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2119

Phebia nodded at Haxta as she sat down then asked the feral leader. "So about my earlier question, is the shrine being built on a hill?"

Enrick spit to the ground and grumbled. "Wait till light. Great, enemy knows where you are so sit there and wait. Great plan." Walking back to half-track, he reclaimed his place in the cab. His long-las cupped and his shotgun resting in his lap. Most walking past would mistake him for sleeping again. Few would notice his eyes staring down his scope.

2118, Day Two

Trask had resumed his monotonous litany, but broke off as Enrick walked by grumbling. "I agree with the guardsman," he said. "A few hours rest, if that, and then we should be on our way before first light."

2118

"Sounds like a wise decision to me." Marco nodded in agreement. After a moment or two he clambered up into the back of the half-track and did his best to make himself comfortable.

2119

"I think you all are vastly over estimating our abilities to move surreptitiously. One road leading to one destination and we're driving the sole vehicle on it in the middle of wide open arid country. If it makes you all feel better I won't oppose it though."

2119

"I think it's more a case of not wanting to be sitting around in one spot for too long." Karibi replied. "If there's something ahead of us, then our actions will indeed have litle effect on it. If there's something following us, however, we may be able to out-run them."

2119 Day Two:

The tribal looks at Phebia quizzically, "on hill, yes. Important?"

2119

"Maybe," Phebia said. She looked at Haxta. "Remember what the old crazy said, 'His hill will run with blood,'?" She turned back to the feral leader, "Have you seen anything bizarre out here lately?"

2119, day 2

" You think...?" she paused, and dug through her gear until she had retrieved her data slate. Powering it on, she cleared her throat, and read, " He's here, he's here again, the Crow Father come to drown us in lies! False, false, the two faces he has! First of three has two! His hill shall run with blood! They have grasped a serpent to their hearts, fools! Pity the damned fools!"

Enrick mumbled under his breath. "What great bedtime stories you guys tell. So amazing..." He let out a heavy sigh and shifted his body to allow him to scope another area around the half track while appearing to sleep or try to sleep. "...next you can sing a little jingle about diarrhea and the clap."

2120, Day Two

"Diarrhea? The clap?" Milo asked. "No, we're sure you've already heard the Imperial Guard orientation. Instead, we're discussing a matter that may actually have some bearing on the reason we're here." Trask sighed, rubbed the back of his neck, and continued, "So, I guess we're in agreement that the shrine's location on a hilltop isn't a mere coincidence. Now, is the good bishop an active participant in the her-" he shot a glance at the ferals - "er, in the recent goings-on, or is he a victim of the real culprit?"

2121

Marco, just getting himself comfortable, sighed and clambered back out of the half-track to rejoin the conversation.

"Well spotted." The Adept said to Phebia, impressed at how she'd spotted the connection. He turned to the native. "Do you know who decided on the location for the cathedral? Was it the Bishop who decided it would be built on that hill? This may be important."

2119-2121 Day Two:

The feral doesn't answer Phebis right away, continuing to scan the area beyond the fire. His mouth is moving though and he seems deep in thought, he finally replies "yes. Every day." To Marco he replies, "yes. His choice I recall. Quite insistent."

He turns back to the animal on the fire, on eye closed and cuts of another hunk of meat and shoves it in his mouth. He turns back out to the wilderness and resumes his vigil.

2122

"Interesting." Marco mused aloud, shooting the others a meaningful glance. "One more question, if I may." The Adept persisted, turning back to the native. "Have you heard of any.....unusual things happening up at the cathedral. Things that don't seem....normal?"

2122, Day Two

While Karibi continued to question the feral, Trask turned to the others. "Well, one suspect confirmed. Either the bishop's coerced by something evil, or he's willingly in league with something evil. Question is, who else is in league with him?"