Barbara was livid. Her first interaction with neighbor nobles was an invading army. I felt ready to al-Mi'raj them to oblivion just for that slight but Arista raised a hand signaling we should wait.
the Dolphin-rmaid continued.
Barbara took her impressive diamond staff out of storage. Kasumi and I replied at the sa ti.
Arista advised.
Both parties stared down at each other in silence for a while. I could sense Barbara was playing the different scenarios in her head, trying to pick the right words.
"I thank your Excellency for troubling yourself to co here just to deliver facetious news," She stated, then raised her voice. "Excommunicated? I am the [Matriarch's Champion]. I wield the [Unicorn King's Spear]. Beside stand the [Saintess] and two of her divine beasts. I wonder, your Excellency, on whose side do you think the Goddess' favor lies? With her chosen ones, or with those sniveling corrupt [Priests]."
The aforentioned sniveling ecclesiastics didn't like her defiant speech at all. Count Crawcolt, however, wore an amused smirk. He took his ti letting Barbara's words sink before he replied.
"It is as you say, Baroness. I ca here just to deliver the dire news myself, and greet my good neighbor," He said with a [Diplomat's] voice that didn't allow his true motives to be read.
"What does your Excellency make of them?"
The seasoned nobleman narrowed his eyes slightly as he slowly let his anger seep into his well-trained facade. "With the evidence before my eyes, I must admit your claim holds so verisimilitude." Count Crawcolt then swiveled his head to stare at the priests riding beside him for a strategically-placed pregnant pause before he addressed them. "Well? My favor is paid, how do you want to proceed from here?"
"You must help us secure the [Saintess] and break the hold these heretics have over her!" The lead [Priest] clamored.
Kasumi grinned and waved, her tails slowly swaying like a predator ready to pounce.
Crawcolt pulled the reins of his mount, making the horse back a couple steps and turn to face the [Priest]. "She doesn't seem to be there against her will. This is a church matter, I won't help you any further."
The [Knights] escorting the group of priests took that as their cue to move away from their forr wards. The rebutting clergyman couldn't do anything but fu.
"You know," Kasumi moved forward, with firm and heavy steps as she addressed the man, "Were the Goddess here right now, she'd strip you of your Status for usurping her authority!"
Barbara nodded and clenched her left hand that was wearing . The church wasn't all bad but it wasn't the best ever. Without guidance and, more importantly, punishnt for transgressions, it slowly beca the corrupt and ambiguous institution we had before us.
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"You are being mind-controlled by those heretic [Wizards]!" The [Priest] claid, then appealed to the Count. "Your Excellency, surely you can see this!"
The Count was happy to let us grind our wits and argunts against one another. It only benefited him that the [Priests] were forcing us to show our cards. Though civilization had advanced since the Cataclysm, this was still a world ruled by power. No matter how many [Knights] he brought fighting soone of a higher tier would only achieve a Pyrrhic victory. Things would change if we had to restrain ourselves to avoid causing collateral damage, or even do so while getting an overwhelming and quick victory to stop the enemy from causing collateral damage.
We knew the Count had troops outside Clovehaven's borders. The elites he brought with him could be considered a personal escort though it was exaggerated in quantity. A fight here needed to start and end before these troops could wreak havoc on the valley. A stray {Siege Fireball} could even cause loss of life from kiloters of distance. The Count might be banking on this and his reputation to get out unhard.
"Let us put it to the test then," Kasumi challenged. "I propose a Divine Ordeal."
Crawcolt leaned forward on his horse, exaggerating his interest, "And what ordeal would that be?"
Kasumi walked down her hill, flanked by prowling jaguars, Lily and Apricot. "This is simple, your Excellency. In the olden days, the [Pope] of our faith donned not only the robes the Goddess bestowed upon her but also another piece of legendary raint. One that embodied her vision of how the lands and people under her blessing should operate and relate to each other. Back in the day, every priest would proudly wear 'the Green' to show they were asured and approved," she explained.
The lead [Priest] started to look worried while the others made puzzled expressions, trying to figure out what she was talking about. It was obvious to us and even to Barbara. What green raint could one wear over one's robes to show they believed in the Goddess's vision?
"I beg your pardon, your Holiness," Count Crawcolt said respectfully, "but what is this raint you speak of?" He was obviously still doing his ga of forcing us to take turns.
"In fair Windere, ages past, nobody was forced to but many openly subjected themselves to this Ordeal most Divine," Kasumi was delighted to explain. She tapped her storage ring and pulled a piece of silk green cloth with golden trim. It was a rectangle with a hole for one's head in the middle, and straps to bind it around the waist. She quickly put it over hers and the straps tied themselves up. "This raint is nothing less than the legendary Tabard of Windere."
I found this curious passage in mom's book. A defeated nobleman claid that "a piece of cloth could not decide the fate of a nation". What I took from that and mom's thoughts at the ti was that the nobleman couldn't see past the obvious. The Tabard was not a piece of cloth. It was a manifesto, the symbol of a way of life. Of the values which Windere upheld for centuries until the petty Brood-bitch destroyed it. Windere never forced anyone to "don the Tabard". Those who did it with open hearts and hopeful dreams.
Kasumi produced more Subordinate Tabards. She must've collected them during her century of isolation in the Auvani Cathedral. "I double dog dare you to put these on, to show your true faith."
I glanced to the side and saw Arista already wearing one.
Barbara asked, eager to join the bandwagon.
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