Stories of Contests Past

In the Great Hall of the Celestial Court

I was staring down at the spot where my knees rested on the polished obsidian surface that was the very Universal Keystone. It also happened to be the floor of the Great Hall of the King of the Celestial Court. I could sense that King looking down at me in judgment as he sat on the massive throne which sat precisely at the center of the Great Hall. The hall was thronged with the notables of the universe, all of whom were staring at me kneeling at the very feet of the King. Despite the crowds there was utter silence. Only the most important and powerful entities our universe had to offer were there but none would stir even the slightest bit before the King broke the silence.

Which he finally did. "Rise, child." I rose to my feet as bidden, still staring at the spot where my knees had rested on the surface of the Universal Keystone. "Child, you needn't stare at the floor the entire time you are in my presence."

I looked up at the King of the Celestial Court on his throne. As his throne dominated the Great Hall so did he dominate the whole of our universe. His presence was so great that I could feel the weight of it. I took an involuntary step back. His most striking feature, his icy blue eyes, gazed at me from under bushy white eyebrows. A long white beard trailed down his chest, bringing to mind the children's stories of the kindly saint who brought toys to the poor and orphaned children of the world. But the King of the Celestial Court was no Father Winter. For one thing, Father Winter wore red and green while the King was arrayed in the black and purple that signified his royal authority.

His lips turned upward at the corners. "No, I don't wear the red and green, that is true. But I do sometimes give gifts."

I blushed at being caught comparing the King of the Celestial Court to a child's fairy tale. How embarrassing! The only thing that could be possibly be mortifying was-

"You're wrong, child," he said, breaking my train of thought. "It is no dishonor to be compared to Father Winter. Quite the opposite."

Oh, how I had wished for a black hole to open under my feet at that moment. If I had been blushing before I can only tell you that I was ready to burst into flame after his comment. Fire is, of course, a primary danger to younger dryads in particular but I may very well be the only dryad who nearly died of spontaneous self-combustion.

Ignoring my plight the King continued, "Thereby, it is my pleasure to grant your petition. Step forward and assume the Office of the Incarnation of Progress."

Trembling, I stepped forward as he bade me. He rose from his throne and descended the stairs until he stood directly before me. We dryads are not known for our physical stature and I was small even by dryad standards. In his presence I realized that I didn't even come up to his chest.

"Now accept the articles of your Office from the Queen of the Celestial Court and the mother of all living things." He put one of his massive hands on my shoulder and turned me to face the being at his side who had risen from where she had been reclining at the foot of his throne to stand beside him.

Unlike the King of the Celestial Court the Queen didn't wear any robes of office. Instead she wore filmy dress that was all but transparent and showed off every curve of her perfect body. And she only wore those out of deference to the sense of propriety that was ever-present in the Celestial Court. Of course the propriety of the Court wasn't quite satisfied with her attire but she was Gaia: the mother of all living creatures. That she wore anything but her smile was a concession on her part. "My daughter. It is a pleasure to give these articles into your care."

I bowed my head. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Her amusement was easy to hear. "So formal," she said as she slipped the ring of the Office of the Incarnation of Progress onto my ring finger. She then noisily cleared her throat. A page stepped forward and handed her a great longbow and a quiver which she then presented to me. "With these you are now the Incarnation of Progress. Congratulations!"

The quiver I slung over my shoulder. The longbow was much taller than me and I wasn't sure what to do with it. I finally settled for holding it like

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