Souar didn't seem to mind carrying Gakke up the volcano – nor did Gakke appear bothered by the way the dragon tended to bound around as they traveled, shifting his grip on the dragon's torso and mane as needed to remain seated. With the great height of Gevonar, it would take roughly two or so hours to reach the peak. Walking from the summit to the Grand Temple usually took roughly two days, and those wishing to make a request at the temple were required to make the arduous climb.

For those merely wishing to pay respects, there was a siren-engineered lift cart that shortened that time to a few hours.

"Do you need a rest," Jurao asked after the first hour – noticing how Mame was panting.

"Yes, please," the priestess said with a laugh, taking a seat on a nearby rock. Watching her brother with the dragon, she said, "He doesn't usually take to strangers so quickly."

Jurao could also feel the thinness of the air at their height and chose to sit as well. Watching Souar investigate the ground around them, he said, "Souar's partners have said he is very personable."

Mame chuckled again, stretching out her avian feet with a groan. After catching her breath for a few moments, she said, "This partner is the human, yes? Braelin?"

"Yes," Jurao agreed, "Did you hear the news in Naovojo."

"No, we were traveling then. We heard when we arrived in Scagesmaes – we stayed the night in the castle before coming up to the temple. Congratulations on your engagement, Your Highness."

"Thank you."

They sat in relative silence for several minutes – the familiar sound of rock drumming could be heard under the small eruptions around them, the wind and crackling of embers the only other sounds.

"How do Scagesmaes and your brother feel about my engagement to a human," Jurao asked.

"Nao doesn't think much of it all, really," Mame said – then flinched and added, "I mean, he does not care more or less than if you were marrying another demon, Your Highness."

"I prefer that sentiment," Jurao said reassuringly.

Petty King Nao was very young for his station, at only three hundred years old – as he had challenged his father for the seat the very day he reached majority at two hundred. As Jurao recalled the story, the previous kings had isolated Gakke in a tall tower to take advantage of their gift of prophecy, which was affected by what they could both physically see and who they came into contact with. Nao and Mame had taken issue with this treatment and banished their fathers after Nao won the seat to protect their older brother.

Mame nodded, clearing her throat before she added, "Petty King Vasmaonar threw a feast to celebrate a romantic union, so I believe they are in favor. Though Scagesken do also enjoy any excuse to celebrate."

Jurao nodded – he had heard this as well.

"What's wrong?" Souar asked, bounding up to them, "Are you hurt?"

"I am not accustomed to so much walking, nor the air at this height," Mame said, "so His Highness graciously stopped for me to rest."

"Oh," Souar said, laying his quadrupedal lower body to the ground, "Yeah, that happens with Lave, too – Earth dragons don't do as much flaying as the rest of us. She has way more stamina for walking than me and Maukul, though."

Gakke folded his legs as the dragon sat, and said, "I saw us kiss."

Mame choked on air.

"You and me?" Souar asked, twisting to look over his shoulder, "Like, in a prophecy?"

Gakke nodded, looking around them as he added, "I don't know when, but I thought I should tell you."

"Huh," Souar said, "Neat."

"I would… apologize for my brother's bluntness," Mame said, holding back a laugh, "but it does not seem necessary."

"I mean, it's not like you can control what you see, right?" Souar asked.

Gakke nodded again.

"Have you spoken with Mahen before," Jurao asked.

Gakke shook his head.

"I am sure my brother wishes to thank cer for the gift of prophecy," Mame said, "As it allowed them to save our father's life. He would have died giving birth to Nao if Gakke had not given them warning, Your Highness."

Gakke nodded and started braiding part of Souar's mane.

Mame's smile grew as she said, "So you see, I also wish to offer my thanks to Mahen – as I would not have been born if my father had died."

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They rested only a little longer before continuing on, the sound of drumming growing louder the closer they were to the peak. They found a small tunnel carved into the side of the volcano, and it opened to a large area partially shielded from falling debris from the lava-filled caldera above them.

Cegae was playing a boulder-sized rock drum in the center of this clearing – his lean and sinewy form common to rock drum dancers in constant motion as he leapt and twisted. His skin was black and shone like obsidian, his red skin markings more like flares of fire within his body than on the surface. His hair was composed entirely of fire, and it moved as fluidly as the god in his passionate dance. He wore only a tucked loincloth – as most drum dancers did, to highlight the movement of their bodies without tangling in their limbs.

Mahen sat on a bed carved from obsidian nearby – cer five mirror eyes reflecting only Cegae as ce watched him in rapt attention. Cer long, wavy black hair floated about them as if under water – making cer snow white body appear almost glowing. Silver star-like markings covered cer body in symmetrical patterns, and cer tail with the hoop end all demon deities had swayed in pleasure behind cer. Both gods appeared some fifteen feet tall – as Maenscul did on the mortal plane.

While Jurao chose to wait near the entrance of the clearing for Cegae to finish his current piece, Souar had Gakke stand before bounding towards the god with his usual enthusiasm.

Cegae grinned as he spotted the dragon – his five eyes gray like ash – and tossed one of his handheld rocks to Souar without breaking his movement.

Souar caught the stone easily and grabbed another before playing with Cegae near the base of the boulder-drum.

Mahen blinked languidly at the interruption – mirror eyes turning to the entrance. Ce tilted cer head at the three demons – and Jurao found it a bit disconcerting to see himself in cer eyes.

Gakke did not hesitate to approach cer, and through Mahen's eyes, Jurao could still read his hands signing, "Good afternoon, Lord Mahen. I am Gakke – you gave me the gift of prophecy. I've wanted to thank you for that."

Mahen shifted to turn cer body more towards Gakke as ce signed in reply, "Hello, little one. Has the gift been helpful to you?"

"Yes," Gakke signed, smiling, "I have been able to save many lives and help many people, thanks to the warnings I receive."

"I am glad," Mahen said – and lifted the prophet into cer lap before returning cer attention to Cegae and Souar's playing.

They are both alike in their temperaments, Jurao observed – finding demon-sized chairs nearby and sitting in one to wait.

Mame hesitated, watching Gakke with Mahen – then snorted and relaxed, taking a seat beside the King.

Cegae brought his playing to a close after some twenty more minutes or so, and laughed and patted Souar's head as he said, "You return with friends, Souar!"

"The Demon King is looking for some fancy stone for his betrothed," Souar replied, pointing to Jurao.

"Good afternoon, Lord Cegae," Jurao said, getting to his feet to offer a bow.

Cegae laughed again and said teasingly, "Afternoon, Your Highness! And who else have you brought with you?"

"This is Petty Princess Mame, and her older brother, Petty Prince Gakke, of Naovojo," Jurao introduced, "Gakke was blessed with the gift of prophecy."

"Which explains why Mahen has him in cer lap," Cegae snorted in amusement.

Gakke waved at the god of fire, but made no move to leave.

"Well, if it's Tears you're after, you're welcome to look around here," Cegae said, waving at the drum room, "They form naturally on Gevonar now, but they still build up around here when I make Mahen especially happy."

Mahen smiled, setting Gakke on their hooves to rise and approach cer partner. Rather than clothing, thick paint of multicolored splotches covered much of cer torso. Ce wrapped all six arms around Cegae, resting cer head on his shoulder.

Cegae wrapped his arms around cer, kissed cer temple, and said, "Mahen would also be pleased if you found the stones you needed here. And quickly – unless you wish for us to attempt to make new ones in front of you."

"No, thank you," Jurao replied, casting his eyes about the space.

Cegae threw his head back as he laughed, his flame hair flaring before he said, "I see why Maenscul likes you!"

Jurao was not sure why his lack of desire to watch the pair have sex would indicate what Maenscul liked about him, but he did not feel a need to ask for clarity on the subject.

"How do you make new stones?" Souar asked, "Oh, wait, are they actual tears?"

"They are," Cegae said, grinning as he added, "Mahen's tears of joy during our unions."

Mahen cupped the fire god's face to kiss his cheek.

"Unions?" Souar asked, then perked, "Oh! When you fuck! I get it."

Mame covered her mouth to hold back a laugh.

As Cegae had said, there were several Tears within easy reach – and Jurao briefly admired the beauty of the iridescent variety of obsidian before collecting them. They were each nearly the size of Jurao's smaller hands, so he doubted he would need to look further.

"My son was also quite pleased by your announcement," Cegae said, "but Vislaelos does enjoy stories of unlikely love the most. Probably because it reminds him of him and his husband…"

"I have met Soken," Jurao said, returning to his previous spot, "my best friend is one of his Beloved."

Cegae snorted, "Not that Soken talks much about the mortals he likes…"

Mahen turned cer head back to Jurao, then pulled away from Cegae to sign, "Feyl?"

"Yes," Jurao agreed.

"Wait, the one born under Vislaelos's gaze?" Cegae asked – his grin growing as he said, "He was so excited for one of his to become his husband's Beloved! I hope he's coming to the ball – my son would love to meet him!"

Jurao was not sure how to reply to that statement.

Mahen pulled further away from Cegae and crouched before the King to sign, "Vislaelos knows Feyl has complicated feelings about his patronage. He did not join Soken when your friend-" Mahen smiled as Jurao signed 'best friend', and corrected, "Best friend spoke with him because of this. But he would like to meet Feyl. Would you let him know?"

"I will," Jurao agreed, and bowed his head, "Thank you, Lord Mahen."

Mahen nodded and closed cer eyes. After a moment, a tear formed at the corner of one – and the god gently collected it with a finger, handing it to the Demon King.

"I do not feel romantically for others often," Mahen signed, "There are only two I have ever held such feelings for. I enjoy my tears being used to celebrate all romantic unions, but those similar to mine have a special place in my hearts."

"Thank you, Lord Mahen," Jurao said again – admiring the largest stone of those now in his possession.

Mahen nodded and turned cer head slightly toward Mame.

"One of my brother's prophecies saved our father from dying in childbirth, Lord Mahen," Mame said, bowing, "So I also wished to thank you for blessing my brother."

Mahen patted her head – then patted Gakke's head as they now stood on Jurao's other side – before rising and returning to the bed.

Cegae chuckled and said, "Since you don't wish to watch, I'll have to ask you all to excuse us."

"Of course," Jurao said, and led the way back out of the drum room.

"Have fun having sex!" Souar declared cheerfully, bounding to catch up with them.

Cegae's laughter followed them out of the tunnel.

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