Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife

"Sa'id, friend, I don't even know what I should be protected *from* at this point. Unless it's everyone of you and everything I see. What kind of protection do *you* have?" With that he will quietly roll up the scroll and store it back in the case in his pack. He remembers the queasy, filthy, feeling he got just reading the language on the infernal scrolls way back at the halfling camp what seems like weeks ago. He is not eager to have that feeling again, or, as Cadfael intimates, worse. He is not eager to go blind, or perhaps insane.

Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife

I think we are just waiting on Dan now that Mission has released him.

Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife

Cadfael leans forward forcing Mission's fingers hard against his throat so that his words come out sounding strangled and choked by more than just his tears, "So you are against me as well, Mission. You set me free and condemn me for your son. You have done me no favors Mission, none at all. It seems your feet are still set upon Pelor's path, as they have always been."

Making no sudden movements he turns to face Mission, a strange smile on his face, "But where is Promise? Why, right where you left him, cradled in your lover's womb. Follow her call as you followed it before and you shall lead me to him."

"And what a time we will have! The halflings will line up for the slaughter. They were bred for death, by our hands or their own, it makes no difference. They are already dead though they may not yet know it. The undead will trip over their bodies and slip on their blood. There will be plenty of corpses for you, Sa'id, all their secrets left open for you to explore at your leisure. Garyth will have the opportunity to die for his country and Farron can finally scurry back home. And with all this joy and glory they call this place a pit of hell?"

His eyes shining he clasps Mission's wrist, "In 3 days time, Brother, Anilith will birth your son into the Light's Blood and your hand will grapple with living flame to keep his dagger at bay. And for me..."

A dark fire burns in Cadfael's eyes and he tightens his grip on Mission's wrist, his fingernails carving blood from the Monk's flesh, "I am marked with Light and Blood and all Gods welcome me to their breasts. For in me Pelor and Kor Garesh meet. I have safe passage through all places lit with Darkness and will bring True Light to Anilith to tear the babe from the False. Her guardians will let me through though the rest of you will find no path."

He releases Mission and jerks away from his hand, "Come then Mission. You've set the path with stone and now our blood must flow down it. Gods do not wait and it all takes place in 3 days time. 3 days is not so long and we MUST be in place or you will have made me suffer for nothing."

With renewed purpose Cadfael wades through the water, seemingly unaware of it and retrieves his shield. "Now then, Rennik, guide us to your people, guide Mission to his fate and guide me to my peace."

Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife

A quick change:

If Mission moves to strike me or keep hold of me I won't walk to my shield, but will release his wrist and finish the line standing where I am.

Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife

That wasn't an answer. That was a riddle. Mission stills his annoyance and anger. Cadfael looked to have regained some of his verve, at least. Mission lets him move away from him.

Pelor and Kor Garesh-- sand and shadow. And they had his son. Mission didn't care which one he had to fight-- light and fire and darkness, what did they matter against Stone? Scorch it, smother it, it was still Stone. Unyielding, constant, powerful, supportive.

Sand take him, he was beginning to like the mages better than Cadfael. For all their magery, they at least spoke Common commonly. None of this riddling in the dark, theatrics built on hysteria. Sand. Cadfael would make a fair bard, if only he were more handsome.

Three days, if Cadfael was to be trusted. And for now, Mission does not see a way to retrieve his son without trusting Cadfael. So he will shake off the pain in his shoulder, and follow the priest.