High Tea and Cookies, Demons not invited

Posted on 06 Dec 2022 @ 5:55am by Townsfolk The Scholar & Rogue Elinowy Ursulas

2,480 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Hall of the Phantom Shadow
Location: Jader Chantry, Giselle's private chamber
Timeline: Bloomingtide 2nd, morning

With Summerday, the last day of the festival, just the day before, the chantry gardens had a somewhat trampled appearance. Crushed flowers, uprooted shrubbery, and bare spots marred the usually manicured refectory garden. But, a handful of laypeople were already at work setting the garden to rights.

The commotion of the last few days and the upheaval in the leadership of the Chantry and local guardsman had put a pall on the normal spiritual and emotional exhileration of the Festival for Sister Elinowy. The disheveled gardens brought to mind the dark days after her Chantry was destroyed and the modest and solemn observation of the holy days and festivals as she worked to rally the community and sisters to rebuild. But it was a time to be thankful for the Maker's protection of the Revered Mother. Lives were saved, that was joyous enough. But Elinowy felt detached.

A young initiate approached the flame-haired sister. "Sister Elinowy, the Revered Mother awaits. Please follow me."

The teen led Elinowy into the chantry dormitory and into what appeared to be an office, with a large, neatly arranged desk in the center, and overflowing bookshelves taking up every inch of wall space. Before Elinowy could take one of the visitor chairs, the initiate opened a side door to a small sitting room with a window looking out at the garden, and a table next to the window where Mother Giselle sat.

"Sister Elinowy, my dear," said Mother Giselle. She stood and reached out to take both of Elinowy's hands in hers. "Please, sit here with me."

Elinowy gave the kindly older woman a genuine smile and reached out to let herself be led to the seat Giselle steered her to. "Thank you, Revered Mother." she replied sweetly. Despite having run a smaller Chantry herself as a Revered Mother, she could feel an aura of wisdom surrounding Giselle she could never pretend to emulate.

"How are you doing now that the festivities have concluded as they have?" Elinowy asked, ignoring that she had been the one actually poisoned at the banquet. Still she knew the aftermath of a major festival was elating due to it finally being over, yet draining with the multitude of tasks ahead.

"I am grateful that the remainder of the festival proceeded without incident, thank the Maker. I think perhaps wine will not be served at next year's banquet " Giselle took her seat and gave Elinowy a rueful smile. "I blame myself, partly, for Isouda's treachery. She was terribly ambitious. I have never been one to play The Game, and I failed to recognize her frustration. Of course, that does not excuse her actions. I deeply regret that you suffered the effects of Isouda's poison. How are you feeling?"

"The Maker has seen it fit that I shall continue serving him here for now, and so I shall joyfully." she replied. "I believe most of the after effects have passed at this time. I was able to perform all 39 forms in my morning devotion for the first time since the incident."

The initiate, who had hurried away when Giselle greeted Elinowy, returned with a tray laden with soft bread rolls, butter, fresh fruit, a pot of tea, sugar and cream, and set it on the table between Elinowy and Giselle. The revered mother poured two cups of tea. "I had a long conversation with the apostate, Kalian. He seems a reasonable young man. I believe he is your friend, what is your opinion of his… reliability?"

"I fear that I must confess to knowing of his apostate nature prior to this Mother. Back when the ring of slavers in the mine was broken up, I was gravely injured. He used his power to heal and save my life. Upon reflection it felt ungracious to turn him over to the Circle. So I took it upon myself to personally lead him on his journey toward the Maker. In time, I am hopeful he will take his rightful place in a circle at a point of his choosing. Until then, I watch. "I know it is not in accordance with Chantry teachings, and conflicts with the Nevarran Accord,", but I was given certain latitude in the course of my sojourning to seek the Maker's truth and will in such matters."

"Kalian spoke highly of you and your influence." Mother Giselle smiled warmly and sipped her tea. "The Chant of Light tells us Magic should serve man, and not rule over him. The Chant tells us what should be, but not how to get there. Often the methods of men undo the spirit of our goals. Andraste taught that it is pride, not magic that is evil, and pride does not only corrupt mages. As we have unfortunately seen, pride can corrupt a Chantry Elder."

Elinowy gave the older woman a kind smile. "I am learning of such things. I had always been taught before I was even a novice that Magic corrupts, but it appears out trust is more secure in one such as Kalian than as circumstances show even some of our own. I do believe he has a good heart. And perhaps it is a weakness on my part, I feel I owe him his freedom for saving my life." she said, fighting to keep the practiced serenity of her words, even though she knew she went against Chantry teaching.

Mother Giselle put down her cup and carefully lifted a flaky pastry to her mouth and took a bite. "Ah, Jader is blessed with excellent bakers." She finished it and brushed crumbs from her robes. "I would very much like to hear more about your journey of discernment, Sister Elinowy, if you would indulge me."

The sister blushed, making her complexion, hair and robe a range of rosy hues. "I regret that much of my instructions were sealed by Grand Cleric Callista, but I can let you know that I am on the path of a Seeker of Truth. While I fear I lack many of the Martial Skills desired by the order, they felt my tenure in Bete Noire gave evidence of my commitment to Andraste and... they thought I was clever. I was commissioned by the Grand Cleric to take on the role of an impoverished sister, with no belongings, and not able to accept refuge or aid from my sisters, so that I might seek the pure will of the Maker for my life be it with the Seekers or as a Mother or simple sister. I only know that the Maker provides what I need and there is so very much I have to learn. Kalian was a lesson in that for me."

"I admire your dedication, Elinowy." Giselle sipped her tea contemplatively. She had never heard of a Grand Cleric setting a Chantry sister or Mother on such a path. For that matter, she'd never heard of a Chantry sister becoming a Seeker of Truth. "I believe your situation is unique. It is my understanding that fortitude and mental discipline are essential attributes for a Seeker of Truth, qualities you seem to have in abundance."

The younger sister bowed her head. "It was certainly nothing I was ever expecting either. I was summoned to the Grand Cleric while at a conference in Val Royeaux. It seems my investigation and prosecution of the brigands that destroyed my Chantry in Bete Noire eight years ago was noticed. They felt I could be an asset to our order by seeking out others that, shall we say, cause troubles. I had never imagined my journey to have taken the path it has to bring me here to Jader. The Maker humbles us as he builds our faith.

"The Jader Chantry is in need of the services of a replacement Elder, and it would seem that you are the ideal choice, if your journey of discernment would allow such an assignment. Perhaps on a temporary basis?" asked Giselle.

Elinowy closed her eyes as she listened to the Revered Mother. "There are many needs to serve in this city. It would be an honor to work with you. However I fear my present journey is to be outside of the confines of my beloved Chantry. I was given... gifts... to help me on far darker paths." she said unconsciously moving her hand to her stomach. "Forgive me, but I must decline at this time. I pray the Maker would call us together in service again, for your ministry here is a joy to take part in."

"Of course, I am disappointed, but we all must find our own path to serve the Maker, and I understand." Giselle gave Elinowy a sincere smile. "Gifts? A dark path? My curiosity is piqued, Sister. Are you able to elaborate?"

Elinowy looked seriously at the Revered Mother. "The Seekers oversee the Templars and even regulates troubles within the Chantry itself. It is a dangerous life filled with dark magic, demonspawn and all sorts of terrible things. Yet the Maker's children need defending, sometimes from themselves. So I go as a humble servant, to do the Maker's will in the darkest places necessary. The Grand Cleric was of the opinion such work requires measures that go against the orthodox teaching of the chantry... so she had them give me... this...."

The sister slowly slid her scarlet robes upward, revealing her long firm legs and abdomen. Even in the gentle morning light, a distinct greenish glow. Once fully revealed the intricate pattern of arcane runes was at once fearsome and hypnotically beautiful.

Elinowy let the older woman have a long look at the glyph tattooed on her belly. "I dont know what they are, or what they say. They wouldn't tell me, only that at some time, it would help me. I don't know what that means, or what... this....thing is. she said as she slowly dropped her robe back to the floor.

Giselle examined the symbols tattooed on Elinowy's belly with concern, somewhat aghast. The Seeker order was known to be secretive, but she had never heard of unusual tattoos, especially ones that appeared, at least to Giselle, to be almost elven in origin. The Revered Mother wondered if the young Chantry sister had somehow been deceived into joining a heretical cult, since it seemed unlikely that the symbols had anything to do with the Chant of Light.

After Elinowy dropped her robe, Giselle was quiet for many long moments. Then thoughtfully she said, "I have never seen such symbols, my dear. But I am confident you will find meaning in them eventually." She sipped her tea. Something about the symbols unaccountably reminded her of a piece of information she wanted to share. "The Knight Captain tells me there has been news of a blood mage in the region."

Elinowy tried hard not to look disappointed at Mother Giselle's lack of knowledge regarding the tattoos on her stomach. Her face blushed a little in embarrassment. Mercifully the Revered Mother changed the subject. "A Blood Mage? In Jader? Have the Templars been alerted?" she inquired.

She had never dealt with something like a Blood Mage before. Her calling to be a Seeker clearly meant she should investigate and if needed neutralize an evil threat such as this. Elinowy had hunted down bandits and marauders, but Blood Magic was much more serious. "What have you heard about this Blood Mage?"

"What little I know is disturbing." Giselle pursed her lips and considered what to say. "Her name is Lilith, and one year ago she was transferred from the Cumberland Circle in Nevarra to the White Spire in Val Royeaux, in order to separate her from her lover. Separation of mage couples, and mage mothers and their infants, is a practice I have long spoken against, but as you may be aware, many within the Chantry believe that mages must not be allowed to form or engage in close emotional relationships. Lilith and her lover exchanged letters until she discovered her lover was made tranquil. Though she had no known history of using blood magic, she used blood magic to escape the White Spire."

"When Knight Captain Dunbar returns from Val Royeaux next week, he may have more information. He sent a bird to apprise me, in case any suspicious incidents occurred." Giselle patted Elinowy's hand in a maternal fashion. "It is likely the mage in question is simply hiding. But you seem to have your fingers on the pulse of everyday Jader citizens, so I thought it best to inform you."

The gravity of the situation was a little unnerving to the younger sister. "It sounds like Lilith has had the misfortune of circumstance put upon her. Has she done anything harmful?" Elinowy inquired. Blood Magic as definitely a bad thing, but Elinowy knew well enough what the drive to protect your sisters or family could drive you to. "Perhaps she can be captured without further incident. Her cause is understandable, if misguided, but redemption may still be afforded if she can submit."

"Given that Jader is not currently crawling with mage-hunters from Val Royeaux, my guess is that Lilith did not kill or seriously harm anyone. But, I won't know anything else until the Knight Captain gets back." Giselle shook her head sadly. "The Chantry is an imperfect vessel for the Maker's will. If more within the order embraced the compassion you exemplify, I think fewer mages would feel the need to take desperate action. Elinowy my dear, if you do somehow find Lilith and convince her to return peacefully to the White Spire, I will advocate on her behalf."

Elinowy bowed her head toward the Revered Mother. "We are all imperfect vessels living in hope of being adequate for the Maker's will. I will certainly do what I can to preserve Lilith and convey to her your generous offer." Taking a sip from her tea cup, the younger sister smiled at Giselle. "We have spoken enough of my challenges, tell me of your hopes for the Jader Chantry and how I might be a help."

Giselle leaned back in her chair, cradling her cup in both hands, and sipped contemplatively. "If I may be completely candid, Sister Elinowy, it would be a great comfort to me to simply enjoy the company and friendship of a sister such as yourself who does not report to me in the Chantry hierarchy. You were Revered Mother of Bete Noir, after all. Let us relax, and speak of whatever occupies our thoughts."

Elinowy sipped her tea and smiled to the Giselle. "That would be very pleasant indeed." she genuinely stated, relieved for even a short time to relax the need to be an example to everyone of grace and virtue. Being one's self was as rare an element as the finest jewels in the world.

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