Rhea observes the aftermath of Faolán’s spell and the toll it has taken on her. Seteth attempts to comfort her without giving too much away (of the little they know a voice adds, mocks, in her head) and Rhea wonders how long that can last.
About as long as it takes for Professor Henry to open his mouth apparently. Oh, he was clever enough to try and back track upon seeing the horror on Faolán‘s face once he mentioned the stains but Rhea had had enough of shadows collecting in her Church. Hiding the predicament of so many of their party from Faolán could only end badly, and so she steps in.
"Faolan,” Rhea finally speaks up. “I understand how difficult a time this must be for you but I ask that you remain calm. You know more of our enemies than many of the children here, who as brave as they may be, I am sure are frightened and confused.”
She continues, looking now into Faolán‘s shadowed face, “you are aware the dark magic they possess is meant to warp the minds and hearts of the goddesses most faithful. Please do not fall for such tricks. It is possible with their progress in Faergus that the thieves here may have tainted the golem programming before their death. Now that we have led the poor servant to its rest we can investigate.”
Faolán looks up at Lady Rhea, hands clasped in prayer. Slowly, she nods, “Yes, Lady Rhea… perhaps… perhaps the Golem was mistaken.” Though her words agree with the Archbishop, her tone betrays her lingering doubt. “Um, milady, if it’s not too much for me to ask… do you know what this stain is? And… um….” her voice is a scared, squeaky whisper, “do… do you have it… too?”
It is the question Rhea has been primed for since coming to the catacombs but it makes it no easier. Turning to the rest of the group Rhea explains:
“I believe the stain is the mark of their magic. My working theory is that this was another attempt on the lifeblood of the Church and in targeting our most faithful even students from different lands have been caught up in this spell.”
In regards to Faolan’s question Rhea merely smiles, an attempt at comfort. “Are you afraid, Faolan? I ask you believe in me, in all of us,” brushing aside her hair Rhea reveals the mark on her neck as if it were a minor inconvenience. “Another failed attempt on my life. I intend to bring the perpetrators to justice myself particularly if they mean to hide here.”
“Yes… I am afraid. None of this was supposed to happen, I…” Faolán sniffs. “I’m sorry that so many students were caught up in this mess. This was never meant to be life or death… And now, even you have been ‘blighted’, Lady Rhea… and I never ever knew, you never even told me…!”
The cardinal’s tears do bring Rhea some sorrow. She knows how it feels to be betrayed by those you hold most dear and can only hope that the truth of her words may offer some comfort. She slowly raises a hand, asking permission with eyes so she might give a reassuring touch.
"I would have come to you instantly if I thought this foul magic might extend to you, my friend. The goddess has given us different tribulations to bear and I must say I am relieved to see this holy foundation has protected you.“ Rhea gestures to the other doubtless staring at them. "It is my intent to see no further harm may come to these good people seeing as they have been targeted merely for cordially interacting with the church. Faolan, can I ask for your continued assistance even with so much uncertainty?”
“Y-yes, Lady Rhea! Of course! I’ll do my utmost to help you all!”
Rhea gives her a true smile then, blooming bright and brief on her face before Rhea turns back to the rest of their cohort. “What say the rest of you? Before we venture any further I should like to hear your thoughts.”
@baldursson@ceaselessblade
"Now that you mention it..." Ike stares at Henry, then simply points at his left boot, beginning the long process of unbuckling armor and leather boot. "I just thought it was a weird scrape, but I've got something similar here. Faolan, do you know anything about a black mark? Does this look like anything you know?"
Once Ike takes off his boot, Faolán kneels down to take a closer look. "By the Goddess! No, no I've never seen anything like this in my life!"
She tries casting a basic heal spell on Ike's foot, but the stain remains. The trembling returns. "I... I don't understand. When– how–? Does it hurt?
Ike shakes his head. "Doesn't hurt one bit, don't worry about it." He scrunches up his face, pondering. "Should be around yesterday. Didn't think too much about it. Professor, did yours appear around the same time?"
As more and more marks are revealed, a growing look of frustration presses into Ike’s features. Clearly, there’s some sort of conspiracy afoot.
And-- it’s just something about Rhea’s dialogue that simply raises more questions than it answers. Thieves? The church has thieves? What could be possibly so important that there would be thieves of the church, and why would they poison the faculty and students? Why assume thieves?
Even more curiously, should it be poison, then why has it not taken effect yet? Why a mark, of all things? They’re not even the same!
There’s one good thing about this. Faolan’s much happier at the end of Rhea’s consolation, and Ike’s glad to see that their best guide in this place has at least recovered.
He shakes his head. There are no answers, but there’s also no solution to be found here. The only way to get them is to push on. The truth will reveal itself-- sooner or later.
@baldursson