[Fair enough, says the answering beat. It at least sounds like he's giving the question some consideration.]
My thoughts are that asking our people to carry magebane is more or less equal to and as reasonable as requiring everyone carry a small, sharp knife.
So the question is not how it can be made tactically useful, it is how you imagine we train anyone in its use now without convincing half the Gallows that we're educating the other half on how best to stab them.
The ones who've the loudest objections are the ones who would benefit most from learning how not to get stabbed, as it were. And what to do if they are. Corypheus must have as much access to magebane as we.
You're suggesting that Riftwatch, an outfit known to have conveniently separated from the Inquisition on the eve of the new Divine's nomination, create a training regime wherein we educate mages how best to use and resist one of the primary tools with which they have been traditionally managed.
A pregnant pause, the sort in which one might pull a face. ]
I am suggesting-- [ Maker. ] that Riftwatch is quite inspired by the Divine's focus on defeating Corypheus by any means necessary, and to that end feel the protection of our Rifters from Venatori and magebane both to be of paramount concern.
[A low 'hm.' Sounds like bullshit, but maybe it will stink less when written down.]
Draw up a program and who you imagine the best candidates - mage or otherwise - to oversee it would be. Once you have something that merits discussion, I'll see that it's considered.
You know the Grand Necropolis. Let us pretend Speaker Nancollas isn't the sole spot of corruption inside it; if it is sliding under Venatori influence, do you suppose it really matters who succeeds Markus?
Ilias hesitates-- rather significantly. It is one thing to consider betraying everything one holds dear when speaking to those dearer still. Risking those words becoming action is quite another. But eventually, reluctant: ]
The Mortalitasi are more closely entwined with the Pentaghasts, to an extent. There have long been rumors of our undue influence over the King, and the Van Markhams have benefited from leveraging that fear. I cannot imagine that has earned the Prelate's affection, nor would I be surprised if the Van Markhams intended to curb said influence should they gain the throne.
That said-- you must understand, the sort of influence the Mortalitasi hold can be highly personal. It is not always a matter of politics, to choose who will escort your loved ones' souls to the Maker's side. If the Speaker closest to the Van Markhams is corrupt, and the one closest to Lady Aurelia is not-- [ A verbal shrug. ] It may matter very little where everyone else's loyalties lie.
[And here he is in counterpoint, remarkably good at pretending those pauses don't exist.]
Good. I'd prefer to keep our attention on the matter as quiet as is possible - you were right to say in your report that the political situation in Nevarra makes this one delicate and those names all the more necessary to know.
[At last, a moment's hesitation of his own. Aware then, at least, of what he's asking for when he says:]
I can hardly ask that you find them yourself, but given the Inquisition's track record and our inheritance of it, it may be to the benefit of your order that you be somehow involved. Is there anyone you might write? Any course you might suggest?
I was not known for my sociability in Nevarra City, [ read: if he starts sending too many letters to old friends, it will stand out; ] But my grandmother may know of Lady Aurelia, and I've colleagues who may take my interest in the Van Markhams as sign of hers, sooner than Riftwatch's.
[ An obfuscation. Quiet as he can make it. ]
My concern is more for what comes next. We'll need more than names to identity Venatori. Perakis may have contacts, but if we need anyone of our own on the ground-- we cannot afford a misstep.
[ The fact that the Scoutmaster's professionalism is, from every angle Ilias has observed thus far, entirely unassailable is terrifically irritating in this particular instance.
Difficult to hold steam against, too. A sigh. ] I'm sure.
If there is anything I can do to help with the specifics, you and she know where you might find me.
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My thoughts are that asking our people to carry magebane is more or less equal to and as reasonable as requiring everyone carry a small, sharp knife.
So the question is not how it can be made tactically useful, it is how you imagine we train anyone in its use now without convincing half the Gallows that we're educating the other half on how best to stab them.
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The ones who've the loudest objections are the ones who would benefit most from learning how not to get stabbed, as it were. And what to do if they are. Corypheus must have as much access to magebane as we.
[ The newly reformed Templar Order, too. ]
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Is that right?
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A pregnant pause, the sort in which one might pull a face. ]
I am suggesting-- [ Maker. ] that Riftwatch is quite inspired by the Divine's focus on defeating Corypheus by any means necessary, and to that end feel the protection of our Rifters from Venatori and magebane both to be of paramount concern.
[ A beat. ] Is that too much?
[ For his next letter to Brother Armin. ]
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Draw up a program and who you imagine the best candidates - mage or otherwise - to oversee it would be. Once you have something that merits discussion, I'll see that it's considered.
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You have my thanks, Commander.
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[It's an easy promise to make; if whatever proposal brought forward warrants rejection, let someone else do so. In the mean time--]
Before you go, I'd like to ask your opinion on a different matter. In relation to your examination of the Averesch corpse.
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--is probably not the most appropriate jest. Anyway. ]
Berenike, yes. What about her?
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Ilias hesitates-- rather significantly. It is one thing to consider betraying everything one holds dear when speaking to those dearer still. Risking those words becoming action is quite another. But eventually, reluctant: ]
The Mortalitasi are more closely entwined with the Pentaghasts, to an extent. There have long been rumors of our undue influence over the King, and the Van Markhams have benefited from leveraging that fear. I cannot imagine that has earned the Prelate's affection, nor would I be surprised if the Van Markhams intended to curb said influence should they gain the throne.
That said-- you must understand, the sort of influence the Mortalitasi hold can be highly personal. It is not always a matter of politics, to choose who will escort your loved ones' souls to the Maker's side. If the Speaker closest to the Van Markhams is corrupt, and the one closest to Lady Aurelia is not-- [ A verbal shrug. ] It may matter very little where everyone else's loyalties lie.
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Would there be any way to identify who those Speakers might be?
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Good. I'd prefer to keep our attention on the matter as quiet as is possible - you were right to say in your report that the political situation in Nevarra makes this one delicate and those names all the more necessary to know.
[At last, a moment's hesitation of his own. Aware then, at least, of what he's asking for when he says:]
I can hardly ask that you find them yourself, but given the Inquisition's track record and our inheritance of it, it may be to the benefit of your order that you be somehow involved. Is there anyone you might write? Any course you might suggest?
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[ An obfuscation. Quiet as he can make it. ]
My concern is more for what comes next. We'll need more than names to identity Venatori. Perakis may have contacts, but if we need anyone of our own on the ground-- we cannot afford a misstep.
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I have every confidence that, in supply of a firm sense of direction, our Scoutmaster will have some idea of how we might best tread carefully.
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Difficult to hold steam against, too. A sigh. ] I'm sure.
If there is anything I can do to help with the specifics, you and she know where you might find me.