Jeremi does some quick healing, and also casts his own particular brand of arcane magick, while Logan, Si'lara, and Uso attack. After a long fight, the Shagir and half-breed are killed, along with the rest of the octuplet warriors. With a sigh of relief, the Company take a quick rest while Jeremi prepares to call upon the holy power of �ton to heal his felled comrades.
The 8th of Darkel (afternoon)
Exhausted, the Company take a short rest while Jeremi begins chanting and praying in order to heal his comrades. Although most in the Company do not have a channel to the divine power of �ton, they can tell that something is wrong. Jeremi�s face looks pained as, again and again, he calls upon �ton�s healing powers, but to no avail. Either �ton�s divine power can no longer reach this false temple, or Jeremi has simply lost the ability to channel his god.
Bewilderment and despair befall the Company as they consider their awkward position. They, and Jeremi, have come to rely on divine healing, almost taking it for granted. With that power gone, Jeremi�s other divine powers are called into question. Will he still be able to turn away any undead creatures he encounters? Will his powers ever return? Perhaps other �tonist priests are encountering the same difficulties?
Jeremi confides to the Company that his healing powers have been on the wane for quite some time, but he chose to ignore it, believing that they would simply return of their own accord. Everyone is shocked when Cirend joins the discussion, explaining that he, too, lost access to his divine powers years ago.
The initial significance of this statement seems to bypass the Company, but eventually they come to realize that Cirend is obviously more than he seems. Behind his stoic, warrior fa�ade there is a much deeper story. He explains that he was once a Holy Warrior of �ton, devoted to Hallowed Gilias, the First Martyr. As a Holy Warrior, he had command of some divine healing powers and was able to ward off the effects of disease. He was part of a missionary group that came to Verundhi under the leadership of High Priest Heth. Overtime, Cirend grew disenfranchised with the structure of the �tonist faith. While he believes that �ton is real and at his core, a good and well-meaning god, Cirend did not believe in many of the rules and regulations of the church, including many of Heth�s actions. He lost his faith in the church leadership and their governance of church matters, and as a result of losing his faith, he lost his holy powers, becoming a mere warrior.
Could it be that this has something to do with Jeremi�s recent problems? Could Jeremi have somehow lost his faith in the church, and in so doing lost his ability to utilize his divine powers?
While these are important questions, and Jeremi is obviously greatly distraught, there is still much work to be done. Although the Company have slaughtered many of Heth�s minions, others may still await further upstairs in the bell tower. They must also consider their plight of their friend, Orongorg, kidnapped and presumably held captive in the top of the tower.
With a look of determination on his face, Jeremi tightens his grip on his mace while the members of the Company drink a few precious healing potions and slowly begin to move out of the room to explore the rest of the tower and bring Heth to justice.
On the second floor of the tower, the Company find the rooms of some of the inhabitants
