ALLIANAH
nubian warrior goddess

Even dressed in ‘ordinary’ clothes, Allianah had a severe look about her. One of the few gods who actually looked godly, she equalled most men’s height at six foot tall, and had a permanently haughty face which was more regal than beautiful. She looked out of place in the soft, feminine dress, designed to emphasise curves (she had none). Her long, dark hair reached the base of her spine: unusual in a warrior, but not for Eastern or African women, who often didn’t cut their hair as a matter of culture. In a way, Allianah often looked more intimidating when she was in everyday clothes than when she was in her armour, because it meant she had been called away from her leisure to deal with whatever crisis had arisen.

The crisis, in this case, which Zed thought could be resolved by a ten year-old kid.

She scowled at him, offended by his dirtiness. It was inappropriate to be dirty in the presence of a goddess. It didn’t occur to Allianah that this hadn’t been a scheduled appointment, so he had no way of knowing that he was going to be graced by her presence - it was not right and therefore it was wrong. She sniffed.

Her expression softened somewhat when he used the appropriate form of address for an original fairy. Someone, at least, had taught this filthy urchin how to speak to a deity. Allianah was unaware of Khasekhemwy’s role as Danny’s tutor; he avoided her as much as possible, and she didn’t make time for conversation with him. She had more important things to do than engage in pointless small talk with scribes, even on days when she remembered he existed.

“Your presence is requested at the Pantheon,” she informed him stiffly, her dark eyes lingering over his stained clothes and messy hair. Danny did at least try to flatten it, then, and he tugged at his clothes self-consciously. Allianah felt no sympathy. She’d said requested, but in her stern voice it came across more like an order. “Come.”

She turned on her heel and marched back across the lawn, ignoring the eyes of the other children on her and leaving no doubt that she expected to be followed. She had long strides which would cause most adults to have to hurry to keep up with her, let alone a child. Consequently the walk took little time, and before long she had led Danny back to the stables where the castle servant was waiting with Asfur. Allianah took the reins from him and brought the bay Arabian out into the open.

“Mount onto the back of the saddle,” she instructed him. “I will mount in front. You just hold on.” She glared at Solarius. “Your familiar can run along side.”