Chunk 2
Wow, I got off the ship and just crashed. :( And I don't mean only sleeping a lot, although I've been doing that too. It's like all my energy and enthusiasm and writing-fu just flowed out and ran into the gutter. I'm a little short of halfway to where I should be right now, wordcount-wise. I know I can catch up; the trick is whether the oomph will kick in soon enough. [crossed fingers]

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"And so you're taking care of him in return. Good, that's properly done."

"Not everyone agrees, Father." And Arden told him how the priest of Baruno had come in and ordered all the men slaughtered.

The Emperor scowled and said, "Petty of him. A man in his position should be able to compromise around the edges. Bad enough we had to kill all the others -- there'll be repercussions from that for generations. But every last one -- except for yours, and I agree that they'll likely agitate to have him killed as well. I'll have to speak to Ripavo about that, make sure he knows when enough is enough."

Arden went down to one knee, bringing the water up to his chin. "Father, there is more." And he told him about the encounter with Ashti, and the fight between Baruno and Dereno, and Dereno's scolding. "So the Revered Lord really isn't Ripavo anymore. That is, I assume he's in there somewhere, but Baruno is riding him like a horse, and also some few others, and he plans to mount you next. Ashti and Dereno were both very clear about that."

Emperor Solan reached out and gripped Arden's chin, tipping his face up so he could stare straight into his eyes.

"You were never a deceitful boy, except in my service. You do not appear drunk or drugged."

Arden stayed silent. He knew very well how difficult it was to digest such news, even when he'd witnessed the gods' workings himself.

"An invasion from another direction," was what the Emperor finally said. "I'll give the gods due worship and respect, and spend freely to build them fine temples and monuments, but I'll not surrender my own person, not even to Baruno's service." He let go of Arden's jaw and sat back on his bench once more, but not in his previous, relaxed posture. "Was there any sign before a god takes over a person?"

"Not particularly," Arden admitted. "Ashti's priestess looked startled for a moment, then she took on Ashti's aspect. I wasn't watching when Baruno or Dereno took over the others. But clearly the god doesn't have to fully manifest his aspect, or it would be obvious that he's riding his priest, and whoever else he's taken."

"We need more wisdom than we have, then. Go find your aunt. Explain what's happened and bring her back here. I'll call for a few others and we'll have a council and decide what's to be done about this."

"Yes, Father." Arden bowed again and backed away a few steps before turning and leaving the water.

The same two slaves dried him off and dressed him, then he headed off through the marble halls of the Palace once more, Luka trailing behind.



Arden's Aunt Geralia had a fine house of her own, despite having official quarters befitting the second ranking priestess of Orlana the All-Giving. Arden tried the temple first and was rewarded when a middle-aged priestess in bright yellow with a gold-embroidered rising sun on the front of her skirt smiled recognition and offered to tell the Lady Geralia he was there.

"I hope she's not busy with something... prayerful, a ceremony or something," Luka whispered. "Your emperor seemed rather in a hurry, or at least expecting everyone else to be in a hurry."

"Your emperor too now," Arden reminded him in a like whisper. "And Aunt Geralia spends far more time going over accounts and checking for collected rents than she does praying."

Luka gave him a confused look, but before Arden could explain, the priestess returned and gestured for them to follow her down a hall and up a flight of narrow steps. She tapped on a door, then entered and said, "Your nephew, highness," and slipped away.

Sure enough, Aunt Geralia's desk was dominated by a counting board and a bewildering array of variously colored markers, with stacks of parchment around the edges and a slab of damp clay and a stylus conveniently beside her right hand. Long habit had Arden reading her notes upside down while he bowed to her, but it was only a comparison of time and interest payments on a property in--

"Enough of that, you sneaky little ferret!" His aunt's hand smeared the clay smooth before he could make out any more. Despite her harsh words, there was a wry fondness in her voice. "As if I'd leave anything sensitive out once you'd been announced."

Arden gave her a boyish grin and kissed the palm of her hand, ignoring the clay. "My apologies, Aunt Gerra. I have to keep in practice, though."

"Oh, as though I'd be fooled by that one!" She took her hand back and smacked him lightly upside the head. Arden carefully did not look at Luka; the man was probably smirking and Arden would rather not notice and be forced to punish him.

Instead he said, "No, I didn't imagine you would be, but I had to try. I'm afraid I've come to coax you away from your lair, though. My father requests that you attend him at your earliest convenience."

Geralia snorted. "I suppose that means immediately and at a run."

"Perhaps not quite running," said Arden, with a half bow.

"Well, he can wait while I put things in order," she said, and began to note the positions of the markers on her board on the slab of damp clay with swift efficiency. "What's this about, do you know?"

Arden lowered his voice, despite the fact that they were as safe from unfriendly ears as they were ever likely to get within the city, and said, "I'm afraid I've discovered a plot among the Immortals. Baruno thinks to do away with all the other gods and have their worshippers for himself."

Geralia stopped what she was doing and glared up at him. "You're crazed," she said flatly. "Or drunk."

"I wish I were -- it would be much simpler to remedy." Arden shrugged and spread his hands. "In the last month I've met Ashti of the Roads manifested, as near as I am to you. And Baruno, and Dereno."

His aunt scowled, her forehead lined with thought. "Are you sure you're not mistaken? Some priests will claim a manifestation to make a point, or borrow some extra authority."

"No, I'm sure," insisted Arden. "Ashti granted me a gift -- us, actually, since Luka was there too -- he's rather the point of it all, in fact. We can see things the gods have touched. They glow, sort of. Not like a fire, but more like a firefly. But more."

"And not the same color," put in Luka. "It's warmer, more orange, like a flame coming directly off of glowing coals."