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Murdock clenches his fists, his face turning red. He looks like he's absolutely *done* with the trouble-stirring mother. “You continue to question the authority of a priest and spreading doubt and unrest among others, like an infectious parasite. Nothing worth hearing has come out of your mouth so far, so I'm warning you… you better keep it shut if you know what’s good for you. Even a priest of Anu has limits to his patience.”
Out of sheer stupidity, arrogance, or both, she ignores the severity of his tone and continues to arise mistrust about you, incurring the cleric's wrath. “Father Murdock! With all due respect, it’s obvious that these gnolls have malevolent plans reserved for mister Sharpaxe! Think about it! First, they killed his sons at the cave... now, they’re sending out demons to torment the poor man's soul! Don't you see they are a danger to us all?! Surely the other priests realize this! I want those tribals OUT of the fortress! I cannot stand their presence! I can't-"
“Silence, wench!” Murdock finally snaps and slaps the hell out of the mother, even with her child on her arms! She drops like a bag of rocks, but fortunately manages to protect the toddler’s head from hitting the cold, hard floor. All the other dwarves - including the priests - are shocked by Murdock's actions, their jaws dropping...
The proning mother stares at him with fear – but also anger and surprise. “You... you hit me! Father, how could you?! Y-you... you can't do that! You can't DO that! You're supposed to be loving like all priests are!"
"Well... there goes my last bit of reputation." Murdock sighs, raises his eyes and takes a look around him, as if feeling the weight of all the judging gazes laid upon him. He grunts and quickly makes his way out of the scene. “Get outta my way, haughty fools! May Anu have mercy on yer misguided souls!”
“Muwdock, wait!” you call for him before he leaves. He stops walking and turns to you – for some reason, he looks calmer when addressing you. “Errr… befowe you go, can you pwease tew the othew pwiests to heaw Daitza? I wouwd ask you, but you’ve awready spent so much mana on us…"
”
The priest gives you a sad smile. “Couldn’t heal her even if I wanted to, champ. I ain’t feelin’... compassionate right now. Try your luck with ‘em if you want to, but don’t hold your breath.” He frowns at the other members of the clergy, who stare at him with pity and disappointment. “Lots of Aarons around these parts, if you know what I mean.”
With those words, Murdock stomps away, leaving you and Datz alone with the annoyed mob…
(cont)
