Underground Informer
Volume 5 Issue 18
November 5, 1994
Page 12


Harrowing of the Gods 2, Chapter 10  (continued from previous page)
                                                  Copyright (c) 1994 StarStorm

     "That's correct."

     "In Chantanea, we call it Con'Conivai -- Bringer of Visions," Northwyn 
said, testing the limits of his knowledge.

     Na'Vayn, however, was insulted.  He could translate the ancient dialects 
as well as any man -- better, perhaps, than most save for the most devoted of 
scholars and scribes.  To have this... k'nai translating the language of his 
ancestors for him was nothing less than a slap to the face.  And still,  
Na'Vayn's expression remained impassive and distant.

     "And that one there," Northwyn continued, pointing toward at a small 
broadleafed plant several paces from the copse, its clusters of red berries 
just reaching the height of ripeness between the leaf stems.  "Isn't that a 
Talii plant?"

     "Yes.  Its berries can be used to make certain poisons.  Be assured,  
young lord, that the berries of that particular Talii have never been used in 
the creation of something so insidious."  Na'Vayn would not admit that his 
poisons were created from a different plant only a few feet beyond.  The 
conversation, though, was turning against him.  "Let us return to the tour."

     Northwyn inclined his head in acquiescence and followed his host from the 
garden.  Na'Vayn stopped in the central area where the stairwell descended 
from the upper levels downward.

     "The kitchen is there, beyond that wall.  That is where my servants are 
preparing dinner for us," he said, indicating a wall along the northeastern  
edge of the garden.  "We will eat once we have completed the tour, which  
should happen soon."

     "I do not need to eat in this incarnation."

     Na'Vayn cast an awkward glance at his visitor.  "What do you mean, you do 
not need to eat while in this incarnation?"

     Northwyn giggled impulsively, unaware of Na'Vayn's irritation at being 
made to look ignorant.  "I cannot eat as a statue.  Only my essence is here -- 
not my body."

     At last Na'Vayn's plans took formation.  He knew what he needed to do.  
All he had to be certain of was one thing, and that would be certain quickly 
enough.  Empirical data would win out after all, and he would at last be able 
to restore Arel to life.

     "What's beyond that door?" Northwyn asked, shifting the subject to 
something more interesting.

     "Oh, that is my sitting hall," Na'Vayn said as he approached the door. 
"You will get to see it since we need to go inside to continue the tour."

     Northwyn smiled and nodded as Na'Vayn opened the door to reveal the grand 
chamber beyond.  It was, by no means, a humble room, filled as it was with 
golden decorations and pillars of marble, exquisite paintings and etchings.  
At the far end of the hall, at the edge of rolling red velvet rug, was a 
carving of silver, gold, and crystal, shaped as a tongue of flame with a 
three-stepped dais at its base.  "I use this hall to entertain my guests.  
Most of these treasures were found in a cave near here.  I believe they were 
some ill-gotten booty or a dragon's horde or some such thing, but as I did not 
know the true owner, I was obliged to keep them here until such time as they 
might be claimed."

     The godling's eyes narrowed for a moment.  There was something in 
Na'Vayn's story that did not ring true, although he could not be certain which 
part.  One thing he did know, however, was that his host was by no means a 
humble farmer.  No farmer of the devoted would maintain such a collection of 
trinkets, nor would they go through the efforts of bringing plants from all 
across the world to their home.  Such things were unheard of.  His gaze fell 
upon his host for a moment, his pale blue eyes trying to pierce the facade 
Na'Vayn had erected, but he could find nothing more revealing beneath the 
surface.

     "This way, young Northwyn," Na'Vayn said, indicating another door nearby.  
"Our tour is almost over." 

To be continued...

[The following list of characters is provided to help new readers of the 
story.  This list will be repeated with each chapter.]

Harrowing of the Gods 2: Godkiller -- Dramatis Personae

  The First Heavenly Host                The Second Heavenly Host
==================================     ===================================
Arayas (Kai), The Sun                  Ashina, Goddess of Beauty & Fertility
Brenna, Goddess of the Seas            Daynage, Goddess of Life
Dro'Naya, The Mountain                 Doppler, Lord of Laws and Justice
Guardian (Guardian of Chantanea)       Evanea, Lord of the Harvest
Kalikatris, Lord of the Harvest        Moon, Lord of Death
Kalista, Goddess of Wisdom and War     Northwyn Kai, Lord of the Heavens
Kuahna'Kin, Lord of Fire               Quixot (Guardian of Chantanea)
Nor, Fate, The Unseen One
Renaud, Goddess of Passions
Shaina, The Moon
The Nameless God, the Dark God
The Muses, The Messengers of Fate
 
                         The Third Heavenly Host
                     ==================================
                       Den'Chai, Lord of Paradise
                       Ros-Loy, Ken'Wa (Sword of Den'Chai)
                       Jenira, Goddess of the Seasons
                       Jovee, Demi-god of Games
 
  Mortals of Baudea (Past and Present) and the Creatures of Chaos
==========================================================================
Delta Wun, Temple Lord of Strozz       Neshava Romo, Past Temple Lord
Donovan, father of the Ascendant       Na'vayn Zaer, The Godkiller
Kallahr, Cavalier at Strozz            Cinna Kei, Wife of Na'vayn Zaer
Kovan, Thief at Strozz                 Arel Zaer, Son of Na'vayn and Cinna
Se'an Eebau, Acolyte to Delta Wun
Serise, mother of the Ascendant        Articia, Archsavant
The Prophesied Child (Ascendant)

Changeling Child, Ken'Wa               Draksee, Oracle of Strozz (Dragon)
Heltheg, Servant to the Nameless God   Ho, Keyman to the Oracle
uuSShhiik, Lord of the Ken'Wa

                            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

