At the Sanctuary of Amber, deep within the wild, barren lands of Shabar, the Inquisitrix Turtle has been treated to luxuries she hasn't known for centuries … namely, other people picking up after her, making a room for her, preparing her food, and other things that are simply not possible when you are in complete solitude for years upon years.

That is not to say that such would be considered "luxuries" by, say, the nobility. This is, after all, a monastery. The food is plain, the accomodations spartan. But the monks are more than diligent in their work when it comes to cleaning and mending the Inquisitrix's wardrobe. For her morning bath, there is a pool surrounded by flowering plants in a crystal-domed enclosed garden that is set aside for her solitary use.

The gardens might come as some surprise, considering the surroundings … but the complex is surrounded by a ring of structures suspended along its perimeter, each capped with a crystalline dome that filters in the harsh light from outside, taming it to nurture the plants which are tended to by the monks inside … and which provide sustenance in the form of fruits and vegetables, as well as herbs for their healing medicines.

Not all the plants are functional, however. Some of the gardens consist only of plants grown simply for their floral splendor, and it is one such garden that the Inquisitrix has the roam of this morning.

Turtle holds a white lily gently in her hands, considering it before placing it into her hair. She pulls out her small mirror with the three frogs and admires the flower's placement with a smile.

There's a light sound of dripping water from elsewhere in the garden, but otherwise it is silent here, and the Aeonian is alone with her thoughts and her immediate surroundings, with only stone statuary and flowered plants for company.

Turtle continues her gaze down over the long delicate pink and white toga-like dress she is wearing, and admires the many strands of rock beads on her wrists. It had been a long time since she had last gazed upon them; since she had spent so many hours alone in the fortress making them to pass the time. Finally, she puts away the mirror, and continues walking along, occasionally pausing to smell the fragrance of a bud or two.

A noise in somewhere across the garden disturbs the solitude of the moment. Despite the monks' assertion that no one would disturb the Inquisitrix until she called for someone, it appears that she will soon have a visitor.

The sound of a clipping of hooves on stone blocks on one of the winding pathways hints at the identity of the intruder.

Turtle turns towards the hooves, looking puzzled.

Inquisitor Melchizedek follows a curve in the path, coming around a corner, passing between a couple of statues of exotic birds in flight. He stops when he sees the Inquisitrix and bows in greeting. "Good morning, Inquisitrix Turtle."

Turtle narrows a her eyes a bit to show her displeasure at being disturbed, but the look soon fades. "Inquisitor Melchizedek. I did not expect you at all. Good morning."

Melchizedek says, "As of late, I have often sacrificed common courtesy to my impatience. Please accept my apologies if I have disturbed you. However, I felt it necessary to speak with you regarding the Champion of Amber. Have you a moment?"

Turtle sighs almost inaudibly. "Yes, I suppose. What do you wish to say about him?"

The black unicorn replies, "I have nothing, per se, to say about him, but I wished to ask for your preference. He has asked for us to return to see him. However, he left ambiguous any matter of whether we should see him together, as before, or separate. I merely wished to consult with you as to your preference." His expression looks neutral and passive as he finishes.

Turtle takes a moment to ponder that carefully.

Melchizedek stands silently, except for the rustle of his robes as he crosses his arms.

Turtle says, "I suppose… I would prefer… to go with you, considering as to… "

Turtle's voice breaks off, and the furrow in her brow suggests she would rather not go at all.

The black unicorn nods. "Shall we go now, then, so that we may get this business out of the way?"

Turtle looks annoyed, but answers, "Yes, very well then."

Melchizedek nods his head, then immediately turns back the way he came, the folds of his robes swaying out, then falling back in again as he strides away.

Turtle follows, her pace a bit slower, as if self-forced.

Later, Inquisitor Melchizedek forced to slow his pace somewhat, the two Aeonians arrive back in the central chamber of the Sanctuary. All is as before, the crystal dome high above and the amber star suspended in place … the four statues moving this way and that, accompanied by crackles of energy … and the faceless Champion of Amber awaiting them below this display of curiosities.

Turtle flattens her ears slightly at the sight of the Champion again, but manages to remain dignified.

"Welcome again, inquisitors," says the Champion. "Before anything further, have you any questions for me?"

Melchizedek looks at Turtle, saying, "I have no questions."

Turtle shakes her head, denoting the same.

The Champion nods. The loops at the headpiece of his staff ring out with each step he takes as he walks across the floor. "I would not waste your time needlessly. Now then. As should not be great news to you, we have entered a time of turmoil. I see war – I see old establishments being shaken from within and without."

"I see that as well," replies Melchizedek, with a hint of annoyance.

"Do not be so self-righteous, Inquisitor Melchizedek. Your heart is not so hard to guess at. You think yourself above the corruption around you, yet you justify cruelty and injustice in the name of justice. How many children died when you put Darkside to the torch? How many lives were destroyed? Has it made Rephidim any better?" asks the Champion with a level voice.

The black unicorn takes a slight step back at the words, but says nothing.

Turtle listens on, every moment her face revealing more and more of her curiousity at the words being spoken.

"You have been careless and prideful, Inquisitor Melchizedek. You have been sent away from Rephidim now. Do you reason in your heart that once the world falls apart, they will see what a mistake they made, and regret punishing you? Will that make the innocents who suffer for it feel any better?" the Champion continues.

The black unicorn bows his head. He has no reply.

The Champion turns toward Inquisitrix Turtle. "When you return to Rephidim, you will not find it to your liking. It was corrupt even when you saw it last, but you will find jesters playing at being kings. And if you react to it as Melchizedek has – if you bow to your pride – you will do no better than he."

Turtle frowns, the mask of disinterest and vanity totally wiped from her face. She is silent herself.

"You will indeed return," the Champion asserts. "What you will do when you return there depends upon you. As for Melchizedek … his future is much more uncertain, but he has been given his due chance." As he speaks, the Champion reaches into the folds of his robe, and withdraws a leather scrollcase, which he hands to the Inquisitrix.

"Take this," says the Champion to Turtle. "But do not open it. Not until you have reached Rephidim, and are alone."

Turtle looks over the scrollcase, still stunned, then puts it away somewhere in the folds of her toga. "I will be sure to."

The Champion of Amber says, "Good. May the Star shine upon you, and light your way. To both of you, I say, go in peace, and never forget your sworn duties to uphold justice and virtue."

Melchizedek says, "So be it. Fare well, Champion of Amber." He turns about, striding out of the chamber, his gaze focused on the exit.

Turtle turns slightly to follow Melchizedek, then looks back at the Champion, as if questioning for a moment, then her old familiar look of inward interest comes back. "Goodbye, Champion." She walks out after the black unicorn, her eyes cast towards the floor in thought.