Definitely. We can also pick out locations to leave notes in case any change of plan's needed without it coming out of nowhere. Tisvet, can you get us a few locations that would be good for meeting or leaving notes?

Yes. I'll get Ellie a location list before she leaves for places to leave notes and meet outside of my domain. In it is hardly the problem.

Do you have a time schedule for your travels? Tainel asks of Ellie.

Not as such, no. I can create and adhere to one, that seems like it would be useful.

Very! I'll get you a proper list of places to visit that you can work with. Tisvet can have the rock salt in a few weeks, think you can stretch it out that far?

Yes. I will be very thorough. Maeverine will be impressed with my diligence.

Tainel smiles.

That's the spirit. I'm surprised that she acolytes people after kidnapping them. Completely unsustainable, we are doing the world a favor by killing her.

Her training is normally very effective at instilling loyalty and weeding out the ones who aren't.

But not universally, obviously.

I formed my intention to kill her very early in my time there. It was... an anchor.

... Well. We'll kill her. And then you'll be a god and have all the time in the world to do whatever you like.

I've not thought so much about that part of it.

Understandable. Tisvet and I can give you pointers if you want them, but - cross that bridge when we get to it, and all.

Advice would be appreciated. Mortals who slay gods don't tend to outlive them by much.

Not really, no. There's a lot to handle, and most of their peers don't take kindly to former mortals, uh, existing. Tends to give acolytes the idea that they could maybe do the same. Maeverine's not very well liked, and is pretty isolated regardless. The major god you'd have trouble with is Varkalosix, and otherwise you'd maybe be okay if you spin it as a necessary evil and keep to yourself.

I think that should be doable.

All right. Anything else for now? There's only so long I can bullshit about history.

Gosh can he bullshit, though. He's still not out of history to talk about.

I don't think so. The history is interesting in it's own right, perhaps we can have that conversation properly someday.

Half of this is made up, the other half's exaggerated, he assures. I'll tell you the actual history later, though.

Nod.

"Thank you for the lesson, Taniel. We'll have to do this again sometime."

"You're quite welcome," he says, all smiles. "Yes, we will. Take care." And kill the bitch.

And then he waves, and off he goes.

Ellie goes back to the temple for dinner and bed, intending to leave in the morning if Tisvet gets her the map.

She does! Also planned supplies to be left at each location, and what date they will be available without any divine presence overlap so as not to tip off Maeverine. Included in the supplies are explosives, several types of poison, a spyglass, rations, and some knives. Ellie can also make requests if she wants anything in particular.

That should be sufficient, with the supplies Ellie brought herself. She memorizes the locations and dates on the map and tucks it carefully into her boot.

And then she's off. Places to go, gods to visit.

The places and gods are all there as promised, certainly! As are the drop points for helpful items.

(Even the decay god is nicer than Maeverine. He's perfectly nice to his people, he just threatens and terrorizes people that aren't under any god's protection.)