>>18371162

As you watch the rise and fall of the breath, your thoughts turn to your own misfortunes. You had trained to be a headsman for as long as you could remember, a profession you had held for exactly one day. Nicholas Mayhew was the first and only execution of your career, but he was only the first man you killed that day. You had killed one of the princess's royal escorts, mistaking him for a villain.

For this, you were sentenced to death after two fortnights of torture. It had been less than twelve hours since you had your last session of torment under the cruel and dextrous hands of the despicable Arthur Edwards. Your cuts and burns had scarcely scabbed over. Edwards had better pray to God every night that he never sees you again for as long as he lives. He practiced his craft so expertly upon you, and if your paths ever crossed again, you would be more than happy to give a demonstration of your unique talent. You look upon your axe and smile fondly.

By the time you wake up, the sun has climbed high in the easterly sky. You did not even feel the fatigue come over you, and you curse to yourself for letting sleep overcome you so suddenly. You look to where the princess was sleeping, but she is gone. You curse again.

>>18371173

“Such foul language.” says Gwendolyn, as she appears from behind an oak, “I see you are awake.”

“Where did you go?”

“It's of no concern to you,” she says as she refastens the scabbard of the sword you stole around her waist. She had apparently stolen it from you while you slept.

“I'm sorry I fell asleep,” you say, almost apologetically as you stand up.

“You are forgiven. If your tortures were as grave as they appear, your rest was well deserved. Where are you going?” she asks as you walk away from the thicket.

“It's of no concern to you,” you say as you scout the forest for a suitable tree upon which to relieve yourself.

>>18371183

Upon returning to the thicket, you load your blankets and bedding upon your steed and slice a loaf of bread in two, and then slice the half-loaf into quarters. You hand a quarter-loaf to the princess and the two of you eat your breakfast in silence before mounting your horse and riding east toward the Lirilish border. The uneven, trackless ground makes progress slow, but riding in the open would be suicide. Surely there would be scores of guards looking for an escaped murderer and a runaway princess. You ride for about an hour without saying a word to each other.

Gwendolyn broke the silence, “I saw the beheading, the afternoon before you... tried to rescue me.”

You don't respond.

“Have you beheaded many people?”

“Only the one.” you say, “I didn't manage to behead your escort entirely.”

“What's it like?”

You remember telling your father that it felt like chopping firewood, which was half-true. It did feel like chopping firewood. How you felt about it was a more complicated matter. “Like chopping firewood,” you say.

>>18371203

You trot forward in silence once more, the clip-clopping of your horse's hooves providing the only conversation. Suddenly you hear the distinct sound of a baby crying in the in the distance.

***** What do you do? *****

GO AFTER THE BABY, NO BABY SHALL DIE TODAY!

Also, check whether or not we have a stylish goatee

>Paternity, bersrut
>captcha approves

>>18371306

You divert your course in the direction of the distressed infant. You locate its source in a small clearing. In the center of the clearing, the wailing babe screams at the top of its lungs, held in the arms of a shabby woman desperately trying to console it. You approach the woman, who looks upon you with eyes wide with fear.

"Do not be afraid!" Gwendolyn calls to her, "We are not villains. Might we assist you?"

The owner of the infant is either in her thirties and has retained her youth, or in her twenties and time has not been so kind to her. She has a blondish moplike mass of hair upon her head, and her tunic would be turned aside by all but the most desperate of beggars. There is something very familiar about her.

"Thank the Savior," she exclames, "I feared me babe would attract every brigand in these woods! A miracle that his cries were heard by decent folk! Me poor babe has the pox, and I came to the Wood to find herbs to restore him."

You say nothing, but you are certain you recognize this woman, but how you do not know.

"How can we assist?" Gwendolyn speaks.

A voice calls out from behind you, "You can start by surrendering your horse, and all that is tied to it!"

Three men materialize from the undergrowth, their weapons drawn and grim looks upon their faces.

>>18371162

The haggard woman cackles wickedly, "Allow me to introduce you to my associates: the man behind you is Lars," Lars had one eye, a crooked nose, and a long dagger, "The gentlemen to your left is Jack," Jack had a sword and a broad grin, many of his teeth were missing, "And to your right is the very capable Burton." Burton wielded bushy beard and a battleaxe. You decided you liked Burton the least. He held his weapon like a simpleton.

The woman continued speaking, "Meself. I'm Abigail Mayhew, though I was known in Glenshire as Abby. And this," she motioned to the babe in her arms, "is my nephew, Nicholas, named after his father, my brother." When she says this, she is looking right at you, her glare as sharp as daggers.

Abby Mayhew was Nicholas Mayhew's older sister. She was once a popular harlot in the Old District, and very pretty once upon a time. It seems that she decided hooliganism was more profitable.

Her band of thieves close in around you.

"You can keep the horse and the girl for yourselves," Abby says to her cohorts, "But, do try to keep dear Frankie alive as long as possible. We have a feud of families to settle."

***** What do you do? *****

>>18371789
Three versus one, that's... bad. Does Gwendolyn have a weapon?

rolled 2 = 2

kill the old woman with a blow to the head.
Trample the guy with the dagger.
Then attack the other axeman.

roll?

>>18371804

Gwendolyn wields a three-foot steel sword, you have your headsman's axe.

rolled 11 = 11

>>18371789
Well, we should probably start our grim work with Bruton then.

rolled 2 = 2

Tell Gwendolyn to watch out and try to stay behind you as you dismount and go first for the other axeman, keeping the horse to your back.
Move quickly to deal with the dagger dude and finally dispatch the last of the buggers, they should be no match for us since we could go toe to toe with royal guard before.

>>18371865
>>18371843
>>18371804

You speak to the princess, "I don't suppose you can use that sword?"

She responds by drawing it from its sheath.

"That Jack, fellow is missing his right eye, stay on that side and he shouldn't be a problem."

You dismount your steed and turn to face Burton. He is stocky and bulging with musculature. You are nearly a head taller than he, and your axe is likewise more massive. This bothers him not at all and accepts your challenge.

"I might've let your lady-friend go, if you'd just surrendered," his voice sounds like gravel, "We'll have her over your butchered corpse."

You look into his bushy face, "You grip your axe like your mother grips her custom."

Burton didn't like this response. He snarls and charges at you, his weapon raised high...

***** Roll 1d20 *****

rolled 9 = 9

~

rolled 16 = 16

Go for the balls! he's totally vulnerable with his weapon raised high so a low swing from the side in an upward arc should do it.

rolled 3 = 3

sweep to the side, dodging his blow and give him a horizontal chop to the stomach

>>18372137
>>18372117
>>18372104

***** Rolled 28 *****

***** I got brigands Lars and Jack switched up- apologies- Lars= one eye+ dagger, Jack= sword *****

Burton is a bit faster than you anticipated and he aims to bury his axe in your skull. Nevertheless, you have time to note on the sloppiness of his stroke before knocking it aside with a sweep of your chopper. The shock of the strike makes him stumble, and this is all the time you need. With a glorious backhanded swing, your axe buries itself just under Burton's right armpit.

Princess Gwendolyn turns to face the brigand Lars, but he is already upon her. He jabs his knife into the horse's haunches. It's not enough to wound the animal, but this makes it rear back and throw the princess to the ground. Luckily, she managed to hold onto her sword.

With Burton out of the way, you turn your attention to the swordsman Jack, who has already begun to charge you.

***** Roll 1d20 *****

rolled 19 = 19

Throw your axe or the brigands at the swordman, whichever is lighter and then rush his ass

rolled 14 = 14

>>18372353
>you turn your attention to the swordsman Jack, who has already begun to charge you.

Next. We should make sure he won't suffer for long.

>>18372408
>>18372407

***** Roll 1d20 (I add the first 3 rolls) *****

rolled 19 = 19

>>18372498
Okay.

rolled 18 = 18

rolling

>>18372506
>>18372408
>>18372407

***** Rolled 52 *****

You plant your feet and let the bandit come. The moment he steps within chopping range you swing your axe with all of your strength. Jack's head is separated from his body and tumble to the earth in a shower of arterial blood. A one-chopper!

Lars attempts to subdue the princess, but she slices his shin her sword. He falls to the ground. With a swift stroke she slashes him across the throat.

In a few short moments the band of brigands is no more. Burton lies dying in a pool of his own blood. The swordsman Jack is beheaded. Lars rolling on the forest floor in agony, clasping his hands over his gurgling throat-wound. In the middle of the carnage stands Abigail Mayhew, her face a mix of horror and disbelief. She holds her screaming nephew against her breast.

**** What do you do? *****

>>18372675
Tell her she should leave the city with her son and try to find a less seedy job as far away from here as she can.

Then continue our journey.

>>18372675
She's going to have to be silenced. She might tell anyone chasing us where we're headed. And to be fair, she was involved in criminal activities with her little gang. Then we just have to decide if we off the kid or bring him along an try to find someone to take him. At least, if we do take the kid for now we can act like the princess is the mother of the kid.

Kill her and take the child.
have the princess take care of it.

If we leave her she's gonna keep trying to kill us, plus she'll probably tip off our pursuers about us if we don't

oh and, take the dead mens weapons and anything else that might be usefull or valuable

lets do this:
>>18372765
But discuss it with Gwendolyn, she probably would have a problem with the killing but we should try to convince her otherwise.

>>18372765
>>18372721

>>18372721
>>18372765

Abigail turns to flee, you drop your axe and pursue her. You are much swifter, and it is not a long chase. Grabbing her by the collar and a good chunk of her hair, you drag her screaming back into the clearing. You tell Gwendolyn to take the infant from her.

"What do you plan to do?" she asks.

"Take Nicholas," you repeat yourself. She obeys coaxing the infant from Abby's hands at sword-point.

You drag the wretched woman over to your horse and reach into your rucksack for a length of rope which you use to bind her hands behind her back. Leading the woman by the collar, you pick up your axe and march over to a root protruding from the ground and force the wench to her knees.

The princess abandons attempting to quiet the child, "What are you doing!"

You glare at her, your eyes as cold as steel, "My job."

>>18373099

At this, Abigail descends into a hysterical torrent of screaming, thrashing, and begging for her life. You press her head to the ground, so her neck lies perpendicular to the exposed root.

"You can't!" the princess protests, "She has a child!"

The wretch squirms against your stony grip, "She's right! I have child! Who will look after poor, poor Nicholas? You have no right!"

"I'd rather take the child myself than let him be raised a Mayhew!" you say directly into Abigail's ear.

"Franklin! Do not do this!" Gwendolyn's seems to have lost her royal composure.

"You know as well as I that she will betray us the first chance she gets! You will not talk me down from this, Gwendolyn. It must be done. If you are that opposed to it, then take your sword and run me through," Abigail had begun to sob uncontrollably. She struggled furiously.

You twist her neck so she can see the her slain comrades, Jack and Burton, “Burton will lie there for hours, maybe days before death claims him. Jack died in seconds, which do you prefer?”

Abigail became limp, “Will... It hurt?”

“Not long,” you say.

You raise your axe high above the woman's neck, “Does the condemned repent for his sins against God and the Kingdom of Andura?”

She nods her head ever so slightly. Your axe falls and Abigail Mayhew is no more. She is third Mayhew to be executed by your family.

>>18373137
Not much else to do other than go on I suppose. Although I wonder if the princess will demand words after that.

Make sure you drop the kid off at an orphanage or something. No need to kill those who don't deserve it.

>>18373137

You turn to the princess. She had shielded the infant's eyes, but she had not looked away. Her face, as always, did not betray her emotions, but there was something dark lurking behind her pale blue eyes. Sorrow? Anger? Rage? It was impossible to tell.

"Let's move on," she said. Her voice was very small.

You wipe your chopper on a patch of moss and look around at the dismal grisly. Four bodies, dead or dying. Their weapons are shoddy and ill-kept, whatever provisions they had are soaked with blood, cursed. You consider burying them, but criminals don't deserve the luxury. You begin to trot eastward once more. It is a long time before the infant grows tired of crying and sleep overtakes him.

Late in the afternoon, you come across a small cabin in the woods. Its walls are made from interlacing logs with and its roof is thatched. A trail of smoke is pouring from the chimney.

***** What do you do? *****

>>18373336
Ask the princess if she wants to risk stopping to investigate. I have no clue on how recognizable she might be and if it might be unwise to interact with whoever is inside.

Start chopping wood in front of the cabin. When they come out to investigate act act surprised and demand to know why they are living in your house.

keep going, we need to start being more stealthy

>>18373352

You ask Gwendolyn if she wants to risk visiting the cabin, mentioning that perhaps it's occupants might wan to look after the child. She nods her head slightly but does not say anything, perhaps she hopes her silence will bother you. She probably doesn't realize that people have refused to speak to you your entire life.

In any case, you leave her and the horse a good distance from the cabin, in case the encounter with its occupants turns out to be unfriendly. Chopper in hand, you approach the door and knock.

There is no response. You knock again. No response. You give up are about to turn around when you hear a man's voice, "Who is it. Are you a villain, come to thieve me?"

"No," you reply.

"Than are you one of the mountain ferals, come to make meal from my bones?"

"I am not."

"True. They usually don't bother knocking. Perhaps you are a vampire, come to drink my blood?"

"Tis day."

"Fair enough. What is it that you want" the voice says.

***** How do you reply? *****

Haven't bothered checking for the archive of the first part, yet. And I'm more of a lurker then anything. It's kind of disheartening to see so few people posting in here though. Compared to many other quest threads you have a pretty good amount of writing skill, and the prose is actually decent. That's something of a rarity in quest threads.

Have a bump.

>>18373628
Ask him if he wants to take of an orphan child. No point hopping around the subject. Get a straight answer and then move on.

>>18373772

I second this. I just finished catching up with the story and its great. Please continue

>>18373628

Say you are travelers and would like shelter for the night. Once he agrees, tell him your story and ask about the child. I bet he will have some valuable object or advice that he can give as well. hermits always do

>>18373833
>>18373795
>>18373793

You explain through the door that you are travelers and that you would like shelter for the night. You also make it known that you have an orphaned babe with you, and cannot risk sleeping in the open.

There is a long silence before a response, "So be it," the he says.

You hear noises from within the cabin, and you think you hear hushed voices from within. The door remains closed.

"Halloo!" somebody calls from above. You look up to see a prepubescent girl staring at you from the roof of the cabin. She has short-cropped blonde hair and blue eyes that are staring down at you down the tiller of a crossbow. "Leave that outside," she says motioning to your axe. You obey, only lowering her weapon when your chopper was safely on the ground.

She kicks down a roped stepladder and beckons you to climb up. You call out to Gwendolyn. She ties the horse up next to a goat pen in the back of the cabin and the two of you, infant in tow, climb the stepladder onto the roof.

The girl lifts an unseen hatch that drops into the innards of the cabin and motions for you to enter.

The cabin is very small. There are two lofts on opposite sides of the cabin that serve as bedding for its occupants. The windows are fitted with iron bars from the inside and are accompanied by quivers of arrows. The fireplace at the back of the cabin has been modified into a miniature forge, but presently its coals are heating a cauldron full of stew. There is also an anvil and a grindstone positioned next to a table with only two chairs. Most of the floor is dominated by a military ballista pointed squarely at the front door where you answered the man's questions.

Good sir, I request a boon of you. Me and a fair maiden with child have been traveling these woods for a fair while. We have been accosted by some reckless bandits near here, though we managed to etch the passage of their lives with my axe, a keen stylus.

We need food and shelter. I pray you as a kind soul, if you wish to not let me in I would understand, but please let the woman and child stay and rest. They are of a delicate disposition and I worry for them.

>>18374082

I would have said that your precautions against banditry and villainy were excessive had we not been accosted by brigands on our travels near here. I thank you for allowing us to stay here for a while and rest our weary soles. I hate to ask, but do you have any milk and stew for the woman and child? I could make do only with water and I would not want to waste your stores.

Though i must ask, why stay here if you need to be so zealous of your protection? Surely there are other areas more comfortable for you and your daughter.

>>18374082
Thank them for their hospitality, ask if it's only the two of them living here? Offer to chop any firewood they need chopped and ask why they happen to have a military ballista and crossbows. Do they blacksmith stuff here?

>>18374082

The owner of the house is as blonde as his daughter, their eyes are equally blue. He extends his hand in greeting, "Good afternoon, traveler. My name's Matthew Cox. This is my daughter Rachel."

The young girl curtsies, though she wears pants instead of a dress.

Gwendolyn accepts his hand, "I am Isabelle Welles, daughter of a Lirilish merchant. This is my bodyguard, Richard."

You smile and bow slightly.

"Your Anduran is very good. And the babe?"

"We are not sure of his name, we call him Nicholas. His mother was the victim of villainy," Gwendolyn always sounded like she spoke the truth. It was unsettling.

***** Sorry for the delay. The system thinks I'm a spammer *****

>>18374374

We should be sure to remind her in the future that a villain is exactly the kind of person she needs guarding her, Miss "Let's assassinate the Pope."

Also, she's only said that she'd give us forgiveness for the crimes we did defending her; I would not put it past her to try and get us for murder later on.

>>18374374
Thank them for the hospitality, ask if they need any wood chopped. Ask if they would be willing to take the foundling or know someone who could as it isn't really a practical plan for us to keep it.

You decide to speak up, "We were accosted by bandits earlier today. I managed to dispatch them, but we thought it would be wise to seek shelter for the night."

Cox casts you a cold eye, "Could you have been followed?"

"I am very thorough."

Gwendolyn spoke, "I hope it isn't too much to ask, but can you spare some stew and milk for the babe?"

"I've goat's milk." he nodded to his daughter who fetched a bottle from the mantle.

"There's plenty of stew,I'd be more than happy to share it with you." He jams the safety spike back into the ballista, rendering it inert, "Normally our visitors aren't so civil."

Little Nicholas is set to rest in Rache's loft and two logs of unchopped firewood are set around the table as extra seats. The Cox's sit on these. You and the princess are given the chairs.
Rachel serves four steaming bowls of boar stew.

"I shot the beast myself," she exclaims.

***** What would you like to discuss? *****

Ask if they have heard news from the surrounding area. Its always good to be informed.

Killing of the boar is no small trifle, even with a crossbow. You have some talent young lady.

I am worried, however, looking over your establishment. You seem to have carried personal protection to an excessive level. Is there some concern further ahead on the roads we should know about? I do not want to risk the safety of my companions in such an endeavour.

Furthermore, Is there some curch or orphange nearby, in a village perhaps? The disgraceful bandits used a woman and child to try and entrap us. The mother was killed, and we need to ensure that the child receives a good home.

>>18374589
Act suitably impressed, boars aren't easy prey. Ask what brings her and her father to live in this area. Why they have a ballista? If there is anyone else in the area.

Do you know anywhere that would take this foundling in, we can not travel with it and I would not wish to see it without a home.

>>18374664
Seconding this, all good things to know.

>>18374672
>>18374664

You express your admiration for the young girl's prowess and comment that it tastes delicious as well. You turn your attention to the ballista that dominates the room.

"I don't know of many people who have one of those in their homes. Is there something we ahead that we should be aware of?"

Matthew takes the time to chew a lump of boar, "There's no such thing as being overly-cautious in these parts. Bandits, fell animals, tax collectors. Disaster can strike at any moment. Sometimes packs of ferals venture out from the mountains..."

"Ferals? I thought that they were just a legend?" When you were young, your father used to tell you stories about the savage beast-men who lived in the mountains and feasted on the flesh of little boys who didn't eat their cabbage.

"They're not," Matthew said through a mouthful of gristle. Rachel seemed to have lost her appetite.

>>18374803

Gwendolyn broke the silence, "About poor Nicholas, we cannot care for him forever. Is there any place that might take him? Are there any nearby churches, convents, or orphanages?"

"We can't have 'em, if that's what you're thinking. Ferals are attracted to the the sound they make when crying. There's a town about a day's walk northwest from here, Derrington, the Church will take him. Tell Father Dmitri that I sent you, he won't put up much fuss."

"Thank you very much," Gwendolyn said.

"I'll give you the directions tomorrow."

***** What would you like to discuss? *****

More about the Ferals.

Do they attack in the daytime, and with a large amount of numbers? We cannot risk getting ambushed if/when the baby begins to cry.

But pass the time talking and joking with the man and daughter. Lighten the mood so to speak with humorous tales.

More about your establishment. You seem to have quite an eye for creating war machines, and I have noticed that you have a forge and sharpening stand. I could gather some wood for your personal use while we stay as payment for your hospitality and use of your materials for my axe.

Also, we can play the hero and try to take down and find out why the ferals seem to be attacking when we reach the next town.

>>18374894
Ask more about ferals, see if they need any wood split. Don't venture onto the mother, it was probably a sad event for the both of them. Ask why they live here rather than somewhere safer, closer to town?

>>18374948

"I don't mean to sour the mood, but I would like to know more about these ferals."

Rachel spoke, "They killed mother."

The mood was irrevocably soured. It was a while before Matthew decided to speak, "That they did. They took her from us six years past. They're a vile lot, savage as beasts and wicked as men. They live in the mountains, and usually they stay there. That's not always the case. Ferals, like to hunt at night, and in big groups, too. Once they have your scent, they won't stop until they've got you."

"Or you kill them," Rachel interjected.

"Or you kill them," Matthew repeated, casting a glance toward the ballista.

>>18375084
Sorry to hear about your mother, and thanks for telling me about the Church. Why do you two choose to live our here and are you a smith? I'm guessing former soldier.

I'm more than willing to pay my keep anyway I can, if you need any wood split or any labor in my power I would gladly accomplish it for you.

ask about the nearby town. See if they have any recommendations for places to stay or purchase supplies. It might be good to get some better equipment for yourself and Gwendolyn

>>18375084

"I noticed that your fireplace is also a forge."

Matthew responds well to the change of subject, "Good eye, Richard. Smithing is something of a hobby of mine. Metal is scarce around these parts, but I like to take a hammer to any bit of scrap I can find. Our soup bowls come from that forge. The spoons, too. And the bars on the windows and doors."

You had to admit that his metalwork was very good.

"You are a very generous man, and I'll gladly pay my keep. Please, let me chop firewood for you in the morning. It's the least I can do."

"If it settles your soul, so be it. I can sharpen your weapons if need be."

It's a reasonable deal and you shake on it.

>>18375234

Just got caught up on the whole thing. This is fantastic, please continue.

I say go to sleep for the night, tomorrow will be a long day of travel and having to navigate the new town. Thank our hosts for the food and make sure you keep an eye on Gwendolyn. she isnt very trustworthy

>>18375463
...so is anyone still in this tread besides me?
Choppingblock? I'm happy to keep reading and suggesting if you want to keep writing.

>>18375193
>>18375179

Matthew leaned back against the wall of the cabin, "If you don't mind me asking, what business do a Lirilish maiden and her bodyguard have so deep in the Great Southern Wood?"

Gwendolyn tells him that she was separated from her father when his caravan was ambushed by brigands. She her bodyguard attempted to lose them in the woods and instead got hopelessly lost. Matthew seemed to believe her story.

"And if I may ask, why do you choose to live in such a remote place?"

"You mean aside from not having to pay any taxes?" Matthew leans across the table and looks at her as though he wants to tell a secret, "It's because there's a storm coming," he says. Rachel slurps a spoonful of broth.

"A storm?"

Matthew chews on a piece of bread, "That's right. A big one, really big, like the one that flooded the world like it says in the Scriptures."

You and the princess exchange glances.

"I was a soldier in the Holy War," Matthew continues, "I was in Sir Bartholomew's brigade. I was there when we unearthed the Golden Sarcophagus in the ruins of Estera. I was a litter-bearer for the body of the Savior on the march to Phedra. The Sarcophagus was made by angels, and to touch the smithwork of Heaven... it changes you," Matthew pauses, it looks as though he might begin to cry. His shoulders sank as though the weight of heaven was pushing down on him.

He composes itself and continues, "You know things... he paused, searching for the right words, "As sure a swallow knows when to fly south for the winter, I know that something big and dark is coming. We cannot stand up to it, and we need to hide if we are to survive."

"This is my ark, and it will keep us safe from the flood."

***** What do you do? *****

Look at Gwendolyn with a face that says to keep her mouth shut, and ask what he means by storm.

>>18375685
Smile and nod, honestly he probably has a point, shit is going down soon.

Ask more about the Sarcophagus, ask what it's like to have seen it in person. Tell him that you've heard conflicting reports from many people about what exactly the hole is, some say a normal round hole, one said a square, one said it was meant for a key?

I am assuming we are religious but this man might be a bit too much. we should humor him though. after all, he did give us food and shelter.

Ask him if he knows when the storm is coming and be sure to listen very attentively. Maybe we should watch Gwendolyn for any odd reaction to his tale. Maybe she knows more about religious events than she has revealed so far.

>>18375748
>>18375727

You glance at the princess. She says nothing. You turn back to Matthew.

"What's it like? The Sarcophagus?"

Matthew smiled, "It's the most wonderful thing on this world. About eight foot long and five feet across. You've never seen metal so smooth, or lines so straight. It's golden in color only, the material it's made from is harder than anything on earth. It was made in the forges of heaven. It's always warm to the touch and if you put your ear close to it, you can hear the echoes of the Heavenly Chorus."

"I've heard that it has a hole in one side, as though there might be a key?"

"Aye, there's a hole. Halfway up one of it's longer sides. Perfectly hexagonal and just smaller than the width of Rachel's smallest finger. It is the only blemish on its flawless form, so it must have a reason for being there. A keyhole was the immediate conclusion of everyone who unearthed it. If only we had found that as well."

***** What do you do? *****

>>18376005
It must have been a wonder to behold. Given the hour and our plans in the morning I hope you don't find it disrespectful if we go to bed. Are there any hay bales or the like that we can use for bedding?

Hehe...Dick Headsman. Ask if you can bring your axe in now that they don't want to skewer you. No sense in leaving it outside if bad people occasionally drop by.

>>18376005
Tell him you heard a tale while traveling of a key being found. see what he has to say about it but we should probably sleep soon. it has not been long since we were tortured and we will probably need our strength in the coming days

>>18376096
>>18376062

"I heard a rumor that the Heathens unearthed a key somewhere in the desert."

This news troubled Matthew, "I don't know anything about that, but if it's true... I'm sure the Church would like to have it very much."

He leaned back and yawned broadly, "My Lord, it's getting late, and there is much to do in the morning. We should be getting to bed soon. Rachel, would you be a dear and wash the bowls?"

The Cox's had plenty of blankets to spare. Gwendolyn slept on the loft with Nicholas and Rachel. Matthew offered you his loft, but you told him that you feared you might roll off and were content to slumber on the ground.

Sleep did not come easy. Matthew snored terribly, and the facts that had come to light weighed heavily on your mind. You killed your second Mayhew today, and had become the caretaker of the son of the first man you executed. Ferals were real. You thought about what Cox had said about the Sarcophagus.

"It changes you." he had said

Your thoughts turned to the princess. Had the Sarcophagus changed her as well? Was it the source of her blasphemy? The Golden Sarcophagus holds the body of the Savior. It is the holiest relic in all of creation. It wasn't a stretch of the imagination that it might have some power over the souls of men.

You are reminded of something Father Johns once said at Mass, "Man is too small and limited in faculties to ever comprehend His will. To attempt to do so is to know madness itself."

This thought keeps you awake for quite some time.

***** End of Part II *****

Thoughts, criticisms, and harsh words from here on out.

>>18376471
I've always found quests in past-tense to be somewhat strange, but that's my own opinion. Few typos here and there also.

Story-wise though it's been a great read. Looking forward to the next thread.

>>18376471
It's really interesting and somewhat different. I love your writing, it sometimes takes a while but it's always really good. I'm liking the plots and intrigue being set up and the unstable relationship between ourself and Gwendolyn.

>>18376514

Thanks.

I've been trying to keep track of tense. I kind of slipped up near the end.

Also, I'm glad at least one person noticed this:

>>18376091

I think we screwed up with executing that harlot, oh well.

when is the next quest?

>>18376582

The chopping continues tomorrow.