Visiting Church

--Gatix--

The door opened on the third tap. “Ah, welcome back, O' Lordess.” What I assumed to be a priest bowed low upon seeing us. “It's been some time since you graced us with your presence.”

“My duties have taken me far, Priest.” Ms. Queen lowered her head but didn't complete the return bow. “But the goddess has kept me... honest, and saw fit to make my path cross with Alakafor once more.”

“I shall thank her for your safe return in my evening prayers.” He cast a weary eye in my direction but didn't comment. A first in this world. “Come, let us speak.”

With him leading the way, we were led to a room where he parked himself behind a giant wooden desk. Walls of books lined the walls, with a series of staves and artifacts spread in-between.

Hmm…

“You have a most interesting companion joining us today, O' Lordess,” The priest commented as Ms. Queen sat down in the appropriate chair.

“A new champion from my house. We hope to have him enter the arena next year and thought some real-world experience would be in order.”

“What good is a knight without experience?” The priest nodded. “Wise. How can I be of assistance today, O' Lordess?”

“I wish for information on the Wolani Order.”

“An unusual request. Information about the Order is readily available to the public.”

“Which is why I come to you,” Ms. Queen adjusted herself. “I wish to know that which is... not as common.”

“Information passed through confessional, in other words.”

“Not necessarily limited to that.”

The priest could only sigh. “I am sure you know the tenants, O' Lordess, but I will remind that information passed through the confessional is restricted to the parties involved and the goddess. To betray the trust of the confessional would be paramount to sin in the eyes of the goddess, even to those of nobility.”

Ms. Queen only nodded in return. “I understand the severity of the request, and I would not ask if my life had not been endangered recently.”

“Excuse me?”

“I recently found myself prey of an ambush, where several men died to ensure my survival. The skills of my attackers required magic of a higher order than your common mage, typical of those coming from a magic society. A large pool of suspects, I agree, but a few days ago, I was attacked by a vengeful mage capable of summoning complex life forms. I would not be sitting if it was not for the presence of this bodyguard.” She gestured towards me with a wave of her hand. “Do you see the scars? His armor is the strongest in my kingdom, yet the summoned creatures were able to inflict such damage.”

“You assume the Wolani Order to be at hand?”

“This mage confessed to being a member of the Order during the attack. I realize he may be lying, hence the investigation.”

“I see.” The priest bit the inside of his lip. “Do you have the identity of this mage?”

“Since the mage managed to escape, I'm sure you will understand me keeping his name a secret, lest I be accused of slanderous claims. The curse of a noble's life, you see.”

“Well, O' Lordess, I am disappointed to announce that even considering the information passed through the confessional, I do not have anything you might find interesting. I have not heard of any strange movements in the Order.”

“Would you swear on that by the goddess?”

“I need not. To proclaim false testimony is a sin, O' Lordess.”

“I see...” Ms. Queen briefly cast her eyes down before pushing herself up from her chair, the priest following shortly thereafter. “No sense in trying if there is nothing to be found. Thank you for your council, o Priest.”

“All are welcome in the house of the goddess.”

Willing to bet Ms. Queen might disagree with that one.

Outwardly, I cleared my throat. “Were you a part of the Order?”

“Sorry?” The priest turned toward me with a questioning look. “I'm afraid I do not understand the question?”

“The staves.” I pointed to the ones in question. “I've seen these ones like these in the lair of the mage that attacked us. I'm not an expert on things magical, but as they're not thrown in a corner, I assume the staves are valuable.” I turned to face him. “It could be leftovers from a life of adventuring, but you don't have enough scars for that. You likely belonged to a society where you could stay indoors and research. Since I don't know any other, safe to start with Wolani.”

I didn't quite know what reaction to expect. Would the priest deny it and send us along our merry way while wondering which assassin might serve him best? Or would he follow in the footsteps of the alchemist and attack us?

His smile was not high on the list of expected actions. “Your deduction serves you well. Before I turned my life to the clergy, I did form part of the Order. I was the Sixth Golden Scepter when I left.”

“Makes everything you say suspect, wouldn't you agree?” I caught the flicker of sparks between Ms. Queen's fingers.

“Your fears would be unfounded. I left the Order fifteen years ago and have not been involved in any of their business since then.”

“Any way to prove that?”

“Not unless you manage to get hold of their registers, which might be difficult from the sound of it. All I can offer is the tenant of false testimony, as proclaimed by our goddess.”

I turned to Ms. Queen. “Did you know?”

To which she shook her head. “It is unheard of for mages to leave their societies, much less turn to religion.” She turned her attention back to the priest. “Why did you leave?”

“I... am sorry to say, O' Lordess, but the matter is a private one. I hope you understand.”

“Humor me.” But the priest only shook his head. “Maybe another time, O' Lordess, but I am willing to answer any other questions you might have?”

“Just one,” I interjected before Ms. Queen could ask. “How many other members of the Order are in the city?”

“The Wolani Order have been the kings trusted advisors for many years. In thanks, he has ensured the city is a safe haven for them. It would be safe to assume there are around fifty members in the city at any given time.”

“And where is this haven of theirs?”

“As a former member of the Order, I'm forbidden from giving you the exact location. However, I can safely reveal it is inside the castle walls.”

“I see.”

“Come, Gatix.” Ms. Queen gestured her head towards the door. “Thank you for the information, Priest. We'll return if there is anything else we think you could help us with.”

“May the goddess smile on your path, O' Lordess.” The priest's smile seemed sincere when he bowed his head.