13th Ymiden 719
Carter Frask had, quickly, become someone that Faith knew she could rely on. So, after the meeting the trial before, and while she and Padraig were working on the issues with Uthaldria, it was to him she had turned. She had written a brief, but clear note and then waited. He had come here, to Zuudaria, and Faith lifted her head and smiled as he walked in to the War Room. The young woman was tired, there was no doubt, she was worried for her children and she was terrified at the level of responsibility she had. People were quick to criticise, more than quick, but when faced with the challenge in front of them, some of them chose to walk. That was up to them, and Faith was happy to let them.
And in fact, what had happened last night, at the meeting, had caused her to put together some realisations she'd had while working on the Rynmere plague, too. And so, finally, she'd come to a conclusion. As Carter walked in, she looked at him, using her Famula- granted ability to see who he was loyal to. It remained as it had been, his loyalty was to Famula and so, Faith smiled and gestured for him to sit down. She sat with him, and he noticed the strange bowl of liquid on the table, although he had no idea what it was for, just yet. For himself, he could tell that she was serious, that she was focused and more than that, she had a grim expression which was rare for her. More than rare, in fact. Carter came and sat and Faith breathed in. "I want to talk to you about Maxine and Patrick," she said. As she did, she slid a piece of paper in front of him.
I want to identify a date on which we will launch a strike. On that day, and for as many days as we need thereafter, we will attack and wipe them out. For that, I need to know every Coven base. Every member. Enough now, of reacting. I want you to take who you need and find them all for us. Take only people you trust - we have too many unknown, untrained, and downright unstable people. I need that information by the 33rd, if it is at all possible, to co-ordinate and plan the attack. You know this, I know this, Padraig knows this. We are the only ones. Whoever you need to use, use them, but don't let them know more than necessary.
I aim on the attack starting on the 36th.
In the meantime, I will be seeming to be doing what I can to undermine them. I will be doing just that - undermine them, strengthen us. But that we have an attack planned will remain quiet until it has to be told. Too many loose canons, too many wild cards. Too many unknowns.
If this date is unworkable. Tell me a different one - but write it down.
I aim on the attack starting on the 36th.
In the meantime, I will be seeming to be doing what I can to undermine them. I will be doing just that - undermine them, strengthen us. But that we have an attack planned will remain quiet until it has to be told. Too many loose canons, too many wild cards. Too many unknowns.
If this date is unworkable. Tell me a different one - but write it down.
She looked at him and raised a single eyebrow. When he had read the note, Faith gestured to the bowl. He dropped the piece of parchment in there, and it dissolved. She smiled. "I don't trust either of them, for different reasons. Maxine is volatile, and she has shown herself to be prone to lashing out when hurt. She is emotional and fiercely loyal, but she has significant impulse control issues and, as far as I can see, destructive behaviour patterns. She's also forgotten, or does not understand fully, that I've put my Grand Mark on her. But. I want her followed, watched. I would like to keep her protected, but that's your judgement. Patrick is a previous Sessfiend and prostitute. He also has connections to Alist... oh, never mind. He has connections to Ellasin. She inducted him into Rupturing. At times, he has been incredibly heroic, but equally, he's a poor judge of character. I want him followed too."
Carter nodded. "If either of them betray us?" Faith considered it for a moment. It was possible. Heck, it was maybe even probable.
"Allow it to the point that it gives us information, then make it stop. My ideal would be that you don't kill them, but if you have to in order to protect everyone here, then don't hesitate." Carter raised an eyebrow. "You've changed," he said and Faith nodded. "It was inevitable, was it not? War does that, responsibility too. People behaving like selfish idiots speeds it up." He watched her carefully and nodded.
Faith gestured to the now-mulch which had been paper a few moments ago. "What do you think?"
He smiled at her. "I think I'd like to know what that liquid is. I'll keep in touch."
Carter nodded. "If either of them betray us?" Faith considered it for a moment. It was possible. Heck, it was maybe even probable.
"Allow it to the point that it gives us information, then make it stop. My ideal would be that you don't kill them, but if you have to in order to protect everyone here, then don't hesitate." Carter raised an eyebrow. "You've changed," he said and Faith nodded. "It was inevitable, was it not? War does that, responsibility too. People behaving like selfish idiots speeds it up." He watched her carefully and nodded.
Faith gestured to the now-mulch which had been paper a few moments ago. "What do you think?"
He smiled at her. "I think I'd like to know what that liquid is. I'll keep in touch."
