Underground Informer Volume 5 Issue 18 November 5, 1994 Page 12 Harrowing of the Gods 2, Chapter 10 (continued from previous page) Copyright (c) 1994 StarStorm "That's correct." "In Chantanea, we call it Con'Conivai -- Bringer of Visions," Northwyn said, testing the limits of his knowledge. Na'Vayn, however, was insulted. He could translate the ancient dialects as well as any man -- better, perhaps, than most save for the most devoted of scholars and scribes. To have this... k'nai translating the language of his ancestors for him was nothing less than a slap to the face. And still, Na'Vayn's expression remained impassive and distant. "And that one there," Northwyn continued, pointing toward at a small broadleafed plant several paces from the copse, its clusters of red berries just reaching the height of ripeness between the leaf stems. "Isn't that a Talii plant?" "Yes. Its berries can be used to make certain poisons. Be assured, young lord, that the berries of that particular Talii have never been used in the creation of something so insidious." Na'Vayn would not admit that his poisons were created from a different plant only a few feet beyond. The conversation, though, was turning against him. "Let us return to the tour." Northwyn inclined his head in acquiescence and followed his host from the garden. Na'Vayn stopped in the central area where the stairwell descended from the upper levels downward. "The kitchen is there, beyond that wall. That is where my servants are preparing dinner for us," he said, indicating a wall along the northeastern edge of the garden. "We will eat once we have completed the tour, which should happen soon." "I do not need to eat in this incarnation." Na'Vayn cast an awkward glance at his visitor. "What do you mean, you do not need to eat while in this incarnation?" Northwyn giggled impulsively, unaware of Na'Vayn's irritation at being made to look ignorant. "I cannot eat as a statue. Only my essence is here -- not my body." At last Na'Vayn's plans took formation. He knew what he needed to do. All he had to be certain of was one thing, and that would be certain quickly enough. Empirical data would win out after all, and he would at last be able to restore Arel to life. "What's beyond that door?" Northwyn asked, shifting the subject to something more interesting. "Oh, that is my sitting hall," Na'Vayn said as he approached the door. "You will get to see it since we need to go inside to continue the tour." Northwyn smiled and nodded as Na'Vayn opened the door to reveal the grand chamber beyond. It was, by no means, a humble room, filled as it was with golden decorations and pillars of marble, exquisite paintings and etchings. At the far end of the hall, at the edge of rolling red velvet rug, was a carving of silver, gold, and crystal, shaped as a tongue of flame with a three-stepped dais at its base. "I use this hall to entertain my guests. Most of these treasures were found in a cave near here. I believe they were some ill-gotten booty or a dragon's horde or some such thing, but as I did not know the true owner, I was obliged to keep them here until such time as they might be claimed." The godling's eyes narrowed for a moment. There was something in Na'Vayn's story that did not ring true, although he could not be certain which part. One thing he did know, however, was that his host was by no means a humble farmer. No farmer of the devoted would maintain such a collection of trinkets, nor would they go through the efforts of bringing plants from all across the world to their home. Such things were unheard of. His gaze fell upon his host for a moment, his pale blue eyes trying to pierce the facade Na'Vayn had erected, but he could find nothing more revealing beneath the surface. "This way, young Northwyn," Na'Vayn said, indicating another door nearby. "Our tour is almost over." To be continued... [The following list of characters is provided to help new readers of the story. This list will be repeated with each chapter.] Harrowing of the Gods 2: Godkiller -- Dramatis Personae The First Heavenly Host The Second Heavenly Host ================================== =================================== Arayas (Kai), The Sun Ashina, Goddess of Beauty & Fertility Brenna, Goddess of the Seas Daynage, Goddess of Life Dro'Naya, The Mountain Doppler, Lord of Laws and Justice Guardian (Guardian of Chantanea) Evanea, Lord of the Harvest Kalikatris, Lord of the Harvest Moon, Lord of Death Kalista, Goddess of Wisdom and War Northwyn Kai, Lord of the Heavens Kuahna'Kin, Lord of Fire Quixot (Guardian of Chantanea) Nor, Fate, The Unseen One Renaud, Goddess of Passions Shaina, The Moon The Nameless God, the Dark God The Muses, The Messengers of Fate The Third Heavenly Host ================================== Den'Chai, Lord of Paradise Ros-Loy, Ken'Wa (Sword of Den'Chai) Jenira, Goddess of the Seasons Jovee, Demi-god of Games Mortals of Baudea (Past and Present) and the Creatures of Chaos ========================================================================== Delta Wun, Temple Lord of Strozz Neshava Romo, Past Temple Lord Donovan, father of the Ascendant Na'vayn Zaer, The Godkiller Kallahr, Cavalier at Strozz Cinna Kei, Wife of Na'vayn Zaer Kovan, Thief at Strozz Arel Zaer, Son of Na'vayn and Cinna Se'an Eebau, Acolyte to Delta Wun Serise, mother of the Ascendant Articia, Archsavant The Prophesied Child (Ascendant) Changeling Child, Ken'Wa Draksee, Oracle of Strozz (Dragon) Heltheg, Servant to the Nameless God Ho, Keyman to the Oracle uuSShhiik, Lord of the Ken'Wa ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~