Before The Council

JP with Winteroak and Cindy

Islana was a little surprised by the Council's lack of surprise upon seeing a foreigner and her sunburnt, injured body, but quickly realized they had likely been told about her. It was just the surprised looks the redhead had received in, the past, made her think that would be their response as well.

The Council, especially the man who sat in the middle, all seemed to give air of those who were respected. Islana could grant them that respect but she wasn't fearful of them. So, it was official, she no longer automatically feared authority. Contemplation on that would come later.

"Islana Annora, " The young woman responded to the man's question.

"And where do you hail from Islana Annora?" He asked although the answer was obvious, there seemed to be a ritual and tradition to these questions. At least for now.

"Ostiarium. Before that Helias." Islana answered.

He looked at her. "Helias is a big place, is it not, child?" He chided as a tutor would. " Be specific." Islana quickly realized that if the questions became more complicated in Ozainae she might struggle to answer them.

"I'm from Torja." Islana was hoping that they didn't need more specific than that.

"Name your parents and their faith." He asked, and she was painfully aware that everyone was scrutinizing every word.

"My father is Angus Annora and my mother was Safiya Annora. My father worshipped The Pillars. Kupen, The Sun God. I cannot be certain of my mother's beliefs as she past at my birth." Islana had just assumed her mother had also worshipped the Pillars and Kupen, but it was one of things her father never shared and Islana had reasons, now, to believe her assumption might be wrong.

The priests looked at one another at the mention of the Pillars, except for the one that was asking the questions, who kept his eyes on Islana's own.

"Islana Annora, daughter of Angus and Safiya, why do you come before us?"

"To answer The Call," The young witch no longer even questioned how she knew to respond that way.

The silence that followed her words was louder than anything she had ever experienced. It streched for dozens of heartbeats, she could she in some of their faces that they weren't happy with the answer. Others she thought she was the smile briefly. But nothing from the man in charge. He simply stared at her.

"Know this Islana Annora from Torja, daughter of Angus and Safiya." He started. "To claim to be commanded by the Twins without it being so, is punishable by death. Fake penitents that make it this far usually die in the Trial that approaches." He paused hoping she understood most of his words. "We are not convinced your claim is genuine." He said bluntly.

He looked at her, his eyes drawn to the knife at her belt. The knife made of a Skara's sting.

"Tell us of your fight with the Skara." He asked.