Epilogue-

Our camp was moved from where the wall had been, the center of what some were beginning to refer to as the Battle of Black Sky while others named it the Moonfire War. Whatever people decided to call it, at the moment it was the center of four thousand dead bodies. So, we joined Forelain and her retinue of maids where they had watched and awaited the result of the Battle of Black Sky.

Not much was seen of Forelain, Ra'Shaal, or Fjallindae for the rest of the day. As a matter of fact, not much was seen of Glenna, Hlina, Orsa, Coella, Tsukino, or Usagi either. When I asked Huxian she explained that every priestess or shaman capable of healing was out looking for those still alive or injured out among the dead.

Kissing Huxian, I left her in Shahad and Leandra's care. Bastet smiled as she closed in and matched my pace.

"Where are we going my love?" She asked as she entwined her arm with mine.

"Off to lend a hand with the healing," I said as I transformed into an arboreal.

My healing was limited and very intimate. Glenna wasn't the jealous, or possessive sort, but Hlina was, and so was Bastet. Coella was more jealous of my time spent with Huxian, mostly because she disliked the voluptuous vixen. However, anytime Huxian required protection Coella was somehow always the one there. The others, Leandra included, saw my mating with more females as natural. For Shahad, I was the King and the king must have a very large harem and even greater numbers of offspring to ensure the continuation of my lineage. So, after listening to Hlina and Bastet, who were the most sensitive about the subject, I elected to offer rest and restoration to priestesses who were doing the healing and resurrections by allowing them to rest within my pollen's area of effect.

Before she left, it was Glenna who took me aside with Hlina and Bastet in tow.

"My love," She said in her motherly voice, and I knew I was about to be corrected, "I do understand that you are trying to be faithful to the vows and institution of your marriage to me and all of your other wives. However…" and now she looked directly at Hlina and Bastet as she continued, "If you are going to refresh and restore all of us who are healing and reviving the injured and possibly the dead, then you absolutely will have to be willing to offer the 'Contribution for Power'. When it comes to priestesses you must look at intercourse as a transaction, not intimacy. We need life force to power our spells, and you are the most abundant source of procreative power here. Hlina, I know your feelings for Viridian. Bastet, I know yours as well. Over the next couple of days, you are just going to have to get used to the idea that Viridian is obligated to provide the 'Contribution' so that we may have the 'Power' we need to heal as many as we can."

Bastet and Hlina were not enthusiastic, but they accepted Glenna's council. Then, taking Hlina's hand in hers, Glenna led her off in the direction of the battleground to look for the injured.

Coella, Huxian, and Shahad were the only three who had previously experienced the restorative, and sexually arousing nature of my pollen. None of them were priestesses at the time, so I didn't know how it would affect them now that Coella and Huxian were shrine maidens. As it turned out, Huxian was excused from learning how to heal due to tending to her six infants. Coella, Tsukino, and Usagi were out with Glenna. They were not excused from learning the art of healing. Shahad was lending a hand escorting the newly healed, and naked captives to their containment area. When I did see Shahad she sent waves of sexual pheromones alluding to lurid breeding scenarios that would increase the girth of her abdomen after I inseminated yet more of her eggs. I still wasn't sure if this was just how she was, or if she was being affected by my pollen.

Ogrethanne, accompanied by Fjallindae and Ra'Shaal were the first svartalf priestesses I came across after my transformation. There were also a half dozen svartalf Initiates with them.

"Hey! Fjallindae!" Bastet called out to the priestess, "We come to lend aid. Why don't you all come and take a break with Viridian? When he is an arboreal he can restore your constitution!"

Fjallindae and Ra'Shaal exchanged a look before they started to gather their charges and come over. They took note of the large dome of golden pollen shooting up from my wheat stalk-like hair before falling to the ground all around me. Fjallindae and Ra'Shaal stopped at the edge and regarded the grass and wildflowers that were greener and more vibrant.

Ogrethanne plowed right past them and into the area of effect of my pollen. The Initiates glanced at Fjallindae but didn't bother with hiding the look they cast my way. It was as if I was a piece of meat to be devoured, and they were all salivating in anticipation!

Sharing another look, Fjallindae and Ra'Shaal shrugged before stepping inside the dome of golden pollen. They were all very beautiful and all very naked, except for Fjallindae and Ra'Shaal who still wore their spider lace habits. As one, all of them inhaled deeply, their eyes glazed over with carnal lust, and they rushed me!

I'm not sure how much time passed. I'm not even sure that all of the priestesses were the first nine I ran into, as a matter of fact, I'm sure of it! I could have fought back, I suppose. I could have run. But, I didn't.

I heard Bastet gasp and then hiss before running away. I assumed to get help, but if she did, none ever came. Actually, quite the opposite happened.

Chuckling and laughter from Sequoia and Quebracho followed them removing my Barkskin clothing only seconds before Ogrethanne's charging supple body bore me to the ground like a lioness with her kill between her teeth.

I didn't stand a chance. She grabbed my manhood, guided it to her wet femininity, and sank down my length with a luxuriant sigh. I never pegged her for the passionate sort, but a second later she was lavishing my face with kisses and clawing my chest as she rode me to climax. She openly growled as she came and then kept going as she reached one peak after another. Only once she was too raw for the act of sex to be pleasurable did she relent and let the Initiates have their turns.

To my surprise Fjallindae and Ra'Shaal took their own turns together, each one allowing me to partake of her feminine delight, planting their behinds on my face as I orally ministered to them before trading places. They, too, couldn't stop themselves until they were sore to the point of walking tenderly as they continued their search for those who needed healing. After they left, another group of svartalf Disciples followed.

Sometime later Coella and Orsa appeared, and then Hlina. Hlina made love to me like she was in a competition with all of the other priestesses. She was fierce and hungry, making Ogrethanne seem childish and innocent by comparison while doing things to me I had never known possible until she did them.

I think the svartalf priestesses started coming back for seconds and thirds at some point because some of them were starting to become familiar. Ogrethanne being the most notable and the most aggressive came back six times. However, it was also she who mentioned two priestesses that had suffered grievous wounds including the removal of their tongues. When I asked who they were, she offered Thurdain and Illglan's names as the victims. Nodding that I knew of them I said nothing more and neither did she.

As the sun was setting, Glenna appeared and straddled my hips and took a turn, and then, surprisingly, she waved for Tsukino and Usagi to join her.

"They must learn the way of the 'Contribution for Power'," Glenna explained.

"Are they to become my concubines, as well then?" I asked.

Glenna shrugged as she asked, "Is that what you wish them to be?"

I regarded both Tsukino and Usagi, but both were consumed by their lusts for me and each other.

"Is it what they want?" I asked.

"Oh goddess, yes!" Usagi moaned wantonly as Tsukino's hands ministered to her sex.

I didn't know if she was acknowledging me or expressing gratitude to Tsukino, but I took it as consent. Glenna continued until she climaxed and then left. She and Hlina were the only two that didn't need me in order to procure my life force. However, it didn't stop them from returning for the more carnal delight of it. Once left alone with Usagi and Tsukino they committed themselves completely to getting their 'Contribution' together. Usagi sat on my face first and let me consume her nectar while Tsukino took her time riding me until she was so sore she could barely stand. Thankfully, I healed her with my Healing Seed. Then, they swapped places and it was Usagi's turn. She was twice as fierce as Tsukino or any of the priestesses. The only person she was close to being as intense as was Hlina, and maybe Ogrethanne. Usagi moved like she was possessed. Her body vibrated and undulated. Her fat heavy breasts bounced and jiggled. Her thighs and buttocks were just amazing, and then her whole body, every muscle, contracted as her eyes crossed and her expression twisted as if she had eaten a bitter fruit!

As Usagi continued until she climaxed eleven more times I became more and more happy that I was in my arboreal-form. My arousal never waned. My root never flagged. And my wooden skin never chafed.

Shahad had her time with me sometime later. Then Bastet and Leandra. Coella, Tsukino, and Usagi started coming to me together, and then the next time it was Coella and Huxian. Once it was too dark to search anymore there was one last round of all the priestesses, and then my wives and concubines before everyone began retiring for the day.

——(!)——

Upon returning to Forelain's camp I found many changes. The first and most notable was that to the north, northeast, and east were three large paddocks made of stone and earthen walls. Each wall was some thirty feet high and sloped inward so that they couldn't be physically climbed out of, or floated out of with a magical device or some other means. Facing the camp were three square openings accessing each paddock. One portal for each paddock through which svartalf slaves shuttled food and drinks, or carried blankets for soldiers, officers, craftsmen, or other slaves.

Only the sven'dahl seemed to be fairly independent. They had required a different approach from the svartalf prisoners. Hlina, with Svartsilki and Gloa's help, made a gigantic hole in the ground with only one opening for entry and exit while many much smaller tunnels provided adequate airflow, then glossy black arachnids scuttled into their hole almost happily.

I found Hlina and Glenna separated and apart from everyone else. As I drew close I overheard Glenna instructing Hlina on the ways and forms of priestly conduct.

"—As I said, the conduct of a priestess of Seline will differ from those of Arachne, Gaia, Lauma, or Zephyra and her sisters Eurunia, Borheas, and Notus," Glenna said quietly in her teaching voice, "Your best option is to stick close to Orsa. She is a shaman of Gaia. And Shahad since she too hears the voice of Gaia. You might even make them shrine maidens as I have with Coella, Tsukino, and Usagi."

Glenna's voice fell away as I approached and they both turned to smile at me.

"What has you two over here all by yourselves?" I asked, seeing that they didn't want me to overhear their conversation.

"Nothing that should concern you," Glenna replied casually before asking, "Why is it you have sought us out, husband?"

"Just returned from contributing to the priestesses," I said as I moved in between Glenna and Hlina and wrapped my arms around their waists, "I saw that you two have been hard at work. I was hoping I could get a tour, or, at least, an explanation as to what all has been done."

The way that Glenna's skin was now a portal to view the universe made it hard to see her expressions. However, Hlina smiled honestly and without any hint of annoyance at my interrupting their private conversation. Both of them grabbed my hands which were resting on their hips and kindly moved them so that I was holding their hands as we began to walk around the camp.

It was growing dark, but glow rods and torches were being erected by craftsmen and slaves that knew their duties well. As we walked I noticed that Hlina was now wearing a fair number of Glenna's rings on her fingers and wondered about them but said nothing. Glenna was still completely nude. Hlina was as well except for a chain she wore around her waist and loincloth that flapped about as she walked so much that it was rendered mostly useless if its purpose was to cover her sex.

Hlina led me to the northern paddock and we walked through the large square opening. Inside, the paddock was illuminated by nonflammable glow rods stabbed into the ground at intervals around the perimeter and down the center.

Just inside the opening, we found Aalyn along with her sisters sitting together on their blankets. Further down, filling the paddock were the rest of the ranking nobility that made up the majority of the officers. To the back, furthest away from the opening were the common soldiers, few though they were. From Aalyn to the lowest-ranked soldier, they were all stripped of their weapons, armor, and clothing. They were the smallest group of survivors and their building was the smallest of the three.

As we passed through the impromptu building, I watched the soldiers cut their eyes towards us as they whispered with their companions. Interestingly they regarded me with indifference or hostility, but when they looked at Glenna and Hlina their fear and awe were noticeable. Seen as the principal reason for their loss in the Moonfire War, Glenna and Hlina were given something akin to goddess status and wherever they went they were given a wide berth. They were something to be respected, feared, and possibly—worshiped.

Aalyn watched quietly as we passed by. Thurdain and Illglan were signing to each other but Aalyn wasn't paying attention. She was sitting cross-legged on her blanket, her hands on her knees, her whole continence expressing patience as she watched us leave.

The next paddock housed the craftsman and slaves. The craftsmen were a mixed lot made up mostly of males, but there were a few females and many of them had wives, husbands, or apprentices. They all seemed to segregate themselves mostly by professions, and then by families afterward.

The slaves were mostly female. They were mostly the property of the nobles though there were more than a few that were owned by the craftsmen. In either group, nobles or craftsmen, the males always preferred female slaves. That way they could have their liberties after a long day of work without having to pay the prostitutes. The female nobles also preferred females but for differing reasons. The male slaves they kept could be for many reasons which included having a docile male whom they could seek out their pleasures with, or take out their frustrations. Among the craftsmen, male slaves were usually sought after for their strength and endurance and were worked to exhaustion.

Glenna and Hlina were again given a wide berth by anyone passing by us, but for the most part, we were ignored. Craftsmen and slaves alike were too busy tending to their work, families, or other duties to be distracted by visitors. Interestingly, neither the slaves nor the craftsmen were stripped of their clothing, and many of them retained their possessions. All except the armors and weapons makers.

The third paddock housed the priestesses and as soon as I entered I knew I had made a mistake. Ogrethanne was the first to approach with lust in her eyes and asked if I was there to bed her again. As she asked the other priestesses began to move as one toward us. Their hunger was not as crazed as it had been earlier in the day. My Healing Seed seemed to have inoculated them to a degree against my pheromones. However, seeing that Glenna and Hlina were my wives, there was beginning to be a hopeful expectation among them of my taking some or all of them as wives as well. Ogrethanne was the most persistent of them all.

Turning us around Glenna hastily led us back out of the priestesses' paddock and over to a mound with a large hole beneath it. Off to the side, Gloa and Svartsilki along with about a hundred female sven'dahl butchered two all too humanoid figures.

"Are those?" I asked but didn't finish as I looked away in stomach turning disgust.

Hlina nodded, "They waited until after dark and then they dragged bodies from the battlefield. Gloa and Svartsilki have been very discriminating about preparing their food for their brethren even though the craftsmen and slaves, and I'm sure the nobles all know what is on the sven'dahl's food menu."

"No doubt they do," I agreed, but shook my head as we passed on by.

I was starving so badly, but after what I had just seen my belly felt a bit turbulent. Turning as one, Glenna and Hlina guided me back to Forelain's camp while Glenna spoke up for the first time during the tour, "Husband, we have news that we would like to share with you before we rejoin the others."

We slowed our pace and I regarded Glenna with love and patience as she continued, "First, I lost the child growing in my belly during the battle. True, it was only an embryo, but it was a life you and I created together."

I nodded solemnly. The news stung, but it was not surprising. I also knew that the first few weeks of pregnancy were dangerous for the embryo no matter what was happening. If it hadn't settled soon and planted, Glenna still would have miscarried.

Turning to Glenna I hugged her tight as I whispered, "When you are ready we can try again."

Glenna nodded her head and then we kissed. When we pulled back Glenna turned to look at Hlina. She was smiling.

"I have faith that Glenna will conceive again, and soon," Hlina purred, then she stepped in and wrapped her arms around Glenna and me as she said, "Daniel, I'm pregnant!"

Smiling even more broadly than before, I kissed Hlina and held her close. We stood there for a while before I asked, "When?"

Hlina's dark eyes glinted as she said, "Today! I felt it as soon as it happened! Daniel! I'm so happy!"

Hlina's exuberance was so vivacious that I couldn't bring myself to correct her for using my old name.

"Well," I said instead, "Since you're eating for two, I guess we should see about feeding you."

Hlina laughed as she nodded in agreement, but added, "Oh, I'm eating for more than two."

That shocked me! I started to stop but then Glenna and Hlina hoisted me along after them with a laugh.

"No stopping now," Hlina purred, "And no, I am not telling you just how pregnant you've made me!"

——(!)——

The meal that evening was especially grand. I had an appetite that could have consumed an elephant, and so did Hlina and Glenna. As we were eating, Sinaan, leading Forelain on his arm with Fjallindae on his other arm, approached and sat across from me.

My eyes caught Fjallindae's and she blushed before looking away from Sinaan. I nodded inwardly but showed none of my thoughts.

"With your assistance, the priestesses were able to find all the survivors I think we will find. Thank you for allowing us to heal our injured and recover some of the dead. Tomorrow, with your blessing, we will start burying the dead," Forelain signed as Fjallindae spoke.

"Of course," I replied with a nod of my head.

"This leads me to our next problem," Forelain continued as she flashed a brief smirk in acknowledgment of my respect towards her, "Idavollr never has had the capacity to provide burial places for our dead. Usually, funerals end with our dead being given back to Gaia."

"How is that done?" I asked.

"An old lava tube," Forelain explained, "Leads to a river of lava the jarndvergr created to bypass Idavollr so that the city would not be destroyed. At least that is how the nobility is disposed of."

"I see," I mumbled. Looking out at the battlefield I asked, "How are the commoners disposed of?"

"Usually," Sinaan answered matter of factly, "They are eaten by denizens of the lower halls."

"Like the sven'dahl?" I asked.

"Yes," Sinaan replied, "and others. Idavollr has many animal slaves that must be fed regularly and most of them are carnivores."

Looking back at Sinaan and then to Forelain I agreed with a nod of my head as I said, "Tomorrow have your priestesses perform your funeral rights, then Hlina, Orsa, and I will help with the burials."

"My thanks," Fjallindae said as Forelain signed. Forelain paused for a few seconds to differentiate a topic change before continuing, "I thought you would like to know the statistics of who we were able to save and in what numbers,"

"I would," I replied as Ra'Shaal walked up with Aalyn, Thurdain, and Illglan in tow.

They sat and Forelain arranged herself with Sinaan on one side and Fjallindae and Ra'Shaal on the other. On Sinaan's other side sat Aalyn, Thurdain, and Illglan. Once Forelain was settled she signed while Fjallindae interpreted, "Out of a little over four thousand troops House Abendroth took the least casualties, retaining all of their troops that were not killed by Hayden, Gunngrul, and Rweble's revolt."

"How did that happen?" I asked.

"Pure happenstance," Forelain replied through Fjallindae, "They were sent north, and are in fact still marching around the Gaiavatn. On the other hand, House Jafnrok was completely wiped out. Not even the nobles who made up most of the ranking officers survived. They were the company sent to circle around the Tunglvatn. With no survivors I can not substantiate my suspicions, however, I will hazard a guess that since Captain Radnoc Jafnrok was field promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he subsequently was looking to make a name for himself. Captain Gertrundae Svartvaenn, of the Svart Guard of House Svartvaenn, stated that when the command came Lieutenant Colonel Radnoc gathered the Jafnrok company and sped south thereby abandoning his post and House Svartvaenn. Captain Gertrundae is the only surviving member of the Svartvaenn company."

Forelain paused for a second before continuing, "The Faline company was already removed from the field, and so, of course, did not participate in the battle."

"Of course," I replied.

Forelain flashed another quick smirk, and then Fjallindae continued speaking for her as she signed, "House Aettadrhael's company survives by ten warriors including Captain Tunglbani Aettadrhael of the Moon Guard. House Dokkskirn company survives by Captain Ahnaliegh Dokkskirn, her five sisters, each a Second Lieutenant, and her twelve brothers, each of varying rank, plus seventeen personal guards. Lieutenant Colonel Quindiehl Ljosbani of the Dokkheim Guard managed to save herself and fifteen of her guards. Her favorites I hear. She left her sisters, brothers, and cousins on the field to die. Captain Bischul Rancorus of the Razor Guard lost his entire company. House Malicide's company, led by Captain Formica Malicide of the Hunter Guard, fared second best to House Abendroth. She managed to salvage one hundred and twenty of her hunters, including all of her ranking officers. Lastly, the Annolstad company. Lieutenant Colonel Rastof Annolstad of the Razor Guard…"

"Was my second in command," Aalyn interrupted, "Captain Hasnolf Rivid of the Razor Guard was put in charge of the Annolstad and Aettdrahael companies."

"Yes," Forelain signed sharply which Fjallindae interpreted as prim dissatisfaction, before continuing, "Annolstad and Aettadrhael companies took the brunt of Hlina and Orsa's Stone Bullets and Huxian's Foxfire. Aside from the ten survivors from Aettadrhael, forty soldiers survived from House Annolstad most of which are common soldiers and personal guard."

"All told, how many survivors are there?" I asked.

Forelain made a show of looking down at a piece of parchment in her hand before answering, "Out of five thousand soldiers that left Idavollr to raze the Valelands, there are six hundred and twelve souls remain alive."

"And what of the priestesses and camp followers?" I asked.

Forelain nodded as she referenced her parchment once more before answering, "The total number of priestesses that started with this army was one thousand. From that number three Initiates and two priestesses were murdered. Two priestesses and one Initiate of that lot were resurrected. That same night four hundred and fifty-five priestesses were abducted by renegades. That brought the total remaining priestesses to five hundred and forty-three. Out of that number, Lord Viridian, you captured one hundred and eighty-two before they were slaughtered by your wives."

Fjallindae paused in her recitation of Forelain's communication as the Matron paused for effect, then proceeded, "As for the camp followers. There were exactly one thousand camp followers with one thousand slaves and one thousand sven'dahl to carry supplies. So, three thousand total. Of the craftsmen and slaves only forty-five females and males were kidnapped while a hundred and fifty svan'dahl were stolen by renegades. There were no losses during the battle. So, there are two thousand eight hundred and five skilled craftsmen, slaves, and sven'dahl taken by you as spoils of war."

"Good. Excellent!" I replied graciously while Matron Forelain nodded her acceptance of my praise.

It was remarkable how decimating an army that outnumbered us something like one hundred and thirty battle-trained and hardened soldiers to one me and thirty-two wives, three of which were laden with infants, had humbled the arrogant Matron. I hadn't even had to say a thing to her, she had simply taken to referring to me as Lord Viridian and affording me as much respect as I had ever seen my father receive from his advisors. It was very agreeable to me to let her continue as she was and in return, I gave her the respect due her station among her people and put the remnants of the svartalf army under her authority.

With Aalyn removed as General of the svartalf army and now nothing more than a common prisoner beside her fellow svartalf warriors, Matron Forelain was the only viable solution to a lack of leadership and organization I needed for the svartalf detainees, and she was taking to her assignment with zeal. Within hours she had craftsmen and slaves alike organized and working to care for everyone's needs.

Later that evening, after the evening meal, I sent Burza to Valeheim to report to my father what had transpired and requested that he send the militia to take the greater number of our captives into custody.

——(!)——

"The common soldiers you can do with as you wish," Forelain explained through Fjallindae the next morning when Burza returned with orders from Summerset to stay put, that he was on his way, "Of course, you can do as you wish with the noble-born as well, my lord. As far as Idavollr knows we are completing our mission, and once we return they will know only what we tell them. However, if you wish to ransom them for treaties or even alliances, it is best for you to keep them close at hand."

We were standing this time in Forelain's large tent around a table that had been erected early in the morning by a jarndvergr who looked like he knew his craft well. He was a block of a fellow with a thick beard and mustaches and a head full of dark golden blonde hair with hints of red and silver. His eyes were a fiery red, and his skin was the color of dark gray slate. His assistant was a slim svartalf female with larger than normal breasts, each much more than a handful, but otherwise had the lithe form of her people. She had long pointed ears that hung out over her shoulders, also common to the svartalfar, and a thick mane of golden strawberry sunburst hair with a platinum cast to it. Surprisingly, they were married and had six children at home with relatives in Idavollr.

On top of the table was a map of the region. Forelain stood, her belly big and prominent this morning, front and center across from me. Beside her were Fjallindae and Sinaan. Ra'Shaal stood beside Sinaan, and Aalyn, Thurdain, and Illglan stood naked at the end of the table.

Beside me were Glenna and Hlina while Orsa, Tampa, and Huxian quietly nursed the infants behind us. Leandra and Bastet were outside the camp hunting while Coella, Tsukino, and Usagi were gathering wild roots and berries. Arden, the eldest of my avian wives, flew to Sequoia's Grove with two of her sisters to report in person what had transpired to Bartlett and the mayor of Moonlight Burrow, and Sequoia. The rest of my harpy wives searched for and tracked down deserters from the battle that hadn't been found so far.

"Idavollr sent an army to my father's rightful Lordship intent on wiping out every male and female that didn't immediately submit," I said again for the third time, "With all due respect Matron Forelain, I will do as I like with the captives. They are, as you said, all my spoils of war."

Forelain regarded me with shrewd eyes but a flat expression. It was as close to disapproval as she had ever gotten in the last two days since the battle. It was taking Father a lot longer to make the same trek up into the mountains with a militia of some two thousand five hundred warriors that had taken me, Glenna, and Huxian only a day to travel.

Breaking eye contact from her and looking down at the map I continued, "What I need is a viable option for completing our secondary mission. That being the investigation of the Temple of Arachni and the Svartalfar Queendom for the whereabouts of the Oracle of Arachni. Can you help me with that?"

"You have my backing, Lord Viridian," Matron Forelain signed grimly, "I will give you suggestions. I will speak on your behalf, but I can not—I will not betray House Abendroth or Svartalfheim."

Looking from Forelain to Sinaan, Fjallindae, and Ra'Shaal I found them all wearing proud smirks for their Matron's firm stand. I would get no help from them. I had to admit, I found myself admiring her more myself.

Rising to her feet, Aalyn's expression was focused as she answered, "The Sven'dahl Guard has never suffered a loss such as we did the other day. Not since ancient times. Of course, for the most part, our surface raids have been on small villages and animal communities."

"I'm sure Valeheim is a small village compared to Idavollr," I replied in an amused voice.

Aalyn only nodded as she continued her presentation, "Truly, if the Governor had known your mightiness she would have sent an army five times larger quite easily. She has her orders just as I did. No doubt, when word of this defeat reaches her the order to mobilize the entire army will be given. Failure is not something forgiven easily in our culture."

"No forgiveness at all, if you ask me," Hlina offered sarcastically.

"So, there will be no peace?" I mumbled bitterly.

Aalyn shook her head sadly this time while Forelain had a far-off look of someone seeing a great catastrophe coming and was unable to stop it.

"This is a nightmare," Ra'Shaal whispered, apparently foreseeing the same catastrophe as Forelain.

"Agreed," Forelain signed.

"There is only one way to stop this," Aalyn growled.

"What is that?" Sinaan asked, though from the look on his face, he already knew and didn't like the answer.

"Conquest," Aalyn answered.

Four svartalf heads snapped to stare at her in alarm.

"It is the only way," Aalyn added grimly.

"How?" I asked as I shook my head doubtfully, "There is only us. We are not a large or strong military power."

"You, Viridian Vale, and the Oracles are more than a match for most armies," Aalyn said as she gauged everyone's reaction to her declaration, "Also, there is more than one way to conquer your enemies."

"Okay," I conceded, "Tell me your plan."

Aalyn smiled as everyone turned to hear what she would say next.

——(!)——

A continent and an ocean away from Viridian Vale, the Dragon's Spine Mountains, and the defeated and disgraced General Aalyn Abendroth is the beautiful and fertile realm of Asgard. Just a little out of dimensional synchrony and a mirror world away, in the Yellow Realm of the Bifrost also called Midgard in the days of yore when the Firsts fled the Cataclysm in search of the promised Garden of the Gods, Asgard's lands encompass Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and all of Europe from the northern tip of Norway to Ukraine in the east, to Greece, Italy, Spain, and Portugal in the south.

In these lands, many folk live their lives, Aesir, Vanir, Alfari, and Dvergr. There are even a few dragons, but first and foremost Asgard is the land of the Aesir. The land of the Exiles, humans of great strength and longevity equal to the Alfari and Dvergr. None are more proud of their country, and none are more proud than those that live in Asgard, the capital of Asgard.

If only they could see. If only they could pierce the dimensional veil of Bilrost. Then, they would see that they were not the only world, and they would see that Asgard is not the only city. They would see that located in the same spot in Midgard resides the city of Oslo in the country of Norway. They would see Oslo then they would also be able to see the frozen wastes of Niflheim. They would see the molten devastation of Muspelheim. The brokedown shadow city Oslo in Tartarus. And the poisonous vapors of Helheim. Then, they would surely think themselves as gods indeed. For, Asgard sat at the end of the Iaetenfjord rising out of the land like a great golden monolith, like a mountain of golden spires taller than any other building in the world, and spreading out across the land and encircling the Iaetenfjord like the wings of a great eagle in most stunning visage that any world has ever seen.

Amidst its glorious vista and adding to it were small boats and ships of all sizes and models lumber and dart upon the waters of Ieatenfjord. Above, amongst the clouds, skyships both small and large make orderly lines as they travel the Lopt Almannavegr, the sky routes that connect the major cities and many of the larger villages of Asgard. In all the spaces of the heaven where there were no skyships there could be seen the Valkyrie flying with wings of silver or gold, Alfari flight belts, or shoes of sky walking, and Vanir on personal flight discs while some of the more liberal-minded preferred to modify their bodies with wings of all sorts.

Upon the ground, walking along broad colonnaded streets of gold, thousands of people walked. Hundreds of thousands of all sorts. Aesir. Vanir. Alfari. Dvergr. Nyr. Dragon. Iaeten. Each dressed according to their people's customs. Everything was brilliant and beautiful, charming and exotic. However, more beautiful and exotic and wondrous than any other place in all the realms was Valaskjalf, the palace of the king, and within, the throne of the king, Hildskjalf.

Among all the beauty of this golden city, not many could see past its gleaming golden wonder to the fact that those beautiful people of the Prime races were always assisted and attended by enslaved animals of all sorts. Some dressed in uniforms showing House colors or insignias while others were left naked except for a collar marking them as property. Not all Primes owned animals though, these detested the responsibility of caring for animals, and so, kept Dolls to tend to their needs instead.

Female Dolls are by far the most popular model, but there were models for every need or desire. To cater to such desires dolls resemble Humans, Alfari, Dvergr, Iaeten, Dragons, and Nyr. To cater to more perverse proclivities Dolls of both sexes are made to resemble animals and children.

Because of their popularity, female Dolls vary from childlike, to tall and muscular, to every variation of sensual curvaceousness. The male Dolls are just as customizable, however, there is a stigma to owning Dolls. Especially the most attractive ones. If female dolls owned by female Primes then it was assumed they were proper attendants. However, if they were owned by male Primes it was assumed they are sex Dolls playing at being attendants. The same for male dolls. If they were owned by male Primes then it was assumed they are proper attendants, but if they were owned by female Primes then they are Sexdolls.

As is the case throughout all of human history some men care greatly about their reputations while others do not care at all. The same for women. Those men and women who care about their reputations at least outside the halls of the Houses treated opposite sexes with dignity and manners while those that do not care for reputation flaunt their wealth, ego, and possessions including their females whether they be Prime, Animal, or Doll leading to gossip of the worst sort.

Somehow, men whether reputable or not seemed to either ignore or just not fair as badly as women in this matter. A man may be considered a cad but his peers will still associate and do business with him. However, a woman known to keep lovers, especially animals or Dolls as such would be ostracized to the point where some have taken their own lives from shame. But these were all only a symptom of the decay that was eating up Asgard from the inside out.

Aside from the humanoid Dolls, there were those made primarily for the Crafthalls resembling hybrid creations such as the Sven'dahl, Equi'tatus, Bos'taurine, El'dwea with their deer antlers, the larger El'dwea-juk with their elk antlers, and the giant El'dwea-yulkon with their moose antlers. These doll variations were used mainly to carry heavy loads or pull hovering palanquins, the latest fad in high society since the advent of the self-propelled and self-guided shuttles.

With the stunning gleaming beauty of Asgard, the diversity to be seen among the races, and the dazzling spectacle of technology. No one, at least, not many could see the rot darkening the underbelly of the golden city. No one questioned the fact that King Jarajokull Nal son of Byleistr had long ago usurped the monarchy of Asgard and the descendants of the Alfodr's bloodline.

Many nobles boasted of having Odin's blood in their veins. Even Jarajokull himself claimed that his mother, Nal V was a descendant of Odin and the Jotun Queen Nal I. Gods know Odin bedded enough women of all races that the boast could most certainly be true. However, no one had enough blood right to claim Odin's throne, even the sons of Nal, and yet here King Jarajokull reigned, and if ever an heir did surface with a rightful claim to Odin's throne, well then, King Jarajokull Nal simply had that heir eliminated.

Everyone knew of it. And so, no one dared make a claim for the throne leaving the corruption to grow unnoticed behind

Valaskjalf's golden walls as King Jarajokull Nal, false claimant to the title 'Son of Odin' sits upon Hildskjalf with a thousand elite guards standing between him and any common person walking outside of Valaskjalf. And yet, if any wayward pedestrian or lord looked within the halls of Valaskjalf they would have seen—nothing. For King Jarajokull sat upon Hildskjalf enshrouded by a veil of darkness that neither sound, nor light, nor sight could pierce. Inside that globe of impenetrable night, Jarajokull was linked by magic and technology to a dark conference room hundreds of miles away in a city called Eden.

Inside that dark room deep within the bowels of the tallest tower at the very center of Eden, Jarajokull slammed his gavel down three times as he. called the meeting to order.

"Order! Order!" Jarajokull proclaimed, "I call to order this session of the Council of the Patriarchs."

Silence fell over a room surrounded by tables representing the first four Prime races, Humans, Alfar, Dvergr, and Iaeten. With much lobbying from the Dvergr and the Iaeten, a new table was added for the Nyr only a thousand years ago. Dragons themselves demanded their seat at the Council only a hundred years after the Exodus when they realized that the Primes were not going to give them a seat out of merit. So, surrounding the central dias where Jarajokull presided this Hundred Year over the Council of Patriarchs, were six curved tables shaped like a wheel for each of the six Prime races.

Behind those six tables, arrayed like spokes were additional tables and chairs for every subrace of the six primary races: For the Humans there were tables for the Aesir, the Vanir, and the Barbarians.

For the Alfar there were tables for the Dokkalfar, Ljosalfar, Nottalfar, Svartalfar, and the Villralfar.

For the Dvergr were the tables for Fjalldvergr and the Jarndvergr.

For the Dragons were tables for the Flights of Green, Brown, Gold, Bronze, Silver, Blue, and Black. The only Flights not represented were the Reds and the Whites that decided to go to the Orange and Blue Realms, Muspelheim and Niflheim.

For the Ieaton, who sat at tables as high as most Aesir were tall, sat delegates for the Hleriaeten also called Hleritunn, Kariaeten also called Karitunn, and the Fjalliaeten also known as Fjalltunn. The only Iaeten not represented were the Joiaeten also called Jotunn, and the Logiaeten also known as Logitunn, who reside in Muspelheim and Niflheim.

Lastly, for the Nyr there was only one table and those three Elders represented the whole of their relatively new race of people.

"I will now ask if there is any old business that must be addressed before we continue on the new business?" Jarajokull intoned formally.

A purple halo lit up a table wishing the Alfari section. A holographic screen informed King Jarajokull of who was asking for permission to speak.

"The Chairman recognizes Queen-Matron Avarice Lucustihl Nigrumarce," King Jarajokull said.

"We have an issue," Queen-Matron Avarice said as she tapped a few keys before several large holographic projections filled the air around the room above them, "The army I was directed to send to the Valelands in Annwyn was destroyed before it could deal with the Renegade."

As she spoke the holograms played the video that was obvious from its angle high above the earth. As the video zoomed in the Battle of Black Sky it was obvious that the battle was already in full swing.

"How many soldiers did you send?" Someone in the audience asked.

"Five thousand warriors," Avarice replied, "Supported by a thousand priestesses."

As the video played and the svartalf losses mounted more and more murmuring could be heard until Jarajokull called for silence.

"How many are in this enemy force?" He asked once silence had fallen over the room again.

"Thirty-two," Avarice answered in a pained voice.

"Only thirty-two," Another voice gasped.

"Obviously," Another voice interjected from the darkness of the room, "Three of these individuals are blessed by some god or goddess. Look, it is apparent that two females are much more powerful than the others. Who are they?"

"That information is still being ascertained," Avarice replied, "The perspective of the surveillance satellite is wrong for easy identification."

"Can we, at least, tell what races they are?" Someone with a soft childlike voice asked.

"No, not very well," Avarice answered grimly, "However, we do know that many of them are animals, and at least two are Primes.

As the Council watched the battle play out in silence. A few exclamations of joyous retribution were exclaimed as the most powerful of the two goddess blessed Primes was killed. But their joy was soon overcome by gasps of consternation and disbelief as a large insectoid killed all of the svartalf on the wall."

"Someone! Quickly, run a facial recognition program on that nottalfar!" Someone commanded.

"She looks to be a priestess," Another voice offered in a curious tone.

"Does not the Renegade keep a nottalfar whore as his wife?" Someone asked.

"He does," Another voice replied.

"That must be her," Someone else assumed.

"Maybe," Jarajokull said, ending the dialogue, "We will, of course, have to investigate this further."

"I suggest everyone wait to the end of this video," Avarice suggested, "before we jump into making any other plans for Lord Vale and the Valelands."

Jarajokull nodded his head and everyone quieted and watched as the insectoid transformed into a nottalfar and shot beams of Moonfire from his hands decimating the remainder of the svartalf army. Simultaneously, the other alfari woman gathered the animals and they made a circle around the dead nottalfar. A beam of white light shot up into the sky and a few seconds later the Council watched as someone, or something descended from the sky.

"Is that?" Someone asked, but cut off abruptly when they suddenly puked.

"So," Jarajokull said in a musing voice, "They are returning…"

"Is that a Fallen?" Someone asked.

"No, it is a goddess," Another voice rebuked sharply, "The Moon Goddess, Seline!"

Prayers could suddenly be heard coming from the nottalfar and villralfar delegates.

"Stop! Praying to that false god! Of all the people in this world you should know that we bow to no god! Fallen, or Gods. It doesn't matter what they call themselves," Jarajokull answered as he slammed his gavel down on the podium to make every point, "We have grown in the last five millennia. If there are gods, then we are them! We are the gods of this world! We are the power controlling all the races of the world now, for good or for ill! Let this—goddess—and her brainwashed supporters come! Let them resist us! We will show them! We will show Her who the real gods of this world are! Then, we will kill Her, and all who follow Her!"

Cheers erupted from the floor of the Council Chambers. It was loud and angry, but it was not as loud as it should have been. There were not many, but there were some who remained seated, and silent before the blasphemy before them.

"Let them come!" Jarajokull shouted as he pumped his fists in the air, "Let Her come!"