"I think Ximix has a good finger on how the priestesses might react," Alicia agrees with Ximix's estimation, "But let us see. I hope they will come to the right conclusion."
*Eventually, Rachel returns to speak to the group.*
"The Council has come to the conclusion that if you can fulfill several simple conditions proposed by several of our number, then we must do our best to help you."
"First of all, you do not seem to be immune to Divination magic to the extent that some had imagined. Therefore, in light of the High Priestess's visions, we will ask for sworn testimony, including willingly accepting truth-telling magics, as to your intentions and certain things that are not among your intentions. Additionally, we will need to check with very simple magic just to make sure none of you is actually evil--it seems obvious that you aren't, but one of our priestesses did make the point that we hadn't checked that yet, so that seems an easy thing for you to agree."
"Additionally, while you have been free to go on your way for some time now, you need a specific ritual performed for which we no longer have all the necessary ingredients after the last group of petitioners that needed it. Therefore, we will need you to help gather them unless you are willing to wait for us to find more."
"Usually we never perform such a ritual for those who are not worshippers of the Azure Lady, but we have decided to make an exception for all of you due to the extreme circumstances. Some of the more traditioner-minded amongst the Council wished to impress upon you the gravity with which we view the situation such that we would be willing to put our sacred rituals to this use. The ritual also includes many benedictions and invocations to Galatea that will make no sense for one who is not a follower, so we will need to know the identities of each of your patron deities in order to perform the substitution."
"Is there anything more that you need to know from me? If not, let us proceed to the questions, which are just a formality really as long as I'm right and you are being honest."