“It's incomprehensible why some people dislike the Harmonium. After all, we're trying to bring peace and prosperity not only to Sigil, but also to the rest of the multiverse.
And yet, for whatever reason, we are often seen as militaristic, as intolerant Hardheads who oppress and hate everyone else. That's just not true."
Philian Thobis, Harmonium recruiter
Second Lower Day of Retributus, 126 HR
The first few days in her new office had been both exciting and confusing for Amariel. After two weeks, she had become somewhat accustomed to being in Sarin's office two hours after First Light every morning to go over the daily faction business with him. Suddenly it was no longer about simple things like duty rosters or equipment inventories. Now she had the task of organizing the factol's personal appointments, giving him an overview of the Sigil press accounts each day, even writing messages and letters on his behalf. It was not always easy for her to concentrate fully on her tasks. She still felt a tingle in her stomach every morning when she faced her factol. Amariel fervently hoped that this would subside soon. She knew her feelings were inappropriate, especially as Sarin was married. But she couldn't just turn them off. Thanks to her new job, she now had occasional contact with Sarin's family: his wife Faith, his nine children and the tiefling girl Yaëlla. Amariel had already known that Yaëlla was only officially Sarin's slave, but in reality was more like a daughter to him. What she had not suspected, however, was the existence of a mysterious prophecy and a certain God Machine. A few days after taking up her post as adjutant, Sarin had filled her in on the whole story, and this matter now preoccupied Amariel as much as her sweet yet painful feelings for her factol. At least she finally understood the strange special role that Kiyoshi, who had so recently joined the faction, was playing. She had had the task of assisting the serious, withdrawn young man with any questions about the Harmonium and had taken him into her heart despite his dry manner. Those had been simpler days, but now she knew about something that kept worrying even her factol. He spoke little about it, but since she had been working so closely with him, she had noticed it. Some weeks after taking office, Sarin confronted her with the next revelation. As usual, Amariel had entered Sarin's office at two hours past First Light, bowed deeply and taken a seat at the large conference table in response to a gesture from him. Her factol stood in front of the globe of his prime material home, Ortho, and stared at it as if it were responsible for all of his problems. For some of them, it probably was ... It took him a few moments to tear himself away from it, then he stepped up to the table and took a seat opposite Amariel.
"Good morning, decuria," he greeted her, his full voice reaching every corner of the room. "We'll skip the usual organizational points today. There is a very important mission to fulfill for the Harmonium and Sigil and I would like to entrust you with it."
These words made Amariel's heart beat faster. And although she greatly admired Sarin's knowledge of human nature, she always cursed it in those moments when he recognized so clearly what was going on inside her.
"Don't worry, decuria. I wouldn't entrust you with this matter if I wasn't sure you were up to the task."
She nodded firmly. "Of course, factol. And I can assure you that I have already mastered one or two dicey situations in the Outlands and also here in Sigil quite well." He looked at her and she thought she recognized a spark of surprise in his dark eyes. "Excuse me," she toned down her previous remark. "I didn't mean to be immodest."
He had that smile again that he only showed when he was with his family or close friends. "That's all right, decuria. I like it when my officers show self-confidence. As for your mission, I told you about the recent events in the Mortuary."
"Yes, sir. About that strange citadel that lies beyond the portal to the Plane of Fire."
"Exactly," Sarin confirmed. "Unfortunately, it got busted that I and a few of my colleagues were active there without the knowledge of the Dustmen. Thus I couldn't avoid a personal meeting with Factol Skall." His expression showed that it had not been a pleasant conversation. "Skall agreed to let the matter rest - if we are going to solve the problem with the citadel."
"Like getting rid of it?" Amariel asked cautiously. "But how?"
Sarin leaned back in his chair with a sigh. "After the Chosen had been there, Skall's deputy, Factor Trevant, sent a reconnaissance troop to the citadel. It turned out that the Illuminated had apparently left their fortress quickly to protect their secrets. They had taken many records with them or destroyed them. A few documents could probably be saved, but they are now in the possession of the Dustmen."
"That's unfortunate, sir."
"Indeed, but alas, it can't be helped. During the examination of the citadel, a red crystal was found underneath the laboratory of this githzerai and in the temple complex. Apparently, they are powerful foci that serve as a source of power to both create the breathable atmosphere around the citadel and hold the fortress in place at the portal."
Amariel nodded meaningfully. "And if we were to destroy the crystals ..."
"The citadel would drift away from the portal," Sarin confirmed. "It might even be destroyed completely in the long term."
"Let me guess: Factol Skall wants the Harmonium to handle this so as not to expose members of his own faction to possible danger?"
There was a certain self-irony in Sarin's voice when he replied. "And that's that. But it's nothing new that we have to put our heads on the block for everything that goes wrong in this city. You, decuria, are a talented fighter, an anointed knight and a good strategist. You will assemble a small force of five to seven people of your choice and, I am sure, carry out this mission successfully. Oh, and factotum Zamakis will accompany you, Skall insisted on that."
"They don't trust us, what a surprise," Amariel remarked ironically, which elicited a smile from Sarin.
"Exactly. So business as usual in the City of Doors."
She returned the smile warmly. "Then I will prepare for the mission immediately and assemble my squad, sir."
At his nod, she rose and was already at the door when her factol called her back once more.
"Decuria, one more thing. As you know, the Day of Pain occurs in a few months."
She looked at him sympathetically, but immediately tried to keep the emotion out of her gaze when she noticed it. Sarin could certainly do without such expressions of pity.
"Yes, Factol, I know," she replied neutrally.
"I'm sure you're also aware that every factol needs a ritual helper on this day."
Her heartbeat accelerated. "Yes, sir ..."
"I was thinking of you."
Just five words. Five such simple words, and for the second time in a few weeks he knocked her world out of joint ...
________________
This is the last chapter of “The Eternal Boundary”, the first adventure that I played with my group as part of our “Shadows over Sigil” campaign, from November 12, 2011 to May 18, 2012.
The second part is “The Deva Spark”.
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