Unwelcome Reunions?

[Faith Augustin]

81st Zi'da 716

The Lightning Cathedral was more than beautiful, Faith thought, as they approached it, hand in hand. Despite the warmth which her Zuuda mark gave her, the winds were howling and Faith was well wrapped up against the cold. But underneath the coat that she wore, beneath the scarf which wrapped around her face, she wore a white dress. It was a colour she had never worn in slavery, but in freedom it had a strange significance to her. Moving closer to him, she slipped her arm into his and briefly lowered her head against his shoulder.

There was no doubting it. Faith was different here. She understood it herself, albeit slightly differently. No one here knew her, no one here saw her as 'that slave' and no one judged her for it. Here, she was a woman walking with her love, seeing sights and enjoying the vacation which must, inevitably, end. Whilst that was how she saw it, the reality was that she was more relaxed, more content and more entirely herself here than she had been. The individual Padraig saw in their small home, the woman who she was when she was there? That was who she was here, all the time. It meant that she was much more likely to stop, mid walk, pausing to admire the view or share a lingering kiss with him, which she had just moments before. It meant that she laughed more, too, was more teasing and was generally, and genuinely more relaxed. Faith didn't realise just how much of a persona she adopted on the streets of Andaris, but here on the streets of Rharne, it was obvious by it's lack.

"According to others at the Order", she explained, referring to where they were staying. "The Immortal Ilaren resides here. It is the home of the Thunder Priestesses, many of them are in the Order." She looked up at him and smiled a contented smile. "We aren't allowed in a lot of it, but it's supposed to be absolutely beautiful to behold. They say that during a storm, because of where it is, it's like the place is alight. I'd love to see that, wouldn't you? Can you think of anything more beautiful?" Her enthusiasm, at least, was not in doubt.

So, they made their way and the beautiful building was there. As they entered the prayer chamber, they were greeted by a Priestess. This one was obviously pregnant, heavily so and as the Thunder Priestess held out the small glass of wine, two things happened simultaneously. The glass of wine tumbled out of the Priestess' hands and Faith tensed.

"Lady Venora? Zvezdana Venora?" Faith sounded, because she felt, utterly shocked. The woman who was married to Velijorn Burhan was here, right in front of them. Pregnant, oh by Famula's blessed light, the woman was pregnant and Faith took an involuntary half step forward. "Lady.. Lady Venora?" Her hand moved out in a gesture of comfort, to take the Lady's arm, even as Faith thought something which she had thought so many times before.

Is freedom always this complicated?!

[Padraig]

The Lightening Cathedral. Interesting name, Padraig had thought when Faith had suggested they pay it a visit. Lightening being a force of nature, energy, science. On the other hand, the term cathedral invoked notions of religion, and orders, of religious orders. He wasn't particularly religious in fact. But all in all, he could appreciate the architecture, the mystery behind the origins of its name. And the fact that Faith very much wanted to visit the place.

He had to admit it was an awesome sight as they approached. But more captivating was the transformation he'd witnessed coming over Faith from the moment they'd left Andaris. It was just a place, and a change of places. But Andaris was where she'd been a slave. Every street, every corner shop, even a familiar face might have been a reminder. In that sense, place was important. It was a transformation he liked at any rate. She'd gained her freedom some time ago, but suddenly she seemed more free. More with him, more with others.

"I can," he said when she asked if he'd seen anything more beautiful, if he could think of one. He didn't explain, but chances were, she'd know what she meant. "I'd like to see it." The place lit up by lightening. "What exactly is this order. And the thunder priestesses?" If this was where they'd be staying. If she was considering joining this order, it might do for him to know something about it.

He'd no more than asked before they were approached by one of these priestesses, and one who was clearly heavy with child. And Faith knew her? Padraig glanced quickly her way, an unspoken question carved into his expression. Venora though. There was a familiar name. The one he'd met before, he didn't like very much.

But it was no time for questions. The wine glass fell to the floor and shattered, the liquid scattered with it, and Faith reached out to steady the woman. If it had been needed, he'd step in to prevent the woman from collapsing. He was prepared to lend a hand. But unless she threatened to do it, better not to. "Are you alright?" he asked. "Do you need to sit down?"

[Zvezdana Venora]

Zvezdana had woke up a little earlier than she would normally. She had slept decently despite the baby kicking and fussing throughout the night. She was getting close, her incredibly swollen belly a trouble to carry around. Zvezdana found herself waddling through the halls with one hand perched on the top of the small world called her belly and her other hand placed in the small of her back trying to push her butt forward. For trials now she felt like she was destined for fall forward and start rotating on her own gravitational axis. She kept her distance from the other women, trying to keep to herself. Of course, the Priestesses requested that she visit the healers often so that they could monitor her. She was due soon, but no one knew exactly when. Besides, she was supposed to be going with one of the clerics for a brief visit beyond the city.

This morning she had offered to help in the prayer chamber. Priestess Ki’oriq would join her later, but relished in the fact that she would be allowed to sleep in for an extra bit or two. Zvezdana had to find odd jobs around the Cathedral to help out as she was not necessarily allowed to participate in the combat classes in her condition. Once the baby came and she was healthy again, she would be allowed to participate fully as a true novitiate. In the meantime, she would have to sit and bake the bun in the oven.

It was a slow morning thankfully. Not many came, so she had been allowed to tidy up the pews. It was an easy job as many respected the temple, but she found the occasional tissue that required removal. Once the room was tidied, she proceeded to the front door where she waited for people to come in. The first woman was an older lady, her hair long and while. She was by herself, and Zvezdana wondered curiously how she had climbed all of those stairs in her age. Granted, she expected most of Rharne to have strong hearts and legs with all the walking around the citizens had to do. The stairs certainly had to make them stronger. She offered the woman a glass of wine, and smiled when it was graciously accepted. Grannie proceeded down the aisle towards the front pew to have her wine and honor Ilaren.

She had been busy watching the woman that she had not seen the next two come in. With trained motions, she reached for one prefilled glass of wine and turned to give it to their guest. Her eyes fell upon the woman with gentleness. It took only a trill for her to recognize the woman.

Faith.

The glass fell out of her hand and shattered on the floor, the wine splashing on their feet. How could this be? I ran away! I’m dead to everyone in Rynmere! Andraska, Vivian – they would not betray me! Definite shock lined her face. Her lies from here would be unbelievable, but she would have to try and cover herself as best as she possibly could. She could have blamed it on the baby, a spell of lightheadedness. Instead, when they reached for her, she recoiled, pulling her arms away as if she were about to touch someone disgusting and taking a step back.

There was no use in hiding who she was any longer.

“I never expected to see you again Faith,” Zvezdana said, emotionless. Her breathing was rapid, and she attempted to calm herself down by placing a hand on her belly. The baby would give her comfort, in some strange way. She flipped her gaze to the man standing alongside Faith. This was strange? Did Tristan sell Faith to this man? Was he family to the slave girl? Zvezdana did not know who he was an elected to keep their interaction to a minimum for now, ignoring his questions. “I am not known by that name around her. Novitiate Zvezdana or just Zvezdana will do. Let me get this cleaned up.”

Oh how the mighty had fallen. She was about to kneel on the ground to clean up a mess at the feet of a slave. It tore at her inner soul, and tears threatened to start showing themselves on her eyelids. Yet, she was a new woman now. Zvezdana was obligated and privileged to work within the Lightening Cathedral as a novitiate to the Thunder Priestess sect. Spilt alcohol had to be cleaned up. She reached for the rag on the stand, moving to kneel.

[Faith Augustin]

She'd looked at him and grinned, bumping against him when he said that he could think of something more beautiful. "Lamb in pistachio crust?" It was an apparently genuine wondering of hers, although she knew exactly what he'd meant. She just hadn't quite worked out how to respond to that sort of thing, so she decided that quippy was best. It was what she knew best, after all. But on what it was on what the thunder priestesses were, she was on much more stable ground. "Well, like I said, it's where Ilaren is rumoured to live. The thunder priestesses are an all female order. A lot of them are healers, but they're also about.. well, the belief is that lightning is Ilaren's wrath, her determination to fight on the side of mortals, righting wrongs and all that. By everything I've read, she's a feisty Immortal. She seemed it, in Ne'haer too, didn't she? So, yes. That's the Thunder Priestesses. The Lightning Knights are just this bunch of boys, I think. You know what they're like." Her teasing gaze turned to him and her hand squeezed his. "They protect the priestess. They're the military here, too, like the Iron Hand back home, but one group of them work with the priestesses. They are partners, I believe. Stronger together."

They might have spoken more, but absolutely the last person on the face of Idalos who Faith would have expected to see was there, offering them a glass of wine, which shattered on the floor the moment that the woman recognised her. When Zvezdana spoke, though, explaining that she hadn't expected to see her again, Faith almost felt a laugh escape her. No, no that was more than a fair enough point, she considered. "No one doubts the Immortals have a sense of humour this trial. No, come sit down." She reached out and took ahold of the rag which Lady Venora had taken hold of. Damnit but why here? Why now? Why, she wondered, did it have to happen on their time together. This was good and nice and pure and free and for genuinely the first time in her life, Faith was starting to experience things which she had never even been allowed to consider. She was in love, she was free and she was here by her own choices.

Her hand reached out and held the rag, She didn't pull it, she just held on to it. "Lady Ven... please? The wine will still be spilled in a few bits, but lets get you sitting down? Please?" If Zvezdana let her, Faith would lead her to the nearest seat. She was pleased when the lady did let her do that, although it was hardly a warm hug of greeting from either of them. But Faith's mind was whirling, what did this mean? She had not known what had happened to Lady Venora, after the death of her husband ~ whose baby this must be, Faith realised. Oh, what a mess. What an awful, vile, mess. She looked up at Padraig, not sure what to do or how to do it. But then, as she looked at him, her expression cleared and she smiled, nodding slightly as though he had told her something, or somehow communicated to her.

Then, she turned and knelt down in front of Lady Venora, her hands clasped in her lap. "Elyna Burhan was pregnant. When Marcus Krome cut her, chained her and did who knows what unspeakable acts to her. She was pregnant, alone and held against her will, to be married to the man who had done those things. Marcus Krome was an animal and he was on your side." The simple truth of it was that Faith was a woman of fairly simplistic viewpoints. Marcus Krome most certainly equalled bad. "I don't know the politics of what happened. I know that there were rebels trying to overthrow the King. I know that my owner was on the side of not overthrowing the King, so I was. I know that Lady Elyna is a kind woman who did not deserve what happened to her. But", she pulled the rag, with care, from Lady Venora's hands. "All I know about you is that your husband died and now you are pregnant, and the time that I was loaned to you as your slave you were kind. I'll clean it up. Stay there." She moved and knelt, clearing up the wine without concern; it wasn't the first time she had cleared spilled wine, after all. "This is Padraig. I am his." Lady Venora might well assume that she meant something quite other, but Faith didn't mind that. Although really, she considered, they were going to have to work out a different way of saying that.

"As I tended to Lady Elyna's wounds, I swore that no pregnant lady should ever be in fear, if it was in my power to stop it. You have nothing to worry about from us." She looked up at Padraig and wondered. Just how much did they have to worry about, though? What did this mean? In all truth she didn't know and her hand unconsciously sought his, her good mood entirely dissipated.

[Padraig]

Ilaren was that, he'd agreed. Scrappy. Or at least she'd seemed to be, from what he had witnessed. If lightening was the Immortal's domain, it seemed fitting. But an order of women, with men as their guardians. The healing arts weren't nearly his primary interest. But it was important to Faith, and perhaps he'd look into it.

All that was set aside however, once they were confronted with the priestess who'd seemed to succumb to a sudden bout of distress. Padraig had first assumed that it was a physical response, something to do with her being in child. But it quickly became apparent that there was something that had spooked her. He frowned in response. It seemed to be Faith herself. And clearly the surprise was mutual.

But it was more than that, wasn't it? It wasn't just surprise that registered on the woman's face. The way she recoiled, placed her hand on her belly in a defensive way or as if to steady herself. It was...What? Fear? If he knew anything at all of what had happened in the past, or why the lady would be so upset, it was only through scarcely remembered snippets during conversations with Faith. Not nearly enough to think that the conversation was anything but private. He was an unknown to the priestess, and his presence probably wasn't helping any.

Still, in spite of the awkwardness, he smiled a little when Faith introduced him, and said she was his. Plainly, it might cause some confusion for the other woman and while Faith knelt down to clean up the spilled wine, he said, "And I am hers. Faith is no longer a slave. But that's hers to tell, not mine."

What else could he say? Padraig sensed that whatever was to pass between the two women, an unknown's presence probably wasn't helpful. "I'll leave the two of you to speak in private," he said, by way of excusing himself.

With a nod to Zvezdana and a smile for Faith, he distanced himself from the two of them so they could speak without an audience. He wouldn't go far, just far enough to be out of earshot of quiet voices, but close enough to keep a watchful eye while he otherwise occupied himself by admiring the architecture of the room.

[Zvezdana Venora]

Zvezdana released the rag if only as a means of avoiding contact with Faith. Already the deep seated rage was beginning to boil, and she was desperately trying to keep it under control. The beast could not come out. Not here, not now. The birth of her baby was too close and the last thing she wanted to do was tear down the Cathedral because she was incapable of controlling her curse. Zvezdana took Faith’s words to heart. Getting down on the floor in her condition was difficult at best. It was even harder to get up. The wine would have to remain. Already she was stressed from this unwanted reunion. The baby kicked in protest, almost insisting that its mother sit down. Zvezdana moved to the nearest seat, avoiding any contact with the slave.

She had hoped to quell her hatred with a few breaths. All she needed was time to remind herself that she was a new person and that her life in Rynmere was to be buried in the past. Instead, the idiot woman continued to prattle on, using her wounds to make old scars on her soul fresh. Elyna. The beast within her stirred and growled, a tightness pulling at her chest. Not only that, she insinuated that she had assisted or was behind Marcus Krome’s suggested crimes. Zvezdana had barely known the man. He was a sniveling coward who turned tail and ran the moment that Veljorn had been slain by the very woman that Faith spoke so innocently about. “Enough,” Zvezdana whispered, her voice barely audible. Faith continued to talk.

Zvezdana’s heart plummeted when Faith went so far as to say that Veljorn had died. Clearly the slave remembered it incorrectly. Veljorn had not died. Veljorn had been murdered. Zvezdana stood up as Faith moved away her, consumed by anger. This had been Elyna’s fault, and as Faith had said, she had sided with Elyna because she had been owned by Elyna. That made her an accomplice in Veljorn’s murder. “You. You.” Zvezdana hissed, her voice growing in strength but still a little on the quiet side. Her eyes were wide and distant as Faith moved to clean up the wine, as if it was a favor to her. As far as she was concerned, it was her duty. It would always be her duty.

Faith is no longer a slave.

That statement only seemed to make it worse. Not only was she moving down in the world, Faith was moving up. She had been granted freedom for her loyalty to the crown, or whatever bullshit reason Tristan had set her free. With these vague proclamations of love, it dawned on her that Faith also had something more. She was allowed the freedom to learn to love. Zvezdana focused on Padraig. Had Faith found her soulmate?

“You ignorant bitch!” This time, her voice was beyond loud. “You speak of things you do not understand! You claim Elyna to be kind and innocent, unworthy of whatever pain she suffered beneath Lord Krome. I know nothing of that. I only know that she murdered my husband. Veljorn didn’t just die. He was murdered! She is to blame for every single drop of blood that was spilt that night! She took away my husband, the love of my love, and the father to my child! My baby will grow up without a father because of her…because of you.”

Faith was kneeling there, vulnerable. All she would have had to do was to scoop a bit of sharp glass and go after her. The beast inside of her, fully away within the pit of her soul, urged her on. The way the last portion of her tirade escaped her list hinted at something unladylike. Instead, Zvezdana lifted her own hand high above her head with intent to bring it down across Faith’s face.

“That is enough!”

Zvezdana felt a small hand grab her wrist. She was pulled and turned quickly to find High Priestess Ki’oriq standing there. It seems even Ilaren was protecting Faith today. As a representative of the clerical branch, Ki’oriq was in charge of the prayer chamber during the day. It just so happened that she had woken up sooner than Zvezdana had anticipated.

Smack

Zvezdana’s head was yanked to the side as Ki’oriq dealt a firm blow to her face. She was left standing there, stunned and somewhat ashamed. Yes, the immortals did have a sense of humor this day.

[Faith Augustin]

She glanced at Padraig as he said that he'd leave them to talk, but she said nothing, aware that it was probably about as uncomfortable for him as it was for any of them; moreso in many ways. He wouldn't be far away, she was sure so she reached a hand and briefly touched it against his. But then she turned her attention to Lady Venora. The noble woman turned priestess had spoken something, she knew, but she wasn't clear what it was. It sounded like 'yes, you' when Faith took the rag from her and the young woman considered that the attitudes of nobility to slavery were unlikely to change overnight, as frustrating as it was, it was the way of things. So, she simply got on and cleaned up the wine.

Then, when she knelt next to the lady, Faith heard her start to shout, and there was no doubting her words now. None at all. She felt the words as much as heard them and Faith's expression showed her shock and her complete lack of comprehension. It was her fault? How could that even begin to be? The only thing that she had done was help a boy who had been abused at the hands of his owners, who also happened to be the king pretending to be a slave, not a slave at all. And this woman had been one of those people. Lady Venora stood and shouted and she lifted her hand to strike Faith.

In that moment, Faith determined that the blow would not hit. Enough people had towered over her and struck her because they thought that they could have control. Because they had a right to. But they had that right no longer and she was not going to allow it. So, as Zvezdana's hand raised, so too did Faith, standing from her kneeling position in a fluid and well-trained movement and she had every intention of stopping the blow which the fallen noble would have rained on her, her own hand raising to deflect the blow. But she did not need to, because someone else did.

The woman, another priestess, slapped Zvezdana across the face and Faith would normally feel pity, would try and stop that from happening but she watched and then she spoke and her voice was cold with anger; the kind of anger she had never once in her life experienced. "What happened on that trial were the consequences of those who instigated it. I didn't call the meeting. I didn't seek the power. I didn't kidnap or cut or threaten. I didn't gloat too early or insult too soon. You and yours did. I knelt and I served and I knew my place." Unlike the woman in front of her, for whom rank was so important that people could die for it. That had been the cause of that trial, a bid for power. Faith had never known fury before, but she was absolutely furious in this moment. Her body was shaking with it and, later, she would describe it as white hot. "If you ever raise your hand to me again, I promise you, I will make you regret it." Where this overwhelming anger came from, she did not know, but it washed over her in waves.

"I think it's best if we leave. Thank you for your assistance", she said to the priestess who had grabbed Zvezdana and Faith turned to look at Padraig. She was shaking from head to toe and her jaw was clenched so tightly that she felt like she was crushing her teeth against each other. She dropped the rag onto the bench with calm and deliberate movement. "Do you mind? I'd like to just leave, please?" But she had to, she considered, go and ruin it by adding "Unless you really want to stay?" Ah well, she thought with a slight and mirthless smile. Three steps forward, one step back.

[Padraig]

Padraig hadn't gone far. The temple wasn't large enough for him to lose sight of the two women. In retrospect he'd wish that he'd stayed by Faith's side, in spite of him thinking that his presence had made the other woman uncomfortable. If he'd been able to hear what they were saying, or more specifically what she was saying, he'd have stayed exactly where he'd been before.

The posturing, the tension in the small space was more than enough to raise an alarm, somewhere deep inside. For whatever reason, this woman seemed to view Faith as a threat. Or an adversary. Or something. But not a friend of any sort. He'd kept his distance though. But only until Zvezdana raised her voice, threatening, and Faith appeared to be in a vulnerable position. He frowned, darkly, and moved closer, keeping a watchful eye on it all.

Memories of their time in the eastern settlement were still fresh ones. Twice he'd left her alone, and twice she'd been harmed. It wouldn't happen again. And when the woman shouted at her? Padraig ceased making any pretense of not eavesdropping, and on impulse his hand drifted to the hilt of the sword at his hip. It probably wasn't the done thing. Drawing a blade inside the cathedral, threatening one of the Order's priestesses. But heavy with child or no, it didn't take any heightened powers of observation to see that the woman could be a threat to Faith, should she choose to be.

Faith, who from what he could gather and what he knew to be true about her, had never done a thing to knowingly cause another's pain or loss. And maybe it was ferocity with which Faith fought back that caught him unaware, and caused him to hesitate. But she was in danger of being struck before he could get there. He wasted no time, but still another woman who he hadn't noticed before beat him to it. And so did Faith. It was only when he was sure that Faith would come to no harm, that he opted not to draw his weapon. He was still prepared to however, if need be.

"It's time to go," he said, even before Faith suggested. it. But he didn't take his eye off the woman, no matter that a third seemed to have her in hand. It might not last. "Of course," he said, with a parting glance at Zvezdana. There was a message there. The same one that Faith had uttered aloud. Stay away from her. He'd take Faith's arm then, and they'd leave the cathedral.

[Zvezdana Venora]

“But I did serve and I knew my place. I loved more than you could imagine Faith. Or maybe, you are just beginning to taste what I felt when I married Veljorn. I hope you never feel the loss I felt when Elyna stabbed him in the throat.” Zvezdana whimpered, placing a cool hand on her cheek. Priestess Ki'oriq had positioned herself strategically between the both of them, giving a polite little bow to Faith and Padraig. Zvezdana simply hid her face. She had no right to do anything more than that, Ki'oriq had made sure of it. The strength behind the slap would surely leave a bruise of some kind, especially since her lip was already split. She couldn't let Faith see it.

"I sincerely apologize for our novitiates behavior. If ever you wish a tour or private moment within these chambers, please do come back and find me and I will arrange it for the both of you. As for her, I shall ensure that she is properly punished for her display of aggression today," Although the priestess didn't say it, she assumed that they would understand that it would not be to the detriment of the baby.

Zvezdana only titled her head enough to gaze at them walking out the door. Lovers. Although she currently believed Faith to be a part of the scheme behind Veljorn's death, unknowingly or not, she was currently with someone that meant something to her. Even she, with a beast inside of her, could not wish ill upon such a relationship. Having her own heart shattered was enough, and no other woman should have to carry that weight. It was hers, and hers alone at this moment as far as she was concerned. Zvezdana began to waddle away, fully intending on returning to the dormitories to sulk and brood over todays encounter.

"Where do you think you are going?"

"To bed."

"Oh no you don't. To the kitchens with you. Everyone has to pull their weight one way or another. You have already messed this up for today, so go hide and make yourself useful in the process. I don't want to see broody self in here for a few trials!"

"Yes, High Priestess."

[Ent]

Fist off I just want to say I apologise if the knowledge is a little light for all of you, I was struggling with finding much to give. So if you have any suggestions for things I missed don't hesitate to let me know!

Name: Faith

Knowledge:
Zvezdana Venora: Is now a novitiate thunder priestess
Zvezdana Venora: Is pregnant
Zvezdana Venora: Is still angry about the death of her husband
Zvezdana Venora: Blames you for her husbands death
Zvezdana Venora: Has lost her nobility
Faith: You were furious/felt true rage for the first time
Faith: You enjoy spending time with Padraig away from everyone that can judge her
Location: Lightening Cathedral
Lightening Cathedral: Home of the thunder priestesses and possibly Ilaren
Lightening Cathedral: Now the home of Zvezdana
Rharne: Lightning Knights
Combat: Hand to hand: Preparing to block a slap
Detection: Noticing someone is standing over you

Loot: N/A
Injuries: N/A
Fame: N/A
Devotion: N/A

Story: 5/5
Collaboration: 5/5
Structure: 5/5
Magic: N/A

Comment: No issues with story, collaboration or structure. I enjoyed this story, a very exciting reunion between these two characters. I also enjoyed the Romance between you and Padraig at the start, you guys are just so damn cute! I got to see a different side to Faith today in this thread and it was very interesting to see, I did not know she could experience rage in such a way. You did a great job of writing this encounter and I look forward to seeing what will come of this new discovery. Keep up the good work!


Name: Padraig

Knowledge:
Zvezdana Venora: Knows Faith somehow
Zvezdana Venora: The priestess at the Lightning Cathedral
Zvezdana Venora: Had an argument with Faith
Zvezdana Venora: Is pregnant
Faith: Knew the priestess, Zvezdana Venora
Faith: Had a an argument with Zvezdana
Faith: Was shaking with rage
Location: Lightening Cathedral
Lightening Cathedral: Home of the thunder priestesses and possibly Ilaren
Rharne: Lightning Knights
Combat: Blades (sword): Readying to draw your weapon


Loot: N/A
Injuries: N/A
Fame: N/A
Devotion: N/A

Story: 5/5
Collaboration: 5/5
Structure: 5/5
Magic: N/A

Comment: Although after the first couple of posts you took on a some what more supportive role you did that really well. You did a great job of playing the protective partner to Faith, and Faith and Padraig just make the cutest couple! I enjoyed reading how you managed to connect the religion and science together in a way, or I suppose it was more breaking the religion down into science. Good job on your writing it was smooth and clear I look forward to reading some threads when you are a little more involved in the main event. Good job!

Name: Zvezdana

Knowledge:
Faith: Is now a free woman
Faith: Caused the death of your husband
Faith: Made you angry and nervous
Faith: Is in Rharne
Faith: Recognised you
Faith: Is in love with Padraig
Padraig: Is in love with Faith
Padraig: Does not know who you are
Faith and Padraig: Are a couple
Priestess Ki'oriq: Is angry with you
Priestess Ki'oriq: Slapped you across the face
Rharne: The people of Rharne must have stronger legs and hearts
Combat: hand to hand: Raising your hand to slap someone

Loot: N/A
Injuries: Split lip and bruised cheek, will remain for 5 trials.
Fame: N/A
Devotion: N/A

Story: 5/5
Collaboration: 5/5
Structure: 5/5
Magic: N/A

Comment: Good job with the story, structure and collaboration, no issues there at all. I enjoyed reading this thread and got to see a deeper into why Zvez is so angry and what has brought her to this point. You did a great job of playing the beaten down noble who has lost everything. I especially liked how she felt like she had lost everything because of Faith and in losing everything she saw Faith rising up in the world as she plummeted to the bottom! I have found so far that Zvez is a very flexible character, having the ability to make you sympathise with her as well as dislike her. I am enjoying the threads of yours I have read recently and I look forward to grading more, enjoy the points!

If you think I have missed anything or have any issues or questions please do send me a PM!