The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[GamesMaster]

He frowns, tapping his fingers on the table briefly. "You're speaking of Seeker Helene," he says, slowly.

[Haliel Lightsong]

Lightsong winces a little. ''I am, yes. The treatment Seeker Helene and Mister Tethras underwent was... deplorable, parts of it being outright torture.''

[GamesMaster]

He sighs, moving to sit behind the desk. "Ray Lightsong, if I told you a man had knelt over his brother's fallen form, held him down, forcing his palms into the man's chest repeatedly until his sternum and ribs cracked, would you say that was deplorable? And yet, if I told you his heart had stopped, would you not say it was commendable instead?"

[Haliel Lightsong]

''Pain spells have no application for good. Ever.''

[GamesMaster]

"Perhaps," he allows, not wanting to dig into the ethics of pain spells for information gathering. "What they do there seems unsavory, I will grant you that. And it can be abused. If you think there is some abuse, we can certainly demand an inspection, collect testimony. But the program helps dozens, even hundreds, find their center again and move forward into the world with confidence. It's no evil, I can assure you."

[Haliel Lightsong]

Lightsong stares at him. Perhaps? Unsavory? No evil... ''I... am willing to accept that you think that the... center is beneficial. To some, perhaps even many. But saving many cannot be used to justify great evil to a few. We must do better than that. When will the investigation start?''

[GamesMaster]

"I will speak to Ray Flagstaff, have our usual inspectors sent over to investigate," he says, casually. "Where is Seeker Helene now?"

[Haliel Lightsong]

''I will accompany them,'' Lightsong says firmly. ''The usual inspectors have been missing things, clearly, and fresh eyes are needed.'' She tilts her head. ''Perhaps we should ask for assistance from another church?''

[GamesMaster]

"No," he says firmly, then hesitates. "I will suggest it to Ray Flagstaff," he relents, a moment later. "But, honestly, Flagstaff has been overseeing this program for years. I am certain, given the profile of this case, he will go himself. And there's no-one I trust more on medical matters than Flagstaff. Your presence is not necessary and in fact can do a lot of harm." 

[Haliel Lightsong]

Lightsong stills, then slowly takes a breath. ''Please explain that? I assure you that I will simply stride in and attempt to smite the nearest employee.''

[GamesMaster]

He gets up, pacing to the door, and pushes it firmly closed. He then turns to face her, his face stern, his guise shadowed. Merciful one, would that I would know where I erred, to be given this task, he prays silently.

"Ray Lightsong..." he begins, gently, then says, "Haliel. I know you mean well. Truly, Bastion rarely sends us such a gentle, kind soul as yourself. But you must understand that each of us have our strengths and our weaknesses. We each serve in our own way."

[Haliel Lightsong]

Lightsong stares a moment, startled at his act of closing the door. Which is nothing compared to being addressed by Haliel for the first time in... Roughly two decades, I think? She almost doesn't hear the rest. ''I... do not understand. Or rather, I understand your words but not their... relevance.''

[GamesMaster]

He hesitates. So like my Sophia, in ways. "You have many strengths and talent all your own," he begins. "You are kind, and compassionate, and merciful. You are beautiful; I have no doubt you will begin a family some day. You bring with you the radiance of the most high, the light that gives hope to those in the darkness. You are pure, untouched by evil thought or deed. These are not qualities that we need now, in this sort of dealing." Blast, that's a bit too strong. "What we need now is more experience, wisdom, sound judgement." Blast, blast, this gets worse and worse. "I'm afraid I'm not doing you any service in my explanation," he stammers. 

[Haliel Lightsong]

Lightsong clears her throat, eyes fixing on the far wall. ''I... I would think... that hope is a... quality, an element, that is always of use. I would think that light is exactly what is needed to look into the shadows and seek truth. I would think that kindness, compassion and mercy would be helpful in matters of healing. I am aware that I am not... wordly. That I do not have a mindset that makes it easy to expect deceit or duplicity. But I can spot lies and falsehoods when I look. And I cannot learn if I am prevented from trying!'' She flushes and takes a deep breath. ''My apologies for shouting.''

[GamesMaster]

He smiles, a little, at the fire in her. I didn't expect her to be so dedicated, so willing to fight back. A shame about her parents.

"There is more going on than you know, Ray Lightsong. These things are delicate. The mind is Alydra's to govern, but healing is our strength. The agreements in place between our two temples must be handled delicately -- not a task I am given to understand you are trained in? The task before us is not healing, but instead, overseeing healers -- something that takes a good deal more practical experience. Now. Where is Seeker Helene?"