“…put her in danger!” The bishop snapped from across the pool of waste that sat in front of the sewers entrance. He stood with Derenath behind him, carrying Celeste, and Gardinal before him looking abashed. At least two dozen faith militia marched around making themselves look all too preoccupied. None, it seemed, wished to be on the receiving end of the bishop’s sharp tongue. Vallerian paused at the entrance and, for a moment, watched the stately Sherya man berating the abashed Khazimi.

“Father Shelezan.” Gardinal began in defense, teeth clenched. “Her Radiance stressed her authority as…”

“She is a child Gardinal.” The bishop snapped. “Are you telling me that you, a member of the illustrious Order of the Golden Hammers, are unable to contain the will of a fifteen year old girl? A pacifist child who has rarely ever even set foot on the ground before I made the mistake of trusting you with her care?” The bishop stared Gardinal down, leaving a tense silence for the moment as the bustling faith militia all diverted their own gazes and pretended desperately to look busy. Even Lord Derenath, standing behind the bishop holding the unconscious Celeste in his arms, pretended not to overhear the argument. Vallerian tried to watch them from the corner of his eye as he slowly crossed the narrow path over the sewage.

The pair would have made a comical sight, Vallerian thought, as the imperious Sherya, loomed over the stout Gardinal who stood nearly twice as wide at the shoulders. Almost comical, had old Shelezan not been who he was, and angrier than Vallerian had ever seen the man before.

“Your Grace if you will…” Gardinal broke the silence, and the bishop nearly raised his hand as if to strike the man.

“You. Will. Be. Silent.” The bishop responded, biting off every word like it was white-bark for a headache. Vallerian stepped off the small path, Kriss following close behind, and tried his best to slink off. Now where was Charlotte? It was just like that pompous chicken to get herself…

“And where do you think you are going, Lord Vallerian?” The bishop called out. Vallerian froze.

Slowly, Vallerian turned to the bishop and forced his winning smile. It seemed to lose this time though as the bishop glowered and motioned Vallerian to approach.

“Come on Kriss.” Vallerian spoke under his breath. “If I’m being tossed into the fire, you’re coming too.”

“Of course. You are my employer after all, my lord.” Kriss responded dryly. It almost made Vallerian crack a smile. It was the kind of thing that urchin would…

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Necessary.

“I should have known you would be part of this debacle.” The bishop stated coldly as Vallerian approached.

“Your Grace.” Vallerian gave old Shelezan a sweeping bow. “I was merely trying to do my holy duty and protect the girl.”

“She is Her Radiance, or The Prophetess. She is not the girl to you or anyone else.” The bishop’s words sliced away at Vallerian more surely than anything that those daemons had done. “And I have half a mind to strip you down and toss you in chains despite your title, Lord Vallerian. Make no mistake, I do still have the authority.” The bishop’s tone barely changed from his usual terse sound, but as much as it did was like a snarl from the man.

Shelezan stared him down until Vallerian dropped his head in shame, then turned on Kriss behind him.

“And who, precisely, is this ragged stray of yours Vallerian?” The Bishop asked.

“M… my name is Kriss my lord.” The boy spoke up franticly, pushing Vallerian aside and giving the bishop a deep – if awkward – bow. “I… I am a friend of Celeste’s and you see…”

“The impertinence!” The bishop sneered. Vallerian groaned internally, stupid kid. “Faith Militia, arrest this boy for reckless endangerment of Her Radiance.”

“Your Grace!” Gardinal spoke up as two large faith Militia strode up and grasped Kriss by the arms roughly. “The boy might be a bit too loose with his tongue but he’s no…”

“I have heard enough from you Gardinal.” The bishop cut Gardinal off. “You have been grievously negligent with the Prophetess’s safety, and tried my patience, for the last time. You are hereby stripped of your position as her personal guard, and you are now reassigned to the old temple as a captain of their ornamental guard.” The bishop declared sharply.

Gardinal stared at the older Sherya man with wide, shaking eyes. His fist was clenched tighter than Vallerian had ever seen it, and he seemed ready to start ripping people apart.

“Your Grace.” Gardinal spoke with a deep tension in his voice. “If you would reconsider perhaps we could…”

“Don’t make me send you from this city Gardinal.” The bishop said. The two stared for an uncomfortably long moment before Gardinal bowed his head and muttered a barely audible:

“As you command.” Poor Gardinal looked like the whimpering remains of father’s hounds after the man had gotten his anger out on them.

With Gardinal properly chastised, the bishop returned his withering gaze back on Vallerian. “As for you, Lord Vallerian. I think perhaps going forward it would be best if you remained within the walls of The Forest. You have yet to sire a proper heir have you not?”

Vallerian gritted his teeth at where the bishop had stressed. His father was supposed to have hidden that mistake years ago. The last thing he needed right now was…

“Celeste!” Kriss shouted, pulling away at the large men. Eyes flashed to the girl in Derenath’s arms, her eyes barely flickering open slightly, her head still limp against the Loosenyun priest’s arm. Kriss pulled hard against the Faith Militia, the unusually strong youth knocking one of them over and nearly ripping the arm off the other in his bid to get closer to the girl.

Gardinal as well stepped forward, frantic determination in his eyes.

“Your Radiance!” Gardinal began desperately. “The bishop seeks to separate us. You must explain to him that…”

“ENOUGH GARDINAL.” The bishop finally snapped, raising his voice and stepping between the two men and the girl.