Successful Mission

[Brian]

"That was," Mirallia says very slowly, "my ... indiscretion.  I was not the first choice for the priestess to attend this ceremony.  Therefore, I did not put much stock or ... due respect in my position.  Thinking that I would merely be a healer, and not attendant upon the hope the Archonae would bring, I ... then sinned with Bjorn."  She doesn't meet anyone's eyes, just staring at the table.

Radagast shifts around in his seat, and looks contemplative.  Kevin just looks confused.

"That's a great sin?" he asks, rubbing at his temples with his fingertips.  "No, no.  Don't answer that.  More to the point is the fact that you've done something which could have doomed us all.  Your careless action could have cost us the lives of everyone here.  And may yet still."  Kevin drops his hands to his desk and drums his fingertips across the desk.  "Though, they haven't yet," he says, with a glance at Radagast.

"Well, this is enlightening," the Loremaster muses, rubbing his chin.  "I don't understand how this interfered in the ceremony, though."

[Bjorn]

"With all due respect," Bjorn says, a touch frostily, "I believe, my Lord, that it would be considerate to treat the matter with more tact than calling it a 'careless action.'  It may have been a grave mistake, but it was not lightly undertaken.

"But Master Radagast's is an excellent question," Bjorn continues, tone softening.  "Madame Mirallia has not lost the favour of Hammar.  Her spells still function.  The -- 'sin' was against Hammar, but he has shown no offense.  All we have, in fact, is the words of the Archonae."  He gazes levelly at Kevin.

[Brian]

Kevin shrugs.  "While this may be true, I'd rather not consider something that could put all of humanity at risk as a deliberate choice," he says.

"Ah," Radagast murmurs.  "My Lord, if I could interject here?"  Kevin glances at Radagast and shrugs again.  "Madame Mirallia was not the first choice to attend the ceremony."

Kevin pauses, considering this, and then turns speculative.  "That does bear thought," he says slowly.  "What happened to the original priestess?"
Radagast looks at you and Mirallia questioningly.

[Bjorn]

"She was assassinated," Bjorn says, bluntly.

[Brian]

Mirallia shifts her shoulders about uncomfortably, and nods.  "Though, we did not make this realization until after we left," she adds.

Kevin sighs.  "Then I suppose you're just as much a victim as the rest of us," he murmurs, drumming his fingertips across the table-top again.  "Well.  I apologize for my severity, but as I imagine you can tell, this is a trying situation."

"It's nothing," Mirallia says, in a tone of voice that suggests it actually is something, without looking anyone in the eye.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn is quiet for a second, mulling something over in thought, and then asks, "Master Radagast, do you know who made the crystals of the ceremony?"

[Brian]

"The crystals," Radagast repeats, his eyes becoming unfocused.  "According to legend, they were crafted by the Archonae.  Some say they were created by the gods themselves, though.

"It's ... a matter of some speculation.  The Archonae typically keep the stone of Hammar in their city, which gives life to their oracle.  The stone of Liene is sealed in the fountain of Wellik, far to the south east.  I had thought the stone of Aestock lost ... but then, it's also said that Aestock's wards find themselves where they're needed.  It did arrive, and so did a priestess who could place it, after all."

Kevin looks thoughtful at this.  "What does Aestock think of the Archonae?" he asks.

"Oh, yes," Radagast mumbles, frowning.  "From what I know, Aestock thought little of the Archonae.  There is a balance in all things except the Archonae.  He felt they were ... poorly made.  Why?"

"Just curious," Kevin replies, shrugging.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn starts to say something, hesitates, and then changes his mind.  "Was there something else, my Lord?"

[Brian]

Kevin sighs.  "No," he says.  "Unless you can weed out traitors quickly and efficiently.  Thank you, Bjorn.  Madame Mirallia."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn rises to his feet, bows, and then escorts Mirallia from the room.

[Brian]

Bjorn now moves temporarily to Moments in the Sun.

[Bjorn]

"My apologies," Bjorn says to Mirallia, as they make their way down the corridor.  "I know you haven't much fondness for Master Parthipan."

[Brian]

Mirallia shakes her head.  "It's nothing," she mumbles.  "But they follow the rule of the Archonae.  Obviously, I find issue with that."

[Bjorn]

That makes Bjorn blink.  "I'm sorry?" he says, and then remembers to lower his voice.  "The lorekeepers get their power from the Archonae?"

[Brian]

"Their power is their own," she clarifies.  "They merely learn it from the Archonae, which in turn affects the way they think."  She hesitates, and admits, "I should, perhaps, be kinder to Master Parthipan, since he is ... no longer who he was.  But still...."  She shakes her head.