“Do you know who it is?” Torman asked the two Divines. The stood in a pristine room, wooden floor polished to a shine. The only thing that would remind a guest what the room originally looked like was the open cask that had never changed and the room warped around them.

“We figured you would. It would have been someone rejected thrice.” Snake said.

“Velon then. Elder Redel figured he was unlucky and let him borrow the mat and coins.”

“And you didn’t stop him?” Barked Dog.

“Why would I? Tiger saw that I lost my power and position. Why would I care if someone tries to help?” Torman snapped back. “Besides, it could have work.”

“He’s the thirteenth.” Snake said.

“I didn’t know that at the time. Otherwise I might have done something.” Torman replied through gritted teeth.

“Like what?” Asked Dog.

“Find something stronger to drink.”

Dog and Snake chuckled at that. The moved to the table that now had three chairs. Though wood, it was hard to tell from the amount of gilding. Toman collected three steins and filled them before joining the two.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“I can reach the kid and guide him. What animal were you planning?” Torman finished by taking a sip.

“Cat.” Dog replied. “After what Rat did to her, we thought it was appropriate.”

“Rat is a conniving ass. Cat knew that. Don’t know why she’d have trusted his word.” Torman mumbled before responding. “Sounds fair. You have the tools?”

Snake tossed him a coin while dog placed a stone on the table. It was an off white, looking closer to milk than the white of Monkey. “Cream.” Dog answered before Torman could ask. “The thirteenth can choose the domain.”

“Sounds fair since that will be the only control they get.” Torman leaned back into his chair. “How long do I have to guide him?”

“We’ll provide the resources. It should take less than a year for him to reach ascension.”

Toman shook his head at that. “No one survives progressing that fast. But,” Torman finished his drink and rose, “that is not a me problem rather a you problem. I’ll go talk to the family and bring him to town.”

“I saw him in town.” Dog began.

“He’s gone by now. You probably don’t realize this, but people have this thing called a life. It means they go to different places at different times.”

“If he’s not in town then collecting him from his family’s estate would be easier.” Snake countered.

“Farm, not estate. Besides, you’ll have to prepare transportation. Even freshly awakened, he wouldn’t be able to keep up.”

Torman headed towards the door. When his back was to them, Snake and Dog exchanged a look as they remained sitting.

“We’ll meet at the main square.” Barked Dog. Torman waved without looking back as he left. The two remained sitting, not touching their drinks as they felt Torman begin to run. They waited until they couldn’t feel his presence, before predatory grins spread across their face.

Snake and Dog exchanged a toast, downing their drinks as their cloaks begin writhing. It was time to collect the resources.