You leave home (Act II)

You follow your 'rescuer', such that he is, as you quickly leave the religious center of Letia. Your conflict grows each step; you've wanted to leave for years when you were a child, wanting to go out on daring adventures, try to 'find yourself'. A considerable time, you spent wanting to say goodbye to the church forever and try to find your family. Doolyn was the voice of wisdom than; how much you wish you had him now. This was not the way you wanted your departure to be. The ArchDeacon and the rest must be terribly worried, you fear, but you can't even go and tell them that you'll be safe. It would only attract the attention of Rosita and the others you're trying to draw distance from, to say nothing of the increased layers of shame you've brought upon yourself.

A proper change of clothes was had, and some minor outfitting of an adventurer, and you pressed on a northern road, less traveled out of the city.

"Excuse me?" You speak to the Dragonborn, who is sullen and silent.

"What is it?" He spoke angrily, the deep bass of his voice contributing to the ominous nature.

"If we're trying to get far away from the cult, wouldn't it make sense to take horses or something?"

"Do I look like the type of face that a horse would trust?" He asked.

"No, I suppose not"

"We will have advantage of a few hours before they even wake. More hours yet that we have a singular purpose and they'll have to argue and deliberate, as any cult group is wont to do. It may take even more time for them to realize that they can actually detect where you are. That will give us enough of a head start. The rest will have to come from you being willing to to do what they won't. Walking faster, walking further, resting less. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir" You reply with a head bow.

"I'm not a member of your church, and certainly no one of respect enough to be 'Sir' " He responds morbidly "You may call me Xhoza"

"And I'm Demetria" You respond, offering your hand for a shake, which is ignored.

"Are you so forward and gregarious towards all you meet?" he asks "no wonder you fell into the fate that you did."

"Are you going to disparage me the entire time we take this trip!?" You ask loudly

"Are you going to be able to function in the slightest without me?" He responded immediately, without a second of hesitation. "I am here to get you out of your mess. Do not beg for my assistance and than bother me for the means that I provide it. If I could see you were actually capable of something other than getting yourself in trouble, that would be one thing."

"I am capable!" You shout "You'll see"

"I hope I do. You will have to be if you hope to see your journey to the end alive." The Dragonkin grabs you by the arm swiftly and pulls you off the road. "That may prove to be the case sooner rather than later"

"Let go of me!" You shout "What's going on?"

"****" He says cryptically "I can smell it. We're about to be ambushed."

He lets go and leads you further astray, finding a freshly dug area.

"Well, they at least have enough sense to try and cover their tracks. Turn back to the road."

"Wait, what?"

"We're going to turn the surprise back on these highwaymen. You're young and naive, you'll be the perfect bait..."

"Fine." You reply angrily. You storm off in the direction, going back to the street. As you turn atop a hill, three ruffians jump out from behind a boulder.

"Well well, a _young _Demon Blood. Don't see too many of you lot. Time to pay up dearest."

"Pay for what?" You ask defiantly

"Let's make it simple love. Your money, or your life" They all draw weapons on you, and no sooner that they do, a bright green blast of magical energy strikes one in the chest. A horrific sound of shambling rot follows as undead, decaying body, runs from behind you to maul another bandit. The third, undeterred, leaps out at you, dagger poised for your neck. You thrust your hand out as you reach out to Phoenicia for aid. Through your channeled divinity, you're able to reach into his mind and turn him.

"Flee!" You shout in a supernatural voice, and he immediately does so. The undead horror was hungry in its infernal state, feasting on the remains of the person it had just killed. Disgusted, you use your magical knowledge to cause the zombie to fall lifeless again, corpse on corpse. You turn behind to see Xhoza, standing tall, grasping his staff, glowing at the head in the same horrid green light.

"Necromancer!" You shout

"Among other things, yes. Spare me your piety and your judgement."

"Your spells offend the entire natural order of T'sara!" you shout "There is not a God that exists that does not condemn that behavior."

"Than let that be between the Gods and I!" He shouted back "You are but a pawn in their game! One whose rules I refuse to abide by. I will defeat my enemy by whatever means I have available. If the cruel irony of using a killers own sins against them is too grotesque a concept for you than so be it!" He continued to walk past you.

"I see the same enemy in the world as you. Do not idly judge me with your pristine hands for being the one who actually wishes to fight them by their own means."

You grow deeply concerned about how far you can trust this heartless dragonblood, who seems able and willing to justify anything he might do. For now, he is right, you need him. Warily, you follow behind him.

"Are my methods not so detestable, or are you conveniently willing to forgive me because you need me."

"Let's just say accompanying you is the least worst option. No more necromancy for the rest of this journey. That's an order"

He laughs loudly, causing you great concern.

"So you actually do have a spine. There may be hope for you yet."