Trial of Sacrifice- Your wealth is your worth

[Ayemae]

Ayemae sat at her office desk, writing in her ledger that tracked her revolving accounts as a knock came to the door.

“Enter” She said as she closed the ledger and placed it into a drawer.

A small goblin entered slowly and held out a small envelope that had been sealed with the signet of The Grim.

Squizzle, the goblin, had come into Ayemae's employ a few months earlier through mutual acquaintances. She had proven to be a strong and useful resource, especially since placing her within The Grim. Her use had no equal and Ayemae had with her the closest thing to trust she had ever allowed.

“Is that...?” She trailed off.

The goblin only nodded.

Ayemae sighed and took the letter, tossing it into a pile of papers. She had no reason to read it, as she already knew what it said. How could she not? She had been preparing for this day for some time now.

“You know what to do. Assemble my slaves at the vault doors and begin packing.”

The goblin nodded grimly and quickly exited the room.

After hearing the lock on the door click shut, Ayemae sat at her desk and placed her head in her hands. To place so much faith in an organization is a fool's venture, she had scolded herself numerous times.

But The Grim had proven themselves time and again to be a reliable ally in this war torn world. And the time had come to choose an ally. The war had grown beyond her solitary abilities. She needed a large ally. And a large ally is costly.

Ayemae had made her life as a noble, buying politicians, spies, information, slaves. Everything has a price. Anything can be bought. She had learned this well early on and had built quite an empire through smart purchases and her renown gem cutting skills.

“Trial of Sacrifice...” she said as she flicked a coin across the room.

“....Some things are just more costly than others.”

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Ayemae walked briskly through her elaborately decorated solar. She hadn't time to notice the breeze blowing the curtains in the open doorways or admire the shadows the moon cast from her large garden statues. Her mission was clear. It had been for some time now.

She turned the corner and nearly ran into a small human child who was heavily laden with bags upon bags of goods. His knees buckled slightly as he dodged out of her way.

“Move, Rat!” She proclaimed and swatted absently.
Slaves lined the hallway in similar fashion. At the end could be heard Squizzle barking orders, her chest puffed up in the air savoring the thrill of power.

“Have you finished?” Asked Ayemae.

“Nearly, Ma'am. Just a few more to load up for the trip.”

Ayemae nodded and surveyed the room.

“Have you all of the gems from the vault?”

“Yes,ma'am.”

“Both cut and raw, correct?”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“And the silks, you didn't forget the silks did you?”

“The silks as well, ma'am.”

“What about the gold bars?”

“Most of those are on the boy that was in your way, ma'am. They are all packed along with most of your jewelry.”

Ayemae sighed heavily. “Good. Deliver it under the cover of shadow to the offices of the Inquisitors at once. Leave half of the best slaves as well. Attach this note to the door and return to me.”

The goblin nodded and yelled for the band to move out.

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Squizzle arrived at the offices and quickly dumped out every satchel onto the desks of the inquisitors to be sure they could see the 'shiney' in all of its glory.

Gold bars, gems, jewels, rings, and fabrics spilled onto the floors and into every corner of the room. Silks and tapestries hung on the walls and over 70 slaves lined the sides of the room, one shackled to the next.

On the door at 'goblin height' she nailed a note.

:: High Inquisitors,

Ayemae Myerritir has heeded your call for a Trial of Sacrifice. My associate, Squizzle, has emptied my vaults of all value and has been instructed to deliver this to you.

As a Noble of Silvermoon, our wealth determines our worth. I hope that you find my sacrifice worthy of your colors.

~Ayemae::

[Aureilya]

Aureliya arrived at her office later that night.. Tired, and nursing a headache, she planned to retire for the evening after a bit of paperwork. Still recalling the success of the patrol earlier that evening, she approached the door and noticed a note pinned to the outside. Flicking open the envelope, she read the contents. And then curiously, opened the door to her office.

Dozens of humans lined against the wall was the first thing she saw. Her face contorted in rage and her hands shot forward, a fiery gout of flames surging towards the shackles slaves. The note fluttered to the floor, landing against her foot. In one smooth motion, her form seemed to separate as a trio of illusions stepped out from either side of her. Each turned to an opposite direction, bathing the chained humans in a blast of fire. The slaves died, wailing and writhing as the fire blistered their skin to a black crisp. Only after the last of them finished twitching on the floor did she allow the flames to abate.

Turning then, she took a look around her office to see the piles of treasure stacked on and around her desk. Lifting a bolt of windwool cloth, she looked around slowly and then picked up the letter to read it again.

A reply was sent to Ayemae the next morning.

"Ayemae,

Your contribution is quite sizable, and these items will indeed aid us in our war efforts. I just hope you do bear in mind, you will likely have many sacrifices to face over the course of time, and not all will be as tangible as gems and riches. Continue to serve the Mandate, and see that everything you do will only further our cause. Your sacrifice, for now, is noted.

Aureliya Raindawn"

[Ayemae]

::A Second letter arrived later the next day::

Inquisitors,

Attached please find, for your pleasures, an itemized list of the goods left to The Grim.


Windwool Cloth x 171
Moonshroud x 3
Vermilion Onyx x 2
Lucent Vermilion Onyx x 1
Deft Vermilion Onyx x 3
Resplendent Vermilion Onyx x 3
SKillful Vermilion Onyx x 1
Polished Vermilion Onyx x 1
Stalwart Vermilion Onyx x 1
Wicked Vermilion Onyx x 1
Potent Vermilion Onyx x 1
Resolute Vermilion Onyx x 1
Tiger Opal x 16
Sun's Radiance x 1
Subtle Sun's Radiance x 3
Quick Sun's Radiance x 1
Impereal Amethyst x 5
Veiled Impereal Amethyst x 3
Etched Impereal Amethyst x 2
Shifting Impereal Amethyst x 2
Roguestone x 35
Wild Jade x 7
Radiant Wild Jade x 1
Piercing Wild Jade x 1
Alexandrite x 39
Primodial Ruby x 2
Flashing Pimodial Ruby x 2
Pandaren Garnet x 27
River's Heart x 11
Rigid River's Heart x 1
Stormy River's Heart x 1
Lapis Luzuli x 19
Serpent's Eye x 14
Nightstone x 2
Alicite
Zephyrite x 2
Jasper x 1
Righteous Orb x 1
Idol of the Sage
Idol of Death x 2
Idol of Night
Nethermine FLayer Hide x 8
Abyss Crystal x 4
Mysterious essence x 4
Gold Bar x 39
Gold Scarab x 6
Crystal Scarab x 2
Greater Astral Essence x 2
Chaos Orb x 5
Stylish Black Shirt x 1
Kaparite x 76
Neubian Chitin x 7
Heavy Knothide Leather x 2
Knothide Leather Scraps x 5
Thick clefthoof Leather x 7
Knothide Leather x 3
Spirit Dust x 7
Obsidian Ore x 2
Banquet of the Brew x 5