-conflagrator-

[https://i.imgur.com/LoYByv0.png]

My priestess and the empress are traveling with their underlings and I am beginning to become bored. This poor excuse for a bastion of the Divine One has become my cage…

“You’re thinking out loud again, Ignicorus.”

A diminutive woman with radiant locks of gold pushed herself up from a nearby chair.

Perhaps I meant for you to hear me, so that you would do something about this predicament, Primarch Karina.

The woman dropped her shoulders in a deep sigh, placing her hands on her hips.

“And as I’ve told you almost everyday now, I really can’t do much. Her Ladyship asked that we keep you from public view until she returns from her trip.”

I wish to see the world outside these walls. It’s been a hundred years since I’ve soared the imperial skies.

“The world has changed much since then. The lands are filled with darkness, both literal and figurative.”

Is that not reason enough for me to cleanse that very darkness? I don’t know what sort of creatures could have pushed the Empire so far from its glory, but none have withstood the blazing flames of Ignicorus.

“Yes, yes. So you’ve said every week since the Empress departed. You are free to roam the church’s interior to your hearts content, but I must insist that you remain within these walls until the Empress returns.”

The main chamber hall of the church vibrated as the doors opened and the lady Primarch left the room. I took off from the shelf I’d been perched on and fluttered through the doorway before it sealed again.

My own body was still far too minuscule to navigate around these hallowed grounds, and with my priestess in far off lands my powers were still very diminished.

I found a new perch among a hanging chandelier and watched my keeper engage with two visitors whom I’d seen before—followers of my priestess. A raven-haired man and a woman with locks of snow. I did not recall their names, but I did know they were highest among the ranks serving my priestess and the Empress.

The man bowed his head.

“Good morning, Primarch Karina.”

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“Yes, good morning to you, Luke, and you as well, Hanna. You’re a bit early for assembly, but judging by your formal attire this is a more critical matter?”

“I can always trust you to be so astute my Lady. If you have a moment, could we speak somewhere privately?”

“Ah, yes of course. Follow me to my chambers.”

An intriguing development may finally be occurring! I must listen in.

I dove and followed the three back into the Primarch’s quarters. The black-haired man—Luke was it?—noticed me the moment I swooped down.

“I see Hailey’s familiar is still being kept by the church. Do you often let it roam freely?”

The Primarch eyed me with a look of concern. I willed a link between our minds and instantly a question formed in my mind.

“Do these two know who you are, they’re close to the High-Commander but I’m not certain who is in the loop regarding your identity.”

Not that I am aware. I believe the among the Empress’ inner circle it is only her defender, the young princess, and my priestess. Aside from them, the priests who were in attendance of my rebirth.

The mental link was closed and the Primarch pulled two chairs out for two visitors.

“As long as her familiar remains well behaved I have no reason to confine it uncomfortably.”

I was back to my perch among the shelves. I could feel an intense presence watching me, though both Luke and Hanna were facing the Primarch.

That one is quite powerful. No wonder my priestess keeps him as her second-in-command.

Hanna broke the loose tension in the air by bringing out a small notebook from her satchel.

“The contents of this book are designated highly-restricted. Under any normal circumstance we’d never even think to involve civilians. However, this matter is a bit unique… A group of minsters and consulars have been meeting in secret, and we believe their intent is to induct a large portion of the divisional army and the church into their faction and oust Empress Vanixi from power.”

A look of shock took hold over the Primarch and she took the notebook from Hanna.

She flipped the cover open and on the very first page was an outline that showed the suspected hierarchical structure of the traitorous faction.

Her finger pointed at the top and she shook her head in disbelief.

“You’re sure Minister Bashir is behind this?”

Luke took a serious expression and leaned towards the Primarch.

“My top waystriders have confirmed it themselves.”

“Then we have to stop them before the Empress returns! We can’t afford bloodshed between our own people.”

Hmmmm! This sounds like a job for the protector of the empire, I shall—

I caught the Primarch staring directly at me, with hints of holy magick spilling out from her eyes. The strands of magick seemed amplified in the soft-lit room.

—remain in the church until my priestess returns.