She was certainly a strange woman, prone to subtle but sudden shifts in attitude.  One moment she seemed on the verge of tearing a strip off him verbally, the next she was appologizing and pleasant.  He wasn't quite sure what to make of it; what few people he had spent time with that had any noteable degree of power were far too political minded to allow their emotions to slip, but her apparent inexperience could easily be blamed on her isolation.<br/><br/>"No need to appologize, Lady Maki.  As I said, it should not be your responsibility to get me out of bed."  The discomfort of his wound faded quickly and he stood tall, limbered up enough to move comfortably.  There was little else for him to do but to take it easy, although the wound was healing quickly for a human.  Her comment about the Gods and Dragons caught his attention and he looked at her curiously; he'd not press the issue of course, but it was sudden and seemed to amuse her.<br/><br/>"Yes well, the Gods view things quite differently then we poor mortals I suppose.  I would appreciate it if they took a more active roll in the lives of their children, however."  He grinned, not nearly as bitter as the statement had sounded; he believed there were Gods, sure, but he also knew they could not do everything themselves.  Sometimes those lowly mortals needed to step up and do things themselves.  Just like parents watching over children.<br/><br/>"But enough of that I suppose.  Lead the way, and I shall begin this first challenge.  The sooner I start, the sooner it is done with, Lady Maki."  He still felt no doubt or hesitation; he had to succeed.  That was all there was to it, there was not even a thought of failure being a possibility.