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22 Ches, 1373, Year of Rogue Dragons, Twillight Hollow: Redemption, part IV
They stared at each other for a while.
"Friend or Foe!" yelled Benito
"Friend if you put down your weapon, human. Foe if you continue to threaten. "
A bear growled in surprise somwhere beyond the hillock in the meadow that separated the farm from the town. A wolverine came bounding over it. Faun kept glancing furtively back, and with weapons drawn, dismounted.
"Lower your weapon and state your name!" continued the cleric of Tyr.
Seeing that the human would not budge Faun responded, "I am Faun Arvandryl," but she did not lower her blade.
Souliess stood to one side and rubbed his temples preparing to mind blast the elf if she took any hostile action.
"What are you doing here?"
Faun sighed...,"I am tracking the bandit Harular. He is wanted by authorities in Berdusk. I have traced him to this vale."
That gave Benito pause.
"We seek him also and seek to redress wrongs comitted to the good citizens of this village. Grim you can come out now."
Grim stood from behind some tall grass, a mere five feet from the elven warrior. He winked at her and bowed. Benito lowered his weapon.
Faun was shaken, "You have a fine way of welcoming an ally."
Benito shrugged, also kind of put aback by how close his little buddy had positioned himself. "Understand, warrior, that we have just skirmished with nearly a dozen orcs and their masters, and you come galloping down here with weapons and warcries. I do not apologize for my caution. While we would readily welcome another sword, you can join us or not. Either suits me fine."
Meliane, in human form, crested the hill. "Are you crazy!? Who left this little boy lying unconscious in the meadow?"
Grim pointed at Benito, who blushed.
"I nearly trampled the poor dear. Benito Moltos you must be more careful," she growled reminiscent of the bear that she just had been.
"Maybe we should get him to his parents, " suggested Faun.
"Actually, I think it would be better to take him to the temple, and since you volunteered and apparently have a fast horse, why don't you go ahead while we clean up."
It was more of an order than a question, and Faun bristled, but seeing the poor human child softened her heart. However uncultured and unmannered this human warrior-priest was, why let the child suffer.
"Very well, I shall return soon so that we may discuss our quarry."
Faun took the boy from Meliane (who marched over to give Benito a piece of her mind), climbed back in her saddle and whispered into her mounts ear. The horse snorted as if in understanding and set off at a rapid pace toward the Temple of Ilmater....
===
People were flocking to the Temple of Ilmater when Faun entered the town. She had to slow her horse so as not to run over any of the humans.
"What is going on here?" She asked a passer-by as she approached the gaping maw of the temple-gate.
"We have been blessed by Ilmater. He has sent a herald to ease our suffering," an old man, tears streaming down his eyes replied, arms raised to the heavens in praise.
Faun raised an eyebrow and without dismounting continued to walk her horse into the temple. She saw the press of bodies in the archer's gallery and the courtyard beyond and men in armor not at their posts trying to get a glimpse of something beyond the double doors. Several priests were trying to calm down the citizens, many of whom were weeping and beseeching their god.
Then she heard the booming voice in her head that nearly caused her to fall from her horse, Bring me Benito Moltos. I have brought him what he has asked by the will of Ilmater and Tyr....
The voice repeated and Faun looked for the nearest priest.
Squinting to concentrate she spoke to the acolyte, "This boy was saved from orcs who were raiding a nearby farm."
"Yes, yes...,"said the acolyte dreamily, "I know the boy."
He was apparently not startled by the news of orcs, but she handed the boy over and finally got off her horse. She pushed her way through the crowd and looked inside what she presumed to be the temple shrine. Her jaw dropped for inside she saw the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. It's blue-green, well muslced body shined with holy light and the gleam complimented the mighty sword it held aloft. The wings were magnificent. At its feet lay the crumpled form of what Faun thought was a human woman wearing a cracked red, spikey mask.
Faun focused, I know this Benito Moltos. He is--
The planetar's eyes bored into hers Take me to him.
She obeyed without question, awed by the otherworldly beauty and holiness of the celestial.
Follow me, then! Faun vaulted onto her horse and heeyahhed excited to help the planetar. And the people parted before her.
Suldolphin took wing and followed, causing a collective gasp from the villagers. They would never be the same. Who was this St. Benito who had called the magnificent servant of Ilmater to save them? Some rushed out to watch the celestial's flight.
===
Faun galloped under while the General of Ilmater flied directly over her. It cast its warm, reassuring shadow on her and her mount as they headed towards the farm. They reached quickly and her heart skipped a beat to see humility in the human priest. He quickly bowed and fell to one knee. The druidess did the same. The halfling sneak was nowhere to be seen and the wolverine covered his eyes sneaking a peak at the outsider between his paws.
Benito Moltos, we have captured for you the Painmistress that has plagued this village with her deception and cruelty.
Suldolphin removed the mask.
Betrayal!
Souliess fell over backward. Benito felt sick and Meliane almost vomited. They had never figured out that the Painmistress that had plagued them for nearly all of Ches had been disguised as the High Priestess of Ilmater they had befriended. Grim charged from the bushes.
"You killed Ellyisidell!"
However, the planetar held out his greatsword. Grim regained his composure and wisely stopped his charge. He fell to his knees instead, sword and dagger tumbling from his hands, breathing heavily with tears streaming from his eyes.
Andress Nagehsson was in still to much of a daze from the mighty, yet merciful wallop that Suldolphin had given her. She gave no indication of any reaction other than to drool and bleed from the gash on her forehead.
What would you have me do with her? asked the Planetar.
Benito stammered, "What do you suggest?"
They had trusted her and Benito, felt that at times he could see the beauty under the mourning clothes the priestess had donned in their presence. He almost had felt that he had found a kindred spirit. He retched, but held his breakfast in. He shook his head.
"Whatever Ilmater wishes, my Lord."
Suldolphin's eyes glazed over for a few seconds.
We will take her to the House of Triad where she will be reformed by reliving the suffering that she has caused to these innocents.
The planetar paused to let this decision sink in.
Benito Moltos, Tyr and Ilmater thank you. Remember the quest that you MUST fulfill as duty to your father, fallen though he may be, and your god. Refrain from using the power of negative or necromantic energy and succumbing to vengeance. It will corrupt you....and...," Suldolphin smiled, "Next time, do not send a General to do a Lieutenant's work. Go and free the paladin!"
Benito nodded and so did everyone else. Suldolphin soared into the sky--sword held high, Andress in his other hand--and disappeared in a flash of light.
Benito rose and went to sit on the porch of the farmhouse while the others lost themselves in their own thoughts. After an hour or so of silent comtemplation, Benito rose and headed for the barn and the way down.
"Let's go!" he called motioning to the others, " We have a soul to free!"
22 Ches, 1373, Year of Rogue Dragons, Twillight Hollow: Redemption, part IV
They stared at each other for a while.
"Friend or Foe!" yelled Benito
"Friend if you put down your weapon, human. Foe if you continue to threaten. "
A bear growled in surprise somwhere beyond the hillock in the meadow that separated the farm from the town. A wolverine came bounding over it. Faun kept glancing furtively back, and with weapons drawn, dismounted.
"Lower your weapon and state your name!" continued the cleric of Tyr.
Seeing that the human would not budge Faun responded, "I am Faun Arvandryl," but she did not lower her blade.
Souliess stood to one side and rubbed his temples preparing to mind blast the elf if she took any hostile action.
"What are you doing here?"
Faun sighed...,"I am tracking the bandit Harular. He is wanted by authorities in Berdusk. I have traced him to this vale."
That gave Benito pause.
"We seek him also and seek to redress wrongs comitted to the good citizens of this village. Grim you can come out now."
Grim stood from behind some tall grass, a mere five feet from the elven warrior. He winked at her and bowed. Benito lowered his weapon.
Faun was shaken, "You have a fine way of welcoming an ally."
Benito shrugged, also kind of put aback by how close his little buddy had positioned himself. "Understand, warrior, that we have just skirmished with nearly a dozen orcs and their masters, and you come galloping down here with weapons and warcries. I do not apologize for my caution. While we would readily welcome another sword, you can join us or not. Either suits me fine."
Meliane, in human form, crested the hill. "Are you crazy!? Who left this little boy lying unconscious in the meadow?"
Grim pointed at Benito, who blushed.
"I nearly trampled the poor dear. Benito Moltos you must be more careful," she growled reminiscent of the bear that she just had been.
"Maybe we should get him to his parents, " suggested Faun.
"Actually, I think it would be better to take him to the temple, and since you volunteered and apparently have a fast horse, why don't you go ahead while we clean up."
It was more of an order than a question, and Faun bristled, but seeing the poor human child softened her heart. However uncultured and unmannered this human warrior-priest was, why let the child suffer.
"Very well, I shall return soon so that we may discuss our quarry."
Faun took the boy from Meliane (who marched over to give Benito a piece of her mind), climbed back in her saddle and whispered into her mounts ear. The horse snorted as if in understanding and set off at a rapid pace toward the Temple of Ilmater....
===
People were flocking to the Temple of Ilmater when Faun entered the town. She had to slow her horse so as not to run over any of the humans.
"What is going on here?" She asked a passer-by as she approached the gaping maw of the temple-gate.
"We have been blessed by Ilmater. He has sent a herald to ease our suffering," an old man, tears streaming down his eyes replied, arms raised to the heavens in praise.
Faun raised an eyebrow and without dismounting continued to walk her horse into the temple. She saw the press of bodies in the archer's gallery and the courtyard beyond and men in armor not at their posts trying to get a glimpse of something beyond the double doors. Several priests were trying to calm down the citizens, many of whom were weeping and beseeching their god.
Then she heard the booming voice in her head that nearly caused her to fall from her horse, Bring me Benito Moltos. I have brought him what he has asked by the will of Ilmater and Tyr....
The voice repeated and Faun looked for the nearest priest.
Squinting to concentrate she spoke to the acolyte, "This boy was saved from orcs who were raiding a nearby farm."
"Yes, yes...,"said the acolyte dreamily, "I know the boy."
He was apparently not startled by the news of orcs, but she handed the boy over and finally got off her horse. She pushed her way through the crowd and looked inside what she presumed to be the temple shrine. Her jaw dropped for inside she saw the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. It's blue-green, well muslced body shined with holy light and the gleam complimented the mighty sword it held aloft. The wings were magnificent. At its feet lay the crumpled form of what Faun thought was a human woman wearing a cracked red, spikey mask.
Faun focused, I know this Benito Moltos. He is--
The planetar's eyes bored into hers Take me to him.
She obeyed without question, awed by the otherworldly beauty and holiness of the celestial.
Follow me, then! Faun vaulted onto her horse and heeyahhed excited to help the planetar. And the people parted before her.
Suldolphin took wing and followed, causing a collective gasp from the villagers. They would never be the same. Who was this St. Benito who had called the magnificent servant of Ilmater to save them? Some rushed out to watch the celestial's flight.
===
Faun galloped under while the General of Ilmater flied directly over her. It cast its warm, reassuring shadow on her and her mount as they headed towards the farm. They reached quickly and her heart skipped a beat to see humility in the human priest. He quickly bowed and fell to one knee. The druidess did the same. The halfling sneak was nowhere to be seen and the wolverine covered his eyes sneaking a peak at the outsider between his paws.
Benito Moltos, we have captured for you the Painmistress that has plagued this village with her deception and cruelty.
Suldolphin removed the mask.
Betrayal!
Souliess fell over backward. Benito felt sick and Meliane almost vomited. They had never figured out that the Painmistress that had plagued them for nearly all of Ches had been disguised as the High Priestess of Ilmater they had befriended. Grim charged from the bushes.
"You killed Ellyisidell!"
However, the planetar held out his greatsword. Grim regained his composure and wisely stopped his charge. He fell to his knees instead, sword and dagger tumbling from his hands, breathing heavily with tears streaming from his eyes.
Andress Nagehsson was in still to much of a daze from the mighty, yet merciful wallop that Suldolphin had given her. She gave no indication of any reaction other than to drool and bleed from the gash on her forehead.
What would you have me do with her? asked the Planetar.
Benito stammered, "What do you suggest?"
They had trusted her and Benito, felt that at times he could see the beauty under the mourning clothes the priestess had donned in their presence. He almost had felt that he had found a kindred spirit. He retched, but held his breakfast in. He shook his head.
"Whatever Ilmater wishes, my Lord."
Suldolphin's eyes glazed over for a few seconds.
We will take her to the House of Triad where she will be reformed by reliving the suffering that she has caused to these innocents.
The planetar paused to let this decision sink in.
Benito Moltos, Tyr and Ilmater thank you. Remember the quest that you MUST fulfill as duty to your father, fallen though he may be, and your god. Refrain from using the power of negative or necromantic energy and succumbing to vengeance. It will corrupt you....and...," Suldolphin smiled, "Next time, do not send a General to do a Lieutenant's work. Go and free the paladin!"
Benito nodded and so did everyone else. Suldolphin soared into the sky--sword held high, Andress in his other hand--and disappeared in a flash of light.
Benito rose and went to sit on the porch of the farmhouse while the others lost themselves in their own thoughts. After an hour or so of silent comtemplation, Benito rose and headed for the barn and the way down.
"Let's go!" he called motioning to the others, " We have a soul to free!"
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