06-23-2014, 03:40 PM
"Us,"
she cut in in firmly. "It could get us in trouble."
Or killed, most likely. But the point was that Tehya was firmly on side, and with such a strong resonance of loyalty it was unmistakable. She might be uncertain of the methods, vague as they still were, but the determination with which she greated the cause was solid.
"Killing the Ascendancy changes nothing. The CCD will crumble, and others will rise in his place. We will trade one prominant god for several, most like. It will mean war. Yet, if we do nothing, others will one day rise to challenge him. War will still result, and innocents will still suffer. The Atharim... we are not equipped for conflict on that scale. Our only hope is to quash it before it gains momentum. Killing achieves nothing. Villfying children only teaches hate. And fear."
And women, at least, did Sickened young. Such youth would be easier to focus, to train a moral core; just as her Dustu had done for her her. She was thinking long term, beyond her own mortal years. "Working with the gods, teaching them of their gifts. Of their responsbility. A daunting task, but ultimately worthwile. Convincing our brethren, though."
A bitter laugh, the memories of her own past a deluge. She missed her grandfather so desperately in that second; his tolerance and foresight and love. Most of all his trust in her, to take the risk that allowed her to live. It was thinking of them, and more specifically the consequences they might face, that deadened her tongue to admitting to Aria what she was. The risk to herself she would take, but to them? Even across the ocean, where the religious arm of the Atharim had a lesser touch, where Atharim worked alone or in familial groups. It still worried her. "You are right. The ruse of control will be necessary."
She crossed the room, took the chair at the desk that Aria hadn't. It had probably been a polite gesture from the off, but Tehya had only now relaxed enough to accept the offer. Though perhaps relax was the wrong word, by the serious cast of her expression. Thoughts tumbled through her head, the calculation of danger - the long horizon of the future, the image of which nudged her towards the risk. Her gaze drew up. She had moved to allow Aria freedom to run for the door for a reason. "I trust you, Aria. And you can trust me. I swear an oath on it."
There was rarely anything light about Tehya, but the weight of promise in her words now eclipsed even her usual sobriety. It took a second longer than usual, battling back the instincts she had spent a lifetime honing, but with an upturned palm she allowed a single flame to dance. "I can help you in this goal."
she cut in in firmly. "It could get us in trouble."
Or killed, most likely. But the point was that Tehya was firmly on side, and with such a strong resonance of loyalty it was unmistakable. She might be uncertain of the methods, vague as they still were, but the determination with which she greated the cause was solid.
"Killing the Ascendancy changes nothing. The CCD will crumble, and others will rise in his place. We will trade one prominant god for several, most like. It will mean war. Yet, if we do nothing, others will one day rise to challenge him. War will still result, and innocents will still suffer. The Atharim... we are not equipped for conflict on that scale. Our only hope is to quash it before it gains momentum. Killing achieves nothing. Villfying children only teaches hate. And fear."
And women, at least, did Sickened young. Such youth would be easier to focus, to train a moral core; just as her Dustu had done for her her. She was thinking long term, beyond her own mortal years. "Working with the gods, teaching them of their gifts. Of their responsbility. A daunting task, but ultimately worthwile. Convincing our brethren, though."
A bitter laugh, the memories of her own past a deluge. She missed her grandfather so desperately in that second; his tolerance and foresight and love. Most of all his trust in her, to take the risk that allowed her to live. It was thinking of them, and more specifically the consequences they might face, that deadened her tongue to admitting to Aria what she was. The risk to herself she would take, but to them? Even across the ocean, where the religious arm of the Atharim had a lesser touch, where Atharim worked alone or in familial groups. It still worried her. "You are right. The ruse of control will be necessary."
She crossed the room, took the chair at the desk that Aria hadn't. It had probably been a polite gesture from the off, but Tehya had only now relaxed enough to accept the offer. Though perhaps relax was the wrong word, by the serious cast of her expression. Thoughts tumbled through her head, the calculation of danger - the long horizon of the future, the image of which nudged her towards the risk. Her gaze drew up. She had moved to allow Aria freedom to run for the door for a reason. "I trust you, Aria. And you can trust me. I swear an oath on it."
There was rarely anything light about Tehya, but the weight of promise in her words now eclipsed even her usual sobriety. It took a second longer than usual, battling back the instincts she had spent a lifetime honing, but with an upturned palm she allowed a single flame to dance. "I can help you in this goal."