Tightening the Leash

[Devon]

Saul sat his desk going over a few reports that were given to him by pages. Most of them were of minor concern, but one caught his attention and quickly infuriated the Emperor. Taking his glass of brandy he threw it across the room in anger.

"Damnit Die," he shouted! Saul read the report again to make sure of what he was reading. He mostly let the High Priest do what he fancied, but only as long as it didn't interfere with his plans. Die had crossed the line this time.

[Kender Bard]

Anarchy paused in the hallway at the sound of breaking glass and traced it to its source. Stepping around the shattered mess daintily, Anarchy entered the room.

"What has you so wroth, husband?" Anarchy asked, picking her words with care. She'd never seen Saul so infuriated before. It was disturbing; he was always so... controlled.

[Devon]

"Our High Priest has taken his little pet project from Naurorod and attacked Ekaitz in my name," Saul shouted! "I've left him alone while he does whatever in the Forces name he pleased, but he has over stepped his boundaries."

Saul was still very angry, but venting a bit to his wife was helping him gain some of his usual composure. "I need to send word to Gintaras and a detachment of men to back him up. I want Die captured and chained."

[Kender Bard]

"Pet project?" Anarchy repeated, a bit confused. She knew he'd gone on a pilgrimage to Naurorod, presumably to Athrug... And she had no idea what had happened to Ekaitz. "Why would he attack Ekaitz?" she asked him. It just seemed so... Random.

[Devon]

"Apparently he has released demons or something. Morilanta has already done this once, I'm sure you remember. Anyway he probably just did to do it," Saul said shaking his head.

"I need to get in touch with the Dread Lord to take my name out of it and offer him my help. When I get my hands on Die I'll teach him."

[Kender Bard]

Anarchy frowned; she did remember that. What a mess. "How many other people know, do you think?" she asked him. The relations with Gintaras would be strained, no doubt, but they also needed to worry about potential retaliation from others.

[Devon]

"My network hasn't brought a lick of information back to me," Saul confided in her. "I'll have to see if Pip has heard of anything. We're going to have to strengthen our borders either way and send help to Ekaitz. I also want every priest under house arrest and questioned," he told her.

[Kender Bard]

"I can arrange the latter," Anarchy offered. "But you must know that this will not endear you to the church." She frowned; it was a pity that even now they had to remember to keep up their image for their own citizens as well. "you'll seem weak and they'll resent the treatment."

[Devon]

"I could always just have them killed, but that wouldn't be any better," Saul said. "What would you suggest we do Anarchy?"

[Kender Bard]

Anarchy considered the situation before her expression brightened. "Let's pit the temple against itself. Set one half up to try and subjugate the other half. That should keep them busy while we investigate and may turn up some interesting information."

[Devon]

"And this is why you're my Empress," Saul said to her with a small smirk. "Let's go with that and see what we can find out. I need to spread out my information network."

[Kender Bard]

Anarchy nodded. "I'll make it known, discreetly, to several high ranking priests in the branches of Efil, Worg, and Etaf. I'm sure they'll be able to take care of the rest on their own, especially the Efilians. They must be desperate to earn back some of their prestige lost after that debacle that Rajani put them through. Is there anything else I can do to help, my love?"

[Devon]

"Nothing else concerning this matter," Saul told her. "I'm going to get information to Gintaras as soon as possible and after that I need to find Die," he said.