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"You did not want my help," Belle responds, shaking her head. "Actually I understand more than you would believe. Still, I would have been willing to help." She is tempted to say something about the temple and her expression is wry when the temple is mentioned but she still does not say anything.

"I am sorry about what happened with Father Malaki," she continues. "I have recently been told a bit about him and he sounds like he was a good man.


"I understand about honor," Belle states. "Something I did not understand in another life. I have a friend that I need to help escort to see if he can save anything from being attacked by the same goblins that destroyed the village. Wondering if there is a way we might be able to help each other." Her comment seems to be directed at the temporal raider.

Darl raises an eyebrow quizzically. "You mean Jonesy? If he told you it was goblins that destroyed Newhome, then I wouldn't trust him either. The demons who raided Newhome were no goblins, and escaped via a rift after the raid. I intercepted one of Salome's lackeys, who let slip that he was part of the team that was ordered to facilitate the escape just before ... well ... before he expired," he finishes with a grin. "In any case, you won't find the raiding party anymore."

"That said, I do need to travel this way to connect with the others in my group ... and was intending on doing so later this afternoon if they have not reached the city by then. But I've been on the road for quite some while, and was looking forward to a small taste of real civilization again before setting out."

"No, he said his family was attacked after they escaped," Belle responds. She looks towards Jonesy for confirmation. If he is being untrustworthy, this is quite a convoluted plot with family members and friends all collaborating the story. Still, she does not mention anything about it although there is skepticism in her voice towards the idea.

"I do want to see if there is anything which can be saved of his former belongings and the longer we wait the less likely there is to be anything left," the Apok continues.

Otherwise, she does not think the situation between John and the Temporal Raider is her concern.

Darl knows that the group is at least ten hours behind him....if not more.

Jonesy, having just arrived at the scene. "Yeah, it was definitely goblins that attacked us a couple hours from here on the road back towards Newhome. If your friends are coming that way, they may run into them as well...umm...sir."

Belle looks at Jonesy, "Sorry, I will try to keep my pace a bit slower. Just did not want them to get away and not find out what was going on. There is still much I don't understand but I will leave it be for now."

The Apok turns towards the giant warrior and nods, "I hope you have a safe journey and keep these people from getting into more trouble." She will look over John and his companion on last time.

With that, she will prepare to travel towards the site of the attack, Darl coming with her or not. She kind of wonders if he plans to bug out in another direction. Also expects him to get as frosty a reception in the town as she did when she was wearing her mask. After a moment, she decided to voice that concern, "The town can be less than friendly to those who are tainted."

"The town can be less than friendly to those who are tainted."

Darl spits. "Tainted? And why would you suggest I'm tainted?"


Turning back to John, he holds out a hand. "Unfortunately, I need that staff as well." Then to Harvey, he repeats his question. "Do you know anything of the missing books? Care to open your pack, so we can be done here and you can be on your way .... "

"Of course, you're not likely to be headed to Worldgate anymore, I suspect. In which case, perhaps helping our friend here," gesturing to the Apok, "will help win back some of her trust."

"Sorry, I don't mean you are tainted," Belle responds, sounding genuinely sorry. "I mean how others will see you."

Turning towards the subject of John, "Nothing has been done to me that he needs to make amends for."

John looks over at Harvey with a look of resignation in his eyes and nods his head. With a shrug of his shoulders Harvey drops his bag down to the ground and opens it revealing mostly clothes and foodstuffs. He rummages around underneath the clothing and produces two blood stones. "We don't have the other items you mentioned. We took these stones...thought they might come in handy. The church has so many that they shouldn't have noticed these couple were gone."

"I'm still going to Worldgate." John tells Darl and then looks at Dan as if in confirmation that Dan will still accompany them. "Something happened to my family and I plan to find out who has them and do what I can to save them. It may be a fools errand, but I can't live with myself if I don't do everything I can." John gets a mischievous glint to his eye as he tells Darl "Perhaps after your other errands are done you could find me there and help me in my cause."

{OOC: I'm not totally ignoring what Belle plans to do, but I wasn't sure if Belle was planning on leaving in the middle of the conversation or sticking around to see what everyone else's plans are.}

"Sometimes all one has is a leap of faith and hope that we can make emends for what we one did," Belle states.

"I used to serve the dark," she continues. "I probably know far about the minions of the Unholy than most. I might be able to give some advice to what might help. Of course, I understand you don't trust me but if you have any questions, I will do the best I can to answer them."

Otherwise, she will wait for a few moments to see if he has anything he needs to ask.

Bowing his head slightly both in thanks and appreciation, Darl takes the bloodstones and drops them into a pocket inside of his cloak. He also accepts the staff, as John speaks.

> "Perhaps after your other errands are done you could find me there and help me in my cause."

Smiling, Darl responds, "An any other day, I would gladly accept. I have been away from civilization too long, and a visit to Worldgate is long overdue. And to be honest, it does sound like a bit of fun. I fear that first I must complete the task at hand, but once that is complete, I will consider your suggestion."

"Of course, finding one 'John' amongst hundreds in Worldgate may be a challenge ... do you have a last name as well?"