Subject: Re: Deliberations

Whispering in the darkness, cowering beneath a dark god's gaze. . . this was not the Path of Stone and Blood. This was the worm's way, the little maggots that crawls beneath the rock. . .

Patience, Mission reminds himself. That _was_ the way of the Path.

This was his day. Either the Path would lead him to Promise and his redemption, or he would die, and his ancestors would receive his soul. And after? Who could say?

Someone had to make a decision-- they could not stand here whispering and vacilating all night long. And Promise was his child, after all. It was his child in danger, his rejection of the Path that brought Promise to life.

His voice catches in his throat. For a moment, he falters-- and then, "I will go with Cadfael. It is madness, it is insanity. But reason has no way into the temple, that I can see."

The Path was set. And so was he. Was it fatalism, this . . . relief? For now, he knew his choice. To follow the priest into Kor Garesh's guts. To trust that Cadfael, mad, violent, disturbed Cadfael, possessed some wisdom that Mission lacked.

Trust. Hah. That was laughable. But he didn't laugh. "We should get back down the tunnel some-- back to the last intersection at least. Farron, you're sure that your magery can shield us from any patrols that may happen by?"

Listen to him. Assuming that anyone but Cadfael would want to remain the night. Mission squares his shoulders, and turns away from the light of the torches at the end of the tunnel.

Turns back into the darkness.

Mission is heading back to the intersection where Sa'id hid them using invisibility.