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Falling Down

Story Emits


There's no public announcements, no great warning for the scene that unfolds on Sovereign Bridge just before dawn. Word apparently was kept carefully quiet, so it comes as a shock to the travelers on the bridge to see Archduchess Esera Velenosa, with no guards or escorts and dressed unusually in a mourning black, greeting the head of the Faith of the Pantheon, the Dominus Fawkuhl. The Dominus, surrounded by a ring of templars and without any of his legates or archlectors, addresses the Archduchess and the handful of early morning spectators, "A highlord has come to atone for her grievous sins. Now we shall see how even the mightiest might bow before the gods." The Archduchess stands along the edge of the bridge, her voice clear in the morning light, "I would humbly ask for the gods to forgive me. And forgive all whose arrogance presumes to speak on their behalf, and know their will. I pray that the Lyceum is spared any evil, including those wearing vestments and a mantle of pride."

The answer was clearly not what the Dominus had expected, the shock and anger writ clear on his face, as he strides forward to angrily approach the Archduchess, seizing her by the arm as he speaks in a voice too soft to be heard and shaking her. No one can hear her soft reply, calmly given, that makes the Dominus turn white with fury. But all on the bridge, every last one watching the early dawn spectacle, can see the push he gives her in rage.

The shock on the Dominus face is clear to all to see. He yells loud to all, "I never shoved her! It was a trick!" and then immediately flees back to the Rectory with his templar escorts stopping the shocked throng that boils around him. The Archduchess body hits the Gray River a thousand feet below. It is never found.

The city explodes at the news. In the tumult, there is news of two other great personages missing, and rumors quickly spread of some bloodshed between the Faith and nobles. Princess Dawn of House Grayson and Duke Leo Fidante are missing as well, the latter on what was to be his wedding day.

It is a tense time in Arx since the Dominus Fawkuhl pushed the Archduchess Esera Velenosa from Sovereign Bridge to her death. The Dominus Fawkuhl has remained in the Rectory, on holy ground with the benefit of Sanctuary, since the murder, while a steady group of Iron Guardsmen and house soldiers have formed outside the Rectory should the leader of the Faith of the Pantheon emerge and answer the calls demanding he surrender himself for the Crown's justice. It is remarkable, and a testament to the great efforts on behalf of numerous commoners and nobles alike, that there has been no major incidents of violence since the death of Esera, saving perhaps the hanging of some deserters in Duke Gabriel Bisland's host in the Gray Forest. The Faith, however, has decided to take matters in to its own hands, and led by the Shield of the Faith Orazio has called for a Convocation of the Faith to determine the fitness of the Dominus to continue to serve as the Voice of the Gods. This is the first time in hundreds of years that a Convocation has been called for any reason save to replace a Dominus due to death, and few, if any, could say what the outcome might be. The city holds its breath and awaits the judgment of the Faith.
Hours pass as eyes in the city focus nervously upon the Rectory as the Convocation of the Faith takes place, the doors sealed shut from the public. There is no sign of what takes place in the closed chambers as the most devout leaders of the faith meet. Just before sunset, white smoke billows high: a Dominus has been chosen.
Prince Edain Valardin emerges from the Rectory ahead of Brother Fawkuhl, former Dominus of the Faith, and a small escort of Templar. A detachment of Iron Guard commanded by Prince Ainsley and Prince Laric (and assisted by Princess Reese, Lord Killian, and Guardsmen Sparte and Merek) take Fawkuhl into custody, and it is only as he is taken into custody that the vigil outside the Rectory finally begins to disperse.

In the absence of the vigil, a quiet falls over the Ward of the Crown. Tension has wound the city tight; now, it finally begins to loosen its grip. There will be a trial. There will be justice.

Prince Edain is the last to leave the vigil. Yet, as he crosses the Sovereign Bridge, he is stopped in his tracks before the statue placed in memory of Grand Duchess Esera Velenosa. He removes his helm and lets it clatter to the ground next to him. He unslings his sword and his shield; these, too, fall away. He stops at the foot of the statue, removes one of his gauntlets, and looks down at the lone ring he wears upon his sword hand. He is so, so quiet.

And then Edain Valardin, Prince of Sanctum, falls to his knees before the statue of Esera, and allows himself, at last, to weep.

Bare of adornment, in simple linen shifts and loose hair, Princess Lark and Lady Cara made sure that they walked through the temple district before turning to cross Sovereign Bridge as penitents. The picture of solemn, mournful ladies, seeking the forgiveness and grace of the Faith and being as innocently beautiful as possible while they're doing it. Stopping where Esera fell to await judgment was a deliberate choice, meant to evoke the ruthless murder of the High Lady, undoubtedly. They will wait as long as it takes for the Faith to receive them, and hopefully, to retract the excommunication that they are under. If asked (and she has been asked, many times already), Cara has said, “I repent and seek the forgiveness of the Most Holy, that we may return to the embrace of the Faith, and serve the gods.”

Still, they wait. Still, they pray. As Edain falls to his knees to weep before that statue, and after he has gone, they wait, and pray.