Caleb, Jitma and Narluèn walked south towards the temple, as they walked, Narluèn spoke to Jitma,

“So, why do you wish to visit the temple, girl?”

“Like I said,” she replied, “I want to pray. Can't a hired goon have metaphysical worries?”

“Indeed not, but can you not pray elsewhere? The gods are omniprescent after all.”

“I am a worshipper of Kaffal, Goddess of the War Dance. A ritual before war demands that I dance naked in holy ground.”

“Interesting.”

As they are walking to the temple, they notice a tall, narrow, four storey building. The bottom floor is made of stone but the top floors are wooden.

“I'm pulling your leg, kid.” said Jitma. Narluèn turned to respond, but was distracted when the door of the house bursted open and a gnome rushed past him, nearly causing him to fall.

“What are you doing, gnome?” called Narluèn.

The gnome replied shortly, “Sorry about that, friend!” and continued running down the street. The three looked back to the house and noticed the door closing itself.

“Hmm,” pondered Narluèn, “that must be the Wizard gnome that the innkeeper mentioned, I shall come back to see him later. But my businees lies with the temple now.”

“No point in chasing him down anyway,” said Jitma, “he knows the place and has a headstart.”

Caleb silently looked around to where the gnome ran to, then followed the others as they continued to the temple. An impressive building, it is clearly well built and solid, but as they approach they hear an argument from within. It sounds like an argument between two people who have lived together for a long time.

“Oh great, I want to pray and I have to play family counsellor instead.” commented Jitma.

“Let us see what the fuss is about,” replied Narluèn, “I do not remember temples being so noisy elsewhere.”

Jitma knocked on the door, “Oi, in there, are ya open for business?” Narluèn glared at the girl, “What?”

“Is that standard temple speak?” He pointed to Caleb, who knelt with his forehead to the ground before rising and entering, “You would do well to learn some manners from our friend here.” said Narluèn before entering the building himself. Jitma rolled her eyes, then followed them into the temple.

The interior of the temple was simple, spartan, but again displays a fine touch to the design and construction. at the far end, near the a semi-circle of altars, they saw two old men, one in simple grey robes and a blank, emotionless face, and the other in white trousers and a shirt, with a very pained expression. Caleb walked towards the two men but stopped at a respectful ten paces away.

“Is one of you Father Andrew?” asked Narluèn.

The man in the white clothes turns, throwing his hands up and muttering exhasperatedly. He looks at them with a tired, weary face but they sensed strength underneath it. “Yes, my children, I am Father Andrew... welcome to this hallowed ground.”

Caleb bowed standing but didn't say anything. Narluèn answered, "Thank you. I hope we are not disturbing you?"

Father Andrew looked at Caleb oddly, and shook his head, “It's nothing... just a... just an ecumemical matter... a disagreement with my cohabitant.” as he gestured to the man in the grey robes, who turned and walked away towards the back .

"My friends wish to pray,” replied Narluèn, “I would like to ask you a question about a wizard who I am told you often see." He noticed the grey robed man hesitate a step as the Father spoke,

“You all are welcome to pray, merely find a quiet corner and be respectful of any others who might come to seek solace in these trying times, but the only 'wizard' I know is Quindle, the gnome who lives up the street.” While he spoke, Caleb was standing completely still, focusing on him.

“And what about your friend?” asked Narluèn, “Would he know any wizards?”

The man replied in a deep monotone, even different letters sound the same, “I know magic.” as he said this, he made a strange gesture with his hands over his head and heart. Narluèn walked over to him.

Jitma took advantage of the break in conversation to ask Father Andrew a question, “Can I perform a war dance?”

Father Andrew looked slightly shocked, and stuttered before replying, “If that is the way you are customed to praying, please do so outside. The grounds would still be hallowed there.”

Jitma walked out to the yard. She bowed to the four cardinal points and started warming up her limbs. A few passing villagers gave her glances as they walk past. Jitma waved at the villagers and wished them “Good morning!” smiling to annoy them. After she had warmed up, Jitma tied up her hair out of the way and materialised a punch dagger in each hand. She started humming a tune, and to the rhythm of the music she makes small steps and wide movements with her hands as the dance progresses, the movements become more and more focused, and an observer can tell that she is giving lethal blows to an imaginary opponent in front of her.

Inside, Caleb continued to stare silently at the priest, while Narluèn talked to the grey-robed man, “Are you Orvid?”

The grey-robed man made another questure, this time touching his chest and shoulders, "I am Orvid the Grey, servant of Magic"

"Are you an advanced servant?"

Father Andrew shook his head a bit as Orvid made a few more odd gestures, folding his hands across his chest with his fingers taping his biceps slightly. “I know only that I am a drop of water, adrift in an ocean.”

“As are we all,” said Narluen to Orvid, “but what makes you different from the other drops?”

Orvid tilted his head a bit and hums, and Father Andrew gritted his teeth at the sound. This was the only answer Orvid was prepared to give, and he just watched Narluèn, who sighed inwardly.

“Have you noticed any magic being used in these orc attacks?”

Orvid shut his eyes and Narluèn had the strangest sensation that someone just walked over his grave. “No one has used magic in the village of late, not in any attack. But the orcs haven't actually attacked the village itself yet, and I don't leave the temple.”

As Father Andrew listened to Orvid, he rolled his eyes, and noticed how intently Caleb was looking at him. “Is... is there anything I can do for you, my son?”

“Who died?” replied Caleb.

Father Andrew stumbled over his words again before finding his voice, “Well, we've buried more good people in these past weeks than we have in a year before! So many families have lost husbands, brothers, or sons... and then there's so many families that have been lost all together! I've left many a marker in the ground for those who simply never came home, or never came to town after their neighbours told of fires on their lands. It's a terrible time... terrible.”

“I am...” Caleb hesitated slightly, “sorry.”

“As are we all, as are we all!” They all bowed their heads at these words, Narluèn was the first to look up, which drew his gaze to the windows.

“Monk! The day is drawing to an end, we should make our way back to the tavern to meet the rest of our team. We can pick up the girl on the way out.”

Caleb looked decidedly relieved when he nodded and followed the elf out of the temple. At the door he turned and bowed towards the altar before exiting. As he left he thought he heard Orvid chuckling oddly to himself. He looked back briefly, but dismissed the sound.

Narluèn called out to Jitma as they left, “It is time to return, girl!”

“In a sec!”she shouted back. After having 'killed' opponents in all four cardinal points, she removed the bandanna from her head, made a small nick on her arm and squeezed out two drops of blood on the sweaty piece of cloth. She ran into the temple and said to Father Andrew, “Excuse me Your Holiness, could you burn this on the altar fire? It is my sacrifice to Kaffal.”

Baffled, Father Andrew took the bandanna, he swallowed a few times but said, “I will see the task done.”

Jitma bowed deeply and thanked Andrew very much. Skipping down the steps, Jitma joined Caleb and Narluèn, “So, did you find what you were looking for?”

“I had hoped that the wizard may have told me more, but alas he was very quiet.”

Jitma snorted, “Wizards. They need more fibre in their diet if you ask me”

Caleb looked at the two, then moved towards Jitma slightly, who said “Don't worry about anything. I danced very well and Kaffal will see us through this.”

Narluèn raised his eyebrows, “Well that is good news.” He looked up, “It seems that the sky is not as dark as it seemed from inside. We have some time before we need to go back. I shall go to the gnomes house. You are welcome to join me if you wish.”

Although he seemed to prefer that they didn't, Caleb nodded, but Jitma decided on another course of action, “I'll go the public baths.” she said, “If I am to be eaten by orcs, I can at least not die smelly.” At which she walked away, innocently asking villagers where the baths were. The few that answered told her that the tavern was the safest place to bathe, as the streams would be probably be befouled by orcs. This caused Jitma to frown, although she thanked them for replying. Eventually she gave up and returned to the tavern.

Narluèn and Caleb walked towards the gnome's house, although the word 'Tower' seems more appropriate. It is tall and thin with a strong, stone base without windows. The wooden upper floors have windows, but they are all darkened.

“I wonder why a gnome needs such a tall house?” Narluèn wonders aloud, before knocking the door.

“He wants it.” answered Caleb dryly.

They wait a while, but no answer is fore-coming. “It seems he is still out. Any suggestions on what we can do Monk?”

“Return to the tavern.”

“Yes, that may be wise. We shall await our friends return.” and they returned to the Tavern, where they met Jitma and Sevan.