TS5: Chapter 18 (Patreon)

Night and day at the Temple of Man were dictated by the sun and moon that rose and fell over the endless battlefield below and the morning shadows were still long when Thorn and Akira left the mansion. The rest of his party was already up and beginning their morning training but Thorn thought it best to get his appointment out of the way. He had a lot to accomplish that day, including a visit to the library he still hadn't explored to gather more information about ways to increase his light affinity. His earth, fire, dark, and arcane affinities were already completed, and he had a suspicion that the Temple of Man would be the best place to increase his affinity to the light element. The challenge was doing it without drawing the attention of the false god that dominated the center of the Temple of Man.

Even though the day had just dawned, there were hundreds of people on the street, all going about their duties with a solemnity that gave the temple a nearly holy feeling. Thorn was quickly realizing that this seriousness was a mark of all those who served the Temple of Man, as most everyone took their responsibilities to heart. While Thorn didn't quite know how to feel about the Temple itself, he found he could appreciate their adherence to duty.

Finding the Quilla estate wasn't hard, in part because Steward Selor had given him directions, but also because of the giant gate that stood at the front of the property. The Quilla name was emblazoned on top of the gate, written in gold letters that were gaudy and out of place, making it impossible to miss. When he arrived at the gate, the guards stepped forward to stop him, their eyes scanning over him carefully.

"State your purpose," the lead guard said, giving Thorn a careful look.

With a flick of his finger, Thorn produced the invitation he had been given, handing it over to the guard.

"My presence has been requested by the leader of the Quilla family," he said.

Reading over the invitation, the guard bowed and handed it to one of his juniors.

"Please wait here, sir, while we fetch the steward."

Nodding, Thorn stepped to the side, retrieving a pastry from his pouch to hand to Akira, who was riding on his shoulder. He was just finishing the one he took out for himself when the sound of hurried footsteps alerted him to a small crowd heading in his direction. A moment later, the gate opened, and the woman who he had seen the day before when he accepted the invitation appeared, along with a number of other servants.

"Ascendant Thorn," the woman said, bowing her head, "please come right this way."

Strolling in after her, Thorn looked around at the impressive estate that opened up in front of him. Space in the Temple of Man was hard to come by, and even this estate wasn't actually that large. However, the Quilla family had done their best to give the impression of a grand garden, and had succeeded by creating a multi-level, open-air building brimming with lush vegetation. Led up through a series of stacked lawns connected by staircases, Thorn was brought into an open-air pavilion where he was asked to wait. Without a word, he took a seat, as the servants who had escorted him hurried off. He was just admiring the architecture of the garden when his mental sense picked up another group heading in his direction.

At the front was a middle-aged man with a long mustache, dressed in the simple robes of a priest, with a blue sash decorated with heavy gold embroidery. He gave off an aura familiar to Thorn, and it only took a moment before Thorn realized why. The first time he had come to the Temple of Man he had met one of the magisters, an elder of the temple, who had worn a similar sash. Behind the middle-aged man were a number of warrior priests and servants, a clear indication of his status. The party rapidly arrived at the pavilion and arranged themselves appropriately.

“You must be Ascendant Thorn,” the middle-aged man said as Thorn stood and bowed. “My name is Imoset, Magister of the Book. Thank you so much for accepting my invitation.”

“It is my pleasure,” Thorn said.

Imoset chuckled and shook his head.

“That remains to be seen. Please have a seat.”

Slightly taken aback by the Magister's words, Thorn sat back down as Imoset sat across from him.

“My apologies for visiting you so early,” Thorn said. “I hope I didn't inconvenience you at all.”

“It's no problem,” Imoset replied, waving his hand. “I was up. I had just finished my morning prayers and was on the way to breakfast. I hope you don't mind, but I've taken the liberty of asking the servants to bring it here. I hope you'll join me.”

“I'm always happy to eat more breakfast,” Thorn said.

Soon, servants began carrying trays of food into the pavilion, placing them on large tables that were set up near where Imoset and Thorn sat. The Magister kept up a steady stream of inconsequential talk while this was happening, and it was only after the food had been served and the servants withdrawn that he got to the real topic.

“Again, I wish to express my appreciation for you answering my request so swiftly,” Imoset said. “It is a time-sensitive matter.”

“From the reaction of your servant yesterday, I assumed as much,” Thorn replied, cutting a chunk of beef from the steak on his plate. “Though I must admit, I was a little bit surprised by the invitation, as the last time I encountered your family, we didn't part on the most congenial of terms.”

“Ah, you speak of your encounter with my son, Vesna,” Imoset said.

Picking up his cup, he took a drink and dabbed at his lips with his napkin.

“What happened in the Renith ruins caught all of us off guard,” he said. “But as far as I'm concerned, there are no hard feelings. Ruins like that are fair game for anybody, and you just happened to come out on top. In fact, I have to say that I'm appreciative we got to face you in the ruins, as it has given us a sense of your ability.”

“When you arrived to compete for the qualifications for entering Urmag’Tal's puzzle, it was my son, Vesna, who you had faced in the ruins, who came up with a fantastic idea.”

Remembering the infuriated Ascendant who he had last seen in the ruins, Thorn strongly suspected Imoset was stretching the truth but rather than call him out, he maintained his silence, listening as the Magister continued.

“I don't know how much you know about the structure of the Temple of Man,” he said. “But below the five guardians are the ten Magisters who make up the Council of Elders. Each comes from a powerful family. I, as Magister Quilla, represent the Quilla family.”

“Unfortunately, there are only four spots for the Temple of Man to field for Urmag’Tal’s puzzle, while there are ten Magister families. Those four spots will be fiercely contested. But the reality is that we already know who is likely to take those four positions. As much as it pains me to admit it, the Quilla family is not the most powerful of the Magister families. In fact, we rank ninth out of the ten.”

“And as much as I love my son and admire his skill, I have no expectation of him taking one of the four available spots.”

Holding up his hand, Thorn put down his fork.

“Do you mind telling me who you expect will succeed?”

A faint smile flashed across Imoset's face, and he smoothed his mustache before he replied.

“Of course. The first position is held by Muras, disciple of Petra the Immovable, one of the five guardians, and the leader of the Temple Guard. His position has already been assigned and will not change. That leaves four remaining spots. It is expected that the first four Magister families, the Artaith, Adene, Tuma, and Vakatora, will each take another spot as their ascendants are considered the strongest.”

“Thank you,” Thorn said, spearing another steak and sliding it onto his plate. “If those families have the five strongest ascendants, where do I come in?”

Leaning back in his chair, Imoset dabbed at his lips before answering, tossing his napkin onto the table.

“It wasn't just my son, Vesna, who remarked on your strength, the other supporters I sent with him were generous in their praise for you. Additionally, I was able to confirm with the Lesior family that your skills were remarkable. As far as I know, however, you do not have any sort of backing in the Temple of Man.”

“I wouldn't say that,” Thorn said, with a half-smile. “My master tends to have sway wherever he goes.”

Imoset's eyes narrowed slightly, but his expression returned to pleasant calm so quickly Thorn thought he may have imagined it.

“You speak of Steward Keadore, is that correct? I admit your master is powerful, but I'm speaking more of the political connections needed to pass the Council's judgment. You look like a man who values frankness, and so allow me to speak directly. My family was one of those who opposed your rise to the position of ascendant. Along with me, three other families voted against it, but the majority voted for it, mostly to rub it in our faces, as they knew we had lost out to you in the Renith ruins. Had they not wanted to use the opportunity to take our family down a peg, you wouldn't have gotten your promotion.”

Slowly putting down his fork and knife, Thorn sat up, looking across the table at the magister.

“What's your point?” he asked, his voice cool.

“My point is simply this. Strength matters in the Temple of Man, but not so much as political sway. On the surface, if you want to enter Urmag’Tal's puzzle, you simply need to compete for one of the four available slots. However, what most don't realize is that only someone sponsored by a member of the Elder’s Council will be able to hold the slot because the magisters vote on the final list. No matter how strong you are, if you don't have the political backing to pass through the Council's evaluation, you simply won't be able to keep your slot.”

“You only would have brought this up if you had a solution for me,” Thorn said, cutting into his steak once more.

With a laugh, Imoset nodded his head.

“This is why it's nice talking to clever people,” he said. “You're right. I do have a solution. If I can be blunt, my family has no shot at the puzzle if we put even our strongest ascendant forward. This has been the case ever since we first rose to become one of the magisterial families. Typically, if we wanted one of our family to enter the puzzle, we would be forced to buy a slot from one of the families whose ascendants won the competition. I assume you are familiar with the rule that each of the five ascendants who earn a spot can take a retinue of nine with them. Buying one of those nine slots at great cost is the only way we can participate. You, however, present a new opportunity. From what we've seen, you have the physical strength to pass the assessment and compete for one of the four available slots. I, on the other hand, can provide you with the political sway you need to maintain your slot."

"And what do you want in return?" Thorn asked.

"I simply ask that you take Vesna, my son, and at least one other member of our family into the puzzle with you."

"I should have space for him," Thorn said. "But this deal will only work if I can actually win the competition."

Thinking for a moment, Imoset nodded.

"That is correct. Furthermore, you would need to be willing to give up a second slot so that I can send someone to assist my son."

"And we won't be breaking any rules by doing this, I trust," Thorn asked, glancing at Imoset.

"No," the magister replied. "It is fairly common for powerful ascendants, without backing, to attach themselves to magister families in order to gain more support."

"If I'm understanding this correctly," Thorn said, "the deal you're proposing is that I compete for one of the positions, and once I get one, you ensure that the council accepts it. From there, I take my group with the three additions that you hand me to enter the puzzle."

"Yes," Imoset said. "That is exactly what I am proposing."

"It sounds good to me," Thorn said. "If it really is as simple as you say, I'm happy to work with you."

"Wonderful," Imoset said, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

Clapping his hands, he waved to one of the servants standing nearby, who hurried off, returning a moment later with a tray, upon which was a gold token bearing the name Quilla.

"This is our guest elder token. It grants anyone who holds it the same rights as a guest elder. While you already have most of the benefits due to your ascendant status, this will simply add a little bit of weight when you need it. Though we are at the bottom of the Council of Magisters, we still have some sway in the Temple of Man."

As he finished speaking, his son, Vesna, and an elderly man whom Thorn had seen guarding Ascendant Quilla in the Renith ruins appeared.

"Vesna, come and greet Ascendant Thorn," Imoset said.

It was clear that Vesna had already been briefed on what was going on, and just as clear that he didn't like it. Still, he walked over and saluted Thorn.

"Greetings, Ascendant Thorn. It's good to see you again."

Chuckling, Thorn stood and returned the salute.

"You don't need to force yourself, Ascendant Quilla," he said with a smile. "I hope we can work well together."

All he got in response was a grunt, but it didn't bother him. After saying goodbye to Imoset, Thorn soon left the Quilla family estate, heading for his next destination. Along the way, he called Velin to inform her of the deal he had just made and talk through some of the potential outcomes.

The Temple of Man's library was a massive edifice packed with books and scrolls collected over the many thousands of years of the temple's existence. Perched high above the library were half a dozen god hunters, their twisted bodies hidden by shining light. Feeling their presence as they observed him, Thorn took a deep breath, calming his desire to attack. Velin, who was still on a call with him, sensed the shift in his mood.

"Is everything okay, Thorn?"

"Yes," he said. "I just got to the library, so I should probably let you go."