He’d deliberately chosen a route around the Druums Woodlands now that he wasn't in any hurry and although it was a little longer, the road was easier and he would soon be in Verenvan.
"Have it your way," the warrior growled. "But if you're rude to him should we meet the dwarf again, it will be no more apples for you. For at least…a week."
That certainly wouldn’t convince the stallion of anything. It was an empty promise and they both knew it.
"I would have thought someone as brave as you would take the shorter road through the woodlands," a voice called from behind them.
Skharr's hand was already on his ax, ready to draw it and prepared for a fight, but he knew it wouldn't be necessary. If Theros had a mind to kill him, there wouldn't be much a simple ax could do to stop him. Perhaps the sword or dagger he carried would help, but it was unlikely.
He narrowed his eyes at the old man, who leaned heavily on a walking stick and was followed closely by a foul-tempered donkey. There hadn't been much call for the god to reveal himself to him lately, and when he did, it was usually in his dreams.
A quick look around said this was not a dream, although he decided it was probably a sound idea to remain aware of any indications that might change that opinion.
Finally, Skharr shrugged. "There is a difference between being brave and being stupid. I could make my way through the woodlands but as I have no pressing concerns weighing on my mind, it would be a pointless risk to wander through there."
"I suppose that makes sense," Theros said and patted Horse's neck in passing.
"So, what are you doing here?" he asked as he began to walk again. "I'll admit I did not expect to see you anywhere around here. Is there a problem?"
"It is rare that I seek one of my followers out merely to hold a conversation," the god admitted. "I think we should stop to camp. It will give us a moment to speak."
"Can't you talk while on the path?"
"Why would I? In this body, there are certain aches and pains that distract me. So, camp?"
The barbarian shrugged. "Why the fuck not?"
They stepped off the road and Theros immediately lit a small campfire and positioned a kettle full of water over the flames.
"I don't suppose you'd like a bit of koffe, would you?" he asked and groaned as he sat on a nearby boulder.
Skharr’s eyes widened as he sat. "It's been a while since I've tasted the brew. I suppose, for Abirat, I might have a cup in his memory."
"Abirat?"
"The redhead who died in our battle against the elder god," he reminded his companion. "It is odd that I would have to remind you of the folk who died in your name."
"Ah…yes. In my defense, there has been a great deal on my mind."
"I see." He regarded the old man with a teasing smirk. "I like to think I would remember the name of every warrior who died in my name."
"Give it a few hundred years and a few thousand names," Theros countered.
A sound point, Skharr thought as he was offered a wooden cup with the thick, bitter liquid.
"So, I assume all this is because you need something from me?"
"Aye, and it would be enough weight on your mind to perhaps drive you through the woodlands, but it is a little too late for that. For the moment, we can enjoy a beautiful day and a cup of something warm to drink."
It was warm with the perfect amount of bitter but there was a sweetness to it as well. It wasn’t quite enough to be cloying but it took the edge off of the bitterness in a way he wasn't overly fond of.
"It's Cassandra," Theros stated finally and looked at him over the lip of his mug.
The barbarian had already finished his warm drink and placed his mug beside him. "What is?"
"I need help with my paladin."
He raised an eyebrow. "Is she injured?"
"Her body is in as fine a form as it was when you parted ways." The god shook his head. "I could resolve that myself. Her heart is…another story. She had a particularly difficult quest in my name. It came immediately after the situation she was in with you."
The lord high god looked off into the distance with a small, wistful smile visible amidst his gray beard. "She returned lighthearted—as happy as I've ever seen her. She did not give me too much sass when I needed a priest to ask her to investigate a problem. And that was when things went…horribly wrong."
Skharr narrowed his eyes. "What did?"
Theros sighed, shook his head, and put his mug down. "That is her story to tell."
"You'll need to tell me something."
For a moment, he could see the flash of the deity hiding inside the shriveled body of an old man in his eyes. It disappeared quickly but it was an effective reminder of who he was dealing with.
"Suffice it to say that…well, three paladins were sent to complete the quest and she is the only one who returned alive. That kind of fight has a way of weighing on the mind, and her mind most of all, I think. She was always an incredibly empathetic being."
The only sound that followed was the crackle of the fire as the two companions both stared into the flames. Skharr knew what that felt like. It was a shit feeling, no doubts there, and yet he wondered what he could do to help.
"Will you help her?" Theros asked finally and broke the silence between them.
He shrugged. "I would die for her, so I don't know why admitting that I am willing to help her would be any worse than that."
The god shook his head.
"I cannot make any promises, of course," he conceded. "I know she's always had misgivings about being a paladin."
"Self-doubt is possibly one of her most admirable qualities. She never evidenced the arrogance that others in her position were notorious for but was always able to summon the confidence to assume her role when it was needed the most. And yet in my effort to be godly, I failed to see her spirit and how fragile it is. Now…she is broken. I owe her more than that, DeathEater. I think the last time she smiled was when she worked with you. Which is why I thought you might be the one to help."
"She won't appreciate me coddling her," he commented.
"That should not be a problem." Theros tossed the rest of his koffe into the flames.
Skharr narrowed his eyes as his mind churned through the possibilities and finally, he could see what his companion was leading to. "You have another quest."
"Of course."
"Dangerous?"
"Obviously."
At least he was being honest about that. It wasn’t something one could always count on from the gods.
"I suppose it also comes with the chance of dying?" he asked.
“When have you ever known a quest from a god not to?"
It was a fair point, one he didn’t have to think about much and could simply agree with.
"Am I required to save the world, then?"
"Only a part of it." Theros smirked and raised an eyebrow. "There will be no elder gods standing in your path this time."
Skharr drew a deep breath. "How bad is it, precisely?"
The lord high god shrugged casually. "Enough that you should expect to die."