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The sun is low in the sky and as the people of Hawk's Aerie leave the temple after Dusk Vigil, Patron Seval is there to meet them. Brother Timin, a plain looking man dressed in the platinum armor of the Church stands nearby, conversing with the Dean of the temple.
Lora rides into the township at a slow pace, the noblewoman making her way towards the stables carefully in the face of the increased foot traffic. A boy walks out in front of her horse, oblivious, and she pulls the stallion up short. "Excuse me," the Lomasa chimes lightly, smiling politely to the young Freelander, "You really should watch where you're heading, child." The boy apologizes, moves out of the way, and the Lady nods her thanks as she heads to the stables. "Hey, you wouldn't happen to know where I can find the Patron, would you?" she adds absently over her shoulder, having not spotted the man on her own.
"Dusk Vigil probably. The temple is around the corner there," the boy replies, pointing Lorana past the stables.
"Thank you, lad," Lorana nods again, and dismounts. She pays the stableboy as she hands off the reins, before striding past the building to approach the Temple. The woman takes note of the people and steps aside, allowing them to disperse as she waits for an opportunity to step forward. She leans her shoulder against the wall and crosses one armored boot over the other.
Timin spots Lorana and raises his brow, looking her armor over. Seval spots her too and politely smiles but seems to be about to head back into the Temple.
With people now out of the way, Lorana detaches herself from the wall and steps forward, before dipping a bow. "Pardon me," she pipes up as she does so, "But... you are Patron Seval Mikin, yes? Would you happen to have a few minutes?"
"I am and I might," Seval replies. "And who are you, miss?" The priestly Mikin's voice is a peppered soft honey for the ears and his way is warm and inviting.
"I am Baroness Lorana Lomasa," the woman introduces lightly, "I was told you've a love for history. I was wondering if I could pick your brain, and possibly your books."
"But of course, Baroness Lomasa. Come with me," Seval gestures toward the open temple doors. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Timin follows after the pair as they head down a long hallway toward the temple's library. Once reached, Seval pulls open the doors. The room is the size of a small dining hall and has shelves along each wall and shelves in the middle of the room. There is a table there with a few priests sitting at it reading by candle light. "Have a seat, Baroness Lomasa," Seval says pulling a chair out for her.
"The pleasure is mine. Thank you," Lorana bows her head and eases herself into the offered chair, emerald eyes gazing about the library. "Light, so many books," she remarks wistfully, "Oh the paths left untraveled..." The woman sets about unfastening her gauntlets. "My apologies for showing up armed and armored, Patron. I've been traveling most of the day and haven't had the time to change into something more appropriate for a temple."
"I should think," Seval says in agreement, walking around to the other side of the table. He takes a seat and crosses his legs under his robes. "Don't worry about it, child. What have you come to ask me?"
"I've been assisting a friend in tracking down an item of historical value," Lorana replies, producing some sheets of loose parchment from a pocket sewn into her cloak, "Part of a six-piece key, although I'm afraid I didn't get all of the details from her. I had been looking into the archives in East Leg for the estate records of Himarf Lomasa and his nearest kin, and it would appear that the item in question ended up being auctioned off by his youngest brother, Gimlan, to cover his wife's debts. I was hoping you might be able to help me track down one Solana Mikin - according to the bill of sale, she was the one to purchase the item in the early fifth century."
Seval nods with his lips pursed together. "Solana Mikin, you say? I know the name," he says, pausing. "I come from a line of Shadowscourges that have been with the Church since the Aegis was built during the reign of Talus Kahar the First. Solana would be my cousin thrice removed. If you're looking to track her down.. she's dead dear. That was a long time ago."
Lorana covers her face with her hand and laughs. "I /know that/," she remarks in good humor, "I've never heard of a woman living that long. I mean family lines, historical ties, anything that might help figure out what happened to the key piece after she bought it." The Lady grins at Seval, then, "Light, I know I'm not all that bright, but... really?"
Seval Mikin smiles knowingly with a glint in his eye. "I know of the key as well," he says finally. "I don't think we're likely to sell it, if you wanted to buy it back, child. It shouldn't have been in Lomasa hands in the first place, to be honest."
"I don't want it back," Lorana shrugs, "I'm not interested in whatever it is the key goes to, I'm interested in tracking down the story. Lady Seamel is the one on the treasure hunt."
"So you're just curious is it?" Seval says his brow perking up. "Did Lady Seamel tell you want the key is for? What else have you uncovered?"
"Something Church-related," Lorana replies, "Like I said, I didn't get all the details. I'd love to hear it if you know, Patron. And just the Lomasa side of matters. Bardobras Lomasa passed it to his son Himarf, who was found dead under very peculiar circumstances... then it went to each of his four brother in turn, the eldest three of whom also died sometime after each got the key piece. Not immediately, but it passed like clockwork one brother to the next. When it got to his youngest, Gimlan, it was kept for a grand total of four months before he auctioned it. His wife, Dorus Kahar, had buried them in debt for the sake of amassing an enormous scrimshaw collection..." The woman chuckles and scratches her chin, "Ah, the history of Lomasas and the people crazy enough to marry us. Always so colorful."
"Quite," Seval replies with a grin. "Well, I've been looking into the matter myself since Lady Vesta came to me last night. It's quite a fable if she didn't tell you. Did she tell you of Emmeline Silverblade?"
"No, she didn't," Lorana shakes her head, "I've not seen Lady Vesta in a few days. I've been rather busy with my duties in the Lomasa House Guard." The woman sits up a bit, brow quirking in interest, "I would, of course, love to hear about her."
Seval Mikin purses his lips looking the Lomasa over for a moment, as if he's unsure of her. He gives her a warm smile then and nods. "Very well, I will share with you what I have learned.
"After the First Wildling War the empire was in trouble. As a last hope, Talus Kahar the First offered a respite toward the hidden Shadow Magi among us. If they saved the realm he would allow them to leave unimpeded and without fear of retribution. I don't know precisely why that was a tempting offer but at the time, many Magi thought it a fair compromise and took the offer and built the Aegis.
"The part not widely known is how this single event divided the Church. There was a movement of paranoiacs led by Light-Proven Emmeline Silverblade that were convinced it was only a matter of time before the banished magi would return and destroy Fastheld. She arranged a cache of weapons and armor and treasure to be hidden for when this happened for use by the Church. Some of it was donated and other stuff I believe was stolen. When the uprising of the magi didn't come during Emmeline's lifetime, she took the key to this stash and broke it in six pieces. No one knows where all the pieces are or what they all even look like. Nor do we know if the cache is even real. At first I even doubted it.. but after some research, I'm beginning to think there is something to this."
"A cache of weapons, armor, and treasure...?" Lorana's eyes widen in combined surprise and interest as she folds her hands together on the table, "How very /exciting/. Obviously that day never came, but I would love to see what all this woman gathered together. What will the Church be doing with the collection should it be found and unlocked?"
"I can't say for sure," Seval replies with a frown. "What with the Ducal assassinations I hear whispers of a new wave of paranoiacs is forming. I'm afraid Lady Vesta may have some competition. She really should be warned because I'm not sure I can protect her. All this digging around could be perceived a myriad of ways."
"Paranoiacs come and go," Lorana replies, "But I will pass on the warning next I see Lady Vesta. Would hate to see someone getting hurt over what amounts to little more than a glorified treasure hunt." The Lomasa rubs at her chin lightly and sighs, "I picked a fine time to go and join the Guard. And it suddenly occurs to me that my original reason for coming here appears to have been set aside."
"Oh yes, Solana's Ray of the Sunburst.." Seval replies with a nod. "Well, truth be told I don't know where it is. I'm certain someone in my family has it though. I just have to do a bit of digging to find out who. The six pieces have been passed through the different noble Houses for centuries. There are 5 others to still find anyhow."
"Well finding one is better than finding none," Lorana shrugs, awkwardly thanks to her armor, "If there are any more interesting stories along the way, do please let me know. I really do love the stories." The woman looks out a window, then, "It appears to be getting late. I should retire for the night, I've a long ride ahead of me tomorrow." She rises slowly, and dips a bow to the man, "Thank you so much for your time and help, Patron."
"My pleasure, child," Seval says standing. He bows his head toward her, "Light Keep you. Have a safe journey."