Belly of the Beast by Warren Thomas (story books for 5 year olds txt) 📕

            “Is it the nightmares you’re having?” Joelle said, coming up behind him.

            “You know about the nightmares?”

            “Everyone does,” Quinn said. “You thrash about at times. Very annoying to light sleepers like me and Raven.”

            “You and Raven?”

            “What about me?” Raven said, joining them.

            “We’re talking about Tane’s nightmares,” Joelle said.

            “Oh yeah,” Raven said. “I thought he had a woman down there once last night. My bunk was really shaking, and I heard strange sounds. Then I saw Quinn walk over and check on him.”

            “I thought about waking him,” Quinn said. “But Raven told me that dreams sometimes are sent by the Gods to help guide Their devotees through hard times. I did not wish to interfere with any divine communication, so let him be.”

            “Well?” Joelle said, turning frank eyes on Tane. “Was it?”

            Tane felt all their eyes on him. He felt flushed, and feared he was shaming himself before these proven warriors. Surely he would never earn their respect now.

            “It was just a nightmare, that’s all,” Tane said. “I have it all the time.”

            “The same dream?” Raven asked, stepping closer and looking at him with concern.

            “Yes. Why?”

            She and Joelle shared a long look that did nothing for Tane’s already frayed nerves. The village priest back in his home village of Bracklin hadn’t been concerned with the dreams. The priest said it was possible that it was Kamain’s way of telling him to go to Kestsax and make swords for the king. Now he was in Kestsax, and serving the king, but had no prospect of even seeing a forge, much less of working as a swordsmith. Was Kamain trying to tell him something? Was Kamain punishing him for failing?

            “Tell me the dream,” Raven said.

            Tane found it difficult to put into words. Mostly it was just feelings he had, of fear, dread and now soul-numbing loss. Raven seemed to think the forge of supernatural heat significant, though couldn’t explain it.

            “I’ll pray for you tonight,” she said. “Maybe Ashtar will come to me, and I can ask what is happening to you.”

            “You can speak with your Goddess?” Quinn said, doubt written all over his face. “Face to face? You’ve done it before?”

            “A couple of times,” Raven said, shrugging. “Not as often as I’d like. But the Gods don’t wait on us, we wait on Them. If Ashtar has anything to say to me personally, She will manifest Herself during my prayers.”

            Tane just stared at her open-mouthed. Kamain had never manifested before him. The village priest didn’t even claim to have spoken to his Goddess one-on-one, or any other God for that matter. Of course, he wasn’t a Kamainite like Tane, but a priest of Laures, Queen of the Arisen Gods and Goddess of Hearth and Harvest. Most of Bracklin’s residents were peasant farmers, with a small fishing population. But Father Niall was the only priest available, so served all the Gods to the best of his ability.

            “You’re a priestess of Ashtar. I’d forgotten,” Tane said.

            Raven dismissed that statement with an annoyed wave.

            “I never took my final vows to become a priestess,” she said. “I’m only a bloody acolyte of Ashtar. I wish people would stop calling me a priestess. I haven’t earned the right to that honor.”

            Even so, Tane was suitably impressed. Acolytes were permitted to perform certain fundamental rites and services, and frequently were the only servants of the Gods available in small villages. The only thing to separate Raven from a full priest was a single vow.

            “Tell me, if it’s not personal, but why haven’t you asked the Temple of Ashtar for protection?” Quinn said. “I’m sure they would take you in, and even the king wouldn’t object.”

            Raven’s response was loud and angry.

            “I tried. The High Priest accused me of being afraid to fight! The fat bastard! He told me to stop whining, and fight like an Ashtarite,” she growled, her eyes growing so dangerous that Tane and Armin backed away a step. “In fact, he said he’d volunteered all the local priests, monks, and nuns of Ashtar for manning the walls.” Her eyes flashed in anger, then cooled suddenly, reminding Tane just how volatile and dangerous Tyrians were. “Oh well, I guess it’ll be more fun marching to my death than waiting for it to claw its way up to me atop high walls. I hate waiting more than anything.”

            Tane smiled at her bit of bravado, but he could see the priest’s words had stung her deeply. She was a proud woman, and couldn’t stand to know someone as important to her as a High Priest of her beloved Goddess thought so little of her. Knowing Raven, she’d probably kill twice as many as everyone else just to prove her mettle to him.

            “What does Ashtar say about the zombies?” Quinn said. When Raven turned curious eyes his way, he said, “I saw you get up at midnight and go outside. I was curious, so followed. I saw you kneel and pray.”

            Raven nodded. “Ashtar said nothing. I wasn’t really expecting Her to come to me. It rarely happens outside of a temple.”

            “Why bother then?” Quinn said. “My Goddess, the Sweet Mother, and creator of all there is and ever will be, does not demand such subservience by Her devotees.”

            “The Sweet Mother isn’t a real – ”

            “Raven!” Tane interrupted, fearing a nasty religious fight was brewing. “Could you give me some religious instruction after the duty day is over? I haven’t prayed since before leaving home, and I feel I need priestly intervention since it’s been so long.”

            Raven and Quinn glared at each other a long moment. Tane noticed all the others in the bay, including Corporal Disa watching from her doorway, had looks of anticipation gleaming in their eyes. He prayed they didn’t get the fight they so wanted, and vowed to do whatever necessary