Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep
Marklin's demeanor turns quite grim as the party gathers the treasure within the vault beneath Vraath Keep. It is obvious to even the least perceptive members of the party some great conflict wells within his soul. Finally, unable to withhold his feelings any longer, the fighter breaks his silence.
"I aint going back to Brindol," the mercenary says bruskly. "There's nothing but memories of bad times and dirty deals for me in that city. Make no mistake, I am sure the feeling's mutual. Let's just say there's no great love between me and the city guard, and leave it at that!"
The fighter pauses a few moments and adds, "Besides, we got enough to set ourselves up right with this little haul...and we're just going to throw it away and rush back into death arms on some crazy little notion of stopping an army?!"
Turning now to Eoni, "No offense, Captain, but, this is where I get off..." Marklin's face is quite conflicted over this point, but he seems to have steeled his resolve to his decision.
"I wish nothing but the best for the lot of you, but, I'm out. If any of you had any sense, you'd be thinking the same right about now." He then turns his gaze briefly to each party member in turn.
"This aint our war. Let the Lords of Brindol sort this out. They sit there on their gilded thrones born of the blood of folk like you and me. And what do we get for our troubles?"
"A life spent renting flee-ridden rooms in second-rate inns, third-rate fare, and a pauper's grave at the end of it all?"
"No thanks!"
Having said his bit he adds, "Old Man Jorr, hell, even them elves got the right of it..."