[b][center]Renais: [/b][/center]

There was an unmistakable and pervasive feeling of nervousness in the air as the people passed by and the evening marched ever closer. While many of her scholarly associates would argue that such a morose atmosphere could always be found when power was transitioned to an unproven prince, Cecilia knew for a fact that other forces were at play. Among the citizenry a Virad prophecy was almost gospel, and so many feared that today's coronation would be the start of something monumental and terrible.

Cecilia knew that these fears would indeed come to pass. 

She would have a hand in whatever was about to ensue, but thankfully she would not have to bare the weight of her actions alone. Finally spotting her master's visage breaking away from the mass of people was the first time all day that she had felt at ease. 

Her master embraced her before pulling back to examine her face. With a bemused tone to his voice he told his apprentice, "These last two years have been far kinder to you then they have been to me."

"And yet your vanity has held up remarkably well judging by that freshly tailored ensemble of yours", Cecilia retorted. The response got a laugh out of her mentor, though she couldn't help but see the sad truth to his words. Much like a king in times of peril, her mentor Valoise seemed to age exponentially over these past two years. His brown hair was now infiltrated by strands of gray. Though he still carried himself with poise, she noticed his gait had changed and his posture worsened; the beginnings of crow's feet could begin to be seen around the corners of his eyes. She couldn't imagine the types of deals and negotiations he had to conduct with the other members over these past two years just to protect this mission. Those thoughts were for another time however. By the way Valois’ eyes dimmed Cecilia knew he wanted to change the topic of discussion and get straight to the matter at hand.

"Were you able to accomplish the mission I gave you over these last two years?" Valois inquired. He was more direct than she was expecting with his questioning, but she could sympathize. 

"It wasn't easy... but I was able to infiltrate their order like you asked." Her words appeared to assuage his fears, but he didn't know the full story. "I still have some work to do before I get the answers we are looking for but I would like to discuss this somewhere with less people around if you don't mind." 

---

The two of them shared a meal before they found a stable without a soul around spare the horses who were kept there. She had no idea how to approach what she was about to say indirectly, so she opted for her master's blunt line of questioning. "Do I have permission to speak freely?"

This caught Valois off guard, and he gave her a slightly perplexed expression before replying "I wouldn't have been a teacher if I was opposed to students speaking their minds." 

She sighed, wondering where to begin. "I will tell you that you were right to have us here on this day. They did have plans for the coronation; one's I am to be involved in. What we have to do is despicable... but I am not convinced it is necessarily the wrong course either. I... don't know how to reconcile this."

He place a hand upon her shoulder and gave a weak smile. "It is good that you have been able to hold onto your conscience after all you have been through Cecilia. We are not the people that history will remember, but we are the ones who nudge history along to its proper course. Sometimes that means we must do terrible things so other do not have to. Though in your case, you don't have to shoulder that burden alone." 

Those words were all she needed to hear. Reaching into her cloak, she gave her teacher a small pouch. "I was hoping you would say that", she beamed. "I was able to procure some extra warp powder for you as well. No one will notice an extra member in the chaos so you should be able to avoid suspicion."

He took the pouch into his cloak, and said "While we are in a gift giving kind of mood, I have something for you as well." Valois walked to one of the stable horses and removed something from it's pack. As soon as he placed the bundle in her hands she knew what it was from the weight alone.

"My mask?", she could feel a heavy wave of emotion wash over her. It was almost as if a piece of herself had been returned.

"Been keeping it around for such an occasion; as good as when you left it in my care. Now let's hurry or we'll be late to the coronation. We can talk more along the way."