The Lesser Gods

Chapter One: Fish and Honey

Chapter One 

Candles concocted with fish and honey burned in the twilight. Nona's favorite time of day, when the waves calmed, and you could hear the wind mixing with the sounds of kids running down the road, or the smell the sent of the last batch of bread coming out of the oven. It was a time of day Nona loved, because she felt like she could smell the cooling air, and hear the setting sun. Unfortunately, she woke with her limbs aching, her mother leaning over her with a bowl of soup. "Back in again are ye? Aye, well maybe you'll remember something this time."
 "Mummy? Is he okay? Philip, is he okay?" She asked, jolting up in her bed.

"Aye, he's fine girl. Philip's fine."

"How long have I been out?" Nona drawled. Her mother sighed, as though she'd asked this question before, as she pushed the bowl, making clear she was required to eat before answers were given. Nona pushed up, surprised at how little pain she felt, and took a long gulp of seafood soup.

"You've been in and out for a week or two, near everything's healed now. And no, before ye ask, we haven't seen the soulless again since."

"Good, that's good." Nona replied nodding, settling into the bed.

"Yes well, you may have to leave soon." Her mother uttered. Nona rose from her bed all a little too fast, giving way to an ache in her back. Her mother held her hands out for fear of the girl tumbling out. But Nona held steady.

"Leaving? Where? What's going on?"

"Is'nt nothing to worry yourself about dear. The royal guard came round, asking who our champion was, village named you." Nona's eyes widened, her brow shooting upwards.

"But, I can't be a champion. I can barely hold a sword."

"Hush now, you need rest. and if its all the same, none of us expect ya to fight God. But we do want you to see the capitol." Her mother's voice picked up as she scooped another serving of soup for Nona, who ate it without thinking, her look of shock immovable.

"The Capitol?"

"The royal guards made it all the way just today, they look awful handsome and clean." She spooned another bit of soup into Nona's mouth, before continuing. "Though, their armor doesn't have a crack neiry a dent in sight, so It duna say much for their fighting ability, no wonder they're looking for champions." Nona's mother was the biggest gossip in the village, not that gossip in a village like Port Maradriss was bad, it entertained. Nona threw off the blanket and looked down at her self. She'd never left Port Maradriss, she'd never had to defend her self, speak to a superior, or even hold down an ordinary job. Nona was the village's bard, she spent her days writing songs, and preforming them at the local tavern, called The Dying Cat. Though it wasn't much of brewery, they hardly sold spirits, after all everyone in Port Maradriss had work in the morning. Save for Nona of course, her songs were like her mother's gossip, vital to village sanity. She was the only one that could play the loot, harp, and flute. Not one other villager in Port Maradriss could play any instrument, save for Joseph, who could make a nice duck noise with a leaf. She pushed up from the bed as her mother sat the soup by the side, helping Nona to her feet.

The narrow sandy streets of Port Maradriss were littered with poster's the royal guard had delivered months ago. The Hundred Heroes were needed again. News from the capitol Marillie claimed God was near. The magically drawn posters held the face of the previous champion, born ten thousand years ago, the last time God sought to crush the Plate.

Two royal guards stood by a carriage pulled by unicorns, as the light started to fade into the sparkling waters of Port Maradriss. "I can't go. I can't go as a champion. Look at me." She said to the royal guards, her mother, the empty carriage. Nona was pudgy, short statured, and had ragged orange hair. Her mother took Nona's hand, and spoke clearly to her daughter.

"It could be awful, it could be, one of the worst experiences of your life," Nona looked over at the royal guard, their hair platted, their eyes bright colours, and ears pointed, "but I know you dearie. You'll come back with a song to sing." Her mother pushed her finger over Nona's heart. "That muscle of yours'll regret it if you don't go." The royal guard's clothe's were so foreign, the fabric of their robes covered in beads she could never have hoped to know the names of, and their spears, clear like ice. Nona's eyes caught the other villages coming out of their homes, kids stopping int he streets.

"I can't leave, I can't leave this place. I need some times to think about it." She choked.

"It's now or never." Grumbled one of the guards. "We have to leave tonight." He finished. Nona shook her head, stepping back. Her mother caught her hand in hers, eyes watery.

"Ya can't stay here forever."

"Mum-" Her mother's hand tightened around hers, cutting Nona off.

"Yer meant for more." Her mother swallowed.

Nona nodded, and the royal guards opened the back of the carriage.

"Do I have to leave now? This second?" She asked, still holding onto her mother's worn and weathered hands. The royal guards nodded.

"Some of the Champions have already arrived in Marillie" Said the opposite guard. Nona nodded slowly, swallowing quick and often. Her mother pulled her into a hug before running back inside for a large bag filled with everything she could need.

"There's a change of clothes, your lute, harp, flute, some writing equipment, and drawing of-" Nona laid her hand on her mother shoulder to stop her as she took the bag, and threw it over her shoulder.

"Don't worry." Nona said. Her mother nodded, half to agree, and half to shake away the tears.

"I also packed some spices in case they don't season their food up there." Her mother told her through the sobs. Nona giggled, hearing the clink of the jars as she adjusted the bag on her shoulder. Nona pulled her mother in for another hug.

"I'll be back soon." They rocked in each others arms, making sure to hug each other as tight as they could. The villagers waved goodbye to the little bard Nona. And with that, Nona couldn't think of anything else to say. Be back soon was right. So she ended it on that, and climbed into the carriage.

She would make a fool of her self in the capitol, she knew that, but, she would have a song to sing.

ROLE CALL

Deity's

- God

Champion's

- Port Maradriss Champion: Nona