"And you spent quite some time rebelling against him." Glenn couldn't help but smile in the face of that. Bromn was containing his emotions well. He was being mature. It was to be lauded. "I can appreciate that and I can appreciate that you've attempted to do some real good through it."
And Altias had heard little about the Inquisitory. That was fine. Burnie was happy to speak of it. "When I arrived here, as I said, it was after the Meetinghouse had been destroyed. Cinnabar did his best, but much of what we were able to accomplish was reactive. Every threat we faced as if it was brand new. There was little choice. Much of what I did during my early days assisting the Governor was tracking down loose ends and documenting past events. I meant to make sure we would never be taken unprepared again.
"When I became Governor and even a little before, I couldn't keep running around like I had. Instead, I hired a number of bright young individuals, people I had met during my years in Myrken that could read and write, that had a modicum of education and inquisitive minds. I hired people from other provinces with solid educations who had very little opportunity there," younger sons looking to make a life for themselves or bright daughters from more restrictive places. Bromn would know a thing or two about that, no?
Burnie smiled. "There is not a large number of them ultimately, no, but we try to be proactive about things, to learn before the worst occurs." And hadn't he achieved that with Galacia? He knew enough about her to meet her head on in this very room, to drive her to end Altias' possession before much damage could be done. Without the research that would have been impossible. "Most stay in the office and compile notes and try to make connections. I have a few that actively go out and search for truths and information, that try to spot the dangers before they cripple us again and again. You understand the face of so many of Myrken's enemies, Altias. Cults. Drow. The Baie. So much more. You've lived through much. You care. You are curious. You are educated. You want to make a difference. If you are willing, this is how Myrken would make use of you."