Chapter 364: The Crossroads

Chapter 364: The Crossroads

There is a road that came from the old, broken world. One hundred and six travelers journeyed along to a place of unformed nothing. The first thing to be made were other roads. The Low Road fell away, too, and the High Road ascended. Others branched to the stars beyond or the ground beneath. The number of roads that met in that place changed as needed, but the spot they met stayed the same, and Hekate, Goddess of the Crossroads, claimed it for her own. There, she controlled the traffic between the new and broken worlds. She spoke every traveler's language and knew the end and beginning of their travels. After first the gods and then the children of the gods made the journey, she closed off the first road. The god outside could not travel here without her permission, and no one here could leave. The passage was narrowed until only the smallest of souls could travel between, and only with permission. She allowed messages but kept a close watch on them. Explore the labyrinthine roots of this substance at Nøv€lß¡n

There is a small shrine to the goddess in one corner, where offerings and petitions are placed. This crossroads, among all others, was a sacred place for her. It changed slowly over time, but it would always be hers. When someone wished to talk, they came here. Many of the roads faded over time until only a few were left. A grave appeared one day in another corner when one of the gods chose oblivion over exile. Over time, more graves appeared. The goddess allowed it because graveyards and churches were traditional at crossroads in the old tales. It fit well.

There is a tree at the crossroads, old and twisted with branches broken by weather and its trunk split by lightning or wrath. Several branches bear twisted ropes where men were hung like rotten fruit. Only men who committed special crimes were permitted to be hung from the tree: Gods who betrayed their followers, highwaymen who killed travelers on a road the Goddess walked, or who killed a dog she blessed. Some have tried to burn the tree down, which bears the marks from the flames but has resisted all fires. Axes and saws break upon its bark. Bad luck has come to all who try to destroy the tree. Some died as their homes went up in flames, others when tools slipped in their hands causing accidents. Eventually, the tree was left to stand, except for on moonless nights when a man destined to hang was brought there for final punishment.

There is a public house at the crossroads, an old place built in the early times. It started as just a slab of oak held by two barrels of beer, and the brewer who made it took coins from thirsty travelers for his ale. He had been packing his two barrels of ale to a new place to open a tavern but found the road had not been opened. So he sat on a log for a week and then grew impatient. He split the log, laid a crude plank across the barrels, built a small hut for himself, and then declared he was open for business. Few walked by and were busy with their work, but those who walked the roads were thirsty. Rain or shine, the brewer stood by his barrels and offered clay mugs of his ale. He harvested wild barley in the fields and baked some into crude loaves by a fire, but the rest was fermented to make his beverages.

The Goddess watched the brewer and decided that he would do. It would be nice someday to sit by a fire and listen to travelers, so she blessed the brewer and his cups and watched him grow.

"I don't know about you guys, but the two of us are hungry."

"The two of you are always hungry."

"I smell beer."

"I'll be happy to sit in a tavern and eat without having to serve."

With all in favor, they walked to the large carved oak and ash building and entered the common room. A tall, thin man with braided black hair and copper skin greeted them from the bar. "I've been expecting you. Sit anywhere you wish, but by the fire is best. A cold wind is blowing today. My place is yours for the night, and you are my guests. Be safe here, and your voices are unheard. Someone wishes to speak to you, and She will be here shortly."