Konistag 14th Ulriczeit 2522
Our trip to this city has thus far been uneventful since the battle. My wounds and aches have healed and Grunnd and Stefan have done each other no damage. In fact I am unsure if they have even looked in each others general direction, never mind exchanged words. Maybe it is for the best then that Stefan has upped and taken himself off to his temple on arrival here in Talabheim, leaving Danielle with us.
Arriving here we found the way to the main gates cluttered with strange people. Tents and shelters a plenty. Men and women shouting and wailing prophecies of doom, whipping and causing themselves pain. Grunnd calls them flagellants. Fanatics so fervent in their faith they mortify their own flesh. He says they are fearsome opponents, that they often throw themselves into battle without warning, fear or hesitation. They have been driven so insane by what horrors they have experienced in their lives that they desperately court death in a wish for their pain to end.
To look in the eyes of the truly insane is a fearful thing. We made our way slowly through, trying to look unoffensive so as not to offend or draw their interest. A woman turned towards us. She threw out an accusing bony finger at me, teeth bared and eyes wide in her skull haloed by a shock of black matted hair. “You are doomed! The Iron Forged End of the World, He is reborn!” She continued to screech this over and over while watching me. We picked up our pace and kept our eyes down until we reached the guard at the city gate. I sighed in relief when I realised she had not followed us.
While checking our papers and reasons for visiting the city we chatted to the gatekeeper, enquiring about the flagellants. It seems they have been travelling here in ever increasing numbers for weeks. They are saying that Sigmar has risen again, the second coming. The city is concerned to have such a large group of people camped on its doorstep, especially in light of the coming winter, and many of the city's militia are gone north to battle against Chaos. We commiserated with him on his predicament and we were eventually permitted entry.
Once through this was where Stefan chose to take his leave, once Grunnd had told us our inn would be the Comet. We parted ways and went to deliver the girl Brigitte to her uncle. He strode off into the crowd seeming to know his way. Serious and direct. Suited in armour, sword at his side and heavy bag of healing in his hand. I hope Morr will grant him some humility and humour in his prayers for that is a man in need of some. He has many admirable qualities but others which grate against the sense of his fellow beings, for shame.
Today has overall been a good one in Talabheim. An improvement on Altdorf. We were rewarded with a meal of quality beef from Brigitte's uncle who we found to be a butcher. He was grateful to have his niece back alive, doubly so once she recanted her tale.
The Comet is a comfortable inn with actual beds to sleep in as opposed to a dry corner or a palette with straw. A luxury! And Danielle did well with her quick tongue to get a pretty penny for our bag of hard-won goods from our travels. Whereupon I was able to use my own talents to stretch those pennies further with my own form of discount. Warm cloaks and clothes for the harshness of winter which is beginning to bare its teeth.
Maybe Danielle and I will stretch our legs after our supper and try the crowds here for some more light fingered work. Grunnd is more than happy for me to explore my talents. He actively seems to encourage it!
Mäuschen
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