"And all will grow stronger. We all have things to teach. I guess you've found one of yours, Leucis. Beyond the expected, 'get used to it', what can you teach us, about the sewers? What would you teach a child?"
"Shouldn't we assign Steel as the martial trainer..? - Tessai ponders as she glances over at Beppo.
Devil laughs. "Assign?! We all have barely enough authority to successfully volunteer."
Beppo chuckles at Devil's comment and slides his eyes back in Tessai's direction. Are you sure they could handle it, Lotus? I might not be as forgiving as I have been with Erm- uh, the Hammer.
"One question is what are we training them for? If it is intended they add to our numbers, some clarity on our next mission might help, even if we were not going to reveal it to them beforehand. So then, what is it? Brigands, next? More shadows? Perhaps, with Leucis as a guide, a mapping of the sewers?"
"That's all secondary to warming their hearts. I can observe; what I said to Palaveen was not bluster, but I don't feel myself to be a healer, beyond base bandages. How does one salve and wrap a wounded soul?"
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In response to BD, she says, I'll be honest, we haven't planned much for the next few weeks. I've been focused on scouting and finding everything I could about the Bastards of Erebus. And, if Arael does have another big thing planned, he has not yet shared it with me.
She looks at Kyle before looking back at BD. If you can fully convince them of our vision, I would love to have them on board as full members of the Shades of Grey. If they don't reach that point; if they aren't fully committed to the cause, then we use them at a distance. We have a number of friends and partners around the city who support us in such a way. The provide us free services, discounts, support, etc., without really knowing who we are and exactly what we do. They only know that we work for change.
Obviously, we'll have to see how things develop, and play it by ear.
I... I am too individualistic I think, to provide any advice to others.. I admit I never entertained such idea... And our Mr. Steel IS our steel as our Grey is our Spirit... I am neither martial nor spiritual, maybe both..? - Tessai seems as much lost in thought as speaking with Janiven and the others.
"I guess I would be both, as well. If it fell to us as faculty, of the Bladesmith Memorial Institute for Wayward Tieflings... would that be so bad? Grey, Black and White?"
Spellcraft take 10 + 7 (17)
Corellon approaches Janiven and asks, "I'm curious about who is behind all of this thievery and what their ultimate objective is ... is it just riches, destabilization, fear? I can't help but think that there is some driving force behind all of this and that may be these Bastards and the golblins we vanquished are both tentacles of the same beast. They both were clearly rogues though their methods and capabilities varied greatly. I wonder what Arael thinks."
As you approach the safe house (dropping the tieflings off with some other Shades in a storage room some distance away in the sewage system), Janiven answers Corellon, That's a good question. I believe that the Bastards were their own, separate group. But, it looks like this Council of Thieves came out of the blue and provided them with funding. That allowed them to attract the numbers they did. What's even more curious, from what Kyle told me, is that they really gave the leader no specific directions... or if they did, you all could find no evidence of such.
You enter the safe house, where a few other Shades greet you warmly. After the usual pleasantries, Janaven announces that you all were victorious. People quietly cheer and ask for more details that she promises will be forthcoming at dinner. She then asks Arael for a private conversation, inviting you all in as well.
She explains what happened, including what you all did with the captives.
You did what? Janiven, I gave you specific instructions what to do with any survivors. Take them to the watch!
Arael, you KNOW that's a death sentence.
That's a matter for the law to decide! Janiven, we aren't a refugee camp!
No, we've come together to give the people...ALL the people of Westcrown, hope. And these tieflings can help us do just that! Just listen to our plan...
Plan? You have a plan to work with lying, murdering tieflings? While I appreciate the efforts of the people you've recruited thus far, Janiven, you must be out of your mind! These are murderers!
Arael! I've talked with them. This group is repentant. They are ready to be shown a new way! You have to hear us out. They just need a chance! Doesn't The Inheritor teach us that we teach us that in showing others the way and how to stand up for themselves, we honor Her? How do we do that if you leave them to die?
Arael gets out of his chair, his face flush with anger, and gets very close to Janiven. Iomedae forgives those who cast aside their evil ways and pledge themselves to fighting those forces of darkness. Once a tiefling has embraced the darkside of his heritage, there's no turning back.
Suddenly aware of those behind Janiven and the stares at him, his nostrils flare as he takes a deep breath. No offense intended.
I thought I knew you better, Arael. Janiven turns on her heels, walks out and slams the door.
Arael faces the back wall for moment, where a sword hangs. Behind it, a light shine brilliantly. He says to the group, Please, excuse me. I need some time alone.
Devil had been asked to come to make his case. To argue for the thieves' inclusion, however peripherally. But he'd missed the message, he'd misread it. It wasn't the thieving, at issue, it was the tieving. Devil hadn't thought that... hand them to the watch? He couldn't have guessed it. Until just then, when Janiven stormed out, and Arael asked for solitude. Alright, he could have solitude, he had that right. But Devil had a duty, first.
"I killed a man today, because he felt qualified to choose and decide who lived and who died. And when he sent his thieves out, his rules were obeyed, and a man, and his wife, murdered. And he showed no remorse, for his required course, and he promised his work would go on. As he glared past my blade, he spoke of human masters who would use us, he spoke of us beneath their heel. I said, that was not the case, and I killed him. And I took his survivors, and I showed them the Shades of Grey, no leader among us, save whoever's running fastest at the moment. And they believed. They hoped. I'm going to keep that for them. I'm going to go back to them. And I'm going to honor their hope. With, without, or against you. One of you, some of you, ALL of you. You're willing to die for this cause. You're willing to kill for this cause. Are you willing to let live?"
Devil went to the door, and stopped before leaving. "If you come for us, you had better bring Edmond." Then he left.
It wasn't the thieving, at issue, it was the tieving.
... I showed them the Shades of Grey, no leader among us, save whoever's running fastest at the moment.
...Are you willing to let live?"
Once a tiefling has embraced the darkside of his heritage, there's no turning back.[/b]
Tessai stands up smiling - "No offense taken Arael, but you are wrong in your assessment - the darkness on a tiefling is no deeper than on any other that walks this world. If you want to talk about myself, well, I guess we'll have time for that at another point... But my darkness runs as deep as possible" - she pauses for a moment.
"As you can see, Devil and the boys are quite adamant about this, as well as Janiven - I can tell you straight away that my actions will always have me standing next to them, but I will not put my words in such definite terms. However, if our purpose here is not to give hope and a chance for redemption to who seems lost, as in fact this city seemed lost not so long ago, then it all sounds very selfish - and we are simply replacing one absolutism for another, that WE believe is the right one - I don't think that is the path we want to thread"
As she moves to the door, Tessai offers a bow, taking off her wide brimmed hat and letting her hair run wild - "I will leave you to your thoughts good friend Arael"
Just before closing the door she adds - "And speaking about darkness, what about your own? How deep does it run?"
A sullen silence falls over the group following Devils empassioned speech. Each of them felt the weight if their decision on their conscience. Tessai adds her comments. Simple, reasoned, unequivocal.
Brandon shakes his head and says quietly;
Arael is right.
He hauls himself to his feet, exhausted after the nights events but determined to have one last say on the matter.
Who are we to stand above the law? We claim to do what is right and yet when it doesn't suit us just go our own way?
He moves to Tessai and takes a set of manacles from her.
Ill take them into custody and deliver them to the watch myself.
He walks slowly, sadly back into the centre of the room.
And id just like to say my thanks for the courage you are showing Arael. To willingly submit to torture and execution for your cause. Please, put these on - only for appearances you understand.
Seeing his confusion Brandon adds;
Oh I know we were outside Westcrowns walls when we rescued you but we assaulted and probably killed a numer of Hellknights in that escape and I can see how that was wrong now - against the law. Come, well go directly to the watch.
Long moments pass...
Arael, im starting to learn that the laws without justice are no laws at all. Think about it.
He drops the manacles on the table and walks out of the room, nodding to Tessai as he does so.
Aemon clenching his teeth while flexing his right hand in to a fist, bursts out.
"You fight so vigilant for those that would dash your heads against a rock. They would listen to a command to kill innocence and not question it in the slightest."
He then look's to Tessai and Devil.
"I understand where you two are coming from, you wish for their salvation as you wish someday if you should fall that you could come back. We all wish to step back into the light when we fall so fully in to darkness. But these men killed with remorse only after being found out, you can't say they had no choice, we all have choices."
Walking over to where Brandon drop's the manacles, he picks them up.
"You speak for the law you speak to justice. Arael did nothing but speak out again the wrong of this land, he broke laws put in place by evil people bent on doing evil things." Throwing the manacles away he looks to Brandon. "Those men out there killed and robbed the innocent, there are some laws that need not be spoken, to take a life is wrong on all levels, they now only repent because they were beaten. The life's they affected demand justice and if taking their life's bring some balance some justice to this dark world so be it."
Aemon then walk's away and sit down alone, and mutter's to himself.
"But all i say falls on deaf ears."
Ashen..
As you all follow Janiven out, after saying your peace, you can see the tension in the air amongst the other, lesser experienced Shades. Janiven appears to be packing some supplies.
"Any light so bright that it blinds... is a darkness.", Devil says, as though reciting.
"Aemon, remember Janiven's summary of these 'men'. No one offered them with one hand a plowshare and the other a sword. To speak of free choice as if it were a choice among infinities is...", Devil calms himself visibly. "Is incorrect. They made their choices, yes, from the choices given. Sometimes, the best choice is to kill, or to steal, or to whore. Especially in this town, where the most respectable prostitute their souls or silence their voices while armored bartenders serve Lyemade in the street. I'm not certain we killed all the killers among the Bastards of Erebus, but that does not matter. We killed, WE killed, in the first hour of our meeting, to regain me from the guard. To avoid standing before the unlit lantern of their law, we killed. I can't stand here and judge on whatever the four remaining bastards might have done. But I can, and I do, hope on what they might yet do."
"Any who think themselves untainted by our rebellion, unstained by the blood of lawful guardsmen, any who think themselves better than these last Erebites, speak from ignorance, until they speak to them, with them, and learn from each what choices they had, before you damn them for choices they made."
"Janiven. Please. When his wisdom returns to him, Arael will need a trusted ear to hear his confession. Is there any other here, better for that, than you?"
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"Brandon's beautifully orchestrated play has also seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. I also see a similarity between their killing of what they were told was an oppressor and our killing what we believe to be our oppressor. If we can't educate those to a better view of our societal situation, then what hope do we have in our quest to bring change to Westcrown?"
Corellon stands in silence. He remains very still, his eyes following each of his counterparts as they cast their words and make their cases.
His eyes narrow as they watch Arael, What is he really thinking?'
His inner thoughts continue ... 'Such a mix of emotions, getting caught up in smiting evil, in cleansing ... but has it become more than that, is it now vengeance? I do not know. And who am to deny the chance for someone to change, to choose good over evil. I have been a thief and a scoundrel for a time, but that does not define me going forward. I make that choice every day in may actions.'
"As always, Priest.", Devil says.
"I usually only sing if I have a cup of ale in one hand a several in the belly, but now might be a time for an exception." and follows Kyle's lead
Aemon throws his hand's in the air.
"Devil clearly you must see a difference in the one's we killed. We killed to protect friends and family. Anyone we've killed has instigated it, We didn't break into defenseless peoples homes. I've never said my self better than anyone, but i know who's out for blood. I lived on these street's, i begged, i cried every night when the pain from an empty stomach was to much to sleep, i'll even say that i stole food that was not mine. But there are places not even i would go."
Then rubbing his eye's.
"I seem to be outvoted in the matter anyway. Gritting his teeth "I wont go against the will of the group, but i don't have to joyfully follow either."
Turning to Kyle.
"I'm not one for prayer. But if it makes you feel better inviting them in be my guest."
Aemon then begins to walk away.
Speaking back at Devil, Janiven says, I've always known that Arael has some sort of bitterness or anger towards those born with blood mixed with infernals...but I never realized just how deep those rivers run.
She gets up and looks at all of you.
I apologize. Your victory this morning should be a joyous occasion. Arael's reaction notwithstanding, we did stop a source of evil. Make no mistake, Pavaleen and the majority of his followers were following a very dark path. And in stopping the Bastards, you have stopped a source of suffering for the people of Westcrowne. And, again, you have shown them that these evils can be addressed without help from devils. Please, do not forget that.
Back in his room, Brandon begins to hear Kyle's voice rise in song, joined by one or two others.
Aemon Will sing no songs, he either can't or won't understand. I wonder what happened to h--
He cannot even finish the thought before slipping into a well-earned sleep.
Zzzzz...
Arael come out of his room an hour later, and calls for Janiven. After 15 minutes, the door opens again. Janiven asks for Kyle to join them.
As Kyle enters the room, Janiven closes the door. Arael sits at a table, looking as serious as he every does.
This conversation we are about to have stays in this room. Understood?
Kyle, like myself, you are a spiritual man. But, I think you also understand the burden of having to lead others and make tough decisions.
These tieflings are part of the Bastards of Erebus... a group responsible for terrorizing the people of our city. There are even a number of murders involved. I've been informed that in at least one instance, and entire family was killed in cold blood. The four you currently have in custody were part of such a group.
Janivan believes that these four are... truly repentant... for their involvement. She feels that with enough spiritual guidance, that these tieflings would not only turn from their wicked waves, but may even be able to contribute to the good of the community in the very same vein of our own efforts.
As you know, I trust Janiven's intuition with not only my life, but more importantly, the safety of all the Shades of Grey. I feel that in this case, however, we are making a mistake. She has assured me, however, that you all have a plan which involves minimal risk to the others. This plan, from what I have been told, involves you acting as their spiritual teacher and beacon.
He looks you in the eye. Kyle, do you honestly believe that you can change this group of tieflings, who are not only born of demonic heritage, but have demonstrated inclinations of chaos, evil and violence? Are you willing to die if you're wrong?
Before you can answer, he adds, Do not misunderstand. You are a man of faith, and have demonstrated an absolute willingness to dedicate yourself to your beliefs, even if your life is part of the cost, but think about what I said earlier. Answer my question not only as a holy man, but as a leader. If you die, it is not the cost to you that I want you to consider, but to those others, here in the Shades, who depend on you as well.