Astrea's Ghosts (Ash Princess fanfiction)

Prologue- Houzzah

A/N- If you have not already, please read the disclaimer at the bottom of the book details page, thanks.

Houzzah was bored. He slouched in his chair, the long, curling scroll he was writing on tumbling down over the back of his carved oak desk, quill leeching ink onto the table. That was going to leave one hell of a stain. Fortunately for him, but not so much the desk, Houzzah was a god, and gods didn't really have to worry about silly things like ink stains. Houzzah clicked his fingers, blue eyes blazing, and the chair, parchment and quill burst into flames. It was a shame, he'd liked that desk. Maybe Glaidi would grow him a new one. It wasn't as if she had much else to do. A gust of wind swept the burnt remains of his desk away, alerting him to the presence of Ozam, the air goddess. "You really shouldn't do that Houzzah, such a waste." she scolded. Houzzah rolled his eyes at her. Ozam was always preaching silly mortal values like this. It was fair enough for the mortals, they didn't have inexhaustible powers to use when resources get low. But Houzzah and his fellow gods and goddesses did. Why shouldn't he have a little fun with his flames. It wasn't as if there was much else to do.

"You still haven't finished your letter, have you?" she noted, frowning,

"Its a work in progress."

"For the love of- Houzzah you have to finish that soon! The people of Astrea are loosing faith and if they do you know what happens-"

"For the last time it was just  a stupid dream, Ozam!" Houzzah cried, exasperated. "We're immortal, all-powerful gods! We can't die!" But Ozam still seemed unsure. She had that look on her face. The you really ought to know better look. Houzzah sighed, "I just don't know what to say, Oz. How do you contact people for the first time in... well, ever?" His friend sighed placing a gentle hand on his shoulder,

"I don't know, Houzzah. I really don't know." 

"You two look depressed." said a flat, sarcastic voice from behind him and Houzzah turned to find Suta and Glaidi gliding towards him. Suta was the water goddess and Glaidi the earth goddess. It was odd to think that down on earth women were seen as weak, when the majority of the gods were female.  "Oh don't be so negative, Suta," teased Glaidi, who, in Houzzah's opinion, was definitely the most fun around here. Suta was kind and steady (albeit rather sarcastic and a terrible temper if you wound her up two much) but never one to let loose with. And Ozam was always scolding him. Though he new for a fact that Oz became much more fun after a few glasses...

"Suta's right though, is everything alright Houzzah?" 

Houzzah looked at Glaidi's worried face. He sighed. "I'm struggling with the letter. The one to the mortals." Suta nodded and came over to him, her presence as calming at the waves. She was still a comfort to Houzzah, despite their opposite elements. "What part?"

"It just doesn't feel right, finally talking to the mortals after all this time. I mean, why should they have faith in us? We weren't there for them when the Kalovaxians came... "

"We didn't have the power to help them, Houzzah." Suta reminded him. 

"I know, but, why should we need to stay alive up here? It isn't as if we do anything important." Houzzah felt utterly drained. For about a 600 years he'd slaved over his writing desk, desperately trying to put pen to paper and convey his message. But 600 years hadn't been enough and the Gods were growing weak. Even immortality took its toll.

"That isn't true, Houzzah," Glaidi insisted, "Its because of us they still have spiritgems. We are needed." He smiled weakly at her, unconviced.

"You should rest, Houzzah," said Ozam, gently. Houzzah looked up surprised. Usually it was Ozam urging him to continue with his writings, "You are the most powerful god, Houzzah. It is you duty!" she would say. But not now. "You look ill."

"I'm fine-"

"No." she snapped. That's more like it. "Suta's right ," she said, "you look awful and we need you strong for this. Go to bed, Houzzah. We are gods also and we can take care of this." 

"If your sure..."

Glaidi smiled at him, "Don't worry, I'll make sure Oz doesn't go all tornado on us."

"Or Astrea," Suta muttered. Houzzah laughed. Maybe this lot weren't so bad.