Erynion stared at the empty space where Agalia had stood only minutes before. He had done his part, distracting the Seductress for as long as possible, but her rapid departure piqued his curiosity. What had Altheus done in her mind? Erynion had no choice but to be patient for the return of his human side, and luckily, he didn't have to wait long.
Altheus materialized and collapsed onto the patch of grass. The back of his shirt was shredded and soaked in blood.
"What the depths happened over there?" Erynion helped the prince to his knees.
Altheus winced as he pushed himself into a seated position. "A lot. How much time has passed over here?"
"In here? A couple hours. Out there? I think it's approaching dawn."
"You slowed down time? Agalia didn't have a problem with that?"
Erynion grunted. "She thought I was astonishingly inept. Are you all right? You look awful."
"Thanks. Agalia wasn't too pleased when she found out what we did."
"We? You found her? Her human side?"
"Ezmirelda, the Queen of Alova. She's going to help me save Sereyna."
"That's good news. Your plan worked then."
Altheus chuckled. "Getting skewered by Agalia multiple times wasn't exactly part of the plan. But, it's not over. Ezmirelda needs to obtain control of the Seductress's body. Once she does that, she's going to need your help removing all of her energy."
"My help?"
"I can't do it in my current state. It'll take too long to recover from these wounds. But you, you're untouched. And, you've been meditating in here for the past few days, so you must have learned about transferring energy, right?"
"Of course. The whole reason I agreed to let you take over was so I could uncover our abilities uninterrupted. Creating demons has been my highest priority so I can build my army."
"Good. Good. One more thing."
"What's that?"
"Jak. I told Ezmirelda that if Sereyna was a boy, we were going to name her Jak. That way you'll know it's Ezmirelda and not Agalia." Altheus extended his hand. "All right, that's it. Come on, there's no time to waste."
Erynion eyed the prince's hand. "Last time we were here, I was turning over control to you, and you were honest about your intentions. I think it's important no deception exists between us."
"You think I'm trying to deceive you?"
"No, but I want to be honest with you."
"I'm pleased to hear it. So, what is it?"
"I have no intention of giving control back to you," Erynion stated. "And I don't want you resisting me from within."
Altheus's fingers curled, and his arm dipped. But, after a short pause, he held out his hand again. "All I care about is that Sereyna lives. If you accomplish that, you'll have no resistance from me."
Erynion grasped his hand and a surge of energy coursed through him.
Altheus fell forward onto the ground. "It's done. Go."
The demon lord inhaled sharply, and when he released the air, his eyes opened to the world he'd stepped away from. Only a couple of days had passed, but it felt like much longer. Thanks to the chains of light wrapped around his body, he didn't have to worry about the agony.
Still asleep, the Seductress stood by the pond with the little girl by her side. On the opposite of the water, Ojjuk paced furiously. Eyzora lay on the ground in front of him with a shadowy figure resting against her ribs. Erynion's eyes acclimated to the lighting of the red wolf's fur and recognized the person leaning against her.
"Alejjir? You're alive?" Erynion asked.
The group jumped at the sound of his voice. The wolves and Alejjir rushed to his right side. Eleza and Dulo appeared beside him on the left.
"What's going on? What happened?" Eyzora asked.
"Are you in control? Can we kill her?" Ojjuk piled on.
Erynion held up his hands. "Relax, all of you."
"I second that recommendation." The Seductress locked eyes with the demon lord.
The night air was dead silent for all of two seconds before Alejjir summoned his bow and the wolves leaped in front of the demon lord, blocking his view of the red dress.
"Stop!" Erynion shouted. "Nobody move. On second thought, everyone take a couple of steps back. Do it now."
The group obliged and did so quietly, aside from the guttural noise coming from Ojjuk. When the Seductress reappeared, she smiled modestly. "I appreciate that."
"Ezmirelda?"
"At your service."
Erynion moved in closer to study her face and noticed she lacked her typical insidious grin. "How about a little proof?"
"I am Queen Ezmirelda, the first and last queen of Alova." She gently patted the little girl's head. "This is your daughter, Sereyna. You told me if she were a boy, you would have named her Jak, after your wife's grandfather. In fact, you wanted a boy. But, once she was born, you were overjoyed and forgot all about your silly wish. And, as you stared down at her, you knew you would do everything in your power to keep her safe. And I'm here to help you do just that."
"Impossible." Alejjir kept his bow aimed at the queen. "Ezmirelda's been trapped for centuries. This is another one of Agalia's tricks so we let our guard down. For the Devil's sake, she killed Flinch. She nearly killed me. This little girl is already dead."
Ezmirelda walked to the Marksman and rested her chest against his arrowhead. "It's me, Alejjir. I've had to wait an eternity to be able to say this. I'm so sorry for everything she did to you. To Jin. I can't change any of that. I can only ask for forgiveness for not having the strength to overcome Agalia sooner. She's locked away for now but won't be forever. That's why we need to work quickly if we want to stop her once and for all."
The Marksman gradually lowered his bow. "Where do we start?"
"First thing's first." The queen faced the demon lord. "You need to take everything out of this body, including the energy from Maligus and Sonojj."
"And where do you suggest we put it?" Erynion asked.
"Give it to me," Dulo offered. "You promised you would make me into a demon tonight. Here's your chance."
"I must object," the red wolf said. "Dulo has not been properly prepared. And even if he had been, you're trying to transfer the energy of a greater iymed. We have no way of knowing if Dulo can handle such power."
"I can!" the wanderer proclaimed. "I know I can."
"It wasn't meant as an insult. Many have thought they could ascend to the heights of a greater iymed, only to end up devastated by the agony."
"I know I can because my father told me so. It was what he was most proud of."
"Your claim is irrelevant," Ojjuk retorted. "Your spirit is not yet separated, and therefore you cannot accept this energy. Besides, there is a more obvious candidate who has already been a greater iymed."
Erynion nodded in agreement as he beckoned the Marksman over. "Come, Alejjir, you've been waiting sixteen years for this."
As Alejjir joined them, he was fixated on Ezmirelda.
"Something wrong?" asked the demon lord.
"No, it's just been so long. It's difficult to believe."
"What's that?"
"That you beat her. That you outsmarted her. That you freed Ezmirelda. It doesn't seem real."
"I know what you mean," the queen said. "But, it's true. Let's begin. The sooner we get this done, the better. That way, even if Agalia somehow steals control back from me, she'll be completely powerless."
Chapter 41
As the watchtower bells beat out their top-of-the-hour routine, Don Millan and Lady Sundancer made their way through the city. The eighth and final clang was still echoing in their ears when they reached the city square that was closest to the previous night's activities.
"Back again." Millan shielded his eyes from the rising sun so he could spot the sign depicting a dancing goat. "It's strange seeing this place in the morning."
"Why's that?" Sundancer asked.
"I don't know. Just looks different."
"Come on. This way."
"Good, you're 'ere." Navi presented Millan with his damaged scarf. "The watchers 'anded me this only moments ago."
"Thank you." Though ripped, the Nesinu priest was thrilled to have the cloth back on his shoulders. He felt naked without it.
"What we 'ave 'ere is a complete mess."
"What do you mean?"
"You read the report, right?"
When the watcher had arrived at the rectory to request Millan's presence at the station, he also handed Millan a document outlining the events of the previous night based on the interviews of those involved. The portion of the report dedicated to the accounts by the Brothers was horribly inaccurate. They claimed Dolore, Aksilacarn, and another woman broke into the shop and were trapped in the basement. The thought of Aksilacarn being anything other than a prisoner was preposterous. It was the whole reason the Death Gods were there in the first place. And then, they claimed Eriph led the bull into the shop to help free them. Maybe that part wasn't as ridiculous.
"Yes, I read it." Millan rolled his eyes. "The Brotherhood statements were a nice work of fiction."
"I can't believe Dolore found out where the Brother'ood was 'olding 'er scout and broke in to save 'im. Did she mention any of this to you yesterday when you went to meet 'er?"
Unsure of what he should reveal from the previous night, the Nesinu priest froze.
"Millan?"
"Um, I'm thinking."
Navi hooked her hand under his arm and pulled him aside and out of earshot from Dorman and Sundancer. "What's going on with you?"
"Me? Nothing."
"You're 'iding something from me. What do you know about last night? Why did the watchers 'ave your scarf?"
"I'm not sure if I should say."
"To me?" Navi scoffed. "Millan, I've done nothing but be 'onest with you and support you in your role as ambassador. If you want us to work together as a team, you need to tell me what's going on. Why don't you trust me?"
The Nesinu priest looked around furtively. "Because you're friends with Don Layola. She's in the Brotherhood."
"What?"
"Aksilacarn saved me in Light's Haven when the Brotherhood gave me deathroot."
"Yes, I know about that."
"Well, he also helped me in Zazima." Millan produced the star conduit from his pocket. "Layola stole this from me and Aksil got it back. It's probably the reason he was captured and brought here."
"But, the Brother'ood used deathroot on 'er. Why would they do that?"
"I don't know, but maybe we can talk to her later if you think she's rested enough. We might be able to catch her in a lie."
Navi mused. "Mmm, that actually makes sense now."
"What does?"
"She wasn't in the rectory this morning. None of the 'ealers know where she went. I thought maybe she'd just gone for a morning walk. But, if what you say is true, then she may 'ave disappeared altogether."
"Aksilacarn is the only person who can tell us what exactly happened in Zazima and in that basement."
"And now that 'e's been rescued, Layola risks being exposed. Depths, I can't believe she's Brother'ood. Are you sure?"
"You know what I know," Millan said. "Maybe the Death Gods can offer some help."
"Excuse me, everyone, ambassadors." A man in the center of the room beckoned the priests to follow. He was clean-shaven with perfectly styled gray hair. His clothing was ornate, like a noble, but made of heavy leather, like a fighter. He led them away from the foyer and into a large room similar in size to an archdon office. A square table was situated in the middle with eight empty chairs around it.
"Thank you for coming. Sit wherever you like." The man dropped some papers on the table, grabbed a chair, and waited until everyone else had found their places. "My name is Sir Gannan, Champion of the Light. I act as the commander for the watchers in Memorial City."
Millan only knew the most basic details about how the watchers functioned and how limited their connection was with the Paladin Order. Most small cities and towns only required a single watcher station led by one watcher captain. If any paladins lived there, they had no authority over the operation of the watchers. But, in the case of the four large cities, multiple stations were needed, which meant multiple captains. A single paladin would then be designated as the commander to supervise the captains. The position, as Millan understood it, was mostly ceremonial, and the paladins rarely interfered with the routine of the captains.
Gannan thumbed through the pages. "Given the parties involved and the sensitive nature of what's happened, the captain of this station has asked me to step in and resolve this with the utmost discretion. Regardless of what crimes were committed against the Death Gods or the Brotherhood, it is not in our best interest that their conflict in Memorial City become public knowledge. So, I must implore you to keep what is discussed here private. Is that understood?"
Everyone around the table nodded.
"Good. Now, these papers constitute the report the captain has put together on the incident based on the interviews with each of the current detainees. Have you all had the opportunity to read through this?"
Again, all the priests bobbed their heads.
Gannan cleared his throat. "Excellent. Now, before we discuss some sort of resolution, I have a couple questions for Ambassador Millan. Were you aware of the Death Gods' plan to break into Hable's tailor shop?"
Millan was paralyzed. How would it affect this conversation if he admitted to helping the Death Gods? He didn't have to tell the truth. He could lie. From the corner of his eye, he stole a glimpse of Sundancer, stoic and focused on the commander. She would know if Millan was lying.
"Ambassador?" Gannan said.
"Yes, sir?"
"The plan to break in. Did Dolore or any of the other Death Gods share its details with you?"
Millan felt some relief. Though he knew there was a plan and he had a role to play, he did not know what the details were. So, when he spoke, he technically wasn't lying. "No, sir."
Gannan narrowed his eyes. "So, would you say it was merely a coincidence that your interaction with Hable, asking him to repair your scarf, happened minutes before the Death Gods entered into his shop?"
"I suppose it was. Uh, it was Don Pike's idea that we go see Hable in the first place."
"I see. And, the bull you and Lady Sundancer reported later that evening? When and where did you first see it?"
"We spotted the bull in the nearby alley after we left Hable's shop. It appeared to be restless and without any owner or restraints, so we thought it best to tell the watchers."
Gannan rubbed his lower lip. "And it's just another coincidence the bull you reported also broke into the tailor shop, revealing this entire debacle between the Death Gods and the Brotherhood?"
"It must be."
"All right. Thank you, Ambassador. We may proceed with the next steps. Would anyone like to begin?"
"Yes, sir, I would." Navi pulled a piece of paper from her pocket. "It's the desire of Candelux that all Death Gods be released immediately. The only crime committed, if you can call it a crime, was done to save a man's life. In the case of Aksilacarn, 'is 'ealing will resume during 'is stay at the rectory. As for the Brother'ood members, they should remain detained in accordance with the Prima's decree, issued nearly three weeks ago. In addition to the crimes of Brother'ood association, the following charges should also be laid. Against the butcher, Juggoro, for 'is assault and torture of Aksilacarn. Against the thief, Greggor, for kidnapping. Against the tailor, 'able, for 'is complicity in the aforementioned assault, torture, and kidnapping."
"That's quite a few steps. So, if I'm not mistaken, the charges you're requesting for the alleged Brotherhood members is based solely on the statements given by the Death Gods. Do you have any additional proof you can offer to back up your accusations?"
"No, sir."
"We
ll, normal procedure would be to discount all of their testimonies."
"What?!" Millan exclaimed. "How is that normal procedure?"
"Let's just say it would be a hot day on the Coast before anyone in Memorial City trusted the word of a Death God, let alone a founder."
"So, you're just going to ignore the obvious truth and let the Brothers go?"
Gannan held up his hand. "Please, remain calm. That's not what I was saying. We are in agreement that Aksilacarn was held captive for a number of days in the basement of the tailor shop. And, his injuries suggest he was tortured during that time. Now, given Candelux's influence, I am inclined to honor your request for releasing the Death Gods, provided they remain under your supervision for the duration of their stay in the city. That includes Dolore, Eriph, and Aksilacarn."
"And, what about the charges against the Brothers?"
Gannan interlaced his fingers. "As you know, Greggor was already arrested two days ago for holding Don Layola captive. Testimony from his accomplice will keep him locked up for some time. Given the extensive injuries Aksilacarn endured during his capture, I would certainly like to keep the responsible party behind bars. Juggoro is the prime suspect, but unfortunately, he also sustained some injuries due to the wild bull, which seems to have vanished into thin air. So, until a few stray topics are cleared up, I don't recommend formally accusing Juggoro just yet."
"What about Hable?" Millan asked. "He was the head of everything."
"Hable was detained last night but released this morning. It appears the tailor has some connection to high nobility."
Navi appeared confused. "A baron? Since when does the 'igh nobility care about a baron?"
Gannan shrugged. "First I've heard of it. Probably something else we're not aware of. Either way, he's been cleared of any crimes related to last night or Aksilacarn's capture."
"How can you just let him walk away?" Millan pressed.
"Some people might ask us the same thing regarding the Death Gods. But, the authority of the Prima is powerful, and I trust her and her ambassadors to know what needs to be done. Not so different from the nobles who run this city. If you'd like to express your concerns to them, you're more than welcome to. But, I doubt you'll get any sympathy from Duchess Romadia regarding the Death Gods."
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