-----The Dread Pirate uses his cutlass to rummage through the man's clothing until he finds a holy symbol.
-----Seth shrugs and looks out over at the slowly festering carcass of the dragon. "You know priest, it does not sound like you are being very useful to my friends. Maybe you should get used to your position. We are headed back to the tower. I'm sure you can explain everything to Zeph!!"
-----He now winks at Dread. "Unless of course the Pirate here slices your throat!!"
-----Amdracks's eyes widen as the Pirate peers into the pockets of his robe. "Do not open it!" he says quickly. He then says to Seth, "I don't think you realize how helpful I actually am."
-----Runik stands over the robed man as he leans to one side as if to also peer into the pocket that the Dread Pirate is looking into.
-----Brandel looks with curiosity and caution at the proceedings. Krord looks at Brandel with an unsure expression. Brandel returns his questioning look with a shrug.
-----The little girl finds Kazel's hand and tenderly holds onto it.
-----"Well, why not open it?" Kazel gets up and circles around behind Amdracks with her sword prickling on his back. "If you want to be helpful then let's start explaining. Having a black disc in that pocket wouldn't be helpful, though."
-----The Dread Pirate looks quizzically at the supposed priest, then waits a moment for Amdrack to explain why he shouldn't have his pockets pilfered.
-----Not hearing an offered explanation, Dread then saws his cutlass across the pocket, spilling a small pouch and a blue book onto the ground. Without touching either the book or the pouch, Dread leans over and takes a peek at the exposed book.
-----Amdracks gasps at the sword sticking at his back. As the contents of his pocket spills to the ground, he explains, "The book IS the holy symbol of Ora. It has the favor of the Most High Mage cast upon it. To open it, one must understand the most arcane of languages and symbols. For nonbelievers or dapplers of the Mystic Arts to look upon its pages could bring forth all manners of hexes and curses. The Lord Wizard is a devout follower of Ora. He would not smile on such blasphemy."
-----The robed man's expression reflects fear as the Dread Pirate leans over it.
-----The Dread Pirate looks somewhat dubiously at the dark blue book laying on the ground. He then leans over and picks the book up, taking care not to open it. He also picks up the pouch and opens it, unless Amdracks stops him. After examining the pouch, Dread takes a piece of string and ties the mysterious book firmly shut, ensuring that it won't accidentally flop open and hex him. He then stuffs the book in his pack and says to the priest, "If'n yer story checks out, I'll give ye yer book back and apologize fer pilferin it. Ye have to understand that we were recently tricked and betrayed by an evil priest who set a horde of undead on us. It was only by our quick wits and actions that we defeated them and escaped with our lives. So we're erring a bit on the cautious side nowadays."
-----"So, what are you afraid of if you are really a priest of Ora?" Kazel asks. "You see, we are being a little careful of people who claim to be priests these days. Especially those who have convenient possession of widgets that deal with the undead like this coin you mentioned...?"
-----"Ah," Amdracks replies with a relieved look at the careful handling of his deity's symbol. A bewildering look comes over his face as he asks the Dread Pirate, "How do you propose to . . . 'check out my story'?"
-----To Kazel, he replies, "In many ways, I think you have answered your own question. Redmarsh has suffered greatly from rumors of werebeasts, dragons," here he nods at the aforementioned rotting carcass, "and undead spirits in the swamps. I journeyed here seeking to find what all those who work with the Magical Arts seek; the raw materials that can be used to give energy to the magic. But," he adds, as he raises his eyebrows, "I did not come without my own protections."
-----Seth continues to play his harp. He eyes the bulge that betrays where The Dread Pirate put the book for safekeeping!! He strums his harp idly and it does not sound like any recognizable tune. After a while he seems bored but really he is desperately interested in finding out what is written in the book.
-----The Dread Pirate shrugs in response to Amdracks's query, "Well, ye could begin by reciting a few prayers to Ora. If ye know the cant o' the religion, then ye probably aren't in service to evil. Maybe sing some o' Ora's hymns and such. Otherwise, we'll just drag ye along behind us and turn ye over to the Lord Wizard Zepharon."
-----"You mean to take me back to Hearthorn?" Amdracks asks unbelievably, his voice rising, "More than a week's ride in this . . . wagon?"