Peklod wondered if she should just have killed the man then and now. Sib looked absolutely revolting. Visible from behind his iron mask one of his eyes was mildewed over, and the other scanned her up and down in lust. She flinched toward her greatsword, wanting to chop the pustulous, hunchbacked half-man into pieces, but she restrained herself. Had she acted in impulse, she would have accomplished nothing but taking one of Engo's servile pawns and her own death. She'd need to act smart.
"Ah hello, I'm Subi Playmatched," he bowed and grinned. "Welcome to the Lustful Dead Smut-Church." He concluded his charade. "Praise disease."
"How does one praise disease, High Priest Subi?"
"You seem to be... comely for one interested in our religion."
"Perhaps I'm looking for a change of heart," Peklod lied.
"Good looks are vanity. I was the most beautiful woman in all of Winterback. The truest sign of peity is the destruction of what makes you appealing, do you not think?"
Peklod choked, "You're a woman? But you're so... so..."
Subi laughed, "Flat-chested? Perhaps, but look closely."
Peklod looked at her exposed chest. There were no more breasts, just two jagged lines sewn shut. The skin was far too tight. "Gods..." For a second, she lost her utter hatred. She was filled with pity. She suppressed it grimly.
A silence hung in the air. Peklod decided to continue her bluff. "I would like to join your flock."
"Are you sure? You look far too nice for our religion. You might even be fresh and virginal. Here, we only accept the worn out, the ugly, the craven, and the perverted. Lust, death, and smut is what we love. Will you give up your purity? Will you accept every disease and every mutilation? Will you allow every dirty, pestilent man into you for the Glory of Engo? Won't you sacrifice every virtue you have?"
She gulped. It sounded like the very worst thing possible. "Sure. But I was thinking of more missionary work... outside of the temple. To convert... heathens..."
She had rehearsed this line for so long. It was the culmination of her plan, if she was a missionary, she could bring a group of people to the temple without fear of suspicion. Armed men, with a literal axe to grind against Engo's church.
Subi was unreadable behind her iron mask. "Alright," she said. "Bring me converts from the nations beyond. We will consider whether to let you enter into this church."
Peklod hoped her sudden relief did not alert Subi to her treacherousness. She bowed and dismissed herself.