Chapter 7 – Baker's Hours
Nocturne emerged in a dark corner of the kitchen. It was still a few hours before dawn, but she knew Grania would be there. Her palace was quiet. The multitude of functionaries and artisans that populated her court were mostly asleep. All but the bakers.
Grania stirred, mixed and kneaded her divine dough. The ovens around her had been set and were just beginning to start their warming up. Their light was still low and the room not yet stifling. Unlike the lofty pillared halls of the rest of the palace, this kitchen was made of brick and fieldstone. Honest materials, though vast in scale.
Nocturne watched Grania work. She did not enter especially stealthy, as she could, so she knew there was no way Grania was not aware of her presence. Nocturne bided her time, waiting until Grania was ready. She was here to collaborate, not for confrontation.
She was sure Grania had plenty of people to knead her dough for her. But, being a god herself, she could sense it was more than that. As her hands pushed and tore the pliant surface, all over the wakening world many of her devotees were doing the same. She was in communion with them. She felt their thoughts, their wishes, and desires, and also their fears and worries.
In time the last ball of dough was prepared and slung on a board to proof. Grania leaned back against a counter, dusted the flower from her hands, and turned to look at Nocturne. She raised an eyebrow.
“Greetings to rich-haired Grania”, said Nocturne, formally. “Lady of the golden sword and glorious fruits.”
“Greetings to Nocturne”, said Grania, not quite as formally. “Sable lady of the night, and lurker in kitchen corners.”
Nocturne smiled and the shadows withdrew from her. She leaned, equally casually, against the opposite counter. She glanced to the dough and back. “And how is the world today?”
“Uncertain”, said Grania. “The wheel of the seasons has limped along for most of a cycle since the god slaughter. Each festival and celebration is a new reminder that things are not like they have been for generations. The gods move cautiously to fill the gaps. So there is a great deal of uncertainty.”
Nocturne nodded slowly. “Things would move a lot faster if we had a leader to show us the direction.”
“Yes”, said Grania, and watched Nocturne closely.
“There are those who say you are well positioned to be that leader”, said Nocturne. Grania snorted. “Most of Hearth Mother's followers are already looking to you for direction.”
“And you have gathered many of Grave Keeper's”, retorted Grania.
Nocturne smiled and looked down. “Tedious pedants”, she said. “They are useful for some things. But I care not for the rites of the dead.”
“Few will follow Atlantica, Water Bearer's heir. He's too... provincial. We need another Sky Father.”
“Yes”, agreed Nocturne. “This makes you kingmaker. If people are looking to you, and seeing you as Hearth Mother, pick a consort, and he will become Sky Father.”
“It's not really the direction I want to go in”, said Grania.
“I suggest Lucas. He was Martius's chief of logistics. Seems a reasonable match”, said Nocturne.
“You dare come to my kitchen, matchmaking?” said Grania angrily. Her eyes glowed and all the coals of the fires burned brighter.
“I come bearing information”, said Nocturne, quietly. “And, from one who hoards information, that should mean something.”
Grania anger quietened. “And what information is that?”
“That having a chief god who excels in military logistics would be a good thing.”
Grania rolled her eyes. “So are you here to stir up trouble between us and the Romitu?”
“No”, said Nocturne. “I think there's going to be more than enough trouble for both us and Romitu to try to handle.”
Grania watched her in silence for a while. “All right. I'm listening.”
Nocturne stood, paced to another position, and leaned against another counter. “The old gods had more dirty laundry than we thought.” She folded her arms and stared at the floor. “So, you know that bit of no-man's land between Romitu, Sindhu and Kemet?”
“The Black Hole”, said Grania. “It's a dark spot I can't see into. Not that I've ever really cared to look. I seem to remember something about a people there who turned their backs on the gods.”
“More the other way around”, said Nocturne. “Suffice to say that they were an embarrassment to the gods, so they were locked away there. A long, long time ago. I'd say they're pretty pissed at us by now.”
“I'd reckon so”, said Grania. “But they've been there all my existence. And if it's that long ago, why would they be any more pissed now than then.”
“The pertinent item of information is that they were locked away there”, said Nocturne. She looked up and met Grania's eyes. “But all of those maintaining those locks are now dead.”
“Oh”, said Grania. The implications sunk in. “And what's happened?”
“I don't know”, said Nocturne. “I considered going and looking.” She smiled with half her mouth. “All this active involvement in the world has me thinking back to when I was mortal. The adventures I had were quite something. Legendary, in their own time. But my responsibilities are greater now. Figured I should resist the wanderlust.”
“How long have you known?” asked Grania.
“Only a few hours”, said Nocturne. “It could be nothing. But it could be that a ravening horde of undead monsters that have had a millennium or two to build their spite against us has been unleashed on the world.”
“In which case we would be in for one hell of a fight”, said Grania.
“Which is where having someone good at military logistics could be quite handy”, said Nocturne.
“Mmm hmm”, said Grania. She felt the temperature of the ovens and checked the rising dough again.
“It's a good reason to talk to him”, said Nocturne, twirling an insubstantial strand of hair. “He's good looking.”
Grania gave her a withering stare. “This is politics, not teenage courting rituals. And, besides, I thought we were talking about the end of the world.” Sighing, she muttered, “Again.”
“Our world has already ended”, said Nocturne. “There's a new dawn coming.” She looked pointedly at the high narrow slit of a window. A dull rose color was just beginning to show.
“In case you haven't noticed, there hasn't been much of an army loyal to the gods for some time”, said Grania. “I doubt Lucas has teams of scouts ready to deploy.”
“But we have had armies, over the centuries”, said Nocturne. “Surely he has agents amongst his court that he could send?”
“Logistics isn't the same as intelligence”, said Grania. “Even if he has inherited some of Martius's court, and the wonderful military chain of command has kept them out of disarray, I'm not sure that would be the most subtle approach.”
“Don't you have assets you can deploy?” asked Nocturne.
Grania grimaced. “My assets are not known for their subtlety either.” She folded her arms and considered. “We could deploy Romitu.”
Nocturne smiled. “The mortals? With their god killing army? And who do we have who is on speaking terms with them?”
Grania waved dismissively at her. “How could I forget who? I'm mocked derisively for it all the time behind my back.”
“Not from me”, said Nocturne, quietly.
“I know”, said Grania. “I have my own spies.”
“As does everyone”, said Nocturne. “It's just that mine are the best.”
“That they are”, said Grania. She stood straight, and started sorting through bins of currants, caraway seeds, and wheat berries with purpose. “Well, you get your spies out there pouring vinegar into people's ears about this purported undead army. About how badly we are positioned to deal with it. Tap your Grave Keeper converts to paint a dire analysis. I'll work on making Romitu aware of the problem and amenable to helping.”
; “Will do”, said Nocturne. She came over to watch Grania sift and measure ingredients. She stood very close to her. “We understand each other.” The expression on her dark face was hard to read. “You know, I could be your consort. It would be... interesting.”
Grania looked down at her very seriously. “It would be very... non-traditional.”
Nocturne broke into a broad smile. “Very. But, then, we are. It's new world. We can make new rules.”
Grania's stern expression softened. “Let's start by just working very well together.” Nocturne pouted slightly. “Now shoo.”
Nocturne blew her a kiss and then faded into nothing.
Black Warrior Page 7