Cadfael and Garyth, Heading Out
Subject: Re: There's got to be a morning after; Judgements
Garyth watches in horror as the big warrior dies in agony. He flinches slightly as the scream ends, the sudden silence as palpable as a blow to the face. He is clearly shaken, as he remains staring at the charred skeleton after the rest have walked away. He shivers, then looks around and realizes he is alone. He turns and quickly leaves the tower.
As he exits, Garyth looks around and, spotting Cadfael, hurries over to him. "What happened in there? What magic were you putting on that man?"
From: Ty
Subject: Re: There's got to be a morning after; Judgements
I am going to stay out of this and let you guys play it out until you send me a plan for what you are going to do next, or you ask direct DM questions.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: There's got to be a morning after; Judgements
OOC - Excuse the old address. My Yahoo one seems to want to put all of this in one line and I don't feel like convincing it not to.
"Mon Kada is the god of blood and vengeance. An oath of blood demands blood. Garth's would serve as well as ours, the promise was fulfilled. The Blood God does not take such oaths lightly; any oath made just be fulfilled and fulfilled soon. Do not be so quick to assume that it was Pelor that struck him down."
"That said, even the small sins committed by otherwise good men can cause Pelor's blessed touch to burn even while it heals. You can all attest to that. Can you not believe that the same fire that purifies can also destroy? Garth was vile; the fact that he considered such an oath proved that. The line between health and harm is a fine one. Keep the faith in these dark lands, brothers, lest you be judged yourselves."
"I believe He got no more than he deserved. Twice he sought to strike us down. The first on a mortal scale and he received a mortal's justice -- our justice. He brought the Gods into it, not I. He invoked the power of his God and I invoked mine. Garth received nothing more than he asked for."
Through it all Cadfael's voice has the hard edge that has become characteristic when he speaks of such things, although it is somehow distant as well. It's as though he is thinking things through aloud and talking to himself as much as he his talking to the rest of you.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: There's got to be a morning after; Judgements
Garyth frowns. It seems as though the cleric is being evasive. Bah, this is madness. Cadfael has shown himself to be a worthy companion; he has risked life and limb by going on this mission to protect Overlook. No less important, he has done much to protect the party. Shouldn't he get the benefit of the doubt? And yet, Garyth cannot rid himself of this one nagging doubt. He has to know for sure. Keeping his gaze on Cadfael, he says, "You have not answered my question, brother. What spell did you cast upon him? Did you seek this result?"
From: Dan
Subject: Re: There's got to be a morning after; Judgements
Cadfael stiffens as though slapped. He looks directly at Garyth as he speaks, his voice too soft and too calm.
"What are you accusing me of, Garyth? Do you seek to lay this man's death on my shoulders so you can sleep easier? Content that you had no part in the blood that was spilled? Is this the peace that came to you while we slept? How easy for you. Save your judgements for yourself, I'll not suffer them."
Even as the words spill out of him you can see the shame at them welling up in Cadfael's eyes. After a somewhat awkward pause he continues, in a somewhat gentler tone.
"Do not think I take this lightly Garyth. I reached out to him and sought to make him whole and through me came a terrible, cold fire." He raises his hands and looks helplessly at Garyth, "I could not let go, no matter what I wanted. Though it was not my intent I felt him die in a way you cannot imagine..."
"Sometimes the Gods make harsh judgement of men but it is not for you or I to question them. I do not know the man Garth was nor what was in his heart, but I trust that Pelor saw true and Garth's fate was well deserved. Still, I do not wish to linger her."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: There's got to be a morning after; Judgements
Garyth lowers his eyes, unable to meet Cadfael's gaze. At a time like this a good leader would be bringing the group together, not sowing the seeds of discord. Garyth silently curses himself for doubting his companions.
When Cadfael has finished, there is a long, uncomfortable pause. Garyth looks up, searching the priest's face. He sees the pain there. A good leader would know what to say, but the words simply don't come. Finally, he looks away, clearing his throat.
"Can anyone see any sign of where Rennik may have gone?"
From: Ty
Subject: Re: There's got to be a morning after; Judgements
Does Garyth go looking for sign?
From: Mike
Subject: Re: There's got to be a morning after; Judgements
Yes.
I guess that would read something like: "Before anyone can answer, Garyth decides to take the initiative--like a good leader would--and look for himself."
From: Ty
Subject: There's got to be a morning after; Back on the path
Garyth does not wait for an answer to his question. He moves over to the eastern edge of the tower clearing, and begins searching. It does not take long. There is only one path through the jungle to the east, and it is well worn from frequent travel. Unless Rennik forged off through the jungle making his own path, he must have traveled this way.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: There's got to be a morning after; Back on the path
Garyth relays his findings to the group.
"We should start after him." He's clearly trying to get himself back on track, but just as clearly failing. The strain of the past night's events are heavy in his voice, but he presses on. "Rennik has a night's lead on us, but hopefully we can catch up to him. Hopefully he'll realize that he needs our help as much as we need his."
As quickly as he can, Garyth gathers his gear. He takes a step toward the path, then turns. "Shall we?"
From: Raja
Subject: Re: There's got to be a morning after; Back on the path
Sa'id watches the verbal altercation without comment, though he finds it difficult not to voice his support for Garyth. Cadfael should have been more forthcoming from the start, whatever his emotional state. They were all on edge after witnessing Garth's horrific death.
Garyth waits by the path. Sa'id speaks quickly while walking toward Garyth:
"As much I would like to take some time to mask any evidence that we were here, we should move as quickly as possible." Sa'id checks himself over to ensure that he has all of his gear with him. "I am ready, then, inshalla."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: There's got to be a morning after; Back on the path
Mission makes sure to gather his crossbow and staff and pack. Mundane things. How odd to put his collection of gear on, take up his walnut staff, check the drawstring to his crossbow, count the bolts in the quiver, while Garth lay smoldering in the tower there.
He steps carefully around Garyth and Cadfael.
We're seperating. Only the mages have anything in common, only the mages are. . . bonded. Something to admire in everyone, Mission supposes.
Could he continue protecting everyone? As he stretches, running swiftly through Foam-on-Wave and Loon-lights-on-Rapids, Mission once again contemplates striking out on his own.
No. Not him. Stay with the group, stay alive.
For now. Until. . .
Mission taps his staff on the ground. "We should get a move on. Eastward, come Rennick or Leggy Dame."
OOC: How's this for a line up?
Mission (scouting)
Garyth
Sa'id
Farron
Cadfael
From: Mike
Subject: Re: There's got to be a morning after; Back on the path
OOC: Garyth approves of that marching order.