Zoltan has placed himself near the play area in the shoppe for today, enjoying some time with enos while the cub's older sister is still off at Scout School. The two of them have been working on dozens of projects and games throughout the day, and now their play has religated to Zoltan polishing up some iron and glass beads while Enos arranges them around his father.

Enos finishes the third … or maybe the third and a half … of a few lines that somewhat suggest being straight. "Tanglebangle!" the cub proudly announces, having finished the angular ring of stones around his adoptive father.

"Tri-angle," the Vartan agrees as he sets down a handful of oval shaped beads. "Can you do a square?"

The cub nods his head enthusiastically with an elasticity that would probably give any adult a headache for trying the same stunt. He drops down on all fours and starts scooping up the baubles, dropping one for every four picked up.

Before the cub can finish, though, the front door opens up, letting in a solitary customer. Not unusual this time of day, of course, except that this customer appears to be a Savanite slave pulling a large trunk on wheels, and with a cowl obscuring his face. The slave collar identifying him as property of the Shiny Shoppe cinches the identification.

Star, a curly-haired female cheetah with a leather headband across her brow, and simple work clothes, pauses in her watering of the plants to look in the direction of the entrance and smile at the other cheetah's arrival.

Zoltan carefully scoops up any beads that look like they might roll under a customer's foot (or hoof) and trip them up. As he notices the new arrival he carefully pulls himself up to his feet and moves to help the Savanite with his load.

The trunk is heavy, and as the Vartan lends a couple of talons to the effort, it is only a short order before the burden is wheeled to one of the back rooms. Only once it is hauled out of the main room does the male cheetah sign anything to Zoltan (largely since it's the first chance he has to free his hands), "Master Kurai is well. I accompany his sage back to Rephidim, then to Boss." His phonetic signing of the last word – rather than using the sign for "boss" – hints that he's a bit unsure at the proper hand-signs for this term. He digs around in a satchel, and produces a cloth-wrapped bundle about the size and shape of a very large book. Holding it in both hands, he presents it to Zoltan, bowing his head as he does so.

Zoltan pats the book gently, nodding at it's condition, "You mean the sage's master?"

Born-in-Shame shakes his head. "Master Kurai remains in his castle, with his grandmother and the perfumed fox musician. Master Kurai's servant, the ice-sorceress Scarlet, of the short people, has come back to Rephidim, after almost turning Master Kurai into a female with a cursed wand."

The cheetah's signs are very slow and deliberate, making it quite a test of patience to sit through what – for him – is quite a verbose report.

"A WHAT?" The Vartan shakes his head and tucks the book away in a shelf set aside for his notes and journals and other important papers. He pours some glasses of tea for himself and the cheetah before taking a seat, wincing slightly at a trings from his still-healing wounds. "Sounds like quite an adventure. I hope you got the adventure you were seeking, you here for good or just passing through?"

"I come to return the book. If not for it, Mistress Scarlet would have gone straight on to Boss to dispose of the Unholy Sword of the Death-Sorceror King in the Many Falls of Fire."

*** Note to GW: The cheetah shakes his head, then signs, …

Zoltan almost spits out his mouthful of tea. "Gack… this 'Boss', it's a place then? Not a person?"

Born-in-Shame nods. "Yes. Mistress Scarlet quests there. Master Kurai does not approve. I must protect the sage from dangers on the way."

"Even after this person almost turned Feli into a girl?" The hippogryph shahes his head nervously, "This is BoSCH then… hrrrr… not an safe place from what I've heard."

Born-in-Shame tries to sign again, this time getting the proper flick to suggest the "ch" at the end of the name. "Bosch. The sage begged many times to be trusted with the cursed sword, to dispose of it to prove her worth to Master Kurai. It was in the castle he inherited. He gave her many magic items from his castle. One was a wand. It does many strange things when one utters a word starting with the rune for 'F'." He sketches out the Rephidim Standard equivalent for this particular letter.

Born-in-Shame signs, "In your language, 'female' starts with this rune."

Zoltan starts tapping his talons against his teacup. "This sage ever been to Bosch before? and have you been warned of its dangers?"

Born-in-Shame shakes his head in the negative to both questions.

"Remember what the book I loaned you said about Aeztepia? About how nobody who ever went in came out again, and those that did were just undead slaves or monsters?" The Vartan scrawks.

Born-in-Shame nods.

"Bosch is just slightly safer than that, ocassionally people do come back out alive – but only ones who go in prepared or follow along the pilgramage path." Zoltan sets his cup down and rises from his seat. "Are you still going to go?"

Born-in-Shame signs, "Honor would demand nothing less. Mistress Scarlet cannot be left to undertake such a hazardous quest alone."

The Vartan nods. "I respect your honor. Can I speak to your Mistress? Or are you available for the rest of the day… perhaps we can get you prepared for your journey so you'll have a better chance."

Born-in-Shame signs, "I can pass word to Mistress Scarlet when I meet her again. She has many errands. I imagine she wishes to report her adventures to the College of Strangeness."

"We'll leave your armor here for now, but I think that the priests of Golgatha are the people you need to speak with the most right now for help. Usually they're good for advise to any who wish to take the pilgramage. If you are ready I can fly us there." the Vartan pats his bandages and smirks to himself. "I think that after spending the past couple of weeks in traction I should stretch my wings a bit."

Born-in-Shame bows his head. "Armor did no good in Master Kurai's land. Best leave my machines here, take basic armor pieces only. To see priests is good." His fingers seem to become more clumsy as he keeps signing, and he occasionally pauses to stretch his hands. Despite being of the Silent-Ones, it seems he is out of practice with long dialogue in Silent Sign – but it is probably more a strain on him since he sticks to Formal Sign almost invariably, except when he runs into a word that is so alien to the basic language as to be possible only in the "lesser" variants.

Born-in-Shame observes Zoltan's bandages. "You injured?"

Zoltan points a thumb up towards the roof and exits from the study. He sticks his head out the door leading to the main shop area and shouts, "Red, Star… I'm leaving for a bit. Mind the Shoppe and Enos, and if I'm not home by the time Pouncer gets in remind her to do her homework before playtime and that today is the day the snappers need to be watered." He pokes his head backin and continues on his way to the roof and glances back at Born-In-Shame, "I'm healing. I finally managed to get to Amenblichiti's avatar here in Rephidim. She clawed my side open but I managed to relieve her of her head."

Born-in-Shame beats his chest in a warrior's salute. "The Star be praised!"

The cheetah then adjusts his cloak a bit, no longer carrying a heavy burden, and heads out after Zoltan.

Although it is far away from the Sanctuary of Order – also known as the Sanctuary of Gears – there is a much smaller shrine built here on the grounds of Golgotha, which serves as a symbolic retreat for the members of the Bronze Lance, should they ever set foot in Rephidim again.

A miniature of the original, the Sanctuary of Order here looks like a cylindrical gear piece, which would look like an eight-toothed cogwheel if viewed from the air (which is exactly how it is first seen by Zoltan and his passenger upon their approach).

Although a miniature of the original structure, it is still large enough to have a sizeable chamber in its center, and seven of the "cogs" form chambers that could house knights or others who might stay here. Presently, however, no one actually resides here … though it is still faithfully tended to by the monks, including a Rath'ani Warrior-Priest who retired to Golgotha after countless years facing the unspeakable horrors of the wildest of magicks in Bosch.

"… And I'd say that whatever you face in Bosch will probably have earned you your name. Just be sure to come ba-… awk! We're here." The Vartan gently lands near the structure and smoothes out his feathers, trying to make himself look a bit more presentable. "Wish I'd brought something to hide the bandages, oh well." He motions fot the cheetah to follow him and enters as reverently as he can.

The interior of the structure is fairly plain, spartan in its furnishings, if they can be called such. Tables and benches are mere slabs of stone or wood jutting out from wall surfaces, and capable of being folded away for efficiency of already ample space. A stained glass window over the entrance has a pattern suggesting an eight-spoked cogwheel, with repetitions of the Star incorporated into the pattern, in mathematical arrangements.

Zoltan motions to a passing figure, dropping to his more choppy Rephidim standard, "Pardon… I lookings for Brother Dante. He availables for visitor?"

The ring-tailed acolyte looks almost embarrassed, as he points further into the structure. Across the chamber, a flickering light – not entirely necessary, since it is still light outside – comes from carefully arranged candle stands around a table that holds a large holy book … and the head and arm of an old Rath'ani priest who seems to have collapsed during his meditations, slumped forward on his stool.

Looking alarmed, the Vartan rushes over to the priest and tries to help him. "You alrights? Should I summon help?"

"Vat? Ya!" The Rath'ani sits up with a start, breathing rapidly in alarm as he is stirred from his accidental slumber. "Oh! May the Star have mercy on me… " He makes a sign across his chest, and smooths out the slightly wrinkled page his cheekruff had fallen upon.

Born-in-Shame stands behind the Vartan, keeping his head low, having very quickly adapted to the subservient stance expected of Savanites on this world.

"I sorry to disturb you, Brother Dante… but I needed to find expert on journeying in Bosch." Zoltan glances back at the Cheetah, "This Savanite is accompanying water mage theres to dispose of cursed sword – could use any advise you can offer."

Brother Dante takes a few moments to catch his breath, and put his spectacles back on their perch on his beakish muzzle. His voice has the slightest tang of a Chronotopian accent, but it has been greatly tempered by his time in Rephidim. "The best advice, of course, is to stay well away from Bosch. That must always be said first. And especially for … a water mage, you say? Magic is wild, there. Maybe a Chaos Mage could stand a chance … but this mage friend of yours had best resist the temptation to try casting any spells there. It's not my area of expertise, but any tale I've heard of a mage in Bosch always ends in spectacular disaster."

Born-in-Shame just nods his head at appropriate intervals, though never raising his eyes to meet those of the aged raccoon.

Zoltan nods as well, taking a seat next to the Priest's bench so he's not looming over the old raccoon. "What should be done to prepare for the journey?"

Dante says, "First, make sure your house is in order, that you've paid your respects to all friends and kin, and made your last will and testament. I personally recommending fasting and being certain that you are right with the Star."

The raccoon appears to be completely serious as he says this – not just being ironic or sarcastic. "Then, be certain that you have more than enough food and water for your journey. Water will be the most trouble, of course. Don't drink or eat anything in Bosch … or even anything you find near its borders."

The Vartan's sharp swallow is almost audible, but he keeps quiet and nods.

"Excepting what you find in the Sanctuary of Order, of course, if that's your destination," Dante adds. "It's an oasis in the insanity, and a place where magic is suppressed. But it is nowhere near the Cascades of Fire. You did say something about disposing of a cursed sword, didn't you? And the Cascades would be the object of a proper quest for that sort of problem. Just tossing it in the first pit you find won't do. It wouldn't serve to let an Overlord add it to his armory." Dante coughs, and shudders at something, then adjusts his spectacles again.

Born-in-Shame's countenance – what can be seen of it – seems to drop progressively further and further as Dante gives his advice.

Zoltan looks back at the Silent-One warrior and drops back into Vartanspeak, "Perhaps you could convince Scarlet to come here before she takes on this journey. It may be safer to let more experienced Knights dispose of the artifact."

Dante raises an eyebrow. "Perhaps. Could you tell me more about this artifact? I can't say as that the Knighthood was founded to send brave warriors to their doom to dispose of every piece of refuse produced by a servant of the Darkness."

Seems Dante knows Vartanspeak, too.

Born-in-Shame nods slightly.

The black hippogryph almost smiles, "It's a cursed sword that was found amidst several other artifacts in Sylvania, I know little more than that." He looks back at the cheetah, "Did the Sage tell you anymore about the weapon?"

"Oh. Sylvania, eh? Cursed swords are aplenty there," muses Dante, as he nods knowingly. "And other magical artifacts. More than one fool explorer has gone spelunking in a ruined castle, to come out with a 'Staff of Power' … only to progressively turn into a foul monster with each use of it. Or, that is, I've heard at least two versions of that tale, and plenty close to it."

Zoltan's ears go flat, "This mage has also found a 'magic wand' that almost turned a friend of mine into a girl."

Born-in-Shame makes signs, "Sword cries for blood. Bound in 'wards'. Owned by sorceror. Scarlet says can fly on its own, seek victims."

Dante raises an eyebrow. "Now that's a new one. I'm presuming that you mean this friend was of the male persuasion … a change of gender rather than age?"

The Vartan looks between the raccoon and the Savanite, unsure if the priest knows handsign as well, "Yes… HE probably wouldn't have appreceated the change very much. It has a liking to 'F' words."

Dante may show an inclination to react to words said in Vartanspeak, but he shows no reaction to the Savanite's hand-signs. "Odd. Are you disposing of this cursed item as well? And are there any other artifacts in this bundle?"

"The sword apparently cries out for blood and is held in wards, a sorceror owned it. It can also apprently fly and seek victims." Zoltan rubs his chin, "I don;t think there's any others." he looks back to the Savanite, "are there?"

Born-in-Shame signs, "Scarlet has many potions. One made big explosion. Also has sword, glows pink when danger is near. But doesn't seem cursed. I think that is all."

Dante says, "Ah. Yes, that sounds fairly nasty. Not that I recognize it, but if betting were not a transgression, I'd lay a wager that it has some sort of power to 'drain the life force' of those slain with it, and give some of that 'life force' to the wielder. And a great deal of corruption to go along with it, of course."

"Potions, and a sword that glows when danger is near. One potion caused an explosion." the Vartan translates, shaking his head. ( How on SINAI did Feli end up finding all of this? )

Zoltan's ears stay flat against his head, "After Amaranth, I think we've had enough of things that drain the life force out of other things."

"Hmm," muses Dante. "Quite so. In any case, I see no harm in your mage friend coming to Golgotha for advice. Perhaps a visit to the Collegia Esoterica may be in order. I understand they have a vault for keeping cursed items until a way can be found to destroy them properly."

Dante says, "In any case, if you do have the misfortune of going to Bosch, I should give you more than a few warnings. First of all, it is a place of illusion. Take nothing at face value. Bosch is a place of torment and temptation. It is home to malevolent entities that seek to corrupt you and entrap you … or, failing that, simply kill you or drive you mad."

Dante quickly throws in, "And don't interpret illusion as 'If I close my eyes, it will go away'. No, not that sort of illusion. Illusions in Bosch can be quite lethal enough."

Born-in-Shame occasionally nods, but he does look like he's having a real struggle, trying to grasp the extent of this. But if he's been exposed to so many strange things in Sylvania, maybe he's had at least a short head start.

"Would he be of any use of one had a wepon that had been blessed? Or is this different than fighting spirits?" Zoltan adjusts his seat on the floor until he's more kneeling than sitting.

"Oh, it's different, and yet the same," Dante says, nodding his head. "The trouble is that Bosch just doesn't stick very well to rules. You can't make a bestiary of what you'll find there. You don't use, say, silver against werebeasts, wooden stakes against blood-drinkers, and so forth. You just use everything, and hope the Star shines on you. Have everything blessed, by all means, from your sword to your sandals!"

"Of course, when in doubt … run away," Dante says, looking quite serious. "There's nothing dishonorable in running … not when you're faced with something Boschian. There is no such thing as dying honorably in Bosch. You may 'die' … only to become something worse than dead."

Born-in-Shame pauses for a bit, but then nods soberly.

"It might be a good idea for you to bring the mage here, or come to my shoppe and I'll fly you. I could write a message for her if she has trouble with handsign," the Vartan scrawks softly to the Savanite. "And if it's finished in time, you might want to visit the Star shrine before you leave."

"Now … this is the hard part, and subject of much debate," Dante says, looking quite sad. "In Bosch, it seems that no good deed goes unpunished. Or any bad one. Every vice, every fault will be exploited, if Bosch gets a chance. But every good inclination you have will be baited as well. Bosch is a wretched place, not to be entered casually."

Born-in-Shame nods again, and makes the sign of the Star across his chest.

Dante says, "But … there is some hope. Bosch is awful … but it is not omniscient. It is not perfect. Every illusion will have a flaw. Look for it! Test whatever you see. Use every sense you have. If you have a corn that aches whenever a spell is about to go off, then by all means, pay attention to it! Bosch can't directly affect your body until you have already become lost. It can affect what you see, hear, feel and taste … but it can't directly affect your mind until the end. And it can't read your mind, either."

Dante says, "Some brave knights … a few survivors of a much larger army … attributed their survival to their knowledge and kinship with each other. Bosch tried to confuse them with dopplegangers … but they knew each other well enough to see through the lies." Dante holds up a finger…

"… and they had a few call-signs … secret signs they had figured out amongst themselves before entering Bosch," Dante adds. "Long enough in Bosch, and the monsters would have figured out their code, but it served to help them keep a few secrets from the enemy, when it was badly needed."

Zoltan shifts a bit and listens closely. "Interesting."

Dante's expression saddens deeply, and he sighs. "Terribly."

"Well, if anyone would be good at secret signs it would be a Savanite." Zoltan puts a hand on the priest's shoulder. "Are you alright, master?"

Dante says, "Just … bad memories. Bosch is not a place to send people to. As for Savanite Sign … do not rely too heavily upon it. After countless years, surely at least one Savanite has been consumed by that curse. The risk may be small, but it might be that the monsters there could somehow understand it. They freely understand the major trade languages of Sinai, at the very least."

Born-in-Shame nods solemnly.

The Vartan looks back to the cheetah, "There anything I can ask for you? There something somewhat unrelated I would like to talk to priest about, but your quest has priority."

Born-in-Shame signs, "This is beyond my experience. I wish for answers, but have not the questions."

"Perhaps you be able to come up with questions for you second visit… or maybe you find answers in my questions." Zoltan looks back to the priest, "This is not quite related to the mage's quest, but I have heard a tale about a sword that once belonged to the Bronce Lance that was supposedly forged from metal of another world. This sword was lost, what can you tell me about it?"

"Ah," says Dante, his expression forming something that looks remotely like a pained smile. "That I can tell you something about. It is known by many names. The Black Sword. The Blade of Meteoric Iron. The Meteor Sword. It is an ancient weapon. Legends conflict. One legend holds that it came falling from the sky, to be taken up in the struggle against Bosch. Another legend holds that it is older than Bosch itself, forged by the First Ones."

"As I said, magic is suppressed within the Sanctuary of Order, but they have a peculiar artifact there that defies the laws of magic or science. It is a compass, the needle of which always points toward the Black Sword. It is not known whether the compass and sword are linked together … or whether perhaps some clever mage or tinker created the compass at some time after the forging of this weapon,"

recalls the priest.

"The Black Sword," explains Dante, "is a great artifact endowed with powers to resist magic that are not fully understood. A strike of this blade is held to be capable to destroy any magical creature. And for a long time, it had been held by the Bronze Lance, as a weapon of last resort against the hordes of Bosch, should the tides of magic become too strong, and the imps descend upon the fortress." Dante gazes off into space.

"How was it lost?" the Vartan asks. "Such a weapon may be necessary to finally defeat the entity that I battled not too long ago. I have considered questing for it on my path to earn my Knighthood."

"Sometimes, the blade would be loaned to a great band of warriors, on a noble quest to deal damage to the Overlords and their minions … retribution for their predations upon the innocents beyond Bosch's borders. But … one group of warriors failed in their quest. An army of brave – perhaps naive – knights was reduced to only a handful of survivors … and the sword was lost to the forces of Bosch." Dante frowns. "The compass in the Sanctuary of Order dutifully tells in what direction it can be found … but the needle points deep into Bosch."

Dante smiles weakly. "If a knight could brave the dangers of Bosch, and return with that blade … he would be a hero indeed. And woe to the Overlord who surely keeps it as a prize in his fortress. The Overlords are almost unified in their pride, and it's almost certain that it would be on display in some monster's court. I pray to the Star that this wretched monster will be the first to fall to the blade, once it is retrieved by a great hero some day."

Zoltan nods his head. "The sword was mentioned to me as an option against Necropolis. But fetching it would be almost as dangerous as doing into Aeztepia itself." the Vartan shakes his head, "There's a fine line between heroism and suicide I think, and it's wise to discernone from the other before one ventures too deep."

Dante nods. "Alas." He looks down. "If, however, you should be inclined to undertake such a quest … do not hesitate to see me again. I would not wish to encourage anyone on such a hazardous journey, but I would do my best to provide what little help I can provide."

Wincing at the small protests from his bandaged wounds, Zoltan again rises to his feet. "I may yet consider it, but it may be wise for me to take a pilgramage or two to the Sanctuary of Order first so that I will be better prepared." He bows, "Your insight and teachings are always valuable to me, Brother Dante. Thank you for seeing me and my companion."

Dante stands as well. "I agree with your precaution. Anyone who would dare to venture deep into Bosch would do well to sample but a little of it first." He makes a sign and touches Zoltan's shoulder … and then that of the "slave" accompanying him. "Go in peace, and in the light of the Star."

Zoltan crosses his own chest in the sign of the Star and then turns to leave, "Do you have a little more time to spare? I could show you Golgotha… and I'd like to see how the Delta Lance is doing – maybe see how deep my tail is going to be in the potato peeler when I get back on duty as well," he whispers to the cheetah as he steps outside.