Asif turns his back upon Xania and walks away.
Rhune looks at both of them and sighs. She follows Asif quietly. Once they are apart from Xania and the others, "Are you alright?" she asks him quietly.
Asif nods gently and whispers quietly. "Yes I am alright, but that worker of Heka must learn wisdom before she dangers us all. To taunt the gods so is very foolish."
"Don't let her get to you, Asif. I think that she has had a hard and troubling life so far. I have seen some of her reactions to Dakath and I think that her hard exterior is there as protection. As for her taunting the gods, there are some who think that it gives spice to life to taunt them. My people have a god...a god of thieves and trickery that takes great pleasure in his followers' taunting," Rhune replies in a low voice, her hand placed on his arm.
Augustus closes his eyes, shaking his head. "Xania, there are many things in your realm of experience that I do not understand...but, there is more to religion than what you see...There are many who do not wish to think for themselves." The priest pauses, searching for the right words. "But Jebohah would not have put a mind into humankind, if he did not wish for them to use it...The thinking person is the cause of fear for those in the comfortable seats of power...it is they, not Jebohah who makes this so...Do you see?"
Xania turns to Augustus and says, almost gently, "I think man created Jerbohah so he would have someone to use for this purpose. I respect your faith, but the abuse of divinity is so rampant--if there were a just and loving god, she would surely prevent the misuse of power in her name."
Nodding, Augustus says, "I understand you...but as I have said before, I do not claim to understand the will of God...I have wondered how He could allow such atrocities to be committed in His name, but each time I think of this, I find myself remembering an old adage that says something about being given just enough rope to hang yourself." He chuckles slightly then shudders as he looks back at the fresco, and the horror that it conceals.
Turning to Asif, Augustus says, "Do not be angry with them, Asif, you should try to make them understand, not with steel, but with love...your concept of what occurs after death is different than mine, but I respect your beliefs."
Asif turns and looks at Augustus, and bows his right hand over his heart.
"To each is revealed a version of truth holy man. As do you respect the truth shown to me, do I also respect the truth revealed to you by your god. It is for the godless ones that I fear. Their disrespect may bring the wrath of the gods upon us. Especially I fear in such a foul place as this."
Xania mutters, "One cannot argue with faith, nor the scapegoat it allows the faithful for one that does not share their beliefs."
"Would you rather I were like the others of my order? Killing those who do not share my beliefs? If I were like them, I could have killed you all, several times...with the meals that I prepared on the trail, but I would not, WILL not do this...There was a time, when I first joined you, that I imagined myself being beheaded in my sleep, because many of you feared me....hated me! because of my beliefs..." Augustus' face is flushed, and his gray eyes seem to absorb the torchlight. Looking away from Xania, the priest shuffles his large feet, and appears embarrassed. "Sorry, there are few things that raise my hackles like that, but I must stand up for that which I believe in, even if there is nothing that others believe in."
Xania nods. "I have never said you do not have the right to your beliefs, Augustus. I have only pointed out the reality of our society and those that are persecuted because they do not agree with Jerboha's religious leader's battles. There are good men and there are evil men and those that lie in between. I believe you are a good man. I wish I could tell you that I share your faith. Indeed, I envy you it as it likely keeps you calm in times of need. But I only believe in myself and the people around me. I would no more kill you for your faith than for your lack of it."
"Unlike Asif, who would kill for an idea that differs from his own."
Augustus looks at Asif, "You, my desert-dwelling friend have a spirit that is indomitable as stone...you are devout in your faith, this must never change, but in time you will come to see that there are many who do not hear the voice of God calling them, be he called Aten, or Jebohah," the priest smiles at the young warrior. "I believe that you would fight very fiercely for something that you believed in, my friend, but somehow, I do not see you killing another man for an idea, am I right?"
"You speak great words of wisdom Holy man. Killing is nothing a son of Aten enjoys."
Forte looks at the young priest with surprise. "You thought we would kill you? I think if people didn't want you around, you wouldn't have been allowed to stay with the group....slitting throats in the night is not this group's style. At least as far as I have seen," he chuckles feigning nervousness, twisting his neck in mock pain.
Grinning slightly, the young priest says, "My fears have long since vanished, Fortissimo, but I can say that from what I had heard, I would not have been surprised if the thought had crossed someone's mind at one time or another," Augustus casts a fleeting glance at Ullar.
Ullar glances over at Augustus. It's clear the warrior is impressed by the faith the young priest has in his God, but he can't relate it to this situation and therefore...he shrugs.
Noticing Ullar's reaction, Augustus can't help but grin. "Ever the stoic, eh Ullar?"
Having the feeling of being 'caught in the act', Ullar swiftly turns his head away. Then, remembering that there is nothing to be ashamed of, he faces Augustus again.
"We'll talk about this later...Auggie, when we're in a more suitable place than this," Ullar comments.
Looking at Xania, "There are some of my people who practice leaving the person's favorite items with them when they die, and there those who favor being burned and having their ashes spread in a favorite spot, their belongings given out to their family and friends. But it seems that we may be in the minority on this one, Xania, so let's go," Rhune replies to the young mage.
"Sorry, Rhune, I expected Rhees not to want to do this, as well as Asif, but I'm not leaving until the rest of us have spoken. I feel safe with Dakath, Ullar, and Forte. You must choose your own path," Xania replies.
Rhune nods in agreement and waits next to Asif for the others to speak.
Ullar smiles. "I'm for gaining some stuff. I feel pretty good about myself if I give things away...but before I can give things away I have to get things. So...let's get them!"
Tag turns to Xania and Ullar. "There is no sin in destroying this place if it be evil to protect the innocent from it, but are we sure that this man was not good and this place has not come under an evil enchantment since his death. I say we should investigate, but not desecrate until we know the nature of these gods and this place."
"In these words does great wisdom emerge. We should discover the origins of this tomb. For if this man is indeed evil he would have been judged so by Osiris and given over to Ammit for his Ka to be consumed. Such men judged, enter not the afterlife and need no sustenance from goods buried with them. But if this man was judged good by Osiris, by stealing from his tomb we do him great injustice."
Sighing with relief when Asif puts his swords away Rhune continues to listen to his words. Every so often she looks from him to the coffin to the frescoes and back again.
"If there are too real dangers, I agree. But what matter does it make whether the dead one is good or evil, or what gods he served? And, for that matter, how would you know what kind of man that was? For a bad man can swear to serve good and do evil in its name. Look at the current Jerbohan leaders. And one that claims to follow a deity considered evil may do good. And all that is of no matter now as that man is dead."
"What matters is, can we take his belongings without incurring grievous harm," Xania smiles.
"That's not the point, Taglio. At least, not to me," Ullar adds.
"What use would these earthly possessions have for this dead man? It certainly would have use for us. If you don't like the idea of taking stuff from dead people I can live with that, but if nobody comes up with a valid reason why we should leave this stuff here, I'm in favor of taking them with us."
"Imagine what the earnings of the selling of this mace could do to Petr and his clan..." Ullar adds, glancing over at Xania and winking once.
Xania, always one to show her maturity, sticks out her tongue at Ullar in response. Rhune looks away from the fresco that she is investigating just as Dakath rejoins the party. She can see the look on his face and immediately steps back from the one she is looking at. Drawing her sword quietly she steps closer to Dakath, "You have seen something. What is it?" she asks him in a voice that is barely a whisper. She is alert to anything going on around them, as she eyes each of the frescoes nervously.
Augustus startles as Dakath moves back so quickly from the fresco. "What did you see!...Never mind, I don't think I want to know!" Augustus turns and heads quickly for the exit.
Dakath comes forward quietly, clearly disturbed by whatever it was he saw. Having opened a small hole in the plaster fresco last, and closest to the coffin chamber, he laid his eyes on a monstrous sight. It appears to be a corpse, but it is standing upright and moving slightly. It's face is a full head above his, with leathery skin and tattered clothing. It's eyes are closed, but not in death, as it's arm or leg twitches occasionally. He sees that the beam of light cast by his torch (by which he can see inside), has fallen on the creature's chest. He pulls it away quickly lest he alert or awaken it. He is uncertain whether he should follow the same procedure regarding the other frescoes or not.
Tag wanders over to Dakath to hear what he has found. "Could the captured villagers be behind these frescoes alive?" He shivers with revulsion at Dakath's description.
Augustus stops in his tracks as he heads down the passageway. Turning around he is heard to say quietly, "My life as thee shall will it, Lord..." As he walks slowly back down to the crypt chamber, his voice echoes, even though it is a mere whisper. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul, He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
The young priest stops in front of the group. "We face great evil here...and I believe that it is Jebohah's will that we were brought to this foul place...not to plunder a grave, but to drive back the forces of darkness that dwell here....I am his weapon."
"Amen," says Tag.
"So we're here to fight evil. Anyone disagree with that? That bother anyone's conscious? Against anyone's religion?!" Clearly exasperated with the theological, moral, and ethical discussions, Forte continues, "Are you all done? Can we either grab this loot, fight this evil, or leave? Or all three.....I don't care.....or just break up?" he adds, almost as an afterthought, spitting on the tomb floor to clear his mouth. "If I wanted petty bickering, I'dve stayed at my father's home. Fighting among ourselves will accomplish nothing."
"Right....well, then...what is the plan?" the priest asks, glancing at the warriors. "What ever we decide, I believe it should be done quickly."
"Hear, Hear..." mutters Ullar. "I'm ready to do some major...ehm...research...here."
"What will you be researching first? Frescoes or loot?" asks Forte with all the mock seriousness he can muster.
"The loot won't move, the frescoes might.. so let's start with the frescoes!" Ullar exclaims.
"But it's so much fun," Xania grins.
"Not as much fun as squabbling about how to divide the loot," Forte shoots back with a grin.
"Hmmm. You may have a point, Forte," replies Xania.
"It may be fun, Xania, but the longer we do so the more time we waste. And the closer it gets to the time when Augustus said the that the shadows might return. If we are going to do something, whether is leave, take the loot, or do something about the frescoes then," Rhune says over her shoulder as she looks toward Asif, a worried look on her face.
"Let's start with the fresco's," Ullar comments. "I'm curious what is behind them, and, judging from Dakath his face, it can't be a good thing."
"Rhune, I would think that of all the races, yours would appreciate irony the most," Xania says, barely repressing a grin. "Let's check out these frescoes, decide whether or not to fight the creatures behind them, and either get the loot or leave."
She turns to Dakath, "So, you just chip a small hole in the fresco?"
"Will my greatsword work at anything in this tomb?" Ullar mumbles, while walking over to the first fresco where Dakath pierced some holes in, which Ullar doesn't know yet. :-)
Augustus turns suddenly to Dakath. "These things behind the frescoes...they are the ones that live without life? The undead?...what if we were to destroy them where they stood, is there a way to do that where we could keep them at bay behind their walls of plaster?"
Tag gasps in awe and horror. "Io non mori' e non rimasi vivo: pensa oggimai per te, s'hai fior d'ingegno, qual io divenni, d'uno e d'altro privo."
OOC: Translation (From Dante's Inferno) I did not die, and I alive remained not; Think for thyself now, hast thou aught of wit, What I became, being of both deprived.
The priest looks agape at the young bard. "Signore Dante wrote of such things? How could he know that such things exist? Never mind, perhaps we will discuss this when we are not in such close proximity with the...creatures."
"What a horrible fate, mio amico. But if they be evil, we should find a way to end their misery, Si. Perhaps fire will do it, we could soak them with oil through tiny holes in the frescoes and set their souls free in a blaze of cleansing flames," Tag continues.
"My thoughts exactly," Augustus says, "And if our companions are...dead set...on taking that mace from the sarcophagus, we should be well out of the way when it is done."
"I think Taglio had a good idea. Pouring oil through small holes into the frescoes and setting them on fire would be good," Rhune replies to him.
Unfortunately, there is not a drop of lantern oil among the group other than the dwindling supply in Tag's lantern. So the plan is foiled before it begins. Being extra cautious, the group proceeds to make tiny holes in the rest of the frescoes. Always ready for disaster, they prepare for each one of the frescoes to explode within moments. Amazingly, however, Dakath's intrusion into each of the others reveals nothing. It is more than moderately encouraging to note that apparently the only occupied one is the one closest to the main chamber.
Rhune looks around uneasy for the moment, wondering why the other frescoes are empty, but very glad that they are.
As the group appears of the majority that felling the evil within the fresco is in their best interests, that is proceeded with. Forte, exercising his usual lack of caution, smashes through the others first to makes sure there are no surprises. And indeed, there are none. Handling the one with the creature within it, though, is a bit trickier. The large warriors interested in the tomb stand on either side with their weapons poised. Those with more subtle weapons and methods wait close behind them to give them room to operate. Xania stands immediately behind Ullar in the event her spell might help, while Dakath prepares to rip open the fresco and retreat to a similar position behind Forte. Augustus stands close enough to use his holy powers on the beast, but not close enough that it could damage him easily. The others stand about, several shaking their heads at the foolishness of remaining within the dark place.