"Where are we headed, princess?" The attendant nearly ran to catch up with Evera, who was pacing forwards into the depths of the woods like a woman on a mission.

"To meet with the delegation—before it is too late." She replied not turning back.

"But my lady it's not safe, surely the Divine Protector…"

"We cannot rely on the Divine Protector for everything!" Evera snapped back.

"If it weren't for my mother's pleas she would have already left us to our own devices. If we cannot handle such a simple crisis how will she ever feel reassured enough to let us stand on our own in the future?"

"But my lady…" The attendant pleaded. "Surely if we truly need her she will always be there for us, after all…"

"Silence! You do not know the Divine Protector like I do Amond, trust me, this is the right path for our future."

"Of course your majesty," the attendant acquiesced, still nervously looking around him. But even though he wanted to protest more, he knew it was too late to change the princess' mind, all he could do now was follow along and pray for her success.

"Well, well, well, look who we have here?" A man emerged from the forest ahead of them, leaning sleazily against one of the trees. "The little princess of Erlania come to greet these humble envoys? To what do we owe the pleasure?" He mocked, giving a half-bow.

"Derick," a feminine voice echoed strangely through the trees as a gust of wind rustled the branches. "Try not to do anything stupid, I'll see them in my tent."

The man sighed, clicking his tongue with a shake of his head. "And here I thought I'd finally get a little fun. Her majesty will see you now." He gestured deeper into the forest, and then in a blink he and the grove of trees behind him disappeared revealing a path lit by hanging yellow lights leading to a grand tented pavilion.

Evera watched this all unblinking, then started forwards as the path revealed itself. "Come Amond, we must not dottle and keep Her Majesty waiting."

Amond closed his mouth which had fallen open, and followed silently in the Princess' footsteps under the strange yellow lights.

As they approached the entrance to the tent, sounds drifted from the open entrance.

"Why are we even receiving them? They can't speak for her, and even if they could what use is there debating with some backwater demigod? We extended the offer like the Council demands. All that's left is to toss them to the wolves and wait to see who comes away with the kill, I really don't know why we're even still here."

"Ceren," The feminine voice that had recalled Derick warned. "The gods have entrusted this matter to me, I won't hear debate on this topic. Besides, our guests are already here, don't be rude."

Evera took a breath to steady herself a step before the entrance, and then carrying herself as a royal should she walked gracefully into the tent.

"Princess Evera! To what do we owe the pleasure?" A woman wearing an elegant flowing robe with a dancing illusory crown on her head sat on a throne that seemed to be made of living fluid with two male advisors standing to her sides.

Evera approached to the appropriate distance then curtsied low. "I pay greetings to Verena, Queen of Spirits," Then she turned to the advisors giving each curtsies, though less deep. "Ceren, Lord of Barriers, Derrick, Lord of Illusions."

"I have come with haste on behalf of my kingdom, The witch kingdom of Erlania, to make a petition to the envoys of the Court of the Gods."

"Speak your petition." Verena narrowed her eyes at the princess.

"This humble one makes deepest apologies for the rudeness of our Divine Protector Riviera Waterspirit, and wishes to show her sincerity by adopting the religious practices of the Human Pantheon within our kingdom."

Amond kneeling low behind her widened his eyes in shock, biting his lip under his bowed head, but he had been an attendant long enough to know when to shut the hell up and let the politicians speak.

"Hooo?" Verena looked slightly amused. "Do you mean to give up the worship of your Divine Protector, or do you mean to worship her alongside our pantheon?"

Evera had risen from her curtsy, but still kept her head bowed. "This humble princess can change the official religion of the state and do her best to promote it, but the feelings of the people lie beyond her control."

Verena tapped her fingers on the armrest of her throne. "And why make this decision? Have you so little faith in your own Protector?"

"With all due respect to our Divine Ancestor, she has little taste for politics, and does not understand the power and majesty of the Pantheon which she so carelessly makes light of. I do not wish for my people to suffer under the consequences of her mistakes."

"Interest—"

"Your majesty—" Ceren stiffened and began to interrupt as a portal made of water magic opened in the middle of the tent. "Impossible…" He whispered, immediately starting to weave magic.

"Evera!!" A blue-haired Rivi dressed in robes like falling water emerged from the portal. "You said my name so far away. Who threatens you? I'll beat them up!!" She rushed to Evera's side, magic twirling around her fists as she scanned the room for potential threats.

Evera froze, her eyes widened in shock, as her brain struggled in vain to figure out what to do now that her Mother had shown up at the worst possible moment.

"Mother please—" She tried to restrain her, but it was already too late. The demigods before her had vanished to who knows where, her chances to reconcile with them probably just as vanished as they probably assumed that she deliberately chose to speak the name to set a trap. I didn't know she could do that…Her mind spun desperately.

"Kya!" Rivi spun, sending a pillar of water boiling out of her kick as a phantom of Derick appeared and then rapidly disintegrated under the attack behind them.

"Don't worry, Evera," She wrapped her daughter in protective water magic that would soon cut off any sounds or sights. "This won't take long." She said with a grin.

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