Peppy awoke at dawn to see the others already up. It seemed Fox had some plans of his own, as he was wearing robes that covered every inch of his body with a large hood for his head, in a style similar to the reverend's own. A candle much used on a nearby stump attested to much time at work, though the color of the wax - an odd raw flesh color - was foreign. He just figured they used the Alchemist's bag, and that's just what the magic had conjured up. It did seem to have an odd sense of humor now and then.
"Good morning," Fox greeted, hands tucked into the sleeve in a very priestly pose. "I'm ready whenever you are."
"Very well. Lets go." Falco pulled the hood up for Fox, and tugged it to fall completely over the fox's face, even more so as he bent his head down slightly. Peppy put his own hood up, tucking his ears down and in and similarly hiding his face. As the others settled down to wait, Fox and Reverend Peppy left. On route, at Fox's asking, the reverend informed him of clerical things, of basic theology and such, so if pressed he would sound in character, most likely like an apprentice cleric. Then they fell silent as they entered the town.
Fox just about gasped aloud in shock as he saw the 'dragon-men' the reverend mentioned.
Sharpclaws! They were everywhere, keeping an eagle eye on people, leering and snarling threateningly at anyone they felt like frightening. Two took hard looks at the two 'priests' as they entered the temple, the largest structure in the town, and then followed.
Inside the structure it felt peaceful and holy, and there were a few parishioners and priest, one of which quickly approached, a dog appearing like a spaniel.
"Ah, greetings, my brother," he addressed Peppy, giving him a hug. "I was beginning to worry. And you did not say you were bringing a friend."
"There are so many bandits and dangers abroad, it does no good to travel alone, and my young apprentice here desired to see the world."
"Ah yes, so true of the times we live in, and of the urges of youth. Please, come with me." They followed him to a single wooden door, which he knocked upon.
"Yes?" came a rough, coughing voice.
"The man who brought you to us has returned to visit." They entered, where Fox saw someone laying in a bed. The priest closed the door, and the figure rolled over and sat up; another priest! Fox realized that this was a set up to fool the Sharpclaws.
"It is good to see you again, Robin," the priest in the bed said to Peppy, giving a slight emphasis on the first part of the name, a reference to the R-O-B for sure. "I have two new poems for you this time."
"Two? My, but you are improving. I'd like to hear them."
"For that I am glad, for the muse who inspired them has again turned dark for me. Here's the first one:
'The sky is dark
the Great Lady once more appears
upon her high balcony.
She looks out across the night
and cries to the Heavens,
'Where are my guiding stars?
The shroud of night had barred my sight.
Are they still shining brightly,
or have they gone out forever?'
There is no answer.
Her Shadow by her side
is her only companion
and can offer no comfort nor solace.
Thus she returns inside
alone."
Peppy nodded slowly, then the priest went on.
'This I witnessed.
I stood in a shroud of green,
and I heard the Hunting Dog baying at the moon.
The Master is away, and a new caretaker is in control.
He is a cruel keeper
and the Hunter won't obey him,
he is loyal to the Master.
So he cries to the moon, calling for his Master to come home
and untie his iron collar."
At hearing that, Peppy's eyes got huge, and he began to shake as tears filled his eyes. The other priest made a motion which Fox took to be a holy sign of some sort, then went to comfort the hare.
"I am sorry," he said very clearly, "for the loss of your brother." Peppy nodded, wiping his eyes.
"Yes, my older brother, Samuel. I still miss him dearly, and the first poem he would've felt meaningful. It was the sort of things he mused about himself." After a moment to compose himself, Peppy went on. "But I do have some comfort for you, my poetic friend. Were I ever to meet such a lady, I would say to her than the darkness before her is merely clouds, which shall soon be blown away by the wind, revealing her stars again to her eyes. In fact - " Here he dropped his voice to a hush. "I'd say the winds of change are already beginning to blow, and soon the darkness will be naught but a distant memory." As he finished speaking, he nodded at Fox. The priests looked at him, their expressions saying very clearly that they understood what Peppy was telling them - or at least what they thought he was telling them - and then they shook off their surprise and nodded.
"May the Light shine upon us all," the first one said softly, before Peppy stood.
"Well, it is my hope to see you again in a few weeks, friend. But we must be going."
"I shall look forward to your visit, and I hope my muse is brighter when next we meet. Farewell." The priest quickly rolled over and buried himself in the blankets as they left.
"I shall bid you farewell as well, my brothers," the first priest said casually. "There is much to do for the people."
"As there always is for servants of the people," Peppy replied, and then two turned to leave...
... only to come face to face with the two soldiers who followed them inside.
"Hold it, you two," one said. "We'd like to have a little word with you."
It seemed they were caught.