April 10, 2008
Treating With Mezzullas.
“Lady, I request permission to enter your halls.”
“Mortal, what reason have I to grant your request?”
“I have with me six strong bulls; they are pure white, without flaw. These I will give to you as an entry fee, lady, if you grant me permission to enter your halls.”
“Mortal, you are so permitted.”
***
“Lady, I seek permission to enter your throne room.”
“Have you cleaned the dust from your feet?”
“I have, lady, as you require.”
“Have you cleaned the blood from your hands?”
“Yes, lady, in accordance with your wishes.”
“Have you mopped the sweat from your brow?”
“Just as you wished, lady.”
“What did you think of my gates?”
“They are very great, lady. I have never seen any as strong as yours; they are polished so brightly that their shine alone is enough to drive off all foes.”
“Would that it were so, mortal. Would that it were so.”
***
“Lady, I thank you for granting me this audience. It is a rare honor.”
“Indeed it is. What do you think of me, mortal?”
“You are very fair, lady. Your hair is whiter than the hide of my bulls, and I thought they were the purest of whites. Your eyes are like glowing embers, warm and fierce. Your skin…”
“Enough. I seek an honest answer, mortal, not flattery. The most unkind truth will get you more from me than the sweetest, falsest flattery. Now what do you think of me?“
“Y-you are older than I thought, lady.”
“I am an Old One.”
“Yes, lady. But the priests all say that the Elders do not age…”
“That is true to a point; I will not grow any older than this. But this is old enough.”
***
“L-lady…”
“Yes?”
“May I beg a favor from you, lady?”
“Why should I grant you a favor, mortal?”
“I have a dozen fine white doves, lady, which I will give to you, for your favor. I have three ounces of the finest frankincense, which I will burn in your temple every day until it is gone, or gladly give to you to scent your house, whichever you prefer. I also have a strand of blue pearls three feet long, each pearl a perfect sphere and perfectly matched in size and color to the others. These I will give to you, lady, for your favor.”
“What is the nature of your favor, mortal?”
“I seek a boon from your father, the Storm-God.”
“Such a boon is within my power to grant. My father acknowledges my right to act as his emissary on this earth. Go on; what is this boon you would request of the Storm-God?”
“I would request that he send fine rain for my land so the crops may grow.”
“Most farmers do not come to me seeking boons, mortal.”
“Lady-”
“Nor do most farmers possess the kind of wealth you have displayed here. There is something false about your visit, mortal, and I do not like being played for a fool.”
“L-lady-”
“I will make a deal with you, mortal: give over all the treasures you have brought to bribe me, and tell me your story. If I do not like your story, I will make my own request of my father.”
“A-as you wish, lady. The truth is this: until two weeks ago, I was a scribe in the palace of the King, in which position I acquired some wealth. I received notice that my father and his entire family had died. His farm had passed into my possession. There are several peasant families that live on that land; it needs someone to be its master, and so I had no choice but to retire from city life to this old farm, which I had not seen since my childhood. The King graciously granted me permission to leave, but I have no knowledge of farming, and with the famine…”
“So you come to me to seek my father’s help with your farm.”
“Yes, lady.”
“Then explain to me why your young nephew came to me last week, seeking sanctuary from assassins sent by his uncle?”
“His uncle? But I’m his only…”
“Yes, mortal, you are.”
***
“So, daughter, what was his story?”
“Hm?”
“It is not every day that my intercessor comes to me, asking for the death of a particular mortal.”
“Oh, it was a trivial matter; a mere family quarrel.”
“Why, daughter, did you side with the nephew?”
“He asked nothing for himself but his life.”
