In Loki's Honor

"I know you, [King] Hamilton. Upon your head rests a crown I personally dislike. You fight against a dark history and I pray you might be the light to cleanse Pekothas' dark past."

My words of reproach resonated deeply. Isaac was pale, scared to death of what I might do. The former Margrave dared not breathe as he expected me to finish him then and there. The nobles stared between me and the new [King], a few dreading what I might do, others savoring the schadenfreude. I kept note of the latter group.

"The rulers of the Pekothas peninsula and I share a long story of grief. Seven thousand years ago I was about to become the Were-Kin Matriarch. Back then, I was still a mortal when I fought against King Rudolph III and his ambitions to conquer Fulgen and subjugate the elves. That monarch grieved me thrice. First by slandering my good mother at the behest of rogue deities. Witch of Tambrillia they called her. Second by invading Fulgen, the place that sheltered me as my new home. And third by killing me in the most cowardly way."

Lily roared in indignation. While the memory I had was tempered by hundreds of years of future experiences, to her it happened less than a decade ago. I floated and landed next to her. Then I hugged the black were-jaguar.

"This is Lily, my Aspect of that time. She knows my pain. People of Pekothas, remember this. Rosalinda was the name of my... of Lily's mother. Curse the name of Rudolph III, the Wicked. Rosalinda is the patron [Saintess] of all mothers and daughters. She lives to this day as one of my most trusted helpers. Tell your young the story of a mother who defied the Gods to save her daughter. Who endured thousands of years of imprisonment in stone. Who, when granted the choice between ultimate power and love, chose the latter. This is my divine decree."

The mothers in the audience couldn't help but weep. Rosalinda's plight and triumph were also theirs.

"Are you okay?" I whispered next to Lily's cat ears. She purred and squeezed me tighter in response. "We are one. Our pain is the same, Lily. When I meet Rosalinda again, you'll be there with me." She nodded and calmed down a little. I let go of her and floated next to Snowdrop.

"Next time I came to this land, it was as Snowdrop, heritor to the Unicorn King's legacy. Once again the wretched King of this place cast his sights on Fulgen. He coveted the bounty of the ancient forests and the elves' magic. Not only that, but he sought to enslave the barbarian tribes of the great plains. Allying himself with a cabal of mind [Mages], he enslaved the thoughts of many a Centaur tribe and brought them here, to be demoted to draft animals and expendable troops. But not only that, he used Rosalinda's petrified form as his throne and enslaved the noble and proud centauress Callatea, Snowdrop's mother. Twice desecrating those which I consider the most sacred."

I waved a hand and created a magic diagram to cast an illusion that the castle was transparent, showing the lake outside the city.

"Look upon that lake. There laid the former capital at the time. My wrath, Snowdrop's wrath, excised it from the face of the world. I called upon my granddaughter from Fulgen so she would marry the great Lord of the Centaurs and give birth to a proud race uniting the three lands. The Satyrs shared my blood and enjoyed the blessings I shower my children with. Theirs was the duty to bring peace to the continent. They had the wisdom of the High Elves the might of the Centaur.

"I ask you, how did they fare? I rest for two thousand years to heal my wounds from the Cataclysm and what did I find upon my return? This is not ancient history!"

A peal of thunder struck the palace for good dramatic measure.

"I find a corrupt king abusing my name and influence. A lecherous [Prince] who dared try to get under my [Saintess]'s petticoats without even courting her first. A fool who attempted to slay my chosen and my sacred beast. You witnessed the duel. Baroness Ambrose and the Netherbane attempted to evade, to give the fool time to reconsider. They respected him enough to not strike at their liege. All for naught. Thousands of lives lost in a petty struggle for power."

I floated above the throne, then circled around and hovered behind Hamilton.

"Thrice has Pekothas given me grief. The rulers of this land trampled on what I hold most sacred and spurned my gift of blood. Tell me, [King] Hamilton. Do you believe yourself up to the task of saving this land from my wrath?"

Hamilton slid from his throne and landed on the dais on his knees. He then took the famous Orz pose and his crown dramatically fell from his head to roll down the steps and down into the throne room floor. Alloralla floated it up with a cantrip and into her hands.

"I'm not worthy, Matriarch!" He clamored. "I submit myself to your judgment. But please, spare my people." His lips moved in a soundless whisper, "spare my son."

"You are mistaken, [King] Hamilton. It was not for blood and souls that I came here today. It was to challenge you. I watched you, Hamilton. Though you are not worthy now, you have the potential. Now, will you rise to the challenge, or fade into obscurity? The choice is yours."

I could sense the wicked, the diabolists, the honorless curs among the audience salivating. Should Hamilton step down from the throne now, Pekothas would descend into an even bloodier civil war.

The [King] prostrated himself before me. His surrender was absolute. "I am eternally thankful. You blessed my son. I beg you to give me anything. A blessing, guidance, I surrender myself to your mercy and wisdom, o Goddess."

I could feel a connection form between us. [King] Hamilton had just unlocked the Faith Attribute.

"What you just felt was not my doing but your own, [King] Hamilton. I did nothing but demand a reaction out of you. Nothing of what I said here about this place's history should be new. It is all codified in my biography in the church's books." I cast my glance at the small gathering of priests. "Has the Church also failed its duty to safe keep and spread my wisdom?"

They too prostrated themselves, foreheads kissing the granite. I took a few tomes from my item box.

"Here are some first edition copies of these tomes, printed in Windemere when I lived as Haru and founded my Church. My history so far, my wishes, and my commandments are all in these tomes. Consign the knowledge within to heart, [King] Hamilton. Make sure more copies are made, print as many of these tomes as possible and send them to all corners of this land. The horrible rulers who sat on the throne of this land brought grief not only to me but to all of their subjects."

I burned three-quarters of my tiny Divinity pool.

"This is a [Divine Quest] I issue you. Redeem the sins of the former Kings of Pekothas. Unite the land in my faith. Forge bonds of friendship with the Elves, Centaurs, and most barbarian species of the plains. Bring your people prosperity and happiness. You are to serve the people and the land as [King], not to lord over them. This shall be your sword of Damocles."

I landed on the floor at the foot of the stairs. Alloralla handed me the crown. On the other hand, I took Apricot's. Then the two of us climbed the stairs and stood before the still prostrated [King].

"You shall fear no [Assassin]. Rise your head and kneel." He did. I spun Apricot around. "This is Apricot, one of my seven Aspects on this land. Slayer of two Demon Lords, she became the First Hero. She is also the Death Princess of the Scorched Continent. The world's deadliest [Assassin]. She is both Light and Darkness."

I asked her.

I stifled a giggle. I placed a [Death Contract] on the ones I singled out as such.

Apricot joked.

"[King] Hamilton I. Your right to rule is recognized by me. I crown you [King] of Pekothas. I also pray your neck is strong enough to bear the burden I bequeath upon you."

After I quickly laid a weight enhancement enchantment on the item, I placed the crown back on his head. I connected the throne room to the space above the palace and activated my Perks and Proficiencies to make sure my voice would project for miles. Lacing my voice with a bit more Divinity so the System would dispel any doubts about the proclamation's origin, I shouted.

> "THE MATRIARCH HAS SPOKEN. ALL HAIL HAMILTON THE FIRST, [KING] OF ESPERO, RIGHTFUL RULER OF THE FELICITÁ PENINSULA."

The effect was immediate. Divinity flowed to me, refilling my pool. The remainder went to Pandora but it was a drop in the ocean.

"I always found it confusing that you use the same name for both the continent, the peninsula, and the nation. From here on, this country shall be named 'Espero'. It means hope. The hope I have is that the dark can be redeemed. The place shall be called the Felicitá Peninsula, which means happiness. Pekothas is the continent, home of the most delicious nut in two worlds. It is not lightly that I grant thee those names."

"I shall strive to live to your expectations, Goddess," Hamilton replied.

"Sit on your throne, King of Espero." I commanded and he did. "The other Gods hide in their lofty heavenly domains. I do not. I always walked this land as a mortal. I lived, I bled, I loved and I killed like any of you. Power corrupts. Even I am not above that maxim. To be someone of importance is to fight against this corruption at every waking moment. I asked you to serve the people and not only to rule them. Tell me, do you see me lording over the world?"

He didn't answer. I turned around and looked at the brown-trouser priests. "Some detractors wished I did more. That I crushed corruption and dissent with a mighty golden fist. I am the Goddess of Creation and Wisdom. They call me mother even though not a single child was ever born from my womb through many lives. I am not a tyrant. I am not a ruler. I am guidance. I am a lighthouse to guide you through the dark storm of life and strife that are natural to this world. Look above your heads. This world was rent asunder. If I hadn't yet fixed the damage, it is due to your lack of piety. Heed the dark whispers of evil at your own peril. Though I shall weep for your failure and fall into temptation, that shall happen on your own faults.

"Rather than coddle and carry my children in my bosom after they are grown enough to live on their own, I shall only guide and teach, if you are willing to listen. Your achievements are your own. That you praise this mother for helping you reach them fills my heart with joy."

I made a pause to let them ponder on my words. Many did and I could feel their Faith rekindled. The diabolists seemed to be beyond redemption, though.

"And teach I shall. Clovehaven island shall become an independent nation. A realm of magic, hope, and happiness, not unlike the land beneath it. The Clovehaven Kingdom will sponsor magical Academies throughout the world. We will teach noble and peasant alike, all who thirst for knowledge and wisdom shall be equally welcome. Though the education will be secular, the cathedrals in my honor shall be part of the campus.

"The first such Academy will be founded here, in Espero. Upon the ruins of the old Academy. I extend a call and invitation to all the teachers and spellcasters interested in being a part of it."

With that, I made myself invisible and returned to cover the illusion of a book in Kasumi's hands. My time was over.

*

*

[King] Hamilton dismissed everyone and withdrew to his private chambers along with the Royal family and Apricot. Before he disappeared through the back door, I told Isaac this.

He looked back straight at book-me and nodded.

We didn't bother to travel back home through conventional means. Arista opened a gate to the Ethereal for us.