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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4561396" data-attributes="member: 3285">Fox and Geese: Part 3b – Brother, Who Art Thou Really?“Tah dah!” shouted Kham as he led an expressionless man back into the back room of the Velvet Glove.The booming legionnaire who had once been known as Quintus was unmistakably his old self.  His hair was cut once more to military length.  His beard was gone.  Kham had even found a Coryani-style toga for him, although it was obviously not a military uniform.  Kham patted Quintus on the back. “Just give him a gladius and a cause and you’ve got your old Quintus.” He led Quintus over to the table and, with a gentle push on his shoulders, made him sit down.Sebastian stared into Quintus’ unfocused eyes. “What do you think happened to him?” Kham grabbed a bottle of Savonan wine left just for him.  “I don’t know.”  He uncorked it with his teeth and took a drink. “But whatever it is, we’re going to find out a way to fix it.  There’s nothing a little magical healing can’t fix, we just have to find the right healer.”“We still don’t know that it’s Quintus.” Ilmarė stood away from the legionnaire, arms crossed.  “They faked von Grebel’s death with an imitation corpse.  Who’s to say they can’t do that with a living person?”Kham propped his legs up on the table.  “What is your deal?  You know Quintus’ body better than any of us.” He suppressed a grin.  “Doesn’t he have distinguishing marks somewhere on him?”Ilmarė glared at him.  “I am not going to give that…THING the pleasure.”  Her hands balled into fists at her side.  “I don’t trust it.  It could turn on us at any moment.”“I think it is Quintus,” said Beldin.  “I think he got into some trouble.  Trouble he couldn’t get out of. And it’s our duty to help him however we can.  He would have helped us.”“You have your oath, dwarf,” sneered the elorii.  “If it really is Quintus, then his god has truly forsaken him.” She lowered her voice.  “Quintus was the most pious fool I know.”“What’s that Quintus?” Kham cupped one finger to his ear to Quintus.  “What?  Your gods killed someone else’s gods? Oh THAT’S RIGHT!”  The val pointed at Ilmarė with the bottle of wine.  “Our gods DID wipe out YOUR gods!”  Ilmarė’s eyes narrowed to slits.  “How dare you…” She opened her mouth and closed it again, overcome with a flash of rage.“That’s right, we’re all stupid humans!” shouted Kham.  “You know what?  I’m glad Quintus can’t hear this!  He wouldn’t want your pity anyway!”“That’s enough!” Sebastian stood up between them.  “We’re all on edge.  Let’s try to focus on getting whoever this is to safety; whether it’s really Quintus or not, I will not stand by and allow an innocent to be sacrificed.”Beldin stood up with him.  “Nor I.”Kham put down the bottle of wine.  “Fine.  But Quintus stays with me.  I don’t trust her with him.  She might try to slit his throat or something.”The val rose and guided Quintus out of the room.  He looked over his shoulder at Ilmarė as he left. Beldin and Sebastian wordlessly followed him out.Ilmarė sat down at the table and picked up the bottle of wine, all the energy and emotion drained from her.  “I still don’t think its Quintus,” she said weakly to no one in particular.</blockquote>

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