Bethil Reder looked nervous.
It was only natural, he supposed. While the teachers had meetings with the ArchBishop on occasion, this was far from normal.
“You’re sure about this?” Mavery looked up from the paper in front of him.
“As sure as I can be.” Trent nodded. "Celia was able to secure the Desolation of Gar while we were fighting with Sipher and Whisper. There was a brief interaction between the two, but Whisper took his Chasers and left the continent.”
The ArchBishop rubbed his temples. "This is going to look like the All-Temple is trying to start an Outpost.”
“Celia has other dungeons under her control. Just because she’s doing one of her stints here as a teacher doesn’t mean that it’s a grab by the Cathedral to make a satellite.” Trent pulled out another piece of paper out of his crystal band on his left wrist. "It was either that or sending Warder to secure it.”
“And we know what the Dispatchers would do with it…” The ArchBishop took the piece of paper and looked it over. He glared at Trent over the top of it. "You can’t be serious.”
“Geus has sent forces into Haux to secure it as a staging area. And they’re hiring mercenaries. It looks like they’re about to go to war with Iver.” Trent shook his head. Haux was in the Godless zone in between the two cities. When the war happened, it was going to be the people in that city that suffered the most.
“Those aren’t in my Ward, so why should I care?” Mavery was sounding irritated.
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“Because…” Trent pulled out a third piece of paper. "Slece and Juel have cut off trading with Iver. And…” Trent leaned forward and pointed at a line near the bottom. "Therus has moved now that he's free of Sipher.” He walked over to the map of the world on the wall and pointed at Atrey. "Slece and Juel have done nothing to stop them from setting up in either town.”
“The Temple does not get involved in the wars between Gods.” Mavery put down the papers. "Not yet.”
“Um…” Bethil raised her hand. "Why am I here?”
Paul Mite crossed his arms. "I’d like to know that as well.”
Trent looked around the room, he wished there were more people here. He wished that they had the power to stop what was about to happen. Right now all he had were Bethil Reder, Paul Mite, Hayz Calx, and Gesai Alard. They needed more allies. He now knew that he could count on Hye and Suna Publian as well as Dacine Mite. He had more students and friends he could call on, but they all had responsibilities.
“You’re here because there are a lot of things going on right now.” The old Caster shook his head. He had a Godling and a Hero in his class. Things were going to get a lot more interesting the higher level they got. He took in a deep breath. "War is coming and we need to be ready.” He turned to Paul. "That’s why we’re putting you with Hayz’s team.” He looked at the ArchBishop. "And as much as you don’t like it, we need Celia. Her network and Adventurer teams are an army by themselves.”
The ArchBishop groaned. “You realize how fast this can blow up in our face?”
Trent felt that burden on his shoulders. But there were too many people dying every day as collateral damage in the wars between the Gods.
“She doesn’t have to know everything, but I’d like your permission to ask her to help evacuate Atray and Haux.” Trent pointed at the map.
Mavery sighed. "Do it. But you’re paying for it.”
Trent nodded. "I can do that.” He just had one more thing to take care of. He looked at the redheaded Healer. "Bethil, I have someone in mind for your assistant. I think you’ll like this.”