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With a faint smell of peppermint on his hands, Seval Mikin enters the throne room. "Lord Surrector?" the balding man offers to the herald in a hushed tone.
"Of course," the herald says, gesturing to the sharp-nosed man at the writing table next to the throne. "He should have time for you."
"Thank you," replies the priestly Mikin with a nod. He clasps his hands together and walks toward Gell. He regards the noblefolk as he passes by with warm smiles and sad eyes. "Lord Surrector," Seval says as he gets nearer to Gell. "My name is Seval Mikin, Dean of Light's Reach Temple. I.. I trust you are well."
"Well enough," Gell says with a brusque nod. "What brings you to the palace?"
"A most egregious thing, actually," Seval replies bowing his head. A weak smile tinges his mouth, "That's what my father called self-preservation. It isn't that outright but it feels so. I don't take pleasure in it. I've been recommended for the position of Patron. The next progression in service to the Light and realm. Naturally the next step is an interview with The Lord Surrector."
Gell Mikin lifts his eyebrows, then pushes back his chair and stands to his full height as he regards the Dean with flinty eyes. "A new Patron? Why would you want that job?"
"My Lady wife asked the same question," Seval quips, meekly. "If I may speak frankly?" he asks.
Gell Mikin nods. "Go ahead."
"I don't," Seval replies simply and pauses. "The Church needs.. a level-head and cautious wit now more than ever, though. As a matter of duty and honor for our realm and our Emperor, I believe it'd be heretical to shrug off the responsibility. The Light wouldn't look kindly on it, no. There's a shortage of men with the courage to do what must be done, I'm afraid."
"No shortage of men seeking to undermine that work, of course," the Emperor's Hawk says with a frown. He paces toward the empty throne, then stops and turns to look back at Seval. "I have known several Patrons over the years who tell the same story. Some perservered. Some fell to corruption. Some perished to conspiracies and dark intrigues. It will take more than a level head to survive."
Seval's eyes sadden and he nods sagely, "I agree, cousin. I know the stories of the Potter Priest and the conspiracies surrounding the Cleansing. My interests are simple, Lord. I care about Honor and Toil and to a much greater degree... I care about the Truth."
"Truth is not always elegant or pleasant to behold," Gell replies. "It is not something that Church leaders will want to hear. If you wish to hunt for truth, you must be ready to fight for the power of those revelations, no matter the political cost you may suffer. This job that you seek, assuming you avoid corruption, will be the death knell of any future political ambitions you might have."
"My Lady wife would tell you I'm not an ambitious man," Seval notes. "The basest essense of our being is fear. And if we avoid it, we're avoiding the truth of ourselves and leaving place for the Shadow. I'm seeing it creep into our realm, and it would be impossible for me to shut myself up from exposing it. The Light is a marvelous thing like that."
Gell Mikin gives a quick nod. "All right, then. You know the risks. Clearly, you are determined to pursue this path. The Light guides us all. We must hope that it will protect and grant us wisdom when required. I will provide my recommendation on your behalf."
"Thank you, Lord Surrector," Seval says with a warm smile. "I appreciate your time. Light Keep you and His Excellence, the Emperor." He bows his head once more and then turns to leave.