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Religious Conviction could make the whole of Terit’re stand up and fight. Could you imagine a king trying to take on the whole world? That is the power of the Religious Conviction. They are an immense organisation with incalculable power that possesses tentacles that can touch just about everything.” The Oak Seer cleared his throat. “Now tell me why there is only one Knight Protector to each nation?”
    â€œIn ages past,” Meuric was quick to say. “During the Age of Durance the original Protectorate grew so much that they turned into an army. They grew greedy and corrupt seeking man to look to them as if they were gods. The people of Terit’re united and fought a war across the whole of the world to finally invade the land and island that was home to the then Conclave. They eventually won but at great cost. What came next was the Age of Despair when war, disease and famine spread to every corner of the world. The old gods were rejected and new ones rose up. The old gods refused to accept that man had turned away from them and still seek to undermine the new gods at every turn. An age passed and a new Conclave was created, some say with the help of the goddess Wis, but to stop history from being repeated only one Knight Protector to every nation was permitted.”
    Paden smiled happily. “Well done, little one. Have I told you yet about the workings of the Conclave proper?” Seeing Meuric shake his head the Oak Seer quickly continued. “As I have said before the top one per cent of the class is asked to join the Conclave. If they refuse, they simply return to their homeland to continue their ministry. Those who decide to stay have the option of continuing their service for the favour of the gods and the protection of our world.
    â€œFirst and foremost Wardens Keep is a place of learning but there are several paths to choose from if you decide to stay. Like any kingdom, there is diplomacy, the treasury, the protection of the Conclave’s interests, the military side of things, justice and the law and finally education including a cultural element. The people who take these jobs are called Ministers. Each has their own department and lives within one of the eight huge Conclave towers but works within the Council Tower. Above all these, there are the Council Administrators who report directly to the Council of Eight. Each Council of Eight member represents his or her own faith or path. Guiding them is the Bridge Maker who they say can speak directly with the gods.”
    â€œBridge Maker?” laughed Meuric. “Not much of a title.”
    Paden smiled thinly. “The name comes from the fact that he is the bridge that links man with the gods. The Council does have to answer to the Religious Conviction though, a unified band of high-ranking religious and magickal leaders from across the world. They ensure that the Council does what they are supposed to do. Their first law is to see that the Conclave does not affiliate himself or herself to any king or ruler and that they stay away from all civil matters. To break this law could very well see all of Terit’re united once again against us.”
    â€œI hear the Bards sometimes sing about the Dark Ones in their songs,” queried the boy. “Are they the old gods?”
    â€œNo, Meuric,” answered Paden. “But some of the old gods, embittered at being thrown from their Otherworldly thrones, became either corrupted by the darkness or simply offered themselves up to it. Make no mistake they are the enemy of all mortals and ultimately the world. They seek to destroy The Balance and make the whole of our lands a place of chaos. They hope to enslave those who may survive. Their ultimate goal is to once again walk upon our world. The Dark Ones incorporate most of the old gods and goddesses, daemons and the mortal men who wish to serve these creatures either for their own greed or for carnal ambitions. That is