Entropy's Servant

Chapter 54 - Goddesses

Hello everyone, Astaroth here.
Being feared is practical--it deters unnecessary conflict, for one, and it makes people do what you say.
Yet, it has its downsides, too.
Like when someone shuts themselves up, or when they purposely try to distract you from something they think might annoy you.

On the way back to the capital, I stopped in my tracks, prompted by a small yet noticeable tug on my cape.

I stood, silent, for a small while, waiting for whoever wanted my attention to speak. When no speech occurred, I turned around to find the mage still had my cape in her hand and the sword-wielder was frozen in place, his hand half-extended in a gesture telling the mage 'no'.

I took the mage's hand and removed it from my cape, then grabbed her shoulder. "Listen. I won't kill you for talking to me. If you have something you want to ask, ask. If there's something you want to say, say it."

I turned on my heel and made to keep walking, which seemed to snap her out of her daze. She rushed forward a little and slowed down once she reached me, matching my pace. The sword-wielder followed suit.

"Then, uh," the mage began, fidgeting with her hands. "If you're getting payment from the goddesses, does that mean that you, um... know them?"

I nodded. "I'm acquainted, yes." I pointed to the symbol on my cheek. "A gift from Lady Gnome."

A gasp of what was probably admiration leaked from her mouth, her eyes sparkling. "Amazing... then, what are they like?"

No small amount of memories floated to the surface of my thoughts at her question, and I could barely resist the urge to bury my hand in my palm. After a few moments of deliberation, I formulated an answer.

"A group of elementary schoolers."

Although the capital's guards almost shot me, they--fortunately for them--managed to restrain their reflexes, and we entered the capital without much of relevance occurring.

Rather contrary to my expectations, we were approached rather quickly by the elven shrine maiden. "The Ladies Sylph and Salamander would like to see you now, Lord Astaroth. Really, what did you do? For the first time in forever, they agreed on something. Well, they were still arguing, but--"

I raised a hand to ask for her silence, and she complied. With a bit of digging, I remembered her name. "Aldefeno," I said. "If you're free enough to come and meet me, I can only assume you've finished training Asami."

Several times in a row, she nodded. "She was great, you know. She's got talent. You should consider her for Lady Entropy's shrine maiden. Even if not, you could make her a great--"

Again, I raised a hand to silence her. "The goddesses were ready, yes? Then, by all means."

She guided us to Sylph and Salamander, still at the base of the world tree, blathering on and on all the while.

At the base of the world tree stood Salamander and the drakonid shrine maiden, who I recalled was called Ilgri. Next to them stood Asami, whose gaze was turned downwards, towards her own hands, clutched in front of her chest.

Also present, but not exactly 'standing', was Sylph, who seemed to have chosen the world tree as a napping spot. In essence, she was using it as a rest for her back. The scenery gave her a particular defenceless, androgynous charm.