Heading to Church

The procession through the Capital to the Church of Irzton put Ahsch in mind of how his arrival had gone, riding in with a group of knights alongside Kirasiel. Only this time, it was a small army of knights, plus servants, there was a carriage involved for the Queen, and Kirasiel wasn't the most important VIP in the group.

There had been no announcement, but a group of knights was forging ahead to clear the route of crowds - mainly ordering those who were present to the side and putting up small magical barricades at the junctions to encourage incoming traffic to detour around the Queen's route - another group of knights trailed behind the main group to clean up the barricades and allow the citizens to go back to their business. This still left a bit of a crowd along the sides of the streets, who mostly watched the escort pass by with moderate interest, as they weren't sure who, exactly, was going by, though they likely assumed - correctly - that it was at least a high royal.

The trip out was uneventful, save for a small detail that Ahsch had expected and been looking out for. Detecting something with his bond sense, he instructed Mahat to sidle up beside the Queen's carriage. "An Irztonite spy is watching us."

Queen Orleya raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh?"

He gave a nod back. "The group - and specifically the carriage - are receiving a new bond, one of investigation laced with hostility. The source is the spy, who herself has a bond to the Church, specifically, Bishop Ymanis."

The Queen gave him an intrigued smile. "Your bond magic truly is remarkable."

Ahsch returned the smile, though his was smaller and more enigmatic. "I am hrafthi, and one of Enochiel's Domains is bonds. My teacher usually considers my progress to be... underwhelming, at least when she's feeling charitable."

That got a small, hummed laugh from the Queen. "Rwnil is an ascendant, after all; I'm sure she expected more from someone claiming what you claim."

Ahsch gave her a sharp, startled look. He hadn't revealed Rwnil's identity to any of the ruling family, though it was probably foolish to hope that they would remain unaware of such a powerful being within their home. "I don't claim that currently, only what I will eventually become." He silently added to himself that 'eventually' was still quite a ways off.

"Be that as it may, it is still a rather absurd claim, Lord Ahsch. A certain level of talent is usually expected from those who make such claims with authenticity."

He bit back a grumble, gave a deep nod, and Mahat moved off, putting a few feet of distance between them and the carriage. They rode in silence for a few minutes, until his familiar abruptly broke the quiet. You should give Ariin, Kirasiel, Elui, and Naemui trinkets at the very least.

Ahsch arced an eyebrow. You seem fairly sure of that.

Arrin I would hope would be obvious, Mahat replied dryly. And while you should certainly confirm the others' loyalty, empowering them with artifacts would be a smart choice. Though figuring out what to replace the soul-eating with would probably be a good first step.

_You don't say,_Ahsch rolled his eyes. It was a question he was still considering, and without much progress. Finding something that properly balanced the pros and cons of the Boon whilst also being of proper benefit to both himself and the wielder, and not violating his sense of morals, was proving to be much more difficult than he had anticipated. He was worried that one of those key points would eventually have to give, and he just hoped that the moral argument would hold on to the end. He reiterated to himself - and Mahat - that child grooming wasn't a path he wanted to take.

Even while he puzzled that, the procession carried on, and eventually they arrived at the Church. It was about what Ahsch expected - extravagant, large, white with gold trim everywhere... an ostentatious eyesore, and he feared that the oligarchic grandeur would be replicated within the building.

This, he declared, sharing the image of the building to everyone in Daydreamweave, is why I fought so hard against some of the more traditional parts of building my little cult. Corruption and visual spectacle in exchange for honesty and authentic service.

Fuck, no wonder Fauna loves the Irztonite fuckers, Avery grumbled, and Ahsch suspected she had a bottle at hand. Maybe multiple. And some were probably empty. His wife had always been reluctant to speak about her step mother, and the fact that she was bringing it up so casually now suggested that she was in a bad way at the moment. Though her being involved in the conversation at all was an improvement over that morning.

One step at a time. We'll get her through this, Ahsch promised himself, turning his attention back to the Church. After a few moments, as the procession got all organized in front of the building, a small group of clerics came out and approached. Queen Orleya exited her carriage and stepped forward as well, prompting deep bows - though no kneeling - from the clerics. "Your Grace," the lead cleric said, his voice a rich, calm baritone. "Welcome to the Church of Irzton. His Holiness the Bishop is waiting to receive you presently."

Ahsch suppressed his expression of disgust. The man reeked of dishonesty and manipulation. Heart Sight implied caution and... anticipation. The hrafthi's bond sense was less helpful - the cleric was obviously bound to the Church (both the physical building and the religion itself), as well as to Bishop Ymanis and the spy who was even now slinking in through a side door. So it was possible that this cleric was involved with the Irztonite spies, though he might have just gotten reports from them.

"Take Us to him then," the Queen replied with a courtly brusqueness, not quite bushing off the cleric or insulting him, but her words were definitely a demand and a warning - 'don't waste my time.'

The cleric bowed slightly, but his eyes flicked around to the rest of the group, lingering on the women aligned with him. "May I ask what the 'Prophet' of Enochiel is doing here, along with his women?"

"He is assisting in an investigation regarding the traitors Byrdrek and Fauna," Orleya's response was automatic and smooth.

Then she glanced back to Ahsch, her expression inviting him to add on. With an ill-concealed smirk, he did so. "I have capabilities that enforce the speaking of truth. Surely, as paragons of justice, the Church and clerics of Irzton would not object to drawing all available talent to assist in the investigation of such villains as Byrdrek and Fauna." In his mind, Ahsch made gagging noises. He somehow doubted that the Church truly cared about justice at this point.

The cleric's expression remained neutral, though his eyes flashed in annoyance. "Of course. Such talents are of great benefit when it comes to bringing judgement to those who break our laws." Then he stepped aside, gesturing up the obnoxiously long steps up to the massive doors to the Church.