[center][h1][b]Iraleth Kyrios[/b][/h1][/center]

In all honesty, she hadn't expected the Undermage to acquiesce so easily. While Iraleth had entirely intended to go through with the duel right here and now, the objective had never been to seize victory in the first place. Rather, it was to see if Ciara would stop and give in faced with guilt and common decency. That had evidently fallen through. 

Iraleth turned and gave the Head Advisor a resigned sigh, doing as she was told and releasing her hold upon her power. The healing potion was uncorked, and it went down the hatch in short order, some measure of blessed relief coming to her aching body at last. She started to open her mouth, but Ciara beat her to the punch, accepting the duel and leaving in short order. After everything, it seemed her worst fears had been right all along. Ciara had something to hide. Something bad enough that she'd try to conceal it despite the multiple outs she'd been given. 

Any hesitation Iraleth had left faded from her mind. If the other girl was this desperate, then there was a better than not chance that Ciara actually was a danger to those around her. In which case, not revealing her secrets was unconscionable. If Ciara wouldn't give up her secrets willingly, then there wasn't any choice left, was there? 

[b]"I accept, Head Advisor."[/b] Iraleth would have been resolute, if she didn't fix both Nicole and Hildegunde with a regretful stare after. [b]"Though I would have preferred it not come to this. I genuinely hoped that Ciara would have backed down."[/b] Zeal blazed back into her eyes, screams and fire echoing across her senses for a moment. [b]"But if she is an Umbralist, I can not, will not allow that. No more villages, no more innocents will be lost in shadow and chaos."[/b]

She started to stride out of the office with purpose, but stopped at the doorframe, turning back. 

[b]"And, please: Despite our...disagreements, I would hope you still give Hildegunde a key. After all, neither I nor Ciara are opposed to her presence."[/b] With that said, Iraleth made for the dorm room, intent on doing what she was told and getting some rest. Tomorrow, she would spend the day in fervent prayer and meditation in order to prepare for the battle ahead. 

Iraleth had started this whole mess to begin with. But she would be the one to finish it. One way or another, Ciara would reveal what she really was.


[@Estylwen] [@Sifr]