It has been several days since the young human's journey down the Pilgrims' Path. The days have been spent resting in the rooms provided by the Knights of Order in the Sanctuary. In return, many of the travelers have offered gifts of food, water, and other things like furniture or simply news of Rephidim and other places.

The Sanctuary itself is shaped like a great cogwheel, and Baddock's room seems to be set in one of the outward spokes of it. A window offers a view of the nightmarish landscape beyond. Off in the distance is a tower, a great spire that the Knights call the 'Citadel of Change' – apparently set up by one of the Warlords of Bosch in an attempt to spit in the face of the Knights of the Sanctuary.

Most of the 'knights' are raccoons, known for their prowess with machines and other technical items. Their armor (when it works) is equally impressive… suits with mechanical bits built in that enhance their movements. Unfortunately the armor tends to break down a great deal, and the Knights are constantly repairing them. Still, they've offered to spare any travelers time to speak with them, and ask them questions. All in all they seem to be a fairly hospitable bunch.

The Cervani 'Land Knight' who journeyed with Baddock has spent most of his time asleep, but has finally begun to stir. He spends most of his time looking out the windows in the observation platform at the top of the Sanctuary and frowning. Other pilgrims sit and meditate, while others pray and study.

Waking from his nap, Baddock yawns and stretches. He looks around, jumps out of bed and goes upstairs to the observation platform.

A young Rath'ani in squire's robes smiles at the young human as he dashes past and then resumes scrubbing the floors. Oddly, his scrub-brush and bucket are covered in holy symbols, some of them similar to those seen 'protecting' the path that led to here.

Up top, things are relatively quiet. Horvar, the Cervani knight that traveled with Baddock, glares out one of the larger windows, rubbing a pendant with a cogwheel between his fingers. He's unarmored today and seems much smaller and frail in just his normal dressings.

Baddock enters the observation deck. He smiles and waves to the Cervani, "Heya!" and goes over to a window to take a look outside. "Anything new?"

The ex-Landsknecht starts, his hand flying to his belt for a moment before he focuses on the young boy. "Gah!" His ears droop and he relaxes. "It's the same. Different views from every window but it's the same blasted insanity. I journeyed here to pray for the spirit of my Nephew, Rumo, who went insane because of contaminated magic from Bosch… but now I just pity those who will also be taken by this place."

The smile fades from Baddock's face as he hears this. It gets replaced by a look of concern. "There's got to be a way we can stop this from happening… I'd rather not see any more innocent people hurt… "

"What… defeat Bosch?" The Cervani shakes his head and waggles a finger at the child. "Many have tried, child. Most of them were devoured by this horrible place. The best way to deal with Bosch is to avoid it."

The sound of diligent scrubbing echoes up from the stairway leading to the top of the Sanctuary as the Squire works his way upwards. Someone also appears to be hammering something into place down there as well.

Baddock turns from the Cervani and looks out the window at Bosch, sighing. "Yeah, you're probably right." When he steps away from the window, the smile has returned to his face. "Well, I'm gonna head downstairs and get something to eat. I'll see ya later!" He waves and goes off to make his way down to the lower sanctuary.

As the human makes his way down, he briefly finds the pathblocked by a raccoon with a scrub-brush scouring away at the steps. He smiles sheepishly at the human and gathers up his things, moving back down to the foot of the stairwell. "My apologies. We have to make sure and gather up all the dust that might filter in from the land outside." He wipes a soapy hand off on his robes and steps aside, allowing Baddock passage.

The wall shakes just a bit as the hammering continues. The squire doesn't seem too uncomfortable with it though.

Baddock smiles. "Oh, thanks!" He carefully steps past the squire and continues on his way.

The human has been resting in the Sanctuary long enough toknow how to go to the important places like the library, the cathedral, and most importantly, the mess hall. The food is tasteless and bland, but filling. Beggars can't be choosers out here, really. There are a few pilgrims in the halls: a fluffy poodle that seems to complain constantly, an old Raccoon wearing grease stained robes, and a Jupani in a Rephidim Guard uniform. The poodle seems to be arecent arrival, but he has more energy than someone who has just traveled through Bosch really should. At least his jaw does.

Baddock gets a small bowl of gruel and sits down near the Jupani. He greets wolf kindly before settling in to eat.

"Heya kid," the wolf rumbles, smiling to show a mouthful of ivory teeth. "I've seen you around here. No parents… no master… just you. What the heck is a kid like you doing in a place like this?"

"So I came here to study balance! The white and the black, the good and the bad… " the poodle yaps in the background. It looks like he's talking to the grease-covered Priest, but the raccoon seems to be doing his best to ignore him and stare into his half-empty bowl.

Baddock looks up from his gruel as the wolf speaks. "Oh, I'm here to train and study. How about you?" He briefly looks over the wolf's clothes. "Hey, that's a neat-lookin' uniform, by the way," he says, smiling and pointing at the Jupani.

The wolf flattens his ears and glances sideways at the poodle. His face becomes slightly warmer as he focuses on the boy again. "Train? You should come to Rephidim! The best schools on Sinai are there. You got any plans on where you want to go after you're done here?"

"So you see, Bosch is a perfect example of that. All that power flowing from it – Imagine how it could see use if it could be harnessed or dealt with in some way," the poodle drones on, gesturing with his spoon and flinging bits of gruel around. "I'll bet nobody here has even tried before! No no no… Just prance on in and crush the imps, insult the Warlords and then prance on out. No wonder relations are so bad!"

"Rephidim? Is that where you're from?" Baddock asks with curiosity. "I'm pretty sure I've heard of it before. It sounds like an interesting place." He pauses a moment to have a bite of gruel. "I guess you could say my plans are still pretty tentative, y'know? I haven't decided if I'll be staying here or not."

The Jupani Guard licks at his spoon, probably hoping he can suck some flavor out of the wood. "Well… what are your options? Ya' can't stay in the Sanctuary forever unless you plan on becoming a squire here, and to do that you have to go to Rephidim." The wolf's tail wags just a bit. "It's an amazing place – like all of Sinai rolled up into one big wad. I came here to deliver a picture of the new Astromancer to the Knights, but after that I'm heading back to the Temple. Yer welcome to tag along if you want."

"BLASPHEMY!" The raccoon sits bolt upright as he screams the word. His voice echoes through the mess hall and causes several stares from the serving staff. He smoothes out his robes and turns to leave. "Bosch cannot be reasoned with, and it takes tremendous efforts to simply hold it back. You would be wise to change your mindset," the priest scolds the poodle and then storms out of the hall.

The poodle hmphs and picks up his bowl. He moves to sit uncomfortably close to the human and his Jupani dinner companion. "Stuffy holier-than-thou," he mutters.

Baddock's face lights up. "Are you sure? It's really nice of you to offer. I'd love to go with you, if you're certain it's okay."

"Well, I could provide you with a free ride at least. Once you get there, you'll be on your own." The wolf rubs his nose absently. "You could join up with the Temple Scouts or try to find employment elsewhere." His voice drops to a whisper. "Anything is better than going back to Gallis withall of those powder-puff yap-yaps nipping at your heels." He winks and gestures to the poodle.

Baddock chuckles quietly at the Jupani's comments. "Alrighty then. Heck, Rephidim can't be any worse than Bosch. Should I go get my things now?"

"If you're sure it's where you want to go. We'll be riding the Pilgrims' Path to Gallis and then catching an airship back to Rephidim." The wolf sniffs at the human. "You don't get airsick, do you?"

"Why go to Rephidim? It's just a dingy filthy market full of Kavi and Skreeks. I've heard they even eat vermites there… bleaugh!" the poodle interrupts. "Now I could lead you on some adventures! I'm a great adventurer myself!"

"Airsick? Nah." Baddock looks to the poodle, a look of disbelief on his face. "It is? Well, I'd still like to go see for myself. And it'd be rude of me to turn down a free ride." He smiles. "You're welcome to join me if it's okay with him, though." He turns back to the Jupani. "Just give me a minute to get my things, okay?"

The poodle sputters as though insulted, "What… me… go to Rephidim? That's a laugh. You know lad, for all you know this fellow could be selling you into slavery. They still do that in Rephidim you know." He wags a finger warningly.

The Jupani snorts. "I think I would like to leave as soon as possible. The air here is not very fresh." And with that he takes his bowl and wanders off to the scullery.

Baddock blinks. "Eh? I doubt he'd come all the way out here to look for people to sell as slaves." "Besides," he says, laughing, "if anyone tries to sell me into slavery, I'll just beat 'em up!" He throws a couple of hard punches at the air, "Ha!" and chuckles as heads back to his bedroom.

The human catches an odd sneer fall across the poodle's face as he leaves, but no other words fall from his mouth. After a warning about a slippery walk from the floor-scrubbing squire, the human finds himself in his room and has his few possessions gathered up in no time. The Dromodon, Amos, is in the stables below and should be fairly easy to fetch as well. Hopefully the wolf can also provide transport for the riding beast.

Baddock heads upstairs from his bedroom to the observation platform. "Hey, Horvar! Ya still up here?"

"Eh… whot?" An antlered head turns to gaze at the human. The lines on the Cervani's face look to have grown deeper. "I am indeed, child. Is there anything I can do for you? And don't yell so… It might upset some of the more quiet visitors here."

"Oh, sorry," Baddock says in a softer tone as he approaches the Cervani. He takes out his cap and his father's jacket, and puts them on as he speaks. "I just came to say good-bye. Someone's offered me a free ride to Rephidim, so it looks like I'm gonna be leaving now."

The old deer puts his hand against the glass of the window and nods his head gently. "I see. Well, young child, it has been a pleasure meeting you. You remind me of my young Rumo. Perhaps our gears will merge again someday." He turns to Baddock and makes an odd crisscross slashing gesture in the air at him. "May the Great Gear guard and protect you."

Baddock smiles warmly. "Thanks. It was great to have met you, too. Take care of yourself, okay?" He takes a step back and bows slightly to the Cervani. "I'll see ya around, buddy." He waves as he turns around and heads out.

The sun seems hotter than normal as two figures ridedromodons down the Pilgrims' Path. Of course, this IS Bosch. The Jupani guard (who eventually introduced himself as Searle) sniffs at the air nervously and growls under his breath. His riding beast carries scrolls and messages from the Sanctuary to Rephidim.

Oddly, the path doesn't look anything like it did on the way there. The city made of candy and the fiery cauldrons of boiling blood are nowhere to be seen. In fact, things look oddly mundane…

Baddock looks around as he travels down the Pilgrims' Path, looking around for anything he'd recognize from his previous trip through.

The only things that are familiar are the warding markers to keep the creatures of Bosch from the path. Every few yards another one shows up.

Even though nobody is present, it feels like someone or something is watching Baddock – following his every move and waiting…

"I'm glad you didn't take what that yap-yap said as the truth, kiddo," Searle growls. "How he made it down the path all by himself is beyond me. I'd figure a pup like him would run screaming at the sight of the first imp."

Baddock takes a few quick looks around him and sees only the Jupani. He assumes the sensation is just Bosch's magic having its way with his senses, but decides to remain alert anyway. He looks to Searle and laughs, "I dunno… Maybe rambling endlessly until your opponent rips their own legs off and stuffs 'em in their ears is a fighting technique where he comes from."

Searle bursts into wild laughter; his howls echo across the red sands of Bosch.

The next marker comes into view. But instead of being covered in runes or trinkets, only a blank stump pokes out of the ground. It looks like there are several more like that up ahead.

Baddock brings his mount to a full stop. "Eh… ? Oh, man… That ain't right… " He looks around, trying to discern illusion from reality.

"Haw-haw… huh?" The guard yanks on his Dromodon's reins and follows the path of the boy's eyes. "Oh great flaming Dagh… "

"Dang… That's dirty pool, even for a place like this… " He looks back along the path and tries to determine where to go.

Odd… the Jupani has stopped laughing, but the sound of laughter still echoes through the rocks. "HeeheeHEEHEEheeheehee… "

"But it's not possible! Bosch isn't supposed to be able to touch the talismans!" Searle's Dromodon begins to hop form foot to foot nervously. Ahead, the path can be seen again… but it's going to take about half a mile's worth of riding through Bosch to get to it. The only other options would be to brave the unmapped areas to either side… or go back.

Baddock frowns. "Searle… You don't think… someone intentionally removed the talismans, do you?"

The wolf's eyes narrow. "It's a definite possibility."

Suddenly, about half a dozen monsters leap out of the sands, surrounding the two travelers. Some of them carry bits of bone or rocks; others have sharp claws and fangs. All of them gibber and laugh as though they've just played a silly joke on the pair.

Searle's Dromodon begins to buck and kick wildly; it takes all he has to keep the beast from throwing him.

Baddock jumps off of Amos, flips into the air, pulls his bo staff out of the sheath on his back and lands on the ground next to his mount. "Amos, don't move." He drops into a fighting stance and readies his weapon. "What do you guys want?" he asks grimly.

"We want to eat you! Or maybe cut you up into little pieces. Or maybe we just want to play." The creatures giggle. Among their numbers are some of the children Baddock remembers seeing from his earlier trip, but they look like caricatures of their former selves.

Amos seems visibly startled, but is trained well enough to know when to stand still. The other one that Searle rides is finally getting under control, and the wolf dismounts, drawing a chitin blade from its sheath. "We might have to make a dash for the path… There could be pilgrims on their way here now."

Baddock doesn't budge. He watches the creatures carefully, waiting for any of them to make a move. "Alright," he finally tells Searle. Finally, he sighs and looks around at the creatures as he lowers his guard a bit. "I'm sorry, we can't play right now… "

"We insist!" chatter a pair of blue-furred imps. Theylook like a cross between Skreeks and Aquilans, with useless feathered wings on their backs, sharp talons on their hands and twitching muzzles. Still giggling wildly, they both leap at the child, their talons slashing!

The Jupani lets out an angry growl as two more leap at him as well.

The instant Baddock sees the imps move, he leaps straight up into the air as high as he can.

A pair of blue blurs zip under Baddock as he leaps upwards and the two imps collide with the boy's Dromodon instead. On the other side where another fray has started up, Baddock can hear the scream of an imp and then a pained yelp from the wolf followed by another impish howl. The smell of ozone fills the air.

Two more creatures – these look more like goblins dressed in children's clothes – creep towards Baddock. One of them is waving a club that should be too heavy for it to carry, while the other aims a rock at the boy's head. The two blue imps seem to be deciding whether to attack the Dromodons or their riders…

Baddock stands in front of Amos, watching both creatures and waiting for them to make a move at him…

The goblins grin with their too-large mouths and charge Baddock. The closest one hefts its club and brings it down with a force that could easily crush the boy if it hits. Its partner winds up with the rock. The two blueimps are nowhere to be seen.

Baddock attempts to roll out of the way and trip the creature with a leg sweep.

The club whistles over the child's head with such force that it shakes his hair out… but mercifully doesn't touch him. The leg sweep doesn't quite do the damage that one would hope, but it does set the goblin off-balance for a few precious moments.

Baddock immediately charges the goblin while he's still off-balance and attempts to tackle him.

A rock zips past the human's back as he leaps at the goblin. Luckily, he decided to move when he did or the stone might have done a great deal more than brush his shirt. He manages to bring the goblin to the ground rather hard,which prompts an angry roar from the beast. It glares at him with fiery-red eyes and then… grins…

Cackling, the goblin's 'brother' moves in, this time with gleaming white teeth and callused meaty fists. With a few strides, it moves to close the gap between itself and the tussling pair.

Baddock rolls off of and away from the goblin, and stands to face the other, watching him and preparing to jump.

"Die, human!" the goblin shrieks and leaps at Baddock, slashing out with its clawed hands.

Baddock attempts to dodge to the side and grab the goblin's arm as he passes.

Perhaps the human is tiring, or perhaps the goblins had a moment of luck. Whichever it is, Baddock's hand connects with nothing but open air while his attacker's hit scores, cutting a gash in the human's side.

Baddock staggers for a moment, clutching his side and stepping away to survey the situation.

There's a high pitched scream and a blue Imp falls to the ground, lying in two pieces. A blood-stained Jupani head pokes out from around the two standing Dromodons. "More are probably on their way! We need to hurry and finish this!" He yelps suddenly and vanishes back around the two mounts.

The two goblins giggle to themselves and move towards the Human. One of them tries to circle behind, while the fellow who scratched his side moves in directly, licking blood from his fingertips as though it were candy.

Baddock jumps into the air, flips, and attempts to land… standing… on the head of the goblin in front of him.

Amazingly, the leap works! Baddock finds himself precariously balanced on the goblin's cranium – although how long he's going to remain there is yet to be seen. The goblin takes a swipe at the human's leg while his companion simply stares at the goings-on.

The goblin does exactly what Baddock wanted it to do. The boy attempts to leap off of the goblin's head and land on the ground right in front of him, planning to put all of his energy into a full-force punch, aimed right at the creature's mid-section, before it can make another attack.

The wound on Baddock's side starts to sting as though it was already starting to become infected. Maybe it's Bosch. Still, the pain hasn't reached the unbearable point yet and the human is able to make good with his attack. His fist slams into the goblin's stomach and the creature doubles over, grunting and clutching its stomach. Behind the human, the goblin's twin lets out a bellow of rage and charges the human!

Baddock pulls out his bo staff and quickly rolls out of the way, attempting to jam the staff between the legs of the charging goblin and trip him up.

The staff misses wildly, and the goblin plows into the human and throws him back to the hooves of his Dromodon. Colors start to swirl around in the human's vision at the shock of the hit, and slowly resolve into the form of the goblin walking towards him, club in hand and an intent look on his face.

Baddock staggers as he climbs to his feet. He winces from the pain, as he quietly draws his sword and begins to move sideways. He watches and waits for the goblin to lift his club…

His heavy footsteps causing the ground to shake, the goblin takes his time to approach – which serves to give Baddock ample time to recover and prepare. Finally, grinning and chuckling to himself, the beast draws up its club and prepares to slam it down on the child's head.

Baddock focuses… The split-second the goblin's club starts upward, he charges and leaps at him, desperately slashing at the creature's neck in the hope that he can make the hit connect before the club reaches the apex of its swing.

His wounds burning like fire, the human manages to summon upenough adrenaline to swing his sword upwards before the club can come down. The sword finds its mark in the goblin's neck and the creature tumbles down. A moment later it dissolves into dust. Its companion seems to have similarly done so as well.

The Jupani with a few scratches on his clothing as well limps out from his side of the two Dromodons. "You alright, kid?"

Baddock returns his sword to its sheath, and staggers over to Searle and the Dromodons. "One of them got me in the side pretty good," he utters weakly.

"Bosch isn't a good place for open wounds. Can you ride? I think I can make a bandage for you that should hold until we get to Gallis." The wolf kneels down and sniffs at the human. "We'd best hurry; this isn't a good place to sit and chat. These folks could have some buddies coming."

Baddock nods, "I think I can ride alright." He winces a bit from the pain as he climbs back up onto his mount.

Searle helps the boy as best as he can, and then hops up on his own Dromodon. Four dissolving imps can be seen at his riding beast's hooves. He nods to the human and then kicks the creature's sides, riding off towards the warded section of path up ahead.

Baddock grits his teeth and tries to keep his mind off of the searing pain of his wound. Kicking weakly at Amos' sides to get him going, he starts off on his way.