Quietly a human shaped skeleton dressed in a cowl appeared on a branch that was far to skinny to bear its weight. However, the branch didn't bend in the slightest. Next to the skeleton was a crow that cawed and became a pale faced woman with ratty hair. Looking closer an observer would have seen that the woman's face was wrinkled and dirty as if she hadn't had a bath in weeks.
Ankou said to the Morrigan and asked respectfully.
{How is he doing?}
In her broken crone voice Morrigan answered.
{I must be true to my heart. That is what the Morrigan is. No more, no less. No matter who he is, strong, weak, or proud if moves my heart I am his. He is my man because he captured my heart with one look. I can not be anything else but be excited in his presence. }
She intoned quietly without answering Ankou's question. Stooped already she bowed her head and closed her bulging eyes.
Ankou gave the Morrigan a look, skull tilted to the side.
So she went on.
{I am just a regular woman. Don't look at me like that!}
{Regular?}
The skeleton clacked out.
{Yes, regular. I am no different from any other woman. Every woman can seduce, every woman can go to war. Every woman is wise beyond her age at times. Can they not?}
She spoke the words vehemently.
{Of course, of course, I didn't mean to offend. ... So how is our little project doing?}
And Ankou tried to aske how Hal was doing.
Morrigan sighed.
{He is failing. Why do I always fall for weak men?}
{Failing? It looks like he is doing fine to me. Look he could stay for weeks within that wall of skeletons he has created.}
Pointing Ankou explained his thinking.
{What good is he, though? If he can't defend his people, see!}
This time it was the Morrigan's turn to raise her blue veined and age spotted arm to point out into the distance beyond the trees at where the human with the Goblin Lord talent was currently. The main body of the goblin army had simply gone around Hal and attacked the new settlement.
{It is true that he is neglecting his people. But he has been doing that consistently for the last two days. What can we ask of him?}
Ankou acknowledged Hal's incompetence, but also defended his primary.
Groaning in frustration Morrigan let out some of her pent up frustration.
{All he has to do is defeat a measly 100 hundred goblins. Can he do it? I hope he will be okay!}
A look of concern was evident even through the Morrigan's wrinkles.
{You care about him? Why did you bring this upon him, then?}
The skeleton questioned carefully. As a demi god he was not yet able to know these things without even asking.
Both frowning and concerned at the same time the Morrigan answered.
{My man must be strong, the stronest! It is necessary!!}
{Oh, you make no sense. Will you even morn when he dies?}
Ankou shifted the scythe from hand to hand.
{Die? Will he die? You know more about this than I? But yes, I will morn him in sackcloth and ashes. What do you think I am wearing? Of course he will be morned, just like all the other men I have loved and lost. Ha, ha, ha, ha!}
She opened her ratty old rope and pulled on her white hair that was black with ashes. Naked underneath the cloth had rubbed the old woman's skin red in places. Especially where the cloth bunched up around her joints. She showed no decency as he dungs while large where flat and withered. Since she was leaning over the flapped against her body when she moved to show Ankou the sackcloth.
{I see.}
He hung his skull and then looking like he was gathering courage he asked.
{But isn't there anything we can do to make this easier for him? I fear he will be doomed...}
Closing her robe and hugging herself tightly, the Morrigan spoke.
{If he had cared for the women, children, and old folk, I would saved him...}
Her word had the finality of death in it and Ankou turned back to watch the humans struggling below.
{It will be what it will be then. Unless a miracle happens, I am afraid I will be out another primary contractor.}
The skeleton sighed.
{Why can't you act to save him?}
Suddenly the Morrigan brought up a question that made the skeleton freeze.
{Oh, I am all out of godly influence. I wish I could, but [Bone Realm] and the inspiration to learn how to mold bones took everything that I have. If he can't use it to save himself, well, that is all I can do for now.}
The demi god sighed and sat back so that he could dangle his boney feet from the branch.
{Then, he is doomed. I have consulted the oracle, he is doomed to die, here. Unless he contracts with another God who can provide him another miracle...}
The crone announced.
{Funny how this works. And that system of his made him promise not to involve any more Gods, so...}
Ankou added his knowledge and then sighed.
{Then he is on his own, may the fates by kind!}
The Morrigan laughed as she spoke.
{Wait? Aren't you a God of Fate as well as of Death? And you brought him to this point...}
But the Morrigan in her role as the Crone of Fate only cackled and laughed before finally answering.
{No, man, has ever survived my wiles. It is true. Ah, ha, ha! Ahhhh, ha, ha, ha!!}
Although both gods had determined Hal's prognosis instead of leaving to pursue their interests elsewhere they both stayed upon the branch and watched as the humans and goblins struggled. With lives on the line the Gods knew that this was one of those moments when either greatness or evilness came forward.
They both sat and watched to see what path Hal would take.