Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="the Jester" data-source="post: 1623062" data-attributes="member: 1210">Dexter and Spadron Meet for the First TimeDexter was on the street when he was accosted by the Imperial Guard. “High Priest Spadron requests your presence,” the commander of the squadron said.There was a moment of silence.  Dexter’s body went cold.  What was happening?  What did the High Priest want of him?He thought on the incident with the Voice and gulped inwardly.  Aloud, he answered the Imperial soldiers with a simple, “All right.” Our heroes were relieved of their weapons and escorted along the wide Main Road of the city.  They wound their way among wooden houses crowded together, with an occasional stone front; many small shops, bars and churches were stuffed in with the homes.  The cobbled street led up the subtle rise that led to the great Cathedral of Port Lofrax.  Dexter’s breath caught in his throat as the rays of the sun scintillated off the stained glass windows depicting the saints, the sun, Galador’s radiant power in victory over Bleak.Into the Cathedral of Port Lofrax the heroes went; and Dexter was led, alone, into a large ostentatious office, well-appointed with comfortable chairs and a large shelf of religious tracts and books of philosophy.  A fire crackled in the fireplace; the windows were flung wide to allow the sun in and the smoke out. “Your Eminence, this is the boy,” one of the guards declared in an emotionless voice. A dwarf rose from his seat.  He wore the white, red and gold vestments of the High Priest of Galador, and his beard was so long that he wore it as a belt.  Gold rings were upon his fingers and a holy symbol of purest gold, centered with a great sunstone that glowed from within with a continual light.  High Priest Spadron.“Dexter Nadly,” Spadron said flatly.Nervously, Dexter bowed his head.  “Uh, yeah, that’s me.”  He winced; his voice sounded arrogant, but when he tried to modulate it- adding “I’m Dexter”- he sounded whiny and frightened.  He groaned inwardly.Rage filled the High Priest’s face.  “You have admitted your previous crimes, and repented of them,” he growled.  “You have sworn to serve the Light and to follow His ways.  And yet you are returning to your ways of trickery and mental deception!”“What?  No!” exclaimed Dexter.  “I’m not- I haven’t-““Do you think we do not hear what happens in our own cities, Nadly?” cried Spadron.  “We have heard of your cruel taunting of one of our priests in the tavern!  Interfering with him as he tried to spread the word of the Light!”  His face contorted with passion.  “And you dare to stand before me and tell me that you still walk in the Light?!”For a moment all Dexter can think of is being back in the tender grasp of the Inquisition.  “Yes,” he says at last, mastering himself.  “I haven’t lied to anyone, I haven’t tricked anyone, I haven’t even used my psionics since I returned to Forinthia!  I swear to you, I am a good man now- I’ve repented and changed my ways!”“Then how do you explain your deception of Father Zakariah?  No, Nadly; your honeyed words do not sway me!  You were warned when you were allowed to leave before- if you returned to your evil ways, you will be punished.  Well-“Taking a deep breath, Dexter prayed to Galador.  Please, Galador, he begged, if ever you favored me, favor me now.  If- if I can speak in Your Voice, let me do it now.  Save me from Your own Church!And he spoke, in the Voice of Galador.  Behind him he heard the Imperial Guards gasp.  ”I did not lie, nor did I use my psionics; the Lord truly spoke through me.”  He let out a long, deep breath, barely believing it himself.  It worked, he thought in a daze.  I really can speak in the Voice of Galador.  It worked!  Now Spadron has to believe me!Spadron glared at Dexter, his face purpling.  “How... how dare you!” he spluttered. And then he, too, spoke in the Voice.  ”You are a heretic and a murderer!”  Next Time: Well, isn’t this a pickle!</blockquote>

Verification