Converting the Heart of Evil

[Kender Bard]

Vesperia trembled gently as she approached the other walls of Morilanta but tried to hide it. She had not lived in the Beastlands a very long time, but one lesson was still strong in her mind - don't show fear in the face of the enemy. Be strong. Be fierce.

Smoothing her robes, she called out towards the gate, "Hail and well met!"

[tuo]

Several guards stepped into partial view and aims crossbows down at her and one calls down to her. "State your intentions!"

[Kender Bard]

Vesperia eyed the crossbows nervously. "I am the High Priestess of Efil. I seek an audience with the High Priestess of Evil - Rajani I believe her name is."

[tuo]

The guards tense up at the mention of her being a priestess of Efil..however there is a note of nervousness as well. One of them calls down to her. "Why would you want to meet with the High Priestess. Efil cannot be trusted."

[Kender Bard]

Vesperia made an annoyed, frustrated sound. "You do not have any priests of Efil within you walls?" she called back in disbelief.

[tuo]

The guard shifts uneasily but calls back down. "We do, but likely nothing like the kind you know heathen."

[Kender Bard]

"Look!" Vesperia growled back at them. "I have a right, as a high priestess of a different Force, to meet with Rajani. Your priestess should understand this, and will be more than a little cross when she finds that you are interfering with holy matters!"

[tuo]

The guards paused and after a moment, did have to agree that despite her being a heathen, this was still a matter of religion and best handled by Rajani, or at least one of her underlings. "Wait there, we will inform the temple of your visit." A couple guards hurry off to inform Rajani of Vesperia's visit.

[Kender Bard]

Once told, Rajani leaned back in her seat, mind working to figure this puzzle out. What could she want with me... this is likely an assassination attempt. Though Efilites do not work that way... so puzzling... She told the guard to wait for her reply as she headed to Nissar's throne room.

[tuo]

Nissar was currently not in the throne room when she entered at first. A moment later he appeared and looked at her. "What brings you here at this time of day my wife?"

[Kender Bard]

Rajani gave a slight jump before turning. Her mouth twitched into a fleeting smile at the sight of him, like it always did, and she had to calm the brief flutter in her chest. "Ah, Nissar, it would appear I have received a guest. The High Priestess of Efil wishes to meet with me, and she is invoking the ancient rights of our caste by demanding safe passage. I could command the archers on the wall to shoot her down but we'd have a holy war on our hands."

She shivered. "Not that the idea doesn't excite me. But besides that, I can also let her in, say what she wishes, and be on our way. She could be trying to assassinate me though. I was hoping I would bring her to us and you would see what her intent is."

[tuo]

Nissar gives a shallow smile and nods. "Very well, I could use a diversion. Today has been slow. Where would you meet with her?"

[Kender Bard]

"In the safety and comfort of our home," Rajani suggested. "Unless you'd rather travel to the walls with me and we leave her outside of the city altogether."

[tuo]

Nissar smirked at her. "Let her come to us and see how we live."

[Kender Bard]

Rajani smiled at the suggestion and went back to the guard, relaying the information.

Once escorted to Rajani's home, Vesperia dipped into a low bow before the two royals. "Well me," she said by way of greeting. "I am Vesperia, the High Priestess of Efil."