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.

the Seneschal 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

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

Alir raised his brows.

be so bold as to commit such an act without the blessing

Seneschal replied mildly, “you would recall that within this city, your superiors include the royal

Priest Alir bowed low in

be aware that it

gut, “I only intended to say I would not act on church matters without the approval of my superiors within

He smiled ingratiatingly.

may, could I enquire as to what

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

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 it. Acting against the will of the Golden

what you had done,” the Seneschal told him. “Rather quickly too. They found

What did it matter if they found out? They

particular offence at your

had been told a sheep

said, leaning forward in his seat. “Might I inquire as to what happened to the

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

struck down,” the Seneschal said, “but only

words were stated with the finality of the headsman's axe. Only now did the Priest realise just how much danger he was in. Immediately, he

church, have led to this painful outcome. My sympathies

wasn’t common knowledge just how the guardian beast was tied to the golden city, but it was known he drew his power from the Heart Gold the city itself was made with. To reform himself, the beast needed to draw deep on the

the blame onto the ants themselves, Alir knew it was useless. The Church of the Path would be blamed for this