Ur Ung Baen

No

Aorumm, Nótinus and Fineas materialized themselves at the Dreamers front door. Behind them, Calustrácia and Teneriny followed suit.

It was just what was missing at this point. One more headache. If Tiny was there, it meant that Calus had asked her for help. Currently, several nitters were probably invading the temple in search of that hindrance. Not that he wasn’t expecting it. But, it would most likely delay his backup plan, if it came to it.

It was for that very reason that he had sent his snakes instead of a regular warrior. However, the presence of her warriors caused quite a significant impediment. As well as allowing a higher margin for error. They had to be nitters! Calus always had to go beyond common sense and send a bear to fetch a fly.

He was sure Andrea would have the creature close by. Her temple was tiny! Small, dark, inside a f*****g volcano! It would be obvious that a more “stealth” approach would be preferable. Especially if Téra intervened again.

Since she was a recluse and a weirdo, she probably didn’t even know what kind of dimwit she was harboring. Nor what to do with him. Téra had been clever, just not really clever hum?! She never even had a lover, for what would she want him? Why the heck even hide him in here? She was just a twenty-one-thousand-year-old frigid virgin.

What brings you here Calus? - Aorumm inquired, trying to appear uninterested.

Oh, don’t play dumb Rummy! I know you tried to get Hogg executed for nothing.

Nothing? - He inquired over pronouncing the word. - He rebelled my army against me!

He did not! And we both know it’s not for that that you wanted to have him killed. - Calustrácia gave Aorumm a meaningful menacing look before passing by him descending the hall in the direction of the salon.

Aorumm cursed silently and followed. Their corresponding companions doing the same.

- And what the heck are YOU doing here Calus? - He retorted upon reaching her pace.

- To free him. I know what you came here for, I’m here to make sure it does not happen.

- You would go to those lengths for him?

Calustrácia hesitated but a moment before responding to Aorumm, she loved the god, but Hogg was hers, he was her plaything, lover, s*x toy boy, whatever he wanted to call it, and she was not over with him, and He did not have any hold upon her or her things to decide their fate for her.

The problem was that if she admitted that, she would be opening a door for discussion and doubt with Rummy that she did not what, if possible. She quite preferred to have him warm her bed than her rage.

- No, for you. - She finally responded. Giving a slight inflection in her tone as to seem sweet and preoccupied.

- Don’t joke with me Calus... you are the most selfish, self-centered God alive.

- Well, that’s where you are wrong... isn't it?

They had passed more than half of the hall, though the salon door and were now past one hundred meters into the salon when they noticed some figures about some meters in front of Andreas desk.

Aorumm stopped on recognizing the figures. His snakes, along with Teneriny’s warriors were lying on the floor beaten up and bruised, some even missing limps. Guarding them were three hounds. The message was clear, “I got you”. But more than that, the presence of the Hounds was what hunted him. That alone told him that Chaos had not left her “alone” as he had thought all this time to fend for herself as he thought. It also meant that they were not extinct as he assumed and that his father had lied to him, but, more that it sent a clear message that he favored Andrea.

- How could you use the hounds that were hers?

Teneriny’s voice woke Aorumm up from the shook of being caught, only to find he was the only one left behind as the others had continued on walking. So what if she was favored? He was sleeping, and she was still a low-class god. The hounds were a problem, but they had been beaten before, if it came to be, they could be beaten again.

With that thought in mind, Aorumm covered the distance that separated him from his brothers, following their hurried strides.

Calmly Andrea left her place on the chair and walked a couple of paces, passing on top of the prisoners in an almost comical manner. With a “shu shu” she made them slide ever so slightly to each side, making them fold over themselves in a contorted manner, passing calmly and then releasing them from her invisible grip as if she was handling marionets. She then opened her arms to her brothers before giving them a warm smile and pointing at the statue of Opat, Goddess of justice.

- You mean hers? Our dead sister, who raised me?

- Yes! - Tiny was now screaming at the top of her lungs going right in Andrea’s direction.

- You mean the hounds she left me? Or the hounds our father gave me to help me with my work as the judge of the gods? - She now pointed to a relief of chaos just behind them, on the east wall.

Teneriny stopped abruptly, less than a meter from Andrea. - I know how my father and sister look like you … - Enraged, she conjured a ball of energy and cast it against the goddess. The ball went right to her heart but was stopped by a hound who blocked it with his hand.

Do not protect her! She is not your master! - The hound did not respond, standing his ground in front of the goddess.

Calustrácia and Fineas reached Tiny and placed each a hand on her shoulder.

Sister, I am too appalled by the situation. But you should think clearly. - Said Fineas softly embracing his sister. - Why? - He said, turning his face to Andrea.

- Because she’s a worthless b***h. - Said Calustrácia almost spitting the last word. - She has no power, so she has to take it from others.

- Now lady's, language. - requested Nótinus. - It was no secret that Father had left the hold of Opat’s power to Andrea, it is more than natural that...

- You are on her side? - Screamed Teneriny while Calustrácia gave him a stern disapproving look.

- Who did you think would have the Hounds?

- Me. - Aorumm said sternly. - I thought Arad had killed them all that night. But if they had survived, they should have been given to me. - Aorumm manner was calm, but full of discontent and disgust - I am the god of Sapience. I have been given the role of judge since her death. Why were they given to you?

Although amused by their stupidity, Andrea was getting quite bored with all the theatrics. Of course they didn’t know she had hounds, she had never shown them to them, and for good reason. But unfortunately, it was showing them now, or having to show her powers to them. And it was still not time, she wasn’t “of age” yet, Chaos was still sleeping, and her brother was still in prison, as he should be.

Showing her powers now would mean he would be released earlier, Raen, the essence that formed “Reason” would wake up, and all kinds of s**t would break loose, and she would be f****d. So, she had to give in a little.

Téra owed her big time! After coming back from the “Blank Space”, there was no other alternative. That stupid ghost was right, and she was not in a position to screw up, even if Téra did.

- Cut the crap Aorumm, and you too Teneriny. - She said without breaking her smile. - What were your warriors doing trying to sneak into my temple, attacking my people?

- They are not yours! - Teneriny burst.

- Now, now, calm down people. - Nótinus placed himself between Andrea and Tiny, forcing her and Fineas to back up a couple of paces. - Andrea, I think you already have a nice guess about what they are about. No need to stress on that...

- Oh, but it is. - She replied.