Page 13 of Storms & Sacrifice
“Oh no,” Khazak groans unhappily, and I notice Glasha holding in a laugh.
“Why ‘oh no’?’ I can’t help but ask.
Khazak and Hazatin look at each other, but neither answers me, so I turnto Glasha.
“The temple’s head priest can be rather...intense.” Glasha grimaces. “He is...how did Deputy Rockfang describe Nylan after forgetting their lunch plans one day? A ‘drama queen?’”
I can’t help but snort a laugh at that. Nylan is Ragnar’s avakesh: half-elf, half-human, and definitely a full drama queen. “Why does he want the captain, specifically?”
“I volunteered at the temple while growing up. I was something of a favorite of High Priest Bhok’s. As a result, he has made a habit of personally requesting me when our assistance is required,” Khazak grumbles. “Being the head of the main religious institution in the city, the chief has a hard time telling him no.” Khazak turns to Hazatin. “Thank you for the information.”
“Of course, sir.” He nods. “Deputy Keenguard has already started putting the case file together for you at the eaststation.”
“Understood.” Khazak salutes him. “May your patrol week be slow and uneventful.Rumk’r Avon.”
After the dwarf repeats back the same phrase, which means “many blessings,” the two of us grab our bags—as does Glasha—and we begin the journey back to V’rok’sh Tah’lj. I think about waiting until we’re home to start with my pestering questions, but Glasha’s cool.
“I thought your family wasn’t religious?” At least that’s what he said when he first told me about religion withinthe city.
“They are not, but when I was younger my father—Orlun—thought it would be a good way for my sister and I to be involved in the community.” He specifies which of his dads he’s talking about because I’ve explained to him how confusing it is when hehasthree.
“What did you do, exactly?” I know “getting involved” can mean a lotof things.
“Mostly assisted during worshipping services,” Khazak explains. “Preparing altars, lighting incense, recitingprayers.”
“Wow, so were you like a devout believer then?” The few times I went to church as a kid I wasn’t involved in a thing.
“No more than any child is, I think.” Khazak shrugs. “I liked the sense of duty it gave me. I continued doing it long after my sister had stopped. High Priest Bhok was more than capable of leading a room and would often sway me into taking on more responsibilities. I liked what I was doing until it became apparent that he was hoping to train me to be his replacement. I dropped the position shortly thereafter.”
“He tried the same thing with a friend of mine,” Glasha adds from my right. “My parents had the same thoughts about it being good for me. I did not mind it, but the high priest was clearly interested in training my friend further, which he did not want. When he dropped out, I was worried his interest might fall on me and used that as an excuse with my parentsto quit.”
“Did you also like the responsibility you got from it?” Maybe it’s like tradition for rangers to do that.
“No. I liked sleeping in,” shedeadpans.
“Hell yeah.” I bump my shoulder into hers, even though it is several inches higher.
It’s late afternoon by the time we get home, having split with Glasha once we were back inside the gates. The first thing we do is strip down and get in the shower, and the third thing we do is eat an early dinner. I’ll let you imagine what the second thing was, but let’s just say we almost needed another shower by the time we were done. Mentally and physically exhausted after spending a week in the woods, I pass out on the couch at some point in the evening. I wake up to Khazak’s hand gently shaking my shoulder, and he moves us to the bed forthe night.
The next day we’re up a little earlier than usual since our walk to the other station is longer than our normal route. A fact which my feet aren’t crazy about, but at least they are a lot less sore in these new boots I got a couple of weeks back. We walk east, past our normal workplace and then the arena in the center of town. I can’t help but make a joke about “the place where we first met” as we pass, which draws a small smileoutta Sir.
We arrive at the other station about twenty minutes later. It looks remarkably similar to ours, right down to the layout. I recognize a few of the people here, but it’s mostly fresh faces to me. Khazak makes some introductions as we pass, but we head straight for the back where Deputy Keenguard’s office is. Only one door is open, and we walk straight in.
“Captain Ironstorm.” The deputy captain stands at our entrance and salutes.
“Good morning, Deputy Keenguard.” He returns the salute.
“Have you already been informed of the situation at the temple, sir?” The deputy returns to her seat. She looks a little tired. I don’t mean that in a rude way, just that she’s probably been working since last night. She and Ragnar both work a lot of night and weekend shifts, so that between the two of them and Khazak, at least one “captain” is usually on duty. It happens, but it’s actually pretty rare for them to work a full shifttogether.
“I was given some information, but please catch me up.” Khazak takes one of the seats in front of her desk, and I takethe other.
“Two nights ago, there was a break in at the House of the Three.” She passes some papers across her desk. “There was no vandalism and only some supplies were taken. Specifically, the sanctuary’s store of brimstone.”
“Brimstone?” Khazak sounds incredulous. “I’m being asked to investigate stolenbrimstone?”
“I know, sir, but you know how the chief gets when the temple is involved.” Keenguard sounds very apologetic.
“He never says no to his cousin,” Khazak mumbles. He didn’t mentionthatwrinkle before. “Do we have any more information?”
