??? says “No. Even if you would gain nothing, I would lose time and energy if my avatar is destroyed. I have already suffered enough losses. I would much rather make a deal with you.”

  “What kind of deal? Shouldn’t you introduce yourself if you want to negotiate?”

  ??? says “Ah, my apologies, I am not used to situations like this. I am Melomarc, goddess of wine and other things. It is a pleasure to meet you, despite the circumstances that led to our meeting.”

  “Nice to meet you, Melomarc. My name is Ash. Now, what could a goddess of wine want with me?”

  Melomarc says “I need a small favor and from what I’ve seen here I think it is something you will enjoy doing. In return, I will ignore the loss of souls and my angels.”

  “That doesn’t sound like much of a reward. After all, as a goddess of wine I doubt you have the combat skills to actually hurt me.”

  Melomarc says “Actually, that’s true. I am not a fighter. However, a certain level of arrogance is expected when dealing with mortals. Although, are you really a mortal? You look more like a dragon. Are you a dragon? If so, why aren’t you sleeping like the others?”

  “I am not a dragon, but I am related to them. If I live long enough I might just be able to evolve into one. Even then, it would be quite a while before I was strong enough to need to sleep like the older dragons do.”

  Melomarc says “Hm, interesting. Well, if my good graces aren’t enough, I will add in a nice item for you.”

  “Alright, well I can at least hear you out. What is this favor you want?”

  Melomarc says “There is another port like this one, but larger that I want you to destroy. It is on an island south of the continent where my powers cannot reach.”

  “Sure, just show me where it is. What do I do with the slaves I free?”

  Melomarc says “The same as you did here. Free them and send them home, or at least somewhere friendly to them.”

  “What’s in this for you?”

  Melomarc says "Let's just say one of my aspects has to do with a woman’s right to say no. As such, I hate slavery!”

  “It sounds like we might just get along.”

  Melomarc says “Is that it? You don’t want to ask about what kind of item I am offering you?”

  “Nope. You had me at freeing slaves and burning slavers.”

  Melomarc just smiles as she creates an illusion showing the continent and a large island. The island is south of the eastern tip of the continent and it looks to be a fairly large island. The illusion zooms in to show a large port on the northern side of the island and a large town next to it.

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  I notice that around the outside of town are a number of fancy manors like nobles like to build. I doubt there are any nobles living in them, just the leaders that want to pretend to be nobles. However, I am betting I am going to find just as many slaves in them, if not more.

  “Do I need to do this right now, or can it wait until I am closer?”

  Melomarc says “Do it whenever. Just call my name once it is done and I will descend with your reward.”

  “Alright.”

  With a flash of light she disappears leaving me standing alone in the now empty square. I shapeshift into my dragonoid form and then I take out the three cores from the white-winged angels. I perform the offering rite and send them to Seronia, then I wait for her reaction.

  Seronia says “Ash! What are you doing? Are you fighting angels again?!”

  “No, the fight is already over. Hey, what makes the wings of angels different colors?”

  Seronia says “The color of the wings reflects the type of power that the god or goddess they serve has.”

  “So, the cores aren’t any different?”

  Seronia says “No, why?”

  Instead of answering verbally, I take out the remaining seventeen cores and perform the offering again.

  Seronia says “Ash! You killed twenty angels?! You need to get out of there before one of the gods descends!”

  “Too late, one already did. Well, a goddess to be precise.”

  Seronia says “What? Who was it?!”

  “She said her name was Melomarc.”

  Seronia says “That drunken whore?! Did you kill her avatar? Oh, no! Tell me you didn’t kill her angels!”

  “I killed three of them. Why?”

  Seronia says “Because she is known for being overly fond of her angels. If you killed some of them, she is never going to let it go!”

  “Actually, she didn’t seem that upset. The other seventeen were gray or black winged and she said it was a fair trade. She even offered me a quest.”

  Seronia says “What?! What quest?!”

  “Apparently she knows of a slaver port that she wants me to deal with.”

  Seronia says “Since it means killing slavers, I am guessing that you agreed?”

  “Of course. It is not far from where I am traveling anyway. Besides, there is a chance that there are more elves there.”

  Seronia says “I won’t try to talk you out of it, but please be careful. She could try to avenge her angels as soon as you are done doing what she wants.”

  “I will be wary. Why did you call her a drunken whore? She seemed pretty normal to me.”

  Seronia says “Because that’s who she is, she is the goddess of drunks and prostitutes. She reflects her aspects, I never once saw her sober or fully dressed.”

  “I’m guessing that you are talking about when you knew her before? She was sober as far as I could tell. She was also fully dressed and didn’t even try flirting with me. Although, I was in my normal form so that might be why.”

  Seronia says “You are sentient and male, that is enough for her. Or at least it was back when we were on the main continent. I suppose she could have changed.”

  “I’m starting to think that I need to ask someone to come over here and study the religions of the continent. No offense to you, but I would like some current information on the pantheons.”

  Seronia says “That is probably a good idea. Didn’t you steal a bunch of books on your way back?”

  “Yes, but I was focused on magic knowledge. I doubt there was much information on the pantheons in the magic libraries that I raided.”

  Seronia says “True. The pantheons tend to have their own libraries in the areas that are faithful to them.”

  “Are you telling me to go raid the pantheons’ libraries?”

  Seronia says “No! Absolutely not!”

  “I was just teasing you. I am not going to run off and raid libraries. At least, not right now. I have other things that I need to take care of.”

  Seronia says “Ash! You need to stop teasing me!”

  “I can’t help it! You are just too cute when you get all worked up! Just imagining the look on your face right now is enough to make me smile.”