A/n: One chapter late, here is the 'something a little different'. I love writing these chapters-they really get me inspired. J Thanks again to all my reviewers!
Back in the divine Realms, havoc had ensued. The Great Mother Goddess was trying to make herself heard over the racquet, Mithros was shouting indiscriminately, and most of the lesser gods were laughing at their attempts. The strangers, though, only stood aside and looked aloof.
After great effort and a bit of sword-swinging from Mithros, a kind of tentative hush crept over the gathering. The Great Mother Goddess finally relaxed, sitting down gracefully in her throne as if nothing had happened.
"Right," she ordered briskly, "I'm glad that's over with. If I might continue with the matter at hand?" Nodding her head graciously towards the strangers, she murmured, "You have the floor, my cousins."
A tall woman in a soft green habit and gold girdle stepped forward from the group. The others grouped themselves behind her, bringing themselves into clear view. Murmurs spread out softly at their unmistakably foreign appearance, but were silenced by a glare from the Mother.
"Cousins," The foreign goddess began, her voice soft and gentle, like the sound of long grass rustling in the breeze, "I am Mila-known in my own lands as Mila of the Grain. I rule over the northern lands of the countries far from here. My colleagues make up the chief Gods of our pantheon- the Smith, the Green man-" She smiled affectionately at his name, "Asaia of the air and the lady of water, Yalina. As you know, we have never before had cause to come before you, but three days ago, some of those under our personal care were brought to these lands."
She was interrupted by the big, burly, black god she had introduced as the Smith. "In short, cousins, we want to know when they can get back, and what's going to happen to them before they do." He scowled darkly. "Two of my people are here. I want to get them back where I can look after them."
"We have no power here." Yalina clarified. "These are your domains. Will you send us back our chosen?"
This caused a desperate flurry of noise, and only the great clang of Mithros' sword against his shield bringing silence. From the shadows, however, there emerged a figure clad in black. Shakith moved slowly into the centre of the hall.
The Great Mother Goddess nodded courteously to the seer. "Shakith, my sister, have you wisdom to lend to us?"
The blind goddess nodded stiffly. "I do, Great Mother. At your request, Gainel and I went on with our investigation into the coming divergence. I fear I must disappoint our distant cousins. To remove these people would have untold effects on the course of the world. It is necessary for them to remain. Their fates are tied up in this affair."
The strangers stepped back, murmuring quietly to each other. After a moment, the beautiful, wraithlike, winged Asaia emerged.
"Then, cousins, with your permission-" She bowed to the Great Mother Goddess "-we will remain until our chosen can return with us. We will not leave them here alone. We will stay."
Mithros stood, tall, imposing and majestic. "Let it be known that our Cousins will remain in this realm at their leisure until such time as they see fit to return to their own lands. Let they be treated as kinsmen!"
