Turn 119
Brother Bernadino breaks down into tears and rises from his kneeling position
where he has been praying. "yes I admit I scolded the man." he says defensively
"But I did not play a role in his death. I swear it!" Suddenly, a hollow voice
boojms out from the back of the chapel. "Liar! Confess your sins, ere you be
condemned to burn in the pits of hell!"
A hooded figure emerges from between the pews and approaches Bernadino. It is
a man of average build bressed in the robes of the priests. It lowers it's hood
to reveal a white pasty-looking face, it's neck twisted at an impossible angle.
It's yellow eyes burn with infernal fire and are fixed upon the trembling
Bernadino, who is paralyzed with fear.
"Randos!" Bernadino gasps. "You're dead! We killed you!"
"My body, perhaps. But not my spirit. And now Bernadino, the time has come for
you to do penance for your murderous crimes!" It then lunges for Bernadino,
oblivious to the rest of you.
Keldar, hearing that the beast is dead but walking, goes into a catatonic
stare....
Regardless of the creature's mission, Gareth witnesses only a member of the
undead, one that has been stalking and killing members of a good-aligned
diety whom his companion venerates. Not wishing to rouse Wulfgar's
irrational anger by drawing his Pikahlian-hilted blades within the temple to
Callus, the paladin charges forward with a quick "By Pikahl!" as quickly as
his legs can carry him, barreling into the creature and reaching to seize
its life-rending claws. The self-sacrificing knight uses his body as a
shield to protect the brothers of his friend's order. "Randos! Stop this
madness! Let justice, not vengance, prevail!" Gareth grunts as he grapples
with the
walking spirit.
Cole still much in awe at the sight looks on as Gareth charges
it but quickly regains composure and gives Wulfgar a tap on the
shoulder and runs to try and separate Gareth from the undead. "Wulfgar
can you try and talk to Randos" -- "Gareth
stop!! if you interfere I have no doubt that he will kill you as well
let Wulfgar
talk to him." hopefully he can
separate them before it is too late. " Someone guard Bernadino until
we can get the truth."
Arilyn runs to Bernadino and draws her sword...assuming a defensive
stance between Bernadino and Randos. She turns her head to Bernadino.
"Speak quickly, sir. Tell me what is going on or I will turn my sword
upon you and save Randos the trouble. Evil work has been at play and if
I defend you, I want to know why I am doing so." She turns...and presses
her sword to Bernadino's throat.
Jahl quickly draws a dirk into each of his hands and moves himself
between Bernadino and the struggling Randos and Gareth. Taking a defensive
position next to Arilyn, Jahl watches the dead wrestle with the warrior of
Pikahl. Surprise flashes across Jahl's face he hears Arilyn turn to
Bernadino and threaten him. Interested in the tale of treachery that would
wake a honorable man from eternal sleep, intent upon revenge, Jahl turns a
curious glance to Bernadino making no move at all to help him.
Nodding his head in Arilyn's direction Jahl simply says, "speak quick
priest. She may look sweet, but she has a short temper."
Vincas grabs the gaping Keldar and drags him away from the action.
"Reggie, help me keep Keldar clear...he's helpless in this condition!" Once
clear, he draws his sword and places himself between Keldar and the
combatants.
As Randos lunges for Bernadino, Keldar goes into shock and Vincas pulls him out
of harms way. Gareth leaps towards Randos, and grazes his ankle before falling
to the floor, and Randos completes his lunge, grappling with and then placing
his fingers around Bernadinos neck. Cole heads towards Gareth intent on
stopping him from attacking Randos, but realizes at the last second that Gareth
fell short and stops himself before he tumbles atop him. Kay pulls out her bow,
and fires an arrow towards Randos, but the arrow flies wildly as Wulfgar pushes
past her and strikes the chapel wall burying itself within. Arylin pulls her
swordand she and Jahl edge closer. Arilyn threatens Bernadino, but with Randos
fingers around his throat he is unable to respond even if he wanted to. Wulfgar
goes to Randos' side, and tries to calm him, and Randos relaxes his grip a bit
finally, allowing some air in, so a choked confession comes from Beradinos blue
lips directed towards Anselm. "Forgive me! I was jealous! Why should Randos be
granted those visions and not I? I ordered Gugliemo and Edmund to help me. We
took Randos to the slaughterhouse, and I whipped him. I didn't mean to kill
him! We threw his body off the roof to make it look like a suicide..." Anselm
quickly absolves Bernadino of his crimes, however Randos then renews his
attack, choking off whatever else he may have intended to say. Wulfgar pulls
his blade, edging closer to within striking range, still trying to talk sense
into Randos, and praying loudly to Callus. Gareth regains his footing during
this exchange.
The knight, hearing the confession roars in anger at Anselm, but grabs at
the undead's wrists to prevent the murder about to happen. "Is this how
your faith works, Wulfgar? Anselm...you...gah" Gareth finishes as her
grapples with Randos, hoping Wulfgar will be able to calm and control the
restless shade.
Arilyn is so deeply saddened by the quickly developing actions. She
evaluates the situation and steps several paces back and away from
immediate danger. Arilyn is guided by her heart and her heart tells her
to be wary and that this is a battle that she is best to walk away from.
She does not believe she is deserting her friends and stands ready to
assist if she deems necessary. A tear drips down her cheek as she thinks
of the people, in her life, whom she has looked up to and respected.
They proved to be all too 'human'...with so many human frailities. To
see Beradino...a Brother...speak of jealousy is too much for her. He
should be beyond petty jealousies but in his actions he is not. Arilyn
wonders if her expectations of humans are too high or are humans just a
pathetic race that will one day destroy themselves.
Kay keeps her distance from the fray, and moves to an area that gives her a
clearer shot of 'Dead Randy', doing this, she nearly walks into the elf,
"Hey Arilyn, what's with the face? Almost looks like you never saw a dead
guy strangling a monk before.". The warrior keeps aim at Randos, waiting for
him to lunge at Gareth or anybody else, not including Bernadinos.
Arilyn keeps her guard up and looks over to Kay. "It must be very
difficult to be human. Do you think there is any creature alive, that by
choice, would want to be one?"
Kay smirks, "You think this happens only to humans? I'm pretty sure
jealously and murder are common in most species of animals, elves
included.", She keeps her aim steady at Dead Randy.
Arilyn is mildly amused at Kay's comment...then tilts her chin up
slightly, assuming an air of superiority.
"Now don't give me that.", Kay looks back at her for a moment, "Elves aren't
that different from humans. Sure you all live a little longer, have pointy
ears, and never seem to gain weight, which is so bloody not fair. Have you
ever seen a big fat elf before? Er, I'm sure they can get jealous and even
kill, just like the rest of us."
Meanwhile,
In the corner, near Reggie, Keldar starts to whine and cry. He keeps
mumbling something about "Nick Bock and Kailin coming to get us too."
Watching the situation collapse around him, Jahl wisely decides to
remove himself from the fray. A quick glimpse over his shoulder allows
Jahl to smoothly move back to the nearest wall. Jahl's battle-stance never
faulters and his dirks remain firmly in hand.
Vincas places a calming hand on Keldar's shoulder, but he is unable to tear
himself away from the spectacle in front of him.
"Our friends are at peace Keldar...they died doing what they wanted to do.
They won't come for you."
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