The Legend of the Promise Ring

Summary: In the land of gods and goddesses roams a girl who is coming into her own. She has many a resentment against her home, and looks for something better than her run-of-the-mill life. Little does she know of the things about to befall her home, the Citadel of Italy.

Chapter 2: The Daghda

A great light woke Diana the next morning without warning. The sun wasn't shining, yet, but obviously, Jupiter saw fit to get the entire Citadel out of bed.

Diana quickly dressed in her regular attire and left her room. She saw Pyralis. "Any idea what's going on?" she asked quickly.

"Not one."

Diana searched her brain for any reason, and found memories of the spell of yesterday. The ship had docked. "He's here," she murmured to herself. Pyralis overheard, though she wasn't supposed to.

"Who's this 'he'?" she asked suspiciously. Diana told the truth, devoid of her feelings. "Oh." Pyralis sounded disappointed.

They made their way to the docks in silence. A large crowd was gathering in the main hall, and Diana and Pyralis were the only ones going out. There they found Diana's father, Jupiter.

"King, may I inquire as to what is happening?" Diana questioned with a tone of respect evident in her voice.

"Why aren't you in the main hall with the others? One would guess that you knew a ship was coming in," he replied solicitously. A caring glint was in his eyes as he looked down on his daughter.

A blush exploded on Dian's face. "I saw it, yesterday, sir," she explained as she looked the other way.

"I see. Well, the visitors haven't left their ship, yet, and I'm just waiting for them." Jupiter's eyes roamed the great ship, trying to distinguish the place from where it came.

"So we have greeters from this strange land," a loud voice called from inside the boat.

Diana gasped as the owner of the voice exited the boat. He was more magnificent up close. His blonde hair curled around his head like gold fire. His eyes glinted joyfully, like rubies. His face was chiseled and strong, and his muscles bulged out of his armor.

"Are you the captain of this ship?" Jupiter inquired, drawing himself to his full height. He didn't want to intimidate the foreigner; he just wanted to let him know who was boss.

"Nay," the foreigner responded humbly, "I am but the first mate of the Daghda." The reverence with which he said the word Daghda surprised Jupiter. His people said his name like that.

"Where, then, is your captain?" Jupiter asked.

"He will come when he feels like it." Another man came out from behind the first. Short, black hair stuck up in odd places from his head. He wasn't quite as tall as the first, or as muscular. His face was clever, like a fox's. A sharp nose led up to round, pale, golden eyes.

"And you are?" Jupiter requested.

"I, Lord, am Mabon, and this crew and I have sailed from Ireland in search of a journey. It seems we have found one."

"Will you be traveling the land, or will you take to boarding?"

"If we board, it won't be for long. Would that be an inconvenience to you and your people?" Mabon asked.

"There is a building we have that serves the very purpose to boarders. I think you will find it to your liking."

Mabon nodded and turned to the man who came out first.

"I thought you said there were to be battles?" Diana heard the First Mate question. She thought she heard wrong, so she discreetly made her way closer to them. She knew Jupiter's one fault was his senses. He could not hear, see, or smell anything distinctly, a trait not passed on to his daughter.

"I did, and yet these people seem peaceful. No, Cachulain, I do not think you will be fighting these rulers." Mabon's keen eyes searched the small group of people who were gathering slowly, wanting to see what was going on.

Diana saw Pyralis making a fool of herself over Cachulain. Now that Diana looked, he was rather too large. Intimidation must be his primary weapon, she thought. Trained in nothing but the usage of his overgrown muscles. Sure, he had a certain charm. What else would have attracted Diana? But after looking, the charm used up all its magic, and Diana was released from the spell.

"I, King Jupiter of the gods, declare today a day of celebration. Our visitors will experience all we have to offer to the best of our abilities," Jupiter announced. At once, people went out, knowing their duties for celebrations.

"I had not expected to be greeted so warmly," Mabon commented to Cachulain in a quiet tone.

"It is perfect, it is. They'll never suspect a thing."

Mabon's expression darkened with uncertainty. "We do not act, yet," he whispered. "We may not act at all."

As Diana listened for the second time, shock overtook her. She thought the words over. Mabon didn't want to attack the Citadel, but Cachulain did. But Cachulain had more power than Mabon. It would be his decision before Mabon's.

(A/N: I want to thank my two reviewers for liking this story. I can't find the catagory Mythology. If you know where to find it, it would be greatly appreciated if you were to tell me.

Tekvah Ariel: There isn't much else to say that I didn't say in that review-that-wasn't-a-review. XD. So we don't have the same misunderstanding as before, almost all of the gods' and goddesses' names are their real names. Mabon's and Cachulain's names were not made up by me, only the events and decisions they make are by me. Heck, I didn't even make their freakin personalities! [I did exercise a bit of artistic licence with them, though! lol] Glad you like it. :-)

Penny Leigh: Would you like me to email you when a new chapter is up? I'm thrilled you like this. It makes me feel special! :-p. I'm a bit self-conscious, so I'm happy when someone says they like my stuff. Thanks for reviewing!

R&R please!!!!! You get a snazzy message like those two got up there! I promise! XD)