The Silver Sphinx

 

"to have a bloody halo"

Cant, meaning a dangerous celestial

 

 

Second Lower Day of Mortis, 126 HR

Her Magnificence Archbishop Juliana Spesinfracta sat in the factol's office in the Barracks and waited. Killeen Caine, Legate of Arcadia, leaned against Sarin's desk and watched her discreetly as she calmly but sternly studied the large wall map of Ortho. She was now in her early sixties, her hair gray but still long and full, pinned up in a neat and elaborate hairstyle and adorned with the diadem that signified her rank as archbishop of the Archonites. The fine wrinkles around her eyes had deepened, but her gaze was as alert and sharp as ever. She sat very upright, her entire posture an expression of discipline and inner strength, every movement deliberate and controlled. Juliana was, as always, a model of etiquette and perfect social manners. Something Killeen Caine could not necessarily claim for himself, as he was well aware. He had to smile to himself at how often Juliana had reprimanded him for his lack of decorum when he had been a decurion, but also when he was already a prefect. Actually, she still did. Of course, he knew it was only for his own good. Delazar had said so, too, but the difference was that Killeen had always believed Juliana. He had always known that despite her strictness, she valued his qualities as well as himself as a person. She had been in Excelsior with the Archonites for almost five years now, but one thing had not changed: the half-elf would have walked through hell and high water for her. And he shared this attitude with many members of the Harmonium, especially Tonat Shar and Factol Sarin, who entered the room at that very moment. Killeen quickly pushed himself away from his desk and braced, at least to some extent.

But Sarin didn't even notice, rushing in indignantly and closing the door a little louder than necessary. He took off his gloves and threw them on the table. “What a berk!” the factol huffed, clearly upset. “He's been living here in the Cage for over ten years and would have himself put in the dead-book in such an addle-coved way!” When his gaze fell on Juliana, he interrupted himself and cleared his throat. ”Oh, Lady Juliana, you're already here. I greet you. I'm glad you found your way back to Sigil so quickly.” He bowed low.

Juliana had watched Sarin's entrance with disapproval and now rose from her chair. “I must tell you, Sarin, that your behavior has taken a turn that I do not like. There is something loutish about it.”

It seemed to take a few seconds for her words to really sink in. The paladin looked at her in disbelief. “Pardon? Something ... Excuse me?”

“Yes, indeed,” the archbishop replied ungraciously. ”Your manner of speaking just this very moment.”

Still somewhat overwhelmed by Juliana's unexpected rebuke, Sarin spread his hands. “What manner of speaking? You mean because I use Cant? Please, Juliana, I have lived in the Cage for over twenty years.”

Indignantly, Juliana twisted the right corner of her mouth. “In the Cage! Berk. Put in the dead-book. My goodness, Sarin, I know where you live. But that doesn't mean you have to use language that is more common in the lower districts than here in the Lady's Ward.”

“Well, but you know how it is. You were factol here, too, and ...”

“I am well aware of what I was,” Juliana replied sternly. ”All the more, exemplary behavior should be exercised - even in small matters. There are other things as well. For example, it is hardly appropriate to address me as Juliana by default. It is a little too personal, reserved for very private moments, which people in our positions are rarely granted.”

Sarin capitulated and bowed his head briefly under her reproachful gaze. “I ... You are right, of course. I beg your forgiveness, my lady.”

Killeen bit his lip to suppress a grin. Even as Legate of Arcadia, he had often stood before his former factol like a scolded schoolboy. Seeing that this happened even to Sarin from time to time was both fascinating and reassuring. Juliana had had such an immense influence on himself, as well as on Tonat and Sarin, that it would never completely fade away.

The archbishop nodded, but not too graciously. “That's better. But it doesn't change my overall impression. The very way you stormed in here is inappropriate for a man of your degree.”

Sarin clearly wanted to object, but he contained himself. “But how ... how did I ... storm in?” he asked, looking Juliana in the eyes again.

 

 

She raised a brow. “Oh please! The way you tore open the door, then tossed your gloves on the table ... That's no way to behave.”

“I was a little upset ...”

“That's no excuse,” she interrupted him. ”A little more discipline and decorum would suit you well.”

Killeen held his breath. Had she gone too far? Sarin was the factol, after all, and no matter what she had been in the past, such a judgment was tantamount to a direct attack.

And indeed, a spark of displeasure flashed in Sarin's dark eyes. “My lady, with all due respect I owe you and deeply feel for you, but ...”

He didn't continue, and Juliana looked at him inquiringly. “But you think I'm going too far?”

Sarin took a deep breath before answering. “Yes. I admit that my behavior just now was not the most elegant, and my choice of words might indeed have been inappropriate in higher social circles. But that is hardly enough to accuse me of a lack of decorum or even discipline. I ...” He hesitated briefly again, but then continued. ”I am factol now, no longer a decurion whom you must mold according to your standards. That time was extremely important for my personal development, and you have my deepest and most humble thanks for that, my lady. But that time is over.” His posture, his voice, his gaze betrayed a clear tension as he spoke like this to Lady Juliana.

The archbishop looked him over from head to toe, then smiled. “Good,” she replied with satisfaction. ”That is how a factol speaks. I like how you have developed. Oh, why are you looking at me like that? Did you think I was angry?”

Sarin smiled with relief. “I had considered that possibility and accepted it with the greatest reluctance, Magnificence.”

“But you accepted it. And I am glad to see that you execute your office with competence and determination. Not that I was ever unsure of that. I knew what I was doing when I made you my successor. But it was important for me to know whether you act with the same self-confidence towards me as you act towards others.”

“But in no way it diminishes my deeply felt respect for you, my lady,” the paladin assured her.

She took his right hand. “I know that, Sarin. You are exactly the leader I wanted for the Planar Harmonium. You will achieve great things, I am sure of it. Now, I must take my leave, as I have a liturgy to attend in half an hour.”

The factol bowed low and kissed her hand. “The L... Iomedae's blessings, my lady.”

She noticed his change of words in his farewell expression and acknowledged it with a knowing smile. “The blessings of Celestia, gentlemen.”

She nodded to Sarin, as well as to Killeen, who also bowed to her in farewell, then she left the room majestically.

The half-elf looked over at Sarin, a certain mischief sparkling in his violet eyes. “My respect, my friend,” he remarked. “You have passed the archbishop's trial. I didn't realize it was one until the very end.”

“Neither did I,” Sarin replied. ”And I didn't feel comfortable, believe me. I mean, she was our factol, after all. That still influences me.”

Killeen grinned. “Yes, and pretty profoundly, as I see it.”

“Oh, just laugh about it. I'm looking forward to seeing you next time she's ready to polish your manners.”

Killeen leaned against Sarin's desk with his arms crossed. “Then I will of course not be as outspoken as you.”

“Yes, I wouldn't advise that,” the paladin replied with a smile, motioning Killeen to step back from his desk with a quick wave of his right hand.

The half-elf pushed himself away from the edge. “Oh, sorry.”

Sarin waved it off. “One of your many annoying habits,” he remarked as he took his place behind his desk, but he didn't seem particularly bothered.

Killeen grinned. “Yes, one of my annoying habits ... but it's easily outweighed by my many qualities.”

Sarin removed his two scimitars from his weapon belt and placed them on the right side of his desk, as he always did. “That's why you're still my legate,” he replied, eyeing Killeen from head to toe.

His factol's scrutinizing gaze made the half-elf feel uneasy. “What ... what is it?” When Sarin didn't answer right away, he glanced down at himself and then spread his hands. “What? Did I do something wrong?”

Sarin waved it off. “No. I was just thinking. Get a chair, we need to talk.”

“That doesn't sound good. What about?”

“You'd better ask who.”

Killeen sighed deeply as he pulled a chair away from the long conference table. “I have a feeling ...”

“If Valiant returns to Sigil, we need to discuss how to handle this,“ Sarin replied.

“I have a few ideas,” the half-elf said.

Sarin looked up. “Really?”

“Well,” Killeen replied innocently. ”Petrify him. Turn him into a squirrel. Give him a key that just happens to open a portal into the Abyss. If you give me some time, I'm sure I can think of some more creative ideas.”

Sarin shot him a reproachful look but couldn't hide a grin. “Ha, ha. Very funny, Legate. But seriously ...”

“Seriously,” Killeen interjected, ”I also have another idea.”

Sarin leaned back and folded his arms. “I'm listening.”

Killeen sighed. “Well, the idea isn't quite as entertaining as the others, but it's more promising - at least I hope so. You know, there are few who have a more tense relationship with Valiant than I do, but even I have to admit: he's charismatic and politically skilled. He is a celestial, after all, and that alone goes down well with many people. He has power. And he's back in Sigil. But why is he back? Besides the vague platitudes he threw at you, there must be something else behind it. We should try to find out what his real motives are. That's the only way we can keep him in check effectively.”

Sarin nodded slowly. “You're right, he definitely has hidden motives. The Envoy also confirmed that he's working against the Chosen. Or against our alliance with the Sensates, Athar, Ciphers, and Godsmen - which in this case probably amounts to the same. According to the Envoy, he doesn't know anything about the three swords, but he may well know other things.”

“I wouldn't be surprised,” Killeen growled. ”We need to keep an eye on him and find out what he's up to. I think we should focus on our strengths. Valiant is good at manipulation and deception. We're better at finding facts and uncovering the truth. Valiant won't reveal his intentions, of course, but he'll leave clues. He'll talk to people, conduct transactions, seek allies. If we can observe some of his moves, we might be able to figure out where he's headed.”

The factol sighed and rubbed his temples. Killeen knew exactly what was on his friend's mind: Sarin didn't like intrigue and secrets, but he knew they were often necessary in Sigil. So he nodded in agreement. “You're right. But as you said yourself, Valiant is politically astute. He'll suspect we're watching him.”

“Of course,” Killeen conceded. “We have to proceed with great discretion. Ideally, we'll give him the impression that he's in control, while we're actually outmaneuvering him.”

Sarin eyed him seriously. “I know a man who would be perfect for the job - but I sent him to Arcadia as my legate.”

Killeen sighed. He hadn't been eager to become Legate of Arcadia back then. Although it was his home plane, he had been in Sigil for a long time, and not without reason. Despite all its dark sides, the Cage had always appealed to him more than Melodia, which was paradisical and light-filled, but also extremely orderly and, for his taste, a little too quiet and unspectacular. But not without good reason had Sarin chosen to send him to Arcadia, rather than Tonat, who would certainly have been better suited to Melodia in terms of character. The actions of the former factol Delazar had led to the slip of Arcadia's entire third layer – a catastrophe of unprecedented proportions, even by planar standards. Killeen's cheerful, lively nature and his often unorthodox methods were intended to ensure that Arcadia's philosophical orientation swung back more towards Celestia than towards Mechanus. The half-elf had accepted and understood his factol's decision, but it had still been difficult for him to leave Sigil. And he enjoyed visiting the City of Doors regularly. But Sarin was right that he couldn't investigate here like he used to. “Yes,” he agreed. “Back then, as simple decurions, when we were cracking the difficult cases that the Cage confronted us with ... Back then, I would have taken care of it myself. Now I have to delegate a little.” He couldn't quite hide a certain pain at the fact that the days of investigating the streets of Sigil with Sarin and Tonat Shar were over.

His friend noticed it, of course. “I know,” he said, sounding almost apologetic. “I also miss those days sometimes. They were simpler times - without us realizing it at the time.”

Killeen nodded wistfully, but then he straightened up. The past wasn't coming back - except maybe in the form of Valiant. And now they had to deal with him. “All right, we'll keep an eye on him. I'll assign a few select people I know we can trust and who know how to gather information discreetly.”

“Good.” Sarin leaned back in his chair. ”I have complete confidence in your instincts, my friend. You've always been good at these things. Let me know as soon as you've chosen the people.”

Killeen nodded, rose, and took his leave with a slight bow, as he did most often since his old friend had become factol. On the way to his quarters, which he still had in the Barracks, he went through a list of people in his head who might be suited for the task at hand.