Redsand Canyon dry dry desert

“Only that the way back up will be much longer.”

He carries himself with laughter and slips like a trickle of dark water along the rocks to closer behold the form of his stranger. She’s arrayed in common gray but with an unusual stare like a pair of bright desert jades. Everything in her guards against him, and especially her words that speak of god.

Oh, but he held love for the smile of a stranger, if she would let him.

“Rejoice!” He hums in near melody, “a divine being to deliver the canyon from godlessness.”

A new god, what a novelty it is! He knows the scope of old gods, the cruelty that comes of watching infinite generations rise and fall beneath them. His eyes are kindling, gathering their zeal. He smiles at the jeweled lady.

“Tell me, is yours a merciless god?”