Gods of Inthya


 
 
 
 
 
 A NineStar Press Publication
 www.ninestarpress.com
 Gods of Inthya
 ISBN: 978-1-64890-604-6
 © 2023 Effie Calvin
 Cover Art © 2022 Natasha Snow
 Published in January 2023 by NineStar Press, New Mexico, USA.
 
 This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact NineStar Press at [email protected].
 
 CONTENT WARNING:
 Teeth (story seven): attempted sexual assault and vagina dentata.
 Thunder (story twelve): attempted suicide/suicidal ideation.
 Gods of Inthya
 A Tales of Inthya Anthology
 Effie Calvin
 Table of Contents
 Dedication
 Spark
 Fathom
 Vitality
 Clear
 Breach
 Home
 Teeth
 Valiant
 Waking
 Jewel
 Honey
 Thunder
 Visitor
 Wintersong
 Starlight
 Eleventh
 Monster
 Poison
 Unravel
 About the Author
 This book is dedicated to the reader's cats.
 Spark
 INTHI, GOD OF Creation and First of the Ten, does not generally manifest in cities. This is somewhat paradoxical, considering most new ideas come from places where mortals gather in large numbers. But Inthi is a quiet, thoughtful sort of god and has trouble focusing when surrounded by too much noise and commotion. Even when they are called to a mortal’s private workshop, away from shouting vendors and screaming children, they cannot block out the soft but persistent hum of countless souls going about their daily business outside, each mind a bright beacon of wants and worries and dreams.
 But today, unfortunately, they must make an exception.
 Inthi is intimately familiar with their own Great Temple in Birsgen, and the enormous district surrounding it. Some call it the Flame District, but others simply call it Inthi’s District. Most large cities have one, a place where smiths and artisans and inventors come together to work and exchange ideas.
 As Inthi approaches their temple, they hear mortal voices raised in argument. Standing on the steps are two people—a neutroi that Inthi recognizes as their own archpriest here in Ieflaria, and a priestess of Eran dressed in silver robes. The priestess is the source of most of the noise, waving her clenched fist in the archpriest’s face.
 Inthi’s archpriest, however, is unimpressed. They wave a hand dismissively and say, “Your concerns are unwarranted.”
 The priestess’s cheeks redden. From the rage that emanates from her mind, Inthi can tell reason has failed and now she is about to start cursing. Inthi walks up behind her and rests a reassuring hand on the prophet-priestess’s shoulder. “It’s all right,” they say. “I will handle it.”
 Eran’s priestess looks at Inthi with wide, disbelieving eyes. She takes a step back, too dumbfounded to speak. Inthi’s own archpriest has not recognized them, but she has. With more effort, they can disguise themselves completely, but Inthi is not inclined to do so today.
 “I appreciate your efforts,” they add. Only rarely do Eran’s priests take an active role in events. Most adhere to the philosophy that attempting to alter the future is pointless at best and disastrous at worst. This priestess must have decided that no outcome is worse than what she’s already seen in her dreams. “Excuse me.”
 Inthi walks past the bemused archpriest and enters the temple. Inside is warm from the heat of dozens of forges, and every stone is steeped in magic. Countless prayers have been uttered within these walls. Generations of priests and artisans have labored here. Even if the temple was disassembled and all the stones cast into the sea, it would take centuries for the magic to dissipate from the air.
 After taking a few moments to admire the new bronze statues decorating the temple’s anteroom, Inthi takes a side door into a hallway. All around them, mortal minds buzz with ideas; mortal hands wrest iron and copper into new shapes. It is still early, but most of them have been awake for hours. Some have not slept at all.
 Inthi could have manifested directly at the source of the problem, but there is time enough to enjoy being in the temple. They pass a few priests in orange robes, but most of the mortals are dressed practically, with heavy leather gloves and large aprons. Some carry boxes, or tools, or push carts filled with scrap metal to be melted down and turned into something useful. Inthi brushes each mind as they pass, appreciating every mortal’s unique focus.
 Finally, Inthi arrives at their destination. Within one of the temple’s many workshops is the source of today’s trouble. The door is locked, but the lock is a thing of metal and so it releases under Inthi’s touch effortlessly.
 Gathered within the room are a group of mortals, five in total—three neutroi, one woman, one man, all wearing the pale-orange armbands that mark them as apprentices. They stand crowded around something large and heavy and silver, muttering to one another and scribbling down notes.
 “What do we have here?” Inthi asks.
 All the room’s occupants turn, as one, to look at Inthi. To their collective eyes, Inthi is just another apprentice, a colleague, or even a friend.
 “We’re about to begin testing,” says one as Inthi approaches the device. “If you want to watch—”
 “Just a moment,” says Inthi. They run their hands over the smooth metal shell of the device, appreciating the craftsmanship. Even now, they respect the labor that went into such an enterprise, the sleepless hours and the careful calculations.
 Their hands find a small latch, and they open it. Under normal circumstances, this would result in every occupant of the room leaping up and wresting them away from the expensive, delicate creation, but Inthi exudes calm and reassurance and so the mortals remain where they are.
 Inthi can smell sulfur. Anoran black powder—enough to bring the entire temple down and