They appeared together, both beautiful and terrible and as different as any two beings could be. They’re effects on the heart of the Sunspear, though insignificant compared to their larger impact on the world, were as dichotomous was the deities themselves. Luckily it was the light of the Sun that outshone the Moon's shadows and so that is where her attention fell, adoration outweighing enmity.

Meg bowed her head low to the Sun, respectful and obedient but raising her eyes again quickly to watch with rapt attention. Even with the Goddess beside him, The Sun’s presence at her call was reassurance that she had been right in bringing Mesec here. They would help, she thought, they would at least know why Mesec had been suffering so, but before Meg could begin to explain why they had come the Sun spoke again. At the god’s praise, his use of her familiar name, she could not help but feel a rush of fierce pride that instantly gave way to a momentary confusion. So focused had she been on Mesec’s troubles she hadn’t thought of the quest she had been given. She had been putting off returning for months, even half-heartedly (and mistakenly) avoiding the Diviner for fear that she hadn’t yet understood the lesson the Sun had been trying to impart in her. Her eyes widened at the realization of what the god meant, surprise and pleasure at his praise but soon doused by the worry in her heart and led by the Sun’s question. “I thank you, Lord, truly, but that is not why I have come.”

Her eyes turned to Mesec quickly, trying to show that it was he who was in need of the god’s attention, but Meg’s dark pools were pulled away just as soon to fix on the goddess. For the second time Meg was forced to indirectly endure the Moon’s snide remarks. The lavender lady seemed to be forming a habit of making light of her friends’ pain and it raked the Sunspear’s patience to shreds, but like she had done for Cera’s sake (and likely thanks to the Sun’s presence) she forced those feelings aside.

“Mesec’s transformations.” She said pointedly, trying to make it more of an appeal than and accusation. “They began at the battle with the Wolf of the Rift. We came to ask what causes them; how they can be stopped—or at least if there is a way for him to gain some measure of control over them…” Here eyes shifted between the deities, not sure which could give what she asked, and then she looked to Mesec, ernest compassion out weighing pride. Though there acquaintance was short, he was part of her herd, her responsibility—and more importantly now, he was her friend. If she had to suck up her pride and beg the Moon for help then Sun help her, she’d do it. “Please, will you help us?”

                     
Perhaps it had been unnecessary to call the Sun there; logically if any of the Helovian pantheon would have the ability or the inclination to help Mesec it would be the Moon. Even if Meg was doubtful of the Goddess’ capacity for compassion, the Sunspear also knew what it was to be a mother, the love that could live in one’s heart for their own children. In truth she had called upon her god for the sake of her own peace of mind; like Mesec had needed the security of a friend against his fear of the transformations, Meg had needed the presence of the Sun to feel safe in the presence of the Moon.

Even if her ignorance could not be denied, it was hard for Meg to find anything but distrust and suspicion in her heart. The Moon had made Gaucho, Meg’s captain and mentor, an unwilling puppet in series of murders. That was the only thing about the Goddess that Meg knew to be true and perhaps Cera had come to accept the Goddess’ lack of answers and found his way to peace through forgiveness but Meg certainly had not. “There are things in this world that are ugly, messy, and bring heartache…” So said the Moon, and Meg had thought it a fair description of the lavender lady.

Megaera was fixed in the pale gaze of the Goddess and was held there by a sickening dread: the black eyes, as always, spoke fire but her insides felt cold under that stare. How could she trust that the Goddess would cause anything but harm when even her smile made her want to recoil? Even with her God at hand the gut reaction to this fear in the Sunspear would have been to fight—with words or deeds—any manner might have been easier for her to sit there and be silent. The Sun God’s voice freed her, a timely reminder that he was here, that he at least supported her continued belief that Mesec belonged home in the Dragons Throat with the family he chose. That break in the tension was enough for Meg to break her gaze. The breath she had been holding escaped and almost unconsciously her body shifted, taking her a step toward the Sun.

Even as the Moon tried to usher her son away, it went against Meg’s every instinct to let him go. What if she hurt him? What if she turned him into the beast again and sent him on a murderous rampage? Uncertainty was etched across her face but even as she dithered Mesec reached out to reassure her. His touch was steadying, a returned bit of strength from what she had attempted to give him on their journey here. She smiled halfheartedly at him, wishing that he could do more than leave him be, but even as she searched his silver eyes the Sun spoke and she knew she must. “See that you do, or else I’ll worry.”

She stood back, leaving the mother and son to their private conference and turning again the God. He really was magnificent, even now she couldn’t help but appreciate his presence—it certainly went a long way to warm her should after the encounter with the moon. “Thank you for coming, though I am sorry to have disturbed you. I suppose it was childish to hope that you would be the only one to actually come.” Honest admissions, as with anyone she respected, fell from her lips if he would not begrudge hearing them. She paused, only now realizing fully that her quest was an an end. His praise was enough to steel her. “I am sorry, too, to have taken so long in returning. I couldn’t be sure that I had learned enough of what you wished to impart but I am glad I have not disappointed you. I want to worthy of my post, I hope that I can be… Is there anything else you would have of me?” To be a better leader, a better Sultana to her herd, a better mother to her children… There was nothing Meg wouldn’t do.

                     
Could she still be such a child? Even now having adopted one babe, given birth to two and raised three with a fourth on it's way, could she still be so dependent on the supportive words of those she looked up to? It had started with Gaucho, who had taken her under his protection and tutelage when she was already an adult by the reckoning of years; now it was the God of the Sun, who the only one who truly superseded her rule in the desert domain. Despite all that she was, all that she had gained in four years in Helovia in the presence of the God and his Ascended she still felt so small. Perhaps there was something in her (the child raised on abuse and disdain) that needed their encouragement and approval. Perhaps someday she would take the Sun God's words to heart and not limit herself based on that need

Megaera nodded solemnly at the Sun's words, weighing each phrase as it was chiseled onto her mind and memory. "...much to be proud of..." could he truly mean that? She would not dare to accuse the Sun of lying and once that simple phrase made its way past her mind's initial protest it nestled in her heart. On the arch on her wing, Gwaihir had sat listening and gave a soft chirrup of agreement at this; if anyone held Meg in high esteem it was the eagle. And perhaps that was what made Meg let herself smile. The spear appeared like a lightning rod for understanding, a symbol of what she must become, what the Sun said she already was. The Sunspear. Perhaps she had spent so much time worrying over being worthy of the title she had forgotten that it had not been chosen as a role for her to fill but created to describe what she already was. She nodded again in silent affirmation. She would fly true. She would not falter. And then her God has gone. Meg bent to pull the spear, still warmed from the God's power, from its position in the ground and lift it to place securely under her wing. Then she looked over to where Mesec stood with the Goddess. It still sat ill with her to leave him there, but her had promised to come and find her before and held to that, Meg had to trust that he would hold to that promise a second time. With a flurry of wings Gwaihir took to the sky and Meg followed and the Sunspear and her eagle headed for home.