A/n. Okay, so people have been slacking off on the review front lately, but I DID get a 'story alert' for this story, so I'll update anyway. Thankyou for the alert, by the way, 'The-Letter-D', i'm pleased to see people are still interested by this story. Read on!

Chapter 13:

"So you're saying I need a babysitter." Sarah stared at George, with an expression on her face as though he had grown a second head.

"Not a babysitter, lass." He smiled patiently. "A guard. And it won't be that big a deal; you spend a lot of time with Numair and Alanna anyway."

"Yeah, but when they bug me I storm off!" Sarah exclaimed. "And with the 'Nut Job' thing, I'll want to storm off more than ever, and I won't be able to because they're my body guards! And who the hell decided I needed a body guard?!"

"The King, lass. After Numair told him that if you went against the two mages by yourself you'd probably lose." George answered, amused by the expressions that flitted across her face. Disbelief, annoyance, and finally anger.

"I'm gonna kill him!" She stood, ready to barge through the door and knock Numair on the head.

The former thief blocked the way, placing a hand on each shoulder and forcing her back down onto her seat. "Nay, lass, you won't. Because he's right. Now, you can either agree to stay with one of them, or the King will order you placed under lock and key, with one of them guarding the door. What would you prefer?"

Sarah glared at him before dodging around, storming out the room. "So you two agree with this?" She demanded of Alanna and Numair, who sat speaking quietly with Daine, Casey and Fin. When she had stormed into the room they had looked up, a wince on their faces.

"Sarah, it's too dangerous for you to be left alone right now." Numair tried.

"Don't. I don't want to hear it." She flung herself into a chair next to Fin, who watched her carefully. "What're you looking at?" She snapped.

"I'm looking at some kid that's meant to be all grown up and the Messenger for a bunch of Gods, and she's acting like a five year old." He retorted, shocking her out of her anger.

Sarah blushed, before she sighed. "I'm sorry. Thanks Alanna, Numair, I know this'll put a strain on both of you. I'll try not to put any more stress on you."

"Are you hungry?" Alanna asked, automatically reverting to her healer instincts.

Sarah shrugged. "A little. What time is it?"

"The last bell rang an hour and a half ago." Alanna answered.

When Sarah noticed Fin shaking his head, she asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's this funky time system. Candles and bells…" he shook his head ruefully.

Sarah grinned. "It takes getting used to. One bell, or one candle, is one hour. Obviously, half a candle is half an hour… it's actually pretty easy. Anyway, I'll make do with an apple or two. Wouldn't want to wake anyone up, and I'd rather not deal with the digestive implications of my own cooking." Sarah shook her head.

Numair chuckled before standing. "I think it's time I went to bed. Daine, coming or staying?"

A yawn was his answer, and she picked up a sleeping bundle Sarah hadn't noticed, carrying Sarralyn, their daughter, out of the room. Named for Daine's mother, Sarah called her 'Lynnie' to save confusion. Sarah walked them out of the room. "Are your parents coming for a visit tomorrow?"

Daine nodded, and Sarralyn shifted in her arms. "Did you want to meet them? I know you haven't yet; you've been too busy with missions for the Great Gods or King Jon."

Sarah smiled. "That'd be great, but I wouldn't want to intrude. I know you only get to see them a couple of times a year."

"No, no, it'll be fine. They said they wanted to meet you last time they visited." Daine explained.

Sarah shot her a glance as the Wildmage passed the sleeping girl to her father. "They aren't after me to do a mission, are they?" She looked suspicious.

Daine laughed. "No, no, of course not." Sarralyn chose that moment to wake up, and started crying. "I guess that's our cue to leave."

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The morning of the Winter Solstice rolled around, and Sarah awoke to a figure standing over her. She tensed for a moment, her hand reaching under her pillow for the dagger she had placed there the night before, until she realised the figure was glowing slightly in the early morning light, and she recognized the Great Mother Goddess.

Sitting up quickly, Sarah grinned as she sketched a quick, seated bow to the Goddess. "An honour, as usual."

"My daughter." The Goddess inclined her head slightly before sitting on the bed beside her. "You have been busy since we last spoke."

Sarah laughed. "Yeah, it's been one of those weeks. How have you been?"

The ivory woman chuckled softly. "You are the only one of my subjects that asks how I am, especially on this particular holiday. But I am well. Is there anything bothering you, my daughter?"

"Oh, not much. Mithros' little stunt, you know, how he stranded a bunch of people from another dimension here, under my protection, when I can't even protect myself that well from an assassination attempt." Her voice was light, but her jaw clenched as she said the last part.

"Are you recovered from your injuries?"

Sarah clenched her left fist and felt around her ribs. "Yep. Of course, that doesn't matter that much if I get attacked again. I need to keep the others close, but if I do and I'm attacked I can't effectively defend them all. It's a catch twenty two."

"The assassination attempt has you concerned?" The Great Mother asked.

Sarah just gave her a look that screamed 'Not Funny' before sighing. "Yes. Very. I don't know what I'm going to do… we have no leads, no clues, nothing at all to tell us what's going on, except that the person that hired the Spidrens was a man with dark blue magic and an accent, and that whoever's pulling the strings has power enough to hire three powerful mages, and offer stormwings enough to attack me, as well as Spidrens. And now my friends are going to risk their lives by hanging around with me, day in, day out, to make sure the mages don't kill me, and I just don't know what to do…"

She was ashamed to feel tears on her cheeks and hastily wiped them away. The Goddess placed a hand on her shoulder, causing energy to jolt through her body, before saying, "There is no shame in showing your emotions. You should be upset. Someone wants you dead, you will worry people if you act as though it does not bother you."

Sarah met the Goddess' eyes. "Can you shed any light on the matter?"

The Mother shook her head. "It is unfortunate that we cannot. Not everything in this realm is made clear to us, and neither myself nor my brother know of the person behind the attacks. I will enquire with my other siblings, but we cannot interfere too much. There are-"

"Rules. I know." Sarah stood and walked to her desk, where a pitcher of water sat. She poured herself a cup and glanced sidelong at the Goddess. "I've never thought to offer you anything to drink before."

"It is always amusing to visit you, my daughter. Gods need no refreshments. I will get back to you when I can, but that may not be for some time." The Goddess placed a hand on an item on the desk; a soft white light emanated from the item, before fading, leaving it smooth and whole.

As the Goddess moved to leave, Sarah called, "Wait." When she turned around with questioning eyes, she asked, "Would you mind visiting with Detective Olivia Benson? She'd like to meet you, I think, considering you spoke to her when she was kidnapped by Martin Carter. I think it would solidify the fact that she isn't insane."

A soft smile lit the Great Mother's face. "I will."

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"Ma!" Daine threw herself into her mother's arms while Numair bowed respectfully to her father, Weiryn the God of the Hunt.

"Daine!" The Green Lady, the newest goddess in the village of Snowsdale, in Galla, hugged her daughter tightly in return. When they had finished their tearful greeting the older woman held her at arms length. "I'm to be a grandmother again?"

"You ruined the surprise." Daine scolded, before grinning. "He's going to look just like his father." She turned to greet her da, hugging him tightly while he wrapped her in muscular arms.

They were settled for a day inside; his appearance, bronze skin stripped with green and antlers that protruded from his head, tended to make people nervous. "Has thisman been treating you well?"

Both Daine and Sarra sighed. "You were going so well, dear." The older woman said. "You called him by his name last visit."

Kitten trotted into the room, whistling at the Gods in greeting, and Sarralyn woke from her nap with a cry. Her grandmother walked into the adjoining room to comfort her just as there was a knock on the door. When Daine opened it to see Sarah standing there, with Alanna in tow, she grinned. "This is going to get confusing." She said by way of greeting, and stepped aside to let them in.

"We'll call Sarralyn Lynnie, your mother Sarra, and me 'hey you in the corner'." Sarah replied, and Daine shook her head in amusement. "And good morning and happy Winter Solstice, by the way."

She walked past her friend and noticed the tall God standing, watching her curiously. "Hey. You must be Weiryn. My name's Sarah, I'm a friend of your daughter's." She bowed to him with a quick grin. Gods either liked her or hated her because of her attitude.

Weiryn watched her closely, carefully, even as Alanna bowed deeply. "The tales of your insolence are true then. I always thought Mithros was being overdramatic."

"Yeah, sorry about that." She said completely without remorse. "Proper respect for the Gods wasn't drilled into me as a kid, so I kinda forget myself every now and then. I don't mean offence."

"And none's taken, dear. It's an honour to meet you." The woman that could only be Daine's mother hustled into the room, a giggling Sarralyn in her arms.

"The honour is all mine, Green Lady." Sarah bowed again, with a wink to Daine.

Weiryn hadn't stopped his examination. "So you are our Messenger."

Daine glared at her father. "She's not here as the Messenger for the Gods, Da. She's here as my friend, who I am introducing as my friend."

Sarah grinned. "Calm down, Daine. Yeah, I'm the Messenger. And what a fun job that is. Why, do you have a mission for me?" She was jesting, but when he appeared thoughtful, Sarra slapped him on the arm.

"No he doesn't." She answered for him. A rap on the door interrupted whatever else she might have said. When Daine answered it, Sarah saw Casey standing in the doorway.

"Ah, Sarah-" She balked at the sight of the man with antlers. Gulping, she asked, "Is that another immortal?"

Sarah thought she heard Weiryn growl, and had to fight a grin. "No… this is Weiryn, God of the Hunt." Glancing in his direction, she lost the fight and smiled. "Don't be offended. They've known about Gods for exactly nine days and I haven't given them the crash course on etiquette when dealing with a deity. Excuse me." And she walked out the door, shaking her head and holding in laughter as Casey noticeably paled.

"He- he was a God? Oh my God… I mean…" She took a deep breath and peered at the door containing Daine and her family.

Sarah took pity on her and guided her a little way away. "Relax. What's up?"

"Elliot's just been challenged to a duel by some guy named Sir Ansil of Groten." Casey blurted. "And Olivia's been acting weird all morning."

"Gods, I can't leave you lot alone for one hour." Sarah muttered, but she grinned reassuringly. "I'll get the duel brushed over, and don't worry about Olivia. She had a visit from the Great Mother Goddess this morning; she's probably just really weirded out."

When they returned to Daine's room Sarah called to Alanna. "Guess what, I win the pool. It took Elliot less than a day to get challenged to a duel."

"What?!" The Lioness cried, mouth agape.

Daine groaned, and Numair looked thoughtful. "He didn't accept, did he?"

Casey winced, which was followed by several groans. "This'll be harder to smooth over than I thought." Sarah mused. "Oh well, I'll just pretend like you lot are from Greenstone, and pull the ol' 'I am liege lord of the challenged; as he is a commoner, I must fight in his place' trick, and beat the snot out of Groten for trying to pull a stunt like that."

Alanna shook her head. "When did this happen?"

"It was about twenty minutes ago. Groten said he'd duel Elliot tomorrow at noon…" Casey trailed off, a worried look on her face.

"Don't worry, we'll get it sorted out." Sarah patted her on the shoulder. One look to Daine and her parents, and she raised an eyebrow. "Want to make the introductions?"

She sighed and gave Sarah an impatient look. "Casey, this is my Ma and Da, Weiryn the Hunter and The Green Lady of Snowsdale."

Casey looked like she needed a seat urgently. "You're Gods… doesn't that mean that Daine's a God? Does that mean her daughter's half God?"

Sarah had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing. "No, Daine isn't a God. Her mother was human when she had her; she's only a new God. As for the part God thing… it's a long story, but the only part of Daine that isn't human is her magic; that she gets from her father. Relax, Casey, and calm down. Really, I'd have thought you all would have gotten used to all the surprises by now. But keep this quiet, even from the others, alright? It's a secret." Casey just stared, and Sarah sighed. "I guess I'd better get her some tea to calm her down and deal with this duel problem we have. It was an honour to meet you, Weiryn, Green Lady. Perhaps I'll see you again, later, but I may bebabysitting."

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Olivia stared at the ceiling, thinking over the events of the last hour. The flash of light had startled her into wakefulness; it was barely dawn, and she had wanted to sleep in. Sleepily thinking it was someone with a camera, and she was sleeping in the crib, she had grabbed her pillow, ready to throw it at whoever thought it was funny to take a picture of her sleeping.

Instead she found a tall, ivory skinned woman with sharp emerald eyes standing before her. When she opened her mouth to speak Olivia's jaw dropped; she recognized the voice, she had heard it only recently. "Good morning, my daughter."

"Y-you…" Olivia stuttered and backed up against the headboard of the bed, scrambling to get as far away from the woman as possible. Her voice shook. "What are you doing here?"

"Is it so unlikely that I have come to sit with you for time?" The woman asked, and Olivia gulped, aware she had no where else to run, and that the door was blocked by the tall figure of the woman.

"Why are you here?" She tried a different tact.

"For the same reason I spoke with you while you were in captivity; to reassure you. Our Messenger suggested you might still doubt your sanity after my last visit with you." The tall woman looked amused, if nothing else.

"And I'm doubting it right now, too." Olivia retorted. Meanwhile, she was thinking, I am so going to get Sarah for this. "Well, now that I've seen you, I can tell you're real, so thanks for that. I'm sure you're busy…"

"You are fearful." It wasn't a question, more a statement.

"Shouldn't I be?" Olivia asked, and the Goddess chuckled.

"Not of me, my daughter. I am proud of you, for the work you have been doing, considering the plight of your own family so closely relates to the plight of the victims."

Olivia tensed; her eyes narrowed. "That's none of your business. Get out."

"You need not fear your emotions, my daughter. They can be your ally, if you'll let them." The Great Mother spoke softly.

"I'm not your daughter." Was the reply Olivia gave as she glared pointedly between the door and the Goddess.

A chuckle, and the tall woman disappeared, with a final word, "I shall watch over you like you were, Olivia."

And now the Detective lay still on her bed, staring almost trancelike at the ceiling, with several thoughts rushing through her mind. Sarah said she might visit. And she did. And I threw her out. Should I have done that, if she's a God? What if I'm going to be struck down or something for being so rude… and she knew so much. She knew about my mother…

Her thoughts were interrupted by Sarah stalking into the room, a small smile on her face. "She make an impression, did she?"

Olivia glanced her way before asking with a dry mouth, "Is she vengeful?"

"Only to people who break their vows when they swore upon her. Both her and her brother, the Dark God, don't much like it when people swear by them and break that promise. Why, what did you do?" Sarah asked, an interested expression on her face.

"I kicked her out. She started talking about… she started talking about personal things, and I told her to get out." Olivia blurted, and Sarah laughed.

"Oh, that's one to be remembered. You're lucky it wasn't Mithros, he wouldn't have liked that one bit. I classify Gods into two categories; the ones that are amused by the antics of us monotheistically raised people, and those that are aggravated by it. You don't have to worry; the Goddess falls into the first category. I offered her water this morning and asked how she was; apparently I'm the only one around here to do that. I think she thinks of us as 'quirky'. So, did she say anything interesting?"

"Just that she was here to reassure me, and that you had said I might be doubting my sanity. Next time, let me doubt my sanity, if it's all the same to you." Olivia said, and Sarah laughed again.

"Alright. I better go check on Elliot and find out just exactly what he said to Sir Ansil of Groten; in the hour and a half that I've been awake, he's managed to get himself challenged to a duel. And the idiot accepted. You should show your face; everyone's getting worried about you."

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"You called Groten a chauvinistic moron. You can't go around saying things like that." Sarah explained patiently.

"It's a free country." Elliot retorted, before frowning.

"No, no, it's still a free country." Sarah assured him. "But that leaves Sir Ansil of Groten with the freedom to run you through with his sword."

"Well he was being a complete ass." Elliot defended himself. They were walking together towards the King's study, with Alanna trailing behind them. She had fallen back when she had heard what Elliot had said. She knew Sarah wanted to lecture him, and decided the lecture would be more effective if he couldn't see her grinning from ear to ear. "He called Casey a whore."

"And he'll call me, Olivia, Casey and probably Alanna a whore many more times before I get you lot home. I just tell he can't afford my price and walk off." Sarah retorted. "And now I've got to deal with the mess you've created."

She knocked on the door of the King's study before allowing herself in. He looked up from the paperwork he was doing and grinned at her. "I've been expecting you. What would you prefer, nullifying the duel on the basis of Elliot here being a commoner, or would you prefer to call up old bylaw Fifty Two A and fight in his place?"

She returned his grin easily. "I see someone's been reading up on noble privilege. Fifty Two A,please."

"Consider it done." He smiled at Elliot, who was sitting churlishly in the seat beside Sarah. "Are you taking your friends to the Midwinter festivities in the city?"

Sarah frowned thoughtfully. "I hadn't thought of that. I suppose that'd be a good idea… I'd been wanting to ask someone about something down there, anyway." She held the King's gaze for a second before raising her eyebrows. He knew who she was asking, and what she was asking.

"Very well. Do you want me to assign a troop of guards-" He cut himself off as Alanna made the universal 'shut the hell up' gesture, knifing her fingers in front of her neck.

Sarah glowered. "Thanks, but no thanks. One babysitter is more than enough, Majesty."

"Uh oh." Alanna murmured. "She's annoyed with you; she's calling you 'Majesty'."

"Sarah, it's for your own good." Jon said firmly. "And I'll not hear another word on the matter."

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Sarah had to wait for the palace seamstress to leave, clucking at the earthlings for leaving their fittings so late. Numair had supplied breeches and tunic shirts for the group from the

Rider stores, but King Jon had decided to be prudent and organise formalwear for the group, just in case Sarah decided to attend a ball or two. After a quick explanation to the earthlings, who were glad to get Munch away from the bookcase, they set out for the Midwinter festivities with Alanna and George in tow.

"Anything you see, anything you want, just tell me. You get hungry or thirsty, let me know." Sarah instructed. "I've got money enough on me to cover anything you want, unless you wander into the Raven Armoury."

"We'll be fine-" Casey began, but Sarah cut her off.

"Don't. If you want something, tell me. Consider it an advance on what I'm going to get paid tomorrow for kicking Groten's arse. Thanks Elliot, by the way. I don't think I've said that yet." Sarah grinned at the detective.

Cragen frowned. "You're glad he got challenged to a duel?"

Sarah, Alanna and George Cooper shared amused glances. "Very. It'll be fun, and no I'm not being overconfident. It's a matter of fact; he doesn't stand a chance."

"You've your training master to thank for that." Cooper advised. "You were trained by th' best."

Alanna shoved him playfully, and they continued their walk until they made their way to the bustling Lower City, where Players had arranged themselves on the sidewalk, juggling, singing or doing sleight of hand tricks to awe the passersby. There was a band in a courtyard to the left; people were dancing merrily to the upbeat tune they were playing. Stalls on the sidewalk were full of exotic wares or delicious food.

Sarah shooed the earthlings away to search the market place for items of interest while her eyes scanned the crowd. Picking out a familiar figure, she casually sidled up to him and spoke quietly. "I want to speak to the King."

"I been thinking you might." The young thief named Micah nodded microscopically. "I'll tell him for you. Stay in th' marketplace."

Sarah nodded and returned to the others, who were examining the wares of several stalls. Peering over Olivia's shoulder, she saw the woman looking at a tapestry with a golden kudarung flapping into a sunset. It was a work of art, and when Sarah spoke up from next to the detective's ear she almost dropped it in the dirt. "Nice. Flying horses are pretty much native to the Copper Isles. Kudarungs – that's what they're called – are relatives to the hurroks, but a lot nicer." She looked into the eyes of the merchant. "How much?"

"A silver noble for the noble." He inclined his head in a small bow.

"How about three coppers?" Sarah asked, and the man looked offended.

"My lady, perhaps you are not fluent in the making of fine silk tapestries, but three coppers does not come close to covering the manufacture of such a design!"

"It's not silk, for one, it's cotton." Sarah raised her eyebrows, as though daring him to deny it. "If three coppers doesn't cover the manufacturing, you were ripped off, my friend. I'll give you four, because I feel sorry for someone who can't tell the difference."

"I cannot part with such a piece for only four coppers!" He exclaimed, and Sarah shrugged.

"Oh well. Come on, Olivia. Let's go see what that stall has." As she turned to leave, turning the detective around with her, the stall keeper called out.

"Wait!" When she turned back around, a mildly interested expression on her face, he sighed. "You drive a hard bargain. Four coppers, only because I like you."

After Sarah had passed the coins over and handed the tapestry to Olivia, she headed towards Casey, to see what she was looking at. "You didn't have to buy it for me, you know." Olivia said, and Sarah shrugged.

"Four coppers is small change. Like I said, don't hesitate to ask for anything, I've no problem feeding you or buying you things that you like. I- oh what are the boys up to?" She asked crossly, seeing Elliot, Fin and Munch closely examining a stall filled with crossbows and daggers. Walking over to them, she said, "Yeah, so not buying you anything from here."

"My lady," The merchant began, a middle aged man with a pot belly. "We only sell thehighest quality of merchandise-"

"Yeah, right. That's why the blade on the last dagger I bought from you fell off. Come on, guys, if you want a weapon I know a half a dozen reasonably priced stores that sell proper blades and crossbows. I-" She cut herself off as she noticed a figure standing in the mouth of an alley, talking softly to George Cooper. Their eyes were on her, and Sarah narrowed her own. "Wait here. I'll be right back."

Trotting over to the man, she glanced around surreptitiously before following him into the alley. George remained at the mouth, chatting with a merchant that had set up shop there. When they were far enough into the darkened path, Sarah turned to the man, clasping his hand briefly. "Marek, how have you been?"

"Well, lass. I hear you've had a spot of trouble recently." Marek Swiftknife, the longest surviving King of the Rogue answered.

"Yeah, I have. I don't suppose you've got any light to shed on the matter?" She asked.

"You need to be careful." He stated seriously. "Someone's bin trying t' recruit my men to take you down, and I aint certain of their loyalty anymore, not with the amount of money they were offered."

"Damnit." Sarah growled. "I was kind of hoping you wouldn't say that."

"I was hoping I wouldn't have to." He replied. "The men are asking why we need t' be protecting a noble, when there'd be more money in it to take you out. They're saying we should extort you for protection money." Marek broke into a wide grin. "It's just th' new lads saying that, from Port Cayne. None of the locals have even considered it."

"That, or they just haven't dared speak their minds to their King." Sarah mused aloud, and the sound of multiple soft footsteps met their ears before Marek could reply. She quietly drew her sword as he unsheathed two of what she knew to be many knives hidden around his body.

"Majesty." One of the five young men bowed to Marek; Sarah didn't know him, but she saw recognition and wariness on the Rogue's face.

"Mossaf. I told you five to patrol the docks for nobles with full belt purses. What are you doing here, disobeyin' my orders?" He asked, his eyes narrow.

"Well, I see a noble with a full belt purse, right there." He pointed to Sarah, who kept her sword pointed towards the ground, but ready for a fight anyway.

"You forgettin', Mossaf, that she's under the protection of the Rogue?" Marek asked. "And who are your friends?"

"Just some mates I picked up, who-" He was cut off by a shout from the alley.

"Just move, old man! This is none of your concern!" A young lout shouted, which was followed by a grunt and a cry of pain, and Sarah could hear George Cooper as he replied.

"Who are you calling 'old man'? Sarah!" He yelled as three more men streamed into the alley. "Incoming!"