20

"These people file their teeth and can barely tie their loincloths, Crowchar," Alexius says. "What makes you think I want to trade with them?"

"Silence!" the huge warrior shouts, startling Alexius. But then he studies you, pale eyes narrowed, and says, "We could use merchants. Trade to make our god grow, yes?" He waves you toward the village and his warriors fall in around you, making this a demand, not a request.

"I am Skull Ripper," he says conversationally, "and we welcome the River People into the presence of our mighty god."

Skull Ripper introduces you to three shaggy-robed figures with painted wooden masks, the Triune of the god.

"Ah," Alexius says, "the swindlers. I recognize their kind."

"Their apparatus appears to function," Control says, examining the idol. An elaborate system of ropes and pulleys, radiating out from the central cog, control the god's eyes and mouth. "Though I can neither see nor otherwise detect a power source at present."

"Fire," Therko says flatly. "A fire in the belly would do it. The Apostolic Mound used similar devices, and look." Therko points to one of the Triune, who carries scrolls much like the ones the Apostolic Mound drew for the repair of the Specular.