Gregor walked back in, unaware of the previous tensions that had taken place between the two inside. He calmly retook his seat and a newfound drive was evident in his eyes. "I will agree. On one condition." He clutched the symbol of Khors around his neck. He trusted in the one thing that gave aning to his life. "Mother is killed painlessly. She is misguided, not evil. She does not deserve a death full of pain."
Isra saw his resolve and happily agreed, but deep inside she worried he may be tricked back to her side. Needless pain was not sothing she enjoyed either and it was sothing she was more than happy to offer. Gregor looked up at Esmond, a man he had grown to strongly trust. Was it because they had agreed to not lie, or was it the sa drive he held in his eyes for a cause other than himself? Gregor didn’t know.
Seeing the old man give a slow single nod was enough and he smiled. "If we’re in agreent, I will help. I will call on the peaceful faction, along the lines that you keep your side of the agreent."
"Of course." Isra smiled and stretched out her hand, and Gregor accepted it. The two shook, creating a deal that Gregor never thought he would ever make. "The Arch-Bishop is coming to the city. I hope you will et with him. He is a man whom I believe you will co to work with in the future." Isra said her final piece, and Gregor saw no more was to be talked about. He got up, gave a religious bow, and took his leave.
"Have your n continue to watch him. Although I trust he won’t return to her side, we have no way of knowing." Isra gave the order, and Emsond bowed, taking his leave. She watched his back exit out the door and couldn’t help but feel conflicted.
He was dangerous. Not to Alfred. But to her and Edward. He was too dedicated to the Empire and Alfred. He may not happily do it, but the fear of her life around him was always a real threat. Despite this, Isra knew that the threat was small. As long as she moved for the Empire, then it was fine, but what if Edward couldn’t have children in the future? Would he make his move then? If she had another child, that would be fine. Edward could take the throne until he passed, and it would be handed to his sibling.
But Alfred was the problem in that case. She didn’t bla him for it. It was only natural for him to be put off sex after being assaulted. The na of a woman she had removed from her mory surfaced once more. A fear that William had spoken of returning. ’What if Helga returned with a child?’
How would Esmond react? How would Alfred react? Despite what he had done, she didn’t think he could kill his own child, even if it ca from his rape. But if he could, would Esmond allow it? A necessary evil that he always followed. Isra couldn’t be sure, but she knew that if Edward was infertile, then she had to secure a future that guaranteed his rule.
She fell into her hands. It all ca back to Alfred. He would have to overco his trauma. Sothing she hoped and would help with, but sothing she could never be sure would happen.
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Raven stood outside the wall of Nakhla from his carriage with an empty gaze. Flanking him were ten mbers of the Inquisition. They, like him, look disinterested. The gates opened and unlike the usual greeting one would expect from the Arch-Bishop of the empire, nothing welcod him except derelict streets. Raven didn’t care however and rode through, straight towards Isra. He was here to secure her safety, and nothing else mattered.
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Mother looked out the window at the passing carriage. Her eyes narrowed in having seen the symbol of Sol so brazenly walk through the streets. If only they had been loyal to her, this could have been avoided. If only they struck when at full strength. Everything was falling apart. When did it start? She didn’t know, but the schism had all but happened.
That being said, she still had her greatest weapon, herself. No one was better than her at rallying the people. As long as she could speak, she would grow the support for her cause. All she needed were the numbers. She had the weapons. It was so close she could almost see it. The new Kingdom, carved in the centre of the tyrant’s Empire.
She needed to be quick. The glorious carriage rolling through the street was enough of a telling sign that she couldn’t delay any longer. Soon, more would arrive, and she would lose the opportunity. Days, maybe a week at best. No more could she delay it. Walking to her closet she took out her long robe and put it on. It was ti to go on a never-ending offensive.
"Aseel." Mother called out, and the masked man walked into her room. "We have work, my son." She touched his mask before quickly taking her hand away and walking past.
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Atop the stage, Mother finished giving her speech. "And to you all, I call you to see the truth. A tyrannical system created to keep you down. We must fight. Fight for his Kingdom and our freedom. Figh to never be oppressed again. Show the world that the Followers are the true faith. Show them the equality that we preach ." Mother yelled at the head of a crowd who looked up with worship. They all nodded along as their blood boiled at the call to arms. They were ready. To see themselves finally have a choice in the world that rules them.
Every one of them deep within in their hearts had dread of sothing like this. No matter how small that dream was, it existed. They never questioned it before but once it was offered to them, why was it that the nobles ruled and they didn’t? Because of blood? A divine right to rule? All of it made no sense as a believer in Khors. Now they had the chance to fight for it and they would.
Mother looked at all of them with a happy smile. Who cared if the Empire had an army? She would create one. One that would pave his Kingdom. She gave a deep religious bow. "Soon we will strike. I hope you all stand with when the ti cos." Silence followed as they all bowed to her. No passionate cry or cheer followed. She saw this and smiled before descending down the stairs.
’It was ti to begin arming them.’ She silently told herself.
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The moons where high when Raven finally t Isra. He had matters he had to deal with before eting her and once in her presence, he gave a deep bow. The usual indifference he showed was gone, replaced by a warmth for a friend.
"Raven. You don’t always need to be so formal. Alfred would also like it if you relaxed a little." Isra said jokingly, knowing he would never accept.
"He is the Blessed One. It would be against the teachings. And you are his wife." Raven said taking his seat. "That being said, how have you been? I heard sothing... unsavoury." Raven said with a deep chill in his eyes as he looked towards Esmond, who should have been protecting her from such threats.
"I’m fine. In fact, the attempt worked out better than we could have hoped." Despite the topic being the attempt on her life, she spoke with a full laugh.
"His Majesty may have a heart attack if he saw how you talked about it," Raven said, shaking his head. Isra smiled at his words. He may not have realised it, but he let the formalities drop every once in a while, sothing she would never bring up to him.
"So," Esmond spoke, cutting into the relaxed air with a flat voice. "Why have you arrived? I thought Adrian was only ant to send reinforcents."
"This is as much of a religious matter as a state matter. For the Followers to bare their fangs so easily ans they are looking down on the Church." He spoke coldly. "I will see to it that it is dealt with."
"Before you begin, there is soone you should et," Isra said with a calm voice, taking a sip from her tea.
"The priest Gregor." Raven understood imdiately, having heard of him from Abdul. "Has he agreed to work with us?"
"He has. But he is a very conflicted man. I hope that eting soone who is as deeply in love with the faith as you are will be the final thing to have him completely on our side. I respect him, but the feeling he has for Mother may make him switch again." She answered taking another sip. She could see in Gregor that he was leaning on their side, but his conviction only ca from a desire to see an end to the bloodshed she had promised. She didn’t know if Mother would be able to, but there was a slim chance she could convince him to return to her side.
Raven gave a nod, happy to follow the order. Although he didn’t like the Followers, he respected so of their mbers. Abdul was a pri example. Soone who, despite having a deep faith, could look past scripture and pass grievances and help create a better world. Raven didn’t doubt this. Alfred was the one who proposed the idea. He was Sol’s Champion. If the one chosen by his lord said this was the way, then who was he to question?
"I will leave tomorrow," Raven said, getting up and giving a deep bow. Walking out, Esmond excused himself, following behind.
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"Raven." Esmond didn’t bother to call him his official title. Stopping, the Arch-Bishop looked at him with his usual indifference.
"What is it?"
"When you et Gregor can you hand him this?" Esmond pulled out a small letter. Raven took it putting it in his pocket. He Without any goodbyes, he carried on.
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