Spirits in the Material World

[Brian]

"Didn't you get your message last time, heathen dog?" the man growls.  "The Church of the Gate demands that you surrender your depraved ways, or we shall end you.  How could this message be made clearer?"  As he says this, he shifts his sword to a ready-position, though he does not visibly tense.

[Bjorn]

"Yes, yes," Bjorn snaps back in return.  "But there are none of these 'heathen dogs' about at the moment, and as such I expect quite a bit more of you, both in terms of respect and of explanations.  Now, put your sword down, and tell me what your orders were!"

[Bjorn]

"Yes, yes," Bjorn snaps back in return.  "But there are none of these 'heathen dogs' about at the moment, and as such I expect quite a bit more of you, both in terms of respect and of explanations.  Now, put your sword down, and tell me what your orders were!"

[Brian]

The man squints, as if in confusion.  "Very simply, to warn you before we liberated your people from the yoke of your uncouth ways.  To give you that chance to convert, and accept the authority of the Church of the Gate."

[Bjorn]

"Do not speak to me in that tone," Bjorn replies frostily.  "I am fully aware of the goal of conversion.  But you, you blithering incompetent, you have managed to take the one approach that might actually put some spine into the backs of these heathens.  Were you told to come barging in here, antagonizing matters?  Under what bleeding authority?"

[Brian]

"I don't care if you're compliant or not," the man sneers, lumbering to his feet, sword in hand.  "Your loss is inevitable.  Either things will be faster with threats of force, or through use of force.  Now unless you want to fight, leave.  I'm not in a mood to argue semantics with a man who doesn't even understand the value of wearing a shirt."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn sighs heavily.  "Oh, sit down, you brute," he says in a disgusted tone.  "We're working towards the same end.  Weren't you told I was here?"

OOC: Even in the face of absolute failure of the plan, NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER SURRENDER!

[Brian]

"The...."  He blinks, obviously taken aback by this approach.  "Same end?"  He looks totally puzzled.  "What are you talking about?"

[Bjorn]

Rather than puzzled, Bjorn's expression is purely incredulous.  "You don't know?"

[Brian]

The churchman is off guard.  "I followed my orders," he says with a snap.  "They said to intimidate you, to make sure that compliance was demanded."  He pauses.  "What were your orders?  Who gave them to you?"

[Bjorn]

Now it is Bjorn's turn to be hesitant, as he appears to mull over the question.  "I... my mission was to be a secret," he says.  "I never thought they'd send someone through without...I'm probably not even supposed to be talking to you."  He scowls.  "Who gave you your orders?"

[Brian]

The knight grunts, his expression twisting into a grimace as he drops the sword.  "High Priest Kerrik Powel," he answers, though he still looks confused.  "What....  What are you here for?"

[Bjorn]

"I was supposed to convert the heathens," Bjorn lies glibly.  "To make them trust me, and then to show them that the only true way was that of the Church."  He scowls.  "If I'd had only one more year... where are you headed now?"

[Brian]

"Back to the garrison," he says slowly.  "We're gathering knights to prepare for the battles."

[Bjorn]

"Is the high priest there, or...?" Bjorn asks, rubbing his temples.