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-----The smith sets his hand on his chin while taking in every word of the Dread Pirate. As the Pirate finishes his selling job, the smith pauses thinking out loud, "Two hundren’ fi’ty gold? Takin’ care o’ some demon witch n’ tellin’ ‘em they be me weapons?"
-----Suddenly as if a bolt of cosmic revelation has struck him, the smith looks at Gimplefwick with his face beaming with a smile. "IT BE A DEAL!" he yells enthusiastically. The weaponsmith grasps the Pirate’s hand and frantically shakes it.
-----Marast steps back, his frown deepening and his hand cautiously touching the pommel of his short sword. He looks at Kazel and the Dread Pirate as if questioning the human’s sanity.
-----Kazel shrugs at the deal making and seems happy enough about it. She waves casually at Marast to tell him nevermind, then examines the new crossbows and arrows until Gimplefwick is done.
-----"Yea, I saw that darkened temple when I was out yesterday," she replies to the Dread Pirate. "I say we go ahead, since somebody there might know where Devlin and our noble friends are. That and we'll need that donation to cover the mercs and these crossbows. Let's see, we probably need more supplies for that nice coating of venom, I mean paralyzing agent, on those bolts and arrows. And more burning oil. Anything else?"
-----Gimplefwick momentarily taken aback at the smith's response, winces as he realizes that he probably could've gotten a better deal, but shrugs it off, saying, "Narr, I said two hundred if'n we spread yer name about and let you use ours fer yer shop. But, I don't want to argue about it, so lets say two twenty five."
-----The Dread Pirate counts out his loot in gold and platinum, handing it over to the smith, stating, "I'm guessin it'll be a bit longer til I can afford me own ship now. But at least I'm rid of the weight of carryin that stuff around. And I can always try to claim expenses from Lord Lambert. Can I get a receipt fer those weapons?"
-----Turning to Kazel, "Aye, we'll always need more oil. I don't know where we can get more paralyzing venom though. We'll have to try to find a not too terribly ethical herbalist in town. Maybe Dalyor can help with that. If we ever see him again. I'm thinkin it might've been a big mistake to give him that key and let him go off by himself. Anyway, I can't think of anythin else we might need. But then I've never fought a demon witch afore now either. There was the time I was captured by a tribe of amazonian warrioresses and forced to be their love slave fer a couple years, but this is probably a different situation. Anyway, if'n Marast will pick up those weapons, we'll head on over to the temple and take a look first. Sort of scout the situation out before we just blunder in. If the temple is darkened, maybe they have one o' those blasted crystals in there. We'll have to get Seth to use his scroll to get rid of it fer us. But first we'll get those priests to heal me up."
-----The elf picks up the weapons, eyeing the human carefully as the weaponsmith hands the Dread Pirate a receipt of his purchases. "Thank ye kindly n’ luck be wit’ ye when ye come a’cross that demon witch!" the smith says as the three take leave of him.
-----Kazel leads them across the Market place and then down another street heading toward the east. Just a few people mill about on this street but further on down there appears to be some interesting activity. At the end of the block on one corner is a large temple. It looks very much like the temple dedicated to the god Joren back in Hearthorn. Sure enough over the door is a sign bearing a dark blue shield fielding a white lance. A troop of soldiers completely surrounds the building and even though these appear to be templar guards, they watch the upper temple tower as if they were holding it under siege.
-----The tower of the temple appears to be whole although the stones appear to be darkly marked as if scarred by fire or lightning damage.
-----The Dread Pirate scowls at the sight of the flame scarred temple, "Arrrr, I don't like the look o' that. If whatever be in there can stand off an entire company of knights, I'm losin a bit o' me confidence. Too bad those suckers, errr, I mean our former traveling companions have already left town, or we could've been assured that they would've charged right in first. Do you see any priests?"
-----The Dread Pirate marches right up to one of the templars and demands, "Here now, what be goin on here? What caused all this? Where are all the priests?"
-----"Please sir, you must leave this area," says the templar turning to face the halfling pirate with an assertive look in his eyes. "It is not safe for citizens to be here and our Priests of Justice are now . . ."
-----Suddenly the guard’s words are cut short by an explosive sound. Looking up at the tower, a brilliant bolt of energy flashes out from the small windows there. Cries of pain and terror are heard from within.
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