Introduction
Welcome back to Maledicturs Terra. This is a Chain Story between myself and @lex-zaiya, meaning that we each write the parts alternatively.
If you have not read Maledictus Terra Book 1: Mortis Custos yet, it starts HERE at Part 1 and ends at Part 101 HERE. At the end of the Part 101 post you will find links to all 101 Parts!
Maledictus Terra Book 2: Sanguifex started HERE with Part 1 and ends at Part 111 HERE
The previous part by @lex-zaiya can be found HERE.
Part 24
"Well that went less well than I had hoped!" Magna said expansively to nobody in particular in their guest tent. The Greenskins had given Magna and her party a massive tent with many sub-tents leading off on the side.
It was a peculiar design, as though the Orcs were good at setting up this temporary dwelling that it resembled a sort of mansion. The centre tent had a place for a fireplace and a hole at the centre of the tent let the smoke out, the peaked roof did not allow the smoke to spread to the other rooms.
"Well, it could have gone worse." Noxus said softly.
"Indeed! You did great girl!" Gorox said and slapped the warrior princess on her shoulders. "Hell, if it had been the greenskins that the Temples have been fighting, there would have been no talks at all!"
"The greenskins we know don't even speak." Noxus countered.
"They have a language." Gorox said defensively. "I don't think they're animals, but compared to this lot, they sure are a bunch of dolts. They yell warcries and scream at each other. There are... similarities to the cultures enough that Magna got that Gorma girl to look up to her."
"And that Gorma's father, Chief Lockjaw as well." Noxus said.
"But they did not accept my terms!" Magna fumed.
"You should count yourself lucky." Gorox said. "If I..." The Vallor Kai initiate was interrupted by Mortis, who strode forward to stand before Magna.
It was not the War God who spoke, but the guardian ancestor of Magna's blood. "This was a negotiation." He said softly, but the power and wisdom in his words forestalled argument. "If you go into these talks only wishing to have your own way, you might be blind to the opportunities that arise from them. Sometimes the other side might open up something that you had not considered before. You did not get what you went in at the start... but you have not failed your mother."
Magna sighed slowly, turning the thought over in her head. "They brought their own... convention, that is meant to prevent bloodshed between them and us." She looked at her brother who cradled a furry ball in his arms.
"They entrusted us with a life, one of a... companion... a hunting beast... but it is one that they value." Adrian said softly. He was staring and stroking the warg pup, who stared up at him with yellow and brown eyes. It was very quiet for a puppy. It seemed to be sizing him up. Even though it was just a baby, it was quietly considering whether he was a friend or a foe. "He's actually... " Adrian trailed off and went to go sit closer to the fire, stroking the warg.
"Entrusted with a life." Magna repeated slowly. "I suppose that it is a start. Save Innana... what was I thinking?" She slapped her own forehead.
"I thought it was a brilliant idea!" Vitex said brightly. Magna huffed, it was a wonder the forest Godling had managed to keep quiet this long.
"Yes, but we have no bloody idea of where to find her, or if its even possible!" Magna knew she was directing her frustration to this ditzy deity, but Vitex pissed her off with her carefree confidence.
"Yes. But she is a Goddess." Vitex said simply.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Magna demanded.
"It means, my dear, that she's cannot simple vanish or die. There is very little that can un-make a God. So that means that what you have offered to do is not impossible."
Magna sighed and raised her eyebrows. "Well, there is that then. Lucky me."
Mortis stuck his hand up into the air. "I have requested to speak about this matter as well." It was clear that Bellum was now speaking. Magna nodded her head. "I know of Innana, the Lion Goddess. At the time of these Orcs, I had many followers and shared many... pantheons. The hearts, minds and faiths of people three thousand years ago had space and place for many Gods. Knowing her will help in our quest to find her."
"Lion Goddess?" Adrian asked.
Bellum shrugged but Vitex hopped between them and interrupted them. "Oh! I know this one too! Innana is the Lion Goddess? Then I know her too! But she had another name. Ishzar, the Lioness, wielder of the Scales and the eight-pointed mace!"
Bellum continued. "Innana, the patron of the harvest, the herd and the army..."
Vitex laughed brightly. "Ishzar, Goddess of the hunter, the gatherer and the soldier who seeks to return to his wife and family!"
"So there are parallels," Adrian said softly. "You could be worshipped for more than one thing? And have more than one name?"
Before Bellum could say anything Vitex made a rude noise with her lips. "Silly boy. Are you seen the same by all people? Are you respected by all for the same few skills or do you have skills and attributes that only some see and appreciate?"
Adrian shrugged. "I guess."
"And others might even despise you and blame you or dislike you for completely other reasons?"
"Right. I get your point."
"Right, fine." Magan spoke up. "What does all this mean then?"
Vitex smiled. "It means that we can find Ishzar."
"Innana." Bellum said.
"Yes. Innana." Vitex echoed.
You're up again @lex-zaiya!
Thank you for reading!
Here is an explanation of Chain Stories and here is the current Chainstory Library
Vetitum Nemus
| by @zakludick | by @lex-zaiya |
|---|---|
| ---- | Part 1 |
| Part 2 | Part 3 |
| Part 4 | Part 5 |
| Part 6 | Part 7 |
| Part 8 | Part 9 |
| Part 10 | Part 11 |
| Part 12 | Part 13 |
| Part 14 | Part 15 |
| Part 16 | Part 17 |
| Part 18 | Part 19 |
| Part 20 | Part 21 |
| Part 22 | Part 23 |
| You are here! | Coming soon! |
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