Mistress of the Night - Don Bassingthwaite [72]
"There's no temple to Selune in Selgaunt."
"There was six hundred years ago. Ironically, it was abandoned and demolished not long after 757. Its library was brought here." Dhauna opened the final book on the table, a grand tome bound in silver and white leather. "Eighteen Kythorn, the Year of Lost Wayfarers," she began.
Feena moved around to read over her shoulder.
I, Brima Chintamn, High Moonmistress of Bright Lady's Tower in Chancelgaunt, declare the ancient Pact of the New Moon to be ended. The lands and goods held by it and its former members are forfeit and are to become the property of the temple of Selune to which they lie nearest. Its tales and legends are declared false and are to be purged from archives and expunged from memory. Its members are declared heretics. Those in our custody have been tried and found guilty-they are cast out ofSelUne's grace, in body and in soul. Should any remain free, let them also be cast out of Selune's grace. Their heresy has damned them. I pray that Selune's face turn away so that their souls walk in darkness until the end of time.
I, Rian Liurandel, Priestess of the High Moonlight of the House of the Moon in Waterdeep, concur and so pray.
I, Zarran Tonnos, High Moonmistress of Moonmaiden's Hall in Murran, concur and so pray.
I, Bero Falabara, High Moonmaster of the Crescent Shrine in Alaghdn, concur and so pray.
I, Mara Nightnever, High Moonmistress of Moonshadow Hall in Yhaunn, concur and so pray.
The list went on, another half dozen high priests and priestesses-though not the high priestess of Elmwood- adding their condemnation.
"Moonmaiden's grace," breathed Feena. "What was this Pact of the New Moon and what did they do?"
Dhauna began flipping back through the book as she explained, "According to the records of their trial, the New Moon Pact was an order of priests and warriors in Selune's service throughout the north and west of Faerun. They were never large, but they were ancient-this makes passing mention of events centuries before the trial, which would fit with the Uthgardt legend of Marrigan. And even though they were a small order, over time the Pact accumulated significant wealth and power while answering to no temple or clerical hierarchy."
"The New Moon Pact is a strange name for a Selunite order," Feena observed. "The new moon is a dark time."
Dhauna looked up at her. "The New Moon Pact," she said in a quiet voice, "did dark deeds. They claimed to serve the interests of Selune that couldn't be spoken openly."
Feena's eyes went wide. "Assassins?"she choked.
"They were never accused of that," Dhauna said. "They were defenders and avengers, working in secret and sometimes against the interests of the larger temples. Six hundred years later, the charges of heresy ring more than hollow." She flipped back to the declaration of condemnation. "This passage about land and goods being forfeit to the temples-I've seen that in too many trumped up charges of outlawry. I think Selune's clergy feared and envied the New Moon Pact."
"Because they were fighters?" Feena snorted. "I think I like these people."
"They were more than just fighters, Feena." Dhauna gave her a sideways glance. "The New Moon Pact embraced werewolves and lycanthropes of all kinds."
Feena opened her mouth in amazement, then closed it again, speechless.
"An order of werewolves?" she whispered finally. "They still exist then. I've heard stories of the Sil-"
"Silverstars?" Dhauna finished for her. She shook her head. "The Silverstars accept lycanthropes, but they aren't the same. Silverstars promote tolerance and harmony in Selune's name." She touched the declaration of condemnation. "The Pact fought for Selune. They moved in darkness. Maybe that's what gave their persecutors the basis for the accusation of heresy."
"Which was?" asked Feena.
Dhauna flipped through the book once more and indicated another passage. Feena bent closer and read:
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