Orn could feel the grass under him, as he laid on the soft ground. He could see the brightness of the sun through his closed eyes, as a slight breeze caused the blades of grass to tickle his cheek. What is … OWWW!

He sat up quickly clutching his hurt shin to his chest. “Awake now?”

“Yes.” Orn rubbed at his shin looking up at his goddess with a pained expression. “Do you have to be so rough?”

“Not gentile enough for you?” Kao’s eyes narrowed, as her expression darkened. “I can try again.”

Orn scrambled to his feet, as Kao brought her leg back to kick him again. “No! I am fine.”

As he scrambled back, he realized they were alone. Glancing around quickly he noticed they stood in a grassy field beneath a massive tree that cast no shadow.

What is going on? He turned to Kao who was walking up to him. “What is…”

The words died on his lips as he saw her expression clearly. Are those dark circles under her eye… “OWWW! Quit pinching me!”

She stopped, and he rubbed his upper arm where she had pinched him. “Yes, there are bags under my eyes. Also since you are dreaming, so I can hear what you think.” She stared at him intently, “What did you do? I am exhausted, and I did not know that was possible!”

Orn’s mind raced back to what happened. The stones.

“What stones?” Kao asked sighing.

“You heard that?” Orn nearly jumped.

“I just told you I could.” She started to roll her eyes, then they went wide and she stared at him intently. “Why, I should not be able to?”

“Because I cannot reveal the oath by accident or under torture.” Orn replied before realizing he was speaking. “Wait… I … What is happening?”

Orn’s hands went to the side of his head. Why did I say that? Who told me that?… and why do I know it is true?

Kao’s hands cradled his face, and lifted it to look at hers. “Orn slowly take a breath. I think I know what happened. But I want you to explain it to me slowly. Can you do that?”

Orn nodded slowly, telling her about the trip to the stones.

…

“That… that would explain it.” Kao muttered to herself.

“Really?” Orn was surprised, I was there and I have no idea what happened.

“Well, I am smarter than you.” A smirk appeared on her face.

Orn just rolled his eyes, She must be fine if she can be… “OWW! Would you quit that?”

She let his arm go, “I should do this more often, you are getting cheeky.”

As Orn rubbed at his arm she continued, “But yes, I understand what happened. That was blood magic. Very, very, old blood magic.” She shook her head, “The kind that has dissipated from the rest of the world long ago. No wonder my sisters are so intent on this place.”

She paused for a moment, deep in thought. Slowly turning to the tree, she continued, “When you gave your blood, you became part of the magic. It is part loyalty oath, and part religious ceremony I do not know where one begins and the other ends. It may once have even been based on a sacrifice to Mother…”

As Kao’s voice trailed off, Orn felt a growing sense of guilt. Did I worship another goddess? Is that why she looks so hurt?

Kao turned back to him and shook her head. “You did not betray me. I just got caught up in the magic when you got stretched over the forest.”

His brow furrowed as he thought back, “I do not remember being stretched across the forest.”

“You saw a lot of places at once though.” She waited for him to nod before continuing.

“Well, that was your mind seeing those places. I do not have a physical body. To the magic that meant I need to be at all of them. At once.” She cringed. “It was not pleasant, and I will need a little time to recover.”

Orn stood frozen. The look on her face, as she spoke struck him like a blow. She was not mad at him, but he felt she should be. He had not worshiped another goddess, he had actually hurt her. He had promised to protect her, and had hurt her instead. It did not matter that he did not know or mean it, inside he felt emptyness gnawing at him.

“I will be fine Orn,” Kao placed her hands on his shoulders as he started to shake.

“But … I… it is my fault… and I promised..” Orn fought back tears. “I am... so sorr...”

“Do not apologize, I should have paid more attention to what this was.” She shook his shoulders slightly, “Orn you did not do anything wrong. I will be fine. It was not that bad. I am just tired.”

Orn looked at her in disbelief, “But...”

She gently placed her hand over his mouth. “Do not argue with your goddess. I am going to rest for a little while and then I will be fine. It just means I will not be around for a little while,”

She released him and playfully swatted at his shoulder, “Please try to keep out of trouble until then. You big crybaby.”

“I am sorry. I….” Orn began only for her to waive him off.

“Do not worry over it. It is, at worst, a mild annoyance. I will see you when I wake up.” Kao yawned as she started fading away.

“I hope you feel better soon.” He forced a slight smile as the goddess faded from view.

Because it is lonely without you. He thought once she was completely gone.

He opened his eyes slowly to a sleepy voice giggling softly in his ear, “I know.”