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[howandwhy99]

The team spent the rest of the day and all day Sunday returning to Kera City. By the time they had purchased rooms at The Wyvern Rose was up and walking again. However, Darius’s friend ‘the monk’ was still unconscious and healing slowly. He was put in a bed to sleep as soon as they arrived. Rose collected everyone else into the second bedroom, for a surprise.
“I believe my powers are growing,” she said. “It’s something unusual. I feel like they are coming in bits and spurts. I’m… I am not quite sure what will happen if I train and try to control them. It could be dangerous.” Ben wondered if this meant she was going through puberty.
“Are you growing taller?” he asked.
“No. It’s not that. The problem is, if I don’t try and control these changes… Well, the forces within me may explode out chaotically.”
“Perhaps they could be controlled through magic?” suggested Kayla.
Rose’s eyes sparkled. “Oh yes! It may be possible for you to use this in your magic. You could release the force and substitute it in your magic rituals.”

Ben was stunned. “I’m not so sure,” said Kayla.
“It would be like tapping the magics of the queen of the wild!” Rose was getting more excited by the idea. “It would be dangerous though. There would be an effective backwash into the user giving you some of the power as well. But the effects could be truly wonderful! I can’t say what, but the power created would…”
“No, Rose” said Kayla cutting her off.
“It is true Fey Magic is highly addictive to humans,” Rose continued on. “So we might want to start with small amounts. I would want to be able to heal the flesh taken anyways.”
“Absolutely not!” said Ben. “I will not allow this to happen!”
“But? What about in a last ditch effort? If there was no other way?” Rose pleaded.
“Give up our faith in truth and purity? To give side with chaos when things are at their darkest?”
That ended the conversation. Ben did not hear Rose talk about her proposal after that and he could only hope she would forget it.

For the next week the team studied and trained. Father Ben made a makeshift shrine in the bedroom next to Jakob’s body, so he could watch over him while praying. In the evenings he continued his preaching in the streets. Kayla and Diedre who spent their time reading watched Jakob when Ben was out. Gwenna, Miklezh and Hanz were still being paid and took residence at a cheaper inn across town. Grog simply lazed around the common room the entire week eating and carousing with Dalin and Dram in the evenings. Sermonizing in front of The Wyvern, Ben took notice of the comings and goings of the rest of the team as the week progressed. Dram, Dalin, and Rose explored the city and the stranger Houshang had all but disappeared. A bargain had been made with the foreigner shortly after Darius left. He would join the team and fight with them against Adlerweg. What his reasons for allying were Ben could not say.

Dram found a moneylender for reasonable rates and helped the rest of the team switch over from heavy coin to lighter gems to ease traveling with the treasure. Then he purchased an extra strong bow for himself and another for his Ormand the Redd He ordered Ormand to continue watching the horses in the stables. Oddly his hireling was more than willing to go back. When not training with Dalin in swordsmanship, Dram spent a lot of his time at the Dead Horse tavern alone. He had some plans in mind and was looking to purchase a little assistance. Unfortunately, the bard never did return, but Dram he did meet other patrons and heard several different rumors.

“An orc ‘nd gobbo army are up in the pass. They’re commander is a giant and they’re attacking the keep the trolls took over.”
“There is a new businessman in town. The word is, he has purchased one of the inns and is looking for help to run it. Ten to one the Earl will seize the property soon.”
“The Earl? Oh, he’s a shrewd one that one. Spends all day in ‘is palace and all night in the city below. Keeps tight control on everything ‘round ‘ere if ya know what I mean.”

One evening Houshang showed up inside The Wyvern with a stunningly beautiful woman on his arm. Father Ben was outside preaching, but he saw him through the bay window approach some of his teammates individually. When Ben went inside for dinner he found himself propositioned by the stranger. “Ah Father Benedict. Just the man I was looking for. How would you like to double your treasure? I have a hot new business deal and am looking for investors.”
Ben noticed Houshang was carrying a newly made spear. “What exactly is your business?” he asked.
“Just a little something on the side. I’ve have a few things I’m planned, but first let me introduce you to Kepala.” Houshang gestured to the dusky woman Ormand the Redd was clearly drooling over. “She will be overseeing the female services.”
“I see,” said Ben. “I would advise against this. There are laws and customs in our land prohibiting such activities. Perhaps your culture handles this differently where you’re from?”
“We’re not all followers of Ben’s beliefs,” said Dram cutting in.
“Are you serious Father?” Houshang looked truly surprised. “Grog has been quite successful in Kusnir. And Kera looks ripe for the plucking.”
To one side Ormand was shyly talking to Kepala’s. “You’re not married, are you””
“HEY!” shouted Houshang. “She is my woman. Get your own.” Ben used the opportunity to sneak upstairs and finish his meal in peace.