I Can't Get the Vampire Rogue to Romance Me

Chapter 55 - A Deal You Can Refuse?

"What do you know about the politics at play here in the Grove?" the High Cleric asked, folding her hands back into her robe sleeves.

Evangeline glanced between Hagor and Sigismund, who had incidentally placed themselves on either side of her.

"I understand that there is tension between the clerics and the druids," Evangeline stated, in a just-the-facts-ma'am sort of voice.

The High Cleric nodded. "Whenever you gather together a group of people there is a natural tension." She turned to look at the stained glass window of her goddess behind her. "While one would think what would unite us all is our love of Nature, sadly that isn't always so. I know you keep company with a druid so I understand how this might sound, but over the last few years it has been more and more clear that the druids need to leave the grove."

Hagor flinched, but kept his face impassive. Sigismund's eyebrows furrowed hard.

The High Cleric measured both their reactions. "It has nothing to do with druids personally."

"I don't know if they would see it that way," Evangeline interjected. "Seems very personal to me."

The High Cleric's jaw tightened a moment. "Yes, again, you pierce the truth. It is personal, but to this group of druids only. If you would like our help with your quest for a sun-gem, I must ask you to help us in our quest to protect our beloved trees and our way of life."

Sitting down, the High Cleric let out a weary sigh. "It is not like we haven't tried. We have tried to build common ground with the druids. But they are intractable. And now the theft of our brother clergy's sacred relic has led me to the equally intractable conclusion that we must part ways."

"I don't mean to be rude," Valerian interjected himself. "But then why don't you leave? They seem to have the same rights you do to have access to the Great Trees."

"And we don't mean to deny them that. But they aren't contributing to the custodial care of the trees, nor the pilgrims that seek them out."

"Or the tithes those pilgrims bring," Artmond added, again surprising Evangeline.

The High Cleric's expression didn't change from her mask of serenity. Which was honestly more disconcerting, then if she had shown herself to be offended. "Like I said, we provide services for those that come seeking the blessing of the Trees. It is not unethical nor lacking virtue to expect that they support us supporting them and others. All of this comes at a cost and we all bear it equally."

"Some more equally than others," Valerian muttered again. Hagor grunted at that in agreement.

"The druid's do nothing to contribute to this system, this natural ecosystem that we have created. Instead, they take what they want and they leave again. We have born it willingly enough for long enough, and the price is starting to become too much to bear. A druid's natural tendency is to wander through nature. We are simply asking them to heed the calling of their natures and leave us in peace."

It all sounded reasonable. Just not their problem.

"I can sympathize with your issues. I just don't really see what it is you want us to do about it?" Evangeline asked.

"Find me evidence," she said, her voice taking a new strength from its whispy affectedness before. "Find me evidence that they stole or destroyed the totem statue of Ashor. With that leverage, I can unite both Trees to help us push the druids out and I will be able to bestow a small bag of sun-gems on you, as thanks for those who have saved our Grove."

Evangeline couldn't keep her eyebrows from reaching for her hairline. She had no idea this was a possibility in the game. A whole bag of sun-gems?

"Talk about a compelling story thread," she muttered.

"What is your answer?" the High Cleric asked, leaning forward when she didn't catch Evangeline's unguarded words.

"May we..." Evangeline licked her lips. "May we take some time to discuss it?"

"No," the High Cleric said, simply. "This is an offer for here and now. I cannot risk you igniting the powder keg out there if you do not agree to side with our cause. Or I will need you to leave the Grove immediately as well."

Oh crap! This is serious, Evangeline thought.

"High Cleric, that is a little extreme..." Harrowheart tried to say, but the smaller woman stood and waved her hand, immediately silencing the larger, stronger female. Evangeline was pretty sure it hadn't been magic, but her personal power that had stopped the ogress's words.

"You have been a good friend to the Grove, Harrowheart, but you are still a danger. This is not the first, nor even the fifth time that your forge has caught fire. This has become very serious."

Harrowheart's head drooped. She didn't even try to argue.

The High Cleric turned back to Evangeline. "What is your answer?"

"We will investigate," Valerian said, surprising everyone. "We can't guarantee what we will find, but you have what we need and we don't really have a stake in your game." He took in the stares from the rest of the party. "We don't. We have our own objectives and this is the fastest way forward."

"Ah, I understand your nature now," the High Cleric said knowingly. "But even the goddess Kish has had use of rogues such as you. It is agreed them. Assist us and we shall assist you."

And that was the end of the interaction.

The whole party bowed in their way out of room, all the while Evangeline's mind was spinning.

Valerian had accepted the mission. In the game, that just wasn't possible. At least, now without Evangeline being in control of his character. The player always made all the choices, but this time it had come from him.

The implications of that made her shiver and feel sick.

To be continued...

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