Villagers

Calista recoils at the sight of trash inside the river bed. Their journey down the riverside also revealed some alterations to the shape of the river, but not enough to prevent a revival.

“I’m surprised there has been no progress all this time. Does this area suffer from a lack of rain as well?”

“We’ve only seen a small part of it. With the change of shape, and some alterations to feed villages, natural rain water may not be enough to bring it back to life.”

“I see. Do you have an idea of its original shape?”

“I do not. How about you big guy?” Nikolas feeds his horse, who he has yet to name, an apple.

“A tradesman and horse whisperer. Dear me, I’ve found some strange help. Well then, we shall change the shape as we see fit. That will be your responsibility.”

“As you wish, but I will be of little help with the pertinent issue here. Filling such a large river will prove difficult, even with a unified effort of the villages.”

“Hmph, must I remind you that I am an Olympian.” Calista stands next to their horse and holds her arms up, beckoning Nikolas to lift her up, “Hurry now, we’ll need to discuss with the nearby villages as well. One will do, then they can spread the word.”

Nikolas lifts Calista with ease once more. Before he hops on, he searches through his bag and finds a cloak to hide his face.

“How do I look?” He asks, only his smile and eyes visible.

“As if you’ve kidnapped an Olympian beauty. Your infamy must span far, should I worry about hiring you?”

“Not at all, despite the hatred I can be plenty reliable. I’ve found a horse for you and returned your confidence all within hours after all.”

Calista pinches Nikolas. “Can be? I will not tolerate failure tradesman, lives at are stake.”

Nikolas looks at Calista, she returns the gesture with a glare but the sincerity never leaves her eyes. Although he wondered about her intentions throughout the day, she has never mentioned her chances for selection of a seat.

“I change my mind; I do like you.” Nikolas said as he beckons their horse forward.

“Hah, it was only a matter of time.”

The nearest village to the start of the river resembles most along its path. The area makes it difficult to leave, the roads have been destroyed and dangerous animals willing to hunt mortals lurk about.

As Calista and Nikolas arrive, she is met by many of the villagers rushing her. They beg and plead, asking if she is there to save them. It is only right, is only time, their faith for the gods has finally come to reap rewards.

“What is your name? We must know the name of our new goddess.”

“I am no god. And I am not here to save, but to help.”

Hope drains from the eyes of those near Calista. Surviving ten years as they have dwindled their numbers far below half of their prime. In their weakened states, the words Calista has served are far from what they hoped for.

“Milady, we cannot do as the gods did before. We cannot move mountains or create miracles.”

“I apologize; I do not wield the power the old gods did. But that is not reason enough for you all to lose hope. What you all have is collective effort. Such ability not only helped your heroes prevail against the gods, but it will be what brings back your river. I am here to ask all of you for your help in this endeavor.”

“Heroes?”

Their eyes change from hopeless to anger. Some begin to leave.

“They were not heroes. If the gods wished to do as they please, we should have never turned our backs and become ungrateful. Is this not punishment for our actions?”

“Of course not. You all made the right choice; it is why even Olympians joined you.”

“Yes, but they have forgotten us since.”

“Wait, please!” All but an older gentleman left, “I know you must be disappointed as well, but we will need your help. I have little to offer, but my tradesman can offer his horse in return for your cooperation.”

The older gentleman laughs. “You don’t seem very happy about that tradesman. I am willing to help. In my old age I have seen many eras. I have no regret for standing against the gods, but I have far too many about how I have spent my life since. If you can say there is a chance, then I would like to join you.”

“Excellent! You have my word that there is a chance. To begin, do you have knowledge on the original shape of the river?”

“From what I’ve seen the shape resembles its prime well. I’d say it was even at its best near the end of its life.”

“I see, then cleaning will be our starting point then. But it will take too long alone. We’ll have to convince the others to join us.”

“That may prove difficult. Even if we are to revive the river, many believe the lord of the nearby land will monopolize access to water as they once did.”

“Monopolize access? Tradesman, did you know of such a thing?”

Nikolas shrugs. “I’m passing through the area, though such lords are common. Most unsuccessful, but in their state the people of the villages have little strength to fight back.”

Furthermore, the village itself has little to protect itself. No walls or natural geography to protect its people, the majority wakened by the depraved state forced upon them. A lack of food from reduced trade to the area and the lack of water from natural resources,

“They don’t even have wells. Asking them to fight back would be insulting… I’d like to begin planning for the river. Mister, what is your name?”

“Damon, a pleasure.”

“I am Calista, and this is-”

“Tradesman.”

Calista glances at Nikolas but pays it no mind. “Seems you’ve taken a liking to the name. Very well, Damon, I’m going to need your help with convincing the people of your village. You have my word that the river will be revived.”

Damon blushes, even at his old age it is difficult to hide. “Oh! I’ve never been asked for help by such a pretty woman.”

“Congratulations, you have more sense than my assistant here.”

“Haha, he lies through his teeth then. Now then, what can I do for you?”

“Simple, a way to convince the people of this village is most important.”

“Ah, the only way to gain their help would be to promise the lord would not enact new taxes on the revived river.”

“I will take care of that. In the meantime, spread word of our efforts and gather them once more. I wish to speak them again.”

“Of course.”

“Tradesman, it may get dangerous and I cannot protect us both. Are you good with a sword?”

“If need be, I can defend us both.”

“Oh, I never imagined you a gentleman.”

“Only for the most beautiful.”

“Then I should be the safest in the realm. I only hope they will listen to reason.”