To Marry the Dreamweaver

Kelara, the goddess of dreams, was born where the sky met the waves. Kelara was an unusual beauty with skin as black as the deepest night, small, blunt tusks, bright purple eyes, and white twisted dreadlocks. Gods and mortals pursued her, fascinated, both in the waking world and in their dreams.

A skilled artist named Melgio painted Kelara's likeness on the walls of the Gods Chapel in Talasar, overlooking the beach and sea to the south. This mortal man labored for over a year to perfect every detail of the mural, which showed Kelara riding a great boar wreathed in flowers from a dark, dreamlike land to a bright, sunlight field. The unvailing of the mural was the biggest event in Talasar that year. Kelara was so impressed with Melgio's devotion and skill that she appeared to him.

Melgio despaired before her, bowing his head. "Ah, but I could never capture your true beauty. Not in a hundred years."

Kelara brushed the back of her hand across his brown cheek, feeling the dampness of a tear. "You are a darling to say so. I shall stay with you and we shall see."

Melgio painted daily, creating images of Kelara which sparked both adoration and fear of the goddess. Kelara posed on the sedan in Melgio's workshop. She posed on the beach, with the tide rolling in.

On Midsummer the following year, Melgio and Kelara wed on the pier in Talasar, before her father, Aristor the Wavebringer. Aristor forbade jealous gods and men from attending the wedding. Melgio and Kelara were surrounded only by well-wishers and their first few months together were blissful.

By the Autumn Equinox, Marken the Beastmaster had made up his mind to take Kelara for his own. Marken burst into Melgio's workshop, splintering the door, and strode toward Kelara where she posed on pillows before Melgio.

Melgio through himself in front of Kelara to block the muscular orcish god from grabbing his bride. Marken choked the mortal with one hand and threw him aside. Melgio's body hit the floor hard and skidded across the polished wood. He made no sound.

Kelara wailed as Marken grabbed hold of her, dragging her toward the door. Kelara froze Marken in sleep, even as he stood there. In her dream-form, Kelara fashioned a curved blade from the aether and slashed open Marken's chest.

Marken shook himself from the magical sleep, finding himself in Melgio's workshop with Kelara in his hands. His chest bled from the deep slash. "No! You lay with mortals and assault your equals? I'll teach you."

Kelara tried to pull free. "I'm not one of your beasts, Marken. You'll never tame me."

Marken shook his head. He found himself dizzy. Stumbled. "You're mine now."

Kelara spit in his face. "No, Marken. After what you've done, I'll marry anyone but you!"

Llontel's dark shadow arrived in the doorway moments before he dissolved into being in its place, a gaunt gentleman wearing a white skull mask and white gloves, so tall he had to bow in the doorway. "I've come for gentle Melgio. It is time."

A shadow drifted apart from Melgio's body and moved toward Llontel while reaching out a spectral hand toward Kelara. A whisper on the wind said, "Please. Not yet."

Llontel shook his head of thin braids. "Sadly, that is not up to me. Marken sealed your fate." Llontel pointed a boney finger toward Marken.

Kelara screamed and twisted out of Marken's grip. She ran to Llontel. "Isn't there anything you can do?" she asked.

Llontel tilted his head for a moment, then took a step closer to Kelara, his icy breath cool against her ear. "We could strike a deal. Stay with Melgio in the Deadlands for a year. After which, you will become my wife."

Marken howled out in rage and lunged after Kelara.

Kelara grabbing Llontel's arm. "Deal," she said.

Llontel, Kelara, and Melgio's spirit dissipated instantly, and Marken fell through the space where they had been.