Nostrum: Tales of Valor

Reintroduction

"Welcome, welcome!" Comes the voice of Farrow, who extends an arm to either side of his body. "What an honor it is to be in the presence of such great companions!" Stepping over Lady Mardelia's corpse, Farrow proceeds to near the others, who now walk towards him from the throne room's doors. "I must personally thank you lot, as, without you, none of this would have been possible. You've saved us many men, and might I add my own blood."

The party looks over one another, still finding themselves to be in a peculiar situation. Though the gratitude of some was to be expected, it is not the gratitude of savages that they sought. Now standing toe-to-toe with the man they once met in the tavern, they observe him up and down. His garbs and weapon display a clear history with the Ryoushi, yet his behavior would suggest otherwise. Open arms and a willingness to work with others are an uncommon sight in such men.

"What now?" Asks Lee, who moves over to the feast and collects a bottle of yellowish liquid, uncorks it, and sniffs the contents. "You've got The Bethel's works in the palm of your hand. What more could there be to gain?" Satisfied with the beverage, Lee pours the contents into a flask at his hip, sets the bottle back down, and sips heavily from the flask.

"The destruction of those works."

Lee pauses for a moment as these words leave Farrow's mouth. Buzzed eyes meet those of a war-torn man before either speak more.

"The destruction of... what works?" Wonders Marne, who gains the attention of half the room with these words. Childish laughter rings out as if his words had been a joke.

"Why, the scripture, of course! The very thing that makes The Bethel what it is!" Farrow plants an arm around Marne's shoulders and walks with him for a moment, followed by Hael and Yuler. "You see my dear boy, every sacred text that has ever been resides within these walls. Every story, incantation, charm, and blessing. Every bit of what gives The Bethel power is right here, and we must destroy it."

"We?"

"We."

"You've yet to recognize me, haven't you, Marne?"

Puzzled at the mentioning of his own name by the man once more, Marne does not speak. He simply shakes his head with an unknowing expression and awaits further explanation.

"It has been some time. You've certainly changed in many ways yourself. Come, take a seat." Pulling out a chair at the table, the man offers it to Marne, who in turn accepts it. Once he has done so, the others proceed to do the same until all four are seated, while Lee continues tinkering with different alcohols some distance away. "Marne, my dear boy. How glad I am to lay my eyes upon you once more."

Now understanding the tone in the man's voice, Marne pulls himself away and scrunched his brow tightly together. Creating deep creases in his skin as he does so.

"No. My father never made it through the threshold."

"Alas, I have. But... I wasn't brought to the same place as yourself." Farrow rests an elbow against the table before speaking further on the subject. "Something must have gone bump with the Strategem I had taken, as I was placed near a Ryoushi camp, completely alone. Or so I thought. The Ryoushi that discovered me were quick to attempt murdering me. Certain that I was some sort of spy, when in fact, I knew nothing of who or what they were." Farrow laughs for a moment and shakes his head. "I tell you, it was not an easy thing to talk myself out of." Farrow then looks to the others. "You lot may call me Farrow, as that is the name I have been given." He then looks to Marne. "You, however, may call me what you please."

"I shall, Farrow."

A small amount of disappointment befalls the man, but an understanding seems to come to the surface.