Rivonne was visiting.
Or well, she was visiting Renn. Not .
Up on a filler beam, I laid another long piece of wood over it and into the small groove I'd cut for it earlier. It, like the many hundreds I'd been laying and installing all day, were what would eventually make the second sub-floor of this dormitory-esque building I was constructing.
From up here, thanks to the second floor walls not being fully up yet, I could see the nearby encampnt. I was keeping an eye on it even as I worked, since they had a visitor. Rivonne had thankfully left her small guard group outside of the tents, they all were stationed near the small palanquin she'd rode here on, but they were still near enough I felt the need to keep an eye on them.
Sap had left last night, and Oplar had left this morning. So the only person that was in any real danger, since the human woman knew of Renn and myself, was Liora… what with her glowing eyes. But I had fashioned her a better face-mask on arriving here, a black cloth that she could wear that covered enough of her glow that she'd be fine as long as she wasn't careless. She didn't like it too much, since she had to wear a nun's headdress alongside it, as to not make the face covering weird, but she at least understood the reason for it and the need.
So, by all counts… all was well. Rivonne was in the encampnt, likely hanging out with Renn and the others, and no one was in any real danger. Sap had been the only one really to be concerned over, what with her huge wings, and she was gone. But…
Finishing up the plank, I sighed and thumped my little mallet hamr thing against a knee. "Do you think I let my love for her endanger her?" I asked.
"Of course…? But that's for anyone, Vim. And it's not just her. Your compassion for every mber is a dangerous risk, always has been. You're too kind to be firm with people, but that's what many like about you," Randle said from below.
Frowning at him, I wondered if he was praising or insulting . Probably both at once. He had always complained that I had not acted properly back during the wars, giving people too much freedom… too much rope to hang themselves, as he had called it.
And yet he, and those like him… like Celine and the others, had all complained and imposed rules upon to keep from doing anything too drastic half the ti. It was akin to being accused of acting like a dictator, yet at the sa ti being chastised for not ruling with more authority.
"What do you think of her?" I asked as I went to grab another plank. There was a small stack nearby, the few left needed to finish this section of this room.
"A typical human enamored by our divinity. She's not a threat, no more than any of our human companions. But it is concerning how she treats Renn… her treating you like so kind of god or deity, as foolish as it is at least makes sense. But Renn…?" Randle humd beneath , though I couldn't see him. I was in the process of making the subfloor, but the ceiling was already finished for the first floor. So although there was thin enough wood between us that I could hear him easily enough, and he , I couldn't outright see the man as he worked below. He was applying a type of lacquer, a mix of certain oils and liquor, to the walls and floors below. It was sothing he could easily do with one arm with a brush.
"Better to be revered, I guess," I said simply as I went to slide the next plank into place. I had built most of this building using joinery techniques, but I still used nails here and there to solidify the structure. Especially since I knew it might need to stand for a few years, and it might receive heavy foot traffic too.
Honestly it was going well. My original goal had been a few buildings, and at least a refreshing well water source from the river that also carried off refuse before I had to leave… but at this rate I'd have all that done in no ti. In which case I might be able to build the enclosure too, the walls and fences to give those here so privacy.
"Says you," Randle said.
Yes. Says .
After I finished a few more planks, I sighed as I glanced again at the encampnt. Rivonne's group was still there, on the road, and the tents all looked fine. And I knew they likely would be, no matter how many tis I glanced at them in worry.
Honestly I felt foolish. Here I was, worrying over a bunch of humans… when in reality I should be worrying over far more important things.
Usually at this point I'd be on track to hunt the gods down... No matter the lengths I had to go through. So this lack of urgency on my part was kind of new for . And it obviously was starting to make uncomfortable.
But there wasn't much I could really do about it. Until I found a way to track down the gods that were left, there really wasn't much I could do. At least, not unless I was willing to do sothing drastic…
I sighed, and as I did I brought the mallet down onto a nail… and promptly shattered the plank on impact, splitting it into several pieces.
Groaning at myself, and the many shards of wood I'd now have to clean up, I tossed the mallet aside and went reached up to rub my face.
Maybe I should take Renn's offer of a nap now.
"What'd you break?" Randle asked from below.
"My dignity."
I heard a scoff, then a chuckle. A real one. It sounded… odd coming from him. I still wasn't entirely sure what to think of the man who had changed so readily. He was still the sa stoic, religiously devout man I had known… but now he felt… well… more normal, I guess. More open and less angry, maybe.
"You know I've actually been doing good. I've only ruined a few things so far," I said as I gathered up the broken pieces.
"Yes, I'm sure. Though by the end I'm sure you'll still waste a whole house worth of materials all the sa," he said.
I didn't want to admit that I've likely already reached half that in value in stuff broken, so instead changed topics. "Speaking of resources… are we going to be getting any shipnts anyti soon?" I asked.
"Yes actually. The Twins have a scheduled stop next month, and we should start getting a monthly one from various sources," Randle said.
The twins…? Interesting. "That's good, I don't think Renn's t them yet," I said. She'd like them, they were neat.
Randle chuckled. "She already did. They t her for a mont in Telmik," he said.
Ah… darn, I missed it. "She's been rather active lately without . Makes jealous," I said. I used to always be there when she t new people, and experienced new things… so I usually got to enjoy such things, yet lately we'd been apart. In fact, we'd been separated so much lately it was actually a little annoying.
"To be honest I'm quite surprised we're not busier yet. I expected more people to start showing up by now," Randle said.
"Like who…?"
"Anyone? Whether you like it or not, Vim, many in the Society see her as a source of salvation. Of no doubt thanks to the long years of prophecies and sches by Celine and her ilk. So many will latch onto her, even if not with good intentions," he said.
I crushed so of the wood chips I held. "You've beco very bold around , Randle," I said.
"You'd not harm a one ard priest, would you?" he asked with a taunting tone.
"I once killed a monk. He was blind, had no feet or hands, and had taken a very real vow of peace. In fact he was so old and scrawny that when I had crushed his skull it had felt the sa as crushing a dried out apple," I said as I returned to gathering up the last bit of wood pieces.
For a mont there was silence… and then I heard Randle cough. "And why would you do that?" he asked finally.
"Because he angered ," I said simply. It wasn't the truth, but it wasn't far off from it. Close enough that I could use it as a threat at least.
"I see. Well, then I shall simply bet on your wrath not out-weighing your wife's good-will. Harming would make her rather upset I'd think, especially if you didn't have just cause," he said.
"The fact you're right only makes it worse," I said as I headed for the stairwell. I had a large barrel in the center of the building for trash and refuse, but it was downstairs. It might be ti to bring one up to this floor too.
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Reaching the first floor, I walked down the half finished hallway to the center room. I passed the room Randle was working in, and found him brushing the oil stuff all over a wall. He looked bored, but content… he also didn't even noticed I was staring at him.
I stepped away and tossed the broken plank, and all its pieces, into the trash barrel and sighed. I decided to take more planks up, since I'd likely end up breaking a few more as I worked, and also because there weren't many left upstairs anyway.
By the ti I returned to the second floor and placed the planks down, adding them to the pile of others, I noticed a figure approaching us from the encampnt. I frowned at the young shark heading our way, and wondered what to think of her.
"What do you think of our shark, Randle?" I asked. The girl was still only half way here, we had a few monts before she was within earshot.
"Celine…? A nice girl, though rough around the edges," he said. I knew he didn't an her skin by rough, but her personality.
"And Angie? The two of you have been associating for a while now, yeah? How's that going?" I asked.
"The hardheaded bison is like her mother. Stoic and proud. But I fear she has unresolved trauma. Though if it's to do with her parents deaths, or sothing else, I can't say," he said.
Trauma…? I considered the girl for a mont, trying to see if I could see what he saw… but really all I could think of when I thought of Angie was when she was with Renn. The young girl usually spoke with a soft voice, acting as Randle described. Stoic… but occasionally one could see a smile and whatnot that Renn got out of her. Even a giggle or two. From my perspective, in the little I've seen and interacted with I had not really seen anything too badly hinting over trauma. She had been sad over her family's deaths, of course, but... true trauma?
Had Renn ever ntioned Angie's supposed trauma…? Couldn't rember so off the top of my head. I'll need to ask her about it later…
"Hello…?" Celine asked a little hesitantly as she approached the building. It seed she hadn't noticed from this angle, which was a tad odd. I had thought her to be a tad more aware of her surroundings than that…
"Inside, young one," Randle said a little loudly.
Celine picked up her pace and left my line of sight as she rounded the building as to get to one of the entrances. I listened as I went ahead and returned to building the subfloor as the young girl entered the building and found Randle.
"How are you Celine?" I heard Randle ask with his calm tone, the kind he always had when speaking to either children or those who confessed to him.
"Ah…! Um… good, I think…" Celine answered a tad sheepishly, which made frown. She had seed skittish at first with and Oplar, back when we first t, but since my arrival here I had only seen the girl act calm and happy. She was happy to run around and help people, such as with little chores or tasks… I'd even found her fishing with Renn when I had arrived the other day.
"What is that stuff?" I heard the young girl ask the priest.
"A type of coating. Makes the wood nicer and easier to live with. Typically it's sothing you'd put on before you put the building together, but we don't want anyone to see us do so," he explained both its purpose and why he was applying it now.
"I see… a Society secret," she said, understanding.
"Basically, yes. It's also sothing I can do with only one arm, as well," Randle said, trying to keep the conversation light and easy going.
Celine made a small noise, a tiny laugh, as I laid the plank down in its spot… but I paused before hamring it into place. I waited a few monts to see what the young girl wanted before making myself known. I didn't think she knew I was here yet.
"You're doing a lot better than the other people I knew without arms," Celine said.
"People adapt, yes. Not everyone can grow them back."
"Grow…? You an there are people who can grow their arms back?" Celine asked, sounding surprised.
"Yes indeed. In fact you know one yourself."
"Oh… the protector… right. Where is he? Wasn't he building out here too?" she asked as I heard her steps. I heard her check nearby rooms, as if to find .
I was about to knock on the floor, to tease and startle her, but before I could Randle spoke up. "He's around here sowhere… was there sothing I could do for you, Celine?" he asked.
I frowned at his comnt, and the fact he had obviously said it in a certain way on purpose.
Randle couldn't lie. His faith would not allow it. So he had basically just said I was here, without actually saying so, on purpose.
I decided to let it be, and stayed quiet as I heard Celine walk back to Randle. I was glad to hear that none of the boards squeaked or complained under her feet, it ant so far the place was being built well and without any major issues.
"I um… well…" Celine spoke softly, and I realized that she likely had looked like she needed sothing. Thus Randle's words. He had seen what I heard.
Was it concern…? Worry? It sure did sound like it. Maybe she was just sad that Oplar had left. The two had seed to be rather close.
"Go ahead, child. Only I and the godly will hear it, I promise," Randle said.
I rolled my eyes.
"Ah! Right… um…" Celine hesitated again for a mont, and then I heard a deep gulp as she found her nerve. "We're… not human, right? We're all like Sap was? Is?" she asked him.
Oh…? Right… Oplar had ntioned the girl had not known what she was, before being found, hadn't she?
"That is correct," Randle answered calmly.
"And… neither is Liora… even though she is, in a way," Celine continued.
"Yes. Like us she has been blessed with divinity. Just in her own way," Randle said.
"Right…! And… Renn. She's uh… also like us, but different," Celine then said.
Different…?
"In a sorts," Randle answered without missing a beat.
"So uh… what does everyone an by gods…?"
Ah. I cald down a little as I realized what was likely wrong. She'd been overhearing all the little whispers and the teasing concerning Renn and I, thanks to her little outburst the other night. The girl was just trying to figure out the way the world worked. Not a surprise considering her upbringing and life until now. Although I didn't know her full story, it wasn't hard to imagine it. She had grown up in one of the most worn-down and impoverished places on the planet right now, and had done so barely if that. Odds are, just as she had not known what she really was, she also had no real understanding or knowledge of faith and its sources.
"Well… that's a heavy question. One that isn't answered very easily, nor swiftly. But to sum it up, when one usually speaks of gods they an the beings that created us. The ones who had been here in the beginning, and gave birth to our bloodlines. Our creators and Lords," Randle said, answering the way nearly any priest would.
"So… they're real," Celine said.
Randle chuckled. "Many say they don't exist. We, the Society, are lucky to have records and mories far older than anything the humans possess… and we have, at least what we consider verifiable proof, of such records that tell of our gods and their words. Plus many of us have witnessed miracles and even seen or interacted with those who were created by the gods' very hands. We call those creatures monarchs, and it is they who are our true ancestors," Randle said.
"But… Renn isn't one, right?" Celine then asked.
I tilted my head and frowned at that question. Of all things for her to ask after hearing such a thing, it was that…?
Randle must have stepped towards the girl for I heard his robe shift… and then I heard his hushed voice, telling he had likely knelt down in front of the girl. "I suppose you likely overheard such a whisper. Or maybe from Rivonne…?" he asked quietly.
Celine didn't answer audibly, but I heard her hair shift and her shirt rub her rough skin as she nodded.
"I see… well, in truth that is a point of great contention," he then said.
"Content…?" Celine sounded annoyed he had used a word she hadn't known.
"Debate. There are many who would laugh upon hearing such a question, while there are others who would grow very serious over it. If you'll accept my humble opinion… I'll say simply, Renn is special in her own way… but no. She is not a goddess. To be a god one would need their abilities. Their divinity and power. And although capable of odd things, I do not think she is capable of such things," Randle said.
"Hm…" Celine humd at that, and then sighed. "So it's just more teasing then," she decided.
Randle chuckled and I heard him nod. "Yes. As you've no doubt noticed, many people enjoy teasing her. It's because of how difficult it is to tease the protector, and also a combination of their enjoynt. They like her, and like to see her reaction when teased," he explained.
"Right! She does get all red in the face," Celine agreed.
"Doesn't she?"
The two laughed at each other, and I bit back a sigh. I knew if I made too much noise Celine would likely hear , she was thick in the blood… though maybe a tad too young to really use her abilities yet. It was a tad odd she still hadn't noticed I was up here. Usually sea-faring bloodlines were rather capable. Like rit or Sharp.
"Is there anything else I can offer my humble opinion on, young Celine?" Randle then asked as I heard him dip his brush into the pot of oil lacquer.
"Hm… No. For now that's fine. Thank you," Celine said.
"Of course. If you'd like, later we can talk more of our gods. You'd be shocked to hear of so of their stories," Randle offered.
"Sure…! I'll invite Angie too!" Celine then stepped loudly as she hurried out of the building. "Bye bye!"
Randle chuckled as he bid her farewell, and I had to lean back a bit as to make sure she didn't see as she ran back towards the encampnt. Unlike when she had walked over here, she now ran with a bit of urgency.
I sighed as I watched her run off excitedly, looking younger than she likely was.
"Well that was not the question I had expected," Randle said lightly.
"You think?" I said as I stood up. Celine was now far enough that even if she did turn around and see , she'd likely just think I had returned from wherever I'd been.
"If I would have known that was her question, I'd not have hinted for you to remain silent. I had expected sothing else," Randle said.
"Like what…?" I asked. To be honest I had expected sothing very different too.
"Sothing more personal. But no matter, it'll likely happen later. So? What's your opinion then?" he asked.
Happen later…? Wonder what he ant. "Of what?" I asked as I went to resu hamring planks into the floor.
"Of people calling Renn a goddess, of course."
Another plank broke.
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