The Gods Mistake

The warriors pressed around the man as he lowered his sack of goods to the cart. Drawing their weapons slowly, gleefully at their luck.

"Pray to what god holds your soul aloft in hopes of a swift acceptance." The man closest to the simple man warned, brandishing a blade dirty and knicked with misuse. The simple man paid him no mind and stooped to reach for the next sack.

"Have you lost your hearing?" The woman to his left growled, reaching over to shove him. He stumbled, regained his balance and continued to throw the sack over his shoulder before standing.

"Nay. I hear you." The simple mans tone was soft, no anger or fear to show as he placed his sack on the cart, lying it flat. "I do not pray."

"Everyone prays during the closing of their door." The first man chuckled, reaching around the simple mans neck, his blade rubbing against the grey and black beard. "Tell us, who does your fearful soul call to?"

"I told you." The simple man replied calmly, making no move to fight or flee. "I do not pray to any god. Nay. I do not." One dark eye found the threatening mans blue one, "I do not pray. I leave no offerings. I make no promises or claims to the gods. It is they who come to me." The would be thief stepped away as the simple man turned his back to the cart, reaching against the side to pick up a long, taughtly wrapped object. "They pray I find no wrong they have done me. They give me gifts and leave offerings where I make my home, in prayer that should I be their enemy that they be spared. Sometimes it is the plea for a loved ones life, but more often than not, as the gods are fickle and selfish beings--it is for themselves."

The simple man unwrapped the object to show a bronze tipped spear, well cared for with a shine that seemed to glow in a otherworldly essence. It hummed slightly in his hand as the cover fell away. His hands tightened around the pole, his face still calm and emotionless.

"You may pray if you wish, or you may leave me to my buisness. I would tread lightly when in the disfavor of one who has killed the gods many still pray to."