A Matter of Faith

Seeing Moryana's distress, Boudica puts an arm around her shoulders and says, "It's OK You don't need to have plans. Most young people don't, not really. That's what growing up and learning are all about. We'll make sure you find a place to help you get comfortable here, to learn and acclimate. You're not lost and you're not alone, OK?" She gives the girl a squeeze, though frankly she isn't really sure who she can turn to for the kind of support this girl truly needs.

When they arrive at Humphrey's, Boudica joins Will in explaining the situation to him. She adds, "The girl needs a healthy mother figure to teach her how to be a human girl, not a forest hag. She needs someone kind and patient. Do you know of any such women?"

"Had I known a kind and patient woman I would have been married to her" he jests, dryly, though Boudica senses there is some hidden pain underneath the faint smile. He looks at Morayana through the door and whispers a quick incantation. He studies her quietly for a moment, then exhales softly

"There is power in her. Wild; like nothing I've seen before. But...it's not like mine. Or any apprentice I've ever trained. She’s not for the Guild" he scratches his beard as he thinks about the predicament:

"Normally, the Church takes in wayward girls like this. But she doesn’t follow our teachings, does she? Would be a hard thing to ask, vows of chastity, devotion to ideals she was never raised to understand. Might break her before it saves her soul"

He sighs, heavily now "Threshold’s no great city. No noble estates looking for new maids. And even if there were… back-breaking labor’s not the right first lesson for someone who doesn’t even know how the world works yet."

He pauses. No. There is no perfect solution to this.

"Best you ask at the Church anyway," he says finally, resigned "There are some Thyatian families in town with soft hearts. If one of them agrees to host her for a few weeks… it might give her the time she needs to find her feet. And when she does, when she’s ready, she can decide what sort of life she wants. But it’ll be a steep climb. She’s not been taught any trade, not even the basics. It’ll take time."

Boudica nods in thanks and says, "Thank you. I will speak to some others about this. I am glad to have helped to return Stefan to you."

Later, away from Humphrey, she turns to her fellows and says, "I will speak to Balan. Hopefully he has better suggestions. Otherwise... I may have to take her to a larger community to find the help we need."

Excellent. We should return to the temple then. Perhaps we can gain entry, even though it appears heavily guarded.

"Maybe we should just keep her, train her to be an adventurer," Miyana muses aloud, out of earshot of the girl.

Humphrey's gives no outward reaction to Miyama's suggestion to train Moryana as an adventurer. Personally, he would much rather be sitting with a hot cup of tea in front of one of his books, in the comfort of his home, than wandering around the wilderness and avoiding things that try to eat him. And adventurers tend to have very short life expectancies, too.

But he doesn't say anything. In the end, it wasn't his decision, but Moryana's. Once she actually understands what that choice entails.

"The church will be closed by now. You’ll find no one awake inside but the statues. Best to go in the morning, there’s usually someone there just after sunrise" he nods at you "And thank you, again, for rescuing my apprentice. I don’t have much to offer you, but if you ever have questions related to any magical matter, you’re welcome to drop by."

He pauses, then adds, after thinking about it: "If you drop by tomorrow, I can give you a few of my healing potions. I don't want to open up the shop so late in the evening"

You’re welcome. I suppose we’ll try the Church, on the morrow.

"As always Humphrey, a pleasure, and if you have further need of us, or if the Guild has further need of me, just let me know and I will assist" He gave the man a nod of recognition.

"The Inn is a fine suggestion Will! I could use a nice meal and maybe even a bath."

Our fightery fellow leaves his arms and armor, and then enters the temple.

Miyana grumbles, but removes her leather armor and weapons.

Anton did not wear armor, but left his several daggers with the guards at the gate.

Boudica nods and silently removes her armor and leaves her weapons as well.

The stone paved path leas you to a serene churchyard. Despite the signs of last night's unrest at the gates, the grounds themselves are pristine. Manicured hedges and young trees line the walkway, all the way to the heavy oak doors of the Church.

Sunlight pours in through the tall, arched windows made of colored glass, casting mosaics of gold, blue, and crimson onto the stone floor. The stained glass depicts scenes from the Church's scripture, mainly the most revered of the Champions, painted with reverence and skill. The vaulted ceiling above stretches high into shadowed rafters, and the cool air inside smells like incense and old stone.

This is clearly the grandest building in Threshold, not in size alone, but in splendor. The craftsmanship is far beyond what the modest town could usually afford. Every carved column, every inlaid floor tile, and every stained-glass panel speaks of wealth, and its immediately obvious that this church was not built by the hands or pockets of Threshold’s townsfolk alone, but funded by wealthier donors and noble patrons from Specularum or even further afield, beyond the borders of Karameikos.

There are only a handful of worshippers in the pews this morning, the numbers have been thinned by the riots of the night before.

An older priest, in pure white robes, steps forward from near the altar once he spots you come in. Approaching you with his head slightly bowed

"Good morning. May the light of the Champions guide your steps. What brings you to our house of peace this day?"

Moryana's breath catches in her throat as she walks inside the church. Her eyes are transfixed by painted windows, and the sheer height of the building. "What is this place?" she whispers, careful not to disrupt the solemn silence inside "It's...beautiful..."

She turns her head from side to side to take the wonder of it all, but once the priest begins to approach she grows quite and still, instinctively respectful as the robed figure nears.

Boudica looks to Moryana and the others and says, "Hello father. We rescued this girl from a sheltered life, isolated in the deep forest. She knows nothing of the world, not even the ways of farming, or mercantile, or even of men and women. Father, she needs a patient and caring woman to teach and guide her through young adulthood. Do you know of anyone who could help?"

Our fightery fellow stands silently stalwart. He keeps his antique bronze sword sheathed, but warrior pride causes him to rest calloused hand proudly upon its pommel.
What was the commotion here from yesterday, Will asks another nearby priest.

The old priest listens attentively to Boudica, folding his hands before him as he examines Moryana. He has seen beggars, widows, broken men and women come through the church's gates. The young woman was nothing like them.

"She’s young, and in good health" he starts "She’s not burdened with hunger, nor sickness. I’ve seen people crawl to these steps with less." He nods to Boudica "She’ll do fine. Sister Adelle can take her under her care" He turns slightly to look at Moryana: "You may stay here, child, as long as you need. The Church provides. It’s what we’re here for."


His face stiffens when Will asks about the commotion. He glances quickly behind him, as though to make sure no one else is listening.

"Father Gunther" he lowers his voice "He’s been accused of… a grave crime. They say he murdered Gyula, a Traladaran boy. That he did...unspeakable things to him" he draws in a breath, to steady himself "I want to believe it isn’t true. I’ve known Gunther for years. He's stern, but he isn't cruel. He swore he never touched the boy. He was weeping when they took him. Said he was being framed. But… the evidence is overwhelming. I’ve seen it."

He shakes his head slowly
"The sheriff is holding him for now, but the mob last night… many wanted him hanged, and I can't fault them for believing him to be guilty. I fear if pressure continues to mount, the Baron’s men might… act swiftly. Too swiftly." His voice softens
"I pray he’s innocent. I truly do. But my heart is… troubled."