While as a newly raised deity I had few followers, I could feel that number increase as I walked the streets of Trenia on my way to Castle Frostspire, which had been my home these last two years. Even if I did not say anything, those who saw me knew that I was no longer the mortal I once was. And the mentality of outcasts and rebels was prevalent amongst those who chose to live so close to the northern glacier, especially after I brought those they had considered monsters into the city. The city was fertile ground for my new church.

Soon, I had all the important people in the city gathered in my throne room, as I sat upon my throne for what would be the last time. “My people, as you have no doubt noticed, I have returned from my excursions outside Frostreach changed. As the prophecy foretold, fire came to the sea of ice that is the northern tundra, and I struck down a god. In so doing, as prey killed predator, I have ascended, and become a goddess, myself. Unfortunately, the strictures governing deities, and how they may interact with the material plane, mean that I only have a very brief time before I must journey to the planes, and find a new home there.”

There were some murmurings, but not as much as one might think. Only the truly naïve thought that I would be able to remain as Queen when I was now a goddess. The world simply didn’t work that way.

“Yet, ere I go, I would offer these last commandments to you, my people. First, I name Arnet Sagebow, who has, until now, been Senechal of my realm, to formally become the Regent. In so doing, I charge him to raise my son, and raise him well, so that he might be a King worthy of his heritage when the time comes.

“Second, I bid thee continue the policies that I have made up unto this point. Trade with those who would treat us fairly, and freeze out those who would not. Allow the worship of all gods who are not outright hostile to our realm, without prejudice, for that is a wedge that outsiders would use to divide us, and turn us against each other. Ensure that all who live in Frostreach are provided with food and shelter enough to live, but allow them to reach for better if they work for it. Allow people to speak as they like, but should idle talk become treasonous action, then punish the traitors to the fullest extent possible. Let all who would live in these lands, even should they be considered monsters by those outside our borders, be treated equally, according to their deeds, and all have the opportunity to better themselves, should they seek to take it.

“Third, as the recent battles in the north and south have proven, Frostreach is not without enemies. While the resounding defeats we gave to those enemies may give them pause, for a time, there will always be those who think that they can take what is ours. Keep the military strong, and the border forts in good repair, so that you always have a mailed fist to answer those who think that they can take what is yours.

“Fourth, and finally, I proclaim this day, the twenty-first of Tartyrs, eleventh month out of the year, to be Ascension Day, in honor of my ascension to godhood. Keep this day as a holiday from now on, both in honor of me, and as a reminder that even gods can die at mortal hands, so nothing is impossible.”

There were some appreciative comments about that. A holiday is always welcome, after all, since the feasts and other such celebrations can bring in a fair bit of coin to local businesses. But most of them only applied to followers of one god or another. Having a holiday about your queen becoming a goddess after killing a god? That was something that a nation could unite around.

“My Queen,” interjected General Icetongue, “we see plainly that you are a goddess, even if you had not said as much already. But what have you become the goddess of?”

I smiled at her. “I am the Goddess of Women. I am the fury of a woman scorned. I am the wrath of a mother defending her child. I am the longing of a woman in love. I am all of these, and more.

“I am the Goddess of Outcasts and Rebels. Those who look upon tyrannical regimes, and wish to tear them down, will find me as their ally. Those who are cast out by their people, and keep the strength to continue on will find me their companion. Those who strive against doing things simply due to tradition will find me at their side. I am all of these, and more.

“I am the Goddess of Monsters. All those creatures who possess thought, but, because they are strange or ugly to the eyes of ‘civilized’ races, are deemed monsters shall know me as a friend. The undead will know I do not judge them for how they came to their present unlife. The medusa need not fear my followers coming to her halls as ‘heroes’ unless she has been preying upon them. All manner of intelligent wolves shall know me a true ally. I am all of these, and more.

“I am the Goddess of Vindication. Let Hoar have his vengeance, and Tyr his justice. I care not about such things, save as they advance the cause of vindication. For justice is bittersweet compared to the vindication of forcing someone to admit to their crimes. And vengeance is a heady brew, but vindication is headier still, for the entire community can share in it. My followers shall not only seek to redress wrongs done to them, but shall do so in such a way that all who look upon their works nod to each other, and say, “Yes, they were in the right all along.” I am all of this, and more.

“I am the Goddess of the Twice-Born. Whether they call to me or not, those souls brought from unhappy death to uncertain life in a new world shall find me their advocate. For too long have the Twice-Born been treated as a commodity by the gods and men. Now, at least, they shall have one goddess on their side, from the time they are reborn into this world until the time they leave it forever. This is what I am.”

Golden light began to surround me. I rose from my throne, for the last time, and said, “My time is up. I must leave to the planes, now. But know this, my people, so long as a single shrine to me exists within Frostreach, I, Melinda Rimedancer, shall never forsake you.”

And then I could resist the call no longer, and transcended to the planes, to find a portion of one of them that I could call my own. But there was a smile on my face, even as I was pulled away. After all, what was this except a new grand adventure, the start of a new story to be told?