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29.THE COUNCIL OF THE HIGH PRIESTS

29.THE COUNCIL OF THE HIGH PRIESTS

A palpable murmur emanated from beyond the doors of the High Council within Reldret’s hallowed church. Within, the assembled priesthood, some familiar faces among them, engaged in anxious discourse, their gaze affixed to a voluminous dossier before each of them upon the expansive table. A solitary chair remained vacant at the head.

Abruptly, the chamber doors swung open, and Zathar, the Grand Priest, made a deliberate entrance. A hush descended upon the assembly, a mark of profound respect for their esteemed leader, though their eyes darted nervously amongst themselves. With measured steps, Zathar approached the vacant seat and assumed his position with an air of serene composure.

“Your voices, gentlemen,” Zathar observed calmly, “are typically more subdued. I perceive a degree of apprehension.”

“Forgive me, Grand Priest Zathar,” interjected Albert, a member of the High Council, “but the contents of these reports are far from reassuring.”

“I am cognizant of their contents,” Zathar replied, his voice unwavering. “I am privy to every facet of the unfolding events. King Walt keeps me meticulously informed of all developments. Is this the source of your collective unease?”

“Master,” offered Tollus, another esteemed member of the council, “the recent occurrence in the town of Orstone, situated within the province of kingdom Vidin, displays an unsettling anomaly.”

“I concur with Tollus,” asserted Albert, another member of the High Council, “the young woman in question displayed the very characteristics Your Holiness observed in the prophetic vision. Moreover, her initial public appearance was tragically marred by a demonic incursion! Your Holiness, this is a matter of grave concern.”

“This is neither the first nor the last demonic assault we shall witness, Albert,” Zathar replied serenely. “From time to time, these vile entities exhibit heightened aggression, or misguided individuals inadvertently unleash their malevolent influence. Typically, the local soldiery effectively neutralize such threats, or in more dire circumstances, the nearest Spiritual Knight intervenes.”

“But this, Your Holiness,” Tollus interjected, his voice laced with apprehension, “was no ordinary demon. This was a Scarlet Demon! Such creatures are not summoned lightly. In my entire life, I have barely encountered any single account of a Scarlet Demon attack.” The entire assembly shared his unease, their gazes fixed upon Zathar.

“Esteemed colleagues,” Malvein declared, his voice resolute, “I believe we are indulging in unwarranted speculation. While the appearance of a Scarlet Demon undoubtedly constitutes a grave incident, it does not warrant such apprehension regarding this young woman. We possess unwavering faith, and it is precisely this faith that sustains us in this sacred chamber. We must not entertain the notion that she is the prophesied cursed hybrid.”

“And what conceivable motive could compel an individual to summon such a formidable entity?” Albert queried. “How significant must this young woman be to warrant such drastic measures? Incidentally, let us fervently hope that this particular summoner, the very individual who, according to reports, imprisoned the Scarlet Giant within that obsidian gem alongside the assassin, is not the true antagonist.”

“I believe we are revisiting a discourse we have already engaged in extensively within this very chamber,” Malvein retorted, his voice laced with indignation. “Are you, Albert, casting aspersions upon the credibility of the divine gods?”

“Refrain from impugning my faith, Malvein,” Albert countered, his voice rising. “And yet, no one has addressed the critical question: Who could possibly have attempted to assassinate her? Or perhaps their objective was to capture her alive. The possibility remains that this so-called ‘hunter’ is also an enemy. We cannot afford to trust anyone.”

“I perceive a degree of specious reasoning in your argument, Albert,” Malvein observed, his tone sharp. “You have strayed considerably from the central issue.”

“Enough of this frivolous discourse, Malvein!” Albert exclaimed, his voice escalating. He glared at Malvein with palpable animosity.

“Silence!” Zathar commanded, his voice imbued with an authority that instantly quelled the escalating tension.

“I will not tolerate such a spectacle within these hallowed grounds,” Zathar declared, his composure visibly shaken. The chamber fell into a profound silence, broken only by the reverberations of Zathar’s stern rebuke. Even the Grand Priest himself appeared deeply troubled, the unsettling pronouncements of King Norman still echoing within his mind.

“Both of your perspectives hold merit,” Zathar interjected, “however, a greater degree of mutual respect is imperative.”

“Your Holiness, I did not intend to show disrespect to anyone,” Albert began, but Zathar interceded.

“The matter is settled, Albert,” Zathar declared, his voice firm. “I trust this will not be repeated.” A palpable silence ensued as Albert and Malvein acknowledged Zathar’s authority.

“I offer my apologies, Your Holiness,” Albert conceded, a faint smile gracing his lips. Malvein, in turn, nodded in respectful acquiescence.

“Now, Albert,” Zathar inquired, “who do you suspect to be the orchestrator of this attack?”

“It may be mere conjecture,” Albert cautioned, “but I harbor a strong suspicion that Vex is involved.” A hush fell over the assembly, the very mention of the name seeming to evoke a collective shudder.

“Blamore?” one of the High Priests confirmed, his voice tinged with apprehension.

“Indeed,” Albert affirmed.

“Vex is not the sole practitioner of the forbidden arts of dark magic,” Malvein interjected. “Any individual with sufficient malevolence could have summoned such an entity.”

“But Vex displayed an obsessive fascination with Scarlet Demons,” Albert countered. “Do you not believe he might recognize the unique potential of this hybrid and seek to exploit her for his own nefarious experiments? Perhaps even to harness her powers, about which we remain largely ignorant, to further his dark endeavors? This is the crux of my concern, Your Holiness. I do not doubt the divine plan, but we cannot afford to dismiss this incident lightly. We risk losing this young woman to an even greater threat.” A low murmur rippled through the assembly as the gravity of Albert’s concerns began to settle upon them.

“Indeed, Albert has a valid point,” Zathar acknowledged. “Even if Vex is not the culprit, we cannot condone such a heinous act. A threat remains a threat, regardless of its origin. It is imperative that we apprehend the individual responsible for this attack, and that is precisely the task entrusted to Captain Adam.”

“Captain Adam Aravos?” inquired another member of the High Council.

“King Walt’s personal guard and protector of the Royal Court,” Zathar explained. “His Majesty speaks highly of his abilities. He is the one leading the investigation and the search for the young woman, Irene. He possesses both intelligence and discretion – a formidable combination in our current predicament.”

“Forgive me, Your Holiness,” Tollus interjected, “but upon conducting a cursory investigation into Captain Adam’s background, I uncovered some unsettling information.”

“And what, pray tell, did your inquiry reveal?” Malvein inquired.

“He is a former military commander,” Tollus disclosed.

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“Former?” Albert echoed, his brow furrowed in perplexity.

“He was dismissed from service some time ago for insubordination,” Tollus continued. “With all due respect to His Majesty, I harbor some reservations regarding the wisdom of placing such profound trust in Captain Adam.”

“Great divinities!” Albert exclaimed in exasperation.

“Did you truly believe I had not conducted my own inquiries into his past?” Zathar inquired, a wry smile playing on his lips.

“Is Your Holiness privy to information that Tollus has not shared with us?” Malvein inquired.

“Indeed, I am,” Zathar confirmed. “Listen closely. Adam was appointed commander at the remarkably young age of eighteen, an unprecedented feat in the annals of Vidin. His military prowess was exceptional. Two years later, he was bestowed the esteemed Medal of Purity, a prestigious honor recognizing him as the most formidable Spiritual Knight within the entire kingdom. He was, without a doubt, a rising star within Vidin’s military.”

“Your Holiness,” Tollus interjected, “achieving such distinction is not an insurmountable feat within a kingdom like Vidin. Their military forces are comparatively diminutive, barely sufficient to repel monstrous incursions and safeguard their trade routes. In contrast to a kingdom like Legnica, where competition is fiercer, I do not believe these accomplishments necessarily qualify him for such a critical role.” The sentiments expressed by Tollus appeared to resonate with the other members of the High Council.

“He is eminently qualified, Tollus,” Zathar countered. “I reiterate, he was but eighteen years of age. Furthermore, his Bound Spirit is a Royal Silver Sentinel, one of the most noble and powerful entities within the ethereal realms. Secondly, upon his dismissal from service, Adam was personally recommended to the King by his own General. King Walt, in his wisdom, chose to appoint him as his personal guard. This suggests that Adam’s actions, rather than reflecting a rebellious spirit, were likely driven by a noble, albeit unconventional, pursuit that inadvertently alarmed his superior.” A palpable sense of relief washed over the assembly as Zathar presented a more favorable perspective on Captain Adam.

“That certainly provides a more coherent explanation,” Albert acknowledged.

“Indeed, it offers a degree of reassurance,” Tollus concurred.

“And I must insist that you not underestimate the martial prowess of the Vidinians,” Zathar cautioned.

“My apologies, Your Holiness, I did not intend to disparage their military capabilities. I merely observed that their limited manpower might facilitate the rapid advancement of a truly skilled individual,” Tollus clarified.

“You have conceded his exceptional abilities, Tollus, and we must not overlook the fact that one of the revered Three Holy Knights hails from Vidin. Not just any Vidinian, but Princess Leonora, the esteemed daughter of King Walt. Surely, the divine entities that bestow the honor of a Bound Dragon would not select an unworthy recipient.”

“You are absolutely correct, Your Holiness,” Tollus conceded with utmost deference.

“Having addressed our concerns regarding the individual leading this investigation, what other anxieties afflict you, my esteemed brothers?” Zathar inquired.

“Given our discussion of the young woman, the potential culprits behind the demonic incursion, and Captain Adam’s involvement, I believe it is only fitting that we acknowledge the contributions of the individual who rescued the girl," Malvein observed. “Provided, of course, that she indeed possesses the characteristics of the prophesied hybrid.”

“Malvein raises a valid point, Your Holiness,” Albert concurred. “We cannot afford to overlook his role in this matter.”

“Especially considering his remarkable feat of slaying a Scarlet Demon single-handedly,” Tollus added, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

“I see. According to Captain Adam’s report, this individual is named Jaxith. He encountered Irene serendipitously prior to her tragic discovery of her guild’s demise, prompting him to offer his assistance.” Zathar explained.

“Sounds rather contrived,” Albert remarked skeptically.

“While the veracity of his account remains to be determined, Captain Adam corroborates his presence in Orstone. He interviewed the proprietor of a local stable who provided lodging to both Jaxith and Irene after they valiantly assisted the Mayor in resolving a conflict with a monstrous manticore. It appears they remained at the stable for a brief period before acquiring provisions for their journey.” Zathar elaborated.

“And this innkeeper, was he unaware of their intended destination?” Tollus inquired.

“No,” Zathar replied, “the innkeeper informed Adam that they did not disclose their intended destination, though he did reveal the name of the village where Jaxith resides.”

“An invaluable piece of information, Your Holiness!” Albert exclaimed with enthusiasm.

“Indeed,” Zathar acknowledged. “Captain Adam is currently en route to the aforementioned village. With any luck, he will locate them there. Even if he fails to find them, he may glean valuable insights into Jaxith’s character and motives – whether their initial encounter was truly fortuitous or a carefully orchestrated event.”

“And if Captain Adam’s investigation yields no conclusive results?” Malvein inquired.

“King Walt informed me that he has uncovered another potential lead that may shed light on the events that transpired within Irene’s guild,” Zathar revealed. “He refrained from divulging the specifics, deeming the information potentially unreliable and requiring further scrutiny.” Zathar observed that Malvein appeared visibly distressed.

“I would be disingenuous to claim otherwise,” Malvein confessed.

“What troubles you so deeply?” Zathar inquired with concern.

“I harbor a profound apprehension regarding this enigmatic hunter,” Malvein confessed. “I fear he may inadvertently complicate matters or, worse still, pose a threat to her well-being.”

“He saved her life, Malvein,” Tollus interjected.

“Perhaps his intentions are less altruistic,” Malvein mused.

“Did you not observe his reaction when the Mayor insulted her?” Zathar countered. “His defense was swift and resolute. It is evident that he genuinely seeks to aid her. He recognized her plight, her desperation, and extended a helping hand despite the inherent prejudice against individuals of her lineage, individuals often shunned due to their perceived tainted origins, regardless of their actual temperament. He cares for her, Malvein. I can discern as much from Captain Adam’s account. If there truly are malevolent forces seeking to exploit her, we should be profoundly grateful for his intervention. Had he not intervened, she would have undoubtedly perished in Orstone.” Zathar’s words resonated deeply, and a sense of reassurance permeated the chamber.

“I believe you are correct, Your Holiness,” Malvein conceded.

“Are there any further concerns you wish to express? I have convened you today to solicit your insights into these recent, undeniably unsettling events. Altering the lineage of the Reldret bloodline is not an occurrence that transpires from one generation to the next, and I understand the gravity of your anxieties. However, we are the High Priests of Reldret, guardians of this sacred ground, and possess a spiritual fortitude unmatched throughout the continent. Let us have faith that divine providence will ultimately prevail.” Zathar’s words instilled a renewed sense of confidence within the assembly.

“May the divine grace be upon us all,” Zathar declared, rising from his seat.

“MAY THE DIVINE GRACE BE UPON US ALL,” the assembled priesthood responded in unison.

“You are dismissed,” Zathar declared calmly, and the assembled priesthood began to depart.

“Malvein,” Zathar addressed, “I require a moment of your time.” Malvein halted his departure and turned to face Zathar. They remained in silence until the last of the High Priests had exited the chamber, whereupon Malvein closed the door with a quiet click and turned his attention fully to Zathar.

“Yes, Grand Priest,” Malvein replied, his tone grave.

“I observed a degree of tension within you,” Zathar observed. “Would you care to share your concerns? Your earlier comments regarding Albert’s faith were unduly harsh.”

Malvein met Zathar’s gaze calmly. “The weight of these recent events has undoubtedly taken its toll on my composure, Grand Priest. When Albert reiterated his concerns, I confess I was unable to restrain myself.”

“You must exercise greater self-control, Malvein,” Zathar admonished. “You were addressing a fellow High Priest, not a common sinner. Such disrespect is unacceptable." Malvein sensed a subtle undercurrent of disapproval in Zathar’s tone.

“I apologize for my outburst, Your Holiness,” Malvein conceded. “It will not happen again.”

“Your apology should be directed towards Albert, not myself,” Zathar corrected.

“I will,” Malvein acknowledged.

“Now, please, confide in me. What other anxieties continue to trouble you?” Zathar inquired.

“There is no need for such formality,” Malvein replied, a genuine smile gracing his lips. “Your words have already provided a significant measure of solace, Grand Priest.”

“Very well, High Priest, you are dismissed,” Zathar acknowledged. “I shall not detain you any longer.”

“It has been an honor to engage in this private discourse, Your Holiness,” Malvein declared before turning to depart.

“Should any further anxieties arise, do not hesitate to confide in me,” Zathar urged, his tone warm and sincere. “It is often more beneficial to share one’s burdens than to allow negative thoughts to fester within.” Malvein nodded in agreement before exiting the chamber.

Zathar remained seated, lost in contemplation. King Norman’s words continued to reverberate within his mind. Had the King truly glimpsed the veil of the future, or were his pronouncements merely the product of a fevered imagination? Since his visit to King Blackstone, Zathar had been beset by a profound sense of unease, a disquietude he could not fully attribute to grief for his departed friend. Even the Grand Priest felt a growing sense of isolation, a loneliness born from the loss of two cherished companions – one vanished without a trace, the other now succumbing to the inevitable march of time. And the future? It remained shrouded in an impenetrable mist, a realm of uncertainty where unseen forces conspired in the shadows beyond the reach of the sun.