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Into the Moral Darkness: (Now a Completed Story!)
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<blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 3749923" data-attributes="member: 35788"><p>Semeion jogged with the palace guard back to the doorway below the porch. They quickly entered the palace and briskly walked down the hallway to where the battle had taken place. Blood smeared the walls and floor, but there was no other evidence of the struggle. The hallway had been cleared of people.</p><p></p><p>The guard turned to Semeion and spoke. He was explaining the obvious lack of people in an attempt to assume Semeion’s question. <span style="color: Lime">“Those who were injured in the battle were taken to the infirmary. Allyssa was no doubt taken to a storeroom where her body could rest until the gravediggers could prepare a proper grave. No special grave, mind you. But even criminals deserve a proper burial.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion smiled. <span style="color: Plum">“No doubt. What else would we do with a body? Can you find out where Allyssa was taken for certain? I’d like to examine her body.”</span></p><p></p><p>The guard nodded. <span style="color: Lime">“Well, we’ll head down to the infirmary anyway, then. It’s my guess that those who were taken there will know where we should look.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion followed the guard down the hall until the came across an intersection. The pair turned right into the more narrow side hallway. After passing several doorways, the guard motioned for Semeion to enter into a doorway to the right. As Semeion opened the door, the smell of alcohol and herbal rubs assaulted his nose.</p><p></p><p>The guard entered and breathed in deeply. <span style="color: Lime">“I’ve always loved the smell of mint, menthol, and cleansing alcohol rubs. It cleans the nose and makes it easier to breathe.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded, but internally he didn’t agree. Surely he’d take the infirmary over that of a dank and musty cellar, but he much preferred the smell of a library filled with old books, parchment, and vellum. A slight smile passed over his face as he imagined his old master’s study where he first became acquainted with his favorite smell.</p><p></p><p>The guard turned to the physician on duty. He was busy preparing a bandage for one of the wounded guards. <span style="color: Lime">“Excuse me, but can you tell me where the body of the assassin ended up? This man here wants to inspect the body.”</span></p><p></p><p>The physician didn’t look up from the bandage that he was preparing. <span style="color: Lime">“She’s in the storeroom at the end of the hall. She’s furthest out of the way there and nearest to the back entrance for pick-up.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion addressed the physician, breathing as shallowly as possible. <span style="color: Plum">“And the guard that she killed? Will we find him there as well?”</span></p><p></p><p>This time, the physician did look up. He must not have recognized Semeion’s voice. Once he looked upon Semeion and knew the face of the man that he was addressing, the physician finished folding the bandage. He answered Semeion’s question as he approached one of the wounded guards. <span style="color: Lime">“No, sir. We kept the guard here in the cold room. His body will be preserved and buried honorably.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded and turned to the guard. <span style="color: Plum">“Well, then I suggest we start with the woman before she smells too much of death.”</span></p><p></p><p>The physician motioned for the patient to hold onto the bandage and then he stood up. He crossed over to his bench and rifled his fingers through the contents of a glass jar. He removed two small cloth pouches that were about one inch square. <span style="color: Lime">“Depending on how long you all are planning on being in there, these pouches might help. Hold them under your nose and it’ll help keep your nose from noticing the smell of death.”</span></p><p></p><p>The guard took the pouches from the physician, but it was Semeion who spoke. <span style="color: Plum">“Thank you, but I doubt that we’ll be that long.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion and the guard turned and left the physician’s workroom. Semeion appreciated the lessoning of the alcohol and herbal smells once they arrived in the hallway. The guard turned him in the proper direction and they marched down the hall to the store room. The guard slipped his hand into the heavy metal handle and pulled it straight out from the wall. Once the lock was released, the guard lifted the handle up towards the ceiling. <span style="color: Lime">“They probably put her up near the front. The grave boys will be by before too long. They won’t want the smell infecting the rest of the stuff stored here in the room.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion walked in and spotted a red stained sheet. The light yellow hue of the sheet spoke of its faded and well used nature. Semeion wrinkled his eyebrows and stopped in the middle of the doorway as he looked to the sheet. It wasn’t laying right. <span style="color: Plum">“It’s too flat.”</span></p><p></p><p>The guard wasn’t ready for him to stop in the doorway, and he nearly ran into him. <span style="color: Lime">“What?”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion shook his head. <span style="color: Plum">“The sheet, or rather, the body. There isn’t enough room there to have a body underneath it.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion slowly approached the sheet and rested his hand upon it. Sure enough, Semeion’s hand compressed the sheet until he felt the small stack of boxes upon which she had been laid. <span style="color: Plum">“She’s gone. The body is gone!”</span></p><p></p><p>The guard popped his head into the room and double checked Semeion’s claim. <span style="color: Lime">“Someone took the body?”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion smiled as he looked back to the guard. <span style="color: Plum">“Perhaps.”</span> He enjoyed any attempt to use his magic. <span style="color: Plum">“Thizzle Sooth.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion began to look at the world with a newer understanding. The area just above and below the sheet appeared to glow as Semeion studied the sheet. There were two distinct auras that his eyes were picking up.</p><p></p><p>Semeion talked his way through his observation. <span style="color: Plum">“Two distinct magical spells have been cast here. One of the spells was clearly stronger than the other. From the auras left behind, I can see that one of them was quite a powerful aura. In fact,”</span> Semeion’s voice paused as his mind considered the information that his eyes were seeing. <span style="color: Plum">“One of them is teleportation magic, I’m sure of it. I need to get back to the temple and talk to Brandt.”</span></p><p></p><p>The guard stopped Semeion. <span style="color: Lime">“Now, wait a minute. What do I say to my superiors?”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion looked over the guard’s shoulder, wishing that he was already walking down the hall. <span style="color: Plum">“Tell them exactly what happened. Tell them that the body has been magically removed. And tell them that if they need a person to collaborate your story that they can find me at the Temple of Reah. Tell them to ask for Master Brandt. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and speak to that same man about what I saw here.”</span></p><p></p><p>The guard heard the urgency in Semeion’s words. <span style="color: Lime">“Very well. You’ll be at the Temple of Reah? Is Brandt the man that was here this morning?”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded and brushed past the guard, who allowed him to pass. Before long, Semeion had exited Lord Ironblood’s palace estate. He knew the way back to the temple and took no time in returning. When he had climbed the steps to the temple and opened the door, he nodded politely to the acolyte that moved to greet him. <span style="color: Plum">“I know the way to Master Brandt’s office, thank you.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion hurried down the hallway, knowing that the information he possessed needed to be sorted through. He knocked solidly upon the door and waited for Brandt to open it. To his surprise, it was actually Ischarus who opened the door. </p><p></p><p>Semeion glanced at the scar left on his neck from Allyssa’s attack. <span style="color: Plum">“Ischarus! Good to see that the arrow didn’t do you in!”</span> He embraced his friend in as strong of a hug as he could muster.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus returned the hug and explained what had happened to him. <span style="color: LightBlue">“Reah was with me the whole time, and Brandt made sure that I was in good care. He saw the evidence of the poison immediately, and he used the magic that Reah had given to him to counteract the poison. Brandt knew that I was still very wounded, so he teleported me here to the care of the healers. They fixed me up before the wound could get any worse, although they say I might always bear a scar to remind me of the attack.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema slid around the door and slipped her arm inside of Ischarus’ elbow. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Reah was with him, and all of us. And I’ve been kidding him for a while know that he’d look good in a beard. Maybe now he’ll grow one and cover over any scar that’s left.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion smiled and stepped into Brandt’s office. Charis looked up to him and returned his smile. <span style="color: Orange">“Well? Is she dead?”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion shook his head. <span style="color: Plum">“No, I think that she’s quite alive. Not only that, but she’s gone completely.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus turned sharply to look at Semeion. <span style="color: LightBlue">“What? After all that we went through?”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt smacked the top of his desk with his clenched fist. <span style="color: Lime">“Of course! The bumbling fools. They forgot to look for magic. I was bothered by the fact that Allyssa didn’t seem concerned that we were getting too close. I was even concerned that the assassination attempt was actually happening when she knew that we were onto her. With all of those Yrraxean priests around, she had to have magical protection guarding her. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if she had some sort of spell that was designed to revive her and teleport her away should she be killed.”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis turned and looked to Brandt. <span style="color: Orange">“Revive her? You mean, of course, to resurrect her?”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded. <span style="color: Lime">“Yeah, that’s what I meant. She likely had a contingent spell to resurrect her and transport her away.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion looked confused. <span style="color: Plum">“Resurrection? Why would a god or goddess allow that to happen? I mean, if a follower of Reah dies, then they go to Reah and leave this world behind them. Why would they want to come back here? And why would Yrraxea give up her hold on a person once they have died and gone to the pit of her dark realm?”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded, and noticed that Rhema was paying particularly close attention. He also noticed that Ophee was listening hard for his reply as well. <span style="color: Lime">“You’re right, Semeion. Resurrections never happen with true followers of good gods and goddesses. Once you’ve passed on to paradise, what could convince you to come back? But the evil gods and goddesses enable the power to exist within the world as a bargaining chip. The gods and goddesses of evil are willing to make bargains in trade for worship. They allow loved ones to return under the exchange that when both the loved one and the one who bargained for their return die again the god or goddess retains possession of both. You can see why they would be interested in the release of their own dead. If releasing one dead now assures the return of two worshippers in the future, it really is just a matter of economics.”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis was still slightly confused by the explanation. <span style="color: Orange">“If that’s true, then why doesn’t Reah give that kind of deal? Think about all the loyal followers who might come to Reah under the agreement of having a loved one back?”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded and smiled. <span style="color: Lime">“I’ve often thought like that. It makes sense to us from our current position. But think about it from the perspective of the dead. What kind of act pulls someone away from absolute paradise and perfection only to return to this life? It is an act of selfishness on behalf of those of us who are still alive. We want the loved one back for our sake. If we were truly concerned about what is best for the loved one, we’d know that we want them to stay in paradise with their god or goddess. When I die, I want to stay with Reah and await the companionship of my loved ones from there.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema frowned, but secretly understood the expression. So long as people were following the paths of the good gods and goddesses, resurrection was a truly selfish act. She decided it was time to change the conversation. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“So what of Allyssa? Someone bargained away their own life so that she could live again. Why would they want her alive, especially since she botched the assassination?”</span></p><p></p><p>A pale look formed over Ischarus’ face. <span style="color: LightBlue">“What if we have the wrong assassination? If they went to the extreme of putting a spell upon the assassin in case she died, could they have also put a spell on her that would immediately take them to another place where one of the assassinations failed?”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt and Semeion both nodded, but Brandt was the one who spoke. <span style="color: Lime">“It’s certainly possible.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion followed up Brandt’s confirmation. <span style="color: Plum">“But which one? Thanks to us, they all failed!”</span></p><p></p><p>The party was surprised that it was Ophee who figured it out first. <span style="color: Lime">“King Rupert. That is the most important one.”</span></p><p></p><p>[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]</p><p>Semeion jogged with the palace guard back to the doorway below the porch. They quickly entered the palace and briskly walked down the hallway to where the battle had taken place. Blood smeared the walls and floor, but there was no other evidence of the struggle. The hallway had been cleared of people.</p><p></p><p>The guard turned to Semeion and spoke. He was explaining the obvious lack of people in an attempt to assume Semeion’s question. “Those who were injured in the battle were taken to the infirmary. Allyssa was no doubt taken to a storeroom where her body could rest until the gravediggers could prepare a proper grave. No special grave, mind you. But even criminals deserve a proper burial.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion smiled. “No doubt. What else would we do with a body? Can you find out where Allyssa was taken for certain? I’d like to examine her body.”</p><p></p><p>The guard nodded. “Well, we’ll head down to the infirmary anyway, then. It’s my guess that those who were taken there will know where we should look.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion followed the guard down the hall until the came across an intersection. The pair turned right into the more narrow side hallway. After passing several doorways, the guard motioned for Semeion to enter into a doorway to the right. As Semeion opened the door, the smell of alcohol and herbal rubs assaulted his nose.</p><p></p><p>The guard entered and breathed in deeply. “I’ve always loved the smell of mint, menthol, and cleansing alcohol rubs. It cleans the nose and makes it easier to breathe.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded, but internally he didn’t agree. Surely he’d take the infirmary over that of a dank and musty cellar, but he much preferred the smell of a library filled with old books, parchment, and vellum. A slight smile passed over his face as he imagined his old master’s study where he first became acquainted with his favorite smell.</p><p></p><p>The guard turned to the physician on duty. He was busy preparing a bandage for one of the wounded guards. “Excuse me, but can you tell me where the body of the assassin ended up? This man here wants to inspect the body.”</p><p></p><p>The physician didn’t look up from the bandage that he was preparing. “She’s in the storeroom at the end of the hall. She’s furthest out of the way there and nearest to the back entrance for pick-up.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion addressed the physician, breathing as shallowly as possible. “And the guard that she killed? Will we find him there as well?”</p><p></p><p>This time, the physician did look up. He must not have recognized Semeion’s voice. Once he looked upon Semeion and knew the face of the man that he was addressing, the physician finished folding the bandage. He answered Semeion’s question as he approached one of the wounded guards. “No, sir. We kept the guard here in the cold room. His body will be preserved and buried honorably.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded and turned to the guard. “Well, then I suggest we start with the woman before she smells too much of death.”</p><p></p><p>The physician motioned for the patient to hold onto the bandage and then he stood up. He crossed over to his bench and rifled his fingers through the contents of a glass jar. He removed two small cloth pouches that were about one inch square. “Depending on how long you all are planning on being in there, these pouches might help. Hold them under your nose and it’ll help keep your nose from noticing the smell of death.”</p><p></p><p>The guard took the pouches from the physician, but it was Semeion who spoke. “Thank you, but I doubt that we’ll be that long.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion and the guard turned and left the physician’s workroom. Semeion appreciated the lessoning of the alcohol and herbal smells once they arrived in the hallway. The guard turned him in the proper direction and they marched down the hall to the store room. The guard slipped his hand into the heavy metal handle and pulled it straight out from the wall. Once the lock was released, the guard lifted the handle up towards the ceiling. “They probably put her up near the front. The grave boys will be by before too long. They won’t want the smell infecting the rest of the stuff stored here in the room.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion walked in and spotted a red stained sheet. The light yellow hue of the sheet spoke of its faded and well used nature. Semeion wrinkled his eyebrows and stopped in the middle of the doorway as he looked to the sheet. It wasn’t laying right. “It’s too flat.”</p><p></p><p>The guard wasn’t ready for him to stop in the doorway, and he nearly ran into him. “What?”</p><p></p><p>Semeion shook his head. “The sheet, or rather, the body. There isn’t enough room there to have a body underneath it.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion slowly approached the sheet and rested his hand upon it. Sure enough, Semeion’s hand compressed the sheet until he felt the small stack of boxes upon which she had been laid. “She’s gone. The body is gone!”</p><p></p><p>The guard popped his head into the room and double checked Semeion’s claim. “Someone took the body?”</p><p></p><p>Semeion smiled as he looked back to the guard. “Perhaps.” He enjoyed any attempt to use his magic. “Thizzle Sooth.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion began to look at the world with a newer understanding. The area just above and below the sheet appeared to glow as Semeion studied the sheet. There were two distinct auras that his eyes were picking up.</p><p></p><p>Semeion talked his way through his observation. “Two distinct magical spells have been cast here. One of the spells was clearly stronger than the other. From the auras left behind, I can see that one of them was quite a powerful aura. In fact,” Semeion’s voice paused as his mind considered the information that his eyes were seeing. “One of them is teleportation magic, I’m sure of it. I need to get back to the temple and talk to Brandt.”</p><p></p><p>The guard stopped Semeion. “Now, wait a minute. What do I say to my superiors?”</p><p></p><p>Semeion looked over the guard’s shoulder, wishing that he was already walking down the hall. “Tell them exactly what happened. Tell them that the body has been magically removed. And tell them that if they need a person to collaborate your story that they can find me at the Temple of Reah. Tell them to ask for Master Brandt. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and speak to that same man about what I saw here.”</p><p></p><p>The guard heard the urgency in Semeion’s words. “Very well. You’ll be at the Temple of Reah? Is Brandt the man that was here this morning?”</p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded and brushed past the guard, who allowed him to pass. Before long, Semeion had exited Lord Ironblood’s palace estate. He knew the way back to the temple and took no time in returning. When he had climbed the steps to the temple and opened the door, he nodded politely to the acolyte that moved to greet him. “I know the way to Master Brandt’s office, thank you.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion hurried down the hallway, knowing that the information he possessed needed to be sorted through. He knocked solidly upon the door and waited for Brandt to open it. To his surprise, it was actually Ischarus who opened the door. </p><p></p><p>Semeion glanced at the scar left on his neck from Allyssa’s attack. “Ischarus! Good to see that the arrow didn’t do you in!” He embraced his friend in as strong of a hug as he could muster.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus returned the hug and explained what had happened to him. “Reah was with me the whole time, and Brandt made sure that I was in good care. He saw the evidence of the poison immediately, and he used the magic that Reah had given to him to counteract the poison. Brandt knew that I was still very wounded, so he teleported me here to the care of the healers. They fixed me up before the wound could get any worse, although they say I might always bear a scar to remind me of the attack.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema slid around the door and slipped her arm inside of Ischarus’ elbow. “Reah was with him, and all of us. And I’ve been kidding him for a while know that he’d look good in a beard. Maybe now he’ll grow one and cover over any scar that’s left.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion smiled and stepped into Brandt’s office. Charis looked up to him and returned his smile. “Well? Is she dead?”</p><p></p><p>Semeion shook his head. “No, I think that she’s quite alive. Not only that, but she’s gone completely.”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus turned sharply to look at Semeion. “What? After all that we went through?”</p><p></p><p>Brandt smacked the top of his desk with his clenched fist. “Of course! The bumbling fools. They forgot to look for magic. I was bothered by the fact that Allyssa didn’t seem concerned that we were getting too close. I was even concerned that the assassination attempt was actually happening when she knew that we were onto her. With all of those Yrraxean priests around, she had to have magical protection guarding her. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if she had some sort of spell that was designed to revive her and teleport her away should she be killed.”</p><p></p><p>Charis turned and looked to Brandt. “Revive her? You mean, of course, to resurrect her?”</p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I meant. She likely had a contingent spell to resurrect her and transport her away.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion looked confused. “Resurrection? Why would a god or goddess allow that to happen? I mean, if a follower of Reah dies, then they go to Reah and leave this world behind them. Why would they want to come back here? And why would Yrraxea give up her hold on a person once they have died and gone to the pit of her dark realm?”</p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded, and noticed that Rhema was paying particularly close attention. He also noticed that Ophee was listening hard for his reply as well. “You’re right, Semeion. Resurrections never happen with true followers of good gods and goddesses. Once you’ve passed on to paradise, what could convince you to come back? But the evil gods and goddesses enable the power to exist within the world as a bargaining chip. The gods and goddesses of evil are willing to make bargains in trade for worship. They allow loved ones to return under the exchange that when both the loved one and the one who bargained for their return die again the god or goddess retains possession of both. You can see why they would be interested in the release of their own dead. If releasing one dead now assures the return of two worshippers in the future, it really is just a matter of economics.”</p><p></p><p>Charis was still slightly confused by the explanation. “If that’s true, then why doesn’t Reah give that kind of deal? Think about all the loyal followers who might come to Reah under the agreement of having a loved one back?”</p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded and smiled. “I’ve often thought like that. It makes sense to us from our current position. But think about it from the perspective of the dead. What kind of act pulls someone away from absolute paradise and perfection only to return to this life? It is an act of selfishness on behalf of those of us who are still alive. We want the loved one back for our sake. If we were truly concerned about what is best for the loved one, we’d know that we want them to stay in paradise with their god or goddess. When I die, I want to stay with Reah and await the companionship of my loved ones from there.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema frowned, but secretly understood the expression. So long as people were following the paths of the good gods and goddesses, resurrection was a truly selfish act. She decided it was time to change the conversation. “So what of Allyssa? Someone bargained away their own life so that she could live again. Why would they want her alive, especially since she botched the assassination?”</p><p></p><p>A pale look formed over Ischarus’ face. “What if we have the wrong assassination? If they went to the extreme of putting a spell upon the assassin in case she died, could they have also put a spell on her that would immediately take them to another place where one of the assassinations failed?”</p><p></p><p>Brandt and Semeion both nodded, but Brandt was the one who spoke. “It’s certainly possible.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion followed up Brandt’s confirmation. “But which one? Thanks to us, they all failed!”</p><p></p><p>The party was surprised that it was Ophee who figured it out first. “King Rupert. That is the most important one.”</p><p>[/Sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nonlethal Force, post: 3749923, member: 35788"] Semeion jogged with the palace guard back to the doorway below the porch. They quickly entered the palace and briskly walked down the hallway to where the battle had taken place. Blood smeared the walls and floor, but there was no other evidence of the struggle. The hallway had been cleared of people. The guard turned to Semeion and spoke. He was explaining the obvious lack of people in an attempt to assume Semeion’s question. [Color=Lime]“Those who were injured in the battle were taken to the infirmary. Allyssa was no doubt taken to a storeroom where her body could rest until the gravediggers could prepare a proper grave. No special grave, mind you. But even criminals deserve a proper burial.”[/Color] Semeion smiled. [Color=Plum]“No doubt. What else would we do with a body? Can you find out where Allyssa was taken for certain? I’d like to examine her body.”[/Color] The guard nodded. [Color=Lime]“Well, we’ll head down to the infirmary anyway, then. It’s my guess that those who were taken there will know where we should look.”[/Color] Semeion followed the guard down the hall until the came across an intersection. The pair turned right into the more narrow side hallway. After passing several doorways, the guard motioned for Semeion to enter into a doorway to the right. As Semeion opened the door, the smell of alcohol and herbal rubs assaulted his nose. The guard entered and breathed in deeply. [Color=Lime]“I’ve always loved the smell of mint, menthol, and cleansing alcohol rubs. It cleans the nose and makes it easier to breathe.”[/Color] Semeion nodded, but internally he didn’t agree. Surely he’d take the infirmary over that of a dank and musty cellar, but he much preferred the smell of a library filled with old books, parchment, and vellum. A slight smile passed over his face as he imagined his old master’s study where he first became acquainted with his favorite smell. The guard turned to the physician on duty. He was busy preparing a bandage for one of the wounded guards. [Color=Lime]“Excuse me, but can you tell me where the body of the assassin ended up? This man here wants to inspect the body.”[/Color] The physician didn’t look up from the bandage that he was preparing. [Color=Lime]“She’s in the storeroom at the end of the hall. She’s furthest out of the way there and nearest to the back entrance for pick-up.”[/Color] Semeion addressed the physician, breathing as shallowly as possible. [Color=Plum]“And the guard that she killed? Will we find him there as well?”[/Color] This time, the physician did look up. He must not have recognized Semeion’s voice. Once he looked upon Semeion and knew the face of the man that he was addressing, the physician finished folding the bandage. He answered Semeion’s question as he approached one of the wounded guards. [Color=Lime]“No, sir. We kept the guard here in the cold room. His body will be preserved and buried honorably.”[/Color] Semeion nodded and turned to the guard. [Color=Plum]“Well, then I suggest we start with the woman before she smells too much of death.”[/Color] The physician motioned for the patient to hold onto the bandage and then he stood up. He crossed over to his bench and rifled his fingers through the contents of a glass jar. He removed two small cloth pouches that were about one inch square. [Color=Lime]“Depending on how long you all are planning on being in there, these pouches might help. Hold them under your nose and it’ll help keep your nose from noticing the smell of death.”[/Color] The guard took the pouches from the physician, but it was Semeion who spoke. [Color=Plum]“Thank you, but I doubt that we’ll be that long.”[/Color] Semeion and the guard turned and left the physician’s workroom. Semeion appreciated the lessoning of the alcohol and herbal smells once they arrived in the hallway. The guard turned him in the proper direction and they marched down the hall to the store room. The guard slipped his hand into the heavy metal handle and pulled it straight out from the wall. Once the lock was released, the guard lifted the handle up towards the ceiling. [Color=Lime]“They probably put her up near the front. The grave boys will be by before too long. They won’t want the smell infecting the rest of the stuff stored here in the room.”[/Color] Semeion walked in and spotted a red stained sheet. The light yellow hue of the sheet spoke of its faded and well used nature. Semeion wrinkled his eyebrows and stopped in the middle of the doorway as he looked to the sheet. It wasn’t laying right. [Color=Plum]“It’s too flat.”[/Color] The guard wasn’t ready for him to stop in the doorway, and he nearly ran into him. [Color=Lime]“What?”[/Color] Semeion shook his head. [Color=Plum]“The sheet, or rather, the body. There isn’t enough room there to have a body underneath it.”[/Color] Semeion slowly approached the sheet and rested his hand upon it. Sure enough, Semeion’s hand compressed the sheet until he felt the small stack of boxes upon which she had been laid. [Color=Plum]“She’s gone. The body is gone!”[/Color] The guard popped his head into the room and double checked Semeion’s claim. [Color=Lime]“Someone took the body?”[/Color] Semeion smiled as he looked back to the guard. [Color=Plum]“Perhaps.”[/Color] He enjoyed any attempt to use his magic. [Color=Plum]“Thizzle Sooth.”[/Color] Semeion began to look at the world with a newer understanding. The area just above and below the sheet appeared to glow as Semeion studied the sheet. There were two distinct auras that his eyes were picking up. Semeion talked his way through his observation. [Color=Plum]“Two distinct magical spells have been cast here. One of the spells was clearly stronger than the other. From the auras left behind, I can see that one of them was quite a powerful aura. In fact,”[/Color] Semeion’s voice paused as his mind considered the information that his eyes were seeing. [Color=Plum]“One of them is teleportation magic, I’m sure of it. I need to get back to the temple and talk to Brandt.”[/Color] The guard stopped Semeion. [Color=Lime]“Now, wait a minute. What do I say to my superiors?”[/Color] Semeion looked over the guard’s shoulder, wishing that he was already walking down the hall. [Color=Plum]“Tell them exactly what happened. Tell them that the body has been magically removed. And tell them that if they need a person to collaborate your story that they can find me at the Temple of Reah. Tell them to ask for Master Brandt. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and speak to that same man about what I saw here.”[/Color] The guard heard the urgency in Semeion’s words. [Color=Lime]“Very well. You’ll be at the Temple of Reah? Is Brandt the man that was here this morning?”[/Color] Semeion nodded and brushed past the guard, who allowed him to pass. Before long, Semeion had exited Lord Ironblood’s palace estate. He knew the way back to the temple and took no time in returning. When he had climbed the steps to the temple and opened the door, he nodded politely to the acolyte that moved to greet him. [Color=Plum]“I know the way to Master Brandt’s office, thank you.”[/Color] Semeion hurried down the hallway, knowing that the information he possessed needed to be sorted through. He knocked solidly upon the door and waited for Brandt to open it. To his surprise, it was actually Ischarus who opened the door. Semeion glanced at the scar left on his neck from Allyssa’s attack. [Color=Plum]“Ischarus! Good to see that the arrow didn’t do you in!”[/Color] He embraced his friend in as strong of a hug as he could muster. Ischarus returned the hug and explained what had happened to him. [Color=LightBlue]“Reah was with me the whole time, and Brandt made sure that I was in good care. He saw the evidence of the poison immediately, and he used the magic that Reah had given to him to counteract the poison. Brandt knew that I was still very wounded, so he teleported me here to the care of the healers. They fixed me up before the wound could get any worse, although they say I might always bear a scar to remind me of the attack.”[/Color] Rhema slid around the door and slipped her arm inside of Ischarus’ elbow. [Color=PaleGreen]“Reah was with him, and all of us. And I’ve been kidding him for a while know that he’d look good in a beard. Maybe now he’ll grow one and cover over any scar that’s left.”[/Color] Semeion smiled and stepped into Brandt’s office. Charis looked up to him and returned his smile. [Color=Orange]“Well? Is she dead?”[/Color] Semeion shook his head. [Color=Plum]“No, I think that she’s quite alive. Not only that, but she’s gone completely.”[/Color] Ischarus turned sharply to look at Semeion. [Color=LightBlue]“What? After all that we went through?”[/Color] Brandt smacked the top of his desk with his clenched fist. [Color=Lime]“Of course! The bumbling fools. They forgot to look for magic. I was bothered by the fact that Allyssa didn’t seem concerned that we were getting too close. I was even concerned that the assassination attempt was actually happening when she knew that we were onto her. With all of those Yrraxean priests around, she had to have magical protection guarding her. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if she had some sort of spell that was designed to revive her and teleport her away should she be killed.”[/Color] Charis turned and looked to Brandt. [Color=Orange]“Revive her? You mean, of course, to resurrect her?”[/Color] Brandt nodded. [Color=Lime]“Yeah, that’s what I meant. She likely had a contingent spell to resurrect her and transport her away.”[/Color] Semeion looked confused. [Color=Plum]“Resurrection? Why would a god or goddess allow that to happen? I mean, if a follower of Reah dies, then they go to Reah and leave this world behind them. Why would they want to come back here? And why would Yrraxea give up her hold on a person once they have died and gone to the pit of her dark realm?”[/Color] Brandt nodded, and noticed that Rhema was paying particularly close attention. He also noticed that Ophee was listening hard for his reply as well. [Color=Lime]“You’re right, Semeion. Resurrections never happen with true followers of good gods and goddesses. Once you’ve passed on to paradise, what could convince you to come back? But the evil gods and goddesses enable the power to exist within the world as a bargaining chip. The gods and goddesses of evil are willing to make bargains in trade for worship. They allow loved ones to return under the exchange that when both the loved one and the one who bargained for their return die again the god or goddess retains possession of both. You can see why they would be interested in the release of their own dead. If releasing one dead now assures the return of two worshippers in the future, it really is just a matter of economics.”[/Color] Charis was still slightly confused by the explanation. [Color=Orange]“If that’s true, then why doesn’t Reah give that kind of deal? Think about all the loyal followers who might come to Reah under the agreement of having a loved one back?”[/Color] Brandt nodded and smiled. [Color=Lime]“I’ve often thought like that. It makes sense to us from our current position. But think about it from the perspective of the dead. What kind of act pulls someone away from absolute paradise and perfection only to return to this life? It is an act of selfishness on behalf of those of us who are still alive. We want the loved one back for our sake. If we were truly concerned about what is best for the loved one, we’d know that we want them to stay in paradise with their god or goddess. When I die, I want to stay with Reah and await the companionship of my loved ones from there.”[/Color] Rhema frowned, but secretly understood the expression. So long as people were following the paths of the good gods and goddesses, resurrection was a truly selfish act. She decided it was time to change the conversation. [Color=PaleGreen]“So what of Allyssa? Someone bargained away their own life so that she could live again. Why would they want her alive, especially since she botched the assassination?”[/Color] A pale look formed over Ischarus’ face. [Color=LightBlue]“What if we have the wrong assassination? If they went to the extreme of putting a spell upon the assassin in case she died, could they have also put a spell on her that would immediately take them to another place where one of the assassinations failed?”[/Color] Brandt and Semeion both nodded, but Brandt was the one who spoke. [Color=Lime]“It’s certainly possible.”[/Color] Semeion followed up Brandt’s confirmation. [Color=Plum]“But which one? Thanks to us, they all failed!”[/Color] The party was surprised that it was Ophee who figured it out first. [Color=Lime]“King Rupert. That is the most important one.”[/Color] [Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section] Semeion jogged with the palace guard back to the doorway below the porch. They quickly entered the palace and briskly walked down the hallway to where the battle had taken place. Blood smeared the walls and floor, but there was no other evidence of the struggle. The hallway had been cleared of people. The guard turned to Semeion and spoke. He was explaining the obvious lack of people in an attempt to assume Semeion’s question. “Those who were injured in the battle were taken to the infirmary. Allyssa was no doubt taken to a storeroom where her body could rest until the gravediggers could prepare a proper grave. No special grave, mind you. But even criminals deserve a proper burial.” Semeion smiled. “No doubt. What else would we do with a body? Can you find out where Allyssa was taken for certain? I’d like to examine her body.” The guard nodded. “Well, we’ll head down to the infirmary anyway, then. It’s my guess that those who were taken there will know where we should look.” Semeion followed the guard down the hall until the came across an intersection. The pair turned right into the more narrow side hallway. After passing several doorways, the guard motioned for Semeion to enter into a doorway to the right. As Semeion opened the door, the smell of alcohol and herbal rubs assaulted his nose. The guard entered and breathed in deeply. “I’ve always loved the smell of mint, menthol, and cleansing alcohol rubs. It cleans the nose and makes it easier to breathe.” Semeion nodded, but internally he didn’t agree. Surely he’d take the infirmary over that of a dank and musty cellar, but he much preferred the smell of a library filled with old books, parchment, and vellum. A slight smile passed over his face as he imagined his old master’s study where he first became acquainted with his favorite smell. The guard turned to the physician on duty. He was busy preparing a bandage for one of the wounded guards. “Excuse me, but can you tell me where the body of the assassin ended up? This man here wants to inspect the body.” The physician didn’t look up from the bandage that he was preparing. “She’s in the storeroom at the end of the hall. She’s furthest out of the way there and nearest to the back entrance for pick-up.” Semeion addressed the physician, breathing as shallowly as possible. “And the guard that she killed? Will we find him there as well?” This time, the physician did look up. He must not have recognized Semeion’s voice. Once he looked upon Semeion and knew the face of the man that he was addressing, the physician finished folding the bandage. He answered Semeion’s question as he approached one of the wounded guards. “No, sir. We kept the guard here in the cold room. His body will be preserved and buried honorably.” Semeion nodded and turned to the guard. “Well, then I suggest we start with the woman before she smells too much of death.” The physician motioned for the patient to hold onto the bandage and then he stood up. He crossed over to his bench and rifled his fingers through the contents of a glass jar. He removed two small cloth pouches that were about one inch square. “Depending on how long you all are planning on being in there, these pouches might help. Hold them under your nose and it’ll help keep your nose from noticing the smell of death.” The guard took the pouches from the physician, but it was Semeion who spoke. “Thank you, but I doubt that we’ll be that long.” Semeion and the guard turned and left the physician’s workroom. Semeion appreciated the lessoning of the alcohol and herbal smells once they arrived in the hallway. The guard turned him in the proper direction and they marched down the hall to the store room. The guard slipped his hand into the heavy metal handle and pulled it straight out from the wall. Once the lock was released, the guard lifted the handle up towards the ceiling. “They probably put her up near the front. The grave boys will be by before too long. They won’t want the smell infecting the rest of the stuff stored here in the room.” Semeion walked in and spotted a red stained sheet. The light yellow hue of the sheet spoke of its faded and well used nature. Semeion wrinkled his eyebrows and stopped in the middle of the doorway as he looked to the sheet. It wasn’t laying right. “It’s too flat.” The guard wasn’t ready for him to stop in the doorway, and he nearly ran into him. “What?” Semeion shook his head. “The sheet, or rather, the body. There isn’t enough room there to have a body underneath it.” Semeion slowly approached the sheet and rested his hand upon it. Sure enough, Semeion’s hand compressed the sheet until he felt the small stack of boxes upon which she had been laid. “She’s gone. The body is gone!” The guard popped his head into the room and double checked Semeion’s claim. “Someone took the body?” Semeion smiled as he looked back to the guard. “Perhaps.” He enjoyed any attempt to use his magic. “Thizzle Sooth.” Semeion began to look at the world with a newer understanding. The area just above and below the sheet appeared to glow as Semeion studied the sheet. There were two distinct auras that his eyes were picking up. Semeion talked his way through his observation. “Two distinct magical spells have been cast here. One of the spells was clearly stronger than the other. From the auras left behind, I can see that one of them was quite a powerful aura. In fact,” Semeion’s voice paused as his mind considered the information that his eyes were seeing. “One of them is teleportation magic, I’m sure of it. I need to get back to the temple and talk to Brandt.” The guard stopped Semeion. “Now, wait a minute. What do I say to my superiors?” Semeion looked over the guard’s shoulder, wishing that he was already walking down the hall. “Tell them exactly what happened. Tell them that the body has been magically removed. And tell them that if they need a person to collaborate your story that they can find me at the Temple of Reah. Tell them to ask for Master Brandt. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and speak to that same man about what I saw here.” The guard heard the urgency in Semeion’s words. “Very well. You’ll be at the Temple of Reah? Is Brandt the man that was here this morning?” Semeion nodded and brushed past the guard, who allowed him to pass. Before long, Semeion had exited Lord Ironblood’s palace estate. He knew the way back to the temple and took no time in returning. When he had climbed the steps to the temple and opened the door, he nodded politely to the acolyte that moved to greet him. “I know the way to Master Brandt’s office, thank you.” Semeion hurried down the hallway, knowing that the information he possessed needed to be sorted through. He knocked solidly upon the door and waited for Brandt to open it. To his surprise, it was actually Ischarus who opened the door. Semeion glanced at the scar left on his neck from Allyssa’s attack. “Ischarus! Good to see that the arrow didn’t do you in!” He embraced his friend in as strong of a hug as he could muster. Ischarus returned the hug and explained what had happened to him. “Reah was with me the whole time, and Brandt made sure that I was in good care. He saw the evidence of the poison immediately, and he used the magic that Reah had given to him to counteract the poison. Brandt knew that I was still very wounded, so he teleported me here to the care of the healers. They fixed me up before the wound could get any worse, although they say I might always bear a scar to remind me of the attack.” Rhema slid around the door and slipped her arm inside of Ischarus’ elbow. “Reah was with him, and all of us. And I’ve been kidding him for a while know that he’d look good in a beard. Maybe now he’ll grow one and cover over any scar that’s left.” Semeion smiled and stepped into Brandt’s office. Charis looked up to him and returned his smile. “Well? Is she dead?” Semeion shook his head. “No, I think that she’s quite alive. Not only that, but she’s gone completely.” Ischarus turned sharply to look at Semeion. “What? After all that we went through?” Brandt smacked the top of his desk with his clenched fist. “Of course! The bumbling fools. They forgot to look for magic. I was bothered by the fact that Allyssa didn’t seem concerned that we were getting too close. I was even concerned that the assassination attempt was actually happening when she knew that we were onto her. With all of those Yrraxean priests around, she had to have magical protection guarding her. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if she had some sort of spell that was designed to revive her and teleport her away should she be killed.” Charis turned and looked to Brandt. “Revive her? You mean, of course, to resurrect her?” Brandt nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I meant. She likely had a contingent spell to resurrect her and transport her away.” Semeion looked confused. “Resurrection? Why would a god or goddess allow that to happen? I mean, if a follower of Reah dies, then they go to Reah and leave this world behind them. Why would they want to come back here? And why would Yrraxea give up her hold on a person once they have died and gone to the pit of her dark realm?” Brandt nodded, and noticed that Rhema was paying particularly close attention. He also noticed that Ophee was listening hard for his reply as well. “You’re right, Semeion. Resurrections never happen with true followers of good gods and goddesses. Once you’ve passed on to paradise, what could convince you to come back? But the evil gods and goddesses enable the power to exist within the world as a bargaining chip. The gods and goddesses of evil are willing to make bargains in trade for worship. They allow loved ones to return under the exchange that when both the loved one and the one who bargained for their return die again the god or goddess retains possession of both. You can see why they would be interested in the release of their own dead. If releasing one dead now assures the return of two worshippers in the future, it really is just a matter of economics.” Charis was still slightly confused by the explanation. “If that’s true, then why doesn’t Reah give that kind of deal? Think about all the loyal followers who might come to Reah under the agreement of having a loved one back?” Brandt nodded and smiled. “I’ve often thought like that. It makes sense to us from our current position. But think about it from the perspective of the dead. What kind of act pulls someone away from absolute paradise and perfection only to return to this life? It is an act of selfishness on behalf of those of us who are still alive. We want the loved one back for our sake. If we were truly concerned about what is best for the loved one, we’d know that we want them to stay in paradise with their god or goddess. When I die, I want to stay with Reah and await the companionship of my loved ones from there.” Rhema frowned, but secretly understood the expression. So long as people were following the paths of the good gods and goddesses, resurrection was a truly selfish act. She decided it was time to change the conversation. “So what of Allyssa? Someone bargained away their own life so that she could live again. Why would they want her alive, especially since she botched the assassination?” A pale look formed over Ischarus’ face. “What if we have the wrong assassination? If they went to the extreme of putting a spell upon the assassin in case she died, could they have also put a spell on her that would immediately take them to another place where one of the assassinations failed?” Brandt and Semeion both nodded, but Brandt was the one who spoke. “It’s certainly possible.” Semeion followed up Brandt’s confirmation. “But which one? Thanks to us, they all failed!” The party was surprised that it was Ophee who figured it out first. “King Rupert. That is the most important one.” [/Sblock] [/QUOTE]
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