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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Capellan" data-source="post: 1412050" data-attributes="member: 6294">"The Hallowed Hills" by Miguel Duran (WotC Cliffhanger) - Part 1The first two nights after the Company of the Random Encounter cleanse the tomb in Amberdale's sewers are uneventful.  On the third night, however, some hours after dusk, a light appears in the sky.At first, the few people who are still out doors think little of it, taking it for a falling star.  But then the light grows larger and brighter, and folk begin to stop and point.  Perhaps the star really is falling.And then the light grows larger still, swooping down toward Amberdale, and curiosity turns to alarm.  Voices are raised, and more and more folk come to their doors and windows to see the cause of the commotion.Padre Wolfgang Priem is one of them.  Instinctively taking up his mace as he does so, he walks to the one small window in his room at the inn, and peers out into the night sky.The light swiftly grows larger, gradually taking on the silhouette of a man, though any features are lost in the shape's white glow.  It swoops down into the village square, coming to a halt no more than twenty feet from the Padre's window.  And then it speaks:"Padre Wolfgang Priem, you have done well.  St Cuthbert is pleased by your efforts." Its message seemingly delivered, the shape dissolves before the Padre can do any more than gape open-mouthed at it.A hubbub of voices rises into the night air, as awed villagers gather in to discuss the event, and to recount it to latecomers.  From time to time - increasing in frequency as more and more people hear the story - an arm is raised to point at the Priest, who still stands at his window, wondering if what he just saw was real, and what it means to his faith.Eventually, he turns back into his room, closing the shutters of the window behind him.  Kneeling beside his bed, he prays deeply and at length, before clambering into bed.  It is a long time before his racing mind becomes calm enough for him to find sleep.In the morning, a little bleary-eyed from his restless night, the priest makes his way down to the common room of the inn.  Despite the early hour, the place is bustling, though a sudden hush descends when the Padre appears.  Covering a slight grimace, the priest approaches Brent Birchwhistle."Mornin', sir." The innkeeper greets him, "Your visit last night has folks quite astir."The Padre nods self-consciously,"I do not yet know what it portends," he admits, "But I must confess I was surprised not to be disturbed in my room last night."Brent smiles,"I had to turn a few away from the door, it's true.  Told them they could see you in the morn'.  Seems they all took me at my word.  Do you want to take your breakfast in your room?  You might not be given time to eat it, here."The Padre shakes his head,"St Cuthbert teaches us that it is better to face adversity than fear it."As Brent has guessed, it takes the Padre far longer than normal to complete his breakfast - a huge pile of bacon, eggs and fresh bread - as he is regularly interrupted by locals in search of blessings from the 'Chosen of St Cuthbert'.  The priest does his best to remain gracious throughout this process, though his composure is sorely tested when Goodwife Glimmer asks him to say a prayer for her missing cat, Scratches.Despite his efforts to be polite, the priest rapidly grows tired of the requests - especially after he has to send the food back to be warmed a second time - and when Sirdros enters the inn, the Padre seizes on the opportunity to end the interruptions."Sirdros!  I would speak with you!"The elven cleric crosses and sits with the Padre, giving him a cursory nod as he does so."Another fine morning," he observes, after ordering a breakfast for himself, "Did you sleep well?""How could I, after the visitation?""Pardon?" the elf looks blank."You didn't hear?" the Padre shakes his head, "There was a big glowing light in the sky last night.  It told me St Cuthbert was pleased with me.""Then it is indeed a fine morning.  Is that why you called me over?  To discuss your experience?""Actually, no.  I just hoped it would stop people from bothering me while I was trying to eat.""It seems you have achieved your goal." Sirdros indicates the lack of supplicants, "But I am glad you called me over, in any case.  I was coming to speak with you.""What about?""Well ... you see, the reason I did not see your visitor last night - and the reason I did not hear of it this morning - was that I spent the entire time in meditation over a mission I have received from my superior.  When I had completed my meditations, I came here directly to speak with you."The Padre puts down his knife and considers this news."I suppose this mission is the second task we have to do for your church, to pay you for curing Ulfgar and Gabrielle?""It is indeed." Sirdros nods."We should never have agreed to that." the Padre grumbles, trying to hide his evident pleasure at the opportunity to leave town for a while, "We haven't seen either of those two for months.""I have." Mantreus drops suddenly into a third chair at the table, grinning like the cat who got the cream, "That Gabrielle's a nice girl.  And her room had a great view of that light show last night."The Padre glares at the sorcerer for a moment, then sighs and turns to Sirdros,"So.  What's the mission?"</blockquote>

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