It was a more personal question than the Tidebreaker had expected from the Warden, but given that his own inquiries were of a similar nature it was a valid one. Hadama inclined his head in acknowledgment of it, listing his concerns with care. "Whether she might ask me to set aside leadership of the Mer," he said quietly. "If I become a demigod." That he might be called to leave his people and go to war regardless of which choice he made, he already knew. Even Deimos had been forced to leave Halo at her bidding for the assault on the Draig. Torchline's co-leadership he might hold with her blessing, but what of the Mer if, as Deimos pointed out, he was changed beyond recognition? "Whether I will be allowed to keep the magic I have trained. The shifts I have discovered." Pieces of his soul and part of who he was. A sacrifice akin to removing a fin or an arm, if not moreso. "And if there will be issues with alliances I build with leaders who are not her followers." Sunjata of King's End was the most obvious, but would it affect relations with Danta as well?
Deimos answered his question in turn, and Hadama nodded in understanding of the connection. Outlander and, at one point, Abandoned, as the tales would have it. A difficult set of barriers to overcome to get an answer from the gods of Caido. In return he finally shifted, his fingers finding the starry ring upon his other hand and brushing it lightly in memory. "At first, family loyalty. Safrin has been our patron for generations." Though she had been locked behind the Barrier for centuries, her legend had inspired his ancestors, his parents, and eventually himself, even when she had been absent. "After she returned, I followed her out of gratitude for what she did for my people. For the canals and the monsoon shield that protects the reef," he added in explanation after a brief pause. Though mortal prayers had shaped those gifts, Safrin had still chosen to empower and bless them, expanding them beyond what those mortal hands could have accomplished on their own. "And then, because she answered my prayer. A small one, but she treated it with kindness and respect." When he had fully expected to be ignored; that the seeking of her blessing for his endeavor would yield the silence had had known before the Barrier fell.
He lapsed back into courteous silence, both to listen to what the Warden might have to say in response to his answers, and to consider if there were further questions to ask while he had the opportunity.
Deimos answered his question in turn, and Hadama nodded in understanding of the connection. Outlander and, at one point, Abandoned, as the tales would have it. A difficult set of barriers to overcome to get an answer from the gods of Caido. In return he finally shifted, his fingers finding the starry ring upon his other hand and brushing it lightly in memory. "At first, family loyalty. Safrin has been our patron for generations." Though she had been locked behind the Barrier for centuries, her legend had inspired his ancestors, his parents, and eventually himself, even when she had been absent. "After she returned, I followed her out of gratitude for what she did for my people. For the canals and the monsoon shield that protects the reef," he added in explanation after a brief pause. Though mortal prayers had shaped those gifts, Safrin had still chosen to empower and bless them, expanding them beyond what those mortal hands could have accomplished on their own. "And then, because she answered my prayer. A small one, but she treated it with kindness and respect." When he had fully expected to be ignored; that the seeking of her blessing for his endeavor would yield the silence had had known before the Barrier fell.
He lapsed back into courteous silence, both to listen to what the Warden might have to say in response to his answers, and to consider if there were further questions to ask while he had the opportunity.
