51 Missions Divided

High Magistrate Thoran tried his best to summarize the event, and waited for the response of his companions.

Leia was silent the whole time, but Sister Liz knew she wanted to say something. Gently touching the hand of the younger woman, she smiled knowingly. Turning to the High Magistrate, she asked what Leia wanted to voice out. "This uprising… Who would ever lead such a group?"

"They called themselves the Clandestine Order. I am ashamed to say that the one who led them was one of us High Magistrates. His name was Duke Elethorne." Thoran quickly gulped down his tea as if the mention of the name tasted bitter in his mouth.

"Was?", Sister Liz noticed the use of past tense in addressing the said leader.

"Yeah. The Lord Magistrate personally drove a bolt through his throat." Thoran suddenly realized the detailed explanation might repulse the Sister, so he cleared his throat, and revised it. "Lord Magistrate Juron killed him during the coup. His effort gave us the morale boost that almost led us to victory, but the Clandestine Order was quick to retaliate. Two of their members rose up and rallied them and we were overwhelmed. It was fortunate that Leia and...her companions arrived in time." Thoran felt grateful for them but he somewhat felt uneasy with the hooded figures.

Sister Liz once again, as if reading Thoran's mind, promised to tell him all about his mysterious rescuers later.

"You said that two of the Clandestine Order stepped up as the new leaders. Who were these two?"

Thoran's face turn grim at the question. "Its the Magus couple; Rhael and Agaven Stedore."

His reply was short but it was enough to surprise those listening. Leia remembered seeing them when she and the hooded figures rescued what's left of the Watch but she didn't expect them to be leading the uprising that put her father at such a state. A newfound fury started to burn within her, but she kept it in check.

Even Sister Liz, calm and composed as she is, was shaken. Her thoughts immediately went to Sera and how she ignorantly gave up the person she cared for the most to a horrible people. She wanted to cry, she wanted to be angry but what good would it do now. Not being able to take it anymore, Sister Liz stood up and walked out of the tent.

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"I'm sorry for taking off like that. I just needed some air.", Sister Leia apologized as she entered the tent, Leia and Thoran still at the small table. Her lips were smiling but her eyes showed sadness.

"No, I was to blame, Sister.", Thoran immediately conceded. "Lady Althemor has told me everything and I am deeply sorry if I caused an inconvenience. I assure you, it won't happen again."

Leia once again frowned at the use of formality but decided not to say anything about it anymore.

"Now that you've told me that, I'm beginning to think that the Stedores were the ones who planned the devastation of our orphanage." Sister Liz mused aloud. "Right now, however, I fear for the life of the girl I sent to them for adoption. Did you hear any information about her, High Magistrate?"

"I'm afraid I haven't, Sister."

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The tent had gone silent, the three people within just staring at their empty cups.

Leia felt for Sister Liz. She knew the older nun was only almost at her limit keeping it all together and now she's heard devastating news. She spoke to break the ice, and also to open a new topic.

"High Magistrate, when we went in to save you, you asked me to bring along the large mechanism in which you were strapped on to. What is it exactly?"

"Ah, yes. It's called the Nullifier. It's your father's plan to prevent the 'Rapture Event' from happening." Thoran was glad to have a new topic. The last ones were bad enough and he even upset Sister Liz. This one was somewhat his expertise. 'Hopefully, I won't screw this one up.'

"See, the Nullifier was designed to repel or even extinguish anything that has to do with magic. It was supposed to be a countermeasure to the disturbances felt in the leylines. However, due to the coup instigated by the Clandestines, the plan didn't pull through. What's worse, the Nullifier might have been damaged in the battle, and now, we need to find the only person, Chrion, who can fix it and bring him here.

I was hoping, Sister, that you could spare some of your personnel to accompany me in finding Chrion. I would also like to request Leia Althemor to join this mission."

Sister Liz was about to respond when a hooded figure entered the tent. He approached the nun and whispered something to her ear and stepped back after.

Sister Liz face was more serious than ever, but instead of deep sadness, her eyes showed determination.

"Your request will be granted, High Magistrate Thoran.", she spoke in a strong tone. "Three of my guards will accompany you in your quest, but I'm afraid that's all I can do for you now. I have received news of the Stedores and it gives us hope regarding the situation of Sera. A recent incident at the Stedore Estate might have given Sera the chance to escape, and I'll need Sister Leia to lead the mission to find her and bring her home."