The one named Jericho had a very lovely, protected home, and I warmed up to it right away. spark seemed to love the house and the tree also, but I could tell that Alyssa and Mot were creeped out by the house they were staying in. I couldn't blame them.

I could also tell that this place, while it looked beautiful, was a place with many dangers and secrets. I didn't like it, and it was certainly no way for little Alyssa to grow up. Who knew how long we would be here for?

This morning, the priest gave us a tour of Mianite's temple. It was a gorgeous white structure decorated with gold. A throne surrounded by a magnificent eagle was the first thing I saw when I entered, and in it was the Lord himself.

"M'lord!" I stammered. I had never met Mianite face to face in Ruxomar, so it came as a bit of a shock.

"Jericho?" Mianite asked hesitantly.

"Greetings, Lord Mianite." The priest bowed. "This is Sir Jeriah, Jericho's alternate self. He comes from the world I told you about, Ruxomar."

"I see." He smiled at me and waved, something I could never imagine the Mianite I knew doing. "Welcome! Shall I show you around?" Suddenly, he narrowed his eyes at Mot. "Wait a moment. Not with him. I won't have him around to steal more gold from my temple."

"No, no, no, he isn't Tom," the priest looked slightly frightened. "Do not harm this man, he is much more kind than his alternate, and is capable of using common sense." Mot looked alarmed at this description, and so did Spark.

Mianite glared at him for a moment longer, then sighed. "If you insist. I'll be watching you, though." His menacing glare caused Alyssa to let out a squeal of fright.

"Don't hurt my daddy, please," her voice was shrill and terrified. "He's a good person, I promise." She gripped Mot's hand tightly and backed away.

Mianite's mouth hung slightly open. "I didn't realize he was your father... my apologies. Your father's alternate self was a bit... violent. He stole from my temple and tried to cause as much mayhem as possible. I am sorry for my words if he is truly nothing like the Tom I knew." Alyssa relaxed, much to our relief.

"Well," the priest said. "If that's sorted... then please continue with the tour."

Mianite showed us the place where the Mianite followers prayed to him, and where Ianite's safe was located under the eagle. He showed us the gardens scattered around the temple, and the view from the top of it. The more he spoke, the more I began to realize that he was absolutely nothing like the Mianite I knew. This Mianite was always smiling, cheerful about everything except talk about Dianite, and friendly to all. He even greeted a sheep. It was strange and unnerving, but the others seemed to love it.

"Well," Mianite said proudly. "That was my temple. Did you like it?"

"It was beautiful!" Alyssa piped up before any of us could speak. "Can I visit it again?"

His face lit up. "Of course you may! It gets lonely sometimes. Feel free to stop by anytime." For the first time after entering the temple, Mot smiled.

"Well," the priest said. "How about I take the four of you out to eat? I know a good restaurant close to here."

"Sounds great!" spark said. Mot and Alyssa's eyes were sparkling with happiness.

"Er... I'd love to come, but could I have a moment to speak to my god?" I asked. Spark had spoken to his goddess, so it seemed only right that I should be able to also.

"Oh... of course." The priest nodded to me and led the others away.

"Hello, Jeriah! Any questions you'd like to ask?" Mianite was still smiling, which kind of annoyed me. I missed my old god already.

"What... what was the man Jericho like?" I decided to start with the obvious question.

"He was my champion for a reason! He was a kind person, but absolutely destroyed you if you were to anger him for any reason. He also loved pranking people, as long as the prank was harmless." the god sighed. "I'm going to miss him, and his girlfriend."

"Oh... I see." I wasn't exactly impressed with that description.

Mianite's smile faded. "What's wrong? You've seemed the least happy this whole time, and I am your god."

I shuffled my feet uncomfortably. "Nothing really. You're just... so different from the Mianite I know. You seem so... accepting. Willing to open your arms to anyone. This is why Tom must have stolen from you! It's too easy."

The anger returned to his eyes. "Are you asking for me to smite you? This is the way of Mianite. Is it not the way of the god you knew?"

"Not at all." Maybe it was a stupid thing to say, but I felt like I had to.

His nostrils flared. "Well, then maybe you aren't so welcome back here again. Now, please go. The others are waiting for you, and I'd prefer to have a nice day without having to kill someone."

I wasn't an idiot, so I turned and left. Great, now I had gone rogue. Godless and alone. Well, at least I wasn't being ruled by ridiculous strictures like that.

"I... I'm guessing it didn't go well," the priest said. "Want to visit Tom's old place, Dine At Night, to relax a bit?"

I didn't like the sound of that restaurant, but I agreed anyway. I could use a drink or two.