Thaddeus (Chapter 12)

Template:Thaddeus nav The wicked go astray from their birth

And speak like the venom of serpents.

Deliver us from these enemies! By night

They come prowling about the city,

Cursing and trapped in their lies,

Consumed in their pride and wrath.

Let only sweet peace come at night,

Rest for all who labor long and truly.

The upright rejoice in their faithfulness,

And sing in the goodness of their houses

Which the wicked try to steal by deceit.

-- Visions of Akarat, c. 58, v. 1-11

For a long while, Thaddeus stared at the armor. Then he went to have a talk with Elzix.

"Elzix, has anyone been in my room?"

"Of course not," Elzix smiled. "The privacy of my lodgers is very important. Something missing?"

"No, something that shouldn't be there is."

"Are we getting those damn black scorpions in the rooms again?"

"No, it's a suit of plate armor, enchanted with runes, very well-suited to my needs."

"Sounds like your lucky day," Elzix's smile faded, his one eye blinking in confusion. "What's wrong with that?"

"Absolutely nothing, except that I do not know where it came from. Anything that works in hiding is not to be trusted."

Elzix shrugged. "That's why I believe in complete openness and honesty. Won't catch me trying to hide anything, except the enchantments on the stuff I offer to gamble."

Thaddeus knew of Elzix's gambling, expensive risks he offered for enchanted items. He kept a display of them in his window, claiming they had all been accidentally left behind by former lodgers. Thaddeus had his doubts. "Such heavy armor is not suitable for this climate, anyway. The metal will heat up intolerably in the sun, and I do not have a surcoat which would fit over it."

"Hey, I got an old surcoat back here." Elzix held up a broad piece of cloth, white with red trim. Decorating the front and back were two symbols: a blazing star of golden light, and beneath it, a deep red hammer. "I'll give it to you free for one gamble. What do you say?"

Thaddeus stared at the cloth. Then he looked in the window. Right there in front, a huge sledgehammer gleamed dully in the lamplight. A hammer. "How about that maul?"

"Damn. That's one of the decent ones." Elzix handed over the maul, a Maul of the Leech, and draped the surcoat over Thaddeus' head. "Doesn't look that bad on you."

Thaddeus silently stared at the surcoat, the maul, his shield, the scepter, and back up at his room. "Excuse me." He got the armor, and dragged the whole bundle over to Cain.

Cain seemed to have turned in for the night, as was sensible. Knowing full well he shouldn't go around waking people, Thaddeus pounded on the door of Fara's smithy until she finally answered. "Fara, tell me, what is this?"

Blinking sleepily, holding her nightshirt closed, Fara looked at the armor. "Socketed Gothic Plate, set with the runeword 'Stealth', excellent for a spellcaster, but no resistances..."

"No, I know that! What was it doing in my room?"

"Even if I could tell you, I could not tell you at this hour. What time is it?"

Thaddeus sighed. "It is late. I am sorry I woke you. My mind is troubled."

"It seems so. If it worries you, leave it here. I will examine it in the morning."

After setting the armor and maul inside Fara's, Thaddeus returned to the inn. But he couldn't sleep. So far, things were going very easily for him in Lut Gholein. But he had no idea where Diablo was. Events were guiding him onto another path: finding the tomb of Tal Rasha, and opening it, leading the way to Baal. His quest was to locate Diablo, not to find Baal or open the way to him. As far as the world was concerned, Baal could stay lost forever. Baal was doing no harm lost, but might if found. And one of the things pushing him onto this alternate path was the gifts of the Mule.

Sometime close to midnight, Thaddeus stopped trying to sleep, and went to search the city. The Mule, or even anyone like him, was nowhere to be found. The city at night was full of things he hadn't seen by daylight, though. A few houses rang with song and laughter, their lights shining in the night. The women dressed even more daringly than by day, if that were possible. A few walked about the marketplace, though all the shops were long closed; others stood on nearby street corners. The rest of the city, from the dockside to the palace, was dark and quiet. It was strange for the palace to be so dark, Thaddeus thought. Even at this hour, there ought to be a few servants at work, unless they still hadn't returned.

Perhaps the Mule, if he was in Lut Gholein, was not to be found on dark streets and alleys. The houses, where many people had gathered, might be more to his tastes. The first one Thaddeus visited was a shock for him. What kind of party was this? The floor was littered with empty wine bottles, and men and women freely mingled, singing obscene songs. No one noticed him at the door, so Thaddeus took a quick look around and left. No one who looked like the Mule was there; if he was there, he was in some deeper part of the house Thaddeus would not enter.

As he stepped away, a voice said. "Hi, Mr. Green-Jeans! Don't see anything you like?"

Thaddeus looked around. Apparently, someone had seen him; a young woman, clad mostly in her reputation, stood smiling in the doorway. "I'll bet you do now."

"Yes, very nice," Thaddeus stammered. "Excuse me, I am looking for someone."

"I'm looking for someone too."

"No, I'm trying to find somebody."

"This is some body, isn't it?" She laughed, showing herself off indecently. "What's the matter, baby? Is it your first time?"

His face flushing, Thaddeus sputtered, "You're a bold one!"

"You don't know the half of it. Come on! It's too cold to be wandering the streets. You need a warm bed and some company."

Thaddeus hissed, "If you were wearing something decent, even one thing, it wouldn't seem so cold! Just what are you doing in there, awake in drunken debauchery at this hour? Does your family know where you are, or what you're doing?"

Standing up straight, the woman answered, "Oh. You're that Paladin, aren't you? I didn't recognize you without your helmet."

"Yes, I am that Paladin, young lady. And you haven't answered my question."

She ignored him, coolly looking him over. "You should wear the helmet. You have a really funny-shaped head."

Thaddeus' eyes narrowed. "If we're going to talk about strangely-shaped body parts, you really ought to wear more on your chest, and not just because of the cold."

She gasped, almost believably. "There is nothing wrong with me!"

Raising an eyebrow, Thaddeus stared pointedly at her. "So you're smuggling two olives out of the house? Whatever, madam. Enjoy your night."

Despite all further searching, the Mule was nowhere to be found. Exhausted, Thaddeus went to bed, and woke up late the next morning. Fara had already examined the armor and the maul, setting them to one side in her shop.

"Good morning," she said as Thaddeus dragged himself in. "Did you sleep well?"

After a few muttered imprecations, Thaddeus shook his head. "No. I couldn't sleep at all most of the night."

Silently, Fara nodded. "The things you brought me appear to be perfectly ordinary. Are they more gifts from your unknown friend?"

"Yes. Worry is gnawing at me. My benefactor operates in hiding, and I fear I am losing track of my quest. Events have distracted me to another path."

"You feel suspicious about the origin of these things. It concerns you greatly."

Thaddeus glared at Fara. "Shouldn't it?"

"Of course it should. But I think you may be responding improperly."

"And how should I respond when pushed onto a certain path, by one whose motives are kept hidden from me?" Thaddeus kicked the maul, knocking it over. "When I am told I need a certain staff, I immediately find a certain staff. A piece of scripture comes to me, telling me of a path to great power, and tools suited to that path begin to appear out of nowhere. What am I to think of this?"

Patiently, Fara set the maul upright. "Perhaps a passage from scripture might help you."

Thaddeus snorted. "I have thought of many passages. None set my mind at ease."

"I will try to help you, then. The passage that came to mind is this: 'Let not worry or fear tell your mind. The first guide must be the love of mankind.' Brave Thaddeus, you are so consumed with worry, it is interfering with your quest far more than any demon."

Nodding, Thaddeus said, "That is very true. But you see why this is a worry to me? You must understand, there is so much at stake here, I must be vigilant."

"Vigilance is a virtue, and our calling." Fara shook her head. "But any virtue, carried too far, can lead to our destruction. Let me tell you a tale of vigilance. As you doubtless know, in the east, the Hand of Zakarum went forth against the sin of the world."

"Yes, I have been told. A great campaign against the evil in others."

"A campaign of vigilance, seeking out what is hidden, exposing it to the Light. Everywhere the church looked, darkness was uprooted, but our efforts only seemed to increase it. The church encouraged us, glad at the numbers of heretics we found. One day, when I was with the Hand of Zakarum, I arrested a child, only 8 years old."

"Such innocence could harbor few demons," Thaddeus said with alarm.

"I know. He had set fire to a shrine. He did this because we had arrested his father, and his mother, his older brothers, his uncles and aunts... his family had been destroyed by our vigilance. Then I realized, our fear of heresy had created this new heretic."

Thaddeus nodded. Unflappably calm, Fara continued. "As I read the scriptures and looked at the church, I saw only paranoid fanaticism, not a blessing for the world. Somehow, what was wrong with the rest of the world had become more real that what was right within us. This was well after the schism. When your order split away, I cursed you with my brethren. Now, I wish I had been with you, before I saw the things that shattered my faith."

"Surely," Thaddeus said, "All is not lost for you..."

"Oh, no! You have come." Fara smiled. "When you first arrived, I was ashamed to be seen, I felt so tainted. You do not seem to realize what your presence means for these people, or for me. Your actions have been so selfless, and you have gone so far to ignore our many flaws. Were the Hand here, half the city would be on fire; you disapprove of much of what you see, I know, but I have not heard you utter a single cross word."

Now Thaddeus felt ashamed, deeply ashamed, of his conduct last night. Worry and fear had overcome him; he had spoken hurtfully to that woman. She was trying to be friendly... in her own way. Sort of. "You have not heard everything I have said, or thought."

"Your thoughts are your own. Your deeds count for more. Brother, what you have been and done is inspirational. The church is alive here in the west, the real church. When good things come to you, I believe it is because you have been blessed by a higher power."

"Surely not!" Thaddeus exclaimed.

"I do not mean to offend your modesty," Fara bowed her head. "'Blessed' is not the best term. Events have gone in your favor, as though guided by an unseen hand. Perhaps in time, you will play a part in restoring the church's honor and spirit. Perhaps... I could take up my sword again, without fear of myself. You are an inspiration, brother."

Nervously, Thaddeus stared at the floor. "The church needs stronger souls than mine."

"Perhaps it does," Fara sadly said. "These last few days, I have seen your mind so full of suspicion, I worried. The fear of evil is familiar to me: it nearly consumed my soul. The fall of the east began with suspicion. You must not let it overtake you."

Thoroughly chastened, Thaddeus felt unable to lift his gaze. "You are right. I was so worried about losing track of my quest... I lost track of myself."

"Losing yourself would mean the loss of more than your quest. These gifts worry you, and me, but none of us can find anything wrong with them. Put them from your mind, and return your thoughts to your mission. If you like, I have more ordinary equipment here."

"No, please," Thaddeus said. "Perhaps these things have come to me from a higher source. I do not think myself blessed. Sometimes, pride or anger finds its place in my heart. But an object cannot do harm unless I give it a hold over my soul. I should not fear things, or look relentlessly for evil where none may be."

Thaddeus wore the plate, with the surcoat, and kept the maul on his back. A charge with that great hammer would be devastating, though it meant dropping the shield. Back out in the desert above the oasis, a ruined town sat on a mesa. There were many buildings, broad avenues, and large open squares; this was once a mighty city, larger than Lut Gholein. Now all was ruins, the roofs caved in, with the marks of fire everywhere. Also many Zombies, all bearing signs of disease on their decaying bodies. While Thaddeus was gathering some of them together for a flurry of Blessed Hammers, everything went dark.

Thaddeus looked up. Had he suddenly gone blind? No, he could see familiar stars and the outline of the sun, its light faintly visible behind... something. A knock on the head reminded him of the Zombies. After killing them, he looked back up at the sun, and over the land. All was in darkness. He sat down to meditate on this. Darkness conceals, and is often called upon for that purpose. Darkness can also give strength to beasts which fear light or heat. Could it be that Diablo was near, hiding in this summoned night? Or was it something else? Before moving on, Thaddeus would need the advice of others wiser than himself. Cain had no idea what caused the darkness; natural eclipses occur only when the moon is new. Fara was no wiser, but was sure Drognan would know.

Drognan was sure the eclipse was caused by Claw Vipers, humanoid serpents who dwell out in the desert, far from man's dwellings. Evil beings with black hearts, they crave cold and darkness, and happily ally themselves with demons for their own purposes. Sometimes, lone travelers in the desert are kidnapped by the Vipers; those who escape tell of dark rituals around unholy altars, blood sacrifice, and cannibalism. Where nests of them are found, the desert inhabitants feel no compunction about stamping them out.

Cain was almost overjoyed to hear about the Claw Vipers. In addition to their other habits, the Vipers are fond of loud ostentation and display. Jewelry is particularly important -- no Viper is ever seen without huge quantities of rings, bracelets, necklaces, and other baubles. Most is worthless, made of string and shiny pebbles or bits of broken glass; sheer quantity of display is what matters to the Vipers. Chiefs bear more valuable things, taken from the poor humans who fall into their hands. Their unholy altars are decorated with the most precious of all. Perhaps the Vipers had the headpieces of some Horadric staves.

Before returning to the desert, Thaddeus noticed Lysander motioning to him. He went to see what he wanted. "Hello, Lysander. I hope the darkness hasn't bothered you too much."

"Of course it has! I'm deaf, not blind. Though there are blessings to deafness; I no longer have to listen to the tedious gossip of others. I have asked you over to see a new invention of mine."

I've got a bad feeling about this, Thaddeus thought. "Something for the Claw Vipers?"

"Hah? Saw wipers? I didn't know you were interested in carpentry. No, this is something I think you will find useful. North of here, along the coast, lies the land of Magnesia."

"I know of it. Magnesia, land of milk."

Lysander looked at him suspiciously. "Silk? That's produced on the Amazon islands, all the best lingerie comes from there. What would you know about it?"

With a sigh, Thaddeus said, quite loudly, "What about Magnesia?!"

"No need to shout, my friend, I'm not so deaf as that. In the mountains of Magnesia, they know of a certain metal, which few have found any use for."

"How reassuring."

"Indeed! I have found a use for it! When burned, this metal lights up in a brilliant flare of light, glowing like the sun. In this darkness, it would be extremely useful."

"That might be useful, yes. When you... burn it, you say."

"No, when burned. Pay attention!" Lysander brought out a tangle of wire, drawn from a light silvery metal unfamiliar to Thaddeus. "It takes a very hot flame, but when set off..." Lysander touched the wire with a firestone, an enchanted gem common in laboratories.

'Setting it off' was a good way to describe what happened. The blaze was brilliant. Blinding white light filled Lysander's shop -- until the white-hot metal burned through the table and fell to the floor. Cursing, Lysander reached for his water sprinkler. At the touch of water, an explosive sizzle shattered the burning wire, and bits of it scattered throughout the shop. Including, Thaddeus noted, a nice big chunk into Lysander's pile of immolation potions. The pottery jars began to crack as the hot metal lay on them. Lysander moved to pour more water on the fire. Quickly deciding that this would not be a good idea, Thaddeus grabbed the old alchemist and carried him out of the shop. Lysander was swearing a blue streak, but Thaddeus hardly heard him over the explosions.

Once the fire was out and peace restored, Thaddeus congratulated Lysander on his great discovery. Obviously, he was onto something, but he'd have to exercise more caution in the application of this breakthrough. For his part, Lysander was terribly upset about the loss of so much inventory. He would also need some way of controlling or extinguishing the fire if he was going to experiment with it any more. "Maybe some sort of chilling spell? Or something to take away the air? Things can't burn without air, I know that well. Hmmm..." Thaddeus left him to his musings. Moving against the Claw Vipers would be difficult in the dark, but far better to curse the darkness than to light THAT candle.