Chapter 20 - Part 2

"Oh! What a splendid day!" Yiv'e giggled like a little girl. The woman's bubbly personality radiated throughout the dining hall. Brothers looked at Lwora and Yiv'e with disgust as they sat, eating their sweetbuns and chickhog legs.

"What makes you say that?" Lwora asked groggily. She wasn't a morning person, but Yiv'e managed to build her enthusiasm each day. If it weren't for her overly exaggerated happy and sickenly sweet attitude, Lwora would have long quit the job, regardless of how much they paid. Lwora was two months Yiv'e's senior in the order.

"One of my fellow sisters from the Sanctuary will be applying today. Sister Ma've. She's a riot! You will definitely love her." The jolly woman giggled. He plump cheeks peeking through her hooded cloak. She still wore the headdress of a Sanctuary sister, something she never dared part of.

"Oh, really? Will the imperial advisor be reviewing her application as well?" Lwora asked curiously with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, indeed so. GrandMaster Imperial advisor Araya is such a Creator's sent. I do not know what I would have done if it wasn't for her. She's someone to look up to for certain. Don't you agree, sister Lwora?" Yiv'e's eyes gleamed with admiration as she took another bite of her sweet bun.

"I sure do. Araya is amazing, isn't she. And I'm sure Ma've will pass with flying colors."

"Oh, you think so? That would be a dream come true. Together again." She giggled. Yiv'e was part of a long forgotten Sanctuary in the east near the border. But a sudden reappropriation of the building by the Empire has left her and a few hundred other sisters, great healers, out of a place to practice. They, since, had migrated towards all the corners of the Empire to new sanctuaries and a few, like Yiv'e finding new careers in unexpected positions. Lwora heard of a few of Yiv'e's friends enrolling into the army as a battlefield healer. While the battlefield was not Yiv'e's place she did want to have a more active role in the community, other than just a healer and applied on a whim in the Disciplinary order, trying her luck, and luck was on her side. Araya took charge of reviewing the applicants to the order after she strong armed Councilman Ameral. He was so easily manipulated, it made Araya laugh. Just to get on her good side, to squeeze a few drops more of information, which, of course, was false. But he didn't know that. In order to make the order a more inclusive organ of the Empire she approved on the spot every female applicant, however, up until now there have been just the two of them.

Similar to Lwora, Yiv'e had been given another lower level quadron for the same exact reason; Cornelius wanted the miscreants of the lower level to rip them to shreds. But that had the exact opposite reaction. Yiv'e's bubbly personality and willingness to help had made her very popular and protected in the community. She often swapped ideas with Lwora on how to improve the lives of those under her protection. Although the order had the role of persecuting the sinners of Red Keep, these two women worked together with the guard and denizens to improve on the quality of life. It was a mission worth their while that brought them much joy and pleasure. And Lwora was eager to get a new sister in their ranks.

"So, what are your plans for today, sister Lwora."

"Just Lwora, please. The people tried to give me some money," She pulled the pouch out of her pocket. "See? It's not a lot, but it's all they have. So, I was hoping to get some chickhogs and raise them for the eggs in the communal garden we made."

"That's a wonderful idea! Let me accompany you today, sister Lwora. I think I will follow in your step and do the same. I know just the live stock merchant that will give us a nice discount!" Yiv'e collapsed her hands and giggled. "Girls day out!"

"Thank you, Yiv'e, I would love your company." Lwora gave her a genuine smile. "The discount will definitely help as well." she laughed.

"How disrespectful." A man with his hood covering his face said as he passed their table.

"You better get used to it, Arkhan." Lwora said under her breath. The man turned around furiously.

"Don't disrespect me, you lowly woman." He spit in her face. He raised a hand to strike, but Yiv'e got up in a rush, her chair against the tiled floor raised everyone's attention.

"Now, now. Brother Arkhan. There is no need to cause a scene." Yiv'e smiled as usual. "Sacred scripture of our Cretors article 1402, paragraph 2, subsection b. 'Thou shalt never raise thy hand on thy brothers and sisters for only the Creators can punish the sinful.' Quite fitting, don't you agree, brother Arkhan."

The man hesitated for a second then backed away. He mumbled a few foul words then dissapeared.

'Thank you, Yiv'e. I don't know what I would've done without you." Lwora breathed relieved and wiped her face.

"Let me," Yiv'e said and waved her hand, removing every speck of spit from her clothes and face. "Much better," she gave a warm smile. "Now, what were you saying about buying some chickhogs?"

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The sun began to set in pinks and burnt oranges across the sky. The green moon was already visible in the sky although night had yet to set fully. The Red Keep was ablaze with the display of the sun's light with deep colors of red and crimson with a slight touch of fuschia just barely mixed in. Deep shadows elongated from the chappel and people retreated to their homes for supper.

"Do you think 12 chickhogs were enough, sister Lwora?" Yiv'e asked as she wiped at her forehead. The summer heat was too much for her head piece.

"Ever thought of not wearing that thing on your head?" Lwora asked nonchalantly.

"Creators no. I've worn it for so long, it's part of who I am." Yiv'e smiled. There was never a question too rude or dumb for her. She answered with a smile every time, even if it insulted her. "It will be 24 years this winter."

"I'm already heating up just looking at you, here." Lwora created a small gust of cold wind around her friend. "Why don't you Wield more often?" They entered the Nave and went for the right hallway.

"Those we call unblessed, are they really?" She simply said. "They go about their lives, not needing any divine help, strong, healthy, living. They do everything without the aid of the Creators' power. We call them unblessed, but they are more powerful than any Wielder alive. They endure everything we and the Creators throw at them, and thrive. I would like to be just as powerful one day." Yiv'e smiled. "But for now I shall accept your act of kindness, sister Lwora. Quite refreshing." she laughed

"How can you be so good-natured? Do you ever let anything get to you?" Lwora admired Yiv'e, her spirit was unbreakable and her desire to help unlike everything she had ever seen. Not even Araya, who had been fighting to make everyone's life better.

" Of course they do. I am human, after all." she laughed again. "Good evening, brother Merucrio, Brother Thadeus. Lovely sunset outside, I recommend to take a few minutes to appreciate Creators' glory."

The two men stopped for a second and then left without replying. Yiv'e nodded and began walking again towards the dining hall. Lwora noticed a bundle of gently tied parchments under Thadeus' arm. They had a familiar wax color on them.

"You go ahead, Yiv'e. I just remembered I have something to do urgently. Eat without me."

"Very well, sister Lwora. You shall be missed. We'll talk more in the morning." With a nod Yiv'e turned around and let Lwora jog back to the nave.

There, she saw Thadeus and that other guy Mercurio going up a winding staircase in the off limits section of the Chapel. Luck was on Lwora's side, it was evening and time for diner. There will be no one to catch her off guard. With only one thought in mind she pushed forward and followed slowly and quietly the two men.

Once on the second story of the chapel she layed low, crouching, trying to blend with the deep shadows of the sunset. She saw the men moving with conviction, exchanging no words between each other. The second floor was lined with bookshelves, windows, and multiple hallways. The two men made a left turn, Lwora right behind them hiding in every corner she could squeeze herself.

They soon arrived at a double doored room. They paused for a moment before knocking and the doors immediately sung open. It was Cornelius. He took the parchment rolls, placing them somewhere in his room then closing the doors behind him, they marched towards Lwora. She quickly made herself smaller than she had ever been in between two dark brow bookcases that were shadowed by the one of the huge columns. Thanks to her dark robes of the order she blended right in.

"... I hear we have fish soup today." Thadeus grunted. The men passed right by her. Moments later their footsteps were gone and the coast was clear.

"This is my chance." Lwora whispered to herself and hurried to the doors. She reached to open them but didn't budge. They were locked. "Shit" she said under her breath. She will have to Wield her way in. She crouched to see the lock and placed a hand over the keyhole. She sent her Fios filling the space and with a turn of her hand the lock opened. She smiled to herself in triumph and pushed through the doors, closing them slightly, leaving a tiny crack so that she could hear if anyone was approaching.

Lwora turned to view the room. It was lavishly decorated, with huge stained glass windows, four poster bed and numerous treasures around the room. There was a huge massive wood desk next to the window. There she saw the parchment rolls Thadeus brought it. She grabbed them gently and began inspecting them. The parchment was high quality, and she knew she recognized the blue wax. The stamp confirmed it. They were from Councilman Ameral.

Lwora gently pried the parchment open and began reading the scrolls. They were short messages, more like orders, but were too clear to misinterpret. In the scrolls, Councilman Ameral, ordered the head of the order to begin purging the lower levels. He called them a disgrace to the Emperor, dirty unblessed, and they shall not allow the filth of Red Keep to live any longer. The Councilman promised his full support in Cornelius' endevor in updating the holy scripture if he was able to fully purge the lower levels. This shocked Lwora beyond belief.

"They're planning a genocide." she said in disbelief. She quickly leaned on the desk as a sensation of vertigo overcame her. She quickly looked over the other ones to see what they said. One that mentioned Araya grabbed her attention. Councilman Ameral requested help in removing Araya from her position, and taking it for himself. He began detailing a plan to discredit her as a fake hero of the people. He will release fake documents where she proposed tax increase and unjust labor laws. This will get the people on his side, then there was the Emperor. Councilman Ameral also fabricated documents where it shows Araya stealing from the Emperor for her own. And most of all, fake eye witnesses seeing Advisor Araya and sister Lwora in intimate positions revealing them both as "Yeva'Ah" Forcing the Disciplinary order to dispose of them immediately as it is written in the Holy Scripture.

Lwora tried to stay calm but she couldn't. Her heartbeat raced out of her chest and her head was pounding. "I need too tell Araya first, I need to tell her."

She fingered the beautiful broach on her left and mentally called out. "Araya!" With as much urgency as she could. It took a few moments for Araya to replied but she did with great concern.

"Lwora! What is it? What happened? I'm in the middle of an important meeting." Araya sent back.

"It cannot wait, Araya. They are planning on killing innocent people, and disposing of both of us!"

"Who are? What are you saying?"

"Listen to me carefully, Araya. Councilman Ameral is sending orders to the Head of the Order, Cornelius to commit genocide in the name of the Emperor in the lower levels, then they plan to discredit you with all sorts of fake documents. They are insane, Araya. Here!" Lwora sent mental images of what she had seen, the office, the men leaving confirming it was Cornelius' office, the scroll wax seals and their contents.

Another few moments passed before she heard a reply form Araya. Lwora began to grow concern. "Lwora, you need to do exactly what I'm going to tell you. Stick those seals back to the parchment with Wielding, as best as you can and get out of there. Meet me in my town office. You got the key, stay there, and do not open the door to anyone. Do you understand?" Araya sent a stream of emotions through their telepathic link.

"Yes, I- "

"Look what the Creators decided to gift me on such a beautiful summer day." a man's voice boomed from the door.

"Lwora! What was that!" Araya asked, almost screaming into Lwora's mind.

"Araya they got me. It's Cornelio -" she managed to say before her broach flew away from her hand.

"No, no. We'll have none of that around here." The broach settled in his palm. "A bonding stone, so you have accomplices. My, my, what a naughty tramp we have here."

"You will not get away with this, Cornelius. Neither you nor the Councilman!" She threatened.

"Oh, I just do not know what you are talking about." The man shrugged and a disgusting smile creeped on his face.

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The red night rained blood over the Red Keep that night. The palace windows were battered by heavy droplets against the intricate stained glass of the Emperor's room. He watched as the water dripped down, polling at the base of the windows, down the terrace just beyond. A window was opened and the cold rain washed in in a puddle. It almost reached his feet as he sat on the ledge of the bed. Praying with everything he had.

"Fuck!" He swore and in a fit of anger pushed everything he had on his nightstand on the floor. A glass vase shattered in small fragments of glass, a few daylilies scattered on the floor.

"Just talk to me!" He yelled and begged. "I need a sign!" but nothing came back. The voices had stopped, the visions had darkened, his resolve was gone, but he still went onwards. He had the artifact, he had power in his grasp. All that remained was how to use the artifact, he was so close yet just beyond his reach. "Why have you stopped?" He began weeping in his palms.

Hours have past of him repeating the same questions and weeping tears not of sorrow but anger. With his remaining power he shouted again. "WHY HAVE YOU STOPPED?"

"We haven't" a disembodied voice whispered.

"Y--you're back! You're back!" he began laughing. "Please, tell me what to do next, please. I'm lost!" He pleaded, dropping to his knees. A few feet in front of him, a red figure of smoke or dust took form, it looked intangible but caught in a few glimpses of the red shine.

"Keep going, answers will reveal themselves to you. You are on the right path, chosen one." the figure said in a smoky whisper.

"But, I have the artifact. I can't turn it on. I can use it! How can I use it."

"Patience, it will all be revealed, chosen one. Trust in us." It said. "Do not let false prophets cloud your mind, chosen one. We shall not speak again." And with that the figure vanished into the dark viscous shadow of the night. The rain had stopped at the same time, revealing the makings of a new day. Red night turned into the bright pinks of daybreak and it's clear blue began to be revealed.