Derzina sat in the dirt, out of sight of Brtet’s walls. After all their work, everything was abruptly coming together. Now they were close to the was the final and most difficult stage of their task; defeating Meztraxia.

“Do you really think the other three gods will be willing to work together with us?” she asked, within her mind.

“They have no choice,” Atasimon said. “If they wish to survive, then they will work with us one way or another. The same goes for Araveena.”

“Still, was there truly no better way to do this? It feels wrong to force their hand like this.”

“The wrong and right of it are irrelevant. Either we force them or put ourselves at the mercy of their bickering, and humanity deserves better than that. Now let me rest, I feel on the verge of disappearing.”

Derzina didn’t agree, but she also didn’t have any other suggestions to offer. Like it or not, Meztraxia was on his way. Deciding that she owed it to her city to do make the best of this opportunity, Derzina got to her feet and marched toward Brtet. If they were going to persuade the gods, then there was no place for hesitation.

She was over the walls when it occurred to her that she didn’t know where to start; none of the gods were likely to be easy to win over. Inea was the only one she knew how to find easily, but she was also the one least likely to listen to her and Derzina knew almost nothing about Gorthar. Which left Xanathel; he was as good a place to start as any.

“Excuse me,” she called, hailing a townsperson walking near the wall, “do you know where I can find Lord Xanathel?”

The woman’s eyes widened and she walked quickly in the other direction. A little thrown by the woman’s reaction, Derzina continued her search, but none of the other citizens or soldiers proved anymore helpful. Each responded with either fear or hostility and she soon gave up.

Was the negative perception of Xanathel solely Inea’s doing? It seemed far more likely that the god himself was to blame. Either way, how could humans distrust a god so? He was supposed to be one of their inviolable guardians, yet few seemed to have any faith in him.

Derzina was initially hesitant to press for answers given how reticent people were to talk about Xanathel at all, but there was too much at stake for her to allow such niceties to dictate her actions. Opting to avoid the soldiers wearing Inea’s colours, she instead sought out a middle-aged woman who seemed to be in no particular hurry.

“Hello there,” Derzina said.

“Hello,” the woman said, smiling politely at her.

“My name is Derzina and I’ve only just recently arrived here. Do you think you could answer a few questions?”

“Oh, so you’re Derzina.”

“You’ve heard of me?” Derzina asked, blinking in surprise. She’d only arrived yesterday.

“Of course, you’re the talk of the town. We don’t exactly get many new arrivals around here.”

Though unexpected, it might actually be to her benefit if the people here already knew her. “Then would you mind if I asked you a few things?”

“I probably shouldn’t be talking to you,” the woman said, taking a step back. “They say Lady Inea had you thrown out of the palace, best that I not get involved.”

Derzina put her hand on the woman’s shoulder and said, “I realize what they’re saying about me probably doesn’t sound too great, but I’m really trying to help your city and I could use your help. Please, it will only take a few moments.”

“Well, I suppose I could answer a few questions,” the townswoman said reluctantly, her expression fearful.

“Thank you,” Derzina said, releasing her. “First of all, why do you all seem to have such distaste for Xanathel? Is he not one of your gods?”

“One of mine?” The older woman looked appalled at the idea. “He’s no god to me, he’s little better than a villain.”

“What did he do to deserve such a reputation?”

“The better question would be what didn’t he do. He stole from her, threatened her servants, defaced her temple. In my view it’s only due to Lady Inea’s benevolence that he hasn’t been exiled from the city altogether, though it seems like only a matter of time from the way things are going.”

If what she was saying was true, and it certainly seemed to be what the common people thought, then things were worse here than had Derzina assumed.

“Be that as it may, I need to find him. Do you have any idea where he might be? This concerns the safety of the city.”

“I’ve not the faintest idea and I’m quite happy to keep it that way, thank you very much. No honest citizen would know his whereabouts, I doubt those loonies who follow him know most of the time. Now, if that’s all you want to know I’d best get going.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

It seemed clear the woman wouldn’t be able to tell her anything more of value and Derzina would rather not detain her unnecessarily. “That’s all. Thank you, you’ve been a great help.”

“You’re welcome. I know it’s not my place to say, but you’d best steer clear of Xanathel. He’ll only bring you trouble.”

“I’ll do my best,” Derzina said, giving the woman a little wave as she walked away.

Heeding the woman’s advice would certainly be easier, but Derzina needed to find him. Even if he wouldn’t help her, she had to at least tell him what was going on. Finding his temple would help, if only she knew where it was. It was unremarkable enough that if she were on back on the same street, she wasn’t sure she’d recognise it.

At a loss for how to find him, Derzina headed for the palace instead. They’d have to meet with Inea sooner or later, she may as well get it out of the way now. If by some miracle Inea was willing to listen, she might even help Derzina contact the other two gods. It was a nice thought, though it seemed more likely she’d bar Derzina from the palace or worse.

Making her way through the city, Derzina was approaching the palace only for the crowds to grow thicker until traffic was at a standstill. There was a general buzz of excitement around here, but it didn’t seem like anything was happening. At least not yet.

“What’s going on?” Derzina asked, addressing a soldier standing within the crowd.

“Lady Inea is going to make an announcement,” he said, glancing at her before going back to peering through the crowd in the direction of the Palace.

“About what?”

“I don’t know, but it’s bound to be something important. Probably something to do with that outsider who arrived yesterday.”

He glanced back at her again, looking alarmed but Derzina was already backing away. There was no easy way to get through the crowd without Atasimon’s magic, and Derzina was going to be without the goddess’ divine assistance for a while. She was thinking of what else she could do, when Inea’s voice rung out across the city.

“Citizens of Brtet,” she proclaimed, “I have grave news I must impart to you. As I speak, a vast army of demons marches upon our city, intent on our destruction.”

Inea paused and the cluster of humanity before Derzina collectively grasped or cried out.

“For the sake of the city’s defence,” Inea continued, “Xanathel and Gorthar, along with their followers, shall be under my direct command until such time as the crisis has passed. In these troubles times we must stand resolute and unified, rather than allow petty conflicts to weaken us.”

The crowd murmured amongst itself, as a great many men and women discussed the announcement with their neighbours. Though Derzina could make out little of what was being said over the general level of noise, by the sound of it, they seemed encouraged by Inea taking charge.

“My Paladins and I are working tirelessly to finalise our plan to defend the city, and I shall make another announcement when everything has been decided. In the meantime, return to your homes and report to your local militia commander for duty.”

Inea’s voice faded and everyone started to disperse, talking amongst each other at a frantic pace as they did so.

“Now do you see what she’s like?” Mostanto asked, stepping out of the mob to stand beside her.

“Do you have some problem with defending your home?” Derzina replied, moving to avoid the flow of people toward her while Mostanto followed along.

“No, but she’s just using that as an excuse. Assuming there’s an army coming at all.”

“There is, without a doubt.”

“Oh?” Mostanto asked, as they left the crowd behind. “And how do you know that?”

“I had just discovered it myself while I was talking with Araveena and came to deliver the news to Inea, though it appears the news preceded me. I tried to reach Xanathel first, but no one was willing to help me find him. He’s certainly not popular amongst the people.”

Mostanto shrugged. “Xanathel has other priorities than trying to win over the people with empty gestures and promises.”

“Is working together to protect the city one of these empty gestures?”

“We will protect our home, but we will do it on our terms. Who is Inea to dictate how we should live our lives?”

“She’s your goddess, does that mean nothing to you?”

“At this point? No, not really. I never chose to be born here or for her to rule over us, why should I meekly suffer beneath her divine thumb?”

Mostanto’s voice grew progressively louder as he spoke until he was shouting, and Derzina found herself taken aback. In the short time she’d known him, he’d been quite calm even when his temple was raided, but Inea’s announcement appeared to have crossed a line.

“What is it you’re worried she’ll force you to do?”

“There’s no one particular thing I’m worried about,” Mostanto said, lowering his voice, “it’s more a matter of principle. Besides, she’s sure to screw us over somehow. Whether it be putting us in the most dangerous position or trying to keep us out of the fighting entirely so she can take all the glory.”

“Do you really think she’d do something like that?” It sounded ridiculous that anyone would even consider such a thing in the face of such a terrible threat.

“I see you still don’t understand the depths of Inea’s arrogance. Did you learn nothing from touring the city?”

“I learnt that she wastes a lot of time and resources on building things to appease her vanity, but nothing of her being willing to endanger her city for the sake of pride.”

She paused for a moment as she considered her next words. Though she didn’t wish to upset him unnecessarily, she decided it was important for her to speak her mind.

“I am, however,” she said, “starting to have my doubts about you on that count. And the god you serve, if he supports such a course. Can you not simply set aside your animosity until the city is safe again?”

“It is not our animosity, justified as it is, that’s the cause of this,” Mostanto spat, baring his teeth. “If all she wanted was our cooperation, then she had only to ask, but we are not her slaves to be commanded.”

Sword swinging at his belt, Mostanto stomped off and Derzina simply watched him go. It seemed a miracle to her that Xanathel and Inea had managed to tolerate each other for so long if this was all it took to drive a rift between them, especially when there was so much more at stake.

How could gods be so selfish? They were behaving worse than children. Once she’d believed they were better than mortals; wiser and more just, but that just wasn’t true. For all their power, they were very bit as fallible as humans. Much as it pained her to admit it, the same applied even to Ortesia. If she hadn’t been so reckless as to go forth and face the Demon Lord alone, then her city might still be standing and Derzina would be safe at home with her family.

But it had happened, and there was nothing anyone could do to change that. Drawing herself up, Derzina renewed her determination that it would never happen again. She’d see to it that Brtet’s gods kept their city safe, starting with Inea. Their last meeting had been disastrous, but it would go better this time. It had to.