Leo and Melisia joined up with Dalen and both looked around the place in awe like the rest. Dalen had to admit the place did look impressive. It was just so different compared to the architecture of Farninghold and likely the rest of the Van’dir Empire.
As they entered the gate into The Vaults courtyard an elderly man broke away from the still-in-progress camp and walked toward them. He was bald and almost as frail looking as Elendria which was barely concealed by loose-fitting gray robes but he radiated a healthy glow as he beamed a smile at Elder Jaliete and the other elders.
[Volan Krass | Healer of the Golden Shores 121 | Human]
“Elder Jaliete! It has been too long. How goes your flock?” The old man said, the smile never leaving his face.
Jaliete smiled back and nodded, ”It has Elder Volan. We have suffered losses on our journey but we have found Him.”
Volan’s smile wilted slightly, “I see. Things are progressing faster than I could have ever expected. Let us hope we can see it to the end,” He waved a thin arm toward the growing camp, “The Vault nears its full capacity. Elder Alansu, Jak, and Oskar have built a grand following though I dislike their methods it has been… Effective. I have chosen to remain outside in any case.”
Jaliete frowned, “Alansu still uses her skills in that way?”
Volan nodded, “Elder Alansu… But yes, she continues to ignore our charge in favor of influence.”
Something about the way Jaliete’s mood changed gave Dalen a bad feeling so he stepped away from the crowd, “What skills?”
Jaliete turned and her expression darkened but Dalen could feel it wasn’t directed at him Volan spoke up first, “Ah, Alchemist of the Wrathful. Very interesting. As I understand it, it is your friend that we seek, correct?”
Dalen nodded, “That is what Jaliete believes and I am starting to agree,” Dalen willed the description of his mark to appear in front of him and immediately Volan’s eyes brightened.
Mark of Wrath
Your core has been marked by Kalum Lesta the Slayer of Fate and Exemplar of Defiance. May you overcome your limits and sunder that which binds.
Behind him, several other followers got a chance to read it as well, along with several from Jaliete’s group who hadn’t seen it yet. As Dalen expected the majority looked both awed and suddenly itched to speak with him. These were the people that Dalen suspected would be most likely to work with him. He decided he would group them all together as the Loyalists.
“Well Dalen, it is an honor to speak with one marked by The Slayer,” He glanced over Dalen’s shoulder at Jaliete’s followers a group Dalen had felt gathering behind him,” I see you have had an effect on the people around you as well… Interesting… Well as for your question, perhaps we should get you all inside and rested before we discuss such serious matters. When you are ready we can speak further before we meet with the other elders. We have time yet before others are due to arrive.”
Jaliete didn’t look thrilled but she ordered her people to set up camp with Volan’s. Dalen wanted to argue and get the talking done now but a harsh look from Melisia made him drop it for now.
While the camp got organized Dalen, Leo, and Melisia met in Melisia’s tent.
“I would recommend against butting into a conversation between the elders, Dalen. If that had been Elder Oskar or Kadan things would not have gone so smoothly,” Melisia cautioned.
“Whatever! If I hear that those pricks are still kidnapping people I’m not going to stay quiet. I thought word had been sent to stop all of that crap!” Dalen growled, “What do you know about this Elder Alansu? I already don’t like the sound of her.”
Melisia shook her head, “I don’t know her. She wasn’t an elder when I was still with the order.”
“She is a Mind Mage.” Jaliete stepped into the tent, her face as dark as it was earlier.
“What!?” Dalen snapped, “Don’t tell me…”
“Your suspicion is correct. Alansu recruits by domination. It is a sickening practice, one that I avoid myself though I am capable of such.”
Dalen gritted his teeth. He had suspicions of the possibility when he first met Jaliete and learned she was a Mind Mage but he had never seen or at least never noticed her using a skill that could manipulate someone. The only skill he had ever experienced her using was her telepathy. Dalen had come to trust Jaliete to an extent. She had done nothing but move toward bringing Kal back since she was convinced. He believed her when she said she didn’t manipulate people with her skills.
“Then why the fuck is she an elder? If she goes against the main goal of the order, why did you give her that position?”
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Jaliete shook her head, “We didn’t. She holds so much influence purely for the fact that she has so many followers, and she is also well-liked among the less… Ideal members of the order.”
“You can bet your arse Kal wouldn’t stand for it Jaliete. The kidnappings were bad enough even if some were the better of two evils,” Dalen as his anger rose. Even though he hadn’t seen it yet the idea still disgusted him and the feeling of entrapment grew within his chest.
Jaliete nodded, “I understand, Dalen. Believe me, I have already attempted to have the woman removed but I was outvoted. Perhaps with your mark, you can make Kal’s distaste for both the kidnappings and manipulation known.”
Dalen sighed. He had been expecting this in any case. His time as “The Prophet” had only just begun, “Yeah, you’re damn right I will. But I have another bone to pick with you as well,” Dalen pointed a finger at her making both Jaliete and Melisia frown at his abruptness, “What’s all this crap about ‘The Friend’ Elendria has been spouting? She knows more than she’s telling but she did say that you know as well.”
Jaliete’s frown vanished, becoming a perfectly neutral mask,” I am unsure what she is speaking of other than the obvious, Dalen. Elendria may suspect we know something we don’t.”
Dalen didn’t buy it for a second, “Right… You’re a good liar Jaliete but not that good.”
Jaliete’s eyes narrowed at Dalen, “I understand your apprehension Dalen but if I had any information that I could tell you I would. Now if you please. Let us get to the matter at hand,” Jaliete walked past Dalen ignoring his outrage and placing a handful of leather-bound documents onto Melisia’s desk,” For the benefit of each of you I have prepared a dossier on each of the order’s leading elders.”
Dalen was about to snap back ignoring the obvious diversion but Melisia looked like she was about to slap him so he just ground his teeth for a moment instead, “Fine… Damn it. Fine. Who should we be worried about besides this Alanasu?”
Jaliete looked relieved and nodded, “There are six cell leaders other than myself that you should be aware of. There are more but their cells are smaller and have less influence within the order. You have met Elder Volan Krass already. He is one of the oldest members of the order and has a similar philosophy as myself and my people. To support the bearer of the birthright and see a better future for us all.”
“I can second that as well, Dalen,” Melisia said backing up Jaliete, “ Volan is a very kind man, I have met him several times before when I was a child.”
Dalen shrugged, “Sure. Whatever, he seemed nice enough. Who else?”
“Jak Tinlan is the First Elder of perhaps the largest cell if my information is still correct. He is on the opposite side of the spectrum in the order’s philosophy, he blatantly ignores the prophecy and will likely be against the idea of bringing Kalum back.”
Dalen frowned, “Why is he part of the order then? Isn’t that the whole point?”
Jaliete shook her head, “For the most part yes but there are some who follow the ideals of Fyborh. They seek to grow in strength regardless of convention and bring down the pantheon of the gods. It is Elder Jak’s order that is most responsible for unnecessary kidnappings. He has been reprimanded in the past but his people are perhaps the strongest of us.”
“At least I know who to hate… Great, I suppose Alansu can be thrown in with that lot?” Dalen grumbled.
“Yes. She has been known to assist Jak with recruitment as well as her own cell,” Jaliete nodded.
“Alright. Who else?”
“Kadan Nell, Oskar Vanlho, and Patella Scorn are the elders of note. They are in a middle ground and make up the bulk of the order. The cells are made up of relatively normal men and women of all races who have either failed to live up to their family's class expectations or have been abandoned by their gods. Unlike Volan and myself, they fear the prophecy but on the other hand, they do not agree with Jak or Alansu’s methods either,” Jaliete explained.
“Finally somebody at least half sensible. Will they want to prevent the summoning?” Dalen asked.
“Possibly but they can be convinced. I believe we will have Volan’s support so it may not be necessary in any case but the more supporters Kalum has upon his return the better.”
A little overwhelmed with just how many elders he would need to keep track of, Dalen asked, “How many followers are there?”
“If all are able to attend we should suspect approximately five thousand followers to arrive,” Jaliete said evenly.
“Gods…” There was somehow more than Dalen liked but it also didn’t sound like enough. Dhinir’s Fifth Tower had already shown its hand and with only five thousand members if it came down to it The Order could be wiped out, easily. It was no wonder they stayed so separate.
Dalen nodded, “Alright. Then how are we going to proceed?”
“We are to meet with the other first elders in two hours but first we will speak with Volan and ensure we have his support. He has several space-attuned mages among his people who will be able to assist Elendria. On that note have you seen her?” Jaliete asked.
“No- Ow!” Dalen shouted as he felt the crack of wood against the back of his skull.
Elendria cackled from behind Dalen and went to whack him again but this time Dalen stepped away in time to avoid it, “Oh, I’m around, girl. I will come with you to speak with this Volan boy.”
“Boy!? He has to be near your age, you old bat!” Dalen snickered.
“Shut it Scrawny, Leo thinks I’m beautiful,” She tried to bat her intensely wrinkled and milky eyes at Leo but only resulted in the man flinching away as his face reddened.
“Oh, you are just too cute! Ha!” She cackled again, “I’m going to take a nap!’
Then she was gone and as usual left the room in a weird place between relieved and angry.
“That bloody woman is crazy! Do we really need her help?” Dalen said, rubbing the back of his head.
Jaliete smirked, “We may be able to accomplish it but I have no doubt that it would take us much longer without her assistance. I am going to speak with the elders before we meet with Volan. Read the dossiers.”
Jaliete exited the tent and left Dalen and the others to read through the dossiers. Dalen wasn’t in the mood for reading, he had a crap load of alchemy supplies to recuperate and bombs to prepare but that would take longer than the time he had so he did the responsible thing and sat down to read the bloody things.