Spirits in the Material World

[Brian]

"Kerrick is at the High Church," the knight says, squatting back by the campfire, and starting to sharpen his blade again.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn nods, as if that means something.  "Is he going to come to supervise the conversion?  Or is it entirely in your hands?"

[Brian]

"I was merely told to send a message," he says thoughtfully.  "It seems that you aren't working for him, though."  The knight sets his sword on the ground, eyes narrowing.  "IT must be Tritheim," he snarls, almost under his breath.  "This is a breech of protocol...."  Then he trails off, frowning.  "I don't understand," he finally says.  "This makes no sense."

[Bjorn]

"Nor to me," Bjorn says.  "I think I must consult for further orders."  He grimaces, then.  "First I have to return to the savages.  I managed to slip away this night, but if I'm supposed to still work from inside, then I'll need to make some excuse for a protracted departure."

Checking over his shoulder, he adds, "For that matter, I should leave now, before one of them takes it in his head to come looking for me.  Once I understand the situation, with your permission, I'll be in touch."

[Brian]

"O...of course," the Templar says, nodding.  "By the Creator's grace."

[Bjorn]

"By his Grace," Bjorn echoes, nodding back.  He turns to leave, but stops, looking back with a slightly sheepish grin.  "Might I have your name?  I imagine that I might find some difficulty when I visit the garrison, and I would hope that you could perhaps vouch for me when the time came."

[Brian]

"I am Rinaldo, Second Captain of the High Church, here," he says with a frown.  "And your name?"

[Bjorn]

"For the moment," Bjorn says with a bit of a grimace, "I am using the name Bjorn.  My orders, unfortunately, prevent me from properly introducing myself at the moment."  

Inclining his head, he repeats, "By the Creator's grace," before slipping back into the darkness.  Assuming Rinaldo does not try to stop him, he makes for a good safe distance before hunting around again for Din.

[Brian]

Din is found some distance beyond earshot of Rinaldo, though he looks very troubled.  He says nothing, merely falling into step behind Bjorn with a weary trudge.  He's following silently for almost a minute before Bjorn even notices him.

[Bjorn]

Safely away from Rinaldo, Bjorn relaxes, and once again lets himself perceive the Dream, with the change of his eyes following.  He studies Din's face for a moment.  "You fear that I spoke the truth to the Churchman, and that I lied to you and your people."  It's a statement, not a question.

OOC: Back to Possessed Eyes (3 CP), Anchor Sense (6 CP), and 6 CP of Mental Defenses.

[Brian]

"Yes," Din says unhappily.  "That is just so."

[Bjorn]

There is a thoughtful pause.  "You have seen me arrive," Bjorn says gently.  "It must either be that I am a spirit, or that I am still Bjorn, and Bjorn was a servant of the Church.  You have seen me speak to the spirits, which the Church says must not be done.  I have spoken no words that have been flattering to the Church, tried no deception such as I described.  You have no reason to believe the words I spoke to your enemy were true."

He looks over at Din, and in the poor light, his eyes are simple cavernous pits of dark.  "I am a warrior spirit.  To vanquish my foes, I will lie and treat as well as fight.  Tonight I have sown confusion in their minds, and I have taken information while giving none.  There is a path now for me to strike through where there was none before.  Tonight I fought for you and yours, and tonight I won.

"But these are words."  He looks away.  "I only say out loud what the world already is.  I think that perhaps you feel doubt not because you cannot see the world, but because you are afraid.  The Church threatens all you hold dear, and your only hope is a spirit unknown to you who rides the flesh of your teacher.  Who would dare to feel hope in such dark times?  It is easier to reach for despair, for then the worst would come as no surprise.

"My words cannot end your fears.  I cannot make you trust me.  But then, I do not need your trust.  Whether you heed my words, whether your shun me, I will fight the Church and I will protect your people.  That is why I am here.  Your death is mine."

[Brian]

"I follow," Din replies simply.  "Where do we go next, war-spirit?"

[Bjorn]

Bjorn glances over his shoulder.  "Not far, I think.  Let us go off some distance where the Churchman will not see us, and then rest for the night.  In the morning, I think we must part ways: I to hunt, and you to tell yours how you might hold off the Churchmen."

[Brian]

"Very well," Din says in a tight voice.  "What do I tell the people of our village?"