When Mutiger isn't busy with preparations for the defense of the keep, he's playing chess with his new friend Mr Luther. A few days before the scheduled battle, during one of their regular games his countenance is darker than normal. "Why are you here?" Mutiger asks.

"Oh? Hmm? Err, yes, me." Luther stumbles over his words for a moment, broken from his concentration on the game. "I'm here because I feel I need to help...in some way, you know?"

Mutiger frowns deeply, then says. "How can you help? How could you possibly prevent catastrophe for these people. Who do you think you are?"

"I am..." He stops, taken aback by Mutiger's words. "I can only do what I can, my good friend. I've known these people a good while--your friends, I mean, and I intend to do my utmost to help." With that, he gestures to the sling over his shoulder and around his torso, four guns slung into a mechanical contraption. "These will come in handy."

He pauses again, his demeanor darkening. "Who do I think I am? I am who I need to be, friend. Why would you ask a question like that?"

"You think you can save them? How do you know that you aren't leading them to their doom. Do you even know how to use those contraptions? Perhaps you should just leave them to die. I doubt you could save them."

"Save them? Why I'd do my damnedest to save them! I'd do my damnedest to save every last one of them, my good man!" Luther starts at Mutiger blankly, his eyes cold and emotionless. "Life is about taking risks. It's the only way you move forward, otherwise, you embrace cowardice." Again, another cold, emotionless stare. "Shall I demonstrate to you how well I can use them?"

"You doubt too much, my friend. Maybe you should learn to doubt your doubts."

In his mind he hears, "Would you save a Rhenese if they were in trouble and you alone could save them? Would you pause to save those unjustly attacked through use of force or the law? No matter who it be. Though they be your worst enemy."

Luther looks at Mutiger, a tightness in his chest. "Who...Who is speaking in my head?"

Mutiger furrows his brow. In Luther's mind he hears, "Just answer the question."

"'Just answer the question?' I demand to know who's invaded my mind. I will answer no question until I know what the hell is going on!"

He hears a distinct sigh in his mind. "I asked you first. And it doesn't work like that. You answer this one question, then I explain what's going on. Would you save you're worst enemy if they were being attacked or destroyed unjustly."

"I've never really considered anyone my 'enemy,' disembodied voice in my head. Just people who are misguided." It's Luther's turn to sigh aloud. "If I'm going to be around someone who can get into my head, I'm going to have to excuse myself, friend." With that, Luther stands up and makes to leave.

"I'm on Mutiger's finger. I am a god... And I can't really read thoughts... Only the surface which are usually bland. So you're safe. Now sit back down."

"So I'm suffering demands now am I?" Luther looks over his shoulder and walks out. "I wouldn't kill a soul, my friend." Luther then walks out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

Later that evening Mutiger knocks on Mr Luther's door. If it opens not only is he distinctly not wearing the ring, but he has a chess board and pieces. "Mr Luther, we never finished our game."

"Hmm? Eh? I suppose we can. Just don't...," he gestures, "get in my head...or let whatever was in that ring get in my head. Deal?"

Mutiger nods. As they start he says. "Don't judge him to harshly. He may be annoying, and an idiot, but he believes in protecting all. He wanted to know if you are trustworthy. I told him you were but he wanted to see for himself." He grins. "Like I said, idiot."

"Who...who is he? I'm curious now. He seemed so forceful and a little pushy. Yet from what you say, he believes in protecting all. I have no real ties to anyone, not even Tarj." He pauses, setting up the chess board with the pieces all in the right places they were before Luther left earlier that day. "Tell me more about this 'individual' in the ring."

"He says he's a god. He believes in protecting the innocent. The guilty are those who hurt others. He's trapped in the ring. He wants out. He also wants people with his desire to fulfill it. People like you."

"A god, eh? No wonder he was trying to push so hard. I'll have to consider. You see, I am a businessman. I work in deals and negotiations. That's a language I understand best. Usually both parties benefit from such. If this god can make me a deal I can't possibly refuse, I may consider."