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| Prayers and Judges |
| (2012-11-23 - 2012-11-23) |
| No description. |
| Faruja Senra | The letter that worked its way through Arcadia's governmental hierarchy was routine on the surface; a request from an outside organization to work legally within the walls of the city. Perhaps a bit noteworthy, given the Church of Glabados' nebulous status as government, charitable organization, and military faction as it is, but certainly something those who work within it haven't seen before. The request is simple enough, as well: to allow the free movement of Holy Persons within the city, both upper and lower sections, and their assigned guardians for the purposes of preaching, tending to those wounded and otherwise unable to purchase aide, as well as other charitable actions to the poor. All fairly standard. What /isn't/, however, is to whom the meeting for negotiations is addressed to. One Judge Magister Zargabaath. The Church's representative? One Temple Knight Faruja Senra. The meeting place, of all spots, is the rather popular Sandsea tavern. Faruja has already gone to the trouble of securing a quiet, out-of-the-way back-room for use in the meeting. Sitting at a table, well appointed with menus and two glasses of wine, the Burmecian sips as he awaits to see if the man will actually show. He's dressed in his best today; silk robes freshly pressed, ceremonial armor bearing seals and engraving of various minor saints and depictions of Ajora, as well as fresh bandages. |
| Zargabaath | Oddly, the Judge Magister does show, complete with a partial retinue of Judges and Aides, once again. These seem to think this is an ambush of sorts, despite the Judge magister's best efforts to convince them otherwise. Walking through the Sandsea tavern brings a great many stares from the peole frequenting there, along with a few people leaving. However, the Judge magister sighs and gestures for people to sit back down, with the Judges keeping guard, but ignoring other chatter, unless they become threatening. The doorknob turns as in walks Zargabaath, in his full armor, complete with helmet on. "Templar Senra, it's a pleasure to see you again." He says before gesturing to the Judges. "See that we're not disturbed, except for when the food comes." They both nods and head back out the door, where Faruja and Zargabaath are left alone. "Zargabaath then looks Faruja over. "New bandages. What happened, Templar?" |
| Faruja Senra | For once, the rat isn't even armed. The large retinue gets a brief raised eyebrow, the Burmecian hiding a chuckle in a sleeve, feigning a cough. Standing, he offers the Judge Magister a bow. "May the Lord guid your path, Your Honor! The pleasure is all mine, I assure you." When his gaze falls to the other Judges, they too receive a bow, the Templar not wishing to spite the lesser Judges. When they're alone, Faruja smiles, gesturing to a seat. He'll wait before retaking his own. A hand goes to his newly bandaged throat. "Bandits near Flourgis. Such a vast desert, as no doubt you well know, is quite an excellent hiding spot for ne'er'do'wells. Attempted to assault a Priestess of the Church. 'Tis a sad day that some are so desperate. Or greedy, as the case may be." A shake of the head. "But, it shall heal in time. Thank you for coming here, it is an odd request, I know. But a worthwhile one." |
| Zargabaath | The door closes and Zargabaath snorts a bit, even taking off his helmet and setting it down in a chair. He's an older gentleman, perhaps in his 40s or so, complete with short greying hair. He looks to the door, then back to Faruja. "They were convinced this was a trap. So They insisted they come along." He shakes his head and sits down in a chair, and even tugging out the piece of paper with the request. "Bandits can be nasty if you're not careful. One of my first assignments was against bandits. It didn't seem fun at the time, but now? I'd fight them all again." He then looks to Faruja. "Glad to see you'll be all right, Templar. On to business for the moment though. How come your church wishes to come to Rabanastre?" |
| Faruja Senra | That earns a smile from the Templar. "I admire their devotion to duty and healthy sense of paranoia. No doubt your country has many enemies. Quite prudent, if unnecessary." Faruja takes a moment, imagining a younger Zarg going up against the dregs of society. "You have come quite far." Then, down to business. Faruja sits, pouring a polite amount of wine for the Judge Magister. "Quite simple, really. The land comprising this city, so I hear tell, is also of Ivalice. Or, an Ivalice...Fluorgis is from yet another alternate Ivalice. But what makes this one special, is that the local faith is very similar to our own; we venerate the Lord, and Ajora is not unknown to them. Many within my Church believe this is a miracle, and so, we are obligated to spread the Faith here. I leave the divining of true Miracle to ordained Priests and Mages who can tell the signs. However, it is a fertile ground for others to come to know the Lord, and so we have a duty to serve the interests of the people here almost as much as in Holy Mullonde itself. Particularly with the threat of the Heartless. The people need their souls guarded as well as their lives." |
| Zargabaath | "A lot of people do not like Rabanastre was just the latest, especially after our forces kiled their prince and their princess, in her grief, committed suicide." Zargabaath sighs a bit at that. "Some people may be beyond saving, Templar. Dark Knights in particular. One of them I have met is from a province that Archadia absorbed, and he blames all of archadia for his people's destruction. Can't say that I blame him either." He then sits up a little straighter. "Another Ivalice, hmm? A different dimension, perhaps?" |
| Faruja Senra | Faruja slowly nods, jaws tightening for a moment. It all hits a little close to home. "No doubt. To toy with such Darkness is already a road to damnation. There are those who call upon feelings of anger, remorse, pain in battle...and though dangerous and risky, not necessarily beyond saving. However, those who call upon Fell powers hidden from the sight of the Lord, is a much simpler case. A threat to all. The Heartless and their summoners, for instance." The Templar tilts his head meaningfully, eye searching the Judge Magister. "But so too am I familiar with what lengths a person is willing to go in order to see those taken from them having some small measure of justice brought to them. An...unfortunate situation, and I shall pray that the man turns from his current path. It may well lead to his death, or worse." The Templar sips his wine daintily. "Quite. Very strange, that lands should share names so. Mayhap even duplicates of other persons? Who is to say what miracles the Lord blesses each world with? And now, so many are together, for better or worse." A pause, and the Burmecian continues. "However, the local political situation is only relevant to the Church insomuch as it may harm the Faithful. As a Temple Knight, 'tis my duty to defend any person of the Church. And Judges such as yourself seem more than capable of seeing to your own rule, at least in the face of things such as angered loyalists and citizens." |
| Zargabaath | "Interesting to say the least." Zargabaath says before he holds up his hand. "Templar, I feel I have to correct you on something. The Judges are the elite of Archades, and enforce their laws, some times by force if need be. I, however, am a Judge 'Magister'. I am their commander. One of them anyways. The Elite of the elite. There are five Judge Magisters, and they are so honored that we even call each other 'Your Honor'. The Position is so rarely filled that those who do are respected highly, even by his peers and the emperor himself. To say that I am merely a 'Judge' is to say that you're merely a mouse. I do hope you understand the distinction between Judges and Judge Magisters.....and why it's easier to say 'your honor' to us. Of course, not calling us 'your honor' is a jailable offense. I may not mind having it waived for people I know, but Judge Magister Ghis is known to put peoplein jail for not calling him that. Judge Magister Bergan sometimes goes further......" Reaching over and getting a bit of bread, Zargabaath starts to butter it. "How would your church and it's followers handle themselves here. Some people might see it as another simple occupation by an outside force, instead of advertisement of your holy church of....Glabados? Did I say that right? |
| Faruja Senra | A clawed hand gestures vaguely in understanding, tail-tip curling above the table; a positive gesture amongst his kind. "Quite clear, Your Honor, a simple mis-phrase. I meant the Judge Magisters and Judges as an organization. And more importantly, the distinction..as well as other laws...will be made quite well known to those the Church would assign to spreading the Word. In the Church's Ivalice, we are accustomed to working in many countries, often as advisors or even as military allies should the risk to the Faithful prove dire enough. Problems will be minimal at worse." As for conduct, Faruja smiles. "Indeed, well said. We shall conduct ourselves as we always do; with honor, selflessness, and respect. The Church wishes to gain pious members, not stamp on local customs and enrage every citizen we come across. There will be much to prove, of our intentions, and our capacity to understand and tend to even the lowest of the population. But, Lord willing, we shall." |
| Zargabaath | Zargabaath says, "I had to make sure you knew the distinction, Templar. Judge Magister Ghis would become infuriated by calling him a 'simple judge'. Like calling a high priest.....just a priest." He then looks down at the paper and reads it a little bit.....before taking out a second one. He then takes out a quill and seems to write something down......apparently his signature. "The line below my signature.....signature there." And he waits."" |
| Faruja Senra | Faruja smiles a bit, nodding. "Mmm, it sounds as though I shall have to impress it upon those who do their work here that His Honor Judge Magister Ghis is rather formal. In Burmecian society, class strata and proper titles are...something of an obsession, so I can well understand the need." Success! The paper is taken, Faruja pushing down a triumphant smile in order to seem businesslike, and makes a show of signing it in his own flowing script. But down to the more important matter. "Your Honor, what think you of the recent actions of Baron and Alexandria upon Balamb Garden? And more importantly, the use of Heartless within an army?" |
| Zargabaath | Waiting for Faruja to finish signing it, Zargabaath takes the paper and folds it up quite neatly. "I shall be holding onto this and let your church come in, in small numbers, for a trial run." He then tucks the paper into a belt pouch. "That way, if and when your people act honorably, and bolster the people here, I shall file this away in an approved cabinet. However, should your people act dishonorably.....this piece of paper....never existed." He states quite flatly to Faruja. This was Zargabaath when he held all the cards, warning against failure. Then Faruja speaks of the heartless and Zargabaath looks up. "Funny you should mention them. I was speaking to Lady Aerith in Traverse Town recently....when heartless came about to capture her......taking out my guards. Needless to say, The Heartless did not get to Aerith and she is safely aboard the Alexander, as are my guards. These guards are not the same guards......hence the Judges." |
| Faruja Senra | A nod, and a smile. The Burmecian stands, bowing. "Your actions today are both most pious, and shall uplift your people. Thank you, Your Honor." Faruja doesn't seem all that phased. It makes sense, after all, the rat won't fault the Judge Magister caution. The mention of Aerith has Faruja raising a brow. "Ahh, Lady Aerith. How unfortunate. This would be twice to my knowledge that she has been attacked...I myself assisted in her reclaimation from the grip of yet another Heartless. How odd, to be such a repeat target. However, it pleases me to hear that she is safe." |
| Zargabaath | "I shall endeavor to keep her safe, Templar." Zargabaath says as he reaches for his helmet, standing. "About the heartless, until I know more about them, I can't truly offer any comment. I did hear about what happened between Balamb Garden and Baron and, I can honestly say I have no real love for mercenaries, but I have not experienced Baron in any event myself. So I shall have to withhold judgement until I'm presented with evidence, or see things with my own eyes...." |
| Faruja Senra | "The Heartless are demons! Foul, abyssal beasts that slaughter and consume without mercy or remorse, taking friend and stranger alike! Content only to prey upon all but those who hold their leashes!" The sudden outburst by the Templar is full of conviction, and worse, first-hand experience. Faruja scowls, on the verge of snarling. Realizing his actions, however, he takes a long drag of wine. "...My apologies. I have sources credible enough to suggest Baron uses them. To be truthful, I have not set eye to it myself. However, their actions are that of the conquerer. And to be frank, I doubt they shall limit themselves to small towns and mercenary groups." A pause, and his frown grows deeper. "As for Alexandria, they were responsible for the destruction of my home. They are a greedy, debased pack of humans showing only the worst traits of their kind. I fought them myself when I served in the army, against their troops, their mage-demons, and the Heartless at their beck and call. Whatever one may think of Baron, Alexandria is certain to reach for more territory and power as they did against Burmecia. Arcadia may well one day be targeted. Do /NOT/ allow the people here to suffer as my own have. Please." The rat's jaw sets, trying to shove down his bubbling emotions. "If there is one thing I have learned, is that a purely defensive stance will lead to ruin. Your caution, Your Honor, is laudable. But take care to not be mired in thought and defense. A purely defensive stance will lead to ruin, as /we/ found to our peril." |
| Zargabaath | Zargabaath stands there and clips on his helmet when Faruja lets out his outburst. During the entire tirade, Zargabaath stands stoically, crossing his arms while he listens to Faruja. Letting him vent his anger, Zargabaath finally holds up his hand. "There was one thing Judge Magister Drace said that has stuck with me recently, and it made more sense than you know. 'Information can sometimes fell the mightiest kingdoms....without drawing any blood.' I can assure you, Faruja. I'm anything but defensive right now." He then looks towards the door. "I ahve to weight my options carefully.......And even then, I still have to listen to House Solidor. However, if I get no orders when my investigation is over, or I find something I cannot sit still for.....be assured I will act." Not reassuring, to say the least. |
| Faruja Senra | The Judge Magister gets a long look from the Templar, the Burmecian standing. "I see. Care for your people well, then, Your Honor. But keep your eyes to the rest of the world as well. Be wary of those who would make to use the Heartless, for to do so, is to invite doom upon your own people. The Heartless are rabid, vicious beasts bound by chains of glass. I am certain, should the time come, that you will make the correct choice. There are those amongst the Church, as well, who would support those who act righteously." A bow, and the Burmecian crosses himself. "If you will excuse me, Your Honor, my own superiors shall be expecting a report. I imagine we will be seeing much of each other. May the Lord bless you and your endeavors." With that, the Burmecians begins to head off. |
| Zargabaath | Zargabaath bows to Faruja and lets him lead the way out. "We shall see each other again soon, Templar. Hopefully favorably." He says before he and his retinue make their way back for the Alexander.... |