Leareth had no idea before yesterday that he needs to be kissed, actually! Until just a few days ago he had no idea cuddles were this necessary either.

"For the sake of balance," he says with some reluctance, "I ought also tell you some of the reasons why the Heralds were after me." 

"I assume you have done something terribly evil."

"Well, I was planning to invade Valdemar in order to found an empire. They were not supposed to know about this, obviously, but then some rather blatant god-driven coincidences led to Herald Vanyel being absurdly powerful, and he was given a Foresight dream about my invasion." 

"...I am against this plan, personally, it seems like it would involve a high chance of killing my patients. --Former patients."

"I also disprefer it and tried all of the better plans first! It is much easier for the gods to disrupt anything that involves alliances and such using small nudges. I am sure They will try something about this plan as well, but They would have to be much more blatant, and They are not as good at that, in my experience." 

He pauses. Frowns. "...I am going to jump ahead to the next piece, but you will probably find it very alarming." 

Levris puts his head on Leareth's shoulder. "Go ahead."

"I am intending to create a new god, with more human-flourishing-compatible values, since the current ones are doing a very bad job there. I have spent a very long time working out the magical and, well, values-checking aspects of this plan, and a very long time failing to discover a feasible energy source other than..." he hesitates, "...other than a vast quantity of blood-magic. Which is what the large empire is needed for. Once there is a god who is on board with reincarnating people complete with their memories, I think I - well, They - can bring them back." 

"...can I check your work."

It's Leareth's turn to decide that Levris definitely needs to be kissed for that answer! 

"I assume that's a yes."

"I would be delighted." Hug. "You will need to learn a great deal of background material, but that is a significant part of what Nayoki's team is working on, so I think she would be happy to catch you up." 

"Yeah, I'm not a mage and I know a little bit of the theory behind magic but not very much?"

"Did you study the theory behind magic just because it was interesting?" That gets him a forehead kiss and snuggle. "I have many very detailed books on it - some are not even ones that I wrote! You would also need to know some math." 

"Yeah. I'm also not very good at math. But I can learn."

"I know you can. You are very smart." 

Wiggles. "You don't know that!"

"I feel I have significant evidence, actually! It is evident in conversation with you, especially when you were reading my book, and also you showed me your brain." 

Intense happy wiggling. "I'm very stupid actually."

"Oh? Is it because you are in love with me and I am very evil?" 

"No. The gods decided that, not me. But-- I'm slow, I don't understand enough things--"

"Really? I think you are doing very well for someone your age." He frowns. "I am sorry, I do not mean any offence by that, just - you are very young compared to me." 

"We're probably all stupid compared to you." Levris kisses his cheek. 

Leareth runs a hand down Levris' back. "There is knowledge and intelligence, and they are separate things. I am of the impression that you learn very quickly, which is what matters." 

"Not quickly enough to compensate for the vast seas of ignorance I have--"

"Then I suppose I will have to make you immortal - by a method better than the one I use - and provide you with all the rare books I have, so that you can catch up."