The goblin shaman watched as Gala ran from the cave and Aloysius made his flamboyant suggestion to go as well. Only Jana seemed inclined to stay. The shaman muttered a quick prayer and, before anyone could react, he told Jana, "Flee!" The injured warrioress complied immediately, running past Aloysius and then nearly running into Torro farther up in the cave.
Torro managed to stay on his feet and keep his bow at the ready. He risked a quick glance back as Jana fled the cave. "Hmmm...," thought Torro, "Someone I haven't met yet. I wonder who she is." Then Torro saw Aloysius approaching him.
Aloysius stepped back as Jana sped by so she wouldn't run him over. The magic-user glanced cooly towards the shaman and then headed back towards Torro. "Come Strongbow," he said to the red-haired archer, "let us depart this hole. I find these "hosts" not hospitable." With that, the purple haired man continued towards the entrance of the cave without paying attention to whether Torro was coming or not.
Most of the group had already assembled outside the cave. Pug's body had been lain in the driest spot Kaileer could find, but even that wasn't very dry. A tear-streaked Gala came running from the cave, closely followed by a wounded Jana running like the fires of hell were nipping at her heels.
Once out of the cave, Jana stopped, looking somewhat confused. Her expression turned to surprise, then quickly twisted into rage. "Son of an orc-sucking bitch!" she growled. Snarling and breathing heavily, she carefully replaced her mace at her belt and drew her bastard sword. Completely ignoring the crowd around Pug, she stalked back toward the cavern entrance.
Torro started to retreat, walking backwards keeping his bow and arrows pointed towards the goblins, being careful not to trip during his backwards walk. He made it to the entrance of the cave when Jana re-appeared carrying a bastard sword.
Azrun listened to the story of what had happened inside the cave area. He glanced up to see Jana flee from the cave and Gala leave crying. He started toward Gala when he saw Jana turn and pull her sword and head back for the cave. He loked around quickly and pointed toward her, "Um, folks...someone needs to stop her before she ges herself killed too." He saw Torro make a bee line for her and decided to check on Gala.
He approached Gala slowly trying to figure out how to handle the situation. He finally decided with the direct approach and went up to her and put his hand upon her shoulder to try to comfort her.
Kaileer looked and shook his head as the woman charged back in. "Not can stop human when human want die," he said then returned to watching the horizon.
Azrun turns back to Kaileer as he heads off to help Gala, "Yeah....well, a friend would still try."
"That why friend Arzun not go in cave," the elf asked with an even tone.
"Friend Azrun knew better to run into a dark cave during the middle of a fight when he can't see and most of those in it can't see either. Not everyone has your eyesight, Kaileer." He turned and went on to help Gala.
The ranger doesn't look terribly impressed but turns away and goes to retrieve his bow next to Pug. "How far temple," he asked the 'selunatic' after looking at the fallen gnome for a moment.
Gala looked at Kaileer and at the newcomer, "Temple?" she queried, "of Selune?"
Knelt near the deceased gnome, Lasiar watches silently as the others withdraw from the cave and rejoin their friends. He shakes his head slightly, unsure if he should try to comfort them, but Kaileer's question catches him off guard and he turns his head, and answers hesistantly, "Um.. the closest temple dedicated to Selune would be in Scornubel, as Arachne indicated, but it is 8 days travel from here and is merely a seasonal shrine. With Selune's Blessing, we might encounter one of her most faithful, and Pug may be raised. Otherwise we should seek out a temple of another faith. We should discuss this when everyone has calmed down and gathered around. But first, I shall see to the injured and treat them." He eyes the ranger closely, "Did you sustain any injuries? You must let me examine you if you have." If Kaileer consents, Lasiar will proceed to treat the man's injuries, then approaches each other member of the party, and examine them for wounds.
Gala turned to Azrun, her pale face already blotchy from her tears. "I I'm sorry, Azrun. It's just that Pug..." She was unable to continue, just brought her hand up to touch Azrun's in thanks. "Lathander says death is just a new beginning, so I know Pug is OK where he is. But I will miss him." she whispered.
Azrun nodded at her remark from Lathander's teachings, "I do hope you are right." His face betrayed a moment of sadness, but he quickly recovered.
Azrun squeezed the priestess's hand, "Mistakes will happen. We're only human. Sometimes they cost us dearly. You have to use them as a learning experience. Tomorrow is another day and a new beginning as is every new day. It's hard dealing with the loss of people who are close to you. Trust me, I'm an expert in that department. You have friends though. That helps more than anything." He squeezed her hand tightly again and gave her a reassuring smile.
"You better see to Jana. She's like an angry wounded animal. A bear, I think." Gala forced a small smile through the stormclouds on her face. "We made a mistake attacking the goblins, Azrun. I'm sorry." She looked up at him earnestly, as she spoke, pale violet eyes glistening with tears both shed and unshed.
Gala smiled back at Azrun. "My thanks, Azrun. I am glad to have such friends." She let her hand linger in his a moment longer then reluctantly withdrew it. "I must see if I can aid Arachne in any way. And I have not spoken with the priest of Selune, Lasiar I think. My thanks for your words of comfort."
Gala then walked over to where Lasiar spoke of resurrection and looked sadly down at Pug's body, hoping to somehow give comfort to Arachne with just her presence.
Azrun nodded, "He seems to of a good sort. I imagine him and Aloysius will be good friends, with Aloysius's knowledge of the heavens. Perhaps, we can talk again later." He watched as she walked back to the rest of the group. He then turned his attention back to the surroundings.
Jana stalked to the cavern entrance, then snarled "Dammit!" yet again. She stalked back to her horse. Her hands trembling with rage, she sheathed her sword, put her shield on her back, then pulled out the third torch she'd tucked in her belt earlier. She dug around in her packs for a flint and steel. Several "dammits" later, she finally managed to light the torch. "Mind-controlling bastard," she growled. "I'll kill him, and every last one of them." She scrubbed her free hand on her pants to remove the worst of the blood, which had made her hand slick. She again drew her sword and started back toward the cavern entrance, slowly and somewhat unsteadily; certainly not rationally.
Torro eased himself back out of the cave once again. "Azrun, this going back and forth after this lady is getting tiresome. Can you speak with her? She and I haven't met yet" Torro waited to see if Jana was going to enter the cave again, or if Azrun would talk with her.
Aloysius emerged from the cave after Jana ran out, but before Torro. The magic-user's face indicated some urgency as he jogged over to where Kaileer, Arachne, Lasiar and Pug were. "Kaileer, Arachne . . . . ", he hailed. "These goblins, we must . . . ." At that point, something behind the ranger and the small gnome caught his attention and he abruptly stopped talking. A strange, confused look overtook him and he stared at the ground and began to stammer slightly. Finally regaining his composure to a certain degree, he put his hands up to his cheeks and mumbled, "Uh . . .n-n-ever mind. N-no, not . . .important." With that, the purple-haired man retreated to a dead tree some 25 yards away and proceeded to wrap his arms around it, holding himself very close to the trunk.
Maisar watches everyone come running out of the cave, with his cloaked head cocked to one side. After seeing Aloysius go and hug a tree; Maisar begins to walk over to him. Upon reaching him Maisar puts a hand on his shoulder, and asks, in a quiet voice, "What is wrong?"
Aloysius seemed mildly startled by Maisar's hand and question. Nonetheless, his grip on the tree remained firm. "W-wrong? W-well, uh . . .Pug hath felt the cold touch of N-necros. And, uh, G-gala. . .er . . .oh, I don't know. The g-goblins are . . .uh . .well . .hehehe . . . . ." At that point, the purple-haired man slid down the trunk of the tree and curled up in a ball while semi-maniacal laughter shook his form. Just as quickly as the laughter arose, it passed, and Aloysius sat up and began mumbling . . ."friend, rend, tend, mend, bend, friend, rend, friend, rend, friend, rend, FRIEND, REND, FRIEND . . ." as he rocked back and forth. Then, he flashed Maisar the PSF and sat still, staring straight ahead.
Azrun pulled his attention from the area back to Jana and Torro. He nodded to Torro and made his way to where Jana was. He dropped to one knee next to her as she tried to light her torch, "Jana......you're not going to find him if you go back in there. And if you go back in there swinging a sword and yelling, you'll never come out of there. Think about it, you've been in a fight or two. Think about the disadvantage you're at by going in there. It's there home ground. They can see and probably hear you coming from a long ways off and they out number you by quite a bit. I've lost one friend today. I do not wish to lose another." He waited to see the warrior's response before going on.
Jana looked at Azrun. "He lied," she said, seething. "He knows about the flooding."
Azrun looked at her, "How do you know this? Even if he does and you run in there sword swinging, we won't know. You'll get yourself killed before you can find anything out. Let's try to gather our wits here and see what comes out of this. We'll discuss this with everyone, then if it's decided we go back in, we'll all go in....together. Ok. A warrior's worst enemies are her temper and pride. Remember this." He stood up to see what her action would be.
Jana growled, but turned around. She stomped back from the cavern and threw the torch down. Grasping her sword with both hands, she hacked viciously at a nearby tree that wasn't harming anyone. It seemed to make her feel better, although it was a bit hard on the tree. She sheathed her sword and retrieved the slightly muddy torch.
Kaileer frowned for a moment while he reasured himself that the tree was dead before Jana started confusing her sword with an axe.
Azrun watched as she attacked the tree vigorously. He then turned and walked over to where Torro was standing. He looked over at him and quietly, "The tree said something about her mother. I think she handling it well....."
"It appears that way. At least I can now relax some, my arm was beginning to tire from holding this bow at the ready for so long." Grinned Torro. "Maybe you can introduce me to Jana later, after things have settled down?" he asked of Azrun in a quiet voice meant only for Azrun. Speaking in a normal voice, Torro asked, "What happened in there? What have you heard? And what is wrong with Pug?"
Jana's assault on the hapless tree subsided before too long, if only because she hadn't the strength to continue it. She staggered to a relatively dry spot and sat. Blood continued to flow from her injuries. She held her sword in both hands, the point resting on the ground in front of her, as she watched the huddle around Pug. The anger in her face was replaced by sadness.
Once she had unburdened herself to Azrun of her version of the events in the goblin cave, Arachne fell silent, remaining beside Pug. People ran out of the cave, people ran back toward the cave. Aloysius was dramatic. Azrun was impressively comforting toward Gala. Lasiar took up finding patients suitable to the miracles he could summon up. There was nothing Arachne needed to do; she did nothing.
"There's nothing wrong with Pug," Arachne called back. "He's perfectly perfect. He's just dead is all." Then she broke down, still holding onto the slain gnome.
"Oh my," Torro responded, his voice sad, and dropped down into a sitting position, not caring where he landed. Tears swelled to his eyes, and he just sat there looking at Pug's lifeless body.
Gala sank down next to Arachne and gently touched the gnome's shoulder while Lasiar tended to the wounded. She did not speak but tried to offer what little comfort she could to the distraught gnome.
Gala looked at Lasiar in confusion, then looked down at her own holy symbol. "Lathander teaches that death is just a new beginning, but if you all think we should attempt to raise Pug from the dead, then I am with you with all my heart."
When Lasiar approached her, she smiled softly at him. "Lasiar, I am a priest too, of Lathander. It is too late to gain the full advantage of bandaging, as the combat is now long over, and my wounds are minor and self treatable. I believe that Jana and Kaileer are the most wounded. If they need more healing when you are done, I will aid them to the best of my humble abilities."
After sitting a spell with the PSF, Aloysius stood back up next to the tree he had been hugging earlier. The PSF, perhaps due to facial muscle fatigue, had passed. He looked around at the group as they consoled and healed one another.
The magic-user walked over to an open patch of ground more or less in the center of the group and announced in a steady voice, "The goblins are lying. The goblins killed Pug. The goblins are causing the growth of the Mire. We need to kill every last one of the little bastards." Then, a look of reflection crossed his face and he added, "But not tonight."
Azrun stood up, "Are you listening to yourself when you speak? If they had wanted to,they could have fixed it so none of you would have come out of there. Why would they lie about this? What damn good would they get out of creating a huge swamp? As short as they are, they couldn't navigate this muck very well. It would be more of a hinderance than helpful."
He picked up his things and slung his pack across his back. "If you're going to take care of Pug here, I'd suggest sinking him in the mire. Not meaning to be cold-hearted, but that would take care of anything getting to him. If we're taking him to Scornubel, then we need to be making a decision now. It's a long trip and who knows what else will happen to us on the way there. Speaking of which, does anybody know how much it'll cost to bring him back?"
Azrun looked around at the group trying to get some answers.
Aloysius bit his lip trying to restrain the anger aroused by Azrun's words (or something else?). "Boldly said for one who ventured not into the cave, scribe. Let me explain it to thee as I would a small child. The symbol on the goblins, and the shaman's ring, be one of a river or torrent outside its normal bounds. The words of the shaman rang falsely inside the cave. Ask those who were present. Know not do I what advantage these creatures seek, but the likes of goblins oft serve the whim of others. The words of Tersa's boy indicate that these goblins seem intent on avoiding attention, lest the boy himself would be dead. But attention from what? The answer to that, in sooth, lies in yon cave. Afore we were unorganized, and . . . ." the magic-user glanced over at Pug, "we paid the price for that folly. Now, methinks we must plan an assault renewed on this cave and solve this riddle once and for all."
With that, the magic-user glanced briefly at Gala with what seemed to be a look of disdain, and then back to the others to await their responses.
Nothing could have been more tonic for Arachne's grief than a good, knock-down, drag-out, intellectual debate. Aloysius's pronouncement regarding the goblins just penetrated her consciousness. Azrun's critique of the argument got her attention. But when Aloysius responded to Azrun with argumentative points and vitriol Arachne was involved.
"Really?" she asked the stargazer, sitting up and finally letting go of Pug. "It rang falsely? I wasn't paying attention -- or I wasn't still there. It makes no difference; I have no recollection. But, in what way did the shaman's speech ring false? I think Jana agrees with you that he lied, but can you explain _how_ you know? And could we please try _something_ besides a direct, frontal assault?"
Azrun's anger glowed brightly in his eyes. He was about to speak, when Arachne dropped her comments on the validity of the Shaman's words, "Let's get one thing out in the open here first ok, smiley. You're right I didn't go into the cave. I felt that charging into a dark cavern, with a large beacon showing where I was, was not a bright idea. Apparently you can a whole lot more in a situation though. Maybe whatever you used to dye your hair with has given you some sort of extra-sight. More than likely though, you're just pissed off and want to make whoever killed Pug pay for it. Well, let me tell you friend, it doesn't help ok. I've been there alright. They say revenge is sweet. It's not and it won't bring Pug back."
Aloysius thought for a moment, and then replied, "Agree with thee, scribe, that far more do I see than thee. Revenge be not my aim, though a proper incident would it make. These goblins be responsible for the Mire, or at least know who is. Of this they lied. Naught can I say how I know this except for the words spoken to me from my core. These creatures must be stopped and this land restored. If avenging Pug doth occur in this course, more the better."
The magic-user then turned and spoke directly to Azrun. "Agree do I that dashing into yon cave without a plan is folly indeed. Howe'er, to leave brave Kaileer alone while sounds of conflict raged therein be Folly's meeker child, Cravenness. Judge me not for going to aid one willing to brave the dark alone, whilst thou did act for thyself, and thyself alone. A group we be, or a group we be not. Either choice be a commitment full. I propose that each of us doth state which path we tread. Stargazer walks with those who would act AS one, not FOR one. If we resolve this goblin question, not only do we restore the land and possibly gain insight into the mysteries of Zond and Jelleneth, but we also do tribute to brave Pug."
Clearly flustered, the magic-user, turned and walked a few paces away from the group and looked skyward, perhaps hoping that the heavens would grant him insight.
Azrun spoke up again, "That's just it though. We're not a group and we don't act like it. Everyone does there own thing here. Instead of stopping and checking on what the rest of us thought, Kaileer went right on into that cave." He turned to Kaileer, "I'm not faulting you on that. I just think if we're going to be a group we need to consider the group before we act. I would like to find out what is going here more than anything."
Aloysius stroked his chin and considered Azrun's words. "Indeed. On that we can agree. Many pieces have we, but pieces we remain. We set out to deliver a box, and then to find Zond and Jelleneth. Now, we face the issue of the ever-growing bog. Mayhap we should better define our aims, and decide how best to achieve them. I, for one, think there is much to be accomplished by purging yon goblins. Howe'er, deference I will give to the majority's will, so long as it be reasonable."
"Darkwalker, Stargazer seeks not to be at odds with thee, yet once again 'twould appear that be the case. Perhaps my words be tinted with grief over the loss of good Pug. Or mayhap . . .," the magic-user, perhaps subconciously, glanced at Gala briefly and then back to Azrun, "not. In any event, my ire be not directed at thee, but at our state of events. Take no offense."
"So we know they're lying, but have no proof," Arachne mused quietly. "No evidence connecting goblins with the growth of the mire. And we've lost our translator -- if we wanted to interrogate a goblin all unfriendly-like. (Unless someone else also speaks the goblin patois?) And Azrun's right: A motivation for a troop of goblins to try to expand a mire does seem hard to find. Unless the goblins are in thrall to someone or something else that likes it damp. I don't know: So far, it seems the main effect of the expanding mire is that it drives away people and problematic half-elves. What is it that we hope to gain by assaulting these goblins again? How did we plan to persuade them to tell us whatever they really know?"
Aloysius opened his mouth to counter, but then stopped and considered his words for a moment. "Thy concerns be well-placed Arachne. Aside from the symbol of these goblins, there be little to join them to this Mire. Howe'er, if they be not behind the Mire, then why are they still here? As Azrun did state, a swamp be no place for such creatures. Why did they not slay Tersa's boy? Methinks it likely they be but servants to something greater, and more foul. Something they wish to keep discrete. Answers to these queries be inside the cave, this I know."
Aloysius surveyed the group. "Some of us seek knowledge, some seek redemption, and some simply a target at which to vent anger. All these things, and perhaps a great deal more, may be found there." With what counted as a "flourish" for Aloysius, the magic-user turned and pointed back at the mouth of the cave.
Jana narrowed her eyes at the mage. "Speaking of targets," she said, in a deceptively sweet voice, "you did get your knife back, didn't you?"
Azrun listened to the conversation and then added, "If we're planning on going back in their we need to have everyone at full strength. As it stands now, Kaileer and Jana are both hurt and the rest of us are exhausted from trudging through all of this mud. We need to hole up, lick our wounds, and come up with some sort of plan to keep the rest of us from getting bushwhacked. I suggest we take care of our departed friend here and move up into those hills for some dry ground."
Wiping the tears from his eyes, Torro added, "Sounds like a good plan friend Azrun. But we should post a watch on the cave to see if these critters decide to leave during the time we are gone. I volunteer to stay, my arrows fly straight and true."
Kaileer finaly decided that since the conversation was going around in circles, he might as well throw in his two cents (or whatever sylvan elves use as small change).
"Goblin shaman know more than say. They scared, not want fight but many. We go back try fight, more die. I not want die for sheep, Pug die for SHEEP," he paused with a look of disgust on his face, letting the statement sink in.
"I try bring back Pug. I not help kill more friends, goblin mire not worth more death," the ranger said, making his present intentions (more or less) clear while looking at Aloysius, then at the heavily wounded Jana.
Aloysius listened to Kaileer's statement. Then, he smiled fondly at the elf and said "blah blah blah blah". After he got done, he looked at the others, "secrecy be not mine intent in using the Fey tongue, but 'tis a simpler thing for Kaileer and I to converse in that fashion."
Aloysius nodded in agreement. "In sooth, whate'er our course of action be, it must await our rest. A long day hath been with much transpired. Let us be away from this place for now in order to restore ourselves. Then, mayhap, we will be best able be chart a course for our group. Be the barn our destination, or mayhap something more imminent?"
Gala walked up and waited until Azrun and Aloysius had finished speaking. She then spoke to Aloysius. "Stargazer, I have noted the looks you have given me. What is wrong? Have I offended you in some fashion? If so, please tell me what it is so that I may make amends."
Aloysius seemed very uncomfortable in Gala's presence, and even trembled slightly as she spoke. Holding out his hand as if to prevent her from approaching too closely, he said, "Ahh . . .G-galaret, er . ., know not do I, um . . .w-what to say to thee. M-mayhap, uh . . .later we can, ahh . . .?" It was unclear as to whether Aloysius was aware that he didn't finish his sentence, but he backed slowly away as if the Morning Lord were a dangerous viper coiled to strike.
Gala merely looked confused. She wandered off on her own and waited for Azrun to lead them onward. Her normally open face became shuttered as she visibly withdrew from those around her.
With that, Aloysius walked over to Lasiar, and briefly eyed his holy symbol. "A Selunite? Hmmm . . .I be Aloysius Stargazer, student of the great Moonspawn. Acquainted I be with Selune, as well as her brothers and sisters of the sky. I fear Shaundral is now our bane, and mayhap that of all the Faerun . . . . " The magic-user's eyebrow twitched slightly as he spoke.
Saddened by Kaileer's refusal of treatment, Lasiar shakes his head, and pats the Ranger on the shoulders, "Your friend will have died in vain if you follow him to the grave. He will want you strong to complete the tasks he has not, and by refusing healing, you are not dishonoring his memory. Heed my words, friend Kaileer." Lasiar sighs deeply, and wanders over to Gala to offer assistance.
"My Goddess calls your Patron friend, I hope that you can be mine." Lasiar returns Gala's warm smile. "I am familiar with the Morninglord's teachings as I have studied extensively on the various religions. If I be correct, the Lord of the Dawn also promotes Rebirth, does he not? Consider raising Pug as his rebirth." Lasiar then wrinkles his face, "I have just spoken to Kaileer and he will not let me tend to his wounds. He feels reponsible for Pug's death and has vowed to refuse all healing until Pug is restored. I am still a stranger to him. You, on the other hand, is his friend, and he might listen to you." With a nod, Lasiar steps around Gala and marches to Jana who he sees bleeding profusly by her tree.
Gala smiled gently at Lasiar. "He promotes birth, not rebirth, Lasiar. And the Morninglord only advocates resurrection if the being has a task to complete. That is his to judge not mine." Then in a tone of gentle rebuke, "I do not claim to know all the ways of Selune, Lasiar. We who serve the Dawn go to him willingly when we die; none of us fear death for that reason, but please do not presume to lecture me on the service of my god or what is acceptable to him. Selune may be more accepting of bringing those back from death than my lord is; I know not. But I have already said if that is my friend's wish to try, then I will aid them."
His young eyes meeting Gala's, Lasiar responds, "You must forgive me if I had spoken wrongly. I had no intention of offending you or your God, or to presume to lecture you on your faith." Lasiar then quickly changes the subject to Kaileer and Jana, and walks away.
He briskly walks to Jana and says, "Lady, I am a Priest of Selune and an aquaintance of Torro. Please, let me tend to your wounds." If Jana accepts his offer, Lasiar will pray to Selune for healing and if she is still bleeding, he will bandage her wounds, using any herbs he has in his possession to help clot the bleeding and reduce the pain.
Gala about to answer that she already said she would aid where Lasiar could not merely shook her head in slight frustration as the other priest walked away from her, after giving her "an assignment". "By the dawn," she murmured, "it is hard sometimes to be so accepting of others, e'en when you know they mean well, but trod upon you as if you were there for their service." She followed Lasiar to Jana first.
"I believe his words to be true, Jana. I know you have not met Torro before today, but he did travel with the rest of us before and fought by our side." added Gala, still a bit of color left in her face as she rubbed her own minor wound. "I am going to see Kaileer now, if he will allow it. If you have need of me, just ask." She bowed her head to the angry, bloody warrior, and, nodding slightly in Lasiar's general direction, walked over to Kaileer.
"Yeah, thanks," Jana said absently, looking at the mouth of the cavern. She removed any armor and/or clothing necessary for treatment, not really paying much attention to the treatment. "Thanks," she said, when he'd finished.
"Thanks," Jana said to Gala, with a hint of a smile.
"Kaileer, may I look to your wounds," she asked softly
Kaileer looked down and those close by could see his lips moving though if he was indeed speaking, only Gala would have been close enough to hear it.
Gala stood up and walked over to Azrun. "You're right. We are wasting time here. I want a vote. Who believes we can, not should, but can take Pug to Scornubel or wherever and attempt to have him raised with no funds and no resources. I mean, granted, Selune is a benevolent deity, but no one raises the dead for free. So we need to address some issues. Lasiar, if you have the pull within your church to do this, great, let's go. If you don't, let us know. We need to know this before we proceed because I can almost guarantee you they won't do it out of only the kindness of their hearts. It's a powerful spell, and they do not know Pug as we do. And, it's summer, I really don't even want to think about carrying a decomposing corpse hundreds of miles."
"Let's vote. If we're going to do this, we may as well forget about these goblins and Zond and Jelenneth. By the time we get back, whatever has happened to them will be, most likely, out of our capacity to help. If we choose not to try to attempt Pug, and, please don't take this wrong anyone, but I think it is not likely to happen, no matter how much we wish it. There was a lovely cemetery outside the Temple at Milborne. I would be honored to stand witness while Arachne does whatever honors she sees fit, and I would also be honored if you allowed me to help sing him to his rest."
"I call for a vote now. I will abide by the majority, but as my god dictates, death is a new beginning in a glorious afterlife, so my vote is cast on burial for Pug and helping the living with there problems. I would like to here from the rest of you now, so that we may move on. Standing here arguing and moaning our fate is pointless."
Gala looked deadly serious as she waited for the others answers, only the slight trembling of her hands betraying her nervousness at speaking out.
Azrun put a hand on Gala shoulder,"I'm with Gala on this one. We can camp here in the hills and tomorrow morn take Pug back to Milborne. The people there should be warned of the goblins in the area. We can pick up a few provisions there too." He looked at Torro, "I do not like the idea of you watching this cave by yourself tonight, friend. You're arrows may fly true, but they will more than likely see you before you can take your shot. I think it may be best for us to camp together tonight. Splitting up is unwise."
Jana slowly began to smile as Gala spoke. She chuckled a few times as Gala pointed out some of the more absurd assumptions the others had made regarding resurrection.
Jana grinned openly at Gala and began to slowly clap her hands together. "At last, someone's making sense. Let's bury the man, then get on with it." She got up, feeling much better now that her injuries had been tended to and someone had finally said something logical, and walked to her horse. "And then," she said quietly, "we can come back and kill every last one of the lying, orc-sucking little bastards."
"NO," Kaileer said angrily, "we not come back kill. We not fight if you not attack goblins. Is past now, not can change but not do again," the ranger continues, walking up to the warrior woman and locking eyes with her, "if you only want kill goblin to kill, then you kill me first."
"Not a problem," Jana growled, smiling ferociously.
Gala moved so she was standing between the two would be opponents. "No." she said, "you dishonor the dead by fighting each other. The group will decide what we are going to do. Not one person. You will not endanger anyone by fighting each other now. We are tired. We are grieving. And both of you are fighters and people of action. But this is wrong. Please. Please, for Pug's sake if for no one else's, stop this now. After we all sleep and camp, then, you can decide whether you want to kill each other or not." She looked at each in the eye in turn. "Please," she pleaded, waiting until they cooled down, her face taut with suppressed emotion.
Jana looked at Gala and, her expression serious, nodded. She turned to walk away.
