Inside a small conference room a group of individuals were gathered around a table. Sparkling robes of white and golden embroidery, cassocks of bright red, and golden symbols on beads of redwood were their raiment. But the one sitting at the head of the table was dressed in the finest, a conical hat of golden cloth enshrined his head while his mantle was of fine velvet. Yet in contrast was the yellowed tome upon old bronze chain around his waist and a sceptre of gnarled wood was by his side. Over them all however was a statue, a statue of a man in brilliant marble. His eyes were covered by a blindfold of black silk yet a blade of silvered metal was grasped in his hands. His eyes should see no more yet his face was set as if guarding against the dusk. Before this scene the man with the second best hat spoke to those gathered.

“Pontiff, the alms and donations to the church are on average this year. We can continue to run the aid programs at the dioceses in question”

“That is good, now on to the last matter of the meeting. You had reports to pass Cardinal Sediven?”

“Indeed, I am afraid I must be the bearer of bad news. These reports will explain”

“Are you sure of these reports Cardinal Sediven, have we lost paladin Doren in the expedition to the cursed lands?”

“We believe so Pontiff Pietas, there has been no signs of either his party or the initial troops sent there”

“So we lost the two hundred men of the church levy”-P

“The loss of so many men will be mourned, I propose a ceremony for those lost this day”-S

“Did we not lose a few provincial knights as well Cardinal?”-P

“Yes there were some... ‘eager’ volunteers who were lost as well. But the crusade was for a noble cause, they came from many sources for the noble task of purging the wicked undead”-S

“I will pray for their souls that they may find their way to our lord. May their souls be unburdened upon the path of the sky, may demons and heretics not block their path to our lord protector”-P

“Our prayers are indeed with those lost, however of most concern is the loss of so many on what was meant to be a simple mission”-S

“Yes, why did you bring out one of the Shards of Argentum. It is the crystallized power of our lord, was this not meant to be a simple cleansing crusade to join the hands of the faithful?”-P

“Indeed but what this means is that we should call for some of the inner realm nobles. The counts of the realm are powerful lords and have many men. If I may dedicate members of my order to aid in this endeavor?”-S

“Are you sure Cardinal? Was your order not depleted in the campaigns against the heretic Delian Kingdom only a few years ago?”

“Yes but the faithful will prosper, we have gained many recruits and have returned to full numbers. This campaign will allow them to be tempered in battle for our great lord”

“As long as all is for our lord. This should conclude the meeting, unless anyone else has thought of a matter?”

“No Pontiff there is no new matters”

“Very well, a good day to you my brethren”

As the group disperses to head their separate ways the pontiff remains. Standing before the statue of his Lord the pontiff prays. So much power yet so little at the same time. To throw out the council would invite anarchy. To allow them to stay is to spit on the old teachings of the faith. How the pontiff missed his time as a simple father for his hometown’s church. Yet his strength as a user of holy magic was unsurpassed. He could only pray and meditate when he is not working and thus grow stronger. He grows stronger such that he can serve longer and be embroiled in such politics. A vicious cycle, yet there is no escape. All he can do is siphon some of the resources off and attempt to reduce any embezzlement, he has only so much true political power. Once again foremost amongst his prayers is the wish for strength to sustain himself through this ordeal as the light from the stained glass window slowly dims into dusk.