A sharp clacking filled the room, over taking the soft jingle of shaking jewelry. Reviled’s dark eyes lingered on the parchment in its hand, and it released a soft growl. A dark finger ran along its scratched breastplate to draw its attention.

“You’re ignoring me master.” Cynmora pouted.

“We have yet to find a solution to this problem.” It replied sharply.

Cynmora slipped into its lap and stared into its eyes. “And that would be?”

“The core element for the Grand Phylactery are magic crystals. Unfortunately, magic crystals are hard to come by.”

“Can they not be made?”

“They can, but they require gems of the purest cut. Then they need to be bathed in mana for no less than thirty-six hours.” It chuckled as Cynmora shifted to find a comfortable spot. “This process would require a dozen mages to perform, and we need about thirty of them.”

“So, you can’t make them.” She said with a sour expression. “Can they not be purchased?”

“Dear Cynmora.” Reviled replied, running a claw along her cheek. “A magic crystal the size of a pebble would be worth ten of you.” Her jaw fell open which made it chuckle. “And we need thirty the size of your heart. Do you understand now?”

“You can’t make them, and buying them is off the table, then how are you supposed to get them?”

“That is for us to figure out.” Reviled pressed its forehead against hers.

“Pardon me master.” Their attention turned to Ada who was standing in front of them. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Lord Olivar Triemiere is here to speak with you.”

“What fortunate timing.”

----------------------------------------

Olivar shivered as he glanced at the group around him. It was an eclectic bunch consisting of lowlifes, elites, zymarrians, and even oruelians. The one that scared him the most was the group with unnaturally pale skin. His eyes quickly flashed to Myra who was sitting at the bar. A low growl seep from his throat, but it was cut off when someone kicked him in the back.

“Behave pig.” Ada said warmly while digging her heel into his shoulder.

A shrill laugh came from the lithe woman in leather. “It’s rare to see this side of you Ada. What’d he do?”

“He insulted our master and harassed our sweet Mina.” Ada replied, and multiple sets of glares fell onto him. “The pig thought that he could have his way with her if he threw enough coin around.”

A sharp screech sent a shiver down his back. A group of thugs sat at the table with hate burning in their eyes. The biggest thug ran his large dagger across a whet stone, sharpening the clean blade.

“Then who’s the new girl?” The blonde thug smirked at Myra.

Myra swallowed hard under everyone’s stares. “I’m Myraelle. I a-was Lord Olivar’s slave before I pledged myself to our master.”

“Congratulations on the promotion!” the blonde woman smiled widely. She poured two generous glasses and slid one over to Myra. “The name’s Oria. I’m in charge of keeping the undesirables in line.”

“Where is the master?” Myra asked, the glass shaking violently in her hands.

“The boss is checking in on his pet project.” Oria replied, draining her glass instantly. “He should be back soon.”

A severe itch struck Olivar in the neck, and all eyes turned to the steel door as it creaked open. Ada kicked him in the head and stood, glaring down at him. Olivar groaned as he rose to his feet, but he couldn’t look at the monster as it strode into the room. However, he did catch a glimpse at Mina and the lovely red-headed woman next to her, but it was the wererats that made him gawk.

Everyone waited silently as the monster moved towards the box, and it sat down with a heavy thud. Its red eyes slowly took everyone in.

“Good, everyone’s here.” Reviled said. “I will now update you all on our progress.” Everyone sat down at the same time. “Work on the Grand Phylactery is progressing smoothly. Thanks to Baron and Temour, Rench and the other crafters are halfway done with it. You two can expect rewards soon.”

“It is an honor to serve master.” Baron bowed extravagantly.

“Thine praise is reward enough, master.” The large oruelian replied, but his eyes did glance towards Ada.

Reviled nodded in response. “There is a snag, however. We are lacking a key component, magic crystals, and we need many of them.”

“That is a problem.” Baron muttered, “Production of magic crystals are controlled by the mage academies, and they aren’t keen on letting any slip through their fingers.”

“I could easily make them, my lord.” A pale looking man with sharp features replied. “Now that we have a saint and paladin, it leaves me with time to serve in other ways. All I would need are the gems.”

“It would still cost a large fortune to acquire the diamonds.” Baron snickered at the gaunt man. “How would you propose we acquire them?”

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“There are many diamond mines in Uilg Dyhlak.” The slender zymarrian man said.

“Tis true,” The oruelian woman said, “The Mountains of Fire and Ice are filled with riches.”

“That still does nothing about the cost of purchasing them.” The red-headed woman sighed. “If only there was a way to get the Duke involved?”

“Boss, I think we’re overlooking a very simple solution to this problem.” Oria sighed, stepping from behind the bar. “Why not steal the gems? With Skivret’s rats and my thugs, we could easily acquire what you need.”

“That is a viable option, my lord.” Eirgnon hummed in thought. “From what I’ve seen, I could revise the designs to utilize smaller gems, but we would need more to have the same effect. Are we certain that there are enough gems in the city?”

“Maybe not in the stores, but I saw quite a few trinkets in the cathedral that might work.” Oria’s predatory grin made Olivar shiver.

“You think it’ll be easy to rob the Church?” Olivar spat.

Silence filled the room. A proud smile came to Olivar’s lips as he watched everyone struggle for a response. Even the pain from Ada’s heels lessened, a small reprieve that he was thankful for. He sat up straight as he eyed the monster in the box. It simply sat there with a claw rubbing against its jaw. Its eyes dimmed which confused him. Was it thinking?

“It’s possible, if we play our cards right.” Reviled’s deep voice broke the silence.

Olivar stared in shock. “What cards? What could you possibly have that-” Pain shot down his back as Ada’s heel dug into the base of his neck. Reviled gestured towards her. He took a deep breath as the pain subsided.

“The Church isn’t as popular as it used to be.” Reviled replied with a growl. “Years of corruption have poisoned the people against it, and our House of Destiny is in the proper position to take its place. Eirgnon, we’ll need to increase the output of charity. Do everything in your power to get the citizens on our side.”

“As you command, my lord.”

“Taela, we’ll need all the information you have on the Patron and any other priests. Give us everything that you have.”

“Yes master, but do you think it’s wise?” The madame pouted deeply.

“We will turn the city against the Church by exposing its corruption.” Reviled stood up and approached Oria. “With their faith and trust broken, we will guide their anger towards the Church. Then in the chaos, we can steal the gems from under everyone’s noses.” It ran a claw against Oria’s jaw. “We’ll leave that to you.”

“On it boss!” Oria smiled brightly at it.

“The Duke won’t take kindly to the Church coming under attack, even if it’s his own people!” Olivar snapped, desperately looking around.

“Not if we poison him against the Church as well.” Baron smiled at the noble. “Of course, how will we get a child into the banquet?”

“I’ll do it.” A soft voice filled the void. All eyes turned to the young girl standing at the stairs.

“That would definitely work master.” Baron’s smile faded as he eyed the girl. “It’ll be quite the scandal if the Patron is found assaulting a friend of Lady Priscilla’s.”

Reviled slowly approached the girl and kneeled next to her. “Child, do you understand what you’re volunteering for?”

“Yes.” The girl shook violently despite the smile on her face. “It’s not the first time I’d have to service someone.” Her eyes shined as she put on a brave smile. “And I want to help my family.”

Reviled patted the girl’s head. “Very well. You can go, and don’t worry, Kogna and I will keep you safe.” It turned its gaze to Olivar. “And you will be of use as well.”

“Me?” The noble huffed.

“You will be going since you are a noble. Ada and Cynmora will go as your escorts.” It let out a low chuckle. “You may even get rewarded.” It made its way back to the box. “We must do everything in our power to turn the city against the Church. Those going to the banquet will focus on the nobles, while the rest will focus on the citizens. If we succeed, then we’re one step closer to ruling this city.”

----------------------------------------

Urielle sighed heavily as she stared at the cup in her hands. The crimson sky slowly took on darker hues with each passing minute. She took a sip, and the cold liquid made her mouth twist in disgust. Could today get any worse?

“Everything will be well.” Halligan said gently next to her.

“Will it?” She whispered, setting the cup down. “We came here hoping to rally the Duke against the House of Destiny, instead, we find him hosting the head of the cult and now he’s planning a banquet for him.” Her nails dug into her hand, and her knuckles turned white. “Why does it feel like we’re always one step behind?” She flinched when Halligan took her hands into his.

“Don’t hurt yourself.” He gingerly opened her hands, rubbing her palms. “They haven’t taken over the city yet, and we still have a few days before you need to leave. We should take this time to plan our next moves.”

“You’re right, but I don’t know what we should do?”

“What do we currently know?”

“We know that the House of Destiny is a cult to a Dead God, but we don’t know which one.” Urielle counted on her fingers. “We know that Patron Waldren approved their sect to gather in the city. That they’re ran by a strange man named Father Eirgn, and that Baron Decker is associated with them.”

“When did the Patron give his approval?”

Urielle tapped her chin in thought, then she went pale. “Shortly after the slave auction. That woman must also be tied to the cult!”

“That blonde woman?”

“Yes, which would mean that the cult is tied to… slavery.” Tears filled her eyes. “Slavery is Elithis’ domain.”

“You think this cult is tied to Reviled Legion?”

“This cult appeared shortly after Bartholomew’s disappearance.”

“But why would a cult of Elithis appear after the Tome is taken away? Are they planning to convert the city?”

“I don’t know, but I believe it would be for the best to consider the two working together.”

Halligan rubbed his chin, his mouth twisted in concern. “Father Eirgn mentioned a paladin and saint.”

“He did, didn’t he?” She sneered in disgust. “That means someone swore an oath to a Dead God, but a saint needs to be touched by their god?”

“What do you mean? I thought the church appointed their saints?”

“The church simply recognizes saints after the Virtues mark them.” She started blushing. “For example, after I held off the forces of the Wight King, the mark of Shecoga appeared on my back.”

“But you said saints are touched by their gods?”

“They are!” Urielle replied. “Since our world is flooded with divine mana, the Virtues can freely establish connections with us. However, when I went to the Mrythala cathedral and prayed before her weapon, that was when Shecoga truly showed herself to me.”

Halligan groaned, struggling to take it all in. “So how would a Dead God appoint a saint?”

“The process would need to be similar. Perhaps if they drew on enough necrotic mana, they could establish a link for the god to touch them.”

“So, they would need to be a powerful necromancer?”

“Yes.”

“One powerful enough to create a lich, or even a monster?”

Urielle rubbed at the goosebumps on her arms. “It all makes sense. The necromancer that made Reviled Legion had access to the Tome. While she was in the process of making it, Elithis contacted her, turning her into a saint.”

“Then Bartholomew lost the Tome, but what is her goal?”

“What if she’s trying to cause division between Jericho and the rest of the kingdom?” Urielle gasped. “Mrythala wouldn’t be able to stand against the Wight King, and when it falls, she’ll be able to get her hands on the Tome again.”

“And become an avatar.”

“We mustn’t let that happen!” Urielle tightly gripped his arm. “Halligan, we must do everything in our power to reveal the truth.”

Halligan patted her hands. “How do we do that?”

“I’ll… think of something.”