This scene happens in the Immaculate Order’s temple in Greyfalls

Sister Cloud Hands idly spins the prayer wheels along the edges of the monastery walls with one hand as she speaks with one of her subordinates, her bare feet striding on the pebbled ground without obvious discomfort. When she sees you, she smiles, as she had been smiling before, and politely dismisses her underling as she strides towards you. "Peace be on you, Ragara Ayesha. Welcome to the temple."

Ayesha bows deeply to the temple leader, "thank you, reverend sister, it is always a great honor and a pleasure to walk these hallowed halls." Ayesha is not an uncommon sight in the temple, although she had never asked for an interview with Cloud Hands. Straightening, the southern exalt tries to smile back at the older woman, but as usual the smile does not reach her eyes and she just manages to look a bit sad.

Cloud Hands has little to offer by way of hospitality except the gardens of zen rock and verdant green, and so she walks with Ayesha. "Tell me, Ayesha, what brings you here today? You have kept quiet as to the reason for this meeting," she says.

"Yes," replies the young woman, following Cloud Hands, "I am here because I need advice. While we talk the army of Greyfalls is invading the lands of people that have done us no harm and that could be our friends. I cannot help but feel it is a great injustice, reverend sister."

Cloud Hands 's expression darkens with pain. "I admit that I am displeased with Cathak Kitono's militaristic adventurism, but I am hesitant to openly oppose him... Opening the lands of the East further to Immaculate missionaries would be a great thing.

Ayesha ponders those words, but then shakes her head, "but sister, where those lands hostile to the Immaculate faith? I thought both monks and temples were allowed in all the invaded countries. The order has a good reputation in most of the eastern kingdoms. But now... the common folks know the order is led by Dynasts of the Realm. And the Realm armies have invaded their lands, taken their freedom, maybe even killed their brothers and sisters if they were soldiers. I fear than for many generations now the Order will be seen as part of an invading force, instead of protectors and spiritual guides." Ayesha sighs, "three times the armies of the dragonblooded have invaded the East, and three times they have been defeated despite their spiritual superiority and rightfulness of their rule. They do not want to be rules by the Realm. At least not by force."

Cloud Hands shakes her head. "I have told as much to Cathak Kitono," she says agreeably, beginning to ascend to the top of the stairs that she might have a more graceful view of distant lands to the west. "But he believes he can succeed where others have failed, through a combination of bold action and discretion. Perhaps he is correct - but I am skeptical, and I do not wish for war on any of the children of the Dragons."

Ayesha keeps silence for a minute, pondering Cloud Hands words, "so... did he reject your advice? That would be... foolish." The dark-haired woman sighs, "I do not think Lord Nellens Rombulac agreed with this invasion either. And I cannot help but wonder if it is justice and righteousness what inspires general Kitono or just the lure of personal glory and loot."

Cloud Hands sighs, glancing down. "Kitono is not a man driven by a desire for wealth, but glory? He longs to be sung of, as do many, I suppose. He did reject my advice, preferring the praise of his own lieutenants, but I am not a general. I am only a vartabed."

Ayesha nods grimly, "as I suspected. He wages war for glory, not for the good of the Realm or other higher cause, as all the dragon-blooded should. Sister, I am now convinced he needs to be stopped. Even if he wins, his cause is unjust. And if he is defeated and the 23rd legion destroyed, Greyfalls will be almost helpless, facing the anger of the attacked kingdoms and their allies without an army to protect our lands."

Cloud Hands pauses. "I hesitate to judge so sharply," she says apologetically, "But I believe his intentions are patriotic, to empower Greyfalls as he does the Realm - though I am skeptical as to his wisdom." She seems flustered in the face of your passion. "I am sure things will turn out alright if we act virtuously."

Although Ayesha speaks with conviction, her expression barely changes, it rarely does as the young woman keeps a serene facade at almost all times. This time, though, she seems somewhat upset. "But what is the path of virtue this time, sister? Innocents are dying in the battles. Kingdoms that never did us any harm to us are being invaded. If the Confederation of Rivers takes action against us we might find our trade routes blocked, and then our industries will be ruined, causing great harm to the commoners. And if enemy armies attacks us as retaliation for Lord Kitono’s war, how many of our people will die?"

Cloud Hands looks faintly embarrased. "There is little I can do, beyond denounce Kitono's militarism. He commands the 23rd, not I - am I to subvert the command structure of the Imperial Legions for my convenience? I can urge him back, but I will not raise arms against a fellow scion of the Realm."

Ayesha nods, "no, of course not. Truth is I do not see any easy solution to this war. I hoped you..." she trails off. "But even just denouncing Lord Kitono’s militarism might be enough to make him and his officers to reconsider what they are doing. And maybe to make some of the idle exalts in Greyfalls think about the current events. I am going to try to talk with other Dynasts and perhaps with the satrap, if the Great Houses, the Order and the satrap ask general Kitono to stop his campaign, tell him that he is doing more harm than good, and that he should return to the city, perhaps he will listen."

Cloud Hands pauses. "What of the gains he's already secured?" she asks. "Should they be discarded, you think, or kept?"

Cloud Hands makes no sign of her opinion on this.

Ayesha hesitates, apparently unsure herself. "I do not know. I know little of those lands, but I suspect there was no real reason to attack them. Was not one of the kingdoms ruled by an outcaste dragon-blooded lord?"

Cloud Hands says, "Yes - Darius Firebrand, though they seem to have eagerly joined in Kitono's crusade..."

Ayesha arches an eyebrow, perhaps surprised, "interesting, then perhaps this kingdom will be join the Realm without strife. If his alliance is sincere, of course, and not a ruse to avoid being razed by the 23rd legion." The dark-haired girl sighs again, "we can worry about that later, I suppose, I think the important issue right now is to prevent this war to escalate further."

Cloud Hands caresses her hands together, thinking, then taking on an uncharacteristically sneaky smile. "Perhaps I could be convinced to take a more active stance against his militarism if I were more confident that such a controversial position would not undermine the stability of donations to the temple..."

= OOC = Ragara Ayesha says, "jeez, some spiritual leader! :)"

= OOC = Cloud Hands says, "Welcome to Rome!"

"Ah, I can see some resentment by House Cathak if the Order censures Lord Kitono’s adventure," murmurs Ayesha. "In that case, I will personally make sure none of the Order operations suffers from lack of resources by doubling House Ragara’s donations." Not a small matter, since Ayesha has been quite generous with the order in the past. Sister Cloud Hands just killed a little bit of Ayesha’s idealism with her request, though. Oh sadness!

= OOC = Cloud Hands says, "Ta daaaa"

= OOC = Cloud Hands says, "Fun stuff. :) Could you post this on 'Recent History'?"

= OOC = Ragara Ayesha says, "jeez, Cloud Hands is bribable, we are doomed! :)"

= OOC = Ragara Ayesha says, "wait, I have the most jade in GFs. Maybe not!"