The Boon

"A boon," Wisdom said, looking up at the mortal that she so admired, hoping that he would receive her gift, "My daughters are not the only ones with power. The power of Wisdom is that of insight, of forethought, of balance. If you would allow me, I could extend a portion of my gift, just a taste, to you."

"What good would that do me?" he said, his feminine voice harsh with a cynical tone, needlessly doubting her loyalty.

"Your future has for too long been determined by ones such as myself," Wisdom said, "And I can see how unhappy that has made you. Even with my guidance, I was still unable bring you joy. With this gift, your intuition would become a powerful tool, assisting you as you develop, especially in dealings with myself, or my daughters."

Tim sighed and took a step toward the table, picked up his purse, pulled out a small compact mirror to check his reflection. After snapping it shut, he turned back to Wisdom, who had dared not climb from her knees.

"So, like, next time Justice offers me a trade," Wisdom's liege said, "I'll be able to tell what the best thing to do will be?"

"You should be able to sense better paths should you begin to stray from what is best," Wisdom explained, "It is all I could offer you without altering you beyond your humanity. Uncertainty, as my Husband decreed, is necessary for your species. Without it you are reduced, and eventually fade away."

"Okay, keep the uncertainty," Tim said, "Good advice. So what's the downside?"

"My lord," Wisdom bowed her face to the floor, feeling unworthy to stare at the man she served, "Please believe me. I only wish to give you this gift to make your life better, not to manipulate or coerce. My loyalties lie with you and you alone."

"Shit, Lust and Desire are really doing a number on you," Tim said quietly, then, "Okay, let's do it."

Wisdom took his words as a command and immediately drew her power to herself, feeling it build in her core, then allowed it to seep from her toward Tim Thompson. It was not a deluge, but a trickle, enough to restore a sense of agency to the mortal, but not enough to rob him of the humanity that he cherished. She could feel the loss of herself as the power left her, even such a small amount, but then something tickled her mind. No, it wasn't lost. It was still there. She could feel it inside Tim Thompson, her master. With her gift, she was forever bound to him.

It was a strange feeling, being surprised by an outcome. Wisdom was unaccustomed to the experience, her forethought always guiding her steps. Perhaps it was her newfound devotion to the mortal that had distracted her, but she cared not. Having an unbreakable connection to this mortal was a welcome result. She could imagine no better place to spend eternity than on her knees, serving Tim Thompson, however her saw fit.

"Now, my lord," Wisdom said, "My gift you have received. I believe you have a woman who requires your attention."

And while Wisdom allowed for the flow of time to return, she did not depart. Instead, she withdrew from her mortal master's vision, close enough to observe and intervene should he require her service, but away from where any human could see. On her knees, though, she remained. It was not proper to rise until her master commanded her. Luckily, the immortal life taught one patience.