Post by mcian on Mar 1, 2024 14:00:08 GMT -5
Since the Brotherhood Abbey lay adjacent to his home-away-from home, Saint's Cross, it was an easy and short walk for Itannar to get there. He was accosted by a hostile gargoyle on the way, but he dispatched it quickly and without any serious injury. Climbing the steps, he entered without knocking (as the Castellan had bade him previously) and stepped inside. The furnishings were anything but spartan - plush couches adjoining; bright, colorful, carpets highlighting white marble floors; hanging tapestries; stained glass lamps flickering. A blazing fireplace and two large tables were positioned parallel to one another - one laden with food and the other neatly arranged for multiple guests or tenants to dine together. The Castellan greeted him and hearing it, Preceptor Kerrigan's chamber door opened. Smiling to see his new friend, Kerrigan hurried to him, expressing his honor of the visit. The two seated themselves but Kerrigan rose again to collect two goblets into which he poured the Abbey's own brew - Sanguinarius Rex, a robust but unusually sweet red wine. He gave one of the goblets to Itannar, who thanked his gracious host, and then he sat down in the couch opposite him. "It is good to see you and now fully healed," he commented.
Itannar nodded. "Aye, thank you. It was a long ordeal now over," he replied, then shifted slightly in his seat. "I came to make a request, or rather confirm one, and to report on your brother."
At the mention of his brother, the Grand Inquisitor by title but fraternal twin, Kerridan, by relationship, the Preceptor's countenance fell noticeably. "Ask anything of me. I want to help and be of service."
"The Governor Idril desires you to be a star witness against your brother. This must be assured before we proceed. We have other evidence, but your testimony, being who you are and what it is, will surely seal the case for us. I know you told us you would, but we must have absolute confirmation of this in writing. I have with me an affidavit for you to read and sign thusly." With that, he reached into his pocket and produced the document, handing it to him.
Kerrigan took it and read it quickly. He asked the Castellan for pen and ink, took them from him, signed it, and blew on it to dry the ink. "I will do this. As much as I hurt for my brother's fate, he brought it upon himself - he must face the stern hand of justice of which I am foresworn to uphold and defend."
Itannar received the affidavit, folded it, and returned it to his pocket. "Aye. My heart does go out to you. I cannot imagine the pain of condemning my brother. You are one of the most honorable and true practitioners of justice I have ever known," Itannar remarked, noting the man's eyes watering with unshed but unashamed tears. He simply nodded.
"As to the condition of your brother - he is quite safe. We made a special prison just for him and acquired the very... shall I say... exceptionally extraordinary talents of someone who placed impenetrable wards about his cell. The greatest mage in all the land could not get to him without warning to us, or injury to him or her self."
"I thank you for that boon."
Itannar nodded and looked about. "I thought I might see Jace while I am here."
Kerrigan shook his head. "He has left us. He did not tell me where he was going, only that he needed to commit himself to a cause. I would not have known save that he left a flyer behind."
"Oh? He just left?"
"Yes. I tossed the flyer away but I remember it well. It was an advertisement, a recruitment poster rather, for the Cove Militia. I suspect Cove is where he went. He did not gather up all his things yet, but he will be back I suppose to get them."
Itannar arched an eyebrow. "I have heard of them and seen a few of them about - at meetings and such. I think one of them spoke at the governors' meeting the other night. They were not well received there, though their spokesman confessed deception and rejected the ways of their former allies - a religious group of sorts, perhaps even one aligned with your brother. The fellow was virtually shouted down and the group left. I think Cove lost its seat on the council as well... by vote. I found the affair handled a bit ham-fisted by the king, but then I do not have all the facts. You may should warn him of what he is getting into with them."
Kerrigan smiled. "He is a young man and bold of heart. It would be like trying to tame a wild stallion or catch a stag on foot. He goes where his heart leads him. If they are untrustworthy, he will discover it for himself soon."
Itannar nodded. "Your words ring true." He chuckled. "I do not think he has even told his father about it. I wonder if I should? Scar is a dear friend and he may think ill of me for withholding the information. What think you?"
Kerrigan thought for a moment. "It is not one’s place to inform on anyone without need. There is presently no need. I would let that conversation pass between them and them alone."
"Again, well spoken. I agree. Yet if you learn or sense anything amiss, please tell me. Someday I will bring Scar and introduce him to you. He does not follow our creed - he, like his son, is wild and impulsive and allows his emotions to dictate his actions rather than strict adherence to law. But he has a code and is good of heart."
"I look forward to it then."
Itannar finished his wine, thanked his host, and returned to his office in Yew to conduct matters for which he was appointed.
Itannar nodded. "Aye, thank you. It was a long ordeal now over," he replied, then shifted slightly in his seat. "I came to make a request, or rather confirm one, and to report on your brother."
At the mention of his brother, the Grand Inquisitor by title but fraternal twin, Kerridan, by relationship, the Preceptor's countenance fell noticeably. "Ask anything of me. I want to help and be of service."
"The Governor Idril desires you to be a star witness against your brother. This must be assured before we proceed. We have other evidence, but your testimony, being who you are and what it is, will surely seal the case for us. I know you told us you would, but we must have absolute confirmation of this in writing. I have with me an affidavit for you to read and sign thusly." With that, he reached into his pocket and produced the document, handing it to him.
Kerrigan took it and read it quickly. He asked the Castellan for pen and ink, took them from him, signed it, and blew on it to dry the ink. "I will do this. As much as I hurt for my brother's fate, he brought it upon himself - he must face the stern hand of justice of which I am foresworn to uphold and defend."
Itannar received the affidavit, folded it, and returned it to his pocket. "Aye. My heart does go out to you. I cannot imagine the pain of condemning my brother. You are one of the most honorable and true practitioners of justice I have ever known," Itannar remarked, noting the man's eyes watering with unshed but unashamed tears. He simply nodded.
"As to the condition of your brother - he is quite safe. We made a special prison just for him and acquired the very... shall I say... exceptionally extraordinary talents of someone who placed impenetrable wards about his cell. The greatest mage in all the land could not get to him without warning to us, or injury to him or her self."
"I thank you for that boon."
Itannar nodded and looked about. "I thought I might see Jace while I am here."
Kerrigan shook his head. "He has left us. He did not tell me where he was going, only that he needed to commit himself to a cause. I would not have known save that he left a flyer behind."
"Oh? He just left?"
"Yes. I tossed the flyer away but I remember it well. It was an advertisement, a recruitment poster rather, for the Cove Militia. I suspect Cove is where he went. He did not gather up all his things yet, but he will be back I suppose to get them."
Itannar arched an eyebrow. "I have heard of them and seen a few of them about - at meetings and such. I think one of them spoke at the governors' meeting the other night. They were not well received there, though their spokesman confessed deception and rejected the ways of their former allies - a religious group of sorts, perhaps even one aligned with your brother. The fellow was virtually shouted down and the group left. I think Cove lost its seat on the council as well... by vote. I found the affair handled a bit ham-fisted by the king, but then I do not have all the facts. You may should warn him of what he is getting into with them."
Kerrigan smiled. "He is a young man and bold of heart. It would be like trying to tame a wild stallion or catch a stag on foot. He goes where his heart leads him. If they are untrustworthy, he will discover it for himself soon."
Itannar nodded. "Your words ring true." He chuckled. "I do not think he has even told his father about it. I wonder if I should? Scar is a dear friend and he may think ill of me for withholding the information. What think you?"
Kerrigan thought for a moment. "It is not one’s place to inform on anyone without need. There is presently no need. I would let that conversation pass between them and them alone."
"Again, well spoken. I agree. Yet if you learn or sense anything amiss, please tell me. Someday I will bring Scar and introduce him to you. He does not follow our creed - he, like his son, is wild and impulsive and allows his emotions to dictate his actions rather than strict adherence to law. But he has a code and is good of heart."
"I look forward to it then."
Itannar finished his wine, thanked his host, and returned to his office in Yew to conduct matters for which he was appointed.