Rask approaches Alexis as the group prepares to follow the hobgoblins tracks into the grasslands.
“Boss, I’m not going to be able to use a sword, given what happened to Ca’armine this morning…”
Rask pauses, and looks apologetically at the priest, then the Ethelred and Gustav.
“I think Zrithak has… influence over my sword arm… I’m pretty sure he was one of the escaped chained creatures connected to that crypt in Sutheron, and somehow his soul is… more aware? stronger? than the others trapped in… my sword.”
“I’m concerned simply destroying the sword will free the all the souls trapped there, including Zrithak. My preference would be to force him out of my body and back into the sword somehow and eventually to turn the sword over to the Hoodites.”
“In the meantime, I’m afraid I need to fight with just my hands, and perhaps a bow.”
“Perhaps we should have kept his skull so we could try and force him back there if the need arose.”
“We’ll have to make do until we can spend a little time on this little problem.”
“Off-hand sword fighting?”
Rask considers for a moment quietly.
“Interesting idea, I don’t think I’ll be as effective, at least at landing the blows… but it’s worth a try. If everyone is open to me carrying a sword still…”
Rask looks to the others for their thoughts, lingering on Ca’armine in particular.
“Rask my friend, what you are telling us is disquieting in the extreme. I must pray on it, as should you. What would Raiden do? I am sure he would not have picked up a cursed sword in the first place – no, don’t protest, you know that blade is cursed, and magical blades that are all black seem likely to be cursed, don’t they? You are impulsive my friend, and the impulses that drove you in this matter, need to be examined.”
He starts to speak more—then notes that Alexis is listening avidly to this exchange.
“Prayer, first. Action, after due consideration. I agree that you should give me, not just the black blade, but the other swords as well, for the time being. You can always fight with your batons.”
“I will not take them from you, but please, will you give them up willingly?”
Rask looks at Ca’armine with some frustration when the Priest talks about the Blade of the Betrayers, but nods along.
“I was given the Blade of the Betrayers by Ursill, The First Eye, Greatest Warrior of Aegier and… at the time, commander of King Aedelfrid’s most powerful army, I did not impulsively pick it up.”
“There were rumors, that I did not believe. Rumors about it stealing souls. The strange events in the Tomb in Sutheron’s sewers proved me wrong, I saw and felt the souls when I held that strange skull there. I had hoped that power could help us against those that thwart death, and I was very wrong.”
Rask bows his head sadly, his tone becomes more subdued.
“I agree with you that is safer for all of us for me to relinquish my swords.”
He looks at his companions with a mix of fear and sadness, his sword hand twitches and he takes two step back from them.