The Mother Superior provides guidance and gifts.

The remaining members of the temple of Helios, having successfully repelling the raid, secured the temple to allow for as good a nights rest as was possible. The temple had taken heavy damage, it's members heavy losses, but it was a testament to the power of Helios that it still stood. Marielle and Brynn were given food, and a cot to rest which, after some time on the road rushing to be here, they graciously accepted.

Marielle fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the cot, and awoke from her dreamless slumber many hours later, the sun shining down on the temple. She rose, washed at the basin she had been given for that purpose, and set out in her travelling clothes, seeing no immediate need to don her heavy armor at the moment. Brynn was nowhere to be found.

She roamed the temple, which had been transformed into a makeshift hospital and refugee camp. Although they had won the battle, the damage to Solis and the surrounding villages would take months to rebuild. She approached a young priest, offering to help with the distribution of food to the refugees, but he refused, and informed her that the Mother Superior was looking for her. After a brief set of directions, she departed immediately to the area of the temple they had actually entered from some hours ago.

She found the Mother Superior there in conversation with Brynn, handing Marielle's adventuring partner a gnarled wooden staff., but the two were still out of earshot. The Mother Superior was the high priestess of the church of Helios. She was a slender, brunette woman, relatively young. Marielle blushed slightly at the thought of her nude form last night. The Mother Superior was appointed to her post in part, for her wisdom, and in part for a partial ability of foresight granted to her by Helios. If anyone had the answers the paladin sought, it would be her. She stepped forward, and the Mother Superior acknowledged her. Brynn stepped out silently to give them an opportunity to talk.

The Mother Superior took Marielle's hands in hers and spoke softly, almost at a whisper. "Marielle, I cannot thank you enough for your efforts, both to try and warn us, and in saving my life last night. We would have been lost without you and your companion. Brynn has told me about some of what you've seen, and the evils you've encountered, but I would like you to share with me what you know. Please, sit", she gestured towards a ledge.

Marielle sat, and told her everything. Her journey to Vangel, her vision of Helios, the encounter with the kobolds and the compass, and the transformations of both the fairy and the guard. As she spoke, the Mother Superior's brow furrowed, but she patiently, kindly listened to the entire tale. When Marielle had finished, she stood, thinking for a moment. Finally, she spoke.

"What you've seen is in alignment with the few visions I've had. Asmodeus walks these lands, but any demon that crosses into this plane requires time to build its strength. But if he's able to manipulate the weather, manifest storms of magic, he's far more powerful than I imagined. That may explain why Helios appeared to you. May I see your amulet?" Marielle removed it and handed it to her. She closed her eyes as she held it. "It has been infused with a magic far greater than I know. I would not claim to know Helios' design, but if what you have said is true, perhaps his aim is to allow you to use Asmodeus' pursuit of lust against him through sexual acts."

At this, Marielle couldn't help but interrupt, "but your grace, are you saying that Helios wants me to seduce these foul beast-"

The priestess interrupted her. "Not at all child. It appears from your travels that the amulet feeds on demonic lust whether or not you are involved. Slaying these monsters would certainly be more than honorable, but... the ability of these beasts to transform helpless victims into their thralls gives me pause. My advice to you is this: This gift is a tool, like your sword. Use it as you see fit, but if you use it in service of Helios then you should not feel guilt for having used it."

Marielle considered this, then nodded. "Helios' will be done. What should I do next, your grace?"

"I know nothing of this compass. Perhaps the librarian will have something, but I do not know the extent to which our writings were damaged by the raid. Start there, and see what you can find. I will pray, and see if Helios grants me further vision."

Marielle thanked her, and took her leave. Brynn was waiting for her in the adjacent room. "What did the priestess say?" Marielle filled her in on the details, then asked about the staff. " A little thank you gift from the temple. She claimed it was an artifact of old Vangel, had some magical properties, but wasn't sure what it could do. Might be a paperweight, might have some use. We shall see. Off to the library then?"