The Priest of Eibon Speaks

"Ten days ago you summoned the Cenobite, and it came to destroy us all -- is that the salvation you bring us, more death and destruction?" she asked him, her voice bitter but strong.

"I did not summon it, you did," he replied. "And as for death and destruction, my Princess, if the coming of the Cenobite had not been interfered with we would not be dealing with the madness we are now facing. Aye, its success would have meant our destruction, the destruction of all Caemlyn in fact. But such is the price that must be payed for a boon as great as the banishment of a Shoggoth. And would you truly regret your death and the death of your city now that you know the price you have paid for your failure? The entire land is poisoned with war and evil and insanity. Demons hunt the night for tender souls and innocent victims. Nations are ripped apart by warriors gone mad. The Shoggoth grows stronger and stronger. And I can assure you of this Princess Exotica, when he has reached his full power he shall call forth an even greater evil and then the world shall end. Light shall be banished forever from this plane of existence. But we could have prevented all of that, and all that was required was the sacrifice of one single city. Is that really such a terrible price to pay?"

Exotica stared at the priest, but chose to ignore his question. Instead, she asked, "But how was the Cenobite defeated? What happened to Mary, how was it that she suddenly broke her bonds and flew into the orange light?"

For the first time Exotica saw the priest look away, his eyes troubled. "I must confess, that caught me by surprise. But methinks the Great Ones had a hand in it. Mary is a true descendant of Eibon. Which is incredible. The bloodline of Eibon was long thought spent. I cannot but believe that her being here was no coincidence. But as to its meaning, or the will of the Great Ones, I cannot yet say. Though I walk the path of wisdom and knowledge, many are the secret truths that remain hidden from me."

"Then what of me?" Exotica asked urgently. "How did I survive?"

"Eibon holds you in his protection," the priest answered. "You have pledged yourself to him, and he will not let go lightly."

"What blasphemy do you speak?!" Exeter demanded, staring first at the priest and then at his sister. The priest grinned at the prince, his face like a skull in the dim light of the tent. "Many are my blasphemies, my lord. But they all pale beside that of your beloved sister. She agreed to walk the Path of the Cenobite*, but forsook her pledge, and now we suffer the price of her faithlessness."

"I forsook nothing!" Exotica protested.

"Then you stand by your vow?" the priest pressed her, a wild light shining in his eyes.

"I do, for the destruction of the Shoggoth and the salvation of my people," Exotica answered him grimly.

"Then submit," the priest urged her, his voice commanding, insistent, fanatical. "Forsake all else. All that you love. All that you value. Even the life of your brother. Embrace the truth of Eibon! Set forth once more upon the Path of the Cenobite!"

"NO!" Exeter cried. "This is blasphemy! You speak of enjoining corruption to do battle with corruption. I say that in the end only corruption will triumph. Turn away from this heretic, Exotica! Forsake him before he dooms your soul!"

Exotica turned toward her anguished brother, and then gazed back at the cold face of the priest. Her heart and mind were torn in two. She feared the priest and his evil god. But the terror of the Shoggoth was devouring the world whole. The demon had to be stopped. And the Eibonite seemed to know how to do it. But still... was not her brother right? Could evil be defeated by battling it with more evil?

"Choose," the priest demanded. "NOW."

1. Exotica agrees to walk the Path once more
2. Exotica refuses, seeking instead to walk a different path

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