**A beatific chapel shrine of black marble to who is considered the first Initiate High Priestess, Martine, simply called the Mistress by many. It is an old Strigoyesque design that predates Old Country style; it is a domed structure of gold with an 18-windowed drum, placed on a stone octagon and encircled by an arcade of two-centred arches; a small terrace of gardens leads up to the shrine’s entrance. This is a safe-haven for Initiates inside the city and a place to confess their secrets. The current mistress of the shrine is the head of the Prelacy and priesthood, though it is little known that she also functions as Lady Rime’s majordomo, and heads her eyes-and-ears network: she is, Bel’ial Melfane Saoirse, probably the most feared Initiate presence after the Dark Trio and the Thane himself. Her second-in-command and chief Inquisitor is Prelate Mercrutia, simply known as ‘Bones,’ to other Initiates. She is the one you want to see, stories of Saoirse are used as local bedtime stories to scare little children into obedience.**
**Tobin would find the shrine rather busy at this time, its interior was a buzz with a lot of his Initiate brothers and sisters, most were paired off in circles of twos or threes, and they seemed to be a little agitated by something. Bind would find Bones looking a bit bored, standing near the back of the sanctuary, the Inquisitor's famous bone ornaments giving her away. Two others were standing close by her, though they were higher up on the throne itself, deep in conversation.**
Tobin sidled up next to the lady of bones, keeping quiet. He turned his ears to listen to the words being shared by the nearby pair. Listening was the initiate way, after all.
**Tobin was rewarded with a whispered conversation...**
Bel'ial - My lady, forgive me, we weren't expecting your visit eminence.
Lady Rime - Dear dear Melfane, there's nothing to forgive. Epicrin was becoming a bit stuffy for my tastes, and I thought why not pay a visit to an old friend!
Bones - Ah. So, not only are you impertinent but also arrogant. The Bel'ial shall enjoy you, I think. She's--
**Bones' face become entirely implacable. Though to her credit she did not flinch.**
Lady Rime - Bones! Who have we here? He's such an intriguing specimen. What is your name, Initiate?
**Rime's face had a knowing smile; and Bind could intimate that she took great pleasure in frightening some of her underlings. Particularly hardliners like Bones.**
**The High Lady knew that, of course; it would seem she was just being particularly pleasant. Well, at least to some.**
Lady Rime - Oh, such manners. Please, attend to our belovéd Bel'ial and myself. Bones, that will be all. The others are in such a huff, perhaps you would be better served dealing with them.
**Rime gestured for Bind to walk with her and Saoirse. However, Bones was the embodiment of fury, staring after the trio as they walked away from her; Tobin would need to be careful in the future.**
Lady Rime - You may. There is a small matter that requires our immediate attention. It would seem that a monastery from around the time of the Antiquarian Church, thought lost to both sides, has been rediscovered. We require a small force to make the trek there, ahead of the Cleric forces who are already en route, and by any means, apprehend all the materials and archives on the premises.
**The High Lady inclined her head.**
Bel'ial Saoirse - We'd hoped to set out immediately, but you are our first, although that may prove to be to our benefit. The success of this mission will lie on your shoulders, Initiate, as you are to have the command. Bones is to go with you, and a few others once we have them. But this is your chance to prove yourself. Do not fail us.
Raven walks into the shrine unknowing of whom is standing by the alter, or what could happen if they didn’t like what they were about to see. she walks in head held high and looking at everything. This being her first time here she is a bit on the excited side. She is wearing he leathers and the handle of her Kama is slightly sticking out from behind her. She almost made it to alter before stopping and seeing what’s going on. She turns white as all color leaves her face. She drops her head and freezes unknowing of what to do.
Raven: "Sorry priestess." is all she can manage to say.
**Rime was in the middle of responding to Tobin when Raven interrupted. The High Lady abruptly turned to the new comer, a pleasant smile on her handsome face, she inclined her head to Raven.**
Lady Rime - Not at all, dear. So glad you could join us. As I was just telling Tobin here, I'm waiting on two more before you all embark on the assignment; but with you, one more should be plenty. Now, I'll leave it to him to explain the details, but as far as the Clerics are aware, we know nothing of this monastery. As for their commitment, expect the same altruistic resolve, and truth-must-be-known at all costs for the greater good nonsense they're always spouting.
Bind- Our aim is to get to a recently uncovered antiquarian church, overtaking our truth loving counterparts. We need to find any secrets held within the walls and bring them back at any cost.
Raven: "I will help complete this the best that I can, I must warn you though I'm not very good at fighting I'm better at finding things and making people tell me there secrets."
Lady Rime - I'm sure you'll prove useful, my dear. Not everyone is the martial type. Now I must leave you, but Bones should be back shortly, and once you have your last member you are to leave immediately. I look forward to hearing of your success.
**And with her patented smile for them both, the High Lady took her leave.**
Bones - *Ahem* Well now that you are here, you better get your head focused on the mission. 'Cause this is the real thing; a smash and grab, and you can bet your greedy little Initiate heart we'll be getting our hands dirty. -- Shepherd, I've been instructed that we're to leave now, we can't afford to wait any longer. Are you both ready?
To live is to hope, and while we breathe, we hope and live.
To live is to hope, and while we breathe, we hope and live.
Bel'ial - My lady, forgive me, we weren't expecting your visit eminence.
Lady Rime - Dear dear Melfane, there's nothing to forgive. Epicrin was becoming a bit stuffy for my tastes, and I thought why not pay a visit to an old friend!
**Saoirse bowed to the High Priestess.**
Bel'ial - We're honored, my lady. Would you--
-----------------------
**And then...**
Bones - May I help you, Initiate?
To live is to hope, and while we breathe, we hope and live.
**Bones' face become entirely implacable. Though to her credit she did not flinch.**
Lady Rime - Bones! Who have we here? He's such an intriguing specimen. What is your name, Initiate?
**Rime's face had a knowing smile; and Bind could intimate that she took great pleasure in frightening some of her underlings. Particularly hardliners like Bones.**
To live is to hope, and while we breathe, we hope and live.
Bind- The church knows me as Shepherd, m'Lady.
Lady Rime - Oh, such manners. Please, attend to our belovéd Bel'ial and myself. Bones, that will be all. The others are in such a huff, perhaps you would be better served dealing with them.
**Rime gestured for Bind to walk with her and Saoirse. However, Bones was the embodiment of fury, staring after the trio as they walked away from her; Tobin would need to be careful in the future.**
To live is to hope, and while we breathe, we hope and live.
Bind- May I ask what task needs a group of initiates, m'Lady?
**The High Lady inclined her head.**
Bel'ial Saoirse - We'd hoped to set out immediately, but you are our first, although that may prove to be to our benefit. The success of this mission will lie on your shoulders, Initiate, as you are to have the command. Bones is to go with you, and a few others once we have them. But this is your chance to prove yourself. Do not fail us.
To live is to hope, and while we breathe, we hope and live.
Bind- I will do my best to lead us to success.
**Taking her leave of them, the Sister headed back to address the assembled mass.
The High Lady was smiling at Tobin, a look of knowing curiosity.**
Lady Rime - You took that rather well, all things considered. Do you have any questions you'd like to ask me?
To live is to hope, and while we breathe, we hope and live.
Bind- How many are we expecting to need for this task? How long should we wait? What do we know of the clerics' commitment to this endeavour?
Raven: "Sorry priestess." is all she can manage to say.
Death takes us all
The Epic World
Family is more than just blood
Lady Rime - Not at all, dear. So glad you could join us. As I was just telling Tobin here, I'm waiting on two more before you all embark on the assignment; but with you, one more should be plenty. Now, I'll leave it to him to explain the details, but as far as the Clerics are aware, we know nothing of this monastery. As for their commitment, expect the same altruistic resolve, and truth-must-be-known at all costs for the greater good nonsense they're always spouting.
To live is to hope, and while we breathe, we hope and live.
"Stop the truth tellers from spreading knowledge, and bring back all knowledge held within this place." she says looking up at him
"Give them nothing, but take form them everything" she says looking back down with a bit of a smile.
Death takes us all
The Epic World
Family is more than just blood
Death takes us all
The Epic World
Family is more than just blood
**And with her patented smile for them both, the High Lady took her leave.**
To live is to hope, and while we breathe, we hope and live.
Raven bows her head as Lady Rime leaves.
"Well that’s what I get for wanting to come see what this place looks like." Raven says once she is gone
Death takes us all
The Epic World
Family is more than just blood
To live is to hope, and while we breathe, we hope and live.
Death takes us all
The Epic World
Family is more than just blood
Bind- Of course, let's get to work.