Tally
Location: Gloria's Temple / Courtyard
Time: Y1503 - 30th day of the Fire Moon
Two guards are carrying a white shroud. Another body has been found.
"This is Geron, he was on duty inside the prison last night. We found him in a cell in the lower floor." (Guard)
"That is near that secret tunnel... He was probably their first victim. Put his body over there" (Steffen)
"Leader Steffen. We are done with the count. With Geron's body, now everyone is accounted for. Nobody is missing." (Geneva)
"They didn't take any hostage, then. A small consolation in all this misery." (Steffen)
Before me stand twenty-two white shrouds. Twenty-two bodies. Neatly aligned in rows of six on the floor of the courtyard. I knew many of them.
Damn those lowlife!
"Leader! The last scouting party returned. The temple is secure." (Feldris)
"Are you sure? According to Sister Meridia, one of them was clad in invisibility." (Steffen)
"I'm sure. According to Meridia, their invisibility spell cannot be sustained for long and cannot mask odours. Garlic and Bone wouldn't have missed them. The temple is safe." (Feldris)
One possibility was for them to have entered the temple during the day in disguise, and have waited out until night time. It seem this was not the case.
They didn't pass neither through the wall, neither through the gate. They used a secret tunnel below the prisons. They infiltrated from underground, bypassing all our perimetral defenses.
That tunnel couldn't possibly have been excavated in one day. Nor in one moon. This infiltration has been long planned. They did it under under our noses without anyone noticing.
Meridia's prowess made us complacent! We thought we were untouchable, and now we pay for our negligence. Twenty-two of us paid with their lives.
"Uhm... Leader. The situation is bad, but it could be much worse! We captured one of them, and we saved the Gifted One. We~ (Stella)
"You captured that lowlife, mage Knight Stella. Gloria would be proud." (Steffen)
"I'm told you saw through that scum's invisibility. If this keep up, they might give the scouting duty to you! Should I be worried, Stella?" *grin* (Feldris)
*smile* (Stella)
I have to be strong. My subordinates are looking at me to be their light in times of darkness. Weakness cannot show on my face.
It doesn't matter how many lives it takes. I gave my self to Gloria. I will do whatever it takes to restore the Church of Gloria to it's former glory! I will avenge my comrades! I swear!
"Where is the captive, now?" (Steffen)
"The inquisitors... They took her." *shudder* (Stella)
"Good. Soon we will have answers." *grin* (Steffen)
I would have liked to interrogate that lowlife myself. But she doesn't deserve such kindness.
Council
Location: Gloria's Temple / Council Chamber
Time: Y1503 - 30th day of the Fire Moon
*knock* *knock knock* *knock*
"Who greets the goddess?" (Guard A)
"The bringers of light." (Guard B)
*open door*
"Parchments. Sister Geneva is done transcribing reports from the witnesses." (Guard B)
"Hand them over. Than leave. The Council chamber is still off limits." (Guard A)
*close door*
The five members of the Council and the High Priestess were inside the Council Chamber. Four guards made sure the chamber would remain unbreached. The temple was infiltrated just the night before. Nothing can be left to chance.
The guard handed over several scrolls to the members of the Council. They took their time reading them. The chamber was filled with an air of sorrow, loss and defeat.
"Of the twenty-two fallen, eleven were guards. But other then the warden of the prison, the other ten were regularly trained soldiers. Overall, we were lucky. No experienced knight died last night." (Teoren)
Teoren fought in the war. He learned to make cold calculations of causalities and losses, stripped of all emotional attachments. He can mourn the dead later.
"I wish I could say the same for the people that were inside the Seer's Tower..." (Pernida)
"Sister Carlotta and three others healer died. Worse, Sister Carminia, the Head Healer is dead as well! She was irreplaceable. The most skilled healer we had. Who know how much knowledge has been lost with her." (Cassandra)
"The Church of Gloria always prided itself with the skills of our healers! The best of them died last night! The situation is dire! How will we heal the people now? *short breath* Their faith will wane if we can't heal the citizens! Our donations!! Our~ *panic* (Kamila)
"Please, calm down Kamila. It's up to us to find a way out of this situation. Nothing will be accomplished by despair." (Pernida)
"You dare weave a spell on me?!? I'm~ (Kamila)
"Silence!!! Keep yourself together! I approve of Pernida's decision. It's up to us to rectify the situation. If you have the time to be angry, than focus on finding a solution!" (Vaerminia)
Weaving a spell on a member of the council without their consent would usually be a grave offense. But the church was suffering from a long series of setbacks and disasters. Patience and sanity were running low.
As of now, total collapse of the Church was a real possibility.
"I have an idea. Have you read Meridia's testimony?" (Amigarde)
The High Priestess words were just what everyone wanted to hear. The eyes of the members of the council brightened up with hope.
"Yes. Apparently the Gifted One received an Oracle from Gloria. She prepared for the worst and took out one assassin. That assassin had an enchanted knife, an enchanted cloak and was clad in invisibility. He was highly skilled." (Pernida)
"Meridia made that up! Our Seer was forty by the time she discovered she could receive Oracles. Even if Liara was a Seer, which I doubt, she couldn't possibly have the ability to see Oracles yet!" (Kamila)
*shuffle* "Her testimony is consistent with the others. The captain of the guards reports that he was warned to be on guard last night. He was even asked a signalling artifact. And it's only thanks to that that the guards answered so swiftly after the horns were blown. I believe Meridia is right. I believe Liara is indeed a Seer." (Pernida)
Pernida was a black haired woman in her late forties, the youngest member of the council. Her measured words and calm voice, coupled with her ability to coldly analyze facts never failed to chill the atmosphere inside the Council chamber. She was the voice of reason.
"Wait... If she knew, how could we lose so many, then??? Did the captain betray us?" (Kamila)
Kamila was a woman in her seventies, the oldest member of the council. She was quite the opposite of Pernida, as she was set in her ways, and often spoke of the past. The two often bickered.
"Watch your tongue! I'd trust Valoran with my life! His loyalty is not in doubt!" (Teoren)
"Valoran did strengthen our patrols. But he focused them on the walls. No one thought the infiltration could come from inside the prison. A prison that held no prisoner at the time. And the enemies were extremely adept in stealth, as demonstrated by their invisibility spells. The warning might as well have facilitated their infiltration, unfortunately. " (Pernida)
"Enough of this. We will investigate the causes later. Amigarde, what's your suggestion?" (Vaerminia)
Bickering over past events would not solve the situation at hand. Vaerminia was old enough to know that. She didn't need a scapegoat right now. She wanted a solution. A practical workable solution. She wanted to hear the High Priestess' proposal.
"It's simple, really. We train new healers. Serina can take care of that." (Amigarde)
Sometimes the simplest solution is the hardest to see. Serina was an healer in training, and she was taught Liara's original way of collimating aether. There might be more skilled healers in satellite temples, but Serina's young and flexible mind might be what's needed to recover from this near hopeless position.
The council members exchanged glances. Everyone was in agreement. Power, flexibility and trust was what was needed now. Serina had all three qualities.
"Very well. We will make Serina the Head Healer." (Vaerminia)
"Putting all our eggs in one basket... If we entrust everything to Serina... f our enemies manage to kill her, this might be it for the Church. It's too risky!" (Kamila)
"That won't happen. Liara will protect her." (Amigarde)
"You are putting a lot of faith in the two of them. Are you willing to bet the survival of the Church on that?" (Kamila)
"Liara is the true daughter of Gloria. She IS the future of our faith. We are being tested. We must show Gloria that we are worthy of Liara!" (Amigarde)
Such a series of misfortunes had to be more than just bad luck. The idea that this was all Gloria's doing made sense.
Gloria rarely gifted selected Sister with the ability to receive her Oracles. An Oracle was what lead the church to Liara. The enchantment weaved within Liara's body could only be the work of Gloria herself. Gloria was testing the Church. It all added up.
[It is beyond the powers of the current members of the church to overcome Gloria's trials. But Liara overcame two near death situations now. We will entrust our future to her.] (Vaerminia)
Stolen story; please report.
"Guards, have Serina brought to us." (Vaerminia)
Call
Location: Gloria's Temple / Courtyard
Time: Y1503 - 30th day of the Fire Moon
"We have been here forever! Can we come out, yet?" (Liara)
"You heard the guards. They are making sure the enemies are gone." (Meridia)
"Liara, focus on sustaining the barrier. It'll keep your mind off things. And worry not. Everything will be alright!" *smile* *pet Liara's head* (Serina)
I hope so! Yesterday night the guards came up, and after a fuss, they took the two halves of the assassin away. Geneva, the scribe, came here to hear our testimony of the events, then they told me to stay put. I waved a barrier to keep Mother and Meridia safe. Just in case. But it's been half a day! I want to know what happened outside!
*whisper* "She has been sustaining a barrier this thick since yesterday???" (Guard A)
*whisper* "No wonder she is called Gifted One. Even that monster was no match for her." (Guard B)
Noisy.
[You can be so indecisive at times, Liara. You just said you were bored. They might let some news come out, you know?] (Doctor Me)
Yeah yeah...
*climb stairs*
Step noises! Someone's coming! Finally!
"Sister Serina. The council wishes to see you." (Valoran)
A small platoon of guards came in. They are taking security seriously. I have to say they have been sloppy. I had to defend myself twice! Talk about professionals...
[Uhm... They are separating Serina from you. Surrounding her with many guards. They may be here to arrest her! They may be searching for a scapegoat for this incident.] (Soldier Me)
... Soldier Me memories of his commanding officers speak volumes. I'm not letting mother out of my sight! I might be inexperienced, but my barriers are unbreachable! Nobody is using her as a scapegoat!
"Leader Valoran. Just for you to know, you are not getting Serina out of this barrier unless you take Liara with you." (Meridia)
Way to go Meridia! She must have felt my resolve and told the guard in my place. It saved me the hassle to explain myself. Or cry. Or both.
"I have no orders not to bring her... But letting Liara out now... I advise against it." (Valoran)
"You may be right, leader. But only Liara can unravel this barrier. And she won't let Serina go alone. Not after tonight's events." (Meridia)
"... Very well. The three of you can come to the Ruling Tower together. But only Serina can enter. Unless the Council says otherwise. And a word of advice. You may want to keep that child eyes closed. A girl this young shouldn't be forced to see this." *sad look* (Valoran)
My stomach is upset now. What was the invisible assassin up to before he tried to kill me?
I'm afraid to know.
I unravel my barrier. We are climbing down the large spiral stairs of the Seer's Tower. Four guards ahead of us, four trailing us. Their commanding officers stay close to us, he seems ready to unsheathe his sword at a moment notice.
...
Blood. Several sisters are cleaning blood stains on the floor and on the walls. Their buckets are filled with brown water. Their eyes are red. They have shed tears.
[Calm down, Soldier! I have seen plenty children be scarred by death before. You have us, now. We'll help you deal with it. For now, believe me when I say that the best course of action is to think about something else. Keep your mind busy!] (Soldier Me)
[Leave it to me. Liara, I'm trying to understand the theory behind that assassin's invisibility spell. Help me out, will you?] (Science Me)
"Liara. Please. Can you wear a blindfold? For me? I'll tell with you what happened, later. But you don't need to see more of this right now. It's been a long night. Do it for me!Please?" *teary* (Serina)
*nod* (Liara)
Mother take the belt off her dress, and uses it as a makeshift blindfold. She takes my hand to guide me. I feel miserable.
Science Me, you said there were no victims!
[I was wrong, but it was a fair assumption! If the assassin was invisible, not killing anyone would have been beneficial to the stealth nature of his mission. Taking out people along the way would eventually be noticed, and~ (Science Me)
[Don't blame him. I always suspected this was the case. I didn't tell anything to keep you from worrying too much. What is done, is done.] (Soldier Me)
I could have helped! I could have~
[You could have what?!? Run around chasing after invisible assassin with a body of a three years old?
NO! Your only skill right now is in making barriers. You even sounded the alarm. You did everything you could. You can't save everyone. You can't be everywhere all at once. You'd better get this lesson inside that thick skull of yours!] (Soldier Me)
I can feel the others Me becoming restless. But Soldier Me is right. I can see his memories. He knows what he is talking about. I'll follow his advice.
I'll just help Science Me with that invisibility spell. Damn. It's so hard to focus.
--------------------------------
*breeze*
*sniff* (Liara)
We are out in the open now. The breeze is carrying a burnt smell. Did they set something on fire last night? The silence around here is unsettling. A part of Me wishes to know what's going on. Another part of Me is scared to know.
*far voice* "Are all the bodies identified?" (Guard A)
*far voice* "Sister Bella was the last one. Everyone, dead or living is accounted for." (Guard B)
Bella! The head cook! The one that always made me peel potatoes!
*sniff* (Liara)
"Be strong, Liara. Here, let me carry you." *Pick up Liara* (Serina)
A New Duty
Location: Gloria's Temple / Council Chamber
Time: Y1503 - 30th day of the Fire Moon
"Did you call for me, Blessed Ones?" (Serina)
"We did. Sit down, Sister Serina." (Vaerminia)
A chair in front of the table. Usually people stand when in front of the Council.
"There is no easy way to say it, so I'll just say it. Most of our healers died last night. Sister Carminia is dead as well. Serina, we want you to become the new Head Healer." (Pernida)
What??? I knew it was bad, but for Carminia to have died!!! She was my mentor and teacher! And why me? I'm just a trainee!!!
"We could call in healers from our satellite temples, but you are our first choice, Serina. While unorthodox, your original way of weaving magic threads is undeniably stronger. You scored fifty stones in the rankings. Actually, we would be hard pressed to justify choosing anyone else over you." (Cassandra)
"And as High priestess, it is my call to assign duties to a Sister. You are fit to be the new Head Healer, Serina." (Amigarde)
This is so sudden! I'm inexperienced! I was training to be an healer!
"I lack experience, Blessed One. I'm merely a trainee. I can't possibly replace Sister Carminia! I beg you to reconsider!" (Serina)
I don't want this responsibility. I'm not strong enough! And this duty might keep me away from Liara. I don't want this!
"If experience is what trouble you, than worry not. Meridia will stand by your side. She lacks power and judgement. But she is second to none when it come to leadership and knowledge of magic. We'll appoint her as your mentor and advisor." (Pernida)
"I... Respectfully, I was given the duty of raising Liara. My only desire is to keep that duty! Liara was the one who taught me the new technique. Meridia is the one that refined it. I am not the one you are looking for! Please, reconsider!" (Serina)
"I see. What about this? As long as watching over Liara does not interfere with your duties as Head Healer, we will allow the three of you to be together." (Vaerminia)
"..." (Serina)
"No more objections? Then, let me the first to congratulate with you. Head Healer Serina." (Vaerminia)
... If this is the will of Gloria... I hope to live up to their expectations. I hope not to disgrace Carminia's legacy. So many have died yesterday. Friends and comrades. But I must be strong. For Liara. For Gloria.
"There is more, Head Healer Serina. I'm still in the process of reorganizing the Order and our Temples. Since you are now the Head Healer, you deserve to know that we will move the training facilities away from Victoria.
My knights are preparing a secluded temple. It's near the roots of the Black Mountain Range. It should be ready by the next moon." (Teoren)
"But... Why?" (Serina)
"Careful. It is not your place to inquire about the reasons behind our decisions." (Vaerminia)
"!!! ... I understand. Please, forgive me, Council." (Serina)
Tears
Location: Gloria's Temple / Council Chamber
Time: Y1503 - 30th day of the Fire Moon
*sniff* *curl* (Liara)
[I'm worried about her...What should we do?] (Science Me)
[Believe me. It would be stranger had she not been affected by those losses. As long as she speak her mind with us, she will recover. She is strong.] (Doctor Me)
[I hope you are right. I have seen what war and death do to children. Despite all of
Uhm... Guys, I can hear you, you know?
"Liara... It breaks my heart to see you like this. Our Sisters might be gone, but they are now within the warm embrace of Gloria. Don't be sad for them." *hug* (Serina)
[The embrace of Gloria... Sure...] (Science me)
[She is trying to cheer us up! Don't be such a drowner!] (Bookworm Me)
It's alright. I don't know whatever Gloria exists or not. And even if she does exists, I don't know whatever Sisters are accepted in her afterlife.
[
It's alright. Even if it doesn't, they live on within my memories.
Don't worry about me. I will be alright.
[Speak your mind with Serina. She is your mother. You'll feel better, after. Believe me, I know.] (Doctor Me)
"Mother... I miss Bella. I miss everyone." *sniff* (Liara)
"That's right, Liara. You can cry as much as you want. I'm here for you, my sweet child." (Serina)
*cry* (Liara)
I wish I had a loving mother in the old world as well. Her warmth is healing my heart.
Had she been the one to die... No! I don't want to think about it! Mother won't die! I'll protect her!
Farewell
Location: Gloria's Temple / Serina's Chamber
Time: Y1503 - 30th day of the Fire Moon
*shake* (Serina)
*yawn* "Mmmm... What is it, Mother?" (Liara)
"I'm sorry to wake you up, Liara. Especially after you finally fell asleep this afternoon. It's night. Soon, they will light up the pyre. I thought you wanted to give our brothers and sister their farewell. See them off." (Serina)
"Thanks, Mother. I want to." *teary* (Liara)
--------------------------------
Location: Gloria's Temple / Courtyard
I'm walking toward the courtyard. Everyone is wearing a white cloak. Mother gave one to me as well, but it's too long. I would just end up tripping, so I'm riding on Mother shoulders. Sometime being three years old is an advantage.
[I'm pretty sure children are not supposed to take part in this. This is why they don't have a cloak of the right size.] (Bookworm Me)
Everyone walks slowly. We arrive at the courtyard. We are in the back of the crowd, but Mother is tall, and from her shoulder I can see well.
A one metre tall pile of logs now occupy the centre. The logs are neatly stacked, and the pile is big enough to hold a couple of dozens of white shrouds. The top is flat. It's like an altar.
[Two dozens corpses. Those assassins really did a number on the Church.] (Soldier Me)
[No wonder the sisters and the guards were looking at you strangely on our way here. Those assassins must have been truly powerful to have done this much damage.] (Science me)
[Well, they were. But from the conversations amongst the guards I gathered that they didn't fare well after we sounded the horns. I think they even captured one of them.] (Soldier me)
[You made the right call, Soldier Me. Sounding the alarm and taking their stealth from them, threw a wrench on their plans.] (Doctor Me)
[Magic or not, an assassination relies on the effect of surprise. Without that, they were simply under armoured soldiers stuck behind enemy lines, while heavily outnumbered. Checkmate.] (Soldier Me)
Can we talk about this later? I want to see them off.
[A pyre. Burning the dead was and is still a common practice in our old world as well. Still, the Church really likes flames.] (Explorer Me)
The courtyard is crowded, but not like it was half a moon ago, during the rankings.
The High priestess is walking toward the pile of wood. I bet she'll be the one to light it, just like when they burnt Thomen and Ramia at the stake.
"Children Of Gloria! Last night, a vile attack took many of our brothers and sisters from us. They were more than comrades. They were our friends. Our family! They performed their duties to the last. Gloria will now take them in her warm embrace!" (High Priestess Amigarde)
""May Gloria warmth embrace them."" (Everyone)
The High Priestess undresses, and starts weaving magic. Uh?
**murmur** (Everyone)
*whisper* "Just like Liara and Serina!" (Sister)
Amigarde is spinning on herself like in a dance. She is collimating aether on her palms. She is imitating Me and Mother, but her technique is still imperfect. She clearly does not understand why this work better. Still, she is collimating a lot more aether than she usually do.
[It is a remarkably simple technique. The only reason it was not used, is because they were taught not to move while weaving. Fanatics are not known for breaking their teachings and taboos. You heard the sneers Serina received when she started dancing.] (Science me)
[The magnitude of the results is what convinced them to try it, despite it going against all their teachings. You are already having an effect in this world!] (Doctor me)
[Whatever the effect will be good or bad, we will have to see. Still, You'll be on another league from them anyway. Your aptitude and theirs are world apart. And you have the power to see on top of that.] (Explorer me)
I wonder. Had they had this technique sooner, would they have been able to protect themselves against the assassins? If only I developed it sooner!
[Don't dwell on the past. Personally I think you are doing great. Remember what I told you. You can't save everyone. If you try, you might as well lose everything. Only do what you can do. Protect those you can't lose.] (Soldier Me)
It's easy to say... I know your words are right, but I still feel like I could have done more.
*whisper* "Do you see, Liara? The High Priestess learned your technique! We will all be safer thanks to that. Thank you!" (Serina)
*smile* (Liara)
I feel all warm inside. Maybe it is that simple. I'll listen to the others Me and try to move on.
""Ohhhhh"" (Everyone)
"She used the Gifted One's technique!" (Sister)
"She might be even more powerful than Meridia, now!" (Sister)
Those flames are much bigger than last time. And she took far less time to weave that spell. I look around me. The gloomy faces have brightened up. They are in awe of the High Priestess. Of our technique.
[Yes. This is not the end, Brother and Sisters. Our tribulations are the will of Gloria. We will clear them. We will prove to Gloria we are worthy. At last, the Church of Gloria will prevail!] (Amigarde)
Uhm.... I didn't notice it before, being night and everything. But isn't there a column of smoke raising from the east? I wonder if there was a fire in the city...