They came to Layla's fountain. It had grown since the last time Kurt had seen it. If you could call it growth. The folding pattern was ever-changing. Its red forms would come out and back in never seeming to have a real pattern to the effect. An object that could only be barely described but is unforgettable when seen.

It had a pool of water that flowed from the ever-changing fountain, it didn't exactly float over the pool. If there was any pattern to its movements at all it was that it never was disconnected completely from the pool's rim though what held it up would move, slower than everything else somehow.

Horus took a long look at the fountain. The silence had started to become a bit awkward after a bit.

"I must thank you, my lord," said Layla. "I was very surprised that you would so quickly approve and to come yourself is a great honor."

"You have hidden this from us," said Horus.

"Fae are known to be very protective of their wells," said Layla, "I did not mean to…"

"Not the well exactly, but it shows the truth," said Horus.

"I am not following, my lord," said Layla.

"It wasn't just the grail and the blood was it," said Horus.

Layla scowled at Horus, "I don't believe so, but it would not have been possible…"

"You planned it," said Horus.

"Layla?" said Kurt.

"You have not told your guardian?"

"Umm…"

"Go on," said Horus, with a still face and upright posture staring above her. His dog-like head seemed to show no emotions.

"What he is saying," said Layla, "is that during the normal process of what would just be a blessing, I may have tampered a bit."

"What do you mean?" said Kurt

"Well, the formation of a fae's well," said Layla, then looking at Horus, "with a True Guardian is a very strange process; it sort of evolves both of them…"

"What are you saying?"

"She intentionally planned to start the blessing process while also evolving at full strength, that's how you skipped needing a god to anoint the process," said Horus. "She made sure she could handle it by splitting the power with you."

"Huh."

"You should have explained it to Rosie. When forming the well during the blessing procedure and while using the rest of Neptune's blessing on the land. You have evolved together. It's actually very clever."

"Thank my lord," said Layla.

"That doesn't mean I approve of it," said Horus. "It would be one thing if Neptune had planned this, that wouldn't have been necessarily your fault. But it appears he did not."

"Neptune was your enemy," said Layla, "I am not."

"There must be penance though," said Horus, "usurping the throne of a god, even a dead one, even an enemy one."

"Have I not honored his promise," said Layla, "I would like to call it a succession."

"I'm sure you would," said Horus.

"If I may be blunt my lord," said Layla. Horus nodded. "I believe you knew or had suspicions at least. If you had planned on punishing me severely, you wouldn't have crowned me. You mentioned a penance. I believe you had one in mind the entire time."

"Isn't it obvious?"

"The gate?"

"Yes."

"And we don't have much of a choice do we?" said Kurt.

"No."

"That's why you want the sorcerer, because he can make multiple of them," said Kurt.

"He has been unwilling. And competent at escaping," said Horus.

"So if we hand one over to you," said Layla.

"That would be a proper penance. Until then unfettered access to yours is appropriate."

"Is that all?"

"The gate under Darien's protection, can you open that one for everyone else as well?"

"You want both? That's not even my gate. I don't even have the authority…"

"That's not what I asked. Usurping a god's throne is a serious crime usually."

"I ahhh…" said Layla trying to gain a bit of composure. "Most likely. I would have to check to make sure they didn't put any real safeguards against it. I can't guarantee it. And certainly not quickly."

"Then you will see," said Horus, "and inform me."

"Anything else?"

"You will make a temple for me. Marty will help. You don't want to disrespect the god who just crowned you do you?"

"No," said Layla, "of course not."

Layla was looking the least Queen-like Kurt may have ever seen her before Horus just barked commands she had to take. That basically never happened to her and even when it did she might just drop a whole castle on the person that did.

Horus then left the room. Without gesturing for them to follow at all. Like what he said was final. They had no choice in the matter.

"Just great," said Layla, "you wanna tell your bride to be?"

"Not really, but I guess she should have a heads up."

"And another angel is staying," Layla said in a defeated tone sitting on the edge of her fountain pool. "This was supposed to be my big day." Her crown still floated above her head. Her eyes seemed filled with tears."

"It's never like you expect it to be."

"It never really is. You're not mad at me are you?"

"Not really, he really just added details to what I already knew. It's not like you really hid it from me, eventually. I don't understand all this stuff anyway."

"Thanks, Kurt," said Layla. "I don't think I could handle you being mad at me right now too."

After a bit, Layla had contained her emotions. And put on a strong face.

"Ready?" said, Kurt.

"Yeah, I'm sure everyone is wondering where I am."

Coming out of the chamber they were greeted by Ishtar who had come as part of Horus's pantheon.

"So Susan has told me about this thing you humans call chocolate. And she said she would have it by now," said Ishtar to Kurt.

"I guess we could…" said Kurt. And Ishtar grabbed him and started leading the way.

"Bye, Kurt," said Layla.

They had gotten down to the mess hall and her presence didn't seem to make much noise this time. Had she been coming here? Kurt actually wouldn't know all that much. Too much had been happening around him. Though it did seem when he thought about it that Ishtar's presence was very muted then the first.

They sat down and Ishtar waved at Susan behind the line. She didn't wait in the line that would obviously be below her.

"So," said Ishtar. "I assume Horus made his demands."

"Yeah," said Kurt.

"Don't worry about it. There is nothing anyone can do once he has his mind set on things. Just do what he says it's easier. He doesn't like to act without cause so….dont cause stuff."

Soon after, a goblin shaman brought out a plate. It was much quicker than the mess hall usually would serve. And on it were two chocolate cakes and some forks. Ishtar excitedly took a fork and took a piece and when she did a molten chocolate mousse fell out of the middle, it was a 'lava cake.' Ishtar's eyes went crazy at the sight. Taking some of the chocolate mousse on her fork.

She took a bite. "Holy titan, it's sooo good. And warm.." taking her fork for another bite.

"It's common to dip strawberries in it."

She looked over at Kurt excitedly, "that's that's a great idea!!!"

"So about Horus?"

"Ohh yeah," said Ishtar, "I'm supposed to, like, manage it or whatever. So get used to seeing me." She got another forkful of the cake. Completely distracted, and waved over at Susan for another.

"Huh?"

"I said don't worry about it, I'm not going to let anyone destroy this."

"So you volunteered." Ishtar looked back with a fork in her mouth nodding.

At least there was an easy way to keep this god happy.

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