Funeris
First Post
Chapter 1: Fate's Weave Continued
Cassock reached into his sack and withdrew a coin. With a quick word, divine energy fled through his fingertips. The coin erupted into light. He handed the coin to his two companions as they headed toward the heavy door.
Groups of vagabonds, most dressed in rags, hissed and stared at the trio as they passed. Cassock held his head high, not bothering to even give the criminals a glance. The halfling however, couldn’t seem to remove her eyes. The light cast shadows upon the faces, twisting their likenesses into hollow mockeries of humanity. Those that still had teeth did not appear as horrific. Those without teeth laughed and spit at the travelers. Insanity spread from their hollow mouths, threatening to drag the trio into the oblivion of madness.
Cassock broke the silence, the madness and gathered their attentions with his words. “You both will stay with me tonight. Tomorrow, you will help me to track down the true criminals. I believe you have been wrongfully accused. Do not prove me wrong.”
“We’ll help. Anything, to get us out of here,” the halfling’s words rushed out. Her eyes strode downward, memorizing the rhythm of the priest’s gait. “Why did you help us?”
“Why do I help, you ask? This is a challenge given by my God. I have chosen to walk this path and in so doing, have found you in need. The true criminals were led by an elf, which is why you were falsely imprisoned. Racism is, unfortunately, a staple of the Church of Ara’kull.
“Now, I hope you will accompany me to find the true killers, if only to clear your own names. It would be for the best. Of course, if you wish to go your own way, then I will free you. But you won’t have many opportunities of friendship in this world.
“So, what are your names?”
“I’m Gabrielle!” The halfling did a quick curtsy before resuming her pace.
“Pleased to meet you Gabrielle, I am Cassock of Cael. And?” The priest turned toward the silent half-elf. The young man glanced up, holding Cassock’s eyes for but a moment.
“I….I usually go by my father’s name. It is…or...was Thomas. But you may call me by my elven name, Aramil.”
“I am pleased to meet you as well, Aramil. Now, we should go to see the mayor.”
Cassock reached into his sack and withdrew a coin. With a quick word, divine energy fled through his fingertips. The coin erupted into light. He handed the coin to his two companions as they headed toward the heavy door.
Groups of vagabonds, most dressed in rags, hissed and stared at the trio as they passed. Cassock held his head high, not bothering to even give the criminals a glance. The halfling however, couldn’t seem to remove her eyes. The light cast shadows upon the faces, twisting their likenesses into hollow mockeries of humanity. Those that still had teeth did not appear as horrific. Those without teeth laughed and spit at the travelers. Insanity spread from their hollow mouths, threatening to drag the trio into the oblivion of madness.
Cassock broke the silence, the madness and gathered their attentions with his words. “You both will stay with me tonight. Tomorrow, you will help me to track down the true criminals. I believe you have been wrongfully accused. Do not prove me wrong.”
“We’ll help. Anything, to get us out of here,” the halfling’s words rushed out. Her eyes strode downward, memorizing the rhythm of the priest’s gait. “Why did you help us?”
“Why do I help, you ask? This is a challenge given by my God. I have chosen to walk this path and in so doing, have found you in need. The true criminals were led by an elf, which is why you were falsely imprisoned. Racism is, unfortunately, a staple of the Church of Ara’kull.
“Now, I hope you will accompany me to find the true killers, if only to clear your own names. It would be for the best. Of course, if you wish to go your own way, then I will free you. But you won’t have many opportunities of friendship in this world.
“So, what are your names?”
“I’m Gabrielle!” The halfling did a quick curtsy before resuming her pace.
“Pleased to meet you Gabrielle, I am Cassock of Cael. And?” The priest turned toward the silent half-elf. The young man glanced up, holding Cassock’s eyes for but a moment.
“I….I usually go by my father’s name. It is…or...was Thomas. But you may call me by my elven name, Aramil.”
“I am pleased to meet you as well, Aramil. Now, we should go to see the mayor.”