Shackled City - Chapter III

[Mimic]

"If you do not, then I will not be able to follow your orders Cudgel, as I will not follow a person I do not respect."

It would seem to be turning into one of those days, first the elven wizard and now Zeric. "Some days are more of a test then others. Cuthbert give me the strength to pass this test you have sent my way." Althron thinks to himself as he sits down beside the intense young man, not breaking eye contact as he does.

"I can speak to Keygan as you want but I am not sure what you expect to happen. He has confessed to his crimes and I have faith that St. Cuthbert and the church will met out a fit punishment to his crimes. I do not presume that I am wise enough to know what that is at this time." Althron pats Zeric on the shoulder before standing up again. "I hope you know, I did not request to High Priestess Urikas that you should defer all your decisions to me and I am not liking it even though she did." He pauses for a moment as if coming to a decision.

"You seem to be floundering Zeric, you search for something that will give purpose to your life and I hope that St. Cuthbert will be that but you still think like a follower of Hextor, they want nothing but blind obidence, no questions, the stong rule the weak. St. Cuthbert isn't like that. Aye the law must be obeyed, the wicked punished, but we have the right, nay the obligation to question what is before us or we become everything we fight against. So when Keygan is given his punishment and if it isn't what I think it should be I will say so to High Priestess Urikas regardless of what may happen." Althron pauses as he studies the man before him, wondering if he was getting through, he hoped he was but it was going to be a up hill battle no matter what.

"Tell me, what punishment do you think the gnome truely deserves and why?"

 

[Verbatim]

"Cuthbert and I have an understanding priest, and while it may seem odd to you, I understand the role that he has for me. I will question the things I must, but there will be a time when you must also trust that his might will make right."

Looking down at his thickly calloused hands, Zeric sighed as he stood up from the pew.

"I want Keygan to craft a new set of locks for the orphanage and pay to have them enchanted with only Mistress Gretchen knowing the word to unlock them. The staff has never had a key to them before, nor should they now, but the children need to know that they are safe again when they close their eyes to rest. No child needs to live in fear of the dark. I also want him to craft a similar set of locks for those we have returned, but there is no need for them to know of his actions. He needs merely tell them the Church has requested his assistance in this matter, and he was more than willing to help. Lastly, the church is to have free access from his shop to Jzaridune. We will try to keep our visits to the undercity as scheduled as possible, but with the slaver gone, I think the exploration of the city would be a good chance for the junior priests and legates to see more than just the inner workings of the church."

Softening his gaze only slightly, Zeric looked around the church and then back to Althron.

"Justice is what I feel he deserves Althron, justice tempered with common sense with the potential to have a greater cause grow from it. Nothing more, nothing less."

 

[Mimic]

"Aye, that is a fitting punishment but what of the others that we rescued along with the children, shouldn't they get some form of justice and if so what? Also if Keygan had refused would that had changed anything except for his death? It is true that his cowardness made it easier for the skulks but would his death stopped it?"

Althron pauses for a minute as a sadness enters his features. "Unfortunately we can not protect everyone all the time, we do what we can with what we have and try to bring as much justice as can in the process. Sometimes that means we must take it upon ourselves and at other times it is trusting in St. Cuthbert and others that justice will be seen."

Shaking himself slightly, a smile creeps back into his face. "You and Cuthbert have an understandin do you? Unless you run in much higher circles than I do, how do you know what St. Cuthbert really wants from you? I be thinkin that he wants your faith as well as your sword arm."

 

[Majin]

Skye's face takes on a hint of concern, the bard notices, as he explains the party situation and the whereabouts of the others. She smiles slightly though and nods as Elyas greets her. "Indeed I am, Elyas... of the Machera's!" her voice squeaks, in sudden recognition of Elyas' lineage. Her smile brightens immediately as she looks between the bard and sorcerer. "You do keep exalted company after all Orpheus!" she nods again, and returns a beaming smile back to the confused face of Elyas.

 

[Verbatim]

Zeric felt his frustration rising as the dwarven priest kept agreeing that his suggestions had merit, but then spoke of them being too far beyond what could be done. Zeric knew that if he could have five minutes alone with the gnomish locksmith, Keygan Ghelve would gladly do anything the church asked of him.

~Yet you still think like a follower of Hextor...~

"When we faced the slaver, I made a deal with Cuthbert. I promised him my life in return for the death of Kazmojen, and I know the deal was accepted as the slaver fell before us. Cuthbert does have my faith, but I know that I am to be his sword in the days to follow. You are his priest and it is your job to take his word to the masses, but I am no priest, nor shall I ever claim to be more than what I am. Priestess Urikas knew the measure of this when she sent me below to retrieve the children. She did not send me because I could quote the scriptures, but because I would bring Cuthbert's justice upon those who would prey on the innocent and weak."

Turning his gaze to the door behind them, Zeric felt he had said all he could.

"I know you did not ask for what Priestess Urikas has done, nor do I fault her for her decision. I am no leader Althron, I will do as you ask of me, but know there will be times that our views will not be the same. Cuthbert has given you your path, as he has given me mine. I trust you will do what you can about in regards to Ghelve, let us now do what we can for the city."

 

[Dhes]

Puzzled about skye’s reaction on hearing his name, “You know my parents good lady?”

 

[Velmont]

"If you are all willing to give the other order a chance to join back the alliance, let it be. But I would not put much hope in it."

Leanthas take the last sip of his drink.

 

[kirinke]

"If you are all willing to give the other order a chance to join back the alliance, let it be. But I would not put much hope in it."

Leanthas take the last sip of his drink.

Alinis nodded in agreement. "It doesn't hurt to try. And if all else fails, we can try it your way." she smiled. "Never knew those lessons in politics would come in handy one day," she added, almost to herself.

 

[Mimic]

"I mean no disrespect to any deals you might have made with St. Cuthbert lad but since you dinna drop with the slaver I think maybe he has more in store for you then just a sword arm and just remember that faith is two way street, just as the gods need our faith we have to be open to their faith. Even if you aren't a priest."

"I know you did not ask for what Priestess Urikas has done, nor do I fault her for her decision. I am no leader Althron, I will do as you ask of me, but know there will be times that our views will not be the same. Cuthbert has given you your path, as he has given me mine. I trust you will do what you can about in regards to Ghelve, let us now do what we can for the city."

"Good, I wouldn't want it any other way. Although I think you would make a good leader if you set your mind to it and if you learned to relax every now and again, how you don't have grey hair is beyond me." Althron gives him a friendly smile trying to lighten the mood. "What you be needin is a dwarven ale, that will get you to relax. But for now the city needs a savin and its up to us bold advertures to come to the rescue, which reminds me, if we are to be up to our necks in it we should be thinkin of a group name." Althron will continue the small talk as they walk back to where the elves are sitting.

 

[Verbatim]

Zeric followed the dwarven priest through the halls of the church, but kept quiet for the majority of the walk. It was not that he minded the priest talking, but he knew he truly had nothing to say in return. When they came into view of the elves sitting at the breakfast table, Zeric nodded to them both but allowed Althron the right of telling them it was time to press onwards into the city.