CHAPTER 26: Death Inside Sacred Walls - Part 1

  Almyria stood before a synod. Matriarch Fehirim sat in the center, flanked by the synod members. Behind them was a wall carving of the Eastern Fideris Solti symbol, a spear plunging down with rays emanating from its tip.

  “Legares Almyria Iride Lital, impart to us your investigation findings,” said the Matriarch. Fehirim was in her mid-forties, but her face showed no wrinkles typical of her age. Though seated and draped in a grand robe, her tall and slender figure was evident.

  Almyria tapped her forehead with two fingers and bowed as a sign of respect. “Revered Matriarch, your faithful servants have undertaken the investigation of the undead incidents that plague the southern villages as decreed. Verily, we have found the reports to be true. It is our belief that not one, but a multitude of Necromancers were behind these acts.”

  “What insights lead you to believe there were a multitude of Necromancers?” asked a synod member. She was a plump woman of the Matriarch's age.

  “The assaults were wrought upon distant points at once. A Necromancer's dominion over the undead is limited by the reach of their Mana arm, and distance between the assault points surpasses such limits. Furthermore, the reported number of the undead exceed the capacity of a single Necromancer's command.”

  “For what intent do these agents act?” inquired another member, a man with a tonsure haircut.

  “We have yet to ascertain the true purpose of these deeds. Yet, we report that the assaults have reaped scores until the previous day. We thus counsel with urgency that immediate measures be taken.”

  The Matriarch and the synod members leaned towards each other, whispering. Almyria bowed her head while they spoke amongst themselves. She had been called here upon returning from the southern villages. Her long skirt and nearly patternless white shirt were stained with dry mud. Her shoulder-length black hair was stiff with dust.

  “Legares Almyria,” Fehirim said. “You have remained unaware of these tidings, as your duties called you elsewhere. By the benevolence of our god Azarion, it has come to pass that we discovered the Fire Core. You are surely aware of the significance of this relic in our quest to reconcile the Eastern and Western Fideris Solti.

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  “We would have entrusted you with confronting the undead scourge, yet we deem it of greater import for you to safeguard the Fire Core. You are thus appointed to bear this relic unto the main temple of the Western Fideris Solti, in the mainland of Denois.”

  Almyria was a priestess as well as a Legares. Her order, the Eastern Fideris Solti, served Azarion and not the old gods or the forgotten gods. Their order was established after the Perpetual Night War, but since the Schism, they had been divided into the Eastern and Western Orders. Inquisitors were part of the Western Order, but in reality, they held control.

  The Exarch held the highest seat in the Eastern Order, overseeing the Patriarchs and Matriarchs. The current Exarch had long sought to mend the rift and unite the two Orders. However, the Grand Inquisitor, the sovereign of the Western Order, continually ignored these efforts.

  The Exarch believed the only way to foster goodwill with the Grand Inquisitor was by returning the seven Cores, their once stolen relics. The Exarch decreed that any found Core must be returned to the Western Order. And now, Almyria was entrusted with delivering the Fire Core.

  “With humility, I accept the Matriarch's decree.” Almyria half-knelt. “Yet, I query not in defiance, how shall we address the undead if I am to guard the Core?”

  “In regard to that matter, I, alongside a chosen assembly of synod, shall personally address the task of confronting the undead.”

  Almyria looked up. Fehirim was the best Legares in her prime and also her discipler. However, she had not been on field duty for years.

  “In such an event, I beseech permission to attend upon the Matriarch.”

  “Your presence is not required. Your duty as the guardian of the Fire Core is of paramount importance; this is your foremost responsibility. Furthermore, are you not still bound by the duty to tend to that person?”

  ***

  Varne sat on a bench in the garden, his body swathed in bandages. His ribs still gave a trace of ache with each breath. The Arcanzite glittered on his left wrist, the Sky Core safe in his leather pouch, and Dorian's knife tucked behind his waist.

  The Fideris Solti temple featured an open garden at its center, encircled by a ring-like wall. A carpet of grass and systematically arranged patches of herbs offered a colorful arrangement.

  This atrium served as a recreation center not only for the temple's inhabitants but also for lay persons and pilgrims. A priest on the left was teaching about thyme to trainees, while another on the right demonstrated how to pick rosemary.

  Elsja's attack on the hanging bridge had left him with severe wounds. He walked throughout the night, tending to his injuries as best he could with bandages and potions bought from the Thief Guild. His sole focus was to distance himself as far as possible from her.

  The next day, exhausted and injured, he was almost collapsing when the distant white walls of the Fideris Solti temple kindled his remaining strength. He remembered Lorn's words that he could seek help from Fideris Solti order if ever gravely injured, and directed his steps there.

  He did not remember what happened next, but according to the priestess who found him, he fainted at the temple's entrance, one hand clawing at the door. The priestess brought him inside, cared for him, and here he was now. He had been trying to recall the priestess's name but could not bring it to mind.