by Dan McGirt
I scrambled to my feet. Sapphrina swung, the axe missing me and sinking into the wall. She started to tug it free. I reluctantly hit her in the face with all my strength, hoping to punch her purple lights out and bring this bout to an end. Blood gushed from her nose and mouth, but she was unfazed. The demon cared nothing about the damage done to its host. I did. I didn’t want to hit her again.
She freed the axe. The only thing for me to do was keep running until I could trap her or tire her out. That seemed unlikely. I headed for the far door.
Then the possessor got a new idea.
“Look at me!” commanded Sapphrina, and something in her voice compelled me to obey, though I knew it wasn’t a good idea to take any suggestions from her just now. She flashed a bloody smile. Our eyes met and everything went purple. I saw Sapphrina collapse to the floor. My head began to ache. The demon was trying to take control of me!
“Let’s go kill that wench of a queen and her spineless boot-licking wizards,” said a nasty violet voice in my mind. “And then we’ll jump off the tower and make a nice splash.” Its suggestion seemed powerfully attractive. Wouldn’t it be fun to remove Raella’s lovely head and chop the others into little pieces?
No! I bent double and ran full tilt into the nearest wall. Now my head really hurt, but the possessor was out of it. The little purple glow was flickering on the floor, almost as stunned as I was. I grabbed a jade urn serving as a waste-basket and used it to trap the possessor’s essence. The experts could deal with it later.
Sapphrina was unconscious. She would ache all over when she woke up, but hopefully wouldn’t remember our fight. I knew it was really the demon I had battled, but I felt guilty anyway.
Rubis rushed into the room and I left her to tend her sister while I staggered upstairs. I emerged to see Raella throw back her head and gesture imploringly to the sun. Looking up through the ring of light, I saw the bright solar disk shift and warp until it no longer looked like the sun at all, but a beautiful woman reclining on a cushioned couch. The shimmering and scanty gold bikini she wore revealed most of her perfectly formed body. Her skin was tanned a deep coppery brown and her long hair, bound up in a ponytail, was reddish-gold. She wore sunshades like Merc’s and when she pushed them up to the top of her head I saw that her face was almost identical to the queen’s. Without a doubt this was Rae, Goddess of the Sun.
“What is it?” she said, and her voice was like a hot summer day at the beach.
“Goddess!” called Raella. “Demons are destroying your city!”
“What city?” said the goddess, lifting a can of Diet Sola-Cola, evidently some elixir of The Gods, to her divine lips and taking a sip.
“Rae City!” exclaimed the queen in dismay. “Capital of the kingdom founded in your honor—Raelna!”
“Raelna? Is that still around?” said the goddess offhandedly. “It must have been, oh, a thousand years since I attended the dedication ceremonies. I really haven’t been keeping up with events in the mortal world lately.”
Rae was not at all what I expected a goddess to be like. If this conversation became common knowledge it would have severe theological implications for her followers.
“We have survived these many centuries, O Goddess,” said Raella. “But we are now gravely threatened and beg your aid. The man Jason Cosmo is here and the Dark Magic Society seeks to—”
“Jason Cosmo?” said the goddess, perking up. “Where is he?”
“Here, O Divine One,” I said, waving. I suddenly found myself flying up through the ring and into the realm of the Sun Goddess. Looking back through the ring I saw Rae City and the Solar Palace far below in miniature. I could see vast expanses of the world, including the waters of the Indigo Sea and the jungles of Cyrilla far to the south, the wheat fields of Ganth to the west, the uncharted wilderness of the east, and the legendary blue ice fields of the Ultimate North. It was as if I were perched on the sun, looking down on the world from that vantage point. Which, in effect, I was. I floated amid a hot, endless glare which, thankfully, neither blinded nor burned me.
The goddess looked me over carefully. “You’re Jason Cosmo?” she asked.
“Yes, Goddess.”
She took another sip from her drink. “So what’s your story?”
“What do you mean?”
She sighed, a glorious sight to behold. “I just haven’t been going to staff meetings or reading the briefings and I’m so out of touch, but I’ve been hearing your name in conversation with the others. Are you important for some reason?”
“Well,” I said, not sure how to begin. “As I understand it, Dark Magic Society wants to capture or kill me so they can bring back Asmodraxas and rule the world, the Demon Lords want to capture or kill me so they can thwart the Asmodraxas and the Society, and The Gods want to prevent my death or capture so that neither the Society nor the Demon Lords can win. Meanwhile, the League of Benevolent Magic thinks I’m the reincarnation of the Mighty Champion and destined to destroy the Society. I guess you could say interested parties consider me important.”
“Yes,” she said, puckering her lips and knitting her brow in thought. “I suppose so.”
“This all made more sense when I thought my aura held the secret of freeing Asmodraxas. I’ve learned that it doesn’t and personally I no longer have the slightest idea why I’m so important for everyone’s plans. I can supposedly find out at the Shrine of Greenleaf.”
“The Shrine of Greenleaf?” she said absently. “What’s that?”
“In the Incredibly Dark Forest,” I prompted.
“Never heard of it.”
That wasn’t promising. On the other hand, Rae didn’t strike me as the most informed of deities.
“You serve The Gods?” she asked.
“Yes. I suppose I do.”
Her eyes lit up. “Great. Rub some of this oil on my back.” She handed me a brown bottle and leaned forward until she was lying prone on the couch. “I can’t reach,” she explained as she unhooked the strap of her top.
Bemused, I moved to her side and rubbed tanning oil into her divine skin. It was unblemished and silky smooth to the touch. Warm tingles ran through my fingers and up my arms as I worked my hands across her.
“Mmmmm,” she sighed. “You’ve got a wonderful touch. Are you a masseur?”
“Just a woodcutter—and novice hero.”
“You should be a masseur. Would you like to stay here and serve me? All you’d ever have to do is what you’re doing right now.”
“Goddess, I thank you for your offer, but I must return. My friends and many innocent people are dying down there.”
“Oh,” she said. “A little to the left, please.”
Rae was the most exasperating being I had ever encountered, but I had to get through to her the urgency of the situation in Rae City. “Goddess, that is your kingdom, filled with your worshippers, and they need your help.”
She sat up suddenly and turned to face me. “Do you think I’m pretty?”
I hastily and reverently averted my eyes from her uncovered bosom and said, as sweetly as I could through my frustration at her constant changing of the subject, “You are the most beautiful goddess I have ever encountered, O Rae.”
“Do you really think so?” she beamed. “More lovely even than Lucinda Everfair?” Lucinda was the Goddess of Love and Beauty, said to be the most comely woman, mortal or divine, in all the universe.
“From what I’ve seen,” I said, “there is no comparison. You are gorgeous, stunning, mind-boggling.” The last for certain!
“How sweet you are, Jason Cosmo! I have always thought Lucinda overrated. She’s so pale.”
“Goddess, the city—”
“Oh, yes. What was the problem again?”
“An invading horde of demons,” I said, intentionally biting my tongue before I could say more.
“Right, of course. And you want me to deal with them?”
“If you would. Your daughter is in danger.”
She frowned. “I don’t have a daughter. At least, I don’t think so.”
“She is called so, though she is actually a descendant of your son from centuries ago, Blaze Shurben.”
“Blaze!” she said. “My darling baby! You say his line still lives?”
“The woman who summoned you is Raella Shurbenholt, Queen of Raelna, his direct heir several dozen generations removed.” I finally had her attention.
The goddess looked through the gate, zooming in on the tower. Raella still stood with upraised arms, pleading with the goddess to help her, while the wizards continued to beat back the marauders.
“See the resemblance?”
“She is of my blood!” said Rae angrily, leaping to her feet. “A little pale, but I can fix that. And they dare to threaten her! I’ve been oblivious for far too long! These demons shall feel my wrath!”
This sounded more like a goddess. She grew in stature until she towered above me like a giantess and her bikini grew into a suit of golden armor. A sword of flame appeared in her right hand. “I just hope I can remember how to use this thing,” she said.
“I sympathize,” I said.
“What am I forgetting? Oh yes, the hair.” Her hair burst into flame as well, becoming like the corona of the sun. “Let’s go,” she said, her voice now thundering with the fury of a thousand blast furnaces.
She stepped through the gate and I followed. The wizards stopped their writing and the effects of their spell instantly vanished. The rampaging demons halted in mid-air, then turned to flee. She swung her sword thrice above her head and beams of purest radiance leaped from it, blasting every single marauder to fine ash. Timeon’s enemy counter dropped immediately to zero.
The wizards, suffering from intense writer’s cramp after their heroic efforts, gave a ragged victory cheer. Raella fell to her knees before the goddess with tears of happiness streaming down her face.
“You know what?” said Rae. “I think I’m in big trouble. I got carried away and forgot that the Modified Nonintervention Pact forbids this sort of thing.”
“Nonetheless, Goddess, we thank you!” said Raella.
Rae smiled down on her. “You are welcome, daughter. Actually, you’re more like a granddaughter, I suppose. Well, it doesn’t matter, you’re family, so I don’t mind taking the heat for helping you, though the others will be very upset with me.” She put out her hair and made the fiery sword vanish as she shrank to human scale and took Raella’s hands. “I’m not supposed to even set foot on Arden, so I must be going. I’ll call you later and we’ll talk. I have a lot to catch up on, I think.” She pulled the queen to her feet, gave her an affectionate hug, and kissed her brow. “You’re pretty—runs in the family—but you should get some sun, darling.” Rae turned to me, the sudden spark of a divine whim lighting her face. “Do you have a patron goddess, Jason Cosmo?”
“No,” I said, fearing that I was about to get one.
“I haven’t been patron goddess to a hero in ever so long and I think it would be great fun. And in view of your clever touch, your keen eye for beauty, and your importance to the cause of The Gods—for whatever reason—I think you would be a marvelous hero to sponsor. Don’t you think so?”
“I’m… honored, O Rae.”
“Splendid! Raella, dear, you’re my chief priestess, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Goddess.”
“Excellent. You can handle the paperwork for me. I’m not quite sure what all the regulations on patronage are, but you can look them up.” She frowned. “You know, there is a meeting of The Gods scheduled for today. I suppose I had better attend if I am to get back in the swing of things. so I’ll just give you my blessing, Jason Cosmo, and be on my way.”
She pulled me to her and pressed her burning lips against mine. A surge of infinite pleasure jolted me into blissful oblivion and I sank back into the waiting arms of two wizards who lowered me gently to the floor as the goddess rose into the air on a column of light. The last thing I saw before my eyes fluttered shut was her golden form merging with the disk of the sun.
* * *
14
When I regained consciousness I found that my skin had become darkly tan, even in places where the sun should never shine. My wounds had fully healed and I felt exceptionally vibrant and energetic. The last thing I remembered was Rae ascending into the sky. After that there was just a warm, bright blank in my mind.
I rolled out of my bed in the guest quarters and had just finished dressing when Raella, Merc, and Timeon entered.
“It’s about time you woke up,” said Merc, dropping into a chair. “Three days is a long time for a nap.”
“I slept for three days—again?”
“It is getting to be a habit with you. You should get out of bed once in a while, be more active.”
“How do you feel?” asked Raella, moving towards me.
“Wonderful, Your Majesty. I feel wonderful.”
“And well-rested, no doubt,” observed Merc.
“You are truly a special man,” said Raella, “for the Goddess Rae to become your sponsor.”
“Indeed,” said Timeon. “That you stand high in divine favor can no longer be doubted. You have aptly demonstrated that it is you we must look to for our salvation.”
“You’re not going to start that again, are you?” I said, rolling my eyes.
“You cannot escape your destiny,” insisted Timeon.
Merc was about to make an undoubtedly sour comment, but Raella quickly cut him off. “Your role in unfolding events is important, as we have seen, but we certainly don’t expect you to do more than is reasonable, nor to carry on your quest alone. However, before we discuss your journey, there are certain duties I must perform in my capacity as chief priestess of the Church of Rae. We must formalize your acceptance of Rae as your patroness. Sign this.” She thrust a faintly glowing sheet of parchment and a pen into my hands.
“Did I accept?”
“Her mark is quite vividly upon you.” Looking at my tanned face in the mirror, I had to concede the point. I shrugged. “You seem hesitant,” said the queen. “What is the matter?”
“I don’t mean to give offense, Majesty, but doesn’t the goddess strike you as a bit… ah… scatterbrained?”
“What of it?” said Raella sweetly, but with a hint of steel in her voice.
“I believe Jason is suggesting that Rae is not quite what he is looking for in a patron deity,” said Merc, with his characteristic tact.
“I’m really not looking for a patron at all,” I said. “As I told the Goddess Rae, I’m deeply honored, but—”
“But?” said Raella archly. I promptly shut my mouth. Seeing that I had no further comments at the moment, the queen continued. “The goddess Rae is one of the most powerful beings in the universe, responsible for the life-giving, warmth-bringing sun, and she has chosen to favor you with her sponsorship. I must think that your thoughts of spurning her offer spring from ignorance. You witnessed her destruction of the demonic horde—know you not that in times of gravest peril you too may call upon her for succor? Wherever the sun shines, she will watch over you and guide you in need. All who honor and serve her, in Raelna and elsewhere, will welcome you like a brother and honor you like a king, and render you whatever service you may require if it is within their ability. And you would say no to all this? In your situation?”
“When you put it that way, how can I refuse?”
“You cannot. If it is any comfort, you will probably deal with the goddess through me most of the time. As her chief representative in Arden I am charged with interpreting her will and ministering to her followers.”
“In that case, O gracious queen, I heartily accept the sponsorship of your goddess.” I signed the document and returned it to her.
“Excellent. I welcome you to her service. May the sun ever shine on your face, but not in your eye.” She slightly touched my brow with both hands as she spoke these words. “Just between us,” the queen whispered, leaning forward,
“she does seem a bit unfocused. But you can’t expect anyone to be perfect.” She smiled covertly and stepped away from me. “Now we must discuss your expedition.”
“Yes,” said Timeon. “It is now of utmost urgency that you go quickly to Greenleaf and learn what you can. The League will give you what assistance we have to offer.”
“I may need quite a bit if I’m going to have more days like yesterday.”
“You mean yesterday thrice removed,” said Mercury. “But not to worry, I’m coming with you. And we can avoid a lot of problems traveling by air.”
“Fly again? I think I’d rather walk and take my chances.”
“This flight should be less harrowing than the last.”
“How could it not be?”
“We survived, didn’t we?”
“True. Okay, we’re flying.” I swallowed hard. “When are we leaving?”
“Immediately. We have to move before the opposition mounts another major attack.”
“Of course.”
Timeon withdrew from his pocket a gold ring set with a clear purple amethyst and held it aloft. “Behold the Ring of Raxx, reputed to have been worn by the Mighty Champion who ended the Age of Despair, the original Jason Cosmo. It is said to possess wondrous magical properties.”
“Ah,” I said, my imagination fired by the possibilities. “What does it do? Make the wearer invisible? Grant wishes? Make one invincible in battle?”
Timeon coughed with embarrassment. “Actually we don’t know what it does. It has been in the keeping of the League for many years and we have studied it carefully, but have been unable to determine its capabilities. Still, if you are truly a new incarnation of the original Mighty Champion, it may reveal its powers to you.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“We can always pawn it for quick cash,” said Merc.
I took the ring and slipped it onto my right hand. I felt absolutely no sort of arcane tingle or other indication that the ring was in any way remarkable.
“May it serve you well,” said Timeon.
“I’m sure it will.” I waited, expecting more, but soon realized the ring was the extent of the League’s assistance.
