Crusader's march

[adris]

(OOC: To cut a short post I just assumed someone would point Michelle where to go when she arrived, I can edit if you don't like the idea)

Michelle arrived back at Acoia, looking beaten and dejected as she tried to at least stand tall. Her eyes told the story of her defeat though as she made her way into the room of her superiors.

"My lady, I... I regret to inform you that the voice of Taed refused to budge on the issue. She said the attacks were an act of her God, and that the killers would not be brought to justice. I apologize for my failure and await my punishment."

She had already gotten rid of her sword long before making it to Acoia. She grew exceedingly hard on herself as the march back home continued. She even added an extra notch to her penance anklet during the last day of the trip.

[Kender Bard]

Vesperia released her breath in a heavy sigh. "I feared that this would be the case. It is hard to tell a priest of Taed that any form of death is wrong, even murder I fear. Well, I hope they are looking forward to the death of their own then." Her voice became hard as she stood up. "How soon can you rally other templars and martial priests in a campaign against Athrug?"

[adris]

Michelle snapped out of her pained look as soon as Vesperia finished talking. She was amazed that there had been no punishment for such a collosal failure. Now is not the time for questions though, she was being asked to spring into action.

"Ma'am, I can have them at your command by the end of the day. I can have them briefed, rested, and ready to go by the dawns break tomarrow. Your command is my heart, just tell me what to inform the others of the others."

She snapped a quick and formal salute at the end of her response. This is something she knew she could get done, rather then negotiations, which she thought could go much more smoothly if the other side was any easier to work with.

[Kender Bard]

Vesperia smiled sadly at Michelle. "Tell those whom you gather together that there is a war being waged on the priests of Taed. We will not stop until either the murders come forth, or are handed to us, or until their High Priestess, or a number of head priest equivalent amount, is dead as well."

[adris]

Michelle bows deeply to Vesperia, and thinking this mission holds some level of urgency ducks out of the room to gather together the warriors. After a night of rushing to room to room, getting superiors to tell those under them to get moving she finally gathered the soldiers she could contact that day in the usual courtyard.

"A terrible sin has been done to us followers of Efil. The one that each and every one of us looks up to for enlightenment, was recently slain by priests of Taed!" She let this sink in, while they probably knew this information it always gets the fire in the heart burning in her opinion, "We have talked to the head priestess of Taed, confronting her with hope of peace, pleading her to not force war onto this world. Did she invite us? Did she listen to our cries? No! She scoffed at the very life of our leader! She said that lives lost in war would be welcomed! We need to send a message, we need to tell these people that when you don't listen to our humble hearts and cries for peace, your ears will be filled with the gut wrenching cries of your own as they plead for mercy. My brothers in sisters, we are to send this message until justice is served. Until they feel the same pains inflicted on them as they gave to us!"

A long pause as she seemed to simply fall into reverie. Her eyes were closed and even those up front to her could barely see that she was breathing. Then suddenly her eyes shot open and she drew a new sword that she recently appropriated.

"Who. Is. With me?!?"

[Kender Bard]

The crowd of soldiers and warrior-priests roared with their agreement, pumping fists, lifting their own weapons up. A few extremely zealous individuals towards the back even started to run off to get started that second.

[adris]

Michelle took a couple heavy breaths and then stepped down from her perch. There were still orders to give, and due to the numbers it would probably be best if they worked as an organized whole. She pulls one of the leading commanders aside.

"I need the army prepped and ready to go tomarrow morning, we make the first march to Ronduin as soon as we are able, we cannot give these people time to prepare. And send out messengers to followers in the Kingdom, Ilyamen, and Humontis. I want the best on our side as soon as possible."

She considers another idea for a moment after walking away. Then with a snap of her fingers she feels that she might as well try, they need all the help they can get in any case. She walks up to the nearest Efil priest or priestess she can get her hands on.

"I need you, or someone you know that has a very persuasive speaking voice to go to Eresserod and petition the monks to move to our aid. They should understand our plight after hearing the situation... at least I hope."

The last part was more mumbled to herself as she walked to her quarters to prepare herself for the battles ahead. This included the usual rituals of cleaning her armor and taking her penance.