Sharee nods her agreement with Marcus' plan.
"I guess that means I am indeed outvoted. You win this round, my good sir!" says Vothe jokingly
Vothe looked at Marcus, gestured towards the door, then said "Lead the way."
"yes let us see to this and help end all this unjustice to that sweet nectar known as ALE!!" Augar says slapping Ordurd on the back
It doesn't take long before you find a runner delivering a load of cheese to the barracks, that you note is more rigorously guarded than before. You trail him on his way back to his quarter and manage to bull rush him into an alley.
He is thin but wiry and tough.
He struggles well but in your multiple grips he has no chance.
What do want foreign dogs?, he says in a harsh accent.
"Now, now, no need for hostility. We just want to have a conversation with you. You should listen carefully, cause this is...important."
Ordrud tries not to look terrifying.
It doesn't take long before you find a runner delivering a load of cheese to the barracks, that you note is more rigorously guarded than before.
"My apologies for my friends if they were too rough. They sometimes forget how strong they are. We don't mean to harm you. We are interested in finding out more about your religion. But with so much uncertainty with these proclamations, we wanted to do it discretely. So we were wondering what you could tell us about the temple. Why is it that the religious leaders don't leave and have worshipers like you bring supplies?" he asks kindly.
The man is clearly suspicious but his attitude softens slightly.
They are holy men... they don't wish to be polluted outside the holy confines of our Temple to Cretia. On the Steppes they roam where they will, but not here. Our high priest occasionally will visit with the Duke to share wisdom but otherwise our priests stay close to their people. Have you not noticed we are close to one another?
It may well be as he says, the bulk of the Ethengarians seem to be clustered around their temple - either in tents, yurts or tight knit buildings, and anyone not of their number would clearly stand out like dogs balls.
Marcus nods in agreement. "Yes, I have noticed and that's why we need your help. Things are getting too crazy around here and we're looking for a place to relocate but we'd like a better understanding of your culture and religion before we commit. We are concerned that your kin would reject our request and the townsfolk might even turn on us if we are seen around the temple. What do you say? We could even make a donation to the temple," he says patting his coin pouch.
He seems confused.
I don't know your meaning but if you have questions? Release me and ask...I will try to answer. I want no coin. Moving to the Great Grass Sea is true freedom. The sun on your back, the wind in your hair and your horse under you? It is good.
Seeing his companions starting to get impatient, Marcus asks the man a few more questions hoping to get more information from him.
"Where in the temple are you delivering these items?
How often do are there worship ceremonies?
Do a lot of people stay inside the temple or just the priests?
Can you give us a tour?"
- I deliver to the city as a rule. Not the temple but I have delivered there. We only step within for worship, with the sanctuary with the great statue of Cretia watching us. The common act of delivering food is transacted at the side doors. We let the guards on the main door know, then go to one of the side doors. The priests or their guards collect the goods there without any entering.
- Worship is thrice a week, both in the courtyard outside the temple and in the sanctuary within. Worship is tonight and dawn two days from now.
- The priests and their sworn guards dwell within with sanctified servants being allowed on occasion.
- I can lead you only to the courtyard. The guards will need to decide on your entry.
"Thank you. Your help would be most appreciated."
"Pfft, too much pomp and pageantry, I just need a good ol' forge to do my worship. Ale doesn't hurt either"
This area is populated by the immigrants from the Ethangarian Khanate. These nomadic steppe dwellers have established their own small community within the town of Rhoona, centered around the huge Temple of Cretia. The homes and shops of this area are arranged in a protective semi-circle, with a wide gateway leading to the front of the temple. Many wagons and carts are kept near this gateway, and can be pulled across it in a few minutes to create a well-protected fort. The few twisting alleys leading through the Ethangarian community can be similarly blocked... this could be converted to a fortified area of the city in just minutes.
For now you get stares as your guide leads you through the main gap that leads to the temple and to the courtyard at its foot.
Four guards stand at the central doors, which are open, at the top of the stone stairs that ascend to the patio and entrance of the temple. Off to each side of the building, in view of the guards, though not guarded themselves is a heavy wooden and iron bound door.
I have bought you this far... if your heart is true then maybe Cretia will accept you. Heed well the guards words and those of any priest you may meet.
Sharee nocks an arrow, but holds it loosely in the string.
Sharee nocks an arrow, but holds it loosely in the string.
"Thank you for your help." says Vothe with a nod then offers the man a gold piece.
I am just happy to have been your first step on the road to understand Cretia, he said moving away without taking it.
Just about everyone in the area continues to stare, and the door guards are paying attention to you.
Marcus nids and smiles at a few of the people watching the group as they pass by. He thanks their guide for bringing them to the temple then looks over at the guards. He takes a deep breath and then approaches them.
"Greetings. Our friend there mentioned there is a worship service today. We were hoping we would be able to observe as we are considering relocating from this crazy place," he says with a laugh.
The guard just gives you a hard stony faced look.
You are not of us... you are not welcome here.
Marcus frowns and droops his head in disappointment. "Oh, what am I going to do now. How will I ever get to the Great Grass Sea and feel the sun on my back, the wind in my hair and a horse under me? I heard that is true freedom." He pauses for a moment to see if the guards react.
"Well fellas, it looks like we're not welcome here. We best be moving on," he says to the group. As they start slowly moving away, he looks around trying to find another delivery person they can "talk to".
"Thier loss we woulddrink them under the table, too bad they wouldn't let us in ther, when we can get them all the ale they'd ever want"
"We need to speak to your high priest. It's a matter of some urgency and privacy."
The High Priest will not see your kind...
but seems VERY unsure of himself.
He whispers to another who then jerks his head at the doors.
The guard who spoke follows up.
But I will call one of the other priests who will hear the matter with his own ears and will Judge by the blessing of Cretia if your words be true.
He opens the door and makes to enter the temple.
Vothe opens his mouth to say something, then immediately closes it. After a moment, he settles on "Very well."
Marcus is about to turn and leave when Vothe speaks up. He pauses as the guard responds, doing his best to keep from showing any expression. When the guard opens the door, Marcus glances over to Vothe and nods before following the guard in.
He enters and you are left outside to wait.
Around you life seems to return to normal as the staring Ethengarians get used of your presence and they go back to their tasks and conversations, seemingly molified by your compliance to the guards. The remaining three eye you off.
Time stretches for a few minutes.
A Priest and the guard soon emerge. The priest is looking somewhat put out and suspicious.
What do you want here? I am the ears of the High Priest... until midnight then its Gansukh and they are His ears.
The priest is maybe in his thirties. The middle of his head shaved but the sides left to grow long and be plaited with beads, He is armed with a large stabbing sword or dagger and in hide armour. He is resplentent in coloured beads, bone carving pendants and other paraphenalia.
Vothe leans in and whispers "So, are you involved in the attempted Coup, or is it just your high priest?"
Coup?, he seems puzzled.
Whats this got to do with this message you are meant to bear?, not bothering to whisper back.
"Got it. Not a collaborator then." Vothe says at normal volume. "Go and tell your high priest we have his letter to a certain large sailing-oriented individual, and then see if that piques his interest. Also, let him know that should he choose not to meet with us, there will be a copy of the letter on every street corner of the city by morning."
I take it this letter is important then? You have this letter? Show me so I know of your truthfulness. I swear by Cretia neither my hands or those of these guards will take it against your will.
Vothe opened the letter and showed it, but did not hand it over.
Its some sort of code..., he says suspicionly, eyeing the document as if it is dubious. But that you have the letter proves you speak truth... and the High Priest cannot blame me for being unable to read it... if you have played false? Then you will be punished. I will speak again with him. Wait.
He again turns to leave.
As soon as the priest leaves, Vothe hands Marcus the letter and says "Go and hide this please. Don't tell any of us where."
After a few minutes he returns and speaks to the guard who holds the door open
You have my oath of passage... enter and be purified.
He leads you into the main sanctuary of the worshippers of Cretia. Massive stone columns support a roof that is 20' above the floor. A raised dais, opposite the doors, elevates a statue of the grotesque Cretia. The god is pictured with a scowling human face upon the torso of a gorilla, with four bear-like feet. Its eyes will glitter evilly with reflected torchlight, as each of the columns holds a bracket with a burning torch set in it.
The cloying smell of incense is heavy in the air.
There are eight guards within, standing in pairs, in each corner of the room. They are dressed in studded leathers, bear shields, with a curved sword on their hips. They make no move and barely acknowledge your presence.
Two priests approach you bearing smoking censers.
Walk between them and through the smoke that you may be cleansed.
A third priest bears a tray bearing a silver plate loaded with bread, and a bowl of salt.
Take bread and salt... eat, he says taking up both plate and bowl and thrusting them towards you.