Father Tyburn

"Brother Cyrus tells me we have guests." boomed Father Tyburn as he reached the threesome at the polished silver gate that denoted the entrance to the temple.

"Y....." began Zarach.

"Guests. We have guests come to our door, here, now, in the middle of a most unholy crisis. We are beset by the minions of the Core, the forest wails with affliction, nothing is at it seems, and here we have guests. Two strangers from somewhere else, do we know where they are from, Brother Zarach?"

"No, b......"

"Demons, all around. And now two strangers appear at our gate, pleading residence to us. One of them a woman, of all things....."

"Please, Father Tyburn!" cried Zarach, now visibly flustered under the verbal assault from his superior. "Prithee let me speak! These two souls were fighting the accursed Coredwellers when I happened upon them. I heard their shouts from afar. By the time I had reached them, a Haerjoord was preparing to strike them down! They are no servants of the black, I assure you, Father."

Father Tyburn paused, eyes flicking morosely between Fred and Astra. He reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes tightly squinted.

"Very well, Zarach." said Father Tyburn, his voice losing some of its jagged edge. "You may go to worship, now."

"But, Father, they...."

"Go."

Zarach suppressed his sigh of frustration, gave Astra a flask of clear bright water and a skittish glance, and hurried through the gate towards the temple. Father Tyburn watched him go, then turned to the pair once more. His eyes focused intently on Astra.

"Unless, as I am beginning to suspect, Brother Zarach is entirely unintelligent, he may have already mentioned that women are not permitted within these grounds."

"He is not unintelligent, and he did mention it." declared Astra, returning Father Tyburn's harsh glare with equal vigor. "However, I can't help but notice that you have the look of a troubled man about you, Father. Your tired eyes betray your impending despair; the quarrel you have with these demons, these Coredwellers, seems to be far from done. No matter your sanctity, Father, I put it to you that right now you need all the help you can get. And perhaps if you let us into your fine home, we can give it to you."

Father Tyburn paused once again, arms crossed tightly in front of him. For a moment, his face seemed to sag and age, as if invisible hooks were trying to drag it to the ground. Then it righted itself just as quickly, and he turned pointedly to Fred. "You are an Allarian Knight, are you not?"

"Yes, Father." replied Fred. "Frederigo D'Honaire, at your service."

"You may enter these hallowed grounds."

Fred and Astra relaxed, and took a step forward, but Father Tyburn moved to block Astra's path.

"To clarify, you may enter these hallowed grounds. This loose- tongued harpie may go no further than this gate."

Fred watched in alarm as Astra's face went bright red and she prepared to open her mouth. Quickly he dived in front of her and spoke loudly. "If Princess Astra cannot enter, then neither can I. However, Brother Zarach spoke of some stables that we might bed in tonight. Can you at least grant us that succour, Father?"

He could feel Astra trembling with fury behind him. He reached back and gripped her arm encouragingly. Father Tyburn chewed the side of his mouth thoughtfully. Then he waved vaguely eastwards.

"The stables are that way." he muttered. "I will have Brother Cyrus fetch you blankets and refreshments. Tomorrow will be another day." And with that he turned and headed briskly to the temple, the large gates closing silently behind him.

"Loose-tongued harpie......" seethed Astra, her face still retaining a flushed tint to it. "I'd show him a loose tongue after I'd hacked it from his throat...."

Fred smiled sympathetically and gently took her by the arm. Together they walked to the stables. They were large and relatively clean, perhaps a reflection of the diligence of the Duskvar brethren that occupied this place. The two selected their bedding areas up high, on a wide ledge only accessible by ladder. Some minutes later Brother Cyrus brought them blankets, food and water as was promised, but said little to them. By the time they were settled in their makeshift beds, it could have only been a few hours before dawn would break.

1. Fred and Astra were awoken a few hours later by the morning sun streaming into the stables.
2. Fred awoke to a strange noise. He sat up, and saw that Astra was gone.
3. Astra awoke to a strange noise. She sat up, and saw that Fred was gone.
4. Just as they were drifting to sleep, a titanic shriek jerked them back to their senses. Something was coming towards the stables!

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