Derzina was walking down one of the side streets near the palace when Xanathel stepped from the shadows ahead. “I did not expect you to seek Inea’s company so readily after your last visit, have you decided to submit to her rule like a good little mortal?”

“Hardly, I’ve never been more resolute in my opposition of her. I was a fool not to listen to your servant when he told me of her nature. I suppose I just didn’t want to believe someone like that could be in control of this city. It seems almost too terrible a fate to countenance.”

“Oh? And what prompted this sudden change of heart?” Xanathel arched an eyebrow, clearly doubtful.

“I spoke with her in depth this time. My previous visit was perfunctory at best. It was more of a show of manners, or lack thereof on my part, than anything of substance. I don’t know what came over her today, perhaps the approaching demon army has greatly unsettled her mind, but she told me everything of her intentions. Of how she wishes absolute authority over not just the city, but all of humanity and our gods.”

“I suppose it does sound hard to believe when you put it that way,” Xanathel said, chuckling. “But absurd as it may seem, you have the right of it.”

“Had you told me what I’ve learnt earlier,” Derzina said, “I certainly would have thought it absurd and yet, after speaking with her I do not doubt it one bit. Inea is utterly convinced that her way is the only way.”

“Though I’m sure it must have been a painful revelation, I’m glad that you finally see the truth. Does this mean you are willing to support our opposition of her?”

“If you will have me, then absolutely. I will do all that I can to free this city from its bonds.”

“Wonderful. Come with me, we’ve not a moment to lose.”

He set a rapid pace through the city, at points forcing Derzina to run to keep up. All the while, she was keenly aware that everyone saw who she was with and made note, yet none seemed to be willing to look directly at her.

Normally the attention would have made her uncomfortable, but now she wanted them to see. And it seemed Xanathel wanted the same thing, she couldn’t imagine that he typically moved through the city in such a conspicuous manner.

After a long journey from the palace, Xanathel led her to a large townhouse and knocked on the door.

“My lord?” came the startled reply a few moments later, as a finely dressed man with greying hair opened the door. “You do me a most unexpected pleasure, I had not the slightest concept that I would be so honoured as to receive your august presence. May I ask what has brought you to my humble home?” Despite his honied words, he seemed agitated and he was clearly looking past them to see who else was watching.

“I take it you heard Inea’s announcement,” Xanathel said, “I’ve had to accelerate our plans; discretion is of no more use to us.”

Xanathel stepped inside and Derzina went with him.

“No more use, my lord?” the man asked, closing the door the moment they were both inside and showing them to a set of plush chairs arranged around a low table. “I do not mean to doubt your wisdom, but if I were to act overtly, Lady Inea would have me arrested before the day is done.”

“She can try. If our luck holds, she’ll be too otherwise occupied to deal with us. If not, then we shall have to resort to other means.”

Xanathel sat down, beckoning for Derzina to do likewise while Xanathel’s associate paced the length of the room.

“I take it you’ve succeeded in winning Derzina over then, my lord?” he asked, glancing in her direction.

“Not quite. She realized the merits of our cause largely on her own, it seems Inea is a far better advocate for our cause against her than I could ever hope to be.”

“If I might interject,” Derzina said, feeling overwhelmed and finally able to get a word in edgewise, “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.”

“You’re right,” Xanathel said, “it appears I’m getting ahead of myself.” He gestured toward the still-pacing older man. “Derzina, this is Arenth, one of my followers who’ll be assisting us.”

“Nice to meet you,” Arenth said, without warmth before turning to Xanathel. “What do you require of me, my lord? I am ever at your disposal.”

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“I’d like to speak with our guest, it is time he took a more active role.”

Arenth stopped in place, frowning. “I see. Things are progressing even more rapidly than I supposed then. Are you certain this is wise, my lord?”

“Not in the slightest,” Xanathel said. “Such certainties are a luxury that we cannot afford, given our rather disadvantaged position. We must take every advantage we can obtain, no matter the risk.”

“As you say, my lord. I shall retrieve her at once.”

Arenth left the room, leaving Derzina alone with Xanathel once more. It seemed that Arenth had calmed down after his god’s explanations and was now working efficiently to carry out his will. Though Derzina did wonder how Arenth had become involved in this dangerous business, he didn’t seem nearly reckless enough for it to suit his temperament.

“What precisely is the aim of all this?” Derzina asked.

“The aim is simple enough,” Xanathel said. “I wish to demonstrate to Inea that her path is one of folly. We shall not bow before her, no matter how she tries to force us to bend to her will.”

“And you shall accomplish this how exactly?”

“You’ll discover that for yourself when the timing is more opportune, I have said all that I will on the subject.”

His blunt refusal to discuss his plans threw Derzina for a moment, until she realized he must not trust her yet. It was hardly surprising, given how sudden her change of heart had been. Though she still found it odd to be doubted so, she’d never encountered this back in Ortesion. Then again, she’d also never done anything like plot against a god.

“If you don’t wish for me to know, why am I even here?”

“To see and be seen. And perhaps you will even prove to be useful, I, for one, certainly hope so.”

“And if I don’t prove to be useful?” Derzina asked. Reading a threat in his words, she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

“Then that will be unfortunate,” Xanathel said, with a tight smile. “You’re rather odd for a mortal, do you know that? I don’t believe I’ve had so candid a conversation like this with your kind in many years.”

“It has been strange for me as well, but I am no longer a mortal. At least not in the same way as the others.”

“Ah yes, of course, you’re one with my mother now. I can’t say I envy your predicament.”

“Though it is not ideal,” Derzina said, “I have nothing to complain of. I would bear far worse for the sake of defeating Meztraxia.”

“Would you now? That is both commendable and worth remembering. Though I would advise that you focus on Inea for now, the Demon Lord will have to wait until more pressing matters are dealt with.”

His reminder, fair as it was, still made Derzina wonder what he was trying to achieve. Did he truly think she had forgotten Inea in the slightest when she had only just declared herself in opposition of the goddess? Either he greatly underestimated her intelligence or he wished to deflect from the subject of the Demon Lord.

“Then we shall have to move quickly indeed. As great a danger as Inea poses, she is nothing compared to the threat Meztraxia represents. I would suggest you exercise the greatest possible caution in dealing with him, or you could easily see yourself slain as the god my city was. Your mother quite nearly shared in her sister’s fate.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, not that I had planned on rushing into a fight against him. I prefer to avoid battle where possible, particularly when there is such risk to my own personage.”

Derzina frowned at that, narrowing her eyes at Xanathel. Though she would not be so bold to accuse him of cowardice without good cause, his words did not speak favourably of his courage. Hopefully his conduct in the actual battle would be considerably better, or he may be less aid than she had hoped.

While Derzina was pondering the usefulness of her new allies, Arenth returned with his guest. A long-haired woman with an unhealthy grey cast to her skin and a battered wide-brimmed hat atop her head. Her dark eyes flickered from Xanathel to Derzina and, crossing her arms, she stood in the corner away from everyone else.

“This is Nirinphage,” Xanathel, “another visitor to our grand city. Though she arrived some months before you.”

Derzina would have told Nirinphage what a pleasure it was to meet them, but there was something in their gaze that set Derzina on edge. It contained both a readiness for action and a considerable measure of enmity.

“How unusual,” Derzina said, glancing at the woman again. “However did she manage the journey?”

“You are not the only mortal so blessed,” Xanathel said.

Derzina wasn’t sure what he meant by that, likely just as he intended. She felt certain that Nirinphage didn’t have a god dwelling within them, yet she couldn’t think of what else he might be referring to.

“And how did she come to join your cause?”

“In much the same way you did,” Xanathel said, “she witnessed Inea’s many injustices and wished to do something about it. But enough questions, I did not bring you here to hear a recounting of Nirinphage’s personal history. There will be time for that when our work is done, if you are still so inclined.”

“Fine, then why did you bring me here?” Derzina asked.

That was largely what she’d been trying to discern with her questions concerning Nirinphage, who was apparently vital to their cause in some manner. Why else would Xanathel have bothered with all of this?

“I wished for you all to become acquainted,” Xanathel said, “as you have done, and to begin the first stage of our great work.”

He rose from his chair and addressed the room. “The time has come to free this city from the tyrant’s grip and restore it to its former glory. Our first act of defiance shall be a grand demonstration of our resolve. The whole city has been profaned by her likeness, and it against that very likeness that we shall strike our first blow.”

Walking over, he put his hand on Arenth’s shoulder. “Gather your men; your task is to topple the statues along the high street. You will strike when the moon begins its descent, before fading into the shadows. Do you understand?”

“Yes, my lord,” Arenth said, bobbing his head before leaving the room.

“What about us?” Derzina asked.

“You and I will destroy the largest of her statues, in the town centre.”

He was reaching for the door when Derzina asked, “Is Nirinphage not coming with us?”

“Not tonight, her task will come later. Now come, we have one more stop to make before we begin.”