Something isn't right

Citra had been enjoying the week in the wilds she had spent with her new eccentric companion , but it was quite the relief to finally see signs of civilization. Spartoai outposts were few and far between in the vast and dangerous Wilderlands that stretched between the great kingdoms of the south and the ruins of Ferund, but they did exist. However it was common knowledge that on the most part the Wilderlands were a lawless ungoverned country , home to only wanderers , outlaws , and those resilient enough to make a living so far from the settled lands of the south. The village ahead of them , Terth if she remembered the name right , was home to the last category. "So , it seemed your optimism paid off after a while." She commented as the wagon rolled down the shoddily paved road that lead towards the village.

"Well even a Ferund sundial is right twice a day" He joked from atop the wagon where he kept an eye on the landscape passing by, he wanted to see as much as possible and it was nice having a break from all this walking "Never been down this way, not since the settlement set up here at least." He didn't remember any such things out here then again he didn't remember most things from before his restoration really so he added "I think..."

"I suppose we'll have to trust my memory then , and if it serves as it should these outposts are normally rather nice, they'll play better to your human tastes than the wilds no doubt." She replied with a teasing look at the Ferundian, it was a jest of course but she had noticed the undead man's rather refined tastes. It was so foreign to her , being used to moving through the wilds at all times.

"Can't say i'd turn down a mug of spiced wine right about now" He admitted slightly embarrassed but cheerful, truth is he was just glad to have a companion at all, especially one he got on with as well as the Chaggerta so far, she was very accommodating, kind, capable, had a wagon so he didn't have to walk all day, and amazing tea so the company of the chaggerta was just fine with, even so he wouldn't turn down the comforts of civilization for a night or two, and maybe he could purchase a vial or two of blood. "Still we should be careful" He noted surprisingly foresightful for what she had seen of him so far, naive as he could be; he knew many settlements did not take kindly to undead especially rural and superstitious border towns that were prone to attack by the mad ones.

"Although I'm sure if anything comes up they can be convinced." She replied , and if not than they could always leave , violent confrontation was the last thing she wanted in these sort of situations. However the time to plan and contemplate this had come to pass as they swiftly passed through the outpost gates only to be shocked by what awaited them. A mob , two dozen strong were standing outside of a boarded up house , yelling and cursing , flailing farming implements and cutlery in the air with savage vigor "..We should see what's going on." Citra stated immediately as she hopped off the wagon and gestured for Janek to follow.

Janik had already hopped off the wagon, he briefly scanned looked to see if he could pick out a leader, before doing anything like approaching, she could see he was working out some thing, as he didn't reply at first

"What is it? That your mind sees?" She questioned quietly as she watched the mob continue to clamor.

"That a priest would lead such a mob" He murmured to her and shook his head "Well perhaps there is a good reason..." he added not wanting to jump to any conclusions especially about a man of faith. "Hold father, what is going on here?" The undead asked as he approached the priest directly staff in hand and easily accessible but not at the ready.

From within the crowd a man steps out , mousy brown hair cut in a priest's tonsure " A ferundian ? What is one of your kind doing so far south? Away from your crypts and woods?" He replied with eyes that burn with suspicion , murmurs going through the crowd.

"We don't live in crypts" He explained cheerfully "Mostly manors, castles and other such places, well those of us still sane. I am actually trying to get out and see the world before I start rotting again, Going to see the southern beeches among other things... Now then I believe it's your turn to explain to me what this is about." he said in a good natured non accusatory tone

"What is going on is none of the business of foreigners and non-believers , yet it will not hurt to tell , look to this wretched hovel." He grumbled as he pointed to the boarded up house "Within there lie blasphemers , users of perilous evil magics that must be purged , a whole family of them if one can call such a dreadful pack a family."

"What did they do?" the undead wondered curiously, it sounded fairly severe and on the word of a priest no less

Citra's eyes narrowed , the warrior monk keeping close to her innocent-minded companion as she watched for any threat from the mob. However the priest continued unabated by her approach "They have been casting their spells over the children of the town , giving them trinkets filled with their heresies , our congregation forced them to hiding before they could use them for whatever wicked purpose."

"Did they do the children harm?" Janik asked curiously, he wanted to get the full picture as best as possible

"We do not know yet."

"Well if it hasn't hurt them don't you think this is a little uncalled for? Can't you try talking things out?" The undead cheerfully proposed "They could have cast a good luck spell for all you know"

"There are no good spells , only heresy." He replied with disgust.

"Ooook I see what's going on here" He said with sudden realization and no malice in his voice, more like gentle understanding he noted "You're a heretical cult following a made up god, and terrorizing innocent sorcerers." He concluded as none of his gods considered magic forbiden

Promptly he found himself lifted suddenly into the air by the scruff of his color as Citra pulled him from the path of one of the mob members who had tried to swing on him with a club.

However he had already raised a hand to blast the man with his shock ring, Citra suddenly lifting him and pulling him out of the way made him blush beneath the mask but it also sent the blast of electricity wide; briefly it lit the area with a violet flash and a sharp crackling sound as it struck the priest sending him violently reeling to the ground convulsing a bit, but not dead.

This did...not improve the mob's mood in the slightest "Witch" The ringleader yelled , pointing an accusatory finger at the two "Capture them so we may burn them with the others!" he ordered, angry rage maddened villagers rushing at them .

The ring leader recieved a magic arrow in the throat for this, even janik sould see the time for talk was over. "Follow me" Janik suddenly had an idea and rushed towards the nearest non surrounded hut, figuring if he could funnel them in through a door or something they could handle the situation, the main thing was not being surrounded, if surrounded the greatest fighter could fall prey to commoners

Citra followed quickly , as some of the more sensible townfolk began to exit their houses and hold the mob at bay.

Well that was unexpected, and probably completely unprecedented "No wait hold your ground and help I guess..." he said stopping since apparently they weren't about to be overwhelmed, he would put down a few more crazies with magic arrows

Mind you they weren't really attacking simply holding the mob back as best they could , hoping to protect these innocent travelers .