Boothe Demyan replies..."You are the first visitors we have had in over a year. The last one was a small dark man of the east...perhaps from the Punjab? He wanted to see the staff but did not stay very long. He was surely not even a Christian."

"I would not be sure of that. Thomas Didymus travelled as far as India to preach the gospel. Still, if the Indian were responsible he'd have stolen it when he was here. Our quarry is likely one who lives nearby, rather than a foreigner disguised as a pilgrim."

Brother Demyan rubs his stubbled chin and nods at Rudolfus..."Perhaps you are correct, he may have been a Christian but he just did not strike me as one. Regardless I can show you where the staff was stolen from....follow me."

The older monk leads you all into the shrine...very small with a small altar. A blank space where the staff was stored in obvious. It had sat on an embroidered cloth.

Gebretsadik cocks his head to the side and says,

"What of our shipmate Phansigar? Perhaps he would know of the Indian who has visited here? Slim chance i know but perhaps?"

"This may seem impertinent from a pagan, but I do not mean it so, Brother. I would ask the same if this were a pagan temple.  And that is, how many people in total have keys, and had access to the artifact?  And of those, are there any that you would consider potentially corruptible? For any reason at all? Or might be in some manner connected to a person or group who would be served by this theft?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:44, Mon 25 Mar 2013.

With an all too trusting smile, Demyan replies..."The staff wa snot even lock up. It has sat here in it's glass case for years without being touched. I have seen no one even act as if they planned on doing wrong here in this temple. Most people do not even know of the temple or the artifact it held."

"So, what miracles have been attributed to the staff? Perhaps the Lord may send a holy sign to guide us, or perhaps whoever took it was in desperate need of the staff's powers."

"The staff was said to have relieved a drought. Here in Kiev...this has never been needed. The Volkhvs take care of such things here. It would be certain death for me to call upon the staff here,should it be found out."

"Then I suppose we should find if there are rumors of droughts in other lands. Tomorrow, I will use what magic I know to seek the staff out."

If Demyan has nothing more to say, Rudolfus leaves.

Within an hour of walking the shrine comes into view. Still small and looking like a hut, a well maintained hut but a hut none the less. Brother Demyan can be seen working in the small garden. He recognized Gebretsadik and Rudolfus and he waves. Eyeing the wrapped staff in the hands of the dark warrior the older priest smiles.

"Greetings, Brother Demyan. We have come to show you that the Staff has been recovered, so your mind can be at ease. I suppose we are also here for your permission to use it to save Gebretsadik's people."
Rudolfus has little doubt it would be refused.

Heinrich hangs back as Rudolfus and Gebretsadik talk to the priest, moving slowly and casually, but quietly maintaining a watch on the approaches to the shrine.

In reply to Nestor (msg # 17):

Gebretsadik kneels on one knee, and humbly presents the staff to Brother Demyan.  Quietly, and with great deference, he begins to speak:

"Holy Ones, now that we have returned safely to the shrine, I fear I must tell you that I have hidden my true purpose in seeking this staff.  I _do_ have great need of it, and for a holy purpose- but one of great import and peril.  I have until now been sworn to secrecy."

"Surrounded by unbelievers, I have kept my vow, but the sudden appearance of the servants of darkness forces me to reveal that which has remained otherwise hidden..."

"As brothers in Christ, do I have your vow that what I will reveal to you now will be treated with the utmost discretion?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:52, Fri 30 Aug 2013.

Brother Demyan steps forward and sets a hand on Gebretsaidks head and says..."We are brothers in Christ my son...speak."

"I will keep your secret"

In reply to Brother Demyan (msg # 21):

In almost a whisper, Gebretsadik begins to speak...

"I am not who you know me to be...

Oh, yes, Gebretsadik bisi Dakuen _is_ my name... but only my public name.

'Servant of the Blessed of the Dakuen Regiment' is it's meaning, but could describe any of my brethren.

'Teferi Zereyosef' is the name to which I was born- and that which carries my shame."

(He takes a long, deep breath...)

"The Dakuen Sarawit are the personal bodyguards of the Negusa Nagast of Aksum- the Emperor of Aethiopia of the line of Solomon.  I myself am of the line of Joseph.

We share the great responsibility of the safety of the Emperor and his family.

And we failed."

(A single tear slowly creeps down Gebretsadik's cheek, but his face remains stalwart.)

"For my whole life I have been prepared for this duty.  I was trained in the Semien mountains by my regiment to forge a heart of iron, whether in the hunt of the lion, or the defense of the realm.

My brethren and I accompanied our Emperor on many journeys, even across the Erythrean Sea...

Then five years ago, the Emperor's accursed second wife Yodit (may she be cast into the pits of the netherworld!), she of the Sidamo tribe- pagan's all- fomented a rebellion among his retainers.

The coup was successful.  My regiment and my Emperor were taken by surprise in the palace by a cunning ruse, and were slaughtered by the traitors before they could take up arms.

Those few of us not present were guarding the Emperor's family.  We fought a running battle all the way to the monastery of Debre Damo- high on a plateau with but a narrow way in- and prepared to sell our lives dearly."

(A small shudder passes briefly across Gebretsadik's shoulders.)

"And then, one night, by the forces of dark magic... she was among us!  Wielding flame and death, and accompanied by her ravening guards, she killed the monks in droves- scattering them to the winds.

All but a dozen of my once proud regiment were slain, and all of the Emperor's children... but one.

The Abbot of the monastery placed the young Dil Na'od into my hands, and showed us a secret way off of the plateau.  He bid us travel to Shewa, far in the south.

There we were given shelter by the Mohammedan king in return for a service we provided generations ago to the founder of their religion.

And it is there we remain- a court in exile, while our people suffer, starve, and die at the hands of the Witch Queen and her beasts of men.

It was my honor to carry the son of my Emperor to safety in my arms.

It was to my everlasting shame that I had to."

(Gebretsadik is silent for a moment, and appears far, far away...)

"This year, I was chosen by lot to travel in secret back to Debre Damo, where it was said that a few monks had returned.

I was to ask them how to defeat the Witch Queen.

Their answer- to find the staff of Andreas Protokletos, with which he struck water from a stone.  If the sign of his cross could keep witches at bay, it was said that his staff could return them to the world of darkness from which they came.

They sent me to the Holy Sepulchre, where they believed our monks there could tell me better where to find it- far in the north, beyond his shrine at Kyiv, maybe even as far as Holmgard where they say he preached in the ancient of days.

This would be my penance."

(He seems to let out a long held breath, and the rest of his story floods out in a rush of words.)

"All seemed to go well- too well in fact- until the events of today.

Those Aksumite warriors were of a village near where I was born- and traitors all.

The woman I did not know, but was clearly a witch of great power, and probably one of the ladies-in-waiting of the Accursed One.

Their presence means that she knows I am here, and that she knows my mission.

Even worse, it is clear that she ordered the staff stolen- which means she fears it, and will not stop until it is either in her power... or destroyed."

(He looks up at Brother Demyan.)

"So, Holy One, I must know if this is the _true_ Staff of Andreas Protokletos, or but a twig kept here in his memory.

If it is the Staff, then I must ask its use, and must depart immediately for my homeland, though it might mean my death.

If not, I must ask where to continue my journey...

The Staff is _vital_ to the lives of my people, and so I ask you to swear on the Most Holy Word of God what you know to be true."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:13, Sat 31 Aug 2013.

Brother Demyan looks stunned upon hearing such a story and when it is over he smiles as says...Rest assured my son...this is the true staff. I am uneasy letting it out of my sight again though but since my true home is not here in Kiev, I will offer to travel with you to your home."

In reply to Brother Demyan (msg # 24):

A smile of deep satisfaction and peace crosses Gebretsadik's face.

"Thank you, Holy One.  I would appreciate the company, and look forward to your teachings."

"Have you any skill with weapons?  The journey will be... difficult."

To Rudolfus:

"Thank you for your assistance, my brother.  I hope you find what you are seeking."

" Will you tell my Ambal for me that I appreciate his faith in me, and support in my struggle?  I am sorry to leave him short-handed on his boat, but I am sure he will find someone in such a great city as this."

" Although this chapter comes to an end, I have the feeling that an even greater advenutre lies before us all..."

He turns to Brother Demyan:

"Come, let us prepare for the journey- we have much to discuss."

In reply to Brother Demyan (msg # 24):

A smile of deep satisfaction and peace crosses Gebretsadik's face.

"Thank you, Holy One.  I would appreciate the company, and look forward to your teachings."

"Have you any skill with weapons?  The journey will be... difficult."

To Rudolfus:

"Thank you for your assistance, my brother.  I hope you find what you are seeking."

" Will you tell my Ambal for me that I appreciate his faith in me, and support in my struggle?  I am sorry to leave him short-handed on his boat, but I am sure he will find someone in such a great city as this."

" Although this chapter comes to an end, I have the feeling that an even greater advenutre lies before us all..."

He turns to Brother Demyan:

"Come, let us prepare for the journey- we have much to discuss."

"Farewell, brother."

Without another word, Gebretsadik and Brother Demyan prepare to go off to the lands far to the south leaving both Rudolfus and Heinrich standing.

Heinrich approaches Rudolfus, as he has been hanging back watching for trouble. He continues to scan the area, worried about another attack. He asks Rudolfus, "Are things going well? What is the plan now?"

"It seems our friend will not be returning with us. He and the keeper of this shrine are to travel back to his home, in Africa, and there use the staff to save his people. I do not know if we are safe, but once the witches learn we no longer have the staff and Gebretsadik isn't with us, they should leave us alone. If not, then he's told me little and I've repeated less, in case anyone is caught or we are spied on by magic. We should return to the ship and let the others know."

Heinrich nods and says, "He is content to go his own way then? That is his decision I guess, a little surprised he didn't decide to ask the captain for help, but that's his choice."

"I suppose he thought it too much to ask that he turn around, cross two seas, and row down the Nile. It's a bit of a shame I have business in Novgorod, or I might have gone with him if only to see the Egyptian ruins."