>>5740728The scout looks towards Leif for approval, who only grunts and points a finger behind him. The scout then scurries off.
“Thank you, ma’am.” The man says as he watches the scout run away. “I won’t lie, I was mighty worried when I saw you and those uh…Sreng folk heading our way. But thank the Goddess you’ve come to our aid. I fear we might have had to leave this damn thing behind if you hadn’t shown up.”
>“The Goddess certainly provides. My name is Blair.” You say towards the mob’s leader, offering him a handshake. “I’m a mercenary headed south.”“Lucas.” He says, meeting your hand with his own calloused and rough right.
>“It’s good to meet you, Lucas. May I inquire as to where you and your band are heading?”“We’re pilgrims.” He says gruffly. “We were headed south on a religious mission. We were making mighty fine pace too until that damn wheel broke off. Was hoping we’d have gotten away before any, uhh… ‘northerners’ got wind of us. No offense of course to your friends. You seem like an upright, Goddess-fearing woman. If you say those folks are alright, I’ll trust you.”
>“Pilgrims heading south?” You ask, puzzled. “My friend, you may wish to reconsider this journey of yours. We’ve received word that Garreg Mach will soon be besieged by the Dukedom. Religious pilgrimage or not, it’s certainly no place you want to go to right now. Especially with your party of women and children.”“Garreg Mach?” The man asks. You note in his voice that now he appears to be the one confused. “No offense, but have you been living under a rock or something? That place is a sinner's shrine. No, we’re headed to Zanado.”
Zanado, the Red Canyon. Your memories of that place come flooding back. It was where your first mission at Garreg Mach had taken place. Zanado was strictly off limits to all but the highest-ranking members of the Church of Seiros. Or…at least it used to be. With everything that had been going on, it seems the Knights no longer had the means to keep visitors away.
>“Ahh…you’re right, I must have…not heard?” You say, pretending to be embarrassed. “The Patriarch has decreed that all able-bodied adherents of the Church must go on a pilgrimage to Zanado.” Lucas says. “We’re to await his arrival. It is there that he is to reveal the Goddess’ grand design to us all, and how we may avert her wrath when she returns to Fodlan.”
Shit. They’re religious pilgrims alright. Just adherents of the same religion that branded you a Witch and also advocates for your immediate execution. Members of the Orthodox Church. Just then, a small girl walks up and tugs at Lucas’ pants. Dirt-faced and thin, she couldn’t be any older than seven. She clutches a small doll in her other arm as she looks at you wide-eyed.
>A): Thank the man for the info, give him the wheel, and depart.>B): Withhold the wheel from the pilgrims and push them aside. 