracle laughed breathlessly, Everything and nothing. Everything I was, every memory, all the joy and the pain. Now that its gone Well, now I only have the future. Nothing to hold me back. Nothing to tether me. Again, thoughts of his daughter returned. Was she his tether? Or was that the goddess? Do you regret it? I dont know. I suppose I am incapable of regret, now. Maybe its for the best. She held the wine bottle, running her finger over the opening, before simpering, This must have seemed like a good deal for me at the time, to have accepted it. Whatever it was I lost well, I cant lose it ever again. Yeah, Mykel agreed, resurgent grief bubbling just under the wine. Losing Lyara had been hard enough. What if hed lost his daughter as well? I could imagine a loss so deep youd rather lose everything than carry it with you. Thats a heavy weight too. All this time, and there hasnt been another? She finished off the bottle and placed it on the floor, its empty thud resonating with him. Mykel leaned back on one hand, legs stretched out before him. Drawing in a deep breath, he drew on the memories thatd been haunting him all day, and the past five years. She was my first love, and our tryst lasted just long enough to etch her smile into my mind for life, without lasting long enough to become disillusioned. Mykel laughed at himself, a hollow sound as he considered how their relationship came to a short end. He stroked Oracles pale locks behind her ear, seeking distraction in affection. I suppose its hard for anyone else to compete with the ghost of an idealized lover. I suppose so. Though, I imagine this pity me routine gets you plenty of action. Half her lip curled up, and the half light of the fire cast mischievous shadows over her features. Mykel shrugged, and smirked. You see right through me. I do have the sight, after all. She leaned in, and temptation followed. Temptation to kiss her, caress her, taste her, and have her. Temptation to forget the memories the day had dredged up. So, what comes next? Next you tell me that I remind you of her, maybe even your favorite attribute of hers. You phrase it in a way that compliments how Im different from her. Similar enough to fill the hole in your heart, different enough to know Im not a replacement. Her hand brushed his, a welcome warmth that invited more contact. Mykel laughed, Look like her? No, not really. She was tall, with dark hair. She she reminded me of the statue of Afodisia in the cathedral of Caerhold. But you do remind me of Afodisia, as well. It was probably her eyes, he knew. Like liquid gold, staring at him. Through him. Past him. It filled him with a terrifying awe, as if he could touch the goddess in the flesh. So, what do you try next, if I dont fall for either of those? Her voice was low, drawing him in closer. Close enough that her warm breath wafted over his cheeks. Then I have to bring it back to religion, with something like Love honors the Goddess, he whispered, caressing her cheek and pulling her closer. Were not in love, Oracle reminded him. But she didnt resist when he brushed his lips against hers, and opened her mouth to receive his tongue. Her own fingers, slender and strong, trailed down his throat. Our passion can still honor her. With one hand in her hair, he pulled gently, encouraging her to arch her neck, and offer him a taste of that smooth column of skin. Youve definitely rehearsed that one before. She giggled, before sighing. Hot lips traced the pulsing artery in her throat, planting soft, lingering kisses in time with her beating heart. Leaning back, she lied herself on the floor before the firepit, and he followed her down. Perhaps, he agreed, easing open the robes she wore, but I have another that always works. Especially on the eve of battle. Oracle ease his tunic up over his head, curious hands tracing the shadows cast by the low light, Hmm, and what is this? Firm muscle pressed into her soft curves, and he stroked her bare shoulder. Because we might die tomorrow. She shook her head, and held his in both hands. Were not going to die tomorrow. You cant know that. He murmured, pushing the hem of her gown up over her hips. I do. Have faith, and you can too. She caressed his cheek, fingers trailing over the rough stubble. Hope had been so distant, nearly out of reach, for so long. But, after seeing the true belief alight in her golden eyes? Mykel reached for that hope, reaching for her hands as he shifted between her thighs. Show me how to have faith, again. He wasnt playing the game anymore, and he wasnt talking to the woman beneath him. He called to the goddess, turning this act of lovemaking into a prayer for guidance. Golden eyes met his, filled with understanding. Then they went wide as he pushed into her, slick, smooth muscles resisting for but a moment, before opening to him. You, you know, she assured him, fingers digging into his shoulders as she took his full length. Youve always known. Goddess, he gasped, moving inside her. Her moans echoed the soft slap of flesh against flesh, and he drank them hungrily from her lips. Savoring her pleasure, adding it to his own, and returning it to her in each new stroke. Their kiss broke with a desperate gasp for air, My goddess Mykel dont stop, she called in a strained whisper, nails dragging down his back. The long scratches ached, a stinging counterpoint to the way her body gripped his in a silken vise. Fluid friction drove him harder, deeper inside her, seeking devotion within her. Heaven awaited him in each kiss and between her thighs, a glorious communion of souls seeking the divine. Mykel, she called again, inviting and imploring his consecration. Trembling inner walls fluttered along his shaft, a glorious, sultry caress bringing him closer to paradise. Bringing them closer together, her arms tight over his back. Mykel Goddess! he cried, hips rigid, and buried to the hilt inside her. Rapture burst in his mind and deep within her, his lust coating her depths and leaving him breathless. She pulled him into the kiss, her thirsty mouth drinking in his rapturous praises. Finally spent, he collapsed against her, head resting against her sweat-slick hair. That that was he tried, but words failed him. Her response was similarly wordless, a fatigued laugh and fingers combing through his hair. They kissed again, now lazy and lingering in the aftermath of passion. When the need to breathe broke them apart, Mykel hovered over her, and caressed her face with the back of two fingers. You should try and get some rest, he offered, suppressing his own yawn. What he really wanted was to cuddle up beside her, hold her in his arms as they slept side by side. But he had a duty, a duty hed already shirked in lying with her.