So Manna is under house arrest and things really don't look great. Lucky Karina was nowhere in sight for the Council to arrest her too:-/ ( Manna knew what she was doing hen she sent her away ;-)) Dara told the Council that the High Priestess would be arriving soon...Ready to meet her? New character alert. Meet Simar Temdin :-)

Manna

Manna spent a sleepless night under her roof. Avery had not been satisfied with less than four guards keeping watch, two stationed inside her home and two by the front gate. The lack of privacy was humiliating, and though she was no longer bound, Manna felt more confined than she ever had before in her life. When the sun pierced the glass window pains, she had opened her eyes, slowly, some unconscious part of her praying that the events of the past week were perhaps all just a horrible dream. But when she rose from her bed and went to the main room of the house she saw them. Two men, neither of them familiar, guarding the door, armed with short swords.

Avery had likely chosen her guards carefully to ensure they would be strangers with no sympathy towards her. Manna wondered what Avery had told them. Without an official trial he should not have spread news of her arrest outside of the Council of course but she could not imagine that small breach of protocol would stop him from discreetly defaming her name in any way he could without drawing too much attention. He no doubt hoped to sway public opinion and influence the Councilmen who had not yet been given the chance to decide their ruling on her fate.

The number of anonymous sentries seemed excessive to her mind. She had no intention of escaping and he must know that there was nowhere for her to run. But then again, that was Avery' nature. He had a flair for excess, and he wanted to make her suffer.

 Manna wondered if Karina was still safe. She didn't trust the Council not to do something rash. If they found the girl before the Initiate had the chance to speak with her, they might take matters into their own hands just as they had attempted to before the child's birth. The Initiate would be powerless to step in if the girl was already dead.

The possibility that her charge might have already been discovered filled Manna with a cold dread and made her stomach queasy. If the girl died, she would never forgive herself. Then again, if they killed Karina before they could understand why she and Fiona had acted as they did, Manna was certain she would not have to live with that guilt for very long. It was not a pleasant thought and so she pushed it away attempting to begin her day with as much semblance of normalcy as she could manage given the armed men intruding within her home. She went to the stove, ignoring the watchful eyes following her every move, re-stoking the fire in the stove and hearth, and setting a kettle of water to boil before taking a seat at the table.

At a sudden knock on the door Manna turned her head in surprise and the two guards bristled slightly. One went to the door, hand on the hilt of his weapon. She found it almost amusing. Did they really believe that anyone would be coming to her rescue? After yesterday's announcement, Manna was fairly certain that she had no supporters left.

"Who goes there?" 

"Simar Temdin, High Priestess and head of the holy Initiate of the Senmin," a strong voice replied through the heavy wood.

The man unlatched the door cautiously and the High Priestess entered.

The High Priestess was a tall woman, and as she came through the door the room seemed to be subtly occupied by the power she exuded. The two men automatically backed away. Manna could see them eyeing her with a mixture of fear and awe. Not surprising, Simar was quite striking, and exceedingly intimidating for any not used to such strength.

 She was a good fifteen years younger than Manna herself, and had not changed much since she'd last visited Gregorn four years prior, though Simar's black hair was now streaked with perhaps a bit more white. Of course that only seemed to have added to her grander, giving her a sense of gravitas and dignity. She wore the official blue and gray of the Initiate, a shade lighter than that of the Nita.

Simar removed her cloak and held it in her hand clearly expecting one of the men to take it. After an awkward moment, one of them did. Manna noted that he made certain to avoid direct contact with the woman's hand. 

"Now," Simar said, "leave us."

The two men looked at each other uncertainly. 

"We are charged to guard the prisoner Manna Sayers," one of the men asserted.

Simar's eyes narrowed slightly. "I was unaware that the Elder Nita had yet been striped of any title. You will address her with respect." 

The man looked to his companion for backup, but he second man only put his head down, scratching the back of his neck self-consciously.

"Well she is a traitor after all and," the first man began to say, trying to defend himself, but trailed off when he saw Simar's expression. Her eyes remained stony, mouth in a flat line of disapproval. The poor man tried again. 

"I mean the allegations against her are."

"Are allegations," Simar said cutting him off. "No sentence has yet been passed."

"Yes ma'ma," he replied, lowering his head.

"Rest assured I am here to perform my duty for our people," she said. "And believe me, I have my own accusations to level at the Elder Nita." Simar cast a pointed glare in Manna's direction before turning back to the men. "I have no wish to see her escape before her alleged crimes have been duly investigated and if need be, punished. You may wait outside and guard the entrance with your comrades if you wish."

The men looked at each other again and then at Simar's imposing figure before both nodded and left. As the door latched shut, a blanket of silence covered the room. Simar turned to her and Manna slowly rose to her feet, inclining her head slightly.

"High Priestess, Simar Temdin," she said, "I welcome you to my home."

"Elder Nita Manna Sayers," Simar replied bowing slightly lower. "I am honored to be in your presence." 

Staring into the High Priestess's eyes, Manna attempted to read her mind. Simar's expression was neutral, but her manor at least implied that she maintained some degree of deference to Manna's position.

"I am heartened to see that you still respect my title," Manna said.

"As I told those men," Simar answered, "I am unaware of any official trial, or evidence brought before the Initiate that might yet have taken away your honorable position. In fact, that is what I come here now to collect, evidence."

Manna nodded and gestured towards the hearth. "Won't you please sit down," she said. You must be tired from your journey."

Simar bowed her head once more and walked with Manna to the fire, sitting across from her. Manna continued to search the High Priestess for any hint of her mind. It was strange, but with the men gone, the house suddenly appeared almost normal. This might be any other day. Simar might have been here as a friend, a welcome visitor. But of course it was only an illusion.

"It has been too long Simar," Manna said after a moment of silence had passed between them. "I am glad to see you."

"And I you. It is a shame that the distance between our homes allows us so little connection."

"Indeed." Casual conversation masking the truth. Simar had come to decide her fate and that of the girl as well. 

"I realize you have only just arrived," Manna continued, "but I assume you have been briefed on the finer details of yesterday's meeting?"

Simar nodded. "I have. By both the Council Leader and my representative, Dara Mayer."

Manna could feel her heart banging loudly within her chest. There was no question Avery wished her dead, but she wondered at the report Dara might have given. The Initiate's support was her only hope. Karina's only hope.

"I do hope for the sake of myself and my student, that their accounts differ," Manna answered, watching carefully for the woman's reaction.

Simar smiled slightly. "Yes," she replied, "Their recollection of yesterday's events, as well as their interpretation of our current predicament, were indeed different."

Manna allowed a small sigh of tentative relief to escape her lips. It was a good sign. "Well at least for that then, I am grateful."

Simar's smile faded. "But nonetheless Manna, the accusations against you and Karina Amoral are."

"Dire," Manna said, cutting her off. "Yes, Simar, I am well aware." She did not need for the High Priestess to explain to her the Council's anger. She had seen it first hand.

"And I assume you wish to contest those charges?"

Manna stared at Simar in silence, trying to imagine how best to begin. She would only have one chance to present her case to the head of the Initiate. "Can I get you some tea?" she asked after a moment.

"Are you avoiding the question?"

"I simply need to collect my thoughts," Manna replied. "Tea?"

The woman nodded.

"Always the consummate host," Simar said, as Manna went to the stove. "I remember that about you my friend, though it has been many years since I have had the pleasure of visiting your home."

"I only wish you were here under more joyous circumstances," Manna replied, offering Simar a cup of tea and a plate of biscuits, which the woman respectfully declined.

"It is you who should eat something," Simar said as Mana regained her seat, her own cup in hand. "You look as if you have not done so in days."

"The loss of Fiona has weighed very heavily on my shoulders," Manna answered. She lifted her cup to her lips with shaky hands, hoping the warm drink might sooth her as she fought to hold back tears, stealing herself against the onslaught of emotions brought on in speaking Fiona's name aloud. Simar was acting professionally. She must follow in kind. But it would not stop her from making her feelings known. "Simar, I believe that Henry Bastario murdered her."

The woman looked at her in surprise. "The King?"

"I know this is not what you have been sent here to learn, but as my time remaining on this earth may be short, I wish to impart this knowledge to someone I can trust. The charges laid against me are egregious and I fear there is little chance my words will ever again hold weight among the Council. My priority now is sparing the life of Karina Amoral and it is for her I will plead, not myself. But I do not forget the circumstances that have brought about the unfortunate state we find ourselves in. The Senmin cannot trust the King. It is what Fiona has said time and time again, and a claim I know she has laid before you in the past. Now I am convinced he has taken her life. I pass this knowledge to you with the hopes that you might still have reason to believe me. That you will impart this knowledge to the Council yourself."

Simar stared at her. "I suppose Manna that this does indeed bring us to my purpose for being here. The Council no longer trusts you. I'm sure you must know that they are fully prepared to decree that you are a traitor to the Senmin and punish you accordingly. Now is your chance to offer defense on your own behalf. I believe that is the focus our conversation must maintain. You suggest the King has murdered our leader? I see no signs that the Crown has turned against us and that alone is enough to relegate your accusations to a matter we can wait to deal with later. For now, I'd suggest you worry about your own fate."

Manna was not entirely surprised the woman would not hear her speculation on Fiona's death. After all, what she claimed would seem impossible to another. The King had already reached out in support of their loss, vowing to seek revenge on behalf of the Senmin for Fiona's murder. He had certainly taken no action to suggest he knew of the Nita's involvement with the rebels. Perhaps, given the circumstances, Simar was right to ignore these allegations against the King. The issue at hand was far more pressing.

"I am aware of the Council's condemnation and intentions," Manna answered. "They wish to see me face the death of a traitor, consumed by flame."

"You are also aware that they wish to extend this punishment to your young protégé."

Manna felt her face tighten, her hands clutching her cup with so much force she thought it would shatter. "That cannot be allowed to happen," she said.

Simar stared back, no doubt seeing the level of despair in her eyes. Manna didn't care. She put the cup down shakily, her fists clenching in an attempt to contain her desperation. Simar had to understand.

"Please," Manna said. "If you were ever my friend, if you ever held any regard for me, even a modicum of respect, I beg of you, save Karina Amoral. I care nothing for my own life if her's might be spared."

Simar stared a moment longer, a sad smile spreading across her face. "This is why Dara spoke in your defense," she said. "Your sincerity is undeniable. The idea that Fiona's child might be in danger."

"No!" Manna insisted, shaking her head with vehemence. "It has nothing to do with her being Fiona's child! She is the rightful Nita."

"Calm yourself, Manna. I believe you."

Manna was almost unable to believe the words Simar had spoken.

"The Council does not understand our role," the High Priestess continued. "They do not understand the Initiate, nor do they understand the position of the Nita. You clearly care for the girl, and if that is so, the only possible reason you would put her at such risk is that you truly believe that she is the future leader of the Senmin."

Manna stared at her, the tension slipping from her body in exhausted relief. "You cannot know how long I have waited to hear these words," she said. "To hear validation of the decision Fiona and I have dedicated our lives to for the past fifteen years."

Perhaps it changed nothing, but Simar's acknowledgment was the first glimmer of hope she had felt since the announcement. Still, the priestess's face remained grave.

"You should not have kept these matters from us."

"I know," Manna answered. "And I am prepared to face the consequences. Fiona and I intended to approach the Initiate. I swear it. We wished to wait until the girl was a bit older. Until there could be no question of her suitability. I feared putting the Initiate in such a precarious position, forced to keep secrets from the Council. It seemed best to..." she sighed. Attempts to justify her choice were useless now.

"We thought there would be more time," Manna said, fighting to choke back tears. They had been denied the chance to reveal their secret through the proper channels. Fiona's life had been cut so cruelly short. "There is no excuse for my deception. None save the fact that I believed, at the time, that it was the right thing to do to protect the girl and our people's salvation."

"Yes, the prophecy. "

"Another aspect of the meeting I am sure differs by account."

"Correct. You believe the girl will bring our salvation and so you focus on the words of the prophecy that say as much."

"That is not true," Manna said, shaking her head in frustration. "Simar, I have agonized over that prophesy in its entirety over and over again, long before I knew that Fiona was with child. But I have also raised Karina. She is good! She is strong, intelligent, and brave. More importantly, she possesses powers that our people would be fools to disregard."

"Indeed they must be taken seriously if she is the child of prophecy. I do not believe Avery Trenton disregards those powers for a second."

"He doesn't understand their potential use."

"And you do not seem to understand their potential threat."

"Of course I do!" Manna answered sharply. "How could I not?" She took a deep breath. Nothing would be accomplished if she lost her temper now. "But tell me something Simar," she continued. "If Karina's lineage was any other than what it is, who would speak of her destruction? The Council would have been oblivious to the implications. "

"And the Initiate?" she challenged. "We would not have been so ignorant."

"I knew my sisters would understand. That you and the rest of the Kesan would be able to judge rationally. We could have worked together to show the Council the great potential of the child of power."

Simar's face remained stoic. "And this is why should have told us before now Manna," she said. "Had you done so, we might not be in this unfortunate position. You have dug yourself into a hole so deep I am not certain I can help you out of it."

She wondered if Simar truly believed her own words. Manna was still certain that having revealed their secret to the Initiate when the girl was still a child would likely have brought about their demise even sooner. But there was no point in quibbling. "Do not help me then," Manna answered resolutely. "Help Karina."

Simar looked her in the eye. "I need to meet the girl to make my assessment. Will you tell me where she is?"

Manna was silent.

"Manna?"

"Can I trust you?" Manna asked after a moment. "Can I trust you to keep her safe?"

"I can only promise that I will judge her fairly." Simar placed a hand on Manna's lap. "It is the only way," she said.

Manna nodded. Of course Simar was right, but in exposing Karina's whereabouts, she would be entirely powerless to protect her. She could do nothing but have faith that the girl's strength would be enough. That Simar would not simply betray her and give Karina to the Council without question.

"I will tell you where she is," Manna said finally. "But though I have no power to threaten Simar, I beg you with all that I am, to think before you agree to hand her over to the Council."

"I cannot imagine making such a decision lightly."

Manna nodded again. "She is seeking shelter in a cabin I have not from here, in Gregorn forest. It is not more that an hour's ride. There are markers on the trees if you know to search for them. You will no doubt find it easily enough."

Simar nodded. "Elder Nita Manna Sayers, do not lose faith yet."

Manna attempted a smile, though she knew it did not have much integrity and Simar looked at her with a great sadness.

"It does pain me to see you in such a state my friend," she said after a moment. "They are not mistreating you here are they?"

"No," Manna answered with a shake of her head. "The councilmen may loathe me now, but I'm certain they still fear me as well. My guards leave me be. Besides, I have done wrong. You said it yourself, I am deserving of punishment."

"You need to keep up your strength. For the girl's sake if not your own."

Manna nodded. "I will," she said. "Anything to protect Karina Amoral and ensure she takes her rightful place among our people." She paused, looking for the right words."Simar, she knows almost nothing," Manna said finally. " She does not know of her powers or at least, she does not understand them. She does not even know of her lineage. I have done everything to hide these things from her as much as possible. I just...I thought there would be more time."

Tears began to slip down her cheeks. She did not stop them. "I have trained her, but she was unaware. She did not comprehend. Please be kind to her. I have complete faith in Karina's abilities, but in so many ways, she is still a child."

Simar nodded. "I understand," she said. "I will take all of these things into consideration."

"Thank you," Manna said. "And please thank Dara for me. If not for her I believe I would already be lost."

"I will," Simar answered as she stood to leave. "You will have our decision soon as to how we will proceed."

So...thoughts on Simar? I personally find her to be a very interesting character ( if you don't see why yet you will soon enough;-)). So far she seems at least somewhat sympathetic to Manna. Fiona always believed she would be...Remember that from way back in chapter 8? Fiona wanted to approach the Initiate when Simar was elected as High Priestess, thinking that the woman would be a good ally. Wonder how that will play out...Anyhoo, next two chapters are KARINA!!! I know she's been gone for awhile, but its finally time to get back to her POV. Another long lost character might reappear as well...