[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/231117/4397e947d9496e89a02a516a94d678c6.png[/img][/center][hr][color=FFD187]“And when Scion Durand opened his first academy in Rodion, he said that knowledge was the firstfruit of the Goddess’ garden, meant to feed all Her children, great and small.”[/color] Dr. Rhaveus contended, finally taking Sir Tyler’s accusations seriously. [color=FFD187]“You misunderstand. The knowledge we uncover belongs to everyone, but I have no intention of endangering our nation or our Scions. A balance [i]can[/i] be struck.”[/color]

Maya eyed the feuding men suspiciously, unsure who to side with. Sir Tyler, of course, had her immediate sympathies. But she supposed she could see why the professor wanted to try his hand at civilizing the savages to the East. In her opinion, the Kaudians were better dealt with through conquest than education, but these bleeding heart academic types could never really grasp those sorts of realities. 

In any event, she did ultimately believe the professor. As warranted as Sir Tyler’s concerns were, she doubted a mousy fellow like Rhaveus could pull off the double agent act as well as this, and if he was just a useful idiot, Fyodor probably wouldn’t have chosen him to investigate Theodore’s death. Besides, it was very possible that Tyler was just a little sore about the subject, considering how he rankled anytime Theodore’s name was mentioned. 

[color=7041A5]“I’m sure the good professor knows what he’s doing,”[/color] she offered pointedly, departing from her glare at Rhaveus to give Tyler a glance that signaled her agreement. [color=7041A5]“And anyway, there’s nothing to do about it now. Although, Professor, you’d probably do well to avoid his type going forward, hm? We don’t need another international incident.”[/color]

Dr. Rhaveous looked a lot more flustered getting a dressing-down from a Scion than from a Templar, and nodded. [color=FFD187]“Of course, Your Holiness. I suppose we have more important problems at the moment.”[/color]

He cleared his throat, returning his notebook and flying pen to his bag. [color=FFD187]“Anyway, I think you’ve given me everything I need for the moment. If any of you remember anything else, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ll keep you and Dame Irina informed on my findings. In the meantime…”[/color]

He looked between Sir Tyler and Sir Edmund, his expression grave. [color=FFD187]“Your armour protects you from whatever the enemy is doing to interfere with the Scions. Take advantage of that. Now, more than ever, you Templars are the Scions’ last line of defence. Stay sharp, and try not to rely too heavily on your magic. There’s no telling how quickly the enemy will figure out that you’re immune and change their strategy.”[/color]
[hr][right][@Scribe of Thoth] [@webboysurf][/right]