The group continued onward, pressing forward until the sun sank below the horizon and the moon rose high into the night sky. While they arranged their makeshift beds to settle down, Hayes spoke in a careful tone.0

“May I step away for a moment to finish my evening prayer? I’d like some solitude,” she said.0

Naflas answered, “Go ahead. Take your time.”0

“Thank you. And would you mind coming along, Naflas?”0

“Hm?” Naflas looked puzzled for an instant but seemed to catch on and followed her. 0

They walked along a dark path until they reached a riverside, where the water flowed muddied by what seemed like recent heavy rains.0

Hayes paused near the roar of the current and turned to Naflas. “Lord Naflas, what exactly are you doing here? Are you really going to bring that barbarian into our church?”0

Naflas tilted his head. “Why not? Do you see a problem with it?”0

“Do we really need to do this?” Hayes struggled to understand his reasoning. Bringing that barbarian in as a member of the Church of Kalosia felt risky. No matter how she thought about it, the odds of future trouble seemed high.0

Yet, Naflas’s expression was steadfast. “We must. Our church is too weak right now. We need someone strong.”0

Hayes...0