“Are you a believer, fine sir? No? Are you interested in becoming one? Stop! Wait! You young man. Do you know of the heavens above? What of the world that comes after this one? Madam, madam, please stop. Listen to what I have to say. You too can be a believer in the Goodly Gods above. This world is not long for us all. We need something greater than ourselves! I am here to proclaim it!”
Father Benedict stood on a crate behind The Wyvern near a row of outhouses. He desperately hoped someone among the crowd of passersby knew of the Gods. Unfortunately, though the crowd was large, not a single person stopped to listen. He did not give up, however. Every town and village he had passed through on the trip south was yet another sign of the dire need for the Gods. The number of poor and oppressed even in Kera City was unlike anything the priest had ever seen. Coupled with the ever-growing temptation of his curse and the continuing nightmares, Ben was as fervent as ever to spread the tenants of his Faith. He stepped off his crate and circled around to the front of The Wyvern. With any luck he would bump into a friend, like Darius, who might help him.
“Are you a believer? Have you seen the glory of the Gods above? Have you felt the power divine Faith can bring to your own lives?” Ben saw a beggarman standing in a sewer trench along one side of the main thoroughfare. He was dirty, bald, and babbling to himself in a tongue Ben did not understand. Confident, Ben maneuvered across the heavy traffic over to him. “Are you a believer, fine sir? My priesthood heals and cares for those who are in need.” The beggar looked up at him with wild and crazy eyes. Ben was reminded of Igor. The old man paused and his voice dropped low and ominous.
Quote:
"Though swords reap on the barren heath,
And scythes upon the fruitful field.
Though fire may bloom a funeral wreath,
The quill alone may make me yield." |
“That’s interesting,” said Ben. “So, you are a believer then?” The beggarman began babbling to himself once more.
“All I am saying is,” said Darius, “if we purchase slaves, I am going to free them. They can go to the Front if they choose after that.” The team was in the common room of The Wyvern. Grog could not go upstairs and they wanted his input while they made strategy. The meeting was not going as Darius had planned, however. Kayla launched into her retort.
“The greatest threat to Margrave County lies at the Front. We all agree on that. Rose is here to find whatever aid possible and to return back to the Front with it. Be that people, food, weapons, supplies, whatever. If you say strong men and women are available for a mere pittance, I say we give them their freedom and let them help save the County. That is all.”
“Most of the slaves we found below were sorted into lots,” said Darius. “Dram and I asked. If we were to purchase groups of slaves, we would have to do so in groups. That means some men, some women, and even some children. That’s not a fighting force in my mind.” He paused catching his breath. “And not all of ‘em are human either. The humans had tickets on ‘em with a number and a letter. All those of… mixed birth were set aside for some other method of sale. Or hired to sell the others before ‘em.”
“If you’re afraid of going to the Front, I understand,” said Rose who was sitting on a windowsill across the room. “But I’m sure no one from Harling would be hunting for you there, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Darius the paladin harrumphed loudly.
“I fear nothing!” he stated. Rose did not bother to point out his purpose for traveling south.
“Well then, if they have lots of half-breeds like you say, maybe they’ll hire me to work there? I don’t mind the beatings.”
Kayla arched an eyebrow at the fey. “No Rose. Lavinia saw all of us when we fought at the mushroom caves. If she returned, your life would be in her hands.” Rose tilted her head and pondered the thought.
Darius paced the room again. “Lavinia is here,” he said. “I know it. Why would she leave her horse behind instead of taking it back to Alderweg? I don’t think she would do that.”
“But after last night, she knows we are here too. And that we are searching for her,” said Kayla. Darius stopped and turned. His face was red. Slowly he began counting to himself.
“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight….” He stopped. “Where’s Father Ben?”
“Outside by the privies, I think,” said Pax. He looked out the window. “Wait, no. He is in front.” Darius opened the door and ran out into the street.
“Are you a believer, sir?!” Father Ben was standing out in the middle of the road shouting at people as they walked by.
“Damn it Ben, will you get in here!” Darius grabbed the priest by the wrist and nearly dragged him back into The Wyvern.
And yet another word from our sponsors
