>>6072581“You know,” you point out, “You wouldn't be nearly so enamoured with my family if you actually grew up as a part of it.”
“I don't know. It would've made a lot of things easier. Nobody ever complains if a Pale is born weak and frail, so long as their mind is still sharp,” Ariel counters, “Imagine if you were born with nothing but dumb muscle. How well do you think your father would've taken that?”
You consider it for a moment. “I suspect he might've had be drowned in the lake,” you admit after a while, “In fact, he'd probably want to do the job himself. Why are we talking about this anyway? We're supposed to be praying, for all the good that'll do us.”
“Even setting aside the issue of faith, prayer helps to clear the mind and calm the spirit,” another voice interrupts. You turn, meeting Cato's piercing gaze. Brushing his cloak aside and sitting beside you, he gazes up at the altar. “I have something for you,” he continues, “Something that my uncle wishes for you to have. He sent me with his apologies – it slipped his mind until now.”
Reaching into his pocket, Cato takes out a familiar amulet and holds it out to you. You stare at it for a moment before taking it. “This belonged to my father,” you state, “Didn't it?”
“Yes. After his passing, it was returned to the church,” Cato explains, “And now we return it to you, that it might offer you some measure of protection. I have my own advice to give you, too.”
“Let me guess,” you hazard, “Listen to Master Silvera's advice.”
“Yes. That too,” Cato concedes, “But if you do decide to venture into the Demesne, do not believe everything that you see and hear. The Demesne does not follow the rules of man – it will try to foil and frustrate you, to tempt and torment you.”
“You've... been there before.”
“Yes. I have,” Cato nods solemnly, “The deeper you go, the more difficult it becomes. I pray that you will find your answers quickly, and leave that place as soon as possible.”
>I'll keep that in mind. Farewell, Cato>How deep into the Demesne have you gone? What did you see?>I thought the Demesne was holy ground. You make it sound vicious>Let me ask... (Write in)>Other 