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Unfortunately, Hederick was not cooperating too well. Screaming, he flailed about on fire, refusing to hold still. It was quite a sight, and most of the tavern patrons simply stood there staring, jaws dropped, in stunned silence.

Neither Sturm nor Caramon saw any guards or patrols outside. Darkness had fallen now, so likely most of them were patrolling the borders of the town to keep people out, rather than worrying about what was going on inside the town.

The flames seemed to grow stronger, as if fueled by the alcoholic fumes from the theocrat's many drinks. The old man approached Goldmoon. "Listen here, young lady. This is hardly the time for a discussion or a democratic vote. If you can help that man, help him. A right bastard he may be, but no man deserves to suffer so."

Raistlin looks at Goldmoon, his expression unreadable as he absorbs her words. "Considering it is the staff everyone is looking for, I would advise against it." he says in his low raspy voice. "In a crowd like this, you would only attract undue attention to yourself."

Raistlin gets to his feet, holding onto his own staff as he watches his brother, Sturm and Tanis run around like chickens with their heads cut off. "Brother, I would go to the door and prevent people from leaving." he says calmly over the commotion.

Goldmoon stands for another moment. Raistlin's words echoed her toughts, she was extremely reluctant to use the staff.
On the other hand, the human torch was bound to ignite someone or something else, apart from suffering.
So Goldmoon takes the staff and prays. "Oh Goddess, I don't know if I'm doing the right thing. But I feel I have no choice. I beg for your protection, and for your pardon if I'm doing wrong".

She walks into the commotion, and as she attempts to touch the theocrat with the staff, she shouts: "You were wrong, theocrat. The old Gods exist and are powerful. Goddess, I ask you, heal this man!"

As soon as the staff touched the Theocrat, there was a bright flash of light. There was a gasp from the crowd. The flames had died instantly. The man's robes were whole, undamaged. His skin was pink and healthy. He sat up, a look of fear and awe on his face. He stared down at his hands and his robes. There was not a mark on his skin. There was not the smallest cinder smoking on his robes.

"It healed him!" the old man proclaimed loudly. "The staff! Look at the staff!"

Everyone's eyes went to the staff in her hands. It was made of blue crystal and was glowing with a bright blue light!

The old man began shouting. "Call the guards! Arrest the barbarians! Arrest their friends! I saw them come in with the knight." He pointed at Sturm.

"What?" Tas leaped up. "Are you crazy, old man?"

"Call the guards!" The word spread. "Did you see--? The blue crystal staff? We've found it. Now they'll leave us alone. Call the guards!"

The Theocrat staggered to his feet, his face pale, blotched with red. "Foul witch!" Hederick's voice shook with rage. "You have cured me with evil! Even as I burn to purify my flesh, you will burn to purify your soul!" With that, the Seeker reached out, and before anyone could stop him, he plunged his hand back into the flames! He gagged with the pain but did not cry out. Then, clutching his charred and blackened hand, he turned and staggered off through the murmuring crowd, a wild look of satisfaction on his pain-twisted face.

"You've got to get out of here!" Tika came running, her breath coming in gasps. "The whole town's been hunting for that staff! Those hooded men told the Theocrat they'd destroy Solace if they caught someone harboring the staff. The townspeople will turn you over to the guards!"

"But it's not our staff!" Flint protested. He glared at the old man and saw him settle back into his chair, a pleased smile on his face. The old man grinned and winked at the party.

"Do you think they'll believe you!" Tika wrung her hands. "Look!"

People were glaring at the party balefully. Some took a firm grip on their mugs. Others eased their hands onto the hilts of their swords. Shouts from down below could be heard near the door.

"The guards are coming!" exclaimed Tika.

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Goldmoon casts Cure Light Wounds with the Blue Crystal Staff on Hederick the Theocrat. It consumes 2 charges.

(OOC: This is one of my favorite parts. )

(ooc: Yes, and you worked very hard to bring it about. The DM always wins, doesn't he? *sigh* (Why isn't there a smily for this?))

Goldmoon stands stock-still, shocked, her face turned upwards to hide the tears of rage, disappointment and shame that flood her eyes. How could she have been so stupid? This was exactly what Riverwind had warned her of, and yet, she had let that old man trick her... Holding on to the staff, she thinks "Oh Goddess, what next?"

Caramon grabs a table and hoists it against the door.... " Tika! Is there another way out of here? " He looks around for a small timber, or something that could be broken apart into a stout piece of wood.

(( Caramon wants to smash through the floor planks and peg a timber at the bottom of the table propped against the door. ))

Shocked by the scene before her Laurana stands motionless. She had never imagined such a thing could happen, the screams brought her back to the moment.

"Come, we must go." She touches Goldmoon's arm gently, her voice calm and relaxed, she looks for Tanis, but is unable to spot him.

(Did she spot a back door in the kitchen? Ooc I know there is..)

"Yes!" Tika nodded to Caramon's question. "The kitchen. They won't look back there yet. But hurry. It won't take them long to surround the place."

Riverwind kept a hand on his sword hilt, standing protectively in front of Goldmoon. Tas gathered up his recently acquired belongings and shoved them into his many pouches. Flint had hold of his battle-axe and was frowning darkly at the onlookers, who seemed hesitant about rushing to attack such well-armed men.

Seeing the guards appear and the faces of those in the inn Sturm places his hand on the Hilt of his Fathers Sword.

Standing in awe he sees the staff heal the Theocrat, this had to be the work of a higher power, their hunt had lead them all over Ansalon, who would believe that they would find it here?

"Retreat?" He asks, when Tika mentions the door in the back. "We should stay, we can explain this, the find is unbelievable."

Slowly, Goldmoon comes back to her senses. She turns to the old man, her voice unusually dark and hoarse. "I curse you, old man. For it is you, and not I, who have brought evil to this beautiful town. I have to flee now, but will do all in my power to destroy you and your kin." She locks eyes with him, wanting to never forget that face.

(ooc: I know it doesn't change anything, but oh it feels so good!)

"Sturm!" Flint said urgently. "That man is a religious fanatic. He'll probably burn us all at the stake! And"--a sudden thought occurred to him--"there are two ladies to protect. We need to go."

"Come on!" Tika urged, tugging on Tanis' arm. Tas was all ready at the door.

The old man seemed quite taken back by Goldmoon's venomous words. "Well, now, I say!" he muttered into his beard, disturbed.

(OOC: Rest assured, you will see the meddlesome old man again, eventually. )

Laurana grabs Goldmoons arm and tries to pull her to the kitchen. "Help me, they will kill her!" she shouts to Riverwind. She brushes past Tanis but says nothing.

---------

Sturm nods, "Yes, the ladies, Madam". He bows just asLaurana drags goldmoon away. "I will cover the rear, Everybody leave now!"

Being no fool, Goldmoon follows Laurana without resistance.

Raistlin moves at a decent speed, but he is obviously annoyed with the turn of events. His gaze goes to the old man as he heads into the Kitchen with a suspicious look.

Once he is in the Kitchen he looks around for another exit.

Riverwind appeared ready to object, but Laurana grabbed the Chieftain's Daughter and ran off before he could. With little choice, he ran after them.

"This way!" Flint herded them out through the swinging kitchen doors, following Tika and Tas. He glanced behind him and saw some of the crowd move forward, but in no great hurry.

The cook stared at them as they ran through the kitchen. Tas was all ready at the exit, which was nothing more than a hole cut in the floor. A rope hung from a sturdy limb above the hole and dropped forty feet to the ground.

"Ah!" exclaimed Tas, laughing. "Here the ale comes up and the garbage goes down." He swung out onto the rope and shinnied down easily.

"I'm sorry about this," Tika apologized to Goldmoon and Laurana, "but it is the only way out of here."