A Question of Faith

Bridge of Worlds: Eos Consortium Space:

Yuris stood at the entrance to the throne room, dressed in her formal Capitol ambassadors attire with two guards flanking her she straightened her collar line. This was a serious meeting and one she did not want to give the wrong impression about. The doors before her were stunningly well decorated, engraved golden tapestries and images flowed on the doors themselves that were seeming around 6 stories high. The architecture around her and the art that she had scene was absolutely fantastic, wishing her own people delved into the arts more Eos seemed to have a very fine focus around the arts and presentation, even if it was in the name of their god. The guards around her that had escorted Yuris from her landing shuttle were dressed in ornate white and golden armour and carried staffs which she was almost certain were weapons. 10 of them surrounded her along with a white robed attendant who was to show them to the throne room. She was here on behalf of Inara to secure deals with none other than Lord Exemplar Tyrandis of the Eos Consortium. And truth be told, she was terrified.

The robed attendant waited, not moving along with the guards. Her own two guards fidgeted slightly and she was visibly on edge until the man stepped to the side “Now announcing his holiness Lord Tyrandis” the doors swung open and Yuris was forced to march forward with the Eos escorts into a regal and impeccably well decorated room. Red braided carpet ran all the way up to a grand throne carved out of marble into the eye of Eos, the rafters above were beautifully painted with exquisite scenes of their god and past events while statues aligned the room. She looked up at the throne to see Tyrandis, a fairly tall man standing, clean cut and bald but… Wearing Nakai armour… Yuris was somewhat confused however it was what floated to his left that caught her off guard the most. A girl, little more than 8 or 9 years old was chained to the floor, blind folded and draped in white robes. She shone with the purest of light. Walking in before the Lord Exemplar Yuris and her guards bowed. To her surprise Tyrandis also bowed back.

“Welcome! To the Consortium miss Yuris Orastan, I hope you have enjoyed what you have seen” Tyrandis seemed to boom with a surprisingly powerful but soothing voice, surprised that Tyrandis knew her name she nodded.

“It is wondrously impressive, Lord Exemplar. I wish such arts could be performed in my empire, as you know I am here to facilitate talks between our people after the last conference” Yuris replied. Tyrandis smiled.

“Of course! Your people looked as if they need guidance, and we as a people are willing to assist you” his reply came fast, it was almost like he knew what Yuris was going to say…

“I am here on behalf of Empress Inara of Capitol to offer you a non-aggression pact, as a gesture of peace between our peoples” She decided to get to the point. Tyrandis didn’t lose his smile but she could tell he wasn’t surprised.

“Your people, they are somewhat lost. You worship the pretences of false god’s men who were neither divine nor competent. We cannot align with those who are lost, and do not wish to be found again” He replied this time losing a bit of his smile.

“With all due respect Lord Exemplar our Empress has outlawed such practices and seeks to get rid of them” Yuris was slightly offended.

“Faith cannot be replaced with nothing. If you give a man something to fight for and tell him it is a lie he will fight for it all the harder, so that one day it may be true if he fights hard enough. Belief cannot be ousted by a void. It is to take away part of ones soul. Tell me, Yuris how has this outlaw of belief gone?” Tyrandis seemed to smirk. Yuris frowning.

“Not well”

“My point exactly” Tyrandis chuckled.

“And what would you suggest Lord Exemplar?”

”Bring the truth and word of Eos to the masses of Capitol. Show them truth in the light of his teachings, and bring our empires closer together as a whole” Yuris was surprised to hear that this had come from the little chained girl. Tyrandis she noticed, had kept his head pointed at the floor when she spoke.

“It is disrespectful and a crime to look at the Herald of Eos while she speaks” Tyrandis spoke. Yuris immediately pointed her head to the floor as did her two guards.

“My apologies… Herald of Eos?” She asked.

”You are forgiven this once Ambassador. And yes, I am a gateway for his will, his thoughts and his wishes. I am too holy to touch the ground so I will always grace the heavens with my presence” she replied the golden light continuing to shine from her small and fragile form, it was then Yuris also noticed her legs were somewhat atrophied, probably from the fact they had never been used.

“Why are you blindfolded herald?” Yuris asked.

”To see the universe through a gods eyes is overwhelming. It is to see everything, past present and future at the same time everywhere. It would kill me” The little girl replied. Yuris flinched at the statement.

“So you wish for your people to send preachers to my empire in order to try and convert our people?” Yuris asked. Tyrandis nodded.

“For their own good, if your people are united again under faith then you may once again find the light. The light of Eos will guide you, and then you may count us as allies” Tyranid smiled Yuris thought for a second. Inara had given her full diplomatic powers, and Inara had already invited Syntagma priests into Capitol to convert who they could, strengthening ties with the Axions, the same could be done here with the Consortium, a very powerful potential ally.

“Very well then, you have free access to Capitol space, and full clearance for any you wish to send” Yuris replied after a bit of internal debate with herself.

“Truly excellent, a momentus day when an empire asks to slowly come into Eos light” He lowered his head again “My herald who is to lead this campaign as saviour?” The little girl seemed to twitch slightly before replying in her heavenly tone.

”High Exemplar Cyllis will lead this endeavour, it is what she specialises in”

“Agreed. I shall notify her at once, we only have so long until the great ceremony. That and the recent invasion” Tyrandis spat.

“Invasion?” Yuris cocked her head to one side.

“Yes. By a race called the ‘Nucleans’ They rejected our beliefs and instead of merely leaving us alone now they wish to wipe us out with force, same with their heretic allies the Trinovans” Tyrandis soothing voice turned into a burning hatred at the mentions. Yuris nodded.

“I know not of these ‘Nucleans’ But the Trinovans we are aware of… We are not actively engaged with them however we treat them as hostiles” Yuris replied, after the surrender of the Shadow Guard forces Capitol had moved to secure their space and worlds, running skirmishes between Capitol and Trinova had caused some minor casualties on both sides as Trinova sought to evacuate the ex Shadow Guard and Capitol sought to move in. But it hadn’t amounted to much.

“They will all feel the wrath of Eos in due time. Perhaps if your people are ready enough you may join us for the Grand Ceremony soon” Tyrandis offered.

“Grand Ceremony?” Yuris asked confused.

“The greatest event this galaxy will ever witness. His arrival” Tyrandis grinned. Yuris was still somewhat confused.

“His arrival? Wait… you mean Eos?” She asked somewhat taken aback “Your god… Is coming to this galaxy?”

”It is his will to do so, to enlighten the race of this galaxy” The Herald replied.

“How?” Yuris asked looking at the floor again.

“The great construct you see outside in this system is his doorway, with the bridge he will enter this realm, it won’t be long until ceremony day, any faithful will be permitted to come to this world and watch” Tyrandis beamed.

“That is… a great offer, thank you greatly Lord Exemplar” Yuris was somewhat stunned, if Eos could bring their very god into this realm and were an ally of Capitol… they would be able to destroy the allies once and for all. She bowed again.

“Lord Exemplar, Herald. It has been an honour, I humbly wish I could stay longer but alas my duties require me to be elsewhere. I must depart to tell my Empress this excellent news, until next time” Tyrandis bowed and replied.

“Of course Ambassador Yuris, may his light guide you, perhaps next time your Empress can see us personally” Smiling to Yuris the Ambassador was then escorted out of the chambers and Tyrandis turned to the Herald looking down and kneeling. “Fresh converts for the ceremony, the day is closing. You will be with us soon my lord”

”His light shall cleanse these stars and show peace and prosperity to those who accept the truth”

“Amen my herald”

”Tyrandis, I also wish to meet with this Empress Inara