Vaayo tries to convince them to let him change the words of the dedication ceremony. Aelor listens to him quietly until he's entirely done before answering.
"You don't need to do it at all," she says.
"I don't want to go, I want to stay here and farm."
"Nothing's stopping you."
"Yes, it is," he says. She just shrugs.
So he tries explaining the problem to Gari instead. "Just say it and get on with life, kid, it's just words," Gari says, because Gari has never respected anything in his life.
"But the gods aren't the definition of goodness. They left us."
"I guess we need a new priest anyway. Have fun trying not to die, kid."
"You sure sound glad to get rid of me."
Gari pats him on the head. "I wouldn't mind if you didn't run off and get yourself killed over a few words."
It's his choice, they say. It's just Vaayo refusing to stay and be part of things, they say. It doesn't feel like a choice at all.
On the day that would have been his dedication ceremony, Vaayo packs for a trip, hugs everyone, insists yet again that they're the stubborn ones who are making this happen, hugs some of them again, rethinks his packing...
...tells himself to stop delaying...
...tells himself that some more...
...and leaves for the ruined city of the gods.