Heavy rain hammered down at the ground in the gathering dark of evening, a thin mist had started to rise up from the ground. The mist flowed around the vast and forbidding home of the Reiksguard. Gathered before it some fifty yards from the gateway a band of people waited. Cadvan's party waited outside the gates of the headquaters of the Reiksguard. No more than a score of them waited before the gates on their mounts, the pennants of the exorcists flying overhead. Cadvan sat serenly upon Heart, the massive white stallion gifted to him by St. Rein. He seemed perfectly content to sit there untill the end of time. In the middle of their gathered number 8 forms sat crouched on the floor bound in chains with hoods of thick black cloth over their heads. Next to them a solitary man floated slightly above the ground, bound in chains of silver and sheathed in charms and holy sigils. They were surrounded by heavily armoured exorcists on foot, their swords drawn and ready. Next to Cadvan was the ever present form of Lucia, hovering delicatly to place her at the same height as Cadvan, her face in contrast to Cadvan's was filled with worry and her slim dark eye brows met in the middle in a crinkle as she frowned with concentration. On his express orders none of his party had drawn their weapons. They were perfecty still and peaceful offering no excuse for a misunderstanding.

A young exorcist motioned his horse forwards and stopped just before the gates calling up,
"His emminence Lord Cadvan has come deliver these prisoners into the custody of The Knight kommander the Lord Smertyr" His voice betrayed the tension the herrald felt but it was clear and firm all the same. All was still as Cadvan waited to see what would happen next, his armoured fist keeping a firm grasp on the runestaff as he did so.

The gate guard looked on impassively at the gathering in front of, for a moment his eyes appeared to glaze, as they cleared a smile slowly expanded over his face. "Follow me," the man said turning and walking into the tented town, not even glancing to see if the men behind him followed.

The exorcists followed on behind the gate guard, bunching together as they walked through the canvas lined streets. They moved their prisoners on in their midst, gently directing them except for the silent floating one whose eyes were a flat black. They pulled him through the air on silver chains. They follwed on, cadvan still impassive and calm, a slight smile touching one corner of his mouth. He was waiting to see what would come of this.

The group were led into one of the few permanent structures in the camp, a large stone and timber building of a foreign design. Inside inscriptions and carvings covered the walls dominated by the images of serpents. In the centre of the room stood Smertyr and the one he had called Engel Slayer, the semi-giant was armed with a massive crossbow that looked more like a ballista than a weapon carried by a man.

Smertyr was naked from the waist up, except for a sleeveless open robe, seemingly unconcerned of those able to see how time and injury had affected his physique. As the group entered Smertyr turned and smiled at Cadvan, who could see a scroll tucked into Smertyr’s belt.

“Greetings and welcome to the Hundred,” Smertyr’s voice low and mocking, as he spoke guards chained the prisoners against one wall. “Now ladies and gentlemen you are going to answer a question for me. I know, I know, you are all either devout followers who cannot be tortured into speaking or are innocent victims of Cadvan’s hubris. To be honest I don’t care which, I could waste time questioning each of you in turn to get the answer I seek but really I don’t need to. Indeed I do not need to ask a single question, all I need do is ensure that before I make my next move you are aware of what you are accused of.

So let me do that now, the Lord Exorcist here claims that you are demon worshipers, you are the proof that he acted in aid of the Kingdom. You are going to confirm that accusation for me.”

As Smertyr finished speaking Engel Slayer lowered the crossbow and fired, the bolt taking one man in the throat, pinning him to the wall. As Smertyr watched shock and fear blossom in the man’s eyes, only to dim as the man’s life blood bubbled and flowed down the man’s body, Engel Slayer calmly reloaded the weapon. With a smile Smertyr waited for the survivors to react.

(09-11-2009 09:00 AM)Jon Peacemaker Wrote:  The group were led into one of the few permanent structures in the camp, a large stone and timber building of a foreign design. Inside inscriptions and carvings covered the walls dominated by the images of serpents. In the centre of the room stood Smertyr and the one he had called Engel Slayer, the semi-giant was armed with a massive crossbow that looked more like a ballista than a weapon carried by a man.

Smertyr was naked from the waist up, except for a sleeveless open robe, seemingly unconcerned of those able to see how time and injury had affected his physique. As the group entered Smertyr turned and smiled at Cadvan, who could see a scroll tucked into Smertyr’s belt.

“Greetings and welcome to the Hundred,” Smertyr’s voice low and mocking, as he spoke guards chained the prisoners against one wall. “Now ladies and gentlemen you are going to answer a question for me. I know, I know, you are all either devout followers who cannot be tortured into speaking or are innocent victims of Cadvan’s hubris. To be honest I don’t care which, I could waste time questioning each of you in turn to get the answer I seek but really I don’t need to. Indeed I do not need to ask a single question, all I need do is ensure that before I make my next move you are aware of what you are accused of.

So let me do that now, the Lord Exorcist here claims that you are demon worshipers, you are the proof that he acted in aid of the Kingdom. You are going to confirm that accusation for me.”

As Smertyr finished speaking Engel Slayer lowered the crossbow and fired, the bolt taking one man in the throat, pinning him to the wall. As Smertyr watched shock and fear blossom in the man’s eyes, only to dim as the man’s life blood bubbled and flowed down the man’s body, Engel Slayer calmly reloaded the weapon. With a smile Smertyr waited for the survivors to react.

Cadvan remained completely calm as he saw what had happened, a faint smile touching his lips despite the sudden look of outrage on the face of the angel next to him. The few men who had entered with him stiffened and placed their hands on the hilts of their weapons but none took any action at such an unexpected action.

The prisoners started to fight against their restraints, a mix of anger and terror in their eyes as they fought against their chains and babbled in terror, a mix of curses, screams and pleas for aid from whatever particular deity was happening to be listening. All except two of them. The one that the exorcists had brought bound in silver stirred sightly but the icons of the light still bound around its body had a very faint gleam to them. His eyes opened ever so slightly and a red glow came from beneath them but he was still otherwise motionless. But two prisoners along one of the women just smiled and stared at Engel Slayer, one eye brow raised sardonically. Her lips moved quickly and just in hearing range an ancient and syballant language rose and fell in cadences that were utterly alian.

Lucia was desperatly trying to get Cadvan's attention but he ignored her and stood calmly looking at Smertyr.

“Interesting,” Smertyr murmured, before gazing at the female spellcaster. “My dear if you are going to try you charms on anyone I would suggest that I am a better target. Engel Slayer is a Knight of the Kaos Syth his choice of bedroom partners sometimes leave a lot to be desired. As for your attempts at spell casting I would not recommend it, though you are obviously more than willing to try. This is a Syth Hall dedicated to the Renewed Gods, the mighty Syth themselves. We Syth have always kept the old oaths and vows and we have been richly rewarded for it. Ignoring that this is the room where I make my physical investigations, only I am able to spell cast with impunity.”

As Smertyr spoke Cadvan showed emotion for the first time, the briefest movement of an eyebrow as it arched up for a fraction of a second before he mastered himself. His men stirred with a mix of fear and respect, for people who had faced down rampaging demons it was quite an achievement.

The woman slowly and smoothly turned her head to look directly into the eyes of Smertyr and as her eyes locked on his she fell silent, the words dying on her lips. Her eyes were filled with an all consuming hatred. She spat at him but it fell long sort and fell to the floor.
"What would you have from us Smertyr, what difference does it make what i say to you here in truth or lie. We are free, no matter the chains. You are the slaves! You will suf....." her bitter and hate filled diatribe was halted mid flow and she quickly turned her head to look at the man next to her bound in holy wards. The red glow had intensified and small beads of blood had welled and flowed down his face like sweat. His head lolled to the side and he though his eyes were closed he seemed to stare at her. She fell silent and hung her head.

The angel Lucia next to Cadvan made to move towards the prisoners, righteouss anger on her beautiful face but was stilled at a touch from the Cadvan, though she towered over him she fell back to his side, moving from foot to foot in agitation. Cadvan briefly looked at the prisoners as they slowly all fell silent from their desperate pleadings and cursing. Some still sobbed quietly and others still muttered curses and called on a vile name for aid. Cadvan's face was blank as he did so, his eyes cold and hard. He turned to look back at Smertyr, giving Engel Slayer a new and appraising look as he did so. He turned slightly so he could keep both Smertyr and the prisoners in view and put his right hand in a pocket of his habbit.

Smertyr chuckled, “want with you my dear? I want nothing want from you, keep your truth and lies, you have told me everything I needed to know. You are the Exorcists toy not mine, I will allow them the pleasure of your company. You were bought here simply as part of a lesson I am teaching, you are nothing to me at this moment than the means to an end. Save your gloats and threats for someone who actually gives a damn.”

Smertyr turned, pointedly ignoring the woman, smiling at Cadvan. “Well Lord Exorcist it seems you have provided your proof, well done. Now if I remember correctly I have something of yours, something I promised to return.” Smertyr glanced at Engel Slayer, “you had better bring in our little ornament.”

As Engel Slayer left the building, Smertyr moved to the centre of the room, throwing back a rug to show three concentric metal rings. The outer ring was bright silver, the inner one completely black and the central one a steel grey. Each of the metal rings was etched in runes and glyphs, serpents, like those on the walls chased through these writings.

Engel Slayer returned, his mighty shoulders quivering with strain as he carried in the statue of the pregnant woman, before carefully placing her in the centre of the rings. He turned without speaking to leave the building again, only to return moments later with a huge silk sack. Slipping out a wave edged dagger, split at the point to form two fangs, he passed it to Smertyr.

“Now Cadvan, I promised that if you brought me evidence then this unfortunate woman’s status would not remain as it currently is. Well I am a man of my word, so transformed she shall be.”

Muttering he ran the razor edge of the blade over his left forearm, blood welling up before dripping down on the rings, the serpents flaring up red as they appeared to drink in the blood. Within the circle the woman’s stone skin began to regain a human skin tone. Seeing this Engel Slayer swung the sack, the silk flying off to reveal a massive hammer. With all his strength he struck the almost flesh, almost stone woman and she shattered, yet no part of her now fully flesh remains left the confines of the activated circle.

“See Cadvan, she has been transformed, as I promised.” Smertyr smiled.

The exorcists stiffened behind Cadvan and their hands went to the hilts of their weapons, Lucia spread all six of her wings and crouched down low, leaning forwrads, snarling with anger. Cadvan never took his eyes away from Smertyr's. He raised his free hand palm flat to the ground and lowered it. The men took their hands away from their weapons but stayed tense and wary, Lucia stayed exactly as she was. Cadvan did not face her, he just simply said,
"Lucia." Cadvan saying her name finally broke through her rage and she straightened up from her crouch, her wings furled back against her back but heres still blazed with fury.

Cadvan took a breath and looked back at Smertyr, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly, the only trace of any emotion on his face.
"I see you still have the same appreciation of life as you always have Smertyr. We are so alike and yet so different." Cadvan's voice was hard and cold. He turned towards the remains and closed his eyes and bowed his head, his free hand making the sign of the Light as he did so. The exorcists behind him followed his example and lowered their heads in prayer. A moment later and Cadvan looked up again, once again bringing his eyes to rest on Smertyr.
"Seargant-at-arms, we will bring the rest of the prisoners with us, if the Lord Smertyr wishes nothing else from them" His knuckles were white around the staff in his left hand.
"Lord Smertyr, I will take my leave now if you wish for nothing else from me?"

“I follow the truth, the law to ensure that all threats to order and the protection of Britannia are removed. I have neither the time nor inclination to moralise about which threat is greater than another, all threats will be removed.” Smertyr snarled. “Your men may leave, taking your baggage with them, you will remain here though traitor.”

Smertyr pulled the scroll from his belt and scanned the lines. “A very entertaining document Cadvan, well played for convincing the boy king to sign it. Regrettably there are two flaws with this document. Within Britannia there is one voice higher than the High Prelate, one voice whose very utterance can dissolve the laws of the land, The High King’s. I am the instrument of the High King’s, his voice in abstentia, his will given flesh and an unpleasant temperament. The second issue and one vastly more important to you is that your document is dated, you are protected for your crimes after the date it was signed, not before.” Smertyr paused to smile, suddenly the scroll in his hand ignited burning quickly to ash. “Bishop Cadvan, in the name of the High King you are denounced as traitor and heretic all your lands, titles and belongings are forfeit. You stand accused of plotting against High Prelate Emes, namely offering to have him murdered and removed from office. Any who stand in the way of the High King’s will are traitors, no matter what piece of paper they hold, their lands, titles and belongings will be forfeit. Think on this, everything that has happened here this night has been broadcast directly to the High King and the High Prelate, any action will be seen as proof of your guilt. Now kneel Cadvan and submit to the Inquisition.”

Cadvan stood quiet for a long moment, his eyes closed as he stood in thought. Around him his men all stood in a much more aggressive stance, an un-subtle indication that they would protect their master if need be. Lucia hovered off the ground, her face a mask of shock. And still Cadvan stood and thought. When he opened his eyes again just for a moment they showed a deep wearyness but it dissaperead almost as soon as it had appeared. They became hard, cold granite in that instant as he evidently made his choice.
"Smertyr, I do not recognize your authority to bring me to trial. I will not deny the charge and nor will i defend mysellf against it, i refuse to acknowledge your right to try me upon any such issue. I am not a subject of the High King, I am not subject to you. That piece of paper that you so casally destroyed was a copy of a treaty of independance, not a law. You may make and break laws as you so please my lord reiksmarshal, but you cannot remove a treaty without the authorisation of all three parties. You can no more try me than try a member of the Rancian kingdom, or a Dhaine. You can make an accusation and a court may be convened with a representative of all the parties involved in the treaty. But untill that happens you cannot hold me. Just as much as you cannot try for me a crime that may or may not have happened after the law governing that event has changed. I am not subject to you, now or for a past event that is not confirmed."

Cadvan took a step backwards towards the door.

"I am the light's servant Smertyr and yet I am no heretic to the united church for I have never spoken out against the united church, I have never oppossed it even. I was one of the founders of the united church, i made sure Junter became high prelate, i ensured that the members of the church of Light would accept the unity of the churches. And now I am accussed of heresy? I remind you that the church has never commanded that all its members should worship Light, Dark and balance but that they should accept the others as having a part to play for the kingdom and not to undually persecute or proseute those of a differing faith. I have ever abided by the tenents of the church. I am no heretic sir. I have made it clear that I am a servant of the Light and the Light alone, but i will and have worked alongside members of both dark and shadow to protect this kingdom that i hold dear."

Cadvan took another step towards the door, his men now moving around him Lucia staying close as ever hovering protectively over Cadvan. There Cadvan paused, standing in the midst of his people, looking at Smertyr. Cadvan's eyes had taken on an ethereal appearence seemingly glowing from within.

"I have ever been a loyal friend to the High King, an ally to the archprelate and a servant of this kingdom Smertyr. I will ever remain so. That does not and will not change. And now, if you would allow it, I will take my people and leave in peace"

Smertyr threw back his head and roared with laughter. "Oh such a pretty speach, so indignant and ever so flawed. Really I hardly know where to begin to in correcting your errors. Let me begin with the difficulties your treaty, you appear to believe that being independant from the Kingdom gives you some immunity. You and your exorcists seem to have removed yourselves as subjects from Kingdom, meaning you have removed yourselves from the protections being a subject gives you. You think foreigners are exempt from Britannic law? Foolish boy, A Dhanite murdering thief will still be pursued by the Militia, if caught will still face a trial and will still be hung. Being a foreigner makes you an outsider not immune from our laws.

Secondly your treaty protects you from crimes and actions undertaken under the auspices of being an Exorcist. Hiring yourself out as an assassin against the head of the Church of Light, purely for political gain is not the action of the Exorcist. Your treaty does not protect you here, no matter how you wish to twist the will of the King of Albion. Really you should not flaunt your protections, least of all to a member of the Scribes guild.

Now let me deal with the inconsistancies of your personal stance. You paint yourself as a loyal son of the Light, yet as a loyal son of the Church, an Exorcist no less, you allied yourself with an ancient outer darkness. Not only allied but attempted to sacrifice a noble of Albion to the evil, an act that really did threaten the safety of Britannia and the deaths of many of our great nobles. In someways I am glad that so few show the loyalty to the Light that you do. Yet you seek to suggest that we are in someways alike, child, I a true priest of the Light, for in the end all I serve is the Light. If consorting with Lurkers of the Deep is not heresy for a priest of the Light I am unsure what would be.

You a loyal friend of the High King, you are neither loyal, since you chose independance over servitude, nor are you his friend I assure you of that. I have been at the High Kings side as a friend and confidant since before you were born, there is little to you that would endear you to Goraxe.

So you do not recognise my authority boy, then you should not have come to my temple like a whipped dog. You don't deny the charge? Why would you, you are guilty you know that and I know that. The only reason you do not confess is that you fear that you men would desert you if they knew the truth. Let me make this clear child, you will either kneel before me and accept my judgement or you will face the consequences."

Smertyr turned to Engel Slayer. "Leave us, this game reaches the end the boy has lost, even though he does not realise it yet."

Engel Slayer nodded his head, turned and left building, slamming the door closed as he left. Smertyr smiled and appeared to shimmer for an instant.

A powerfull smell of roses and lilacs began to fill the confines of the temple, a tangible presence of something other was in the air. Cadvan smilled as he felt the familliar presence, as he smelt the fragrance. He had not thought it would be and yet it was. His men visably relaxed around him, Lucia grinned broadly and seemed to glow from within as if a fire had been lit within her. Cadvan brieflly touched the symbol of the Light around his neck, almost absently. A young cleric behind him drew from his belt the censor tied to it with chain and lit the incense within it, swinging it gently before him as he came to stand in close attendance to Cadvan. The smell of frankincense soon rose to meet the ethereal scent of roses and lilacs.

"My sins have been dealt with by a higher power than yourself Smertyr, I was judged by the light itself and I underwent my pennance. And I was found to be pure and forgiven my fallability. i can no more deny my falability than i can deny my humanity. But I have been chosen and accepted by the Light. Who are you to question the will of the Light in their choice of champions? My sins have been expiated through pain and torment undertaken for the sake of the oppressed and the poor. I have died twice now for the sake of the Light, to save and atone for the sin i committed and in order that the Light might win the hearts of those whose lives had been turned to pain and torment. I came to your temple in the hope of peace Smertyr for ever have I longed for peace between us. You are right, my ways are not your ways. You have put aside the law of the Light which has at its centre a love of justice and compassion and instead you have become tied to mortal laws. You have said yourself that you will do anything neccessary to fulfill your duty. But that is not the way of the Light Smertyr, you have forgotten that and i mourn that."

"I know where my soul will go upon my death Smertyr, I have no fear of that. Only of not finishing my task before I must leave this world. Death is no threat to me and there can be no humiliation for all that i have pride in is that service which i have offered to the Light, insignificant as I am. Once I was arrogant, ambitious and lustful of power. But I am that no longer for I have been united with the Light afresh and do serve the Light before I serve myself."

That sence of a presence intensified, taking on a multiple presence and strengthening both in power and in being. It seemed centred around Cadvan's small party and yet also filled up the small temple. The silver circle on the floor started to glow as to did the symbols of the Light around the necks and on the armour of the exorcists. Cadvan seemed to swell and his eyes glowed with a pale golden light like a summer sun on the corn fields. He radiated with a power not of his own but no less real for that. Cadvan stood still and just looked at Smertyr, his eyes filled with a depth of love and compassion for all that he saw as well as a great sadness. He stood and waited, peaceful and serene once again for he was not alone.

The instant the new presence appeared it vanished. "Tut, tut Lord Exorcist, no outside assistance this time." The Syth Priest said, his voice now melodic yet strangely emotionless. "This is a temple to the Syth, a place of power. Did you not question the the shape of the building, round like a magic circle? Did you not think that we would not be prepared for your visit that the size of your group would not be noted well before it arrived? We Syth were a united church well before the idea came fashionable in Britannia, we have always had three arms; Law, Balance and Kaos, all with priests of rank. Priests who also are open to the ways arcane. As they like to say in these parts the circle is sealed, by Law, Balance and Kaos and the powers arcane and elemental. Nothing comes in or out of the circle unless it is willed so by Smertyr."

"As for your view of the Light how Britannic, only in Britannia is the simplistic view that the Light is solely good held. We Syth are from the Empire our view is an Imperial one, the Light is creation and law, eternal and true, free from petty mortal morality and emotions. You speak of the Troll Lords as if they are gods, when they are solely the highest servants of the Light, well highest until the true gods began to return. We of the Syth have always honoured the true gods, not their saints left as wardens in their absence. You talk of compassion, yet the mightest hero of the Light in Britannia, the Queen understood the truth compassion is a luxury and one to be used sparingly. She, praised as highly by the Light as any creature born in this world, showed her enemies no mercy, yet it would seem that you understand the nature of the Light better than She, shear arogance on your part Lord Exocist."

"Again Lord Exorcist kneel or break free and face the consequence."

Cadvan made sure he was well beyond the reach of Smertyr, standing easily resting most of his weight on his staff.

"I am a servant of the Light Smertyr, not just the troll lords. I recognise and acknowledge as well as draw power from nature, from the saints and from the troll lords. If i am particularily devoted to some above others that does not mean that i have a lesser regard for others. I worship and obey the Light in its entirety, I am subject to the law of the Light and uphold its tennants. You are right, the Light's most favoured servant is the High Queen. The Light has called many as champions and each is called for different reasons. The High Queen is the Sword of the Light, its strong right arm that brings its justice. Rein is the Love of the Light, its generous and caring hands that lift its suffering children from the depths of their despair. Emes is the Voice of the Light, the one who has been given that special grace of being the Oracle. He speaks the words of the Light and intercedes on our behalf. I am the least of all the servants of the Light. I am the Guardian of the White Flame, the Sprirt of the Light. Thus you see Smertyr, the Light directs its servants for its specific needs. I would not say that I understand the Light better than the High Queen, merely that i represent a different aspect of the Light than she does."

Cadvan took a breath and idly toyed with the object in his right hand, flashes of silver showed between his fingers and he twisted the little box around in his fingers.

"I agree that within the Light there is Law and balance and chaos Smertyr, but as for your claim about morality... it is true that the Light is beyond human emotion and indeed does not deal with mortal morality. For mortal morality comes from fallable mortals bound by time and their fragile existence. But the Light is none of those things, it is not fallable only its servants are. It is not mortal as its servants are. It is not bound by time as its servants are. I am sure you would not say that the Light was beyond morality. The Light is good Smertyr, the good of the Law of the Light. The good of the balance and tollerance it can breed. The good of the wild and fiery natures it can bring to its purposes. But it is still good. Not mortal good but divine good. You use imperial view and britannic view but even in that simple sentance you show that you rely on your own mortal understanding. Law, neutrality and chaos are not independant nor are they subject to an individual system. The Light is not purely Law just as the Dark is not purely Chaos. Relatavisim is a mortal concept, so it is appropriate that so many mortals exist in a relatavistic mode."

Cadvan shook his head with a wry smile.

"Very well Smertyr, lets get this over with. I cannot raise my sword against you and nor will I order my men to do what i cannot do. You are not such a threat to the church that I could justify killing you. So, let us hear this jusgement you have to pass on me. Then we can se where we will go from there." Lucia looked at Cadvan in shock as if he was insane. The dozen exorcists behind him let no emotion touch their faces. Cadvan, still far beyond the range of Smertyr, smiled. He slowly lowered himself to his knees and looked Smertyr in the eyes, not breaking contact. Lucia came in close to his side, standing protectively over him with hands on her swords, she to locked her blazing violet eyes on Smertyrs. The exorcists came forward to stand around Cadvan, weapons and staves in hand. They would not attack but they took their lead from Lucia, they would not let anything happen to Cadvan.

Cadvan looked up with cold grey eyes that burned with a fanatics faith, his scarred left hand grasped tightly around the onyx rune staff of glythandrax. He pushed the sword at his side, its prnate hilt glowing slightly, out of the way so he could kneel comfortably and allow him to stand swiftly, his hand staying on the hilt.

"Well Smertyr? Say what you have to say and have done with it"

"You will need to speak to the Master." The Syth priest said and walked to the door, "open in the name of the Kommander!"

At the order the door to the temple opened and four men walked in, three dressed in the black and red half plate of the High Reiksguard, helmets hiding their faces. Two of the warriors were recognised by their gait and bulk, one was Engel Slayer and the other the slender form of the grey knight, the last matched the shape and bulk of Smertyr. The four man was clearly a noble rather than a born warrior, walking with the inborn arrogance of one raised to rule over lesser men.

As one the High Reiksguard removed their helms and for a moment two Smertyrs stood in the building, the the man who had been speaking to the exorcists features seemed to melt like wax, reshaping as a bland face. The man bowed his head to the Knight Kommander.

"Well done Cadvan, I had suspected that you would have taken the route of forcing your way out of the temple." Smertyr clapped ironically and slowly. "This is Lambe, one of our doublewalkers, they benefit from bleeding red rather than green. Hated in the Empire many have found that we High Reiksguard approve of their duplicitous nature.

Enough of these minor details, I really have only one question, did you order the Exorcists in their actions in Rance, Dhaine and Anite Empire? Do they follow your orders Lord Exorcist?"

"I applaud you Smertyr, your cunning as ever is beyond doubt. Yes, they are members of the exorcist order and as such are under my command."

Smertyr smiled, slowly as if savouring the moment. "Ah treaties don't you just love them? Your treaty makes you exempt from Britannic law, meaning those crimes, you commit or those of the Exorcists, are beyond remit of my command. As such you are safe from my prosecution. Now if that was the only treaty at play you would be as free as the proverbial birds. Unfortunately, there is a treaty that exists between Britannia, Dhain, Rance and the Anite Empire, you may have heard of it NATO. Now we loyal citizens are duty bound to protect our allies if they are invaded, to answer their call in times of need.

Now you may be aware that in Dhain their religion is the worship of demons, they are a nation of Dark worshipers not light, our embassies have been contacted, apparently your people have been making a nusance of themselves. Also the Marque De Slaard of Rance says that Exorcists have been murdering his subjects. Whilst he is less concerned with the welfare of his subjects, as he is with outsiders trampling his crops without his leave, he has also lodged a legitimate complaint.

Now if you were subjects of Britannia this would be an internal matter, but as your treaty states you are independant of this Kingdom. If you had brought your concerns to the legitimate offices of His Majesty, then the High King may have intervened on you behalf, but you placed your crusade above the petty concerns of His Majesty. You and your treaty place me in a easy and difficult position at the same time. Do I had you over to either the lords of Dhain and Rance, leave your punishment in their 'tender' hands, or do I under the NATO treaty intervene on their behalf? The easy option would be to wash my hands, the difficult one would be to prosecute you under the laws of the treaty on their behalf, muddling one treaty against another.

Really it is so vexing that I think I will leave it in your delicate hands. Do I hold you until Dhain and Rance have decided who should deal with you, or shall I prosecute you in their stead?"

Smertyr turned to the Rancite lord. "Marque, as we have said those men who murdered your subjects were indeed independant of this Kingdom, we neither support them, nor offer them any protection. We regard this as internal manner, you may do with them as you so will."

Cadvan rose, carefully concieling his surprise at the turn the events had taken. He allowed himself a slight smile even as his mind raced away.

"Not one of these people here before you have murdered anyone, least of all your subjects. Those actions that have been undertaken within the lands of dhaine and rance were not at the volition of the order of exorcists but rather by native forces of Light worshippers. The exorcists involved were advisors in the case of rance and observers in dhaine. The order has its own embasies and ambassadors within all the NATO countries, they should have brought their concerns to my attention. Rancians have been in training in a joint college of exorcism in Calais for half a year now, as have britannic exorcists been learning in Dhaine. To the best of my knowledge there have been no bloodshed in Aine to date. The actions that my forces have observed in Dhaine have not been against mortal creatures nor subjects of the dhainite realms but against demonic manifestations and true demons. If the demonic realms wish to prosecute me they should feel free to do so, but from my experience they generally prefer to try and kill me. In rance, my exorcists have been working in conjunction with the local church of light, a recognised church within the lands. The one event of bloodshed that has occured to my knowledge was a matter of public saftey and wiithin the remit granted to the local church of light. Hence why the incident was carried out with native forces under the advisory body of the exorcists."

Cadvan took a breath after that and stood quiet again. The assorted clergy behind him and tensed up when they first saw the four walk into the room but they now stood easily. More relaxed. Even Lucia had put her swords away and stood as relaxed as she ever did, although she still clung close to Cadvan's side.
Cadvan now stood and waited, waiting to see what would come of this situation.

Smertyr shrugged, “pretty speech, pretty but irrelevant. I have not claimed that you have killed any of my subjects, nor did I state that Anite had levelled a complaint. I simply asked whether you commanded the Exorcist forces there, which you claimed you did. Whether your advisors drew steel, or just watched as those they advised did is not my concern, at this point. My concern, at this point, are the charges laid at you door by our allies. The fact that you claim your forces have not killed any mortals in Dhain only the demons that they worship is interesting, I wonder what you would do if Engle Slayer destroyed the physical manifestation of your angel. Would you and your followers simply stand to one side, or would they rise up in anger? I suspect the latter and am left wondering why you believe that it would different for the Dhainites?

I allow myself to be distracted from the main point, your reasoning and explanation are irrelevant. A complaint by two of our allies has been levelled, we loyal citizens of Britannia are duty bound to stand by our treaty. As you correctly pointed out I do not hold the authority to break the covenants of an existing treaty. Whether you are right that in the first instance that the rulers of Dhain and Rance should have lowered themselves to advise you of their concerns, is like everything else in your delightful speech irrelevant. They have made their concerns known to the true authorities within Britannia, now under the treaty, see how wonderful treaties truly are, we are honour bound to act. Oh in passing, you of course offered the rulers of our allies the same courtesy you expect in return, didn’t you? You did tell them that your mercenaries were acting in their countries, you did get permission before you acted independently?

Of course Rance may now be satisfied. So my dear Marque, are you satisfied?”

“Non, pourquoi ne devrait j'accepter les mots d'un voleur de cheval, quand ils me disent qu'ils ont seulement été chacun a regardé comme leur cousin a volé mon cheval? Cet homme ose me dire que je doive aller chez lui et déposer une plainte quand lui et ses chiens n'avaient pas l'honneur demander de partir pour entrer dans mes possessions! Non je ne suis satisfait votre Monsieur de la part de ma famille et la Rance je demande la justice. Il doit payer pour les crimes de ses disciples!” The Rancite noble answered.

“Indeed Monsieur, indeed, I don’t believe I could have put it better myself.” Smertyr inclined his head in respect. “So back to the question I actually asked, do you wish to be tried in Britannia, or should I hand you over to one of our allies for trial?”