I confess, I don't own most of the characters in the story, Tamora Pierce does, but you already knew that…
HEY I GOT A BETA! Everyone welcome Nyx Nox Night! I think she's been doing a good job putting up with me. Okay then here's what this means:
A severe drop mistakes in spelling and grammar.
You get to forward all the mistakes to her and not me! Yay! Get your notepaper and pen ready you'll have to scrutinize things doubly hard to find mistakes now that we have the power of TWO! Mwahahah!
It'll take an extra day or maybe even two or three before chapters come up, damn!
All your lovable old chapters will soon start to be reposted, mistake free, and maybe even with some extra content, we'll see!
Okay and with that finished, all I've got to say is that I'm sorry I didn't update sooner but you'll understand when you read chapter 24. Yes, this is a double post, an interlude and the start of Part IV! You'll be happy to know that chapter 24 makes up for chapter 23's shortness by being about +5,300 words. You'll love me for that…maybe.
The reviews and news section at the top, I don't do until I get the beta-d copy back from Nyx, so any mistakes there you can totally blame on me, I'm cool like that.
Reviews! After so long!
Ace Ryn Knight, little to say? Is that good or bad? Either way, thanks for updating and remember to keep on keeping on. I love reviews, as do we all, I believe. Don't worry, I won't burn myself out. The "barely" wasn't so much of a "I barely forced myself to spit this out before I had to," as it was a "I barely managed to compromise the amount of Time I want to be on the computer with the amount of time my parents want me to be on the computer, to be able to get this done." I could do more if I could be on the computer twenty-four seven. I wish I had a computer in my brain. It would save time.
Silveni, did they get saved? You'll have to read on and find out. I'm so bad. In fact you don't really find out until chapter 24. But that doesn't mean you can skip this one, so don't, please. Rereading is always good. I even reread my own stuff and am like, "I don't remember writing that…" or "I couldn't of written that, it's too clever," or "Why'd I put that in? It's stupid I should have put this." It's good in reading and writing. But I'll stop lecturing.
Is Phinity good? Not necessarily. But she's not on the side of chaos anymore; mostly because it's trying to eat her up at this point. Just because someone isn't "Evil" doesn't mean they're "Good". We'll see what happens.
Anyways, thanks for reviewing! Please review again!
Magequeen, this probably isn't fast enough, but at least you get a lot to read! Thanks for reviewing again! Here you go!
Feifiefofum, Nyx will really (maybe) appreciate your notes once I start sending her all the old chapters to fix. Orlando Bloom?You don't even know what Provy looks like yet, for all you know he could look like Duke Roger's clone or something. Leet? I won't ask. Anyways, you can scream your head-off when I update all you want, just so long as it magically goes back on afterwards and the scream is a joyous scream. Yeah, I'm demanding. Thanks for reviewing, here you go! Provy doesn't get so much in these chapters…sorry. But I'm actually planning a little extra ficlet in which all your favorite Canon and new Provy Characters beat up on him for the hell he's put them through. That is, if by planning, you meant just thought it up five seconds ago and have no solidity whatsoever as to whether it'll become a reality or not.
Numair's Lover, imaginary flamer review, huh? I'd actually like to see that. But then again, Provy keeps mentioning that things haven't been going they way they were supposed, too. I wonder what was supposed to happen. Seriously, he won't tell me, he's being a jerk about it.
Cliffy's. Yes, I like them because they are an easy way to end a chapter that doesn't leave you disappointed and all "who, that was boring, so what was the point of this chapter?" and makes you want to read the next. Anyways, I'm glad you'll let me have midnight snacks. Thanksgiving's coming up I need my pumpkin pie with ice cream.
And I'm glad my story distracts you from pitching your calculus book in the fire place. Not only are those things expensive, but hell, I think all book are holy, even the really crappy ones. You never chuck a book. Or at least I don't, although I've come pretty close when it comes to mandatory school reads and the damned AP Euro text book. I hated that thing by the end. Oh, how I loathed it. I didn't chuck it though, I spilt yogurt on it, and the book clerk didn't seem to notice when I gave it back. So you can say, that I had my cake and ate too, haha take that!
Thanks for reviewing and be sure to read, enjoy and review again! And in that order, that's essential.
Nativewildmage, yeah, if I killed off Lynn, this would become really angst, really fast. And whenever I try to do angst I think it comes out a little…I dunno, as if the person is just some emo-wannabe that just feels sorry for themselves. I'm trying to get better at it a little bit. I know there are a couple sad spots in this story where I'm trying to practice it.
And you like the description, eh? Well I "descript-ed"-out this chapter and the next one. Hopefully it's not too much. Make sure to tell me what you think, in a review!
Lady Knight 1512, Woohoo! A new reviewer! Worked your way through all 22 at once? That's an accomplishment. I wouldn't say Sarralyn is a random person to fall in love with a God. For some reason when I thought to write this story, I kept thinking "Man, why hasn't anyone written something about them together before?" It seemed obvious to me, though when I think about it now, I find it really isn't.
Gainel is appealing, he's meant to be. I'm giggling maniacally right now.
How do I think of my characters? All I can say is that I think to much. And not necessarily on anything that's practical. Mostly on supposedly pointless stuff like making up characters; but I don't think it's pointless, I like it. Sorry I didn't update that quickly, but maybe the double-post will cheer you a bit. It's long, too. Hope you enjoy, and keep reviewing!
RemusTonks4eva, Another new reviewer! Yes! Yes! To each his (or her) own, I say. Gainel is my favorite, but I definitely like Numair, I mean without him there'd be no Lynn, and that's not even the least of his accomplishments in goodness-ness. I also think Numair and Gainel are a lot alike, though not enough that it's significantly noticeable. Glad you like my story, please review again!
Enchantednight84, ANOTHER NEW REVIEWER! Thanks for reading and double thanks for liking it! Phinity isn't in these two chapters much, but she will be in the future! So I hope you keep reading and reviewing!
Rowenhood, ANOTHER NEW REVIEWER! It's my lucky day! Yeah my spelling in grammar's pretty atrocious, though I'm getting better at catching things, I like to think there are less mistakes then there used to be. I won't have to worry about it as much now since I have my fabulous beta! I'll keep at it though, I hope to continue getting reviews from you, enjoy!
Noc and NC, Be at ease! All will be answered in these two chapters! Well, actually only the most immediate thing will be answered. But you will find out who busted the gate. And in this interlude no less! Thank you for reviewing, responding is the very least I can do. I hope you'll review again!
Nyx Nox Night, not only are you ANOTHER NEW REVIEWER, but my new beta! You've already read these chapters, but I hope you'll drop me a review or an email about them anyways. Thank You Again!
Juliette, YOU ARE MY SIXTH NEW REVIEWER THIS POST! WHOO HOO!
Wow, you think it's genius? Someone finally agrees with me! Just kidding. You're compliments are definitely appreciated. I'm always trying to be original and stay interesting, It's awesome that I've succeeded. You're review really made feel all fizzy inside! I could seriously cry, but I'll settle for jumping up and down and running down my hall, my sister already thinks I'm slightly disturbed. Definitely review again, please! I'll try my best to remain interesting and original, girl-scout's honor!
Thanks: everyone who reviewed! And thank you everyone who's read my story, even if you haven't dropped an email or review. And you haven't, you should! I always love to hear you guys!
Providence Smiles
By LGR
Interlude 5 Subsequent Action
"Go to our brother Mithros, and inform him of the events that have taken place here." He told her, once again taking up the Mantel of the Dream King.
Apfel nodded numbly at him as he turned toward the Divine Realms and Chaos, disappearing.
'Providence, what is happening?' Apfel pondered as she turned to make her own way to the Hall of the Gods.' Gainel…how could he enter the mortal realms?' Granted, he just waved his hand into it, but that amounts to about the same thing when you get right down to it.
Reaching the Golden doors engraved with suns, and scenes of epic battles, trials, Gods, immortals and mortal in flashes of mythology and history. She abruptly, pushed open the tall doors, nearly smacking Equitus standing in the way of the other side.
"Announce me." She demanded him.
The son of Mithros yelped, his golden skinned face wearing a harassed expression. Three pairs of large, pearly wings, flapped furiously from his wrists, ears, and ankles. He looked a legionary in his gold-wrapped sandals, arm braces and helmet with a tall white crest of Feathers standing rigid behind the sun-in-circle design of Mithros. His Sapphire blue hair, barely peaking from under his helmet, was cut militarily short.
Equitus drew out a golden trumpet, the thin tubing directly before the mouth piece draped in a banner of a many rayed gold embossed Sun on a dark blue field, and let out a peal that echoed through the hall. Chatter immediately came to a halt as he yelled "Great Goddess Apfel, Goddess of Truelove, Karma, Destiny, and Luck. Child of Mother Flame and Father Universe, Consort of The Black God!"
Apfel barely waited for him to finish protocol, before she stepped down from the slightly raised entryway, and rushed to the raised dais that held the Gold and Silver thrones of The Great Mother Goddess and Mithros.
Mithros with his dark eyes and black skin, and wearing golden plate and mail with a stylized sun engraved within circle on a medallion around his neck. Mithros's helmet was styled like a heavy Crown but had a tall, straight crest of long Black feathers, running behind his sun emblem. In his right hand he held a Golden spear, its blade mirror-bright and reflecting light from no where in particular. In his right hand, an ebony Magistrate's hammer with the symbol of the Sun carved and filled with gold on its base. Rays of gold light, reaching from a circle of light set behind his head, stretched and moved like roving fingers as they touched upon everything in sight.
The Goddess's skin, in her aspect of the Mother, was lily white; her hair ebon black as the night and filled with diamond like dew drops that sparkled like jewels. She wore a draped dress of shimmering white and silver silk, fastened by an intricately worked silver cage in the shape of an elaborate crescent moon, which left one of her breasts bare, the fringe strung with millions of rows or silver beads that fell across her form. Wrapped around her neck and arm was a Giant Python, and sitting on her shoulders were birds and reptiles and mammals of every kind, as studded and colorful as gems. She wore a coronet of crescent moons that dripped meandering rays of silver light.
"My Lord, My Lady," she bowed, "We have a crisis!"
Mithros's brows knit together, his face wearing an expression of straight out denial, "A crisis, you say, Sister? What sort of crisis, please explain?"
"A mortal by the name of Sarralynn has been captured by Chaos." Apfel explained. "She—,"
"This is terribly sad news, however—" Mithros began but Apfel cut him off. This was important and she couldn't afford to be diplomatic.
"I haven't finished Milord," Apfel said angrily, "She is Bonded to one of our own, who as gone to search her out himself!"
The chatter began again in the court as everyone counted and examined those not among them, hastily calculating who this wayward Mortal's partner might be. If this mortal was killed in chaos, they would waste away, bereft for eternity until they became a malevolent spirit or an emotionless elemental.
"But that isn't all, my Lord. There are even greater matters then the loss of a Kinsman at stake. Chaos plans to use this girl to its own advantage; to enter the mortal realms itself and pray upon it mercilessly, and then, eventually gain enough power to enter the Divine realms themselves." Apfel declared and the whole court gasped and the chatter rose to a din as every God and Goddess tried to make their opinions known upon the subject.
"We must mount a rescue immediately!"
"Which-"
"Leave the poor fools, Chaos can't get passed the seals!"
"How was this girl captured?"
"This is impossible!"
"Is this girl," a high, breathy voice whispered, and all grew quiet as it finished, "The same girl brought before us by Gainel some but a decade passed?"
"Yes." Apfel told her as a hushed voice contemplated this significance.
The speaker was Danube, not a Great Goddess, but still high in the Divine hierarchy. She was a petite thing, with white hair, face and eyes that seemed permanently wet. Four sets of long, transparent wings hung down, occasionally twitching or kicking up a breeze, from behind her ears. White satin cascaded down her gradually fading form to become transparent and turn to flowing winds. Icicles and frost covered parts of her and her own breathe could be seen as if it were a particular cold winters day. Frost also covered the ground near her wind made feet.
"Is Gainel her Bonded?" Danube asked calmly. A few gods burst out laughing or gave her looks of scorn, or shook heads contemptuously, until Apfel nodded affirmation. The court was silent.
"I see," Danube said, "it seemed plain that she should hold some significance to the Lord Gainel, however this is slightly unexpected. In any case, we cannot leave either of them in Chaos; I propose we alert Mother Flame and Father Universe immediately, and prepare to breach the seals for their subsequent rescue."
Objections broke out immediately until Kyprioth held up his hand, saying, "I second, Danube's proposal. Our Mother and Father must be called upon. Uusoae is planning to evade their laws, it is a breach of conduct!"
"The proposal has been seconded! Voting will commence!" Mithros shouted above the court, after his eyes tightened upon noticing the Great Trickster God. Mithros was still quite angry with the Trickster for usurping himself and The Goddess in the Copper Isles, once again called the Kypriang Isles, however he wouldn't allow that to interfere with his judgment.
He pounded his Magistrate's mallet on an ebony stopper attached to the arm of his throne. The sound rang out and Thothate, the Scribe of the Gods, approached the dais, carrying an Ibis feather quill and a sheaf of papyrus clipped to a board.
Thothate looked to have the head and beak of an Ibis, but upon closer inspection, it was in fact a hood. The false head however, and opened closed its eyes, ruffled it's feathers and turned its head as if it were the true head. Wearing a simple black servant's livery with white and gold ibis's embroidered as the crest, Thothate stood at the dais ready to take tallies of voters.
"All in favor say, 'Yea'!" Mithros called, the Scribe God with his quill at the ready, when the doors were flung open and Fire erupted into the hall as Mother Flame stepped through within.
A body of pure flames, her eyes burning embers, she walked briskly into the room. Despite the fact that she was lower than the dais, there was no doubt that she held the power now.
She was followed by a Being of pure dark and emptiness, casting long shadows within shadows about the room, threatening to warp and drown out the rays from the other gods within. The Ancient couple did not speak until they reached the center of the room, when the both stopped to gaze at each face in turn. Everyone was quiet and still.
"My Dear Children," Mother flame said, in a voice of pure light and heat, "Maketh thyselves ready. Thy Brother Providence tells of ill done, my children. This ill shalt not goeth unpunished."
"Listen to thy Mother, maketh thyselves ready for the trial that shalt come." Father Universe said his voice the echoing of endless space. Father Universe brought a star-flecked hand up to the Gate of Chaos, with links of bright, white opal, chained about the gate and fastened with ten locks, each bearing a different stylized crest.
A Golden Sun on a blue field for Mithros.
A Silver Crescent on a Purple field for the Great Mother Goddess.
A Black three-headed Sheep on a Silver field for the Black God.
A Pair of White Doves on a Scarlet field for herself.
A Golden Snake biting its own tail on a green field for Kidunka, the World-Snake.
A Black crow in an amber field for Kyprioth.
A Yellow Anvil and hammer on a red field for the Smith God.
A Gold Three-ringed hand on a hunter green field for Lishagui, the Banjiku Goddess.
A Cream Stalk of Rice with ripples of water on a blue field, for Yama, the patron goddess of the Yamanis Isles.
A Curling Blue wave on a White field for the Wave-Walker.
And a White Eye on a Black field for Gainel and Dream.
Father Universe waved his hand and the seals flared, the chains falling from the gate. Mother Flame stepped in front of him and flung her fiery arms wide and the gate opened with a rush of super-heated air.
