Our Little Gods 1: RABATEA, the first World of the Daughters.

Chapter 6.

The second day on the roads of Ziom and they were deep in what the local populations had very humbly called 'God's Garden' and indeed to the troop witnessing its sights for the first time it felt like they were in the prettiest gardens that men could build anywhere on the world.

"You should see this place on the last quarter of spring." Limero was telling his younger companions, amused by the awed look on their faces. There was nothing of the somber forests and dull moors of mainland Limore. Gone were the brown long grass and the dark grey rocks dotting the seemingly never-ending expense between the Setting side mountains and the Rising side sea. Even the air felt warmer, richer. It was as if some delicate perfume had been added to it.

"We should reach Gegara soon after midday. I advise that we do not stop for food but push on so that you can spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring the city, what do you think?"

The chorus of voices shouting assent was all Limero needed but the relief he felt at the boy's quick rallying to his idea of skipping a meal had nothing to do with the importance of sightseeing. The message that had been waiting for him in Nirh had not been the usual one. The triarch had ceremoniously handed him the flat box marked with the seal of the Council of Eight as if the simple fact of holding the item in his hands was at the same time the greatest honor and the most perilous thing he had done in his life. Accustomed to the ritual Limero had played it off as if it was routine and had waited for the solitude of his cell before opening it.

" The wanderer is unwell." It had felt like ice in his veins. Before he had finally fallen asleep that night, late. Limero had calculated over and over again the distances and the time to get from Nirh to Gegara and the arbor to Ael. A day and a half on land; but for the love of the three goddesses, for the voyage oversea, he could not remember if the winds were for or agains them during the night passage over the Descot Sea, the only thing he remembered was that: would they be against them, it would take three days or more to sail to the archipelago. 'May the Three Sisters help us in our quest and give us fair winds.' the monk was thinking as he fell asleep.

"Where are the walls?" The little limorite group had been riding between houses for some time now and the concentration was becoming denser. Gegara, despite being the first city the boys and the sergeants would set foot in was introducing itself with humility. That was what had prompted Terrey's question.

"These are only the outskirts, my boy." Limero answered. "You will only see the ring wall once we have reached the Rising Gate."

"I have already seen more houses in the last hour than I have in my whole life, and more people." Farenn's declaration was only voicing what they were all going through. "I don't feel that comfortable to be honest..."

"You are such a wilding of the forest, you know." Etten said nudging his horse closer. "I guess its because you are a Menekigg. The forest is in your blood." The young man laughed, it sounded a little too loud and awkward.

"You aren't too comfortable either Etten." Terrey never left his brothers undefended and the sergeant's uneasiness was too palpable for him to leave the man alone. " I guess the Menekigg spirit corrupted you and made you a forest creature now! I'll make sure to tell Roras to give you Crogg's to patrol there are plenty of woods there."

But before Etten had time to think of something to say to defend himself Oneg's voice was heard, calm and concise he merely said:

"None of us are city people. The only one not unnerved by this other than Master Limero is Maasil and that's probably because he is too young." Oneg smiled what he hope was a warm affectionate smile at Maasil as the little boy turned on his pony to face him. But Maasil did not smile when he replied: