"How come She wants the things she wants?"

Summerhawk blinks.

"I - think that part of it is inherent in the kinds of thing that a god can see and care about in general, and then some are specific to Her. I am afraid that neither is the sort of question that I, personally, can answer for you." 

"I was talking to Lionwind about how it might be that a god could keep a people and even work fairly hard on keeping them safe without, like, respecting their interests and being ultimately friendly to them, the way people are with farm animals."

"...I am not sure what the question is that you are asking here." 

(Ma'ar is feeling very tense but doesn't want to be discouraging to Azabel and so he tries to hold himself perfectly still.) 

"I'm wondering if there's a way to tell if that's going on or if you're guessing."

"I told you already that there were many cases where I would be guessing. I do not know Her mind, nor whether mortals could even comprehend it." 

"So... you don't know that she has your best interests at heart at all."

"I know what She agreed to." 

"There's a specific agreement? What is it?"

"Well, it is of course not a signed contract as humans do it, that is not how the gods work! But our histories speak of the first shaman to speak with Her - what is really the beginning of the Kaled'a'in as a people - and, it is as I said before. She will give our prayers priority, and protect our people against threats we could not see coming, and warn our shamans of danger, and in other ways promote our wellbeing. And in exchange, we will serve Her." 

"What kinds of service does She want?"

"For those of our people drawn to the calling of a priest, to become shamans to Her - not that we exactly need conscript people, there are always enough youngsters interested, and -" a crooked smile, "- and some of us older folk as well. To pray to Her first and foremost. To listen to Her advice and consult Her avatars before our people make major decisions such as moving a clan to new lands. And - apart from that, She will ask for what She requires of us." 

"What kinds of things has she asked for before?"

"You must keep in mind that I know only of the most famous and well-remembered historical cases, but - hmm. For us to move at particular times, to particular places - occasionally, for certain decisions to be made rather than others, in politics or war, or for certain policies..." 

"Can you give me examples of decision and policy demands she's made?"

Summerhawk looks momentarily embarrassed. "I - will need to go consult the written histories, I think. I do not want to tell you wrongly!" 

"Okay, I'm not in a hurry."

"Do you want me to go look it up now?" 

"If you could!"

"Of course! Just - here, have a seat, I will be back in a few minutes..." She gestures vaguely at the rug and then rises and heads out. 

Ma'ar shifts a bit closer to Aza. 

:What do you think so far?: he asks her, in private Mindspeech. 

:I don't... like it? I mean, I don't have to, She's theirs not mine, but there's something creepy about it honestly. Maybe if she comes back with a list of very smart policy decisions I will relax a bit but as it stands it does look worryingly like they're pets:

:...Makes me wonder a little if pets have conversations like this with each other. Or farm animals. And if some of them - like it - and others don't...: 

:Well, you could ask an Animal Mindspeaker: