21st of Fall, 514
Inoadar A season of madness behind him, the poisoner walked easier through the alleys and bridges of Ravok. But it was not to deceive an onlooker into thinking he had no destination in mind, or any mission of urgency. He was sure of his goal. The fish, the city's tormentor, was still at large. Supplies were unreliable, food was scarce, prices were inflated. Nothing had changed in the entire course of Summer. He'd even disproved the legitimacy of that foolish "fish supplement". With Verin's help, he'd shown it to be nothing but lake water, flour and a random mash of fish cleanings. It was not that it was harmful exactly, though the occasional presence of scales was not particularly beneficial. But it was certainly not a healthful supplement to replace the ever-more-difficult-to-obtain fish, that was the singular staple item in the average Ravokian's diet. And now the loyal and anxious citizenry were gathering, en masse, to pray for deliverance from the ravages of the beast. He'd been told of this event, of course. 'Ordered to attend' would be a better way of saying it. It had bothered him to be so ordered, before being given a chance to show his willingness to do so of his own accord. But that was certainly not going to serve as cause to refuse. He was under scrutiny these days. He'd seen it in the subtle twitch of an Ebonstryfe eyebrow, or tic of the corner of a Black Sun mouth when he named himself "Nolan Parnell". Since his incarceration and ordeal in The Black Hole, it seemed that his pseudonym was more widely known, if not advertised. Their eyes watched him a bit longer now, as he passed them on the walks of the city, but they did not hinder his movements, at least. And certainly, attending a ceremony at The Temple itself was nothing they would interfere with. Most likely, they believed a bit of piety would do the arrogant chemist some good. Inoadar swallowed his resentment. He did his part to do His Lord's will in the manner he'd first been directed; as an outwardly neutral presence, willing to aid the less devoted in getting out of the city. And, in the past, he HAD done this deed; committed this crime. He did not deny it. But when he accepted his fate, and readied himself for punishment, the Black Sun agent monitoring his actions had told him the Rhysol had marked him for a second chance. He'd apparently shown potential, and Rhysol did not choose to let it go to waste. The God had seen into the poisoner's heart and found a man that would embrace his domain. And Inoadar had done exactly that. He'd already seen the error of his ways, but felt any repentance would look feigned and insincere. But Rhysol had welcomed him into his fold anyway, and Inoadar could not be more grateful. Not everyone shared The Defiler's faith in the poisoner. Inoadar took this in stride, figuring that the suffering he would go through, while convincing his detractors of his devotion, was nothing more than the punishment he deserved. At present, this obligation brought him to the Temple, to share in the outcry for Rhysol's mercy. His young protege, Vera, was with him. She was downright eager to attend. She'd been a slave, and had been freed as a result of a few timely developments. A few LESS timely developments had forced Inoadar to purchase a slave FOR her; a Chaktawe woman named 'Yoona'. She too, accompanied Inoadar to the Temple. Though her reverence was markedly less intense, she seemed willing to avoid making trouble for her young mistress. Inoadar appreciated this. He would never admit this, but he found that he greatly cared about Vera. |