High Priest Remor Denoba – POV

  The moment the Shaxaian noble and his retainers stepped out of my office, Amiru began stacking gold coins on the table in front of me. One by one, the coins clinked against each other, forming a glittering little mountain of wealth. A hundred gold coins; if Lord Jakob’s offering was to be believed. Enough to fund a minor temple for a year. Enough to buy the loyalty of half the city guard. Enough to tempt even the most pious priest into sin.

  “What you’re doing right now is rather vulgar and crude,” I said, unable to hide the disdain in my voice.

  Amiru didn’t even flinch. He never did. “Don’t be like that, Remor. This is your cut before we turn over the noble’s offering to the holy treasury.”

  “Nevertheless,” I said sharply, “couldn’t you have waited until he was out of the building? And stacking it like that makes me feel like some money?grubbing merchant. Utterly disgusting.”

  Amiru laughed; a bright, unrestrained sound that echoed off the stone walls. “Now that is insulting. Did you forget my father was a merchant?”

  I froze, realizing my mistake. My tongue had always been my greatest weapon… and my greatest liability. I stepped toward him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

  “I apologize, my friend. My tongue gets ahead of me, and you know me too well already. You are not your father… and never will be.”

  He waved it off with a small smile. “Do not worry. I was only teasing you. You’re right to despise that greedy pig of a man.”

  His tone darkened, the smile fading. The hatred he held for his father was a deep, festering wound; one that time had not healed. And who could blame him? To sell one’s own son for gold and contracts was despicable enough; but to sell him to a predator of young boys? If I were in his place, I would harbor the same venom. Perhaps even worse.

  Sensing my thoughts, Amiru quickly shifted the topic. “So… what do you think of this Shaxaian noble?”

  I allowed the change. “Wealthy. And far from home.”

  “Thank you for stating the obvious,” he said with a laugh. “Do you think he’s sincere in his devotion to the goddess Shabilin?”

  “I doubt it. Shaxaians are known for their arrogance and their faith in their magical arts, not in gods.”

  “They have every right to be arrogant,” Amiru countered. “Descendants of elves, heirs to a mighty empire… their pedigree is impressive.”

  “And where did that arrogance lead them?” I rebutted.

  He paused, then nodded reluctantly. “Perhaps you’re right. Still, their lineage is remarkable.”

  “You admire them,” I said flatly.

  “Of course I admire them. They are superior in every way; appearance, magical prowess, and intellect. Unlike our brethren.” He gave me a pointed look. “And I suspect you share none of that admiration.”

  “Of course,” I said. “They were always arrogant. Always flaunting their empire and their culture. I find it amusing how low they have fallen.”

  “But I didn’t sense any arrogance from Lord Jakob,” Amiru said thoughtfully.

  I hesitated. “Yes… you are right. He was surprisingly humble.” The words felt strange even as I spoke them. Humble and Shaxaian rarely belonged in the same sentence.

  Amiru burst into laughter. “The wise and mighty High Priest Remor Denoba; renowned for his impeccable judgment of character. Do I sense doubt?”

  “Of course not,” I snapped, though without heat. “I am simply… perplexed by Lord Jakob’s demeanor.”

  His laughter grew louder. It irritated me, as it always did, but I let it pass. He was my friend, one of the few people with whom I could lower my guard. One of the few who saw me as a man, not a title.

  When his mirth finally subsided, he asked, “What now? How do we proceed with this Lord Jakob and his entourage?”

  I mulled over the question. The noble was clearly wealthy; his offering alone proved that. And why make enemies when one could make profitable allies? Politics is a game of addition, not subtraction. Every ally is a shield. Every enemy is a blade pointed at your back.

  “We do nothing for now,” I said. “I suspect he intends to stay in Bunzad for a while before continuing his journey. He said he will delve into our dungeons to raise his levels. He must be preparing for his homeland. We will befriend him. It may prove lucrative.”

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  Amiru frowned. “Your rivals will notice him. Once we turn over his donation to the treasury, they’ll descend upon him like vultures. They may even try to use him to depose you.”

  I scoffed. “Let them try. I fought tooth and nail to earn this city as my fief…” I caught myself. “Err… my governorship,” I corrected. “I will not be toppled by two?bit bureaucrats.”

  “Then we should befriend Lord Jakob before anyone else does,” Amiru said.

  “Yes. A wise suggestion, my intelligent assistant.” I straightened. “Acolyte Amiru, invite Lord Jakob and his entourage to dine with us three days from now.”

  “As you wish, my lord,” he said with a smirk.

  I allowed myself to smile. My banter with Amiru was one of the few pleasures left to me. In the endless grind of church politics; schemes, rivalries, backstabbing; he was my only respite. The only person with whom I could speak freely, without masks or pretense.

  And for that alone, I valued him more than all the gold stacked on my table.

  Queen Amiya Von Mishel – POV

  I hurried through the palace corridors, my attendants and guards struggling to keep pace. I wanted to run, but the heavy ceremonial gown; layers of silk, embroidery, and gemstones; clung to my legs like shackles. Today was supposed to be a day of festivities. The founding day of the Kingdom of Grastiria. A day of celebration, parades, and speeches.

  Instead, I was racing toward the west tower, dread coiling in my stomach.

  The Seer had summoned me.

  No... she had demanded my presence.

  That alone was enough to chill my blood. Onoya had never demanded anything from me. Not once in the past five years since her class awakened. Her visions had saved this kingdom from famine, war, and plague. When she spoke, I listened. When she warned, I acted. And when she summoned… I ran.

  I reached the base of the west tower and glared upward. Hundreds of steps spiraled toward the top. Why she insisted on living here, in this isolated tower, I would never understand. The main palace complex was safer, warmer, and infinitely more comfortable.

  But Onoya always said the gods spoke more clearly from high places.

  Damn the gods. And damn these stairs.

  By the time I reached the top, my lungs burned and my legs trembled. I pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped into her chambers.

  The stench hit me first; herbs, incense, and iron.

  Blood.

  Her protégée rushed toward me, pale and frantic.

  “Your Highness… the Seer collapsed and vomited blood after receiving a revelation earlier. She is resting now. Stable, but extremely weak.”

  “Take me to her,” I commanded.

  She led me to the inner chamber. Onoya lay on her bed, her pale skin now ghostly white. Even in her weakened state, she looked ethereal; more beautiful than me, though I hated to admit it.

  “Sister,” I whispered, sitting beside her. “What happened?”

  “Amiya…” she breathed, her voice thin. “Thank you for coming. I’m sorry for making you rush here. I know you haven’t eaten your breakfast—”

  “That’s not important,” I cut her off. “How are you? And why did you collapse and vomit blood after receiving a revelation?”

  She shuddered at the word revelation.

  My heart tightened. Onoya had never reacted this way before. Not when she foresaw the famine three years ago. Not when she predicted the invasion from the northern tribes. Not even when she saw our father’s death.

  “Sister… I saw death,” she whispered. “And it is coming from the east.”

  “Explain,” I said, my voice steady despite the dread creeping up my spine.

  “Earlier this morning, I received a vision from the gods. I saw a land already devastated by war. A land overrun by monsters and evil men. Then death came riding on a nightmarish steed. The steed was from hell... engulfed in flames. I could not see the rider’s face, but I knew he was tall and powerful. And strangely… he was not burned by the flames.”

  Her hands trembled. Onoya never trembled.

  “What else did you see?” I asked gently.

  “I felt rain falling on me,” she whispered. “But it wasn’t water… it was blood. Then his demons came. Terrible and huge. Creatures carrying cruel weapons. Demons the likes of which I have never seen before.”

  A chill ran through me.

  A man riding a flaming steed. Blood rain. Demons unknown to this world.

  No. It couldn’t be…

  “A demon lord has awakened,” I murmured.

  She heard me. “Yes, sister. A demon lord. Not like the ones of the past. A new kind. One more frightening and terrible. He is coming from the east.”

  “Where is he going?” I asked.

  “I do not know. Much remains unclear.”

  “What should we do?”

  “What else can we do?” she whispered. “We must stop him.”

  Then she broke.

  My sister—my calm, emotionless, divine?touched sister—sobbed. Her tears soaked the sheets. Her body shook with fear.

  I gathered her into my arms, holding her tightly. She had always been the strong one. The unshakable one. Seeing her like this felt wrong. Unnatural. Terrifying.

  I stroked her hair, whispering soothing words I barely believed.

  As queen, I had only one duty now.

  Protect her.

  Protect the kingdom.

  Protect the world.

  I pulled back and cupped her face.

  “Then, my dear sister,” I said, voice firm with resolve I forced into existence, “we will stop him.”