Page 106 of The Gods Veiling
I turn fully to face Brock. “Did something happen between the two of you prior to this?”
“You mean the old fucker didn’t tell you?”
“Nope.”
“Of course he didn’t. Wouldn’t want to sully his good image. I’ve come to him three times in the past month requesting help. The night before the Veiling, one of the gods on this side was hurt and had to be taken to the healing villas. He showed up here demanding to see me and tore into my ass for ourcarelessness.
“I lost my shit and told him I’m about to start screaming to the Beginning Gods, or worse, put in a formal complaint, about his lacking. I may have also reminded him I’m no longer a god waiting for his power and my word carries a little more weight than it did when he had control over me. It was only then that he agreed to set up a meeting with you present.”
“That’ll do it. You hurt ol’ Harriseen’s pride. Ahh, I wish I could’ve seen it. No wonder he was so hard on our littleThaylathe next day.” Riven sighs as he comes to stand back beside me.
Brock cocks his head to the side. “Your little Thayla?”
“Ah, yes. You’re looking at the newest completed Valtrue.” Riven dramatically holds out his wrist and highlights his mark with his other hand.
“Well, shit. The top gods just became…topper gods, huh?”
I can’t tell if it’s a question or a statement and the confused look on his face says he doesn’t know either.
Regardless, that’s not what I’m interested in discussing.
“I knew by his demeanor we weren’t going to get additional resources out of him, but a complete shift change should help until we can figure something out, right?”
“Absolutely. Us getting out of that godforsaken shack, being able to sleep in our own beds, eat a hot meal, have the ability to shit and shower with more than a curtain blocking us will give everyone the pick-me-up we need. We aren’t trying to avoid our responsibilities, but we’re getting our asses kicked. The Oblirians are changing, and they aren’t holding back. If they held the power we did, we’d be fucked.”
I internally cuss at that news. “I know you’re not avoiding anything, but you can only do so much. Tell your groups to stick it out today and tonight. We’ll gomeet with the ones on this side and inform them of the change. Tomorrow you’ll all get the break needed.”
“Thanks, Kyzen. I’d say hopefully I’ll see you all soon, but let’s hope that’s not the case.”
I shake his hand and grunt my agreement.
I fucking hate anytime we get called to come help.
Riven and I start walking the perimeter in search of the group leader on this side after Brock crosses back over.
I’m positive they’re not going to have any issues with the changes. It’s been stated enough times, but this is their responsibility and for the most part they enjoy the job. It’s literally built into them with their Defender Designation.
“Do you ever miss it?” Riven asks between his whistling as he drags his fingers through the shimmering veil.
“Miss what?”
“The Abandon.”
“We see it plenty enough for me.”
“You know what I mean.”
Yeah, I do.
“The Abandon, no. The power we had in the Abandon, yes.”
He sighs. “Samesies. Maybe our abandoned burden will help us get it all back.”
“Quit calling her that. And definitely don’t call her abandoned. I don’t see her taking kindly to that at all.”
“Why not? She’s like us in that regard.”
“Yeah, and I imagine like us, it’s not something she likes bringing up.”
