“Alba and Paco, do you wish to serve me willingly, bound to me?”

My awareness of them brighter the longer they linger, Alba more so than Paco.

“I refuse to be bound to a cheat, release me to the land and I will return to…”

I don’t allow Paco to finish. Releasing him, his spirit exits the Temple of Zeus and quickly descends into the land. He will never know or realise I have spoken the truth to him. His present existence is now lost for all time.

“I wish to serve as your equal, your partner…”

“Alba, as you have witnessed with Paco, I have ultimate control over your destiny. Why would I negotiate anything less?”

“I will find ways to be useful, instead of waiting for your commands and instructions. I would work as your willing ally and not your insubordinate slave.”

Her mind speech, conciliatory and sweet, a trap perhaps, or realistic alternatives for her and I?

“How will we establish the difference?”

“It is I who will demonstrate the difference every moment of my existence if you swear upon your God, Zeus, to provide me a single boon if I honour our bond.”

I easily sense her tension. Probably a consequence of my link or ownership, my empathic connection with her is vivid and present, which reveals her moods or her emotions. Visually, her spirit form brightens and dims erratically.

“I am prepared to so swear, dependent upon your condition?”

“I wish to fight for a new body, somehow, somewhere, and you agree to assist me.”

Of course, it is in their nature to reclaim a body, the reason behind their attraction to me and our struggle, if that is its name.

“You will need to be an Initiate of Zeus. Are you prepared to accept this honour if you pass his examination?”

“I… don’t know what that means, but if required, I accept.”

Caution and bravery. I can respect both. I cast [Assess Aspirant] trusting in the spell to locate and target my spirit subject or perhaps follower as I concentrate upon her to the exclusion of everything else. Our link pulses with her reaction. My empathy with her will interpret her experiences while subject to the spell. An image, the head of a Giant Gar, flashes before my mind’s eye and its reactions. Alba’s reactions flashback, huge jaws open in a gasp, her entire giant head flies back, her jaws open suddenly, her throat rolls in a silent yell, her huge fisheyes bulge and finally her entire head turns away to reveal the shiny scales of her torso.

If human, I would now recognise her heavy breathing, high pulse and body sweat. Instead, her spirit pulses with emotions of invasive trauma, deep searching and examination beyond any level of comfort or respect. I suspect they, whoever they are, designed the spell for human examination and a Gar spirit being unusual requires more analysis.

[Gar Spirit Alba, Initiate Accepted: Guardian of Zeus]

I internally question the notification as there is no aspect announcement. Interesting.

“I understand Zeus’ purpose. I accept resurrection with all my will and am grateful for this illumination!” shared Alba.

“Was your examination painful?”

“Not in terms of physical pain. Tests of character and tests of affinity, questions put to me to answer knowing Zeus would know the truth regardless of my answer, thereby elevating my self-awareness. Acceptance of my faults and celebration of my capabilities, my Priestess.”

“As an Initiate of Zeus, we are now bound by our worship of Zeus, although I will swear a separate oath if you require.”

“No, you are my Priestess.”

I end [Soul Sight] as I need to discuss important matters with Arnora and Valmund.

My followers tend to the Gar in the Temple, drying and smoking the flesh to preserve it. I ask Arnora and Valmund to attend to me. They both honour me by dropping to one knee.

“I thank you Arnora for contacting Harek before the Gar Spirits overwhelmed me.” I close my eyes and bow slightly in recognition.

“I am pleased to serve High Priestess,” she replies.

I accept the honorific without debate as I truly don’t know the truth of it. “Yes… I have news or perhaps a theory about the rescue of your loved ones.”

They both lean forward, their eyes pleading.

“You will need to battle for their spirits. They need to recognise your love and make the choice to join you instead of returning to the Dungeon or embracing the land.”

Arnora’s chin drops to her chest, while Valmund’s eyes widen.

I try to interpret their reactions, Arnora, one of resignation. Perhaps she thought I would deliver her husband to her, requiring no effort from her, while Valmund doubts his ability.

“You will help each other. Practice as I have practised, as a preparation for when they capture your loved one and force them into our Temple.”

They glance at each other, concern written across their faces. Arnora speaks first.

“High Priestess, I… I am unsure about your plan. I am uncertain I could endure.”

“First, I attempt to quell the larger Gar, the more powerful. You need only practice on the smaller Gar, so the spirit challenge is familiar to you. The challenge comprises you striking your opponent with your imagination and willing your projection to inflict real consequences on the spirit and, when necessary, countering their projections upon you, while the spirit does the same.”

They both shuffle their large bodies, their hands fidgeting upon their bent knees.

“We will ask Harek to throw in five small Gar and wait for one to be thrown back before he throws more. You may or may not be subject to attack each sequence. The multitudes of small Gar weren’t especially aware of my presence. They tend to return to the Dungeon and when they don’t, they disappear into the land. Have faith in Zeus as I have faith in you.”

“I could receive five and then Valmund. We could compare our experiences and then try again…” said Arnora, turning her head to confirm with Valmund, who returns a cautious nod.

“Good,” I reply, slapping a hand on each of their shoulders several times. “Prepare your [Soul Sight], while I ask Hrut to instruct Harek.”

I leave so they can discuss our plan privately between themselves. I did toy with the idea of them both using Soul Sight together and discounted it. One always needs to be aware of their surroundings in case something absurd happens, like Harek throws in a large Gar by mistake.

Hrut is keen to do as I ask, although I warn him not to accept any invitations from the Dungeon. I suspect he won’t, given his pledge to Zeus. I caution him anyway. He returns advising me Harek, with help, is fishing for Gar still and the Gar Boss has returned. He is happy to learn the multitude of caught Gar are being preserved. Hrut didn’t mention any Dungeon spawned Frost Giants, so I assume Azizos hasn’t reached that point yet.

Arnora and Valmund have a stack of small Gar positioned between, although both are peering into the sky, their eyes falling until a ‘ting’ noise ends their game. As I approach, Valmund picks up an object from the stone floor.

Smiling, Arnora explains, “Tossing a coin, High Priestess, to determine who is to succeed first.” With a nod to Valmund, he throws a small Gar back into the Dungeon.

Settling my lower body onto the stone floor of Zeus’ Temple nearby, I ensure both Adepts can see me. I observe them, identifying the rounds of five where no small Gar spirits test them and a couple of rounds where a grimace here and wide eyes there reveal a tough contest with a small Gar or two, or possibly three at once.

Paying attention to my other minions; Sturla and Hrut continue to preserve the Gar, while Nasim fashions a new stone post, positioned at one corner of the Temple to join another at the opposite corner. Spying past this second post, I notice movement amongst the tall fir trees and cast [Far Sight], boosting magic into it until I can observe Jarl Solveig and his bodyguard advancing towards us.

“The Jarl approaches. Stay at your tasks,” I say, raising my voice.

Stretching done, I pad across the Temple on an intercept course to meet the Jarl. Ideally, I will remain on the Temple’s stone floor. Its height advantage should allow me to look the Jarl directly in his eyes, equal for once.

---

He bellows and points at me, a beaming smile across his face as he realises I am waiting for him.

“Jarl,” I say, bowing my head slightly.

“Some told me of your construction, a wonder.”

“A Temple of Zeus and, as you can see, four of your subjects are devotees of Zeus and attend to his Temple.”

“And a Stone Giant?”

“A curious one, who stayed during the Temple consecration and miraculously accepted by Zeus. He continues the construction unbidden.”

“The Stone Giant Clan owed me a debt. Your curious Stone Giant is most likely an unwilling volunteer ordered to linger by his Clan Chief,” Bloodaxe whispers, leaning in close.

“Possibly, although Zeus demands a test at his level of devotion and any who are false or unfit face rejection.”

He raises a hairy eyebrow in response, possibly not expecting there to be a test. Is this the moment to tempt him?

“I would like to ordain you and your bodyguard into the worship of Zeus, if you are willing. There is no test for this initial level of devotion called Hoplite. It allows access to the Temple to learn more about Zeus and his ways, how to advance in his service and how to promote the Temple to offer greater boons to its worshippers.”

“For this generous reward, what are our obligations?” The Jarl’s eyes narrow, obliviously suspicious of something for nothing.

“Zeus expects you to pray regularly at the Temple on Holy Days and donate coins, goods or chattels to assist with the Temple and attendants’ upkeep.”

His boisterous belly laugh isn’t an encouraging sign, although I wait for him to finish and then wait some more. My turn to show surprise as several previously hidden Frost Giants join their Jarl, laughing as they stroll towards the Temple. To their credit, my devotees remain at their tasks. I know the Temple can offer more like Faith Magic, and unfortunately, I didn’t receive the spell to teach this magic to others. I hope Arnora, or possibly Valmund, being different Aspects of Zeus, know the spell and if they do, the Temple will have more to offer. For now, I am aware the benefits of worshipping Zeus are not very beneficial.

“There seems an imbalance, Priestess,” he says, face red from laughter.

“If our worshippers were many, we could offer more, as it is…” I open my palms and quirk my head to one side. I refuse to beg, sure that given time, my present devotees will excel and demonstrate the benefits of worship.

“What about Arnora’s husband and Valmund’s brother?”

On that question I have progress, I glance over my shoulder to ensure Arnora and Valmund are still at practice before I reply.

“Both Arnora and Valmund prepare to face the spirits of their loved ones and while they do, we wait for the Dungeon to spawn them for capture.”

“Why them and not you?” he asks. His quick retort, a show of genuine interest, I hope.

“The spirits respond to those they remember and loved while alive. A wife and a brother will have a greater chance of attracting their attention before they vanish.” I refrain from explaining the spirit world to him. I barely comprehend.

His hand reaches for his chin, rubbing it, his thinking ‘tell’. I suspect a deliberate one for show.

“I task my subjects with other things and while four here and two in the Dungeon aren’t a great impost, there is still an expectation of reward for effort. Not to mention if the Dungeon summons back Valgard and Gudmund, many of my subjects will be required if we are to capture them alive and force them unharmed into your Temple and they can’t stand nearby waiting forever.”

I test my knowledge and am certain the Ruling Aspect can [Summon Faithful]. All I need to do is convince several of the Jarl’s subjects to be ordained as Hoplites.

“Perhaps Zeus can assist with this impost,” I offer.

He releases a chuckle and waves a meaty hand, inviting me to continue.

“All worshippers ordained as Hoplites will hear a summons from Arnora, as Zeus anointed her with his Ruling Aspect. Her skills and magic lend themselves to leadership and co-ordination of Zeus’ worshippers.” This Aspect of all of Zeus’ Aspects should interest him most and a small donation of wealth, a token of wealth to a Jarl, is all that is required to begin.

He frowns and turns away, calling his followers into a huddle beyond my range of hearing. How does he know my range of hearing? An unexpected response. Did my explanation of Arnora’s Ruling Aspect present a challenge to his rule instead of an aspiration to be obtained?

Hrut and Sturla join me at the edge of the Temple, their preservation of Gar finished or perhaps finished for the moment, fortuitous.

“Hrut,” I whisper, “when ordained Adept what spells were you granted knowledge of?”

Without changing his stance or paying my presence any attention, he whispers back. “Realm Magic granted includes [Lightning Strike], [Call Thunder] and [Call Cloud]. Divine Magic granted includes [Worship Zeus], [Soul Sight] and [Heal Flesh]. Faith Magic granted includes [Zap], [Dash] and [Strength] Priestess.”

“While the Jarl is debating, do you believe you could hew down one of the thicker fir trees?”

“Normally several strokes, I have just turned sixteen, Priestess, yet to mature into my full strength.”

“I assume several of the Frost Giants gathered around the Jarl know this?”

“Yes Priestess, why? What are you asking?”

“Clever, like your mother.”

His chest swells upon hearing my praise.

“You need to cast [Strength] upon yourself, [Lightning Strike] at the base of a fir tree and [Dash] to it and strike swiftly and true to fell the tree with one swing of your axe. Can you do this?”

His face fixed upon the gathered Frost Giants. I catch one side of a cheeky smile as his hand reaches for a talisman around his neck and then he whispers. A spectacular glowing zig-zag lightning strike blasts the thick base of several fir trees and swiftly, after Hrut is swinging his Two-Handed Axe at the blackened tree trunk and in one swing the tree falls. Using his strength, he directs the fall away to prevent any injuries or damage. He then races back to where he stood previously.

The murmurings from the huddled Frost Giants reach a crescendo upon witnessing none, part or all of Hrut’s display depending upon their position within the circle. Helpfully, the Jarl position is ideal. I suspect Hrut selected a tree to ensure he would. Like I said, clever boy.

Observing the Frost Giants, several sharp looks, eyes wide and much body movement, signs of impatience and eagerness and, for a moment, I sympathised with the Jarl. Only a moment, as I imagined him trying to control and temper their enthusiasm to conserve some portion of his bargaining position.

The Frost Giants approach the Temple in twos and threes. With a solemn ceremony, I ordain all who ask as Hoplites. The last being the Jarl and his bodyguard. I detect no resentment. Perhaps the Jarl disguises emotion well or perhaps he appreciated the game just played and intended to be ordained all along, simply trying to win more concessions. Unknown to him, our new Temple is bereft of benefits unless Arnora or Valmund have one specific spell granted to them.