By the time they made it to the next snack shop, her equilibrium had returned and the two were enjoying a pleasant conversation and snacks while strolling on to her next favorite stop: a tiny park that happened to be closer to her old home. Several of the people in the area seemed to know her and came running up to chat with her, but seemed too shy to talk with Joe, which left Joe alone to watch on with some bemusement.

Kilniara lost herself in enjoyment there, chatting with her friends for some time until the others waved goodbye, most called back by parents to continue helping within the various workshops and stores in the area. Kilniara turned back to him with a brilliant smile and Joe’s answering smile put a small sway in her hips as she walked up to him. Joe’s grin grew.

“Fun?”

“Yeah. Fun.”

Joe nodded, “I’m glad.”

Kilniara slid into his chest and hugged him, and wrapped her up in his arms, “Thank you. It was… nice.”

Joe grinned, “We always need our friends.”

Kilniara looked up with him then smiled with a small smirk, “There is not much point, but… yeah… it was nice.”

Joe stifled a frown, staring at Kilniara, “No point?”

Kilniara sighed deeply, “I’m not… really going to see them much anymore.”

“Why?”

“You will travel, won’t you?”

“Ah… maybe?”

“Were you going to leave me behind?” she asked with more of a saucy attitude than any concern and Joe smiled to see it.

“No. I wasn’t.”

“So… yeah…”

“Well…We’ll probably come back… this is a nice place.”

Kilniara’s grin, this time, was one of excitement and gave Joe relief to see it even as she spoke, “We will?

Joe’s smile faded, “I have… no home here.”

Kilniara’s grin softened into concern, “I’m… sorry.”

Joe laughed, “It’s fine.”

They remained silent in each other’s arms for a time until Kilniara glanced up, “Getting late. Should we head back?”

Joe thought for a bit, then offered, “Maybe stop by the temple again… talk some more.”

Her grin grew, and she nodded, grabbing his arm and pulling him back towards the temple plaza. Joe laughed, and faked being dragged but actually enjoyed the time together and the two made it back to the temple plaza quickly before finding their counseling couple once again. They proved eager to meet as well, and they spent a good half an hour in conversation. Joe found the experience still meaningful so was grateful for it despite the oddity. After their time together, Joe waved good bye to the two counselors and headed back to the inn with Kilniara, rather satisfied with the day.

When they made it back to the inn, the sun was deep into the sunset, with just a half sphere above the horizon. The inn was lit with flame and Joe entered to find Kukurnal rising excitedly at seeing his return. Joe smiled brightly.

“Kukurnal! It’s good to see you!”

* * *

Kukurnal smiled to himself, somehow much more relieved for seeing the eccentric in such a good mood, “You as well!”

“Good. Good! Things are going well?”

“Quite well. Thank you for asking. How about you?”

The eccentric sighed at that, sitting at the table with him while Kilniara settled beside him, “Things are doing well, if a bit frustrating.”

“What’s happening?”

Joe smiled, “Just… having some troubles, I guess. Nothing really important, really, but… yeah…”

Kilniara leaned over at that point and whispered in Joe’s ear before standing and walking rapidly out into the back courtyard. Ah… must need the privy! Then… this is…

“Are you troubled by your apprentices.”

The eccentric looked at him and shrugged, his shoulders, “Not really. They’re doing well… just…” the eccentric paused and sighed deeply, “A bit… concerned about Zilnek, I guess.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Oh?”

“Yeah… just… an annoying situation… he’s … yeah.”

Kukurnal struggled to hide his frown, but leaned forward in interest, if not really in interest for the any concern for the boy, “What’s happening?”

“I… really don’t know… I …well… some of it is obvious. Parents dead. Abandoned by his family and friends… gotta fight to keep his sister safe… I would be angry, too. And… I kind failed spectacularly. Hurt him pretty bad… make sense why he’s a bit angry.”

“You did wrong and now he is angry?”

“No… not… well, if I were to count it in the way of my people, I did no wrong, but in the way of this plane… I … think I did, yes.”

“Does Garnedell not guide you? He’s a good boy.”

Joe smiled at that, “He’s… an amazing kid, but he seems to point to everything being normal, but I just…”

“Garnedell thinks you did well?”

Joe snorted, “Garnedell thinks I was too kind.”

“Truly?”

“Yes.”

“Then likely you did well.”

Joe smiled, “… maybe. But I’m still unhappy with myself.”

“Then, all is well?”

Joe shook his head, “Yes and no. I’ll need to figure things out.”

“I’m certain you will.”

The eccentric looked at him with a smile, “Well… thank you for your confidence.”

“So, Zilnek is fine,” Kukurnal asked, tension ratcheting up as his heart beat thudded harder and he leaned forward with interest.

Joe sighed, pausing to consider for a bit before responding, “Well… yeah… yes and no. He’s fine. I’ll take care of him and everything’s alright, but… it’s just going to take me time and I just wish… I could show him I’m helping.”

Kukurnal listened deeply and heard only truth before settling back in his seat. Did I… no … I heard. Is it… of another … His thoughts struggled to parse what he was feeling even as he quickly brought his focus back to the conversation.

“So Zilnek needs help?”

The eccentric snorted, “They all need help but yeah… Zilnek’s hit a harder rough patch lately, so…”

“A rough patch? Did something bad happen to him?” Again, Kukurnal leaned forward, listening deeply and carefully.

“Are you worried I’m not doing well by them?”

Kukurnal laughed, hiding his tension, “Of course not. Just concerned for him. You do not usually appear so… flustered.”

“Ah… well… as to your question… hmm… He thinks it's bad. But… I’ll be able to take care of him and of it… and it’s just… hmmm. You know. Honestly? It might actually be a good thing. He needs to… grow a bit. It is harsh, but maybe… it’ll help him be a little more wise in the future.”

Truth rang through the entire statement and Kukurnal felt his tension release, “So… he has had his… actions catch up to him.”

Joe chuckled and nodded, “You can say that again.”

Kukurnal frowned. Why would I… “Why?”

The eccentric seemed taken aback then laughed uproariously, “OK… yeah… that was a good one, Kukurnal. It… is just a saying of my people.”

“Ah… I see,” Kukurnal paused at that, then continued, “Your people are strange.”

Joe grinned widely and nodded, “Probably… probably.”

They fell silent for a time and Joe’s visage sobered, his smile fading and he leaned forward speaking softly, “Are you a clanner, Kukurnal?”

* * *

“Are you nobility, Kukurnal?” Joe asked with caution.

Kukurnal frowned, concerned and Joe quickly waved off his concern, “Sorry. I’m not trying to pry, but there seem to be certain… topics I must be cautious of speaking about if… the other person isn’t nobility.”

Kukurnal’s frown deepened, planning to answer then found his curiosity overwhelming his courtesy, “I… truly?”

Joe nodded, “I did not know this… until I spoke with Gwenvair.”

Kukurnal’s eyebrows shot up, “The First in Line for Matriarch?”

“Uh… yeah?”

“Then… it might be wise to … remain silent. I am no noble.”

Joe sat back and spoke back at a normal volume, sighing, “I was afraid of that.”

“Apologies that I am not of service.”

Joe shook his head, “Not your problem or fault at all. It’s all good. I’m glad you were able to join us today.”

Kukurnal smiled, nodding, “Yes. I am free to speak today, so wished to meet with you!”

“Well, I’m glad you came! We talked a lot about my stuff. What do you want to talk about?”

“Your gods!”

“Gods?”

“Yes! I wish to know more of your gods.”

Joe blinked with some surprised, confused a bit before he shrugged, nodding, “We can do that, but let’s enjoy our meal first. We’ll need to wait for the boys to get home, although they should return soon, to be honest. Do you wish to join us for din… Ah! Kilniara, you’re back just in time.”

Kilniara smiled happily, “Not too hungry, but don’t mind joining the meal.”

Kukurnal grinned, “It should be a wondrous conversation tonight.”

Kilniara’s happy smile became quite forced, “That’s great!”

Joe nodded, hiding his humor at Kilnara’s discomfort, “I was just inviting Kukurnal to supper with us. That OK?”

“Sure,” Kilniara smiled more freely this time, and Joe took her hand under the table, squeezing in thanks for her willingness.

Kukurnal didn’t notice it, only waiting excitedly for the conversation, taking a bit to settle while Joe looked up towards the bar and waving for a server to come over. Kukurnal allowed him the time to order. The waitress showed up and Joe asked for five portions for dinner, although he did ask Kilniara what she wanted for supper. Not much point… only one meal option anyway, but… She confessed being quite full, heavy with all her snacking throughout the afternoon. Joe agreed, not feeling very hungry himself, but ordered a small bowl of soup each for both of them.

After the ordering for his group was done, Joe looked to Kukurnal to ask what he wanted, and he quickly offered his own order as well before turning to Joe with an expectant smile.

“So.”

Joe chuckled, leaning forward and nodding, “So. What do you wish to ask?”

“Anything. Tell me of your gods.”

Joe thought for a bit, nodding for a bit before beginning, “I know little of my people’s religions, to be honest. I guess I can give you an overview, though.”

Kukurnal nodded, “Sure.”

“Well, as a basic overview, there are many, many religions amongst my people. Probably thousands… maybe even hundreds of thousands if you include old, dead, and gone religions as well.”

Kukurnal raised a hand, shock obviously driving him, “Hundreds of thousands?”

Joe smiled, nodding, “Yeah. Basically. But today, amongst my people, there are maybe a dozen or so main... popular? Yeah... maybe popular is better... a dozen or so popular religions and a lot of them are variations of each other. There are religions that believe in multiple gods and religions that believe in a singular god. And … there are variations on that, with some following only one god but believing other gods exist but then there are some who believe only a single god exists.

Kukurnal stopped the conversation again, thinking carefully then prepared to ask a question when Joe quickly nodded, interrupting him again.

“That was probably really confusing, right?”

Kukuranl nodded quickly, “Very!”

Joe chuckled, “Right. Let’s be a little more specific and deliberate. So we have monotheistic religions. They believe there is only one god and no other gods. Uh… Judaism was the first religion... I think?... and Christianity believes itself to be the culmination of prophecy from Judaism. Islam is similar, believing itself to be the end and ultimate culmination of Christianity and Judaism. Of course, each of them thinks the other is wrong and they are right.