Adisakti greets Vittero and remains with the others long enough to not be considered impolite, as he sees no point to add another voice to the conversation that needs to be had between the party and Vittero, he indicates his desire to have some repair done to his garments. "I will catch back up with you. Do not leave without me."
Vittero gives a slight bow to Astarte. He responds in Centrin. "In honore meo... On my honor, as you do not know me like my friends, here, do, I will offer that should I ever break my word, may I never see another Dawn."
This is the strongest assurance that can be given under the precepts of the Religion of Light. Vittero gestures toward the temple, suggesting that the conversation might be best conducted in private. He leads Taylar, Raven Elk, and Astarte through the temple and into his own private quarters. Once apprised of the previous situation, he attempts to shed some light upon what he suspects. This time he speaks a sentence in Centrin then repeats it in Markidian.
"You, Astarte, are a Bender, as are my friends, whom you have joined, as am I, but this talent is greatly feared by the general populace because it is believed to have lead to the War of Heaven that destroyed the Yahdram, the people who came before the three species of Aedaman, Faethrin, and Mhytre. The fact that all of the Kinamin tribe has this talent and uses it malevolently makes this superstitious fear even greater. Raven Elk, our friend, is much different from any others of his people, for he was raised from a small child by a kindly woman."
"Because I am a priest, all of the people see my talent as a blessing from Dawn instead of Bending. The six Hands of Justice must be powerful Benders, even though I cannot sense it when one is near, just as I suspect that none of you can sense it in me, any longer. Were Astarte a Markidian, I suspect that she may have been recruited to be a misguided Daughter of Dawn, but since she is Centrin, I suspect she would have been killed, if taken into West Cove."
"The Cathedral of Light is, of course, in West Cove, but I would recommend that the whole city and it, especially, be avoided, until we know who and what we are up against. I oppose all of these acts of oppression and violence. The four of us, including Adisakti, well five now that you, Astarte, are one of us, are trying to determine who is using a benevolent religion to cause such terrible acts. We have only scratched the surface, but it is a start. I have a unit of the Daughters of Dawn, under my command, who now protect the people instead of torment them."
"I am fairly certain the Divine Praetor is not the cause behind all of these terrible acts, but he is a powerful man, far more powerful than I. I suspect it is someone among the Ministry of Light, but no one knows who they are. If the Hand is acting on their own, they are being very sneaky about it, to hide it from the Ministry."
"As for this one Hand of Justice, one rode through town nearly a Tenday back, heading toward Outpost. He did not speak to me, as he rode through, and I did not try to interfere with him. He was not seen returning. If he cut through the forest to avoid the road, he was up to no good. I can tell some of the Hand apart, but they wear those damnable hoods, so I have never seen their faces. I hate the whole idea of people wearing hoods or masks."
"Were you able to see if the temple in Westford had the wrong symbol for Dawn?"
"No. I've never visited it, since I was arrested shortly before I could. But I will have it in my mind to be careful, if I notice the symbol of Dusk there; as well, if I notice it in any of Dawn's Temples. And I visit them every time I'm near. Then as soon as I meet with you or your father, I will tell you or him about it."
If Astarte previously saw the symbol of Dusk in any of Dawn's temples during her long journey, she will also tell Vittero about it, as well where exactly it was.
Right after the party leaves The Refuge, Astarte will ask her friends to teach her some useful phrases and words in Maldrog, "this language you talked the day we met, in case you need to tell me quickly something that shouldn't be understood by Markidians."
Raven Elk responds to Astarte's request to learn key phrases in Maldrog:
"I can help you that as we travel. Adi and Taylar are the main fighters and scouts among us, I being more of a guard, support or flank fighter. So, while they lead, we can focus on your Maldrog."
Taylar replies, "No, we turned back before we got there. When we encountered the guards and one of them mentioned Refuge, we thought it might become a target. We can set out on that mission again, now that our concerns have been addressed."
Once he is back with the rest of the party and apprised of the any present circumstances or interests, he quickly mentions to Astarte, that the group had decided upon Maldrog when needing to converse with one another because it is Taylar's native language and because it is less common and far less likely to be understood than his own language of Shimadow. "Maldrog ist sehr strukturiert, kleine Nuance. Maldrog is very structured, little nuance. You will pick it up in no time."
Vittero, as a parting comment, thanks the group for its prudence and expediency on the matter of the wayward Hand of Justice. He also asks that his father not be involved in anything that the group is trying to accomplish. "In case we fail, I do not want my father implicated, but I have full faith that we will succeed, in time."
Having no new business to attend, the group return back to the direction from which it had arrived and the, seemingly, simple task of identifying the marking on the Homage to Dawn in Westford. It is about five days, by road, from Refuge to Westford, and travel is uncomplicated. The land is still void enough of people that game is readily available and waterskins were filled before departing.
The Drenching Season passed with less rain and more wind than is common, but now the heat and humidity of the growing season make walking in the open less than desirable. Fortunately, most of the walk is under cover of the conifer forest, even along the road. The more open stretch that covers the last few days does not bring another ambush from nomadic Nishurins, this time, nor any more women in cages being exsorted by Cathedral Guards.
The party camps its last evening, in the wood, on the southern side of the roadway, so that it can purposefully arrive in Westford in the morning.
OOC:
State any nominal actions or desires to be conducted during the trip. Full description of Westford and intentions upon arriving will be for next post.
Since Vittero was not overly concerned about the Cathedral soldier called a Hand of Justice, Adisakti is a little more relaxed when leaving Refuge than when he arrived. Vittero did agree that his behavior seemed odd, and it still tickles the back of his mind, occasionally, like an itch reminding him it is there. On the way back to Westford, he will hunt for game and set traps in the evenings, like he usually would do. He will work with Astarte on her proficiency in Markidian and his own proficiency in combat, with Taylar.
Raven Elk works with Adi in teaching Astarte Markidian. While Adisakti works with her on common phrases, Raven Elk, works with most common nouns and verbs and their meanings and usages.
He too finds training time with Taylar to better his melee skills and tactics;
but, not being as proficient a hunter as Adisakti, he begs off going with Adi to hunt, feeling that he'd more hindrance than help.
Beside of learning Maldrog, Astarte will collect berries or/and other eatable fruits and plants she will find. At evening time, she will also collect brushwood for the campfire.
When guys starts their melee training, she will ask if she can join them. After that, she will harness her archery skills.
