The Breath of Life scroll is available, however when inquiry is made concerning the scroll of Divination the priest, whom greeted the group on their arrival, meets the request with a question. "What matter is it that you hope the light of all lights will guide you in?"
What matter is it that you hope the light of all lights will guide you in?[/b]"
Assuming Aldebert doesn't voice any concerns, Amiamble will respectfully lead the priest to a place where they can speak privately. From there, will explain *everything* about Vardishal, Sarenrae, the scroll, and his current attempts to get an answer if he is supposed to allow the scroll to be unlocked at all. He explains his previous augury and divination results as well.
That is still the answer he does not have.
He knows that to open it would yield to both weal and woe, but he does not know if he should allow it.
"...so...I don't know if she (Sarenrae) wants us to unlock it. And this city, this city is full of danger. I do not know what to do."
The priest offers the use of the store house, which has a small upper room just large enough for two or three to sit and speak. She listens attentively, showing great concern at Ami's apprehension and confusion.
"Oh how the shadow clouds your judgement. This voice that you hear. It is not from the light, that I can guarantee you. What interest would the Dawnflower have in such a thing? That you and your fellows brought it from the darkness before others who are not so attentive to the light might have found it, that is a very good thing. As for what to do next, the light reveals your path as you travel it, not before. I do not know if in the wisdom of the light you will receive the answer you seek. What answers have you gained thus far? Perhaps I can help you see them in a new light?"
Ami nods this his mouth agape. Ami shares his answers, not certain how they could not be from Sarenrae...
"Tell me what they mean to you, please." Ami says 'please', it's very rare for him.
"Light reveals all that is in it's presence. This voice you speak of. It asks you to hide and protect something it values. Such a thing is of little value to the Dawnflower, in your heart you know this. What you fear is that this thing will bring darkness. Is that not true?"
Ami shakes his head.
"That is not my fear. If it brings the darkness, then I will fight the darkness. Fighting the darkness is easy," Ami explains. "What is scary is not knowing what Sarenrae wants me to do with this scroll that is important to her. I can fight the servants of the Rough Beast until I happily die, but I cannot live knowing that I have failed the Light of All Light."
Ami wrings his hands.
"If Sarenrae wanted us to unlock the scroll, she would have said so, right? But she hasn't said so...so she probably just wants it protected. Which means we should leave this vile city, right? Or find some way to send the scroll back to Sarenrae's servants so that they may protect it."
Ami marvels how nice it is to speak and discuss with a wise Sarenraen.
Tears begin to well in the priest's eyes, "You speak of a battle no mortal can win as if your death would be glorious. Have I not told you that such a thing is of no interest to Sarenrae. Have I not told you that this voice you speak of is some other voice, not of the light? Why will you not listen? You cannot ask where the light will shine and then act as if you know what she wants. Have you not gotten an answer already?"
Ami doesn't understand. He doesn't understand at all. He looks at Aldebert with wide, scared eyes.
"How can the voices be wrong? They cannot be. They lead me to the scroll in the darkness. They lead me to defeat the servants of the Rough Beast. They cannot be *wrong*, can they? Brother?!"
Amiamble trembles and thinks.
"I shall ask Sarenrae. Give me scroll of Asking! " Ami pleads. "We shall see if the voices speak from the darkness! We shall see what The Light Bright wants!"
Aldebert is unabashedly confused by all this, though he knows more of the voice thanks to his brothers chats than perhaps any. He too had come to trust that voice, and now the priesthood was saying it was, perhaps, untrustworthy.
He feels for his brother in his angst.
Out of paranoia, he begins to wonder if it is in fact a priest they're talking to. When the moment presents itself, he checks the good man for evil. (detect evil) He can't even believe himself or his actions. But there it is. The paranoia runs deep.
Once the scrolls are acquired he leads his brother back to the merchants quarter. "Brother, we have one more errand before we can return. Let us visit Badra. Perhaps we will find some answers there." he says weakly.
The priest relents, agreeing to sell a scroll. "I hope it brings you calm, though I doubt it will bring the answers you seek." She politely motions for you to leave, secures the store room, and then hurries back to her quarters as tears stream down her cheeks.
Ami stares at the woman.
"How come you are not answering my questions? How do I know the voices are wrong? And, if they are not, what would you council with the scroll?"
Ami pauses, not ready to leave yet.
"Why do you cry?"
" I have told you, several times. It is not for me to make you understand. Please leave." At this point she runs from the store room, sobbing.
Aldebert uneasily takes his brother by the arm, "Come Ami, let's go. There's something wrong here, but I can't put my finger on it. Perhaps time in the sun will clear our heads and leave us with greater understanding."
He pulls his brother into the brilliant sunshine and seeks out Badra. Surely Badra won't make things any muddier than they already are! he hopes.
As the brothers step from the store room they see the priest, crumpled in the sand on her way to her quarters. Her sobbing can be heard by all near temple grounds.
Aldebert can't quite tear himself away from such clear suffering. He walks up to her, "What is the matter? Why do you cry so much? Please, tell us how we can help you."
The priest is babbling, but desperately trying to calm herself. "It can't be true. I told him not to go. He wouldn't listen. He said someone had found it. That he had to get it. That he'd be free if he did. And now. Here you are. And he isn't here. How could there be light in such a thing?" At this point she takes a deep breath, wipes her tears. And walks calmly toward her quarters, motioning you to follow.
Inside her quarters she doesn't speak right away, but shows you a pile of drawings. They seem to be of a mother and son. The mother looks much like an older version of the priest who stands now before you. The young man in the drawing looks a great deal like the thief that stole the scroll, Adir he called himself, though you don't know if that was his real name.
"He was all the family I had left. I drew these in the last days of his mother's, my older sister's, life. She points at and gently caresses the young man's face. He was caught up with some guild here. I didn't ask what he did for them, but I know it troubled his mother greatly. She asked him to escape on her deathbed, to leave, to find a different life. He told me this last job would be enough. He hasn't returned. She wipes a few quiet tears from her eyes.
The voice isn't that of Sarenrae herself, but of one of her warriors. The Templar Vardishal. That much is clear. I did not want to believe the truth, let alone speak it aloud because of what it may mean for Adir."
Amiamble looks upon the nameless Priestess with sympathy. He longs to go pat the woman's shoulder, but does not know if he should. He has never been good with people in that way...the way to know what is proper and what is intrusive.
"I am sorry for your family. Even more sorry that servants of the Rough Beast seduced your family to the dark. That is something we must ever fight against," Ami says, trying very hard to be helpful.
"But yes, Vardishal sometimes speaks to me through Yeen the Sun Cat. If Vardishal speaks, I do not see how that could be wrong."
After suitable waiting for the Priestess to collect herself, Ami unwraps the scroll of Asking and asks, this time in his own words, as if trying to speak directly to Sarenrae.
"Sarenrae, Light of All Lights, I must know if I should pursue unlocking the Scroll or if I should protect it. Tell me, Lady of Light, how I can serve you."
Ami holds his breath, waiting for the answer. Hopefully, this time it will be a clear light that shines.
Ami listens to the words of Light, the words of divinity coming to him from the sunlit heavens. He nods, understanding. As much as he can understand.
He pays for the scroll(s) and thanks the Priestess, again offering condolences for her loss. He nods to Otah and Aldebert and is ready to go. He does not yet divulge the words of Sarenrae yet. He waits.
* * *
"Brother, we have one more errand before we can return. Let us visit Badra. Perhaps we will find some answers there."
"Brother, we must talk. You too, Oootah, if you would hear. Oootah, what I say must be held true and do not fear what will happen if you wish to go your own way. What I must tell my brother scares me for it is still filled with uncertainty."
When Ami can find a quiet spot to speak to Otah and Aldebert, he will say this:
"I asked: 'I must know if I should pursue unlocking the Scroll or if I should protect it.'" Ami pauses.
"The response was: 'What you ask is not to be. Not because the light would steer the faithful away from such a path, but because others will interfere.'"
Ami looks at his brother, then at the dwarf.
"I do not think we should stay in the city any longer, Brother. We should find another city, a good city with more Sarenraens who can help with this. Or hide in the sands. Either way, it is upon us to protect the Scroll. We are not supposed to open it."
"Your faith is simple my dear friend. It was not the dark he was seduced by, but hunger. For all the evil you think you have slain know that more good would be done if you sold your tools of war and fed the hungry." She nods as Ami shares of his connection with Yeen.
The priest waves at the group departs, quietly sharing a request. "Please, if you by chance stumble across Adir help him if you can or at the least tell him that the light is brighter than any darkness."
Day 2 - shopping
Mahdi curses to himself as he counts the dwindling coins in his purse. Almah's largesse of earlier was much appreciated, but wizarding is expensive. He recognizes he won't be able to buy all that he desired, alas. He performs some mental math and bumps a few spell scrolls off his list.
"Someone, walk with me to the Street of Spells," he says. "None of us should go alone, with our potential enemies about, and I need to purchase some scrolls."
Mahdi remembers well his apprentice years here in fabled Katapesh, and his own master sending him to purchase components and the like on the street in question. The smell of old parchment, spices, and bat guano remains the same. He approaches a reputable scroll-seller and enquires about the availability of two spells:
Countless Eyes and Form Validation, the latter of which he wants two copies of. He also refreshes his supplies of writing materials, quality inks, and good quills.
Aldebert comforts the priest in as much as he can, though he remains largely silent there not being much to say. As they depart, ”We shall keep our eyes open for your brother, and do for him what we can should we meet him.”
When his brother confronts him about leaving the city however, he grows a little angry. ”We shall not spend the rest of our lives hiding in the desert brother. I understand this scroll is important, and I will do all that I can to protect it, but you ask me to deny my god, and all that I strive for. Can you not see that is unfair brother?”
”No, we must know more about what we carry that we may confront the problem head on. If we are not meant to open the scroll, fine. I can do without the riches it contains. If we are meant to guard it to the end of our days, fine. I will serve you in that way. But I will not turn my back on the necessity of civilization to hide like thieves in the night.”
He tries to make his brother understand, ”You speak of going to another city, but where? We could travel the length and breadth of Golarion and not find someone as skilled as Rayhan in plumbing its depths. Rayhan is right here, and already working on the problem.”
”I agree, we may leave Katapesh sometime soon to seek out wiser heads to solve this riddle, but not today. We have contacts here, and we’re getting help. We must defend ourselves as best we can for we are truly besieged. But we cannot flee to the desert. We must face our opposition together.”
"Now come brother, let us see what Badra has to offer us in this tangled web. And then we should see what Rayhan has learned, though I think he needs many days yet. Once we have exhausted him, perhaps then we shall seek out wiser minds in other places."
”We shall not spend the rest of our lives hiding in the desert brother. I understand this scroll is important, and I will do all that I can to protect it, but you ask me to deny my god, and all that I strive for. Can you not see that is unfair brother?”
Ami nods, knowing his brother is right and wrong.
"You are right, Brother. I cannot ask that of you. Just the same, you must understand my obligations to what Vardishal has asked me to do. I cannot stay here, it is not safe. I will take the Scroll & Yeen and go back into the sands. Yeen is fast, and we will escape any pursuit. I will be safe there and you can do your God's business here among the people," Ami says sadly, but knowing it is what he must do.
"Like our sister, we will meet again, Brother. It might be that you deal with the troubles here and I will return with the Scroll when it is safe. But it is not safe here. And not safe now."
"And brother, did you not hear? We are not supposed to probe its depths. It is not for us. It is not Sarenrae's wishes. I do not seek anyone to open it...for it is not to be. If anything, I would seek something to carry the scroll to Sarenrae herself, for it is important to Vardishal, so must be to her."
Aldebert wipes his face and considers his brother's plea.
"No brother, we must learn more about this scroll. We need not open it, but we cannot protect what we do not understand. And we have already seen, the Janni can catch us and even get ahead of us no matter how fast we move. He has magical means to get around and even Yeen's speed cannot outrun that."
"We will wait, just a few days Ami - you must give me that. A few days to learn what we can before we run like dogs with our tails under us - fleeing the unknown fear. I would have us know our enemy and what we carry before I sacrifice my life's goals for this piece of paper." he says firmly.
Ami looks at his brother and shakes his head, mouth open. Then he shuts his mouth. He has not desire to live in the desert alone, but would if that is what he must do.
"Brother, I think it is fair that I will stand by you for a two days. We can pursue better ways to protect the scroll, or maybe even send it back to Sarenrae, but we should not stay longer. I would agree to this."
Ami looks at his brother again, to make sure his brother understands.
"Brother, I will not ask you to give your life for the Scroll. It is not your burden. It was given to me and Yeen. If you wish me to carry it now, I will. I am ready," Ami says. "Do you understand that, Brother? This is not your burden. It is mine. And I am glad you are willing to help, but when it becomes too much, then let me bear it alone. Yeen is strong and fast, and we will survive."
Aldebert chuckles, ”No Ami - we are brothers. Your burdens are mine and vice versa. We shall see what the next days tell us, and perhaps speak with Sarenrae further before we’re done. You shall not wander the desert alone and unloved.”
He holds onto the scroll, in the special bag in the special place.
He turns and walks to Badra.
Badra looks over from her conversation with Gramwell. "Well met. Perhaps we can walk and talk, unless you have business here?"
"Walk and talk is quite fine. Greetings Gramwell, I don't suppose my armor is ready is it?" Though he chuckles a part of him yearns for it and is deadly serious.
He walks with Badra, though he's mindful of where they're walking to. He'll not be lead easily into a trap. *twitch*
"Aye, my friend. It's ready for more work." Gramwell's chuckle is laced with exhaustion, though in good humor it is clear that business since coming to town has kept him working constantly.
Badra laughs a bit and head slowly but deliberately toward through the busiest part of the market. She speaks carefully, just loud enough so that you can hear her. "I have been made aware of what has brought you to town. I imagine at this point others have approached you. All the same, I hope you hear my offer. And know, that if you have been offered more, I am prepared to best whatever offer you have heard. For what you bring I offer 35,000 gp. Now, be truthful. Will you consider this offer?"
Aldebert too, keeps his voice down so that others would have trouble hearing. "I will consider this offer, but to be truthful I do not think the item is for sale. That said, of all the offers we've received so far, I would consider yours above all others." he smiles.
He thinks a little of how nice it would be to just sell it, get it out of their lives, be done with it. Alas, that is not an option.
"We are, you see, commanded by the gods themselves to protect this thing, and so we shall, until we have determined it's purpose. Then, perhaps, we shall be able to part with it. And then, for sure, I will seek you out and we shall have a long, pleasant conversation."
"I am glad to hear that I would have the chance at its purchase before others. Let us hope for all our sakes that the mystery is solved and the gods see fit to free you of such a burden in the days to come. It has been a pleasure. Badra gives a quick bow before stopping at a tent, looking closely at some items as if she has found what she was looking for. She turns speaking cheerfully, "You were right my friend. This is exactly what I was looking for."
Once the party is all back at the villa Rayhan approaches with a suggestion. "It has come to my attention that there has been at least one visitor inquiring for your attention. Further, the rumors have reached my ears that some of the most powerful groups in the area have word of what it is you have brought with you. Mind you, I have not confirmed the matter but simply sent messengers away. What I would suggest is that I host a dinner. Invite the proper officials to keep the mater on the up and up. Such authority would guarantee everyone's safety. Anyone who wishes to ever do business would think several times over before risking the wrath of the governing body as they value smooth transactions over even life and gold. Violence this close to the city they will not tolerate as it would interfere with business. Such a gathering might provide a useful opportunity to size up those whom pursue what you have. Perhaps you might even find a way to play them against one another? What say you?"
Mahdi is reasonably content with his acquisitions, bur harrumphs a bit at the thought of all these interested parties coming out to investigate and probably try and cajole and coax and threaten. Still... his father always said, 'Best to know the other caravans going your way...'
...or had, before gnolls had torn out his throat.
"It is not my nature to hide or to run," he says to Rayhan's suggestion. "I intend to live out my elder years, when I get there, in peace and satisfaction... perhaps in a home not unlike yours, Master Rayhan. I don't care to have every interested party in a thousand miles hounding me then-- or now. Putting them off won't solve anything, I don't think. Let us have it out, and measure them for who and what they are. And if it is to be a dinner on our terms, why-- we can set such caveats as weapons and spell component pouches to be checked at the door," the fire mage suggests with a beatific smile.
Aldebert likes the idea - keep everything in the open. Push the problem into the light.
"I agree, this is an excellent idea. But no weapons check. I'll have my sword, and it would be rude not to allow others to do the same. I'll not be unarmed in a room full of people who want what we have." he says firmly.
"Let us have this dinner, and quickly. I'm sure our guests will clear their calendars for such a feast!"
"I agree, this is an excellent idea."
Ami shakes his head.
No, no, no! This is *not* a good idea!! BROTHER!!!
Ami thinks very, very hard at this brother again and again, trying to will the thought into Albedert's head.
No, no, no! This is *not* a good idea!! BROTHER!!!
No, no, no! This is *not* a good idea!! BROTHER!!!
"But Brother, this is not a good idea! Nothing about this will go well!" Ami speaks when his nonverbal attempt to fix his brother's brain fails.
"Brother, the only reason we should do this is to lure the evil ones, the Janni, out into the open so that we might smite it with holy light and sword! Or, we should slay all the servants of the Rough Beast that come to this dinner...if they are willing to serve evil, then they are evil!"
Rayhan smiles, as if Ami has not spoken up at all. "Very well. I'll send the invitations right away. We will have the dinner tonight as I agree with Aldebert here, there is little more important to them. I will be sure to invite a cleric of Abadar since no Katapeshi merchant would try something illegal in the presence of one of Abadar’s clergy."
"But Brother, this is not a good idea! Nothing about this will go well!" Ami speaks when his nonverbal attempt to fix his brother's brain fails.
"Brother, the only reason we should do this is to lure the evil ones, the Janni, out into the open so that we might smite it with holy light and sword! Or, we should slay all the servants of the Rough Beast that come to this dinner...if they are willing to serve evil, then they are evil!"
"Brother, you would have us hide in the dark rather than bring this issues out into the light? I'm surprised at your fear. Have confidence that civilization and good manners will win the day. This is an excellent idea and one we will pursue."
"While I don't rule out combat at dinner, WE will not start it Amiamble Piddlespot. This is a truce. This is for us to gather information. This is useful."
Rayhan smiles, as if Ami has not spoken up at all. "Very well. I'll send the invitations right away. We will have the dinner tonight as I agree with Aldebert here, there is little more important to them. I will be sure to invite a cleric of Abadar since no Katapeshi merchant would try something illegal in the presence of one of Abadar’s clergy."
"It would indeed be good to have another member of the church here. Good thinking. I suppose I can chat with them about sending proper clergy to Kelmarene."
For the first time, Rayhan tries to acknowledge Ami's concerns - working carefully to redirect him. "My friend, might I make a suggestion. It is good manners to offer guests at this type of gathering entertainment. Might you make a display of your prowess in battle? This would serve two purposes, augment any other entertainment your group might offer for after the meal and surely intimidate those present that might have.. other intensions."
"Well, now. I suppose they could have remained, but it was much safer to hire a contingent of armed guard to accompany Garavel and his men back to Kelmarane. My wives deserve better than following us around, don't you think? They'll enjoy all that Kelmarane can provide, and welcome us back, once we're done here with our consultations with Rayhan."
"The problem there, Pent, is that you found wives that need your protection. Find a woman who can fight beside you, and you'll find your partner in all things. At least, that's what I've been told."
"The response was: 'What you ask is not to be. Not because the light would steer the faithful away from such a path, but because others will interfere.'"
"Then learn from it here, and use it in the desert."
-----
"Your brother is right, Aldebert. You're inviting wolves into a bear's den. And we're not even the bear. This talk of keeping your enemies known and in-check also allows your enemies to scrutinize you closely." The dwarf looks at Rayhan. "Trying to bring the local government in our favor surely comes at more of a cost than dinner? What else would they want from us?"
"Nothing whatsoever. When it comes to the clerics of Abadar an opportunity to insure all are adhering to the law of the land is a reward in itself. Any others that are present will simply be seeking your and your fellows consideration. " Rayhan seems satisfied at his explanation. He waits a moment before busying himself with preparations.
"Your brother is right, Aldebert. You're inviting wolves into a bear's den. And we're not even the bear. This talk of keeping your enemies known and in-check also allows your enemies to scrutinize you closely."
"I'm not sure I agree Otah. These people, they already know about us and have been scrutinizing us. I wouldn't be surprised if we're followed everywhere we go. It is us who is in the dark. We have no idea how these people heard about the scroll - or what they know about it."
"I would shed light on this situation. I want to know at least as much of them as they do of us. Who are they for one. I'm sure there are others who will surface that we haven't even met yet. And some of those we've met are certainly acting for other agents. Who are they?"
"All I have are questions, and I see no answers in the desert. Nothing there but the death of innocents to a crazed Janni."
He thinks a moment, "Otah, if not this dinner, what would you suggest? If you have another plan, I'm all ears, and indeed eager to hear it. I myself cannot pierce this veil and so have no plan beyond that of a simple guardian, clutching the thing close and peering into the darkness with my sword outstretched."
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"Burn the damned thing." The dwarf pauses for a moment to let the words carry.
"Your brother doesn't know if you should use it. He wants to carry it into the desert. Once Rayhan is done studying it, he's going to want us to use it. He'll probably ask us to accompany him as guards. What do you think will happen when those two come to a head?"
"We are trying to figure out who are enemies are. Take from them what they want, and spare us the troubles of some secret power everyone else will want to take."
"Your brother is right, Aldebert."
Ami stares at Otah, his mouth agape (yet again hidden behind his scarf). He hugs the dwarf, never thought that the dwarf might understand. A tear is in the halfling's eye.
* * *
"Nothing whatsoever. When it comes to the clerics of Abadar an opportunity to insure all are adhering to the law of the land is a reward in itself."
Ami glares at the man, but does not speak. He just looks at his brother, who happens to *also* be a supreme holy man in the name of Abadar, an enforcer of Abadar's will, and shakes his head.
This man knows nothing. NOTHING!
* * *
"My friend, might I make a suggestion. It is good manners to offer guests at this type of gathering entertainment. Might you make a display of your prowess in battle? "
Ami finally draws enough courage to speak to the man directly.
"No, I will not dance for you or your guests. I care as little for them as I do for your research. Unless and until Sarenrae makes it clear that we are to proceed, you will have nothing from me. And if you do not like it, you can kick us out. Maybe you should be working on figuring out what this scroll has to do with Sarenrae rather than inviting the servants of the Rough Beast to dine with us."
Ami stares at Otah, his mouth agape (yet again hidden behind his scarf). He hugs the dwarf, never thought that the dwarf might understand. A tear is in the halfling's eye.
Otah looks down, clear shock at the halfling's embrace. He waits uncertainly before the awkwardness subsides and plants an affirming hand on Amiamble's shoulder.
"No, I will not dance for you or your guests. I care as little for them as I do for your research. Unless and until Sarenrae makes it clear that we are to proceed, you will have nothing from me. And if you do not like it, you can kick us out. Maybe you should be working on figuring out what this scroll has to do with Sarenrae rather than inviting the servants of the Rough Beast to dine with us."
"And I thought soldiers were known to be rude. Not everyone is a servant of the destroyer, Ami. I dislike the idea of the gathering too, but perhaps some of Rayhan's friends are Sarenites?" The dwarf looks to Rayhan for confirmation.
Rayhan looks up from his diligent invitation writing. "Very well. I have tried being patient. I have been honest. And I had every intention of solving this mystery. But is clear to me now that you are not listening to your friends let alone me. I hope you find the answers you seek on the road.
Looking at the others gathered as if regretting the decision he has been forced to make. I had planned to offer all of you my hospitality. I hope you understand that. Under the circumstances it would be unsafe for me to shelter only a few of you. You must know that Ami has decided to risk for you all. He has made clear that his wishes are more important than yours. That because he wants to have no part in reasoned investigation, thoughtful engagement with the unknown, or the benefit from the protection of myself or authorities that hold sway over the merchants that none of you shall have those things. I hope for your sake that there are enough sun sets and sunrises to come that learning the error of such a path is possible.
With a wave of his hand gear and items from the rooms start to form stacks. You will see yourselves out by sun set." With that the man walks out without a word.
Mahdi pales beneath his brown complexion at the thought of being <I>kicked out of comfortable research house</i>. He blinks spastically, then turns towards Ami with his dark brows drawing together in what promises to be a lot of yelling.
As Rayhan storms from the room Aldebert opens his mouth, and closes it again. Well, Ami’s finally done it this time. He’s pushed away everyone. He looks to the party and gauges their faces. He becomes unsure how to resolve this issue. He decides to start with the group - for if they sunder, making up with Rayhan will be moot.
”Clearly this scroll is a problem for us all, and particularly for my brother. I’m sure you all have things to say here, and I don’t think I’ll disagree with any of your anger, but let’s take a step back for a moment and think about who benefits from our dissolution.” he thinks of the Janni, he thinks of the many people, merchants and thieves, who have tried for the scroll. To hell with them.
He takes it out and lays it on the table.
”This piece of paper shall not be our undoing. I’ll destroy it before that happens. And yet here we are. As I see it we have few options left to us now.”
”1) We can destroy it. That seems a shame, but we must consider the option.” he looks at his brother daring him to say anything.
”2) We can take it to the higher planes and give it to someone better suited to care for it. I like this option, though it means I’ll have to stop my armor being made and get what cash I can back to buy the scrolls needed for the journey.”
”3) Flee civilization and live in the hills, ever more guarding the scroll.”
”4) and least likely, find a way still, to reconcile with Rayhan and research it.”
"Does anyone see any other options? No? OK, then, what shall we do?"
"The third one is not an option. I will not have Pent's wives birthing children as a legacy of scroll-bearers." The dwarf turns to the gnome, "Are you planning on children? What will that be like?"
"The problem there, Pent, is that you found wives that need your protection. Find a woman who can fight beside you, and you'll find your partner in all things. At least, that's what I've been told."
Pent smiles grandly. "You haven't spent time with Hyami, then. She'll do wonderfully in that regard. As for the others, I'm only hoping for them a better life in a quieter city."
...
"And I thought soldiers were known to be rude. Not everyone is a servant of the destroyer, Ami. I dislike the idea of the gathering too, but perhaps some of Rayhan's friends are Sarenites?"
"Sarenraens, Odie. That's the name they like to use. Me? I prefer Sarah's-Blessed." Pent pats the dwarf's upper arm. "Perhaps one day, you'll call yourself the same."
"I had planned to offer all of you my hospitality. I hope you understand that. Under the circumstances it would be unsafe for me to shelter only a few of you. You must know that Ami has decided to risk for you all. He has made clear that his wishes are more important than yours. That because he wants to have no part in reasoned investigation, thoughtful engagement with the unknown, or the benefit from the protection of myself or authorities that hold sway over the merchants that none of you shall have those things. I hope for your sake that there are enough sun sets and sunrises to come that learning the error of such a path is possible. You will see yourselves out by sun set."
"You've been offering your hospitality, master Rayhan. You even provided me and my wives a wedding reception, which was unforeseen and heart-warming for your generosity. Now, this Ami-mosity. This host-ility. Rayhan, you have been more than patient, and considerate, considering you took Almah's word that we'd be no trouble to you, with the investigation we sought to finish with you. Please, continue your research, as it will bring great satisfaction to you when you finish it, and it will bring great insight to us, for what folks seek from us, which is to purchase it from us, and use it once they've unlocked it, am I right? We have a grievance with a janni, and it's our job to settle matters with that mad adder. If we lose the Scroll, we lose his attention, so he becomes someone else's curse. We know about the janni, and we'd curse someone else with selling it off. I don't need to ask Sarah how unwise that would be."
"The third one is not an option. I will not have Pent's wives birthing children as a legacy of scroll-bearers. Are you planning on children? What will that be like?"
Pent listens to Aldebert's list, then hears Otah chime in. "I believe the children are our future." Pent smiles. "Teach them well, and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride to make it easier." Pent looks at Mahdi, then back to Otah. "Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be. Much easier times, don't you think?"
The gnome girds his loins. "Aldi, you won't be able to destroy that Scroll, is my guess. Far too powerful an item of creation. And eternally protecting it from others is a waste of Life." He taps his nose, and points to Otah. "I would suggest you find a way to smooth things out with Rayhan, for all the frustration the poor man's suffered. Sarah's said nothing about her wishes to see us open the Scroll, or keep it closed. When I talked with Her, she only provided me a rough glimpse into the future, which, to Her, isn't more than a blink of an eye. The information both me and your brother received is only good for seven days, or 168 hours, or 10080 minutes, or 604800 seconds. That's nothing. If you two are really tussling over what Sarah would have us do, then you'd do better with a stronger Commune. Stop twisting our testicles."