Another hearty laugh from Herriman. 

"Pride's got nothing to do with it." Herriman said as a parting statement, before both warriors went their separate ways. Pride? Hah! Herriman laughed at the thought. The Raven God had taught him about the champions of the other gods, and this one in particular was on no position to speak. Made a champion for catching someone's fancy? Woe be to him. If they ever met in the arena, Herriman would take a personal joy in severing his head and holding it up for his paltry goddess wife to see. 

He finally arrived at the shrine room, waling past the long rows and hallways that lead to the shrines of other gods, until he found the shrine room to The Raven God. From the ceiling, talismans made of feathers and bird skulls hung from sinew ropes, and the floor was comprised of obsidian tiles. At the end of the room, a giant eight-pointed star was mounted against the wall, flanked by braziers that burned with blue fire. 

Herriman approached the eight-pointed star, and knelt before it. A blazing blue eye opened up in the center, and the pupil looked down at Herriman. "My lord, I must ask you something, it concerns the next battle..." Herriman started, but the fires grew suddenly brighter. 

[i]K[/i]No[i]W[/i] [i]t[/i]H[i]AT[/i] W[i]ha[/i]T[i]e[/i]vEr Ha[i]Pp[/i]e[i]NS[/i], my [i]ChA[/i][i]mP[/i][i]ioN[/i], i[i]T[/i] [i]I[/i]s [i]Al[/i]L [i]Goi[/i]Ng aS [i]Pl[/i]A[i]Nn[/i]eD

Herriman, knowing the meaning, bowed his head humbly, and the fires returned to their normal brightness. Adjusting his position, he sat cross-legged, and went into rest, awaiting his name to be called.