Chapter 651: Balance (2/2)

The Minister smiled. “The lengths I went to for this view,” she said and shook her head lightly. “I’m glad you could make it. Claire informed us of your coming but I hadn’t expected you so early in the morning,” she said and gestured to the comfortable looking chair in front of the large wooden desk.

Ilea accepted the invitation. “I’m sure neither of us needs a lot of sleep anymore.”

“And yet it’s still such a wonderful thing, isn’t it? If only there was less work and more competent people to assign it to,” the woman said. “I heard of your plans to visit Halstein. Perhaps it’s too late, but I should warn you about the Corinth Order. Their reputation and current state suggest motives that may endanger both you and your allies.”

“I appreciate it,” Ilea said. “But that’s already been dealt with.”

If the woman knew about her planned visit, she would surely be informed of what happened in Halstein within the week.

The Minister blinked and nodded lightly. “I can offer you five gold pieces for any information you’re willing to share on that subject.”

“I’ll let Claire decide what exactly my information should be worth. If you’re willing to accept that trade?” Ilea said. If the Order of Balance wanted to make gold with healing, she would just deflect their attacks at her most efficient shield and weapon. Claire Russel.

The woman smiled and leaned back. “Tea?” she asked, summoning a kettle.

“Gladly,” Ilea said.

Two cups appeared on the desk, the woman filling them with meticulous care. “Brewed perfectly. Curious how some storage items manage to keep such things frozen in time.”

“It’s a great benefit,” Ilea said, using some ash to get the cup. Maybe one day I’ll be able to understand what’s happening within them.

“I can assume then that any discussion of specifics will be left with your southern ally?” the woman asked.

“Depends on what specifics exactly. She doesn’t speak for me, and I don’t speak for her. But if you mean assets and trade, then yes,” Ilea answered.

“I understand. I’ll have to find time for a visit then. Both to talk to her and the Headmaster of your Sentinels. Can I assume your announcement to focus on adventuring teams and hunting monsters to be sincere?” the woman asked.

“We don’t train healers to stay behind walls. But I can’t speak for all Sentinels. For now I think all of them would find that prospect both boring and a waste of their time. And I don’t think that will change with future recruits,” Ilea said. “Your name is curious. How should I address you?”

“Genesis is perfectly fine. Is Lady Lilith acceptable to you?” the woman asked.

“Just Lilith is fine,” Ilea said.

“Lilith then. I’m glad to hear it from you personally. Then I believe there won’t be any major issues between our Order and your organization. And should any arise nonetheless, I’m sure we can solve them through various agreements and non violent ways,” Genesis said.

Ilea smiled. “I’m sure we can. As long as you don’t hunt healers or let people die because they can’t pay for your services.”

Genesis looked at her for a moment. “Curious. I hadn’t thought you a humanitarian. No member of the Order of Balance can speak for all the healers trained and associated with us. There surely has been death and suffering caused by those refusing services. Though most people who choose to become healers don’t do so for monetary gain alone. Internal rules forbid such actions but it’s impossible to survey everyone at all times, I’m sure you understand that.”

“What did yo think of me then?” Ilea asked, curious to hear what someone in the woman’s position had to say about Lilith. “And of course. If you don’t promote such actions or actively ignore them, you’re already worlds ahead of others.”

Genesis sipped on her tea, keeping her light blue eyes on Ilea. “What did I think of you… well I didn’t think you’d be interested in an old Minister’s opinion. Many who choose the path of adventuring don’t care for much other than themselves, let alone those who manage to join the Shadow’s Hand. There are outliers of course, and you are one of them, in more than one way.

“There are many stories and songs about you. Bardish drivel, tales to propagate one thing or the other, paid for by interest groups unknown to me. Or perhaps all true, understated even? I thought many things, but I knew nothing until you entered this very room. Now that I see you… that I perceive the magic flowing through your veins. Well, let’s say I doubt the three marks shown to me by my skill are an illusion. Which makes me think the stories are but a fraction of your true exploits.”

Ilea smirked, sipping on her tea. “Delicious mix,” she said. “You don’t seem to be bothered much by that fact. Can I assume you’ve seen other three marks before?”

“Thank you. It’s a past time of mine. Sadly much of the city’s reserves were plundered or burned down during the siege. It takes years and years to cultivate some of these herbs,” she said and sighed. “To answer your questions, no. I haven’t, though I wouldn’t share that information with you for free. My lack of mindless terror stems from the fact that you seem a human being with the capacity for thought and communication. Quite unlike some of this Empire’s high ranking nobility, as well as some Ministers of the very Order I find myself a part of.”

The woman leaned back and sighed, closing her eyes as she took another sip. “To an extent it’s refreshing. It’s been a long time since someone made me feel this way. No matter what I would do, it feels like I’m standing in front of a creature entirely beyond my own ability. So far so that this conversation lacks entirely in tension. We both know the position we are in, from a more primal and magical perspective. You chose to adhere to the rules set by our societies and morals, I thank you for that. A lot of unnecessary suffering could’ve been prevented over the centuries if humans of high power had chosen to do the same.”

Ilea smiled. “I’m not a monster, despite the numerous allegations. Nor am I a god or queen for that matter, and I never will be.”

“It usually depends on perspective, though I must admit that I’m impressed. You must have something in your heart that prevents the corruption brought by power,” Genesis said, looking out onto the lake.

A love for good food, Ilea thought, not entirely sure she hadn’t been corrupted in some ways already. But she supposed if she didn’t start slaughtering entire populations on a conquering march for Sentinel dominance, she shouldn’t be too hard on herself.

“What keeps you from turning into a mindless beast?” Ilea asked, following the woman’s gaze.

“Order. Love. Tea. Not entirely in that order. I once fought creatures in the wild. Everyone close to three hundred did. It’s a rush, one that could take over quickly back within a city’s walls. Why should orders matter when they come from someone far below one’s capabilities? Why should laws be obeyed when the entire guard of a settlement could not stop me? I fear the day when someone with no purpose or reason but their own self reaches heights such as yours,” Genesis mused.

“There are those who would intervene,” Ilea said.

“Like we intervened in Baralia? How many tens of thousands died?” she asked, both remaining quiet for a while. Genesis sipped from her tea again before she spoke once more. “Apologies, Lilith. I assure you I don’t normally bore my guests with such thoughts. But sitting across a being such as you, it didn’t seem to matter. Thank you, for not ridiculing an old woman. Even though you may very well be older than me. I accept the terms then, whatever information you have on the Corinth Order, I would like to hear it. And we will compensate your organization in turn. Or Ravenhall itself, if that is your wish.”

Ilea waved her off. “Just mention it to Claire,” she said and quickly outlined what had happened in Halstein.

“The Speaker… is dead. That may change things. With Donnavon and Mateo in a position to make decisions. I have only little information on Bryce but if what you say of him is true, it may be incredibly beneficial,” Genesis said. “Thank you.”

“Beneficial for whom?” Ilea asked with a grin, leaning back as she finished her cup of tea.

“For us of course. And every healer in Elos. But mostly us. The Corinth were the main reason our Order hasn’t managed to expand much in Kroll or the independent cities in the west, though the latter hasn’t been much of a problem since the Elven attacks,” she said in a dry tone.

“Few options to expand into ruins. Riverwatch, Stormbreach, and Dawntree should be doing fine however,” Ilea said.

“Riverwatch prefers to train their own healers. Though not to the benefit of their population. Perhaps we can come to better arrangements now that they’re so closely connected to an independent Ravenhall. Dawntree won’t accept another Healing Order within its natural walls for a generation or two, and Stormbreach… has their own Order,” she said.

How much does she know, I wonder?

Ilea didn’t know which she thought more beneficial, the Order of Balance or the Order of Benevolence. “I was wondering why there weren’t more adventuring healers if you don’t actively prevent yours from joining any teams,” Ilea asked.

“Convenience mostly. Healers who join our Order have to work within our temples for many years. Lucrative positions, mind you. Most find it difficult to let go of the prestige and comforts that come with being a healer,” Genesis said, gesturing around herself to underline the point. “And those who don’t either die in one dungeon or the other, join the guard or military, or they return after seeing a little too much violence and death.”

“I admire your wish to support adventurers with capable healers, and to train healers that can hold their own in the first place. But I can’t imagine the gold you invested into this endeavor. I hope it doesn’t turn out a massive failure,” the woman said.

Ilea couldn’t help but laugh.

“Did I offend you?” Genesis asked.

“No, no. I like your bluntness,” Ilea said.

“Is my suggestion so ridiculous then? We have both seen the creatures out there, you to an extent I could likely not even comprehend,” Genesis said.

“You haven’t met a Sentinel yet, have you?” she asked.

The woman shook her head. “I’ve only heard of a few individuals taking on missions already.”

“You might understand it once you meet them,” Ilea said.