"You're welcome. I hope you enjoyed it. Next time, two prayers a day. I'll expect one before you go to bed."

"Yes, Maeverine. Sorry."

Back to the books. Let's see, what else does that history have to offer...

There's a lot on old, dead gods. Would she like to learn about dead gods?

Would she? That's a silly question, narration. Of course she would.

There have been a lot of minor gods! A lot of them have died off. It seems to be a common problem for gods to start existing and then assume that because they're a god they're invincible and all powerful. And then they start causing trouble, and some combination of their neighbors getting annoyed with them and their followers getting fed up with them causes their death. Most successful gods have a very clear purpose, something that mortals will be able to remember, and possibly petition the god for.

Some gods didn't do anything wrong, though, and they died anyway. A few to neighbors, a few to not being memorable enough, and a very few number of them to - their own followers, apparently. The history book mentions an acolyte killing a god and ascending to godhood themselves in their place. ... And then immediately being killed by all nearby gods that were quite horrified at this obvious aberration of the natural order.

...Acolytes can kill gods? Ellie tries to keep the look of dawning wonderment off her face, or at least modulate it to resemble horror. Does the book go into any detail about how?

Nope, none.

It would definitely be a very bad idea to ask for a book that has information about that. Ellie is not going to do that. Nope. Maybe there's a library she can browse somewhere?

Whatever the details, she knows she will have to be an acolyte. And she will be an acolyte. No matter what. She is going to kill this god.

Ellie finishes her notes for the section, then kneels down again. "Maeverine. Thank you again for letting me stay here. I think this is a much better place than where I was before. I really want to help you, and I'm going to be the best acolyte you've ever had."

"Who said anything about becoming my acolyte? Though I applaud your ambition, child."

"I said something about being your acolyte. You'll see."

"I suppose I will. Sleep well, child. You'll be busy tomorrow."

"Yes Maeverine." Ellie stands up and gets ready for bed. But when she lies down, she can't fall asleep right away. Her mind is too busy whirling through the implications of what she'll have to do to kill this god. When she does finally drift off, it is with a smile on her face.

Morning dawns bright and early, as it usually does, and Ellie yawns herself awake.

This day goes a lot like the second day. Studying, quizzing, food, courtyard, praying.

The courtyard is pretty bad again, but there's a different instructor present and she doesn't shock people as often.

Not being shocked is good. But Ellie has Reasons to push herself as far and as hard as she possibly can, she doesn't need the external encouragement.

Well then she can have a hard day, and a single strawberry at dinner for dessert.

She does not complain, and thanks Maeverine for the strawberry when it comes time to pray.

Back to work.

Days turn to weeks, and Ellie settles into the routine. It's hard work, harder than she's ever had to work before in her life, and for longer. But she refuses to let her resolve falter, even in the depths of the worst nights. Her pain spurs her onwards. She will kill Maeverine, for what she has done and what she is doing. Nothing will prevent her from reaching this goal. Nothing. She excels in her studies, and pushes until she excels at the physical training as well.

Weeks turn to months, and Maeverine begins having the children work together more. She says to them all that she wants them to become friends with each other, to learn to trust and rely upon their peers. Privately, she tells Ellie to be watchful for signs of disloyalty, and to report any such at once. Ellie assumes the others received similar instructions, and is careful to closely guard her ultimate plans, while still extending a hand of friendship. She finds this a difficult task. When she is eight and a half years old, she discovers a girl who has made a habit of muttering imprecations against Maeverine in a corner after dinner. Ellie informs Maeverine of this, and is rewarded with a half-day of rest. The other girl is not seen again. Ellie reaffirms her private vow.

Months turn to years, and Maeverine begins teaching the children how to fight. They are not supposed to kill each other during sparring, but there are no other rules. Ellie is bruises head to toe for three solid weeks, but manages to avoid any more serious injury until she is competent enough to not take so many hits. When Ellie is twelve years old, she breaks an older boy's arm in three places during a match. Maeverine gives her a full day off.

The years continue to pass. When Ellie is sixteen, she and the two others remaining in her age cohort are sent along with a raiding party. One of the boys uses this as a chance to flee, but Ellie rides him down and brings him back to Maeverine along with the other tribute. Maeverine is very pleased with Ellie. She learns how to inflict what Maeverine considers a suitable punishment for such betrayal. When Ellie is seventeen years old, Maeverine begins to occasionally give her the task of sorting through items brought in from outside. She is told to especially watch for anything resembling rock salt, and if she finds it, to send it far away. Ellie decides that rock salt must be Maeverine's desecration material.

On the day of Ellie's eighteenth birthday, she is made an acolyte of Maeverine. She is suitably grateful. Her first task as acolyte is to travel out into the world, to visit neighboring gods and assess what weakness they have and whether they pose a threat.

Ellie nods in understanding, and prepares to set out at once. Secretly, she is delighted. This is exactly the opportunity she needed.

She consults her mental map. The closest gods are Varkalosix, Tisvetaia, and the decay god. She doesn't especially want to go out on the ocean, and decay doesn't appeal to her. She's spent enough time in this fetid swamp already. Tisvetaia it is. Ellie sets off.

Tisvetaia's domain is lush and balmy, with a lot of trees. It looks tropical, but Ellie is spared the humidity. Not, luckily, the pretty vistas.

And of course, when Ellie enters it, a voice rings out from everywhere around her.

"Greetings, acolyte, and welcome to my domain."

Oh, this is a nice place.

"Greetings, Tisvetaia. Your domain is lovely."

"Thank you, I hope you enjoy your stay here. What brings you?"

"I grew up in my god's domain, and only recently became an acolyte. My Lady Maeverine, Goddess of Storms and Marsh, thought it would be good for me to see more of the world."

"I see. Well, would you like a tour of some of my domain? See some of my more scenic vistas and some of my nicest towns?"

"I would appreciate that very much, thank you."

"Please wait one moment, I've got a bird nearby..."

And then, presently: there is a bird! It - well, she lands neatly in front of Ellie. She's a very distinctive bird, white with bands of black and orange-red and a long set of tailfeathers.

"Hello," says the bird, hopping a little closer. "Is there something specific you'd like to see first?"

"Something that looks nothing like a swamp. It's nice enough while I'm there, but after ten years I'm about ready for something new."