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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ruined" data-source="post: 710888" data-attributes="member: 113">1st of Chardot, ‘Divinities Day’ yr. 150 A.V., continuedTréan smiled at the small groups of children as they began to gather near their tent. It was not even an hour past dawn and the city was filling with passerby, all eager to begin their celebrations. Tréan had been awake for many hours, working by torchlight with Helena to get things prepared for the coming day. Watching many of the other priests and merchants about, the early-morning rise seemed traditional.As she worked in the back of the large blue and white tent, Tréan watched Helena tending to a young woman presenting an injured arm. Healing was one of the main sphere of Madriel’s power, and Helena had cautioned that many would come seeking succor from them. Helena was making good use of poultices and herbs to effect healing this morning. Both women had the capability to heal with magic, but those abilities only stretched so far. Miracles of faith should be saved for the truly needy.“Pardon me, miss,” called an accented voice from the side of the tent. Tréan spun to find a man bedecked in luxurious clothing. Silken red pantaloons and a vest embroidered with spun gold made him clearly stand out from the crowd. Curled mustachios framed a mouth bearing an unflappable smile. His eyes seemed to twinkle at Tréan.“I am the Prospero, servant of Hedrada. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss…”“Tréan.” She extended her hand to him, which he savored with a kiss. “We were told you would be here.”“Yes, I have heard of your visit in Sussephra. Ah, Helena.”Helena walked up to meet with the Prospero, and he was every bit as flirtatious with her as he had been with Tréan. Surprisingly enough, he was a likeable fellow. Tréan had met others that tended to size her up when talking, and their presence generally unnerved her. The Prospero was possessed of true charisma. It served him well as representative of Hedrada’s influence over wealth and success. The Prospero and Helena spoke like old acquaintances, catching up on past times.“Alas, miladies, I must attend to my duties as a priest. The Satrap should be speaking at noon, and I must be ready. I do want you to know that should you need anything while in Quelsk, merely come to me. This is my ‘summer home’, so to speak.”  With a disarming grin, he smiled and moved off to other pursuits. Tréan turned and regarded Helena with an incredulous look.“I know, he seems like a fop. And to a degree, he is.” She smiled. “Honestly, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better ally.”“He mentioned our visit to Sussephra,” Tréan said under her breath.“That’s no surprise. He helped to arrange it.”</blockquote>

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