The Throne and the Basilica

Belatedly, it occurred to Surya to wonder why Sack had been able to see the Scorpion, where Hansen - and by all the evidence the Elven victims - had not. However, the half-orc was not there to consult, so he shelved the question for another day.

This theme was carried on, as the companions then reported back to Commander Volven that, although they'd identified a pan-planar being as the cause of the murders, they were not going to hunt him any more at present, as they did not have the particular resources required, but would attempt to secure those resources elsewhere.

Whatever he might have thought, Volven was polite and  grateful, thanking them for their investigation to date, and bade them farewell as they moved out into the snow to leave Belegond.

Narthal, Stryre, 7th February 1602

After five days travel by a mixture of Wind Walk and riding the roads, the three rode in through the northern gate of the city of Narthal.

Given the circumstances of their last departure from Narthal, they were half-expecting to be apprehended at the gates, but perhaps due to the appalling weather, the gate-guards nodded them through without any apparent interest.

Riding up the sloping streets of the capital of Stryre, they made for the top of the hill and entered the outer courtyard of the Basilica of Aderra.

This was as far as ordinary visitors ever penetrated into the mighty motherhouse of the church of the Goddess of Wisdom; urbane priest/clerks and unobtrusive temple guards waited around the perimeter to  accept the petitions of suppliants and dispense the good advice for which Aderra's clergy were well-known.

Dismounting, the travellers approached one of the guards, making it clear that they intended to proceed on past him and into the inner Basilica. He halted them, and politely directed them to a priest-clerk nearby for their needs, but Surya announced that they were here to see the Archpriest Delloch himself.

The guard smiled patiently. "His Grace does not often grant audiences," he said sympathetically, "he's a busy man. Who shall I say craves audience?"

Surya straightened himself.

"Surya Wyrmslayer, Lord Protector of New Tellare, Citizen of the Erlyid Empire, Swordtouched, Elf-friend, last pure-blood Tellaran;

"Hildraft Varbgas Bogadun Wyrmslayer, the Hand of Kord, Archpriest of the Kordasa, Knight-Commander of New Tellare, Ta'nara, Citizen of the Erlyid Empire, by right Clan-Lord Bogadun, and Elf-friend;

Hansen of New Tellare, bard and chronicler, who has sung for the Emperor himself."

he declaimed.

Beaten back by the flood of credenda, the guard withered visibly. His frantic glances of distress brought a priest across, and confonted by the arrival of what could easily be construed as two soveriegn rulers, he sent under-priests scurrying into the Basilica to carry the word to the very top.

Very soon, the pair were being marched into the audience hall of the Archpriest. A long, imposing hall, it was lined with the Episcopal Guard, the soldiers of the motherhouse of Aderra. These wore a uniform which rather smacked of decoration, but their weapons and alert stance betrayed competent fighting men beneath.

At the far end, seated regally on his throne, was Archpriest Delloch. The High Priest of Aderra gazed on Hildraft and Surya with a stern expression that revealed nothing. Though unafraid, the pair began mentally rehearshing explanations for the "failure" of the mission they had undertaken for him, many months ago.

"You have returned," he said at last, "but without that which I sent you to obtain."

There was a tense pause.

"What you instead did with it, however, has saved our nation."

The pair blinked. This was not the reaction they had expected - especially after Vardar Peacock's petulant accusations of failure.

"The slaying of the Dragon was the single greatest blow for peace and order struck for three hundred years," continued the Archpriest. "Notwithstanding the current disorder, the apocalyptic war had he invaded the Free Kingdoms has been averted." He smiled. "The Church of Aderra is grateful to you." Then his face became serious again. "However, I have to ask why you are here, in the face of your banishment from the Kingdom of Stryre. King Vardar is not grateful, as I'm sure you know."

Hildraft and Surya looked at each other; and then simultaneously turned and looked at Hansen.

The bard stepped forward, and proceeded to relate the group's adventures of the last year, with specific reference to their encounters with the vampires of the Empire, and concluding with the Army of the Dead, and Vardar Peacock's reaction to their warnings of it.

At the end, Surya stepped in and sketched out his plans to assemble what was rapidly becoming a multi-national army to oppose this creation, and his troubles with getting it to where it was needed. He asked Delloch if he could grant them permission to march through his lands.

"My lands?" responded Delloch, "I am of good birth, and have my episcopal estates besides, but my lands are small and far from Korvux. My permission would not help you."

He continued. "I should warn you, my agents have reported no such phenomenon in the area. However, you seem sure, and the other signs you have observed point towards this. I shall commune with Aderra tonight, and we shall talk again in the morning."

They left his presesnce, and the attendant priests guided them to comfortable guest rooms - the very ones they'd stayed in before. The hospitality of the Church was offered them in full measure, and an hour or so later they found themselves in the Refectory for the evening meal.

Gathered in the high-arched hall were almost all the servants of the Goddess resident in the Basilica. Rank and precedence seemed unimportant here; all were gathered along plain benches at simple wooden tables, church knights elbow-to-elbow with lay priests and bishops. A great sense of community underlay this gathering, and it was clear that, whatever their skills and function, all were here because of their faith in and love for Aderra.

The talk was light and enjoyable, with an unspoken agreement not to talk "shop" at the table. The companions attracted considerable attention, and several churchmen came across to their table to talk to them. Of interest to Hildraft was the phrase "we're not seeing many dwarves here, either from the north or the south," another  reference to the long-lost hill dwarves of the southern mountains.

Eventually, the meal ended, and the company broke up. As they were preparing to rise, Hildraft felt a hand fall on his shoulder. He looked around quickly - into the face of Brother Armourer.

The robust priest grinned at the two, and chuckled. “Haven’t you done well?” he said. They chatted for a while, and Surya took the opportunity to discuss enhancing weapon enchantments with the grizzled warsmith.

Brother Armourer looked shrewdly at him. “I can guess what weapons you are thinking of,” he said, “and I would count it a personal favour if you kept them well hidden while you’re here.” Surya made a dismissive gesture, indicating of course, and Brother Armourer turned to Hildraft. He gestured to the Axe of Glass. “May I?” he asked respectfully.

Hildraft paused. In all the time since he’d been entrusted with the holy weapon by the Cardinal, he had never surrendered it into the hands of another. However, he knew this man of old, and a second later, swung the mighty weapon off his shoulders and passed it over.

Brother Armourer received it reverently, bowing his head over it for a moment as the artifact’s holy power saturated his perceptions. Then he shifted it in his grip, examining it with his material eyes, studying the peculiar design and construction. Then he took a fighting grip, and hefted the greataxe to the ready, swirling it through his powerful hands and making it sing as he spun it in glittering arcs. Watching, Surya and Hildraft were reminded again of their impression that this man was not just the simple priest-craftsman he tried to appear, but almost certainly a fighting man of significant experience.

He handed the Axe back to Hildraft with thanks, and clapped his hands together. “So; stepping out down town for a drink?” he asked; “If so, I’d like to come along.” They accepted gladly, and spent an enjoyable evening talking weaponsmith “shop”. Hildraft showed him Grispere’s Hammer, reducing him to stunned silence by explaining that it had been made six months ago by dwarves. In answer to his expostulation that only the elves knew how to work adamant, he confessed that they had been taught by Elverandil Mastersmith. Brother Armourer was staggered that they had actually spoken to Elverandil, and muttered something about “legends walking”.

He knew little of the current political situation, though he did answer an offhand question from Surya by naming Vardar’s only son – Kedos – as the heir to the throne.

Narthal, Stryre, 8th February 1602

The next morning, the three returned to the inner Basilica to meet once more with the Archpriest. This time, they found themselves in a quiet audience hall, rather than the towering chamber of the day before, and alone with the Archpriest.

Delloch revealed that his communion with his Goddess the night before had been successful. She had confirmed that the threat of the Army of the Dead was real; and had indicated that the task of crushing it was reserved to the Hand of Kord and his associates. Delloch was more than prepared to assist them wherever required.

He agreed to contribute some of his Episcopal Guard to add to the army, which in a moment of inspiration Surya referred to as The Sledgehammer; a name which seemed to fit very well. Aderran scouts were heading for the Fens as they spoke, although Delloch didn’t entirely expect them to find much.

He also agreed to mediate with the King to arrange another audience, although he warned that the Peacock was unlikely to change his mind.

Narthal, Stryre, 9th February 1602

Two days later, ringed by a group of priest-clerks and a steel cordon of church knights, Archpriest Delloch paid a formal visit to the King of Stryre. Among his entourage were two guests; a tall human in ominous black plate armour, and a ferocious dwarf bearing a massive glowing blue glass axe over his shoulders.

As they processed up the thronehall of the King of Stryre, Surya and Hildraft noted how the natural tendency of the size and imposing design of the hall to diminish a visitor was counteracted by the size and strength of the entourage, and most of all by the regal dignity of the Archpriest himself. As he came to a halt before the throne, bowing enough to be correct and  not a hair more, the pair could feel the electric tension in the air intensify until it was almost visible.

“My King!” declared Delloch, “I bring visitors of note.” He introduced the pair as if they’d never been here before, using their full and formal titles. The King glared down at them.

“My priest tells me,” he sneered, with the same intonation as he might use referring to his groom, “that you are here with some fanciful tale of zombies and bogies…”

“I return with more proof,” snapped Surya, interrupting. “Lay it before me!” demanded the king angrily.

Surya and Hildraft then explained the findings of the scouts and the fact that two gods had now confirmed that there was a real threat. Vardar Peacock was unimpressed. “I steer my course; not my priests. Good advice I will listen to, but vapourings of this nature do not impress me.”

The tension tightened. Behind the King, his barbaric champion Gerdask flexed his muscles and grinned in anticipation. Surya tried once more. “We are here to remove…” he began. Vardar interrupted him. “I see nothing that needs removing except a dark-tainted swordsman and and a turbulent priest of a northern ‘god’” he snarled. “You are exiled from my kingdom, and I have heard nothing to change that today. Get out of my palace.”

Surya’s patience snapped. “I shall return in the spring, with forty thousand men,” he said flatly. “The world is changing; change with it or be left behind.” As he turned to leave, Hildraft could not resist a final barb. “We’ll be at the top of the hill if you want us,” he said innocently, and Vardar’s face went puce; being reminded of the relative power of the throne and the basilica was not his favourite experience.

As the entourage swept out, Surya muttered to Delloch, "Can you identify loyal Aderrans among the army's commanders?"