Necklace

This was Tyr's Hand. Isillien's influence extended only to the priests and young knights. After the Stratholme incident, his prestige had also been greatly weakened, leaving him naturally unable to compete with Abbendis for power.

Although she had already called him uncle, easing the tension between them, Abbendis certainly did not want such a highly experienced and prestigious High Inquisitor still standing over her and telling her what to do.

Feelings were feelings, but political struggles for power had never had anything to do with feelings. Roderick's words provided the perfect justification for Abbendis to consolidate her power, promote her confidants, and suppress the knights of Isillien's faction.

Isillien was undoubtedly well suited to be an inquisitor. His lofty reputation, built over many years, could also be used to inspire morale. But it was best to leave other matters to the young.

Taelan Fordring had already received hints from others. After returning, he would need to alter many of Hearthglen's previous decrees, reorganize the military structure, and cooperate with the Scarlet Crusade's new strategy.

With insufficient prestige, he might not be able to withstand the knights and priests of Isillien's faction. And once Isillien returned to his own base of power, whether he would willingly surrender the authority in his hands was also a question.

These issues would be an enormous challenge for the young lord. Hopefully, his courage would bring him good fortune. No one could predict what attitude the High Inquisitor would take toward this favored disciple of his.

After seeing off the Hearthglen party, Mataus, Leopold, and Rohan also prepared to lead their troops to Light's Hope Chapel.

This was part of the agreement between the two sides. The Scarlet Crusade needed the Silver Dawn's knights to hold back the Scourge in the Plaguewood and the north.