The Party of the Gods

They travelled south east along the ever-widening road that led away from Rockland. Into Bernardo’s golden hills they went, but they would never have called them such. The gold was hidden beneath the green spotted grey rock which looked valueless to hungry troops. The first building they came upon was a modest house situated on a small farm.

“Gather food!” Vichi shouted.

With a roar, the troops were off. One group stuck a pig, another killed a cow, while others gathered fruits, vegetables, and whatever herbs they could find. When the collecting was done, they stormed into the house for cooking equipment. They helped themselves to an outdoor roasting spit, and fired up the inside stove as well. Only when the cooking was well under way did someone point out to the commander a woman cowering with two children in a closet. He ordered them to be locked into a room and guarded for later investigation. They devoured the meat half cooked, chewing every morsel off of the bones from long habit. Vichi ordered rest and guard shifts, and walked around to evaluate the property. There were no defences whatsoever, he noted. Wood buildings, no moat. It had made it easy to invade, but it would take a lot of work to fortify it. Best to move on anyway, and find out more about the new land.

With the advisor, he went to check out the strange woman. When they entered the room, a child screamed, and the woman stared. Vichi looked at the children for a moment, then approached the woman. She backed away.

“What do you want?” She demanded.

“Information,” the commander said. “Tell me where I can find your leader.”

“Leader? I have no leader. Except perhaps the Gods. I have a husband, though, who will be back shortly. Who are you?”

The commander scowled. “Commander Vichi in the army of the Kolrashi. I need to speak with your leader. Where are the Gods?”

The woman stared with contempt “Up in Heaven, of course.”

Irritated, Vichi said “Well, how do I get to Heaven?”

The woman gave a short laugh. “Never mind the Gods. You want to speak to Lord Bernardo I expect. Head into town. Anyone can direct you.”