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The Redeemer considers Darl's words in silence as they walk. Eventually he responds in his usual calm voice. "Yes, your guess is a good one. Unless one of The Unholy's other generals has taken to doing this as well, this is something that Salome does. To be more precise, she gives these out to individuals or groups on a special mission for her. Typically the wielder carries the weight of Salome's words with them, no matter their rank. In this way, the lowliest messenger will be taken seriously when on a mission for her eminence." The note of derision and disrespect for 'her eminence' is obvious in his tone of voice. He flips the coin over in his hand a couple times, pausing to examine the markings. "See these here?" he says pointing to the markings. "Not all are the same. She appears to have different ones for different purposes. I can't read whatever writing this is, so I don't know the particular purposes of this coin. You said you found it on a demon that was heading to this town and when they got here the entire raiding party retreated through rifts. I can only guess that this particular coin likely just indicates a messenger."

"Well ..." Darl comments, taking the coin back to examine the markings in more detail, "... the imp I took this from was not alone - they were traveling in a pack, and where in quite some hurry to get here on time for the retreat."

"So I guess we know who was behind the attack, which means that this was no random encounter."

Taking a closer look at the coin, Darl inspects the strange markings to see what he can make of them.

Darl looks closely at the markings but doesn't have any better idea what they mean than his companion did. They appear to be rune markings of some sort. There are eight total markings evenly spaced along the outside of edge of the face of the coin. They look like an ancient language of some sorts, but definitely nothing he's seen before. [OOC: Give me a little bit and I'll Photoshop a picture of it. I have to decide what the markings look like first, though.]

"Hmmm ..." Darl ponders. "Perhaps our researcher friend Father Malaki can make some sense of this, then. I've yet to get a chance to really talk to him."

"I wonder ..." he adds, theories forming in his head even as he speaks. "... Salome would probably want to keep tabs on those performing special duties for her. Any chance these could also be used to track the executor of her particular task?"

Casting a simple spell, Darl attempts to detect if the token has any magical qualities before pocketing it again ... continuing towards the church; intent on speaking with Father Malaki.

The Redeemer watches with interest as Darl concentrates momentarily. With a flush of power, the coin in his hand....does nothing. There is no magical resonance coming from the coin; however, a strong magical presence can be felt to his left...in the Redeemer's general direction and distance. As you continue to walk, the spell runs out after two minutes with no other indications of magical presences.

Approaching the church, Darl sees Daniel disappear off one direction and Gerard disappear another way after coming out of a door leading to the hallway back to Father Malaki's office. The door is posted with two guards in church uniforms.

"Well, let's see if the good priest can decode this coin, then," Darl states to the Redeemer as they approach the two guards.

Gesturing in the directions both Daniel and Gerard walked off in, Darl addresses the doormen. "I see his previous visitors have just departed. Is Father Malaki available for a brief word?" Darl does what he can to make the request sound cordial; fully expecting that a couple of individuals such as the himself and the Redeemer may have some difficulty gaining an audience ... at least relative to an attractive female oracle with a sunbeam aura!

"I remember you," the guard eyes Darl suspiciously, "You were wandering around up here before." The guard peers after the two individuals indicated by Darl. "Two others are still inside so I can only assume they are still in audience with Father Malaki. What's your business with him?" He finishes gruffly.

Darl suppresses a sigh of exasperation. He was accustomed to being treated like this ... and fully expected it ... though the endless mistrust grew weary at times.

"Ah ... good. Then you'll also recognize my compatriot here, who arrived with Lady Anastasia ... who, as you've pointed out, is obviously still inside."

"As for myself, I've been asked to look into something on behalf of the good Father; and seek only an introduction and his personal blessing before departing early in the morning. That, and I believe we were offered lodging for the evening, but I haven't been directed as to where I shall turn in for the night."

The guard squints at The Redeemer standing next to Darl. The Redeemer, in return, raises a querying eyebrow. "Umm, yeah." the guard responds intelligently. "Now that you mention it, he does look familiar. Weren't you fighting one of the demons earlier today? I recognize the clothing, but you had a mask on. Looked like an Apok's mask to me." The man spits at his feet as if trying to clear his mouth of a bad taste.

"Yes I was, and as you can see I'm here to help." The Redeemer responds in a quiet peaceful voice that could pass for a monk. "As for my past, the only thing you need concern yourself with is the fact that I have dedicated my life to protecting the innocent and fighting The Unholy and his ilk.

"Now, if you would be so kind as to run inside and see if the Father has time to see us we would greatly appreciate it."

The guard grunts, whispers something to his companion and then disappears inside. The remaining guard grips his pike harder and eyes the two nervously as they wait. Moments later the first guard returns, indicating that they may proceed. The Redeemer leads Darl inside and to straight to Father Malaki's office.

The halls are dimly lit with small glowing orbs along the upper edges. Resin boxes are stacked neatly further down the hallway than they are going. The door to Father Malaki's office is open and they are beckoned inside by the father as they approach. The room is littered with more crates that are threatening to create an avalanche and bury them all. His desk and a few unopened crates are littered with papers and books.