[WFRP] The Lord of Lost Heart

[-Sentinel-]

At the shrine

Pieter paid his respects to Shallya, Ranald's lover according to some tales, by putting four shillings in the bowl. Not much, but a gold crown might tempt a villager's fingers: money had a way of overcoming piety and superstition. The initiate took a moment to kneel and pray for good health. He also left a prayer for Magda, who for some reason still lingered in his thoughts.

Oh, and one more thing, my lady. I couldn't find a shrine to Morr or even a cemetary in this place, but can you pass a message along to your father? Yes, I know I've never been in good terms with Him. But please tell Him to watch over the friends and allies I lost in Delberz. Rafale, Ilsa, Klaus, Karl... even Maria. And if it's not too much to ask, I'd like Him to make the bad dreams stop. I need to move on.

After a moment of silent spiritual contemplation, he got to his feet and walked back to the village.


[hr]

At the village

Pieter frowned deeply at the tale of how the Talberg boy had rejected Esther. But, really, what could be expected from nobles? Shallowness was part of their nature. He hoped the young man would not be a callous husband to Alexa.

The whole concept of marriage is inherently flawed, he reflected. Yet, as a godly man, it was his duty to respect the wish of people suffering from the peculiar madness called monogamy. It was not their fault, was it?

"I'm Pieter Hagen," he introduced himself with an easy grin. "Mr Faulebrand hired my friends and I to escort him here. He kindly invited us to the feast." The Ranaldite grew serious. "He was well-advised to take guards," he confided. "The road is not safe. We found two corpses in the woods, apparently outdoorsmen. Murdered. By the look of it, it wasn't the work of outlaws or roadwardens. One of the dead men had this in his pocket." He showed them the copper necklace. "You wouldn't happen to recognize this, would you?"