Re: Combat: Post Combat
As the last few members of the company climb down from the wall, the members present speak with the mysterious man having now introduced himself as Imbellem. They were engaged simple small talk, merely to discover if he was a genuine man, subtly trying to determine whose side he was truly on.
A cough cuts though the conversation in the distance, a wet cough, full of blood, fear, and a single incomprehensible word. It took a moment, but the word “Priest..” could be heard. His eyes widen and quickly he turns his body to locate the source of sound, almost frantically. Seeing a man dressed in red laying in a large pool of blood motion to him to come closer, Imbellem quickly discards his walking stick as well as his backpack and runs to the man in the short distance.
The party watches the priest in confusion. That guard had likely just killed several freedom-fighters, citizens. He is beyond saving. A rebel shouts from a short distance. “What are you doing? Let the scum suffer. Where does your allegiance lie anyway?” yelling, pointing a judgmental finger toward the cleric.
“My allegiance, Ser ” Shouts Imbellem stopping from his short sprint merely to turn his head just enough to make eye contact with the rebel fighter, a brewing rage beginning to boil through his gaze. “Lies with those who require it most. Regardless of whatever personal preference you would assume is acceptable.”
The rebel, shocked and slightly intimidated, lowers his extended arm, and takes a step back.
The party is tempted to tell him, but it's no use. His fate is determined. They all form a small line, all looking on as the cleric runs to the request of the man, wounded, and likely beyond help, foot halfway in the door of Hades.
Ending his short sprint on a dusty slide on his knees, Imbellem lands next to the man, wounded beyond repair, coughing and sputtering blood as he tried to speak. Imbellem leans closer, to hear the words of the dying man.
Blood, watered the ground where the guard lie, there was no hope for his body, he was on his way to die, any moment now.
“Priest?..” He said, sputtering though the blood now filling his lungs “Yes sir, I am, what do you need?” says Imbellem, looking over the physical state of the man. He doesnt have much time left. “Do you hate me?..” said the guard, fear glazing his already pale face “No I do not hate you, people make bad choices sometimes, ill bet youre a nice guy.” The guard turns his head to cough more blood, I'm afraid.. What will happen to me?..” he said, tears now beginning to stream down his battle warn face.
Time was running out. The group, not far away, can hear their conversation, as well as see Imbellem nodding, shaking his head and talking with the dying city guard. They see him pull the small cross he had in his sleeve to its full extension, it was clear he had it wrapped and out of sight around his wrist by a string, concealed by the long sleeves of the cloak and held it out to the wounded man. “Anything that you have done that you believe was wrong, you can be forgiven for. The Lord God will forgive you, and allow you to enter into his paradise.” A confused look overtakes the guard, “Your god.. will not forgive a man like me.” He said, becoming more pale due to loss of blood. “My God” Imbellm says, holding up the small cross, “Will not look at your past, all you have to do is ask forgiveness, and accept him as your own”
The guard smiled, “I'm not sure why,” he said, “But.. Ill trust you. Please let me see your God”
“Just reach out, and ask his forgiveness, believe him as the one and only true Lord, and trust my friend. He will forgive and accept you.” Imbellem says, holding the cross closer to the city guard. He attempted reaching a shaking, dying hand toward the small wooden cross, but couldn't do it, due to his lack of strength. Imbellem helps him, leading his hand toward to holy symbol, holding it for a few moments. The two close their eyes, resting on each others forehead. Imbellem in prayer, the guard asking forgiveness for his past mistakes, and begging to be allowed to be welcomed into paradise to a God he knew nothing about. After a moment of silence, the guards eyes widen. He looks to the sky, with a smile crawling along his weakened face. “Wow.” Says the guard. “Your Lord is truly the real deal.. If only.. I had.. known.. sooner..” “We will see each other again in paradise my friend” imbellem says, beginning to tear up. only to have the hand of the wounded man fall as the last seconds of his life were drained from him.
The priest lowers his head for a moment, and then stands, without turning; simply looking up to the sky. The then wipes his face and turns back to meet back with the group, trying to appear as if the he was not an emotional man, but one of stone heart, and not upset about the event that had just happened, but overall, he was happy with the outcome of the conversation. "So, where are you headed?" He asks, secretly eager to be a part of their adventures and trying to bush off the past few moments as if they had never happened.