The Long and Winding Road.

[Faith Augustin]

20th Cylus 719

She had written to Ilaren when this happened - and she had done that, because she knew the Immortal. When Faith had been made the head of the Order of the Adunih in Rharne, she had set up the Alliance between Isonomia, the Council, the Guild and the Temple - and, of course, the Order itself. She had met with the Merchants' Guild, Lightning Knights and the Thunder Priestesses. Finally after meeting with IllarenI was given permission via pm from Oracle as to what the outcome of the meeting would be. she once again met them, the heads of those groups, and the work in Rharne began.

Of course, that wasn't the only time that Faith had met Ilaren. She and Padraig had met up with the Immortal at the Circus and had been invited to come to see her again, to discuss their inventions. It wasn't that they were close, per se, but Faith and Illaren shared something which was fundamental. They were concerned for the people - the people of Rharne. Of course, that was one of the reasons, also, why Faith had been made a Warden of the Lake and she knew that, in the next few days, she would have to go to speak to the Spirit in the Lake, and fully explain what was happening. This put Rharne in danger, and that was something that Lovalus needed to know.

So, she had made her way to the Cathedral and she asked, there, to speak to Illaren. Earlier that morning, Faith had written again to the Immortal Yvithia in Viden. That was more tricky because Yvithia was much more difficult to get hold of - but she had done her best and had written to her using both her name and Padraigs - she'd dropped every political trick she could and she hoped that it would work. Ilaren, Faith knew and had a relationship with and so, she found herself here, waiting to see what the Immortal would say.

[Aegis]

Date

The entirety of the Cathedral was abuzz with people flitting to and fro with their work. Some were delivering messages and parcels, others were preparing for their religious studies or teachings, and then many were simply coming and going. But it was not a happy atmosphere. It was not one of somber respect either. It was pure efficiency. Several of those working clearly wore stress and fatigue upon their faces, others driven by punishment of failure. To the eyes of one like Faith, this would all be obvious.

And Faith was not kept waiting long. From within the grand cathedral, a rather tall and serious woman began walking on a beeline for the Champion of Famula. Thalia Karvilius had her eyes locked on the woman, and was making it clear that she would be the one to deal with her, so to speak. Her face was serious, no hint of jest, joy, or anything else wore upon her sleeve. This woman was no master of deception, far from it. She was the epitome of speaking her mind and keeping Rharne first and foremost.

So, at her 6'2" height, she stopped before Faith in her full Thunder Priestess attire. She looked down at the woman with her no-nonsense eyes, "Hello, Faith Augustin. I understand you wish to see Ilaren. As I'm sure you know, Ilaren is extremely busy, just like yourself. So I must ask what you wish to discuss with her." There were no niceties here, no pleasantries to be exchanged. Thalia was not that kind of woman. She was the Matriarch of the Thunder Priestesses, after all. Effectively, she was Ilaren's right hand, and she sat upon the Council.

She was the gate keeper to Ilaren, and her time was not to be wasted.

[Faith Augustin]

20th Cylus 719

Faith and Thalia knew each other and had worked together previously; Faith had nothing but respect for the woman's down to earth attitude. She gave a slight smile and inclined her head to the woman at the centre of this Cathedral - the Thunder Priestesses were all held in Thalia's care and Faith knew that she would be a gatekeeper without pause. Faith had to persuade her, to make her believe that this was important enough for Ilaren to spend her time on, otherwise she'd get nowhere near. However, she believed that she could do that and she believed she could, because she believed it was vital that the Immortal knew.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, I hope you're well?" Faith inclined her head, just slightly, "Yes, I do wish to speak with Ilaren." Thalia of course wanted to know why and Faith nodded her head. "As I'm sure you are aware, my home was attacked. The Lightning Knights have been sent in response. The attack was by a Lich, one in charge of a global organisation." She looked at Thalia and for all that Faith was over a foot shorter than the woman, she still had no qualms about looking at her and she was neither intimidated nor backing down. There was no animosity here, far from it she liked Thalia a lot, but they both had a job to do.

"I have more information, which tells me that this is part of a much larger situation which puts Rharne, and beyond, in danger. I have been in contact with Famula and this situation is of the level which means I would be utterly remiss were I not to inform Ilaren, immediately, and to involve her. You know me," Faith said with a slight smile. "I am not prone to dramatics, but as a devout servant of the Immortals, as a Warden of the Lake, and as a human being who wishes to minimise bloodshed, I am beyond convinced that Ilaren needs to know what I have to tell her. "

Faith looked at Thalia with a calm and serious gaze. There was no doubt that she meant it, that she believed completely that it was that important. She had told Thalia that other Immortals were involved, that she believed that Rharne, and beyond, were in danger. Now, the only thing she could do was stand and look the woman in the eye and hope that Thalia knew Faith well enough to know that she wasn't messing around. Because this had to happen. Which led, of course, to her final words. "Please, Thalia. I wouldn't ask if I didn't mean it."

[Aegis]

Date

Thalia was silent for a long, long while, listening to Faith's words, studying her face. This was not done out of obstinate spite or a show of dominance. No, Thalia was thinking, calculating, considering this very carefully. Faith was a highly respected member of the community, of the world, after all.

And Thalia could see that, much like herself, Faith was putting the people of Rharne first and foremost. Then a single, curt nod. "Come with me, please." Thalia turned on heel and walked deep within the Cathedral to her own private office. They passed many armed guards, as this was not a place to be easily accessed.

Thalia's office was right next to a much larger, ornate door. Clearly a room, or suite, or something more, set aside for the Immortal that called Rharne her home. Thalia's office was spartan, functional. There was a plain desk, a plain chair without cushion, mounds of paperwork. There was no adornment in this room, though there were weapons of various types mounted in practical positions. And every weapon was combat readied, perfectly sharp, strengthened, and oiled.

Thalia sat down at her desk, and gestured to the equally plain chair on the other side. As she sat down, her face relaxed from the usual business first look, and years upon years of stress now showed. It aged her greatly. She took a deep breath and looked at Faith.

"What I am about to say to you, I ask that you do not repeat to anyone. I do not ask this for devious means, but rather to further protect the people of Rharne." She was looking Faith dead in the eye, was completely serious, without a shred of doubt, without a hint of deceit, without even the slightest bit of ulterior motives.

"Ilaren is not in Rharne. We're not sure exactly how long she's been gone, but she is, in fact, gone. We know not why she left. We know absolutely nothing about her intentions. We simply know she is gone."

Her serious facade broke a bit at this. There was a look of personal failure written all over Thalia's face. She held herself responsible for this. "We've been doing our best to run the city in her stead, in the ideals she held, in the teachings she gave. It's been, as you well know, a dire time. A trying time for all."

She shook her head, "The Thunder Priestesses, and myself, will help you in whatever you need, to the best of our abilities, to protect Rharne first and foremost. Please, give me the information you have and we can work out how to keep Rharne safe, to make it safer."

!	Message from: Tempest
	Faith Augustine has permission to continue this thread on her own by self modding Thalia

[Faith Augustin]

Faith had been here once before and, as she walked behind Thalia, she couldn't help but get the sense that there was something very wrong. Of course, what she really didn't expect was what Thalia told her, but she had a not-great feeling from the body language of the High Priestess, and so, when asked to not say anything, Faith nodded her head.

And then, Ilaren was gone? Faith looked at Thalia in amazement. Gone? How could that be? The young woman's fingers twisted together in her lap, entwining tightly. The Immortal was gone from Rharne. Faith breathed in and then out again. She thought about it and then she considered carefully. Faith rarely spoke in haste, she was a careful individual and this was no different. So, what she did next, she did with a clear thought process behind. "I have to tell you, my husband and I share a telepathic link and a number of bonds through Immortals-granted marks. He knows what I do. But he will be as silent as I." Sitting back, Faith looked at Thalia and her own assessment of the woman opposite her was as scrutinising as Thalia's had been but moments before. And as she looked, she used the Zuuda-granted ability Know The Master A Zuuda with this ability can see the lines of service that bind an individual. A powerful ability, the Zuuda must observe someone, concentrate on them for at least two bits at Favored, one bit at Adored and at Exalted, the Zuuda need only concentrate for a few trill (seconds), and use this ability. Know the Master will bring the face or the sigil of who or what the individual serves in their heart. Often a Zuuda never has to ask who someone works for, they can see the truth of their service and devotion within their soul. If the individual only serves themselves or serves nothing in particular, this ability only imparts a cold sense of emptiness. which allowed her, with little more than a glance, to be sure that Thalia wasn't someone that Faith should be wary of.

Faith sighed and looked at Thalia with a real sense of regret. She didn't want to betray anyone, but she had to work for the good of all of Rharne, not for one person. "That's beyond worrying. Alright. It's a long story." And so, Faith began to speak. She told of the attack, of who they knew it was. Then, she said that it was her intention to find, and kill, Ellasin. Faith looked at Thalia and made a slight gesture with her hands - one of almost-surrender. "There is more information. But it is not safe to speak it here." Glancing around, Faith shrugged. "There is one place where I can take us, where it is safe. Protected by Famula and not open to scrying or spies. If you would, I could take you there. But that is up to you."

There was no doubting it, Faith would rather have this conversation in Zuudaria. Because they knew that Ellasin was a rupturer, thanks to Patrick and that meant that she could scry in to this place. Faith looked at Thalia and said, quite seriously. "There are things which I believe you need to know. But I also know, without a doubt, that my enemy needs to not know them. You have my word, in Famula's name, that you will be safe. Will you join me?"

Off Topic

Yeah, just assuming Thalia is a good person here. If not - please let me know and I'll edit

!	Message from: Pig Boy
	Thalia serves Ilaren. She grants Faith as many members of her order that she can spare to help direct the manpower and help she needs. However, Rharne's protection is paramount. She gives what men and resources she can spare without jeopardizing her ability to endure a long siege.

[Faith Augustin]

Thalia looked on in some surprise as Faith drew a door and led her into Zuudaria. "It's unnerving, I know. But this is Famula's realm. She has granted me the temporary ability to bring people here, as it is somewhere Ellasin can not hear - no one can." Faith smiled, and led Thalia to the War Room. And there, Faith gestured for Thalia to sit down and she did the same. Then, she began to speak. "It started with an attack on my home," she said.

It was twenty bits later that Thalia had heard the whole story, and asked all the questions that she could that Faith thought to make them both a cup of tea. There was an element of surprise for her, about the fact that there was tea in Famula's realm, but then she knew there shouldn't be. After all, she'd made it but somehow it still seemed incongruous. Thalia took it, cradling her cup in her hands and then she looked at Faith. "So," the High Priestess said softly, "all of Rharne is in danger?" Faith nodded her head.

"More than that. Much more. All of Idalos is, as far as I can tell. There have been sightings of her all over the place, from Ne'haer to Rynmere." Faith wasn't holding back in terms of information at all, and so she said it how it was. Gesturing to the map, she showed Thalia where the sightings had been. "But, the baseline here is that we need to work together to protect Rharne. I will share any and all intelligence with you which might be of use, or relevance."

Thalia nodded. "And in return I'll spare you what members I can?"

Faith shook her head. "You protect Rharne. That is what you do, and what we need. Put all your people to it. There are Lightning Knights protecting my home, and I would appreciate any and all back up you can give. I'll pass on information, but only to you. No one else." Thalia nodded her head and smiled.

"That works. Thank you." Faith nodded.

"I'll use this, to inform you," she said, handing over an Echo Scroll. "Please check it every trial. If there's anything that isn't public knowledge, I'll use the name of one of the council members in my letter, which will be very surface and apparently to do with council business. You reply with the name of the person who sat on their left in our last meeting. That work?"

Thalia nodded.

And, she was true to her word. Whenever information came in, Faith wrote to Thalia on the Echo Scroll she gave her then. The system they used to make sure it was them conversing was sufficient that, when the intelligence came in that there was to be a false attack on Rharne, Faith passed it on immediately.

Hopefully, that would save lives and, as she stopped Thalia for being able to access Zuudaria again, once they were out, she hoped and prayed that she might get to chat this over with the woman, once their individual crises had passed.

[Tempest]

Name:Faith Augustin

Knowledge:
Politics: 3 pts
Persuasion: 2 pts
Tactics: 3 pts
Negotiation: 2 pts

Loot: none
Injuries: none
Renown: + 10
Magic XP: none

Points: 15

- - -

Comments: WOW! That was all crazy, but I loved watching Faith keep her head even when something dramatic happened. I can’t wait to see how everything plays out in the long run.

If you feel I've missed anything or if you have questions about your review, please don't hesitate to send me a quick PM. Thanks!