Malkai listened to Catarina, not that he could do much else. He smirked when she slapped Vivian, and laughed when Catarina hit him. It actually really, really hurt. But he couldn’t help but laugh at catarina and her conviction. [color=00a651]”You [i]are[/i] a fool, Catarina. But I can’t say I hate that. You are the best kind of fool; the one who accepts it. Too many deny their stupidity and justify their moronic actions with bravado. I disagree with you on other points, such as true strength… But that is a conversation for another time. We have guests.”[/color]

Just as he said that, the door opened. A human and halfling entered the room and Malkai could tell that the human was some sort of agent of the church. While she wore armor, hers was black and made of leather, not heavy metal like a paladin or cleric. She was likely a spy or assassin for the church. No one ever expects a holy order to employ assassins, but that unexpected factor is what makes them the best assassins. The human introduced herself as Erika the Inquisitor, a title Malkai was all too familiar with. They were worse than assassins; they were political agents of the church. At least one could fend themselves from a church’s assassin without being accused of murder or avoiding justice. But an Inquisitor had all the ability and authority to murder anyone who threatens their goals. And while and inquisitor's authority was not universal, here in their own temple, Malkai knew that Erika could easily have them all executed without a fuss.

[color=00a651]”Hmph. We haven’t even been paid for our last job, and we’re already signing new contracts. I take it you know what this is?”[/color] Malkai weakly motioned towards the chalice. He needed a good night’s rest before he would be at fighting order.

[hr]

[color=7bcdc8]”Truly, such people are nothing but savages. True beauty is more than just a slender body and a hearty bosom. You are magnificent, my sunshine, and do not let anyone tell you differently.”[/color] Veridis said matter-of-factly. Though Veridis couldn’t help but be somewhat distracted by the noise coming from the room with the strange guests. His sense of adventure wanted him to snoop around, but then Elleonora asked him to talk more about himself. [color=7bcdc8]”Ask and you shall receive, my sunshine. However it is rude for me to simply talk about myself if you aren’t interested. Besides that, there are far more interesting things going on right now. I hear some shouting just beyond this wall. Why don’t we discover the source?’[/color]

Veridis motioned towards the hall where the noise was coming from. He noticed Erika and a strange halfling walk into the room, only making Veridis even more curious. [color=7bcdc8]”The plot thickens.”[/color]