After learning of Jendl’s planned banquet the week before, Dinaden had immediately went to see Luxy and Gyst, two of Scarab’s leaders who were at the time having dinner in the chambers of the Inner Circle of Scarab’s HQ. Using their magic, they contacted Jayfoot. Dinaden knew that Jayfoot could help gather information on Jendl’s plans. Jayfoot had come as quick as he could. Sneaking into the Freeport Militia HQ, Jayfoot had brought back discouraging news. Jendl was guarded by at least a dozen alert and well-armed guards. Besides that, there were magical wards that even Gyst had never before covering Jendl’s personal quarters.

Din had not really considered a direct confrontation with Jendl regarding the propriety of his becoming Bishop, yet this news was still discouraging. A simple application of some of Jayfoot’s less tasty "recipes," delivered on the point of a dagger, would not be the answer, thought Din with a small chuckle. Jendl’s servants had made quite clear in follow up conversations in the past week that he alone of Scarab would be able to attend the banquet, as seating was quite limited. Din suspected grimly that this was perhaps not the only reason they wanted him there alone. What to do, what to do…Din had always been a staunch supporter of Scarab, always a good follower, but planning was not his forte.

Throughout the week, Dinaden talked to many guildmates that filtered into Freeport. Hawke favored forming a war party to storm the Temple shortly before the banquet began. Maybe in his younger days, Dinaden would have agreed, but now he felt that such a direct approach might be suicidal. Blackrabbit was all in favor of poisoning Jendl’s food. True, that would be a fitting medicine for one so scummy, but Din also was reluctant to do this. Ravenn and Shadowbane came up with the very clever legal defense that would prove that Jendl was not entitled to become a bishop in the Church of Marr or of Freeport. But Dinaden was no lawyer, and he did not trust himself to remember the convoluted arguments and fancy words that Shadowbane was keen to rehearse with him. Finally, Ozwyn suggested something that seemed almost foolproof. Yes, how could that go wrong, thought Dinaden as he clapped Ozzy on the shoulder in thanks.

Dinaden Gahalantine walked down the stairs from his room into the main hall of the Jade Tiger. Resplendent in his cobalt blue platemail armor, Dinaden adjusted his left bracer. It had seemed almost a shame to put it in a box after he had retired from active adventuring last year. Such blessings were meant to be used he thought with a smile.

The main hall of the Jade Tiger was busy as always on a Friday night. Two of Scarab’s bards, Lochlan and Kitsu, played a duet. As Dinaden had, they had seen enough bloodshed for one life, but still served Freeport and Scarab as their gifts allowed. Kitsu strummed the lute and Lochlan sang an old song he had written:

“…I’m a soldier of freedom in the army of the man
For we are the chosen, we're the partisan
The cause it is noble and the cause it is just
We are ready to pay with our lives if we must
Gonna ride across the river, deep and wide
Ride across the river to the other siiiiiiiiide…”

And certainly there were evil forces afoot, not just in Norrath, but in Dinaden’s adopted hometown of Freeport. Jendl was slated to be installed as Bishop of Freeport at a banquet to be held at the Temple of Marr at dusk that evening. Dinaden had fought for many things in his life, and sometimes he had not been sure he had done what was right. Who could really say with certainty what was best sometimes? But now, there was clearly a call to fight an obvious evil, right in his backyard. With a wistful look backwards towards the tranquil scene of his beloved Inn, Dinaden walked out into the cold Antonican night.

Wrapping his polar bear cloak about his massive shoulders, Din walked to the Temple of Marr. Even in the lengthening shadows of evening, it was still quite a sight. Cheered slightly by this symbol of good, Din walked up to the main gate. The guards stationed outside recognized him and moved their pikes aside so he could enter, which he did, with a slight frown, wondering since when was the largest church in Freeport guarded with cold steel. After chit chatting and having his hand shook by various politicians and businessmen (after which feeling like he needed a good bath) the guests found their seats along a massive wooden table in the great hall of the Temple, perhaps 200 of Freeport's prominent citizens, and Dinaden took his place among them.

Jendl entered, clad most inappropriately in white clerical vestments. “Friends, associates, citizens of Freeport, I bid you welcome.” Then, Sir Lucan DelRey entered, clad as usual in silver and black platemail, the perpetual scowl on his face melted briefly as he nodded to his favored corrupt officials, whores, petty politicians and leaders of criminal enterprises. Wasting no words of too many syllables, Lucan addressed the assembled throng—“We are happy to see all of you here to pay tribute to one of our best and brightest new leaders, Lord Jendl Von Snivelpont. My message to you tonight is simple; he is now our Bishop, and a fine Bishop he will be. I have appreciated all his good work in stabilizing Freeport against the actions of the worthless ruffians that call themselves heroes and defenders of democracy, and although he has not been a church leader in the past, I am sure he will be a good bishop. We expect full obedience from all Freeport citizens as you have given the church and myself in the past. Now, let us sit together and eat.” With that blunt and simple introduction, Lucan sat down in his massive throne and started to eat messily from a large platter placed before him.

Dinaden’s own meal smelled divine. A sweet smelling smoky sauce was drizzled across a mound of roasted meat, and a flagon of honey mead was placed before him. Spiced potatoes were sliced an arrangement that was supposed to look vaguely like the family crest of DelRey. Din’s mouth watered. With the hungry look that only a very large warrior can give food, Dinaden reluctantly stood up, as his time to act was finally at hand…