Three #3
"Because I get to spend so much time with him? You know I have to die to really spend time with him? And that it hurts when I die, because usually I'm dying in combat?"
"It's not just that, it's that he's like your best friend in the whole world—"
"Infinite," I interjected.
"—yeah, that, exactly that. You have the kind of relationship with our god that many of us envy. To be that close, and to be able to serve him so well…"
I nodded. "I can understand, but honestly? Don't be."
"Why not?"
"Because it's not as easy as it looks. Part of it has to do with how I grew up and who I became as I did.
Part of it's because Fel is often patient and incredibly forgiving of me when I make mistakes.
Part of it's because we have what I guess you could say are 'shared life experiences'?
But the most important part is the duty aspect.
Fel sometimes has to send me off to do hard things, painful things, terrible things, because he's a god and that's what he must do.
Also, he will not hesitate to put me in my place if that's what he must do. "
"I'm not sure I'm following, Dad."
"We're not equals, and I never think we are. We have a good, solid relationship, and I think of him as my best friend, because honestly, he is. But that's a one-way sentiment."
"You don't think he likes you?"
"Oh, he likes me, but I guess you could say I'm more like a highly trained Wolat, and he's my master, and he knows sometimes I need a sharp smack between the ears to remember my place. I don't balk or complain when he sets me straight; I thank him for the correction because he's my friend.
"Now, think of all the times you've been mad at your mom or me when we punished you or paddled you or any of that."
"Ummm…"
"Exactly. You don't get mad at a god, especially not your god. It will not go well. You can't hide it from him; you can't hide anything. Also, understand that as a champion, gods often give us a lot more leeway in our behavior because we need the ego to do the job."
"You make it sound like you're a pet dog," Nikki said with a chuckle as she came over and joined the conversation.
"I'm the best dog!" I said and gave Nikki a wink, making her laugh.
"Yeah, Ary used to tell me about some of the things Feliogustus let you get away with."
"He did?" Tiru said, looking surprised.
"Gods love to complain about what spoiled brats we can be at times," Nikki said, still chuckling. "Because some of us really are. But don't be jealous, it all comes with a cost, and if that cost wasn't a high one, there'd be a lot more champions out there. Be happy with what you've got."
Tiru nodded. "Yes, Aunt Nikki."
"So how were things in Suffolk?" Nikki asked me.
"Boring, which was good. How are things with you and Sanugok?"
"Still great! Though I think right now we're looking for a war or something."
"You are?"
"Well, gotta keep the troops in shape, right? There's always some that either need training, need to be blooded, or just don't want to get rusty."
I nodded at that and remembered then what Rachel said.
"Well, I might have a little something if you're interested?"
"What's that?"
"Come spring, right after we get the crops in the ground, I'm going to send an expedition south into the goblin lands down there and see about a little 'pruning'. Want to come?"
"Pruning? Why not just wipe them out?"
I smiled. "Rachel's idea. She said that if we did it every year, it'd help train our army and also give me an excuse for having an army.
She told me to see them as the resource they are.
If we kill them off, not only do we lose out on the training, we might just become too ripe a plum, one that can't defend itself. "
Nikki looked impressed. "Smart. How come you don't think of things like that, Bro?"
"Because I've got Rachel?" I replied, grinning. "So if you want to bring some folks to the fight, let me know. Just understand, locals would be preferred, and it's a training exercise—we're not looking to wipe them out."
"Oh, yeah, I'll be there. With bells on! This is just the very thing Sanugok wants! I think the biggest issue will be cutting back on the volunteers. Nobody likes goblins, and I'm sure the rumor's gone round that they have several hobgoblins. Those, those are despised."
We chatted about a few other things, and eventually I ended up talking with Bazz and Makill about what kind of cargo we'd most likely be loading when we left in a couple of days.
"Oh, just a heads up, I'm going to look into getting a few more ships."
"I didn't know you were sitting on that kind of money," Makill said.
"I'm not."
"Then how are you planning on getting them?"
I shrugged, then smiled. "I thought I'd go see if maybe some less-than-friendly pirate might be encouraged to give me theirs?"
Bazz laughed. "Anyone else, and I'd say they were full of it!"
"I don't know, that's a lot to take on," Makill said, looking worried.
"Dani once told me how Will took out an entire crew of a pirate ship, back when they first met. When they tried to take out the Grey Moth. Good hunting there, Will. One less pirate in the Seven Worlds is always a good thing."
I nodded. "It is at that."