An on going RP centered around a death duel and then the aftermath which contains plenty of politics. This first post will contain the RPs from right before the duel and then the duel itself.
(Edit: The three RPs at the very beginning of this story arc were missed during my initial posting, they have since been added.)
----
Quote from: Jessica GildreJessica felt tears well to the brink of her eyelids as she read the letter to herself. His words cut her deeper than any blade ever had, and she felt sick to her stomach.
She breathed, and pushed the lump in her throat down into her stomach, and she felt red hot anger taking over. Slowly, teeth clenched, she closed her fist over the letter in her hand, crumpling it into oblivion. She threw it against the wall, and stalked off towards her study, leaving it discarded on the floor.
Entering, she slammed the wooden door behind her and stormed to her desk. She flung a book she had been reading across the room, and pulled a piece of parchment over to write on.
Quote
You bastard! You think you have any idea what Rania wanted? None of you half-believers have any idea! None of you have felt the blessed touch of the Veiled Goddess as I and Rania did! You run around, preaching your self righteousness, so oblivious to your own stupidity!
And you! Of all people I respected, to turn so ignorant! Locked away, whittling the minutes from the hours from the days! You have fallen so out of touch with Obeah, it disgusts me to think of!
Don't speak like you know me. You don't. You never have. Foolish prattling man, preaching your Templar ways but lacking the courage for real action. If I died in seclusion, YOU died at the end of the last Invasion!
I am sorry I have done things you can only dream of for the faith. I am sorry I have left you behind, a relic of the past.
What the hell do you know anyway.
Her jaw hurt, and she relaxed. With a deep breath, she calmed her shaking hands, folded the letter, and slid it into an envelop. On it, she wrote a name. She left the study, where Bryant was waiting apprehensively. She handed him the letter without looking at him, and closed herself back in the study.
Bryant looked down at the letter in his hand.
QuoteVahanian.
Quote from: Vahanian Blint
Vahanian sat on a balcony overlooking Grehk, a steaming cup of tea sat next to him as he read through the day's reports and letters. More discussion within the Sacred Realm, he filed those away for later, he didn't have the patience right now to deal with the idiocy of the government.
He thumbed through the rest of the documents before his eye caught a seal he knew. His heart sank. House Gildre. Jessica.
Baldwin, Vahanian's oldest friend and captain, had known Vahanian longer than anyone else alive. The two of them had been friends for over 50 years. In that time, Baldwin had seen Vahanian lose his temper only twice, both times came after the death of someone he loved. To say Baldwin was scared of the look in Vahanian's eye wouldn't capture the level of fear Baldwin felt. Vahanian read the letter, and within the first line his jaw was clenched. Before he was halfway through Vahanian's face was painted in rage. Baldwin had no doubt that if whatever was in the letter had been conveyed in person, than whomever was conveying it would be dead, or wishing they were.
By the time Vahanian finished the letter he stood with a roar of anger and swatted the cup off the table shattering it against the railing, sending steaming tea spraying out into the air over Grehk. Vahanian's hands shook with anger, his breathing was labored and his eyes had the look of a man set on death.
He sat down and wrote out a reply in that meticulous hand of his.
Quote
What do you know? You cling to that half-prophetic vision of a failed prophecy as if it were significant to the world, to the faith, to Rania. You can claim all the holiness you like, the truth is you abandoned those you swore to protect, those you swore to defend, those you swore to serve, and rule. You abandoned them like a coward abandons a fight. You think you're the only one whose touched the Light of the Veiled Goddess? You think you're the only one whose felt her presence? You're as arrogant as you are mute, and as foolish as you are literate. You had better sight when you couldn't see!
I lack courage for real action?! I carved the Sacred Realm out of the earth with my own hands, I paved the way for your 'Realm' if it can even be considered that, to exist!
Vahanian took a deep breath, his hands were still shaking, and his vision still red, he needed to hit something.
QuoteI DID DIE. I lost everything. Everything that ever mattered to me. Until Rania. Until Stheno. Until Obeah. They brought me back to life, so don't you tell me I don't know the Veiled Goddess. Don't you tell me I don't know Rania. I know them better than you ever could. You claim I prattle on about the Templar Ways. You're right, I do. The Templar demand death to the enemies of the faith. So today. I demand your death. Let us end this charade once and for all. Prove you have the right to even consider yourself a member of the faith. Prove you've earned the right to live.
Fight me. Coward.
Vahanian handed the letter to Baldwin who read it quickly before Vahanian said "Send it." Baldwin protested and Vahanian stood and shot his arm out, wrapping his hand around his oldest friend's throat. "I said. Send. It." Baldwin agreed while gasping for air before Vahanian left the balcony for the depths of the Citadel.
Quote from: Jessica Gildre
"This is completely foolhardy!" Bryant yelled, "He is your only true friend! Literally the only thing you have in the world!"
Jessica, half drunk, ceased rooting through the cellar for more wine and turned on Bryant, furious.
"Do you think this is really what he wants?"
She shoved him away from her, but he doggedly persisted, "So what now? After all this time, am I to just sit here and watch you drink yourself into a self-piteous wretch hell bent on her own death?"
She had enough. Stepping past him, she swept her leg back again, catching him behind the knees while she struck the heel of her palm into his chest. He hit the ground flat on his back, and she was on him, dagger in hand. She held it poised for a moment, letting the blood lust settle, and then tossed it aside. She grabbed a fistful of his shirt with one hand, and punched him twice in the face.
She tumbled backward, and he scrambled into a sitting position, blood smeared below his nose, "I won't do it. I won't watch you kill yourself."
Jessica waved him away, breathing heavily. He lifted himself to his feet, straightened his jacket and shirt, and looked down at her.
"May the Veiled Goddess watch over you, for I shall not any longer." He turned his back on her, and was gone. She clenched her eyes shut, trying unsuccessfully to stem the flow of tears. After a moment, she wiped her face and stood. She collected what she had come for, and then made her way to the stables. Several horse hands attended her, and she gave them the bottles of wine, and a letter for Vahanian.
It simply said:
QuoteWhere?
She then left the hands to prepare her horse, and made her way to the armoury.
Quote from: Jessica Gildre
She arrived at the castle in Grehk and dismounted her horse. From the saddle she retrieved two items:
One bottle of wine, and one sheathed rapier.
With one hand she hurriedly tied her hair into a twist behind her head. She whipped the sheath from her sword, and left it lying in the dirt.
Taking a drink of wine, Jessica stalked into the castle.
Quote from: Vahanian Blint
Vahanian knelt in the temple within the White Citadel, he muttered to himself in prayer as he heard a subtle knock at the door. He turned his head but didn't move aside from that. Baldwin poked his head in and said "She's here."
Vahanian nodded and said "I know, I can feel it." He finished his prayers and stood, walking into his chambers. A few moments later he returned. Baldwin was off-put, he could see the fury and rage tumbling through his friend's eyes, but his face and the rest of his demeanor was eerily calm. He wore his dueling leathers, and had his silver-gray hair tied back with a black ribbon, on his hips were dual short-swords, his favorite weapons.
He barely acknowledged Baldwin, before walking towards the courtyard where Jessica was waiting.
He emerged from between two pillars and a shadowed hallway and stepped into the open air. Jessica was pacing back and forth, sword in hand and a wine bottle in the other. Vahanian drew his blades, stabbed them into the dirt and crouched down, grabbing a handful of the soil and letting it fall between his fingers before rubbing his hands together and cupping them. Bringing them to his nose he inhaled once and then clapped to remove the excess dirt. He drew his blades from the earth and stood ready to kill his friend.
Quote from: Antonia Fitz Roberts
Antonia rode as fast as she could along the road to Grehk. She had heard of rumours of something she had dreaded for a long time, but hoped it wasn't so. If she could just reach the city on time, she might be able to prevent a tragedy
'Your Grace, Your Grace' a rider approaching from the city called out to her. She rode on past him, but then heard again 'Duchess Antonia!' the man called again. Damn, Antonia thought, I'm still not used to that bloody title, it doesn't suit me. She reigned in her horse, dismounted and walked over to the messenger, constantly looking over her shoulder at the city gates that were so close and yet so far
'What is it?!' She snapped, standing so tall that she could nearly look the man on the horse directly in the eye
'You told me to send word as soon as there was any news' she began
'Yes I did, and this doesn't look like sending word, it looks like dithering, get on with it!' She growled, grabbing the reigns of his horse to prevent the mare bolting
'It's to late, it's over. It happened this afternoon. It was as you feared, they're dead'
Antonia's world seemed to slow down. She relaxed her grip on the reigns and the man looked somewhat relieved. Tears began to well up in her eyes as she turned with despair towards the city gates. Too late? No, it wasn't possible, if only she'd been able to find a harbour! And then the man spoke again
'Is there a message you would like me to take back?'
This caused Antonia to turn slowly back towards the him, anguish giving way to a cold rage. She grabbed the man and lifted him bodily from the saddle, letting out a roar as she threw him into an open sewer at the side of the road. He was fortunate enough to have his fall cushioned by its contents
Antonia then fell to her knees and let out another roar that seemed to shake the very heavens. Many of the local peasantry took the opportunity to quietly, yet quickly leave. After ten or so minutes, Antonia got back off the floor and began to walk with purpose towards the city
'Antonia' your horse!' Rosie called after her
'I don't need a horse, there's no rush now'
'What are you going to do?' Rosie called desperately
'Well there's no canals in Grehk, but I'm sure I can improvise'
Quote from: Vahanian Blint
Long Did She Reign:
Vahanian stood opposite Jessica, she took her last swig from the wine, before her eyes seemed to focus on him. Rage leapt up to her grasp as she hurled the bottle at him. He didn't move, the bottle soared over his shoulder and smashed against the wall. She wordlessly screamed at him. He looked at her blankly and rolled his neck and shoulders before saying.
"Come. Let us finish this." Jessica launched herself forward in a flurry of motion. Vahanian responded in kind, closing the distance between them to make use of his shorter blades. The first clash of steel echoed through the courtyard, and seemed to carry over the city. There was no lull, no pause between the first strike and the following strikes. Jessica was here to rid herself of Vahanian and she would let nothing stop her. Their blades clanged off each other again and again. Jessica using her speed to her advantage. Ducking and weaving, pressing her attack. Vahanian could smell the wine on her breath, it made her strikes much stronger than he'd expected. She wasn't holding back, wasn't looking for a way out. She wanted a way through. In that moment Vahanian knew his friend was truly lost. The steel rang out against one another. Each fighter pressing their attacks, fighting with equal ferocity, Jessica's attacks were stronger, and more wild because of the wine coursing through her body, but it also made her sloppy.
She swung wildly with her blade, Vahanian dodged back and evaded, and then slammed forward ramming his shoulder into her chest. Driving the air from her lungs she coughed and gasped for air as he slashed at her. First at her thigh, the cut was shallow, but sure to sting, Jessica seemed not to notice. He didn't wait, he slashed twice more, next at stomach as she recovered from being doubled over by his shoulder strike, she jumped back to evade being disemboweled, he slashed down with his right arm. His blade nearly took her eye out, instead it cut her from hairline the middle of her jaw, just missing her eye. Blood immediately poured forth and started coursing into her eye. She did her best to wipe it away on her sleeve, but more blood was there to replace what had been wiped away.Vahanian stepped back, almost called out her name, but before he could fully process his thought or his reaction. Jessica was launching herself forward again. Vahanian almost didn't bring his blade up to block her strike. Her wild swing reverberated down his sword into his arm and as she wrenched her arm back, she almost took his sword with her. He growled and bulled forward. He was going to end this. Drunk, and half-blinded by blood, Jessica wasn't prepared for the onslaught of attacks that Vahanian was about to deliver. She did her best to parry, block, and evade the twin blades that were singing death as they whizzed around her.
But eventually, Vahanian's skill and sobriety won out. As she went to parry a strike, he trapped her sword between the guards of both his blades and yanked it away from her. He pulled with such ferocity, he thought he heard a pop from her shoulder dislocating. He threw her blade to the side as he kicked her in the sternum, driving her backwards and lunged after her. His blade punched through her chest, piercing her heart and instinct took over, he twisted and pushed further into the strike, cementing her death. She gasped for air as blood trickled out of the corner of her mouth. Vahanian dropped the sword in his left hand and cradled the back of her head as he lay her on the ground. The gravity of the duel slammed into him like a tidal wave. She coughed and blood sprayed over his face. He blinked and looked down at his hand, grip still firm on the hilt of the sword lodged in her chest. "NOOOOOOO!" He screamed. "BALDWIN!" he screamed, as Baldwin sprinted forward cloth in hand. Vahanian grabbed them with one hand as he pulled the sword out with the other. Pressing the cloths onto her chest with both his hands. Tears started to streak down his face as Jessica looked up at him, and he saw the light start to drain from her eyes. Her right arm twitched, trying to raise it up but her dislocated shoulder refused to cooperate with her waning strength.
Her left arm instead came up and caressed his cheek, he started to reach up to hold her hand against his face as she used the last bit of strength to smile and press her hand against his cheek, before her arm fell to the ground and her head lolled just a bit to the side and the last breath of air from her lungs escaped. Baldwin put his hand on Vahanian's shoulder and tried to pull him away. Vahanian shrugged him off and pushed him away. He reached down and scooped her up into his arms. She felt so tiny, so frail as he picked her up. He struggled to his feet, grief beating the adrenaline into submission and making him weary. He started to walk away carrying her body when Baldwin asked "Where are you going, my lord?" Vahanian's voice was gravely and quivering with pain as he said "To bury her."
Now all events will be after the duel was finished. This will be broken up into a couple different posts since there are quite a few RPs.
----
Quote from: Antonia Fitz Roberts
Antonia rushed through the cities of Grehk, forcing her way through the milling crowds. One man in the fish market didn't quite get the message and ended up face first in that morning's catch. At last she reached the fortified citadel where Vahannian resided and, standing in front of the gates, she cupped her hands to her mouth and bellowed
'Vahannian!!! Get out here now, I want a word with you! Vahannian!!!!!'
Quote from: Lavitz Gildre
Lavitz stirred the coals of the tiny fire just outside his thatch hut in Avengmil. His hair was long and unkempt, his beard shaggy and wiry, long since unbrushed. His brown robes had grown tattered. He rotated a spit rabbit, and a few drops of grease tumbled from the body to sizzle in the fire.
He had built the hut himself, way out in the plains, away from civilization, and had lived off the land in seclusion. He spent his days meditating, or praying to the Veiled Goddess. They were one sided conversations, but it kept his faith strong.
A sound perked his ears. The sound of movement. The sound of human movement. When one hasn't heard it in a long time, it is very distinct. He looked over his shoulder to see a Scholar Adept making his way up the trail to his hovel.
"Leave me be, child," he grunted, turning back to his fire.
"M'Lord," the Adept bowed his head, "There is important news from the Heralds which you must be made aware of..."
Lavitz sighed, then nodded. The young man sighed in relief and approached the fire.
"Tell your story," Lavitz commanded.
"First, the Oracle has stepped down and entered seclusion," the Herald began, "Grandmistress Eva has taken control of the Heralds."
Lavitz thought. The name Eva struck no bells. He shrugged, stirring the fire again, "If the Prophetess requires seclusion to communicate with the Veiled Goddess, then that is what she must do. The papers, the bricks, the temples, they are just things. They can be administered by others."
"Indeed..." murmured the Adept, "I bring other news. News of your cousin."
This caused Lavitz to raise an eyebrow.
"She has fallen. Slain in a duel with Duke Vahanian Blint..."
"Vahanian? Why? What happened?" Lavitz was on his feet. This was news he had not expected.
"It is unknown. No official statement has been made."
Lavitz nodded. He could not imagine what scenario would take place for Vahanian and Jessica to cross blades, but he would need an explanation.
"Send word to the Templars..." Lavitz said as he strode into his hut. Beneath several furs, he pulled free a sheathed two handed sword, and strapped it to his back, "Tell them Lavitz Gildre returns to service!"
Quote from: Lavitz Gildre
Lavitz arrived at Castle Grehk and dismounted his horse. Leaving it with the stable hands, he approached the castle gate where an armored guard stopped him.
"I am here to see Duke Vahanian," he said simply.
The guard shook his head, "The Duke is busy. We aren't admitting any audiences today."
"I think he will make an exception. Tell him Lavitz Gildre of the First Knighthood is here," Lavitz replied, "Tell him... I want to know what happened to Jessica."
Quote from: Vahanian Blint
Vahanian heard Antonia's shouting before he saw her. He was walking towards the gate anyway, a shrouded figure lie bound up in his arms, a shovel strapped to his back. As he approached the gate Antonia's voracious beratings intensified, he was already in the tumultuous throws of emotion and he was not about to let this pompous, arrogant, upstart get in his way.
As he approached the guards started to unbolt the gate and ready their weapons. Vahanian didn't break pace, 7 heavily armed and highly trained guards followed him out. He looked over at Antonia and said "Not now. I'm burying her first. Alone." Before he continued on he looked at his guards and said "If she tries to follow me, kill her."
Quote from: Vahanian Blint
Vahanian had made his way through the streets of Grehk carrying Jessica's shrouded form. He'd been walking for nearly an hour, and his arms were starting to burn in protest. He eventually had made his way to the hill he'd chosen to bury her on. Beneath an oak tree facing the ocean, he laid her down and began to dig. The sun had been at it's zenith when he'd started and by the time he was done digging the hole, it was starting to set, hidden behind storm clouds that had a foreboding look to them.
He climbed out of the hole and slung Jessica over his shoulder, before climbing back down into the grave. He laid her down and knelt next to her. Muttering a prayer under his breath. As he climbed out of the grave and speared his shovel full of dirt to cover her, a thunder clap boomed in the distance. He turned towards the sound and saw a crack of lightning illuminate the sky, behind the clouds, and for the briefest of seconds he could have sworn he saw Jessica's face in the shape of the clouds lit by the lightning. As he began to fill in her grave, he started to wonder if that was Obeah's way of telling him, Jessica was with Her now, and his duty to Jessica had finished.
He spent the next hour or so filling in the grave, ignoring the rain that battered at him during his work. When at last he'd laid the last shovel of dirt on her grave he leaned against the shovel, fighting back tears, and said "Rest now, my friend, I'll see you in the veil one day..." With one last look at the grave and one last glance towards the sky he made his way back to the White Citadel.
Quote from: Vahanian Blint
Vahanian returned to the gates of the White Citadel, soaked to the bone in rain water, which had done nothing to improve his mood. Antonia waited there, angrily berating the guards he left behind and as soon as she caught sight of him, she thundered her way over to him and began yelling. Vahanian pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to quell the anger rising in him, and resisting the urge to slap her.
"ENOUGH!" He roared over her. His sudden burst must have caught her by surprise because she immediately stopped yelling, and before she could start again, Vahanian said "Look. I know you're upset, Jessica is dead, I've just killed her. I know how you feel, probably more than you do. If all you're going to do is yell and scream and berate me, you'll be left out here all night and not admitted into the Citadel. If you need space to grieve in peace, a room will be made available to you. Otherwise, begone. I'm tired, I'm sore, and in a great deal of pain." With that, Vahanian turned away and walked towards the Citadel. He glanced over to another gate and saw a disheveled knight, with a familiar face standing there in conversation with the guards. A guard came over to him and said "My Lord, that man says he's -" Vahanian cut him off and uttered "Lavitz... !@#$.." The guard looked confused and then said "Shall we turn him away?" Vahanian shook his head, "No, let him in. I'll meet with him."
Lavitz was admitted and Vahanian met him, nodding his head to the man he'd not seen in a great many years. "Come, we have much to discuss. A room, and food will be made available to you, if you don't mind waiting. I desperately want to bathe before we discuss much of anything."
Quote from: Lavitz Gildre
"Of course, Duke," Lavitz nodded. He watched Vahanian depart, and we lead into a sitting room by a guard. A platter of smoked meat and cheese was placed on a table, along with a bottle of wine. He pushed the wine away.
"Water," he demanded.
A servant nodded and exited the room. Lavitz looked at the tray, and his mouth watered. Cheese! He had eaten nothing but rabbit, deer, potatoes, and whatever berries he could find for years now. This platter of exotic meats and cheese seemed almost like a dream.
Struggling to maintain at least a fraction of discipline, he picked up several morsels, and began stepping around the room, gazing at decorations and memorabilia.
Quote from: Vahanian Blint
Vahanian sat in a steaming tub of water and soap while Lavitz was catered to with food and drink. He leaned his head back against the side of the tub and let the water run over his body, the warmth relaxing his muscles and doing it's best to was the day off of him. He didn't tarry long in the water, though he'd have liked to. He cleaned himself and exited the bath. Now warm, and clean from the day's events, he dressed in his dark blue and black robes, pulled his hair back into a knot with a thin black silk ribbon and combed out his beard.
He was still tired and sore, and there was a pain in his eyes, but he headed towards the study where Lavitz was waiting. Shortly after he arrived, some additional food and drinks were brought, Baldwin accompanied them. Concern was written all over his face. Vahanian poured himself a cup of tea, and plied a plate with some salted pork, cheese and fruit. Another servant entered with a tray full of tobaccos, pipes, and rolling papers in case Lavitz wanted to smoke as well. Vahanian pulled out his pipe and favored tobacco while he munched on some of the food on his plate, he packed his pipe tight and lit it. Studying Lavitz as the man walked around the room, inspecting the decor. Time in the woods had not dulled the man's physic, he looked as lean and muscular as ever, if anything he looked stronger, in a more functional way.
After a few moments, Lavitz turned to regard Vahanian as if he hadn't noticed the duke sitting there studying him. Vahanian puffed on his pipe before saying "She fought and died well.. I think you'd have been proud.." Lavitz eyes shifted around the room looking at the few servants and Baldwin who remained. Vahanian turned his head towards them and said "Leave us." The servants departed and Baldwin stayed, which annoyed Vahanian. "My lord, if I may." Vahanian cut him off. "No, you may not, captain. That will be all for this evening." Baldwin bowed his head and left, knowing better than to tempt his master.
Vahanian turned back to Lavitz and said "She... Jessica.. flirted with blasphemy.. by the Templar Code, my code, her sins demanded death." Vahanian waited and Lavitz said nothing. He continued "Are you here to try to kill me?" He wasn't nervous, as much as curious, if Lavitz wanted him dead, it would be a fight, a good one given the man's reputation, but Vahanian had seen enough death today, he didn't want to risk having to kill another Gildre.
Updating with all the RPs that have happened. The initial post has been updated as well due to missing a couple RPs the first time.
---
Quote from: Ferdinand Greybrook"While I am one of the first to agree with you and purge the heretic, the previous negotiations have cited that the Light of Obeah would assist in the destruction of the Unholy Order. Furthermore, while Nova was a difficult reality to live with, it is the Light of Obeah we have issue with, not Nova. If the Light and Nova are the same or they refuse to support the war against the Unholy Order, that changes things."
Ferdinand had to hold back on his impulse to agree with the first Templar. He would much rather see the Light stuffed out. Yet, he wanted to explore the man's thought process.
Quote from: Lavitz GildreLavitz listened while Ferdinand spoke.
"While I am one of the first to agree with you and purge the heretic, the previous negotiations have cited that the Light of Obeah would assist in the destruction of the Unholy Order. Furthermore, while Nova was a difficult reality to live with, it is the Light of Obeah we have issue with, not Nova. If the Light and Nova are the same or they refuse to support the war against the Unholy Order, that changes things."
Lavitz replied, "I ask you this, friend. Is the Light evil in the eyes of the Heralds? Of course it is. It is a mockery of our church. Do you think that the Veiled Goddess decided an offshoot was required and didn't bother to tell any of us?" he waved his arms emphatically, "No, they are a heretical cell, either trying to use the word of Obeah for financial gain or something more sinister. Just because they claim they will go to war with this Mordok cult means nothing. The enemy of my enemy is not automatically my friend. The simple truth is, lately, too much grey has been muddled into a very black and white subject. Too many people talk about all the reasons we can't enforce the will of Obeah, we can't purge heretics, we can't destroy evil."
He took a sip of water.
"Just look at Lux Nova. They harbour and allow an evil religion to grow. They harbour apostates to the true faith. Family members of heretics," Lavitz raised an eyebrow at Ferdinand, "Lux Nova is most definitely not our friends."
Quote from: Ferdinand GreybrookFerdinand thought deeply about the logic of the First Templar, it was quite similar to his own. He knew that the Light of Obeah needed to be snuffed out. Yet, why was he holding back?
"There is merit in your words Sir Lavitz, alot what you say is true. I believed that it was the Inquisition that operated in the shades of grey, not the Templar. There is only the one true faith and that is the worship of Obeah as told by her prophet the Oracle."
It was then that Ferdinand recalled a passage from his studies as a Herald and chose to speak aloud:
"Obeah is not the only divinity. However, she is the only one that saw to deliver mankind away from evil tyranny and suffering of the Netherworld. Mankind should be grateful for her intervention, we are sheltered in her mercy. It is only in her piercing through the veil that we can all achieve salvation on the mortal plain. No other divinity shall save them."
Pausing for a moment, Ferdinand knew what judgement he had made in his mind. Was it his authority to do so?
No.
Yet, it is in zeal that he should act, like the once Grand Templar used to:
"It is the Templar duty to save those whom are faithful to Obeah. These once faithful are adulterous to Obeah - they must confess their sole devotion and come to her bosom or by the Templar's sword they shall burn."
Quote from: Vahanian Blint"The truth." Vahanian echoed. Turning the phrase over in his mouth before releasing it. He crossed one leg over the other and took a deep breath, before exhaling and flicking his eyes around Eva's face.
"Careful what you ask for, Grandmistress, the truth can be sharper than you think." He puffed on his pipe and said "I buried her, in a place she would have liked, so that her body may not be used as a tool for a grandiose display of extravagance. I think she'd have hated that display." Eva looked as if she were about to say something when Vahanian continued.
"If you're looking for more truth, here it is. She deserved death. As do all heretics, and apostates. And before you quote to me scripture and passages proclaiming all life is sacred, I've been here a lot longer than you, I've studied the faith a lot longer than you. What the scriptures don't tell you, is this. All life is sacred until it isn't. Straying from the Veiled Goddess's light happens, and can be tolerated and corrected. We're human after all. Abandoning that light for something.. else. Cannot be tolerated. Will not be tolerated."
"You command the Heralds, as the Oracle wished, and I respect that and you for it, but there has always been a separation of the three pillars, Templar, Inquisitor, and Herald, the have a symbiotic relationship, helping each other when the time comes, but they exist within their own boundaries and have their own tenants... And Grandmistress.. I AM the Templar, and we're going to do what we do best. Hunt. If you've not the stomach for the bloodshed that is to come, step down now and crawl into a hole. Because I promise you this, more blood will be spilled, and I will be the one spilling it."
Quote from: Eva Foote"...If you've not the stomach for the bloodshed that is to come, step down now and crawl into a hole. Because I promise you this, more blood will be spilled, and I will be the one spilling it." Vahanian finished his speech and gave Eva the chance to respond.
Though the frown on Eva's face remained, the anger diminished some as Vahanian finished. There was a hard truth alluded to at the end of his response and Eva couldn't deny it. Conflict, violence, bloodshed, these were never enjoyable to her and she always tried to avoid them. But right here, right now, there was no chance of avoiding conflict.
"Who does and does not die," Eva began with a lingering tinge of anger in her voice, "is not your decision to make. You have been here a long time, longer than myself that is certainly true. With such tenure you should know full well that this triumvirate is led by the Heralds, by the Church. If you go against what has been decided by the Church then I will have no choice but to excommunicate you. Along with excommunication, I will give the order to the Grand Inquisitor to banish you from the Sacred Realm. Knowing the relationship between the Inquisition and the Templars, this order will be followed with great joy."
After a moment of silence, Eva stood up from the couch. "We should get some rest," she continued with the stern tone, "we will have a long day ahead of us. If Jessica was...corrupted, then the proper rituals have to be performed."
Quote from: Vahanian BlintVahanian tented his fingers as Eva replied, though her response made him furious he'd mastered control over his emotions long ago. Not even a flicker of annoyance spread across his face. Eva suggested getting rest and Vahanian nodded. Before he stood to depart he said
"Grandmistress.." He paused for a moment as if considering an action before continuing on "Since I swore my allegiance to the Oracle all those years ago, every action I've ever taken has been for the Church. I've no reason nor desire to see the triumvirate voided or ignored. However, I've just killed the ruler of Lux Nova, if you think they're going to lie down and take that, then you've far more faith in irrational men and women behaving rationally than I. Furthermore, I do not wish for war with Nova. However, if they protect or harbor the heathen sect of the faith that you yourself declared evil, how can we not wage war, spill a little blood now to avoid genocide later.."
He stood and bowed his head. "Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll take some of the best advice I've received today and get some rest. I'll send your man back to you with haste. Do enjoy your stay with us here."
He turned to leave after Eva provided her farewell and thanked him for his hospitality. As he reached the door. He turned and said "Oh and Grandmistress. That comment you made about excommunicating me, if it came to it. You should know, if you ever did decide that course of action was what was needed, you'd be effectively gutting the Sacred Realm. Remember. I AM the Templar... Just some food for thought." Vahanian said with a wolfish smile. Without waiting for Eva to respond he left, as he walked through the halls he passed Deacon Roberts who was accompanied by two guards of Eva's. Vahanian recognized them both as the Paladins he'd selected and trained for Rania's personal guard. He nodded to them both who in kind nodded back. He said to the Deacon "Your master awaits.." Deacon Roberts, clearly didn't care for Vahanian and so he scurried along towards Eva's room. Vahanian was tempted to click his tongue against the roof of his mouth, like one might do when commanding a dog or horse, but decided against it. For now.
Quote from: Eva FooteEvery fiber of her being remained tense in the process of refraining from reacting to Vahanian. With the closing of the door, Eva instantly relaxed with a sigh. Eva made her way towards the open window, smoothing out her white vestments. Soft stitching glided underneath the palms of her hands. Cool night air drifted through the opening and bled through her thin garments. Outside a pair of guards chatted as they walked by on their patrol. The Grandmistress watched them closely as one laughed at what the other was saying. There was no tension out there, no real worries. Yet beyond the manor there were nobles on edge at the news of the Sacred Obia'Syela possibly migrating. Inside the manor seemed to be even worse. Here there was plotting of war in one room and confrontation between the two sides, against war and for war, in another room. This room.
As Deacon Robert entered the room, Eva closed the window previously opened by Vahanian. In the deacon's hand was the piece of information that Eva was waiting for. Inside that scroll would be the truth or more precisely, a truth.
"Your Holiness," Deacon Robert spoke softly as he bowed.
Eva waited for the guard to finish closing the door but she hadn't the patience for more than that. She took the scroll from Robert and hastily broke the seal. Plenty of words were skipped over, they were mere formalities with little substance. The Grandmistress didn't care about the fluff, her only interest was the result. Her emerald eyes drifted up to the Deacon as she finished the letter. Frustration furled the Grandmistress' brow as the paper crumbled between her hands.
"and?" quietly the Deacon asked.
Drifting back to the sofa without responding, Eva slid down onto the soft cushions, gazing towards the unstained wooden chair, worn with time. Vahanian had sat there just minutes ago as the two confronted each other in the initial skirmish of a political war. Now the barren chair bore no answers. "Nothing," she muttered, "there's nothing."
Instantly Deacon Robert relaxed. "If he isn't planning a rebellion then that is good news, no?"
"We have a long day tomorrow, you should go get some sleep." Eva didn't budge.
"Have a good night, Your Holiness," Robert said with bow before departing.
Eva knew that this truth was not the one she needed. Vahanian wasn't himself, he was reserved and patient like usual. There was something going on, the only question was what. Though there would be no answers tonight, and sleep was desired, it would be an uneasy and sleepless night in this part of the manor.
Quote from: Vahanian BlintVahanian had little time to think about his conversation with Eva before he arrived at the study where he'd left Ferdinand and Lavitz. He took a deep breath and opened the door, stepping inside.
Conversation didn't stop as he walked to his chair and pulled out his pipe before stuffing tobacco into it once more and lighting it. He poured himself another cup of tea, and stared at the wall. He replayed the conversation he'd had with Eva, thinking through it entirely. Before his eyes seemed to re-focus in the present and he said abruptly. "We need to control the throne." He continued on, without much thought to the silence that pervaded the room now.
"I don't necessarily mean we kill Eva.. Mostly because I doubt we'd be successful at it, or that we'd get away with it.. No, we need a claim on the Throne that cannot be disputed. I've alienated too many to win the election, Lavitz isn't well known enough among the younger nobles, I'm not convinced Antonia can be controlled, especially after I've killed Jessica." Vahanian's gaze flicked over to Ferdinand who was listening to Vahanian's words intently. "That leaves you, my friend. Win this election, and we can move past your... decision-" Vahanian nearly spat the word as if it were poison. "-to hand over the Grand Templar seat to that frustratingly dull and loathsome Duke." Vahanian once again seemed to have a vile taste in his mouth after the word duke. His disdain for Erheas was clear.