As planned, the Ronins got the map from Artania and Rowan was reunited with a
former companion. After lots of discussion, they all agreed that best route to
the Dynasty would be through the sewers.

At first they were all confused when Anubis said ‘sewers’, but he explained
these particular sewers were secret escape or entrance routes for the clan’s
personal use. “Each has their guardians, and monsters live there. Because it’s
populated by creatures, no one would expect you to go there.”

Their best option was going through the Meimon Waterway, which was said to go
under the Dynasty Harbor and end at the very back part of the place. “A stable?”
Asked Kento dubiously. “Are you sure it’s a stable?” “Not just a stable. It’s a
dragon table.”

“What?! You crazy?!” “They are Luke’s personal property.” “Oh.” “So they won’t
hurt us?” “Positive.” “Anubis, maybe I never told you or Kyra this because of
the recent events, but you…Kyra… smell weird.”

“Rowan, that’s a dragon’s smell. It engulfs people who worked, handled, or
lived among them. The scent’s weird, it seems to smell like sweat and blood at
the same time. That’s how best I can describe it.” He replied, turning swiftly,
his hair flying back. Cale and Cye came in laden with packs.

“We finished packing.” Said Cye, out of breath. Kento took note that they must
have run all the way here. You see, they had the meeting at the forest clearing
where the horses lived, also known as the ‘Paths of Yin’, which was said to be
the meeting place of two mythological figures of Greek and Norse Mythology: The
Fiery Amazon and The Fearsome Valkyrie.

Rowan vaguely recalled reading an archive about it among Kyra’s arsenal. Though
from different tribes, The Amazons and The Valkyrie had the same passion. War.
Even though the Amazons hailed to Ares, the war god, they pledged no alliance to
anyone but themselves.

The Valkyrie were a bit similar in nature, however their task was to be Odin’s
personal Shield maidens of war and to welcome the chosen slain with open arms
into the halls of Valhalla. He recalled seeing an old norse poem in one of the
pages.

The day will come,
When two yin will meet,
One a phoenix with feathers of beaten gold
And rubies brighter than the fires of Valhalla,
The other, a lion with fur whiter than the clouds
And eyes the color of ice, but colder still.
One a rebel, the other, a shield maiden.
One a loner who answers to her own summons, the other,
Serves the Norse God in times of War and Peace.
Ice will meet Fire.
Fire will meet Ice.
At the clearing of Ran, for council to decide.

Rowan thought hard. Could this place truly have been the meeting place of two
deities of different mythologies? He could not say for sure, but as he listened
to his friend’s dispute, he thought he heard the sweet voice of a…nymph? “Rowan?
Did you even hear a word I said? Rowan?!”

He jumped slightly. He had dozed off (without really dozing), and had not heard
a word he said. “Sorry, got distracted.” As they resumed, Rowan heard a voice in
full song. “Guys?”

“What is it now, Rowan? Do we have to repeat everything again?” Said Sage,
rolling his eyes. “Its not that. Its this feeling I got, a feeling that we’re
alone, but the creatures listening in aren’t evil.” “Creatures? All I see are
birds and small animals.” “Ryo, there’s something else…something…old.”

As soon as Dais heard ‘old’, he heard the sweet melancholy voice of a…siren? No,
something else. The others felt it and moved towards the voice. As they went
deeper in the forest, the greenery seemed younger and the air fresh and moist.
Soft music filled the air.

Rowan breathed in gratefully. It smelled like athelas. He heard a click and
pulled out his bow and loosed the shaft. “Man, that was such a low blow.” “Yeah,
I would be embarrassed if I had that accuracy.” They turned around to see two
strange women behind them, armed with spears.

Chapter Sixty-One: Fealty to The Lord

The squad of amazons and valkyries escorted them to a small series of
underground caverns. “Welcome to the Holy Caverns of Ran.” Said one of the
Amazons, one with red hair and black streaks.

The valkyries departed, and left them to continue on through the dark tunnels of
Memoria. Cye could not believe his eyes. All this time, a settlement of Odin’s
personal shielmaidens… They continued walking until they reached an area that
flourished with life. Rowan looked at all the vegetation.

How could they grow all this lush vegetation, most of which probably needed
sunlight, grow underground? Olwen, the red-haired Amazon, said “Ceres made it
possible for these plants to grow. She was also aided by Spring, Aphrodite,
Poseidon, and Apollo.” “Is that true?”

“Yep, or my name isn’t Olwen.” They laughed. The light caught Rowan’s armor orb
and it flashed in her direction. Her eyes went wide and she shouted at the
amazons in a strange dialect, while gesturing at the gang. They knelt before
them and said; “Lord Strata, we are at thy service.”

Chapter Sixty-Two: Staying in The House of Celts

Rowan did not know what to say. He, Rowan Hashiba, a noble? However it turned
out that both warrior deities were what inspired the creation of Strata. “Follow
me, my lord. The Council of the Universal Deities will see you soon.”

They all followed Olwen into a beautiful cabin, mainly decorated in Celtic
fashion. But there also appeared to be minor traces of Hindu, Norse, Greek,
Egyptian, and island fashion.

Rowan tore his eyes from a tapestry depicting the legend of King Arthur and his
Knights of the Round Table. Sage could not help but admire the fine display of
weapons. Anubis himself was drawn to a set of statues.

Dais was immediately drawn to an iron statue of Shiva. Before heading out, Olwen
called back to them. “You will be given clothes and the like. Don’t mind the
banshees, though. They wont hurt you, or kill you for that matter.” Cye paled.
What were they thinking, sending bean si (banshee) to serve them?

Chapter Sixty-Three: Rowan Meets Lena

Lena signed. It had not been a good day for her. She was the chieftain for the
Fae part of the settlement, the village of Elendil. The settlement was divided
into parts. Each part had certain deities and figures residing in them.

The monsters all lived in the outskirts to provide protection, the mortal
residents of world myths resided in the outer ring. Fighter deities lived in the
base level rings. E-Creatures lived in the middle rings.

The gods of course, lived on the top part of the caverns. Since her people fall
under the Fairy category, banshees lived in the Fae Circles. It was little known
fact that banshees existed worldwide. Those banshees were careful not cause such
a ruckus, like the Irish Banshees.

Lena herself was Irish stock, but the family she once served was no more. Soon,
Olwen found her and told her of the exciting news. “Olwen, is this true?” “I’ll
wager my affidavit that it is, Len. The Ronin Lords…they have returned.” “You
mean--?” “Oh no, not Luke and his comrades, but new ones. Of course, there might
be an old friend among the group.”

She said pointedly. “They’re at my place, if you like, come over for dinner.” “I
accept your invitation.” Soon, it was time for dinner and both Ronins and
Warlords found themselves staring at the delicious food. Before they started,
someone knocked and Varistad, Olwen’s roommate opened the door.

Rowan jaw dropped. The same thing happened to the others, except for Cye and
Anubis. They were trying to find the back door. “What are you doing?” “Sage, are
you mad? Do you even what she is?” “Erm…Morgan Le Fay?” “She is a banshee, guys.
A fairy that announces death!”