Arias

It was a sunny clear day in Lux Et Spei the city was bright and colorful town. The streets were made of tan and pinksh and white cobble stone and the buildings were as well. The shops held French designs and architecture and had flowers everywhere in the town. The town had many rivers flowing through it and a canal system that people could use boats on to get around quickly, Rie walked around holding Nero's hand as he took steps besides her, many people stopped and waved, she smiled at them but said nothing knowing that before she'd become the light goddess many people thought her to be a harlet for having a bastard child. Her coat and dress hems ruffled as she walked. Her long pale blonde hair billowed behind her and she seemed to be walking a bit aimlessly.

Nero held a small miniature dragon stuffed toy while momo flew around him making sure both Nero and Rie were safe from hidden threats. Rie was headed to the castle where she then sat through a long war metting with Nero in her lap. Nero knew to be quet and simply began to nap, hours later she finally left and sighed while holding Nero up, him using her arms as a seat and resting his head on her shoulder and Momo slept between them.

The council had decided to put together a new task force to begin attempting to reach the sealed Gods and Goddesses and release them. She was tasked with getting a small team together that she could take to help her. She knew more than anything she wanted Nero's father to be there but knew that'd be unlikely so she headed to some known training grounds of Lux Et Sprei to try to find some knights or warrior elves to help her. She needed a small force that would be mobile enough for all of this, she watched some of the knights fight and was trying to find one that would make a good asset to her. She was still new to the whole Goddess living and thee king was trying to milk it all he could before she realized that HE answered to HER and not the other way around. She sighed as she sat under a tree and held the sleeping Nero in her lap, who in turn held the sleeping Momo in his lap. She was tired from a long night up with him as he'd been having nightmares about his mother dying. She was also very frustrated now for having no idea who to ask to aid her into going into the demon territories.

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Tenebris a dark city, the architecture is gothic based and holds many tall buildings. The town seems to be made of nothing but black grey and siver stones. the grass there is green but no flowers bloom. There are dragons in the sky and if there's a single evening without blood shed it's an amazing night. The twon in beautiful in a dark macrabre sort of way. It is always in a time of night it seems thanks to the death of the first Goddess of Light. Though currently it's night time in Tenebris as is, two moons are in the sky, one large and white and one slightly smaller and a light blue. The clouds of the evening ocassionally part to show them in the stary sky. In the center of the city is a large domineering castle which is home to some of the most powerful demois that all serve Lucifer.

Lucifer sighed as he sat in his throne room hearing suggestion after suggestion from his demon consil on what to do about the remaining two gods who seemed ever elusive, once they sealed the gods he could crush the humans into servitude. He could even find a way to make the gods serve him. He got tired of hering the Demois yell over each other. "SILENCE!" he said as he stood up and threw a coin at one demon so hard it pierced his skull and left him dead on the floor. "I don't care how just get those damn Goddesses sealed or captured immediately!" he said before walking out fo the room and walking around until her found Adric. "You quit bedding those whores and make yourself useful!" he said, "You have permission to go even to Lut Ex Spei if needed find those damned Goddesses." he said, "This place is getting too boring for me I'm going out," he added before leaving and walking the streets of Tenebris to find someone to toy with.

Eyphah sat in her room twirling her fingers along the sides of small carved figurines. They didn't know it but they were being watched by her . She had missed her sister goddess of light and wanted to see that the new form would be one pure and deserving, somehow shed gotten her wish and had continued to watch over this Rie Renard . She hadn't expected a child though She picked up the newly carved small figurine of a boy a young boy whose roll in this she hadn't decided yet, he was to young to pure to tell who's side he'd follow. "Valence." she called into he darkness the moon casting silhouettes along the walls as a man stepped out of the shadow a cloaked figure with rune inscribed shackles on his wrist. "Yes" he whispered void of emotion . "How may i serve you." Eyphah smiled and yawned at the same time her black eyes reflecting the low lighting the ,moon provided. " I need you to get closer to this "Rie Renard and find her connection in this all and see if shes a worthy vessel. " Eyphah said as she took the small wooden figurine and tossed it to Valence who it hit and fell to the floor where he retrieve it not phased by being hit . " i need to know now before the tides change out of my favor." Eyphah said as she saw him take it and dissipate into the mist once more.

Valence continued to past the gods realm to Lux Et Spei and started searching through the town for a woman fitting the description en carved on the medium sized pawn he held in his hand . He asked a few people who passed him if they knew the woman handing them the small figurine for a second and retrieving it once he received his answer, he continued to look around the town entering some small shops and continuing to stop people to ask .

Adric, or Sylas as he was known, was standing outside, staring up at the cloudy sky aimlessly, thoughts of Rie and his son Nero consuming him. He'd just been with a few women, actually. He knew he loved Rie, but his needs and image needed to be sustained in this land. And really it didn't seem to bother him as much as it should have; perhaps because he felt something...or someone...was missing and he was trying to fill the void.

When Lucifer found him, he was brought back to the harsh reality he resided in. Around him demons and demois alike cackled, fought, gambled, and walked around with shadowy demeanors. It was just another day, he'd come to learn. His attention shifted to Lucifer, the man he'd served since the day he'd transformed three years prior. "Yes, sir," he said plainly, holding in his bit of excitement at realising he was now allowed to go to Lux Et Spei where Rie and Nero would most likely be. Then again, his mission was to capture and bring the Goddess of Light and the Goddess of Darkness back to Lucifer, which made the whole ordeal bittersweet. The Goddess of Darkness didn't concern him as much as his family, but he pushed his emotions aside and went to ready himself to obey Lucifer.

Sylas returned to his room to find a few women still in his bed. "Out," he said coldly. When one didn't listen, he narrowed his eyes and went over to her to forcefully grab her round her neck and hoist her up against the wall. "Listen to me when I tell you to do something!" he ordered her, his fingers tight about her neck. Her expression was one of fear and pain and she managed to nod a bit as her hands tore at his to make him let go. Sylas smiled wickedly and threw her down before resuming his task of packing a small bag of essentials -- which amounted to a small, thin blanket, his daggers and knife, a map if he so needed it, and a few pages from a book he'd read three years ago on his parents. He'd torn the pages from it and kept them with him at all times, though for what reason he did not know.

A short while later, he headed for the secret room in one of the dungeon-esque areas of the castle. This room held the teleportation rings that had secretly been constructed to make travel easier and faster between Tenebris and various other areas. He chose the one to Lux Et Spei, knowing it would release him just outside the city. It was safe for them to land outside the city -- it decreased their chances of being killed on sight.

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Phylo sank his teeth into the girl whose naked body was pressed to his, her blood filling his mouth and washing through him with a satisfying warmth. Her moans of pleasure slowly became soft whimpers as he drank her dry, his own pleasure greatly increased. He always enjoyed this part of his time with women....though it wasn't particularly enjoyable for them.

When he was done, he let her body fall back on the bed and he got up to redress, blood dripping down from his chin until he wiped it off on the girl's shirt. He'd killed the girl in an abandoned home, so he had no need to clean it up. Instead, he merely cleaned himself up and walked out as if nothing had happened. He was in Tenebris and had just killed a human girl he'd captured earlier that day -- or night by Lux Et Sprei time. This sort of thing wasn't uncommon in Tenebris so no one looked twice when he exited the house where a girl's screams had just been heard. He smiled a bit and went to find a demon to pick a fight with, feeling empowered.

The light burned Erik's eyes as he opened them for the first time that day. He woke in the ruins of his bed of his ruined town, he thought to himself "it's about time that I leave this place, Sanctus Arcem, it is no longer my home the elder gods have forsaken me and my family." Thus twenty years after his family and village have died he decided to take his revenge on Demons, he heard from a traveler once the Lux Et Sprel is the hub for information about the war. That is when he decided that Lux Et Sprel would be his new home that is were he will learn how to sneak into Demon Country and start his slaughter. As he walked towards Lux Et Sprel with Iswal his pet dragon he hoped that he will find people to help him on his righteous crusade.

During his journey he found lots about the world which he left behind. He learned that the war was much worst than his people had know and how many peoples family died the same way as his. Now he hopes to find any of the remaining two goddess and see if they will help him plan an invasion.

The light burned Erik's eyes as he opened them for the first time that day. He woke in the ruins of his bed of his ruined town, he thought to himself "it's about time that I leave this place, Sanctus Arcem, it is no longer my home the elder gods have forsaken me and my family." Thus twenty years after his family and village have died he decided to take his revenge on Demons, he heard from a traveler once the Lux Et Sprel is the hub for information about the war. That is when he decided that Lux Et Sprel would be his new home that is were he will learn how to sneak into Demon Country and start his slaughter. As he walked towards Lux Et Sprel with Iswal his pet dragon he hoped that he will find people to help him on his righteous crusade.

During his journey he found lots about the world which he left behind. He learned that the war was much worst than his people had know and how many peoples family died the same way as his. Now he hopes to find any of the remaining two goddess and see if they will help him plan an invasion.

Darius Antonius frowned at his sparring partner's lack of force in his swings, easily batting them aside with his shield and striking him in the chest with his dulled practice sword, eliciting a gasp as the recruit felt the breath knocked out of him. He didn't bat an eyelash when he fell down in pain, "Do not hesitate. Do you think a demon or a Demois would show the same hesitation when battling you? No. A Vampire or Lycan would not hesitate to consume you. An Oneiroi or Arch Demon would do worse. And you would be better off dead than face a Demois."

"You would know," the man muttered angrily, pulling himself to his feet.

"Yes. I do know. I've watched men like you wither in agony. Now fight or go home," the Captain ordered, causing the man to charge at him recklessly, only for his head to meet his shield. He frowned, "Never let anger dictate your actions. Many demons feed on this and will use it against you if you let them."

"What am I supposed to do? Not get angry?"

"No. Master it. Make it your own. Like this," he said, charging forward and hacking at the recruit, who managed to block a few strikes with his shield before Darius' sword met his and, with a twist, caused it to fly out of his hand. Darius held it at the recruit's neck for a moment before lowering it, "Not bad. With some training, you would make a fine soldier on the front lines. With some thinking, you could survive."

He turned around, nodding at his men who were wrapping up their own practices. They were good men. They fought harder and longer than most men since he has become their Captain and there was no one he'd rather bleed with. His Seargent, an older man with greying hair and beard, approached him as he placed his practice sword aside with the rest of the unused equipment.

"You are still angry after this morning, I see," the man told him with a frown, "I am surprised that you did not sear through his armor with your element."

"Kid's not ready for flames just yet, Aldric. And of course I'm angry. The Third Company has fought more battles, went on more assignments, and succeeded at more of them than any of the glory-seeking fools His Majesty has deemed fit to lead their men to their deaths," he stated.

"I'm sure he appreciated being told that, sir."

"I do not butter up my words for fools, Aldric and I'd," he began, before catching sight of a woman and child in the training grounds. He frowned, "What are those two doing here? I do not like civilians in my training lot."

"She has clearance for it," Aldric began but Darius waved his hand.

"I do not care," he stated, marching over to the woman, "My men are not here to satisfy anyone's curiosity, not matter who she thinks she is."

He saw no sign of progress on his task as Valence continued through the town never resting just continuing trying to finish his task til he came across a dark skinned white haired man with a strange pet foreign to him by his side. "I need your help, have you seen this woman?" he asked as he handed the elf the small figurine that was of Rie. He waited to see if he would be ignored once more or finally have an answer.

Eyphah sat in her room growing impatient for a response from valence, she had sent him to the correct town she knew for certain. she thought to herself." how hard is it to find a simple girl?" She waited in silence moving valences small pawn to over the board with her fingers tip int the map shed painted of the city on the wooden board. She would wait longer until she got an answer. she was uncertain if this girl was right shed just heard rumors spreading and tickling her ears with there curious words. A small snow owl sat on the edge of the coach which she was lazily laying across and she flung her arm causing it to fluster afraid and relax. " my nerves are rattled also. if he doesn't hurry i may have to risk this myself. " She said to the owl as if it could respond to her .

Rie had enjoyed watching the training, at the very least it was a chance to see techniques she'd read about in action. As the captain, as she'd overheard, started heading for her she stood up letting Nero lay in the grass behind her using Momo as a pillow. She stood with her hands in front of her, one cupping her tome and the other cupping that hand. "Hello sir I have some inquiries for you," she said as he got within ear shot and then before he could even get onto her she began to barrage him with questions. "What do you think of the war? Do you think you'd be good enough to be on a small elite team that would infiltrate the Demon Country? If I asked your men how trust worthy would they say you are?" she asked and then she took a breath and smiled before asking her final question, "Are demons evil?" she asked. Her voice was gentle and field with curiosity and a polite tone as she spoke with the man knowing she'd need someone like a knight with her, the person with more experience would be a great deal of help to her when it came to surviving in the Demon Country.

Some of the men has stopped from putting their training equipment up to look at who their captain was walking too. Rie hadn't really made any waves as a goddess yet and for good reason, the longer she could hide her identity from the demons the longer she and Nero would be safe, still a few humans who had been at the village that day and saw the old Goddess die as well knew who Rie was and word got around in the Lux Et Spei capital. Some of the knights were mumbling about her, some asking who she was and some knowing, she didn't seem too phased by it though as she simply looked from the men around them back up to the captain and smiled politely up at him, her chains making a light jingle in the string wind and her hair and dress billowing as it picked up before slowly dying and everything was still once more.

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In Tenebris Lucifer had begun walking the streets looking for anyone he'd find interesting enough to talk to or use as a pawn, it was then that he stopped his foot steps as he saw a vampire walking around. "You," he said in his cool calm confident voice as he walked up to the man, "You're that Silver's man aren't you? Yes, I can tell by your smell, I heard about your slaughtering those teens all those years ago, how would you be interested in a proposition I have?" he asked as he gave Darren a smug and proud smile.

Darius frowned slightly. Just what was this girl getting at? Of course he'd be good on an elite team. He'd be more than good. Anyone who knew him could not doubt his fighting prowess, whether they liked him or not. At her last question, he raised an eyebrow, "I have yet to meet an honorable demon. Demons and Demois are enslaved by their own dark desires and impulses. It does not matter if they were once human or not. They are untrustworthy and seek to destroy the gods themselves."

He frowned at her, "Just who are you? Myself and my company were forbidden from joining the expedition to free the gods. Can you veto the king's order?"

He watched the wind blow in her hair. She was beautiful, he noted, and very powerful. He could almost taste the Light Magic flowing from her. He took on a more respectful tone, "The war is Hell, milady, but if we don't fight it, everything we know will be destroyed or corrupted, as my own family was."

Erik stared weirdly at the man who'd looked to him as if he was playing with a toy. "I know humans are young compared to elfs but I didn't think that human adults like to play with toys." The strange man laughed as if he haven't laughed in a long time, "I'm not playing with a toy i asked you a question have you seen this woman this a model of her."
"Of course not I do not spend my time learning the true identities of children toys" Responded Erik as if he won the discusment with that statement, "I'm searching for real "humans" if would call them that, maybe you know whom they are they are called the goddess of Light and Dark the reaming free gods. I want to have an audience with them." The man seemed to just stare at him blankly. With out saying anything the elf started to turn around ... alot "have you seen where Iswal have gone ... THE DRAGON!!!!! Ok hes still a baby but hes a dragon non the less I must find him the names Erik by the way see you funny man another time maybe."
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"NO ISWAL DON'T!!!!!!!" ,but it was to late the dragon jumped on to an elven girl. Erik new what was to come next he was ready to hear screams, yet non ever came only laughter. As soon as he caught up with the dragon and the girl he was surprised. " I never expected to see another elf here the name is Elwë Calafalas you can call me Erik if you like, and this here" patting the dragon on its head "is Iswal hes my pet dragon sorry for him attacking you he don't usually do things like this is there a way to repay you Miss"

hey

Rie smiled as Darius answered her questions, they were what she expected for the most part. She began to walk and circled around him once, and then once more before stopping in front of him and taking his helmet off. She examined his face more closely getting borderline obnoxiously close to his face and then stood back. "So you let your stereotypes blind you, for all you know you have met an honorable demon and you speared him right through before he had a chance to prove it," she said almost light heartedly as she poked his forehead.

She looked up at him, "Who am I?" she asked curiously as her whole body perked and she blinked before smiling, "I'm Rie duh!" she said in a matter of factly tone. "The question is WHO are YOU! And I don't need to veto I am supposed to pull together a small elite team to start freeing the gods, one of the reasons the king said no before was the dark goddess won't help and I wasn't used to my new abilities," she explained. "You need a God to free a God," she said, "Or a Demois but I don't see any of them volunteering at the moment," she said with a giggle.

"....War does not corrupt people, it is the breed of said corruption," she said plainly, "If you think about it reality has as many versions of right and wrong as their are people, some think that war is good and some don't. War is needed, but not one like this, at the rate the Demois are going the world will be damaged even further beyond repair, they don't want war they want domination," she explained. "....... Well! Are you in or are you out?" she asked the man.

"There you are." Nia murmured softly, smiling warmly at the orphaned fawn who had just finished his bottle of warm milk. Gently, the fawn nuzzled Nia's hand, and she giggled.

"You'll make a handsome stag when you grow up." Still smiling, she stroked her hand over the top of his head. Then she patted his flank twice. "Now off you go."

As the fawn trotted off, Nia straightened her legs so she could observe the landscape at her full height. Surrounded by trees and bushes, a brook flowing nearby, with mountains in the distance, her home truly suited her. A breeze blew over her, making her hair flutter and the ends of her dress billow as she took a deep breath of the fresh air. Sparing a moment more to gaze at her land, she turned back toward the modest cottage that served as her abode.

Stopping briefly at the doorway to clean her bare feet and don her boots, Nia made her way to the stable. After strapping her saddle to Lily, she hopped and and began her trip to Lux Et Spei for supplies.

~*~*~*~*~

When she reached the gates, Nia slipped off Lily and continued on foot, stopping briefly to drop off Lily at a nearby pub. The owners had long grown accustomed to her monthly trips, and allowed Lily to stay free of charge, knowing that by evening Nia would be back on her way.

After her horse was taken care of, Nia continued through town. She was stopped in her tracks, though, when a young dragon jumped up onto her. Taken by surprise, Nia was knocked to the grown. The heavy beast began to lick her, comparable to a puppy. Tickled and amused by this encounter, giggles erupted from her. In a heartbeat, the creature was off of her, and only then did she notice the elven man standing nearby.

He introduced himself and his dragon, apologizing profusely as she lifted herself off the ground and righted herself.

"Erik, is it? My name's Nia, Nia Grestow. And there's no need to repay me; I wasn't hurt." She said, smiling. Turning to pat Alwec on the head, she added, "This little one's just a bit lively, is all. But you're right, one doesn't see elves here very often. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Nia extended her hand, smile still in place.

"If you show me an honorable demon, then I will gladly take back my words, but in my experience, demons are evil. They will always be evil. It is true that war is brought about by the corruption of others. Humans grew proud and they morphed themselves into abominations. That is what we fight," he told the girl. He frowned at her invasion of his personal space, but said nothing. At her name, whispers erupted among his men, but Darius was careful to show no reaction.

"You are young. Do you think you are ready to lead a mission? And what of my men? Shall I go off with you and leave them without a commanding officer. What say you, goddess?" he asked her. A few of his men muttered about his disrespect, but Darius ignored them. Respect was earned, not given, and girl said herself that she had been just learning her powers.

[Omitting Phylo at the moment -- writer's block getting him started]

A short while later, Sylas was released just outside of Lux Et Sprei. He'd missed this place. It'd been three years since he'd been to the place he called home. As he stood there, getting his where-abouts and getting used to sunlight, he couldn't help but remember the upside to his mission -- he would get to see Rie, and more importantly, his son. Granted, his mission was to capture Rie as well as this Goddess of Darkness, but his alliance had always secretly lain with the Gods.

In 113 U.W. Adric -- as he was known then -- allowed his heart to be filled with anger and hatred in a severe degree. It was this hatred and anger that caused him to change. The funny thing was, his hatred lay with the Demons and Demois, particularly over his parents and the death of Rie. It was odd to think she'd died three years ago, but he knew that very well to be factual. After all, she was the reason he'd pledged his soul, basically, to serving Lucifer. The terms were that he serve Lucifer and never return to Lux Et Sprei in return for Rie and the baby's life. It'd been a sacrifice that he was willing to make, but it had cost him a lot.

But this, is why his alliance always lay with the Gods. He had reason to hate the Demons and Demois, particularly over his parents, but most of all over Rie. So how was he to carry out this mission if he knew he had a deep soft spot for Rie and if his alliance was with the Gods? He couldn't change back. Could he?

Sylas shook the thoughts from his head and began to walk off a bit to the East. Having lived in Lux Et Sprei for the majority of his life, he knew of secret entrances, which had been frequented by bands of demons and demois alike during previous years. He'd never thought he would be using it for any other reason than convenience, but alas, he had to. He sighed and continued on until he got to the entrance. It was on a cliffside that overlooked the area of the city where the Library was. Behind it was a small cottage up on a hill, one he recognized to be Rie's. As he stood there overlooking the Library, he flashed back to that horrible day three years ago.

... Adric headed downstairs, intending to leave, and was caught off guard when he saw some demons roaming around, dead bodies everywhere. He immediately took out his daggers and prepared to fight, not really in the mood to deal with the low lifes. His heart was full of anger and hatred for his parents, even the Gods. He didn't see Rie anywhere, and it hadn't dawned on him that she was missing.

The demons were about to leave and saw Adric. "Hey, another one," one laughed as they didn't know who he was. They pulled out their bloodied swords and charged forward with great speed to kill him.

Adric was simply not in the mood, so when the demons charged him, he growled and began to dodge and fight them, throwing fireballs and whisps of fire out as he did, stabbing some in the back or cutting them he could. He wasn't afraid of them, he'd grown up alone surviving this [hell], so he could handle it. It was then that he realised Rie was gone. As he killed another one, he growled again. "Where is she!" he demanded.

"Who? Oh, you mean the head librarian? She's in the back...hanging around," the demon said with a laugh before trying to flee.

In the back Rie was tied up in a T-pose with her arms out and her neck and hands tied to a book shelf. She was gagged and blood dripped in a pool under her. She had many cuts and bite marks and her wrists and gut had been slashed open. Her eyes were wide open and lifeless with clean streams through the blood on her face where her tears had fallen....

As Sylas returned to the present, his heart was beating against his chest and his jaw was tight. The memory alone was enough to fill his heart with renewed anger and especially hatred. He'd hated the Gods, only for executing his parents before he had the chance to kill them himself, but he hated the demons and demois more than he could begin to express.

With a deep breath, Sylas began to relax and returned to looking out over the city. He could see almost all of it, and the sun glinting off the knight's armor caught his eye. He studied the movements of the knights and then saw a small figured woman talking to one of them. He recognized her easily, even from afar. It was Rie. His lips tugged up in the corners only slightly as the sight of her relaxed him a bit.

Now, how to get to her?....

She smiled up at him already knowing one Demois who she counted as honorable, though she didn't know he was so close by. "We fight Greed, we fight Lust, we fight Gluttony, Pride, Envy and all those other things, THAT is what this war is against," she said pointedly. "You'd do best to keep that in mind, as for being able to lead this mission I can't say I am as I have no idea what to expect but no one truly does. As for your mean, if you trained them right then they should be able to handle themselves and follow and leader you appoint to them," she added happily.

She fell silent as she began to since Adric nearby and was a bit shocked by it but tried to hide it well. She looked around a moment before picking Nero and Momo up, "I require an answer now, I must have the team together before tomorrows evening, if you wish to join it merely follow me, you will have time to come back and handle your men before you leave that I can assure you but I don't have time to waste here trying to prove myself to someone who hasn't earned such respect, You're assumed skilled by your ranking and I'm assumed skilled by my title, ranking can be bought though," she reminded him to show him that the only reason she even knew he was close to good enough for what she needed was because she'd spent her own time watching him and deducting that he'd be an essential part of her team, but she wasn't about to just stand there and argue with the man, if she could get Adric on their side it would do amazing wonders for them. And so with that she turned on her heels and left it open for him to go with her or not. As she left Nero's eyes opened and looked at the knight, he blinked with curiosity to the man before smiling and waving slowly to him motioning for him to come along.

Darius grunted. She had him there. She was his only hope for going on the mission to free the gods and she knew it. Thus, he would have to follow her orders. Still, it was a low price to pay if it meant that he would be part of something as important as freeing the gods. If they could be freed, they could easily turn the tide in this war. He turned to Aldric and stated, "You are in charge while I am gone. I want you and every man vigilant in defending Lux Et Sprei while I am gone. Be safe."

He added the last part in almost a whisper before following the goddess. Despite his harsh exterior, he cared for his men a great deal. You didn't risk death together with someone without forming a bond of sorts. They would have to work together, but they would do well. He knew it. As for him and the goddess, he could work with her as long as she was competent. She was at least smart. He'd give her that. He glanced down at the kid, frowning slightly. He resembled the goddess so it must be hers, but who was the father? He decided not to pursue the question. Her private life was none of his business.

"Who will look after your kid while we're away?"