A false heart to heart

We began walking through the shopping district while we talked. We had idle chatter until he truly asked his first meaningful question. "Why do you never seem to answer questions about your past directly?"

The mood became less friendly in an instant. I paused, trying to come up with the best response. I settled on one, after all, partial truths are always better than lies. "In my past I was... A bad man." I closed my eyes with a sorrowful expression. "I was the leader of a group of evil people, though we didn't start that way. We, at first, were a group of friends, like your own party. But, we got arrogant, we started taking from the common folk, acting like hooligans. Then, all of that was taken from me, and only then did I realize how horrible I had become. I banished myself to the woods, were I struggled like I felt I deserved." I opened my eyes with a slightly hopeful expression. "You know how that came to an end. I only hope I can truly redeem myself in the service of my lord, Moged-Ruun."

He was silent for a moment before I saw him nod in the corner of my eye. "Redemption can be a most righteous path. Even those who commit evil may be redeemed in the end." I smirked on the side of my face he couldn't see. 'Like stealing candy from a baby.'

I purchased some nice fabrics from a merchant in order to get some clothes for myself. I got a material that was nice yet durable, something you would expect of a rich man who still works hard. I felt that was a good feel, I wanted to be distinguished yet not detached.

After that, I was asked Oliver's second question. "Your god is in no pantheon, is it possible he would join the darkness?"

I thought more thoroughly before answering this one. 'There is most certainly a right answer, but it would be a lie...' "I cannot yet read the intentions of my god, yet I feel that he is unlikely to become subservient to those mad twins, it simply does not fit what I understand of him." 'I hope that's sufficient. He asked a quite important question there, and I need to make sure he's on my side.'

"I see..." He stared off into space for awhile before responding any more. "I suppose that makes sense. If he has not yet been approached by the light, it is not his fault that he is not among them." I gave an inner sigh of relief.

I then brought the fabric to a tailor, asking for an outfit similar to the spirit. I felt it would be good to have a consistent theme as well as it being a good choice. The tailor went to work, me standing by for measurements.

I was then asked another question by Oliver. "Does your god have any objectives or endgame?" He continued before I could ask for clarification. "The light preaches they want the destruction of the dark, the dark wants to... you know..."

I nodded. "Indeed. I believe my god's only wish now is to spread, in both word and power. He wishes to be known to more, and to bless more land with his divine glory. I know not his final goals, though I don't know if he has had the time or the chance to make them."

He nodded ponderingly. "A fine response, far more honest than most would be."

After that there was mostly silence while we waited. He seemed to be lost in thought on something, and I was fine leaving him to think. The tailor was quite thorough, I believe I intimidated them with my fine fabric and the fact that we were two rather buff individuals. The end result was better than I had hoped, I thanked him kindly and gave him more than he had asked for, partially to give myself a good image, partially to look better to Oliver, but also because I believed in investing in skilled craftsmen.

The last question Oliver asked was on the way back to the tavern from the tailor. "You said I have a variant bloodline?"

"My god tells me you potentially do, yes." I nodded.

He looked at me confused. "Potentially? Is it not a 'have it or don't' situation?"

I considered that for a moment before piecing it together myself. "I believe what he meant is that you have the potential to awaken one you have, as you clearly don't have the full powers of one as of yet."

A look of realization dawned on his face. "I see, this is a wise statement. I ask though, how would I have a variant bloodline?"

I could not figure a solid answer to that myself. "I know not, and my god stays silent. I imagine it could have been a grand parent or so, but I simply lack the answer, my apologies."

He nodded solemnly. "It is alright, Mathew. I should not rely on you and your god for all the answers. You have already done so much for me."

I gave him a kindly smile. "It was my honor, Oliver. I only hope we can continue to help each other, as I see bright things in the future for us both."

As I finished, a large group of men gathered, and one called out. "Has anyone seen a Mathew Kiegan?"