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Cats looks at Pinkie and then Mariner to see what they have to say.
It's clear that Cats isn't sure what to make of the situation but is damn sure he isn't freakin' cattin' *thanking* anyone, especially not a shapeshifter.
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Jasper smacks him head with the palm of his hand.
Gahhh.. I KNEW the secret a while ago.
He mouths the names almost recalling them from his amazing memory. Not putting sound to the names, but mouthing them as he runs through the roll call. Maewin, Sturge, Klyn
Now things are in clearer focus.
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I know a little secret about you....
I was young! I needed the money!! the Mariner wanted to blurt out. Keeping his cold demeanor instead and whispers back, "What- you brought me back to life too? Or sired me, or saw me and Skywin?" He twists his lips, "I doubt you will find me surprised at anything. " He searches for clues in Butterfly's eyes.
”Yes. Jasper cast the spell, but the ritual of raising the dead is heresy when performed on a soul under duress and so Desna turned away from him.”
"So...this was all a set up? But why? Why go through all this? Who came up with this plan where I had to cat? What the hell is going cat?" Cats continues to splutter, mostly because he doesn't remember dying and not sure he wants to know that it happened, much less might happen again.
He looks over at Fearless and then at Mariner.
"And who else died? Did Catterfly die too?" Cats crosses his arms, still not getting it.
Butterfly has been too close to the Mariner's ear for the silently mouthed names to be seen. But the Mariner was either more confused than Cats or heard it simply, "If Butters casted the spell and Desna turned away... Who brought us back to life?....."
"Dream sending is a difficult method of communication at best, and we don't have all the details." Ashella tries to explain, "Why Lowls arranged your death, and if he arranged others, is unknown to us. Jasper's ability to communicate with us ended shortly after he told us what Lowls demanded of him, and our own divinations later confirmed that Desna had withdrawn her grace from him."
Turning to the Mariner, she adds, "Contrary to what many believe, the gods to not answer individual prayers and grant miracles in the moment of need. Desna trusts her blessed with the magic and power to perform miracles they have prayed for in advance. She determines their grace by how they use these miracles, and if that trust is broken, she may then withdraw her grace from an offender."
-an offender."
"Oh -like a bad seed." the Mariner looks squarely at Butterfly's mustache.
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"So if Cats is a zombie and Shapeshifter is a Desnan necromancer then what does any of this have to do with me or Chumbucket over here?" Fearless tosses a finger at Mariner. "Were we just two crazies in Briarstone that got dragged into this madness?"
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Cats' anger and puzzlement seems to be fading away, as he realizes that he's not ever going to fully get it, mostly because it doesn't make enough sense.
"I'm not sure I like the idea of me dying. No, I don't cat it one bit," he complains a bit more. "I'm not sure this really happened. Ain't nothing makes a cat of sense. If I'm wrong, my name ain't Cats," Kast says, and wrinkles his brow as if something didn't come out right.
"Tell me, Ashella, where might I find a good, decent priest(ess) of Catrenrae? You Desnans are fine and all, but I might want to see to a bit of inspiration and insight over what you've been telling me." Cats looks about the woods if there might be a sun temple peeking out.
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Ashella looks between Fearless and the Mariner. "Lowls recruited you and Captain Dunsel Bloodyarm a few years before Jasper presented himself at his manor door."
"You.." She nods at Fearless, "were his right-hand man, having met him at Rozenport’s Sincomakti School of Sciences. Lowls was no academic, but found one in you and used his wealth and influence to feed your curiosity in all things esoteric and occult."
Turning to the Mariner, she adds, "The Sincomakti School has many scholars and sections of their library are dedicated to the occult, but even in a place like Ustalav certain texts are considered taboo and illegal. He needed a smuggler, and a criminal, to acquire more knowledge. What he couldn't borrow or buy, you took by force."
Her eyes pass across the Watchmen, stopping briefly upon Pinkie with curiosity before addressing the group as a whole. "He had many servants and employees, though I do not know exactly why your group was abandoned at Briarstone. We tried to communicate with Jasper on multiple occasions, but it is almost as if he didn't recognize us in his dreams. The names you give each other... can you explain what happened to you?"
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Though Ashella has ignored his own question, Kast is gracious enough to answer hers.
"can you explain what happened to you?"
"What happened to us? Our names? What are you talking about? We're completely normal. C-A-T, that spells 'normal', which we totally are," Cats explains normally. He crosses his arms to both prove and emphasize his point.
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"If we knew what happened to us we wouldn't be here." Fearless goes on to explain the strange occurrences at Briarstone and their dreams. "Briarstone was full of these shapeshifting creatures that could assume normal form. That is what he is." Fearless points to Brother butterfly. "He tries to kill me on several occasions but we converted him over to the right side." He then points to Cats and Mariner. "This one's obsessed with Cats and the other one is obsessed with fish. It's like they were made for each other." Lastly there is Pinkie. "He's the only one easily explainable. He lost a pinkie."
Throwing his hands in defeat as he gets to the end of the details. "This whole thing has been a walking nightmare."
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"He tries to kill me on several occasions
Jasper just shrugs his shoulders in response to that narrative.
Perception *is* reality, I guess.otherwise, he doesn't interpose as they are giving good accounts of themselves to the Augers.
He'll step in as soon as the Augers are ready to commence with the ceremony - helping in whatever way he can participate as a major player in the Desnian cult.
The Mariner loses the patience for banter when he hears his real name spoken out loud by the woman. He had read the name only once in Lowl's notebook but have tried to forget the pages and leave it on the bookshelf.
Dunsel - a nautical slang for a useless part of a ship - a name given by the pirate crew that adopted him ages ago. Bloodyarm - a name given by the same crew sorry to call him Dunsel.
Picking up anger where Cat's left off, looking at the scantily clad cult in a meadow, "So are we going do this orgy or what? Cuz I'm ready f### someone up."
Ashella and the other Augers look uncomfortable under the retorts and threats of violence. The woman with brown curly hair that has been watching Brother Butterfly covers her face and begins to softly weep. Ashella moves to comfort her.
”Oh, Avari. Come child, be strong. Desna has a plan for those who believe.”
Nestor takes a step forward and speaks. ”Look, my friends, I can see that you have suffered. My dream wandering has brought me here, perhaps because your goddess thinks I can be of assistance, but the Augers are your best chance to understand why these nightmares chase you in the waking world, and how to confront them here and in the Dreamlands.”
Thunking his head with a finger, Nestor continues, ”As you no doubt have learned, dreaming can be hazardous to your mental health. Lines between reality and the dreamlands are fragile, and one must be careful when crossing them, or...” He makes a twisted face with he eyes rolling in different directions. ”..things can get a little crazy.” He gives a little giggle as his face returns to normal. ”I mean, I’m sure you’re all fine.” He glances quickly at the Cats, then away, only to find himself looking at the Mariner. He giggles again, this time with a bit of nervousness. ”I’m just saying, the Augers can help a little with that. And with other things, I’m sure.”
Still comforting the woman Avari, Ashella looks to the Watchmen. ”Lowls was playing with fire, and he has taken you very close to the heat. It is too late to pull you away, and you will always bear the scars of his deeds, but you are the only ones who can now stop him from setting the world alight. We will pray for you and aid you as best we can, and hopefully giving you the strength to resist further corruption as you pursue him.”
”Our camp is nearby. Come. Rest and find peace with us this evening under the stars. By Desna’s grace tomorrow will be a better dream.”
The name Avari sparks a brief and hazy memory. Your hand upon her cheek, wiping tears away. Her eyes looking upon you with love and worry.
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Jasper accepts the calming spell effects.
Come now Watchmen! Have manners, and be at peace! Let's go to the camp for sleep.
Thinking about Avari and her reactions, BB hums a bit as he heads to the camp. The song he hums has a soft melody.
"I'm ready f### someone up."
...
The incantation washes over the Mariner like milk and honey, "...Alright - I guess I can do it slow and sweet like"
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What kind of name is 'Dunsel'? 'Dunsel' Cattyarm?! Cats turns to look at Mariner, then back to the general revelatory mayhem.
Cats moves into the orgy/campout and looks around for a suitable place to sleep. And some booze...is there any booze around?
Fearless seems to grow very calm as he trudges along behind the others. "I could use some rest." His stomach grumbles. "And a good meal for once."
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With super calm emotions, Jasper finds a nice cot or hammock that gets him off the ground. He sleeps.... and snores. Loudly.
*****
Waking up the next morning, he seeks out the others to make certain they are okay, but also wants a wingman or two as he goes and sees Avari.
Would any of you join me for a quick conversation with one of the Augers? I could use the moral support.
Avari -- I could not help but notice that you had much to say last night, but kept your mouth and mind closed for the proceedings. I know I have lost my memories, and fault me not for how that ...... "shaped things".
BB doesn't know if he's looking to info on his past, a one night stand, a rekindling of the love he found with a possible wife. He doesn't know. He just knows that he's selfish, and that desire/emotion/Id Impulse will just have to push forward as a vanguard.
"Smooth tongued devil" the Mariner says openly.
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"Smooth tongued devil", the Mariner says openly. He had just woken and was buttering a muffin for breakfast ...looks like Brother was about to do the same. Actually, the Mariner was imagining a warm pastry though was truly crunching down a slice of dried fat on hard tack. With disgust, he tosses the uneaten half into the woods then gets up to follow Brother, perhaps leading to better food.
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Cats continues to look through the pre-orgy, looking for the grouping that has plenty of booze and ta-tas.
Despite dirty thoughts of orgies and debauchery, the Augers take the Watchmen back to a camp set up around well tended covered wagons with designs upon the sides depicting landscapes, bright stars, and clouds. It would seem the Augers travel as healers, entertainers, and fortune tellers, though the scene stops just short of a carnival atmosphere.
Talk of madness and peril is suspended for the evening. Food is served and drinks are filled, though not enough to cause more than mild intoxication. Songs are sung and stories are told around fires, and eventually sleeping accommodations are arranged in comfortable beds in tents or wagons.
In the morning Brother Butterfly approaches Acari with the Mariner as his wingman. He finds her near one of the makeshift kitchens, putting a cauldron of water on to boil. When she looks up at him, she seems visibly pained.
”I’m not certain that words between us are wise. Who you are now is not the Jasper I knew, and Ashella has advised me to let the past go, for both our sakes... but the sight of you makes that difficult, and I think you should know something.”
Taking a moment to gather a breath and stand a little taller, she says, ”We are married.”
Fearless continues to flip through one of the books he brought with him as he sips on a hot tea. He keeps mostly to himself, not quite yet trusting this new group. Especially with how well they knew Brother Butterfly. Their only saving grace being that they trusted him now as little as he did.
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Cats has a perfectly and normally platonic dinner and sober night of no-fun with the augers, wondering if it was too late to find a different group of nearby Calistrians. He supposes not, but can't help wonder at the ill-luck to get saddled with this dour bunch of nostradumbasses rather than some funner, drunker Caydenites.
Oh well.
In the morning, Cats rolls out his solo bed, all alone, and with no one to kick out, nor does he need to do any walk of shame. He goes to find breakfast, and not the classy kind of breakfast were you leave an apple on the pillow with a note for your night's partner as you hustle out before they walk so you don't have to deal with morning breath, but a normal breakfast with bacon.
Cats gets to the platonic water boil just as the first truth bomb of the morning hits the air.
"Wait a cat! You're married to Catterfly? Like married-married?! Wow...I guess he has one in every village 'round this lake, don't he?" Cats stands open mouthed looking at Brother Butterfly. "How come you never share?"
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Married. I would like to say I am surprised, but I'm a man of integrity and honesty. BB lying juuuuust a little bit. He's really not shocked about being married, but he's certainly not a man of honesty, and he does have long bouts of integrity.
The look on your face last night gave me the answer. My comments to get you to talk were fairly rhetorical. What surprises me is that I'm "Not the Jasper you knew". I want to know more about *that* Jasper. I want to know how they could send a married, family man.
I'm assuming I've got kids as I'm as viril as a prize stallion or a Dort Charger.
Back to my point - How/Why did this circle of Desnians send me to Rasmiran to play I-Spy and then to The Count? Rasmiran, The King in Yellow? then the Realm of twisted Dreams? Why not give me some easier tasks? What's next, the Auger's want me to go after The Whispering Tyrant?
BB gets his composure as he listens to answers. He was working the wounded animal tact to get pity sex from his wife. That, and information.
Cats crosses his arms, awaiting for an answer not just for Butterfly’s questions but his own.
Cats' comments don't go unnoticed by Avari. Though they might be in jest, or the ramblings of a catting cat-person, they cause visible pain in her eyes.
"Catterfly?" Confusion interrupts enough brain cells to stem off more waterworks. "Jasper always had a way with words... and women. He was blessed by Desna, but also cursed I suppose. Or at least, our marriage was. The Stardust Augers watch for signs within dreams, but we also protect the world from the influence of dreams and the very real nightmares that exist in the Dreamlands. Jasper was very good at finding those meddling with dreams and stopping them. He rooted out a cult in Andoran under the influence of a feargaunt, and stopped a dream enchanter in Razmiran. To do so, he needed to get inside the enemy's circle, and doing so sometimes required that he be free of personal ties."
To Brother Butterfly, "You always walked a fine line in your devotion to Desna and commitment to the cause, and I always worried that one day you would cross too far over the line. Now that you're back, I hardly recognize you. The hair, for one.. and.." She glances down briefly at his rotund figure. ".. other things. And then there's your presence. Despite what you've been through, there is a lightness to you that I haven't seen in years. As if a weight was lifted in the loss of your memories. In a way, I am happy to see that, though I can't help but grieve for the man you were. The man that loved me."
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Cats seems very moved by Avari's words, so moved that he moves over to put his arm around Avari's shoulder, hoping to comfort the cheated-upon wife.
Diplomacy
"There, there, don't you cry," Cats says reassuringly, trying to help. "Yes, he has changed and he might have catted you. There is a time for forgiveness and a time for healing...and that's after you've had recatciliation." Cats says supportively.
"You know what? The best way to even the odds? It's to sleep with your fill of random harcats and prosticats, just like he has. And if I can help you with cat, just let me know." Cats reflexes his muscular arm assumingly. "You just let me know if I can help. I know all about Catrenrae and earning forgiveness. Trust me."
Cats offers a 'how-you-doin' wink.
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Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! *THAT* is my wife you are talking to!
He lifts up his fists in a fighting stance. Brother looks to take a swing at Cats. But even at rest and relation, the natural fighter certainly doesn't allow himself to be suckerpunched. So, BB holds the fists up as a pseudo-menace, going with his tongue as a weapon.
Sarenrae don't know squat about marriages if you and Her suggest that Avari hang out with the likes of *YOU*. I certainly didn't sleep with prostitutes if that's what you're implying. Well, at least not from my Post Asylum memory.
Come on now Kast, take back your awful words to this fine lady or get a black eye for having a sewer mouth.
Brother has his hands up, but certainly doesn't know how to use them in an actual fist fight.
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Fearless slams his book shut as he hears a massive commotion coming from the other side of the encampment. Grabbing his tea he sluffs off in that direction to make sure it wasn't directed at him. Seeing Brother Butterfly raising his fists to Cats he takes a slow sip and steps beside Mariner and Pinkie. "What's going on? Shapeshifter finally snap and show his true form?"
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Cats steps back from Brotherfly's blows, hands raised.
"Hey! Hey! Don't get cat at me! I'm *NOT* the one who cheated on his wife with every clerical hussy wearing a mask," Cats points out defensively. "If someone has the cat to be mad, it's your wife. You should be on your knees begging forgiveness, not stopping her from getting the revenge she deserves."
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Exasperated.
Then not wanting to make a scene as the noise has already attracted riff-raff (like Fearless)
And when did you turn all LL Cool J *That type of Guy* ?
but the sting of Cat's accurately airing out his mask wearing and cigarette smoking fetish weighs on him. He just isn't comfortable with the thought of his wife having revenge sex.
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Exasperated.
Cats looks at Avari, hoping that she makes the right choice.
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"AHAAHHAAAHAA!!!" hearing Avari call Brother husband, the Mariner could not contain an explosive laughter and continues until his stomach is sore, completely overcoming the pain from the lard topped biscuit earlier. When Cats and Fearless shows up, he's wheezing and pointing at the mustachioed fornicator and the woman, crossing his forefingers, "Married!"
As Brother gets worked up, the Mariner laughs and steps between the Desnian sinner and Serenrae forgiver. "Come-come Butters. You're gonna need a live redeemer to repent to!", he throws his arms around the large belly, like boyhood fights of holding back a friend who had no idea how to fight but trying to save his face.
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Fearless drops his mug. "YOU ARE MARRIED!" Fearless falls on the ground with visible tears in his eyes. He gasps for breath as he has difficulty breathing from laughing so hard. "This is sure gong to dry out the rest of you trip."
Suddenly Fearless goes quiet and stands up. "He holds his hands up defensively. [b]"Wait..wait just a moment. Noone move." Fearless runs as fast as he has ever ran back to his equipment where he pulls a painting out from underneath his cot. He runs back as fast as he can with it. Once he gets there he slips it into Brother Butterfly's hands so that he can see it but the woman can't.
Flipping the painting over it is over Brother Butterfly mid thrust on a table of food while Fearless stands in the background in absolute horror. Fearless looks up and smiles.
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Jasper's shoulders slump. His eyes go downcast. His normally toothy smile falls to a frown. His backbone turns to jelly.
The painting that is in his hands, facing only him and Fearless......
.....................................
and he turns it around for all to see. His proof of adultery captured in still action.
And the proof of my transgressions are for all to see. Thank You Fearless for supplying the items painted with my own hand and brushes.
And so BB shows everyone. There's no use hiding such damning evidence or trying to explain things.
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Cats, seeing the situation for what it is, and willing to help, goes to put his arm around Brother's shoulder.
"Ah, yeah, I see your point! This does look very bad for you, Catterfly," Kast says, feeling sympathy for the man who has perverted an entire lake's coastline of bodices. "But, if I may? As a man of Catrenrae?" Cats begs permission to offer to help.
"If there is one thing Catrenrae has taught me, it's about forgiveness. I know this. You know this. We were reborn together under that asylum. And so...trust me when I say to you, that, should you give me leave, I will help you."
Cats pauses, letting the offer sink in.
"If you want, I will teach Avari about forgiveness. I will take her back to her tent and will *not* spare the rod in teaching her fully about forgiveness. I will forgive her so hard and so long, believe me, that she will understand what you have done, and find a way to embrace you again. I will pound forgiveness into her, I will."
"I will do this for you, Catterfly."
Cats turns to Avari, offering an endearing and helpful smile.
"And Avari, if this will help you sate any carnal impulses for revenge for Catterfly's numerous transgressions, I offer you my services."
Diplomacy
The Mariner can't help it, leans down to Fearless and says quietly as to not upset Brother's ears more, "That would be a Catkold."
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Avari stares agape first at Brother Butterfly’s boudoir art, then at Cats bedroom eyes. It’s obvious she’s offended on different levels, and though she tries to form words, they come out only as mumbled stutters.
Suddenly Cats finds his face drenched by water! Nestor stands nearby, peering into an empty mug.
”Huh. That should have woken him up from this crazy dream.” He looks up at the group and ponders a moment before seemingly coming to a realization. ”Oh, maybe I’m dreaming this up!” He snatches the cup of tea from Fearless and promptly tosses it in his own face!
”Nope.... guess this is real. Oow. This is hot.”
Ashella approaches the scene and takes a quick measure of things before giving a sigh. ”Perhaps I should have mentioned this last night, but aside from our knowledge of certain elements of your past lives, we may be able to soothe your restless minds. They are like broken bones, poorly set. Desna grants me great powers of healing, and though they cannot do much for raw emotions, they might help restore some peace of mind to better deal with them.”
"So now you want to use magic to swizzle stick our brains?' Fearless asks a bit confused and waiting for a different first volunteer than himself to see how it goes.
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Cats crosses his arms, somewhat annoyed at being splashed unnecessarily when he was trying to help. He would have been very very helpful for at least 30, maybe even 60 seconds. He’s almost sure of it.
”What kind of healing?” Cats requests more information. ”You know I’m pretty okay as I am. C-A-T, that’s spells ‘okay’, which is what I totally am already.”
Ashella smiles and begins to explain...
”The more time one spends in the Dreamlands, the more tenuous their connection to reality becomes. One too many falling dreams and grrk!” She makes a strangled noise and clutches her chest. ”One day your mind convinces your body that the ground you landed on was real. We can help keep such dreams at bay with spiritual restoration spells. Please, let us do this for you. It will ease the burden Lowls has placed upon your souls.”
She turns to address Cats specifically, patting his arm gently. ”Did you mean Sarenrae? I know some clerics of that goddess, but none are nearby. If you wish, I can perform a divination to find you one further downriver.”
At the mention of Grrk'ing Fearless quickly steps forward. "Okay, you are about as convincing as Shapeshifter over here. I'll take it." He attempt to feign his eagerness.
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Jasper steps up to be worked on. A metaphysical car wash of sorts. He still is reeling over the narrowly avoided BB-Cats-Avari love triangle. Thank goodness for a bit of water dousing/drenching a cat.
He announces a declaration, trying to repair his image a bit.
However dark my history might be, did it have to define me? With my memory wiped clean, how much did it matter who I had been before? What if it turned out that I didn’t like who I had been before? While I want to know my history, but I’ll be damned if I have to be a slave to it.
He continues his line of thought, but with silently and to himself.
Did he have to learn from the Augers who seemed to be keeping secrets? They say they wanted to keep his former marriage and past endeavors secret for his own good. He knows them as fellow devotees of Desna and on his side, but their end intentions also mean that maybe they are not on his side. I had best question everything .
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Jasper steps up to be worked on. A metaphysical car wash of sorts. He still is reeling over the narrowly avoided BB-Cats-Avari love triangle. Thank goodness for a bit of water dousing/drenching of a cat.
He speaks aloud
However dark my history might be, did it have to define me? With my memory wiped clean, how much did it matter who I had been before? What if it turned out that I didn’t like who I had been before? While I want to know my history, but I’ll be damned if I have to be a slave to it.*
He continues his line of thought, but silently and to himself.
Did he have to learn from the Augers who seemed to be keeping secrets? They say they wanted to keep his former marriage and past endeavors secret for his own good. He knows them as fellow devotees of Desna and on his side, but their end intentions also mean that maybe they are not on his side. I had best question everything .
[ooc=credit]*-credit to Brandon Mull[/ooc]