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teachings? The Old Ways are here for a reason. I am just another face on something far greater than human understanding.”
         Her words confused him, and made him angry. “No. There is one God, and He alone deserves our worship.”
         “Silly child , I ask not for your worship nor your faith. However, I am willing to heal you, in return for a favor.”
         Rhodan spat blood upon the ground. “No. I will die free from sin.”
         Gaia’s eyes fixed him with a hard, piercing stare. She pulled out a portrait of a woman. “Do you think it sin to save her life from those who would take it?”
         Rhodan blinked. Dry blood flaked from his eyes. His vision blurred, but not so much that he could not make out the woman’s features. She was beautiful. “You seek to divide my loyalties.”
         Gaia’s voice softened. “I seek to save a life. The life of my own flesh and blood.”
         Rhodan’s eyes widened. “You have known mortal man? No good can come of such a consummation.”
         The woman gripped his neck and raised his head. By God how it hurt. She shoved the portrait in his face. “Then you vouch for her very damnation? Who are you to so easily grant life and death of the soul?”
           The question caught him off guard. It should be an easy answer. One his mind knew clearly from the very days of his youth. Yet his heart found the answer more difficult than that , more elusive. In the end, he asked himself what right he had to pass such judgment.
         “You cannot answer, or will not. Your wisdom sees past the seeds of your bias. Your heart is good, and noble. I believe you will make the right decision.”
         “Only God can see into a man’s heart. How would you know the condition of mine?”
         Gaia smiled. “It’s a gift I have , perhaps given by your own god for precisely this moment in time.”
         The darkness closed in, but Sir Rhodan was not afraid. He coughed up more blood, and his pierced ribs sent searing shards of pain through his sides. He prayed to his god for absolution.
         YOU WILL HELP HER MY SON.
         But my lord, she is of the enemy.
         SHE IS MY CHILD, AS ARE ALL WHO LIVE UPON THIS EARTH. YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE WHAT YOUR BROTHERS CANNOT. THEY ARE GOVERNED BY HONOR, BUT LACK VISION. SEE HER AS I SEE HER; NOT A GODDESS SET AGAINST MY THRONE, BUT A MOTHER CRYING OUT FOR HER CHILD.
         Sir Rhodan was blinded by a flash, and before him stood a woman in peasant’s attire, on her knees, her hands clasped and tears running down her eyes as she prayed for the safety of her daughter.
         Very well, my Lord, for your word, I shall help her.
         He raised his head towards her, meeting her gaze, and seeing her different than before. Still very beautiful, but her eyes were now puffy and red from crying. The gentle hands of a mother now cupped his head. “You have my oath, my Lady. I swear on my God’s honor I shall protect your daughter with my life and sword.”
         He saw doubt and surprise fighting in her eyes, she smiled. “Thank you.”
         Her hands glowed, and his pains left on that very instant. Weariness succumbed to intense vigor, and his heart was lifted as of a millstone’s burden. He stood, but the woman was already fading from his sight. “She is in a cabin on the outskirts of the woods. Go to her, protect her.”
         Sir Rhodan raised his blade and saluted. “Godspeed my Lady and well met.”
         He turned and ventured in the direction of the cabin. His promise would not die with him, but be passed on to his heirs, as long as Gaia’s descendants needed a sword to be their shield.
     
         He looked at Zoe’s slender form, as she lay unconscious on the couch. Curse you, Sir Rhodan. Curse you for damning your entire lineage.

Chapter: Four
    Her name was Lyssa. As Lucian supped at an out-of-the-way alehouse, the serving girl caught his eye.