Arreyis

Devouring Light

"Well, I suppose that is something I could do..." Ayrie said. "It can't be during something like the festival. I can't say I won't feel something for these prisoners, and during something like that I can't promise I wouldn't try to stop you from harming them."

She paused looking at him closely. He knew this, but had offered her the job anyway, trusting she wouldn't harm him. "I would never try to poison you though, it's just not in my nature. Though I do wish I were more versed in magics so that I could help Nadia. That seems like a far more pleasant job."

Ayrie knew that in all the city she was probably the best one for this particular duty, having been trained her entire life for just that situation. She wasn't sure that she could speak to these sacrifices and then let them be eaten though, as it didn't take a lot of personal connection for her to feel protective of people.

Devouring Light

Ayrie smiled, relieved he already knew and she didn't have to break the news.

"It goes as well as possible. They're doing their best to put me back in my place, but it's much harder to get genie bavk in the bottle once she's out." She said, walking closer to him. "So, found a job to get me away from them yet?"

She was hoping he had found her something that would assuage the priests, and keep them off her tail.

Devouring Light

On Malcom's suggestiom Ayrie suddenly knew exactly where to take it. Behind a fence there was a group of people burning the garbage from the festival, so she took it and silently used her power to break the enchantment, then threw the useless piece of wood into the fire. It crackled loudly, but no one took notice and she went back to Malcom.

"Done." She said nodding, and continued to follow him. "I'm glad I said something before we got there. I would not want to hurt Asran."

Devouring Light

Ayrie smiled with relief when she saw Malcolm. "Oh thank goodness. I have to get rid of this thing. I can't take it in his office and I don't want to throw it out, any ideas?"

She pointed at the wooden placard in which the symbol of peace was embedded.

__________________________

Darrin looked at Gerrick after Ayrie left, relieved to finally have a moment to speak.

"She's not the same girl who left the monastery. Something has changed." He said, seating himself into a chair.

"No, she's much different. More bold, less docile. That could be a problem." Gerrick replied.

"We shall see. It may prove to be to our advantage."

Devouring Light

Ayrie woke in the early morning with weight on her chest, she had no idea how to shake the priests, if she even could. They had mentioned that she had dome well, but she didn't trust their words as much as she might have before arriving in Cornopa. She rose and dressed, brushing her hair and braiding it, this time foregoing the ribbon. She put on a simple yellow dress that fell to her ankles and grabbed a robe from her chest. She knew she couldn't wear it outside, but the priests would want to see it.

"Goodmorning Fathers." She said brightly as she came out of her room to the living area.

"Goodmorning Ayrie." They said in unison. "Slept well I trust?" Asked Father Gerrick.

"Yes, sir." She saw that they had already made breakfast "Excuse me this morning, but I am late for a meeting with the Mayor. He has promised to find me a job in the city in order to begin gaining the trust of those who live here."

"Alright, my dear. Be back by dinner, we shall just be resting after our travels. Weary bones don't bounce back the way they used to." Said Father Gerrick. He eyed her closely, but must not have seen whatever he was looking for.

"Of course, Father. Rest easy." Ayrie said, slipping on her shoes and heading out the door. On her way out she quickly unset the symbol on the door and took it with her. Meaning to get rid of it somehow.

Devouring Light

"Sirs, please allow me to explain." She said carefully, kneeling down on her knees and bowing her head like she was taught for confession. "I was alone here, and the city Mayor approached me to offer what protection he can and to warn me that the people of this city do not take kindly to the Church." She peeked up as she heard plates clatter on the modest table. They were listening.

"The Mayor here, he told me that we must hide symbols of our faith from the outside, that we may only preach to those who seek us, and not to knock on doors or preach on the sidewalks." She paused, wondering how to explain why, then she remembered. "The people here remember the attacks on them years ago, some are even survivors. Seeing our symbols is a reminder of the war. We must tread carefully, amd win their hearts with kindness and service. If we go too heavy on the doctrine they will not tolerate our presence, and our very lives might be endangered."

There was silence for a moment as the priests considered her statements.

"Why did you go to this festival, why watch those people be sacrificed to that demon without saying anything?" Father Gerrick asked, his brown eyes had never been more piercing.

"I needed to see for myself the extent of their sin. To understand why they believe it is necessary and why they allow it."

"And you followed that man into the temple? Why did you stay so long?" This from Father Darrin, as he set the table with silverware they must have brought.

"He was ill. I wanted to make sure that he was alright. Was that not the right thing to do? It is what I was taught." Now she looked up, certain they were satisfied.

"It is the thing to do, my child. Now come, eat. We shall discuss how to handle this city tomorrow." Father Gerrick motioned her to a plate set in the only place with no seat. She didn't mind sitting on the floor, but it was clear they were giving her her place. There were three chairs, he had purposely placed her plate where she would need to sit on the floor.

She moved into place and sat daintily, eating with poise as she contemplated her new predicament.

Devouring Light

Ayrie managed to out pace the bulk of the remaining crowd by leaving before Asran said goodnight. She made her way at a leisurely pace to her little home, and was surprisingly greeted by lights on inside.

'Oh no... The priests!' She all but yelped as she raced up the stairs. She hadn't been back since the afternoon, there was no telling how long they had been inside, or if they had seen any of the festival or Ayrie's actions.

"Hello? Father Darren? Father Gerrick?" She called as she entered. She didn't see them right away but smelled fresh cooking coming from the kitchen.

"Ah, you're back! Father Gerrick, our sinner has returned to us!" Father Darren came out of the hallway, staring her down with a look she had never seen on his normally peaceful face.

"Father Darren... I..." She stopped as he held a hand up to her, turning his head away.

"Two days. Two days you've been here without escort and we arrive to find you dancing at a heathen festival. To find you complacent in the sacrifice of others." Darren began, his voice cold. "You sat at table on the dais and followed that man, this this priest of darkness into his temple? Disappearing for hours before showing up here looking like you got run over by a horse? Just what do you think you are doing?"

Ayrie froze, unsure where to start as Father Gerrick entered the room looking just as furious but carrying three plates of food. 'So they aren't kicking me out, but sending me back is not yet out of the question. My reasoning for what I was doing must be sound."

Devouring Light

She followed him easily until the came to a large crowd, when they did Asran took her hand and lead her through. She had a hard time concentrating until he talked about missing his speech.

"I mean, you were a little preoccupied..." Ayrie said, keeping her voice low. "Go up there now and do it. I'll be okay to get home on my own from here."

She was reluctant but she loosened her grip on his hand so that he could let go, and slowed her forward momentum. 'I'll let him get up there for his speech and then I'll head home.'

Fantasy RP - For those that want to 'Jump - In '

I'm back at it! Wrist is much better after a couple days of mostly resting it with ice and heat. Need to stop pushing it so dang hard with the crochet and the typing, lol.

Devouring Light

Ayrie watched the imps cower, but their eyes still held hatred for her. She shrugged, not thinking they would be needed anyway. It wasn't as if the priests would harm her, and she was meeting Markus later to go over some more defensive magics so soon enough she'd be able to defend herself.

"Thank you," she said simply. "And of course I'll meet you for that job. I need something to do with my day."

She followed him to the back door, not really wanting to go home just yet but knowing the night was over. 'Tomorrow my real life comes back to haunt me.' she thought, wishing the priests would stay away.