It has been nearly a week now, and already we feel the sinking dread of a mission going horribly wrong. We have smelled this rank stench before. We have felt the tingling in the back of Damian's mind. We know where this path leads... | For though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Thou art with me. Speak this litany, my children, for the Lord is your Shepard, and he walks among you even in darkness. Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, "I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood." And they said, "What is that to us? See thou to your own." And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself in his shame. By Judas, we learn the price of greed. So, good mercenaries. Do not go into battle with fear in your hearts or greed on your tongues! Ours is the cause of light. Ours is the discovery of new things, old things, and great things all. Though we walk in the shadow; Though silver beckons our hands and Satan our tongues, speak not a word of false piety, but go forth in faith. The Lord is our Shepard. He will lead us the course. |