Immortals, but she missed her husband. He was away on an expedition - their connections through the Immortal abilities they had lost because of where he was and Faith felt his absence like a molten brick in her stomach. That he was alone, out there on the edge of the world was constantly on her mind and yet, in this moment what she wanted more than anything was to look into his amber eyes and see him give that slight smile of encouragement. Because for all that she could appear confident, could look as though she was the professor, the business owner and the medic, the council woman who stood and made an impassioned speech - for all that she could look like those people, in the moment that he met her gaze, he saw the terrified slave girl. He saw the real her. And he would smile and believe completely that she could do it, even though that was who he saw. He saw how she felt, he knew her fears and insecurities - he knew her past and her present and he understood her.
Somehow, he still believed in her.
So, Faith pulled on all her training and all her discipline and she appeared outwardly entirely calm. Standing, not moving or fidgeting, she made eye contact with each person who spoke. Sephira, someone who Faith had grown to respect over the last few seasons, she gave a slight smile to, raising her lips just a little and nodding her head once. The idea of the slaves, once they'd gone through the programme, joining the military was a good one, Faith knew it. They were used to following orders. the military needed the numbers and all in all, it was win win. She was glad that Sephira saw what she did. Because to Faith's mind, abolishing slavery brought with it a very big risk. The risk of the slavers, the profiteers of this lifestyle standing up. They needed to arm the slaves - but more than that, they needed people to appreciate them. To respect them. To feel a personal sense of loss if that happened.
So make them the solution to the Element "problem".
Kura supported her and Faith was grateful beyond measure to that. She didn't doubt for a moment that her friend would speak honestly and, if she thought it was a stupid idea then she'd say so and without pause. However, she did not so Faith breathed out slightly. Amaris, too, spoke in support, although the argument for why was somewhat unusual, but Faith cared about votes, about passing this suggestion. When Merchant LeShard spoke, after she had Faith nodded her head. "It will need to be a declaration from this moment and the writ will need to include that no one can be punished for anything previously. However," she said, with a ringing tone of determination in her voice, her fear forgotten in her passion and commitment. "it must be clear that the moment it changes, they become free citizens, recruits and trainees in the Elements." Another reason for Faith's insistence on the Elements being involved and integral. Harming a member of the Scalvoris military carried a higher penalty in court, traditionally. She was relying on that to stop any anger killings. "That gives the Elements the security and assurance needed, it gives the freed slaves the clear knowledge and direction they require and it allows us to work together."
To Egg Liza, though, she turned her attention and she listened to the woman speak. "You raise an important point. As much as this writ, this decree imposes responsibilities on us, so too does it on the current slaves. They must pay off their debt and since, in Egilrun, you brand their faces I believe, so that all may see," a slight pause. Just a slight one, but let that sink in. "They won't be able to go far, will they? They are given restricted papers until they have paid off their cost, then full ones, and that their cost must be paid is written in." Which would mean that Egilrun would have money coming in. "But certainly, a discussion on Slag's Deep would be most welcome." And there she thought she was trying to right wrongs one at a time.
"The Chancellor of the University has already agreed that slaves may study," that had been after she had harangued him, in fairness. "For all we know, there is a scientist or medic in those numbers. I would like Isonomia and the Elements to work with the University and the Trainer, in the trials to come, to set up scholarship programmes for those with talent, once they have paid off their cost and whilst they work with the Elements. We have a basic education programme in Isonomia, which we can utilise. Also, if appropriate, with the Glass Temple and the Devout, in order to ensure that all opportunities are available to the new citizens of Scalvoris, should we have any whose future lies within the priesthood. They will make us stronger." Nodding her head to Brandel, she spoke softly. "I call to vote."
Her own, of course, was aye.
Somehow, he still believed in her.
So, Faith pulled on all her training and all her discipline and she appeared outwardly entirely calm. Standing, not moving or fidgeting, she made eye contact with each person who spoke. Sephira, someone who Faith had grown to respect over the last few seasons, she gave a slight smile to, raising her lips just a little and nodding her head once. The idea of the slaves, once they'd gone through the programme, joining the military was a good one, Faith knew it. They were used to following orders. the military needed the numbers and all in all, it was win win. She was glad that Sephira saw what she did. Because to Faith's mind, abolishing slavery brought with it a very big risk. The risk of the slavers, the profiteers of this lifestyle standing up. They needed to arm the slaves - but more than that, they needed people to appreciate them. To respect them. To feel a personal sense of loss if that happened.
So make them the solution to the Element "problem".
Kura supported her and Faith was grateful beyond measure to that. She didn't doubt for a moment that her friend would speak honestly and, if she thought it was a stupid idea then she'd say so and without pause. However, she did not so Faith breathed out slightly. Amaris, too, spoke in support, although the argument for why was somewhat unusual, but Faith cared about votes, about passing this suggestion. When Merchant LeShard spoke, after she had Faith nodded her head. "It will need to be a declaration from this moment and the writ will need to include that no one can be punished for anything previously. However," she said, with a ringing tone of determination in her voice, her fear forgotten in her passion and commitment. "it must be clear that the moment it changes, they become free citizens, recruits and trainees in the Elements." Another reason for Faith's insistence on the Elements being involved and integral. Harming a member of the Scalvoris military carried a higher penalty in court, traditionally. She was relying on that to stop any anger killings. "That gives the Elements the security and assurance needed, it gives the freed slaves the clear knowledge and direction they require and it allows us to work together."
To Egg Liza, though, she turned her attention and she listened to the woman speak. "You raise an important point. As much as this writ, this decree imposes responsibilities on us, so too does it on the current slaves. They must pay off their debt and since, in Egilrun, you brand their faces I believe, so that all may see," a slight pause. Just a slight one, but let that sink in. "They won't be able to go far, will they? They are given restricted papers until they have paid off their cost, then full ones, and that their cost must be paid is written in." Which would mean that Egilrun would have money coming in. "But certainly, a discussion on Slag's Deep would be most welcome." And there she thought she was trying to right wrongs one at a time.
"The Chancellor of the University has already agreed that slaves may study," that had been after she had harangued him, in fairness. "For all we know, there is a scientist or medic in those numbers. I would like Isonomia and the Elements to work with the University and the Trainer, in the trials to come, to set up scholarship programmes for those with talent, once they have paid off their cost and whilst they work with the Elements. We have a basic education programme in Isonomia, which we can utilise. Also, if appropriate, with the Glass Temple and the Devout, in order to ensure that all opportunities are available to the new citizens of Scalvoris, should we have any whose future lies within the priesthood. They will make us stronger." Nodding her head to Brandel, she spoke softly. "I call to vote."
Her own, of course, was aye.





