Scholars would have you believe the bulk of the survivors surrendered, which is true as far as it goes. The reality is that they surrendered in patches, and not all of them were taken prisoner. The nations of the world think of Achea and the Tidelands empire as primitive and superstitious, conveniently forgetting that irrevocable blood oaths are a part of that package.
Me, I'm a Truthspeaker; I don't need blood oaths, but by the same token there's very little to prevent me from taking one if I'm certain I can complete it.
Sure, we can do that.
Once upon a time, there were two men, who met in a sleazy dive. No, I've been there. It might have been respectable at the time of the tale, but I've been there. When bugs are free protein, you have a sleazy dive, not a respectable tavern.
Okay, no, Rhishi isn't insane, exactly. He has noticed that each time he reports, it is to a different angel, servitor, or avatar of Sobek. Plus, he and the avatar have vastly different viewpoints about his performance.
But, as Rhishisikk himself notes, there is that next meeting at the full moon in two weeks.
And he glosses over joining the army. It's a decision that will have consequences. (Actually, decisions having consequences is a major theme of this book.)
As always, thank you for your continued readership. It is the refreshingly cool pillow my imagination recharges on.