Yula watched as the Paladins disappeared into the trees, a sense of relief coming over him. Alboda stood, stretching his body.

Those two are an interesting pair.

The minor god nodded in agreement with the Great Beast. He was happy that Mariel connected with another Paladin, even if it was a rocky start. Hope spread in his heart.

“Those two are terrible together. I don’t know what Lady Edona was thinking,” Unir said, appearing beside Yula. “Though I do like your Paladin, Yula. She’s far more interesting than mine.”

“Jana has wonderful qualities,” Yula reminded.

“Boring qualities you mean.”

Yula sighed as his fellow god flipped her hair. “You still haven’t told her about the human war that’s coming, have you?”

So it’s true then? What the trees have whispered. A war is coming?

“Possibly Alboda, the stars spoke to Lady Edona.”

“Do you believe what she said? That it will be a god, who starts it?” Unir asked, her concern apparent. “I can’t think of a god who would be willing.”

“Other than Attune?”

“She’s not a god,” Unir spat.

“She is,” Yula reminded. “Even exiled, she is equal to our lady. If the Great Rulers didn’t think she was a threat, then we wouldn’t have Paladins. Her influence still runs rampant in this world.”

I fear the Paladins will not be ready for such a power. Many of them have not spilled blood or seen the horrors of war. Alboda snorted.

“I fear it as well,” Yula sighed. “Especially for Mariel.”

“I keep telling you to stop getting so attached to your Paladin,” Unir scoffed. “It’s always going to be the same. They will pick a king, they will do their bidding, die because of the dumb decisions of humans and be reborn to do it all over again. You make it harder on yourself by getting so close and sitting by them at their death.”

“You feel nothing for your Paladin, Unir?”

“Of course I do, but you love too deeply. I see your heart break every time they die, even though you know it when it will come, long before they do. You have been through even worse with Mariel. Who has proven to be the worst Paladin in all of creation.”

Yula smiled. “Even if she is the worst, she is still my Paladin.”

Unir groaned with a hard eye roll. “You’ll never change.”

Alboda chuckled as the minor god vanished, leaving Yula staring at the direction his Paladin had gone.

Take care of the young one, god. Like you, I have grown rather fond of her over the years. I believe she will bring significant change to the world.

“So do I.”