Ca’armine catches up with Rask as they walk along. “Alexis told me that he was asking you about the Protector aspect of our great god Raiden, and I came up with a song for you. It is short, I’m not the bard, but maybe Alexis can spank it up for us a bit?”
Ra-a-aiden, brother, protector!
Shield us from the foe!
We stand behind you, weak and vulnerable
Save us from the Blow!
Raised by Anashar,
blessed with glory
Resolute and Strong
Wield thy sword to help the lowly
As we make our way along!
The group has started moving away from the tower of Ilceros’ spymaster. They have already crossed the bridge, but the traveling has barely started. The group is going slowly due to the slow speed of the wagon, especially over the broken ground.
Alexis falls into step beside Ca’armine, tone easy but deliberate.
“Priest,” he says with a half-smile. “That move you pulled with Zrithak—what was that? Looked like you and Rask had it rehearsed. The way the soul flowed from the body to the blade… clean, seamless. Almost too smooth to be an accident.”
The group is a few days past E’armos and where Ethelred got his new set of scrolls. Ethelred has gotten a good night sleep, and Alexis is talking with him on the road before he’s quite started studying his new scrolls.
“Morning, Red. Collegium petitioner, if we’re being proper about it” Alexis takes on a brief mocking air of formality.
“Hey. Before you crack into those new scrolls, I’d like to hear what you pulled from the first set—and maybe what you think this next batch will reveal.
So tell me—what tools have you found for us? Perhaps a compass to Ezrin? Something to burn out cursed relics? A way to sniff out immortal energies using your lack-of-knowing as a tool?” Alexis leans in, clearly eager to hear what Ethelred is excited about.
While the group travels across the Westlands away from the First Gate, Alexis addresses Gustav across the campfire one night.
“Gus, level with me.
Last time I asked why you’ll take favors from non-human gods but turn your back on the Grand-Matron of humanity. You sidestepped it, pressed the VahnYir bracers into my hands, and paid the price yourself—a brave move, but it felt like cutting off your nose to spite your face.
Since then, you’ve kept refusing the Grand-Matron’s workings, and then turned down a solid tool against Bandesinge and blood magic, and yet you’re fine with the collegium’s spells and Ca’armine’s gifts. I’m not here to put you on trial—I’m here to get this team through the the trials we face in one piece. To do that, I need more than a yes-or-no list. I need your why. If there’s a line you won’t cross, show me where it runs and what it protects. Your compass matters.
Ca’armine takes blessings from the other human gods. I understand that map. Help me read yours.
So talk to me, Gus: why turn down help from allies? What do you trust, what don’t you, and how can I lead so your convictions make us stronger—not weaker?”
Alexis patiently waits for Gustav’s answer. There is no rush on his face or in his body.
The group has been traveling through the Westlands and they’ve started moving away from the coast heading back East. After camp has been set up Alexis sits next to Ca’armine. Alexis engages Ca’armine in polite discussions about the travels of the day and then turns the conversation to other things.
“Well, my taciturn friend, I’ve been meaning to ask you what rumors you might have heard regarding and of humanities lost artifacts. We have already found the mantle crafted, or re-crafted, with his power.”
Alexis looks at Ca’armine, waiting for a reply.