The Gods of Dream: An Epic Fantasy by Daniel Arenson

Author:Daniel Arenson [Arenson, Daniel]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Amazon: B004H1TAA4
Published: 2010-12-21T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

White Jasmines

She walked through the fields, her scarves of silk, twenty feet long, streaming in the breeze behind her. She marched solemnly upon elk hoofs, each step a measured thing of beauty like a dance rehearsed ten thousand times. Her eyes were dour, her lips tight, her head straight and her blond hair streaming. Before her, across miles of grassy plains, the Begemmed City rose into the sky.

Under the rising sun, Princess Niv--the half woman, half elk--walked through the plains toward the mountain of jewels.

When the city's scouts saw her, they bowed, cheered, praised her name, and ran to spread the news. Soon trumpets blared and knights galloped with banners bearing her likeness. Around her in the fields, flowers were tossed and men and women bowed with adulation. Niv, Princess of Dream, Goddess of Butterflies, seemed not to notice. She continued her march, her steps long and delicate, her eyes set forward, seeing nothing but the city ahead. As men and women danced and sang and bowed around her, she paid them no heed, just kept moving forward, her scarves of silk flapping.

When she reached the jeweled city, the gates opened with fanfare as blossoms were tossed from the walls and clarions played. The daughter of Yor had not visited the Begemmed City in thousands of years, so long ago, not even the most ancient book could tell of it. The goddess, her lower half shaped as an elk like her father, her upper body shaped as a woman like her mother, silently stepped into the city of marble and gems.

"Praised be thy name, Holy Daughter," cried the people, weeping as she walked. "Praised be Niv, Jewel of Dream."

She moved through the streets, eyes set forward, face emotionless. She seemed to notice nobody, and moved cold and still like the carved masthead of a ship. She passed by market places, where crowds sang for her. She passed by temples where priests worshiped her daily. She passed through alleys between high marble houses, where people cheered on the roofs. Toward the palace she walked, and when she saw it, a tear streamed down her cheek.

The palace doors opened, and the king, queen, and princess of the Begemmed City stepped out. The king wore a cape of purple velvet inlaid with garnets, and a crown of gold and jewels sat upon his head of white feathers. The queen and princess wore gowns of flowing lilac silk, and gems twinkled on their fingers and necks. The three bowed before Niv.

"Holy Daughter of Yor," said the king. "You have bestowed a great honor upon us. How might we be of service to you?"

Niv stepped toward them, face somber. Fireflies and damselflies hovered around her, and flowers bloomed in her cascading hair. "Please rise, my friends," she said, her voice delicate and sad. "Let us step inside. I need your help."

* * * * *

Two years ago, back at their apartment, the kitchen sink had clogged. Tasha had poured Drano down the sink and was taken aback by the stench which filled the room.

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