Vasily was hungry. It had been four weeks since the bad man and his army had gone by the small town. Vasily had hidden with Momma deep in the forest. But when she went out to get food, she did not come back. She told Vasily to stay hidden while she was gone, but Vasily knew she had to be dead now. Vasily had eaten all the sweet acorns and then all the bread and apples, which Momma had told him not to eat. But now everything was gone. He knew eating flour was bad and did not know how to make bread. He made a mess trying.

Even though Vasily made a mess making bread, he was a smart boy for his age. Momma told him so. She said Papa had joined the army to fight the bad man. Vasily knew that and a lot of other things. He knew how to stay warm at night. He knew how to find good water. He knew to stay hidden from the blue men. And he knew that when he met the old lady with iron teeth and sharp finger nails, only call her 'Little Grandmother'. He knew that if he asked her an impertinent question, she would age a year. And above all, he had to be more polite than he would be to the Tsar himself. If he was, Little Grandmother might not eat him.

The mortar and pestle was broken, pieces scattered across the clearing. But it was clear that Little Grandmother was winning the fight. The Ethiopian lady would have been beautiful with her short round hair and tattoo, but her face was badly cut and her silk clothes torn. She was even casting aside her expensive jewelry. Vasily looked at his own clothes and those of Little Grandmother. They were made out of sensible wool like everyone from Gzhatsk wore.

From the edge of the clearing, Vasily saw Little Grandmother sneer as she said, "I thought you were not permitted to remove your power limiters, Valkyrie."

"Baba Yaga, this is your last chance. The effect that the Grand Army will have on the Earth's future history is vital to the…."

The witch interrupted, "NO! I am the guardian of this land. I will not permit it!" She charged at the one called Valkyrie with her terrible claws.

Valkyrie parried the attack, but was cut again in the process. She was clearly no match for Little Grandmother. A kick was blocked and then there was a scuffle. Vasily gasped. An angel appeared beside Valkyrie. It had blond hair and eyes bluer even than Momma's. But even the angel did not help. A sharp blow followed by a hip toss knocked Valkyrie off her feet. She ended on the ground next to the broken pestle. Little Grandmother seized a piece of the broken pestle and lifted it in the air to stab Valkyrie.

Vasily looked at the beautiful lady with an angel beside her and then at Little Grandmother. He knew what he had to do. Vasily ran into the field and shouted, "Little Grandmother, please how may I help you?" The witch shrieked and spun, Vasily square in her eyes. He yelled again, "Thank you for your presence in this humble place! What would you like me to make you for lunch?" She screamed again and hurled the piece of the broken pestle at Vasily. It hit him in the center of his stomach. It hurt more than anything he had experienced in his short life. But before he passed out from the pain, Vasily had the satisfaction of seeing Valkyrie pick up the other piece of the broken pestle and run Little Grandmother through with it.

Vasily awoke in the dark to a strange song, quiet and sonorous. He tried to sit up, but a soft hand pushed him back down. "Be still. You are grievously injured. My magic will heal you, but you must be still." It hurt so much that Vasily could not help but cry. He tried to hold it in, but could not. The voice continued, "Shhhh. Hold my hand, my little brave man." The song began again, the pain subsided, and Vasily fell back asleep.

When Vasily awoke again, daylight was peeking through the coarse blinds covering the windows of the strange single room cottage. The angel was nowhere to be seen. But something smelled good. He heard the familiar sounds of cooking outside. Clothes that Vasily did not recognize were next to the bed. They were silk and clearly not for him. Vasily poked his head outside. Immediately next to the door was Valkyrie, with a beaming dark face and bright white teeth. "You're awake!" she said brightly, "Come outside for breakfast!"

Vasily hid his nakedness behind the door frame. "Umm, yes. But I haven't any clothes."

The Ethiopian lady looked seriously at him for a moment, then brightly again said, "Those next to the bed are for you. They're boys clothes, right?" Vasily nodded his head.

"Are you sure?" he asked quietly, "Those clothes are too nice for a humble person like myself."

Valkyrie smiled even more broadly and said, "You saved my life. I think some nice clothes are the least of what I can do. Put on your clothes and come have breakfast. Then we can talk about finding your family."

Vasily put on his clothes as best he could and came out. There was a dead hart in the tree next to the cabin and a haunch was on a spit over the fire. Vasily's mouth began watering. He could not remember the last time he had meet, and he had never eaten venison before. Valkyie directly Vasily to sit at a table under an oak tree.

Valkyrie put the meat on a porcelain plate and put that before Vasily, together with some silver and wood instruments, including a spoon. "Dig in," said Valkyrie. Vasily picked up the meat and ate it with his fingers. He used the spoon, clumsily, for his potato porridge. The hart was good, but the porridge poor. He was ravenous. "Goodness you're hungry", said Valkyrie. "When was the last time you ate?"

Vasily thought for a moment. "I had some apples and bread and acorns after Momma left. But I wasn't supposed to eat the apples and bread. I'm sorry."

Valkyrie frowned slightly. "I'm sure that it will be OK. When did Momma leave?"

Between mouthfuls of food Vasily said, "Two Sundays ago."

Valkyrie said mostly to herself, "and the entire French army here." She sighed. "I suppose it can't be helped."

"Momma's dead, right?" asked Vasily. Then, suddenly, his eyes filled with tears again. He tried to be brave and wiped them away.

Valkyrie sat on the bench next to Vasily and put him on her lap. "It's OK. We can find your Father."

"He's in the army," said Vasily. "I've never seen him, but Momma said he's a strong soldier who will defeat the bad man."

"What's his name?" asked Valkyrie.

"Papa," said Vasily simply.

"I suppose there's no help for it then. Vasily, no boy should be without a family. You had best start calling me Momma." Valkyrie was quiet for a moment as Vasily sat on her lap. "Lind's going to be beside herself," said the lady now called Momma.

Six months later, Vasily was, if not fat, then at least well fed. He was bounding through the forest during his playtime when he suddenly stopped. Standing before him was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, except maybe for Hope's Jewel, Momma's angel, and Momma herself. The little boy hid behind a tree, like Momma had taught him. She had light brown hair and beautiful blue and white clothes.

He watched her from behind a tree. She seemed to sense Vasily. She looked at the boy and said, "Hello, my name is Belldandy."

Vasily decided to be bold, while prudently remaining half hiding behind a tree. "You're trespassing. My name is Vasily."

"Oh, I'm sorry," said Belldandy. "But I need to speak to you, Vasily."

"Momma said that I shouldn't speak to strange people."

"In that case, can you take me to your Momma? I need to talk to her."

Vasily looked doubtful. Momma had said that the people of this country sometimes did not like people with dark skin like she had. But this lady had a tattoo on her forehead like Momma's. "Do you know Momma?" he asked.

"Yes," said Belldandy. "She's a goddess, like me."

"If you're a goddess, show me your angel," demanded Vasily impudently, but still safely from behind his tree.

Belldandy smiled and a beautiful blond angel, similar to Hope's Jewel, materialized behind Belldandy. "Her name is Holy Bell," said Belldandy. "She would love to shake your hand." Cautiously, Vasily came out from behind the tree. He stepped forward and offered his hand. Holy Bell shook it gravely, but then burst into a smile. "She's happy to meet you, Vasily. She likes you."

Vasily shyly said, "I like her too. Momma's this way."

They walked through the forest together towards Vasily's cabin.

"I have a little sister just about your age," said Belldandy. "Her name is Skuld."

"Really?" asked Vasily. "Can she climb trees?"

Belldandy thought about it for a moment. "Well, usually she likes to invent a machine to help her fly to the top of trees."

"She can FLY!?" asked Vasily.

Belldandy smiled gently and said, "Yes, but she needs a machine to help her. Most goddesses can do it with magic."

"I wish I could fly," said Vasily nonchalantly. "I would fly all the time and I could bring birds to Momma and we could eat duck whenever we wanted. Momma cooks duck the best, but her bread isn't very good." Vasily suddenly realized what he said, "But you can't tell her I said that. Please. "

"Of course," said Belldandy, hiding her amusement successfully.

Vasily continued chatting amicably about nothing important until they reached the small cabin in the clearing. Vasily's Momma was standing outside, wiping down the blackboard she had been using to teach Vasily multiplication tables.

"Momma!" shouted Vasily, "There's a lady here! And she's a Goddess!"

"Hello Da-chan," said Belldandy companionably.

"Bell-chan!" said Dagan. The former schoolmates embraced affectionately. "How are you? I haven't seen you since the Silver Wings orientation."

"I'm very well. Your ward was just telling me about your duck dish. You'll have to give me the recipe."

"The key is to have a hungry boy. Vasily, go out and play. Your Aunt Belldandy and I need to talk."

"OK." Vasily went scampering off in search of a fox kit he had seen earlier in the day.

Belldandy and Dagan sat down at the table. Dagan waved her hands and some water began heating up over a fire.

"I take it this is not a social call," said Dagan.

Belldandy's expression fell a little. "The Council asked the Goddess Relief Agency to grant Vasily a wish, thereby exculpating you from any further responsibility raising him."

"Bell-chan…."said Dagan, "I can't give him up. This land is devastated. Everything eatable has been stolen, eaten, or burnt. The humans are resorting even to cannibalism.

"I know. Besides, I suspect he'd wish to be able to fly," said Belldandy with a slight smile. "That's my fault. I told him about Skuld climbing the tree."

"Pfft. Did you tell him about how we got her down?"

Belldandy's smile grew more genuine. "I seem to have left that part out. Vasily is a good and honest boy. Therefore, utterly incapable of taking care of himself or making an important decision. The Goddess Relief Agency is not in the habit of giving children wishes. The Earth Help Center will not interfere either. We might be rivals, but both groups regard this request as impertinent and unethical. They only sent me down because I'm her daughter." Both goddesses faces tightened. "Shows what they know." Belldandy's eyes grew unusually fierce. "I won't let them take your son, Da-chan. I promise."

"Thank you, Bell-chan. Thank you so, so much."

The two old friends were quiet for a moment. "Oh! The tea! Would you and Holy Bell have time to stay for a pot? It's just pine needle tea here, but it tastes so good in the open air and the honey really something."

"Of course we will stay. Holy Bell has missed Hope's Jewel."

An hour later, Vasily came back into the grove, carrying a stick like a rifle, as he had seen soldiers do previously, being followed by a timid kit fox. Holy Bell and Hope's Jewel were hovering behind their respective goddesses, who were drinking from two rude but durable cups.

"Momma! Aunt Belldandy! He was all alone and followed me home!"

The two goddesses looked at each other. "I promise," said Belldandy.

The youth was squatting next to the house. His arms and legs had grown, but very little else. His legs ached from his horse stance, but he knew better than to let up. Dagan glanced over at him and smiled inwardly with satisfaction. Her ward was learning form, discipline, and strength. "Well Vasily, let's see what that horse stance training has done for you."

A smile appeared on Vasily's face. He knew the routine. Dagan and Vasily began sparing. Dagan held herself to a human's level, careful not to do any real damage to Vasily. The boy was strong and skilled, there was no question of that. He had learned mathematics, martial arts, survival, and languages. He had gone to Moscow once with Aunt Belldandy and once to Liverpool with Dagan. He visited the local villages routinely. There was even a pretty red-haired girl there whose company Vasily seemed to enjoy. Dagan knew she was far beneath her boy, but so was pretty much anyone from this country. And this century. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to introduce him to a nature spirit or even a de THUMP. The roundhouse was not damaging, not to her, but it did get Dagan's attention. Vasily stood there with a silly grin on his face. It did not last long.

The next day, Dagan awoke with a smile. It was the day that she and Vasily had decided was his birthday. They had celebrated these for 13 years; beginning a new zodiac together. Dagan had a bow commissioned in heaven for Vasily. Belldandy could not be there, but she sent down a duck coat lined with wool. Dagan suspected she had made it herself.

As was their custom, Dagan knew Vasily had some present for herself. And at the small party they were throwing, the small family, she was touched to see a small porcelain teapot and several pounds of black tea leaves. "I traded those pelts we took in last winter."

"But you would have had to go to Gzhatsk for that."

"Ask me no questions and I will tell you no lies," replied Vasily innocently.

"Scamp."

"May anyone give gifts at this birthday party?"

Dagan's heart sank. She knew that voice. "Anzasu, of course. Please, join us, we were about to have cake. Anzasu, this is Vasily. Vasily, this is Anzasu. She is Aunt Belldandy's mother."

Vasily rose and bowed formally. "How do you do, Aunt Anzasu?"

She smiled and gracefully inclined her head. In one hand, she carried a small package. In the other was her staff, the symbol of her office. "I do well, thank you Vasily. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"The pleasure is all mine," said Vasily.

"Vasya, cherished son of mine, please put water on for tea. We will use the new teapot."

Vasily looked a little confused at his mother's tone and her use of the diminutive. "Yes, Momma."

The two goddesses were alone. Anzasu laid her staff aside and sat down at the rude wooden table. "You have raised him well, Dagan. He is a polite and graceful young man." So that was why she was there. Heaven regarded Vasily as a man now. There was so much Dagan still wanted to teach him. "Hild never noticed your presence here. You did an excellent job of maintaining a low profile," continued the elder goddess.

"Thank you. My skin color would have made things difficult here. These humans still practice barbarous discrimination," said Dagan passively.

If Anzasu noticed the insult, she chose to ignore it. "I believe the custom here is for people to open presents away from the presence of the gift giver," she said. "When Vasily comes back, I will speak with you two about the Judgment Gate."

Vasily returned with a pan of boiling water. Dagan put tea leaves into the pot and Vasily poured the water in. The three sat around the table drinking tea.

"Vasily," said Anzasu, "Do you know what the Judgment Gate is?"

Vasily looked confused. "Yes, I do. It's why I cannot marry a goddess. An officer of the Interspecies Inquisition Office will test our love. I have been told that few people succeed."

"That is correct," said Anzasu. "In this case, your relationship with Dagan comes into conflict with the precepts of the Interspecies Inquisition system. Do you understand?"

"No, I do not understand you. Dagan is my mother. What you are suggesting is…." Vasily did not continue. He was clenching his hand under the table. "Perhaps an explanation is in order."

Dagan had never seen her son angry before and certainly not like it. She spoke quickly, "Vasya, please. The Judgment Gate is designed to prevent interspecies relationships. You are a man now, and it would be inappropriate to live with your mother. If we choose to leave each other, then it will not be necessary to pass through the Judgment Gate, is that not correct Anzasu?"

"It is correct."

Vasily stood in front of his cabin with his backpack. It was filled with clothes and the silver he and Dagan had saved for over a decade. He had not touched the present from Anzasu. It stood in its white silk handkerchief. Dagan left the day before. There was nothing left for Vasily here. Sveta was in town waiting for him and from there they were leaving for Saint Petersburg. Then America. His pride demanded that he leave the package, but feeding Sveta took priority. He opened the package from Anzasu. It was an eight piece set of gold eating utensils. They were heavy. He and Sveta could sell this and buy a home. Vasily considered briefly leaving them behind, but his future wife's security took priority over his pride.

Clipping From the Chicago Daily Tribune:

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Major Vasily Guzin of the 8th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. Major Guzin was shot by partisan rangers while helping fleeing negroes in the Shenandoah. He was regarded by friends and enemies alike as a good Republican. Major Guzin was an abolitionist, bitterly opposed to slavery. His generosity with the abolitionist movement is well known. Major Guzin moved to Illinois as a young man from Russia. Major Guzin opened several businesses with various success, all the while investing in large land purchases near the City of Chicago. Major Guzin was initially refused entrance into the army due to his age. He traveled to Washington and received a specific exemption from President Lincoln. Major Guzin joined the 8th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, Farnsworth's Abolitionist Regiment when it formed, along with many other men in the area. Major Guzin is survived by his wife Sveta and their twelve children. There is a rumor making the rounds of General Sheridan's Army of the Shenandoah that Major Guzin was visited by an angel on his death bed. The editorial staff at the Tribune believes this tale, for if anyone has done good in his life, it is Major Vasily Guzin.