The Fold

[Pillar of Creation]

She quietly made her way through the back alleys of Altur'Rang with her Emerald cloak pulled tight around herself. Earlier that evening her husband had told her his plans, and she needed to see to his success. A large man stepped around the corner and grabbed her arm, she didn't bother looking, she just loosed her power through him turning him to a pile of ash. Before long Liliana arrived at her destination in southern Altur'Rang. It was a large warehouse set at the far end of a foundry, what better place to meet her sisters? She nocked twice on the door and quietly spoke.
"Magic against magic."
The door silently swung in allowing her access. She pushed the door closed behind herself then pulled the innerdoor open.
"Empress what are you doing here at this hour?"
The shorter woman said as she made her way to the door. Liliana smiled as she spoke.
"It's good to see you to Janette."
Janette ran her fingers back through her long black hair as she regarded Liliana.
"Somethings happening isn't it? I recognize the look on your face Liliana your scheming."
"I want you to get ten sister togather and send them with my husband, he rides out to war."
Lilianas smile vanished.
"I also want four sisters to ride north."
Janette had a puzzled look on her face.
"What do you want in the north?"
"I want the rouge Confessors found and brought to Altur'Rang."
The smile reapeared on Lilianas face.
"What! Why would we want confessors here? That is insane!"
Janette wore a panicced look.
"Collin is smart but he doesn't think long term. If we have a group of confessors on our side we wouldn't need to fight wars to gain more land, we would simply have a king or queen confessed and they would "surrender" their lands to us."
Liliana turned back towards the door and started to pull it open.
"Theres more you aren't telling me isn't there?"
Liliana half turned back.
"All in due time Janette, and make sure those sisters ride out at first light with my husband."

[Pillar of Creation]

She stood over the well in the ancient catacombs they had found beneath the oldest part of the city. Fennel had writen that they were returning with the rouge Mother Confessor, this was better than Liliana could have hoped for. She had thought that she would send one of her sister confessors at the most, but apparantly she had some interest of her own. Liliana twirled the ruby pendant at her neck as she considered the possibilitie of what the rouge Mother Confessor could be after. She inadvertantly felt the link through it to her husband, her was... excited. As she pondered the questions some one emerged from the sliph gasping for air followed by four more people. She watched as they moved to pull themselves out.
"Welcome to Altur'Rang Mother Confessor."
The one woman she didn't recognize had a sour look on her face.
"I neither have nor want the title of Mother Confessor, I am Miss Tirel. Just bring me to this Empress of yours before I change my mind."
The colour drained from Fennels face.
Liliana smiled.
"Right this way Miss Tirel, I will take it from here sisters."

[The Great Wizard]

Serra and the lady walked into a large square.
"The palace is just ahead."

"Is this Liberty square?"

"Yes, why?"

"I've been told a beautiful statue stands in the center of the square, Spirit."
The lady frowned
"The hated statue was pulled down."
Serra looked surprised.
"A pity. Why would such an inspiring art work be hated?"

[Pillar of Creation]

Liliana waved off the question.
"That's a story for another time, you are here to see the Empress."
They continued across the square and arrived at the palace doors. As they continued inside Liliana felt the link to Collin again, and still felt that excitement. She looked up and realized she was at the door to her private chambers, and pulled open the door. Glancing back at Serra Tirel she gestured to one of the cushioned chairs near middle of the room.
"Please have a seat."
She turned around and caught a servants sleeve.
"Go fetch me and miss Tirel some tea."
She turned back to Serra, whos face had taken on a shade of red.
"Now we must talk."
Serra wore a scowl better than most people Liliana had seen, but it didn't really affect her.
"I do not appreciate being decieved Empress."
Liliana sat down in the chair across from Serra.
"Liliana, please. I did not decieve you, I brought you where you wished to go."
Just then the servant arrived with the tea, honey, and toast. Liliana gestured to the table where the servant set his load down, then quickly exited the room.
"Do you have a quillion or not? I do not want to waste anymore time if you don't."
Liliana poured herself and Serra each a cup of tea.
"I have two quillions in my collection, but we will discuss that later."
She handed Serra one of the cups.
"First we discuss why I asked you here. I want you and your sister confessors to establish yourselves here in Altur'Rang."
The scowl was gone from Serras face, now she just looked a combination of suprise and amusement.
"Now why would we want to set up all the way down here?"
Liliana set her cup on the table.
"Quite a few reasons. Protection. Convenience. Revenge."
That last one seemed to peak Serras interest.
"Revenge?"
"As I hear it told you want vengance against the Mother Confessor. I could help with that, all I ask is the use of your sisters power every now and then."

[Pillar of Creation]

As the Serra began to reply Liliana felt something in the city. She abruptly stood and move to the door.
"Where are you going empr- Liliana?"
"We have trouble in the city, I wont be long."
With that she exitted and began her walk to what she felt.

[Pillar of Creation]

Liliana returned quickly to the room where Serra waited. She made a stop by the vault and grabbed a quillion before she did though. As she stepped through the door she noticed a suprised look on Serras face.
"Eventfull trip Emp- Liliana?"
Liliana moved back to the seat across from Serra.
"Not very. Why?"
"Your cloak is covered in ash and blood."
Liliana used her power to reheat the tea, then poured herself another glass.
"Just a little trouble with a witch and her pet dragon."
Serra jumped from her seat.
"It has been taken care of."
Serra cautiosly retook her seat.
"Now back to business."
Liliana pulled a statue of a cowering man holding up a crystal out from under her cloak and set it on the table.
"A little gift to help seal the deal."

[Pillar of Creation]

As Serra picked the quillion up to inspect it there was a knock at the doors. Liliana used her gift to pull the door open revealing a guard standing there, his fist still poised in mid knock. He quickly put it to his side and cleared his throat.
"Empress we have some one claiming to be the daughter of Lord Chavelue at the main gates. She also claims she was sent here to be trained directly under you."
Liliana raised an eyebrow and thought. Lord Chavelue was sending his daughter simply for a visit, that could not be refused after all he was one of the more powerfull rulers who had surrendered to Collin willingly. Maybe he had just told his daughter she would recieve some sort of training here.
"Well let her in and set her up with a good room on the east wing, bring her some cold punch to cool her down from her long ride."
She had intentionally sent her to the farthest wing from her and Collins shared chambers. She didn't want some spoiled, pompous child pretending she was more than she was in her sights.
"Yes Empress."
The guard grabbed the door knob and pulled the door closed behind him as he left. Liliana turned her attention back to Serra who was nearly finished her inspection of the quillion. Now she would just wait for her answer.

[The Great Wizard]

Serra was surprised at directness of Liliana
"Well I can see the mutual benefits of an alliance, but I refuse live at someone else's convenience, and my business is in the New World."
Liliana smiled
"Fair enough, but surely it is reasonably to have some of your sisters staying here now and then."
"True" Serra agreed grudgingly
"So, is that all? Or do you need the services of a confessor?"

[Pillar of Creation]

"What I meant about convenience was for your convenience. I have a vast vault of items of magic I am willing to give you access to, and yes I have need of your services."
Liliana took a sip from the cup she was holding.
"I need you or one of your sisters to confess Queen Celest of Tanimura, and order her to surrender her lands and armys to my husband."
Liliana set her cup down and leaned forward.
"I understand you may not want to risk one of your sisters, or yourself in this."
Liliana slipped her bracelet off into her hand.
"But with this there is no risk. It is a shield of magic that blocks anything from hitting you for a time, then it must recharge for a few hours before it is used again."
Liliana set it on the table infront of Serra and produced a small black book from her pocket.
"Seeing as we are to be allys we should keep in touch, this here is a journey book you no doubt know, I hold its twin."
She slid them across the table to Serras side.
"Thank you for your time, you and your sisters are free to come and go from this empire at will."

[The Great Wizard]

Serra picked up the bracelet, twirling it around her finger.
She raised an eyebrow.
"There is no Queen Celest in Tanimura."

[Pillar of Creation]

Lilianas breath caught at Serras criptic answer. This was just what she was hoping for. Liliana got up out of her chair and offered a hand to Serra, which was declined.
"I will walk with you to the gates Miss Triel."

[Pillar of Creation]

Liliana sat staring at the message in the journey book. Miss Triel had done it, the Queen was hers. She picked up the stylus and began to write.
An army of ours is headed north, it will make a stop in Tanimura. Have the queen surrender to General Knoxx.