Nobody paid much attention to the two figures who entered the tavern. Outside, a freshly painted sign swung in the wind proclaiming the place as Deity's Rest. One figure was dressed in a simple white robe and radiated an aura of power but a calm,tranquil power. He had long white hair, a longer whiter beard and eyes that contained all the light in the universe. The other, by contrast, was garbed all in black. His features were indistinct other than a suggestion of horns, and glowing red embers for eyes that contained all the agony and hatred that existed. A small, well dressed man of middle age came over to them. "Can I help you, Sirs?" the obseqious little man inquired.

I HAVE A RESERVATION. It was more a thunderclap in the mind than a voice.

"Name, Sir?" asked the man.

THE GREAT LORD OF THE DARK.

"Ok, let's see. Green Lord, Great Maud....oh yes. He we are, table for two - Great Lord of the Dark. If you would follow me?"

They followed the little man over to a wooden bench over in the furthest corner.

"Will Sirs be eating, this evening?" The little man was pointed to the board describing the available menu.

"Nectar & Ambrosia for me, please." It was the first time the white robed man had spoken. "With lots of the True Sauce."

The little man turned to the darker guest, and cocked his head enquringly.

DEVILLED EGGS. AND HELLFIRED MEAT ON BROKEN GOAT SKULLS.

"And to drink, Sirs?"

"Do you by chance have Belgarion's foaming GodSlayer?" asked white- robe.

"Indeed we do, Sir."

"Well, get me twelve pints of that then." said white-robe, rubbing his hands with glee. "I'm gonna get right of my face tonight, I can tell you."

I WILL HAVE THE BLOOD OF A DOZEN VIRGINS

"Very good, Sirs" said the little man, and scuttle off to the kitchens.

The dark creature leaned over to white-robe.

CIGARETTE?

"Ooh, I won't if you don't mind. I'm trying to give it up. By the way, could you stop that daft voice? It's making me teeth rattle." asked white-cloak.

"Sorry," said the dark one in a more normal voice. "I forget I'm doing it half the time. One has to maintain it, if one wants to inspire continued fear in ones servants."

"Trouble with your forsaken, eh?" he chuckled. "I don't know how you do it. One proxy I use, this Rand Al'thor chap, and he gives me no end of trouble."

"You could give him to me...." started the dark one.

"Ha! You won't catch me out like that! You know the rules, he has to choose."

At that moment, the little waiter returned with their meals. After he had departed, the Creator took a mouth full of his food. "FWAUGH!" he exclaimed, spitting out a mouthful. "I can't stand it without salt. Waiter!"

"Allow me." said the dark one, and he reached across the room with a black arm that seemed to get longer and longer. Grasping the salt in obsidian claws, he returned it to their table and passed it to the Creator.

"Well, you reach HAS grown long, hasn't it?" The dark one grinned at him.

Before long the waiter had returned. "Would Sirs care for tonight's special dessert?"

WHAT IS IT?

"It's Angel Cake, made fro...." his words were cut short as a black hand grabbed him by the throat.

ARE YOU TAKING THE RISE ?

Suddenly there was a shout from the bar. "Telephone for Shai'tan! Telephone for Shai'tan!"

The dark one released the waiter, by about 30 feet more than was necessary. "I told her not to phone me here! I bloody told her!" and he made his way to the bar area. When Shai'tan returned, he noticed the Creator had slumped down in his chair, and now wore a silly grin. "What's up with you?"

"Nuffink. S'nuffink at all. I jis probilly 'ad more 'nz good for me. Dis GodSlayer's really kicksh, y'know."

"Well, keep it under control. The barman recognised us from last week. I had to apologise three times about the brawl. He still hasn't got the pool table fixed. I had to explain that we had agreed to contain our eternal struggles to a fixed universe of our own making. I swear, if you start singing the goblin song again..."

"Dooooooon worry. You worry all the time. Lighten up. Hey, Lighten up! LIGHTEN UP! Geddit?"

By the face of Shai'tan, he obviously did. "Awright, bad joke. Look, can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead" said Shai'tan.

"Who killed Asmodean?"

"God knows."

"No I don't."

"No, I mean, no-one knows. I don't and you certainly don't. And WE are omnipotent!"

"How dare you! I've never had problems in that department. Why I oughta..."

"No, Omnipotent. OM-NI-PO-TENT. It means were clever sods."

"Oh. S'right then. In that case I am onmi....ominy...onny....what you said." He scatched under an armpit. "I'm gonna have to go pee." and with that he rose and lurched across the room, in a ridiculous off-balance scuttle.

A nearby waitress looked at the Creator with distaste as he went past in this odd manner. She cocked an eye at Shai'tan."Your friend alright?"

"Of course he is. He's a God."

"Yeah, but I mean look at him go, He can barely stand up."

"That's just a God moving in mysterious ways. Nothing to worry your pretty little self about."

Shai'tan's red eyes lingered on her body for a moment.

"What's your name, sweety?"

"I am called Gerty." she giggled.

He reached out and put a claw on her bottom. WOULD THOU BE NAEBLIS, GERTY

Slap! Gerty's full handed slap resounded across the room. "I'm not falling for that one again, you git." she yelled as she stormed off.

After a while, the Creator returned. "I feel much better now," he said wiping some dried sick from the corner of his mouth. "Shall we go, then?"

"Yes, I could do with some air" said Shai'tan, rubbing his cheek.

"Hey did you see those loonies on the WOT BBS the other day?" asked the Creator as they made their way to the door. "Discussing who made the creator." He laughed raucously. "Who made ME! Can you belive it! They've got no idea."

"They'd probably all die on the spot if they found out, Beidomon." said Shai'tan, also laughing.

"Same time next week then?" asked the Creator.

"I can't, I'm afraid. I've got my cosuin Sauron coming over. Dreadful bore. Keeps waffling on about his bloody rings or something."

And with that, the two figures left Deity's rest and went there seperate ways.

Darkhound.