It is alright to occasionally stumble and fall. It is not alright to think that it is alright to stumble and fall.
- Gilgamesh of Uruk.
Despite hitting Dumuzi a little less than half the time, I got no further gains in my skills. Feeling generous, I used Heal on the boy, perking him up, and passed him a few extra coins, which he accepted with a bow and an inane grin. I had to resist the urge to pat him on the head like a dog.
After the evening meal, I saw our Rogue trying to juggle some knives, to Larynda’s amusement, only to see him miss a catch and hurt himself. That did not seem like the Elwin that I knew, and it was this that prompted me to take him aside for a serious talk. Had the Rogue lost his edge? Also, Cordelia had told me the Church’s side of things, but I wanted to hear it from a different point of view, even if it meant opening up barely-healed wounds.
“What’s with the serious air about you, Gil?” Elwin started, noticing my look and running a hand through his hair. Hair that had mysteriously thickened, slightly.
“You’ve been through a lot Elwin, just wanted to let you know that if you need to talk about anything, I am here…” I offered gently. In my mind, I was already calculating how I could extract some necessary information from him.
“That’s nice, Gil. Really is. I… the things they did. Like I said, I’m sorry I told ‘em. But they didn’t get it easy,” he replied, looking away. I saw that his hands were shaking.
Luckily, the man had given me the opening I needed. Though I trusted Cordelia, more sources of information were always better. Especially when it involved having a bunch of religious fanatics in search of me.
“I know Elwin, I know. We’ve been through so much together. I’m just glad that you’re safe and in one piece again,” I said with a bitter smile, which he returned with a wry grin. “But, I need to know what they were asking about, and why they want me?”
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“They…” the Rogue gulped, his eyes growing far and distant for a moment, before he found himself again, “They wanted… wanted to know where you were going. That’s it. That’s all I know. Maybe, something about a big guy wanting you. That’s all I heard on the way over. I was all beat up, Gil. They only brought me along because I know your face. They were looking for someone with the ‘Divine Light,’ or whatever that’s supposed to mean. Way I see it, it’s got something to do with the odd miracle or two you’ve been doing right?”
“It might indeed,” I said worriedly, “According to Cordelia I am the Herald of Avaria, or something to that effect.”
“Well, this is just my own reckoning, mind. I’m thinking that maybe you being the Herald, may make you something of a power within their Church. An’ what I know about people and power is that people don’t like to be sharing their power with just anyone. This Mauros fellow—a Cardinal by the way—they were talking about him. He really wants you. A dangerous man, that one. The way I see it, to them you’re basically the next best thing to Avaria herself. Guess I got myself a friend in a high place now,” commented the Rogue in a low voice.
I took a steady breath and added my own thoughts, “This is certainly something to think about, Elwin. I know all too well the machinations of men and their lust for power. Though I can’t say for certain if I am truly this Herald. Never felt there was anything special about me, if I am being completely honest with myself. I am just a man, like you. Can’t say I’m the particularly religious sort, either. I tell you this for a fact, before I ever came here, I had never heard of Avaria.”
Elwin narrowed his eyes, and I realized I might have said too much, “What do you mean came here, Gil? I know you’re strange in the head, but just where exactly are you from? You don’t have to answer if you don’t want…”
“Perhaps it is better that way. Just know that it is a place, far, far away from here, my friend. And even if I did tell you, I doubt you would believe me,” I countered.
“Ah damn, Gil. I think this is a bit something of my fault too,” he said, kicking at some yellowing grass. “I ain’t been completely honest with you, either. It’s not that I’ve lied to you. No. Just haven’t told you and Kidu the whole truth. I …
“You don’t have to, Elwin. It’s oka… alright,” I interjected, not wanting any more character exposition from him. He would have none of it though.