Nendas eventually finished his work while Taha and Rokas watched.

They seemed intent on following behind him, which he was unsure of. Why would they just appear out of nowhere and want to join him? He suspected Taha wanted something out of all this. But it might have just been that she wanted what she said she wanted. She was beautiful in a tomboyish way, but that was no influence on the matter.

The threat of death hadn't scared them off, though. Making it had messed with his head, and he had a headache still. Using Jaha's healing powers helped a bit, but he felt it wasn't him using them.

So, Nendas reluctantly decided he had to seek blessing from King Samrasa. So he went before them. "Now, I will introduce you to Ralign, King Samrasa's Captain of the Guard. If he allows you to accompany us, you may. Otherwise...

"Well, I suppose you could tail me mile behind."

Nendas would actually benefit from having someone to assist him.

"That seems the only other option, Nendas," mused Rokas.

Rokas was speaking to him as an equal? Nendas felt a sense of offense at that. "That is..." However, Jaha reminded him that he was not a noble anymore. "Nevermind, I'm not technically part of the Hasafa Clan right now anyway."

"Why not?" asked Taha.

"The Avatar of Jaha belongs only to Jaha, just as the Hasafa Clan does," said Nendas. "One cannot have any other allegiance." Who were they to speak so freely? Rokas looked like he might be a noble of some sort. He had the facial features and build of one who eats well growing. But what would he be out here?

"Then why are you traveling with King Samrasa?" asked Taha.

Nendas swallowed his pride. "My allegiance to Jaha obligates me to serve King Samrasa. I am her chosen servant by divine right. And to Hasafa. I serve them loyally because it is Jaha's will that I do so."

"Couldn't you admit you became the Avatar for the perks?" asked Taha.

The question was one that Nendas found infuriating, but he remembered that he was the Avatar of a God. He must speak to everyone as an equal. Jaha would not want him to be unpleasant with others. "I became the Avatar because people asked me to. And you'd do well not to speak out of turn while meeting with Ralign. I am already disliked and don't need to be hated."

"Don't worry, we know when to keep our mouths shut," said Taha.

At that moment, Ralign showed up. He came up to them, looking furious. "Nendas, what have you been doing?

"The villagers are talking about you performing miracles! What kind of trickery is this!"

Trickery? Was he accusing the Goddess Jaha of trickery? Nendas had done as she ordained. "...I am the Avatar of Jaha. It is my purpose to do what she tells me to do."

"So you decided to start miracle-working without my permission?" asked Ralign.

"I was not aware you wished the people housing us ill, Ralign," said Nendas. "Is not Jaha the patron deity of King Samrasa?" Technically anyway, that had been a condition for the alliance.

"Yes," said Ralign.

"And isn't it better if people believe in her?" asked Nendas, who was not willing to renounce his faith for his own life.

"You know damn well the truth, so I see no reason to tell it to you again!" said Ralign.

Nendas guessed that Ralign hated Jaha and wanted to see her religion fail. He didn't care that Nendas had healed those people because he helped a religion by healing them. Ralign would have rather all die horribly than let a priest appear good.

So Nendas decided to bait him. "...I must admit to ignorance. What is this truth you are talking about? And why do you presume to be able to counteract an order from Jaha herself directly?"

Ralign stiffened, and several of his men murmured. "One of these days, Nendas, you'll go too far. When you're screwing while crucified, I'll be somewhere smiling."

"I do not understand what I have done to wrong you," said Nendas, keeping his face stoic. "Did not King Samrasa request I accompany you?"

"For reasons beyond my comprehension, yes," said Ralign.

"And doesn't King Samrasa know full well what the Avatar of Jaha does?" asked Nendas.

"Of course!" said Ralign.

"And did he give me instructions that I was not to heal sick and injured people?" asked Nendas.

"He did not," said Ralign, setting a hand to his sword.

Nendas mirrored the motion but did not take hold of his sword. He thought that this was going to get bloody soon. Nendas decided it would be best to spare Ralign after defeating him. Although Jaha reminded him that defeating him would be difficult. "Then I do not see what grave crime I have committed to make you hate me so?"

"Worthless brat!" said Ralign, drawing his sword.

His sword was out, and Nendas stepped away from the blade as it fell. It passed within inches of him, but Nendas probably made it look easy. Another strike, he moved out of the way, dodging and weaving without drawing a blade. Ralign was good, his stance was excellent, and he was getting many near hits.

Even so, Nendas probably looked stronger by not having his sword drawn.

Finally, a soldier ran forward. "Please, stop this. No killing!"

"Do no harm to the Avatar of Jaha!" said a man.

"I agree," said Nendas, halting. "This fight has no meaning."

"Enough," said a voice.

Nendas looked up to see King Samrasa approaching them. "Ralign, Nendas, you do our hosts a disservice. Nendas, a word."

Nendas walked with Samrasa to one side. As he did, he examined Samrasa's movements to see if he might run him through. Samrasa was wearing a sword, after all. However, Samrasa halted and simply talked. "I presume this was about miracles?"

"As far as I can gather, King Samrasa, yes," said Nendas.

Samrasa paused. "Very well. I suppose I should have foreseen this.

"Suffice it to say that Ralign and his associates are hostile to religion of all kind. They have had several bad experiences with the worst aspects of religion. I expect you to tolerate them."

"As you wish," said Nendas, meaning that Ralign was allowed to run roughshod over the faithful. Any objection would make a stir and therefore was bad.

"Now, regarding miracles, I know you mean well," said Samrasa. "And you have not done anything wrong, so much as... unfortunate. We are at a critical stage in the development of Tarasif. Our hope is to remove some of the problematic religions.

"If Jaha starts performing miracles, other cults will do the same. It will reinvigorate support for the worst aspects of religion."

"You wish me not to perform any further miracles on behalf of Jaha?" asked Nendas, allowing himself to look disappointed. He must appear the picture of youthful recklessness, desiring to please him.

"I ask you to appeal to convince her that the timing would be most unfortunate," said Samrasa. "And I must insist."

Nendas bowed. "...As you wish, my King. I will do as you ask."

"Now, who are these you've brought with you?" asked Samrasa, taking him toward Taha and Rokas. Taha was examining things very carefully.

"Two individuals who wish to join my entourage," said Nendas. "I have no idea why, but I don't want to humor them. I wished to get your permission." Though technically, he did not need to ask; he had to appear subservient.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

"Do as you like, of course," said Samrasa. "But remember that you are responsible for them. Any wrongdoing on their part will reflect on you."

Nendas nodded. "I understand."

And he ended up left alone with Taha and Rokas. And Nendas was very glad for their company. Some of the looks the soldiers were giving him were downright murderous.

"...Wow, so he's about to do a purge, huh?" asked Taha.

"You don't know that," said Rokas.

"What do you mean by that?" asked Nendas, letting surprise into his tone.

"Well, it's just... I think King Samrasa is about to kill a lot of people," said Taha.

"Why would you think that?" asked Nendas.

"Well, that's why he doesn't want you doing miracles," said Taha. "He's about to tear down some temples or something. Whatever it is, it'll offend religious people. So he wants religious people to look as bad as possible.

"So, he intends to tear down any good works you perform."

"Taha is it wise to say this-" began Rokas.

"Let her speak, Rokas," said Nendas. "I need people that speak their minds. Not people who mindlessly obey." Taha seemed to share many of the beliefs of his enemies and would be valuable for that purpose.

"Good, because I don't mindlessly obey anyone," said Taha. "But I was mostly done."

"...Can either of you fight?" asked Nendas.

"Yes, very well," said Taha. "One of the rites of passage in my old cult involved killing by stealth. And another involved just killing." How did she not have any scars?

"Rokas, you are from Kulat, yes?" asked Nendas.

"I am," said Rokas.

Nendas nodded, seeing an opportunity. "Very well. Tell me everything you know of the place, and then prepare to tell King Samrasa. The understanding of an educated and well-traveled noble could be invaluable.

"And we must be valuable if we are to survive."

"Sounds good to me," said Taha. "This is way more interesting than throwing knives for fun. So let's go for it."

That was why this commoner had chosen Nendas as a mark. She'd known he was in no position to refuse and that she could speak as an equal.

Still, Tarasif awaited.

On the King's company went, drawing nearer to the other villages. As they walked, however, Ralign motioned to the village. A number of black-robed monks were walking to heal them. Their heads were unshaven, marking them as belonging to the sect of Elranor. Most religions expected men to shave their heads and beards.

"Look there, the worshippers of Elranor," said a man.

"Why are these religious folk out in such numbers?" asked Ralign. "There must be a reason for it.

"Shall I-"

"No, Ralign, you shall not," said Samrasa. "We'll speak directly to them and see how they account for their actions."

At that moment, a baldheaded monk approached, though he had a long beard. Samrasa moved forward and nodded to him. "High Priest Surras, what are you doing here?"

"I saw your party approaching, King Samrasa," said Surras. "I thought it best to personally explain to you why your order was disobeyed."

"Very well then, what happened?" asked Samrasa.

"We detected several diseases growing within the populace," said Surras. "It began to spread through several villages at an alarming rate. If left unchecked, it would have spread to the city, and many would have died. Such a thing could have compromised Tarasif to our enemies.

"So, the temples united in healing all we could. We are nearly in control of the situation."

"As good an explanation as can be made. I will pardon the defiance," said Samrasa, nodding.

Surras departed, and Samrasa looked to the men. Uneasy murmurs came from them. They did not understand why Samrasa was tolerating this.

"See now the serpent in the grass," said Samrasa. "The God of Healing is indeed benevolent to heal us of disease. Especially given who his chief ally is."

"His chief ally is Laevian," said Nendas to Rokas and Taha. They might not have known.

"I know; we both studied," said Taha.

Nendas was surprised by this. "How? I took you to be of common blood?"

"I educated myself," said Taha.

Nendas had always been taught that to learn; one must have a master. "How is such a thing possible?"

"Just find teachers and get them to teach you," said Taha. "When they have nothing else to teach you, throw them away and find another. Rinse and repeat. I've had more mentors than I can count."

"Don't you have any loyalty to your masters?" asked Nendas, amazed at her flippant dismissal.

"I wouldn't know," said Taha. "I haven't had a master before you. I've got an obligation to you, but I don't know if I'm loyal. If I am, I'll stay loyal; if I'm not, I'll betray you. You can't know anything about yourself except when looking back."

And so they walked.

Nendas found himself intrigued and horrified in equal parts by Taha. "How did you end up here anyway?" he asked.

"Long story," said Taha. "But the short version is that I was raised in a place with a sky and trees. That and a lot of thugs with delusions of grandeur. Everyone had their place, and society would only be good if everyone knew their place. I was the daughter of a farmer whose family had become quite rich. Over generations of hard work, they'd amassed quite a fortune.

"Meanwhile, well, there was a family of greater rank than mine. Except, the one in charge of it had squandered a lot of his money fighting wars. So they were actually a good deal poorer than me.

"So, I was going to be married off.

"So I ran off."

Nendas stared at her incredulously. "You were going to be married to a Lord? And you decided you wanted to marry for love?"

Taha laughed at that far louder than she ought to. "Nothing of the sort.

"I don't care about love or enlightenment or the power of friendship. But I learned a valuable lesson from my parents; This entire social order is nonsense. It's just a lie agreed upon, so people who are in can rob and steal while killing people who are out.

"That way, they don't run out of things to steal.

"People with the guts to do it take whatever they can and give nothing back."

That was... considerably more selfish than Nendas had been expected. He briefly wondered if he should part company with her. But he considered that being alone with only Ralign for the company would be worse. "So you abandoned your family?"

"Why not?" asked Taha. "I had a dozen sisters who could marry in my place. And if I had married the Lord, I'd have been a curiosity. A trophy of sorts. I'd have children and maybe come to love my husband and have grandchildren. And then I'd be forgotten.

"I could live a 'good' life, but I'd have no power. I wouldn't exist."

"I take it this is why you decided to approach an Avatar of Jaha," mused Nendas.

"Well, you are dedicated to alternate perspectives, aren't you?" asked Taha. "The way of Jaha is that all beliefs are but elements of a greater whole. All ideologies and desires ultimately comprise the same, greater and final peace."

"Provided they know their place, yes," said Nendas.

Taha laughed hysterically at that line again. Rokas somewhat joined in, but Nendas did not allow himself to. They got several looks from the other men.

"That's good. Very good," said Taha. "But I knew my place. I just didn't want it. I was educated by my parents, like all my sisters. I learned everything I could. When I exhausted one source of knowledge, I looked for more. I learned all kinds of things about farming. And I began to see things that could be improved.

"When people wouldn't listen to what I had to say, I found ways to convince them to make them think it was their idea.

"I knew my place, Nendas. I became my place.

"And I decided that wasn't who I wanted to be. So I let my younger sister marry the Lord and became something else."

Nendas considered how to react. Perhaps to ask about who her family had been. She had to have some remaining loyalty to them. "Who was she? This sister of yours."

"I don't know," said Taha. "I've forgotten them all. Why should I treat it any better if the world doesn't want me to be more than a face in the crowd? My Mother, Father, my siblings, and town... they're just backstories.

"None of them matter anymore."

"And what do you want? Why are you doing all of this?" asked Nendas.

Taha looked up at the vast gates of Tarasif as they rose up before her. "I want to grow in power and prestige to a level beyond comprehension. If there are no gods, then I want to become one. I know I'll never get there, of course, but I want to get as far as I can for myself."

"And what will you do when you've gotten as far as you possibly can?" asked Nendas.

"Well, after I've made my ladder and gotten to the top?" asked Taha. "I guess I'll pull the ladder up after me."

"Would it not be better to let others climb up after you?" asked Rokas.

"Of course not! I had to work hard to get everything I am!" said Taha. "What I am was built from nothing. Why should the simpering and ignorant masses get an easy way to success? My success is because of my own efforts. People should have to work for what they get.

"If people follow me up the ladder, they'll just wreck the place. They are peasants, after all."

Nendas stared at her. "Aren't you?"

"Being a peasant has nothing to do with rank. It's all in the mindset," said Taha. "Don't try to define me as a noble or a merchant or an artisan. None of them apply.

"Taha is."

"Taha is a very sick person," noted Nendas with a laugh, finding her too outrageous to even feel angry.

"By all means, try to cure me, Nendas," said Taha, drawing pleasantly near momentarily. "Or send me away." And she stepped further away. "Rokas and I can find somebody else to work for. No skin off my nose."

"I'm not certain that is possible," said Nendas. "But your insight might be valuable."

Soon they neared the gates and walked through them. A great crowd came out to greet the King, who waved to the people as he did. Nendas walked a little ahead but listened to Taha and Nendas' conversation.

"Are you sure about this, Taha?" asked Rokas.

"More than ever," said Taha. "This is going to be good. Risky, but good." As they passed into the city, Nendas looked at the buildings and people. Most buildings were in good repair, and the streets were remarkably clean. Many people were very interested in seeing Samrasa pass by. Nendas noted alms being given out to the poor.

"Wow, Tarasif is very nice, isn't it," said Taha. "Huge buildings, never seen anything bigger. However, Kulat had a few that compare.

"Have you been here before, Nendas?"

Why did she insist on speaking to him so casually? Because she lost nothing by him sending her away. And Nendas gained very little. He was going to have to find a way to instill some obedience in her. "No, but my Father should be here. Once I arrive, I will meet with him..." His gaze turned to a hill overlooking the city, and on it was a horrible sight. "More crucifixions.

"Why does King Samrasa persist in these?"

"Eh, it's nasty and good for making a statement, I guess," said Taha. "Maybe he worships Baltoth in secret."

"Baltoth?" asked Nendas.

"Yeah, Baltoth is really big on order," said Taha. "His whole thing is Order above all else, and he runs his pantheon. The sort of person King Samrasa might follow.

"So, Ralign has been giving you nothing but dark looks since we started."

"What of it?" asked Nendas, noticing one now.

"I think he might try to have you killed," said Taha. "He seems to hate your guts; I don't think you're all that convenient for the King Samrasa, and even if you are...

"He's reckless."

"What are you suggesting?" asked Nendas.

"Don't do any more miracles; avoid Ralign like the plague and watch your back," said Taha. "Also, stay in a different building than Samrasa. Set yourself up somewhere else.

"It'll make it harder for you to get arrested."

"You have experience with this?" guessed Nendas.

"Oh yeah, I watched a lot of stuff like this go down when I was in the service of Tamar," said Taha. "The royalty in were always killing each other off. You think I learned knife-throwing for fun?"

"I'll keep it in mind," said Nendas.

He really needed to meet with Father. And also spoke with Jaha.

At least Taha was easier company on the eyes than Ralign.