Post by mcian on Mar 19, 2024 18:50:59 GMT -5
Jace had finally gotten around to telling his father about his decision to join the Cove Militia. Initially Scar made no comment except to inquire as to the needs of Papua. However, knowing that the threat to Papua was quelled for now, he gave his full approval... until recently.
From various sources and collected information, Scar had determined that Cove was a place of mystery, somewhat dark. The governor-baron of the city had been ejected, by vote, from the governor's council - that was known well enough - but there had been reports that cast a dark cloud over the town about the church of Light. It seemed no one trusted the Covians or the Militia and they had withdrawn themselves, whether voluntarily or involuntarily no one knew. The general mistrust grew and even now Trinsic had commissioned some of its people to investigate for themselves.
With this in mind Scar approached his son cautiously - not to spy but to find out what truths could be distilled from all the confusion surrounding Cove. He found him at the Brotherhood Abbey, which he still frequented and stayed sometimes, sitting on his bed sharpening his dagger. Jace's face brightened when his father entered the barracks-room and he rose to embrace him. "Good to see you, father!"
Scar smiled and returned the well-wish. Both sat down, Scar on the bed across from his son's. "I hope no one minds," he muttered.
Jace shook his head. "No one sleeps there. Few have returned. Kerrigan is trying to get more recruits from Empath Abbey, but he does not trust them fully - thinks they may be spies."
"Spies? From the Abbey? Spies for whom?"
Jace sighed. "It is a long story. There's this group of religious zealots called called the church of Light. They took root in Cove but got ousted. They dress like monks and pretend to be monks but they are anything but. Kerrigan thinks they still have some members at Empath Abbey."
Scar nodded. "That is what I have come to talk to you about. I have heard stories and it has me worried about you. Cove has a bad reputation among many at the moment. No one seems to trust even the Militia. When I heard all this, I felt it necessary to..."
"To find out the truth. Yes, I understand, and I appreciate your concern. There was something to it. The church established itself in Yew and put fear into the hearts of Covians about magic use. Their fear led them to follow blindly until it became evident the church was not what it claimed to be. Cove rejected the church and its leaders, expelling them and canceling their laws with new ones."
"Who told you this?"
"My commander, Jassi, told me some. Covians confirmed it, one and all. I know it to be true because I get attacked almost every day by one of the church's lunatics when I am on patrol. They seem to want us dead."
"Zealots. Madmen. I have met one or two I think."
Jace nodded. "Never seen the like. It is as if they are possessed! I can barely make good my escape. I am embarrassed to admit they are too skilled for me to handle alone, but that will change I promise."
"Son... are you sure of this? Are you certain this is the way it is? The current view of Cove is that they are all untrustworthy or tainted in some way. I do not want you to be deceived and, well, treated badly."
Jace stopped sharpening his weapon to lock eyes with his father. "I could not be more certain of it. These church of Light... loons... are after us! We need allies but it seems all have abandoned us to our fate. I think they are the ones spreading the lies and making mischief. They want us to be isolated."
Scar sighed. "It seems to be working. Well, I intend to visit there with an officer from the Fist. I will tell him of our conversation but we want to see this first-hand; talk to the citizens - no "guided tours" either."
"Come and see," Jace invited. "Don't take my word for it."
"But I do. Still, an outside view looking in is needed. Proof is needed and nothing is better than eye-witness." Scar slapped his knee and rose. "I do not know when we will be there, but you be careful! Keep training and watch your back son. If anyone so much as touches you I will kill them myself. Make sure they know that."
"Do not worry father. Ever since that altercation with Kerrigan's brother, I have been doing that."
"Good! Now, take care of yourself. Come and visit at the Settlement sometime, or Sanctuary. Korbin will cook you up a fine meal if you do," Scar dropped the bait, smiling.
"I will! Farewell father." Then he went back to his work.
From various sources and collected information, Scar had determined that Cove was a place of mystery, somewhat dark. The governor-baron of the city had been ejected, by vote, from the governor's council - that was known well enough - but there had been reports that cast a dark cloud over the town about the church of Light. It seemed no one trusted the Covians or the Militia and they had withdrawn themselves, whether voluntarily or involuntarily no one knew. The general mistrust grew and even now Trinsic had commissioned some of its people to investigate for themselves.
With this in mind Scar approached his son cautiously - not to spy but to find out what truths could be distilled from all the confusion surrounding Cove. He found him at the Brotherhood Abbey, which he still frequented and stayed sometimes, sitting on his bed sharpening his dagger. Jace's face brightened when his father entered the barracks-room and he rose to embrace him. "Good to see you, father!"
Scar smiled and returned the well-wish. Both sat down, Scar on the bed across from his son's. "I hope no one minds," he muttered.
Jace shook his head. "No one sleeps there. Few have returned. Kerrigan is trying to get more recruits from Empath Abbey, but he does not trust them fully - thinks they may be spies."
"Spies? From the Abbey? Spies for whom?"
Jace sighed. "It is a long story. There's this group of religious zealots called called the church of Light. They took root in Cove but got ousted. They dress like monks and pretend to be monks but they are anything but. Kerrigan thinks they still have some members at Empath Abbey."
Scar nodded. "That is what I have come to talk to you about. I have heard stories and it has me worried about you. Cove has a bad reputation among many at the moment. No one seems to trust even the Militia. When I heard all this, I felt it necessary to..."
"To find out the truth. Yes, I understand, and I appreciate your concern. There was something to it. The church established itself in Yew and put fear into the hearts of Covians about magic use. Their fear led them to follow blindly until it became evident the church was not what it claimed to be. Cove rejected the church and its leaders, expelling them and canceling their laws with new ones."
"Who told you this?"
"My commander, Jassi, told me some. Covians confirmed it, one and all. I know it to be true because I get attacked almost every day by one of the church's lunatics when I am on patrol. They seem to want us dead."
"Zealots. Madmen. I have met one or two I think."
Jace nodded. "Never seen the like. It is as if they are possessed! I can barely make good my escape. I am embarrassed to admit they are too skilled for me to handle alone, but that will change I promise."
"Son... are you sure of this? Are you certain this is the way it is? The current view of Cove is that they are all untrustworthy or tainted in some way. I do not want you to be deceived and, well, treated badly."
Jace stopped sharpening his weapon to lock eyes with his father. "I could not be more certain of it. These church of Light... loons... are after us! We need allies but it seems all have abandoned us to our fate. I think they are the ones spreading the lies and making mischief. They want us to be isolated."
Scar sighed. "It seems to be working. Well, I intend to visit there with an officer from the Fist. I will tell him of our conversation but we want to see this first-hand; talk to the citizens - no "guided tours" either."
"Come and see," Jace invited. "Don't take my word for it."
"But I do. Still, an outside view looking in is needed. Proof is needed and nothing is better than eye-witness." Scar slapped his knee and rose. "I do not know when we will be there, but you be careful! Keep training and watch your back son. If anyone so much as touches you I will kill them myself. Make sure they know that."
"Do not worry father. Ever since that altercation with Kerrigan's brother, I have been doing that."
"Good! Now, take care of yourself. Come and visit at the Settlement sometime, or Sanctuary. Korbin will cook you up a fine meal if you do," Scar dropped the bait, smiling.
"I will! Farewell father." Then he went back to his work.