Donoval Johns rubs his forehead, weary with exhaustion. He begins speaking, and by all accounts from everyone in the room... his words ring true. He appears in too much pain and grief for this to be a facade.
'The priest's name was Horik Laan... a half-orc of quite some size, I would say. He was convicted of killing and then raising eighteen different people over a two year period. He's an evil, evil man and cares nothing for other people. I do not know much about The Blood of Vol, but if he is typical of their priesthood, then that entire organization should be torn to the ground, I say.'
Johns once more throws a hard look to Sir Kolarred, who still stands in the room still holding the dead body of Aaron Lleir... having made no attempts as of yet to do anything with it.
'Would you PLEASE do something with Aaron's body, sir!!! Don't just stand there! What are you planning to do with it... raise it from the dead yourself?!? By the gods...'
Before Sir Kolarred can answer, Johns turns away... grief having overtaken him. He cries softly for a few seconds to himself, and then wipes his eyes and recomposes himself. He turns back to the paladin.
'My apologies. That was foolish of me... curse my damn tongue. You are a man of the gods, and my accusation was out of line. Please forgive me. But please do something with my friend's body. If only he was taken by surprise as I was, he might have avoided his terrible fate.'
A pall of silence hangs in the air... until finally Lynx begins mumbling to himself as the items he was writing and reading begin to combine into a cohesive whole.
'Ashen.. Ashen Spires? Where did I hear that one before? Thats it! The Orien agent at the Inn of Golden Embers. The map we're supposed to pick up! That place in the Spires would likely be the very same, wouldn't it? How many could there be? If it was once used by the Blood of Vol it would certainly be considered a templ....'
Johns turns to face the wizard.
'I uh... do not know how many temples might be in the Ashen Spires... it is not a mountain one goes exploring on if one values his life. Did you say you are heading there as well? I myself wouldn't go there ordinarily... but if that is indeed where the men who jumped me are taking Horik Laan... I might have to, once I check in with the Swords.'
Zook then speaks up with some questions of his own.
'How many do you think your attackers were? This Ron you mentioned was that the leader of the bandit group? What others things besides a carriage, things of importance did you and Aaron carry?'
Donoval takes a large sigh and sinks further back in his chair.
'I don't know how many men attacked us in total unfortunately, because I was clocked over the head before even seeing any of them. I was an easy target, with all my attention on the carriage. All I have to go on is the number of voices I think I heard as I was groggy and being tied up. Three... maybe four? The only voice I recognized was Horik Laan's. He seemed relieved that he was being rescued...'
He takes a second to go back over the things he heard in his mind.
'Although now that I think about it... he didn't sound very happy after that. It might have been when I heard the Ashen Spires mentioned... I don't... hmm... if my wits are not deceiving me... although to be honest, I wouldn't put it past myself that they are, because I WAS knockered pretty hard... it seemed like the men who recsued him were talking about going there... finding a... TEMPLE! Yes! Yes, I think so! Thank you, my wizard! A temple, yes! Finding a temple and they needed the priest's help to get in!'
With eyes brighter, now that Lynx has inadvertently helped jog a clouded memory, he sits up and speaks to Zook.
'No, no... the name I heard wasn't "Ron"... the name I heard was "Rod". They were looking for... their friend "Rod", I think. And Laan was needed to help them find their... friend? Am I remembering that right? "Rod" was missing and Laan would be needed. I think that's what I heard. But that doesn't make much sense... how could some priest help them find a friend of theirs? House Tharashk would be a better choice to help find him.'
He shakes his head once or twice trying to clear it, and get a better handle on events that have transpired for the evening. He wearily gets to his feet and moves over to Tyler, who still holds Aaron's equipment.
'If you don't mind, gentlemen... it is late and my head still hurts. I think I should go to bed. I need to get some rest before heading out early tomorrow morning back to Vedykar to make my report. With the rain pouring down as hard as it is now, I know I wouldn't be able to catch up with the prisoner carriage this evening. Excuse me sir, but might I take Aaron's things? His sword, chain shirt, tunic and travelling papers will need to be returned to the Royal Swords. As far as his body... I would guess either bury him here or perhaps I will take him with me back to Vedykar myself. But tomorrow. I can worry about that then. If there are no other questions, I will take my leave of you this evening.'
And Donoval Johns waits a few more seconds to see if anyone else asks him anything before he turns and heads up the stairs to select one of the rooms to sleep in for the night.