It's mid-day on the Temple street, with plenty of people milling about on business or pleasure or who-knows-what. A winged alien gains a few strange looks, but that's about all. Most persons have better things to do than to ask silly questions.

Envoy heads for the main entrance of the Temple.

A few poodle nobles walk by. A couple notice Envoy, giggle, and start whispering loudly to each other as they walk on down the steps leading back out of the Temple.

Envoy glances after the poodles as she enters.

As Envoy glances back, she notices several riders on horseback – or, that is, the creatures that, until properly named, would be most equivalent to horses.

Envoy pauses to watch the riders, not having seen anyone riding a creature like that before.

There are ten armored warriors, total, their shields bearing a variation on the insignia of the Temple – The Star-and-Anchor. The symbol is a bit different though, the tips of the star ending in serifs. But then, the various branches of the Temple each seem to have their own particular variation on the Star-and-Anchor emblem. The Office of Accounting, after all, has a stylized Balance, while the Star-and-Anchor of the Technopriests has tips suggesting open-end wrenches.

Envoy waits to see if the group will dismount and enter the Temple.

The ten warriors are actually divided into two groups, which ride toward each other, coming down the street, and meeting each other in front of the Temple.

Envoy looks up and down the street, but doesn't see any floats. Must not be a parade…

The group on Envoy's left is mostly armored in white and magenta. By the style of the armor, they appear to be mostly felines, and all female. The right hand group is in black armor. To the last one, they are probably wolves.

The riders stop, facing each other. In each group, there is a warrior to be seen with far more elaborate and unique armor than the rest. The leaders of each group – if that's what they are, and quite probably so – ride forward, and issue salutes to each other, then dismount from their steeds.

Envoy thinks, o O { They look like knights. Why would the Temple have Knights? }

The two warriors are speaking loudly, possibly announcing themselves, or having a conversation or argument. It's hard to make out just what they're saying from this distance, as, while the street has been cleared around them, there certainly is not a hush upon the crowd. In fact, most folks aren't even watching.

Envoy decides the most direct action would be… to ask the guard at the Temple doors who those people are.

Conveniently within reach is a member of the Elite Guard – a wolf, as most of the Guard are, standing with flintlock rifle to one side.

"Excuse me," Envoy asks the guard, "but who are those armored people?"

The Guard just stands there, silently, as if he were carved from stone, looking straight ahead. In fact, that's what they seem to always do, except during the Changing of the Guard.

Fortunately, a priest walks up the steps, and overhears Envoy's question. The short koala laughs, "Aha! Why hello there! Those would be the Magenta and Black Lances."

Envoy says, "What do they lance?"

The koala chuckles, then answers, "Why, whatever they're ordered to. They are the Knights Templar." There's that word, 'knight'. However, one can't be sure if the word translates from Rephidim Standard with the same connotations as Envoy might be familiar with.

Meanwhile, down in the street, weapons have been drawn and flash in the sunlight. The two warriors on the ground have pulled out weapons, though the eight Lancers on horseback just remain back, not moving.

Envoy asks, "Are they going to fight each other?"

The white-armored feline in the magenta cape has two swords. It's hard to tell … but they look as if they might actually be made of metal. As for the rest of her armor, it doesn't look like the usual chitin, but might be some sort of high-impact ceramic, similar to the material found in many parts of the interior of the Temple.

The koala just nods and watches.

The armored wolf, armored in ashen gray, draws a single, two-handed sword, also evidently fashioned of some metal alloy. The way he hefts it, though, indicates that it must be fairly light, or else he's stronger than he looks.

The two warriors make short bows to each other … and then immediately the blades are in motion, and the clash of steel against steel – not a usual sound to be heard – rings through the streets.

The two warriors evidently have very different fighting styles. The digitigrade cat spins and whirls, and her movements have a certain rhythm, as if she's dancing with the blades. The wolf, on the other hand, is fairly steady and restrained, mostly defensive, though he occasionally makes a strike at an apparent opening.

Envoy watches closely. "Do they do this often?"

The koala nods. "Regularly."

The movements of the blades are almost too fast to follow, but Envoy is able to observe that when the blades block each other, they never hit each other on the cutting edges. At last, though, the movement stops … with two blades held by the feline resting on the pauldrons of the wolf. His sword is held in a position that suggests that, a second later, he could have cleaved the cat in two, but nonetheless they freeze.

The blades are retracted, and the wolf abruptly bows at the waist. His expression cannot be discerned – not only from the distance, but because every one of the warriors is wearing a helm that obscures his or her features.

Envoy says, "Are they married?"

The koala blinks at Envoy. "Whatever gave you that notion?"

The warriors mount their horses again. The Black Lance turns and rides away, back the way they came, while the Magenta Lance continues riding down the street in the same direction, the way they were originally headed. The crowd closes in again, and there's no evidence that anything really transpired at all. Well, none save for the evidence that riding beasts occasionally leave, that is, but that should probably go without saying.

Envoy says, "I knew a pair of knights once that were going to be married. They often fought."

The koala mouths an "oh". "Well, the lady warrior is the Champion of Roses, who is in charge of the Magenta Lance. And the other is the Champion of Ashes, in charge of the Black Lance. I sincerely doubt they would have any intentions of matrimony."

Envoy says, "The combat is ceremonial then?"

The koala nods. "Yes. The Inquisition would not be terribly pleased if the Champions went about killing each other. But they're forever testing each other. It's usually a friendly rivalry."

Envoy nods, filing it away as another background detail which makes no sense to her. "You wouldn't happen to know if Inquisitor Melchizedek is in his office, would you?"

The koala nods. "Oh yes, yes, I'm quite sure of it. Ever since the Audit, he's been largely spending his time either in his office, or else making trips to see Quartermaster Supreme diMedici."

Envoy smiles, "Thank you." She heads through the Temple entrance.

By now, the route to Melchizedek's office is a familiar one. And her face is familiar to the wolves outside his office. After conferring with the Inquisitor through the panel to one side of the door, they step aside and cycle the door open, revealing the office – and its Aeonian occupant – inside.

Envoy steps inside and smiles brightly for the Inquisitor.

Inside the office, Melchizedek works on a stack of paperwork. He's not just reading and signing forms this time. Rather, he appears to be sorting through folders. Azhtar is in another corner, going through similar motions with other stacks of records.

Envoy looks over the stacks of folders, and wonders if they have to do with the 'audit' the priest mentioned. "I hope I am not interrupting something important, Inquisitor."

The Inquisitor looks up to Envoy, regarding her for a moment. At last, he says, "Yes, you are. But it is about time I had another interruption. What brings you here, today, Envoy of Lothrhyn?"

Azhtar looks up, giving Envoy a faintly worried look for just an instant, but returns to her sorting.

Envoy smiles, "A matter of life and death, my Lord. My friend Kaela's mother is dying from cancer, and I was hoping there might be some advanced treatments available from the Temple Infirmary… "

Melchizedek looks to Envoy. "Oh, really?" He pays no attention to Azhtar's ear-flicks. "Could you tell me about this friend of yours?"

Envoy says, "She was part of Lord Titus' expedition to the City of Hands, and she helped me learn to sign."

Melchizedek frowns. "I see. For your sake, I might actually be able to arrange something. Persons in my position are normally allowed a certain degree of leeway with standard rules and procedures. But that has changed."

Envoy blinks. "Have you lost your position?"

Melchizedek says, with a hint of a smirk, "No. I am merely being reminded of the bounds of it."

Envoy says, "Does this have to do with the Audit I heard about?"

Melchizedek says, "Yes."

Envoy blinks three times. "When will it be over?"

"Whenever the Quartermaster Supreme is satisfied," Melchizedek says. "Audits sometimes last a number of years. I doubt, however, that the intent is for this to drag on for quite so long. But that is not for you to worry about."

Envoy frowns. "If it interferes with your abilities, then it does affect me. What is needed to hasten the process?"

Melchizedek looks up to Envoy. "Do not involve yourself in this, Envoy. You are being used as a pawn." The unicorn's eyes narrow, evidencing extreme displeasure at something.

Envoy blinks three times, trying to figure out who is using her. "Does this mean you can't help me?"

Melchizedek looks to Azhtar, then back to Envoy. "It would seem that this 'Kaela' has a certain degree of popularity. Supposing that I could help, how might I be of assistance?"

Azhtar keeps her gaze down, diligently sorting through files and occasionally pulling out records and putting them in smaller piles.

Envoy says, "Her mother is very ill. If there is anything the Infirmary can do, it would help."

Melchizedek places his fingers together, forming a bridge which he touches to the tip of his muzzle. "It occurs to me that, after all, I do draw a salary for my work for the Temple. First Ones know if I will find much in my account," he glances toward Azhtar. "But my assistant might be able to see if there is enough to hire a healer to take a look at this ailing Savanite. Not some herbalist. A mage of the Sphere of Life."

Azhtar sets down the files and just looks up, expressionless.

Melchizedek looks back at Envoy. "However, why should I be spending my money on the relative of a friend of an Exile?" he asks.

Envoy blinks. "What else do you have to spend it on?"

Melchizedek says, "I may be around for a very long time. I may think of something eventually."

Envoy hmms. "If not for Kaela, I might not be alive."

Melchizedek ponders. "Then, you suggest a gesture of appreciation for performance above and beyond the duty of a servant?"

Envoy blinks, "No, but that sounds good too."

Melchizedek turns toward Azhtar. "The reports can wait. And don't tell anyone I said that. See to making the arrangements immediately."

Azhtar nods and stands.

Envoy says, "I can do the sorting while Azhtar is gone… "

At a nod from Melchizedek, Azhtar goes to the door, and after it has cycled open to let her through, then cycled shut again, Melchizedek and Envoy are alone.

Melchizedek signs, "There is one thing I would appreciate, Envoy. I know you have been asked to keep secrets, but I would like to know more about what truly transpired at the City of Hands. I do not ask you to break your promises. But this is a matter of importance. If you must get permission, then do so."

Envoy signs, "Will you use your own discretion, rather than pass the information to others?"

Melchizedek signs, "What I do with the information I obtain is for me to discern. I will not make any promises to you that I cannot keep."

"Promises are important to me," Melchizedek signs. "And I very much appreciate that they are important to you."

Envoy signs, "I will try to get permission to share the information with you. I think your generosity in this other matter will not go unrewarded."

Melchizedek smirks at the word "generosity" for some undisclosed reason. "Do not speak freely of this matter. I am not asking you to keep a secret. I am only giving you some advice."

Envoy nods, and signs, "I know you wish people to view you with fear."

Melchizedek signs, "I would hate to disappoint."

Envoy blinks three times, then grins as she gets the joke.

Envoy signs back, "I hope you fare better in the Audit than your enemies."

Melchizedek turns back toward the desk. "Hope is a dangerous thing," he says out loud, as he examines the reports.

Envoy bows, and knocks on the door for the guards.

The door cycles open for Envoy. Melchizedek does not turn to look or offer any farewells, but simply remains focused upon the reports on his desk.

Envoy exits and smiles for the guards, then makes her way quickly out of the Temple. She must talk to Kaela about things…