Subject: Confessions?

As the Sunmaster speaks of purity and confession, Sa'd struggles to keep his face composed [Bluff]. Fellus' presence was comforting, immensely so, but would his forgiveness and grace be so readily granted if he heard the thoughts that had been lurking in Sa'id's mind?

Flame and death, misgivings about the creation of undead, resentment toward Pelor. These had all been churning in his mind, consciously or otherwise, since their last stop at Gully's. What did these thoughts amount to?

Treachery.

The realization rushes through him, leaving no room for disbelief or rationalization. He dreamt it, but then only half-remembered when he awoke after the battle with the wraiths. A dream of an army of undead abominations at his command, a dream of slaughtering his own companions and... what? Where is Melancthnagesh in this dream?

Absent.

Imprisoned? Destroyed? Does it matter? Could I unconsciously have planned to follow this course, help Pelor imprison the Devourer, only to seek to replace the mighty demon? Does my arrogance know no bounds?

This is madness. I must be losing my mind. This is just Melancthnagesh trying to poison me, turn me against the others.

Is it? Don't I -- haven't I always -- craved the kind of power he represents, and tried to avoid it for that same reason?

I'm not sure.

Sa'id does not speak, and instead listens to the others make their promises of confession.

OOC: Sa'id will wait until everyone else has promised to confess. If they all do, he will add his own voice to the chorus of promises. If not, he will say nothing for the time being.

Subject: Re: Confessions?

Garyth raises an eyebrow at the halfling words coming out of the Sunmaster's mouth. It seems the old man had surprises yet--maybe Pelor really would see him through to the mountain.

"I will give you my confession, Sunmaster," he says. "But . . ." It slips out before Garyth can catch himself. He doesn't turn to see if Osred or the Falcons noticed. It would be an admission of the doubt gnawing at him, and to see their commander wavering might make the men begin to lose their resolve. They might hesitate or give in to their own fears at the wrong moment.

Fellus' admonition had only made Garyth's worry increase--shepherding the people of Overlook and fighting the demon's soldiers had taken everything he had. And even at that, he had still not succeeded. People under his care and men under his command had suffered and died despite his best efforts. Against the Dark One, himself, what chance had he?

All of this needed to be said. The Sunmaster had to know what lay in the hearts of his companions. But not where the men could hear it.

"But... I must see to our perimeter first," Garyth finishes, his words sounding lame in his own ears. Hopefully it was enough. He signals to the Falcons and leads them outside to take up their sentry posts again.