Seeker of Truth

[Cara]

Luchin straightened himself as the other generals came inside and seated themselves. He quickly retold his information that he had received before turning it over to Reemus.
Meetings like this bored him usually. He rather be out sparring, practicing...or better yet. Be at home. But his military career had taken him far from home. When was the last time he had gone back for more than a report to the People's Palace? He hadn't seen his family in over five years. Was it really five years? More? Less? The fighting sickened him. It didn't make sense. Dahara was the largest country on this side of the world. The empire stretched far into the east and north, where leagues of unexplored territory still lay.
To him, Melidis was a small, but thriving nation. All their...magic. Strong in magic. Magic that he hadn't dreamed of until he fought in his first battle against the people of Melidis. Aydindril though. They would be attacking it soon! He never thought this day would come, and although he was aching for some action, he dreaded going up against such dangerous and powerful people. What could a sword and steel do against ancient powers that be?


Elize laughed, looking back and forth from the two girls. "I am hungry. Let is, Mistress Kaelie, go and get dinner. The calling bell should be going off any minute." She looked back at the two girls hanging there. "We can return after dinner to finish our training."
Claire watched the two young women leave before looking at the girl across form her.
"Pssst!" Claire looked at the girl, but she didn't look back up at her. "Pssssstttt!!!!" She paused. "Hey you!" The girl shook herself and looked at Claire. Claire gave the girl a shaky smile. "I'm Claire."
The girl was silent for a moment before answering. "They call me Zara."

[Galadas]

Reemus ignored further questions asked by his generals, he waved them away with the wind. They were insignificant. He answered with short sentences and assured them everything would be alright, they would crush the rebellion, and he would find a plan to lure the enemy out of their walls so they would never have to break through the city's magical protection. He was thinking of a plan. He had figured out that the most important thing to Melidis was their people; there had to be some plan behind that.
He gave out some orders, they were preparing for battle. They would beseige Ormeli, and they would leave for that tomorrow. He had learned from previous battles that decisions had to be made fast, if not, it could already be too late.
"Dismissed," Reemus said at the end. He laid his hand on Luchin's shoulder and nodded at him to stay. General Coladar stayed. "I want you to be in charge of the army, no more running around at the battlefield and fighting along the other soldiers. I need you to prove yourself, Luchin," he whispered. He saw the confusion in his friend's eyes. "It's not a punishment, let me explain. Marshall Tora is at the end of his carreer,, and his Generals are fighting for his place. I've send word to Rahl and assured him that no other than my best General, Luchin Coladar, is fit for that job." He grinned slightly, and gave Luchin a pat. "What do you think?"


Joan started to freak out, he looked around, saw how the horsemen started at him through the wall. They had frozen, they had literally frozen. He didn't understand why, what was this sorcery?
He turned away from Westend and moved through the blue magic, finding his way into a whole new world. The moment he stepped out of the wall he noticed it was an hour later. The sun was no longer high at the sky, but had dropped a few inches. He was standing on grass that could in no way be compared to his own grass. It was darker, it looked as if rain had just soaked the ground. Only a meter away from him, a great forest stood tall and strong, the trees were three times as long as those he knew. It was as if they were mountains disguised as trees. He stared at them for only a moment before turning his back on them and running back through the wall. The truths he had known were shattered all over the ground.

[Shedwyn]

(Hi... i'm really sorry guys. i was really excited about this, but i guess i thought i had more time in my life than i actually did. what with school and all, i can't keep up with posts, and i feel like i'm bogging down something that could be great, so i think it's time for me to drop out. give my characters away, kill them, take them over if you like them.... whatever you think is best. once again, i'm sorry, and i hope it turns out well)

[Cara]

(ah, sorry to hear that. alright :/ yea it can be hard to keep up [I wonder how I've managed to do it! My life is 24-7 crazy! hehe. You are always welcome back anytime.)

[Cara]

Luchin was speechless for a moment. "I..But..." he took a breath. "I would be honored," Luchin said, standing straighter. In the back of his mind, he wondered if there was an alternative motive, a hidden reason for why Reemus had wanted him to take up Marshall Tora's position. He smiled, but behind that smile, he was worried. What was his friend hiding?

Claire looked at Zara, listening for any sound of the Mord-Sith returning. "Listen... don't let them get to you. You can be stronger than that!" she whispered fiercely, her eyes bright. "Don't let them break you."
Zara frowned at this. "I...I tried. I do try," she said. "It's so hard. And I've been here so long. I can't remember how long it's been..." she said, eyes distant.
Claire watched the girl, trying to gauge her, but her face had sunk back into a saddened fog. After a few moment of silence, Claire tried again. "But you must still fight," she said, softly. "What about your family? Fight for them!"
At this Zara's head snapped up. "My family? My family is dead!" she looked at Claire until she turned away. "My brother was...was... tortured before my eyes when I was taken! They killed him! And my parents? They will be dead."
Claire looked astonished at her. "I'm sorry... what do you mean, will be dead?" she asked.
Zara looked like she had said too much. "Nothing," she said.
"What?" Claire pushed.
"I said nothing!"
Claire shook her head, trying to figure it out.
Zara spoke, startling Claire. "You have never heard of the Mord-Sith before?"
"I know of them, who doesn't?"
"Do you know how they break you?" Zara whispered? "They steal your parents away when they take you. Or maybe they let your parents live a little after for a while before taking them. But they will always get them eventually. Or if you no longer has your parents they take the next best thing. The farther in training you go...Your final exam is to kill your father. Then later on your mother."

[Galadas]

(So, maybe we could make Shedwyn's characters minor characters? )

"Good, good," said Reemus. He stood, stretching his back. "Well, if you will excuse me, there are some other things I have to do and this room is getting on my nerves." He patted Luchin on his shoulder and walked towards the door, nothing turning his head one second. But he knew his best general was worried. If Luchin was in charge of the army of Marshall Tora, then Reemus could control the entire army.
He walked down the hall and to his own room, expecting Ademai to be there, but she wasn't. He sat down on the only chair in the room and wrote a letter. He had to convince Lord Rahl that Luchin had to become the next Marshall. It was nothing special, nothing personal, just a long line of things that had happened in the last month, ending with his recommendation.
He gave the letter to his servant and lay down on his bed, he had to think of a plan. He had to get into that city, he had to find a way!


The moment Joan escaped from the blue magic wall, he felt that breathing was going easier, he had not thought about what was waiting for him at the other side. Ease lay steady in his hands, but there were to many of them, and he was totally in shock still.
There were four men, sitting on horseback, one had loaded his crossbow and fired it when Joan had turned his back at them to see poor Aur laying on the ground.
He felt the arrow crush through his shoulder and he fell to the ground, he felt light in his head. He crawled over to his horse, who was looking at him with fear in his eyes. "Did you see what I did? I walked through that wall!" he spoke to Aur, whilst he patted the horse on his flank. "We're going to be fine," he said, when he felt he could barely carry his head. Warm blood walked down his shoulder, he blacked out.


Ademai rode through the land, she stopped her horse miles out of a nearby town, under the control of Reemus' army. She wrapped a coat around her body and hid away the Mord Sith outfit. She placed it over her head and led her horse onto the road. She would have to be back at the stronghold at nightfall, but till then she could mess around in the village. She had a appointment, with one of the Sisters of Dark...

[Cara]

(we can powerplay them, and do as we wish, and how they work with our characters that's what we did with Lauren in Dark Calling ^_^)

Luchin watched Reemus go. He gave a sigh as he followed him out. The day was slowly darkening and the sky was a brillant pink. For some reason he never really remembered the sunsets in Dahara being so...beautiful. These lands that they had occupied were so different from those way back home. They would be a great asset to Rahl's empire.
Suddenly, he felt a little homesick. Plans for an attack on Aydindril swirled around in his head. The unbroken city. The center of all the magic of Melidis. Powerful. Unimpregnable. Dangerous.
He hated magic. How could they fight against it? With steel? No amount of skill and swordsmanship could defeat it. It would mean an alliance with the Mord-Sith. They could control magic that attacked them, but those women creeped him out. They were just as dangerous as those he was fighting. It made him uneasy.
He had seen what they did. He knew what they would do to young girls. Like his sisters. Make them into monsters. He knew very little of the Confessors and wizards that lived in Aydindril. Was he doubting himself? Had he not fought and been loyal to Dahara and Lord Ether Rahl for his entire life?


Aslen looked at her Wizard and best friend. "Andrioth, send your best to infiltrate the army," she said suddenly. She felt Andrioth stop short. "Is there a problem?" she asked, still walking.
Andrioth snapped to attention, recognizing that it was now the Mother Confessor speaking. "No...I just wonder why you are asking this," he said.
Aslen looked at him with her ice blue eyes. "Aydindril is in danger. I cannot see how they will be able to break our defenses, and our magic is strong. But I want men on the inside. I do not care what it takes. Do cast overs, create a wizard's web, stand in as infultry men. But I want them in there. Perhaps once we get a lay of how things are, I will give the orders to take out the head generals."
"You ask--"
"I order what must be done for the best of our home, of our city, of Aydindril! I will not let it fall to Lord Rahl!"
Andrioth shut his mouth and bowed. "Your wish, Mother Confessor, is my command," he said, frowning. He didn't like the plan, but it was their last option. They needed more information. And he knew just the team.

[Galadas]

Ademai reached the town just before the sun had completely dropped below the horizon. She stared at the last light as she walked her horse to the stables. She had no news, beside the rebellion, Melidis was keeping it clean and calm. But Reemus wouldn't mind her coming empty handed, he had enough good news to get excited about. Finally, ever so much time, he would be able to get into an other fight again. She grinned at that, she missed home, fighting, torturing. So much to miss.
She moved through the hallway with her head high, no one dared to stare at her, and that eased her mind. No matter where she was, she would always be greeted with the same carefulness and fear.
When she arrived at Reemus' room, he was sitting on the bed, holding his sharpened sword in hand, he didn't even notice her coming in. She grabbed his skull and went through his dark blond hairs with the pointy nails. He made no move to make her stop, only laid his sword on the ground. She lowered her back, so her head was directly in front of his, and kissed him.
"News?" he asked, with as much lack as emotion as her kiss had been.
"None, they're keeping quiet."
"As I had expected, they must be planning something, as should we."
She wanted to ask him if she could take a day off to visit the keep, but she wondered if it was the right time. Not that she didn't dare to ask him, it was just that she wanted to have the right answer, and only under the right circumstances, could she get that.
Reemus was silent, he was thinking, and Ademai understood that. Every night she would come, and every night he would remain thinking. Even when he should be giving her attention, he rather gave it to his mind. She wondered how he could ever sleep. General Shorshall would never admit it to her, but she knew about his nightmares, she knew how he was struggling to keep them a secret. The sleeplessness in his eyes never lied. Though, she would never ask him about the dreams he had, she had no interest in his feelings nor in his dreams. She only wanted him to touch her, and that was enough.
"I've told Luchin of my plan to become the next Marshall after Tora has been dismissed," Reemus said.
Ademai only nodded, no interest.
"We'll leave for Ormeli tomorrow, Ada," he said. The fact that he called her by her nickname meant that he was worried.
"Very well," she reacted and kissed him again. "You've arranged everything?"
"I have," he answered, but his mind was no longer with her, it was back to thinking.

[Cara]

Luchin moved through the trees like a shadow. He felt restless and uneasy. Something, although he didn't know what, bothered him. His long time friend and superior, Reemus, was acting differently. Of course, he told himself, it was to be expected. He was under a lot of pressure and the dangers they faced were many.
Luchin slowed his horse. It wickered softly, the warm air turning to mist in the cool air. Winter was on its way. It was earlier than he could remember, but perhaps that was the way things were in Melidis. His boots crunched on the stiff, frosty grass. The birds twittered easily, as they flitted between the trees. He drew his sword, hearing the even ring it gave off.
Closing his eyes, Luchin felt the sword, like an extension of himself in his hand. He moved into the positions as naturally as breathing. Practicing was almost like meditating and helped remove his mind from his worries.
Snap!
Luchin's eyes snapped open. "Who's there!?" he said, swinging the sword around. No one should have followed him from camp. He looked around. No one was there. "Show yourself!" he demanded, getting irritated. If this was one of the men's jokes, he would have their hide! "I will have you fools flogged!" he snarled. He knew someone was there. "Show yourself now and I will only give twenty lashes."
"No need for such violence, General Coladar..."
Luchin whirled around to see a young woman standing there. She was beautiful. She had long flowing hair, a symbol of highest status in Melidis, and piercing blue eyes. Her gown swirled around her feet, white and whispy. "Who---" he started. The white gown. The long hair. Confessor.


Elize knelt down, her eyes at the floor.
"Rise..."
She stood, concentrating on the movement of the air around her. Her sharp gaze met the brilliant hazel eyes of Lord Rahl.
"My Lord," she said with a nod. "You have...summoned me?" She hated having to bow before a king, but Ether was Lord of all Dahara and she must. Mord-Sith hated bowing down to others though. Only for Lord Rahl.
"That I have..." Lord Rahl said, standing. The man was fairly tall. He was in his early forties, and his body was still toned from years of battle. "I have ordered a siege on Aydindril."
Elize's head snapped up. Aydinril! Her reaction didn't go unnoticed by Lord Rahl, and Elize silently scolded herself for being so careless with her emotions.
"You do not think this a wise decision?" he asked. His voice sounded warm, but Elize knew better. He was dangerous.
She chose her words carefully. "I do not think it wise, my Lord."
Lord Rahl looked at her, walking behind her as he talked. She didn't move. "Why is this, my beautiful Elize? Are my armies not large enough? Are my men not skilled enough? Is my magic not strong enough?"
"No, my Lord. I meant nothing by it. Only that Aydindril is and has been first and foremost a fortress. It is the citadel for Wizards and Confessors. They will not let such a thing happen lightly."
She heard Lord Rhal laugh behind her. His voice echoed off the marble walls. "Of course, my dear!" he said, laughing still. "But am I not the Lord Rahl? They will fall. If not this month, then the next month. If not this year, then the next year. But they will fall. Then nothing else will stop me from taking all of Melidis under the Daharan flag." He paused, and it was silent. Elize could hear the blood rushing through her veins. "And you wonder where you fit in, yes?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"You have always been so loyal," he said, coming behind her, and laying an arm around her. She didn't move. "So strong. The best of our Mord-Sith. I remember when you were first brought in!" he said, smiling. "So young and weak. Look at you now..."
"Thank you, Lord Rahl."
"Well I have a mission for you," he said. "I want you to go to Westend."
Elize froze. She couldn't move. "My Lord..."
"No. You will go, Mistress Elize. If you feel the need, bring another Mord-Sith with you, but you will go."
"Why?" she asked, turning to Lord Rahl. Another other person would have been flogged for such a rude question.
"I need you to go after someone. A boy. I do not know his name, but he has a special power. He can not be affected by magic."



Luchin gripped his sword and attacked. The confessor was much faster than he had anticipated for a woman of her age and size. She moved with a strange grace, as a strange knife appeared in her hand, to defend herself.
"Now!" she shouted. Luchin felt as he had been shocked. His muscles went rigid, as a current of pain rocked through his every fiber. If he jaw wasn't locked tight, he would have screamed. He fell to the ground, stiff as a board, tense with pain. The Confessor looked up from him to someone else, who was outside of Luchin's range. "You didn't have to add that," she muttered, looking at Luchin.
"Of course I did," a man said back. "That bastard deserves ten times over what he's getting. Are you going to Confess him already?" Those words made Luchin's skin crawl. He knew of a Confessor's powers. Who didn't?
The woman bent down, and placed her hand on Luchin's neck. The pain had eased enough for Luchin to open his mouth and gasp for air.
"Ah, General Coladar..." she said, looking him over, her eyes thoughtful. They seemed to invade his very soul and lay it bear for all to see. "No, I shall not Confess this man," she said, standing.
"What?" the voice sounded incredulous. "What about your plan, Mother Confessor?"
Mother Confessor! This woman was the Mother Confessor.
"I realize that he would not be the same if I Confessed him. They would realize what had happened," she said. Something in her voice told Luchin that she was partly lying. For his benefit, he realized.
"Hhumph... You aren't going to just let him go."
"I shall," the woman said. "Release him."
"What? Asle--"
"Release him", she demanded.
"As you wish," the man said, hesitant. Luchin closed his eyes as he felt the final binds lift from him. That man was a wizard!
Luchin got to his knees, leaning heavily on his sword. The Confessor, the Mother Confessor, looked down at him with her pale, icy eyes. "I see the truth," she said, looking at him. "You are a good man, and your heart and mind are open. I would not wish your death," she said, kindly. "But I know where your loyalties lie," she said, her face intimidating. "Go no farther in your attack on Aydindril. You will regret it."
Luchin swallowed. "I...I am sorry," he said, voice hoarse. "I do not have that power. It is not of my control. And I will not betray my men or my country."
The Confessor nodded in understanding. "As I knew you would say this." She paused, thoughtful. "Know, Luchin Coladar, who your friends are and who your real enemy is. There were come a time when this will be tested and you much choose correctly. Give my warning to Reemus for me, or not. That is your choice." She stepped back. "We will be seeing each other again."
Then they were gone.

[Galadas]

Reemus woke the next morning when he had once more been tormented by terrible dreams. His eyes were wide with fear, but he reminded himself that it was all a dream; the nightmares lay in his past, and not in his present.
Ademai lay besides him, during the night she had managed, once again, to take all the blanket from his side to hers. He had not even noticed it until he saw his naked body. He would not dare to make any remark about it, having known her for being a total bitch when it came to complains from his side.
He moved away from the bed, stretching his painful back and touching the scar on his neck just once. He put on some clothes and left the room, it was the first time in months that he had been awake before the rising of the sun. But today was a special day, finally a break in the boredom of the last months. Finally something different. He moved through the hallways, calling the first servant he saw. "Send General Coladar and the other Generals to the meeting room, wake them if you must, there is no time to sleep till dawn," he said. This was a day when he had complete determination of his goals. He would achieve them, no matter what.


Joan woke easily, opening his eyes to a whole new world. No skies, not his own roof, this was the inside of a tent. He shook away his tiredness and wanted to sit upright, but a sudden pain rushed through his body, originating from his shoulder. Had everything from the day before really happened? He used his arm to support his weight and crushed his teeth together.
"Better stay down, boy," said a woman's voice.
He felt the sharp end of a sword press against his shoulder and moved back into the position he was in. Laying on the soft bed, his eyes starring at the roof of the tent.
"Good, now..." A young female entered his view, she had long dark blond hair and wore the same outfit as the shoulders that had chased Joan through Westend. But she looked more fierce, higher and richer than all of them together. She was some kind of officer, he could see it in her eyes. "... tell me how you got through the wall," she said, her voice gentle.
"I... I don't know," replied Joan, surprised that he was able to talk without losing his voice in fear.
"What do you mean, you don't know!?" snapped the woman.
"Leave him, Evana, he knows nothing of what he can do, and it is better he doesn't. We need to keep him a secret for as long as we can, until the Mord Sith arrive and take him with them," said an other woman.
"I suppose we bring him along as we march towards Aydindriel, or would that be incorrect," asked Evana, noting that she was not above the other woman.
"We will bring him along, but only till Joven, there we shall wait for the Mord Sith," replied to other woman, she was far out of Joan view. But her voice sounded old and raw, he could guess her age, a bit.
"What will they do with the boy," asked Evana.
"Nothing that concerns us until it concerns us, but if we have to know, we'll hear in a day. Joven is no more than a day from here," the woman noted, but Evana seemed like she found it known information.

[Cara]

Luchin moved as if he was in a dream. He sat on his cot, staring at his sword. It felt so natural in his hands. The Mother Confessor. Why hadn't she killed him? She had said that she had seen the truth in him. What had that really meant? Innocent people die all the time. Meanwhile, Reemus was planning on him to take over the General's position. Could he do it? He had to talk to Reemus.

Elize saddled up her horse, making sure everything was there. She had just gotten word to go to Joven. The boy's name was Joan. He had just made her job so much easier, and crossed the border into Melidis.
Kaelie walked up to Elize. "Leaving already?"
"Yes. For Melidis," she said.
"Long ride," Kaelia commented. "How long will you be gone?"
"I can't say. Could be a couple of weeks. Could be longer. It was very last minute..." she paused and gave a cruel smile. "I leave Claire in your skilled possession. I am sure you will have her up to par on my return, sister?"
Kaelie's smile mirrored hers. "Of course. You should expect nothing less."

[Galadas]

Reemus had to much energy to sit down on his chair, he walked around it, waiting impatiently for his Generals. Ademai was the first to appear in the corridor, but she wasn't the one he had any interest in.
"You left early," she said, whispering in his ear. Not with love, but with a certain kind of hatred, as if she was warning him never to leave early again.
"Things to do," he replied, his eyes on the door. He wished for one of his generals to appear as soon as possible. Not just because of the urge to get ready for battle, but also because he did not want to be alone with Ademai much longer.
"Elize, one of my sisters, will be here in the afternoon, I'll join her on her travel to Joven. Meaning I won't be here for the great battle," said Ademai, sounding seriously and distrustful. Reemus could never completely understand what emotion she was trying to show him.
"Surely I don't think that what you're planning isn't such a great idea," he whispered.
Ademai shook her head. "Don't be so selfish, Reemus. I'm not just here because of you, I have a duty besides being your personal toy," she snapped.
"You're not a toy," he snapped back.
"What am I then? Your lover? Your wife? We're nothing, Reemus, so I'll do what I want," she said as if she had rehearsed the words.
Reemus laughed, probably not his best move, but he found her determination and her caring interesting and funny. She had never been under his control, yet she acted as if she had to ask permission. "Fine, go with your sister to Joven. You have a horse, you have a weapon, but I will not grant you any more protection," he said, acting like she was just one of his soldiers.
"It's a secret mission, I don't need any of your soldiers!" snapped Ademai and left the room, pulling his hair before she turned.
He wanted to kiss her, because he felt he would not kiss her in a very long time. "Where are my Generals!?" Reemus yelled at the first servant he saw, while Ademai had only just passed the long table.
Then Luchin appeared, greeting Ademai with only a simple 'good morning' and creating a circumstance for Reemus that he had to apologize to the servant. He had been taught good manners, strangely.
"Luchin!" Reemus said with a big smile. This would take him mind of the strange conversation with the Mord Sith. He walked towards Luchin and shook his hand, then noticed something off. "What is it?" he asked.

[Cara]

"Ah, Reemus," Luchin said, glancing back at Ademai. Mord-Sith. Those women were almost as terrifying as the Confessors. Though from his recent encounter with the Mother Confessor, he wasn't so sure of his previous notion. "Nothing really..." Luchin said, trying to sound nonchalant. "I wanted to discuss furthur your plans for Marshall Tora's position? I don't like being left with questions," he said, sitting down. He looked expectantly at Reemus.

Elize bit her lip as she rode. Lord Rahl was keeping things from her. She hated not knowing what the entire story was. It was very unlike him too. She was one of his most trusted! So this boy, Joan, from Westend was captured and was being held at Joven. Great. Why would he so important to Lord Rahl's plans? No magic could effect him? What about her agile? Surely pain, magical or nonmagical, would work. She would have to see.

[Galadas]

Reemus rose an eyebrow, he wanted to sit down as well, but his body didn't listen to him. He leaned against his chair. "Being left with questions? I don't understand what you're saying," he said, honestly. Whatever he hadn't told Luchin, was to logical in his own mind to be told. His general had to understand what the consequences were of him being the new Marshall.
"You haven't told me everything," replied Luchin.
Reemus wanted to laugh, he felt like he was being distrusted, again. "You're going to be the new Marshall, I don't know what I have to add to all of that. Unless you don't want to become Marshall anymore, that's alright," he said, more whispered. He would be mad if Luchin would reject his proposal, none of the other Generals were skilled enough for such a position, not in his eyes. Besides, he trusted Luchin more than he trusted any other man, excluding Lord Rahl. "I won't know why you wouldn't want such a position, but if you don't want to," he added, seeing that Luchin was thinking about it.

[Cara]

(question, what ranking system are we using? there are a number of different ranks out there. because i'm pretty sure that 'marshal' isn't used in the US military and there's like six different types of generals *i just looked it up...lol )

Luchin nodded. "No... I am not rejecting the position," he said, his face passive. He saw that Reemus wasn't happy with this line of questioning. He looked thoughtful for a moment. "And what about your plans to attack Aydindril? Surely you must have something better than just a brunt attack."
Reemus shot Luchin a look. "I know that. I'll not have our armies shred themselves against Aydinril's magical defenses..."
He nodded in agreement. "Then what are they? My men are anxious about the attack. Between the wizards and the Confessors... I fear if we act too quickly, or unwisely we could encounter trouble."

Aslen collasped into her chair. More a throne than a chair, but at this point she hardly cared. She had Confessed four men today. That was a lot. She was strong, but not that strong. She closed her eyes, weary and hoping for a moment's peace.
"Mother Confessor..."
Her eyes snapped open. A young girl, another Confessor, knelt before her. "Yes?"
"We have news."