The Only Way to Fly

[JadedDM]

"Punishment, my lady, for the crime of trespassing on his land," Lucas explains. "The master does not suffer criminals lightly."

"It must be hard, a man of faith being abandoned by his goddess to live as a slave," Malika notes.

"Abandoned? Not at all, my lady. Mishakal brought me here for a reason, I think. To ease the suffering of those in need. Were I not here, my fellow slaves would suffer all the more," Lucas responds.

[HorizonsDream]

"Then he isn't going to look very fondly on someone that technically enters his home uninvited," Imani says with a sigh. "I'm sure we can expect the same type of punishment despite the fact he might be treating us well as of right now."

[Breila]

"Or else he wants something off us that no one else can do for him at present" Babushka observes. "When that is done, we will be considered slaves as well, I am sure."

"I recently was called by Habbakuk" she tells Lucas. "But since I was born before the Gods came back, and my people generally busy themselves with things more than with beings, I know very little about them. Tell me about Mishakal, and what you think she wants you to do here."

[JadedDM]

Lucas nods. "Certainly, my lady. Mishakal is the goddess of healing, compassion, love and motherhood. She is wife to Paladine, mother to Habbakuk, Kiri-Jolith and Solinari. She is the Lightbringer, and played a large role in the defeat of the dragonarmies in the War of the Lance twenty five years ago."

"So did Paladine!" Locky objects, her thunder stolen.

"Indeed he did," Lucas agrees. "In any case, the life of the slaves here is difficult. The master is paranoid and sees conspiracies against him everywhere. Even the slightest mistake is perceived as some kind of plot against him, and is punished harshly. Those that greatly offend him are fed to the black willows growing in the pit beneath his throne room, while he and his ogres watch on." Lucas shakes his head. "Sadly, there is nothing I can do for them. But for those of us who are simply flogged, beaten, or battered, I can at least ease their suffering and pain with my faith in Mishakal. I believe that is why I am here. Mishakal did not abandon me to a life of a slave, she brought me here to help the other slaves survive...until the day comes when we are finally freed."

[HorizonsDream]

"I don't know of all of these Gods that everyone speaks of," Imani admits. "But how many slaves are there?"

[JadedDM]

"There are eight of us remaining, including myself," Lucas says. "Four humans and three elves."

[HorizonsDream]

"Do the others have any skills that might be useful?" Imani asks.

[JadedDM]

"They are humble folk who can cook and clean and perform whatever service they are made to do," Lucas says. "But if you mean can they fight or use magic, then the answer is no, I'm afraid."

[Breila]

"But they must have had professions before they were enslaved" Babushka remarks.

[HorizonsDream]

Imani glances over to the gnome for a moment before she turns her attention back to Lucas. "You wouldn't know what we should suspect for tomorrow. Right now, we are being treated as guests, but that could change at any moment. I'm not sure how to prepare for tomorrow."

[JadedDM]

"Indeed, but surely they are worth saving regardless of their former employment skills?" Lucas asks Babushka.

"Ooh, maybe we can just buy all of his slaves from him tomorrow," Locky suggests.

[HorizonsDream]

"Of course they are," Imani says to Lucas before she looks over her shoulder to Locky. "We could, most likely do that, but we don't know what is going to happen to us tomorrow."

[Breila]

Babushka's mouth opens at Lucas's question, then she violently shakes her head. "You completely misuderstood me. Of course they are worth saving!" she says. "While they do not have fighting or magic skills as you say, their former professions will have given them skills that might be useful in an attempt to escape. That's why I asked."

Turning to Locky, she observes: "I don't think the aurak is so interested in money, he already has a lot of that. The work of his slaves is more precious to him, I am sure."

[JadedDM]

"Well, let's just wait until tomorrow and see what happens," Locky suggests. "I'm sure it'll all work out."

[HorizonsDream]

"Yes, you always say that Locky, and it never really works out," Imani points out. "But in this case, it seems like the only thing we really can do. Lucas, thank you."