Q'Barra: Facing Truth Chapter 2

[Shayuri]

Trebuchet seems interested by Kaelan's words and as unobtrusively as a grinding, damaged warforged can, he moves closer to listen to their conversation.

 

[BRP2]

Charles looks around, returns his spear into a safely attached position, and cuffs his bloody wrists. Hmmm, not so bad! He smiles brightly to everyone in the room, which quickly fads when he notices no one is feeling it. Well, ahem, anyway... we survived. The help was incredible and I'm grateful. Now, let us get our statue., he quickly walks toward to Trebuchet to help him by.

 

[Yeoman]

"I worship my brother like you worship Dol Arrah, but I am my own person. I wish to remain myself though I emulate him to honor his memory. I am scared that perhaps some day he may come to control me. He was a great warrior, and if he would possess me, he may get me killed. What do you know of sprits controlling the living?"

"While the other priests are more knowledgeable in matters of possessing spirits, I have to ask. Is it really him possessing you that makes you worry? I don't think spirits are necessarily malevolent in their intentions, and if he did take a more serious hand in your actions, wouldn't it be in his own best interest to keep you alive? I can see how it is disconcerting to have your body....react in the ways it is, but so far it seems to be in way that is directly benefiting you. In fact, with the attacks Janus was landing on the rest of us, I'd say that is what caused you to avoid death." Catherine pauses, unsure of herself. "Perhaps it would be for the best if you spoke to one of the more experienced clerics at the academy. If you aren't comfortable with them, you can speak with Knight Jarnell. As a paladin, she'll keep anything you say in confidence if you ask her to, and she taught me a lot about spirits and the like, so I'm sure she'll be able to help you."

Catherine points back down the hall. "Let's get back to the others. With some to rest, and some new spells tomorrow, I'll see what I can do about any remaining injuries or lasting effects from the poison. Let me help you back there. Just lean on me for now." Once he does, she whispers. "I think we were heard. Let's just keep this between us for now. Ok?"

 

[Rolzup]

A troubled Darrick considers his sword for a moment, turning it slightly to catch the light, before sheathing it with a sigh. So much for my "skills" he thinks sourly to himself. I may as well not even been there, for all the use I was!

Not again, dammit. Never again. I need to push myself, train harder and better. I'm not going to let them down.

Shaking his head, Darrick turns to Charles and offers a rather brittle smile. "You're right, we won," he says quietly, "and that's what really matters. As soon as we'll all ready," he continues, raising his voice a bit, "We should go on, see if we can find the idol, and get out of this place."

 

[Pebele]

With Catherine's help, Kaelan feels that he is stable. He has no new symptoms and his current ones are unchanged.

As Kaelan and Catherine return to the room, the sibling mercenaries speak. "We will show you the hidden door." "And then take our leave." "Our contract with you..." "...Is over."

Ducerne gently claps Darrick on the back, and nods to him. Quietly, "You fought with bravery, son. That is as important as skill, and not so easy to learn." He then straightens and addresses the group. "Whatever aid Alicia and I can provide to you, we will. I owe you a great debt for sparing us, and for helping me to right my wrongs."

Alicia gapes at Ducerne. "We'll do what?" After a sharp look from Ducerne, she grumbles. "Yeah, yeah, fine. Help the kids. Right."

The Captain and Tarshana have moved over to the merchants. "We thank you for freeing us. However, while we are very grateful for the help, we also have other duties to attend to. We will have to part ways here."

The mercenaries approach the merchants as well. "We will help you..." "...Reach your destination." "This will clear..." "...Our conscience."

 

[Rookseye]

Seeing Darrick's crestfallen expression, and understanding on some level his self-doubt and frustration, the affable Sepoto returns to the fore, and he places one calloused hand upon the young knight's shoulder.

"Master Othos once told me a saying held in regard by those of his order, men among the people from beyond the sea and mountains from whence you came, Darrick:

'Wisdom is discovered from failure more often than from success. One who has never failed has never made this discovery'.

There will come a time when what you have learned from these trials will make a great difference. Do not despair; merely be ready for the opportunity when it comes."

Sepoto smiles and approaches the twins, Captain, and Tarshana.

"You have our thanks, whole and deep as the sky and true as the mountains. We would never have prevailed without your aid."

Looking at the mercenary twins, he shakes his head.

"You have no conscience to clear, friends, we may have set the Captain and Tarshana free, but it was you who set yourselves free, when you chose to do what was right. Sepoto offers apologies for the lie he spoke when we first met. It is usually not his way."

 

[EvolutionKB]

Kaelan

Kaelan accepts Catherine's help, but before much longer he is able to walk without much trouble, his wounds were mostly healed, but he still felt weak and slow. As long as there was no more fighting today they would be fine. He smiles at Catherine, "If people heard us, that would be okay. No secrets among friends right? If we are to continue working as a machine it would be a help if we all knew of each others...abilities."

Once they return to the room and hear the twins offer, Kaelan nods. "Yes, please show us the door. Thanks again, we really needed you two back there." Kaelan then looks to the merchants, The Captain, and Tarshana. "You would know that there are others looking for you, make haste for home, and go safely."

Finally, Kaelan speaks to Durcerne and Alicia. "You are more than welcome to help us search this place for valuables. Perhaps after we are finished you two can take up residence at the Academy...At least for a while anyway."

Remembering the ruined bodies of the three leaders, Kaelan says, "What about these three? We need to strip them of any valuables and go through this place with a fine toothed comb. Perhaps there was some sort of log to whom some of the stolen items may belong." Kaelan begins looking over the bodies, first of Janus. When he is satisfied he says, "I am ready now, whenever we wish to depart."

 

[Yeoman]

Catherine points to her party members, "While I help Kaelan, why don't the rest of you search the dead here. Perhaps they have something of value for us. When you're done, we'll get going."

Once the party is done, "Let's find this door, and check it out. The sooner we move, the sooner we are out of this accursed temple. We'll make camp tonight and celebrate our victory and our successful recovery of the idol! Thanks for your assistance in our fight, without our combined forces, I don't think any of us could have handled it. May Dol Arrah bless your path."

 

[Pebele]

The mercenaries look over the group. "We will show you the door now." "What you do after that is none of our concern."

They lead the group out the eastern door, then down past the armory to the central area of the temple. They search for a few moments before Marcus presses on part of the wall. The wall suddenly opens, revealing some stairs. The group cannot make anything else out, as there are no lights in the passage.

"We have never gone inside." "But Janus obviously did not know it was here." "Our contract is complete." "Merchants, we will escort you now."

Tarshana, Captain and the two merchants move aside, close to the mercenaries. They nod to the party, before nodding to the mercenaries that they are ready.

Ducerne and Alicia peer in to the passage. "I did not know about this. I wonder where it leads?"

 

[Shayuri]

"If the idol is of great value to those who built the temple, it would be tactically sound to hide it behind such a concealed door," Trebuchet observes.