She chooses the harder way.

"The clan is safe?" Sonja gives a partial reverent bow while still keeping her eyes on the white cloaked woman.

"Yes." Scáthach answers. "The man responsible for your troubles is a sadistic Stygian sorcerer named Thoth-Amon. He needs your lord for a dark ritual to grant him power. As we speak Sinja is being brought to Thoth-Amon who plans to take him to the Temple of Bel in the Ruins of Theritie where he will perform the necessary ritual tomorrow night during the Blood Moon. The Stygian, therefore, cares little of your clan, unless they oppose him, then his wrath would be great."

"Will Sinja be killed?" The she-bandit asks.

"Even the gods cannot clearly see the future, young one." Scáthach gently shakes her head. "But, there is no doubt, the wizard's intent and desires are wholly evil, and Sinja is in great peril."

"Will you come with me?" Sonja's eyes go wide with hope. "Or aid me in my quest?"

"No, she-bandit." The goddess flatly states. "I will not. For I tell you these things not for concern for your lord or clan, but to set forth a trial before you. For I condescensed myself to this earthly plain solely to treat with you, Sonja the she-bandit of Hyrkanian. For if you succeed in stopping Thoth-Amon you will become my avatar on this world, if you fail, however, then you will most likely die."

"I care not for titles nor this mage." The redhead frowns. "I care for my lord and those whom I call family."

"Maybe so." Scáthach smiles at Sonja's impudence. "But for this day, they are one in the same. If you wish to save Sinja then you must stop Thoth-Amon." The goddess waves her hands at the she-bandit's weapons and turns to leave. "We will soon meet again Sonja. Either when I reward you for succeeding at your quest or when soul goes to the place of dead."

The Hyrkanian watches the goddess disappear into the shadows of the trees before she picks up and sheathes her blades.

"Damn." The she-bandit mutters as she considers her options to free her lord.