Wings flapped in the morning light. A slight jangle of buckle and steel accompanied each flap as something small and purple furred flew for the northwest cliffs hugging Rhydin city. Ice blue eyes with gold flecks shimmered in the sunlight; they peered through a clear visor attached to a helm of unknown metal burnished to a silver luster. The figure continued its flight as the Scathachian Sanctuary was seen from above. A small roll in the air and the figure darted down, the ground rushing up to meet it. Metallic black feathers flared as the small but powerful wings snapped fully open to slow the decent.

Myrlene stood upon the gravel and paved road leading to the gates of the sanctuary. A few wing flaps to stretch the muscles and they closed in to mantle the shoulders and sides like a black cloak. To any on watch the sight they would have may be considered peculiar or comical. Myrlene was but 3 feet tall, purple fur showing on her body where it was not armored fully in that silvery armor. A canine muzzle was under that helm and a feathered tail guarded her back side. By the armors accent, Myrlene was female, well endowed for her size. Tendrils of crimson red hair had slipped from under her helm to blow playfully in the wind upon the cliffs. Armored as she was, she bore no shield nor any weapons upon bared or sheathed. No insignia, sigil, sign or mark of faith either was displayed on that armor.

Myrlene surveyed the sanctuary, the iron gates that bore testament to welcoming or repelling as duty called. She walked for the gated entry and as she did so, her eyes caught the evidence of an area that nearby that held the fading traces left by scorching fire. Now it seemed to be in preparations for rebuilding. She paused in her trek to look at the site more.

That must have been where their temple was. Issy mentioned they were going to be rebuilding with funds from the masquerade coming up. I wonder what that temple looked liked?

Taking her eyes from the site she moved for the gate once more taking a moment to settle herself and reclaim any fleeting courage. It was time for her to earnestly take her duties with seriousness and to do that, she needed guidance, a lot of guidance. Above that need though was another, allies. She couldn't hope to accomplish the task of taking up the mantle she had won fairly from the All Father of Lupinossai without allies.

Myrlene stopped at the gates, whether closed or open out of courtesy and protocol. A few deep breaths were taken.

Okay, these ladies may be giants to me but height isn't the yard stick for might or a heart to do what is right.

Lifting her head she called out to the sanctuary.

"Sisters of the Scathachian Sanctuary. I come as a guest and to seek council from thee. I am Myrlene Wolf-Spiritor, Di'idarikia in my mother tongue, Kami Shori no Haha to the Apis, Shori to others. Please allow a humble goddess of war, newly made to her roll to enter."

Her voice was strong and clear. After her greeting, she took a knee and bowed before the gateway to await a response.

Hearing the response of welcome to her, Myrlene stood from her kneeling position and looked up. It took all of her will not to take a few steps back from a woman that seemed bigger than Issy to her.

You've fought a deity and several demons larger. Courage.

Her hesitation evaporated from the mental bolster. Myrlene let a genuine smile touch her muzzle.

"I am of friendly persuasion unless one is seeking to harm me or those I love and protect, be it in battle or at home. I am honored to meet you Delphinea. I am Myrlene, Di'idarikia to the Lupinossai, Shor..." She paused a moment feeling she giving a mouthful.

"My apologies, let me try this again. I am Myrlene, known as Shori by some. I am a newly arisen goddess of war. I wish to help the people of my homeland, Rhydin but I am very new to this role. A few weeks if at most. I was encouraged by an Apis known as Andu and spoke with Issy. My knowledge and understandings of a goddess of war is....very lacking." She said in humble tones to Delphinea.

Lene did walk towards Delphinea when bade to come. "If you wish to announce me, Shori, Warrior Goddess of Rhydin will suffice."

Myrlene was unsure of the decorum and status she had with others being new to her position, so gave a salute, fist to chest and bowed her head to her chest in respect to Issulet and the sisters.

"Well met Issulet. I am honored and humbled to be before you, your sisters and your patron goddess Scathach. May she shine benevolently upon your faithful order." She said in a calm, steady voice now.

Seeing Issulet wave her towards the opened entry to the inner courtyard, she would politely walk alongside with Issulet, neither a step ahead or behind of the judge. "I would be honored to attend dinner with you and the sisters."

Myrlene put her hands behind her back to keep from nervous fidgeting as she did her best to walk taller than she was. "Andu has been a very kind, enthusiastic follower of my order. He does well to further my cause."

Myrlene's solitary ear flicked to listen to the bird songs, the flow of water and her nose could smell the cleanness and serenity the inner courtyard conveyed.

"Any assistance and advice I will gratefully welcome. I feel so lost on my path. Your sanctuary indeed imparts a feeling of safety and strength. I am curious though, what was the language you spoke to me in during your greeting" What do the words mean?" She was ever inquisitive and it showed.

Myrlene listened to all Isulet told her. Those gold flecked glacier blues never leaving the woman's face once. She began to pace back and forth in a measure of 10 steps before Isulet as she thought long and hard about how to answer the questions asked of her.

"You are right about people bestowing the honors of godhood." She looked to the reflection pool picking at her thoughts. "It was how our All Mother and All Father earned their titles, perhaps it is how the All Father gained his madness. I don't even attempt to say I understand what gods think or know or to even muse about their paths..."

Lene watched the sun setting and small, pensive smile touched her muzzle. The light of childhood is setting on me. Adulthood is still reaching to break the horizon leaving me in twilight for a span. The thought was dismissed.

"The position I am in, obtaining this title was due to the All Mother and All Father seeking a cure for his madness. He'd become insane from the duties accepted over many millenniums. A war was close to breaking out in the pantheon of my people. I was sought out due to my lineage, a child born to a great worker of compassion and war, Ammy Spiritor. A father who dabbles among the lines of angels and deities, Fleetian Wolf."

Lene turned to look at Isulet, a small thin line creased her lips. "The All Mother and All Father saw something in me. My knowledge of warfare is small, but violence, bloodshed and courage are things I know, too well." She took up pacing once more. "I was groomed by a dark goddess when very young. It was not a choice as much as it was a will to live under her rule. I was a captive, taken because she envied my parents power. Her name is Takhasis of the realms of Krynn. Perhaps I should owe her gratitude and thanks for instilling in me the deep seated courage I can summon for dealing with world. Or the boundless well of violence and pain I can sip from to inflict on others."

That was when something dawned upon her. "I was given the title of warrior goddess for my people, but many looked to other gods in our homeland that are better suited for war than the All Father. I took the mantle given to me and wanted to do more." She looked to Isulet. "I wanted to give something back to Rhydin, the realm I was born in, my home. I've seen how many gods can act in this realm. How much senseless violence and pointless wars erupt around here. I even know I can bear and give life to horrors not seen yet."

Lowering her head, eyes cast to the ground she touched upon what she really wanted lying buried under her musings. "I....don't want to be a beacon of violence and bloodshed to many who delight in it. I....want to offer something nobler, purer. To instill and uphold those fighting only when nothing else has worked. To touch those taking the ravages of war for the people unable to cope or defend themselves..."

A few tears slid silently down her furred cheeks. "I want to make a difference in this realm and show others that their is someone standing by them, for them, to honor them for choosing the higher ground. I want to know that no matter how tainted by darkness I've become I can give hope to others. A mother to shelter the weak and to stand with the strong."

Myrlene stared back into Issulet's eyes, crystal blues flecked with gold knowing too much for her young years. Within them, the judge would see a young child crystallized into a young woman within the forge of past devastation and untold years of darkness touching her.

"Yes, Rhydin is not a static thing. She lives, breaths, laughs, cries, bleeds, bears life anew and even dies in areas. To be one of the many stewards of the city is daunting." She still held that gaze with Issulet and saw the frayed, tiredness trying to obscure that hope.

"You hold the same eyes I've seen in my mother many times." Myrlene finally looked away, unable to stare any longer, feeling overwhelmed in Issulet's presence.

She gave a long sigh, looked up to the sky and her next words held a note of fear to them. "It's the immortality that scares me the most. I have seen how it scars many. Seen how it hangs around my parents necks like a heavy grindstone. I feel I've been given a endless record to hold me forever accountable to all mistakes and successes. It pains me to think that at some point I will watch my little boy die an old man and my husband pass away after a few centuries of life for a dragon."

Looking back to Issulet but not into her eyes, Myrlene spoke very softly. "I am deeply honored to have your tried and true council, Issulet. Is the fate and life of a guardian an ever increasing road of hardship and loss?"

"You know, I never thought of being deity as being compared to being a mother. Put that way, it makes more sense Issulet. Mothering is never easy and you just thank the heavens that you get to see a smile on your child's face more often than the frowns or crying." Myrlene smiled, seeming to feel something lift a bit on her soul.

"I am always hungry. Still young and it seems nothing I do doesn't come without a cost. Most of that cost is taken out on my body." She smiled grimly.

"I think my views of being a hero are often colored by what I've seen my parents do and what my father told me once. His told me that the definition of a hero is someone who gets other people hurt by their actions. At first, I thought that made sense, but not anymore. People get hurt whether you're a hero or not." She shrugged her shoulders as if to accent her point.

"I am wondering about something Issulet. I seem to have the ability to make a pact with anyone who has fallen in battle. Offer them their body back, restored, a life that will never end at the price of coming to my aide and following my orders when a need is present. I....don't know how possessive other gods are of their followers, but is this something that I could offer to many' Something I could offer to the Sisters as well, if Lady Scath and her sister find it appealing?" Myrlene asked softly.

So much was guessed at and assumed in that long silent pause from Issulet. The polite decline of her offer to Issulet was no surprise to Myrlene.

"Many do not feel they are worthy of a blessing from any god. Many even curse the gods for any blessing they receive whether it was a help or hindrance. I will not pry into your reasons Issulet for I know most who do not wish that blessing have reasons I cannot dispute. However, as a hopeful ally to the Sisters and your deities, my offer will remain on the table for any who wish to ask; your deities willing of course to bless that decision."

Myrlene gave a small smile that was warm. Her solitary ear flicked hearing the echo of the rung dinner bell.

"I believe we are to be expected soon, yes?" Another soft smile. A smile. That was all she ever had to offer to anyone when she had no clue how to help or offer support, but on the off chance a smile was a powerful weapon that often succeeded in brightening many dark days.

"Have you ever thought of marriage Issulet' Of leaving a living legacy behind when you finally step into peaceful rest and quiet?"

Pry she did not, but being around many honorable fighters and even other heroes, she knew many wanted unending peace. That peace she knew only came in death. She'd seen it in every man, woman and child she'd put an end to as Takhisis had her fill of torturing the mortals.

Myrlene heard the silence once more and began to feel perhaps she had tread into territory best left alone. The answer Issulet gave shed a lot of light on the judge and Myrlene decided not to ask further personal questions, though one question burned in her mind but it was more a personal fear than a question.

Being a goddess, will I ever have another?

The thought rang through her head as if someone had slapped her helm with a mace. Her strides faltered a moment and she took a bit to breath, still her heart and clear her mind. That question could be figured out later in life when time allowed for her to try that miracle again. Her ear did perk as she heard Issulet mention needs of the city.

Following the judge into the dining hall and again trying not to feel small in a room full of giants she spoke confidently.

"I am up to any task that is required of me, Issulet. Or I will die trying."

Myrlene lowered her head for a long moment, properly humbled. Perhaps she'd been too eager in her answer to Issulet. Her inborn need for fighting and war, the genetic inheritance of the Lupinossai slipping her control. With the instinct held in check once more she looked up and took her seat as directed.

Those ice blue, gold flecked eyes regarded all the women here. Strong, determined, battle hardened yet a core of softness to allow them not to shatter from a hard strike. Warriors forged by a true crafter in the arts of physical rigor. She saw the silent message in the gaze of Issulet, lending to her a measure of peace.

The blessing Issulet had given in common for her benefit was taken to mind, each word and phrase turned and examined. They reminded her what a goddess of war's common trade was. Battle, strife, violence, blood and ultimately, death to all in her service or opposing those serving her. Death. Something she'd experienced once, for a few moments before a magical intervention by ancient dragon magic.

The words Issulet had told her seemed to sink a cold iron spike into her heart. A goddess never dies, Myrlene. Myrlene's eyes, seeming to wise, if looked at now during the feasting held something new to them. Sorrow. The wisdom of sorrow as she looked around her at those seated and eating. How can she feel common ground with them' How could she feel any common ground with those who'd serve and worship her when there was gap between them. Mortality.

Was she truly blessed to live for eternity' Would she never die in a land that seemed devoted to ridiculing, throwing down, denying and the killing of many gods that walked the realm' Would anyone really thank her for her blessings as they took their last breath for blood stained lips" The strong and able hand losing their purchase on the worn and cared for hilt of sword, haft of spear, the twined and snapped string of the bow"

So many thoughts pressed down on her shoulders like a heavy weight, wanting to grind her into the seat she sat on. Her youthful face, furred as it may, wrinkled slightly in long thought. She tried to listen to the joviality around her, the mirth of those enjoying a moment of pleasure and camaraderie while they could.

She sipped and ate, staying very quiet. Helm removed out of politeness, her lone, furred ear twitched, taking in the talking, trying to loosen the grip on her thoughts. Where her other ear should be, red hair, hallmark to her warrior mother, offered a few strands that failed to cover a stump of where the ear should have been. Myrlene was soon looking back to Issulet again, her mind coming full circle on her thoughts.

No on is ever up to the task. But we do it nonetheless. That is what makes a hero. Myrlene sipped her drink once more and thought very hard. Was she seeking to bless and support those who called themselves heroes out of a need for gratuity or fame, or was she to bless and support those who are rightfully entitled to the word Hero yet never take it nor accept it'

Myrlene quietly spoke to no one in particular at the table. "May the gods forgive all of my stumbling to come. What have I taken on' How am I going to champion this cause? I am among the greats, a humble shell of glass to be either fire tempered or shattered by a feather."