I sat across the small table from him. Prior events had left me groggy and barely able to communicate, but I was able to observe him clearly. Graciously, he did not ask anything of me, but he also did not fill the silence with meaningless noise.
He did those things he usually does in his usual speed. Others came and went around us like smoke. A moment of needed rest for me, I was appreciative of the restraint.
He laid a hand on the table. My attention was fully his despite the inability to move my head to face him. Without words, I knew the matter of the moment was the token plaque of ownership requested of me.
“No.”
He lifted his hand off the table and my attention was allowed to wander again. I was relieved in having his authority to back up my obstinance. His formal denial now meant if the other god wanted to force the issue, he had to now challenge him directly.
Good. I can now get my mortal ass away from the field of dispute. While I was not present for the last time these two challenged each other’s authority, the tale of the damage left behind is enough to trigger my survival instinct.
I tried to nod in acknowledgement. I overestimated the level of my recovery and neatly fell off the chair. He caught me. Something he did not have to do. He whispered something in my ear, something that my soul understood but my consciousness did not.
A wave of relief buried my thoughts and I knew nothing more.