Patchwork Universe

The Cardinal · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 8:39 pm Post subject: A Poisoned Chalice

The Cardinal knelt at the alter rail of one of the side chapels of the Chantry. The stained glass window behind the jewelled silver crucifix showed a golden cup which wept ruby beads of blood.

The Cardinal stood and gathered his red robes around him, smoothing down the rich fabric to fall in ordered folds. Walking out of the side chapel he observed the behaviour of the priests as they went about their rituals. He said nothing, acknowledging the bethren only with his right hand, riased automatically to form a sign of blessing as he passed them.

He came out from the main doors of the Chantry and observed the serene city around him, the red tiled roofs amid stone towers, the bright blue sky and the golden sunshine. As he contemplated this sight one of the priests passed by and the Cardinal signalled with a gesture that he should approach.
"Order the brethren to watch for new arrivals in the city," he said. "Any visitors should be brought immediately to my presence chamber."
"Yes, Excellency," the priest said humbly and hurried to perform his task.

The Cardinal turned and re-entered the Chantry. There he signalled for another priest to approach.
"We will hold a service," he declared. "A service of thanksgiving and praise to God. Cause the bells to be rung and the clergy to bring out their finest vestments."

The Cardinal · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 10:11 am Post subject:

The Cardinal retired to his private rooms to prepare for the service. Once there he went to his contemplation chamber, a place that served him as a prayer study. Although the furnishings were of the highest quality, they were sparser than in other parts of the chantry.

On a highly polished table stood a beautiful orary. The sun and planetary spheres spun slowly around and about each other on wire so thin that it could not be seen. Seating himself before this item, the Cardinal bowed his head and recited the words of a prayer.

The Cardinal · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 11:03 pm Post subject:

After a short time the orary began to move, spheres orbiting each other in a planetary ballet. The orary spun faster and faster until it formed a blurred area of light and the Cardinal closed his eyes.

Listening for a still small voice he said out loud:
"This is the Cardinal calling Brainstorm. Are you there?"

Dr Brainstorm · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 7:25 am Post subject:

A few moments passed, and voice did indeed emanate from the orary, although whether it could be considered still and small might be a matter of opinion.

"Cardinal, yes, I'm here. It seems we have some things to discuss."

The Cardinal · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 10:20 am Post subject:

The set of the Cardinal's shoulders relaxed minutely and he opened his eyes again. You could never be certain if communication would be possible. Contemplating the spinning spheres he continued:

"The Chantry appears to have been rewound to a time before the war. I suspect the lower clergy of having had their memories expunged. I have yet to speak with the senior members of the church."

"Have you experienced a similiar distemporality?"

Dr Brainstorm · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:51 pm Post subject:

"Similar, perhaps. My monitoring systems still have records of the war, but many other things seem to have been, I don't know, 'tidied up' might be the best way to put it.

"I also notice that the map has changed. I think we've been gone for a while."

The Cardinal · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:59 pm Post subject:

As the Cardinal considered the ramifications of his ally's assertion a piece of folded paper was slid quietly under the door of the room. The clergy were assiduous in balancing the Cardinal's need for privacy against his desire to be kept continually informed.

Crossing the room, he picked up the piece of paper, unfolded it and read it, before tucking it away in the sleeve of his robes.

Returning to the orary he spoke again:

"I had intended to ask if our allies had been similarly 'reset'. But I've received news that at least one of the circle is active."

His voice became dryer as he explained:
"The Lobster has just crossed over from the north. Mercifully with only ten men, which suggests that at least some of the legions survived the battle. I do hope he's not going to be difficult."

He paused.

"If all the circle are back, you may be about to have another Wizard Problem, my friend."

Dr Brainstorm · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 6:26 pm Post subject:

"I was afraid of that. Everyone else seems to be here, although I fear that something may have happened to Karl. I guess that means that Snark's back, too."

A faint beeping sound briefly came from the orary, but then stopped.

"There must be something going on out there, and we have to find out what. Unless you have any better ideas, I'm going to see if I can find Jones, and check out Zaritza as well."

The Cardinal · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 6:34 pm Post subject:

The Cardinal watched narrowly as the spheres on the orary rotated as if the orbits were being pulled slightly out of alignment.

"Jones' can generally be relied upon to be somewhere central," the Cardinal mused. "As much as anything can be counted reliable in this world."

"I concur. And indeed, I think we need to have a conversation in person. I will make arrangements to travel and hope to find you at the tavern. If Jones is there he may be able to account for this time lapse."

He drummed his fingers briefly on the table and then concluded:
"I'll try to deflect Smight along another route. Telling him there's some trouble in Zaritza may be the best way to do that. Watch out for him along your travels."

"Godspeed, my friend."

Dr Brainstorm · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 6:45 pm Post subject:

"Thank you. I hope to see you at the tavern before too long - For the moment, good luck."

With that, Doctor Brainstorm signed off.

The Cardinal · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 6:56 pm Post subject:

The Cardinal sat back from the orary and said another prayer. Slowly the turning spheres stopped spinning and it became motionless once more.

Leaving the room, he saw that preparations were indeed underway for the service of thanksgiving he had ordered. Summoning one of the younger acolytes he gave the boy instructions at some length before proceding out of the Chantry and a little way along the wide street that led into it.

There he waited.

Smight, the Unbeliever · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 7:05 pm Post subject:

[ooc: From 'The Unbeliever Goes to Church']

Before long the Cardinal saw eleven armed men marching down the street. They stopped within spitting distance of the church and halted at their leader's command.

Smight strode forward and faced the Cardinal.
"Something has happened," he announced. "I am not pleased. I came here to find out what has happened."

He paused. Wasn't there something he had forgotten? Oh yes.

"And I spit upon your foolish faith and womanish clothing."

The Cardinal · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 7:21 pm Post subject:

"So I see," said the Cardinal softly. "What did you say it was that had happened? The event that displeased you?"

Smight frowned.
"I woke up in the training ground. My legions lived again. It was not right. I went west, I could not pass. I went north, there was ocean. I went east, there was ocean. I went south, there was you."
He stared at the Cardinal, obviously blaming him for some if not all of this.

"Ah, I see." The Cardinal nodded to himself. "Well, doubtless it has occured to you that there has been another movement of the mist borders..."

"Yes. Smight has thought of this." Smight declared.

"It must also have occured to you that not all our allies are as equipped to stand against the gods as you." The Cardinal waited. The red-armoured man was frowning and the cleric thought back over his words and sighed. Too complicated, it had probably been the negative clause. Damn but he hated doing this.
"Others are weak," the Cardinal emphasised. "Not as strong as Smight."

"Smight is strong," the Unbeliever agreed. "My enemies tremble before my wrath."

"Yes, yes," the Cardinal betrayed a moment of impatience. "And our allies need your help. Karl Groever? Remember him? He needs your strength to help him."

"Is he the cat?" Smight asked.

"No, not the cat. The man. The man from the desert. The place with lots of sand. Find him and help him... I mean, he needs you to find him and help him." The Cardinal was usually more subtle than this but he tended to find conversations with Smight wore down his patience quicker than anything else.

"I will find Karl Groever and help him." Smight decided.

"Good plan," the Cardinal nodded. "I'll have someone show you the way. Not a priest. And, I think, from your description, south sounds like the best direction, don't you?"

"I don't?" Smight furrowed his brow.

"South is the best direction," the Cardinal rephrased quickly. "Godsp..." He paused. "I pr.. hope you find him."
He raised a long pale hand to his temples. He was getting a headache.

Smight, the Unbeliever · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 11:03 am Post subject:

Smight waited while the Cardinal sent for a guide: a nervous-looking man in humble clothing.

Once the guide had been provided Smight left without another word. He would have liked to curse the priest again, but the Cardinal had moved back closer to the Chantry and Smight could already smell the stink of incense from where he was.

With the guide following, he headed back to his men.

[ooc: Smight returns to 'The Unbeliever Goes to Church' thread]

The Cardinal · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 4:07 pm Post subject:

The Cardinal re-entered the Chantry as the priests were filing in for the service. Taking his chair behind the altar rail in the lady chapel, the Cardinal composed his mind as the pure voices of the choice rose up in a choral of praise to God.