As the magic was cast Maggot did nothing to stop the results. He was surprised that the mage was able to detect his burden even when he sat behind her. He knew the dwarf would speak first and hopped he would before the others acted. But it was a bit hard to know what to do as Cor, Knight Cleric and Cat Herder spoke the man from a far away land, Kenji, Eater of the White Grain stood a little taller and closed his distance ever so slightly.

Maggot with his staff across his lap, lifted his hands slowly as to show he held nothing, “It is a burden I must carry. It is the thing that took my brother from me,” Maggot’s voice broke slightly, he spoke to some one not in the room. “One day ours paths will meet. On that day my burden will be lifted. Evil will go from this place or I will go to be with my brother.” Maggot then looked at Kenji and then Cor, “That is all I am willing to say at this time save for this, My life I will give freely again and again if it puts the one sword into her hands.” Maggot then moved his hands back to his staff and moved to his feet. “That is my answer, what is yours?”

Maggot stood hoping his answer was appropriate enough for now, but knew as time passed more questions would be asked and more answers would be given.


As attentions turned away from Maggot and back to the mirrors and some stepped forward Maggot could not help but being slightly insulted. In true Maggot form he stepped forward and almost in a courtly manner spoke to Cor, Knight Cleric, “With the nasty bit of business behind us as I might say,” a smile drifted across the old bard’s face, and drawing attention to the tattered bit of cloth tied around his right arm, “I do believe you have my services if you so wish them.” He then bowed low, “But with recent events I will understand if I am to stand in a corner and wait until I have learned my lesson.”

"Well lad, I cannot in good conscious allow an unknown object of evil be carried in the midst of the party. You have not told us what the object is only why you carry it. Perhaps we can come to a compromise? If you will agree to allow me to see the object and whisper all you know aobout it to my ears only I as leader will then deceide if it is acceptable for you to continue your journey with us. If this is not acceptable to you or the group then I fear this is where our paths diverge. What say all of you?"

“Cor, your words speak only of us parting ways and I expect the rest of the group to honor those words. If I am to be attacked, I would hope you would do the honorable thing and give word so that we may fight and the Gods would have it and not like demons and walking dead that now live among us once more.”

Maggot released his staff and as if fell to the floor he caught it with the top of his right foot and then lowered it to the ground. Keeping the staff perched atop his right foot for easy retrieval if the need would arises. Maggot then slowing removed his longbow and quiver of arrows from his back and placed them on the ground beside him. He then removed his pack and as he put it down an oddly amount of padding could be noticed by any who now watched him closely. He then undid the antique clasp that held his cloak on and he let the cloak fall to the floor. Then he dropped the clasp on top of the cloak. Maggot then untied his shirt and slowly pulled it over his head.

What was now revealed was a very thin, very soft leather vest. Any who knew any about armor could see this vest would give no protection agents slashing weapons nor would it give hindrance to anything wishing to pierce his body. Maggot untied the leather strap, the winching on his face gave evidence that this gave Maggot much pain and every move became more and more labor intense. He removed the vest and as he did so the pungent smell filled the room.

Scars dotted Maggot’s flesh like the waves upon the ocean. A leather strap could be seen running from over his right shoulder to just above his waist on his left side. What was odd is where a buckle should be located there was none, yet still the leather strap held fast. “I am going to retrieve my staff now.” And with a nod from Cor, Maggot did so with a slight kick from his right foot.

Maggot then turned his back to the group. There upon his back, from right shoulder running across his back to the lower left side was what might be seen as a scabbard. His skin seem to be growing around the scabbard like the bark of a tree grows around and slow engulfs something that has been placed next to the tree. The skin also appeared to be infected almost ready to turn rotten and fall off. What was in this scabbard could not be seen for the top of the scabbard where the top of the sword would be seen could not be for the top of the sword was wrapped in strips of leather and various pieces of cloth. Any with a weak constitution might feel that their breakfast might want to escape the confinements of their eater. For even the goblin children who saw this hid their faces behind their mothers, when the Goblin tribe of the northern wood tried to take it from him some moons ago.

“The burden I speak of is the blade that killed my brother.” Maggot turned and faced the group, “My brother and I were to give our lives to help the escape of her forbearer.” Maggot pointed toward Althena and his gaze fell upon her, “Your have her eyes.” Maggot then looked back toward Cor, “My brother gave his life, but I was able to cut the sword from the hand that wield it. I took the sword and it has been my burden ever since. Oh yes I have tried to destroy it many times but nothing can melt or bend the blade. I wish not to leave it for fear of whom or what might find it. The owner of the sword has never returned to me to claim it or my life. Nor have I found the owner of the sword to return it and kill that evil.” Maggot turned his back once more to the group. “I do not think I could leave the sword now anyway. For my life is tied up with the sword.” He fell to one knee, “Cor, step forward and reach for it.” Cor shifted his weight and as if the sword knew what was to happen the scabbard almost seem to grow fingers and dug itself into the back of Maggot and like the scabbard Maggot’s back seam to grow fingers and held the scabbard close.

Maggot stood and faced the party once more, “Cor, my heart is pure. My soul is honorable. My blade belongs to her that seeks the sword. By my death or by my life I will do now what my brother and I started many, many years ago.”

Maggot looked appeared to be very tired and worn now with the telling of his words and the showing of his burden. Maggot could only hope they could see his words were true like his heart and his soul and that they would not try to kill him but allow him to travel with them or at the very least allow him to go from them so that he might fallow them and give aid when and where he might.

"A most interesting and horrible burden you bear. You have shown willingness to show it and that speaks highly of your character. I am convinced that it is the object and not you that is evil." Cor turned to the group, "If any of you object to this man continuing to journey with us speak now or never." Cor waited.

Cynil looks on the man with deep pity, to carry such a burden was an terrible task.

"Maggot, if there is anything I can do for you I will."

She then turned to Cor, "He comes with us." It was a flat statment of her own decision on this matter.

Ulthok was a little uneasy. Between Halia's mood (and the reasons and rationale behind it), yet another surely treacherous puzzle placed in their path, and the revelation of the evil blade that Maggot carried, the halfling couldn't keep his own doubts and misgivings from welling up. He knew that this quest they were set upon was of importance in the grand scheme of things and, also, knew that it had to be seen through to its end but the longer it went on, it seemed, the farther from it's end they seemed to get and he couldn't help but wonder if even being on this quest was anything more than another horrible twist of fate wrought by the very sword that they sought.

He didn't voice any of these concerns, of course, instead keeping his thoughts to himself for the time... there was no sense in adding more fuel to the fires of mistrust and apprehension... but when the decision was made to allow Maggot to carry one evil sword possibly into the presence of another - assuming they all made it that far, at all - he literally had to bite his tongue to keep his protest internal... He backed a step or two away from the group, his eyes turning from the party to the mirrors and, finally, to his feet as he chewed on his musings.

"I've no objections," he muttered the lie as best he could, not looking up as he spoke the words, "and, since I'm no fighter, I think I'll also stand aside and let those better equipped for a face to face fight to stand before the mirrors."

"I understand Ulthok me lad. But what if tis those who are nae fighters are best suited to look? We know nothing about what will happen. But if our hearts be true we will see the end of this; evil and lies cannot stand in the face of good and truth."

"A most interesting and horrible burden you bear. You have shown willingness to show it and that speaks highly of your character. I am convinced that it is the object and not you that is evil." Cor turned to the group, "If any of you object to this man continuing to journey with us speak now or never." Cor waited.
Kenji visibly gripped his katana though he did not draw it from it’s scabbard. He didn’t like this one bit. He believed the man’s story and sympathized with his plight; this blade was evil and apparently bonded to the man. But he didn’t like it, and being who he was he didn’t hold back on saying such.

“I do not like it,” the Samurai said glaring at Maggot and his evil burden, “how do we know this evil thing is not controlling him in some manner, or will in the future? It is obviously not going to depart from him and it shows intelligence and intent.”

Kenji glanced around slightly at the others though keeping the man in his peripheral vision.

“I have seen in the past how trusting you all can be,” he said his gaze pausing on Alasdair for a moment, “but how can you allow evil to come among us and accept it?”

The Samurai’s voice rose in pitch at the last as if he couldn’t believe they were considering allowing this -thing- to remain among them.

((OOC: Wonderful post Kyle (+1), unfortunately I have to play my character and he just doesn’t like it .. Sorry! ))

“I do not like it,” the Samurai said glaring at Maggot and his evil burden, “how do we know this evil thing is not controlling him in some manner, or will in the future? It is obviously not going to depart from him and it shows intelligence and intent.”

Kenji glanced around slightly at the others though keeping the man in his peripheral vision.

“I have seen in the past how trusting you all can be,” he said his gaze pausing on Alasdair for a moment, “but how can you allow evil to come among us and accept it?”
Siréne nodded slightly at the samurai's words, she understood his concern. They all had only just met and already they were embraced wholly and fully. In truth none of them knew Maggot, certainly not well enough to place so much trust in him. Even so in the little time she had travelled with the half-elf she had seen just how capable he was. His knowledge of the place and this quest was uncanny. That knowledge was invaluable.

"I understand your concerns," Siréne spoke up, "but is it not true that the sword an take hold of any in this place? Risk is intrinsic to where we are and what we are doing."

The enchantress paused to gaze at Maggot, "This man is already tied to this quest, you can see that in the burden he carries."

Conall observed the sword that was the cause of so much unrest. It was true, it was evil, and he recognized that. But the man should not be held accountable for the actions his weapon makes him do. Conall decided to speak, and he was sure he knew at least one companion who wouldn't enjoy it...

"I believe that we shouldn't judge him because of the weapon he wields. The fact that he has done no evil now suggests that he is not an evil person, but a person who happens to have an ancient magic which haunts him. It is not for us to judge him as a person by what he wields, and even less so by what is not drawn and across his back. Should he attempt to attack us, I'm sure that with our new allies, we will be very capable of killing him."

Conall turned his head a bit to glance at Cor from the corner of his eye. He wasn't expecting it to be well received by him, but it wasa what he believed. And It should be true. No man should be judged by what he owns, but by what he does with what he owns. Conall prepared himself for any onslaught by Cor, steeling his will, and readying himself to defend his position. He just hoped it didn't come back to stab him from behind.

Rayne was dealing with the story anf the problemd presented tp them. The man was not evil, that sword he carried was. He may be free of its taint he may not. However evil could take control of a person, as Haila had been, In facty all of them had been tempted by the sword they were seeking.

"This is not easy." Rayne says gravely. "The sword we seeks has tried several times ti take us over. It may not be the same with Maggots sword but we don't know. I do not hav we enough information to judge the truth of this problem. None-the-less we need to make that decision. Do we trust the nan we barely know or do we leave him here? Keep in mind that he is not evil only the sword. Since h e has carried it fir some time an shows no sign of that evil taint on him. Perhaps we can trust that it will not possess him during the period of time this quest will take.

Rayne turns to the strange man, trying to know the man's soul through his eyes. After awhile she comments, I, personally, would prefer to ive him the benefit of the doubt.

"I understand your concerns," Siréne spoke up, "but is it not true that the sword an take hold of any in this place? Risk is intrinsic to where we are and what we are doing."

The enchantress paused to gaze at Maggot, "This man is already tied to this quest, you can see that in the burden he carries."

Conall decided to speak, and he was sure he knew at least one companion who wouldn't enjoy it...

"I believe that we shouldn't judge him because of the weapon he wields. The fact that he has done no evil now suggests that he is not an evil person, but a person who happens to have an ancient magic which haunts him. It is not for us to judge him as a person by what he wields, and even less so by what is not drawn and across his back. Should he attempt to attack us, I'm sure that with our new allies, we will be very capable of killing him."

"This is not easy." Rayne says gravely. "The sword we seeks has tried several times ti take us over. It may not be the same with Maggots sword but we don't know. I do not hav we enough information to judge the truth of this problem. None-the-less we need to make that decision. Do we trust the nan we barely know or do we leave him here? Keep in mind that he is not evil only the sword. Since h e has carried it fir some time an shows no sign of that evil taint on him. Perhaps we can trust that it will not possess him during the period of time this quest will take.”
Kenji listened to them all, his eyes still upon Maggot distrustfully. From his demeanor and stance anyone could see that the words of his companions were having no effect upon his resolve.

“You people are too trusting,” he said in a low voice as he relaxed his stance and backed away, his hands moving back to his sides ‘away’ from his Katana, “one day it will get you killed.”

“The choice is up to the leader now,” Kenji continued glancing now at Cor, “I have sworn myself to this quest and I have voiced my doubts; he will have to decide now what to do.”

“I will abide by his decision.”

With most of the group having weighed in and the others having missed their chance Cor spoke. "Well now, seems we have an intersting situation. One has indeed spoken out against including the newcomer and his burden into our midst. Seems we have to find a way to resolve that. Kenji, was it not very long ago that you yourself came to us as an unknown and were accepted inspite of some rather strange beliefs and actions on your part? Now we are faced once again with a similar quandry. We cannot move forward if there is dissent within the party. I see no reason that Maggot should be judged as evil and I agree with Connel that there are more than enough of us to deal with an unforeseen issues that might arise." Cor looked at maggot "Sorry lad but that is the way of things. If teh sword takes control of you you will be killed as would any of teh rest of us if necessary." Turning once more towards kenji he added, "As I see it there are 2 options; first Maggot can leave us or second kenji can leave. That is unless master Kenji can feel comforatble putting his life in the hands of Maggot and vice versa. There is little time to waste as we must get through this room soon for I fear we are not alone in these halls anymore and dare not tally. Well which will it be?"

“Kenji, was it not very long ago that you yourself came to us as an unknown and were accepted inspite of some rather strange beliefs and actions on your part?” Cor said, “Now we are faced once again with a similar quandry. We cannot move forward if there is dissent within the party. I see no reason that Maggot should be judged as evil and I agree with Connel that there are more than enough of us to deal with an unforeseen issues that might arise." Cor looked at maggot "Sorry lad but that is the way of things. If the sword takes control of you, you will be killed as would any of teh rest of us if necessary."
Kenji was about to say that trusting him was not the same as no one had voiced any evil intents towards him and he had proven he was there to help by joining in a battle alongside a wounded Conall against many strange opponents. How he was not suspected as carrying an evil weapon or anything of the like. How he had already fought beside them showing them his worth and his loyalty.

But Cor’s next words stopped him cold.

Turning once more towards Kenji Cor added, "As I see it there are 2 options; first Maggot can leave us or second Kenji can leave. That is unless master Kenji can feel comfortable putting his life in the hands of Maggot and vice versa. There is little time to waste as we must get through this room soon for I fear we are not alone in these halls anymore and dare not tally. Well which will it be?"
The Samurai was stunned at what Cor was saying to him. Had he not shown his worth, his loyalty to them time and again? Now he was being told that he would have to accept this evil among them or leave. He straightened himself as he pondered the decision.

“As I stated,” Kenji began, “I will abide by your decision as you are the leader of this group and I will put up with this evil blade among us if that is your command.”

He straightened himself further before he continued, “but to putting my life in the hands of one who carries obvious evil… that I will not do.”

“I will travel with the group and continue to lend my support to it,” He turned his gaze to the thing upon Maggot’s back, “but as long as a chance of evil betrayal exists… I will not trust this one and I will continue to watch and beware. “

Turning back to Cor he stood proudly and exclaimed, “If you cannot trust me to do this .. then I will leave if that is your choice.” The Samurai stood quietly now and awaited the command of the leader.

(OOC: Sorry to be difficult but as I said.. I must play my character. It is his role and that is what this is RP. Sure I would love nothing better than to move this along and get to a stand up fight.. but what will be will be. )

Maggot stands and watches and hears all the words said about him and his burden. He slowly kneels by his pack and removes the new clothes and what food he was given by the party. He also removes a bundle of herbs and a potion of extra healing. He places them all on the floor next to his pack. He then secures his pack and removes his weapons and places them next to his pack. Then he stands and as he does so in a very commanding voice that of a King to his court, “Silence!”

Then with a much softer tone, “Please, I see my presence here is not completely accepted. These things I have left,” Maggot motions to the pile of clothing, “I thank you for the clothing and food but I have not yet earned them.” He then points to the herbs and potion, “These are rear herbs that one among you might find useful in healing. It is a small gift.”

He then looks at Althena, “You walk a path that your ancestors have walked before. They and those who walked with them see you and tell me they are proud of you. Hold your head high when you walk.” He then looked at Alasdair, “You, Allanan the Wonder or should I call you now Alasdair the Found, you keep her heart safe and the rest of these fine people will keep the two of you safe. Conall, if I were evil these words would burn my tongue from my very mouth,” he then closed his eyes, “but they are like sweet wine to my lips, ‘May truth and honor always guide you’
‘Stand up when no one else is willing’
‘Be to this world as a perfect knight’
‘Even if it means your life…’
the last part of that I think you will not find true, the two of you will find a happy long life after this road is at an end.” He then looks at Ulthok and with a small chuckle, “You do not lie very well, but know I would” Maggot pauses then continues, “I will give my life for you or your woman if need be for you two are in service of the one who seeks the one sword. May you two travel well and be happy after this very messy business is done.”

With a smile of good will, “Lady Sirene, remember our feast and how a crazy old bard brought light to a dark damp hall.” Maggot then looks at Kenji, “You honor the words of your leader for you did not draw upon me. You also honor your believes and spoke your true feelings. Live true to that. Not all walls are built of stone. One who proves himself in battle is true. All evil things should be kept far from reach behind strong walls and men of solid constitution.”

Maggot then picks up his things in a bundle and looks at Cor, “With your leave and permit I will take these things and step back through the door from where we passed. There I will stay for eight hours and then I will attempt to make it out of this mountain.” Maggot then steppes close to the Knightly Cleric, “Odin must truly love you, it is a truly great herd of cats that call you Sheppard. I envy you to have such strength at your side during battle.”

As Maggot steps throw the door way the others could hear him talking again, “Well some help you were brother of mine… No we are not to go with them; it seems they do not like the burden I have been left with.” Maggot then pulls the door closed behind him.

(OOC: Maggot will post the rest of the conversation between his brother and himself, if any in the room chose to listen at the door. Oh and this only means Maggot is not going with the party, does not mean he is not going to follow and help when and how he can.)