Sutekh, The Angry Lord of Sand

Set had things to do indeed! he would listen of course, to anything Osiris and Thoth had to say, and would even put aside his petty, if not amusing, fights with Horus, in the name of Egypt. To know Thoth was on the advance was great boon indeed, Its time to change plans, But only slightly. he would still have his lovely child gather information, but to help Thoth plan his own ideas and functions, Set himself will lay in waiting, taking a lesson from Spiders and Scorpions. he Will Wait for his prey to come to him, far far away from it friends and others, and then strike- crushing his prey with his special tools, And then continue to crush them.

By the time Set finishes what has started, Every roman legion, citizen and god will know the might of Egypt. And He was willing to work with Anyone to do it. Even if it means he must be bored for a while. Boredom is a price worth paying for Freedom and Worship, And he's sure many Egyptians would agree. Maybe 'playing Nice' isn't such a terrible idea. He might even get some Followers again! Oh but Evil is such fun. Evil is just so much Easier. he will debate with himself more later, for now he must stay focused- yes, on the destruction of the Romans, and freeing Egypt from occupation. He shall wait until he is called for or needed.

The Scribe

The balance of power must be preserved, though now the Greco-Roman gods had taken the plinth of powers, they would soon be swept away like words written in sand. As they have said themselves, the wheel turns for all, and who better it was than the gods to turn the wheel? Hecuba Regina, was it not?

"The less which is known, the more powerful am I. For what good is a god of knowledge, when all is known? Nothing to ask for, nothing to grant. An empty prayer for an empty god. I speak of the balance between truth and mystery. For I am the keeper of balance, and set the cosmos into such crucial equilibrium that not even you may rule over the living, nor us over the dead. These underworld souls are yours to lord over, but the living often pray not to you unless they are awaiting mercy in death. For me to disrupt the balance, I must ask of you to release the souls I seek, in exchange for the innocent souls I have condemned to die in their place. An undying army, an effigy of death, a mockery of the afterlife, for into the remains of the dead their Ka shall be infused by the magicks of a chosen mortal. Gather all of us, to select our eternal champion. A god among mortals, and a mortal to receive our blessings in life and damnation in death, for they shall be the sacrifice we make to retake Egypt..."

And with this, Thoth had revealed a part of his plan, though it was merely the beginnings of his convoluted path to upstaging the Roman Gods. For if it were as easy as summoning forth the dead, it would have been easy. No, this plan required Thoth to trick fate itself, and he was the god capable of doing so. The game continues after all this time, and the pieces were being set. The mortals shall play it out for the gods, lest the gods were to destroy the world in their wanton destruction. The Olympians were powerful enough to sweep the board united, but spoil one of twelve, and watch them crumble before the plays Thoth had presaged.

Placing his hands together and slowly spreading them apart, Was formed between the Scribe's palms, the staff manifesting itself from seemingly nothing. A scepter which unlocked the potential of those who wielded it, enough to change the status quo, a tool for both balance and imbalance. Thoth's Was was the adjusting factor, for it is to be said that Knowledge was the great equalizer of all things. So presented was the mystic artifact and left in Osiris' charge, as a parting gift before Thoth willed himself elsewhere, leaving the Egyptian Underworld for another place to meet with another god who shall find him waiting again.

Surely she would have seen his arrival coming, or perhaps not for Thoth existed in the realm outside of fate. When the Phantom queen returns to her realm from her scheme with Hades, she would find Thoth waiting in the form of his holy bird. And certainly she would come, for an unprecedented intrusion in her realm would warrant more attention than sending forth mere exarchs to deal with Thoth. What was the crafty bird doing here? What plans had he for her? In his long absence that he return to the board game again? He had dealt with a king, now it was time to move his queen into position.

An Ibis awaits amongst the Ravens and Crows.

The large male figure made his way down the gangplank of the trireme. The polished armor making a rhythmic clinking as he walked and the plume atop his helmet blowing in the ocean wind. The look upon his face was stern and never changing with an obvious look of contempt on his face for the general populous of this forsaken patch of sand. He knew he was sent for one reason and one reason only and that was to maintain order at all costs. He proceeded down the crowded city streets making his way into the marketplace to see what the current state of affairs was there. About half way through the market someone decided to bump into him. “Watch where you're going girl!” But upon seeing her beauty and apparent wealth his tone swiftly changed. “Would you like a hand I'm sorry I didn't see you were such a woman of apparent wealth and taste. My name is Gaius Marcius Lucio but you can call me Gaius.” He gives her a slight wink as he helps her pick up the spilled baskets. “I am stationed at the main garrison if you need anything and I mean ANYTHING come see me." He turns away with one last wink.

He continued through the markets noting the lack of guards and the rather unsavory style of business occurring in some parts of the market. He thought to himself This place is in need of more help than I thought. The lack of guards in the forum is barbaric. This would never be the case in any normal roman settlement. He shakes his head as he passes the guards standing at the entrance and reporting directly to his new quarters and retrieving his weapons for preparing to lead a patrol of the main forum.

The harsh words of the Roman did not surprise Bes'eshe but the sudden turn about stunned the Egyptian woman. As he bent to help her, she listened to his honeyed words. Even though her interaction with men was limited, she did not need a God to tell her the words were naught but a false face. Even if there was truth. Standing to pick up the baskets she allowed the man to help her, giving slightly coy looks and a gracious smile. Her private disdain hidden well. Her father had given her a task and Egypt came before her personal feelings about this particular Roman commander. Though his last words made her laugh as he turned to walk, towards where she was headed, unknowing.

Silly man for him to be so forward with her with words and a sly wink. Walking with a quick step as she passed Gaius Marcius Lucio, Bes'eshe laughed. "Such pretty words Roman!" Bes spoke in fluent Latin, a slight accent to her voice. "Perhaps I will require a guard, but you seem unused to our Sun. You might be wise to avoid the noon for favor of good company." Giving him a teasing wink, she continues towards the gates out of the city. A odd destination for a woman of wealth and unguarded. Bes'eshe chuckled, Lucio was not a bad looking Roman. He was actually rather delectable looking. But duty to her pantheon came first. She would turn him into Rome's fall. It would take work, get him in the right position and then capsize the Roman command over Egypt at her whim. Oh, it was a wonderful plan.

A look of shock and slight disgust grew upon the face of Osiris at the words spoken by Thoth. "You would willingly sacrifice the lives of our people? Of YOUR people? The men and women who seek refuge within our land? I cannot allow this atrocity to happen, it's against our very ideals. The foundation to wit we hold the deism that gives us the reverence of the people." The God stood with a start and the light vanished from the Hall of Two Truths leaving it bathed in a dark shade of red. "The army I hold here are those of great Warriors who have given themselves for our country. Their rest must not...No! Shall not be interrupted. Death is our most deadly curse but with it comes out greatest gift. We cannot steal this from them because once they are released, they cannot be returned and will suffer an eternal discord." He watched as Thoth manifested the sceptre, scowling at its very sight. An abomination that had hoped to never enter this, a most sacred place. Before Osiris could object he peered briefly into the God and saw what he was trying to stop. A powerful enemy that Egypt itself could not stop, an enemy that shook Ausir to his very core and without saying another word grabbed the sceptre. Returning to his seat Osiris spoke as Thoth was leaving. "I shan't make any promises to use such anomaly but when the time comes that we have no resort." He sighed, "Then I shall carry the burden of those wayward souls."

After being left alone in his hall, Osiris knew he couldn't do this all at once and summoned for Anubis to regent these halls in his stead.



The Druid stood over the bodies of Romans a thousand-fold, panting heavily and glaring at the remnants of the legion on top of the hill. "I...can't believe they...have so...many. This will not do, I cannot fight against these numbers...not alone." At those words his eyes dropped to the corpse of Mathuin who was overwhelmed at about 500 soldiers down. An old friend, lost to these bottom feeders; he thought. Knowing that his only choice now was to retreat The Dagdar put his hand over the large bear and let the forest floor overrun it's body to take back its guardian. The Dagdar glanced at the army one last time before jumping back along the tree line to the cliff where he started or at least, he tried to. Taking quite a few hits from the Romans meant he was completely worn out and could only make it halfway before having to rest. "God," He transformed back into his usual rotund aloof form, collapsed against a tree and shouted in a slurred manner, "what does it take to get some ale around here?"

Turning away from Hades, she glanced back at the young God of death and his Underworld. "Pluto, they call you? Nae, but Hades you remain. My realm has not closed it's doors to one so wronged, young warrior. Were you but a mortal I would take you for my own. But as a God, I shall warn you..." A sly smile of a woman with a secret crossed her stern features, even a mortal would see the wicked glint in her eye that was so like her ravens in jest. Walking away with purposeful strides she chuckled lightly. "There were deities even before I, and I can remember the children born twixt them. A shame time smote them amongst her. But the Source form which we are all born deemed it to be so. And so the wheel turns." Darkness enveloped her as she felt the raven that was her form soar through the time and space back to her domain and to the North. Whether Hades heeded her warning or no, whether he warned his brothers and sister or no. She was not concerned. The God would turn to her in time. Time was the measure of all. Even gods, as she well knew.

As she took her proper form once more, her robes folding about her in waves. She had noticed a visitor and with a graceful nod of her head she acknowledge the ibis that was Thoth amongst her birds. It was uncommon to see a Egyptian come so far north, whatever had brought him was worth hearing. Gesturing she summoned a pair of comfortable chairs, and a table with acceptable refreshments. And it was worth being gracious the fellow teller. "Thoth, please. Take bread from my table and ale form my glass." Her voice was polite if a tad cool. Was it ploy? Trap? What did Thoth seek, or did he know what she guarded so closely? Could the Scribe have guessed? Sitting with a regal grace the Phantom Queen studied him with piercing dark eyes. "What brings you to Britannia? You fly farther than I would think for a pleasant word." Quietly she sealed her domain against interruption. While the Dagda may notice this, she gave a silent plea to the powers that be that he would not pry and no Greeks- Romans, she reminded herself- came visiting. She needed nothing to upset her tentative balance. Her plans were still so fragile, but that is what one got when one agreed with a hysterical maiden and newly mother. The Morrigahn sighed, it was nothing she hadn't dealt with before. But if it wasn't wearing her patience thin!

@Severe Triage@The Grey Dust

The Scribe

"Mortals live upon their daily bread, but pray tell, what do Gods live upon?" A question as Thoth acknowledged the Raven Queen's offer, and more so declined the fine hospitality. Or so it would be for even gods were often bound to the rules of the underworlds, for even Death transcended the gods, and its realm was beyond them. Of course Thoth was a cut above the gods, or perhaps a cut well even. For by being the Balance, his power shall at least always enough to match that of a opposing force set side him, thus the Wordborn one had no qualms of intruding upon the realms of other Gods. Keeping his wits about him, as he delves in the minds and thoughts of those around him, his Avian eyes staring deep into the mind of the Goddess. Nothing was a secret from him, merely think it, and should his gaze turn into interest upon your thoughts, then like a pearl of a oyster, Thoth shall rip through your skull and fetch that precious scrap of information he seeks. Best not to resist.

Perhaps it was ironic then, that his question was addressed to a death god. One who plots the end of things, like the fates and their thread and shears, the queen before him dictated the death of great ones. Prophesized truths, promises kept, and certainly wars won and lost at her whim, but it was not all without planning, delegation and subterfuge. Yes, she was the sly one to manipulate, the one to carefully position around the board> Precious to use, and precious to lose, the Morrigahn was not an ally to be sacrificed in the trivial pursuits of the game, or was she? "There is much to speak of O' Queen of Phantasms. It is time."

"The time has come, to talk of many things: Of shoes, and ships, and sealing-wax, of cabbages, and king. A loaf of bread is what we chiefly need." If this made any sense, to the Goddess, Thoth would be surprised, for certainly there was an symbolism to everything he just said, drowned out in the madness of the phrases. The loaf of bread for example, a reference to the underworld she dwelt in currently, as the host's offer was of bread which Thoth had denied. A king, of course was a reference to a god, the question is which one? Cabbage? Greenery associated with her Pantheon's worshipers and druids. Sealing wax? Thoth himself, and the wax which scholars seal their writs with. Ships? The underworld boat, that which carried the souls of the dead, both in the Egyptian afterlife and the Greco-Roman afterlife. and Shoes? Well, that was psychopomp, Hermes who brings the dead to the mouth of the river to board the boat. See? There was a method to the madness, it was now a test for her to figure it all out to which the ambiguity would be dispelled shortly after.

"I propose an alliance to benefit our brethren. The Romans have invaded Egypt, and Britannia. Balance must be maintained, and the power must shift back to the original owners. They have had their years of lording over our rightful lands, now it is time to change the tides, something of which you are familiar to no, Great Queen?" Thoth had still remained in his bird-like form, although for gods these were merely trivial representations of their true selves, and for Thoth his true form was beyond the conception of mortal beings, a truly cosmic power as his astral self would project the celestial grandeur that is Thoth. "A war maiden such yourself, must deal with Athena, I cannot grant victory to either side, but you can. My proposal is simple, we must capture Hermes the escort of the souls of the Roman dead, your druids shall claim the souls Hades would gain for your own underworld. We shall certainly starve the boy out, and his power shall wane with every soul stolen from him, while you shall gain power, enough to overtake his kingdom and oust him from his own realm. And if you can overthrow Hades, then the rest of the Olympians will tremble. For without the God of Wealth, they shall have no reserve dead to bolster the prayers of the living."

A rather modest proposal so far, yet it was rather imbalanced, and thus certainly not in his nature to leave it without some form of redistribution of the spoils of war. "For I have already set into motion, plans to silence the living Romans who have invaded my lands, to oust them as you would oust them from these isles. Their deaths would fuel our uprising against the Olympians. And once you have taken hades for youself, all that I ask for in return, is one visit to the realm, wherein I may do what I wish before I leave. For there is some knowledge I seek from the dead, and Hades will not let me in so willingly."

"What say you, one bird to another?"

The Morrigahn listened carefully her fingers tapping against each other slightly. Time it was to reveal her hand partly. Though she would not rise so quickly against Hades. He was a good boy and undeserving of his Fate. Would she that his nieces had not been so cruel, but his Fate was out of her hands. "Ah, Ibis, you ask me something I have already accepted. While I will make war upon Hades my own way, Athena... Nae, Minerva will not have my luxury. I would be glad to see the maiden of wisdom and war return my rightful place to me ever as the Fates shall." Her eyes closed slowly in thought. How much to tell the Egyptian Scribe? The Voice of Ra? She frowned deeply, her brow creasing in thought. Her lips tightened, perhaps to let him in a bit. Breadcrumbs before the feast. "You and I have been allied for a time already Thoth. Though, it is... a delicate and unknown matter to all but I, another I need not name." She gazed at the Ibis over her hands.

What would the Scribe do with this information. It was a dance of words, or promises that need not be spoke. She wished to speak, to tell the bird as one to another. But it was not to be. For she would not risk a single chance for the future she foresaw. Better to go slowly and hope Thoth would piece together what she had laid in place. "Of the bright flame, of the swift wind, to the stormy sea, may sail unfurl." She spoke in rhyme, her thoughts elsewhere. On thoughts of gods and past deeds. "With step as sure, and hand as swift. Thoth, tell me how the other Egyptians fare? Of Osiris, and Ma'at? Of your cat Deity and of the Lord of the Red Sand? I would think Set would be charging into Rome as we speak. Has something soothed his ever war-like nature?" She picked up the goblet of ale, sipping at it delicately. Of course she knew what was keeping Set from charging, she knew very well. But she kept it from her mind and face. It would not do for Thoth to know. Not lest he turn against the plan she had set into place.

@The Grey Dust

Oh chaos. Disorder. Disharmony. As the god of War, Shadows, Sand, and Disorder, he knew how apep felt, but yet he also knew Balance. Ebb and Flow. Where the Tides Rise, they must also lower, and where Wood shall Float, Stone Shall Sink. His plans weren't 'Set in Stone.' Stone words and plans cannot be changed freely! No. He was known for his unpredictability, And he shall Not disappoint the Romans any longer!

His allies needed time and Chance. His people need Reason.

First... The House of Sutekh, House of Seth, HIS temple. He would call his worshipers to it. Not many remember the Truth of Set. The Glory of Set. But the Cult of set could never forget, as would not the gods. His people, his cult. Those with darkened hearts he calls to set flames, fires, and dangers for the filth around them. Burn the camps, walls and halls of the Roman. Houses, Villas, Warehouses, and small fort fires. Murders in the street. Those who commit these attacks shall wear Dark Red Mantles- and attack saying prayers and worships to him. Their weapons will be the Khopesh and Spear. Those of a lighter heart, shall gather and worship the god of Egypt. Rekindle the worship of every Egyptian god- spread the stories. These people would act as any normal Egyptian, but at night mark the homes of Romans who are accepting of Egyptian culture, or are Tolerable as Egyptians or friends. No Egyptian is to be harmed unless Truly a traitor to Egypt, and no innocent roman is to be targeted either in any manner. They are the followers of Set, a logical god of War- may-hap a bit unpredictable, but even the unpredictable has logic! They are not ruthless followers of that vicious Cat... Though all of the worshipers are asked to gather any cultists of the Snake, Apep, and let them know trouble is to be had, The followers of that despicable cat shall be told that blood shall be spilled and had, and they are welcome to aid and join. Ultimately Set has called upon those who would listen to his voice out of the faithful Egyptians, to spread that faith once more- and act as they would. To the leaders of his cult he grants a single boon, a fraction of power over sand, to lend aid to their agents and to help protect his people... but to give so much of the sands... No. He would give his power to protect his people, HIS home of Egypt. If this leaves him the Storms and Shadows he did not Care! He is Still the among the Strongest of gods! To rival that of any other!

Now that Fool. He too must be dealt with. He would remind the world who is watching. As it reaches noon, the sun goes dark shadowed in an eclipse as all around Apollo the sand stirs and whirls- he can still manage a simple sandstorm. "Hello Young One." His voice curls and winds about the Greeks own Latin, Set has played some with a few Greeks before, it is a unique and wise language true, a shame it is twisted so by so many. "You hold the Sun in Thrall, but the sun no matter how strong will only make more Shadow." He smiles as this fact, forming before the arrogant god of Oracles Music and the Sun. "No.. You are not Ra... The more I look at you, the more I realize you lack balance. You have no 'Set' to your 'Ra'... No. You are Merely Apollo."

The Scribe

"Cryptic answers? I had expected The Morrigahn to be more direct, and foretell death more openly for all her ravens and crows. Yet it seems you would prefer to make your plans unknown to me, even now you dare not think of them in my presence." Thoth preened himself, a act unnecessary for a god, but perhaps natural for the form he took to represent himself here of all places. Ivory feathers, white as snow against the background of her dark feathered flock, yet black tips and a ebony beak stemming from the jet neck. With long legs the Wordborn One stood tall amongst the others, though small in comparison to the Queen. It was her realm after all, and to offend her hospitalities was to make an enemy of a possibly ally. Yet Thoth was not nicknamed 'he who bears two faces' merely for the fact that he wears either his ibis mask or his baboon mask to present himself, but rather for the nature of his task to keep universal balance. It is after all, a strange place to be in when your former ally suddenly turns into an enemy by assisting your enemies. Such was the job, to maintain equilibrium was to play both sides.

"I expected more from a goddess who lays claim to Fate. A blind king bears witness." This of course was reference to Oedipus, whose parents in attempting to defy fate, merely fulfilled it. Thoth was not bound by fate after all, and had the power to change it by serving as fate's polar opposite. Wherein fate in concerned about the beginning, middle and end of the story, equilibrium was concerned about keeping the story from ever ending such that it may continue into the eons past until the Void reclaims everything as equilibrium comes to a close dies. But that would cause the end of all things, and neither Thoth, nor the Morrigahn nor any god would care for their own demise. Or would they? "I bring change to tip the scales, where I see fit, should you be with me, or against me. Set makes his move now. And I shall bolster him so. War it is, where will you stand War Maiden? There are only two sides to my scales, Stand in the middle and you shall be cast into the void."

With that Thoth left, stretching his wings to take flight, leaving the Celtic underworld for the cosmos, his home wherein his form molted away. white feathers dropped as he ascended, far into the stratosphere, beyond the reach of the birds and taking on his true form as his hands grasped the celestial objects across the Egyptian sky. The sun halted in its advance, and the moon locked in hers. Two eyes aligned in the eclipse, as the darkness took the skies over Egypt and Rome. From every place upon the known world, a perfect total eclipse, an impossibility, and yet, there it was, by the work of a God's hand in warping the space between the Earth, moon and sun. Their movements on a track, guided by his hands and sheer will.

War was being declared by Set, an insult Apollo should bear to protest Zeus and goad them off into war. So it shall be, with or without the Phantom Queen.

@The Grey Dust @Severe Triage



The Morrigahn closed her eyes as Thoth spoke and left. For his words rang with the truth she could not sit in the middle, and she would not. But to make a move. She would have to consult with The Dagda, for it was time. Their Pantheon would call claim even as Egypt did and they would rise. Swirling the ale she set it aside, calling two ravens to her. The birds were larger than most and puffed up their chests in glee of their importance to draw their Mistress's attention. They were to fly North, to take her word as oft they did. "Go North little ones, fetch the Dagda to me, I must tell him as I promised. Let him not tarry. And your sister shall fly further, seek out Brigid who has hidden away these long years. Tell her it is time, her father shall learn."

The birds took flight with powerful flaps. A third bird hopped onto her knee, it was expected, her hand soothed the feathers. This one was her eyes, her thoughts flew faster with this raven than any other. Tossing it to the air, another joined it. Two to watch. One to guard. They flew with her magic, racing to the Egyptian sands and to the God of the Red Sands that soon passed beneath them. One branched off towards Alexandria, to perch on the city wall. The Morrigahn sat in her chair, massaging her head. "Ah, Dagda. Forgive me my friend. For I have kept something I ne'er should have."



Apollo arched a brow, giving the fallen god a insulted look of someone who noticed a disgusting rat scuttling across the road. "I lack balance? I believe I am in perfect balance with my twin. But then you were never the smartest." He smirked unconcerned. Set was a remnant of the past. A false idol now, forbidden. Forgotten. Apollo chuckled with a superior arrogance only the young God had. He was untouchable, no matter what this fool did. The Roman Pantheon was behind him and even then he embodied the sun. Ra was locked away and battling a hopeless battle. "Perhaps you need reeducation in you place, lesser?" He sneered, his handsome face a mask of disgust.

"Oh well, did what I needed, Oh and no worries I'm not angry at you Greeks. Just the Romans. We have our land you have yours. He doesn't need to finish. Apollo knows the danger he is in, he isn't that stupid. Or rather Set hoped he wasn't. He lets the sun shine once more, and the sands stop, And in his human splendor, in the red mantle, with khopesh in hand has appears elsewhere, leaving The foolish God to wondering in the sand. He stands in his temple, appearing in full view of whatever empty space or group of people that dare be there. He had secretly hoped there would Romans there to kill... but you cant have Everything you want.

Slouching upon the roots that had pushed themselves out of the ground, his makeshift Throne. Something rustled him from his quick recuperation. A feeling, rather, a sense that some sort of barrier had been activated and there was only one being close enough to be able to do that. No. There's no way some of those detestable soldiers got through, did they? But just as it had been risen, it fell and shock filled The Dagda. She...can't have....couldn't have...there's no way a God could be felled by... He had just began to dash through the forest before realising that the barrier collapsed far too easily for it to have been breached. Unless it wasn't breached but let down of her own accord. The Dagda stopped in his tracks and smiled, "Oh, hohoho. How conniving. Will 'ave to keep an eye on this one in future." The smile faded as a quite conspicuous Raven came into sight. At its speed the bird clearly wasn't a typical avian, "Return, flying rat, to your master. I shall be there shortly." The rotund man shooed the bird away and contorted his body back into its Druid form. Easier to dash in. He spoke momentarily before getting ready to make the quick jump back. "Damnable birds'll be the end of us."

Upon landing on the cliff The Dagda wasted no time in getting answers. He moved slowly towards the Phantom Queen speaking with a tone filled with snark and crass, "Oh my, have I missed the festivities? Surely this little wassail you had should've ran on through the night." Turning to face the treeline some bits partial to orange and black as the damage from the fire had wreacked havoc to the peaceful wood, recognising that he wasn't angry at her but filled with rage from the recent battle he looked at the Queen once again and spoke calmly, "What deals have you made?"

@LadyRunic

The Morrigahn looked tiredly at pantheon's King of the Gods. Drawing her shields up about her realm and them both. Her eyes defeated as she reclined in the chair. He had a hard battle she recognized. But such was the way of war, would she had gone and helped them but it was not so simple "My King, I must confess one of our number is in Egyptian lands, without the knowledge of any Egyptian. Thoth came to bargain for us to join them in the rise against the Romans, he left without heading the words of Fate." The table and spare chair disappeared as the Goddess waved a hand. Running another hand through her raven locks. This was not going to be easy on her, not with the Dagda in sour disposition. Standing she walked through the ruinous forest of her realm, the dead of winter it was here. Pausing before a unfrozen pool she bid the King of the Celtic Gods to join her. Images swam by in the crystal depths of many different fates. "And that Goddess newly born, her powers sealed by my hand at your daughter's request. Placed in Egypt by need." She closed her eyes drawing up a image of a woman fishing by the Nile, a loom in her lap. "Do not be acting in haste, old friend."

@Severe Triage

Following silently he would hear her out before speaking again but eyed the Queen warily, he would not be scorned again. The sensation of a barrier being lifted emanated through him once again but did not invoke the same reaction as the catalyst was known to him this time. He quickly eyed the wounds which had healed quite nicely except one, this had pierced the place where a mortal would normally house their, arguably, most vital organ but yet, that shouldn't matter much to a deific being but for some reason, it did. He began to wonder if they had coated the ballista with something or it had been blessed by another God. Upon realising that he had let his mind loose on things unimportant currently, The Dagda returned his focus on her again.

"My King, I must confess one of our number is in Egyptian lands, without the knowledge of any Egyptian. Thoth came to bargain for us to join them in the rise against the Romans, he left without heading the words of Fate."

Upon hearing the name of an Egyptian God the Druid grumbled, We are a proud and strong pantheon, what could we possibly need from those societal faeries that we don't have. His expression soured slightly as the Phantom Queen beckoned towards the small pool surrounded by a chill white blanket of crystallised water.

"That Goddess newly born, her powers sealed by my hand at your daughter's request. Placed in Egypt by need."

"My little Bríg told you this? To do this? She's almost as bad as her brothers but why is it that this poor soul was cast into faraway lands?" He peered into the water at the young girl, oblivious to her roots and to her purpose. "We can't just sit here and wait. Action must be taken, these decadent fools canno-"

"Do not be acting in haste, old friend."

Stopped mid-rant and halted from completely blowing up The Dagda knew she was right. The time for combat would come but that time was not upon the eager Celtic God. Not yet. He stared at the Moon Goddess for a short while, quiet and calculating clearly deep in thought; with glazed eyes he sighed before bellowing, "So, where'd that ale go?"

@LadyRunic

The Morrigahn sighs, she should have known better than to trust that the Dagda would see the obvious. Folding her hands within the long sleeves of her gown she looked down at the image with a raised brow. "You would have been born into family with two Gods denser than the stone of the deep earth." The Phantom Queen chuckled dryly to herself. She would have to be more direct, much more so. He, her pantheon's king, was bellowing as she watched bemused. After several long minutes she strode forward to seize the Dagda's chin. "You shall have your ale as soon as we figure out what to do about the Egyptians who we have been allied with since your daughter courted with the God of the Red Sand." Her own black eyes flickering with mirth, but her grip was strong.

Before he could say aught more or start to bellow she continued louder, with a firm tone. A tone that brooked no argument. "The God does not know, I believe. Ma'at, however, is the unknown variable as ever. We need this alliance, My King. The augmented power will pincer the Roman troops. They cannot fight on two fronts without some miracle, and they will not be expecting a new Goddess born of our two Pantheons." Pulling his head to peer down at the girl again, the Goddess gives him a stern look. "Your granddaughter was place in Egypt for her protection and to stay Set from acting too rash. Brigid had a moments fancy pretending to be a mortal, later coming to me for aid. We bound her powers lest the Romans find out, or another pantheon. Now, before you start bellowing or dashing off old friend. THINK! Think what will happen for her sake and Brigid who has spent these years in self exile. We need her power but we shall have to speak to Set, and I'd rather remain alive and in one piece. He's been known to rip body parts off those who harm Bes'eshe Sethokpara Brigidborne." Releasing the god she gives him a raised brow and stern look. Silently commanding him to not be so dense. Though she had enough pity to pour and offer him a goblet of wine.



Apollo roared in fury as he flashed himself to his golden temple. It reflected his mood not at all in it's cheery columns of polished gold and floors of pale marble. Both polished to reflect the perfection that was his face. He was stunning, handsome, powerful! And yet, yet this God- This fallen God dared to defy him! To challenge him! Blasting a servant to ash he strode up to the throne of blazing white gold, a arrogance that Zeus barely tolerated. The only reason Apollo wasn't reined in was because that he was their god of the sun, and also controlled the moon through his twin sister Artemis. Musing over Set he snarled furiously upset. He wanted the man to pay, and pay dearly. But how to do it. His eyes gleamed as he accessed his powers, looking- seeking a opening to take a stab at the vicious God. And a cruel, cold smile marred his features as he spotted a woman by the Nile, he would strike Set through his people. But first... He required his soldiers. Leaning back he chuckled darkly. The people of Egypt would pay for their God's wrongs.

@Severe Triage

Dagda's eyes narrowed at being grabbed by the face for this was a first, there were none who would dare grapple a Gods continence not even another of his ilk, far too many dangers in being rendered almost defenceless so this blasé attitude left him bewildered. Hiding his shock he glared with faux-disdain at the fearless Goddess. As she spoke the internal shock within The Dagda deepened, he couldn't believe the telling truth she was speaking of. Had he really distanced himself from his children so? He vowed to never let this happen after his firstborn had martyred himself, and yet he had. This didn't stop his rage being targeted at her.

"That foolish girl, consorting with fiends, how this escaped my view is unbelievable. I nary believe such a thing happened." Stopping himself once again, realising that now is not the time for some hotheaded thinking. As Morigahn dragged his face to look in the pool the girl living her life with some modicum of normalcy brought his family to mind, he continued while the Queen let go. "This granddaughter of mine, is it necessary to have her reawaken especially at such a pivotal point? Now that a war is on the horizon. She deserves to live her own..." The Dagda paused at the liquor that had been presented to him and swiped it, the drink was down his gullet in a flash. "Aaaaah, Lord. You women and your wine, doesn't matter how much you drink it always tastes horrible."

@LadyRunic

The Scribe

Who said the eclipse was over? No, over the known world Darkness still ruled. The light of the sun only a corona, a grim glimmer of suppressed light, a thin celestial halo across the sky. It was astronomically improbable that it should last this long. The Gods were playing games it seems, and mortals knew it as a sign. The appearance of a new heavenly body within the night sky and now an eternal eclipse? Strange tidings to be, omens of things to come. Apollo's light would not come to them, his influence cut off, his beauty hidden by the vengeful moon. For too long as the pale sphere merely reflected the sun's light. In this one act of glorious revenge, a divine hand kept such a moment eternal to spite the vain Roman god. Barely a fledging child and already he dared to ascend to the sky, and for this down shall he plummet with wings of wax no more.

Behold now, ye mortals below, the miraculous sign of the war to come. The clash of the gods as sure as the hidden sun over Egypt. Here now revealed to them, the splendors of the astral sky, endless lights within the cosm. With his will exerted upon the sun and moon, neither objects would move far from the lock he had placed, Thoth dictated the movement of the cosmos themselves, the movement of the spheres. Such that if he decided the sun not to move across the sky, nor shall the moon reveal the sun, the eclipse shall be, will be and would be cast over the known world. A declaration of his intent, a mockery of Apollo's power for true the sun was his dominion, but it was Helios who moved the object across the sky. Apollo was only its light, and light was now blocked from being felt as the cold chill overtook the desert sands.

He needed to secure the Greco-Roman underworld for his plan to flourish, the truth of his schemes buried in obtaining it. For as any Egyptian god will tell you, there is power in the afterlife, an font of undeniable power from which the dead could be harvested to fuel their beliefs. Or in this their weapons of war, weapons which Thoth sought to recover and reclaim. Balance shall be kept, the Greek Gods have had their time to shine, and now like Apollo's light, they shall be overshadowed by their betters.

"Music, Medicine, Poetry, Truth and Prophecy... Only these five things the Sheepherder has mastered, and yet thinks himself to be more powerful than us. Your hubris is an insult upon true power." Thoth aligned the stars to speak his message. The young god was nothing compared to Zeus, to which he added, "Ask your father if he cares to play a game with the King of Games."

The Morrigahn stroked a raven that settled on her shoulder with a harsh caw. Running a thoughtful caress along it's ebony beak. "Set has already involved his daughter- your grandchild- with the war against the Romans. Her life has been entwined about his close enough to stop him from war these past years." Dark eyes peered at the figure of Bes'eshe as she fished peacefully. Unaware of the discussion that would change her life, will or nil the the girl's choice. The Goddess of War gave a sorrowful sigh. Rather she protect this child, leave her to her peaceful life but that was not to be. "The child contains the power of two pantheons, Dagda. Against the Roman Pantheon she is vital, something they will not expect. Though her Fate is to be a unkind one, would that I could change it. But all things are set by the universe for balance. The child is merely a piece upon to scale. For even the Fates have weaved their hand into her tale." Walking with long strides she moved the raven from her shoulder to the back of a wooden throne crumbling with age. "Set has set his daughter against the Romans with her leave, at her request. I believe she would challenge a God for the Egyptian pantheons and what hope does a human girl-child, even one such as she stand against the power a God possesses? And in their prime as the Romans are. If you wish to seek her safety from this, My King, you might wish to speak to your unwitting son-in-law. Though by the means of child and not by marriage."

She smirked to herself enjoying the pun and jabs. Her dangerous words would hopefully spark action from the Dagda. That action would also effect Brigid and thus them all. But Fate was spinning quickly from her hands and it would soon come time when mortal and deity fought for their own rights. Then Fate would be as it would. Not even her hands would change it and all would lie with the universe.



Apollo sneered at the sky as his warrior rushed from his presence. Was all of Egypt threatening to unravel merely over a few rabbles? It was infuriating to the arrogant God. "My Father need not deal with your Egyptian filth. You are fallen and broken. Forgotten in your own cursed sands, and soon you'll all fall to death while your powers go to those more worthy." Soon he would be the only god of the sun. Soon he would allow none to challenge him. But as he felt the last of his warriors flee from his temple to bring the mortal girl of Egypt to him, to turn to spy and pawn in the game, he banished the sky to it's proper light. Furious he roared his fury as his stone walls reflected the brilliant light about his form of gold.

"A king of games need not raise his head, but bow before the feet of the king of light and lords of Gods. The Kings of Gods!" He thundered, shattering his throne with a blast of power. Servants within his hall quickly cooking to a crisp from the light and heat. A figure appeared dimming his light with her own luminous glow but of a kinder sort. Her hair a pale silver and her eyes matching with fear and confusion Artemis watched her brother's wrath as she sought her grip over the moon and bid it to lower. Her command sharp and stunning. But as the two shared and look their power reigned over the sky ordering it and successfully so to it's proper place.

"So brother, Shall I sent my hunters to seek out these traitors?" And there was no need for answer before the older twin returned to her own temple and her own command. Apollo snarled, it was time for battle and games. Neither of which he wanted at the minute. Complications he didn't need at the moment. But it was a comfort that Artemis would be with him, that she would aid him. However, she would not stand in his way for any vengeance he wished. She would not risk herself against his wrath and a satisfaction with that thought over came him. He would take Egypt as his own and with no other god the wiser.

@The Grey Dust@Severe Triage[@Queenize]