He opened his eyes as the vessel came to an abrupt halt and the rear access ramp fell to disgorge his fellow travelers, warriors all and weary. The road ended here however, a new place to settle and start a stable life for themselves, an end to the recent persecution by jealous Gods who waged an unknown war until the Gods themselves had come to him for intervention.
But he had refused and just like last time they punished him, and like last time he retaliated and killed some of the Gods.
He opened his eyes and looked down the ramp at his men fanning out looking over the ancient vine covered walls that spanned his view. Did his men still follow him for loyalty as had been his creed or did they fear him? A Godkiller should be feared but he spat on the deck under his feet and sighed. Gods indeed.
He stood up and walked down the ramp, the bright sunlight catching his eyes and forcing him to squint. He inhaled a deep breath, the aromas hadn't disappeared but they had changed from the neglect that was evident on the walls. He looked over to the large road leading north towards the city and south through the forests.
"The door remains fastened but shows signs of recent access." Philodus said in his usual clipped tones, he was so abrupt and to the point, if the man didn't relax he was going to have a heart attack.
Glancing at the door he let his fingers run over the intricate designs and for some reason he found it necessary to pull on the handles, testing it to see if it would allow it's master to pass but it rattled and refused him.
"We will need the key." He said calmly and Philodus nodded and waited for instruction. "It has been many years since I have been here, but the keyholder should be in the charge of respected citizens of the city, I will venture forth and ascertain her whereabouts." He declared and Philodus looked up at him quickly.
"It is not safe, someone else should go to make inquiries." Philodus offered but the man shook his head.
"No." He glanced at his lieutenant then with a smile on his face. "Where I must go would chill your Gorean blood. A place of mysteries, of magic, creatures we assumed were mere fairy tales and monsters in the guise of humans. No. I will go."
But he had refused and just like last time they punished him, and like last time he retaliated and killed some of the Gods.
He opened his eyes and looked down the ramp at his men fanning out looking over the ancient vine covered walls that spanned his view. Did his men still follow him for loyalty as had been his creed or did they fear him? A Godkiller should be feared but he spat on the deck under his feet and sighed. Gods indeed.
He stood up and walked down the ramp, the bright sunlight catching his eyes and forcing him to squint. He inhaled a deep breath, the aromas hadn't disappeared but they had changed from the neglect that was evident on the walls. He looked over to the large road leading north towards the city and south through the forests.
"The door remains fastened but shows signs of recent access." Philodus said in his usual clipped tones, he was so abrupt and to the point, if the man didn't relax he was going to have a heart attack.
Glancing at the door he let his fingers run over the intricate designs and for some reason he found it necessary to pull on the handles, testing it to see if it would allow it's master to pass but it rattled and refused him.
"We will need the key." He said calmly and Philodus nodded and waited for instruction. "It has been many years since I have been here, but the keyholder should be in the charge of respected citizens of the city, I will venture forth and ascertain her whereabouts." He declared and Philodus looked up at him quickly.
"It is not safe, someone else should go to make inquiries." Philodus offered but the man shook his head.
"No." He glanced at his lieutenant then with a smile on his face. "Where I must go would chill your Gorean blood. A place of mysteries, of magic, creatures we assumed were mere fairy tales and monsters in the guise of humans. No. I will go."