[Lyra Greenleaf]

"Finally we're going to civilisation" Sammael said to Damodred, eyes shining. And the sea captain's minions were finally listening to his orders. It was galling that Ghurdan had had to order them, but the end result was the same, anyway. Yes, things seemed finally to be smoothing out in this complicated party. Swirling currents still lurked beneath the surface, but it should be possible for the careful man to save himself.

He was so happy that he winked at Essenia when he saw her walking beside him. Her eyes showed contempt but her face remained smooth as usual. Sammael could hardly credit the story that she had lost her temper so that she slapped both Zasfal and some man in an inn.
The cold fish feels after all!, he thought with something akin to triumph. It made her more human and so, more accessible. Meanwhile the village was getting closer and closer.

*********************

Damodred watched Sammael with something approaching paternalism. Standing in this crowded village square he was even now gazing at the maidens, winking when he saw one he liked the look of. He wasn't paying any attention to what was going on between the Priestess and a sly looking man.

"Do what you want with her" the man was whining. "She's no good to me in life, perhaps her death will help us gain the favour of the Eye"

Damodred grimaced. Sacrifice. It was a part and parcel of the Dark Religion, but a part Sammael never seemed to have accepted. Damodred had rarely known someone more devoted to the Eye, but this... Quickly he made a decision. This was no time for heroics.

"Sammael, come with me" he said quietly, putting a hand on the boy's sleeve. Sammael turned reluctantly but saw the absolute command that rarely appeared in Damodred's eyes. Without anyone noticing, the two men left the square. Quickly Damodred led Sammael through the eserted village until they reached the tavern. there was no-one there, but Sammael served the two men, leaving coin by the glasses.

"What is it?" Sammael asked.
Damodred knew he had to answer.
"Sacrifice, lad" he answered. "There is NOTHING you can do, unless you want to be killed yourself. It's probably happened, but if not there are 20 armed men out there and not just half trained country men."

Sammael's face was black. Damodred watched in terror as he stormed from the inn. All he did, though, was kick the whitewashed wall, then put his head in his hands and sink to the ground.