​I felt the sun's warmth on my face as I awoke. Groggily, I wondered, didn't I have the shutters closed? Why was it so bright? I stretched, opened my eyes, and immediately felt panicked. I was outside in a grassy meadow. How did I get here? I racked my brain. The last thing I could remember was falling asleep at home after the feast.

I took a deep breath and examined my surroundings. I was in a meadow surrounded by forest and a pond nearby. This was where I killed the elruk. I was dressed in only what I fell asleep in, so only a waist cloth. The day was impossibly warm and bright for this time of year which should be freezing. I took a step toward the pond and noticed her. A beautiful young woman was sitting on a stump and kicking her feet in the pond. She was wearing a shimmering white gown and had long black hair with streaks of amber. She was facing away from me. I froze when I saw her. After a moment, I built up the courage to call out. "Hello?"

She turned to face me, and I recognized her, but I couldn't place from where. My mind felt foggy and confused. The young woman spoke in an amused tone. "You're holding up well."

Still confused, I went up to the water and washed my face. My mind started to clear. "Where are we... is it summer?"

She smiled at me in a superior sort of way that I didn't care for. "It is summer here, child, in this dream. I'm pleased you can speak. I wasn't sure your mind could handle the transition. Your people are so... primitive."

I found myself considering. Yes, a dream that made sense, and the strange woman. Maybe she was a sleep demon; I heard you can get those if you don't wash enough... I gave myself a smell... yep, definitely a sleep demon. I began to relax as things started to make sense. I'd simply wait it out. Once I woke up, I'd talk to the spirit woman. She'd probably give me a lecture, damn! I had a good stretch and went to look for a nice spot to lie down in. I was ignoring the strange woman.

"Hello!? You can speak, can't you? Where are you going?" The sleep demon called after me. 

I found a nice warm spot in the sun and sat down. This really wasn't so bad. The trader, who told me about sleep demons, said they give you nightmares and feed off your fear. Compared to that, this was reasonably pleasant. The woman had stood up and was waving her arms at me. "Hey, big muscles, small brain. I'm talking to you!"

I finally acknowledged her, "Know this sleep demon; I don't fear you! In the morning, I'll have you banished from my mind." Satisfied, I laid down and got comfortable. I heard the small woman stomping over to me and opened my eyes. She was red in the face, "I am Isal, Goddess of Knowledge. How dare you address me as a sleep demon! I have returned from my exile. Now cower and bow, you fool!"

I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. I wasn't going to bother getting up, let alone bowing. "Never heard of you. You don't even look like a god."

She stomped her foot and let out a frustrated moan. Then took a moment to collect herself before continuing, "Dear human, I'm sorry for the confusion. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Isal, Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom. I am not a 'sleep demon’. I do not believe that is a real thing."

I recognized her then as a breeze gently blew her dress. She was the woman depicted in the statue! "Wait... you're from that statue I found?"

Relief lit her features, and she nodded, "Yes! You are the one who found my Idol. What is your name, hero?" she started batting her eyelashes at me.

I sat up. I may not be the most socially adept, but even I could tell she was laying the flattery on a bit thick. Whatever she was, sleep demon or goddess, she must be desperate. I considered for a moment. It was possible that she was a goddess. The statue was certainly high enough quality to be a god's Idol. Still, she'd have to be a weak little god to get stuck in the pond. With no followers and no magic to get herself out. But it was possible. "I am Vair, and I'll admit, I'm intrigued enough to hear you out."

She tried to smile and frown at the same time. "Well... thank you". She was clearly out of her comfort zone.

"Do you know where you are?" She shook her head, "I'll explain then. We're in the Azil mountains. In my village, White-Wolf. I found your Idol, buried in mud, in that pond two days ago."

She nodded but looked confused, "what year is it?"

I shrugged, "My people don't keep an exact calendar. Our clan was founded 312 years ago, though."

She looked sad at that, "It seems I've been in that pond a long time... As a reward for rescuing me, I will name you my head priest. We will need to construct a temple, and I'll need to have a larger Idol made. I prefer ivory. Marble will do if you don't have access to mammoth tusks. How quickly can you get this done?"

I laughed, "Alright, let's make some things clear. First, my people serve no god; we're proud of it. We have no priests, and we have no temples. I am a hunter and warrior. I have no desire to become your priest. Secondly, missy, I'm still not entirely convinced you're a goddess." I stood up. Feeling annoyed, I continued, "And if you keep talking down to me, I'll toss you back in that pond and be rid of you."

Her face went from red with anger to white with fear at my words. She stepped back and sat in the grass, speaking quietly, "It's hopeless then. You are a heretic. I'm trapped in a strange land with no way out and no mana." She looked at the ground and seemed to give up.

I lay back down and slowly started to feel guilty. I had spoken harshly. She didn't seem too bad, even if she was a sleep demon. I looked over, and she still stared at the ground. "Look, you shouldn't give up that easily."

She gave me a sad look, "What should I do then? If you don't help me, I'm doomed."

I sighed, "I'm sorry for how I spoke. I won't bow to you. However, maybe we can make a deal. If you're a goddess, you should be able to do something for me; in exchange, I'll give you the help you need."

Her face regained some color, "Then let's make a deal. What is it you want?"

"I'm planning on making a trip when spring arrives. I'm gonna leave the Azils and seek my fortune. Suppose you go with me and help me. I'd determine if you're trustworthy. I don't want to release some dark force onto the world by helping you."

She went pink again. "I am not a dark force, you stubborn... Hells, wait, no, I'm sorry" She took another calming breath, I noticed she did that a lot. Then she continued, "While I understand your caution, young Vair, keep this in mind. I am a piece of divinity. I don't go around serving mortals. Respectfully, humans should worship me. I give wisdom and help to the faithful. And beyond that, my kind does not travel. It wouldn't be safe for me..."

I gave her a shrug, "Those are my terms." 

She glared at me. "You realize if my Idol breaks, I'll die!"

"And if my body breaks, I'll die. You don't see me complaining."

Her face became resigned, "Fine, I'll serve you temporarily. But I need a few things in exchange. You'll need to build me a shrine, and I'll require a sacrifice each night. I'll be no help to either of us without mana."

I suddenly became nervous; what was I doing making a deal with this creature? Where was my common sense? "Did you say sacrifice?"

She chuckled, "Oh, relax! Gods, you're a superstitious one. A portion of your dinner each night will suffice. Sacrifices don't have to be barbaric."

I did relax a bit, and she continued, "What are your skills? You seem bright and strong?"

I flushed a bit at getting praised by a beautiful young woman while only wearing my waist cloth. "Yeah... I mean, I'm a copper smith and a hunter. The other men say I'm good with a spear and dagger. Though, I've never been in a real fight."

She sighed. "Can you read and write? Do you know what that is?" She mimed writing.

I laughed, "Yes, to both. Just because I live in a tribe in the mountains doesn't mean I'm uncivilized."

She rolled her eyes, "Well, sir civilized, what about magic?"

I shook my head, "I'm no sorcerer. I've never even met one."

It was her turn to laugh now. "I don't need a sorcerer, just a good clean wizard. I can teach you, assuming your mind can handle it."

"Why would I need magic?"

"Sweet child, everyone needs magic. Trust me on this, it will keep you alive, and that will keep me alive."

"Speaking of keeping you alive, there's something you should know. If my clan were to find out about you... They'd probably kill you. I'm one of the more open-minded of my clan. Most of my clansman aren’t fond of the gods."

"Well, that is important information. Thank you." Isal paused for a moment, thinking. "Alright then, are you happy with these terms? Should we make it official?" She pulled a small dagger out of thin air. It was incredible, made of patterned silver and gold.

Putting aside my doubts, I nodded, "Yes, let's do it."

She smiled in a way that made me feel she had doubts about this. She took the dagger and carefully cut her hand, drawing a few drops of blood. Then spoke clearly, "Follow my lead; I Isal, goddess, pledge myself to aid and to serve the mortal Vair for a period of?"

She paused there and gave me a questioning look. I answered, "Let's say a year, then we can renegotiate" She looked at me thankfully as she continued, "Of one year and one day. Vair, do you accept these terms?"

She passed me the dagger, and I cut my hand as she had. The wound felt cold. I spoke as she had in a clear voice, "I, Vair of the White-Wolf clan, accept the goddess Isal's terms. In exchange, I will sacrifice a portion of whatever food I may have each day to the goddess Isal. I will also build a small shrine to her. Isal, do you accept these terms?"

She said yes and reached out her hand. I took it in mine, and our wounds touched. The coldness in my hand quickly grew into a burning heat. I felt something over my whole body, a terrible feeling like being covered in spiderwebs. Then just as quickly, the feeling passed. I closed my eyes, feeling drained. Then I took a breath and tried to relax.

When I opened my eyes again, Isal was smiling shyly at me. "Can I ask why did you only make the term a year? That's lenient, considering I'm helpless in this state?"

I shrugged. "My father taught me to be fair in my dealings. He said you'd get treated fairly in return."

"Sounds a bit idealistic to me, but in this case, he was right. I will treat you fairly. I can't do much now. However, once I have a shrine and start getting mana from you.I'll become powerful again."

"Is that what you want, to become powerful?"

"I want to survive, Vair. I want to live again. To have a safe place to eat food, enjoy music, and not have to wonder if I’ll live to see tomorrow.”

"Fair enough. Can I ask… does my face not bother you?"

She giggled. "Why would your face bother me?"

I frowned, confused. I got up and ran to the edge of the pond. My reflection was… normal, not normal for me, but handsome and symmetrical. "Isal? Did you fix my face?"

She walked over, looking thoughtful. "I did nothing to change your appearance. How do you normally look?"

I flushed a bit. "Like this, but my face is kinda twisted. It's not a pretty sight."

She smiled as if she'd solved a trivial puzzle, "Ah, a glamor then. What you look like here is an accurate reflection of your physical body. This twistedness is likely an illusionary effect. I should be able to fix you... given time."

It was almost too good to be true, "Now, that would be very helpful."

She smiled her shy smile again, "We should both rest now, my young master, let me send you back" I nodded in agreement. Then I was drifting back into the warm embrace of sleep.