Chapter 413: 413
"That's the fifth group so far . " Arran lazily stretched his arms as he walked with Kaleesh, pointedly ignoring the small group of Rangers who stood watching a few dozen paces away . "At this rate, the entirety of Sacrifice will know where we are by sundown . "
They had set off for the Sanctum a half-hour earlier, traveling through the city's western outskirts in an attempt to avoid drawing attention . The effort had proved to be in vain, however, as it quickly became apparent that there was no avoiding the Rangers' inquisitive eyes .
Kaleesh shrugged . "Both nobles and soldiers gossip more than kitchen maids . Give it another day or two, and it will be impossible for us to travel Sacrifice unseen . "
Though the captain sounded unconcerned, his words caused Arran to sigh in displeasure . "If someone is planning another attack, they'll have an easy time finding us . "
Kaleesh remained silent for several seconds, then finally shook his head . "I do not expect another attack . Not soon, at least . "
It only took Arran a moment to understand his friend's reasoning . "You think our connection to Lady Merem and Roshan will protect us?"
"It should," Kaleesh said . "Word of your talk with Roshan will have spread by now, and it won't be long before our visit to Lady Merem becomes common knowledge as well . Until the lordlings figure out what our relationship with the both of them is, none will dare attack us . "
Arran gave a slow nod . "And with the number of eyes on us right now, it would be impossible to strike unseen . "
"Exactly . " Kaleesh waved at the Rangers in the distance, his friendly smile widening into a mocking grin when he saw their dumbfounded expressions . Turning his attention back to Arran, he continued, "Right now, the eyes of our enemies give us all the protection we could wish for . "
"For now . "
"For now," Kaleesh admitted . "But by the time that changes, I expect we'll have bigger things to worry about . "
Arran could only nod in agreement . Once the church discovered their deception — as it eventually would — the lordlings in Sacrifice would be the least of their worries .
But there was no point in fretting over the matter . Serious though the danger might be, the threat remained a distant one . And before they became enemies to the church, they would first seize the treasures it had to offer .
When they approached the Sanctum's immaculate white walls nearly two hours later, Kaleesh gave Arran a cautious look . "I'd suggest not antagonizing them any further . "
"I don't intend to," Arran replied . "At least, not without cause . "
This time, as they passed through the Sanctum's gates, neither of them had eyes for the splendid temples and pavilions within the Sanctum's grounds, nor did they pay attention to the curious glances of the priests and Rangers who filled the paths between the many temples .
Instead, they headed straight for the Hall of Blessings . Their purpose in coming was to receive greater bloodlines, and although they did not say so out loud, neither wished to linger in the Sanctum even a second longer than necessary .
Fortunately, they met with no obstacles or delays . While the guards inside the Hall of Blessings looked at them with more curiosity than before, the Warlocks' amulets they carried meant that none barred their way . And so, it wasn't long before they entered the third section of the Hall of Blessings once more, finding themselves faced with the same priestess who'd received them on their previous visit .
A hint of despair flashed across her face when she saw Arran, but a forced smile took its place an instant later . "You have returned," she said, unable to fully mask her displeasure . "Have you reached a decision on which bloodline you wish to receive?"
"We have," Arran replied curtly . He turned to Kaleesh . "Captain?"
"I shall take the Guardian's bloodline . " As he spoke, Kaleesh glanced at the painting on the far right wall that supposedly depicted the Guardian — a fearsome existence said to be nigh-impervious to injury .
The priestess frowned — apparently, she had not expected that Kaleesh would select a bloodline as well — but after a moment, she gave an approving nod . "A wise choice . The Guardian's bloodline will be of great value in the Desolation . " Then, a trace of unease in her eyes, she turned to Arran . "And you said that you have reached a decision as well?"
Arran nodded . "In addition to the Master's bloodline, I've decided that I will take the bloodline of the Sage . "
"The Sage?" The priestess briefly fell silent, her expression troubled as she appeared to struggle for words . Finally, she said, "Are you certain of this?"
Raising an eyebrow, Arran asked, "Is there a problem with that?"
"It's not a problem, exactly . It's just…" The priestess hesitated before continuing, "The Sage's bloodline is not a common choice . "
"It's a greater bloodline, isn't it? Are you saying it's lesser than the others?"
"Of course not!" the priestess hurried to say, her eyes darting toward the painting of the Sage on the far wall as she spoke . "But the full benefits of the Sage's bloodline are slow in coming . Even if your comprehension increases, that will do little to protect you in the Desolation . "
Of course, this was something Arran had already guessed . While the Sage's bloodline might shorten the time it took him to set another step into Enlightenment, it would still take years of effort . By then, he would long have left the Desolation behind .
Yet although the Sage's bloodline would do little to help him survive the Desolation, it should help with something equally important — to break the seal left inside him by the oath disc .
Even now, he could Sense two seals within his body, one left by the Shadowflame Society and the other by the Imperium . The two of them together formed a deadly trap which he'd barely avoided, narrowly saving his life by restraining the seals .
But the seals were still there, created by someone who clearly did not wish for him to keep his life . And if there was one trap, there could yet be others, ready to be sprung at any moment .
Moreover, the oath he took should prevent him from betraying either the Imperium or its secrets . If that was indeed the case, then he would have to break the seal before returning to the Shadowflame Society .
In the end, the choice was an easy one .
"I choose the Sage's bloodline . "
For a moment, it looked as if the priestess was about to object, but she finally gave a small sigh . "Very well . The decision is yours to make . The both of you, please follow me . "
Without speaking any further words, she led them through a large door and into a large spiral stairwell that descended below the Hall of Blessings . It took several minutes before they reached the bottom, but eventually, they emerged into a vast hall .
Arran looked around with some surprise . He could see at a glance that this hall was larger than the entire building that housed the Hall of Blessings, and the numerous passages along the distant walls suggested that an entire city lay beneath the Sanctum .
There were people, too — numerous priests, hurrying along the vast underground space as they cast inquisitive looks at the newcomers .
The priestess waved one of them over, a white-clad youth with a nervous look about him . "These two are to receive greater bloodlines . Escort them to their chambers . "
"Of course, Prelate Shula," he said, bowing clumsily as he spoke . "Please, come with me . "
Arran and Kaleesh followed behind him as he immediately set off for one of the passages on the side of the hall, but after a few moments of silence, Kaleesh asked, "She's important, then?"
A nervous chuckle burst forth from the young priest's lips . "Naturally! She's a Prelate! She's only a single step away from becoming an Archon!"
Kaleesh shot Arran a meaningful look . "Then we'll have to take care not to offend her . "
The priest gave a small gasp . "To offend a Prelate…" He didn't finish the words, instead shaking his head as if the very idea of it bordered on blasphemy .
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