Kahl, who recognizes when a mortal is being, to some extent, humored, feels no such reassurance. He entertains a brief mental fantasy of sticking Asmodeus and Usein Darre with each other.

"Go on," Kahl echoes, jumping down from Zerxus's shoulder, flowing into the tiger in the air, landing in silence. "I want to say one more thing to him, god to god. I promise it won't be stupid posturing."