Al and Erevain
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"I went in the temple to... pray to Torm. I knew I needed to make paladin oaths to gain more power against Belhifet, but what if Torm started sending me on all kinds of holy errands? I have responsibilities with my Cagebreakers. What if eradicating them became one of those holy errands? I had to be sure what I was getting into, and I had no one to ask but him." She pauses, both to collect her thoughts and to breathe through the pain as Erevain works over one of her newer scars both grateful for and angry over the attention.
"He answered. He brought me to his realm in some kind of projection and he spoke to me like an equal. Well, not like an equal." She searches for the words. "But like I mattered.
He answered my questions plainly and honestly. No games. I wanted to know who exactly who I would be swearing to so he showed me his life. No hiding the bad parts, no playing up the good. I asked him what he would require of me, and he told me basically that I could continue as I have been, but that I would do things in his name. In exchange he grants power, an endorsement of my cause, and any aid he can with Gruumsh. Options are tricky and limited, and there is still much searching to be done on that front, but he said he would help.
So I swore."
She rolls over and sits up. "Torm had my life displayed over a bunch of pillars. Paintings of certain moments. Seeing it laid out like that... I started to understand what you were talking about when you were in the sword. That stuff about having perspective to see you had done enough.
Then I went to see the Cagebreakers- they're camped close by- and Keggruk over a couple hundred more orcs with him than when we were there last! He did that all without me, and I can tell they've made progress. He swore himself to Torm tonight and the people celebrated." Her beads click as she shakes her head with awe at the whole thing.
"There's so much work to do still, and I'm not going to stop until I'm made to, but if I die tomorrow, it won't matter. I've done enough."
His hands fall into his lap. "You are going to be alright... and you've done it all yourself."
"And I'm not free from Belhifet. Not really. He still holds my strength." She grips Erevain's hand tightly, then continues with some hesitation. "I could make a deal with him at any time. I like to think I won't, and that I can resist him, but I'll only know there is no risk of that when he is dead, or I am."
His fine brow furrows as he considers Alala’s words. "But what purpose would Belhifet’s death actually serve? He will not stay dead, for fiends are incarnations of evil itself, and so are subject to a certain form of immortality." He chuckles, but there is a darkness to it. "After slaying him here, will you pursue him through the Nine Hells to put a sure and final end to him?"
Rolls
Religion (adv) - (1d20+7, 1d20+7)
1d20+7 : (16) + 7 = 23
1d20+7 : (11) + 7 = 18
He lingers for a moment, then turns to look at her. "Are you still the leader of this party?"
He opens his eyes and puts a hand in Alalla’s. "I would never be dissatisfied with what you give me. I wonder, though, if when this is over there will only be another adventure to go on. We are husband and wife. But will we ever have time to be a family? To start a family?"
She sighs, gripping his hand. "I... I don't know if this body can bear children, but if it can, I have a responsibility to give them to you. I don't take that lightly. We'll make the time."
She kisses him on the nose to hopefully soften her words. "A baby now is hardly a favour. In battle, the distraction of sickness could be fatal. When it passes, I'll be weighed down and less agile. And labour, coming on whenever it likes!
I'm too involved in things in ways that I can't pass to others. Pregnancy will risk my life, and the child's, and if we live, where would it go? We can't care for it with our lives the way they are." She shakes her head. "I don't think you understand what you're asking of me."