Goddess's Warrior

by John Hicks

  *I will give you your abilities now along with instructions on how they should be used and other knowledge you will need. You personally will be able to sense the presence of evil and know whether a person speaks true or not. With the White-wood Rod you will be able to Heal, Move or reshape objects without touching them and destroy daemons with white-fire. Gloam’s priests that are armed with Black-wood rods will be harder to kill. To do so will require much concentration from you. White-fire will also free people and objects which have been affected or are being controlled by Gloam’s priests and shield you and others near you from Gloam’s bolts. I will also give you a supply of arrows made of White-wood. These should be used against Gloam’s creations only. When you run low I will replace them in your quiver. No-one else should touch them. Just when you should use them and not the Rod you will soon know.

  You will use these abilities to aid others as well to fight Gloam’s minions. And yes I realize the Ravens need to pay its way. It should have little trouble doing so. Now I will give you the abilities and your arrows and Rod. Remember that the Rod and arrows will always come when you call them.

  There will be several mercenary companies involved on both sides this summer as well as forces from across the mountains. Some of the companies serving Gloam won’t know they’re serving him because he hides his presence until the last minute and by then they will be committed. I will guide you when needed Olivia and if you need advice, just think of me and I will hear you. Mother Greta is coming. Tell her of our arrangement and she will aid you. Now it is time for you to go.*

  Olivia opened her eyes. She was kneeling before the Tree with her head resting against its trunk as were her hands. She slowly sat back on her heels covered her face with her hands and drew in a deep breath. As she climbed to her feet she felt an urge to touch one of the branches of the Tree. She slowly reached for the nearest branch. It was about as long as an average man was tall with several smaller branches attached. As she gripped the branch she felt a shock shoot down her arm from the Tree and the branch she was touching seemed to quiver. Then as Olivia lowered her arm the branch came away from the tree. There was no cracking as in the breaking of wood. The branch simply separated from the Tree. As she held it the branch straightened and compacted into a rod just over two hand spans long and as thick as a sword-handle. It felt comforting to Olivia and yet it felt as if alive. Olivia felt dizzy for a moment and she needed to use the Tree to steady herself.

  As Olivia was staring at the rod her head seemed to clear and she realized that there was someone nearby. She turned. An elderly Priestess was watching Olivia solemnly, her eyes fixed on the Rod in Olivia‘s hand.

  The Priestess spoke first. ‘Good morning, Pilgrim. Am I correct in thinking that Our Lady has honored you with a task?’

  ‘Y…Yes Mother,’ replied Olivia shakily then stopped and tried again as her head cleared. ‘Yes Mother she has. Are you Mother Greta?’ (The Priestess nodded.) ‘Is there somewhere we can speak in private? The Goddess said I should tell you all.’

  The Priestess led the way out a side door. Olivia collected her pack and quiver and followed. In a small room with a small table and two chairs Olivia told the Priestess her tale.

  ‘Firstly, Mother I should ask you - did any other person see me at the tree just now? The Goddess said my status as Guardian should be kept secret for the moment so that I will have better chance of getting close to Gloam’s forces later this summer. After that it won’t matter.’

  ‘There has been no other pilgrim here so far this morning but yourself so only you and I know. And if silence is desired in this matter then that is how it will be. May I know your name?’

  ‘I am called Olivia, Mother. Late of the Ravens Mercenary Company but flogged and thrown out for a crime of stealing I did not commit. I assume you are aware of the gathering of the forces at Panwritle?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Our Lady wishes a Guardian to be there to prevent Gloam from gaining the ground that he will gain if Danglish wins. Her plan was for me to be part of the Ravens because she believes that a Guardian attached to a mercenary company would have less problem crossing boarders than previous Guardians have had when part of a castle or Royal Guard.’

  The Priestess nodded in understanding. ‘So you must now make your way to Panwritle?’

  ‘Yes. Hopefully there will be a caravan heading that way needing drivers or mule handlers. I am experienced in both,’ Olivia slipped the Rod into her quiver. She noted as she did so that there were now ten new arrows made of White-wood in addition to the twelve of her own. She shouldered her pack then looked at the Priestess. ‘I worked my way from Langdon as a muleteer and driver with the Georges merchant House. Perhaps they have a caravan heading east. I bid you farewell Mother and hope to see you again.’

  ‘Alanya’s Blessings be upon you, Olivia,’ said the Priestess.

  Olivia bowed to the Priestess and left.