The snake makes a brief appearance and takes the anointment with ill grace before retreating. Jerrid thanks Shandril and moves away from the cat and the sunlight.
allowing the others to finish their business with the priestess Janna finally tries to finish her conversation.
This wizard and I are after the same thing, access to an old keep that once belonged to a wizard by the name of Eralion. that is the reason he attacked us. but to kill innocent farmers? why?
Astor listens to Janna ask the question why. He remembers coming upon those bodies. The weight of his most recent experiences finally weigh on him. "Yes, why? Why Janna? Who is this guy that we're going after? I know you explained him to us before, but I didn't expect any of this..." Astor sounds more like he's talking to himself than Janna. He finally just sighs and shakes his head. "This just makes me feel... lost." And with that he simply remains silent.
Janna looks to Astor. sadness in her eyes.
I wish I knew the answers Astor, we were rivals at the Academy, He came from wealth, I came from the streets. I think he resents that. but I never expected what happened. I never saw him as, a killer
Janna looks down, ashamed of what Vortigern is doing to the reputation of the Academy.
Realizing suddenly that he's not the only one affected, and for the first time he's shown a bit of confusion and weakness, Astor straightens up a bit addresses Janna. "Regardless of all this, we will stop him. He's gone too far in the search for wealth and status. I will stick by your side until it is done." And with that any trace of sadness or confusion is wiped from his face, replaced by his usual casual stoicism.
Samduc relates: "I find wizards to be an unsavory and greedy lot. This one seems no exception."
He muses as he scratches his chin, disappointed about not getting to dip his hands in the good stuff: "My studies of other religions may have offended Freya. I will have to reflect on this."
One of Sam's latest carved amulets is rather crude and unfinished. His skill with knives, though, is quite amazing. At times when thinking, he spins a dagger end for end and catches it.
Shandril nods matter-of-factly.
"Freya's blessings were already with you when you arrived. You travel with one of her own chosen. It pains me to think of the malice her own people must bear towards her for answering Freya's call."
"Your concern is appreciated, but I've not had the pleasure of meeting one of my kind in the decade since I embraced the light of the surface world. It will certainly be an interesting meeting when such does occur. " Kevezyat says, her eye going distant for a few moments.
Blinking, she continues " Vortigern , I think, has succumbed to the vice that often afflicts those in the pursuit of knowledge, the lure of immortality. Unfortunately, as Janna's letter shows , this Eralion sought undeath as his method of choice."
Leoven have been silent all this time. He is just to shy and get acostumed to new people always take him time.
In the meantime, the yougn cleric have watcher all the religious aspect of the temple and have heard carefully weverything that was said.
He was always like that, slow to act but always willing to pay attention and learn.
Sense Motive
"I think I shall, it looks like the dawn would be an especially lovely time for prayer." Kevezyat says, then with a bow, departs and follows Lauriel.
Vhillish patiently stands at ease listening to the discussions of faith and foul attackers as he converses idly with his fellow veteran;
"Hound's a good 'un sir. Unlike that mage and his rotters..."
:
"Sustenance for the body first M'Lady Faen... then for the soul wot-wot?"
The gnome wheels about precisely and gives his hound a nod;
"Come on Topper... let's see if we can find you a bone or some such eh lad?"
Jerrid takes a knee while the party talk with Shandril. One ear is for listening but the rest of him tries to think about what and where Vortigern may be.
Listening to her talk about Eralion, Astor's sixth sense tingled slightly. "Forgive me for asking, but you say the name Eralion with a sense of familiarity. Have you ever met him?"
Damien is moving to follow the others as Astor poses his question. He pauses in mid stride, his head immediately swinging around, intent to see where this goes.
Kevezyat also stops , regarding Shandril calmly, waiting.
Janna missed that subtlty, She pauses wondering about the possible connection.
her first instict is to look for a nosy raven of course.
A little bit happy that he perceived something the others didn't, Astor tries to press in a little more. "What is it that he blames you for?"
Damien's brow furrows, "And on the topic of this wizard, did you tell him of your vision? Was this something that should have already come to pass or could it still belong to the future? Can you tell us anything about these companions of his who were also fated to die, not a pair of unruly half-orcs?"
Vhillish chimes in on the subject of the half breed archers;
"Stinky string-plucking bounders o' unruly half-orcs... (ahem) sir."
"Revealing the future may change it. Where there any indicators in the vision to let you know what time of day or time of year it was? Sometimes shadows and their position can tell a lot if you know the area. Some use shadows as a clock AND calendar."
Damien gives Samduc an appraising look, impressed by the youth's breadth of knowledge.
"Shandril how many men did that wizard have with him? Two or more? Did he have a bird or animal nearby? And is there a mage in Fairhill?" Jerrid asks while his new friend now slithers in and out of his fingers.
LEts have a conversation with Lannet the halfling then
Sam thinks of a funny joke he heard about Dwerfator. He repeats it: "The dwarf ate her? No but he nearly killed her."
Damien offers a sidelong look and a wry smile at Samduc's joke before turning to Lauriel, "It's not a bad idea, you said this halfling was missing but he's back? Where would we find him?"
The half-elf looks at Shadril next, "So you saw their deaths and simply left them to march towards it? Why send you divine visions if you aren't to make anything of them? I'll admit I'm a little rusty on her teachings but I don't remember Freya being a mocking god."
Damien returns the her gaze, "They why plague you with visions of violence and death to no purpose? There's more than enough of that to witness with your own eyes."
Astor smirks a bit at the joke and listens to his compnaions carry on the conversation. Once it get's to a bit of argument over death, he decides to step in. "Well, I know before I started this line of questioning we were headed to an inn, possibly for some dinner. Now that we have some answers maybe we should talk and maybe meet with this halfling later . Once we're well fed and well rested we can go about this investigation with clearer heads."
Astor was a little surprised with himself at trying to take a bit of lead. His luck on the battlefield and slight bit of insight with Shandril had given him some courage he never knew he possesed. He liked the way this felt.
FOr a moment the spark of excitement bright in the eyes of the cleric, a theologic debate!, like in the good all times!, but then Lauriels cut the conversation.
The young cleric now looks heavily dissapointed.
- to know things about the faith of freya.
Damien seems unconcerned by Lauriel's scorn, taking his eyes from the pair of them he nods to Astor, "I'd say you're right, the Drunken Cockatrice would seem our best bet."
He turns and begins to leave, his expression still sour, "Come on, I've had my fill of piety for today..."
Janna has a very concerned look on her face.
the companions she described are not the ones we saw. This concerns me. she says this rather quietly not in the presence of the priestess.
Janna follows the other as they head toward the Drunken Cockatrice for lunch.
Damien shrugs, still in a dark mood, "Plenty of wizards in the world..."
Kevezyat follows the debate between Damien and the priestess , but does not intervene, Shandril more than capable of defending her faith in Freya.
As they walk , she looks upon Damien This one's seen much evil while in service...such scorn for that which may offer him surcease...but, whom am I to judge, I will offer friendship and companionship, and perhaps my example may sway him.
If Damien happens to glance her way, he may catch her eyes on him, full of compassion, but no judgement.
With a wide grin, she responds to his comment "Never fear, my friend, with me around you'll never lack for piety."
At Janna's quite observation, she comment, equally quitely "It may be that Voritgern has more allies than you thought, Janna. No matter, hopefully , the halfling will illuminate us on his movements."
Vhillish offers an aside to Kevezyat's comment;
"Lady Faen, alas you might find getting the good Lieutenant to accept religion a rather tall order. Why even revered old Chaplain Mantlewise of the 33rd could only get him to morning battle prayers with the promise of a snifter of sacramental wine! However best of gnomish luck in converting him though wot-wot!"
The gnome purses his lips causing his 'tache to twitch at the humorous thought.
"Religious disputes don't often end well." Sam muses as he walks to the inn. "I am hungry too! Never know when the military types will want to stop cooking food again. Best to enjoy good food while you can."
The harshness of the half-elf's eyes seems to abate, replaced with regret. He away from the others to regard the village of Fairhill in silence as they make their way to the tavern.
"I find when someone speaks with religious conviction, they do not handle alternative views well."
Damien looks back at Samduc, the intensity returning, "Nothing against religion when it makes some damn sense. That lady was spouting b$$!!+$%! Death is only blind so long as the rest of us mortals only have our intentions to go on. If Freya really wants her disciples to stay out of it she can keep her f%#!ing visions to herself..."
"She leaves the door open to her shrine, she is foolish. I like Shandril and Freya but visions could just be a bit of bad gristle. Lannet may have answers, she has dreams."
Janna listens to the discussion with interest.
I myself never considered myself religious, however, In my past I managed to survive the streets only by the will of the gods. Though I do not favor any one god over another, I do thank them for the chance to live they have given me.
she takes some bites of her meal. and has a drink.
Visions or dreams, mean different things to different people, either arcane or divine, the results are so various. I personally prefer to leave my fate the winds.
Vhillish claps his fellow veteran's upper arm;
"Now now sir. No need for harsh language when there are ladies and... (ahem) children present."
The gnome smiles at the debate;
"We soldiers learn to put our faith not in trinkets or whims of the heavens... Faith and belief in good steel and the soldier next to you tends to trump prayers and offerings..."
As they reach the central marketplace, the diminutive arbalester addresses their guide;
"Our thanks Ma'am. If you also be so kind as to point out any outfitters where we can take restock on arms and provisions."
"Have no illusions, I am not a missionary, those who come to Freya's embrace do so willingly. I do not blindly go forth, my skill comes from myself, and by Freya's grace am I granted some few boons to help in our endeavour. " she says looking down at the crossbowman with a smile
"My faith in Freya is mirrored by my faith my new friends-in-arms." she says, placing a hand on the Gnome's shoulder, while gazing pointedly at Damien.
"Enough of such talk though, I am sure well all know where we stand on that subject, let us find our halfling " she says good-naturedly, leading the way towards the Cockatrice.
"Doesn't hurt to have a bit of faith along for the ride, does it? But where is Vortigern now and what's he up to?" as Jerrid kicks at some grass near the Inn.
Need to get all this dirt off me, stink like a hog.