“Evil is not an opinion,” Xae growled.
“Oh, but it is. You may think something is evil while the person performing the act may believe they are doing something honorable, such as protecting their family and the like. This is why magic could never be evil. It simply does not have an opinion. All magic is neutral.”
“Well, we will determine what is evil or moral for Ember's training,” Rath said.
“Agreed, Lord Ratharin,” Death said.
The men let out weary sounds. Accepting sounds. I looked from face to face, still a little shocked that they were allowing this.
“Are we telling General Rontor?” I asked.
“No!” all three of them said in unison.
I lifted my brows.
“It's better if no one else knows about this,” Kel said. “If someone finds out, we'll deal with it then.”
“Uh-huh,” I said doubtfully. “All right. But, Death, I don't want you hanging out, watching me like a pervert.”
“I am not a pervert. I don't have those kinds of desires,” Death said.
I leapt on that. “But you do have desires?”
He didn't answer.
“What are you getting out of training me?”
Everyone went still.
“I've already told you what I get out of it—a student who can surpass all others. That is something every teacher dreams of. You will do great things, Ember. And your accomplishments will be due to me.”
“What sort of great things?” Keltyr asked.
“That's up to him,” Death said. “You can try to limit his knowledge all you want, but Ember will have access to the magic whether he is wise in its ways or not. And he is the one who will determine how he will use the magic. Do you have faith in him?”
“Never question that,” Xae growled. “We trust Ember implicitly. It's you we're worried about.”
“I cannot make decisions for Ember, only give him the truth to help him make informed decisions.”
“Your version of the truth,” Rath said. “We still don't know what you are. You say you're a god, and yet none of us have heard of you. There are no mentions of you in our history—written or oral. Gods are worshiped. And worship is recorded.”
“Not all Gods are worshiped, and it is arrogant of you to think that,” Death said cryptically. “Many gods exist, not just your Goddess and me. And none of us need your worship. We are pure power. A divine force with will and vast wisdom.” His voice went scornful as he went on, “Do you truly think we need your prayers and gratitude? That we are somehow weakened without attention? Your Goddess chooses to be in your lives because that is what she desires to do. It gives her pleasure to interfere. She adores being adored. I, however, do not require adoration. I don't even require a name. I simply am.”
“What do you require?” I asked.
“Nothing. But to answer your earlier question, what Idesireis to see life on Varr flourish. Watching all of you experience the greatness and tragedy of your physical lives fills the endlessness of eternity for me. You inspire thoughts, and the thoughts of gods can birth planets. Entire solar systems. I may not be as invested as your Goddess, but I do want you to live well, Ember. I want the war to end as much as you do. It has disrupted the balance on Varr.”
“Then end it, if you're a god,” Rath said.
“Tell that to your Goddess,” Death shot back. “If she cares so much about you and is so powerful, why doesn't she end the war?”
Rath grimaced.
“That's right,” Death said. “Becauseyoumust do it. Gods may interfere, but we will not simply impose our will on all of you. What would the point be of that? If we wanted to play with dolls, we would make you into mindless things and move you about at our whim. But that is not what you are or why you were created. You have free will and the wisdom to use it. While we gods have the wisdom to let you. Be grateful for that.”
“Damn,” Kel whispered. “He told you.”
“I am merely pointing out that you have different standards for your Goddess than you do for me. You want me to prove to you who I am when I already have. And truly, what does it matter who I am when I can help Ember?” He paused, then said. “I will return tomorrow to train Ember if I am still permitted to. In the meantime, ask yourselves what your goal is. What do you truly want for Ember and yourselves? And then ask who can help you accomplish that goal.”
