Bloodbath coming

[Rhaine]

It was a scream, in the depth of darkness inside the temple. Her nature of biomage sensed the multiple deaths and energy splashing... Waste of energy. Or not really a waste? Was someone else picking up the precious streams of lives released from physical bodies? And who was butchering the dhoine?

The answer pulsed in the back of her mind. This reminded too much the bloody insanity of myr'khulians, and who else would answer the call of bloodbath with such zeal? Who else beside Vanion?

The death squad leaders were already at the doors of her chambers, as well as her representative from Mentar Station.

"Alarming news, High Priestess. Multiple murders... no, it's a damn butchery in the city. I suspect the half-sane cult you've mentioned," one of squad leaders spoke, the ever-calm tone of blademaster faded into disturbed, rambling whisper.

"Everything reeks with blood," Keith nodded. "Are we going to try to stop this?"

"No," Rhaine's voice was cold and resolute.

"But... why?! How?! They'll be shredding the city to nothing!" mentari pilot seemed stressed.

"Vanion is no fool. Your reaction might be precisely something he is expecting. We will have time to react when our intrusion is necessary. Now - out. We should be ready," her voice vibrated with command tone. Disobeying was hardly possible for disciplined squad leaders.

One questioning was Keith. Young man's face reflected nervousness beyond usual.

"What if we are too late?" he asked. "You seemed to like this city..."

"Did I not order to leave, Althos?"

[Rhaine]

Rhaine was no mentalist herself, although certain psionic abilities were common for all asmodean priests. Kitty's call was way too audible. Not disturbing or unexpected, but ... distracting. After ordering the tiny army of asmodean death squads to stay and wait in readiness, she paced nervously across her study. What if her decision was wrong? What if Vanion uses this bloodshed to unify and conquer the city? But how? Organized resistance might kick him stronger than he suspects...

In such situations she used to talk to someone and discuss the situation. But not anymore. Vitus was deep in the mission assigned to him. Raevyx... Lord only knows where he was. Rhaine has not seen him for a long time.

Again alone. Now with this ridiculous bloodbath in city. Artemus is not an asmodean, and he would hardly participate in the events. Nae'Bris? He idolized her, and followed her without question, unpleasantly reminding of William Cawtone. No one with full understanding of the events to argue with her. Keith Althos? Hardly, he knows only his part of the deal, Rhaine herself did her best in limiting his knowledge. And now she was paying for this - by pacing restlessly, like a caged animal...

[Rhaine]

Rhaine Rustovich, High Priestess of Asmodeus, stared into nowhere with her dark, unhuman eyes. Few were aware she could not see the light of day. Even fewer knew the world she could see. Orders she received were clear - watch and keep from interfering. There will be a time to strike, a time to make sure status quo is kept.

One splash of energy after another. One death after another. She knew this manner. She could see the Catholic "watch" as they called it, trying to get into position to counterattack. So far there was nothing uncommon.

Will there be any pity for the dhoine that died as a sacrifice to Chaos? Hardly. The asmodean priestess could not see distinct faces in this mass of flesh and blood, dying worshippers of something she could never understand. Sheep.

Death after death. Cold and clarity were slowly flowing in her mind. Myr'khulians seemed to provoke retaliation intentionally. Were these deaths a sacrifice to Myr'Khul? Quite likely. At least she could expect such behavior from followers of chaos and destruction. Her knowledge - both given to her by her Binding and granted by Asmodeus - allowed to build several theoretical schemes of how this could develop. And not a single variant she liked. And in all of them, she had to keep the death squads for refined, precise strike.

Patience, she told herself. Patience. There was no way to see precisely which variant of events unfolding would be more likely. Warfare was always slightly unpredictable. She watched the gold-and-white colored elves (at least the spectral images were predominantly gold and white...) join the Templars. Unhuman eyes switched to the beautiful, orderly ranks of Death Squads. Ready and set.

Send me a sign...

[Rhaine]

Catholics gained another ally. This had to be stopped. Rhaine felt it with her entire skin, as the order resonated within her.

Jewell and Renna. Elemental magic of Water and dark magic. Good. Nothing unexpected. Rhaine checked the spellup pills she had to prepare for the warriors.

Ready.

[Rhaine]

One thing she had to do, before having the squads rush in, was contacting Vanion. Rhaine was rather reluctant to do this. She remembered how Vanion almost destroyed her, and wasn't really inclined to forgive such things. However he was to be assisted, given the circumstances. She phrased it carefully enough, without unneeded promises.

"Hail to thee, old acquaintance. Warriors of Asmodeus are having maneuvers in the Old Temple District, somewhat near the river. Please ensure no unnecessary aggression from your men."

And don't expect us to treat you nicely if any of your madmen tries to get to us, she thought to herself. We're no allies, we're just temporarily having same enemies. Though I did like having your warriors on our side in the times of Dark Alliance.... Naturally, she did not transmit these thoughts.