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Message: <blockquote data-quote="GladiusNP" data-source="post: 2211001" data-attributes="member: 10574">Aervir finishes chewing a mouthful of bread, and wipes his face again.  The wound on his head is still fresh and raw-looking - despite all attempts by Aervir and Dravis to heal it.  He speaks slowly, answering the rapid stream questions very deliberately.  "The priest had me chained inside the chapel - he healed me to keep me alive, recognizing I was a servant of holy Aedis.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to explore much more of the keep than that.As Aervir takes another bite of his loaf, Aerlyn asks "During your time in the keep did you happen to see any books or writings lying around? Also, do you have an idea of how many orcs or other fiends are still about?" Aervir swallows, then replies "The black priest - Tavik, was searching for such writings, but had had no luck.  I saw nothing in the chapel.  However, he did have a seperate living area which I did not search.  All the orcs that were in the chapel seem to be out here - dead and rotting like the carrion they are."   He looks around at the corpses, with a look of anger and disgust at his former captors.  He then tears at his bread with his free hand, savagely twisting the loaf in two.Aerlyn gives him a look of sympathy, pats him on the arm, and attempts to change the subject.  "Did you happen to find out any information or hear anything about where the Crucible of St. Freya is located?"The paladin starts packing away what is left of his breakfast, and answers immediately "Yes - I should have mentioned it sooner.  The crucible is in the chapel.  It has been..... defiled." Caedren, who has been silently listening all of this, breaks in, saying "Aervir, what did the black priest say to you? Did he give you any insight as to what his purpose is here? Any information you can remember will aid us in defeating him, please remember."Aervir stops his packing, and looks at Caedren, very steadily.  "He seems to be searching the keep, room by room.  He hasn't found what he is looking for.  I think he promised Fairhill to his Orcs.  He wishes to desecrate the Church in town as he has done here.  The rest of the time he spoke in orcish.  I think he just gave commands that I could understand to torment me.  Especially when he sent out the ogre and the orc cheif to hunt the three of you down."  He looks at all of you, seemingly in wonder.  "Tavik was furious when they did not return - that's when he cut this mark in me."Caedren and Aerlyn both nod, giving Aervir time to recover himself after reliving his harrowing experiences.  Fallon flies lazily in, landing on Aerlyn's shoulder, and magnanimously presenting her with a dead mouse held in his beak.  As she takes it, he hoots softly, very proud of himself.  Caedren checks Shadrath's sword once more.  Despite its heavy use yesterday, the blade is remarkably sharp.  He sheathes the blade once more, and begins to pack his bedding.  Seeing Aervir finally alone, Dravis approaches him. Dravis' eyes appraise Aervir and his natural suspicion takes over. "It's good to see you Aervir, how did you escape? I doubt the dark priest would be as foolish as to let you go. He knows that we shall not give up this fight so easily. Please Aervir. . . Enlighten me."Aervir stiffens - his hand going to his greatsword, and for a moment, Dravis remembers Aervir at his fiercest, staying on the wall of the keep, killing orcs, long after the rest of you were fleeing.  Then the paladin seems to deflate, and he says."I understand Dravis, my friend.  I have no proof for what I am about to say.  The priest left, rousing the orcs in the Chapel, to kill you this final time.  Despite the sounds of battle, it was the first time I had been free of their loathsome presence, and I fell asleep, exhausted.  I awoke to see the altar, and the crucible on it bathed in a soft light - save for where the defiling filth was smeared across it.  The light slowly dwindled away, and only then did I realise that my chains had fallen from me.  But I understand your doubts.  Take my sword, if you fear I am not myself."Aervir finishes, and offers Dravis his greatsword.</blockquote>

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