[center][h2][color=007236]What makes a Ruler?[/color][/h2][/center]

The walk back across the Ashen Planes to the Fungal Marshes was nowhere near as long as the endless slog of a battle that had been the journey across the chaotic wasteland that had been there before, alongside its inhabitant. For his part, Vatarr had only remained at the node of the Ashen Planes to ensure that if anyone else came to mess with his control of the region that he would be alerted to the fact.

There was a part of him that wanted to push on; To simply continue to tame chaotic nodes until the majority of the southern lands were under his control... But he resisted the urge to do so. A more power hungry or militant deity might have done so, pushing mortals loyal to them to colonize new lands as they were presented to them... and if some of the stories that visitors from the northern lands brought with them were to be believed, even before those lands had been safely calmed down. Already he had passed by or seen humans from the Marsh traveling into the Ashen Planes, likely to explore what this new land had to offer without needing his instruction or command to do so.

Some of the mortals of the Fungal Marshes had asked him before why he hadn't followed the examples of his divine kin and install himself as their leader, uniting the various clans and tribes under his banner. He had always answered that to do so would betray the very people who had faith in him. To date none had ever truly understood what he meant by that answer and he refused to explain further. 

[hr]

By the time Vatarr returned to his throne at the Node of the Fungal Marshes, he was surprised to find a supplicant waiting for him. Such had never happened before, since mortals generally were content to give him a berth and handle their own affairs. And yet, the young woman waiting for his arrival had clearly set up camp and been waiting for a few days for his return. The woman was pretty in her own way, but her raven colored hair was somewhat offset by the fact that her skin had a shine to it that put Vatarr in mind a little of a fish or some kind of small lizard. Her attire was made of local resources, simple but practical... and while her ears were decorated with more traditional copper, he could easily tell that some of them were of alternative metals to create and interesting display.

Taking a seat on his throne, Vatarr gazed directly at the woman as he politely gestured and said "[color=007236]Good morning. If I had known someone had been waiting to greet me I would have taken a quicker pace. Forgive me, but who am I speaking with at the moment and why are you visiting today?[/color]"

The woman in question offered a small bow before answering "My name is Oxana. I am here because I wish to be the mother of your child."

To say that there was a moment of silence... or at least as silent as the grove around the throne truly got, would be an understatement. But suddenly Vatarr laughed louder then they could remember before answering "[color=007236]Okay, I wasn't expecting to hear that.[/color]" The good humor in Vatarr's voice easily betrayed their amusement as they rested their elbow on the arm of the throne before pressing their deer skull against a closed fist as he gazed directly at Oxana. "[color=007236]May I ask what has inspired this request? I admit to not being used to visitors, but I cannot help but feel it is a strange request all the same.[/color]"      

For her part, Oxana looked... rather bashful as she shuffled her feet against the ground. "I... I recently finished the final of the tablets you gave to the tribes back when we settled here and... I think I understand." Pausing to acknowledge that her statement was rather vague, she continued "I think I understand you... or at least the forces you represent. By extension, why you never tried to create a kingdom or be the leader of my people. It's because if you [i]did[/i], you would have to let it rot and fall at some point. You don't wish to betray your followers with this false idea of an eternal kingdom under your rule."

There was another moment of silence... before Vatarr chuckled. Lifting his head off of his hand, he offered a small clap as he answered "[color=007236]You're correct. It is simple to preach about the balance of life and death. However, when the time comes not to sow a new crop and to let the bounties that life offers to the harsher decay and rot of death few are willing to actually carry out the act. Nor is it really something I expect mortals to do. However, forgive me if I'm not seeing why this means I should father a child with you.[/color]" The deity offered somewhat playfully. 

For her part, Oxana didn't answer right away. She wanted to make sure that her words were just right before speaking. "I want to unite the various tribes of humans in your domain together into one kingdom. Missionaries from up north keep showing up, trying to lure people away with the promises of other gods and while no one has followed them that I know of, I fear it might just be a matter of time before some outside force tries to play us against each other when we need to be united."

"If I give birth to your child, not only would that mean that I've been given your blessing and thus be considered a legitament ruler of my people but when our child is of age they will naturally be a rallying point for our kingdom because of their connection to you. However because they would only have divine blood rather then be fully divine, they would still be mortal. The cycle would be appeased, your lands would be united and respect you enough to listen to your council and you wouldn't have to betray anyone when the day comes that our child's line dies out and the kingdom they forged falls and another kingdom or family takes over."

Once again there was silence in the grove... before with a small chuckle Vatarr rose from his throne. "[color=007236]In that case Oxana, I accept your request.[/color]"           


[hider=Summery]
After warding the Node of 27 in order to be alerted if someone messes with it, Vatarr hikes all the way back to Node 26 to spend some time at home when he encounters a human woman named Oxana waiting at his throne for him, asking to be the mother of his child. 

Clearly amused, Vatarr asks her why. After explaining her understanding of Vatarr, his nature and the nature of the Cycle in which he is the embodiment of, Oxana basically sells the idea that by them siring a mortal child with divine blood, they could form a united kingdom with Vatarr as a strong pillar of influence, but distant enough from it so that he doesn't betray either the mortals or his loyalty to the Cycle.

Vatarr accepts and the scene fades to black.  

[/hider]


[hider=Might]
Start: 1

1 Might spent to ward Node 27. No stealing without his knowledge.

Finish: 0
[/hider]