A little more than two hours after his confrontation with the wolves, Aglovale finally arrived at his destination: Oldenstead. He now sported a tattered beige cloak with a hood worn over his head. It was his attempt to remain inconspicuous. Aglovale also managed to find a stream earlier in which to wash away the blood that caked his hands. The small village of Oldenstead was quiet; everyone was locked up in their homes. It puzzled Aglovale to see the village in such a state but, at the moment, he had other things on his mind. Soon, he approached the edge of the village where a tavern stood. The Dawn Maiden - an establishment that has been in operation for the last couple of decades and was founded by none other than the Bright Lord himself: Aglovale. The same Aglovale that stands before it now.
Inside the Dawn Maiden, a man in his mid-sixties stands behind the bar cleaning various silver mugs with a wet cloth. The wooden doors of the tavern suddenly opens and in comes Aglovale. "We're closed for the night. Come back in the morning." the barkeep instinctively said right as he heard someone coming in. "Since when is this town so empty in the evening?" Aglovale asked as he approached the bar counter. The barkeep stopped and looked at him suspiciously. "Surely you jest. Ever since the dead started coming back to life, everyone's been cooped up in their homes at night." As he explained, the barkeep stealthily reached for a knife underneath the counter. "You're not trying to kill an old friend are you, Balin?" Aglovale asked much to the barkeep's surprise.
"Who are you? You're not nearly old enough to be a friend of mine's." Balin said as he placed his knife on the counter while still gripping it. "On the contrary, I've a few years on you if I recall correctly. Now, do you still keep the Caliburn in the back office?" Aglovale asked to which Balin finally realized who he was speaking to. "Y-You can't- Aglovale...?" Balin asked hesitantly. After some time, Balin was finally convinced that the person he is speaking to is actually Aglovale of legend and his old friend. "You're one of them..." Balin said gravely. "A 'risen', you said?" Aglovale asked. Balin simply nodded in affirmation. "Have you... felt the desire to kill yet?" Balin asked. Aglovale was quiet at first. "Yes, I have. I've killed several wolves on the way here. Rest assured, Balin. They seem to have quench my bloodlust thus far."
"Is that so? Usually, it requires the death of a human to satisfy a risen's bloodlust." Balin replied in suspicion to Aglovale's statement. "I know you can't trust me but you have no other choice. I need to know where I can go to learn more about this 'Blood Plague'." Aglovale stated. Balin sighs. "Regardless, I am powerless to stop you. If you really do wish to learn more about the Blood Plague, seek out the cathedral in Pendragahst. Aside from the archpriests of the Morning Palace itself, the archpriests of Pendragahst will have the most information regarding the Blood Plague."
"Thank you." Aglovale says as he gets up. "I need the Caliburn."
"Do I have a choice in the matter?" Balin asked.
"Not really." Aglovale replied.
A while later, Aglovale retrieved the Caliburn from Balin as well as a change of clothes. "And Wrathbone. What of that sword now?"
"Sold to the Brotherhood of Arms as you requested before you left on your mission for the Church and to your abrupt death. Tell me: why did you go after the Five Heavenly Kings?"
"Honestly, I don't recall. The only memory I have before I died was the moment I was slain by them. That and my regret of not being able to say farewell to Morgan. How is she lately? I can't imagine her working here any longer."
"You're right. She's not here anymore. After you died, Morgan left on a journey to who knows where. I tried to stop her but... Well, you can figure out the rest. In any case, I've been working here for the last fifteen years and there hasn't been a shred of news about her."
"I see..." Aglovale replied before approaching the door to leave.
"You realize that I have to report you to the Church, right?"
"You do as you need to, Balin. I don't blame you for your caution. However, you may be sending those priests to their deaths if you do so. Goodbye, my old friend. I hope you'll never hear from me again." Those were Aglovale's last words before he left. As he exited the village, he stared into the distance and contemplated his new purpose: to find the truth about the Blood Plague.
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