25. Of Mice and Men

Weivo was about to put the key in the lock, when he stopped and stood there as if frozen in time.

Maria could see that he was struggling to move but was getting nowhere.

"What’s going on?" asked Warren.

"I have no idea." said Maria.

Then it hit them.

The cold, the fear, the felling of falling into nothingness.

Maria sucked in her breath and closed her eyes as the feelings overwhelmed her.

She felt Annie back into her and was able to put her arms around the younger woman just before she heard the voice.

"Well , well, well. What are you doing little trickster?" It asked in a voice It thought was playful, but had the under tones of one who was not at all happy.

"Isn’t that my property you are holding in your hands?" It said.

"I suppose it is." said Weivo.

Though he sounded calm and was trying to act as if he was just chatting, they could all hear the under tones of fear.

Maria felt It smile. It was having fun now, playing with Weivo like a cat with a mouse.

"And Maria." It said, wrapping around her and Annie, "Isn’t your sword also in his hands? Did you give it to him?"

"No." she answered. "I never gave him anything."

"Then how is it, Weivo, that you come to possess both of these things that are not yours?" It asked.

"Very simple." said Weivo. "It seemed that young man lying dead over there had stolen them. And I happened along in time to pick these up."

"You weren’t planning on using them, were you?" It asked.

"Of course not." said Weivo. "Why would I want to do that?"

"He’s lying." said Annie.

Silence descended in the glade as everyone looked at Annie.

Weivo glared at her and Maria pulled her closer into her embrace.

"Are you accusing a God of lying." It asked in a mock shocked voice. "Did you hear that Weivo? she thinks that Gods lie. Isn’t that shocking."

It’s voice came nearer to the two women.

"Why would he lie?" it asked.

"Because," said Annie. "he wants what ever is sealed in those rocks."

"Oh he wouldn't want that." It told her. "The one entombed there is rather a nasty fellow, and caused no end of trouble when he was last free."

"You don’t want that do you?" It asked Weivo.

"Certainly not." he replied through gritted teeth.

"You see little one." It said to Annie. "He doesn't want that at all. So I am sure that he won’t mind returning everything."

"You wouldn’t mind giving our possessions back to Maria and myself , would you?" It said to Weivo.

"If you would be so kind as to let me go." he said in a soothing voice.

"Certainly." It said.

Before anyone could say anything Weivo jabbed the key into the lock, but before he could turn it, he clutched his head crying out, and falling to his knees.

"You really should not have done that." said the Unnameable, with all the playfulness gone from Its voice.

"How..."

"Everyone has fears." said the Unnameable. "Even Gods. And I know everyone’s."

A shiver ran down Maria’s spine.

"Annie, would you be a dear and go and remove that thing from the lock. We don’t want anyone getting out do we? I am sure a girl such as yourself, who accuses Gods of lying, shouldn’t be too afraid to touch it, now would you." It said.

Maria stopped her saying, "I’ll go.."

Her breath caught in her throat and she couldn’t move.

"I asked the young lady to help me, not you." It said.

Annie turned to her.

"It’s ok." she said. "I’ll be fine."

She reached up and kissed her and walked toward the rocks.

Weivo was still prone on the ground. He was breathing hard and shooting frustrated looks at everyone there. He watched Annie as she passed him.

She arrived at the door to the cell and reached for the key. She took hold of the handle and pulled it out. As soon as the key was remove the crack in the wall sealed itself back up, there was another flash of light and the swords fell away from each other, clattering on the ground.

Maria felt herself released from the Unnameable’s grasp.

"Thank you my dear." It said. "If you could, bring the two of them here, and you may return Maria’s sword to her."

Annie did so and and then asked, "What about this other one?"

"Oh, I think you can give that one to my new assistant." It said.

Everyone exchanged glances, until finally Maria got up the courage to ask.

"What new assistant would that be?"

"Why, that young God laying there on the ground." It said. "Oh, do get up. You will get your clothes all dirty and I do not wish to have that tracked into my home."

Everyone, including Weivo stood there with their mouths open.

"What do you mean?" said Weivo in a menacing tone.

"Well since it was you that made my old assistant turn against me, the others have decided that I may claim your services for a while, for the inconvenience you have caused." It answered.

Weivo was stunned.

"Unfortunately dear Maria." It said. "There is little you or your mother can ask though. Your mother was quite vocal about compensation. But you are mere humans really, though the punishment meted out seemed to assuage her anger a little."

"You can’t do that!" yelled Weivo.

"But I can." said the Unnameable. "So be a good assistant and come take the sword.

Weivo did not move.

The Unnameable sighed.

"Very well, if that is how you want to play it."

Suddenly Weivo walked toward them as if his legs and arms were being forced. Each step was exaggerated and his arms moved back and forth like some badly marching soldier.

The Unnameable laughed.

"Look!" It cried out. "Look at my new little puppet! Isn’t he fun?!"

Weivo looked mortified.

No one else laughed.

Suddenly Weivo was let go. He stood there in silence for a while.

"Now." said The Unnameable. "Please be so kind as to take the sword from the young lady."

Weivo reached out and Annie placed the sword in his hands.

"Now, we have a lot to do." It said, "And I only have you for a few centuries, so let us leave now. Goodbye Maria, and thank you and your friends for retrieving my property."

"You are welcome, but please don’t ask me for anything again." she said.

It laughed and Weivo and It disappeared.

Everyone let out their breaths.

"If I don’t meet It ever again, it will be too soon." said Warren.

"I agree." said Jenny. "But I still feel a little sorry for Weivo. He isn’t the nicest God out there, but I don’t think he deserved what he got. He is more of a petulant child then a malicious creature."

"It is not our place to tell the Gods how to run their affairs." said Maria. "Come on, let’s go home."

They left the Dark area and found the place they had entered. Death was there, standing in the doorway on her side.

"Did you have to bring It into the scene?" Maria asked her as they stepped through.

"I didn’t." answered her mother. "I talked to another, but It found out and butted in. They relented because there was little time left. I don’t like the decision any better than you, but something had to be done quickly."

"You’re right." said her daughter. "thanks for al the help."

The others thanked her as well. Annie gave her a big hug, which surprised Death. No one but her sister and daughter had ever hugged her since she took her position. She hugged her back and then brought everyone to see Eva.

They told her what had happened and food and drink were served.

"You will have to tell Tagert that story." said Eva. "And make sure he pays you properly."

Maria laughed. "Yes aunty."

Soon it was time to return home.

They all gathered in the front hall, Death opened the portal and they all stepped through coming out in front of the manor.

"Good to be back." said Paul.

"Agreed." said Maria.

She took Annie’s hand, and they all walked home.