Unintentional Meditations

So much for the hope of being tied in the front. They were clever, but the Arbiter hoped they were not clever enough to see through the rest of her ruse.

As they passed through stygian passages, she caught glimpses of the ancient faces looking down upon them. Abandoned by a different culture she guessed, as the mould folk didn't seem to pay them much mind. It seemed they did nothing to maintain these tunnels, simply using them as deep roads and not living spaces. But these were the guesses of a student long gone to study. Who knew anything about these strange people.

It had occurred to her, thinking back and now being attentive between flashes of torchlight, that her sword was not among the possessions of their captors. That didn't bode well. Again she had lost the Holy Sword... Holy? There was that question again... It must be somewhat Holy, but it was a wicked blade.

She once again recalled the implanted montage of memories. Days of priests praying before its forging, No doubt that most of the sword's power came from the Vauxian child who gave his life. It was an unforgivable tragedy, but the history and faith instilled in her made her half understanding of the lengths the Inquisition had gone to. She had grown up hearing the phrase 'at any cost' or some variation of it. At any rate, she both revered the atrocious thing AND detested it. She wouldn't let that child's sacrifice, that power... be wasted. It must return to her hands. The cult of Slaviki still had to die, right? Their god (lowercase g) demanded blood... and yet, according to the Inquisition, so did Vastad... it was slightly different she supposed. But she was certain now that was a command from the leaders of the Inquisition and not the Pillars themselves.
As far as sorcery, witches, and devils. The Arbiter didn't disagree that something had to be done to stop them from committing evils. Genocide, enslavement... but couldn't the use of magik be corrected? Or better yet, regulated? Instead of being banished altogether. As Hunter said, it was like a tool. And if it was a tool, it could also be used for the benefit of all. That was dangerous wishful thinking. Inside, part of her, Voah... not the Arbiter... appraised and humored the thought. Because wasn't killing just perpetuating an endless cycle.

Strange it was to know the sights and smells... and fears of others long past. Was this what the Odsier meant by speaking with the dead?

'Focus! Your mind must be present for this.' the words of Yan'Dian rang like a warning bell in her mind... but he spoke in the voice of Gonyaul.

With little but flashes of torchlight and the shuffling of quickly moving steps, Voah's mind had slipped into an unintenital meditation. She should pay attention to her surroundings if she was to get out of this place. She shook off her thoughts for the present and heard another voice, Tarmen's voice. Asking what happened to Alexis.