*Brendn and Volan had returned to their shared home after the war and had spent their day relaxing. A tuna sat roasting over the fire, with spices from Brendn's homeworld sitting nearby.*

"Never again," Volan sighed. "As long as I live, I hope not to return to a large-scale battlefield."

*Brendn was only a little high. He had only consumed a pinch of Gloamgrass recently. He was fully capable of reason.*

"Why not?" Brendn asked. "That was kind of fun. We even made a few friends!"

"Listen, Brendn," Volan almost spat, just holding back his frustration. "We're not soldiers. We're duelists and hunters. Our place isn't on the front lines."

"But what if another realm needs our help?" Brendn replied. "What do we do, then?"

"These other realms can help themselves," Volan jabbed. "You saw the number of wizards and the like who came to fight."

"And what if I still want to help without you?" Brendn tried to meet Volan's eyes, but the warrior didn't look up.

Volan sighed again. "Alright. Fine. We don't need to be soldiers to fight in a war. We're hunters. We know the ways of stealth. We'd be better serving the role of scouts, spies, and assassins. Or at least I would be subtle enough to be an assassin."

"I thought you had a distaste for blood," Brendn said. "I've seen you vomit so many times, I've lost track."

Volan exhaled sharply. "I hate that you're right. Killing leaves a foul taste in my mouth. Especially if it looks even vaguely human. I don't have any desire to go to war again."

*Brendn looked up at the roasting tuna, a spark of hunger in his eye. It wasn't his patron. That being had no desires. Not right now.*

"The guild probably has something arranged for us," Volan said. "I say we eat and head out."

"Sounds like a plan," Brendn replied. He touched the tattoo on the left side of his face. "Ready for another hunt?"

The tattoo seemed to curl off Brendn's face and into a ball of dark energy. It drifted to the ground, where it took the form of a wolf. Brendn knew this was only a fraction of his patron's true form, but at least it fit inside the house.

**Always,** the creature replied. **You have my protection. But after this hunt, we shall return to our origin. I long for the mana of Elcor.**

"Damn," Brendn replied. "I forgot how much I missed the taste of Elcor's cuisine. Volan, want to come along?"

Volan finally let a weak smile cross his face. "If I can spare the time."

We're Not Soldiers (God-Slaver epilogue)