I hate it when a player in a pbp drops out at a really inopportune moment.
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Yruch says; “Perhaps one of us can wait in the vicinity of one of the gates, and ensure that it is not closed in the event of an alarm being raised – fighting off anyone intending to do so if needs be.”
Yruch is silent for a moment before replying. “I believe that what we are attempting – to save the woman from a death sentence - is almost certainly the right thing to do … And while I have become convinced that she did not do what she is accused of, I know that we do not have enough doubtless proof of that for Vorn. I can accept that subterfuge may be necessary for us to achieve our goals. I am not comfortable with it, but I wish to help, and will play my part. However, I am unwilling to break my sacred vow to Arton to speak no untruths … better I say nothing at all.”
“A man does not need to be evil in order to kill you,” Yruch replies. “He may be a good soldier, following orders, or he may truly believe what he does is right – whether it is or not. As for those outside, I cannot say, my senses cannot reach that far with any accuracy. And Vorn …” Yruch hangs his head. “Truly, I did not think to sense it within him.” He looks up again. “It seems that someone was waiting in ambush for us, and it seems that they wish to kill us. Whether we should fight back or parlay I do not know. I say only that I do not sense the darkness and malice that I have sensed within some … although … there may be something … on the edge of my senses …” he draws silent, appearing to concentrate on some distant sound.
“I saw something up in the branches up there,” says Yruch, pointing to a large tree at the edge of the clearing. “It may indeed have been a bird, I’m not certain. But if it was the fiend … well, if I recall correctly, upon escaping the hut, it took the form of a crow or raven and flew off to the west. Why would it now be in the form of an eagle – if that is indeed what Laithe and Jarred heard – and to the east of where we last saw it? Of course, we are taught that such creatures are often chaotic and incomprehensible to mortal man … But yes, as you say Laithe, chances are it could watch us unseen if it wished. Remember, it also had the power of invisibility. Maybe … maybe this was just a bird…?” he trails off uncertainly.
“Atrek,” Yruch replies grimly, “is Vorn’s dog. His loyal servant and huntsman. It is said that he is a skilled tracker as well as a skilled warrior. It is also said that he does much of Vorn’s … dirty work.”
“Remember that I too accepted a mission to try to prove the woman’s innocence,” says Yruch sternly. “I did not believe that the Inquisitor’s own evidence was enough to put a woman to death – banish her maybe, but the evidence that she killed the girls was circumstantial at best. The Inquisitor told me that Arton provided him with the truth of her actions, but I … well, I believe that Arton was telling me that she did not do it. “Would I bring arms against an Inquisitor, a lawfully appointed agent of my Church? I would be labelled an outlaw at best, more likely a heretic … you ask much. But I would not see a woman unjustly put to death. If Vorn can be talked from his path, I will be happy. If he cannot … then I take heart that Alton suggested non lethal force. I will stand by you in supporting Gosia, because I believe this course is just, and the Inquisitor wrong – I believe that it was the creatures we fought yesterday who killed the girls, not the woman. If we cannot convince Vorn to let her free, then I will stand by you in defending her. But I will not take part in a murder plot against the Inquisitor.”
Yruch seems lost in thought for a few moments, then joins the conversation. “I believe that Inquisitor Vorn’s ideal outcome would be to have you – us – deal with any threat within the forest that might actually have caused the deaths of those girls – and then find a reason to put the witch – sorry, Gosia – to death anyway. Not that I think he is an evil man, but he truly sees her as a threat to the Church’s domination of the village. He may well decide – even with my testimony – that the evidence we have presented is not enough. I do not know this for certain, but I do know that he will act in whatever he believes is the best interest for the Church … or at least the Inquisition.” “Also, I do not know whether you met Vorn’s henchman, Atrek? Well … I should speak no ill of a man of the Church, but you should watch that one, if he is there when we return.”
Yruch bore one end of Jirkin’s litter all the way back from the goblin village, bearing the load stoically despite his wounds, whilst Keildrithe, Laithe and Jarred took turns with the other end. Now, the broad shouldered young man shifts rocks to the cairn with Laithe, unspeaking. It is difficult to know what he is thinking.
Yruch suddenly clutches at his head as if in pain, and then turns tail and runs from the hut, pushing past Jirkin and the Boar King on the way out – he is running towards the trench at the edge of the village.
“No, wait!” Yruch echoes Alton’s exclaimation to Laithe, but it is too late. Yruch sighs, then lumbers after the druid and the swashbuckler, slowed by his heavy armour and numerous wounds.
“You are welcome to that job Greycoat,” says Yruch, eyeing the narrow log dubiously. “Of course, Alton is also quite nimble.”
“I apologise, I did not mean to disparage your faith Karands. In fact, I am somewhat familiar with tales of Ehlonna and others of your pantheon, and I respect them. My hasty comment came from the fact that we are taught them as folk tales and mythology, rather than tales of a true faith.”
“I am somewhat confused,” says Yruch, his brow furrowed. “That masked man – or was that his real head? – is some sort of king of Boars? And a servant of the - ahem – so called goddess Ehlonna? If that is the case, why did he not seem to react favourably to the symbol Laithe held up to it? Is not that unicorn motif a recognized symbol of Ehlonna?”
“The short one is correct,” states Yruch, gripping his mace tightly, his eyes fixed on the beast. “At least about the fox not liking it, and it wanting us to follow. I am unsure if we should. And the wolves in this place do have an evil reputation.”
Yruch seems somewhat taken aback at this elfin figure, half his height, taking charge and talking tactics. But he does see the tactical sense in the halfling’s plan, and nods his assent, stowing his crossbow and drawing his mace.
The paladin smiles ruefully, a smile which almost turns into a grimace. “It feels nasty too. Yes, if you can help me clean and bind the wound I would be grateful. I feared poison … but I’m not sure, it feels alright.” |