Chapter Three

Alliance–To have strength – influence – a plan

Nick said, "There is one among us who has the key to peace. Sophia you are the goddess of wisdom. What would wisdom say concerning peace?"

She mused for a moment and said, "'Philia or philos' which conveys brotherly-love or to love one another."

"What does that mean?"

"It requires us to care for each other as gods and human beings."

"If we attend to one another what will philos generate?"

"It will produce peace."

"Thank you, Sophia. Brothers and sisters of the High Council - the answer is 'philia' if we want peace. It will not be easy. In fact, it will demand the most work we have ever created and require our full effort."

Poseidon said, "We do not need humans."

Hara asked, "Where would you acquire your two virgins from sacrifice every year? You wed them, bed them and discard them like trash. Their families are decimated. Your people have no respect for life because of your example."

Sophia added, "You and your brothers who require sacrifice are the most prone to promote evil from people you are expected to protect."

Poseidon's face flashed crimson as his jaw and shoulders slackened. He sat down and refrained from speaking. Several of the male deities mumbled and growled.

The half deity/half humans cheered Sophia and spoke her name in reverence.

Nick reflected, "As a conference we can no longer bicker and quarrel among ourselves. There is strength in comradeship. The omnipresence of the most high God observes every movement you make or neglect. Your existence depends on your cooperation to the positive."

A voice thundered above, "Lord Nick is instructing you to incorporate the methods he uses with his citizens. Learn and live. The words he uses represents me. As my spokesman he is elevated and ranked higher than all of you."

Silence followed. The eyes of every participant bulged. Their hearts pounded as they frowned. Sophia grabbed his hand, squeezed it, pulled the fingers to her lips and kissed each. Their eyes locked, and she smiled saying, "How did I fail to see you in the Council all these years?"

"Um, I am just a plain guy with a mundane presence."

"Ordinary and commonplace are not your attributes. You represent the gods with regal charisma. Your stature exemplifies the body of a divine athlete. You adore your inhabitants and they worship you. The ladies wave their hands in the air and scream your name. Some faint at your public appearances as you sing romantic poems. The children follow you in admiration."

Colonel Randolph whispered, "Don't you just love him." The Supremes elevated their nostrils, raised their brows and snorted.

Zeus said, "The gods need to mimic your actions." You and Sophia give me more praise than I merit. The Most High recognizes your capabilities. He confirms what he observes. He elevated you to a new position above the Supremes. You outrank me and reflect a power greater than the sum of all the gods. He appreciates your loyalty and integrity. Some of us forgot our purpose and exhibit a narcistic representation of our commitment. Some Supremes desire complications. They direct clandestine challenges to our colleagues and coworkers."

Colonel Randolph, Nick's pet goat, said, '"B-bray,' he 'da' man" while dancing on his hind legs and butting his head against a stone pillar. The Supremes huffed, their faces reddened, and they wheezed.

A Field of Splendor

Nick expressed, "Your gardens radiate beauty."

Sophia said, "Weeds creep in. It takes all my spare time keeping them from destroying the garden."

"I have a magical goat who roots out weeds while not destroying the flowers."

"May I borrow him?"

"Yes, he speaks and understands your words. Direct him to eat only the unwanted plants and not to touch the flowers. He maneuvers in tight places removing the weeds."

Nick delivered the goat to Sophia. The goat assured her the weeds would be eliminated. Nick had errands needing attention. When he returned the garden was annihilated. Sophia yelled and stuttered as the goat remained placid and grinned. Sophia said, "You promised me only the unwanted plants would vanish."

"I stopped to talk with two lessors Jethro and Jerrod. They assist Hector. I must have eaten loco weed afterwards and lost contact with reality. I apologize. Lord Nick warned me to demonstrate my best behavior or I would be on the supper menu with bar-b-que sauce tonight. Miss Sophia I am only eighty-six. Help me. I am too young to die. Please!"

Nick burst into laughter. Sophia hugged him tight. He waved his arm in the direction of the garden. New flowers appeared. The colors multiplied enhancing the majesty and beauty. Weeds ceased to exist.

Sophia's mouth dropped as her breaths deepened. She glowed, pulled her lips to his and her body shook. Her eyes glistened and she shifted into his arms.

Jethro and Jerrod materialized walking up the drive to Sophia's garden. They displayed drooping lips. Their gaze stiffened as they peered at the garden. Nick pointed his finger at them, and they transformed to pigs. Colonel Randolph, the goat, chuckled and said, "You done messed with 'da' wrong gods." Sophia quaked when a grin surfaced from her lips. The pigs squealed while they ran in the opposite direction.

The gods shared a bar-b-que pork festival the next day. Merriment surfaced among the attendees. Sophia stared at the pork. Nick said, "I turned Jethro and Jerrod back to gods. They promised not to abuse their powers. They ask for forgiveness from Colonel Randolph. He forgave them.

Randolph refused the opportunity to turn back to a human. He said, "A goat eighty-six years old is a stud in 'da' land of magic. However, a man that age is old and frayed. He laughed and 'brayed' all the way home.