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<blockquote data-quote="Delemental" data-source="post: 2893776" data-attributes="member: 5203"><p><strong>Meanwhile...</strong></p><p></p><p>This is the final story of the three, written by Razael's player, about someone we haven't seen for a while. After this, we'll get back to regular (and shorter!) updates.</p><p></p><p>-----------------------------------</p><p></p><p> " And there shall be rejoicing, for in the Law of the World the Weak may find succor, and the Strong purpose."</p><p></p><p> Tolly sighed, and closed the Book of Ardara. This ritual of nightly reading was a great help to his state of mind. Without it, he wasn't sure he would be able to go on with the mission set before him. When he had accepted the position of Inquisitor Primus, he had expected challenge and sometimes strife, but the constant politicking of the city of M'dos was, at best, a major (he inwardly cringed at the only term his mind said was suitable) pain in the ass. There was more danger in a luncheon with the Church of Estrane than there was in facing the orcs in the desert naked at noon. Even less to his liking, the constant striving for favor was slowly replacing true worship. Even the Prelate Council was beginning act more like a landbound government than a grouping of religious leaders. Archprelate Frelarr was doing his best to reverse that, but a place on the council was for life. It would take many years to undo the damage of greed and selfishness.</p><p></p><p> A tapping of long fingernails on the stone surface of a table drew his attention. His secretary still stood there, delicate fingers beating a staccato pattern. He smiled, knowing that the tapping was one of the only chaotic patterns allowed in her life as his <em>geased </em>secretary.</p><p></p><p> "Yes, Aranal?"</p><p></p><p> " Are you finished for the night? May I have leave to exit your august presence, o mighty Inquisitor?" The sarcasm in her tone offended him, but not overmuch. After all, the cansin had only been his secretary for not quite a year--it took longer to order certain growing things. A garden could be made one of two ways--either you clear a patch and plant only what you wish, and it will be as you want it the next year, or you could carefully trim and tend what is already growing to conform it to your expectations. It took years longer, but, on some levels, was far more satisfying. Aranal did not take to the pattern of Ardaran life yet, but he had years to work on that. Tolly templed his fingers, and stared at the cansin. Even in an acolyte's robe, she was pleasant to gaze upon, though not as much of a presence as her twin sister.</p><p></p><p> "Aranal, is it truly so offensive to you to be here listening as I read from the Book of Ardara? Does my voice rasp upon your ears?"</p><p></p><p> "No, Inquisitor, it does not." Sweat started to run down her face as she fought the geas forcing her to tell the truth to the young man in front of her. " But I find the teachings you read to be not of my liking, and frankly, they feel childish and too innocent to be real. Please, caring for the weak?"</p><p></p><p> "Ah. Then you may be excused for the evening. Perhaps a reading on your own would be better for you?"</p><p></p><p> "Please, Inquisitor, please ...don't make me do that again!" The look on the cansin's face was a mixture of loathing and boredom.</p><p></p><p> "Be at the files by second bell then, dear, and you may have tonight to do as we have outlined previously as the limitations for your free hours."</p><p></p><p> "Good night Inquisitor." The relief was palpable in the secretary's voice. She quickly left, fleeing her prison and the man who held her life in his hands. Once she had learned the system of filing he preferred, she had actually been remarkably quick at catching his files up. Now, she served as his right hand, much in the same way as he served the Hand of the Earth. It was dangerous, but he had few worries. He did not deal in the secrets dire when she was nearby, and his files were written in a code that contained a magical cypher. She would be exceedingly lucky to decipher it without aid, and near the Inquisitor Primus was nowhere a creature of Chaos could easily be.</p><p></p><p> Tolly leaned back in the chair, the discomfort of its rigid stone back was a comfort to his mind and soul, if not to his physical form. He regarded a letter on his desk, still unsure of how to reply. <em>Sweet Autumn</em>, he contemplated, <em>still so careful to not be offensive, and yet so caring</em>. Ever since Miracle, she had been treading softly near him, as though he would explode if she showed too much emotion for Kyle around him, or gave him too much hope, or worried that he would react with anger. She would not have been wholly inaccurate in that assessment when they were still traveling to M'Dos, but he had long since cooled. His feelings for her were more mature now. He realized what he had lost, but was willing to let it evolve into friendship. His feelings for the entire group were mostly ones of loss now. He was serving a necessary post, but would it not be better to revolve a select group through it, so that corruption did not set into any one of them? The Exalted (even a year later, Tolly could not unbend himself enough to refer to the Archprelate, even in his own mind, as merely <em>Frelarr</em>) and he had discussed this very subject many times in the last few months. Tolly was of the opinion that the post should be given to their best and brightest as a way of preparing them for later involvement in the Church. One could not be in the post for long without learning at least a basic sense of diplomacy. Tolly was still blunt, but was much more likely to couch it in terms that his listener was not instantly offended by. He had even managed to dine with the head of the Estrane order, and found him to be a satisfying tablemate, and they had since become friends, though not the best of. He still ribbed Tolly about his comments to the ArchPriest of Laeshir.</p><p></p><p> He admitted to himself that he probably favored the post being changeable in that it would allow him some freedom again. This constant wrangling within the Divine Government was an irritant he could do without. He was of the firm belief that the current government would spend two to three weeks debating whether they should break for the privy, and explode in the process. The Exalted was welcome to it. Also, it would give him the freedom to learn more about the Psions who were re-emerging all over Affon. His vehement views, shaped by the lead of the Hound Archon he had met in the desert, had been tempered by two things--the Exalted and a child. The child, a girl of perhaps eight years of age, was rescued from a mob led by a Priest of Stok, who claimed that the child was responsible for the murder of her parents by forbidden magics. The intervention of the Inquisitor Primus had proven that the Priest was trying to finish what he had started--the annihilation of a line responsible for the murder of his wife some forty years earlier. The use of his Inquisitorial powers and privileges had revealed this, and quelled the bloodlust of the mob. It did not, however, stay the hand of the Priest. The old man did not survive his insistence on slaying the child.</p><p></p><p> Upon further investigation, Tolly found that the child was also a Psion--she showed all of the same forms of abilities he had seen in Aran those times that they had met--but she was also the brightest star he had ever had the opportunity to teach. Her mind was quick, and he found that she grasped what he was teaching almost as quickly as he could pass the information to her. She was a near perfect child, and she was anathema.</p><p></p><p> The Exalted was also quick to cool his temper. "You are to be a scalpel, Ardara said" he admonished Tolly. "Not a butcher. This is no infection. This is a wildflower. You must open your heart--the races are not black and white as the Archons and Celestials. We are blends, greys with differing shades. Ardara grasps this--her underservants may not. They have not the capacity. They are Law incarnate--there is no room for change. Now, the Earth Mother herself, while she may not welcome these children, would not wish you to destroy them out of hand. What will you slay next, young Tolly? The old and infirm? The weak? Those who cross against the flow of traffic in a plaza? Think, my child, and then react."</p><p></p><p> He was raising Iria himself now, and it was with her that he spent his mornings as Aranal organized the day's work in his offices. The cansin was allowed nowhere near the child. He would not have her corrupt the spirit whose presence was a balm to the wound left by Autumn's rejection, as careful as it had been. He almost wished he could speak with Aran again, to have some way of helping Iria learn her abilities, but he also feared that the Dreamlord would take her from him, so he did not try to contact him.</p><p></p><p> He had also learned, through judicious use of his <em>commune </em>and <em>ally </em>abilities, that there was no place on any of the Planets for the Psions. No god or goddess would take the souls of those who expended psionic energies willingly, dooming them to a brief existence as spirits on the Shadow Plane before dissolution. The Exalted was using his position to argue for Tolly, using the example of Iria as why this was not a lawful conclusion, as no law should be applied to those unaware and unable to comply. Her powers emerged as way of defending herself--was it right to condemn her to no afterlife? Even as she took to the teachings of Ardara and Krush with fervor, favoring (so far) a rich combination of them both, she was not clean enough for an afterlife? Tolly could not reconcile the two, and the Exalted agreed. So far, however, Ardara did not. In the back of his mind, he knew that Kyle would be arguing the same way, but he wasn't sure he ever wanted to admit that to the wizard; they had not parted on the best of terms. Perhaps he should go to the wedding--if nothing else, to clear the air with the wizard, and see how the rest were doing.</p><p></p><p> He stood from the table and left for the Archprelate's offices. It was the Exalted's pleasure to discuss the doings of the day with his Inquisitor, and sit in the garden, regardless of weather, before retiring for the night. Most times, Tolly found it pleasant enough, and it was no trouble to spend his evenings with the frank and practical Archprelate. He even allowed himself one abuse of his power--he would take Iria with him most times to play as the two adults talked. Tonight, though, she was already asleep. He had spent more time sitting in his office than he thought. He tucked the blanket under her chin, and kissed her forehead. Pulling the door shut behind him, he made his way to the gardens, to find the Exalted seated in the center watching the stars.</p><p></p><p> "Late night, Inquisitor Primus?"</p><p></p><p> Tolly dropped to a knee reflexively. "My apologies, Exalted. I was woolgathering, and lost track of time."</p><p></p><p> "Still not sure if you are going to the wedding or not?" Tolly started as he stood.</p><p></p><p> "Someday, Exalted, you are going to cease surprising me with your ability to read me."</p><p></p><p> "Perhaps, but after nine months of listening to your concerns, I believe I have your character well in my grasp, and while another may have trouble, you will be easy for me to read unless you change drastically tomorrow." The Archprelate smiled. "Come, let us speak of your leaving. I believe I have finally found the right person to take your place for the next year or so."</p><p></p><p> "Argent?"</p><p></p><p> "Good job, my boy. Is that who you had in mind as well?"</p><p></p><p> "Actually, yes. He is older than I am chronologically, but not so emotionally. He needs a challenge, and feels...untouchable... to me."</p><p></p><p> "He is a Favored Soul, lad, much as your friend was."</p><p></p><p> Tolly nodded. He missed Kavan/Madrone--the wry wisdom of the elf was a welcome balance to the impatience of Ariadne and Autumn within the group when he traveled with them. "I believe I must go to the wedding, Exalted. There are things left unspoken which should be brought to light. But first, I believe I will go for a walk. The air looks crisp and clean tonight."</p><p></p><p> "You realize, of course, that this use of the <em>air walk</em> spell by an Ardaran priest is uncanny, Tolly?"</p><p></p><p> "I do, Exalted, but quite simply--I love the feeling of flight." Tolly cast the spell, encasing his feet in energies drawn from the ground, and walked upwards into the night. He needed to get a cloak or boots of some sort that allowed him to truly fly--perhaps a mount? Would a pegasus deign to transport him? As he walked upon the air, he remembered the last time he had been walking like this--he had ended up with the title Meteor of Medos for it.</p><p></p><p> Walking above the streets, he had spotted a young man being menaced by ruffians, his guards already down, and surrounded. Tolly had called upon Ardara's power to increase his size, imbued his form with holy light and descended from the sky at full speed, only activating his <em>ring of feather fall</em> at the last instant. The ruffians broke and ran before he had even hit the ground. Afterwards was when he had found that the young man was a new recruit--a Favored Soul by the name of Argent Simaldus, and that he was here specifically at the request of a Prelate. They were quickly friends--and allies against the hidebound Prelates on the Council. Tolly bestowed his <em>Belt of Bail</em> upon his new friend, as its gold weave offset his blonde hair, and it would be more useful to him. It was the second item he had gathered in his travels to be given away, but the first was not to a friend.</p><p></p><p> To alleviate his own misgivings, he had arranged for a meeting with the Archpriest of Grabakh in the city, and had, after some discussion, given his <em>bracers of mastery</em> and a not-insignificant amount of gold to their Church, as a token of apology for the Legacy's release of the Nameless in the desert. He was still not sure it was enough, but the motion had not gone unnoticed. He now bore a small disc of wood, with a lizard on one side, and the holy symbol of Grabakh on the other, that would allow him to trade for water with any tribe that feared the Sun God, on its own authority. He never planned on going back, but it could be useful nonetheless.</p><p></p><p> Tolly glanced up from his musings. A storm was coming--he'd best get back inside. Storms were Feesha's work, and no help could be had for the Ardaran caught in her realm at such a time.</p><p></p><p> ..............................................................................................................</p><p></p><p> "Aranal, would you bring me the records from seventeen years ago? I think I see a pattern developing here." Tolly was attempting to track down who had first allowed the Succubus into the Church of Ardara such that she was able to get so close to the Undersecretary. He had found that it appeared to start with an acolyte who was thrown out of the Church for heresy some fifteen years earlier, but he kept finding that whenever he thought that this must be the first, it was, indeed, not. The same Succubus would interfere with affairs between 3 and 12 years, always corrupting a higher level underling, and working her way to the Archprelate. It felt like someone playing chess, and he suspected that he knew who it was. The Archons he had conversed with had warned him that most of the Servants treated these interferences as one large game under Erito's eye, despite the damage and cost in humanity.</p><p></p><p> A sheaf of papers slapped down on the desk in front of him. Aranal stepped back, and crossed her arms.</p><p></p><p> "Are you going to stop for dinner, Inquisitor, or do you plan on starving me as well as working me to the bone?" Tolly raised an eyebrow at her vehement request, and glanced at the waterclock he had purchased some time ago to prevent his losing track of time. It was well past the hour he normally paused for dinner. He stood, his back crackling as he stretched.</p><p></p><p> "I think we are done for the evening, Acolyte. You may retire for the evening meal as usual. We'll see you tomorrow morning. Don't do anything I would not." He saw the cansin grimace--she had found that particular statement severely limited her ability to find things to entertain herself. He watched her retreat from the room.</p><p></p><p> Tolly left quickly, sealing the room's magical locks behind him. He needed to move quickly to catch Iria still at her meal. He walked into the main dining area for the upper level priests to find she was already at his table--and so was an Inquisitor. Tolly paused, taking a breath to prepare himself.</p><p></p><p> "Brother." Tolly sat, and an acolyte brought him a selection of the main dishes for the evening. Unlike some of the diners here, Tolly never tried to ask for special meals. The acolytes who served here knew that all he desired was a selection of whatever the cooks had seen fit for the acolytes and underpriests--it would be hearty, strengthening, and simple, yet well-cooked. The staff here knew how to cook, which is why Tolly was not picky. He had eaten meals cooked by a wizard over an alchemical fire, and those prepared by an aristocratic woman with no experience on a rock heated to glowing. Nothing here, with these competent cooks, could be bad compared to that.</p><p></p><p> Iria was sipping hot chocolate, her meal already done. He could tell she was bursting to tell him something, but he knew not what. She knew, however, that he still followed the Dwarven custom of not talking as one ate. Apparently, the Inquisitor knew this as well, for he had grimaced when the acolyte brought a plate of food so quickly, and now settled himself to wait, face stern and arms crossed. Tolly did not rush, but did not linger either. He could sense the tension of the priests around him, and the nervousness as they ate quickly and left. By the time he was finished, the room was empty save for the Inquisitor, Iria, and himself. An acolyte brought him a cup of tea, as was his custom, and he waited for the Inquisitor to speak, quelling Iria with a look indicating she should be patient.</p><p></p><p> "Brother Tolly. We need to discuss a certain item within your care." The Left Hand brother set his hands on the table, one finger pointing to Iria.</p><p></p><p> "What could we possibly have to speak of, Brother?"</p><p></p><p> "We know that you have this item mostly by accident, and that it is not pure. It should be expunged."</p><p></p><p> Tolly darkened perceptibly, and Iria looked concerned. She had not seen her benefactor ever seem this angry before. It frightened her, and she started to shake as she drew back in her chair.</p><p></p><p> "If the Inquisition seeks to do as they speak of, it could have dire consequences. The Hand of the Earth has decreed that there is no danger, and that the item is to be treated with the care and love that is its due." Speaking of Iria in the third person as an object strengthened his anger. "And if the Left Hand wishes to cross the Inquisitor Primus in this, one would hope that they are prepared to accept the consequences of the act, as they would have the two things they should fear angry with them. Now get out."</p><p></p><p> "Brother, do not take this tone. We are not amused."</p><p></p><p> "Nor am I, Brother. Remember, I know your secrets. There is no small number of sins and heresies that you conceal from the rest of the church, and claim that as Ardara has not told you to stop, she must not be concerned. I know better. She is not all-seeing, and her Will is not always easy to decipher. I think the item is NOT accidentally in my possession. I believe it is a stepping stone to a better understanding, and an acceptance by Her of that which now she shuns, in spite of Her Servants. They reckon not the cost, which is why we as Her priests exist--to exercise Her will without the constraints of the rigidity their nature demands."</p><p></p><p> "Brother, I warn..."</p><p></p><p> "Silence. Leave. Say nothing more, for it will lead to your downfall. I wear a Periapt of Her Will, and it grows warm with approval as I care for the item of which we speak. Decipher that as you try to interfere with me. This meeting is over." The Inquisitor stood, radiating anger--but it was matched equally in the heat flowing off of Tolly, and he left without incident.</p><p></p><p> Tolly slumped back into his chair, eyes dropping shut. <em>Which one warned them</em>, he wondered. The Inquisition had a reputation for knowing what was happening in the Church, but it was built mainly on having informants in the staff, and their close relationship with the Archons who served Ardara. For a Left Hand to know Iria was a Psion meant that one of the Archons with whom he was arguing had decided to bypass Tolly and go about eliminating the perceived threat clandestinely. He would have to speak with the Exalted tonight. This would never be acceptable. He would die before giving up the child, and he was strong enough now that it would be no easy task to kill him.</p><p></p><p> "Brother Tolly?" The tentative question drew him back to the world. He drew a deep breath, and slowly released it.</p><p></p><p> "Yes, child?"</p><p></p><p> "Was the Inquisitor mad at me? He pointed at me, and you got all mad feeling. And then he got mad, and it was so nasty feeling, like he hates me."</p><p></p><p> "No, Iria. The Inquisitor was trying to say something that is not true, and he is misled to the point that he was willing to make me angry rather than admit to his being wrong." Tolly smiled wryly. "I think I could have handled that better."</p><p></p><p> "I thought I could hear you think <em>protect </em>as he thought <em>destroy</em>. Does he want to kill me? Like the other priest?"</p><p></p><p> "He may, child." The young Inquisitor Primus turned grim. "But the cost to do so is not one that I believe they can afford. No-one will ever harm you again while I live, Iria. I swear it, by the Four and the One, so help me Ardara. Come along, you had something to tell me before we were interrupted by this gentleman, and you can tell me as we go to the garden."</p><p></p><p> "Oh...oh yeah! I saw a butterfly today! It came in the window at the classes..." The chatter of a little girl could be heard as they followed the hall.</p><p></p><p> .................................................................................................................</p><p></p><p> "Something troubles you, my young friend." The Exalted was seated on one of the benches in the Garden when Tolly returned from putting Iria to bed. "That look you wear bodes ill for someone."</p><p></p><p> "Her Left Hand threatened Iria today, Exalted. Somewhere, an Archon must have felt it appropriate to tell an Inquisitor what she was, so that she could be expunged. I believe I should probably let someone else take the place as your Primus, because this could become a war--and we cannot have such in the office. The office of Inquisitor Primus must remain apart from such things." Tolly sank to the bench across from the Archprelate. "Only nine months, and already a failure in the office created for..."</p><p></p><p> "Inquisitor! You will cease such talk immediately!" Tolly's head shot up at the tone in the Exalted's voice. "Compassion and the urge to protect is NOT a failure. I will personally speak to the head of our Left Hand, and remind him of what he is, and that is not a child-killer. We do not have such in the Church." The Archprelate's voice grew soft.</p><p></p><p> "Go get some rest, my son. You must be alert to watch over your charge."</p><p></p><p> Tolly nodded, stood, bowed to the Exalted, and left quietly.</p><p></p><p> .................................................................................................................</p><p> </p><p></p><p> The Prelate Council ended later than Tolly had hoped, but still early enough that he would be able to spend a good amount of time with his charge before her bedtime. He had taken a chance this morning and let Argent follow him to see how he handled the demands. The lad was proving to be an asset the Church would do well to train as hard as they could. The Favored Soul was a diplomat without peer, charismatic and blessed with a fine mind for intrigue. He had already today uncovered plots that it hadn't even occurred to Tolly could exist. He would be a worthy successor, and by having this office rotating through their best, it would both train and familiarize those in the office with the best and worst they could encounter. Soon, he could hand the glove with its adamant bear's head to the Favored Soul, and let him protect the Hand of the Earth for a time.</p><p></p><p> Tolly turned the corner and broke into a run. Down the hall, in front of his door, was an Inquisitor holding Iria--and she wasn't moving. Rage inflamed Tolly instantly, and he charged down the corridor. The Inquisitor froze for a moment, and it cost him dearly. Tolly paused for a moment, and chanting words painful to hear, grasped the man's shoulder. Red and green energies coruscated across the Inquisitor's body, and life fled before the Ardaran's wrath. As he slumped to the ground, Tolly grabbed Iria. Thankfully, she was alive, but held tightly in magical bonds. Tolly asked Ardara for assistance, and dispeled the energies holding her still. He kept her in his arms, and marched straight to the Archprelate's office. A summoned Earth Elemental brought the corpse.</p><p></p><p> The Archprelate's secretary took one look at the scene before her and called out that the Exalted had visitors. Frelarr emerged to the room from his bedchamber, and took it all in in a single glance.</p><p></p><p> "I warned them. Tolly, come here with that. It is time to find out what this is all about..."</p><p></p><p> ..................................................................................................................</p><p></p><p> "So, that is what this is all about," Archprelate Frelarr grunted, and leaned back in the chair he favored. "All because one Inquisitor feels that discussion of the Law is insignificant--that knowing Law is sufficient. And now, I have an entire branch of the Church mortified that one of their number attacked the charge of the Inquisitor Primus, and half of them more mortified that the same man killed an Inquisitor in defense of that charge."</p><p></p><p> The Prelate Council was assembled in the private chamber they held aside for discussions such as these--where the common priest was never admitted, as it would possibly compromise their workings. To the Archprelate's left sat Tolly, and to his right the Favored Soul named Argent.</p><p></p><p> "So, to cool these proceedings, we are going to temporarily replace Tolly with Argent, as a new face will quell the feelings of rebellion from our Left. Tolly has been invited to a wedding, and is planning on leaving soon for Vargas to attend. He will take his young charge with him, and leave his acolyte here to aid in the transition of powers. Note that we are not stripping Tolly of his powers--we are merely appointing a replacement while he travels and carries out both Ardara's will and mine. For now, Argent is Primus, and Tolly is Primus, and I care not if that does not make sense to you. It is Our will today. Are We understood?"</p><p></p><p> The Council stood as one, nodded, and then left the room, all in silence, as befitted a council such as this one. None of them were comfortable with the concept of a war with the Left Hand within the Church--they would just as soon see the young priest off until things had cooled down. There were no objections, so why speak at all?</p><p></p><p> "That went rather well, Exalted." Argent smiled and stood, stretching his back and arms. "Am I really ready for this? I don't feel ready."</p><p></p><p> "No-one who deserves to do the job ever feels prepared for it, Argent," commented Tolly. "If you want it, you aren't what we want, and if you feel like you can handle it, you will fall before the task is complete. Now, if you both will excuse me, I must get Iria ready for travel. She has never before left M'dos, and I need to find a saddle that will hold the both of us."</p><p></p><p> Tolly bowed, and left the room.</p><p></p><p> "Do you think he'll be okay, Exalted?" The worry in Argent's tone was obvious.</p><p></p><p> "If anyone can be out there, Tolly Nightsleaving will. He is a fine specimen of Ardaran faith, Argent, and will never fail in what he tries. He may be killed before he does it, but he won't fail. Do you understand the difference?"</p><p></p><p> "I think so, Exalted, but I will pray for him nonetheless."</p><p></p><p> "As will I," Frelaar sighed deeply. "As will I."</p><p></p><p> ..................................................................................................................</p><p></p><p> The ride through Medos was not ideal, but weather did not bother Tolly nearly as much as it would have to have fought his way through. He stopped overnight at Stacks with his young charge, and spent a good deal of the eveninbg discussing his old friends with the ranking priestess. Her admiration of their competence had him smiling, and he slept well, dreaming of old times.</p><p></p><p> The trip into the mountains was a bit more severe. The pair was traveling alone, and the heavy war horse Tolly rode was not loaded down, so their pace was very quick. Tolly also had no qualms about using clerical magic to assist, but for the main part he wished to ride just for the sake of spending quality time with Iria. The long talks and odd little games they would play as they rode were better for his soul than any number of fasting days in prayer could have been after the opposition of the Inquisition.</p><p></p><p> They entered the Dwarven Confederates well ahead of schedule, and Tolly took them directly to Laeshir. They stopped briefly at the Ardaran Church, and then followed the streets to an inn. Tolly slipped a few coppers to the human youth working in the stables to the side.</p><p></p><p> "Give a good rubdown, lad, and a warm mash. He has had a fairly ride, and deserves a bit of rest." The lad tipped his hat and led the horse into the back. Tolly took Iria's hand, and they walked into the inn proper.</p><p></p><p> "What does the sign say, Brother Tolly? Those pictures don't look like words."</p><p></p><p> "Those are dwarven runes, Iria. They each represent words. This is the Uncut Emerald, and the innkeeper has a selection of the best dwarven ales I have ever tasted." Tolly spoke this just as the stepped up to the long counter. The old dwarf behind turned and rested his hands on his large belly.</p><p></p><p> "Now lad, those are the kinds of words an adventurer says when he wants a deal. You lookin' for a cheap room?"</p><p></p><p> "No, Burbark, I have no need of inexpensive anymore. Do you have any rooms to let?"</p><p></p><p> "Well, if you give us a few hours, we can have the suite cleaned up for ye. It just emptied out. We had a young wizard type in it for a day or so, and we haven't had the time to clear it these last few days. We have the Stinker as well, but I doubt you'd want the little one in there."</p><p></p><p> "The Stinker, Burbark?" Tolly raised an eyebrow, remembering no such room when last he was here.</p><p></p><p> "Yeah, it was a room that we had a wizard type use for an alchemy lab, and it has a funny smell to it that we've never gotten out."</p><p></p><p> "Ah, Kyle's lab. I remember now. Hmm. I may be able to help with that, seeing as it was my friend that did it."</p><p></p><p> The dwarf looked more closely at Tolly's face. "Hey! You're that young cleric as what told off the head of the Church of Estrane, aren't you? You were here with that pink-haired bard, and the sisters!"</p><p></p><p> "Yes." Tolly grimaced. "But I would greatly appreciate it if you didn't mention that...occasion...anymore. I have had enough grief about it from the Head of Estrane's Order when I was in M'Dos. Now, while I deal with your...Stinker room, why don't you have someone clear the suite, so that the young lady and I have somewhere to sleep tonight? We'll need it for 2 days and nights, althought I will be gone tomorrow, as I have a quick trip to make."</p><p></p><p> "It will be done, young master. Just let us know when you are done."</p><p></p><p> Tolly gathered himself, and he and Iria went upstairs to the room Burbark had called 'the Stinker'. Tolly could detect several common components in the air still. He began by asking for spells whose energies he had not collected that day. This could take a while.</p><p></p><p> ..................................................................................................................</p><p></p><p> He came downstairs to find the staff watching him worriedly. He glanced from face to face, and raised an eyebrow.</p><p></p><p> "Is something the matter?" He waited for the response.</p><p></p><p> "Wellanow, that depends on whether I still have a room up there, young master. It sounded like you were tearing walls out." Tolly laughed, understanding the apprehension.</p><p></p><p> "Burbark, as a matter of fact, I was, or more precisely an elemental was. I had to remove some of the boards that had chemicals spilled on them, and then replace them magically. I believe, however, that I got all of them removed and replaced. The room should be fine now. What is for dinner this evening?"</p><p></p><p> "Well, that would be mutton tonight, with a fine side of fresh mushrooms and warm apple bread from the baker down the street."</p><p></p><p> "Marla's? You have Marla's applebread? Find us a table Iria--you'll love this bread." The girl looked up at him.</p><p></p><p> "Not if I have to eat mushrooms. Bleck!" Tolly looked down at her face, screwed up in disgust.</p><p></p><p> "Tonight, you don't have to. We're on vacation."</p><p></p><p> "Yay!" She smiled at him. Tolly knew that he was wrapped around the little girl's finger, and surprisingly, he was very comfortable with it. He returned her smile as she led him to a table by the east wall. Would a child of his own be any more precious to him than his foundling?</p><p> .....................................................................................................................</p><p></p><p> The next morning found Tolly and Iria in a gaseous form floating rapicly to the small mining village of Lisk. He had several bottles in his pouch that needed to be used there. An old debt to pay that wore on Tolly's conscience, the miners had used their stone salve on Autumn and Kyle instead of their own. That situation required change.</p><p></p><p> They floated into the village, and materialized just at the borders. They walked into the town to find a celebration going on. The commons of the village had several tables filled with food, and there was a group dance going on in the center. Tolly tapped an older dwarven woman on the shoulder.</p><p></p><p> "Mother, what does this celebrate?"</p><p></p><p> "The return of the Lost Miners, Brother of Ardara. The wizard returned and returned them to flesh!"</p><p></p><p> "He did? A robust young man with a silver staff?" Tolly was unsure as to whether he was annoyed or relieved. He was glad to know he was not the only one who remembered, but jealous that Kyle had beated him to the task. Again, he proved quicker than Tolly in assuming control of a situation.</p><p></p><p> "Aye! A bit sick he seemed, but he said he was fine. You just missed him. He left a moment ago."</p><p></p><p> "Really? Which route did he take, so that I may catch up to him?"</p><p></p><p> "He just vanished from the center of the square, young master."</p><p></p><p> "Ah." <em>He has learned to teleport,</em> thought Tolly. <em>A useful ability</em>. "Welladay, then, mother. We shall be on our way now." He grasped Iria's hand, and walked out of town, slowly shifting back into gaseous form and floating away.</p><p></p><p> .....................................................................................................................</p><p></p><p> "Why are you so grumpy, Brother Tolly?" Iria spoke directly to him from where she sat in the saddle. "You've been all meanish since that little town."</p><p></p><p> Tolly considered the child's question seriously, as he tried to do with anything she asked of him. "I am not sure, Iria. I expected to do something that would be gratifying to myself and the people of the town, and found that I had been preempted--that means someone got there first, child--and I don't think I like it. And that in itself is a character flaw that I don't care for. I had hoped that I was above such petty feelings."</p><p></p><p> "Maybe it is like that passage you quoted at the acolytes when they were teasing the fat one. You know, <em>the sword,while polished, will not do Ardara's work any better than the woodcutter's axe if there are trees to be fallen, and, in fact, are less suitable to the task</em>." She looked at him seriously. He sighed, and marveled at the intellect of the child he was raising.</p><p></p><p> "Maybe, child. Maybe I am looking at the condition of my soul, and expecting a sparkling platinum mirror, only to find a few spots where the artist missed a spot while he was polishing. That is never comfortable for a priest, as we are supposed to be able to hold ourselves up as examples."</p><p></p><p> "Maybe it is better, though. If you have flaws, then mightn't you seem realer to the pari...parisher..."</p><p></p><p> "Parishioner, Iria. And it is would not, not mightn't, and you say more real, not realer. And you may be right child, but while it may be true that flawed work can draw more eyes than perfection, the piece itself will always prefer to be real, and without those eye-catching traits. Now, we must work on how you greet nobility--we are almost to the capitol of Merlion, and we are paying a visit to Princess Ariadne and Duchess Autumn's parents. Her mother is somewhat prim, and her father is a joy to be around, but in order to enjoy our time here, we must impress her mother with our manners and how important we are, so that she does not consider us too common to talk to."</p><p></p><p> "So you gonna tell her you are the Inquisitor Primus, the Arch-perlate's right hand?"</p><p></p><p> "That is Prelate, Iria, and I am his left hand, not right. His right is the Council. And I am going to mention it, and let her draw her own conclusion as to whether it is important. If she has been watching the news from M'Dos, she will know what I have become. However, Zanich is a warm comforting man, and pads the edges of his wife's humors very nicely. You will like him, Iria. Now, we are at the gate, so be on your best behavior."</p><p></p><p> "Yes, Brother Tolly."</p><p></p><p> <em>Now, that is odd</em>, Tolly thought to himself. <em>I wonder who passed away that they have the wreaths on the gate. I hope it isn't anyone I know</em>. The pair rode slowly up to the gate and called to the guards.</p><p></p><p> "Ho, the keep!"</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Delemental, post: 2893776, member: 5203"] [b]Meanwhile...[/b] This is the final story of the three, written by Razael's player, about someone we haven't seen for a while. After this, we'll get back to regular (and shorter!) updates. ----------------------------------- " And there shall be rejoicing, for in the Law of the World the Weak may find succor, and the Strong purpose." Tolly sighed, and closed the Book of Ardara. This ritual of nightly reading was a great help to his state of mind. Without it, he wasn't sure he would be able to go on with the mission set before him. When he had accepted the position of Inquisitor Primus, he had expected challenge and sometimes strife, but the constant politicking of the city of M'dos was, at best, a major (he inwardly cringed at the only term his mind said was suitable) pain in the ass. There was more danger in a luncheon with the Church of Estrane than there was in facing the orcs in the desert naked at noon. Even less to his liking, the constant striving for favor was slowly replacing true worship. Even the Prelate Council was beginning act more like a landbound government than a grouping of religious leaders. Archprelate Frelarr was doing his best to reverse that, but a place on the council was for life. It would take many years to undo the damage of greed and selfishness. A tapping of long fingernails on the stone surface of a table drew his attention. His secretary still stood there, delicate fingers beating a staccato pattern. He smiled, knowing that the tapping was one of the only chaotic patterns allowed in her life as his [I]geased [/I]secretary. "Yes, Aranal?" " Are you finished for the night? May I have leave to exit your august presence, o mighty Inquisitor?" The sarcasm in her tone offended him, but not overmuch. After all, the cansin had only been his secretary for not quite a year--it took longer to order certain growing things. A garden could be made one of two ways--either you clear a patch and plant only what you wish, and it will be as you want it the next year, or you could carefully trim and tend what is already growing to conform it to your expectations. It took years longer, but, on some levels, was far more satisfying. Aranal did not take to the pattern of Ardaran life yet, but he had years to work on that. Tolly templed his fingers, and stared at the cansin. Even in an acolyte's robe, she was pleasant to gaze upon, though not as much of a presence as her twin sister. "Aranal, is it truly so offensive to you to be here listening as I read from the Book of Ardara? Does my voice rasp upon your ears?" "No, Inquisitor, it does not." Sweat started to run down her face as she fought the geas forcing her to tell the truth to the young man in front of her. " But I find the teachings you read to be not of my liking, and frankly, they feel childish and too innocent to be real. Please, caring for the weak?" "Ah. Then you may be excused for the evening. Perhaps a reading on your own would be better for you?" "Please, Inquisitor, please ...don't make me do that again!" The look on the cansin's face was a mixture of loathing and boredom. "Be at the files by second bell then, dear, and you may have tonight to do as we have outlined previously as the limitations for your free hours." "Good night Inquisitor." The relief was palpable in the secretary's voice. She quickly left, fleeing her prison and the man who held her life in his hands. Once she had learned the system of filing he preferred, she had actually been remarkably quick at catching his files up. Now, she served as his right hand, much in the same way as he served the Hand of the Earth. It was dangerous, but he had few worries. He did not deal in the secrets dire when she was nearby, and his files were written in a code that contained a magical cypher. She would be exceedingly lucky to decipher it without aid, and near the Inquisitor Primus was nowhere a creature of Chaos could easily be. Tolly leaned back in the chair, the discomfort of its rigid stone back was a comfort to his mind and soul, if not to his physical form. He regarded a letter on his desk, still unsure of how to reply. [I]Sweet Autumn[/I], he contemplated, [I]still so careful to not be offensive, and yet so caring[/I]. Ever since Miracle, she had been treading softly near him, as though he would explode if she showed too much emotion for Kyle around him, or gave him too much hope, or worried that he would react with anger. She would not have been wholly inaccurate in that assessment when they were still traveling to M'Dos, but he had long since cooled. His feelings for her were more mature now. He realized what he had lost, but was willing to let it evolve into friendship. His feelings for the entire group were mostly ones of loss now. He was serving a necessary post, but would it not be better to revolve a select group through it, so that corruption did not set into any one of them? The Exalted (even a year later, Tolly could not unbend himself enough to refer to the Archprelate, even in his own mind, as merely [I]Frelarr[/I]) and he had discussed this very subject many times in the last few months. Tolly was of the opinion that the post should be given to their best and brightest as a way of preparing them for later involvement in the Church. One could not be in the post for long without learning at least a basic sense of diplomacy. Tolly was still blunt, but was much more likely to couch it in terms that his listener was not instantly offended by. He had even managed to dine with the head of the Estrane order, and found him to be a satisfying tablemate, and they had since become friends, though not the best of. He still ribbed Tolly about his comments to the ArchPriest of Laeshir. He admitted to himself that he probably favored the post being changeable in that it would allow him some freedom again. This constant wrangling within the Divine Government was an irritant he could do without. He was of the firm belief that the current government would spend two to three weeks debating whether they should break for the privy, and explode in the process. The Exalted was welcome to it. Also, it would give him the freedom to learn more about the Psions who were re-emerging all over Affon. His vehement views, shaped by the lead of the Hound Archon he had met in the desert, had been tempered by two things--the Exalted and a child. The child, a girl of perhaps eight years of age, was rescued from a mob led by a Priest of Stok, who claimed that the child was responsible for the murder of her parents by forbidden magics. The intervention of the Inquisitor Primus had proven that the Priest was trying to finish what he had started--the annihilation of a line responsible for the murder of his wife some forty years earlier. The use of his Inquisitorial powers and privileges had revealed this, and quelled the bloodlust of the mob. It did not, however, stay the hand of the Priest. The old man did not survive his insistence on slaying the child. Upon further investigation, Tolly found that the child was also a Psion--she showed all of the same forms of abilities he had seen in Aran those times that they had met--but she was also the brightest star he had ever had the opportunity to teach. Her mind was quick, and he found that she grasped what he was teaching almost as quickly as he could pass the information to her. She was a near perfect child, and she was anathema. The Exalted was also quick to cool his temper. "You are to be a scalpel, Ardara said" he admonished Tolly. "Not a butcher. This is no infection. This is a wildflower. You must open your heart--the races are not black and white as the Archons and Celestials. We are blends, greys with differing shades. Ardara grasps this--her underservants may not. They have not the capacity. They are Law incarnate--there is no room for change. Now, the Earth Mother herself, while she may not welcome these children, would not wish you to destroy them out of hand. What will you slay next, young Tolly? The old and infirm? The weak? Those who cross against the flow of traffic in a plaza? Think, my child, and then react." He was raising Iria himself now, and it was with her that he spent his mornings as Aranal organized the day's work in his offices. The cansin was allowed nowhere near the child. He would not have her corrupt the spirit whose presence was a balm to the wound left by Autumn's rejection, as careful as it had been. He almost wished he could speak with Aran again, to have some way of helping Iria learn her abilities, but he also feared that the Dreamlord would take her from him, so he did not try to contact him. He had also learned, through judicious use of his [I]commune [/I]and [I]ally [/I]abilities, that there was no place on any of the Planets for the Psions. No god or goddess would take the souls of those who expended psionic energies willingly, dooming them to a brief existence as spirits on the Shadow Plane before dissolution. The Exalted was using his position to argue for Tolly, using the example of Iria as why this was not a lawful conclusion, as no law should be applied to those unaware and unable to comply. Her powers emerged as way of defending herself--was it right to condemn her to no afterlife? Even as she took to the teachings of Ardara and Krush with fervor, favoring (so far) a rich combination of them both, she was not clean enough for an afterlife? Tolly could not reconcile the two, and the Exalted agreed. So far, however, Ardara did not. In the back of his mind, he knew that Kyle would be arguing the same way, but he wasn't sure he ever wanted to admit that to the wizard; they had not parted on the best of terms. Perhaps he should go to the wedding--if nothing else, to clear the air with the wizard, and see how the rest were doing. He stood from the table and left for the Archprelate's offices. It was the Exalted's pleasure to discuss the doings of the day with his Inquisitor, and sit in the garden, regardless of weather, before retiring for the night. Most times, Tolly found it pleasant enough, and it was no trouble to spend his evenings with the frank and practical Archprelate. He even allowed himself one abuse of his power--he would take Iria with him most times to play as the two adults talked. Tonight, though, she was already asleep. He had spent more time sitting in his office than he thought. He tucked the blanket under her chin, and kissed her forehead. Pulling the door shut behind him, he made his way to the gardens, to find the Exalted seated in the center watching the stars. "Late night, Inquisitor Primus?" Tolly dropped to a knee reflexively. "My apologies, Exalted. I was woolgathering, and lost track of time." "Still not sure if you are going to the wedding or not?" Tolly started as he stood. "Someday, Exalted, you are going to cease surprising me with your ability to read me." "Perhaps, but after nine months of listening to your concerns, I believe I have your character well in my grasp, and while another may have trouble, you will be easy for me to read unless you change drastically tomorrow." The Archprelate smiled. "Come, let us speak of your leaving. I believe I have finally found the right person to take your place for the next year or so." "Argent?" "Good job, my boy. Is that who you had in mind as well?" "Actually, yes. He is older than I am chronologically, but not so emotionally. He needs a challenge, and feels...untouchable... to me." "He is a Favored Soul, lad, much as your friend was." Tolly nodded. He missed Kavan/Madrone--the wry wisdom of the elf was a welcome balance to the impatience of Ariadne and Autumn within the group when he traveled with them. "I believe I must go to the wedding, Exalted. There are things left unspoken which should be brought to light. But first, I believe I will go for a walk. The air looks crisp and clean tonight." "You realize, of course, that this use of the [I]air walk[/I] spell by an Ardaran priest is uncanny, Tolly?" "I do, Exalted, but quite simply--I love the feeling of flight." Tolly cast the spell, encasing his feet in energies drawn from the ground, and walked upwards into the night. He needed to get a cloak or boots of some sort that allowed him to truly fly--perhaps a mount? Would a pegasus deign to transport him? As he walked upon the air, he remembered the last time he had been walking like this--he had ended up with the title Meteor of Medos for it. Walking above the streets, he had spotted a young man being menaced by ruffians, his guards already down, and surrounded. Tolly had called upon Ardara's power to increase his size, imbued his form with holy light and descended from the sky at full speed, only activating his [I]ring of feather fall[/I] at the last instant. The ruffians broke and ran before he had even hit the ground. Afterwards was when he had found that the young man was a new recruit--a Favored Soul by the name of Argent Simaldus, and that he was here specifically at the request of a Prelate. They were quickly friends--and allies against the hidebound Prelates on the Council. Tolly bestowed his [I]Belt of Bail[/I] upon his new friend, as its gold weave offset his blonde hair, and it would be more useful to him. It was the second item he had gathered in his travels to be given away, but the first was not to a friend. To alleviate his own misgivings, he had arranged for a meeting with the Archpriest of Grabakh in the city, and had, after some discussion, given his [I]bracers of mastery[/I] and a not-insignificant amount of gold to their Church, as a token of apology for the Legacy's release of the Nameless in the desert. He was still not sure it was enough, but the motion had not gone unnoticed. He now bore a small disc of wood, with a lizard on one side, and the holy symbol of Grabakh on the other, that would allow him to trade for water with any tribe that feared the Sun God, on its own authority. He never planned on going back, but it could be useful nonetheless. Tolly glanced up from his musings. A storm was coming--he'd best get back inside. Storms were Feesha's work, and no help could be had for the Ardaran caught in her realm at such a time. .............................................................................................................. "Aranal, would you bring me the records from seventeen years ago? I think I see a pattern developing here." Tolly was attempting to track down who had first allowed the Succubus into the Church of Ardara such that she was able to get so close to the Undersecretary. He had found that it appeared to start with an acolyte who was thrown out of the Church for heresy some fifteen years earlier, but he kept finding that whenever he thought that this must be the first, it was, indeed, not. The same Succubus would interfere with affairs between 3 and 12 years, always corrupting a higher level underling, and working her way to the Archprelate. It felt like someone playing chess, and he suspected that he knew who it was. The Archons he had conversed with had warned him that most of the Servants treated these interferences as one large game under Erito's eye, despite the damage and cost in humanity. A sheaf of papers slapped down on the desk in front of him. Aranal stepped back, and crossed her arms. "Are you going to stop for dinner, Inquisitor, or do you plan on starving me as well as working me to the bone?" Tolly raised an eyebrow at her vehement request, and glanced at the waterclock he had purchased some time ago to prevent his losing track of time. It was well past the hour he normally paused for dinner. He stood, his back crackling as he stretched. "I think we are done for the evening, Acolyte. You may retire for the evening meal as usual. We'll see you tomorrow morning. Don't do anything I would not." He saw the cansin grimace--she had found that particular statement severely limited her ability to find things to entertain herself. He watched her retreat from the room. Tolly left quickly, sealing the room's magical locks behind him. He needed to move quickly to catch Iria still at her meal. He walked into the main dining area for the upper level priests to find she was already at his table--and so was an Inquisitor. Tolly paused, taking a breath to prepare himself. "Brother." Tolly sat, and an acolyte brought him a selection of the main dishes for the evening. Unlike some of the diners here, Tolly never tried to ask for special meals. The acolytes who served here knew that all he desired was a selection of whatever the cooks had seen fit for the acolytes and underpriests--it would be hearty, strengthening, and simple, yet well-cooked. The staff here knew how to cook, which is why Tolly was not picky. He had eaten meals cooked by a wizard over an alchemical fire, and those prepared by an aristocratic woman with no experience on a rock heated to glowing. Nothing here, with these competent cooks, could be bad compared to that. Iria was sipping hot chocolate, her meal already done. He could tell she was bursting to tell him something, but he knew not what. She knew, however, that he still followed the Dwarven custom of not talking as one ate. Apparently, the Inquisitor knew this as well, for he had grimaced when the acolyte brought a plate of food so quickly, and now settled himself to wait, face stern and arms crossed. Tolly did not rush, but did not linger either. He could sense the tension of the priests around him, and the nervousness as they ate quickly and left. By the time he was finished, the room was empty save for the Inquisitor, Iria, and himself. An acolyte brought him a cup of tea, as was his custom, and he waited for the Inquisitor to speak, quelling Iria with a look indicating she should be patient. "Brother Tolly. We need to discuss a certain item within your care." The Left Hand brother set his hands on the table, one finger pointing to Iria. "What could we possibly have to speak of, Brother?" "We know that you have this item mostly by accident, and that it is not pure. It should be expunged." Tolly darkened perceptibly, and Iria looked concerned. She had not seen her benefactor ever seem this angry before. It frightened her, and she started to shake as she drew back in her chair. "If the Inquisition seeks to do as they speak of, it could have dire consequences. The Hand of the Earth has decreed that there is no danger, and that the item is to be treated with the care and love that is its due." Speaking of Iria in the third person as an object strengthened his anger. "And if the Left Hand wishes to cross the Inquisitor Primus in this, one would hope that they are prepared to accept the consequences of the act, as they would have the two things they should fear angry with them. Now get out." "Brother, do not take this tone. We are not amused." "Nor am I, Brother. Remember, I know your secrets. There is no small number of sins and heresies that you conceal from the rest of the church, and claim that as Ardara has not told you to stop, she must not be concerned. I know better. She is not all-seeing, and her Will is not always easy to decipher. I think the item is NOT accidentally in my possession. I believe it is a stepping stone to a better understanding, and an acceptance by Her of that which now she shuns, in spite of Her Servants. They reckon not the cost, which is why we as Her priests exist--to exercise Her will without the constraints of the rigidity their nature demands." "Brother, I warn..." "Silence. Leave. Say nothing more, for it will lead to your downfall. I wear a Periapt of Her Will, and it grows warm with approval as I care for the item of which we speak. Decipher that as you try to interfere with me. This meeting is over." The Inquisitor stood, radiating anger--but it was matched equally in the heat flowing off of Tolly, and he left without incident. Tolly slumped back into his chair, eyes dropping shut. [I]Which one warned them[/I], he wondered. The Inquisition had a reputation for knowing what was happening in the Church, but it was built mainly on having informants in the staff, and their close relationship with the Archons who served Ardara. For a Left Hand to know Iria was a Psion meant that one of the Archons with whom he was arguing had decided to bypass Tolly and go about eliminating the perceived threat clandestinely. He would have to speak with the Exalted tonight. This would never be acceptable. He would die before giving up the child, and he was strong enough now that it would be no easy task to kill him. "Brother Tolly?" The tentative question drew him back to the world. He drew a deep breath, and slowly released it. "Yes, child?" "Was the Inquisitor mad at me? He pointed at me, and you got all mad feeling. And then he got mad, and it was so nasty feeling, like he hates me." "No, Iria. The Inquisitor was trying to say something that is not true, and he is misled to the point that he was willing to make me angry rather than admit to his being wrong." Tolly smiled wryly. "I think I could have handled that better." "I thought I could hear you think [I]protect [/I]as he thought [I]destroy[/I]. Does he want to kill me? Like the other priest?" "He may, child." The young Inquisitor Primus turned grim. "But the cost to do so is not one that I believe they can afford. No-one will ever harm you again while I live, Iria. I swear it, by the Four and the One, so help me Ardara. Come along, you had something to tell me before we were interrupted by this gentleman, and you can tell me as we go to the garden." "Oh...oh yeah! I saw a butterfly today! It came in the window at the classes..." The chatter of a little girl could be heard as they followed the hall. ................................................................................................................. "Something troubles you, my young friend." The Exalted was seated on one of the benches in the Garden when Tolly returned from putting Iria to bed. "That look you wear bodes ill for someone." "Her Left Hand threatened Iria today, Exalted. Somewhere, an Archon must have felt it appropriate to tell an Inquisitor what she was, so that she could be expunged. I believe I should probably let someone else take the place as your Primus, because this could become a war--and we cannot have such in the office. The office of Inquisitor Primus must remain apart from such things." Tolly sank to the bench across from the Archprelate. "Only nine months, and already a failure in the office created for..." "Inquisitor! You will cease such talk immediately!" Tolly's head shot up at the tone in the Exalted's voice. "Compassion and the urge to protect is NOT a failure. I will personally speak to the head of our Left Hand, and remind him of what he is, and that is not a child-killer. We do not have such in the Church." The Archprelate's voice grew soft. "Go get some rest, my son. You must be alert to watch over your charge." Tolly nodded, stood, bowed to the Exalted, and left quietly. ................................................................................................................. The Prelate Council ended later than Tolly had hoped, but still early enough that he would be able to spend a good amount of time with his charge before her bedtime. He had taken a chance this morning and let Argent follow him to see how he handled the demands. The lad was proving to be an asset the Church would do well to train as hard as they could. The Favored Soul was a diplomat without peer, charismatic and blessed with a fine mind for intrigue. He had already today uncovered plots that it hadn't even occurred to Tolly could exist. He would be a worthy successor, and by having this office rotating through their best, it would both train and familiarize those in the office with the best and worst they could encounter. Soon, he could hand the glove with its adamant bear's head to the Favored Soul, and let him protect the Hand of the Earth for a time. Tolly turned the corner and broke into a run. Down the hall, in front of his door, was an Inquisitor holding Iria--and she wasn't moving. Rage inflamed Tolly instantly, and he charged down the corridor. The Inquisitor froze for a moment, and it cost him dearly. Tolly paused for a moment, and chanting words painful to hear, grasped the man's shoulder. Red and green energies coruscated across the Inquisitor's body, and life fled before the Ardaran's wrath. As he slumped to the ground, Tolly grabbed Iria. Thankfully, she was alive, but held tightly in magical bonds. Tolly asked Ardara for assistance, and dispeled the energies holding her still. He kept her in his arms, and marched straight to the Archprelate's office. A summoned Earth Elemental brought the corpse. The Archprelate's secretary took one look at the scene before her and called out that the Exalted had visitors. Frelarr emerged to the room from his bedchamber, and took it all in in a single glance. "I warned them. Tolly, come here with that. It is time to find out what this is all about..." .................................................................................................................. "So, that is what this is all about," Archprelate Frelarr grunted, and leaned back in the chair he favored. "All because one Inquisitor feels that discussion of the Law is insignificant--that knowing Law is sufficient. And now, I have an entire branch of the Church mortified that one of their number attacked the charge of the Inquisitor Primus, and half of them more mortified that the same man killed an Inquisitor in defense of that charge." The Prelate Council was assembled in the private chamber they held aside for discussions such as these--where the common priest was never admitted, as it would possibly compromise their workings. To the Archprelate's left sat Tolly, and to his right the Favored Soul named Argent. "So, to cool these proceedings, we are going to temporarily replace Tolly with Argent, as a new face will quell the feelings of rebellion from our Left. Tolly has been invited to a wedding, and is planning on leaving soon for Vargas to attend. He will take his young charge with him, and leave his acolyte here to aid in the transition of powers. Note that we are not stripping Tolly of his powers--we are merely appointing a replacement while he travels and carries out both Ardara's will and mine. For now, Argent is Primus, and Tolly is Primus, and I care not if that does not make sense to you. It is Our will today. Are We understood?" The Council stood as one, nodded, and then left the room, all in silence, as befitted a council such as this one. None of them were comfortable with the concept of a war with the Left Hand within the Church--they would just as soon see the young priest off until things had cooled down. There were no objections, so why speak at all? "That went rather well, Exalted." Argent smiled and stood, stretching his back and arms. "Am I really ready for this? I don't feel ready." "No-one who deserves to do the job ever feels prepared for it, Argent," commented Tolly. "If you want it, you aren't what we want, and if you feel like you can handle it, you will fall before the task is complete. Now, if you both will excuse me, I must get Iria ready for travel. She has never before left M'dos, and I need to find a saddle that will hold the both of us." Tolly bowed, and left the room. "Do you think he'll be okay, Exalted?" The worry in Argent's tone was obvious. "If anyone can be out there, Tolly Nightsleaving will. He is a fine specimen of Ardaran faith, Argent, and will never fail in what he tries. He may be killed before he does it, but he won't fail. Do you understand the difference?" "I think so, Exalted, but I will pray for him nonetheless." "As will I," Frelaar sighed deeply. "As will I." .................................................................................................................. The ride through Medos was not ideal, but weather did not bother Tolly nearly as much as it would have to have fought his way through. He stopped overnight at Stacks with his young charge, and spent a good deal of the eveninbg discussing his old friends with the ranking priestess. Her admiration of their competence had him smiling, and he slept well, dreaming of old times. The trip into the mountains was a bit more severe. The pair was traveling alone, and the heavy war horse Tolly rode was not loaded down, so their pace was very quick. Tolly also had no qualms about using clerical magic to assist, but for the main part he wished to ride just for the sake of spending quality time with Iria. The long talks and odd little games they would play as they rode were better for his soul than any number of fasting days in prayer could have been after the opposition of the Inquisition. They entered the Dwarven Confederates well ahead of schedule, and Tolly took them directly to Laeshir. They stopped briefly at the Ardaran Church, and then followed the streets to an inn. Tolly slipped a few coppers to the human youth working in the stables to the side. "Give a good rubdown, lad, and a warm mash. He has had a fairly ride, and deserves a bit of rest." The lad tipped his hat and led the horse into the back. Tolly took Iria's hand, and they walked into the inn proper. "What does the sign say, Brother Tolly? Those pictures don't look like words." "Those are dwarven runes, Iria. They each represent words. This is the Uncut Emerald, and the innkeeper has a selection of the best dwarven ales I have ever tasted." Tolly spoke this just as the stepped up to the long counter. The old dwarf behind turned and rested his hands on his large belly. "Now lad, those are the kinds of words an adventurer says when he wants a deal. You lookin' for a cheap room?" "No, Burbark, I have no need of inexpensive anymore. Do you have any rooms to let?" "Well, if you give us a few hours, we can have the suite cleaned up for ye. It just emptied out. We had a young wizard type in it for a day or so, and we haven't had the time to clear it these last few days. We have the Stinker as well, but I doubt you'd want the little one in there." "The Stinker, Burbark?" Tolly raised an eyebrow, remembering no such room when last he was here. "Yeah, it was a room that we had a wizard type use for an alchemy lab, and it has a funny smell to it that we've never gotten out." "Ah, Kyle's lab. I remember now. Hmm. I may be able to help with that, seeing as it was my friend that did it." The dwarf looked more closely at Tolly's face. "Hey! You're that young cleric as what told off the head of the Church of Estrane, aren't you? You were here with that pink-haired bard, and the sisters!" "Yes." Tolly grimaced. "But I would greatly appreciate it if you didn't mention that...occasion...anymore. I have had enough grief about it from the Head of Estrane's Order when I was in M'Dos. Now, while I deal with your...Stinker room, why don't you have someone clear the suite, so that the young lady and I have somewhere to sleep tonight? We'll need it for 2 days and nights, althought I will be gone tomorrow, as I have a quick trip to make." "It will be done, young master. Just let us know when you are done." Tolly gathered himself, and he and Iria went upstairs to the room Burbark had called 'the Stinker'. Tolly could detect several common components in the air still. He began by asking for spells whose energies he had not collected that day. This could take a while. .................................................................................................................. He came downstairs to find the staff watching him worriedly. He glanced from face to face, and raised an eyebrow. "Is something the matter?" He waited for the response. "Wellanow, that depends on whether I still have a room up there, young master. It sounded like you were tearing walls out." Tolly laughed, understanding the apprehension. "Burbark, as a matter of fact, I was, or more precisely an elemental was. I had to remove some of the boards that had chemicals spilled on them, and then replace them magically. I believe, however, that I got all of them removed and replaced. The room should be fine now. What is for dinner this evening?" "Well, that would be mutton tonight, with a fine side of fresh mushrooms and warm apple bread from the baker down the street." "Marla's? You have Marla's applebread? Find us a table Iria--you'll love this bread." The girl looked up at him. "Not if I have to eat mushrooms. Bleck!" Tolly looked down at her face, screwed up in disgust. "Tonight, you don't have to. We're on vacation." "Yay!" She smiled at him. Tolly knew that he was wrapped around the little girl's finger, and surprisingly, he was very comfortable with it. He returned her smile as she led him to a table by the east wall. Would a child of his own be any more precious to him than his foundling? ..................................................................................................................... The next morning found Tolly and Iria in a gaseous form floating rapicly to the small mining village of Lisk. He had several bottles in his pouch that needed to be used there. An old debt to pay that wore on Tolly's conscience, the miners had used their stone salve on Autumn and Kyle instead of their own. That situation required change. They floated into the village, and materialized just at the borders. They walked into the town to find a celebration going on. The commons of the village had several tables filled with food, and there was a group dance going on in the center. Tolly tapped an older dwarven woman on the shoulder. "Mother, what does this celebrate?" "The return of the Lost Miners, Brother of Ardara. The wizard returned and returned them to flesh!" "He did? A robust young man with a silver staff?" Tolly was unsure as to whether he was annoyed or relieved. He was glad to know he was not the only one who remembered, but jealous that Kyle had beated him to the task. Again, he proved quicker than Tolly in assuming control of a situation. "Aye! A bit sick he seemed, but he said he was fine. You just missed him. He left a moment ago." "Really? Which route did he take, so that I may catch up to him?" "He just vanished from the center of the square, young master." "Ah." [I]He has learned to teleport,[/I] thought Tolly. [I]A useful ability[/I]. "Welladay, then, mother. We shall be on our way now." He grasped Iria's hand, and walked out of town, slowly shifting back into gaseous form and floating away. ..................................................................................................................... "Why are you so grumpy, Brother Tolly?" Iria spoke directly to him from where she sat in the saddle. "You've been all meanish since that little town." Tolly considered the child's question seriously, as he tried to do with anything she asked of him. "I am not sure, Iria. I expected to do something that would be gratifying to myself and the people of the town, and found that I had been preempted--that means someone got there first, child--and I don't think I like it. And that in itself is a character flaw that I don't care for. I had hoped that I was above such petty feelings." "Maybe it is like that passage you quoted at the acolytes when they were teasing the fat one. You know, [I]the sword,while polished, will not do Ardara's work any better than the woodcutter's axe if there are trees to be fallen, and, in fact, are less suitable to the task[/I]." She looked at him seriously. He sighed, and marveled at the intellect of the child he was raising. "Maybe, child. Maybe I am looking at the condition of my soul, and expecting a sparkling platinum mirror, only to find a few spots where the artist missed a spot while he was polishing. That is never comfortable for a priest, as we are supposed to be able to hold ourselves up as examples." "Maybe it is better, though. If you have flaws, then mightn't you seem realer to the pari...parisher..." "Parishioner, Iria. And it is would not, not mightn't, and you say more real, not realer. And you may be right child, but while it may be true that flawed work can draw more eyes than perfection, the piece itself will always prefer to be real, and without those eye-catching traits. Now, we must work on how you greet nobility--we are almost to the capitol of Merlion, and we are paying a visit to Princess Ariadne and Duchess Autumn's parents. Her mother is somewhat prim, and her father is a joy to be around, but in order to enjoy our time here, we must impress her mother with our manners and how important we are, so that she does not consider us too common to talk to." "So you gonna tell her you are the Inquisitor Primus, the Arch-perlate's right hand?" "That is Prelate, Iria, and I am his left hand, not right. His right is the Council. And I am going to mention it, and let her draw her own conclusion as to whether it is important. If she has been watching the news from M'Dos, she will know what I have become. However, Zanich is a warm comforting man, and pads the edges of his wife's humors very nicely. You will like him, Iria. Now, we are at the gate, so be on your best behavior." "Yes, Brother Tolly." [I]Now, that is odd[/I], Tolly thought to himself. [I]I wonder who passed away that they have the wreaths on the gate. I hope it isn't anyone I know[/I]. The pair rode slowly up to the gate and called to the guards. "Ho, the keep!" [/QUOTE]
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