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Story Hour
Meepo's Story Hour [NEWS! 6-19-02]
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<blockquote data-quote="Samnell" data-source="post: 1215" data-attributes="member: 130"><p><strong>VIII-Sir Thurston of Landrigard.</strong></p><p></p><p>Wherein sticks and paladins do not make nice.</p><p></p><p>They came silently out of the night, taking the only watch without some way to see in the darkness unawares. By the time Meepo was woken by Rowland's and Bryant's screams the two were already wounded and more of Rowland's precious dragonblood was spilling on the ground.</p><p></p><p>The fight was going well, though. Meepo could feel the thrill of bloodshed run through him as he saw red streaks appear on Riki's flank and saw burning sap left behind in the wound. Meepo had been a bit slow in waking, but as long as he was awake now and the Worthless Dung Druid's wolf-mate was bleeding the fight couldn't be all bad.</p><p></p><p>Sal charged into the fray with a dwarf battle cry. Long and short sword alike struck the stick-beast before him. The long sword cut it nearly in two and before it could so much as begin to fall the short sword came in a mighty thrust, piercing the twig being's body and throwing its wooden corpse high up into the air over Sal's head. It lands behind him in an explosion of rotten bark. Meepo made a note to ensure he stayed on Sal's good side. He was glad Burble and the dwarf were friends.</p><p></p><p>Rowland hurled a magical bolt at one of the stick-things and Meepo was suddenly reminded of his precious dragonblood, at risk and dripping into the ground. His bloodlust vanished into a surge of worry. The saplings gone wrong couldn't kill Rowland and drink his blood. That was Meepo's job! The kobold saw all that precious blood pouing out into the dirt and nearly shot the human right there so the blood would be safe after the fight.</p><p></p><p>Embrill stood in battle near Riki, swinging a wooden cudgel and bashing at a stick-monster. Meepo took aim on it. It was the twig thing closest to Rowland, and if Meepo wanted to drink Rowland's blood he'd rather kill the lad himself. Stealing his dragon magic might not work if Meepo didn't kill Rowland with his own hand. Channeling his lust for power born of dragonblood into his aim, Meepo fired his crossbow.</p><p></p><p>The string twanged and the wood lurched backward in his hands as the bolt flew. It sailed through the fire-lit air. The bolt passed over the fire and lodged cleanly in Embrill's back even as Meepo cried out, "Meepo kill twig thing!”</p><p></p><p>Meepo stood for a second dumbstruck in shock. He'd shot the Worthless Druid. It was a dream come true. Worthless druid blood was seeping from the wound. His own kobold-crafted crossbow bolt was sticking from the small of the druid's back. He barely stifled the laughter and grin that were rising up in his throat. The druid wasn't dead yet. Meepo improvised a long string of kobold curses, hoping the druid didn't secretly speak the tongue of dragons well enough to know that most of the curses were about how Meepo missed shooting him some place instantly fatal.</p><p></p><p>"Meepo sorry, Embrill. Meepo wanted kill wood thing fighting Riki," Meepo offered, hoping the druid stupid enough to believe him. Embrill beat down another twig-beast and raised his club once more. Meepo realized that club would shatter his skull as easily as it shattered wood. "Meepo not mean shoot Embrill!" he yelled as he turned and ran from the fray and into the darkness he knew the druid wouldn't be able to find him in. The last of the stick-beasts fell a few moments later, ending the battle.</p><p></p><p>More arguments began, but at last Meepo warily returned to the group with Burble's assurances of safety. It was only a few scant hours before dawn, when the humans' son would rise again to torment Meepo. Since several of the humans had taken bad wounds, though Worthless Dung Druid and his wolf-mate were still alive, the humans decided to go to one of their towns.</p><p></p><p>Meepo didn't want to go. He desperately didn't want to spend any more time under the humans' sun, let alone expose himself to more of them. But he didn't have a choice. Even Burble intended to go and Meepo didn't rat his chances alone with his clan too highly. He might fare better with the rats. So he steeled himself for another day under the bludgeoning sun the humans were stupid enough to worship and more humans stupid enough to do so.</p><p></p><p>Half the day wore away, with the sun rising and making Meepo's every step a wincing agony. He hung to the far side of the group, with the others between himself and Embrill. Even if the druid hadn't killed him yet, there was no guarantee he wouldn't later. Humans were stupid, Meepo couldn't count on them doing something intelligent like immediately slaying foes.</p><p></p><p>Meepo had hardly set foot on the humans' road and between two of their huts before one of their females spotted him. She gasped and threw her door shut between Meepo and herself. The kobold hissed angrily at her. Yusdrayl would have killed one like that in a moment, too stupid to conceal it's loathing and plot his demise later.</p><p></p><p>A great stir arose as Meepo moved towards the inn the humans' had mentioned and were going to. Humans quickly began leaving the streets. A cluster of men remained at the front door of the inn, facing the group with unfriendly expressions. Meepo knew they were for him. Humans were stupid, but they weren't stupid enough not to have ever heard of the power and might of kobolds. They must be afraid of him. Yes, they knew him to be of the dragonblooded race.</p><p></p><p>Each human clutched a wooden staff or axe handle and a few sport proper weapons, though these were spotted with rust. They handled the rusted weapons nervously but relaxed in a moment when a large, imposing figure strode out of the inn in shining steel armor. A snowy white staff was strapped across his back and he regarded Meepo and the others from within an open-faced helm. On his breastplate is emblazoned a full Luna being eclipsed by the smaller crescent of Celene, the pale suns that plagued the human world even during the night.</p><p></p><p>His full body was encased in steel, leaving little of him to see save for his face, handsome if hard with cold blue eyes. Handsome to humans, that is. Meepo thought his face was weak and fleshy looking. It had that soft, pink flesh humans called a body covering. Not a proper scale was to be seen on him. Meepo cut a far more dashing figure. He even had hair on his face, above his lip. It drooped down to the sides of his mouth. He drew a finely made long sword much like Sal's, Bryant's, and Lorn's and held it before him.</p><p></p><p>Only when steel was drawn did he speak. "Hold, and explain yourselves heretics. How deeply in sin do you dwell to consort with this servant of darkness, whom no shadows can hide from mine eyes?" He leveled the point of his sword at Meepo. "His taint befouls this village already deep into darkness and given over to chaos. I am Sir Thurston of Landrigard and I will know what you mean bringing this devil into the light of day. Are you so blind that you cannot see how far in depravity his kind are mired? Surely any fool can see that this scaled wretch is so unholy that the sun itself strives to purge him from its sight." Sir Thurston's voice was deep and hung on the edge of fury.</p><p></p><p>Meepo had heard of Thurston's kind, human knights of their stupid sun. They were like witch-doctors, but didn't have as much magic. Human gods were weak and couldn't give good magic to their followers. Kurtulmak was wise and only gave magic to those who deserved it and were dragonblooded as well. Human gods gave it to everyone, no matter how stupid they were. He knew the human had the night-suns on his armor instead of the day-sun, but he didn't expect a human to be bright enough to know the difference.</p><p></p><p>"Ho, Sir Knight." Jaryth said as he stepped forward. "We do not dwell in sin, for, can there be no greater good than to deliver one out of the foul Pits, and into the blessed Light of the Gods?" Jaryth looked at Thurston with an expression of slack-jawed idiocy.</p><p></p><p>Sir Thurston lowered his sword as Jaryth stepped forward and heard his words. Only a human would be stupid enough not to strike down a foe when they drew close and let down their guard. Jaryth's empty-headed expression alone nearly prompted Meepo to load his crossbow and send a bolt through his skull.</p><p></p><p>Thurston's his expression grew grave and he raised the blade once more. "It is a dark day indeed when the innocence of childhood is stolen away into the dark abyss of evil. I can see in your eyes, young one, that you believe the words that come from your mouth. But they are lies. These companions of your's have corrupted your soul and tainted it with their own sins so that you will sin for them. You yet think yourself pure and free of sin, but the devil's taint seethes inside of you. When this matter is closed, I shall take you from this dark place and into a home of light and order where you will repent your unknowingly hateful ways and be reborn pure into the Light."</p><p></p><p>Meepo wondered if Jaryth's vacant expression was obvious enough that even a sun-baked human warrior could spot it.</p><p></p><p>"I swear by my honor and Pholtus's righteousness that the evil will be burned from you. You will call new people 'mother' and 'father' and be a heretic no longer in your new home. This creature you defend is lost to the Light, but there is still hope for you. Your soul is not wholly lost in its own taint, but in that of others. Stand aside and think not that you betray these creatures who have darkened your heart. Harden it instead and choose the One True Way. It is hard, I know. The darkness within you rebels against it. You must rise above it and cast it out. Pray to the He of the Blinding Light and He will aid you. Your childhood is not lost. When the darkness is gone from you it will be as though you were newly birthed. Set aside any mistaken loyalty you have to this corrupt beast, this kobold. The One True Way is a strict and hard path, but only upon it shall you free yourself of the evils within you before it is too late." Sir Thurston's voice brimmed with sincerity as he spoke.</p><p></p><p>Meepo began plotting Sir Thurston's death. He didn't care if the human wanted to kill the boy or just take him far, far away. Either would be duly appreciated, but Meepo could enjoy neither if he was killed first. Thurston was a threat, one that needed to be eliminated. He would threaten Meepo's position in the group even if he didn't kill the kobold outright.</p><p></p><p>While he plotted, Meepo wondered if Jaryth's new idiocy was inspired by Thurston. Maybe the warrior's words could inspire feeblemindedness. It was the sort of thing a human god would grant. Remembering Lorn, Meepo knew that human gods loved stupidity.</p><p></p><p>"Father and Mother? They're not with these people. I ran away from them. And i'm *NOT* going back. This kobold, and these other people, have been nicer to me than my own dear parents ever were." Jaryth said sharply as he stepped back.</p><p></p><p>So the knight didn't have a brain-leeching voice after all. Meepo relaxed a bit. Now at least he didn't have to worry about turning into a fawning lackwit himself. Burble spoke up, "Greetings Sir Thurston. Well as it is, Meepo is indeed a kobold, as you so extravagantly have proclaimed and indeed he might seem to be an abomination to you. He is working with us to rescue Lord Semmon's Heirs. He has stood by us in our dealings with unholy goblins and their rat minions. We are here to heal up after being much damaged from attacked from the beasts of the Cavern and I will vouch for him. I am a priest of the Laughing One and Meepo will not harm or attack anyone while he is in my care. Without his aid, our mission will fail, and then Lord Semmon will never have word or have a chance to rescue his children or their retainers. I ask you to hold off any actions that may stop our quest and allow us to rest, if not, then I will escort Meepo away from your town and you will not see us again, but then Lord Semmon might have something to say against this. I ask you to hold your actions, till an actual crime has occurred. It might be that I and Meepo can actually be of use to Oakhurst. His tribe are quite skilled in crafting jewelry and weapons. Perhaps we can set up a treaty, where the two people, yours and his, can trade, and watch each other with mutual protection. If we can succeed in defeating the goblins that lurk in the Caverns. then you can see how a lawful people like Meepo's will abide by a treaty and leave your town alone. Will you allow this?"</p><p></p><p>Meepo was warmed by Burble's defense, until he began to wonder if it might be the halfling and his Laughing One that had the mind-killing voice and he was already in its thrall. That would explain why he wanted Burble to live and couldn't bear to think of him only as a pawn anymore. The thought chilled Meepo. What if in taking the title of lackey he'd submitted himself to Burble's thought eating powers. Maybe becoming his friend was just the next step.</p><p></p><p>"Young one, I understand your misplaced loyalty. The seed of evil these people have set inside your soul. If indeed your parents were lost to evil, then these are only less so. They together have cast your soul into the fires of chaos, but it can be broken free! I swear that I will not return you to darkness, be it that you know or that you have yet to see. I will see to it that you are given over to the kindest and holiest Palish family. You will be fed well and treated as their own son. In time you come to think of yourself as their trueborn son and they the same. Once on the One True Path, all this is possible. The dark years behind you will fall away and you will open new eyes to behold the Blinding Light." The Pholtan's voice was surprisingly gentle. Meepo was glad he was answering Jaryth first. Maybe he'd be so caught up in Jaryth's problems he'd forget about Meepo.</p><p></p><p>"Your heart yearns for Light and love. These can be your's. You need only step aside from the darkness. Embrace the way of Law and Light and your heart will swell with love as the Light fills you."</p><p></p><p>"I can see your pain and wish you never need shed tears." Thurston laid his sword on the ground and kneeled to be at eye level with Jaryth. Meepo almost charged him the opportunity was so perfect. "I quest for a world where there are no tears for children, and only joy and righteousness. Let me take you away from the evils that beseige you."</p><p></p><p>"You will never have to run away again. You will never even think of it. So deep will be your new family's love for you that it will fill your soul until it overflows and you are no more the sad boy who stands before me with sorrow in his young eyes. You will then be a boy of the Pale, knowing the One True Way and embracing it as you do your new parents, brothers, and sisters. You will forget with time the scars of the past and have a new life. Only your belief in the darkness keeps the thick cloth of sin shading your soul. Cast it off and be free and reborn. Your shadows need not haunt you. The Light will burn them away." Thurston's voice was tearful but resolute. Meepo thought that a pleading enemy at his feet should sound that way, desperate for life but fearful of death.</p><p></p><p>"You don't understand.. no one does... i've seen things.. things people shouldn't have to see.. things that make Meepo there look like a saint. My-my-my own Father.. he-he-he..." Jaryth's head hung low. He was quivering and Meepo only wished it could be while he had his foot on the boy's neck.</p><p></p><p>"I don't want a new family… I c-c-couldn't trust a new family. They'd only want to use me like the Flames did, or Father. But, I know someone like you… You could keep me safe… Let me be your squire… PLEASE!!" Jaryth fell to his knees and grasped the knight's arms urgently.</p><p></p><p>Take him. Take him please! Meepo thought. Take him and leave! Then he realized how out of character this outburst was for Jaryth and began to worry about will-sapping voices again.</p><p></p><p>"Please… I-I can trust you, I know I can… and-and-and, maybe you can help me… help me sleep… help me keep the darkness from coming… it's coming now, I can feel it.. The Chaos Bringer is coming… I know he is, I saw him, once. When I was really little." Jaryth's words trailed off in a whisper.</p><p></p><p>"We-we're trying to save this nobleman's children. We need Meepo to do that, he's our guide… He knows the tunnels and stuff... That's why we're working with him... Please… please don't hurt him... I couldn't bear to see another death, all death feeds Him."</p><p></p><p>Maybe the boy's idiocy had its uses.</p><p></p><p>Thurston was moved. "Young one, I swear to you that you may trust me. I will see that you never suffer again such horrors as you have at the hands of your father or these Flames. I will keep you safe even from the Chaos Bringer himself. Come with me and I shall take you as my squire. I shall even stay my hand against this kobold if it will save your soul from the taint on it. Never shall evil touch you again. Never shall you again be under the first of demons and undead and worse. No harm shall come to you while I yet live." He swore to Jaryth.</p><p></p><p>"Will you help us? Please? I swore that I would help them… And I don't want to go back on my word. I know that's wrong." Jaryth looked pleadingly at Thurston.</p><p></p><p>Thurston pondered long in silence. "You feel a duty to carry out this quest and that is a noble and righteous act. I can now see that the way out of sin is open for you and you only hesitate to imperil your soul by breaking your oath. I will accompany you if only to guard against the evils of these others, the get of lies and the kobold especially. But you must beware as well the beastmaster and his wild ways. It could be he is a sinful skinchanger. His ways would be those of the wild heathen gods that tempt men to be as wild as they. Be ever wary of his wolfen familiar as well. Often do demons take the shape of wolves. I will guide you, my squire, but you must remain wary even still. Eternal vigilance against evil is the price of holiness. You must beware as well the dwarf, his gods are strange and know not the One True Way."</p><p></p><p>"Heed my words and you shall begin on the path to the Blinding Light, young one." Thurston took up his sword once more. Looking to the party he spoke again. "You have wounded. While you are companions, however full of sin you may be, it falls to you to share battles with he and I. I will use Pholtus's favor to close your wounds, but I shall not sully Pholtus's name nor mine own soul by pouring out his Light on a dark fiend such as that kobold."</p><p></p><p>Meepo took that as a high compliment.</p><p></p><p>Jaryth beamed, and a twinkle entered his eye. In a rush of emotion, he hugged Thurston, his face pressed tight to the knight's chest. "Thank you, Sir Thurston. Thank you. I'm sure that everything's going to be ok now. I know it is. I'll be a good boy, and try to walk in the Light. I don't know much about Pholtus, or any of the other gods… just..."</p><p></p><p>The boy fell silent and looked to the ground, running a finger along the flame tattoos that lined his jaw. "What do you know about… other types of power... like... sorcery, or</p><p>wizardry, or... or... things that you do just because you think of them."</p><p></p><p>"You all buying this priest?” Burble asked the assembled townsfolk. “Do you all want to worship just one God and not have Beory watch over your crops? Not to have St, Cuthbert or Heironeous for protection? Not to have Zilchus watch over the trade routes? if so, then I feel sorry for you.”</p><p></p><p>The halfling turned back to Sir Thurston. “I admit that I am not of your faith Sir Thurston, but I will say if your narrow mindedness means for you to take this boy when he has the right to choose for himself. Then you are one who takes liberty away. Your goals might be admirable if they did not mean that you would have it set up to burn or kill any who do not worship or live to your code. Will you burn me for my faith? Or what of Embrill the Druid, will you burn him and his groves for watching over nature?”</p><p></p><p>Meepo realized that if Thurston weren't so interested in killing him, the human man might have some use in killing Embrill.</p><p></p><p>"Well if so, I will swear that I will defend myself and my friend. If you wish us gone, so be it, but by the Gods, I will not have you killing my friends when I have faced death if not for him. I stand by him over you for that alone Priest of Pholtus. I think the light has truly blinded you way too much. Mayhaps you should go to the Pale so that others like myself will not taint you so."</p><p></p><p>That wasn't going to go over well, Meepo was sure.</p><p></p><p>"You are a priest of the Laughing One!?" Thurston's eyes flew wide with horror. "You are the spawn of lies and trickery then, the get of chaos itself. Far are you into darkness and beyond retrieval. Were this heretical land instead the Pale I would have you in chains and brought before justice and see your dark flesh burned by the Blinding Light."</p><p></p><p>Meepo could really hate it when he was right.</p><p></p><p>"I know the way lies come to your lips and invade mine ears, Laughing get. I will hold your flesh accountable for all the kobold's sins, but know that I am ever vigilant and should he betray your word, the kobold and halfling alike shall know true justice. I shall be this village's protector from your depredations but know you are not long to be welcome here. Go quest after Semmon's sons and you shall endure. Return once more empty-handed and I shall deem it the foulest of betrayals. You live only until your deeds</p><p>betray your black hearts. You are far too deep in sin to ever free yourselves."</p><p></p><p>"You will not go with my newfound squire. He hungers for the Light that you cannot give."</p><p></p><p>Burble stepped back and spoke a bit louder. "Looks like you could use some nice laughs yourself, seeing your full of holy crap. But ok, so you hate my guts and would rather kill someone who might aid folks then allow my " Hellish ways" to support your good soul. Gods above you are such a crank. Look, unless I here it from the Mayor or the local lord and not your puffed up ego. I will come and go as I can, to resupply, heal, or trade. I took the job to get Semmon's kids, and I will do what I need to do to see it through. If your so bent on saving souls, you could go yourself you know. I will be happy to let the Goblin's feast on your body of you so wish it."</p><p></p><p>"I have told no lies Priest, and I will not tell any on my loyalty to my friend. I am willing to take on the responsibility for Meepo, and if you have cause, challenge me then and have it over with, but damn if I will allow you to hurt my friend. Now if you want to make an issue out of this, then you, me, and Meepo will see you later. If you want to just shut your mouth, watch, and wait, fine by me"</p><p></p><p>"But I say it is up to good Jaryth if he truly wants to stay with you. If he says no, then by the gods, you will not kidnap him. So, shall we both step away or will you continue to spit out your crap theology and insults?"</p><p></p><p>Jaryth looked at Burble, pain obvious in his eyes. Meepo had a very high tolerance for seeing Jaryth in pain. "Lets just get along, please? We've fought so hard and for so long... We don't need this, not now. Let's just get along and be friends."</p><p></p><p>Burble looked back at Jaryth. "Ok, if that is how you feel kiddo, stay with him. You know where we shall be or where we shall go if you change your mind. I doubt this priest will ever just get along with me, but hey I will go off and have a nice tea and chuckle and rest. Just trying to stick up for yourself, like I would Meepo or Sal. See yah around Kiddo."</p><p></p><p>Burble looked to Meepo and signaled the kobold to follow along, though Burble made sure that he stayed out of reach of Thurston and kept a hand on his dagger in case of an attack. He stepped into the inn with Meepo in tow. As he stepped inside he spoke to Meepo.</p><p></p><p>"My friend, I know for myself, there is no way in hells that's this creep will be going with us. Hells, might be the only time that Embrill and I will agree, to join forces to off this bastard and stop him from being around us. Hell, he would get every damn rat and goblin from miles around with his words and with that, even their unknown leaders. We shall talk later, but I will not bet this one will come with us after I have words with him.” Burble smiled nastily. Meepo returned the smile with his own malevolent grin.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Samnell, post: 1215, member: 130"] [b]VIII-Sir Thurston of Landrigard.[/b] Wherein sticks and paladins do not make nice. They came silently out of the night, taking the only watch without some way to see in the darkness unawares. By the time Meepo was woken by Rowland's and Bryant's screams the two were already wounded and more of Rowland's precious dragonblood was spilling on the ground. The fight was going well, though. Meepo could feel the thrill of bloodshed run through him as he saw red streaks appear on Riki's flank and saw burning sap left behind in the wound. Meepo had been a bit slow in waking, but as long as he was awake now and the Worthless Dung Druid's wolf-mate was bleeding the fight couldn't be all bad. Sal charged into the fray with a dwarf battle cry. Long and short sword alike struck the stick-beast before him. The long sword cut it nearly in two and before it could so much as begin to fall the short sword came in a mighty thrust, piercing the twig being's body and throwing its wooden corpse high up into the air over Sal's head. It lands behind him in an explosion of rotten bark. Meepo made a note to ensure he stayed on Sal's good side. He was glad Burble and the dwarf were friends. Rowland hurled a magical bolt at one of the stick-things and Meepo was suddenly reminded of his precious dragonblood, at risk and dripping into the ground. His bloodlust vanished into a surge of worry. The saplings gone wrong couldn't kill Rowland and drink his blood. That was Meepo's job! The kobold saw all that precious blood pouing out into the dirt and nearly shot the human right there so the blood would be safe after the fight. Embrill stood in battle near Riki, swinging a wooden cudgel and bashing at a stick-monster. Meepo took aim on it. It was the twig thing closest to Rowland, and if Meepo wanted to drink Rowland's blood he'd rather kill the lad himself. Stealing his dragon magic might not work if Meepo didn't kill Rowland with his own hand. Channeling his lust for power born of dragonblood into his aim, Meepo fired his crossbow. The string twanged and the wood lurched backward in his hands as the bolt flew. It sailed through the fire-lit air. The bolt passed over the fire and lodged cleanly in Embrill's back even as Meepo cried out, "Meepo kill twig thing!” Meepo stood for a second dumbstruck in shock. He'd shot the Worthless Druid. It was a dream come true. Worthless druid blood was seeping from the wound. His own kobold-crafted crossbow bolt was sticking from the small of the druid's back. He barely stifled the laughter and grin that were rising up in his throat. The druid wasn't dead yet. Meepo improvised a long string of kobold curses, hoping the druid didn't secretly speak the tongue of dragons well enough to know that most of the curses were about how Meepo missed shooting him some place instantly fatal. "Meepo sorry, Embrill. Meepo wanted kill wood thing fighting Riki," Meepo offered, hoping the druid stupid enough to believe him. Embrill beat down another twig-beast and raised his club once more. Meepo realized that club would shatter his skull as easily as it shattered wood. "Meepo not mean shoot Embrill!" he yelled as he turned and ran from the fray and into the darkness he knew the druid wouldn't be able to find him in. The last of the stick-beasts fell a few moments later, ending the battle. More arguments began, but at last Meepo warily returned to the group with Burble's assurances of safety. It was only a few scant hours before dawn, when the humans' son would rise again to torment Meepo. Since several of the humans had taken bad wounds, though Worthless Dung Druid and his wolf-mate were still alive, the humans decided to go to one of their towns. Meepo didn't want to go. He desperately didn't want to spend any more time under the humans' sun, let alone expose himself to more of them. But he didn't have a choice. Even Burble intended to go and Meepo didn't rat his chances alone with his clan too highly. He might fare better with the rats. So he steeled himself for another day under the bludgeoning sun the humans were stupid enough to worship and more humans stupid enough to do so. Half the day wore away, with the sun rising and making Meepo's every step a wincing agony. He hung to the far side of the group, with the others between himself and Embrill. Even if the druid hadn't killed him yet, there was no guarantee he wouldn't later. Humans were stupid, Meepo couldn't count on them doing something intelligent like immediately slaying foes. Meepo had hardly set foot on the humans' road and between two of their huts before one of their females spotted him. She gasped and threw her door shut between Meepo and herself. The kobold hissed angrily at her. Yusdrayl would have killed one like that in a moment, too stupid to conceal it's loathing and plot his demise later. A great stir arose as Meepo moved towards the inn the humans' had mentioned and were going to. Humans quickly began leaving the streets. A cluster of men remained at the front door of the inn, facing the group with unfriendly expressions. Meepo knew they were for him. Humans were stupid, but they weren't stupid enough not to have ever heard of the power and might of kobolds. They must be afraid of him. Yes, they knew him to be of the dragonblooded race. Each human clutched a wooden staff or axe handle and a few sport proper weapons, though these were spotted with rust. They handled the rusted weapons nervously but relaxed in a moment when a large, imposing figure strode out of the inn in shining steel armor. A snowy white staff was strapped across his back and he regarded Meepo and the others from within an open-faced helm. On his breastplate is emblazoned a full Luna being eclipsed by the smaller crescent of Celene, the pale suns that plagued the human world even during the night. His full body was encased in steel, leaving little of him to see save for his face, handsome if hard with cold blue eyes. Handsome to humans, that is. Meepo thought his face was weak and fleshy looking. It had that soft, pink flesh humans called a body covering. Not a proper scale was to be seen on him. Meepo cut a far more dashing figure. He even had hair on his face, above his lip. It drooped down to the sides of his mouth. He drew a finely made long sword much like Sal's, Bryant's, and Lorn's and held it before him. Only when steel was drawn did he speak. "Hold, and explain yourselves heretics. How deeply in sin do you dwell to consort with this servant of darkness, whom no shadows can hide from mine eyes?" He leveled the point of his sword at Meepo. "His taint befouls this village already deep into darkness and given over to chaos. I am Sir Thurston of Landrigard and I will know what you mean bringing this devil into the light of day. Are you so blind that you cannot see how far in depravity his kind are mired? Surely any fool can see that this scaled wretch is so unholy that the sun itself strives to purge him from its sight." Sir Thurston's voice was deep and hung on the edge of fury. Meepo had heard of Thurston's kind, human knights of their stupid sun. They were like witch-doctors, but didn't have as much magic. Human gods were weak and couldn't give good magic to their followers. Kurtulmak was wise and only gave magic to those who deserved it and were dragonblooded as well. Human gods gave it to everyone, no matter how stupid they were. He knew the human had the night-suns on his armor instead of the day-sun, but he didn't expect a human to be bright enough to know the difference. "Ho, Sir Knight." Jaryth said as he stepped forward. "We do not dwell in sin, for, can there be no greater good than to deliver one out of the foul Pits, and into the blessed Light of the Gods?" Jaryth looked at Thurston with an expression of slack-jawed idiocy. Sir Thurston lowered his sword as Jaryth stepped forward and heard his words. Only a human would be stupid enough not to strike down a foe when they drew close and let down their guard. Jaryth's empty-headed expression alone nearly prompted Meepo to load his crossbow and send a bolt through his skull. Thurston's his expression grew grave and he raised the blade once more. "It is a dark day indeed when the innocence of childhood is stolen away into the dark abyss of evil. I can see in your eyes, young one, that you believe the words that come from your mouth. But they are lies. These companions of your's have corrupted your soul and tainted it with their own sins so that you will sin for them. You yet think yourself pure and free of sin, but the devil's taint seethes inside of you. When this matter is closed, I shall take you from this dark place and into a home of light and order where you will repent your unknowingly hateful ways and be reborn pure into the Light." Meepo wondered if Jaryth's vacant expression was obvious enough that even a sun-baked human warrior could spot it. "I swear by my honor and Pholtus's righteousness that the evil will be burned from you. You will call new people 'mother' and 'father' and be a heretic no longer in your new home. This creature you defend is lost to the Light, but there is still hope for you. Your soul is not wholly lost in its own taint, but in that of others. Stand aside and think not that you betray these creatures who have darkened your heart. Harden it instead and choose the One True Way. It is hard, I know. The darkness within you rebels against it. You must rise above it and cast it out. Pray to the He of the Blinding Light and He will aid you. Your childhood is not lost. When the darkness is gone from you it will be as though you were newly birthed. Set aside any mistaken loyalty you have to this corrupt beast, this kobold. The One True Way is a strict and hard path, but only upon it shall you free yourself of the evils within you before it is too late." Sir Thurston's voice brimmed with sincerity as he spoke. Meepo began plotting Sir Thurston's death. He didn't care if the human wanted to kill the boy or just take him far, far away. Either would be duly appreciated, but Meepo could enjoy neither if he was killed first. Thurston was a threat, one that needed to be eliminated. He would threaten Meepo's position in the group even if he didn't kill the kobold outright. While he plotted, Meepo wondered if Jaryth's new idiocy was inspired by Thurston. Maybe the warrior's words could inspire feeblemindedness. It was the sort of thing a human god would grant. Remembering Lorn, Meepo knew that human gods loved stupidity. "Father and Mother? They're not with these people. I ran away from them. And i'm *NOT* going back. This kobold, and these other people, have been nicer to me than my own dear parents ever were." Jaryth said sharply as he stepped back. So the knight didn't have a brain-leeching voice after all. Meepo relaxed a bit. Now at least he didn't have to worry about turning into a fawning lackwit himself. Burble spoke up, "Greetings Sir Thurston. Well as it is, Meepo is indeed a kobold, as you so extravagantly have proclaimed and indeed he might seem to be an abomination to you. He is working with us to rescue Lord Semmon's Heirs. He has stood by us in our dealings with unholy goblins and their rat minions. We are here to heal up after being much damaged from attacked from the beasts of the Cavern and I will vouch for him. I am a priest of the Laughing One and Meepo will not harm or attack anyone while he is in my care. Without his aid, our mission will fail, and then Lord Semmon will never have word or have a chance to rescue his children or their retainers. I ask you to hold off any actions that may stop our quest and allow us to rest, if not, then I will escort Meepo away from your town and you will not see us again, but then Lord Semmon might have something to say against this. I ask you to hold your actions, till an actual crime has occurred. It might be that I and Meepo can actually be of use to Oakhurst. His tribe are quite skilled in crafting jewelry and weapons. Perhaps we can set up a treaty, where the two people, yours and his, can trade, and watch each other with mutual protection. If we can succeed in defeating the goblins that lurk in the Caverns. then you can see how a lawful people like Meepo's will abide by a treaty and leave your town alone. Will you allow this?" Meepo was warmed by Burble's defense, until he began to wonder if it might be the halfling and his Laughing One that had the mind-killing voice and he was already in its thrall. That would explain why he wanted Burble to live and couldn't bear to think of him only as a pawn anymore. The thought chilled Meepo. What if in taking the title of lackey he'd submitted himself to Burble's thought eating powers. Maybe becoming his friend was just the next step. "Young one, I understand your misplaced loyalty. The seed of evil these people have set inside your soul. If indeed your parents were lost to evil, then these are only less so. They together have cast your soul into the fires of chaos, but it can be broken free! I swear that I will not return you to darkness, be it that you know or that you have yet to see. I will see to it that you are given over to the kindest and holiest Palish family. You will be fed well and treated as their own son. In time you come to think of yourself as their trueborn son and they the same. Once on the One True Path, all this is possible. The dark years behind you will fall away and you will open new eyes to behold the Blinding Light." The Pholtan's voice was surprisingly gentle. Meepo was glad he was answering Jaryth first. Maybe he'd be so caught up in Jaryth's problems he'd forget about Meepo. "Your heart yearns for Light and love. These can be your's. You need only step aside from the darkness. Embrace the way of Law and Light and your heart will swell with love as the Light fills you." "I can see your pain and wish you never need shed tears." Thurston laid his sword on the ground and kneeled to be at eye level with Jaryth. Meepo almost charged him the opportunity was so perfect. "I quest for a world where there are no tears for children, and only joy and righteousness. Let me take you away from the evils that beseige you." "You will never have to run away again. You will never even think of it. So deep will be your new family's love for you that it will fill your soul until it overflows and you are no more the sad boy who stands before me with sorrow in his young eyes. You will then be a boy of the Pale, knowing the One True Way and embracing it as you do your new parents, brothers, and sisters. You will forget with time the scars of the past and have a new life. Only your belief in the darkness keeps the thick cloth of sin shading your soul. Cast it off and be free and reborn. Your shadows need not haunt you. The Light will burn them away." Thurston's voice was tearful but resolute. Meepo thought that a pleading enemy at his feet should sound that way, desperate for life but fearful of death. "You don't understand.. no one does... i've seen things.. things people shouldn't have to see.. things that make Meepo there look like a saint. My-my-my own Father.. he-he-he..." Jaryth's head hung low. He was quivering and Meepo only wished it could be while he had his foot on the boy's neck. "I don't want a new family… I c-c-couldn't trust a new family. They'd only want to use me like the Flames did, or Father. But, I know someone like you… You could keep me safe… Let me be your squire… PLEASE!!" Jaryth fell to his knees and grasped the knight's arms urgently. Take him. Take him please! Meepo thought. Take him and leave! Then he realized how out of character this outburst was for Jaryth and began to worry about will-sapping voices again. "Please… I-I can trust you, I know I can… and-and-and, maybe you can help me… help me sleep… help me keep the darkness from coming… it's coming now, I can feel it.. The Chaos Bringer is coming… I know he is, I saw him, once. When I was really little." Jaryth's words trailed off in a whisper. "We-we're trying to save this nobleman's children. We need Meepo to do that, he's our guide… He knows the tunnels and stuff... That's why we're working with him... Please… please don't hurt him... I couldn't bear to see another death, all death feeds Him." Maybe the boy's idiocy had its uses. Thurston was moved. "Young one, I swear to you that you may trust me. I will see that you never suffer again such horrors as you have at the hands of your father or these Flames. I will keep you safe even from the Chaos Bringer himself. Come with me and I shall take you as my squire. I shall even stay my hand against this kobold if it will save your soul from the taint on it. Never shall evil touch you again. Never shall you again be under the first of demons and undead and worse. No harm shall come to you while I yet live." He swore to Jaryth. "Will you help us? Please? I swore that I would help them… And I don't want to go back on my word. I know that's wrong." Jaryth looked pleadingly at Thurston. Thurston pondered long in silence. "You feel a duty to carry out this quest and that is a noble and righteous act. I can now see that the way out of sin is open for you and you only hesitate to imperil your soul by breaking your oath. I will accompany you if only to guard against the evils of these others, the get of lies and the kobold especially. But you must beware as well the beastmaster and his wild ways. It could be he is a sinful skinchanger. His ways would be those of the wild heathen gods that tempt men to be as wild as they. Be ever wary of his wolfen familiar as well. Often do demons take the shape of wolves. I will guide you, my squire, but you must remain wary even still. Eternal vigilance against evil is the price of holiness. You must beware as well the dwarf, his gods are strange and know not the One True Way." "Heed my words and you shall begin on the path to the Blinding Light, young one." Thurston took up his sword once more. Looking to the party he spoke again. "You have wounded. While you are companions, however full of sin you may be, it falls to you to share battles with he and I. I will use Pholtus's favor to close your wounds, but I shall not sully Pholtus's name nor mine own soul by pouring out his Light on a dark fiend such as that kobold." Meepo took that as a high compliment. Jaryth beamed, and a twinkle entered his eye. In a rush of emotion, he hugged Thurston, his face pressed tight to the knight's chest. "Thank you, Sir Thurston. Thank you. I'm sure that everything's going to be ok now. I know it is. I'll be a good boy, and try to walk in the Light. I don't know much about Pholtus, or any of the other gods… just..." The boy fell silent and looked to the ground, running a finger along the flame tattoos that lined his jaw. "What do you know about… other types of power... like... sorcery, or wizardry, or... or... things that you do just because you think of them." "You all buying this priest?” Burble asked the assembled townsfolk. “Do you all want to worship just one God and not have Beory watch over your crops? Not to have St, Cuthbert or Heironeous for protection? Not to have Zilchus watch over the trade routes? if so, then I feel sorry for you.” The halfling turned back to Sir Thurston. “I admit that I am not of your faith Sir Thurston, but I will say if your narrow mindedness means for you to take this boy when he has the right to choose for himself. Then you are one who takes liberty away. Your goals might be admirable if they did not mean that you would have it set up to burn or kill any who do not worship or live to your code. Will you burn me for my faith? Or what of Embrill the Druid, will you burn him and his groves for watching over nature?” Meepo realized that if Thurston weren't so interested in killing him, the human man might have some use in killing Embrill. "Well if so, I will swear that I will defend myself and my friend. If you wish us gone, so be it, but by the Gods, I will not have you killing my friends when I have faced death if not for him. I stand by him over you for that alone Priest of Pholtus. I think the light has truly blinded you way too much. Mayhaps you should go to the Pale so that others like myself will not taint you so." That wasn't going to go over well, Meepo was sure. "You are a priest of the Laughing One!?" Thurston's eyes flew wide with horror. "You are the spawn of lies and trickery then, the get of chaos itself. Far are you into darkness and beyond retrieval. Were this heretical land instead the Pale I would have you in chains and brought before justice and see your dark flesh burned by the Blinding Light." Meepo could really hate it when he was right. "I know the way lies come to your lips and invade mine ears, Laughing get. I will hold your flesh accountable for all the kobold's sins, but know that I am ever vigilant and should he betray your word, the kobold and halfling alike shall know true justice. I shall be this village's protector from your depredations but know you are not long to be welcome here. Go quest after Semmon's sons and you shall endure. Return once more empty-handed and I shall deem it the foulest of betrayals. You live only until your deeds betray your black hearts. You are far too deep in sin to ever free yourselves." "You will not go with my newfound squire. He hungers for the Light that you cannot give." Burble stepped back and spoke a bit louder. "Looks like you could use some nice laughs yourself, seeing your full of holy crap. But ok, so you hate my guts and would rather kill someone who might aid folks then allow my " Hellish ways" to support your good soul. Gods above you are such a crank. Look, unless I here it from the Mayor or the local lord and not your puffed up ego. I will come and go as I can, to resupply, heal, or trade. I took the job to get Semmon's kids, and I will do what I need to do to see it through. If your so bent on saving souls, you could go yourself you know. I will be happy to let the Goblin's feast on your body of you so wish it." "I have told no lies Priest, and I will not tell any on my loyalty to my friend. I am willing to take on the responsibility for Meepo, and if you have cause, challenge me then and have it over with, but damn if I will allow you to hurt my friend. Now if you want to make an issue out of this, then you, me, and Meepo will see you later. If you want to just shut your mouth, watch, and wait, fine by me" "But I say it is up to good Jaryth if he truly wants to stay with you. If he says no, then by the gods, you will not kidnap him. So, shall we both step away or will you continue to spit out your crap theology and insults?" Jaryth looked at Burble, pain obvious in his eyes. Meepo had a very high tolerance for seeing Jaryth in pain. "Lets just get along, please? We've fought so hard and for so long... We don't need this, not now. Let's just get along and be friends." Burble looked back at Jaryth. "Ok, if that is how you feel kiddo, stay with him. You know where we shall be or where we shall go if you change your mind. I doubt this priest will ever just get along with me, but hey I will go off and have a nice tea and chuckle and rest. Just trying to stick up for yourself, like I would Meepo or Sal. See yah around Kiddo." Burble looked to Meepo and signaled the kobold to follow along, though Burble made sure that he stayed out of reach of Thurston and kept a hand on his dagger in case of an attack. He stepped into the inn with Meepo in tow. As he stepped inside he spoke to Meepo. "My friend, I know for myself, there is no way in hells that's this creep will be going with us. Hells, might be the only time that Embrill and I will agree, to join forces to off this bastard and stop him from being around us. Hell, he would get every damn rat and goblin from miles around with his words and with that, even their unknown leaders. We shall talk later, but I will not bet this one will come with us after I have words with him.” Burble smiled nastily. Meepo returned the smile with his own malevolent grin. [/QUOTE]
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Meepo's Story Hour [NEWS! 6-19-02]
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