Da Ghiri bowed as the princes departure. "The prince is about his duties", the priest said, "shall we be about ours?"
"Well, the way I see it, it is as it always was... no time to waste in saving the world, so let's be off. Jeeze there are a lot of big people here." The little halfling headed for the large door, hoping that someone else might have followed him out.
Kethas had been standing quietly to one side contemplating the possiblity of meeting up with a demon. That in itself scared him silly. The little he knew about them suggested that they were immune to most forms of magic and certainly he would be of little use against them. He would have to prove his worth when dealing with the minions he supposed as he tugged on the high collar of his cassock. "Well," he sighed. "It looks like we will have our jobs cut out for us. I would not suggest a frontal assault however." As he stood there he started unbuttoning his cassock. Beneath it he was wearing a traditional set of clothing. A brown tunic, beige pants, and brown boots that looked well worn and broken in. Instead of a backpack he carried a satchel of equal size over his shoulder and around his neck. It's meager contents were dwarfed by what was most certainly a large tome. "I haven't travelled much," he admitted reluctantly, "So I'll leave the directions to you. Also, if we are to ride I will have to retrieve my mount. It shouldn't take long however as it is on the way."
Jardel bowed quickly and withdrew from the main hall. He walked in stride with Da Ghiri. In an inquisitive tone he probed the priest, "Greetings friend. You seem to know the halfling Culdat from past adventures ? I am new here and have no prior friendships. If we are to succeed in banishing the evil we must know what every person is proficient in. From the looks of some of us, I can percieve their trade immediately. I for myself live by the sword, a holy warrior if you like. Humus probably does the same. Talthan seems to be a ranger. Caladan, now a fighter was once a mage. Culdat is a jack of all traits - put kindly. Kethas and you though seem to have spell casting abilities. Are these given from dieties ? I would like to know what religion you preach. Fighting hordes of monsters, especially undead and demons, makes the faith towards a good diety an almost unestimable adversary. My faith and services are devoted to Heimdall, Guardian of the Bifrost Bridge. If you care, I shall tell you of his dogma and religion, later. T’is to be a long journey till we reach the Caves of Wind."
"Yes" answered the priest, "Culdat and I have a histoory together. We are the twoo survivors of the party that rescuued Prince Edmund after he was kidnapped. I am froom the land of Kara-tur, far to the East, but have travelled theese lands befoore. Hollend summoned me when the rescuers priest fell to a band of Hoobgooblins". Da Ghiri smiled and continued, "Yoou have intuited correctly, I am a priest. My particular path is called the Tao, or the Way, thoough my people do not tend to place such strict divisions between religion and everyday life, or even betweeen different paths, as I have observed in theese lands; folloowers of the Way or the Path of Enlightenment or even the Eight Million Gods often co-exist with one anoother and even mingle, and learn froom, their faiths. I woould be honoored if yoou would share yoour faith with me".
Once the stables were reached, everyone got a glimpse at a magnificent black warhorse with chain barding for protection. A striking appearance was a vertical silver bush of hair at the forehead of the horse, resembling the beard of the Jardel. Strapped behind the saddle was a full backpack and some blankets. On the side of the stallion hung a shiny v- shaped metal shield with the symbol of a black curved musical horn on it. Patting the horses mane Jardel prepared for leaving. Once reaching the stables, Da Ghiri whispered to the stable boy about returning his roan that he was using, then stroking the animal and whispering words of greeting and asking permission before mounting and preparing to leave with his new companions.
Caladan walked over to a brown horse, patting it on the neck "Easy girl, meet our new travel companions. Let’s get you ready for our journey shall we." Caladan strapped the saddle and saddle bags on his horse. He placed a quiver and a longbow on each side of the horse and he hungs his longsword on the saddlebags too. "There you go, now we're all ready to leave." Turning towards the party he asked "I'm ready to leave now."
Talthan took a careful look at the horses before picking out one, looking for reliability and such, before choosing. " Im not sure what chance we have aginst demons but I’m all for chaseing after that dark elf mage. Hopefully we can munch them both before they munch us, but as was said before the world does not wait to be saved so let’s go !"
At the stable, Humus took a moment to examine Jardels stallion. In admiration he remarked to Jaradel, "It is a fine animal I must say." Humus then showed Jardel his mount named Valor, a medium war horse in silver color. "Yes, I am a warrior born and bred, but I am not a 'holy' warrior though. I am the same as my father before me - a cavalier. I find just, noble, and honorable causes to fight for - which may or may not be 'holy' in nature. Let us be off."
Upon overhearing the reply concerning god-given magical abilities Kethas corrected the paladin, "No, my abilities stem from years of training and natural ability combined. I am one of Lord Duras court wizards, though a minor one." His gait was strong and sure and the muscles beneath his tunic rippled as he walked within the stables. The hand that gripped the staff was covered in calluses and even looked burned in several places. He listened to Jardels story with interest while observing Jardels horse. Urgently Kethas parted company with the adventurers preparing their steeds in the stables. "I will meet you at the edge of Town once I have collected my horse." He turned and walked out of the stable headed home and to his horse. The short distance shouldn't delay things much he thought and his horse was already saddled and ready to go.... Culdat rode up from the alleyway behind the stables, mounted on his glorious little pony. He had removed his bright red vest, and now looked oddly in place with his ragged leather armor. He awaited the others while chewing on a fresh apple. After finishing the outer portions he presented the core to his mount. "Steady Luther, we'll be out after demons sooner than you know it."
As soon as the group was ready, a group of chainmail armored men carrying longswords strapped to their horses and heavy crossbows rode up to the stables. Seven in total, including a rather large, older man wearing platemail and having a huge, two handed sword strapped to his horse. They rode up quickly and confidently, stopping a few feet short of the now mounted group, "Greetings my friends, I am Kothas Sronam, a lieutenant to the new king." Motioning to the other six around him, "and these are my trusted soldiers, also personal guards to the king asked to defend you on your journey, and to guard your horses while you are inside the caves." He smiled after speaking, all the man who appeared to love the military job and getting to fight evil and injustice. He also looked quite capable of doing so also. Then looking around he frowned slightly, "I was told to meet the Company of the Seven here. Let me count. One, two, three, four, five, six, oh, I thought there was another, oh, well, he will be around I suppose, shall we move along ?" Not really expecting an answer, he headed off up the road, heading for the gatehouse. Exchanging looks of bewilderment at Kothas Sronam, the adventurers had little choice but to follow.
Meanwhile Kethas reached his home quickly though he had been forced to put his cassock back on. The wizardly garb was enough to part the crowds that typically lined the streets so that he was able to make good time. When he reached the small building he found his father hard at work at the forge and oblivious to the coronation that was to happen this day. "Dad," he called. "Is Esta ready?"
"Over there," his dad told him pointing to the back of the building. Kethas pulled off the cassock once more as he turned the corner and saw his horse. She was an ugly thing, her coat was a mottled brown with black splotches and there was a white stripe that started at the tip of her nose and ran up her forehead over one eye and down the side of her neck ending at the base of her mane. She was strong however and trained by Lord Duras best man so Kethas knew that she would be a steadfast companion. She already had his saddle bags and his larger pack attached as he pulled himself into the saddle and looped his staff into a holder that would keep it from falling as he rode. One quick look in the saddle bag at his left and he was off. He arrived at the gate of the city shortly afterwards and found a shady spot where he and Esta could wait on the others.
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