Chrysalis

The Seneschal was a reserved man, usually. In this particular moment, he found he was having difficulty maintaining his smooth-faced facade, such was the anger bubbling away inside him. As he stood in the antechamber within the Great Cathedral, observers noted the man was tapping on his right leg with a single finger, though he seemed unaware of it.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

A regular rhythm for a regular man. The Seneschal represented order, represented stability. To have his gaze fall upon you in anger meant you had disturbed the sacred balance of peace within the Golden City.

One should never disturb the peace within the Golden City.

When at last the door opened and the Grand Priest emerged, radiating satisfaction, the Seneschal finally snapped. With two great strides, he crossed the distance between them and, without warning, sunk his fist deep into the priest’s gut.

Though he wasn’t a low level, far from it, Alir Vinting immediately doubled over, his face twisting in pain as he gasped and spluttered, eventually falling to his knees. The Holy Knights who had escorted him within the building snatched up their weapons and moved to advance, but they halted in their tracks as the Seneschal turned his glare on them.

The urge to spit on the priest, or kick him while he was down, was overwhelming, but with great effort of will, the Seneschal mastered himself and turned his back. To occupy his hands as much as anything else, he smoothed his golden robes and adjusted the sleeves, ensuring no spittle had dirtied the pristine garment.

After a minute of groaning and spluttering, the priest managed to suck in enough air to release a pained chuckle.

“I take it the Child-Emperor was not pleased with my unilateral intervention?”

Another flash of anger seared through the Seneschal, but he let it burn itself out before he replied.

“You have no idea what occurred outside, do you?” he asked.

Alir Vinting, Grand Priest of the Path, shook his head. “I have been concentrating on the extraction ritual, which only just completed,” he said.

strode across the room and sat, indicating the priest should sit opposite him. Alir hesitated for a moment, irritated at this official of the crown ordering him about within the sacred Cathedral of his order, but he couldn’t exactly protest the behaviour of the emperor’s Seneschal, even if the man punched him square in the face. The gut wasn’t even worth mentioning. Without

you have had a chance to report to the Cardinals. I suppose they had

Alir raised his brows.

not be so bold as to commit such

would recall that within this city, your superiors include the royal court, and the Child-Emperor above

bowed low in his

be aware that it has been stolen from Royal

I meant no offence,” he said smoothly, despite the radiating pain through his gut, “I only intended to say I would not act on church matters

He smiled ingratiatingly.

I may, could I enquire as to what occurred outside

the Seneschal said, “the Child-Emperor is not disturbed… the

had preceded this moment, only now did the Grand Priest feel a hint of true danger. The Church of the Path was a welcome and esteemed friend of Atreum, but also existed in some form or another across the entirety of Pangera. They were not without power, far from

had done,” the Seneschal told him. “Rather quickly too.

What did it matter if they found out? They couldn’t do

tier seven took particular offence at your actions, and decided to

He wore the expression of a man who had been told a sheep had attempted to bite

assume the offending creature was struck down instantly,” he said, leaning forward in his seat. “Might I

he could put his hands on the body, there would be a wealth of knowledge that could be extracted. A pity the experience had already been claimed. How

was indeed struck down,” the Seneschal said,

with the finality of the headsman's axe. Only now did the Priest realise just how much danger

if my actions, or those of the church, have led to this painful

the city itself was made with. To reform himself, the beast needed to draw deep on the energy contained within the metal, weakening it. It was basically

deflect the blame onto the ants themselves, Alir knew it was useless. The Church of the Path would be blamed for this incident, no matter what he did. Even from the grave, that detestable monster