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But people could be cruel.And the Great Goddess knew how spiteful a woman scorned could be, especially one who’d had their amorous affections refused.

Why did peoplealwaysbelieve the person hurling unfounded accusations and not the innocent victim?Why was it so easy to believe the worst about damned near everything?Where did the concept of innocent until proven guilty go?

And there was no doubt in Hel’s mind that Garmr was innocent on all counts.

The sorrow, rage, and unmitigated horror had rolled off him in heavy waves when she’d answered the knock on her door all those centuries ago.The agonizing combination of fear and revulsion in his eyes nearly drove her to her knees.

Not only was he distraught, but the poor Wolfman was so embarrassed about the whole mess that it had taken her over an hour to get the full story.Every word that fell from his muzzle was painful and heart wrenching.She knew beyond all doubt that he was telling the truth.

Then Hel had to do the hardest thing.She had to summon all her considerable control, calm her fiery temper, and take Garmr’s adamant pleas to heart.She had to force herself to stay where she was and not to Magick herself to the horrible bitch’s hovel, beat on the front door, and snatch the woman bald when she answered.

It didn’t matter that harming a human would’ve gotten her in the hottest of water with Odin, that she would’ve been punished in the harshest ways and used as an example and reminder to all the gods and goddesses what would happen if you defied the All Father.She’d been there before and would undoubtedly be there again.Defending those she loved was something she’d always taken seriously.

“And that’s because it’s better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission,” she mumbled under her breath.“Another of my favorite human sayings.”

The truth of those words was clear and concise.The meaning was undeniable.She loved that Wolfman like a brother and could not stand that he’d been hurt in such a heinous and horrible way.

Asking the same question for at least the millionth time, she ground out through gritted teeth, “Why do people have to be so cruel?So heartless?So selfish, self-centered and entitled?”Inhaling then immediately exhaling, she searched for the calm that had eluded her for months.

For the first time in what seemed like forever, it came.She felt a little better.However, the words continued to flow like the water in the fountain in the middle of her garden.“Why did that ‘woman’ think she could talk to such a kind hearted person as if he was nothing more than vermin?Was it really because of how he looked?”

Huffing out an exasperated breath, she added with a grumble, “I would’ve done anything to take away Garmr’s pain–that day and every other.I know what a toll it takes on a person’s soul.I would do anything to save another that pain.”

Opening her eyes as she lifted her head, Hel met the gaze of the largest male Raven, the one she believed to be the Leader of the Congress.There was a strength, a wisdom behind those onyx eyes that she’d come to count on.

“You know, don’t you?”The goddess nodded.“You know how much I wish no one ever had to suffer the humiliation and embarrassment that the cruel words of others cause.”

Answering with a deep-throated, gurgling croak, the Raven scratched his claws along the rim of the vase of the stone statue he was perched upon, and added a loud, “Kraaaa,” before flapping his wings and flying away.

“I agree, my friend,” Hel murmured, watching the elegant spread of the Raven’s wings as he glided on the Magical breeze.

Unable to stop her train of thought, she couldn’t help but wonder aloud, “When did common courtesy and respect for others go out the window?Oh, and don’t some of the humans, at the least the descent ones, believe that if you don’t have something nice to say you just be quiet?”

Her thoughts coming faster and faster, it became almost impossible for her to verbalize them.But that didn’t slow her mind.Oh, no, it continued to rant and rave at the highest of speeds.The only good thing was the fact that it cleared away some of the clutter.

Why were hateful words easier to say than kind ones?Was there ever a time when someone who was different, special, or unique was not ridiculed and scorned?She’d been alive for so very many centuries and had seen, and experienced firsthand, the cruelest and most foul way living beings were treated by their peers.It was despicable.

And it was everywhere, even in the Pantheons of gods and goddesses.

“And to know that Garmr went through such horrible treatment and still wanted me to stand down and do nothing…” She sighed and shook her head.“Well, I did as he asked,” the goddess murmured.“I stayed right here.I sat right on this very chaise and did nothing but hold his hand and listen.”With a shrug and the slightest lift of the corner of her mouth on her live side, she added, “Well, I did a little more than that.I called my buddy, Fate who called her Cousin, Prue.”

Thinking about the Omnipotent Being known as Prudence, with her long platinum hair and swirling deep purple eyes gave the goddess’s spirits another tiny boost.Knowing the One in charge of helping every living being make wise decisions and take calculated risks that more times than not ended in the positive results most people thought of as Luck definitely came in handy–especially when that Omnipotent Being owed you about a hundred favors.

"I wonder if the nasty old broad who was so horrible to Garmr ever recovered from that horrible case of the clap.Probably not.After all, penicillin hadn’t been invented, but then again, I couldn’t care less if I tried.”With a snort of sarcastic laughter, she went on, “Wonder if any of the men she slept with were cured.Probably, since none of them showed up here.And I know that wench was hatin’ her life when menopause hit at the ripe, young age of thirty, in the middle of a sweltering summer heat wave.Talk about hot flashes from Hel.”Another shrug and she added with the slightest of chuckles, “Get it?”

She couldn’t help but ask the Dragoness Queen with whom she shared her soul if she appreciated her joke.It only seemed fair since Carys had been listening the whole time.

“Yes, I get it,”the Dragoness chuckled.

“What was that old saying?All the planning in the world can’t beat dumb luck.Or is it, it’s not what you do but who you know that ultimately gets the job done?Maybe it’s a little of both.”She snickered snidely.“Who knows.I never can keep all those adorable human sayings straight.”

“You do just fine, my girl.Just as Garmr will surely attest.”

If only that had been enough.Sadly, that horrible woman had spread lie after lie about Garmr and the assholes of her village repeated the worst of them to anyone and everyone who would listen.When that didn’t make the other villagers fetch their torches and pitchforks, they went so far as to say that the Wolfman was cursed by the Vanir goddess, Gullveig, but that was just another load of bullshit.Gullie never cursed anyone, especially not the Wolfman who saved her life, and most assuredly not for making unwanted advances.Garmr would never do anything like that.He had too much respect for everyone–especially females.

Talk about the pots calling the kettle black.Those villagers were the worst of the worst–liars, thieves, and adulterers, one and all.That pretty much ninety percent of the adults got a raging case of the clap was little consolation, but Hel took it as a win.

The Wolfman’s only saving grace, like hers, was the Vikings.Because so many had died at sea and not on the battlefield, Hel had judged their hearts upon their deaths.She knew who they were.She knew they lived and died by a code handed down from generation to generation.