Imperial Heresy

[Alkonium]

Ever since the last True Emperor died with no heir, an Elected Emperor has ruled in his place, and freedom has reigned throughout Morta. But now, the Elected Emperor has been reduced to a figurehead by the Temple, who now rule the lands of Morta, renaming the Mortan Empire the Divine Empire of Man, oppressing the people and forcing their doctrine upon them, but not even they are indestructible...

DANTOOINE THEATRE COMPANY

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Alkonium's

IMPERIAL HERESY

Starring:

Alkonium

JediMaster12

Empress Padme

"Inquisitor Torah, I must speak with you. Priestess Karras has left, and I found Forbidden Archives open. Nothing was stolen, but I believe she has fallen to heresy." A High Priest of the Temple informed Torah. "Very well. I will send a squad of Inquisitors to hunt her down, and bring her to me. I will perform the ritual personally when she is found." Torah replied, making his was to the Inquisitor Barracks.

 

A think fog covered the forest outside the Imperial City, or as it was now called Theion City, under the new regime. Curudir was leaving the city primarily because he could not stand being in the centre of that theocracy for too long. As he rode his horse, he spotted what appeared to be a priestess running away from the city. This seemed odd, as clerics were rarely seen outside the cities, so he stopped his horse to talk to her. "I take it there's a reason you're outside the city?" He asked her.

[JediMaster12]

Darlene Karras, priestess of the Temple and scholar of the archives, stopped her horse to acknowledge the soldier. She was impatient as she had some news for Rowan that was time sensitive but she hid it under the calm demeanor of a priestess, accentuated by the steely glint her blue-grey eyes gave. She replied, "I am on official business to one of our shrines. An errand of ritualistic importance."

There had been rumors that some of the soldiers disliked the current order but to actively seek them out risked lives since many were loyal to whom they served. Darlene knew well enough to treat all soldiers with the same regard that the priests held for them though she disliked it thoroughly. She waited patiently while thinking of her friend.

 

Rowan Aldstar watched from his lookout in the trees. He had seen the soldier riding towards the city and had seen her leave. He was worried. She had promised that this would be the last run but he was still worried. For the past few months she had helped by supplying heretical documents while concealing the whereabouts of the hidden refuge of his people and dwaf friends. He was grateful but he didn't want her harmed for reasons that he cared not to tell anyone or her just yet. From his perch in the trees, he watched as Darlene engaged in conversation. It would be better if he moved closer.

[Alkonium]

"If that were true, you would be travelling by day. Given the time of night, this fog, and the commotion outside the Temple back in the city, I'd say you're fleeing the Temple, and trying to make sure noone knows. If you are who I believe you are, I have a warning for you: the Inquisitors know what you've been up to. I've slowed them down as much as I could, but they're on their way here now." Curudir told the priestess.

[JediMaster12]

Darlene gave nothing away as she replied, "I would know nothing of that, Soldier. This just happens to be urgent." She considered giving a verbal warning but considered. She couldn't really trust anyone at this point except for Rowan. She added, "Need I remind you that interfering with business of the Temple has severe repercussions?"

[Alkonium]

"Do you expect me to tremble in fear? I know what you're up to, and I want to help you." As Curudir said that, four Holy Inquisitors rode up, and stopped in front of Curudir. "Hand the woman over to us." The leader said to him. "I don't see why I should." He replied. "Perhaps you fail to realise she is a heretic. Hand her over to us, and you shall not share her fate." The inquisitor stated. "And what is her fate?" Curudir asked. "The same as all heretics: she shall be silenced, and cleansed." Curudir did not need to ask what this meant. He knew it meant that she would have her tongue cut out, to keep the heresy from spreading further, and then she would be burned alive, to cleanse her body of the remaining heresy. Those that survived, did not do so for long. "What you fail to realise, Inquisitor, is that I have no intention of turning her over to you, nor do I have any of going with you myself." Curudir responded, pulling out his swords, and stabbing the Inquisitor in the chest. The remaining three drew their staves, attempted to strike Curudir, but his blades slashed through their inferior weapons, and he stabbed each of them quickly, taking no pleasure in the kills. "If there was another way, I would have spared them. I am not your enemy. My name is Curudir Therias, former Knight of the Mortan Empire. I served the Elected Emperor back when he had power, but I never served the Temple." Curudir told the priestess.

[JediMaster12]

"That remains to be seen," Rowan called from his perch in the trees before dropping down to greet Darlene. He looked at the soldier with a scrutinizing eye as if to determine the state of threat.

 

Darlene was relieved to see Rowan and should have realized that he would have been there for her. She hid the smile but couldn't contain her delight at seeing him again. She addressed the soldier, "I see that you have helped me Curudir, Knight of the Mortan Empire and that you want to help but are you willing to help alongside one who is different from you?" She stood close to Rowan who was staring at him.

[Alkonium]

"Everyone is different from me. Why should I look upon an elf or a dwarf any differently than I look upon a human?" Curudir replied. "Of course I am. The Elected Emperor welcomed elves and dwarves to serve him, unlike the Inquisitors."

[JediMaster12]

"One cannot afford to be careless when other lives are at stake," Rowan replied. He still maintained a protective stance over Darlene who was amused at the action.

[Alkonium]

"Careless would have been letting those inquisitors live. If I had let them flee, they would have returned, in greater numbers." Curudir commented. "Then not even my blades could have saved you."

[JediMaster12]

Before it could get out of hand, Darlene spoke, "Both had good points but I think it would be best if I went on my way." She gave a slight tug on Rowan's cloak and turned to mount the horse she was riding. Once on she said, "Thank you Sir Curudir. Perhaps we may meet again."

Rowan nodded before making a strange whistle. His black stallion came out of hiding and paused right beside him. He mounted and added, "Perhaps you wish to help?"

[Alkonium]

"You're not going to be able to go back to the Imperial City. They found out about what you were doing. If you try to go back for more heretical documents, they will catch you, and then Silence and Cleanse you. In case you've forgotten, I saved your life." Curudir commented. "I've had enough of the Temple ruling the Empire. I'm going with you."

[JediMaster12]

"That won't be a problem," Darlene replied, "We don't need to go back. They are all safe and hidden."

Rowan looked at Darlene in surprise. He had no idea that she was that fast in her work. He hid it when he glanced back at the city. He said, "We better hurry then. Once we get into the deeper parts of the forest, we'll be alright." He nudged his horse to start off downt the paths.

[Empress Padme]

Elodate R'el ran through the forest.She looked back to see if she was still being followed. The memories of the recent events played back in her head.Watching her father be killed right in front of her.

 

She stopped to catch her breath. She weeped for the way her family had been tragically torn apart. She was weary and rested near a tree.

[Alkonium]

As Curudir rode with Darlene and Rowan, Curudir spotted an elf resting near a tree, and she looked distressed. "I'll catch up with you guys." He said to Darlene and Rowan, and rode up to the elf girl. "Are you alright?" He asked her.

[JediMaster12]

Rowan stopped when the knight said he would catch up. He turned his horse to see the knight head towards one of his kind sitting near a tree. He urged his stallion to a gallop after the knight. He couldn't take any chances even if the knight gave his word. That was how his best friend had been caught by a soldier and then turned over to the Inquistors. He had to make sure.

Darlene knew what was on Rowan's mind. She had seen first hand his concern for his people and knew he would fight for them. He was the one who found their refuge. Knowing he would be annoyed if she didn't continue on, she turned to follow him back to where the elf was.

[Empress Padme]

Elodate was startled by them.She thought about running." You don't look like those murderers but how do I know your not part of their group? "

 

Elodate's face was tear stained and pale.It was a miracle she hadn't passed out from malnurishment, let alone shock.

[Alkonium]

"Because I killed four of them to protect someone they're chasing. I'm not going to hurt you, but there are Inquisitors patrolling the forest, so if you don't want to be found by them, you may want to come with us." Curudir told her.

[JediMaster12]

Rowan removed his hood to reveal his elfish ears and dismounted to stand his full height. He then kneeled in front of the frightened elf and said softly, "If you wish to stop running, I can show you a place where you will find rest." He held out his hand.

[Alkonium]

"Wherever it is, we should get there quickly. There are still Inquisitors out here." Curudir commented. "Other former Knights like myself may be out here. We should seek them out if we can. They share my dislike for the Temple, and you need all the allies you can get."

[Empress Padme]

Elodate was a little hesitant but she believed them.

 

" Okay. It is far better for me to take aid when offered. I do not know these parts and to wander alone would be suicide. " she told them.

 

As she follwed them she whispered under her breath." I will not let your deaths be in vain.I will avenge your deaths....somehow."

[Alkonium]

Curudir noticed the elf girl mumbling and assumed she was simply tired. "Here, drink some of this. You look like you need it." He said to her, handing her his canteen of water.

[Empress Padme]

Elodate took the canteen and drank from it.She was more thirsty than she thought.As the adreniline started to fade away ,she began to feel every ache and bruise.Her muscles hurt from all the running.Her face ached from crying.She was offically wore out and still in a bit of shock.Seeing the death of your family can do that.The images of her father's death played over and over in her head.She rubbed her head as if to try to rub away her memories.

[JediMaster12]

Rowan mounted his satallion, hiding the surprise and annoyance that Darlene had followed him. He had told her that he would protect her but it was difficult if she kept putting herself in danger. He turned to the she-elf and held out his hand. He said, "You can ride with me. Elendir won't mind."

[Alkonium]

Then, it started to rain, which came as a blessing to the travellers, as it meant that the Inquisitors would have a harder time tracking them. "It should be safe to rest now; the rain will wash away our trail." Curudir told the group.

[JediMaster12]

"It's not the Inquisitors I'm worried about," Rowan replied, "It's the Nightcrawlers." He beckoned the she-elf to take his hand again and mount behind him. If they didn't get a move on it soon, the Nightcrawlers would find them.