It's frequently weird being a priest of the goddess of oracles. But it's been getting weirder. A godwar happened, and he happened to learn, without seeking it out, that this had been foretold.
And now... another is. At a specific place, on a specific day, at a specific exact time.
And though he can't speak it, can barely even think it, there's more.
And there are the rumors. His clients, congregation, whatever you call them, all keep hearing things. Even the merchants in distant ports.
The godwar's instigator, Carissa Sevar, will defy Achaechak. Defy Asmodeus Himself. She will be Lawful Evil, a Lady of Hell, but one who would never destroy her possessions. That when you see the sky go mad once more, she will want your help.
It's absurd. Impossible. Extremely heretical and illegal, in Cheliax. But those who hear it don't forget, nor do they discount it entirely. And so, neither does Theopho.
Well. If there's going to be a show, he knows who to invite as his plus-one.
Tessane,
Have you heard the rumors about the new prophecy of Absalom? I won't claim to know their accuracy, but I'm confident something is going to happen. Care to join me that afternoon?
Theo
Is even that much still illegal?
But she has, actually, heard. She is an Archcountess and nobility of her grade are allowed to speculate about many things that are nominally forbidden.
And, of course, Sevar is now in charge. Which should have been impossible, that fast. And Theo... knows things he has no right knowing, which no one else she encounters knows.
Not that she needs that much temptation.
Oh good.
He's bought a scroll that will turn most of a stone wall to a window for a day or two. If there's going to be lights in the sky, he wants a good view.
And it distracted him from the other prediction, the one he can't speak. He's also been pretty busy as a counselor. Upheaval in the government will do that.
But when the day arrives, he's sent people away. He'll be with a friend whatever happens, right up until the end.
"Tess!," he says once she's let herself in, "Good to see you."
"Extremely. Between the wild rumors about Korvosa, and then Wanshou, and then Absalom, and the assassination that seemed to stick. Not to mention the geopolitics."
"I'm also kind of shit at it. Help people understand their own concerns and what to do about things they don't quite know, sure. Predict other people, and lots of them? Even when I'm trying my hardest I'm not you. So, you know, I can honestly say that I'm not worth asking about them."
"Just not today, alright? It's either going to be dull or very interesting, and either way I'd like to relax."
"They're international. I asked a contact to check Taldor and she said it's been heard as far east as Vudra. Could just be Sevarist cults, but I don't see how anyone could pull off that kind of propaganda win that fast." And he has other reasons to think it's weird.
"Or why they'd want to have it be rumor. No one's promulgating it. And she's our Empress, she could."
"That, too. It's a puzzle. And it means... someone powerful wants something to happen. Today. And I'm not betting against them."
"I'm sure she's involved. But no. It's one of the oracles, or involves them. Either the Nethysian, or She Who Bears Cake and Death."
"Does she really? Only, I've heard that she's the Most High's favorite, and it's... completely undignified."
"Oh yes. She's... well, I don't know what she is, exactly, but she's an oracle of Cayden Cailean, with a curse and blessing never seen before, and she hates the indignity of it the way paladins hate Hell."
"With grudging acceptance that sometimes they have to work with it to close the Worldwound?"
View Flat HTML
View Metadata
Search Post
