deathsmajesty | High City of Thraben, Gavony, Innistrad (Tuesday Afternoon, Fandom Time) (Reply)

(Excerpt from a letter to the Bishops of Thraben; 48th of Hunter's Moon, Ava. 716)

...The news of Mikaeus's death must be kept secret at all cost. He will be sealed in the Tomb of the Lunarchs with no ceremony. Church business must carry on. To this matter, I am summoning all of the Bishops of Thraben to the Cathedral to discuss how best to carry on without the Lunarch, as well as naming a potential successor. I remind you all, this is not the time to be politicking, we have work to do

As to the murderer, we have set our best inquisitors on solving this heinous crime. Most of the corpse was recovered, but the heart is unaccounted for.

Bishop Alwin

After their phone conversation this morning, Ignis had left Luke's and taken the first portal to Innistrad he could catch, meeting up with her at her manor and portaling to Thraben together, planning what to do now that they had the target in their sights. The early afternoon sun was surprisingly bright for all that it was still bitterly cold, and they'd readied themselves for a long, miserable day of searching for this 'Volpaig,' crossing the length and breadth of the city. And promptly discovered that no such intense search would be required. It did not take long for someone to recognize the name Volpaig; he was, after all, one of the bishops of the Church. Not a particularly high or powerful one, but one with name recognition and a quickly-growing influence.

Upon hearing this, Liliana simply laughed, low and dark. "And why," she asked rhetorically, "am I not surprised to discover that he's found himself a home in Avacyn's Church?" On all worlds, people sought power in whatever forms they could find it - a principle that Liliana knew well, but assured herself she handled it far more tastefully.

"Which only presents us with our real question," Ignis mused, with a small hum and a hand curled under his chin, still working his way through some of the finer details of the religion and beliefs that this society structured itself around but already starting to bend his thoughts toward what this information meant for their progress forward, "how much will this complicate matters? Or perhaps it's something that can be used to benefit us in the long run…."

"He's not high-ranking enough to have quarters in the Cathedral, though he'll be there for most of the day," Liliana said, sipping a mug full of sweetened kava from the cafe they'd retreated to. "But we don't know where he lives. Do we venture to the Cathedral where our odds of finding information about him - or possibly the man himself - are higher but more dangerous, or do we comb the city to find his private residence? If he rates a cathar - an ecclesiastical guard - I doubt he'd have more than one, two at the most, and they wouldn't accompany him in the church itself, but off the grounds, certainly."

"On the one hand," Ignis, too, sipped at his drink and perhaps took a particularly long moment to actually enjoy it, as he knew that such pleasures were likely to be short lived while they were here, so he'd best make the most of it, a sentiment that would further be reflected in his spoken thoughts, "more information has its appeal, but, on the other, I'm sure we've no lack of danger up ahead; if we can lessen it in any capacity, that does have some appeal. Best save our energy and resources for the encounters that matter most...."

"Griselbrand," Liliana said darkly, her fingers tightening around her mug. Soon. "We also have to consider the possibility that he may have additional defenses around his home. He's a high-ranking member of a demon-worshipping cult, the odds that he has imps, devils, or even lesser demons bound to his service are fairly high, whether he is a diabolist or not. With that notion in mind, perhaps the Cathedral is our best shot - we will need to be discreet, but so will he. He won't be able to call upon openly demonic forces on Church grounds, between wanting to protect his position and whatever lingering protections from Avacyn remain. On the other hand, if we ambush him in his home, perhaps he'll summon Griselbrand to his aid." A grim smile played about her beautiful mouth. "So much the better."

She indulged herself in a few moments of reverie, daydreaming about killing the demon in an opulent home full of church trappings, but quickly shook herself free of them. Now was the time to focus - murdering Griselbrand for real would be more satisfying than a thousand daydreams. "All right, my darling. I shall trust in your knowledge of strategy. Do we search the city or brave the Cathedral?"

Although he was quite sure he already knew where his preferences remained, Ignis did take a moment of his own, to drink as deeply from his mug as his thoughts were running, running a few more potential scenarios before coming around, again and again, to the same conclusion. "I believe," he informed her, "that the Cathedral just may prove to be a risk well-worth taking. No point in wasting time continuing to stir a pot that's already simmered well long enough."

***
Located on the eastern tip of the mesa, Thraben Cathedral towered over the rest of the city, tall and imposing, a constant reminder of the might and glory of Avacyn and her faithful. Though, on their way through the city, Liliana saw no vampires bound and starving to the Bloodless Wall, and few new fangs wedged into the Fang Wall, and felt that was a far better indication of how things were going in the archangel's absence than an oversized building's glimmering spires and brightly colored glass windows. Even more telling was the lack of angels in flight around jutting heights of Avacyn's Tower and the devastated protections on the Blessed Grafs; burial sites that took up entire city blocks around the Cathedral, dedicated to the wealthy, the noble, and the holy.

While Liliana had been narrating these changes to Ignis with an eagerness that some might quantify as 'unseemly,' her voice changed to confusion as they drew close enough for her to see that the Cathedral doors were shut tight. And then shifted from confusion to disdain as she discovered that not every angel had vanished from Thraben; there was at least one, resplendent in burnished armor and white surcoat, standing guard before the doors.

Angel	"Halt," the angel said as they approached, holding out her hand as her wings spread. "Turn around, good pilgrims. The Cathedral is closed today and none may enter." Liliana stepped forward. "Why--" The rest of her question was lost in the shhhing! of metal on metal as the angel drew her sword. "Witch," she sneered, beautiful features contorted by disgust. "You stink of death magic and even were the Cathedral open, you would not be allowed in to pollute this sacred place."
Liliana	Liliana rolled her eyes before giving the angel a poisonous smile. "Has Avacyn's influence gotten so weak that a single necromancer is enough to pollute the entirety of a Cathedral? I don't know whether to be more impressed with myself or less impressed with you, but I hadn't really thought either was possible until just now."
Ignis	Already on high alert from listening carefully to Liliana to pick out vital information within all the eager descriptions and just trying to feel out the space while staying close enough to easily follow Liliana's lead, that telltale ring of an unsheathed blade had Ignis already reaching for the hilts of his knives, but the continued sentiment, and Liliana's cool response stayed his hands a moment longer. He then hesitated, just a moment, wondering if he should just let the matter transpire between the two of them, but his own curiosity and desire to get a better measure of the matter nudged him forward, especially if he were to have better luck getting more of the question out. "Closed?" He kept it brief, less likely to interrupted. "For what reason?"
Tiresome Angel	The angel snarled at Liliana's words, before looking over to Ignis with a frown. "I do not know," she admitted with a frown. "A Conclave of all of the bishops have been summoned. But the why does not matter, obedience does not require understanding."
Liliana, Being Helpful	"That's true," Liliana jeered. "Dogs don't truly comprehend the commands of their betters, so why would she?"
Angel, Being A Jerk	"Still your hissing tongue, snake, or I will remove it," the angel threatened, before turning back to Ignis. "In all likelihood, the Cathedral will be reopened tomorrow and you may return as you will. It is better for you to come alone, however. Your companion's foul taint will not be allowed inside. You'd be better off getting rid of her entirely before she taints you with it, too." Ignis could feel Liliana's sudden tension beside him. "She imperils your soul and your chances of earning the Blessed Sleep."
Ignis, Being The Adult	At the feeling of Liliana tensing, Ignis drifted a hand, very slight, very subtle, toward her own, to gently brush his fingertips against the back of it in reassurance. He was quiet for a moment, face drawn in a serious, thoughtful, perhaps even worried sort of frown. "In all likelihood?" he repeated. "So this congregation is expected to be a brief one? I only ask out of concern for the fact that we have already made quite the journey to arrive here already. To be turned away again tomorrow in such a manner feel....terribly demoralizing. Especially with such a weighty thing as my soul on the line." There was another pause, and Ignis turned his head as if looking at Liliana with a sort of poorly shielded desperation, before returning that alleged gaze to the angel. He lifted a hand to his mouth, as if that would block the whisper he gave her from reaching his companion. "And perhaps hers..."
Liliana, Absolutely Aghast	Liliana snatched her hand back from him. "How dare you?!" she demanded. "Is that why you brought me here? For this?"
Angel, Piously Pleased	The angel shook her head, a little sadly. "I cannot say for sure," she said. "Though Bishop Alwin did say that the Cathedral was to be closed 'today,' so have faith and hope. It is a good thing you're trying to do here, though I fear it is wasted on her." She glanced back at Liliana and sneered. "Her kind are all alike. Have not pity on her, for she will have none on you."
Liliana, Hating Angels A Little Bit More	"I just want you to remember every word you've said to me and about me today," Liliana said, giving the angel a chilling smile. "Because I will. Every single word."
Holier-Than-Thou Angel	"And I want you to remember the grace of Avacyn that you have squandered," the angel said piously.
Ignis, Possibly Considering Signing Liliana Up For Ghanima's Diplomacy Class	Well, at least the bickering allowed Ignis a moment to not have to directly respond to Liliana's shock and betrayal and instead focus more on why they were actually here, although he was starting to feel they wouldn't be extracting much further information. But he channeled that into a heavy sigh, a shake of his head, and a somewhat pleading look directed toward the angel. "You can see," he said, "why my need is so desperate. Is there truly no recourse for us on this day?"
Seriously, Angels Are Just Like This	"I am truly sorry, penitent," the angel said. "If I could help you more, I would. You cannot sense her the way I can, but she stench of death and damnation about her might be strong enough to make your skin crawl." Liliana scoffed, but didn't reply. "But the Cathedral serves more important matters than simply the individual, even if it is not our place to understand what is happening or why." Beneath her formal piety, there was confusion and frustration and, more importantly, fear. The angel didn't know why the Cathedral was closed, but it was enough out of the ordinary to be concerning. "We live in dark times, pilgrim. Dark enough that creatures like her are allowed to walk free instead of hanging from the boughs of the Tree of Redemption. But keep to the faith, and you will be a light illuminating Avacyn's path."
Liliana, Over It	"I'm done here," Liliana announced, wheeling about on her heel. "You may stay and chitchat all you like, but I'm tired of being insulted and threatened." She stalked off the way they came.
Angel, Continuing To Be "Like That"	The angel watched her go and shook her head. "There is no saving that one," she told Ignis, not bothering to wait for Liliana to be out of earshot. "You have a good heart, but it's wasted on her. The kindest thing you can do, for you and her is to denounce her to the cathars and make amends while you can, she will only bring you misery and ruin."
Ignis, For Best Leading Man	There was, admittedly, a small pang of...concern, that Ignis' attempts to earn a bit of the angel's favor had struck a bit...deeper than intended, beyond the subterfuge and attempts to extract information, with that departure, but he would just have to trust that Liliana was also playing her part to perfection, and sort out anything else later. Especially when he could take that pang of concern and pull on it to better enhance this alleged crisis of faith, and pour it into his sad, wistful, and quite frankly utterly naïve smile. "But what sort of man would I be," he opined, "were I not to even try? If only I were also a man with better timing. Though I suppose you're right." He emphasized it with another sigh, and turned his head as if to longingly look back at Liliana's departing form before turning back to the angel again. "A conclave of all the bishops does sound like a grave matter, indeed. I do hope whatever it is get sorted out quickly. And it might be rather wise for me to find an alternate route home now, as well." Another one of those small, sad smile that counted absolutely nothing toward the coffers, surely. "Or a different path altogether."
Kelse	"A different path will certainly serve you better if you long for the Blessed Sleep - and might guarantee that you live longer before seeking it," the angel agreed. A long pause, as if she were debating whether or not to speak further, and then, "In dark days such as this, faith burns less brightly than it once did. If you find yourself in trouble, a cathar's silver might serve you better than prayer and hope. Should you have need of it, speak the name Kelse to any church soldier and they will give you what aid you require if they can." Her voice hardened. "Do not abuse that though. Especially on behalf of the witch."
Ignis, Making His Own Fun	His own expression gone grim and grave with that tone, Ignis nodded. "Of course not," he agreed. "But...thank you." His head ducked slightly in gratitude. "I will certainly keep that in mind, though I may spare some of my prayers for wishing to not have to use such advice. And thank you, also, for your..." The pause worked well to seem like Ignis was just searching for the right word, instead of making sure he didn't let any sarcasm or dryness leak into that word choice, "kindness. In such darkness, it truly can be difficult to find one's way..." Okay, that one was mostly just him amusing himself, so the faint pull of a grin in the corner of his mouth couldn't be helped. "I suppose I'll just have to try again tomorrow, then."
Kelse, Not Any More Likeable With A Name	"I'm sure things will look better in the morning," the angel agreed. "Such things always due, by Avacyn's grace."
Ignis, Already Having A Wholeass Day	"By Avacyn's grace," Ignis agreed, with a small nod and a little bit of a hopeful smile and the feeling that having uttered that would result in at least a few days of refusal on Liliana's part to go anywhere near touching lips that had formed those words with her own. He'd guessed even longer if he didn't know her (well, them) so well. And he would have preferred, in that moment, to have chosen an alternate route of departure as he'd speculated, specifically once that might bring him back around at the church from a different angle, perhaps once that might allow him to find a spot where he could listen for more, but without a good idea of the layout and the area, he really had no choice but to head back the way he came, and the way Liliana had gone as well, with the slow, pensive gait of a man who'd suffered rejection twofold, and rather dreaded having to face the aftermath of at least one of them now. And, truthfully, a part of him didn't even need to act very much for that feeling.

Liliana	Liliana was waiting for him in one of the Blessed Grafs they'd passed on the way to the Cathedral, far enough away that the angel would have to take to the air to spot them. As that would leave the great Cathedral doors unguarded, Liliana felt comfortable in betting against that occurrence. "Get anything useful after I left?" she asked. She sounded a little stilted, a bit cool, but her hand reached out for his.
Ignis	The hand that Liliana found had just eased off of dagger hilt, in the brief moment to ascertain that the movement Ignis sensed was, in fact, her. "...perhaps," he said, with an uncertainty, because he knew that what might feel like a tasty new tidbit to him would be a while pile of nothing new at all to her. "I was advised to invoke the name of a Kelse should I continue to find myself in such dire straights, albeit very reluctantly, but nothing else more. Swaying me against your influence seemed the much more preferred topic, I'm afraid."
Liliana	"Huh," Liliana said thoughtfully. "That could be useful, perhaps. But...to be used carefully. Your Kelse neglected to mention just how easily you could end up swaying next to me from the Tree of Redemption. It supposedly has the power to redeem the souls of those executed upon it, and you have very much put yours at risk with our...association, at least in the eyes of angels." Her voice dropped low as she added, "Angels believe in casting a wide net when trawling for guilt. Proximity is as good as participation, as far as they're concerned." Low or not, Ignis could hear layers of old bitterness and fury - and hurt - in that warning.
Ignis	The smile that floated to the corner of Ignis' mouth this time was a strange, almost distant once, tempered and softened a bit more by those layers in Liliana's voice. He lifted that hand that had found his, so he could brush a kiss against the back of it. "A risk," he said, "well worth taking. And let's be honest, minimal at best. To think they could ever even come close to getting you even near those branches..."
Liliana	"No," Liliana agreed, still in that same tone, quiet but roiling with emotions just below the surface. "I'll come through unscathed. That doesn't save others, though." She released his hand drifting over to some of the grafstones. They were supposed to be kept neat and tidied, but these had a layer of dirt over them. More proof of how things had been failing in Avacyn's absence. "So what next?" she asked, wiping her fingers in her skirts, voice sounding normal again. "Sweeping the city for his residence, I suppose?"
Ignis	Ignis was quiet for a moment, as if wanting...perhaps needing...to linger longer in the last place before moving onto the next. "I suppose so," he agreed. "That does seem the next best option; here's to hoping it proves more fruitful."
Liliana	Whereas Liliana just wanted to go, to leave behind memories over a hundred years gone, of alabaster walls rising high over sweltering sands, and an orchard that offered up sweet fruits for a salad dressed in honey... Leave them here, where they belonged, in this part of the city given over to the dead, unsullied by necromantic hands and ambitions. "We'll find him," she said. "If I have to overturn every brick and stone in this stupid city. I've come too far to be thwarted again."