<Mendrick> Who knows how long the hours are in the Ourani prison? Belowdecks, day and night run into one after a while, which is generally why people don't spend their voyages there. At one point, however, if Bryce looks up, he may see a small, almost skeletal looking man in red robes staring in the cell at him. Bald, covered in red tattoos, and utterly silent in the darkness. Intahera-Sergeant Mendrick Zahr will watch the young man and his sleeping lady
<Mendrick> the young man and his sleeping lady friend with a small smirk. Once Bryce looks at him, or once enough time has passed from the man, the smile will grow into a full, sinister grin. "Hello."
* Bryce gets a chilled feeling about this one almost immediately. He's glad Adina is asleep, and will carefully shift her head from his lap and tuck the blankets around her. He's taken off his white Watch cloak and laid it over her as well, making sure she's warm enough. The healer stands carefully and crosses to close the distance between himself and the man on the other side of the bars, "Hello.."
<Mendrick> "You and I... We have *much* to talk about. Come." Almost the moment he says it, a lanky man in a black cloak will come forth with a key, unlocking the door and swinging it open in complete silence. He'll make a point of opening the cloak to show a sheathed sword, and will then step back to allow Bryce after the priest. Mendrick, apparently assuming that either Bryce will follow or this other man will drag him, is already off, up the stairs a
<Mendrick> him, is already off, up the stairs and into the early morning. Provided there's no trouble, the trio will walk across the deck to what seems to be a darkened cabin - the inside is barren, save for two chairs, and Mendrick will sit in one of them, waving to the other.
* Bryce glances once back to Adina, but what choice does he really have? He regards the sword with little more than a respectful acknowledgement and follows the robed man. The bright morning light causes the healer to squint, but his eyes don't have time to adjust before they're moving into that dim room. He quietly takes his seat, gaze trailing around the room for any hint of what this might be about. He has theories, but none are solid.
<Bryce> theories, but none are solid.
<Mendrick> The door clicks shut, but there's no sound of footsteps either way after it. If Bryce looks back, he won't see anyone, but then, in this darkness, lit only by a small oil lamp to one side, there's a good reason for that. Mendrick is eyeing him intently now, and Bryce might notice him moving to unwrap something from around his wrists - ornate sets of prayer beads that are placed in a pocket. "Where do I begin? Perhaps with something simple..
<Mendrick> begin? Perhaps with something simple... Tell me, Mister Larose... Where did you ever get such *interesting* powers?" How does he know the man's name? It may be from pressing the guard for any sort of information on his identity - Mendrick's not one to come unprepared.
* Bryce presses his lips tight, brow furrowing at the first question. So that's what it will be about. He's not visibly afraid, just wary. He's been in this kind of situation before in Myrken, and truly, Mendrick isn't nearly as intimidating as an eight foot minotaur. "It was a gift." He states, his answer short and not terribly explanatory. This isn't a topic he likes to discuss.
<Mendrick> "Oh. A *gift*. Such a nice gift, too... And who *gave* you this gift, Mister Larose?" Apparently sitting still is a bit much for the man, who will rise and move over to the lamp, holding a hand over the glass and looking at the flame within. "You know... I have a nice gift too. We're rather... Alike in that respect. Perhaps I'll show you my gift... But I want to hear *all* about yours, first..."
<Bryce> "I do not wish to speak of it." He says in his soft, calm voice. He's trying to mask his accent as best he can, not wanting to give this strange robed Ourani any more than neccessary. The flame and the way Mendrick covets it, it can only mean that he's one of those fire mages that Bryce has heard so much about.
<Mendrick> "Oh... Oh, well that's saddening." Mendrick will turn away from the fire, walking closer to the seated healer with his eyes on the floor, shaking his head. "Really, really saddening..." In a sudden movement, his face is in Bryce's, and for a moment, there's a strange glint in his eyes - almost like a spark. "So saddening, because I wasn't asking if you *wanted* to." He'll pull back just as sharply, an odd motion for such a frail-look
<Mendrick> an odd motion for such a frail-looking man, and he'll wander off a short distance again. "Let's try this again, a little more direct - Tell me where you got this gift, Mister Larose. Tell me all about your powers."
* Bryce watches him quietly, only flinching slightly when the man closes with his face. There's a stubborn streak that runs through the healer at times, and Mendrick still isn't that intimidating. Choss... elves that murder and skin people... being caught in the wrong country when your homeland is denounced... These are things Bryce has dealt with and one twitchy priest isn't going to shake him that easily. He keeps his mouth shut and does nothing more than quietly watch him.
<Mendrick> After a few moments of silence, Mendrick will turn back to Bryce, a small smirk on his face. They try so hard... "Come now, Mister Larose. Hasn't your little lady friend told you that it is unwise to test the patience of a servant of Osurak? Yes... My gift is the gift of a *god* Larose. He is a god who does not enjoy these foolish games, and He is the only one who can give you mercy now. Come, Larose - confess your sins to the Dragon! B
<Mendrick> confess your sins to the Dragon! Be redeemed in His holy fire, or be consumed!" At the last word, the flame in the lantern leaps sharply, and Mendrick moves closer. There's no mistaking the change - that flash in his eyes from before is back, and the light from the now suddenly bright lamp seem to betray a shadow that is not his own... A shadow that seems to resemble a dragon with wings outstretched. "All who oppose Him shall feel his
<Mendrick> " "All who oppose Him shall feel his wrath - come, be *redeemed*!"
* Bryce keeps his breathing steady, gaze never straying from his opponent. That's what Mendrick is, after all, and warrior training works just as well under interrogation. He feels a familiar warmth spread through him, the amulet he wears beneath his shirt sending a silent message that he has some support in this. It's rare when Vorgen chooses to share his presence with Bryce, but it gives him confidence. "I do not know of Ahsahrak.. I did not do anything wrong."
<Bryce> not know of Ahsahrak.. I did not do anything wrong."
<Mendrick> "You don't *know* Osurak?" Mendrick laughs, a rather sinister sound that seems odd coming out of the little man. "I will show you Osurak. You will learn to fear Him for the god that he is!" The flame in the lantern is positively *leaping* now, and the priest himself seems to be glowing slightly, around the edges... Or is that just Bryce's eyes playing tricks on him? He'll come closer still, leaning in, with a sharp edge to his words.
<Mendrick> with a sharp edge to his words. "Tell me. Tell me *everything*." There's force to his words - it's just a little, the kind of power he had used on Sadurean, but for these simpletons, it's usually enough to scare them. After all, who wants the power of an angry *god* in their head?
* Bryce clenches his hands, willing to deny this man because he knows what will happen if he gives in. He'll be forced to heal enemy soldiers that hurt his friends. He'll be forced to save those who will kill. He always regretted cowing before Choss, and defying this Ourani isn't without it's risks, but at least he can try. He can't see the protection Vorgen is lending him right now, but he can hear the growl in his head, a large mangy wolf standing between him and will of Osurak. Perhaps Mendrick will be able to see it, being far more trained in such things.
<Bryce> head, a large mangy wolf standing between him and will of Osurak. Perhaps Mendrick will be able to see it, being far more trained in such things.
<Mendrick> There's a wall... No - not a wall. Something else. A growling in his ears, something blocking him from forcing the power into Bryce's head. The priest's eyes will widen at the force denying him, then narrow sharply again as he focuses more power. Mages have their wards. No ordinary magic user has been able to hold up in the face of Osurak's might before, but there's a small, lingering doubt in Mendrick's mind that this isn't regular magic.
<Mendrick> that this isn't regular magic. "Enough of this! You. Will. *Speak*!"
<Bryce> Now, under normal circumstances if a person was that angry Bryce would simply back down and give him what he wants. This is hardly a normal circumstance and he knows there's a lot more going on than an enemy soldier learning how he got his healing abilities. There's a battle of wills. This priest is trying to force Bryce into speaking through his granted powers and Vorgen is stepping up to bat. Bryce is grateful for that. Of co
<Bryce> for that. Of course, how long the wolf can fight the dragon is debatable.
<Mendrick> There's a flicker of anger on Mendrick's face as he meets another wall - then there's an image in his mind - a wolf, snarling at him, trying to force him back. Mendrick roars in anger - a roar that echoes deep - not entirely his own rage, but the rage of another power as well. "This pitiful attempt *pales* in comparison to Osurak's power! Do you hear me, it is *nothing*!" The glass on the oil lantern shatters with Mendrick's words, fire
<Mendrick> shatters with Mendrick's words, fire dancing dangerously high, and the priest himself begins to glow brighter, shuddering now. His pupils are dilating, his eyes seem to be burning as he summons forth a great and terrible amount of power and *thrusts* it at Bryce's psyche. "*Speak*!!"
* Bryce is beginning to worry now. What is he caught in? There's no way he can take on someone with offensive powers, he can barely control his healing most of the time. He stands, easing away from the angry priest, uncertain of what to do. He can feel the compulsion pressing on him and he tries to focus his thoughts on something solid, answering the demand now before he has no control at all. "He is Vorgen.. I helped him, and
<Bryce> helped him, and he gave me my power." It's a careful answer and likely suggests that Bryce is only choosing to give in.
<Mendrick> "Vorgen..." No god he's heard of, but this power is certainly not something from any text book. No, this is something higher, and that's enough to enrage - and scare the Ourani priest. It's obvious that he doesn't have control over Bryce - that kind of thing is fairly easy to notice when you're in someone's head. "Who issss thisss Vorgen!?" It's not Mendrick's voice that comes out - it's a deep, rasping sound, almost serpentine. "He ca
<Mendrick> sound, almost serpentine. "He cannot oposssse me!" But he *is*. Mendrick is advance, slowly, beginning to twitch, his hands coming up even with his chest.
* Bryce is in way over his head. He backs up, still unwilling to give up and not entirely certain Vorgen would back down even if he did. It's not like he's ever worked out any system with the god. "A dwarf.. frahm my home." His mind wanders back to the first time he met the druid, a demigod granting him a great gift to heal people's wounds. Osurak is far stronger, his power stretching thousands of years while Vorgen has but c
<Bryce> Vorgen has but centuries. Soon Mendrick will win, unless Bryce decides to jump into the fight with his own energy, which would be considerably dangerous to his health.
<Mendrick> Bryce may not have to worry about it. As Mendrick raises his hands, the glow increases, the tattoos that run his body seeming to take over as the man beneath them seems to disappear. It's at this moment that the man from before - that black-clad figure in the shadows, reappears from some unseen corner of the room, running to him and speaking for the first time. "Intahera!" The figure, in the light clearly revealed to be a young man with
<Mendrick> clearly revealed to be a young man with a few red markings of his own, seems clearly worried. The sudden voice affects a change in Mendrick, however, who shudders suddenly and looks at him. A few words are exchanged between the pair, and after a moment, the man backs off. Zahr is beginning to return to himself, smirk reappearing. "Count your blessings, boy - it is not today that you are purged from this world. You have seen but a *piece*
<Mendrick> "Count your blessings, boy - it is not today that you are purged from this world. You have seen but a *piece* of His might - tremble, and remember it when I come for you again."
<Bryce> Something very bad is going to happen if this continues, and when that other person appears from the shadows he jumps, backing away in an almost skittish fashion. How had he not seen him?? "I am sahrry.. I do not want trahble." Better to apologize after the fact then crumble completely in the beginning. He hadn't imagined his stubborness would bring gods into play. He feels relief when the battle ends, but Mendrick's threat
<Bryce> Mendrick's threat sends another chill through him, Orenda's omen of squandering echoing loudly in his head. It immediately makes him remember her first prediction, Brad dead on the wood floor, his face white and lifeless. Bryce had brought him back, but at a cost.. It's all at a cost, a closely guarded secret.
<Mendrick> The other man will move forwards, jaw set. "Intahera-Sergeant Zahr has no further use for you at this time. You will come with me." He's trying to sound forceful, but there's a note of worry to it. He doesn't bother flashing the blade again, he just goes to the door and opens it, motion for Bryce to exit. Mendrick has moved over to the lamp again, which by now has died down to its usual height, and his hand is hovering over it. "We w
<Mendrick> hand is hovering over it. "We will speak again Bryce. Let your 'Vorgen' know this. Next time we speak, you may see just how easily it is for Osurak to *destroy* all those who oppose him - including your wolf."
* Bryce has no desire to hang around with this sergeant. He quickly slips out through the door, more worry on his face now than when Mendrick was threatening him in the beginning. The light outside is bright again, but he doesn't squint as the cold wind blows his shaggy blond hair. He waits for the younger soldier, not certain what's expected of him. He really hasn't done anything wrong, but now the priest is angry and he has a f
<Bryce> and he has a feeling that the 'next time' time Zahr spoke of won't be too far off. "Where is Captain Devregon?" He asks.
<Mendrick> "I don't know what you're talking about. Look, just get back belowdecks. I don't want any trouble, least of all from someone whose got the Intahera-Sergeant's ire." He won't say anything further, just stiffly point back towards the holding cells, following Bryce back downstairs. It's only when their in that dark area that he'll murmur "Osurak have pity on you. Next time you might not get it so easy..."
* Bryce moves along willingly, wanting to be with Adina more than anywhere else. When the man mutters that warning he twists sharply, staring at him questioningly, "What do you mean? I did not do anything!" Just wonderful. Whose interest had Vorgen been watching out for? Bryce's or his own? The dwarf has never made it a secret to the boy that he's interested in balance, not goodness.
<Mendrick> The young man will shake his head, motioning for Bryce to keep moving. "You stood against great Osurak. That is something the neither Intahera-Sergeant Zahr, nor any of us - nor even the Dragon Himself can forgive lightly. Now keep moving." As if the last warning wasn't ominous enough... He'll try to get Bryce moving again, all too eager to lock the cell back and hand the key off to the jailer, leaving this heretic as soon as possible.
<Mendrick> this heretic as soon as possible.
* Bryce isn't going to argue with the acolyte. He complies with the instruction, too used to following orders these days to consider anything else. There's a slow dread building in his stomach as the realization of just how upset Zahr might be occurs to him. What is he supposed to do? He wasn't trying to offend a god! Mendrick is going to find some way to teach a lesson, and Bryce doesn't begin to know how to defend himself.
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