A Gathering of Religions

A.N: Bishop Ymanis should have been an Archbishop. And future references will refer to him as such.

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“Are you sure we had to invite the Irztonites?”

Ahsch sighed at his sister’s question. It was far from the first time she’d asked it since he’d sent letters to the six other religions several days before. “They can’t all be bad,” Elui spoke up from where she stood behind the twins. “After all, the Irztonite bible still gives off gnosis. Irzton himself doesn’t teach anything awful, and it was those without gnosis who were causing issues, right?”

“Firstly, yes, we at least had to extend the invitation,” Ahsch said wearily. “To not do so would cause more problems than kicking them out if they become problematic. But as far as the gnosis goes, being a true, faithful believer of Irzton doesn’t absolve someone of potential wrongdoing - plenty of true believers commit atrocities.” For all that there were true believers on Earth, there were no gods - that didn’t stop those believers from committing genocides and practicing slavery, among other things.

“I… suppose that is true, Prophet,” the rabbit girl conceded. “Still, I choose to hope that, with the Royal Inquisition’s purge of traitorous elements from the Church, those that remain are both faithful to Irzton’s word and moral individuals.”

“I hope so too,” Ahsch said, “But I don’t expect much.”

“I’m just surprised they all agreed so quickly,” Ariin said, changing subjects. “Though, to be fair, A’uro probably badgered Archcleric Bennoch more than she would’ve had to - I think he likes you so far, so he’d probably have agreed anyways. Kiilira at least respects you, though I think she likes you as well, and The Shepherd seems to be aligned with you as long as you don’t piss off Kakais. With four agreeing to meet, the other three probably felt pressured, and High Hierophant Oleur wants the income stream from your ideas enough that she’d probably do whatever so long as you don’t screw the Faithful over… or cut into their revenue.”

“And the Irtonites and Orrorists have been intimidated enough that they’re willing to play along,” Ahsch finished. “At least we know what Mother Ilre’s like, but since nobody’s heard much about Bishop Valiera who took over since the Archbishop and his cronies were arrested, she’ll be a wild card.”

Any further discussion was cut off as the door to the meeting room they were waiting in opened, admitting several familiar faces and a few unfamiliar ones. Kiilira quirked one corner of her lips up and gave Ahsch a brusque nod, accompanied by her three escorts once again, all of whom shot the hrafthi dirty looks. A’uro smiled and bowed in Ahsch’s direction as she followed Archcleric Bennoch inside, who gave an amicable smile and nod.

Ahsch stood, gesturing to the circular table he was sitting at beside Ariin. “Please, be seated. There should be room for the head of each of our Orders plus an aide - the rest will have to stand, unfortunately; I was only able to secure the use of such a small room on as short of notice as we ended up moving at.”

Archcleric Bennoch and A’uro ended up sitting directly to Ahsch’s left, with the mouse-girl closer; Kiilira, meanwhile, sat alone with one chair between her and Ariin to his left, all three of her escorts remaining standing. “It… amuses me that the newest of our number is the one to suggest mutual cooperation on this scale,” Bennoch said after they’d settled in. “Though I doubt such an invitation would have been met with much more than polite dismissal had it come at another time, and from someone else.”

“Oh?” Ahsch raised an eyebrow.

“Everyone’s watching you, Prophet,” Kiilira said. “Either eagerly or with concern. You’ve made some big waves in the not-even-a-year that you’ve been in R’sath, whether it was establishing a successful new religious order, constructing a whole damn temple, dying and coming back, starting up that ‘health care’ stuff, or cowing the hell out of the Irztonites and the Order of Orror.” She shrugged. “People listen to the powerful, and while you are the smallest of the orders, you’re the one that’s made the most noise recently.” She smirked. “And the one that gave _two _others bloody noses.”

The Archcleric nodded. “I might not have put it that way, but Avatar Kiilira is correct. You have either made friends of your peerage, or proven yourself too formidable to control easily. While I doubt Mother Ilre will be thrilled at truly listening to anything you have to say - and I cannot speak on Bishop Valiera - simply hearing what your goals are and getting a feel for how you think and act in-person will be valuable to everyone who will be present - even your rivals.”

Ahsch let out a sigh. “I’m not angling for any political maneuvers here,” he complained. “I’m just… we all are - ostensibly - in the business of nurturing and guiding the people of the Kingdom, no? We can’t do that if we’re too busy bickering and backstabbing each other, and if we’re not coordinated, then we might step on each others’ toes. I just want all of us to get on the same page and be able to work together.”

The door suddenly opened and The Shepherd walked in, her hood pulled far forward. “An admirable goal, Prophet of Enochiel,” she said, taking the empty seat directly between Kiilira and Ariin, causing the hrafthi to attempt - and fail - to hide a giggle while the Avatar scowled at her new neighbor. “One that Kakais supports fully.”

Ahsch blinked at the newcomer. “How…” he started, before shaking his head and huffing a laugh. “A spirit told you?”

“The spirits are everywhere,” was her simple answer.

“If they tell you everything, then surely you know there’s room enough for you to sit elsewhere,” Kiilira muttered. “You know, not in one of _my _seats?”

The Shepherd simply looked at the Krutunite, blinked once, said, “You were not going to use it, Avatar Kiilira.” She then turned her attention back to the table. “High Hierophant Oleur shall most likely be late - she became fascinated by a discussion on a new invention from Te’jaron and mistimed her departure from the Temple of Bikulla.”

Ahsch winced. “It’ll be an awkward wait once Mother Ilre and the Bishop arrive,” he grumbled.

The Shepherd turned to look at him. “I believe you will be surprised,” she said.

“What…” he began, but was interrupted by the door opening for a third time, admitting both Mother Ilre - who was a tall, ethereally slender elf - and Bishop Valiera - a black-fleeced sheep-woman - as well as a combined entourage of five subordinates, only one of whom was an Irztonite. The two glanced around the table, then sat silently one seat away from Kiilira, the Bishop’s aide sitting closest to the Avatar, followed by the Bishop, then Mother Ilre and one of her aides, with two more seats available for High Hierophant Oleur.

There was uncomfortable silence around the table for several tense moments before Bishop Valiera turned to face Ahsch directly. “Prophet of Enochiel,” she said, then hesitated. “I… want to thank you, and apologize on behalf of the Church and Irzton.”

Ahsch blinked. “I…” He wasn’t sure what to say.

“We will hear you,” Ariin said, her tone regal and her posture radiating authority.

Valiera flushed slightly. “Yes, I suppose I ought to apologize to you as well, Archpriestess Ariin,” she said before swallowing. “I know that, after all the Church has done against you and yours, words alone hardly suffice. However, I also know that peace must begin somewhere. As influential as I am… or rather, was, the Archbishop’s… heresy, and that of those who served him - not the Church - was based in years of slow, progressive perversion of our teachings. Many within the Church supported his view and - though they did not know it, given the secrecy he kept - goals. We…” she flushed slightly again, then looked down. “A significant number of our priests have… abandoned us.” She swallowed again. “For Nemvataten.”

It wasn’t news to anyone there - Nemvataten was a theocracy led by an Irztonite Church - one which the Church in the Kingdom of Starlight had denounced publicly. Obviously, the public message and the actual practices of the priesthood differed. “My apology,” Valiera continued, “is on behalf of those of us who disagreed - vehemently - with Archbishop Ymanis’ practices, and yet did nothing. Such corruption is only allowed to grow when it is allowed to by those who should be on watch for it.” Ahsch recognized the paraphrased verse from the Irztonite bible. “And I wish to thank you for doing what we should have but did not, and root out that corruption with prejudice, and expose it to the light and to justice. It is… shameful of our Order that an outsider - and one who was officially our enemy - upheld our virtues better than we did.”

Ahsch and Ariin shared a long look. “Apology accepted,” Ahsch said, and Ariin nodded. “Despite what you may think, we don’t hate Irztonites,” he continued. “The Church is a… much more messy matter.”

“I completely understand, Prophet. I only ask that you give us a chance.”

“That entirely depends on your actions going forward,” Ariin said. “Grateful as the Order of Enochiel is the cessation of the… _harassment _of our faithful, there are still a great many among our number who have concerns that their choice of faith will result in dire consequences should an Irztonite priest be involved.”

“Also completely understandable, Archpriestess,” Valiera said. “I do not have the control to guarantee that none of my subordinates will abuse their position - the unspoken permission that the Archbishop’s ‘guidance’ granted them is still strong. However, you have my word that it will not be tolerated. Furthermore, I am intending to pass down instructions to allow Enochiists full access to all the services we provide citizens of the Kingdom, regardless of the… quiet instructions left by Ymanis, in spite of King Solan’s command prior to your visit to the Church.”

Ahsch and Ariin gave the elf small, cautious smiles. “Then we look forward to working with you, Bishop Valiera,” the sister said.

It was only then that Ahsch turned his full attention towards Mother Ilre, who had been staring at him since the conversation began. “May I help you, Mother Ilre?” he pointedly asked.

She was quiet for a moment. “You are… not what I expected.”

He scoffed quietly, shooting an amused glance towards Kiilira, who smirked back at him. “Let me guess,” he said, returning his gaze back to the head of the Order of Orror. “You expected a self-absorbed hedonist, who’d be sitting here naked, his sister on her knees fellating him? A debauched charlatan?”

Ilre flushed, though he couldn’t tell if it was embarrassment at the graphic words or anger. “I… cannot deny the accusation,” she admitted, stiffly.

Ahsch nodded. “Enochiel may be a god of sex, as well as… shall we say, ‘unconventional’ lifestyles. But that does not mean that he is a deity that encourages careless hedonism.” He narrowed his eyes dangerously. “Nor does he tolerate abuse.” Ahsch sat back and took a deep breath, then smiled at the thought of something a late member of his Earthian family had said, decades ago. “‘Everything in moderation, including moderation.’” That drew a number of startled and intrigued looks from around the table, causing him to laugh quietly. “I’m sure you all have your own vices you indulge in, every once in a while. Perhaps food, or maybe alcohol. For people as wealthy as us, gambling a few hundred gold for a rush wouldn’t harm our purses much, if done only on occasion.” He chuckled. “Or maybe you enjoy bad opera a bit overmuch.” The others at the table chuckled as well. “Suffice to say, my vice is the women who gift their submission - their trust - to me, who give me power over them. Am I, perhaps, lacking pants more than the average citizen of the Kingdom? Sure. But when I must, I focus on my learning, train diligently, and see to my responsibilities as best I can. But I understand that every once in a while, it’s a good thing to indulge a little. Life isn’t worth living as efficiently as possible - we’re here to enjoy it. To savor the things that make life pleasant.”

The table was quiet for a moment. Then the door all but slammed open, and a rather plain-looking human woman hurried in, a weary dwarf quickly following with a harried expression. High Hierophant Oleur quickly took the open seat beside Mother Ilre’s aide.