Enticed by the Satyr (Kindred Tales)

“High Priestess?” Sylvan asked her, frowning. “Have you something to say?”

The High Priestess didn’t answer for a moment…then her eyes began to glow. As they did, Sylvan felt a presence enter the Council Chamber.

The Goddess rarely, if ever, showed herself directly, but the feeling of her immense power surrounding them was unmistakable. Even before the High Priestess opened her mouth, he knew the voice he would hear would not be her own—it would be the Kindred deity speaking through her.

“Warriors and Councilors,” the Goddess said, her voice rolling like thunder in the enclosed room. “I have sent you a messenger but you refuse to hear his message.”

Sylvan felt his gut clench tight as a fist—the Goddess could be merciful, but she brooked no disobedience.

“Forgive us, Goddess,” he said, rising to bow low to her. “But this is strange news and we did not even know of the existence of the Monstrum Kindred before Storn came to us.”

“You know now,” the Goddess said. “They, too, are my children and their universe is being overrun with darkness. You are lucky, warrior—your universe is bracketed on either side by Light universes, where evil does not prevail. But the Monstrum Kindred are not so fortunate. Your own universe is above theirs, but a Dark universe lies below them. So when the gashes in space opened, a multitude of evil creatures came through.”

“Should we go and help them then, Goddess?” Baird asked respectfully. “Do you want us to cross through the gash in space and fight alongside them to drive back the darkness?”

“Alas, I fear it would be a losing battle, for their universe is nearly overrun, even as we speak,” the Goddess said, through the High Priestess. “The best thing you can do is to allow them access to your own universe and then help guard the gashes in space that might let in the darkness. Together you may succeed in at least keeping this universe on the side of the Light.”

“We understand and will obey your will, as always, Goddess,” Sylvan said formally. “But you must be aware that if the Monstrum Kindred are to call brides from Earth, the humans will not like it.”

“The Monstrum must be introduced to them slowly, over time,” the Goddess counseled. “You are correct in thinking that human males will not like it. But human females have more capacity to love those who are different. I already have some in mind that will match well with Monstrum Kindred warriors and you must not impede their Joinings.”

“But Goddess, what of the Lupine Kindred?” Storn spoke up, keeping his voice respectful, but Sylvan could see the worry in his eyes. “You know they are…wilder than the rest of the Monstrum. And they are not the only ones.”

“It is true that some of the Monstrum are more lawless than others,” the Goddess acknowledged. “Some may even choose to join the side of darkness. But when all is said and done and the Multiverse moves on, closing the doorways between the different universes, they will be trapped by their own choices.”

“How can we know which Monstrum are good and which are dangerous, though?” Baird demanded.

“Storn will guide you,” the Goddess told them. “He and the Kindred of the Monstrum Mother Ship are to be trusted. Outside groups must be vetted individually. Together, I have faith that you will make the right choices and welcome the right warriors into your midst. And now, I must go—this mortal vessel is not young and bearing me inside her is tiring her greatly. Heed my words!”

Then the overwhelming feminine presence that had been filling the room disappeared all at once, and Sylvan felt as though he could breathe normally again.

The Head Priestess, who had been hosting the Goddess, nearly collapsed where she stood. If the Councilors on either side of her hadn’t caught her and lowered her to her seat, she would have fallen to the floor.

“Oh…” she moaned, her eyes rolling up in her head. “Her presence is a blessing and yet, it is a heavy burden to bear!”

“You did well, High Priestess,” Sylvan said respectfully. He nodded to two of the guards at the perimeter of the room. “Please escort the High Priestess back to her suite. She must be allowed to rest and recover.”

“Yes, Head Councilor.” The guards—a pair of Twin Kindred—saluted and went over to help the High Priestess. They took her gently by the arms and half walked—half carried her out the door of the Council Chamber.

When she was gone, Sylvan rose himself.

“Well,” he said, looking around at the assembled Council. “I think we know what we must do. Baird, as head of the Kindred fleet, you must assemble a special group of pilots who will continuously patrol the Earth’s solar system. I want them to go out as far as the Kuiper Belt, but don’t neglect the orbits of any of the other planets as well. It’s a lot of ground to cover, so you’ll need a lot of warriors.”