<blockquote class="uncited"><div> To: Knight Commander of Rayitas, or Equivalent<br/>CC: Knight Commander of all Docks, or equivalent; Knight Dock masters<br/>Postmark Location: Alera<br/>Priority: High<br/>[Lethe’s Seal]<br/><br/><div style="margin:20px; margin-top:5px"><div class="quotetitle"><input class="button2 btnlite" onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = '';      this.innerText = ''; this.value = 'Hide'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerText = ''; this.value = 'Show'; }" style="text-align:center;width:100px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" type="button" value="Show"/></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">To: Knight Commander of Rayitas, or equivalent<br/>CC: Knight Commander of all Docks, or equivalent; Knight Dock masters<br/>From: Lethe Urilla<br/>Date: Month --, Day 14, Year 10 After Sin<br/>Enclosed: Counterfeit Faith necklace<br/>Note: I have sent this missive through a villager of Gramhold as well.  Please see Addendum for updates.<br/>Missive: I have discovered a group of men parading as ‘Pristine Knights’ in the Amethyst Valley.  I encountered them at the village Gramhold (Coordinates 41.197° N, 28.599° E) and was able to subdue them.  They are currently being detained at Gramhold.  Their armor is similar to the standard issue of Pristine Knights and they carry blades, though not holy steel from my inspection.  They have gone around demanding tribute from the villagers and, I speculate, terrorizing those who refuse to pay them.<br/> <br/>In addition, I discovered that they were wearing these necklaces.  (Please refer to the enclosed envelope.)  Although they look like the Faith necklaces that we wear, they appear to be imbued with Sin rather than Holy Magic.  As of the time of this message, I have been unable to investigate them further and can offer no other insights.<br/> <br/>I would greatly appreciate it if you could send some Knights to Gramhold to arrest these men.  I would also appreciate any assistance you can give to Gramhold in their rebuilding efforts.  Please feel free to draw upon my line of credit for this effort.  Finally, if you could arrange a patrol, Knight presence, or a retired Knight presence in Gramhold, you would have my eternal thanks.<br/> <br/>Addendum:  After further investigation of the necklaces, it appears that the necklace is hosting a small Sin crystal inside.  It is being covered by a yellow film to grant it the appearance of a normal Faith.  In addition, please note the ‘reinforce’ symbol etched on the back of the necklace.  After discussion with my team, we believe that this is not a ‘reinforce’ symbol at all, but a perversion of it meant to hide it from sight (spec: Pristine Knights or those with holy magic).  We have also found additional runes on it, supposedly ‘protect,’ Lilith’s symbol (x1), and an unknown.  We believe that the crafters have been changing the stroke order of (some of) these runes to subvert their meaning and create indeterminable effects.  As you will note from the dissected necklace, these runes are carved on both the outside (‘reinforce,’ ‘protect,’ and the unknown symbol) and the inside (Lilith’s symbol and unknown symbol).  The remaining necklaces have been disposed of in a safe manner.  The use of Sin crystal in this way is very troubling to me, and I would not be surprised if other tiny sin crystals are being used in this way (decoration) to unconsciously taint their wearers.  Please be wary of any shipments of jewelry or crystal based decorative pieces in the future.  Please pass this Addendum along to the Knight Commander and Knight Dockmaster of all Knight controlled docks.<br/> <br/>Sincerely,<br/>Lethe Urilla<br/>[Lethe’s seal]</div></div></div></div></blockquote><br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~</div><br/>[[Day 5 in Palaugrim :: Gless - Grand Cathedral ]]<br/><br/>Cornelius heaved a sigh, glad that he was finally in his own office.  The other councilors had not been happy with his decision, long overdue as it was.  Looking around, he groaned at the sight of a High Importance missive on his desk.  Especially now, with<span style="font-style: italic">Liberation</span>going on, he couldn't afford to procrastinate. Picking up the envelope, he frowned in confusion at seeing Lethe's seal. It was rare for the female seraph to message him.  He opened the letter and started to read.<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>To: Councilor Cornelius, Councilor Laith<br/>Postmark Location: Alera, Southeastern Docks<br/>Priority: High<br/>[Lethe’s Seal]<br/><br/><div style="margin:20px; margin-top:5px"><div class="quotetitle"><input class="button2 btnlite" onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = '';      this.innerText = ''; this.value = 'Hide'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerText = ''; this.value = 'Show'; }" style="text-align:center;width:100px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" type="button" value="Show"/></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">To: Councilor Cornelius, Councilor Laith<br/>From: Lethe Urilla<br/>Date: Month --, Day 14, Year 10 After Sin<br/>Enclosed: Counterfeit Faith necklace<br/>Missive: Dear Councilors, <br/>In case you haven’t been informed, Master Guilford and I have decided to split up.  On our second day here in Palaugrim at the village of Jenault, we discovered three Sin Crystals hidden from sight through use of runes, similar to what was found in Lindela’s District Eight.  The runes used were ones that appeared to be ‘reinforce,’ ‘protect,’ ‘subdue,’ Lilith’s symbol, and an unknown symbol.  (Please see incomplete drawings of them below.  Per standard procedure, the symbols have not been completed.)  We believe that the users of these runes are changing the stroke order and intent of the runes, thus perverting their ability.  For example, for the ‘reinforce’ symbol, we believe it is actually drawn outwards in, to contain the sun rather than let the sun’s light emanate out.  In addition, we believe this symbol (along with Lilith’s symbol) is being used to conceal items with this engraving from detection, specifically detection by those with holy magic.<br/> <br/>In Jenault, there was also a crystal containing the former Pure Sinner Lilith.  Unfortunately, it appears that Lilith has ascended beyond that of a Pure Sinner.  Its current abilities, to my knowledge, includes the ability to drain Knights in its grasp of their magical abilities (leaving them weakened) and (short range?) teleportation.  It killed Knight Brynhildr of Team Guilford before fleeing from battle.  Team Guilford has stayed in Jenault to mourn.  My squad will continue in our mission to discover the source of these Sin crystals.  We are headed towards Luciano and will work undercover from within the city.<br/> <br/>While in Palaugrim’s Amethyst Valley, we have discovered the existence of these counterfeit Faith necklaces.  (Please see enclosed envelope.)  We dissected one version and have the following notes about them:<ul><li>The necklace uses a Sin Crystal as its base rather than holy magic</li><li>The use of unusual runes, as discussed in paragraph 1</li></ul> <br/>I have authorized use of my line of credit to help with Gramhold’s repairs.  May the Divine Light guide you and keep you safe.<br/> <br/>Sincerely,<br/>Lethe Urilla<br/>[Lethe’s Seal]</div></div></div></div></blockquote><br/><br/>Cornelius felt his eyes widening as he read through the message.  They had split up? She was headed for Luciano?   But why? She should be helping spearhead the<span style="font-style: italic">Liberation</span>campaign-- he felt dread trickle into him.  With great dignity befitting his position, he hurriedly walked back to the Council Room where Guilford's original message resided.  Shaking hands unfurled the message as he frantically scanned the signatures and seals at the bottom.<br/><br/>"It's not there, is it?"  A sour voice spoke up from behind. Councilor Laith. He turned to the other man with a very even face, but it couldn't hide the answer.  The other councilor scowled in disgust, a copy of his missive in his hand.<br/><br/>"Was that your intention? Authorize a war against Palaugrim to kill off her and her squad?  So your Guilford would be the only Seraph to lead?" Bitterness made the other Councilor speak such angry words.  Cornelius could do nothing but look down in shame though.  His preference for the young Seraphs, Guilford's message--they had all blinded him to a now obvious oversight.  He looked back at the missive demanding action in anguish.  Lethe's seal was conspicuously absent.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~</div><br/>[[Day 5 in Palaugrim :: Road between Alera and Bastille, Knight Controlled Territories ]]<br/><br/>Nine figures crouched in the underbrush, eyes focused on the road in front of them.  A group of Sinners were sitting in a circle, their backs all laden down with crates.  It would have been a funny sight to see Sinners acting like packhorses if the contents they were bearing weren’t so ominous.  Although the boxes were unmarked, the taint of Sin was as strong as a Pure Sinner.  More Sin Crystals were being transported.  They were complaining about all the work they had to do, the only reason Team Blonde (plus one) weren’t attacking yet.<br/><br/>“These are so heavy!  Why are we being forced to carry these?  We’re not pack horses!”<br/>“They’re needed for the cause.”<br/>“What cause?!  If I wanted to do manual labor for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t have embraced Sin!  Where’s the partying? The girls and the booze?!”<br/>“What girl would lie with you now, moron?”<br/>“Haha, as if any would have laid with him originally!”<br/>“Shut up!  As if you guys are happy we’re being stuck carting these freaking boxes from Port Brockton to Acier Terres!  This is the third trip we’ve had to do!  And then we just cart them back!”<br/>One of the Sinners, the second speaker, struck out at the complaining Sinner, knocking it to the ground.  The crate fell and some crystals tumbled out, a few cracking at the impact.  Clouds of taint filled the air and the Faiths Team Lethe was wearing burned strongly in protest.<br/>“Pick them up, put them back in the crate, and we move out.  You can explain to Lord Raim why we’re missing some of the crystals.”<br/><br/>A succession of hand signals directed the team to get ready to intercept.  The team fanned into position.  Three. Two. One.  Chains of Penance erupted from the ground, grabbing the Sinners.  At the same time, Smite rained down from the skies.  Only the apparent leader avoided being captured in the first attack, dodging away from the various bolts.  It reached the outskirts of the clearing where no beams were falling but was greeted by a sword strike to its chest.  It reared back, frontal claws striking out at his assailant, but the claws skidded off a shield.  It was struck from behind and sent toppling forward into another set of Penance.  The clearing was silent except for the snarling of the Sinners.<br/><br/>“Lethe.. we’re just going to have to kill that one.”  Kanna frowned as she looked at the one remaining Sinner.  After their successful ambush, Team Blonde had been able to absolve the other Sinners of their taint.  A carrier eagle had already been sent back to QianHua, informing her of the men here and the shipments of Sin Crystal.  The former Knight Captain would deal with these things for them, freeing them up to continue their journey for Luciano.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “Perhaps.. another Absolve?”</span>Lether offered helplessly, clearly troubled at the idea of killing a Sinner when it had already been captured.<br/><br/>“Bitch!  The God of Sin will take you down!  You mind-controlling freaks!  Forcing your ideals of right and wrong upon us!  The God of Sin liberates us from your high-handed—”  It continued rambling and insulting, despite the fact everyone appeared to be ignoring it.<br/><br/>“It’s not going to work, Lethe.  Some people don’t.. stumble into Sin.  They embrace it with open eyes and open arms.”  Lethe flinched at the words.  The concept was entirely incomprehensible to her, to accept Sin so readily.  Then again, she found it hard to believe why anyone would turn away from the Light at all.  She understood that accidents occurred, people<span style="font-style: italic">were</span>only human after all and humans were inherently flawed, but to give up on the grace of the Divine Light?  That train of thought led her to something she’d been avoiding: her fellow Seraph.  How could Gil think the Divine Light had betrayed him?  She knew he was just upset after having lost Brynhildr but…<br/><br/>“Lethe.  If you’re that adverse to it, I’m sure one of your squad mates could do it.”  Kanna’s eyes strayed to the visibly annoyed members of Team Blonde.  (Hah! That was a hilarious nickname for them!)  None of them seemed very happy with the Sinner’s insane prattling.  Seraphim looked ready to deck the Sinner in the face. (And wasn’t she a girl after Kanna’s heart?  Another girl comfortable enough with getting in close and pounding assholes into the ground!  Not that there was anything wrong with being in the backlines.. or the sidelines.. or just… not there.  Okay, maybe there was a problem with not being there.  Damsels in distress and fangirls could go—out of her sight.)<br/><br/><span style="color: Silver">“No.  If anyone should do it, it should be me.”</span>Lethe reminded her so strongly of Ensei, always doing what was right even if it was distasteful.  Kanna tried not to sigh.  Of course, Lethe would probably run into Ensei’s problem as well.  She’d then regret and ruminate and keep thinking over this action, wondering if there might have been another path, if she could have somehow absolved the Sinner despite it clearly being impossible.  If Lethe had just let one of the other Knights kill the Sinner, everyone would probably sleep easy tonight.  But it wasn’t her place to tell Lethe how to run her squad and her righteousness was somewhat admirable, if not pragmatic.<br/><br/>Lethe pulled out her sword, wondering why it would have to be christened by the death of a Sinner.  Then again, it had been made for this reason hadn’t it?  To destroy those who threatened the Light, to protect those she loved.  Staring into furious white eyes, she could only apologize before her sword flared with holy magic.  One strike later and the Sinner fell to the ground, its hateful eyes still staring at her.  She turned away from it sadly.  Another soul she had failed to save.<br/><br/>Kanna looked over the group, noting that the crystals had been sealed with Ensei’s most recent creation.  Only someone wearing the Faith could see asthe barrier.  “Alright then.  I’ve already sent the message to QianHua.  Let’s keep moving.”  The others all readied at her words, Lethe taking the slowest to prepare.  She’d have to talk with the other girl later.  Something more was clearly troubling her.  But for now, they needed to keep moving if they wanted to get anything done before the four week timeline.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~</div><br/>[[Day 5 in Palaugrim :: Unknown Location]]<br/><br/>A long-suffering sigh reverberated throughout the room.  Booooorrrriiinnnnggg.  Lilith tossed her book to the side, turning over to stare around her lair unhappily.  Reading was just<span style="font-style: italic">soo</span>boring!  But she had to know what happened after her death.  She wasn’t Sin’s spymaster for nothing.  But… bleh. Books.  She looked at the bound pieces of paper sulkily.  Those truly were an instrument of torture.  Syndra had probably come up with them.  The reminder of her ‘sister’ had her pausing.  What<span style="font-style: italic">had</span>happened to Syndra after she’d kicked the bucket?  She pushed herself off her bed and bounded to the audience room of her lair.<span style="color: red"> “MINIONS!”</span>She roared, catching the attention of all the Sinners and Pure Sinners in the room. When she’d come back to her lair, some moron had the audacity to be using it already!  Whoever was stupid enough to invade<span style="font-style: italic">her</span>lair had paid dearly for it.  (But then again, it meant she didn’t have to clean her place and she’d come back to a group of minions already there to do her bidding!)<br/><br/>She was deviating from her original objective for coming out here.  She levelled a red claw at the closest minion.<span style="color: red">“What ever happened to Syndra, Raim, and Amon?”</span>The Sinner stared at her in confusion.  Silence ticked by with no response.  Red eyes narrowed in anger and she grabbed the useless creature, draining its power into her own.  Ashes fell from her claws.<br/><br/><span style="color: red"> “Let’s try that again, shall we?”</span>She smiled pleasantly, turning to find her next prey.  Three more Sinners later, the demon looked ready to kill them all.<span style="color: red"> “WHY ARE YOU ALL SO USELESS?!  Not only are Pristine Knights not up to par, now even Sinners have caught their stupidity?!”</span>She kicked the closest Sinner into the wall.  Now she felt old; why, when<span style="font-style: italic">she’d</span>been a Sinner..<br/><br/>One of the Pure Sinners shifted, the sound of its claws tapping against the floor catching Lilith’s attention.  “Lord Raim should be in Acier Terres.  Lord Amon was wounded in the last battle and has not been heard from since.  And Lady Syndra has been sealed away in an unknown location.  Of course, the rumors had stated that you died, Lady Lilith.  But we are all glad to see that wasn’t the case.”<br/><br/>Hmph.  That one was certainly a toad, kissing up to her like that.  Oh, whatever, she didn’t mind people flattering her.  (After all, she<span style="font-style: italic">was</span>amazing!)  But still, he should have spoken up right away when she’d asked.  But then she wouldn’t have had an excuse to kill four Sinners.  Hmmm. She’d figure out what to do with him later.<br/><br/><span style="color: Red"> “Alright then!  I’m off to go visit Raaaaiiiiimmmmm.”</span>It appeared that all the Sinners perked up at her words.  She snarled at them, forcing them back into spineless submission once more.<span style="color: red"> “What?!  You think you’re coming along?  You think you’re getting a break because of this?  I better have reports on every Pristine Knight squad in Palaugrim at my doorstep by the time I get back!  Also, I want everything available about those two.. Seraphs.”</span>She spat the last word out.  If she’d known the little boy and that girl he’d been so protective of had been the reasons for her great king’s demise.  She lashed out in anger, claws striking through another unfortunately positioned Sinner and the wall.  She would have read every last thing from the girl’s heart and then ripped it out just to see the little boy’s anguish.  His scream and his anger at her message weren’t enough.  That look of horror when they’d first met--it’d be a pleasant dream when she was done with him.