My responsibilities have borne me northwards once more it seems, to the warm hearth provided by Ser Haurchefant of House Fortemps amidst the biting cold of Ishgardian climes. We were to meet with the Lord Commander Aymeric, a man of considerable influence within the Holy See. Alphinaud was eager to make connections with the reclusive nation, that they might be persuaded to open their gates and proffer aid to Eorzea should the Empire march once again.
Ser Aymeric strode in a much dignified manner into the intercessory. He rejected our appeal outright, claiming he has not the authority to change Ishgardian policies regarding their intervention with the Natalan Ixal, nor of their international relations. He countered our offer with one of his own, however. He would ensure that the outcry regarding provisions being supplied by House Fortemps to the Crystal Braves be quelled, but in return we would keep vigil over the Keeper of the Lake, Mirdgardsormr. The astrologians of Ishgard had been growing more concerned by the day that the wyrm might return to life, and wished insurance against it should that eventuality come to pass.
Our meeting was cut short when a knight barged into our meeting with a report that house Fortemps' supplies bound for Revenant's Toll had been waylaid a second time by heretics. Heretics who, on account of the missing cargo, planned to summon Shiva, the patron saintess of the heretics. It did not need to be said that this fact alarmed us and we put to work to stop this summoning posthaste.
In our pursuit, I encountered the leader of the heretics, the Lady Iceheart herself. She confided that she was born Ysale but has since been called Iceheart from her deeds. She spoke of the cycle of hate and suffering, the neverending war between man and dragon. She asked if I wished it to continue by stopping her and her devotees, when they would wish to put an end to it once and for all. Of course, I renounced this claim. I so loathe to witness more bloodshed, yet their methods still spilt blood amongst kin even if they claimed it for the greater good.
In my hesitation, I'd let her slip by and she escaped by way of aetheric teleportation from the aetheryte located deep in Snowcloak. We would follow her, but it seemed the connection between the points was severed or cloaked in some way. So lost were we that we called upon one Sharlayan scholar, Moenbryda, who was welcomed with warmth and familiarity by the Scions. She came bearing white auracite, the secret weapon we hope to entrap the wandering souls that are the Ascians, that we may banish them forevermore. The auracite was similarly capable of channeling a large amount of aether and was a suitable tool to rekindle the aether 'beacon' that should lead us to Lady Iceheart.
I pursued her to the amphitheatre without delay. I witnessed her transformation as she channeled the primal Shiva into her own body. I once again banish the primal, as I am wont to do as the blade of the Scions. To say Lady Iceheart was displeased was an understatement. She called me a blind fool who followed faith without question, as do all Ishgardians. I did not understand what she meant, so she bade me seek the truth with the Keeper of the Lake. She then retreated, but not without a message to not squander our Mother's gift. To hear, feel, think...
I have much to report to Minfilia when I return.
