Noah didn’t feel as if Yahal was oppressive. He felt as if Yahal was overreaching, assuming, and misunderstanding. He didn’t want to care for Yahal, and he hadn’t before with very little impact on his own life. It wasn’t until Elann came into his life did Yahal seemingly take a place in it that Noah didn’t invite the god to, it felt invading and unwelcome. Elann failed to make it clear to him that she thought for herself half the time, always phrasing her actions in some connection to Yahal. He had argued that point before to no avail and no purchase in her mind, or that was what it seemed like. As he had said, it was difficult to see where Yahal’s influence ended and Elann’s own motivations began.

She spoke of Zulrav, using lightning as an example. Noah looked at her warily and in warning, a sidelong glance that told her to watch where she was stepping pertaining to his god. His relationship with Zulrav was formulated on the basis of mutual respect and understanding one’s individuality without judgement or question, mostly because any of the two would be disregarded as unimportant, shrugged off and given no weight.

“Okay,” he said, speaking plainly. Elann had given her explanation and Noah was unsure how to continue. Speaking with her on religion was exhausting to some degrees, mostly because it was like walking in the dark and being told to see at the same time.

Noah looked in the direction the river flowed from, noting the trees flanking either side further down, how not all of the river was an embankment. Erosion carved its way through hills, leaving flanking ravines made up of moist dirt and clay. He felt the cool air blow from behind him, ruffling up his looser garments of clothing.

“Because I do not worship Yahal like you, do you think I am not pure and faithful?” He did not question his own faithfulness to her or anyone his loyalties may have lied with, so he asked, “Do you think I am marred? Does Yahal believe me to be untrue because I do not pray to him?”