Death's Handmaiden

The audible gasp from her mother let us know this wasn't something Athena often did.

The look of horror on her face as her eyes came up see her daughter at the alter, only to meet the eyes of her goddess.

'You know what I entrust her with, inform her of her role, there are other matters I must attend to.'

And like that she was gone.

We all stood there in stunned silence for several minutes.

It was broken by her mother turning into leave, "F-fallow me, we have much to discuss."

We waited for Kay before moving, a profound look was on her face.

"Hey, you OK?"

"Yeah, I think for the first time in a long time, I am."

We both take her hand and walk side by side towards an office her mother disappeared into.

Once all three of us are inside and seated none of us knew how to start this conversation but the look of consternation on her mother told me if this was not going to be fun for anyone.

Except maybe Kay.

" So mother, do you think I'm living up to my potential now? "

Instead of being baited into what was probably an old argument she instead sighed "Katie whatever you think of me, know that all I was ever trying to do was protect you and to keep you safe. However that effort seems to have been doomed from the start, if this was your destiny."

Kate didn't know how to respond to that so she just crossed her arms over her chest giving a look.

" Now it falls to me to inform my only daughter the burden placed upon her, first time in over a hundred years our Goddess uses more than a sliver of her power and consciousness to oversee an Ascension, first time in just as long for her to speak so plainly. And it's to inform me my daughter will die in war. "

" What?! " all three of us were shocked.

" You are a Healer of the goddess Athena worshiping the aspect of renewal. I didn't lie to you when I told you there were no Warriors on the path I pushed you on.

Can an executioner be called a warrior?

Can a force of nature?

Can a living curse?

Something I wished would never happen in my lifetime or yours must be on the horizon, a great war is coming, a death handmaiden is only created for war. "

" She was already fighting like a force of nature, how will this be any different? "

" Because if the Legends are to be believed, she will walk the land hunting the enemies of our goddess, carving a bloody path through the enemy, always moving, never resting, she will never know peace and she will never be safe. "

" Again, I repeat Raquel's question, how is that any different than what she already does and where we already make our home?"

" The fact that it doesn't seem to be different in your minds makes me weep, are my little girl's hands so covered in blood already. "

" Yes but only that of monsters. "

"Then I pray that if nothing else you get to keep that innocence for as long as possible, because when war comes you will be the tip of the spear.

While the worshipers of Athena's war aspects rally and plan Grand battles, you will be sent to the front line, then beyond the front line.

Expected to chase your Quarry, leaving a path of destruction in your wake. "

" Is that all? You worry too much mother. "

" You worry too little. "

" Mother I was never going to know peace, all this means to me is I'll be able to keep up." Kay places a hand on each of you. "These two are the only peace I have or need. "

That declaration warmed your heart, but while Kay wasn't becoming worried due to her mother's words, you were and you could tell Raquel was as well.

However Kay had a point.

With the life that you were already living and the expected problems you were going to have...

Was it really more dangerous than being commanded by your Goddess to hunt things spawned purely from the void?

" We will do as we always have and keep her safe ma'am. If nothing else believe that."

" I suppose I'll have to, it's a small comfort but you having strong partners maybe the only comfort I get. Please keep her safe for as long as you can, she's the most important thing in my world and every Death Handmaiden has died in war."

Kay was shocked at that admission and what appeared tacit approval of our relationship," Mom? "

" Yes that means you have my blessing Katie, take these as the token of my approval, as your head Priestess and your mother. May they keep your lovers safe on the battlefield."

Three rings for place before her in ornate boxes.

"T-thanks mom." Her emotions must be rather turbulent because she grabbed the boxes and fled from the room instead of storming out.

Me and Roxy sure to look before standing to follow her however we were stopped by her mother.

" I meant what I said please keep her safe as long as you can, those with her burden tend to die alone surrounded by the bodies of foes. I would have a more peaceful fate for her if I had my way."

" Worry not, as I would have fought you over unkind words I will tear this world asunder should it manage to be an actual threat."

" All who stand hostile before her will be consumed by the frost. They will find no mercy Within Me. "

Our piece said we left the conflicted mother behind us as we went to join our betrothed.

" Kay you OK? "

" Absolutely, why wouldn't I be that's what better than I ever would have dreamed. "

" Even going well by our standards is still stressful."

"True, let's go home."

----

It was 2 days later when she finally 'surprised' us with the Rings.

"Will you be mine?"

Our simultaneous answers of yes was fallowed by a night of rough but loving sex, so one small moment as was right in the world.

The Rings were clearly artifacts, Kay promised to explain more later, only saying, "Got some healing baked into 'em less talking, more cuddles, I'm tired from fucking you two sluts."