"I propose a wishing game, dearest wife," replied Fenyeare. "The creatures of this world have such fancy in their hearts and imagination far beyond their wisdom. They're adorabley immature."
"Ha! I wouldn't say 'adorable', husband," Naryanne interrupted disgusted, "are you going soft in your advanced age? Or perhaps you've observed this planet too long? Picking up some of the humans'... better... qualities...?" She barely finished the sentence for her laughing.
Fenyeare brayed moodily, feigning his annoyance at this insult. Across the eastern coast of the North American continent, millions of people were woken from their slumber by a mighty roll of thunder, but no lightning or rain followed.
Satisfied with his outburst, Naryanne continued, "But I must agree with you on one thing, the potential of these humans for a game of wishes is something very special indeed."
Fenyeare smiled a big horse smile. "Good. I take it that you shall take the offensive?"
"I'd be a fool not to," she replied instantly. "To win, my champion must destory this world, yes?"
"Indeed. And for me to win, my champion must defeat you, wife."
"That's all? Why Fenyeare, you haven't a hope."
"I wouldn't be so hasty, dearest. You know all you can do is grant your champion's every wish."
"And you likewise, dearest," she said under her breath, "and remember, I am unparalleled at trickery. Would you not like to handicap me further?"
"Only if you'd stand by such arrangements, wife," he said, intently, "and you wouldn't."
Naryanne laughed a hollow laugh. "Tell me, what is your wager?"
"Why, lovely wife, if I should win," Fenyeare paused, savouring the moment, "I want a son."
"What?? You're not-"
"I'm deadly serious, wife. While I would not waste my love on your treacherous soul, I desire an offspring to raise as my own. I think it would be interesting. A son would be ideal, he would become strong like me."
"What nonsense! You simply wish to inconvenience me with the agony of childbirth, and the agony of your ugly, bloated phallus in my gut! This is nothing but delivering unto me another novel form of pain and suffering!! First our accursed marriage, now this?? What next, a farm and a car and a pet?? I won't do it, proud, muscular, stupid husband."
"You already accepted the challenge when you picked the offensive, miserable wife. I ask you, who is stupid?" Naryanne cursed under her breath. In her anger she hadn't thought about that. Of course, Fenyeare had - this was what he had been counting on. Smiling briefly, he continued sternly, "As for your pain and suffering, that is truly the reason I married you, but not the reason I wish for you to give me a son. Now I have stated the profit I desire from this game should I win. It's your turn, untrustworthy wife."
"Then for my prize," she thought for a moment, "I want you to give up your power and become a human. You'll stay on this petty planet for the rest of your life, which will no longer be infinite. And I want a divorce."
"That's a large prize, my wife. Surely you should reconsider-"
"I want nothing less. What is more, you don't realise the scale of what you ask of me if I lose. But shall I humour your ignorance? Very well, if you win, you may have as many sons from me as you wish." She then added, smiling, "For you shall not win."
"No, I'll except your terms. Besides, I only desire one son. And you are too confident, wife."
"How can I not be? I hold the position of offense, attack and destruction. You know the destructive powers of greed and lust the wishes will undoubtedly create, husband. You yourself have seen what humans can do even without wishes, and with the right motivations."
"I cannot argue with you there, Naryanne. These humans are simple, but they're not cattle. They've surprised me on more than one occasion, they might you as well. Now we shall begin. Choose your champion, wife, then I shall choose mine."
Without another word, Naryanne began searching the surface of the Earth for a suitable champion. After six (local) hours of scrying, she found just the right candidate. And that person was.....
