Funding the Meim, Thelus' reasons, Silfiya's history, Sray's resolve
"How does The Brotherhood afford all of this?" She asked as they walked down the barn aisle, the paved footing impeccably kept, the smell if fresh hay and bedding lightly in the air, speaking to how well the space was ventilated to keep the air flowing, not a trace of ammonia or manure to be found.
"Part of it is the sale of goods made at the schools. For our part some of the animals we breed and train get sold, but the majority of it comes from the membership. A portion of what they make each quarter goes back to Engama and those funds maintain the school, pay the staff their due, and maintain the relays."
"And the government doesn't question all of this?" She motioned to the space they were walking through.
Thelus laughed. "You don't think the Brotherhood has its hands in that?"
"I would have been surprised if they didn't, honestly."
Thelus is a full-timer at Engama. Part of it is his position, but part of it plays into his personality and standards. If you're in with both feet with the Brotherhood you don't have to conceal what you're doing. The secret society feels less like a secret and you don't have to figure out how to not say things about what you do. I don't think it settled well with him to have to conceal part of what he did while he was in training so he made a decision to go full in rather than partially in and out.
I don't think it was just general grumbling that caused Silfiya to leave Kamenlohn. There were threats, bullying, blocks to her advancement and, of course, Dayfid Hillenbohn needling her for information on where Kayrin had disappeared to.
The first year or so was easy enough when Kayrin was in Storilohn, but it got harder once she returned to Geteilpohth.
Silfiya managed to leave most of it behind when she transferred to Dohman. Triden probably started out nice enough, but once she was married and had children and it became obvious that they would distract her from continuing a full commitment to Dohman I'm sure his tune changed. There may have been some mild threats. Triden knew her history from her file. I imagine she told Sherod DeTowr about her work with the Getier before they were married. It may have been one of those "before we go further you have to know this about me" moments.
Silfiya can't prove anything, but she is 90+% sure that Triden arranged the accident that killed her husband and son. Triden swooped in and offered the poor, grieving widow a fully tenured position and was pretty pissed off when she rejected it in favor of following Danrick Mishor. Perhaps kidnapping Kallon was a bit of a jab at both DeTowr and Mishor.
Whatever lay ahead she would face it. It still didn't feel like much of a choice, but she latched on to what little control she had and would make the best of what was given.