In a chamber in Alguz Options

[Edd]

The scribe looked over his Master’s shoulder. “You can’t do that sir. Going over a letter isn’t poss.....oh.” The letter on the ritual page vanished and was inked in seamlessly with another. “That is the power of “She who Cuts” Bartholemew.”

“But sir.... this is a ritual of “She Who Must Not be Named” to Blight the path of the Talthari! It’s incredibly evil!!”

“I think you’ll find it is a rite to “Light the path of the Talthari” now. As his Master traced various words in the script they glowed. DEIFIED. TENET. REFER. LEVEL. The script around each seemed to flow backward reversing the meaning whilst staying the same.

As he watched another passage came under the quill. This time there could be no reversal.... surely! “IN CIRCLES WE GO AT NIGHT AND ARE CONSUMED BY FIRE” vanished to be replaced by words in a long dead language. “IN GIRUM IMUS NOCTE ET CONSUMIMUR IGNI.”

Bartholemew began to comprehend the scope of the work. “How...how long have you been doing this?” “Four years.... though I only mastered the Cutting two years ago.” “But master... you’ve not had the time! You’ve been so busy.” “Busy with what Bartholemew?”

“Your Ambassadorship?” “Flim flam”.

“The Tea Rooms?” “Just a front.”

“The Scriptorum?” “Is where we are now.”

“All those Religious Lecture tours?” “It took twenty to amass the knowledge needed.”

“The Holy Crypt?? Surely not THAT!!” “Mostly worked on by others, it was easier than I might have implied.”

His Master finished lighting the last of the vividly red candles and inhaled deeply. The final line was incanted. What had read “Evil become manifest!” became “Veil become manifest”.
Subtle power washed out granting protection and choice to the Faithful. His Master seemed slightly diminished at the end and Bartholemew couldn’t help thinking that this was not really the act of a Renewal priest more one of Sub..... Oh. My. Goodness!

The Master looked round and smiled. He spoke three words as he had so many times before. “Forget all this.”