An Imperial Procession

~Rhi rolls her eyes.~
"Just cut to the chase, ladies. Why are you here, if not to kill me or destroy Aradni?"

::Caterina sighs.::

"I will speak for both nations, in order to make this go faster."

::Caterina pulls a pice pf parchment from her robe.::

"We, The Holy See, seek an alliance with Aradni. Named below are those agreements that will be upheld by both nations. Please sign."

~Rhi frowns, taking the parchment for a quick read-through.~

::Caterina smiles.::

"As you can see, we only ask a small tribute to the See. 100 Gold per year. Enough to pay our retainers, for which we will extend to you our entire Army if needed. We also ask for free trade, both ways, and no tariffs on exports or imports. Also, we must demand that you denounce your heathen gods."

~Rhi bursts into laughter.~
"OUR HEATHEN GODS?! Aradni is atheistic in nature!"
~She sobers up for a moment.~
"I, personally, cannot guarantee that the royals will be able to follow that last, though...for...private reasons..."

::Caterina frowns.::

"I see, then I must ask you to accept Olympia, Creator of All, as your Goddess. If we cannot agree to this, then I am sorry."

~Rhi sits back.~
"I was a Godslayer in Tartarus...I've never been fond of the omnipotent attitudes of gods..."
~She looks away.~
"Olympia, though? Hmm...If you will give me but a day, I will consider your offer...and your terms..."

::Augusta raises from her seat at the mention of slaying gods.::

"This meeting is over. Caterina, we leave. There are no gods, save Olympia. And even if there were others, to say you can slay them...it is BLASPHEMY!"

::Augusta slams her fist on the table, cracking the wood in her anger. her eyes flash red, and her hair lightens slightly.::

"You are nothing more than a Heathen! Keep your false ideas, Heathen! Believe in no God; be the fool! Olympia damn you to hell!"

::Augusta storms from the room, slamming the door behind her.::

~Rhi smirks.~
"That went about as well as I'd expected. They barely counted among the gods...and I never worshipped any god."

::Caterina chuckles nervously.::

"Forgive me, I did not expect this."

::Caterina bows.::

"Perhaps, if you repent...?"

~Rhi sighs and rubs her temples.~
"I...must think on this..."
~She looks away.~
"I don't wish to make enemies...but others wish to have me for an enemy...Why?"
~She chuckles.~
"Forget I said anything, lady...just forget..."

::Caterina frowns, out of sadness, not anger.::

"I see...I am sorry. Perhaps someday..."

::Caterina turns and leaves, joining Augusta in the Carriage.::

~Rhi sits in her study for a few more hours, her mind racing. What was she to do? She could not, with clear conscience, sign the agreement when she herself could not follow the final stipulation. There was also the matter of Hosetu. Was a woman's word worth more than her faith?~
"What have I gotten myself into?"
~She stands, going over to a bookshelf. She places her hand against the bindings of the books, whispering a quiet Aradnian spell. The shelf disappears, revealing a dark room with two thrones: one of ice, the other simply stone.~
"I would, if I could, abandon you, my Power...my Darkness..."
~She enters the hidden throne room, the shelf reappearing behind her--no others could enter this room. She sat down on a cushion before the two thrones, staring at them as a small child stares at a venomous serpent that rears to strike.~
"I would, if I could, destroy you, my Pain...my Sorrow..."
~Tears fall from her eyes as she continues to gaze in fearful longing at the thrones.~

"My goddess ne'er deserved me, so I kill'd her.
My love ne'er loved me, so I mourn'd him.
My dreams ne'er came true, so I shunn'd them.
What shall become o' me when my people say
'Our Empress ne'er protect'd us, shall we dismiss her?' "

~She draws her legs up and wraps her arms around her knees.~

"My Fate ne'er was bright, so I forsook 't.
My dawn ne'er came, so I begg'd it.
My Darkness ne'er left, and I fear 't.
What shall become o' me when the world says
'This Phoenix ne'er was good, shall we ignore her?' "

~Her chin rested on her arm, she continues softly through a haze of tears.~

"My people ne'er strayed, so I lov'd them.
My friends ne'er betray'd me, so I trust'd them.
My Power ne'er was more than now, and I despise 't.
What shall become o' me when my kingdom falls?
What shall become o' me when I am finally powerless?
What shall become o' me when my Darkness disappears?
What shall become o' me when I turn my past to dust?

What shall become o' me when I am pure again?"

~She closes her eyes, praying to Olympia. She begs forgiveness for a sin she will never be able to wash away. She begs guidance for her people. She begs for understanding. She begs for this power within her to be taken. She begs for redemption, though she knows it will forever be denied of her.~