An Najaf/“The Quest for the Star Crown” By Knight Ultor Amedes/Act Three
Act Three:
Scene One:
They enter into the gates of Krimml, a big city with stone roads and stone buildings. It is a sight to see. The watchtowers loom over the stone streets, and the castles and temples are magnificent sights. Tantor and Brako decided to go find Brako’s uncle, while the other two go exploring. The youths walk in awe at all the varieties of people, and the fruits and vegetables that they have never seen or tasted before, except for Brako.
Cri Cri: “And what is this one?”
Shopkeep: “That’s a julaberry, a bitter one that is.”
Cri Cri: “And that, what is that?”
Shopkeep: “This here is a bule. They make good additions to soups and stews. Hmm, not much else though. Kind of bitter on their own.”
Cri Cri: “What about this one, what is that?”
Shopkeep: “Oh, that’s tin-amup. Sweet and dandy. It’s especially a treat to give to your lovely gal. That’s what I have been told though. It’s too bitter for my tastes.”
Oddimes: “Cri Cri does not have a lovely gal.”
Cri Cri: “Says you creep!”
Oddimes: “Myuh.”
Cri Cri: “What about that one? What is that right there?”
Shopkeep: “That one is a kegeber. A bitter vegetable, that’s what that is.”
Cri Cri: “Why is everything so bitter?”
Oddimes: “Don’t ask Cree.”
They walk to the next stall in the bazaar. This keeper is selling exotic blades, and knives. Some have jewels others are special metals. The boys never seen some of them, probably don’t recognize the uses of any either. They keep walking.
Oddimes: “Eww Cree, look at that guys face! What’s wrong with it?”
Cri Cri: “Uhheeww, looks like a terrible burn, mixed with…a swelling. Blah.”
They walk around the various attractions. One of the performers is a dwarf who chases a duck, he is very popular in this city.
Cri Cri: “Ha! Look at that guy!”
Oddimes: “Do you think he will ever catch that duck?”
Dwarf performer: “Here duckie duckie. Here duckie duckie duckie!”
They laugh and keep walking. Then they find a magician who calls himself Severan the Sorcerer!, who is performing a transmutation.
Severan: “Behold in my hand, a chunk of clay. Do you see? It lies alone in the palm of my hand. In a moment, I will change it into a nugget of gold!”
Oddimes: “No way!”
Severan: “Oh? You do not think so young fellow?”
Cri Cri: “Oddimes, shh, leave him alone.”
Oddimes: “No way! There is no way he can do that. Sir, there is no way you can do that.”
Severan smiles. He lifts his hand up showing everyone in the crowd the chunk of clay then brings it right in front of Oddimes.
Severan: “Lords and Ladies, and commoners. I have come to this city, not to take your money and ruse you, but to introduce you to something far greater than your pathetic lives. Young man, take the chunk of clay in your palm, would you?”
Oddimes: “What? Me?”
Severan: “Take it.”
Oddimes takes the chunk.
Severan: “Display it to the crowd.”
He does so. Cri Cri steps back.
Severan: “First, there is a matter I would like to clear up. The gold nugget that will be made should belong to this young man. I know all of you have mouths to feed, hell so do I.”
The crowd laughs, one guy yells: “I had dibs!” The crowd laughs some more.
Severan: “Squeeze your hand into a fist. Now if this is not proof enough, then damn you all to hell!”
Severan motions his hands quickly towards Oddimes’ hand and a poof of smoke shoots out from them. Oddimes’ hand burns and he drops the chunk. It hits the ground and is noticeably a gold nugget. Those closest gasp. Oddimes looks down and quickly picks up the nugget.
Severan: “Display it to the crowd.”
Oddimes moves his hand around the crowd who clearly see a gold nugget in his palm. The crowd claps, and Severan bows.
Cri Cri: “Jumpin’ lice bugs! Oddimes, did you see that!”
Oddimes: “I felt it! Sir, what did you do?”
Severan: “Hell’ova show eh? Lords and Ladies, my name is Severan the Sorcerer! I have travelled to the edge of the world and back, twice!”
The crowd laughs.
Severan: “I think I will end my show here. I will return again in two days time, to this same place. Bring your friends, and any naysayers!”
The crowd cheer and clap, then shuffle away.
Severan: “Can I have that nugget back?”
Oddimes: “Huh? You said it was mine?”
Severan: “I said it should belong to you. These things are not easy to produce kid. I get hungry too.”
Cri Cri: “You – are – amazing!”
Severan: “Thanks pal. Now, how about that nugget?”
Oddimes: “What? Can’t you make others?”
Severan: “Never mind that. Give it here.”
Oddimes: “No.”
Cri Cri: “Oddimes, it isn’t nice to argue with sorcerers!”
Oddimes: “This chump isn’t a sorcerer, he is a quack!”
Severan: “You watch your mouth; you do not know who you are messing with.”
Oddimes: “A quack that’s who.”
Cri Cri: “Oddimes, just give it back.”
Severan: “Yes, Oddimes. Give it back.”
Oddimes: “Make another one.”
Severan: “I want that one.”
Oddimes: “I’ll make you a deal.”
Severan: “No deals Oddimes, give back the nugget.”
Oddimes: “You tell me how you made this and it is yours.”
Cri Cri: “Oddimes, why? Black magic is bad. My mother told me so.”
Severan: “Listen to Cree’s mother Oddimes. Black magic is bad.”
Cri Cri: “How…how did he know my name?”
Oddimes and Cri Cri look at Severan in surprise.
Severan: “Give me the nugget.”
Oddimes steps back, turns and takes off running. Cri Cri stumbles then follows after him.
Severan: “Running, aw damn. Have it your way sneak.”
Oddimes and Cri Cri take off down an avenue, dodging people and carts left and right. Cri Cri is trying to get Oddimes’ attention to tell him to stop, Oddimes keeps going. Eventually they turn a corner and stop, both panting heavy.
Cri Cri: “What did you do! What did you do! Now he is going to turn my mother into a frog!”
Oddimes: “No one is going to be turned into a frog.”
Cri Cri: “You certainly are.”
Oddimes: “He didn’t even chase after us. What an idiot.”
Cri Cri: “What were you thinking? It’s just a piece of gold. It is not worth both our lives.”
Oddimes: “You are right, it is just a piece of gold. So why does he want it so badly? I bet it is a special piece of gold that he uses every time in his act. With this, he can’t do his show. Therefore he is not a sorcerer.”
Cri Cri: “That’s crazy, how did he know my name?”
Oddimes: “Uh, I dunno. But it could not have been too hard to figure out. Look at you. You’ve got Cri Cri written all over you.”
Just then Severan casually walks into the alley from the other side and strolls up to them. They notice but cannot move.
Cri Cri: “Ah, I’m stuck!”
Oddimes: “Help Cree!”
Severan: “Didn’t anyone teach you not to test a sorcerer? You have some sand in you kid.”
Oddimes: “I have never seen a sorcerer before. How would I know the etiquette? Let us go!”
Severan: “Hmm. Why?”
Oddimes: “What do you mean why? You can’t keep us here forever, someone will find us, a guard, and you will be in big trouble.”
Severan: “What’say I bind them too? Then what will you do?”
Cri Cri: “Oddimes.”
Oddimes: “Then you will be wanted across the land, and all will hunt you down and lynch you!”
Severan: “You lack imagination kid. You got guts, but no creativity.”
Oddimes: “What is that supposed to mean?”
Severan: “That’s why you were such an easy target for the succubus.”
Cri Cri: “Uh –“
Oddimes: “Who the…how? Were you there? Did you send that after me?”
Severan: “No, of course not.”
Cri Cri: “Alright, now I am freaked out. I am freaking out!”
Oddimes: “Severan the sorcerer?”
Severan: “Yes?”
Oddimes: “What do you want?”
Severan: “My nugget please.”
Oddimes: “Will you let us go?”
Severan: “I would not have had to bind you if you gave me the nugget earlier.”
Oddimes: “So you are not a quack?”
Severan: “That’s your opinion. Oddimes, the nugget?”
Oddimes moves his hand into his pocket and hands Severan the nugget.
Oddimes: “Hey! Leave my hand alone!”
Cri Cri: “What the?”
Oddimes: “He controlled my hand! He took the nugget right out of my pocket!”
Cri Cri: “Why didn’t you do that before?”
Severan: “Should I have had to?”
The youths become unfrozen, and stretch out their arms and legs. Severan turns and begins walking the other way.
Cri Cri: “Oh, no way we are letting this guy out of our sight. C’mon!”
Oddimes: “What? Look who wants trouble now. Five minutes ago you were weeping to me about taking gold from a quack and crying that your mom is going to be turned into a frog!”
Cri Cri: “He’s not a quack! Sir Severan! Sir! Wait!”
They catch up to the sorcerer who is calmly walking. He turns back onto the avenue and whistles as he walks. Some of the people notice him and nod, or say hi.
Cri Cri: “Master Severan, hang on!”
He stops suddenly and turns menacingly towards Cri Cri.
Severan: “Do not call me master!”
Cri Cri kneels to the ground and pleads.
Cri Cri: “Oh please please, we have never seen anything like that before. We knew it exists but oh please!”
Oddimes: “Well, I agree with Cree. C’mon Sir!”
Severan: “Every time I do an act, some dumb guy wants to become my apprentice. It’s not worth it.”
Oddimes: “Not worth it?”
Cri Cri: “Not worth it? Look at the power you possess, you can do anything! You have no boundaries, no limits. You are free!”
Severan: “Aren’t you?”
Cri Cri: “No, I mean, yes, we are not slaves or bonded, but not like your freedom.”
Severan: “What’s the difference?”
Cri Cri: “Isn’t it obvious? You have supernatural abilities that we do not. You can use them to do anything you want, we can only do the things that are possible with these two hands and this lowly mind.”
Severan: “Wouldn’t the accomplishments with those tools be far greater than anything I can do with my talent?”
Oddimes: “How so?”
Severan: “Do I have to lecture you? Find a book and read it!”
Severan keeps on walking. They stop him again.
Oddimes: “Look pal, we are obviously not as wise as you. This is our first time ever leaving our homeland, everything is new and exciting.”
Severan: “I miss that youthful curiosity. You should enjoy it while you can. Take what you learn and what you have seen and bring it back to An Najaf. They know plenty there, but not everything.”
Cri Cri: “How did…? See, right there. Who told you where we were from?”
Severan: “You did. Just look at you.”
Cri Cri and Oddimes look at each other and shrug.
Severan: “You don’t need magic to look at a person. All the details you ever need are right in front of you.”
Cri Cri: “Is this some kind of power?”
Severan: “it’s called observation.”
Oddimes: “Haha, that’s not magic!”
Severan: “It’s Commoner’s logic!”
Severan begins walking again.
Oddimes: “Wha?”
Cri Cri: “He did it again! That sun’ova!”
Oddimes: “How could you have observed that?”
They catch up to him again.
Severan: “Look, you guys are alright. I am sorry that I had to get rough with you. Gold doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. I haven’t eaten in a day and a half and the hostess of the tavern over there is making a chili tonight. Can’t pass that up. Cooking is a better magic than what I do.”
Oddimes: “You just made gold from clay!”
Severan: “Clay doesn’t grow on trees.”
Severan walks away, waving as he enters the tavern.
Cri Cri: “The guys aren’t going to believe this!”
Oddimes: “Where are they anyway? Do you know where Brako’s Uncle lives?”
Cri Cri: “Brako came to Krimml to help with his uncle’s harvest, where are the farms?”
Oddimes: “I dunno, this is a city.”
Cri Cri: “Maybe outside the walls?”
Oddimes: “Nah, we better not leave.”
Cri Cri: “Let’s go ask Severan.”
Oddimes: “…We could, but what if he turns us into frogs for disturbing his meal?”
Cri Cri: “He wouldn’t do that!”
Oddimes: “Hmm, he is a strange and attractive character.”
Cri Cri: “Indeed.”
Oddimes: “And it would be wrong to lose such an opportunity, we scarcely get to hang out with sorcerers in An Najaf.”
Cri Cri: “If ever!”
Oddimes: “Ah slop, let’s do it. Let Tantor and Brako find us. And when they do, we will be with a real life sorcerer!”
Cri Cri: “That’s right! We are only in Krimml once!”
They run into Myrium’s Tavern: Strongest drinks you can find, and the food is alright too!.
Scene Two:
Inside the tavern they see plenty of people, eating , drinking, gathering around the fire. There is a bard singing in the corner while the tables around him pay attention.
Oddimes: “What’s he singing about?”
Cri Cri: “I bet it’s the Star Crown!”
They move closer and listen.
Cri Cri: “He is! He is singing about the Star Crown!”
Bard:
Long ago, this city was pure, but hearts never change.
Long ago, two men stood with power, but the city would not choose.
A war erupted, two men two minds, two hearts at war in one city.
Long ago, a war between two, fighting for one city, and fighting for one pleasure.
The Star Crown – The Star Crown!
Long ago, two men clashed in armour, but they had no grace.
Long ago, a crown was coveted, but the city does not forgive.
They became trapped in the Palace a’sinkin!
Long ago, the city was corrupted, but the earth is wise to that.
The Star Crown – The Star Crown!
Long ago, the earth punished the city, two men sunk in sorrow.
Long ago, our crown our crown sunk with their wishes, their ambitions, and their vices.
And the Star Crown has been lost – forever.
The crowd cheers and slams the tables. Oddimes and Cri Cri clap happily. They walk to the bard, forgetting about the sorcerer.
Cri Cri: “Talented songbird, have you seen the Star Crown?”
Bard: “What? Of course not!”
Oddimes: “Why not? You seem to know a lot about it”
Bard: “That is an ancient tale. Hence the “long ago, long ago, long ago!”
Cri Cri: “So you have never seen it. Do you know if it is still below Krimml?”
Bard: “Of course it is not. It was cleaned out of here centuries ago.”
Oddimes: “Now, how do you know that?”
Bard: “I don’t so get!”
The Bard shoos past them and goes to the bar. Some commoners give him a piece or two of bronze. He smiles and nods. Then the bartender brings him a drink which he pays for with the bronze coins.
Oddimes: “Piss on him.”
Cri Cri: “Nice song though.”
Oddimes: “Oh, very nice song.”
They hear a whistle from the other side of the room; they look over and see Severan eating chili, minding his own business.
Cri Cri: “Hey, it’s the sorcerer!”
Oddimes: “What the hell was that whistle?”
Cri Cri: “I don’t know. C’mon!”
They walk over and knock on the table he is sitting at.
Oddimes: “Sir Severan? May we sit with you?”
Cri Cri: “We mean not to disturb your meal, only to share your company.”
Severan smiles.
Severan: “That would be most kind of you. But don’t say a word until I am finished my chili, or I’ll turn you both into frogs.”
They look at each other, look back and nod. Severan nods, and they sit down across from him. Severan enjoys his chili, dipping bread in every once in a while.
Severan: “Mmm, I love her chili!”
Oddimes was about to speak but Severan raised his hand to stop him, Oddimes sits back.
Severan: “There is nothing finer than a warm hearty chili, eh guys?”
They say nothing.
Severan: “What a meal! Only in Krimml have I found such delicious chili.”
Severan stops and looks at the both of them staring at his chili, they obviously want to eat.
Severan: “Say, you boys ever tried chili?”
They shake their heads.
Severan: “A shame. A shame, that’s what that is. I am certain An Najaf has chili, what part are you from?”
They are about to answer but Severan taps his chili bowl, it’s not empty yet. They sit back.
Severan: “You look skinny, don’t you eat?”
Cri Cri was about to speak, but Severan again silences him with his hand. Cri Cri sits back, Oddimes looks like he is struggling, so hungry.
Severan: “Mmm. Chili is best accompanied with a fresh loaf of bread. This loaf is a day old, but no matter. It suits me just fine!”
Oddimes’ mouth opens, watering. Cri Cri is holding himself from bursting.
Severan: “I really enjoy this meal. See boys, it’s a finer thing in life to be able to satisfy a person with food. The world calls me a sorcerer? Myrium is the magician.”
Severan finishes his meal. Just as he puts his spoon down and swallows his last bite, Oddimes breaks.
Oddimes: “I’m hu-“
Severan silences him. Just then, Myrium, the tavern owner, walks over to tend to the table.
Myrium: “Enjoy the chili?”
Severan: “Never found better. If I did I’d be over there.”
Myrium: “Ha, is that so? All I have for you is chili eh?”
Severan looks at Myrium then looks back to the bowl.
Severan: “My two companions here seem hungry.”
Myrium: “Seems like it, they are practically swelling the wooden table with their drool.”
Severan: “Send them two meals of millet, make it tasty.”
Myrium: “Millet? Too hard to make that tasty.”
Severan: “Then bring it as is.”
Myrium: “Alright, be back soon.”
Severan: “Thanks Myr’.”
Myrium: “Anytime.”
She leaves. The two sit at ease.
Cri Cri: “Thanks Sir, you don’t have to feed us.”
Oddimes: “Ya, we appreciate it. We did bring food with our supplies.”
Severan: “You ever eaten millet?”
Cri Cri: “Never once.”
Severan: “Believe me, I’m not feeding you. What do you want?”
Oddimes: “We would like your help. In fact, we need your help.”
Severan: “A fact eh? How could you say it’s a fact?”
Oddimes: “Because I am certain that without you we would not succeed.”
Severan: “You have come this far without me, why so dependent so quickly?”
Oddimes: “You are a sorcerer; we don’t know what we are up against. It could be dangerous.”
Severan: “It is dangerous.”
Oddimes: “It could be difficult.”
Severan: “It is certainly difficult.”
Oddimes: “And we just don’t have the same skills and experience you have. What if we got into a stick? What would we do to get ourselves out of it? You wouldn’t want us to die would you?”
Cri Cri: “I know that you don’t want us to die.”
Severan: “No, no I do not want you to die. But what is it worth to you?”
Oddimes: “What do you mean?”
Severan: “What would you get out of recovering the Star Crown? Riches? The throne?”
Cri Cri: “How did you know we were after the Star Crown?”
Severan: “Observation.”
Oddimes: “Magic!”
Severan: “Commoner’s logic!”
Cri Cri: “There is another point. You already know everything. You probably know exactly where the Star Crown is. How easy it would be to just scoop it into a sack and waltz out of there.”
Oddimes: “Yah.”
Severan: “You still haven’t answered my question.”
Oddimes: “What?”
Severan: “What do you get out of recovering the Star Crown?”
Oddimes and Cri Cri look at each other.
Cri Cri: “Well…uh.”
Oddimes: “We, well.”
Cri Cri: “I think it was to prove that it existed.”
Oddimes: “To prove that we could get it.”
Severan: “Now those are two completely different answers. Which is it?”
Cri Cri: “Neither.”
Oddimes: “Both.”
Cri Cri: “All of the above.”
Oddimes: “We have our reasons. Will you help us?”
Severan: “Where are the other two?”
Cri Cri: “That’s what we came to ask you originally.”
Severan: “Oh.”
Oddimes: “Where are the other two?”
Severan: “Oh oh.”
In walks Tantor, Brako, and Brako’s uncle, Sacredness Poleias. Poleias is a big man, broad shoulders, muscles, and a chin that could crush a metal drum. The chin, of course, is behind a big bushy lumberjack’s beard. He steps in the tavern strong and sure, looks around and sees the other two sitting across from Severan. Tantor and Brako wave and walk over, Poleias follows.
Scene Three:
Poleias looks directly at Severan, who keeps his head down. Myrium butts her way through and puts the millet in front of Oddimes and Cri Cri, who look at it and don’t seem too impressed. Myrium leaves, but Poleias’ eyes widen.
Brako: “Hey guys this is my uncle, Poleias. Who’s this?”
Poleias: “I know who this is.”
Brako: “Who is he Uncle Poleias?”
Poleias: “Humph, does he know what he is?”
Cri Cri: “What does that mean?”
Poleias: “You feed them millet?”
Severan: “I don’t have much money.”
Poleias: “They need food, not grass.”
Severan: “I already bought my meal before they came in, I didn’t have enough.”
Tantor: “Hey guys. Good thing we found you, we have more information on the Star Crown.”
Cri Cri: “Us too!”
Poleias: “Humph. You never change.”
Severan: “Neither do you big man.”
Poleias: “What did I say to you the last time you came to Krimml?”
Severan: “I miss the chili. No one makes it like Myrium.”
Poleias: “That may be so sorcerer, but I told you never to return.”
Oddimes: “Hey now, aren’t we all getting a little stiff around here?”
Severan: “Well Your Sacredness, sometimes a man has just got to get his hands on some fine chili, no matter what the consequence.”
Poleias: “Hmm, hmmhaha, hahahahaha!”
Severan starts to laugh too, the guys look around not knowing what to do.
Oddimes: “Is this an act or something?”
Poleias stops laughing.
Poleias: “No. Get out of Krimml now Severan.”
Oddimes: “Aw dang’t.”
Brako: “Uncle, you know this man? He knows our friends. Maybe we should talk and sort this out.”
Severan: “Now there is an idea. Reason with the big man.”
Cri Cri: “Was that sarcastic?”
Severan: “Yes.”
Cri Cri: “Oh.”
Poleias: “Let’s go Severan.”
Severan: “Alright, alright. You know I can’t disobey you.”
Poleias: “Do I?”
Severan: “Sure. Why do you think I am with these two clowns?”
Oddimes: “Us?”
Poleias: “No matter.”
Severan: “Fine. Hey Myr’ thanks for the chili, I’ll be by again!”
Myrium: “Anytime Sevy. Next time stay longer. I don’t like you dropping in without saying hello.”
Poleias: “There will not be a next time. Let’s go Severan.”
Myrium: “Always the strict one aren’t you Poleias. Give the guy a break.”
Severan: “Yah, give the guy a break.”
Poleias: “I’ll break him alright.”
They all leave the tavern and stand in the avenue.
Oddimes: “Hang on, hang on. Look Uncle Poleias, Sir, Your Sacredness, Severan is going to help us with our journey. We talked him into it.”
Severan: “You did?”
Oddimes: “Yes. So if he leaves we will be out of luck in the ruins under Krimml.”
Tantor: “What will he do?”
Cri Cri: “He is an amazing sorcerer, very powerful.”
Severan: “Well, I’m not that powerf – “
Poleias: “No. He leaves.”
Severan: “There you have it.”
Oddimes: “What is this? What is this all about? Sir Poleias, can we at least have a reason?”
Poleias looks coldly at Oddimes.
Brako: “I think we need an explanation too Uncle.”
Poleias: “Severan.”
Severan: “Yah?”
Poleias: “You said you would help them in the ruins.”
Severan: “Uh, sure did.”
Poleias: “Despite all you know about what’s down there.”
Severan: “Yes.”
Poleias: “And you would still go?”
Severan: “Better me than someone else, right?”
Poleias: “You would think so wouldn’t you?”
Severan smiles weakly.
Oddimes: “C’mon Uncle P. Tell us!”
Tantor: “I am interested in this too.”
Cri Cri: “At least can he come with us. He is absolutely amazing!”
Poleias: “He’s a philanderer.”
Brako: “What is that?”
Severan: “C’mon Polee, that was years ago. I have lost my charm since then, I swear!”
Poleias: “You have no courtesy or restraint you animal.”
Severan: “It’s not like that. Would an animal put himself in deaths way for a bunch of runts?”
Cri Cri: “Death’s way? Where exactly are we going?”
Tantor: “To the Sunken Palace.”
Poleias: “No matter! I should bust your skull open on this stone path!”
Severan steps back a few paces.
Brako: “Uncle Poleias, you cannot murder a man. That is against your oath.”
Poleias: “I know my oath.”
Oddimes: “Sir Severan, what is this all about?”
Tantor: “I think everyone would like to know.”
Severan: “Well, maybe Poleias should answer that.”
Poleias: “They don’t need to get involved.”
Oddimes: “Oh boo, we are going to be travelling into peril with this guy, at least let us know who is watching out for us.”
Poleias: “He is a philanderer.”
Cri Cri: “What is that?”
Severan: “Uh,”
Brako: “Cousin Anasthesha? Or cousin Ulyanda?”
Severan: “Uh…”
Poleias is fuming angry.
Cri Cri: “What is that? What is a philanderer?”
Poleias, through his grinding teeth: “Both.”
Brako: “Oh. You are a bastard.”
Severan: “C’mon guy.”
Poleias: “And!”
Severan: “Uh!...”
Poleias raises his clenched fist. Red in the face and grinding his teeth, he looks like there is only one string holding him back from punching Severan right in the face.
Cri Cri: “SOMEONE! Listen to me? What is going on?”
Tantor: “Relax Cree.”
Brako: “And?”
Severan: “Oh boy!”
Poleias: “And Shaia.”
Brako: “Aunt Shaia?”
Severan: “All’hell.”
Poleias punches him right in the face knocking him out cold. The guys crowd around him, he lays motionless on the floor.
Brako: “This guy isn’t going anywhere.”
Tantor: “Wow. All I got to say.”
Poleias: “Say nothing or I’ll pop you one too.”
Tantor: “Yes sir.”
Cri Cri: “Why did he get punched?”
Tantor: “We’ll tell you later.”
Oddimes: “Oh man, what a guy, some sorcerer.”
Poleias: “Worse than a sorcerer. He is vermin. Chewing at all the things a man holds dear, just because he is hungry! That rat!”
Poleias kicks Severan right in the ribs.
Brako: “Uncle Poleias, your oath!”
Poleias: “I know what my oath is!”
Brako: “Can I at least beat on him?”
Poleias: “No.”
Tantor: “Well. Is he dead?”
Poleias: “No.”
Brako: “Can he come with us into the ruins?”
Poleias: “He must.”
Oddimes: “Why is that?”
Poleias: “Because I say so!”
The guys all flinch, expecting to get punched in the face.
Tantor: “Alright, alright. Let’s get back to the farm.”
Brako: “Let’s.”
