The Curse in Her Blood

Chapter 23

Set

My people love her.

When she said she wanted to go down to the village, as she had specifically said she promised she'd be back, I was wary.

Firstly, because I make my people uncomfortable. Understandable. Ruler of the dead. Creator of Chaos. It didn't make me popular, no matter how gracious a ruler I am. Secondly, because honestly my mortal was embarrassing.

But she was insistent, and since I was supposed to take her to the smithy to design the crown that would be her own, I figured that I could kill two birds with one stone.

Three actually.

1. She could fulfill whatever promise she made.

2. The crown would be commissioned.

3. I could see the state my people were in and start figuring out ways to help them, or at least who I should help first.

But we down to the square, where my palace transitioned into the city below and we got swarmed.

The people usually avoided me but they saw her with me and came running towards her, despite my presence. All shouting for their goddess. Except... they were talking to my mortal, who was very much not their goddess... let alone any goddess.

My Goddess! My Goddess! You've returned! Tell us the tale, oh please great goddess!

And my mortal just stood there. Smiling at them all like all of this was normal.

All of this to tell a tale?

"Hello," she said to the crowd. "I would very much like to tell you all a wonderful tale, but I'm afraid it's a bit boring."

They all quieted down and stared at her. Even I was quietly watching, because this had never happened before.

"You see Nehebu-Kau, was actually rather kind. She and I had a nice chat, and uh... an interesting tea party and she gave me what I was looking for and we parted ways as friends."

I couldn't help but watch her. For the first time I seemed to find myself entirely enchanted by her. Probably because it was the first time I had truly seen her at ease. Which was odd, as she claimed to lack socialization skills.

That and her tale, though not action and drama packed, was actually quite interesting.

Was that really all she had done? Really? Truly? She really walked into the lair of the Snake-beast and simply asked? And got what she came for?

"Kindness goes a long way, my friends," she says to them. "And you would all do well to remember that."

They all stare at her like she was crazy and then turn their eyes onto me. But they clearly decide crazy is better than me because they all turn back to her.

"Will you be handing out blessings today, My Goddess?" the designated leader of this crowd asks.

This question stumps her though. It has my mortal turning her her eyes up to me. "I don't know... is that something I can do?"

It was not. It was obviously something that only I could do as right now I was the only god. Even though I'm only at half power right now.

"I am here to see what needs to be done. Blessings will be granted soon, but first I need to see what is lacking and where those blessings are needed most."

My mortal turns back to the crowd. "Did everyone get that?"

They all affirm in some kind of way and she says: "Alright, well I have business to attend to. Thank you for coming to speak with me, I greatly enjoyed spending time with all of you!"