A Festering Wound

The party accepted the priestess's offer. Claiming some of the temple's bedding as its own and sharing the gifted soup. Soon the party found themselves split up, all preparing for their night's rest. Sol walks through the village, not all stains of blood yet washed by the weeping clouds. Children cluster together, searching for leftover food.

A familiar ethereal presence walks next to him, cane in his hand. "You look somber, Little Ed." Cornelius says.

"What am I, Cornelius? Can I truly fit in somewhere?" Sol responds looking at the sky, soon another night will beckon.

"You are special. You're aware of that yourself. It's the cause of your struggle but also the source of your strength."

"Well, not as strong as you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have lost consciousness... Thank you." Secessus stops before one of the children who's praying in the cold streets. Their gaze affixed to the sky, their mutters wishing for strength. "There's a temple." Sol says as he faces the child, no more than 12.

"The roof blocks my prayers. Otherwise, they would've been answered." The young boy responds, his dirty clothes not helping against the cold wind.

"Faith doesn't work that way. But what are you praying for?"

"Strength, to stand up. To kill tho… Those bastards!" The young boy's eyes are laced with venom, the same wrath Secessus had reflecting in his eyes.

"How much are you willing to give up?" Secessus asks as he sits himself down next to the child.

"What?"

"How much will you give up? If I told you I can give you your desired vengeance? What would you do for it? How would you earn it?"

"I don't have to earn it. It is my right!" The child yells back infuriated, not attracting any attention. Screams and cries are already familiar enough in this town.

"You're weak and poor. You have no rights. You can yell whatever you want and nothing will change. And when time passes your wish will die. Just like a sick boy wishing to be healed. Your vengeance will fade, like everything else." Secessus stands up, considering the conversation over. He walks away, Cornelius by his side as the same child rushes over, pulling on his shirt.

"What do I have to do? To earn it?" The child asks, tears forming in his eyes. His bloodstained shirt even more disorderly than before.

"When midnight hits, stand before the temple. If your will is unshaken, then I will show you." Secessus says as he hits the young boy's hand off his shirt. Continuing his walk around the village.

"What are you planning to do?" Cornelius asks as the child is out of sight. Standing in front of Secessus, not allowing him to walk past. Secessus's aura shifts, bloodlust slowly creeping as the dark mixed with dark red aura spikes. Cornelius steps aside, Secessus continuing his path.

"You've become quite invasive, haven't you? Were your whispers to aid me and support me a tool? A way to gain my trust before you stab me in the back as well?"

"I would never!" Cornelius yells without any facade, his ethereal aura shimmers with his outrage.

"Never? I wouldn't know. I don't know anything about you after all. Perhaps you're the next one to take a swing." Secessus says as he walks out of the boundaries of the small village. His knees brush against the bushes.

"Where are you going?"

"To rest for a bit. Don't follow me.... I mean it." He says without turning around, his dark-cloaked aura engulfing the leaving figure.

****

In the chambers at the temple. The mutters and quiet are disrupted. The new travelers bring a new atmosphere, one not of grievance.

"You cannot be serious!" Tika yells against the older noble, Cristal standing in between them. The arcane wizard sits down, her legs crossed as she breathes slowly. "You want to stay and help these people? Asking us to deal with the deserters?"

"It would be well compensated." The grand duke stands tall, grabbing some books he brought along. "Besides, we're here anyway."

"We cannot stay stationary, word will have spread to your assassins that you passed Enver not long ago. Do you expect them to truly not find us here?"

"If they do, you will simply have to do your duty."

"You're going to get us killed." Tika says before fixing her gaze on Cristal. "Tell him, Cristal. Please." The paladin sighs at the situation. Before speaking to the grand duke.

"May I speak plainly?"

"You may."

"Frankly your grace. What you're doing is illogical and irresponsible. This mission was given to us since there was such importance on the matter. Your penance is late and simply unwanted."

"Now it's late? After receiving all your critics and filthy gazes. But nooo... Now my actions are too late? I will remind you all, you are employed by me. I will decide how we act and what we do. If I decided to embrace my duties, then you will simply have to embrace yours as well. Isn't that what everyone wants?" The grand duke turns around and storms out of the room. Joining the elder priestess in a more pleasant conversation.

"That man, he's going to be our downfall." Tika says.

"Either him or the other one." Cristal says as she sits down next to Tika.

"I miss the old days. You know… The days before…" Tika brings her knees closer to her chest unable to finish her sentence.

"Me too, Tika… Well, I guess everyone does. Do you think we're making a mistake? Putting our faith in him… Trusting him. We know he's a killer."

"Perhaps but I believe him to be more tragic than pure anger or bloodlust. I heard his aura cry in the wind, it wasn't murderous intent but anguish." Tika moves closer next to the doubtful Cristal, putting her arm around her friend. "Perhaps… He might just be like us. It could be why Pallas sent him to us."

Cristal stands up, gently pushing away the arm of Tika. "I hope so. May one prayer finally come to fruition in this damn forsaken place." She says as she goes to the main hall of the temple, keeping an eye on the grand duke.