Approaching

The news from Priscilla that Novigrad was likely to be taken by Radovid relatively soon was troubling to some leaders of Ichor, the more aggressive of the bunch declaring they should just wipe out both factions and everyone else who disagrees with them. Reima refused though, not really giving a shit about Novigrad, it being the home of the Eternal Fire church, as well as its leader's.

He knew eventually he'd get to deal with them, but for now he was happy to sit and wait until his baited target rolls up with their army in tow.

It'd taken another week for the Chaos Covenant temple to be constructed, the place itself looking as if it'd come straight out of Izalith. Long stairways with Dark Red braziers dotting the place, gold inscriptions that supposedly help new Pyromancers have a better chance at controlling their flames without burning to death.

With its completion they'd already had a few people who wanted to learn the art, they were wary once they learned they'd have to pledge allegiance to the sisters but relaxed when they learned Reima, their king, had gone through a similar process.

Quelana had only allowed a single flame elemental monster of a similar composition to Grillby to join. Due to their spiritual forms it was suspected they'd instantly burn to death after igniting their soul to create their Pyromancer Flame. He'd be under constant supervision with at least one of the sisters guiding him when he trained. They were called Keahi, and didn't seem to mind the prospect of "burning to death", probably because they were already eternally burning.

Despite the sisters being the leaders of the Chaos Covenant, it was Reima who was the most highly regarded, essentially being the new bearer of the Chaos Soul. Reima himself didn't really mind much, the main hall of the temple being large enough to hold Gwynevere's couch, allowing him to finally slouch around on it for hours on end... Though the sisters would take advantage of its presence when he wasn't around, Quelaag doing it even if he was.

Additionally, the temple had a hole designed to be big enough for the Eternal Dragon to slip his head through, allowing it to converse with his niece and a few others he found interesting enough to engage with. When asked whether it was comfortable for him to do he replies with, "Nothing comforts me anymore, nor does anything cause me discomfort. My place as a protector and a guide suits me well, and provides me with meaning."

On the other side of the same mountain was the Absolver temple, Risryn keeping the name of the elite warriors just to spite the Guides. The mountain path was paved and made easily identifiable for those attempting to reach the peak. She'd stayed true to her words at preventing anyone from dying to become a Prospect, though to prevent those unsuitable for the test she added a three-strike system, essentially if you fail to climb the mountain three times then you are barred from taking on a mask.

A few Prospects had already given up their masks, mental illness, boredom, fatigue, and wishing to do something else with their lives were a few reasons given. A more common, morbid one however, was that some just wished to live out their natural lifespan and die, finally being freed from "Eternal Torment", though Reima thought they were just being melodramatic.

The Absolver temple itself looks similar to most of the architecture in Raslan, though the religious symbols were obviously missing. He was surprised to find training equipment similar to the things you'd find on earth... Wooden dummies, brick walls to harden your bones, etc. Most importantly to Risryn however was a spot atop the temple where the mountain winds were strongest, this was supposed to force deep meditation in preparation for receiving a mask, a process which has caused weaker willed men to go insane in the past. Though this was likely due to the Guides irresponsibility.

With the two temples now beginning to train the new generation of warriors, Reima thought everything was going fine. During a meeting in the War Room Iorveth had some news that'd only improve his mood.

Iorveth walks to the table and points nearby the Valley entrance, "My men have spotted Kaedweni forces gathering here, siege equipment, armoured cavalry, witch hunters, you name it... This is obviously an army meant for us." he states, causing most of the room to go silent.

Geralt "Hmm, your plan's working then Reima."

Eyes turn to Reima in confusion, wondering how he'd planned this.

Iorveth "I don't know about you, but I'd rather not be in the dark, especially on military matters." he says with a scowl.

Reima shrugs, "I stole one of Mensfeld's spies and had them report that we are defenceless with no standing military aside from the few Prospects they saw."

...

Vesemir "But why? Are you trying to start a war Reima?" he asks, clearly bothered by this news.

Reima nods, "I'd rather not go looking for a fight, but will gladly slap the faces of anyone who tries to harm us. Redania and Kaedwen have both tried tactics I personally deem disgusting and dishonourable, so... I'm going to have Kaedwen tell everyone that we are not to be bothered again."

Quelaag grins sadistically, "By making smoke signals with their burnt corpses?"

Reima snorts, "While that sounds hilarious, I think letting a few survive would be the easier method of doing it."

Vesemir "Any reason you didn't wish to inform any of us about this until now?" he asks, a few others nodding.

Reima "Because you'd probably disagree." he says with a laugh, a few others snickering with him.

Vesemir sighs, "Well, please just let us know when you want to engage in warfare... I'd rather be prepared for when it next happens."

Kuretz "Please, you think anyone's going to fight us after we shit on the approaching army?" he asks loudly, the rest of the room shaking their heads.

Reima nods, "Good, then we're in agreement? Not that there's any other way anymore."