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-----"You must tell me more of your unfortunate companion’s family. Where wouldst the wife and children of yon noble warrior dwell, so that I may see to their welfare?" Nylan majestically raises his finger and points at the tied orc in the back of the wagon.
-----By this time, the humanoid awakening from a slumber shakes it head and its eyes focus on the paladin. Seeing the man point at him, the orc suddenly brings a cough to its throat and spits at the paladin. The vile phlegm spatters unceremoniously on Lotley’s shield. The paladin stares back at the orc with an increasingly stern red face.
-----Seth shudders at Slappy's reaction to Lotley. He finds something hard and hits Slappy over the head. "I must profusely apologize My Lord Protector, As you can see, as has been told our poor unfortunate friend also lost his wits as well as his handsome form."
-----"Hey, who took the gag off? Jim?" Kazel frowns as she reties the rag over the orc's mouth. She smiles apologetically to Lotley. "Please sir, you need not worry about his wife and children. We shall take care of this in good time, but now we are not even sure if telling his family would be a good idea..."
-----"Nay, please, fair sir," Lotley replies to Seth, "Stay thy hand and pray forgive my own lowly reaction. ‘Tis no fault of thy own friend’s of his actions. ‘Tis a most fiendish enchantment and curse that leads his manner. Thus it ‘tis, that I feel compelled to undertake poor noble Slappy’s cause as penance for my own ignorance! May the Holy Guardian find me a most worthy defender in bringing about a most just and righteous resolve to thy bold friend’s predicament."
-----Nylan then stands back from the wagon and looks skyward continuing his speech, "If thou wilt allow me, when the investigation of yon tragedy is complete, I shall escort you, fair people, hence to Hearthorn! There I shall take unto my own responsibility, thy friend, Slappy! We shall enter the Temple of the Holy Guardian, bowing before Him in all His Glory and ask that Justice be brought forth in poor Slappy’s favor!"
-----The paladin then looks at Kazel with tears almost streaming from his eyes. A bit of a glow seems to radiate from his face as he tells her, "Nay, my dear and fair Lady, ‘tis the family we must council and soon! For is it not said that hiding the truth doth hinder the most swift and righteous justice!?"
-----His gaze then drifts to the other wagon. The expression on his face then eases somewhat. Nylan looks at the thieves’ vehicle and wordlessly seems to compare it to the wagon that had been assaulted. A look of confusion rests upon his brow as he says, "Tis a most unusual circumstance that thy wagon doth resemble that which hath been attacked."
-----His clear blue eyes first lock on the Dread Pirate and then the others as he adds, "Tis also a most surprising revelation that, fair travelers thou art, doth resemble somewhat the poor victims I have witnessed this day."
-----Gimplefwick ceases sobbing at Lotley's words and gasps, "Aye, I see it all so clearly now. Surely those unfortunate souls that were attacked must have been mistaken for us. Why, consider this, how many travelers are there that would be so similar to us. This was surely no idle chance!"
-----The diminutive pirate looks wild eyed at the paladin, "Those foul attackers must surely have been agents of that foul beast which the brave Slappy defeated. Evil mortal servants which are roaming the land, seeking to do away with Slappy so that their demonic master can return and wreak havoc upon the kingdom. There is no other explanation for such a foul deed!"
-----Pityingly, Gimplefwick looks at Slappy, "No, we mustn't now even consider taking Slappy to his family. Or even going to see them. Such attention might lead the evil doers to Slappy's innocent wife and children. Who knows what evils they might perform if they were to find such defenseless innocents. They are best left alone until Slappy can be restored to them as he once was."
-----Gimplefwick looks consideringly at Lotley, "I'm afraid that the same reasoning goes for your looking after Slappy. I think he is best protected by traveling with a group of humble merchants. Surely a group of brave knights traveling with an orc would attract far too much attention. Not to mention that Slappy has become more accustomed to our presence. As you could tell from his reaction to you, the enchantment has fully taken hold of him. What sort of friends would we be, if we were to abandon him at this point? After saving our lives? No, we are honor bound to look after him. As his friends and the people who his bravery saved from certain doom. We owe it to him. However, if you truly wish to help him and feel honor bound to do so, then if you might have something you could part with that we could sell. Something that would help us raise the coins necessary to revert this evil enchantment, I'm sure that Slappy and his family would pray for you every holy day."
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