A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update, but I think it was worth is. Thanks to:

Tricksty One: I know I sorta messed up the dates, but I was on a roll. Thanks for the help, though!

'Lanna Lioness: I will keep updating, and I thank you for reviewing!

Nicolerenea: Well Ria can't have everything go her way, can it! Glad you like it.

Booksquirt: I try to make it as flowy as possible, thanks for the tip though. And I have a question; you say Ria goes helpless in one chapter? When has she shown before that she's not helpless? I mean, she's a 10 year old girl about to be raped…I think your brain would freeze in that kind of situation. I am interested about your thoughts.

Reality Is Elusive: Shhh, don't scream! My brother's asleep! Anyways, I hope it won't be the end of you, cause I need you to review :D

Crowmagic: Do people enjoy finding the parts where I rushed my story!stomps around anyways, thanks for the tip, and I'm editing, I assure you!

Keladry of Michigan: falls over in faint all those compliments, for me! Glad you liked it so much!

Pleading With The Gods

Rikash Moonsword stood before the grand circle of Great Gods, bored out of his mind and ready to make his petition for the second time.

"I request to be released from the Dark Realms, and be given my body back, and be allowed back in the Realms of the living."

"Rikash Moonsword," bellowed Mithros, "We had granted you a special place in the Dark Realms because of certain requests of some gods," He nodded to the Graveyard Hag and the Trickster, who nodded back, "And now you revoke our kindness, and ask us to do something that would require great strength. Is there a reason for this strange request." It wasn't even a question.

Rikash stared right at the god, and said in a bored voice, "Of course I do, why would I come to this tedious council if I didn't?"

Mithros looked up now, and the Goddess's emerald eyes narrowed. The Trickster coughed viciously into his hand, while a faint smile touched Ganiel's lips, and the Graveyard Hag waggled her stick at Mithros, laughing cheerfully. A black cat, sitting on the Goddess's shoulder, looked at Rikash once, shook its head, and started to wash, as if to say it was none of the Gods business what his reason's were. Kidunka, the world serpent, stared intently at Rikash, not blinking, trying to unnerve him, but Rikash rolled his eyes at the snake, who, offended, reared his great head. The Wave-walker just stared at darkness, looking in hope that this would soon end, for he yearned to return his seas.

The Black God nodded his head, and Rikash was started to think that the God of death would agree. A soft, kind, and gentle (if Stormwings was a party to these emotions, which Rikash was) voice whispered from under the dark, mysterious hood, "Great brother, he is from my Realm, the Realm of Darkness, and is therefore under my jurisdiction. I am fine with him leaving my territory, for he has caused no trouble and has in fact been doing me services, that put me into his debt."

But the Great Serpent Kidunka hissed, "You forget, great God of Death, that once you have freed this Stormwing," He spat the word like a curse, "He shall be released into the realms of mortals, which is not under your control."

The Goddess looked thoughtfully at both of the opponents: Kidunka, rattled and irritated; and the blond, bone-threaded, haired Stormwing, who was as cool as a river and looking as if none of this concerned him, and sighed.

"The great Sun Lord and I have things to discuss. We will reconvene, and take a vote. If the Stormwing Rikash prevails, he shall be returned to wherever he wishes, and if not, shall be set some punishment for such insolence." And the Goddess and Mithros vanished.

Rikash shrugged. It had been more than he had expected, a maybe instead of a no. Punishment for just coming to see them was exactly like the gods, selfish and self-centered to the last.

The Graveyard Hag hobbled over.

"I'll play you." Rikash challenged as soon as Graveyard Hag looked like she would listen.

"Now, now, dearie, what would I get out of this deal?" she cackled.

Rikash sighed. He knew she would demand something, but what?

"What is it you want?" He droned.

"Such a tone, and for a Goddess at that!" She shook her head. "What do I want? I want a boon. I already know what I want, but I won't tell you yet. Just know that you owe me."

She wobbled off, and the Trickster moved forward. "You have my vote if you do one very simple thing for me." The Trickster declared.

"Please get the drama over with, Trickster, Mithros is going to be back any minute."

The Trickster smiled, "Just deliver this to George Cooper. It's a letter, don't read it." He snapped, when Rikash cocked his head to the side. "You do this and you have my vote."

Rikash studied the letter, and then said dryly, "I'll do it, even though it'll probably kill me."

The Trickster gave a curt nod and moved away. Since not all the Great Ones were present, there were only seven gods, not including Mithros and the Goddess. So he only needed four votes. Two down, one to go. Rikash was about to move towards the Wave-Walker when Mithros and the Goddess appeared.

"The tally shall begin. All who do not wish to participate state your reason."

The Wave-Walker stood and said, "Great Mithros, I think that this does not concern a god of the sea in the least, and so I make my departure." And vanished, while Rikash could smell the sea and driftwood left by the God.

"All those in favor of Rikash, raise you hands." Mithros bellowed again.

Four hands were raised, those of the Graveyard Hag's, the Trickster's, Ganiel Dream King's, and the Dark God's black gloved hand. The black cat came and rubbed against Rikash, which he suspected meant he/she supported Rikash.

Mithros looked around, disapprovingly glaring, and boomed, "It has been decided that Rikash Moonsword shall be let back down to Tortall. But," With this he glared at Rikash, "If he should cause any mischief whatsoever, he shall be banned back to the god's realms."

With that final judgment he and the Great Mother Goddess disappeared, as did the other gods and goddess, more slowly.

Rikash stood there. He knew how to leave, since he already had that arranged. But he was so surprised that he had actually been allowed to leave. He was free.

A/N: Aren't I so evil? You still don't know who saved out who saved Ria (no, sorry, it wasn't Rikash). It's another chapter of Daughter Of Queenscove!