I’m re-reading Tempests and Slaughter, and Ramasu might be my second favorite character in the book. Genuinely, sir, what was your life before you worked at the University.
“Demand a hearing before Minoss,” Ramasu told him. “Such a request must be honored by all gods. Once you are before the Great Judge, tell the truth. Bad things happen to those who lie to him. You will be fine once Minoss hears you.”
Arram eyed the master. “You say that as if you didn’t exactly learn it from a book.”
Ramasu looked down with a smile. “I have not always been the sober fellow who teaches herbs and simples.”
Tempests and Slaughter, Chapter 11
Like, sir.
“Which god was it [that just possessed me]?”
Arram started, jerking the reins. Both mules glanced back with evil intent in their eyes. “Sir—how did you know?”
“I am not insensate, lad. There is a hole in my memory, you are holding the reins—badly, do not jerk on them like that—”
Arram loosened his pull on the leather straps.
“My head pounds, and everything I see shimmers with innate magic,” Ramasu said, rubbing his eyes. “A god did that. It has happened to me before. Which god? Or are you not permitted to tell?”
Tempests and Slaughter, Chapter 20
Sir.
“I was to be a priest of Mithros...Within a year I had been disowned and driven from my city, my father’s parting purse in my hand and my mother’s curse in my ears. I had managed to destroy half of the god’s temple.”
Arram stared at his master in awe. “Mithros’s temple?”
Ramasu began to chuckle. He poured a cup of tea for each of them. “Great Mithros appeared in all his glory over the ruins, picked up his altar piece—which was untouched—and carried it to his preferred location for a new temple. So the god saved my life, but little else."
Tempests and Slaughter, Chapter 21
And he’s got a husband and kids, a genuine respect for human life, and isn't insanely arrogant? Chioke could never.