Phantom Queen Book one

Chapter one

I run through the garden on the castle grounds enjoying the smell of the fruit trees around me as a breeze from the ocean comes through, I turn down one of the paths towards the large gazebo. I cannot wait to see the Gods again; I always look forward to them visiting. My father only lets a select few visit since some of them are as he says inappropriate for a princess, I would love to meet them all. I see the familiar blue eyes watching me and I grin as I run faster towards him standing in the gazebo, he gives me a grandfatherly smile as I wrap my arms around him and hug him.
“Princess Morrigan, it is nice to see you again dear. I have a surprise for you.” Vhaanth says as he hugs me back, I pull away from him to look up at him. His long white hair falls slightly past his shoulders and his face is wrinkled with age as he grins.
“What is it?” I ask him with a laugh.
“We are staying in the palace, until tomorrow for your birthday.” He says with a wink, and I feel excitement bubble up in me.
“My father allowed it?” I ask him with a frown.
“Yes, he says that when we visit is the only time, he can keep you in the palace. So, we are staying for it.” Vhaanth says with a laugh.
“You should really stop running, Princess Morrigan. It is not safe out there for a princess or a woman.” I hear Adam say, I look over at him with a frown. His short black hair and gold eyes the same as usual.
“I want to see the world and help people with my magic, my father wants me to be stuck on this island for the rest of my life with a husband of his choosing.” I say angrily.
“After what happened I cannot blame him, dear.” Vhaanth says to me drawing my attention back to him. My mother and sisters were raped and murdered by bandits while visiting family on the mainland, I was with them at the time and it was the moment I first showed signs of being gifted. I killed every single bandit out of rage.
“My father acts like I do not even have magic, he refuses to admit it exists.” I say angrily to him.
“Your father is a strange one, Morrigan. But you need to listen to him.” Bion says as he appears next to Vhaanth, I look up at his short white hair and two suns for eyes.
“I prefer to run.” I say with a frown.
“I say she should be allowed to be free; her father is using this island as a cage.” I hear Theros say behind me, I grin as I turn to hug him. “I must say you have grown quite a bit since I last saw you.” Theros says with a grin as he looks down at me, his shaggy blonde hair in disarray as usual hanging into his face over his yellow eyes.
“Behave yourself, Theros. She is the princess.” Vhaanth says annoyed behind me.
“You last saw me when I was thirteen, Theros. I turn eighteen tomorrow.” I say with a laugh. The Gods come to visit our kingdom every five years; all the Gods used to come visit until my father caught one of them doing inappropriate things with the maids.
“It never ceases to amaze me how much humans change in the blink of an eye.” I hear the deep rumble of Ark’s voice and I laugh as I turn to look up at the giant, his bald head shining in the light coming into the gazebo, I see the familiar long red beard of his that makes his green eyes and the scar on his face stand out.
“To you it is the blink of an eye, to us it seems like forever.” I say as I walk to him to hug him, I feel his giant arms hug me in return. I have always seen Ark as the father I wanted, he is kind and understanding and actually listens when I talk unlike my father. He visits more than the other Gods.
“We should head inside the palace; the other Gods have congregated there already.” Vhaanth says to us.
“Are all of you here?” I ask with a frown as I turn to look at Vhaanth.
“Yes, he gave all the Gods permission to come to your birthday.” Vhaanth says with a smile as he offers his arm to me, I run to him in excitement and take his arm. He leads me through the garden towards the large open doors that lead into the palace, as we make our way through the halls I see Aurelia, her long red hair past the middle of her back, making her way to the dining hall ahead of us.
“Aurelia!” I say excitedly when I see her, she turns to look at me with her bright orange eyes and smiles at me as she stops to wait for us to make our way to her.
“Nice to see you again, Princess Morrigan. You have changed quite a bit.” She says with a laugh as she walks beside me.
“Are all the Gods really here?” I ask her and she nods, I feel myself buzzing with excitement.
“Please stay away from Emnos, he is not someone a princess should associate herself with.” Aurelia says as she frowns at me.
“I want to at least meet him; I do not think that is too much to ask.” I say with a laugh as we enter the dining hall, I see all the other Gods lined up over on one side of the room. Every time they visit in bigger numbers like this it is customary for them to introduce themselves to the hosts, so they know which is which. I see my father motion me over to him, I kiss Vhaanth on the cheek and run over to sit beside my father. I watch as Vhaanth and the others join the line, I smile at him.
“Vhaanth, God of Death. Thank you for allowing me the visit, King Avalon.” Vhaanth says as he walks up to us.
“Nice to see you again, Vhaanth.” My father says with a smile, and Vhaanth sits down at the table behind us.
“Bion, God of Life. Thank you for allowing me the visit, King Avalon.” Bion says as he walks up to us.
“Thank you for coming, Bion.” My father says to him, and Bion sits at the table.
“Adam, God of Purgatory. Thank you for allowing me the visit, King Avalon.” Adam says with a smile and a small bow.
“Always nice to see you, Adam.” My father says with a smile and Adam sits at the table.
“Ark, God of War. Thank you for allowing me the visit, King Avalon.” Ark says with a grin as he walks up to us and winks at me.
“You are always welcome in these halls, Ark.” My father says with a laugh, and Ark sits at the table.
“Leif, Goddess of Spring. Thank you for allowing me the visit, King Avalon.” A woman with curly green hair with flowers growing out of her curls and pink eyes grinning at us says as she walks up to us.
“Nice to see you again, Leif.” My father says with a small smile and she joins the others at the table.
“Theros, God of Summer. Thank you for allowing me the visit, King Avalon.”” Theros says with a grin as he walks up to us.
“Behave yourself this time Theros, those outfits have no place on this island.” My father says with a frown, and Theros nods with a small laugh as he joins the others at the table. I see one of the Gods quietly laugh at the exchange between Theros and my father. Last time Theros was here he dressed all the maids in questionable looking outfits that did not cover much skin and took them to the ocean to swim.
“Aurelia, Goddess of Autumn. Thank you for allowing me the visit, King Avalon.” Aurelia says as she walks up to us with a smile.
“Thank you for being able to visit this year, Aurelia.” My father says with a smile, and she joins the others at the table.
“Edur, God of Winter. Thank you for allowing me the visit, King Avalon.” A man with spiky white hair and icy blue eyes says with a cold look as he walks up to us.
“Try not to freeze anything this time, Edur.” My father says with a frown.
“I will do my best.” Edur says as he joins the others.
“Lumen, God of Greed. Nice of you to let me back in, Avalon.” A man with silver hair with gold tinges to it and gold eyes says with a grin as he walks up to us.
“Behave yourself, Lumen and you will be able to come back.” My father says with a frown, Lumen giggles as he joins the others at the table.
“Avaya, Goddess of Envy. Thank you for allowing me the visit, King Avalon.” A woman with a frown and short silver hair that hangs down around her face says as she watches us with strange green eyes.
“Welcome back, Avaya.” My father says to her and she joins the others at the table, I see anger in my father as a man walks towards us. I look up at him, he has shaggy black hair in slight disarray like he just got out of bed. His violet eyes watch with me with a grin.
“Emnos, God of Lust.” He says with a small laugh as he looks over at my fathers glare.
“Emnos, if you do not behave you will never return to this palace again.” My father says angrily.
“Your daughter has grown into a beautiful woman, Avalon.” Emnos says as he grins at me, I feel my face heat up at his compliment.
“She is off limits to you!” My father yells angrily at him, Emnos laughs as he winks at me and joins the others at the table.
“Ante, God of Wrath. Nice to know you still have that rage, Avalon.” A man with red spiky hair and red eyes says with a grin as he walks up to us.
“Always nice to see you Ante.” My father says with anger still in his voice from Emnos, and Ante joins the others at the table.
“Garvit, God of Pride. Thank you for allowing me the visit, King Avalon.” A man with perfectly brushed black hair and lilac eyes says as he walks up to us with a small bow and a strange smile.
“Nice to see you again, Garvit.” My father says with a small smile as Garvit joins the others at the table.
“Kali, Goddess of Chaos. Always nice to see my favorite hell raiser, Avalon.” A woman with black hair tied up on her head and silver eyes says with a laugh as she winks at my father, and he laughs.
“Always nice to see you Kali.” He says with a grin and she joins the others at the table.
“Durmada, God of Illusion. Thank you for allowing me the visit, King Avalon.” A man says quietly as he appears in front of us with a gentle smile his shaggy blonde hair almost completely obscures his cyan eyes as he gives my father a small bow.
“Nice to see you again, Durmada.” My father says with a smile, Durmada disappears in front of us.
“Dhuna, God of Obsession. Thank you for allowing me the visit, King Avalon.” A man who looks just like Emnos except blue eyes walks up to us with a gentle smile.
“It is your responsibility to make sure your twin behaves himself, Dhuna.” My father says as he frowns at him.
“Easier said than done, Avalon.” Dhuna says with a pained smile, and joins the others at the table, my father stands up and leads me to the table. He stops as his face turns red in anger, I look over to see Emnos sitting in the chair beside mine at the table.
“Father, just try to be nice. He is sitting next to me in the company of others.” I whisper to him, and he nods as he glares at Emnos. He leads me to my seat, as Emnos stands and pulls it out for me, I smile at him as I sit. I feel the chair slide back under the table as my father sits down on my left side stewing in his anger, I feel a hand on my shoulder, as I look over at Emnos sitting down on my right.
“I hear you are turning eighteen tomorrow, Princess Morrigan.” I hear Dhuna across the table say, I turn to look at his smile.
“Yes, I am. I am glad all of you will get to be there.” I say as I smile at him.
“You probably do not remember me, Princess Morrigan. My brother and I last saw you when you were eight years old.” Dhuna says with a small laugh.
“I am sorry, I do not. But I look forward to getting to meet with all the Gods during your stay in the palace.” I say and I hear my father choke on his mead, Emnos laughs beside me.
“Princess Morrigan, perhaps after dinner you would like to walk with me in the gardens?” Emnos asks me and I look over to see him grinning down at me.
“I will escort them, Avalon.” Vhaanth says to him.
“Sure, Emnos. As long as you can keep your hands to yourself, I have heard of your exploits in this castle.” I say with a smile, and Emnos laughs as he watches me.
“I am sure what you heard was over exaggerated by anger.” He says with a small smile.
“I would not doubt that, but all the same I have sent quite a few suitors running when their hands took on a mind of their own. I will do the same to you.” I say as I smile up at him, Emnos grins at me. I watch as maids’ stream into the room with carts of plates and set one down in front of everyone at the table along with cups, several walks around the table filling the cups with wine, I notice only one serves my father and I from her pitcher. I look over at Emnos’ cup with curiosity.
“We get a special wine made by Ark, it is the only thing the affects us. Human wine is like drinking water.” Emnos whispers to me as he leans towards me.
“Interesting.” I say as I look at the strange colored wine. I turn to my plate, as I pick up the fork and knife to eat, I feel eyes watching me. I look up to see the eyes of the Gods on me and I frown at them.
“Stay.” I hear Vhaanth’s voice ring out in the dining hall, I look over at him to see him glaring at all of them.
“What is wrong with them, Vhaanth?” My father asks him with a frown, as he looks down at me and I look up at him and I see fear in his eyes.
“What is it, father?” I ask him as my frown deepens, I feel a hand on my right shoulder and I turn to look into glowing violet eyes.
“I wonder what she could be.” Emnos says with a grin.
“I will find that out Emnos.” I hear Vhaanth say behind me, as he pulls Emnos’ hand off me and my chair slide away from the table.
“Vhaanth, what is going on?” I ask him with a frown as I stand up to look up at him.
“You are a reincarnation, Morrigan.” Vhaanth says with a smile, that is the first time he has said my name without my title. He raises a hand and touches my forehead with a finger, the world falls away from us and a void takes its place. I frown as I look around us, I look back up at his smile.
“How am I a reincarnation?” I ask him.
“Origin chooses the person at birth, and she chose you.” Vhaanth says with a grin as he offers his hand to me, I take his hand and faint memories flash through my mind faster than I can see what is going on in them. I watch as his face turns into a frown, and then anger.
“What is it, Vhaanth?” I ask him as fear rises in me, I have never seen him angry.
“You are a demigod, Morrigan. I am sorry, as soon as the dining hall appears around us we have to leave.” He says angrily.
“Why?” I ask him with a frown.
“Because you are the first demigod to appear in thousands of years, and you are the strongest I have seen in a long time. All the Gods will want to claim you, I will have to keep you away from them.” Vhaanth says as he looks down at me with a sad smile.
“Why don’t you just claim me?” I ask him.
“I could not do that to you, dear. I see you as a grand daughter.” He says with a smile, I feel the dining hall coming back around us and we vanish. A room with a large bookcase and desk appears in front of us, I see a large fireplace over to the side with two chairs in front of it. I feel a surge of magical energy spread through the room, I look up at Vhaanth to see him concentrating, once he is done, he looks back down at me. “I have locked the Gods out; I need to go explain this to your father. Do not leave this room, Morrigan.” Vhaanth says to me and he vanishes. I walk over to the book shelf, I look at all the books and one catches my attention, I pull it off the shelf opening it as I make my way over to the chairs by the fireplace and I sit down.
In the beginning of Time, he was alone, existing in the darkness of the universe. He stayed this way for thousands of years until loneliness started eating away at his sanity, he decided to create a life that would fill the universe with life so he would be lonely no more. Time created Origin, she sparked to life in a brilliant light as worlds started to form around Time. Before he could meet his creation, she fell to one of the worlds as a stone and life blossomed around her as she landed. Humans, animals, trees, flowers, grass took on form and came to life in the Circle. Time came to the stone and touched it to find her alive inside, they spent hundreds of years talking until the humans started to war over who would control the Circle.
Origin became upset that her creations were fighting and killing one another, but when a human tried to attack Time, she experienced a new feeling. Anger, out of her anger came Morrigu, the Goddess of War, Morrigu killed any human who dared step foot in the Circle. After a hundred years of any human dying for trying to come into the Circle, they eventually set off to take over the rest of the world.
I look up when I feel someone watching me, to see Vhaanth frowning. “I am sorry for reading the book Vhaanth.” I say as I stand and close the book.
“You are fine, dear. Just trying to think of a way to protect you, eventually the Gods will try breaking into this room and the protections can only take so much before they shatter.” He says with a small smile at me.
“Is this book true?” I ask him with a frown, he looks at the book.
“Yes, it is, that book is all about Origin and Morrigu, the first Goddess ever made. What made you pick it up?” He asks me with a frown.
“It caught my attention.” I say to him.
“It is strange you would pick the one book on that shelf that is about the Goddess you reincarnated from.” He says with a small smile.
“Are you saying I am Morrigu?” I ask him with a frown.
“You are a version of her, Creation is being vague with the details.” Vhaanth says as he glares at the fire.
“Why is Morrigu not around anymore?” I ask him.
“Because I killed her, Origin made me to kill Morrigu and send her into the depths of the void.” Vhaanth says he gives me a sad smile.
“Why would she want to kill her first Goddess she created?” I ask with a frown.
“Morrigu went mad, she killed off all the other Gods and had planned on killing all humans. I stopped her.” Vhaanth says as he looks back at the fire. “I prefer not to answer anymore questions about her, Morrigan. The memories of her are not fit for good conversation, and I have more important things to worry about at the moment.” He says quietly as he walks over to the chair at the desk and sits down. I walk back to the book shelf and replace the book; I walk back to the chair I had been sitting in and sit down to watch the fire. I know when he has that look on his face when he is thinking he does not want to talk at all.
I feel a magical buzz, making me look away from the fire as Ark appears in the room, he gives me an uneasy smile before turning his attention to Vhaanth. “Ark, would you be okay with claiming Morrigan?” Vhaanth asks him with a frown. “Out of all the Gods, I trust you the most, you can train her to fight also your daughter can teach her magic. Since her father denied her basic knowledge of even that.” Vhaanth says quietly as he goes back off into thought.
“Only if she is okay with it.” Ark says with a frown, I stand up quickly with a grin as I watch Ark.
“Yes, of course Ark. I always enjoy spending time with you.” I say with a laugh as I walk over to him with a grin, and he laughs. He touches me on the shoulder as he smiles down at me.
“I, Ark, God of War claim you Morrigan, as my demigod.” He says as his green eyes glow and I feel a surge of magic swell up inside me I see a chain appear around the magic binding me to the magic and him.
“Now she is safe for the time being, thank you Ark.” Vhaanth says with a sad smile as I look over at him. “If you do not mind, explain the nature of the magic to her once you get her home.” Vhaanth says as he lays back in the chair deep in thought.
“Of course, Vhaanth.” Ark says to him and we vanish, a room appears around us, as I look around to find it is a room for visiting Ladies. Ark removes his hand from my shoulder and sits on a chair at a table and motions to the chair opposite him, I sit down and wait for what seems like hours for him to start explaining. Every time he goes to open his mouth he hesitates and frowns just to close his mouth again.
“This would be quicker if you just gave me a book to explain it.” I say with a laugh, Ark laughs with me.
“I am sorry, Morrigan. This magic makes me uneasy, even more so with you under the effects of it.” He says as he gives me a sad smile.
“What does it do?” I ask him.
“It binds you to me, you are my protector while under this magic. You also have to follow every order I give you. With how strong you are, I could tell you to climb this mansion and you would do it without hesitation no matter how much tried to fight it.” He says with a frown.
“What do you mean fight it?” I ask him with a confused look.
“For example I am going to tell you to stand, I want you to fight standing as much as you can. Give it everything you have.” He says with a small smile, and I nod. “Stand.” He says to me, I feel the magic grab ahold of me and I feel myself lifting from the chair I fight to sit back down, I feel anger rise in me as I try to fight it to find nothing works, before I realize it I am standing up.
“That is slightly infuriating.” I say with a glare as I look down at myself.
“That is why it makes me uneasy, I do not like the idea of giving you an order and that happening.” He says with a laugh, as I look back up at him. “There is also another part that I am not too fond of, but I promise you Morrigan. You do not have to worry about anything with me, you can trust me.” Ark says as he leans across the table from his chair giving me a serious look.
“What is it?” I ask him with a frown.
“The magic makes you fall in love with me, you will do anything I ask at that point just because of the over powering love you feel for me. It only happens once the magic has settled in you.” He says as he glares at the table.
“I already love you, Ark.” I say with a laugh. “Ever since I got to know you, I wished I could make you my father instead.” I say as I smile when he looks up at me with a grin.
“You would have probably run away from home less.” He says with a laugh, and then a look of fear comes over his face quickly. “How am I going to explain this to my wife?” He asks quietly, then stands up quickly almost knocking the table over.
“Ark, why don’t we go see her and explain it together?” I ask him with a grin, he nods.
“I can hide behind you; she will not kill you.” He says as an uneasy smiles creeps onto his face, he touches my shoulder and we vanish. A large room appears around us, I see a woman with long wavy brown hair sitting in a chair by the fireplace reading a book. She looks up at us with a smile, as she stands up, I feel Ark pull me in front of him.
“I just had the strangest feeling, Ark. Maybe you would care to explain it to me?” She asks as she walks towards us with a grin on her face, I see anger raging through her hazel eyes.
“Now, dear, I only did this to protect her. I am not going to do anything with her. She is a princess, Emnos was after her. You would prefer a young lady of her standing to be subjugated to his strange ideas, than me take her to protect her?” Ark asks hurriedly I hear the fear in his voice, as she gets closer, she looks at me with a frown.
“Is he telling the truth, child?” She asks me.
“As far as I know, I do not know about Emnos. But Vhaanth asked him to protect me.” I say with an uneasy smile.
“How do you know Ark?” She asks me.
“He would visit my father’s palace, I always enjoyed it when he would visit. He would let me sit on his knee as he told me all sorts of fascinating stories. I had always wished he was my father instead.” I say with a laugh.
“This is King Avalon’s daughter?” She asks Ark as she looks up at him with a frown.
“Yes, dear. She is.” He says nervously.
“I will allow it this one time, Ark. You come home with another demigod and you will be eating your balls for breakfast.” She says angrily as she glares up at him, I feel his grip tighten on my shoulder.
“Yes, dear. I promise it will not happen again.” He says hurriedly, her glare turns into a smile as she looks back down to me.
“I am happy Emnos did not get his hands on you, his depravity knows no bounds.” She says as smack Ark’s hand off my shoulder and wraps an arm around me as she moves beside me. “Unfortunate for you that you ascended into a demigod, but think of this place as your home.” She says with a warm smile as she leads me to the fireplace and sits me down in a chair.
“Vhaanth wants her trained in magic and melee. So she can defend herself, I imagine after that she will be able to go off on her own.” Ark says as he walks over to the fireplace with us.
“Is she powerful already?” She asks him with a frown as she looks up at him.
“When I claimed her, I felt my power increase to twice what it was before.” He answers, she looks at me with a frown.
“Were you a sorceress?” She asks me.
“I am capable of using magic, but I was never taught. My father preferred to pretend it did not exist.” I say with a smile.
“That is dangerous.” She says with anger in her eyes and looks up at Ark. “Brenna can teach her, she is the most powerful out of all the girls. She is also in the most remote unexplored area in the world, none of the Gods would find her there.” She says with a smile.
“That is what I was thinking, Brenna has so many magic barriers and protections no one has ever found her.” Ark says to her. “I wanted to train her in melee first since she is already here.” Ark adds, and his wife nods while she frowns in thought.
“I forgot my manners, my name is Aife.” She says as she looks over at me with a smile.
“My name is Morrigan, nice to meet you Aife.” I say with a smile.
“If you don’t mind, I would like to get started training her right away, the sooner we start the sooner she can go to Brenna to learn magic.” Ark says to her and she looks up at him with a smile and a nod, I feel Ark’s hand on my shoulder and we vanish.
I look around at the arena that appears around us, it is extremely large. Ark leads me to one side of the arena and walks away from me to the other side.
I will go easy on you, at first do not worry. We are not going to try to hurt each other, just try to hit my blades with yours.
How are you in my head?
Part of the magic that binds us, now summon your weapons.
I feel swords appear in both of my hands at his order, I watch as two large battle axes appear in his. I sense him move towards me to attack, I respond by moving towards him. When we meet in the center of the arena excitement explodes inside me at the sounds of the metal hitting each other and I see a confused look on his face, but he tries attacking again. I meet each attack he sends my way with a blade against his, I enjoy the feeling of the impact of blade against blade. He continues throwing every kind of attack he can my way, each time I block it.
He backs away from me as his axes vanish with a frown on his face as he watches me. “We need to talk to Vhaanth about this.” He says to me, I frown at him.
“What is wrong?” I ask him.
“No one has ever been able to fight me like that.” He says with a grin.
“Vhaanth said I am a reincarnation of Morrigu, is that why?” I ask him, and he laughs.
“That sneaky old man, he did not even bother to tell me.” Ark says as he laughs harder. “Morrigu was a master at melee, no one could beat her. She could see an attack before the sword even moved.” He says as his grin widens.
“Does this mean you do not need to train me?” I ask him with a frown.
“That is right, but it doesn’t mean I cannot keep you around for a while to enjoy going all out in a duel every day.” He says with a laugh. “That was exhilarating, lets do it again. This time I will not hold back.” He says as his battleaxes appear as he grins at me, I move to match his movements as he gets ready. I have him on the ground before he realizes what happened.
I stand over Ark with a blade to his throat and a grin on my face, while he lays on the ground laughing. I feel a strange magical buzz and I look over to see Aife, she sees us and frowns.
“Showing her what defeat looks like?” Aife asks as she appears beside me.
“She beat me, Aife!” Ark says excitedly as he laughs.
“How?” Aife asks as her frown deepens.
“She is the reincarnation of Morrigu.” Ark says as he stands up, Aife looks over at me with curiosity.
“She has the abilities of Morrigu?” She asks him as she watches me.
“Yes, you want to fight her?” Ark asks with a grin.
“Yes, I do.” Aife says with a grin as a sword appears in her hand, Ark vanishes and appears on the side of the arena. Aife and I back away from each other as we watch each others movements. I feel her move to attack, as I raise a sword into the right place to block it, I feel the impact before I see the sword. She laughs as she then let’s loose a series of attacks, I block each one never seeing the sword coming at me, I feel each attack before the impact every time and I enjoy the excitement of it. I suddenly feel a shift in her attacks that leave an opening, I move to take advantage of it and her sword hits mine as my sword touches her throat.
Ark appears beside her with a proud grin as he looks down at me, Aife grins at me as her sword vanishes. “You are very good, Morrigan.” She says with a laugh. “I have not had a good fight like that in a long time, thank you for the duel.” She says as her grins widens.
“I enjoyed it as well, how do you hit without striking?” I ask her.
“It is an ability I have.” She says with a laugh. “I am surprised you were able to see it coming.” She adds.
“I didn’t see it, I felt it and moved to block it.” I say with a smile.
“So, Ark I guess this means you are going to be sending her to Brenna to learn magic sooner than planned.” Aife says as she looks up at him.
“I will, after the gathering.” Ark says with a frown as he looks down at her with his arms crossed.
“Why after the gathering?” She asks him with a frown.
“Because I want to fight her more.” Ark says as he frowns at her.
“Fine, but as soon as the gathering is over. She goes to Brenna.” Aife says with a small smile.
“When is the gathering? And what is the gathering?” I ask them.
“The gathering is where some of the Gods come here to enjoy the alcohol Ark makes, it is a week from now.” Aife answers.
“So, they all sit around and get drunk.” I ask her with a frown and she laughs.
“Yes, they enjoy it.” She says still laughing.
“That is distasteful.” I say as I frown up at Ark who grins at me.
“Well, you will be there so you will see first hand.” Ark says with a laugh.
“Are you sure that is a good idea? Emnos always comes to the gathering.” Aife says as she frowns up at him.
“He will not try anything; he will be more interested in the alcohol.” Ark says with a smile.
I spend the next week battling Ark every day, Aife sometimes comes to watch or fight me herself. One day they had the idea to try fighting me at the same time, I had them both on the ground at the edge of my blades with them both laughing. I can see why they are together; they are just alike; I enjoy watching them together.
Ark leads the way down the hall as he carries a large cask in each arm to the dining room, I follow behind him irritated that he is making me come to watch the pointless frivolity with alcohol. The door opens in front of him, he turns as he places both casks on the floor, he moves out of the way and I see a chair next to his, he motions towards it to me. I walk over to the chair and sit down as I look around the table at the other Gods. I see Ante, Kali, Dhuna, Emnos, Theros, Garvit, and Aurelia I wave at Aurelia and Theros with a grin and they respond in kind.
“How have you been, Morrigan?” Aurelia asks me with a smile.
“I have really enjoyed fighting Ark and Aife.” I say with a laugh.
Do not say you have beat us.
Why?
I prefer to keep your talents hidden, if they know what you are strong at, they will use other methods to take you down. You may be friends with some of these Gods but you need to see them as possible enemies. I do not know their motivations and I prefer not to trust them with too much information.
Okay, Ark.
“Why the hell have you two been coming at her with weapons?” Aurelia asks him angrily as maids’ stream into the room with pitchers.
“Training her in melee, she needs to learn to fight, Aurelia.” Ark says as he pulls the top off a cask and sets it over to the side for the maids.
“She needs to know how to protect herself, Aurelia.” Theros says as he grins at me.
“It is fun learning from them, it is not like they go rough on me. They walk me through it teaching me, I enjoy it.” I say with a smile at Aurelia.
You are a crafty little devil; I didn’t mean for you to make yourself sound weak.
Better if they think I am weak, so if the time comes, I will be able to take them down with surprise.
I will enjoy this if Emnos decides to come after you.
“What level of melee would you say she is at now, Ark?” Garvit asks him as Ark sits in the chair next to mine.
“I would say she is at Leif’s level.” Ark says with a smile down at me.
Weakest one, I will back your tactic.
Thank you, Ark.
“Seems she has a long way to go, yet.” Emnos says as he grins at me.
“What is her magical ability at, Ark?” Garvit asks with a frown as he picks up his cup.
“Her father did not allow her to learn magic, even though she was a sorceress. So, she has a long way to go in that too. I plan on finding her a teacher.” Ark says with a smile as he pours the honey-colored liquid into a cup in front of him and I.
“Weak all around then.” Garvit says as he looks at me with a frown.
“That is what training is for, to make her stronger.” Ark says as he glares at Garvit. “Drink, Morrigan.” He says as he smiles down at me, I frown at him.
“I do not partake in excessive drinking, Ark.” I say as I slide the cup away.
“This should be interesting.” Dhuna says with a frown as he watches us.
“Drink.” Ark says and I feel the magic grab me, I pick up the cup and drink some of the honey mead, I feel a burning sensation spread down my throat and into my chest, I cover my mouth as I go into a fit of coughing as I place the cup back on the table.
“She follows orders that easily?” Emnos says as he watches me with a wide grin, I glare at him.
“Yes, sometimes.” Ark says as he watches Emnos with a frown. I spend the next few hours watching Gods get drunk, the more they drink the more they giggle hysterically about nothing. Though I notice Emnos and Dhuna has barely drank any of the alcohol, Ark beside me is slouched in his chair with a grin on his face from the liquor.
“Ark, may I go to my room?” I ask him as I watch him with a frown.
“Yes, Morrigan.” He says as his words slur and his head droops over the side of the chair towards me. I stand up from the chair and make my way out the door we entered earlier; I glare at the floor as I walk. It is irritating I had to sit and watch that, as I reach a door at the end of the hall I hear footsteps behind me. I glance behind me to see Emnos and Dhuna, I feel fear rise in me as I watch the violet and blue glowing eyes watching me.
“Is there something you need?” I ask them trying to keep my voice steady as fear grows in me.
“Yes, there is Morrigan.” Emnos says with a grin as they walk closer.
“What is it?” I ask as I open the door in front of me and take a step back away from them.
“You.” Emnos says as his grin widens, I turn and run down the hall fear leaping up into my throat threatening to choke me, I hear the laugh follow me down the hall as I run as fast as I can. I turn down a hall to my left to see blue glowing eyes waiting for me, I turn back to the right to see violet glowing eyes down the other hall. I run down the hallway in front of me away from the two of them, I glance behind me to see both pairs of glowing eyes following me. I feel the magic in me stir, showing me where I will have the advantage. I follow where it tells me to go, once I reach the place the magic told me go, I turn to face them.
Swords appear in my hands as I watch them walk towards me, the magic telling me to let them come to me. “Morrigan, it is best if you do not fight.” Dhuna says to me as he walks beside Emnos.
“Why are you helping him?” I ask him.
“He is my twin; I do as he wishes.” Dhuna says with a sad smile, I feel the attack coming and I move into position to stop it but nothing happens.
“It would seem, Ark lied to us.” Emnos says as he grins at me.
“I had the feeling, especially with that stance. He would not sick Aife on someone untrained in melee.” Dhuna says as he watches me.
“Mind doing me the honor, Dhuna?” Emnos asks him.
“As you wish, Emnos.” Dhuna says as he holds a hand up to me and I feel magic binding me in place, I try to move my arms and my body but I am frozen in place. I look up to see Emnos walking towards me.
Ark!
What?