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Roman surveyed the front yard. He’d rolled the unwelcome mat out. Now all he had to do was wait.
“Oh, Chernobog, God of Bone, In the name of Darkness, in the name of the Final End, Grant your creature your strength, Heal the wounds and make it whole.” The darkness slipped from his fingers, clutched the dog, and seeped into the open wounds. The flesh knitted itself closed. Roman petted the dog’s head. “Congratulations. You’re evil enough.” The dog stared at him, puzzled. Evil in the pagan world was a relative term. Evil in the human world was not.
“The name of the game is balance. Crops are planted in the spring, they grow, they are harvested, and then winter comes. Their roots and stems decay and nourish the earth. Chernobog is the one who makes that decay happen. As the remnants of the crops die, the soil rests and rejuvenates. Without winter, without the Goddess Morena, Chernobog’s wife and consort, there cannot be spring. One cannot just take and take. One must give back.”
they call Chernobog evil. Winter is hard, so they call Morena evil. Disease and sickness are cruel and unforgiving, so they call Troyan the Healer, a Nav god, evil because sometimes no matter how much you pray to him, he doesn’t answer. But we are crops, Finn. We must grow, thrive, flourish, and die, to make room for other living creatures. Such is life.
“Brace yourself,” Roman told Finn. “I think we’re about to get attacked with some goodness and light.”
“Invoking is when you beg your god to cover that really big check your fool mouth just wrote.” “Can you invoke?” “My god is having family issues right now. Not a good time.” Finn squinted at the priest. “What happens if the god doesn’t answer?” “You’re fucked.”
“I know your gods. I’ve met Odin.” And what a memorable, super fun meeting that had been.
“How?” Finn sputtered. “You were dying.” “Funny thing about a god’s tears—they pack a lot of divinity. Those assholes wish I was dying. Instead, I am pissed off and filled with the horrible love of my god. You did well, Finn. Come inside. It’s time we talk about it.”
