A blast from the past

JP with Winteroak and Bandorchu

After what seemed like an eternity the tension between Tar and Alexis only seemed to grow.

The young acolyte came and check on her guests several times during the morning before eventually Friar Jassin made it back to the Rectory.

The tall older man was surprised he had visitors but immediately recognise Alexis.

"Milidh Greyriver." The Friar greeted her in her own language curiously looking at Tar. "What do I owe the pleasure?" He asked. "Last I heard you were in Aquilo." He commented casually.

Alexis rose to greet the Friar respectfully.

“Greetings Friar Balvaris. Terribly sorry to bother you unannounced.”

She bowed slightly.

“I have just returned. From Aquilo and the Fang. There is a matter I hope you might be able to help us with.”

"Think nothing of it. Anything for you my dear." He said obviously allowing to her role in helping protect the city and the status it carried regardless of her own views.

The Friar looked at Tar. "I know you don't I?" He said searching his mind.
Tar nodded drumming his finger on the table.
"We sailed the seas together Friar. Your faith delivered us here..." Came the reply. "Almost five years to the day."

The Friar paused, looked passed the man's appearance who seemed to have aged considerably in the past few years...
"Tar?!?" He asked incredulously. "Is that you brother?"

Alexis blinked. That … was unexpected.

She sat down, watching the scene unfold and glancing at Tar with a cocked eyebrow.
Seemed like he had neglected to share a few relevant details about his past involvements.

She decided to just listen for now, wondering if things just got easier or harder.

Tar looked at Alexis. So much easier if they had just stolen the map. Be done with this city and his old life. Avoid any necessary questions and making him relive his journey here. His life in Helias and that first dreaded Winter when Slivikhi had stalked the land.

"We are no longer brothers Friar." He said and Alexis could see the words came like a slap on the Friar's face. He turned pale. "We stopped being brothers the day we turned out back on our fellow pilgrims." He said accusing.

Harder. Definitely. Of course.

Frowning, Alexis tried to make sense of Tar‘s accusation.
Was this about that first winter, too?

After the Creed, she had been talking a lot with the citizens of Ostiarium, especially the less fortunate ones. It had come with the unwanted title of Slayer, but also from her genuine interest to find out what had given rise to the deep seeded animosity towards the government. She had, mostly, found the anger was directed at the Keep, that had taken the liberty to decide who was and who wasn’t worthy to be sustained. But… thinking back, the church had not been exactly hailed a light of hope either, had it?