Later than night, Diedre is still seething at the machinations of that filthy whore of a ‘High Priestess’, Scarlet the Harlot, as Deidre considers her.

How dare she?!? And how can I turn this to my advantage. That trollop isn’t worthy of my respect! That bawd isn’t worthy of the power bestowed upon her by Sarenrae. That slattern certainly isn’t worthy of that most magnificent Dawnwarrior, Faisal! Only why can’t he see that?!? Why must he follow such a charlatan hussy as her when Saranrae has clearly favoured ME over her?!? How can he doubt my purity or faithfulness or worthiness, especially in the light of the revelations and power given over to me? I brought him back from the dead! I cured the people with just a touch! They love me and adore ME, not her! And what has she done? Get him killed! Time and again!!! I’ve heard them talking about how she hesitates and is indecisive and how that constant puts the leaders at risk. She is probably responsible for the death of the Duke. There has to be some way to protect Faisal from her! But how? HOW?!?

As Diedre is seething and storming around her rooms, the light begins to change and the soft glow of the candles begin to burning a savage yellow. The flames of the candles are drawn into a burning wheel in the centre of the room and within the burning wheel appear a woman’s eyes.

“I’ve been watching you Deirdre and I have heard your plea. You are correct, Scarlet isn’t worthy of Faisal, only you are and that was my plan all along. Only you have moved too slowly and been too cautious! Faisal is a warrior, a man of ACTION! He has no love for those who simper or wilt or dissemble – he needs a powerful woman at his side. I have given you power and you have demonstrated that power to him and you have seen how he responds to you – but who accompanies him on his adventures? Who shared his tent, guards his back and tends his wounds when he is hurt? Not you my cautious but faithful beauty, but Sacrlet and thus it is Scarlet to whom he turns and whose orders he follows, and not yours. I even arranged for you to demonstrate your strength and conviction by giving you ruler ship of the new temple of Sarenrae, and how do you respond?!? By showing him you are a snivelling, weak, petulant child, angry that you can’t remain in luxury instead of showing him that you are powerful and capable of enduring real hardship- that you are worthy of being at his side!”

Diedre wilts more and more during the divine tirade and is in near hysterical as her goddess reveals how far she has fallen from her Goddess’ divine plan.

“Weep not my lovely, for the path to salvation and Faisal is not barred, despite your continuous attempts to block it. There is still a way for you to be together, but you must follow my commands to the letter. Will you do that? Will you follow my instructions and win Faisal’s heart?”

Deirdre quails before the mystical power permeating the room, terrified beyond belief at what she is experiencing. She has encountered nothing in her studies that compares with the display of raw energy that she kneels before. No Oracle, Dawnbrethren or Holy Warrior of the Order has ever described such a thing in any of the ancient texts, yet here it manifests in her presence.

The surprise of the apparently divine contact begins to subside, even as the hope and desire engendered by the vision’s words begin to push back against the naked terror. The young woman gathers her courage, allowing herself to straighten and face the fiery eyes.

“What must I do?”