Foundations of Faith

Ethan refuses Martin's generous reward, he looks through the office window as if thinking about something and continued

"Martin, let's set this aside for now as we have more important matters at hand. What are your plans for dealing with those heretics of the Flame Atronach temple? We have to make sure they don't repeat this not only to your daughter but also safeguard this town from their atrocities!"

Martin felt a jolt! 'Yes! We still have to deal with them, to safeguard my house!' he thought about it for a while and finally replied

"You're right prophet, we have to make sure they don't cause unrest in our town, if they can take such steps after a single rejection, I am sure they are more dangerous and capable of more heinous things"

Ethan simply nodded and said "I trust you can handle this matter well Martin, you were unprepared before and blind about their intentions and couldn't focus on the main culprit. But now that you know about your enemy I am sure you will defend against them better"

Ethan watched as Martin nodded and a slight smile almost as if he was sure to handle this issue easily. So Ethan interjected "But…." he looked a little uncertain. Martin watched his face and felt worried as well so he asked impatiently "But what prophet, please continue"

Ethan nodded and said "But there are heretic practices, soldiers blessed by the Flame god himself to guard them, to do their bidding. Plus it is a relatively established temple spanning 3 towns due to its extreme measures accepted by the masses… it;s hard to go against such a behemoth"

Martin realized he had underestimated the enemy—an all-out retaliation was impossible. His main concern was naturally the heretic practices, and the elite soldiers of the flame temple, he had heard that they carry a crimson flame torch with them and burn their enemies to purge their souls. He truly felt helpless, Ethan observed his changing emotions and seized the right time to continue

"Martin" he said, getting up from his chair and walking to the window to observe the garden. "Lord Mandal can offer the solution to your problems. We can take care of the heretic practices and make sure to shield your family and this town from all heretic practices"

Martin looked up wide-eyed from what he heard, the main problem, the safety of his family and that of his job was offered to him so easily. He was excited, as long as safety was promised, revenge and retaliation was just an option anyway. Ethan knew what he was thinking and continued

"Of Course it's not that simple, we simply don't have the resources to carry out such a mission on a large scale and there are some legal restrictions we need your approval on to implement them.."

Martin didn't understand what exactly was needed so he asked "I understand that you require resources to fight those heretic sorcery but what do you mean by my legal approval? Is it something like sacrifices?"

Ethan chuckled a little and said "Absolutely not, Mandal is a very generous lord who doesn't ask for anything in return for his deeds. What I mean is that to perform these rituals to protect the city we have to train our own templar knights who are blessed by lord Mandal himself, for those who receive his favour are stronger and can heal those affected from such incidents just like how I did with your daughter"

Martin understood what Ethan meant, Ethan wanted to raise a personal knight team solely abiding by the Mandal temple's orders, this was obviously not allowed legally for any individual organizations as all soldiers belonged to the empire. Sure wealthy families had a few guards but obviously you can't compare them with actual soldiers. This was a big decision for Martin, letting an unknown organization build strength in the middle of his town was a very risky move he had to think about. Besides even if he approved, it wasn't a legal decision as he didn't have such authority, But the question was if he had enough time to go through the procedure to ask his superiors over at the district head office which will take 2 months for a round trip and he was sure his claims would be rejected as there wasn't enough justification to grant such privilege as well. 

'If I say yes and this backfires… I'll be stripped of my title. But if I say no… will they strike again?'

Ethan knew this, he knew Martin had to take a bet, to either ignore the potential dangers of such actions, take the bait and grant Ethan what he needs while not reporting to his superiors or reject him right now. That's why Ethan emphasized that his knights were not exactly for fighting but just to heal people and protect the town rather than strength to fight. 

Martin finally spoke "This is a big decision I'll have to think about, confer with my superiors so I will get back to you on this matter before the next weekend sermon". He simply couldn't make such a decision outright now, as for conferring with his superiors? Absolutely not, but it was a good reason so Ethan accepted it

"Well Martin, your daughter Elara should be waking up soon, you can accompany her, I've taken up so much of your time already I hope you don't mind my straightforwardness all this time"

Martin also realized that it was getting late and they were chatting for a long time so he also decided to let go of his worries and duties for the next day and said

"No Prophet Ethan, thank you for all your assistance and guidance till now, it just felt like I've learnt a whole lot of knowledge and clarity in a single day it's truly wonderful chatting with you"

"Well you can visit our humble temple anytime to chat with us anytime Martin"

They said a few words and Martin personally escorted Ethan to his carriage and asked the driver to drop him to the temple. Ethan accepted his generosity and said to Martin

"In Mandal's light, we heal. In healing, we are reborn." I look forward to our next meeting Martin

As the carriage wheels turned, Ethan glanced once more at the Hart estate—a seed planted, roots already deepening.