Our conversation wraps up pretty neatly after that and I make my careful way back down the stairs in the all but darkness.

  There were questions I could’ve still asked, but the conversation had been fairly long by my standards and I could feel my energy and attention fading. If it was important than I’m sure it will come up again later.

  The door at the bottom of the stairs open again at my approach and I pause before stepping back into the light to place the mask Artos had given me on my face. I hadn’t noticed any straps to keep it in place, but I try putting it on anyway just in case that was on purpose. As I hoped it stays in place, not shifting even when I shake my head. It doesn’t even feel like I’m wearing anything at all. There aren’t actually any eye holes in the mask, just faint divots where they should be, yet I can still through it just fine with nothing limiting my field of vision. It makes it feel like I’m wearing some high tech piece of equipment.

  Other than that, the moment I put it on I can feel something intangible wrap around me like a cloak. It’s comforting rather than stuffy, making me feel protected and safe. I can only assume that means it’s working.

  I finish walking down the stairs and into the light, feeling more confident than before. The four are still standing on the other side of the water, waiting for me. What did Artos call them? Grandmasters? He said they were functionally immortal, which sounds very impressive, but I had kind of forgotten to ask about what that means or how they became like that at the time. I'll have to ask later. It seems like something worth knowing.

  Thinking about it, a part of my mind whispers that they’re probably very busy people who have better things to do, but I can’t quite make myself feel guilty. It would take too much energy and I’m already low.

  When I get to the edge of the water I pause, bracing myself. It’s not that I think anything will happen. Not unless Artos is being an ass. But the water really does look so sharks live here menacing it’s hard to take that step without some mental preparation.

  As if sensing my hesitation a slender pillar of water rises out of the pool, turning into a hand out stretched and waiting for me to take hold of it. Reading that as the guarantee of safety I want it to be, I grab it, the sensation of touching cold water without getting wet an odd one. Following it's slightly urging I step down onto the surface of the pool as the water spirit once again carries me across the surface. If it keep this up I'm going to start feeling lazy.

  On the other side it sets me down gently on dry land and I give it a small wave goodbye, getting a water tentacle wiggle in return before it slips down below the surface.

  Turning back the others I can tell they're all staring at my mask with interest, even if I can’t see all their eyes. Though, since I can see right through the mask and can hardly tell it’s even there, it feels more like they’re just staring at my face, which is a bit uncomfortable. I guess in all the excitement of getting it I forgot that wearing it would be it's own kind of attention grabbing.

  For a moment I think they aren’t going to say anything but then Ja’karis steps forward, asking after giving me what looks like a polite martial bow in greeting. “Honored Child, is that mask perhaps something your revered father gave you?”

  I’m still not particularly thrilled about having Artos referred to as my father, but it seems like it’s something I’m stuck with at the moment so I guess I’ll have to get used to it. Besides, correcting him and referring to Artos by name rather than as my father might make them think there’s something wrong with me. They're nice because they think I'm the dude's kid, so if I say I'm not or act like I'm not than I can't imagine they would react well. Just as long as I don’t have to call him father myself, it should be fine. So I just nod my reply, lightly touching the bottom edge of the mask as if to reassure myself it’s still there. Then, thinking perhaps I might look weird going around with a mask without any explanation, I add on. “To protect me.”

  I catch what I think is Esther sharing a glance with Rancor, but I’m not sure what that means. Ja’karis speaks again, drawing my attention away. “Has Lord Artos perhaps bestowed you with a name?”

  Yeah, I imagine calling me honored child all the time would get old fast, poor guy. I shake my head no and then decide to explain a bit. This guy has had a lot sprung on him in a short amount of time. It’s the least he deserves. “He still has to think about it.” Then I add on as an afterthought. “Though he and mother will probably end up fighting about it.”

  Yeah, I called Gwenivere mother. Yeah, it is a double standard. Behold, this is the importance of first impressions.

  There’s only silence in response and I look back at them. This time I can clearly tell they’re all surprised. Maybe they thought I sprang from Artos’ head like Athena from Zeus. For all I know, that's normally how it goes for gods here.

  “Your... mother?” Only when Ja’karis asks that, voice full of confusion and hesitation, does it occur to me that maybe I shouldn’t have said that as it seems Artos hasn’t yet gotten around to cluing them in. But, oh well. Cat’s out of the bag now, isn’t it? Besides, I’m sure they’ll find out soon anyway.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  I nod. “Yes, mother Gwenivere.”

  The abject shock on their previously professionally composed faces confirms for me that, yes, I definitely should’ve left this conversation in the capable hands of Artos. He had said his and her organizations didn’t exactly get along. Would they think less of me because I’m her son as well? Artos and Gwen didn't act like that was something they were worried about, so maybe not. Since I've already come this far I figure I might as well warn them about what Artos said earlier.

  "He said she might send someone to try and take me away." Calling it kidnapping has such a negative connotation. Sure, when Artos nabbed me mid rebirth that was kidnapping, but if Gwen sends someone for me? That's just getting taken away, no kidnapping involved. Unfortunately, it would still be very kidnapping-like, which is why I brought it up so these people can make sure it doesn't happen. I've had enough of kidnapping and kidnapping-like experiences to last for both life times, thank you.

  It's a shame though, I think I would've liked to see what her place was like in the real world. Maybe one day.

  Snapping out of my thoughts I realize that everyone is looking pretty serious, which I suppose is my fault. Deciding that I've done enough damage and that this conversation isn’t really my job I speak up before they can ask anymore questions I don’t want to answer. “Um, is there somewhere I can sleep?”

  I’m not sure if I’m really tired. My body is brand-new and therefore still thrumming with vitality and energy, yet a lot has happened to me in a very short amount of time and it’s been a lot to take in. My head hurts and my thoughts feel like they want to take a nap. I might not even sleep, I just want to go somewhere I can be alone and let my aching head rest.

  My question manages to snap them out of their thoughts, Ja’karis, the apparent spokesman of the group, reassuring me. “Of course. Your chambers were being prepared while you communed with your revered father. We can take you there right now.”

  Considering the trip over I decide to try something. I think of activating one of the mask’s abilities, wanting to be invisible for the walk over. I’m not quite sure if it will work or not right up until I can feel something shift as I lose sight of myself. I turn the effect off and on a few more times to make sure I’ve got the hang of it before stepping forward and grabbing a hold of Ja’karis’ sleeve, so he won't lose track of me. Then I turn invisible again. When I realize he’s just staring at the apparent empty space I’m standing in it occurs to me that what I was doing might’ve looked a little odd from the outside. I give his sleeve a tug and say. “Please lead the way.”

  He blinks a couple times, his red eyes looking bemused above a slight, pleased smile before he nods. “As you say.”

  When we start walking this time I pay more attention to my surroundings than I had earlier. The giant room I first appeared in turns out to be a good indicator of what to expect from this place, with lots of imposing and beautiful architecture mixed up with stretches of obsidian and living trees.

  There are murals along the way showing exciting or important scenes. Many of them feature a certain black eyed man with a dark power billowing around him doing crazy things like burning cities, dancing through plague ridden streets with a flute or making off with what looks like a nation’s worth of wealth. Basically everything I image Gwenivere would have an opinion about. No wonder those two don’t get along. It doesn’t surprise me at all though that Artos has earned her poor opinion of him.

  Other than that, there are a lot of impressive statues and beautiful carvings along the way with stretches of hall that are like sky walks, high up with lots of windows. It allows me to see that I’m in what looks like a giant palace complex towering above a city stretching out below.

  We do pass people along the way, all of them pausing to bow to the four people they can see and I watch them with a touch of curiosity. I usually avoid looking directly at people as it tends to encourage them to return the favor, but now I can without worry and I take in their expressions of respect and reverence. It gives me a slightly odd feeling. They all seem so… normal. Just ordinary people living ordinary people lives with not trace of mania to be seen anywhere. I’m not sure if I find that more disturbing or fascinating.

  In time we arrive at a set of double doors inlaid with what I guess are precious metals, Ja’karis opens them and stands aside to show me into a large room, draping cloth hanging from the ceiling and giving the space a comfortable, airy feeling. I don’t pay too much attention to the details, just zeroing in on the massive bed and its array of pillows. Soon, it will be mine.

  Stepping in I look around to make sure no one else is inside before dropping the invisibility effect and turning to face my four escorts, not sure what to say to make them leave me alone.

  “These are the chambers prepared for you. If you desire anything else please let us know and will do our best to fulfill it.” Ja’karis points to a decorative rope hanging by the bed. He really does sound like he's ready to go get me whatever I want. “Just pull that if you require service and a servant will come. Is there anything you need at the moment? A meal, perhaps?”

  Looking at the slightly eager way he’s asking I have to remind myself that he’s the ruler of a nation. Then again, he is a priest king in service to a god and some fucking how I’m that god’s kid so maybe this is a good thing for him? I don’t know, but it doesn’t make me feel great having him offering room service. I shake my head no. “I’ll rest now, thank you for bringing me all the way here.”

  I could ask for a change of clothes, a bath and a meal when I wake up, but really, I get the feeling they’re probably already on top of it and if not then that’s future me’s problem. I just want to chill and not worry about anything else at the moment.

  Thankfully they don’t make any further fuss and close the doors with one final bow. Finally alone I heave a sigh of relief and make straight for the bed. I try getting the toga thing off but only get the top drapey bits off before I give up half way because a. it’s harder than it looks and b. I remember I don’t have anything else to wear at the moment and I’m not taking my snooze in the nude. Only half nude, like a civilized person.

  Throwing back the covers I get in and pull them back over me, nestling into the abundance of pillows, savoring the coolness of the sheets and closing my eyes. I think I’ll just stay like this for a little while. A new world, new body, new people, a new life. It’s all so much. I’ll just take a short nap to make things feel a little better.