"I like it!" Small solemn clap.

"He's growing quickly. I half expected him to die, he seemed so sickly and hungry, but he's really filling up, now."

"Aw, that is sad, but I guess that is nature."

"Maybe it's the healing food thing? It can't be hurting his chances."

"Not implausible," Taharqi says, nodding. "I am sure Jhebbal Sag would love it if he had died, though," he grumbles, then sighs. "—god of nature, for context," he adds, "and a right asshole as far as I can tell."

"As someone who technically died at least twice because of nature, I am not surprised."

"Technically?"

"We mentioned the clones thing? Well, before we managed to build a nice and comfortable island paradise at least two sets of us didn't make it."

"I see. My... condolences. I think."

Gabe shrugs. "Thanks. I guess."

Thomas pats Gabe on the back. "Are there any good gods in your world?"

"...I suppose Mitra is alright? A little bit too into the whole 'righteous crusades' thing but given who the other gods are, I am not even sure I disagree."

"If everyone else is 'nature god, but thinks kittens should die' levels of bad... yeah."

Anyway, now they have built a nice and sturdy base. What is next?

Well, next he would go storm the base of the Witch Queen, but if they want to do something he is way ahead of schedule here. Or if they want to come, too, but... they did not uh... look very versed in combat.

Well, excuse Gabe if he was too busy taking care of his beautiful face to learn how to get mauled by panthers.

Henry would like to learn how to defend himself and wants to help with Taharqi's plans. But he doesn't want to be a burden?

Thomas definitely wants to learn to fight and fight. What sort of opponents are they talking about? He ought to be more capable once he is not caught flatfooted and unarmed in the middle of another world.

Well, the main things they'll be facing before getting into the palace proper is gorillas and other large apes. Inside it... who knows. Maybe nothing, maybe something.

Henry doesn't think there is any benefit to going and slowing down their incredible capable immortal.

Thomas? How ya feelin' bud?

More annoyed than usual at his own mortality. But Thomas thinks he is not dead-weight during combat, and just because Taharqi is immortal it doesn't mean that he can't benefit from someone helping him along.

Well said. Taharqi can appreciate this.

They will wait until a less-rainy day and then Taharqi will prepare for battle. "Can you ride a horse?" he asks Thomas. "I can bring Skip, too, but if not I'll just bring Lucky and we can both ride her."

It's good to be appreciated.

"I don't. We don't really use horses. So, both riding Lucky sounds like the best alternative."

"I really don't think this is a good idea..." Sigh. "Any kind of preparations before you go?"

"I will bring some stuff from the main base, potions and bandages and arrows. Other than that, I don't think so."