Dance of the Gods

Veronica already knew that the young girl and boy was Suze's and James's children, but they didn't know who she was. So she decided to open the channel of communication between her and the children by an introduction. She lifted her skirt with two hands, went a bit down on the knee and bowed her head.

"Hello, I'm the new barmaid. My name is Veronica Navarro.", she lifted her head and was a bit startled because everyone was looking at her with confused faces and lifted eyebrows.

'Did I do something wrong? In the moves the woman of this era introduce themselves like this. I'm not stupid, you people are! Stop looking at me like I'm insane!'

After a while of making Veronica blush from embarrassment, Suze finally ended her suffering. She approached the two children, hugged them firmly, then put a kiss on each of their faces, which the boy didn't really like, but that only made her chuckle. Then she moved away and introduced them.

"Veronica meet my other two children. This beautiful young girl is my other daughter Ann and this very mischievous young boy is my only son Jamie. Kids, this is Veronica our new barmaid, be nice to her she has amnesia and doesn't remember who she is or where she came from. She will work here until her memories come back or until she wants to leave."

'You didn't have to make my situation sound so sad. It could be worse!... What if I woke up next to a brothel? I would probably have a very different job right now.'

The girl nodded towards her mother and approached Veronica. Her face was emotionless and her whole being radiated calmness and clarity. She arrived in front of her and reached out her right hand. Without a word Veronica took it and they shook it lightly. In a second or two the wordless interaction ended and everyone went on their way. Jamie wasn't in the mood to approach her, he seemed to be a lot more shy then the other two.

Suze and Veronica went back to cooking, the two children put their bags down in the corner, onto a chair. Afterward they started to make the table, they took out plates, forks, napkins, knives, etc. They even brought out candles and lit them, it all seemed mechanical, like they have done it thousands of times.

The potatoes were cooking nicely and the meat was almost ready as well. Suze and Veronica stayed silent for quite a while, but soon she broke and asked the question that was bothering her the most.

"Suze, what I did when introducing myself. Why did all of you look at me like I was mad? I thought this is how woman introduce themselves."

Suze looked at her with pity, which annoyed Veronica, but she knew better than to show it on her face. Instead she opted for the Ann route and made no facial expressions at all.

With a quiet sigh she explained, "There is a somewhat similar introduction like the one you did, but it's mostly used by the nobility. We as middle class just shake hands when introducing ourselves, it makes it much easier for everyone. Also it is more gender neutral, if you care about such ideals."

'So I'm not insane or stupid! There are actual people using such bows! But only in the nobility, that is a pity, I like this introduction form... It is way more elegant, than a handshake.'

They went back to silently cooking and soon the cathedral close by sounded 7. Veronica pulled out the cooked, sliced potatoes or 'french fries' by more Earth-like terms. When she asked Suze what do they call it here, she said fried potato which is perfectly fitting name, but it still sounded strange. The pork was already done cooking and was currently sitting on the table, waiting to be consumed. It smelled so good, that Veronica's stomach couldn't stop rumbling since then.

The table was all set and the dinner was ready, Suze went away to call James and Sofie. In the meantime Veronica took her place and patiently waited, her saliva was very close to overflowing in her mouth from hunger, but this wasn't her house and that wasn't her food. She was only a guest at best and a lowly worker at worst. So the least she could do is wait for everyone to arrive.

It didn't take long, they all walked in and sat down at the table. They spread the napkins in their laps, but when Veronica was about to reach for the potatoes something happened that she didn't expect. The whole family closed their eyes and held the person's hand sitting on either side of them. Suze who was sitting next to Veronica prompted her to do the same, so she did. She held Sofie's and Suze's hands, then closed her eyes and waited for what will happen next.

She got her answer really soon, the whole family began to say a prayer in low voices. Veronica wasn't familiar with the prayers in Earth's religions since she was an atheist, but even she noticed the huge differences between the two.

"Leader of the Lost and Powerless,

The Immortal Ruler of Time,

The Bearer of Purple, The Keeper of Secrets!

Goddess of Secrets! We thank you for the food on our table and we pray for your guidance and help in these unknown times! We implore you to bless this dinner and help us have many more!"

The second part wasn't that weird, it was just asking for blessings before dinner. Many religious households did the same, it even sounded similar. But the first part, it sounded very much like actual titles. Yes there are gods with titles back on Earth like Zeus the God of Thunder, or Anubis God of Death and many more, but none of these sound like 'The Immortal Ruler of Time'.

'It sounds much more mysterious and serious. Like their God is actually real and 'She' would get angry at them for saying the wrong title. They also have much more reverence, than for example Christians back on Earth. I would really want to know more about this, but only after I ate, I just can't take it anymore.'

When they were done with the prayer there was at least a minute of complete silence, then Suze and Sofie released her hand signaling that she could open her eyes. Afterward everyone began to put food on their plate and they silently ate.

Veronica waited to see how much food the others will take, so she wouldn't be seen as an ungrateful person by taking too much for herself. She gathered some fried potatoes and one slice of pork with some gravy poured all over the food.

She then grabbed the fork in her left and the knife in her right, it didn't really matter for her since she was ambidextrous. Then she cut up the meat first, she had done it as elegantly as possible, but the others were still better at it.

On Earth she rarely ate meals like this, at a table with actual utensils. Most of the time she ate some premade food or some sandwich. She pierced the piece of pork, then pushed it into the gravy and placed it into her mouth.

The fork nearly dropped from her hand, it tasted so good! The meat was perfect both in temperature and consistence, not too cold but also not burning hot, it seemed to melt on her tongue. She quickly chewed it up and swallowed, then she tasted the potato. That wasn't too different than what she was used to, but the gravy increased the taste by a lot.

'And they dared to tell me there isn't enough spice in this city! This is just too good! Will they be mad if I eat all of it?... Yeah, sadly.'

Veronica devoured the meal, Suze kept glancing at her with concern but there was also a satisfied smile on her face. It always felt nice when someone appreciates your cooking.

In about ten minutes everyone finished, of course Veronica finished a lot sooner than everyone else. She looked to the right where Suze was watching her and she showed a bright smile.

"Thank you for the meal. It was truly amazing, better than anything I have ever tasted."

Suze smiled as well, she probably dismissed her gratitude as being polite. That wasn't the case, but Veronica didn't try to clear that up. Instead she turned towards James, who was currently wiping his beard from any gravy residue.

"Excuse me James, but could you explain more about that prayer you said before dinner. It seem so mysterious."

James looked confused for a second, then with a kind smile he explained.

"We are believers of the Church of Time, so at dinner we pray to the Goddess of Secrets. In this world there are six orthodox religions, Church of Time, Church of Law and Church of Life are the ones worshipped on the East Continent. While on the west, Church of War, Church of Desire and Church of Serenity are the most worshipped. All of them have different Gods and bibles.

"For example our Goddess as you heard is, the Goddess of Secrets, Time and the Lost. 'She' is mostly worshipped by sailors, but most port cities worship 'Her' as well."

The Church of Law prays to a different deity 'Its' name is Judgement, 'It' is the God of Law, Neutrality and the Bringer of Justice. 'It' is widely worshipped in the Free Cities and Dracon Empire, but the draconish pray to someone else mostly."

"The Creator is the deity of the Church of Life, 'He' is the God of Creation, Life and New Beginnings."

"The other three I'm not too familiar with, but a lot of sailors come from the West Continent, some could turn up in this inn... So just ask them."

'That is a lot to process.' She thought while yawning, seems like the stress and panic put a real drain on her mental capacity and all she wanted was to go to sleep. James saw it on her face as well and motioned her to follow him. She was reluctant to do so, as the dishes still have to be washed, but Suze reassured her that it is fine for today.

James led her towards her room and with a serious expression and low voice said, "You can go anywhere in this inn, for washing yourself there is a bath next to the restroom. You can use both of those, no need to use the communal one, that is for the guests..."

"There is only one rule, but if you ever dare to defy it, you position is instantly terminated. You don't go down into the basement, no matter what you hear or who comes out of there, you are forbidden. Understand?"

Veronica was a bit scared by his sudden graveness, she couldn't bring herself to speak, so she just nodded. He watched her face for a while, probably looking for insincerity, but he found non and with a nod left her at her room's door.

When he left she let out a breath, that she didn't even know was holding in. Then with quick movement she entered the room and closed it behind her turning the key.

Alone once again she lit the gas lamp, then began the process of undressing. It took her a while, but eventually the dress came off of her. She placed it into the wardrobe and was surprised when there were more dresses and nightwear, as well as slippers and shoes. There was also a note from Suze.

"Some clothes for you to wear. I hope they fit you, if not say so and I will tailor them a bit. The shoes should be your size as well. Hope you will like it here!

Sincerely,

Suze"

'Well she is very nice, it almost makes me forget about the scary basement. What could they keep down there, maybe children or some monster... Not that I care, I just have to do my job and not go to there, seems easy enough.'

After a bit more thinking, she took of her undergarment and put on a nightwear. Then she pulled of the cover and lay down on the soft mattress. She put the cover on her and by the time her head hit the pillow she was already in a deep sleep.