[HQ Ignorance] Re : Re : Scene 88: Heortland Spring

[Loran]

> One of the Templars, with a slight golden glow about him steps forward
> at this accusation. "I am Praxelites of the Sun Dome Temple of Sun
> County, HeroQuester and High Lord who brought Fire back to Yelmalio and
> reunited Father and Son into one. Sun and Moon are equal but different
> Powers under the rule of the Sky. There is no shame in being a
> moon-worshipper, but ... and this I admit.. they have been ... tainted."
> In the past, Arkat the Destroyer didn’t deal very tactfully with the allies of
> the Deceiver, and so could be the answer of the Universe in the future..."
> "Arkat the Troll, worshipper of Darkness!"


When the answer of the yelmali was translated, Azhur, having old prejudices against sun cultists following blindly the Gabji propaganda, smiled faintly:
- "In my own land, we use to call him the failed knight, but this is nothing for us now…”


He looked at the sun domer from feet to head.
- “Tainted… hmm? Then welcome on the right side of the battle, Mister Praxelites! I'm Azhur the Sinnersbane, Elected King of New Seshnela. As crowned heir of King Gerlant FlameSword, I think I may also have a word on Fire and as my coat of arms and motto show plainly, my family never feared either Light or Truth, so I will not fear you or your rented spearmen, especially because I'm here on the Quest to save my own fatherland. You’ve mentioned your past deeds and exploits, I can just oppose my future duty: with volunteering and brave champions, we are searching the Sacred Weapons of Saint Talor the Laughing Warrior to restore Peace upon War and Life upon Death. I just wanted to warn you that in the West, some moon-worshippers have shown me an inclination to confound honor with personal desires, to betray long and close friendship and to use perturbing deceiving speech and seseinite magic to follow their own agenda without any respect for rank or
 position. I can predict you that exactly as the Bright Empire became the Blight Empire; the Crimson Bat’s planet will fall down from the Sky in front of the full wrath of the Universe. Name it Darkness, Storm or Frenzy, but the Cosmos will choose its agents among the most ardent enemies of Chaos and any associated forces will be swept to nothing once again. I’m not a follower of pagan or heretic religions but equaling Ehilm with the Red Moon seems to me a dangerous analogy. You’re mortal so you’re responsible of your choices and destiny but we all had here a glimpse on where will lead wrong choices…”


On this the fronelan ex-knight unconsciously rubbed his burned skin. Suddenly he raised his head and looked at the yelmalion defiantly:
- “Practically this leads us to a very simple question: Are you an honorable man dedicated to virtue and ready to abjure on your faith and honor any future services to the Red Moon’s demons, or a sold soul who will just have to adjust his next price to pay off his debts? I hate the idea to fight you right here on the spot of such a terrible slaughter of brave men, but their death request me to do everything to prevent a new Krajki battle with you around. On the other hand, I need all reliable allies on my way. You’re from Sun County and the steps of our Fellowship are condemned to lead us beyond Prax, a harsh and wide desert if I trust the maps I have consulted… a cruel fate for sure but a necessary one if I compare with the probable doom of nations crushed by the merciless Kingdom of War.”


SwordSinger translated Azhur’s terms choosing as carefully as he could his own words.
Behind him, the surviving Orlanthi were also listening and observing carefully. Some of them, those who had escaped the Bat’s tentacle, thanks to Azhur’s Silver Sword, were nodding thoughtfully.