Questions Raised by Two Invitations

Hill's prayer was utterly sincere. Aglaia and Liszt could both hear it.

"If the Harpers heard you praying like that, sir, they'd lose their minds," Liszt said with a laugh. "Though I think they're nearly there already. They even dared to swim to the bottom of the swamp. The Holy Knights of the Silver Shield are watching them like suspects now."

Hill paused, then said slowly, "Put some potions that purge yin toxins and cold toxins in the shop. I remember we have some in storage."

"Why bother with them, Papa Hill?" Aglaia asked. "Their greed brought this on them. Whatever happens is their own doing."

"I let the Holy Knights and Harpers station themselves here to guard against Bhaal, the God of Death!" Hill said earnestly. "Whatever happens, we can't forget why we started, Aglaia. Cold toxins aside, if they're exposed to too much yin toxin, what if one of them falls prey to Bhaal's lingering spirit?

"They may have forgotten the lesson of Baldur's Gate, but I refuse to let anything like that happen on my land.

"The same goes for you, Aglaia.

"Not accepting worship doesn't mean you shouldn't protect those who offer you their faith and loyalty."

Hill suddenly realized that Aglaia viewed humans from a distinctly divine perspective. She stood aloof from mortal affairs and judged what humans did from above.

Hill had no intention of changing her attitude. A little distance between Gods and mortals was good for both sides.

But Aglaia could not neglect her worshippers, either. Human hearts changed quickly; love and hate were often separated by the thinnest line.

Sometimes, outright detractors weren't the worst. The worst were devoted followers who turned against you.

Hill decided to find some examples for Aglaia to study. Hadn't the Cult of the Dragon leader