How to Use Power

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Everyone was silent for several long moments as they gathered their thoughts. “I trust I do not have to impress upon you the… significance of either of those changes,” Ivrine eventually said.

Ahsch gave a deep nod. “Thus far, I know of only two… ‘fully’ male monsters - myself, and a shopkeeper in the Capital named Talhort, who used a djinn’s virgin wish to accomplish his transition.” The satyrs all nodded their understanding. “However, introducing the potential for _anyone _to become male - or to gain a fully functional penis that they could impregnate others with…” he shook his head. “The implications are staggering. Especially if the change is something hereditary.”

Felori frowned at him. “Is that beyond your capabilities to control?”

Ahsch blinked, then gave a small, deprecating chuckle at himself as he rechecked his understanding of the magic. “I can control that,” he confirmed. “I can even set the likelihood of the sire of a child passing it on.” He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “That makes things even more complicated for me.”

“I can understand how that would be such a burden,” Ivrine sympathized. “Though keep in mind, you needn’t make this capability universally available.” She gave a wry smile. “You aren’t even obligated to offer it to us.”

Ahsch arched an eyebrow. “True, but we are supposed to be allies; even beyond that, I will be trusting my life - and possibly the lives of those I care deeply for - to you and your herd. Keeping secrets from you is a bad choice in light of that.”

The three leaders inclined their heads in gratitude. “I think that containing the scope of this discussion to its impact on the herd - and possibly your other allies and organizations - would be for the best,” Xitia suggested.

“Agreed,” Ahsch said, leaning forward. “That being said, what are your opinions?”

Felori and Xitia looked to their queen, who frowned for a moment before looking at the other two. “I would hear your thoughts first,” she said.

They glanced between themselves, and Felori sighed deeply. “As far as I am aware, none among the herd have expressed a desire to ‘transition,’ as you’ve put it. Though I will not discount the possibility that they don’t say anything because they believe it to be impossible. That being said, I imagine that at least a handful would be interested in possessing a penis.” A slight flush touched her cheeks. “Myself included,” she admitted.

“I agree - just not about wanting a dick for myself,” Xitia said. “I think the best idea is to either not offer it directly to the herd - though I suspect you plan to provide it through your shopkeeper friend - or to restrict how many of the herd can transition, and put some controls on who and what their responsibilities can be.”

Ahsch nodded. “Don’t forget about the other capabilities of the spell - it can’t offer unparalleled strength or agility beyond what any satyr could possess, but I can make it so that your herd can be as physically capable as possible - make them the apex of what they can do.”

“That I am not opposed to offering more widely,” Ivrine said almost dismissively. “I believe that to not provide that to your allies would be a major mistake on your part. And since you would control the method of providing that boon, you would have little worry about it falling into your enemies’ hands.”

“Glad we agree on that,” Ahsch said. “So now I just need to figure out what to do with the potential to entirely uproot the social and gender dynamics of the entire damned world.”

“I think Xitia had the right idea,” Stisea quietly said, shrinking as four pairs of eyes turned to her. “A-about keeping it secret or restricted, I mean,” she added.

Ivrine frowned in thought, the expression slowly twisting into slight distaste. “You could keep it as a boon provided by Enochiel, not by you - something only those blessed by the new god are offered. You did say it was a divine Innate Magic, owing to your domain of bodies - to restrict it so, locked behind the will of a deity, would not be a bad idea.”

Xitia gave Ahsch a lopsided smirk. “Nor a lie.”

He took a deep breath as he considered the idea. It was actually a fairly good one, though with one caveat. “But I don’t expect your herd to dedicate themselves wholesale to the Order or Temple,” he pointed out. “I suspect it will happen naturally, just through proximity and exposure - and who and what I am - but to try and **** it upon you…” he shook his head.

A strange look of uncertainty passed through Ivrine’s face, and she looked at the other two leaders of the herd with a questioning glance. After a few moments of thought, they both nodded. She then looked at Stisea, who shrank away under the queen’s attention, but nodded right away. “Ahsch… Enochiel…” she said, turning her gaze towards the hrafthi. “We have been thinking… perhaps you should reveal your true nature to the herd.”

Ahsch stared at the queen. “I… what?”

“Bind them first with the oath, of course, but given what you have done for us already, the respect you have shown us, the _hope _you have given us, I doubt any would refuse to provide their bound word to keep your secrets. And despite how young and new you are, the prospect of directly serving a god-to-be is a… heady thought. You may find that you have a small army of devout followers should you reveal that truth to them.”

Ahsch frowned. “You’re suggesting I just tell them about being Enochiel, right? Not my entire background from Earth and all that?”

Ivrine smiled apologetically. “I cannot advise you there, specifically. I am as yet undecided on which would be better, and these two…” she looked at Xitia and Felori.

“I think the full truth is dangerous,” the former said. “You being a god is one thing - being from another world and blessed with… well, honestly insane powers? That’s different. Much as I trust the herd, there are some things that simply go a little too far.”

Felori shook her head. “Any relationship that depends on trust must be built on honesty and mutual vulnerability,” she declared. “Keeping some secrets I understand, especially in this case. However, if you intend to be open about one of the most important secrets I’ve ever heard of, then the rest of it should be revealed as well. And with the oath, what chance of betrayal exists?”