The Folly Shrine

  There was a chapel on the property, tucked into the hills behind the mansion. It was a folly, a red stone replica of some monumental temple in a far-flung corner of the empire, scaled down to human proportions. The first time Billius explored the building, he was surprised to find reliefs of the gods on the interior walls. The likenesses weren't very good, not compared to the way the gods presented themselves to him, but they were identifiable. The primary gods were life-sized, while their subordinate gods filled the spaces between them in miniature, like a flight of pixies.

  There was a small iron bell mounted at the door, and a wood mallet hanging from a leather thong. He was just tall enough to reach the bell if he stood on his toes. He hammered it twice to get the gods' attention, and bowed his head to the gods, eyes closed.

  "Well everyone, we're off to an awkward start. But that's par for the course. I've had worse. Like, so much worse. Nobody here likes me, but they don't interfere so that's good. I'm still feeling my way around, and I have no idea what I'm doing yet. I just have to build up my strength and knowledge for now. I don't even know if this place is properly sanctified or if you can hear me. But thanks for the chance, and I'll try to make the best of it."

  "Oh, we can hear you all right!" Order was laughing at him. Taylor must have stood in the void that whole time and not known the gods were right in front of him. It was embarrassing. Most of the pantheon was there, though some minor deities were missing. They must have had more urgent things to do.

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  "Look at his little indignant cheeks," cried Life, "I want to pinch them."

  "Please don't pinch the mortal. I might explode."

  Craft stroked his luxurious beard. "The problem with churches is, people don't go to them except on holidays or when they want something! I miss the old workshop shrines. They'd say my name and pray for a good day's work. I liked that."

  Nature agreed. "My statues used to be in every wild place. People used to pray as they passed. It was lovely being a part of their daily lives."

  "Consistency is key," declared Order. "Faith and its blessings increase with practice."

  "What happened to change everything?" Taylor asked. If the gods were being this talkative, why not give it a try?

  Death's eyes gleamed darkly. "Ambitious clergy. They wanted to be the center of everything. Now the people and their gods get the short end of the stick. You'll learn all about it eventually."

  The god of mystery's lamp gleamed darkly, and Taylor was in the folly again, suddenly alone with stone reliefs where living gods used to be. Either the gods in this world were unusually active, or his mind had finally cracked under the strain of so many lives and identities. He couldn't rule out either possibility.