Gold Dragons Harass Phillida

From FiranMUX

Just before scene: Cortik and Elvetus meet in the Forum. Cortik tells Elvetus to come with him, that they have a duty to perform for Zutiv and the Republic. They head off toward the Temple District.

Cortik heads a long ways up and stops at the Marble Arch. He turns toward Elvetus and places his hands on his hips nodding to his friend, "Well! That Priestess Phillida is here and she thinks she's all that, probably! Well, no one has stepped up and told her what a crime this truly is, so I think it's time we did it, what do you think?"

"Give her a little trouble, make her think twice about overstepping her bounds? Past time someone stepped up to it,"

Elvetus says. His scowl deepens as he thinks about that self-righteous /girl/ flaunting her... /girlyness/ in front of the whole Republic and Zutiv.

Cortik scratches his head as he enters, "So... where IS the temple of Zin anyway?"

Elvetus peers in each direction. "Uh..." He looks around at all the displays of splendor for the false gods and shudders.

"We could just start yelling. Surely she'd come out to defend herself, the harlot."

Cortik nods to Elvetus's suggestion, "That's a really good idea!" Then he cups his hands to his mouth and shouts: "Priestess Phillida! Lord Cortik and Mer Elvetus have a word or two to speak to you about your misguided ways! Get out here!"

There's some shouting going on around the Sacred Path. Something about a dirty, girly pagan spreading her beliefs around the Republic? Or, a Republican pagan girl who needs a bath and is dirty? Maybe a Pagan Republic that doesn't have enough girls? Whatever it is, people are yelling and creating a stir.

Cortik nods to Elvetus, "Now you shout something! Get her out here, she's only common afterall."

Empyrean hears there is shouting going on and is always up for a good show, especially when commoners shout things. When he arrives he sees Cortik. "Well well, Lord Governor. It is a pleasure to see you. What is all this shouting about?" He looks around, not really seeing too many people.

Elvetus gives Cortik a quick, hesitant glance at those words... /he's/ common, as well. But it's just a momentary glance. He's a Gold Dragon, after all. He adds a shout of his own: "Phillida! Come out here, or are you too busy hiding behind your pagan imagery?"

Dalinuel comes out to see what all the shouting is about. "Shh!" he says. "You are upsetting the orphans with all your yelling!"

Marsalos has to stick a finger in his ear as he gets closer to the Sacred Path. Damn but those monotheists have lungs. He lofts a brow at the small ruckus and who's causing it. "Oh good grief."

Cortik notes Empyrean's arrival and nods, "Lord Captain! Just calling out this new Priestess they have down here! Surely you've heard she's been promoted as a religious instructor! Why... it's just not right! It's bad enough, in my opinion, to spread paganry! But a WOMAN to top it all off?"

Empyrean listens to Elvetus shout and then listens to Cortik's justification to shout. He looks at Elvetus and then towards Cortik. Before he says anything he notes the arrival of Marsalos as well. "Ah Lord Marsalos, wonderful to see you." Then his attention is back on the Gold Dragons. "I would wager a sizeable amount that the Elianik house is mostly polytheistic. At the same time, if you feel slighted or some such by this, shouldn't you get your most powerful priest to petition to the Religious council to instill a monotheistic priest? Instead of say.... shouting at Priestess Phillida as if it were her fault?" Just a friendly neighbourhood Bear suggestion.

Marsalos nods to Empyrean before looking at the two making noise. "Lord Cortik," he says in a lower volume. "I suppose by blaring this you also oppose the judgment of Her Honour Fidelia Ista Aldrik herself. Not to mention the Lord Viceroy, though I would suppose he is magically exempt, being a man. Lord Captain Empyrean gives you excellent council here."

Elvetus makes a scoffing face at the suggestion. "The woman had to put herself forward to be considered, didn't she? She could have refused the appointment, couldn't she?" These pagan women, they simply have no shame! Elvetus's face fair glows with the fervor of his distress.

Cortik is not one to be stopped by logic, and he shakes his head, "I think the judgement is not the wisest in the lands! But it was not a judgement made by His Honour Ojitar Firgalik, now is it?" he answers Marsalos and then folds his arms petulantly, "It's just as Mer Elvetus says! They all step forward, and it's a double slap insult to we strong Monotheistic members of the republic! Not simply a pagan, but a WOMAN on top of it!"

Dalinuel looks almost comletely puzzled. "Refuse an appointment from Her Honor, Mother Fidelia? That would be unthinkable! Perhaps you need to be discussing this with her."

Empyrean taps his head and looks at Marsalos. Tap tap, tap tap. It's not code, it's him trying to think on the right level and make his words sort of become truth, because what he has on his hands is a good old fashioned debate. "Well, I suppose you could be correct. Would it be better if a monotheistic man were in place and the Elianik family rejected the Zutiv-only teachings? Don't be ridiculous. Be smart. Get a man in there along with this woman to keep an eye out on behalf of Zutiv. Good gods man, I bet you could get pagans to even sign a petition."

Marsalos quirks a brow at Cortik. "And what, exactly, is your yelling like a child in a holy place intended to accomplish, besides making yourselves look like men who have the hysterical tempers of women?" He looks over at Empyrean and nods quite firmly, gesturing back to Cortik. "Now that sounds like a much more productive idea, and one that doesn't make you look foolish, eh?"

Cortik lifts his brow, "Are you calling me foolish, Lord Marsalos?" the young lord strides forward toward the other man, "It's hardly to be expected that Eagles would understand! Or Bears! You are content with the decisions since they do not insult you! But you all risk the wrath of Zutiv to allow such a WOMAN to teach the religious future of our Royals! He does not look kindly upon such things."

Elvetus flushes at Marsalos's jab. "Besides, we didn't /come/ here to yell," he says, glowering. "We just want her to come out and talk to us. If we can make her see -- how this risks the wrath of Zutiv!" He's starting to sputter a bit. *Firan* Empyrean narrows his eyes at Cortik now, displeased with this Gold Dragon routine. However, he knows the entire clan of them are stubborn. "So what, you shall sit here and shout all day? I think I will even allow it, so you learn a lesson, instead of doing the sensible thing and ordering you away from here." There's a grin as he says that. As Elvetus keeps throwing in the good word of Zutiv, he turns that cold stare to him instead. "Who are you Sentry? Name yourself to me."

Marsalos has his arms folded, remaining right where he is as Cortik gets closer. "I didn't say you were foolish, Lord Cortik. You're quite an intelligent Lord, which is why I'm so puzzled that you're doing something that's so utterly unbecoming of a Gold Dragon man. Personally I think Lord Empyrean has given you more than enough ideas to make an actual dent in the situation, if that's what you indeed want rather than embarassing yourselves."

Dalinuel is just glad the shouting has stopped.

"Elvetus Emagalish," the sentry says, throwing his shoulders back. "Son of Elvetes, the legendary Rock of the Gold Dragon clan. Faithful disciple of the one true god, Zutiv!" Just look at that puffed-out chest. The pride is strong with this one.

Cortik narrows his eye and looks quite upset with Marsalos. Then he looks around, "Well, clearly Phillida is cowardly as well! She's bound to have heard us shouting and yet... where is she? She's not only a pagan, and a woman, but also a coward afraid to face any criticism! See what she will be passing on to young impressionable minds? I would be quite worried for the poor Elianiks.

Dalinuel snorts. "If I was a young woman with small children, I would not come out here to talk to you. You are acting like bullies." Even as he says this, he bows to Lord Cortik. Polite little Bear he is. "Why do you not invite her to debate you or something like that instead of shouting and yelling?"

Empyrean shakes his head. "Lord Cortik, it is clear you want someting changed. In order to change it, use your wits." Then he looks over Elvetus. "Sentry. That is quite a few many titles for a man like you. Mer Elve shall do." He deems as he looks back to Cortik. "Shouting at the Priestess will not change anything. Shouting in the halls will not change anything. Petitioning to your Clan Leader with the signature of notable noble houses behid it will. You are too scared to know that I am right."

"And why should she answer to your criticism, Lord Cortik?" Marsalos asks the Gold Dragon, his voice quite mild. "When she has been sanctioned by a power above both hers and yours. It seems to me that the true cowardice lies in one that would rather take an easy action that will lead nowhere, rather than be bold and go and make the changes you see fit to be made. Just as Lord Empyrean keeps telling you. You do respect his wisdom, don't you?"

Phillida appears coming from the direction of Lord Zin's temple, her guards around her, gait steady and calm. Her hairpins are pinned quite securely, hands clasped loosely in front of herself.

Cortik sends a withering glare toward Dalinuel but doesn't say anything to him. Instead he looks back and forth between Empyrean and Marsalos, "You both are right, and both are wrong! I will do exactly as you say, and I am sure His Honor Ojitar Firgalik will move to make it right. But never forget, there is NO power above Zutiv, Lord Marsalos."

Marsalos is standing facing Cortik, and at the Gold Dragon's pronouncement he gestures with one hand. "I believe in Lord Zutiv as well, Lord Cortik. And that if he means for you to succeed, he will allow it. Don't you?"

Cortik notes Phillida's arrival and looks at Marsalos with a triumphant gaze, "It seems He DOES allow it, Lord Marasalos... for here is the very priestess we summoned!"

Empyrean nods, "I believe in His power as well," he says, looking to the sky. Then he looks back at Cortik. "Perhaps He is waiting for his servant Lord Cortik to take the messages of His people to His Clan Leader. Otherwise, He may choose someone else for this mission and you will lose out on glory." And just as Phillida arrives he turns and notes her presence. "Oh good, a true debate can begin."

Phillida comes to a halt on the Sacred Path, curtseying politely. "Good lords. Good morning to you all. I understand that my presence was desired; and so I am here. I apologize that you had to wait, but I was in the midst of some of my religious duties. How is it that I may assist you?"

"Ah yes, now you don't actually have to -do- anything," Marsalos replies to Cortik, mildly. He folds his hands relaxedly behind his head, watching.

Elvetus bristles at Empyrean's shortening of his name, but is cut off from any kind of reply by the arrival of Phillida. He rounds on her and all the frustration he came here with is just added to what's been piled on in the last few minutes. "YOU! You devious, scheming, shameless pagan, the poison in the cup of the Republic! Will you stop at nothing to turn Zutiv against our lands? What will become of our royal family now? Bad enough they already believe in the ways of the pagans, but to be educated by a /woman/!"

Cortik ignores Marsalos's comment and approaches Phillida, "You hide behind other people's decisions, hide behind your false gods, and you hide from the truth! Mistakes were made and I WILL see that His Honour Ojitar brings this to issue. What sort of future Royals will we have when they are educated by... women?" he pauses for effect and then answers his own question, "Weak ones! How can we avoid that? The obvious answer is to to seek out Male Priests to put a strong influence! You should know this, Priestess! It's only your greed for power that drives you now!"

Phillida looks around very slightly for a moment. Devious? Scheming? Shameless? /Her?/ For one self-conscious moment, her hand lifts to touch her hairpins. Nope, they're still there. She looks at Elvetus with a briefly puzzled look, then at Marsalos and Empyrean with a sort of 'has he got sunstroke?' look. She then turns a violet glance back at Cortik and Elvetus. "My lord and mer... I am certain that you will permit me to make a brief statement in response? After all, while I may be a ... mere ... woman," she lowers her gaze, "I am certain that you both are, as you say, devout in your following of Lord Zutiv. As such, any gleanings of information which I may humbly offer you will only be of effect if Lord Zutiv wills. Allow me that opportunity, if you will. You have gone to some considerable effort to find me, after all, and I know that you would not have done so for mere violent purpose, upon this holy place."

Marsalos' hand drops in a relaxed motion to the hilt of his sword as the distance closes between members of the group. Not drawing, not even close really. But there. He catches Phillida's look and gives a shrug of one shoulder. Brain freeze, maybe.

By the fact that Elvetus's hands are out in the air, gesticulating emphatically during his speech, it should be obvious that he's nowhere near to drawing a weapon. He may be passionate, and stubborn, and yes, rather immature, but he's not /stupid/.

Empyrean listens to the debate begin. He also listens to many words spread through out the city as this debate goes on. Summoning a messenger, he sends one away and deals with those while he looks on. "No," he finall says something aloud. "Nobody is stupid enough to strike a priestess on holy place. Not even Mer Elve, though given he seems like a very ... slow individual." A smile as he says that then back to messenger land.

Cortik does, however, nod to Phillida, "Go on, then. Speak your piece if you think there is some excuse for you."

Phillida answers tranquilly, "As I had said, I am certain that such is no purpose of yours. I do not know, my lord, sir, if either of you attended the Religious Council, as I do not know of your standing, if you are priest or no. However, I will inform you of details which may have... been lost, in the busy-ness and hubbub of such." She looks briefly to either monotheist, voice calm, patient. "First, know that I am only advisor to the royal Elianik family, and I do not seek to sway any of them from their beliefs. Those who follow Lord Zutiv are free to choose not to avail themselves of my services, and I have and shall make no effort to coerce or sway them otherwise. Second, know that my appointment was chosen by Lord Taleo Teranzik, the Viceroy himself. Clan Leader Fidelia Ista Aldrik confirmed this appointment - but they are far above me. I have no influence over them, to seek to convince them against their will, or the will of Lord Zutiv! I am sure that you do not have doubt in your faith; I ask you to consider this, and see it for what it is. Lastly," she looks again briefly between Cortik and Elvetus, "lastly ... the deadline for application for this position was extended twice, my lord; mer. Because Her Honour had received no applications from any priest of Lord Zutiv, and she wished to ensure that a fair chance was given. I cannot say as to the workings of his temple, nor would I dream of doing so. Such is not my place. But the choice was made, and it seems unlikely, with these times and opportunities, that it was done outside of Lord Zutiv's will. Are you suggesting that your holy faith is so weak that it can be rocked by a simple common woman as /myself/?"

Dalinuel is just glad that the shouting has stopped. He slips back inside so he can get to sleep, after checking up on the orphans, of course.

Cortik looks to Elvetus and then Phillida. He then speaks quietly to the other Gold Dragon.

Cortik mutters to Elvetus, "We're out numbered here on their lands. They're trying to twist it around that WE are somehow losing faith. How insulting... I say we leave and let these pagans lap at each other's wounds. We'll get His Honor Ojitar to work on this!"

More speeches. Marsalos idly picks at his fingernails while the Gold Dragons regroup and then glances up and over at Empyrean. "Well, congratulations, Lord Captain," he says, keeping his words under his breath.

Elvetus nods at whatever Cortik is muttering to him, and looks at Phillida. "We will take this up with the priests of the True God," he says, his tone forcedly even. He casts a heated glower at Empyrean, and turns to follow Cortik.

Cortik turns and looks at Phillida with an angry scowl, "I can see one thing they DO train your pagans in is twisting things around. OUR faith is not at question here. If it was, would we be here to challenge you? But The Viceroy made his decision, very good. I shall speak to our Clan Leader about it. This way we shall have the wheels turn for our point. And you will not twist around things to suit you. Do not forget, Zutiv punishes those who are dishonest! But now you know what we are doing and we do not sneak around and beat around the bush about it," then he gives a salute to Captain Empyrean and continues his scowl at that Marsalos, "Good day, Lords."

Phillida answers quietly, "I am sorry that your opinion is both so overwhelming and negative, my lord. May peace be upon you, however - most especially the peace of the Republic, in this time of war against our /true/ enemies. Good day."

Marsalos gives Cortik a pleasant smile at the scowl. "Be well, Lord Cortik."

Empyrean offers a wave to the Gold Dragon men. "Tell your friends about me. I do parties as well as get togethers. Diplomacy over blood spill." After that he sends a messenger out here or there before heading away himself. "Good day Lord Marsalos, it was fun as always." He does not even give the Priestess who is causing all this ruckus a look.