Zareth let out a groan of frustration as he fiddled with the straps of his waist belt.
After Rizok had reminded him that he needed to attend the public Declaration Ceremony, Zareth had been ready to leave at once. Unfortunately, his bodyguard had quickly informed him that Zareth was expected to wear formal clothing as he was no longer a common citizen. There weren’t exactly any laws about it, but the members of the Great Houses held different societal expectations for people who ‘mattered’ and people who didn’t.
Zareth had fortunately already purchased something semi-formal that he could wear; a stylized long-sleeved outer coat worn over a pair of tightly fitting trousers and long enough to pass his knees.
“Despite the poor quality of your attire, I believe you will pass the expectations of the Great Houses,” said Rizok, his eyes sharp as he looked critically over Zareth’s clothes. “Although that Farida woman will likely be annoyed.”
Zareth sometimes forgot that his bodyguard came from an upper class background, but then he went and made comments like that.
“Yeah, well, I’m not exactly rich enough to pay a high leveled [Seamstress] to make me any super fancy clothes, especially not with High Command being so stingy,” Zareth grumbled as he looked at himself in the mirror. His superiors had been generous at first with his budget, but recently he was having to argue over every little expenditure. “And what do you mean about the Great Houses approving? I noticed that some of my clients were more accepting than expected about my clothes, but I assumed that they were just being easy on me since they knew that I was poor.”
“The sherwani as a formal wear was introduced to these lands by the naga,” Rizok explained patiently, reaching over to smooth out an errant wrinkle on his coat. “It’s more commonly worn by the humans in Arzuma. Humans who dislike the Great Houses, usually those from the clans, or naga in general would typically wear a dishdasha instead.”
Zareth let out a second groan of frustration in as many minutes, although this time for a different reason. He hadn’t known that he was making some kind of political statement with his clothing. These kinds of cultural details weren’t usually something that someone felt a need to teach a poor street rat.
“Whatever. It’s not like any of the human clans decided to take me in, so I don’t really owe them anything,” Zareth said with a dismissive wave of his hand. Racial tensions weren’t something that people from the Sunrise Slums had time to care about. “You just make sure that I don’t do anything too stupid during the ceremony. The last thing I need is to discover that I’ve made influential enemies because I didn’t bow at the right angle or something.”
Rizok scoffed softly and shook his head. “I think you’ll be fine. They should have reasonable expectations about your etiquette… hopefully.”
I’ll have to find a way to increase the amount of money I’m earning soon, Zareth thought with a wince as he noticed a subtle tear in the hem of his clothes. Maybe something with Cerebon’s emblem on it. Hopefully Rizok is right and nobody will judge me too harshly.
Pushing his abysmal monetary situation out of mind, Zareth gave himself one last minute look over before stepping away from the mirror and turning to face his bodyguard. After receiving Rizok’s nod of approval, he sighed in relief and began making his way through his sparsely furnished home and out onto the street.
Zareth was somewhat surprised to see the streets near his home much less crowded than usual, but he quickly recalled that he lived near the city barracks and that the soldiers must all be preparing to head out to war. Many of them were probably enjoying their last few days in peace at one of the pleasure houses or with their loved ones.
Zareth was suddenly very glad that he’d never actually gone through with his plans to join the military when he was younger. War wasn’t something that he relished the thought of, no matter how skilled High Command’s propagandists were at romanticizing it.
As he walked through the streets, Zareth passed by a pair of [Musicians] performing an upbeat song outside one of the more popular taverns, [Merchants] loudly hawking their wares, and a few old men gambling over a popular board game called Tawla.
It was obvious to Zareth that the people of Tal’Qamar seemed to be surprisingly unconcerned about the imminent war. There was still some tension, of course, but it was much less than when the military first took over the city. Zareth figured that it was because everyone was already accustomed to the military going off to fight wars abroad, and didn’t feel like it had anything to do with them.
It was widely known that Tal’Qamar’s military was the most experienced, well-funded, and highest Leveled in the Qahtani Desert. So, nobody was expecting them to have much trouble defeating Fal’Ashar. Not only that, but they trusted in the Skyglass Spire to save them from any attempted sieges.
Zareth dearly hoped that they were right, because things would probably become very bad if they weren’t.
As they neared the plaza, he could feel the mixture of excitement and apprehension filling the air. The plaza was always rather crowded, being a crosspoint that people had to travel through to reach different parts of the city, but was now more congested than Zareth had ever seen. A significant portion of the city must have shown up to attend, as the vast square was packed to the brim with citizens.
Large banners containing the crest of Tal’Qamar hung from all the nearby buildings, their previously golden background replaced with a crimson that contrasted with the stylized depiction of the Skyglass Spire.
In the center of the plaza, there was a raised platform on which General Nasrith would likely be giving his speech announcing the war and completing the ceremony. A swift glance revealed the figure of the ambassador from Fal’Ashar seated to the right of the platform, a grim faced ogre woman wearing heavily enchanted robes.
Even from here, Zareth’s [Magic Perception] allowed him to feel the power emanating from everything that the ambassador wore, which wasn’t surprising given that Fal’Ashar was ruled by an [Enchanter Lord]. More interestingly, his [Devotion Perception] revealed that the ambassador was deeply religious.
However, the most eye-catching thing wasn’t in the plaza, but above it. Floating high in the sky was a strange iridescent structure that looked like a colossal diamond, except each of its sides was displaying a dizzying array of images. It reminded Zareth somewhat of those art pieces in which a glass structure infinitely reflected itself with mirrors. Despite being obviously magical in nature, the structure felt like a complete void to his [Magic Perception].
It was obviously supposed to be there given that nobody was running away in terror, but Zareth had no idea what it actually was.
“Hey, Rizok. What is that supposed to be?” asked Zareth, his voice raised so that his bodyguard could hear him over the clamor of the crowd.
“That is House Kavasa’s famous Aetheric Reality Prism,” answered Rizok as he glanced up at the magical artifact with a strange look in his eyes. “It’s an artifact that is said to be capable of creating a massive space in its interior far larger than any space expanding Skill that I know of. It can also fly at high speeds and can withstand significant damage. Not only that, but the artifact’s spatial magic makes it possible for people inside to see and attack enemies outside while they’re protected within.”
Zareth felt his eyes widen in amazement as he looked up at the prism. “That’s amazing. I didn’t even know that it was possible to make something like that. Why would House Kavasa bring out something like that for something like this?”
If the floating prism could do what Rizok said it could, then it was an incredibly valuable artifact that would be worth an absolute fortune. It also made it clear to Zareth that the Great Houses were undoubtedly the strongest faction in Tal’Qamar. Even the most powerful gangs could only dream of acquiring something like the Aetheric Reality Prism.
“It’s mostly a way for House Kavasa to show off their own wealth and power,” Rizok explained, a hint of distaste creeping into his voice. “There was a time that they used it exclusively for war, but nowadays House Kavasa uses it to host extravagant parties or something similar. In this case, they sent out invitations to everyone of significance who wished to watch the ceremony in leisure.”
Zareth was barely able to stifle a bitter chuckle. Literally flying over the unwashed masses and relaxing in a self-contained spatial zone, while the rest of the city waited out in the hot desert sun was exactly the kind of thing that he expected from the ridiculously wealthy.
Involuntarily, his mind conjured images of wealthy nobles lazily sipping on expensive wine as they watched the proceedings from on high.
Pretentious bastards…
“Well then, where are we supposed to go?” Zareth asked as he did his best to force down his envy. “The plaza is too crowded. We’ll barely be able to see anything from here!”
If the place was too packed for him to see the ceremony anyway, then he might as well just head on back home and get back to his experiments. Better that than sitting in the sun while a bunch of rich naga enjoy their ridiculous luxuries in their floating space defying fortress.
Rizok glanced at Zareth with a confused expression. “Did you not hear me earlier, sir? House Kavasa sent out invitations for everyone of significance. That includes you.”
Oh… I forgot about that.
“Right, that makes sense,” Zareth said with a hint of embarrassment.
Suddenly, the ceremony wasn’t looking so bad. A moment of childish glee bubbled up within him at the thought of being able to see the interior of such a powerful artifact. This was the sort of thing that the street urchins born in the Sunrise Slums could only dream of experiencing.
“How do we…?” Zareth began, trailing off as he gestured at the floating prism.
Reaching into his tunic, Rizok retrieved a small crystal that looked similar in appearance to the Aetheric Reality Prism. “This will lead us to the entry point set up by House Kasava, sir. It’s enchanted to cast a visual illusion for the holder that directs them to the appropriate location.”
Moments after Zareth accepted the small crystal from Rizok, it began to glow and an arrow suddenly appeared in his vision directing him to a side alley away from the crowded plaza.
Zareth couldn’t help but feel a little intimidated as he followed the illusionary directions, the arrow continuing to adjust its trajectory as they maneuvered around the plaza. If House Kavasa was trying to show off their power, then they had succeeded as far as he was concerned. It was clear to Zareth that the difference between the Great Houses and his tiny little cult was like the difference between the sky and the earth.
Forget the Aetheric Reality Prism, even the small crystal in his hand was likely created by a talented [Enchanter] and beyond anything that he could hope to afford.
It certainly helped to put things into perspective…
It wasn’t long before Zareth and Rizok found themselves standing in a somewhat hidden alley with a rather conspicuous shimmering portal at the end of it. The crystal had allowed them to pass through some kind of ward that obscured the alley from view, preventing anyone else from finding it.
Zareth was a bit surprised when he saw that there weren’t any guards, but it made sense once he thought about it. That portal led to a gathering of the most powerful and highest leveled people in Tal’Qamar. Anyone who went there with bad intentions would be lucky if they lived long enough to regret it.
After a shared glance with Rizok, Zareth proceeded to step through the portal, only to immediately stumble as the abrupt change in environment left him disoriented. After he managed to get his bearing, Zareth took a moment to look around and was immediately struck by his surroundings.
From the moment that he’d reincarnated into this world, he had never left Tal’Qamar or seen any environments other than the harsh Qahtani Desert. That was why Zareth felt so stunned when he saw the vast garden that surrounded him.
Verdant grass, lush trees, and many blooming flowers of every color filled his view. Trickling streams snaked their way through the carefully constructed garden, their clear waters revealing several fishes calmly swimming by. The pleasant scent of blossoming flowers filled the air, an aroma that Zareth hadn’t had the chance to experience in this life and was all the more enhanced by his recently augmented nose. Even the scorching heat of Tal’Qamar had been replaced by a comfortable, cool breeze.
Throughout the secluded paradise was a path leading to a luxurious mansion larger than any he’d seen in Tal’Qamar.
Zareth was so caught up looking at the scenery that he almost jumped in surprise when he heard an unfamiliar voice to his side. “House Kavasa welcomes you, guest. Would you like me to escort you to the main event?”
Turning to the voice, Zareth saw that it belonged to a strange being that resembled a male naga made completely from marble. Every inch of it was completely white, from its scales to its blank eyes, and it wore colorful sky blue silk robes and gold hemmed sash that marked it as a servant. It took embarrassingly long for Zareth to realize that he was being greeted by some manner of golem, which made sense given how predisposed House Kavasa seemed to be toward magic.
“Uh, yes. I’d appreciate that,” Zareth said awkwardly. He wasn’t quite sure how sapient the golem was given that it was supposed to require an extremely high level to create a being that was truly self-aware, but it couldn’t hurt to be polite. “Thank you for the help. I’m Zareth, leader of the Cult of Cerebon. Who are you?”
“I am called Sevek, creation of the great Archmage Sedis Kavasa and a construct in service of House Kavasa,” said the golem, his expression utterly unchanging as he bowed politely. “Please follow me, Cultist Zareth. I will lead you to where the other guests have gathered.”
Without another word, the golem turned and started slithering down the paved path that led toward the mansion. Zareth shared an uncertain glance with Rizok before carefully following the unusual servant. Soon, he was able to hear the sounds of [Musicians] playing their instruments and the hum of chatter from many voices as they drew nearer to the mansion.
As they got closer, Zareth could see several wealthy naga wearing formal clothes that likely cost more than he made in a year. He could also see a few people who he recognized as high ranking members of the military, their crimson cloaks setting them apart from the rest, along with a few of his fellow religious leaders socializing with the aristocrats.
Kassan in particular looked as if he had done this his entire life, a flirtatious smile on his face as he leaned in towards a beautiful naga woman.
Suddenly, Zareth felt a bit nervous about being dumped in the deep end of political socialization. A part of him wanted to ask the golem if he could just watch the ceremony from one of the isolated pavilions, but Zareth forced himself to push through his nerves.
If Zareth wanted the Cult of Cerebon to become a real power within Tal’Qamar, then he desperately needed to expand his knowledge of the world and the city’s politics.
“Excuse me, Sevek. How will we watch the ceremony once it starts?” asked Zareth, testing the golem’s willingness to answer questions. “Everyone seems rather spread out. I was expecting to see them all sitting around some kind of scrying device.”
Sevek’s voice was calm and precise when he replied. “The Aetheric Reality Prism is fully capable of showing the happenings of the outside world. Once the ceremony begins, the illusionary skyline will be replaced with the view of the plaza below. Should you wish to stay within the manor, the crystal given to those who were invited can also function as a scrying device. All guests will be able to watch the proceedings in real time without obstructions.”
Zareth glanced up at the sky above, its appearance indistinguishable from the regular skyline of Tal’Qamar.
“That’s… convenient,” Zareth responded, starting to feel a bit numb from being continuously surprised. “Can you tell me more about House Kavasa? I’d love to learn more about their history.”
He was starting to realize that his lack of a formal education was beginning to be a severe hindrance, especially now that he was mingling more often with the city’s elite. The wealth and power of House Kavasa was significantly greater than he had estimated, which implied that the other Great Houses were just as impressive.
For a moment, he thought that he saw a hint of emotion pass over the golem’s expression, but it was already gone before he could be sure.
“House Kavasa, like the other Great Houses, was once native to the continent of Arzuma many generations ago,” Sevek said as he led them toward the mansion. “During this period, House Kavasa was highly involved in the realm of academia, particularly with the study of magic. After the advent of the System and the subsequent collapse of Arzuma’s various magocracies, House Kavasa relocated to these lands so that it may peacefully continue its studies. From this city to the Eldamir Empire’s Veilspire Academy, you will not find a greater source of arcane knowledge.”
Zareth wasn’t sure if that was the truth or if it was propaganda, but House Kavasa was obviously no slouch when it came to magic.
Before he could respond, Zareth had already entered the mansion and got his first look at the main gathering. Much like the golem that escorted them, the floor of House Kavasa’s manor was made from polished marble, reflecting the glow of the chandeliers hanging above. Several meticulously made sculptures and other pieces of art work were scattered around the room, drawing the attention of House Kavasa’s wealthy guests.
Zareth also spotted several servants, all of which seemed to be regular lizardkin and not golems, walking throughout the room and offering trays of exotic food and drinks to the guests.
Mercifully, Sevek led them to an empty table instead of forcing Zareth to mingle with the high society figures right away. He had noticed quite a few people looking at him with interest when he walked in, and several were still glancing at him now.
“If you’ll excuse me sirs, I must return to my duties,” Sevek said politely as they were seated at the table. “A servant should arrive soon with refreshments for you to enjoy. You may enter the manor to speak with any of the other guests at your leisure. Good day.”
“Good day, Sevek,” Zareth said with an awkward smile.
The golem stared at him for a moment, perhaps assessing him, before turning and slithering off from where he came.
Zareth let out a breath before glancing to Rizok. “Well, this is pretty interesting. Are the rest of the Great Houses as… extravagant as House Kavasa?”
Rizok took a moment to consider the question before responding. “Prior to [Merchant Lord] Raqasor’s death, all of the Great Houses aside from House Seradis tended to act more modestly in their displays of power. Now that House Seradis has fallen out of power, I suspect that the others are now… compensating for lost time.”
Zareth nodded, once more convinced that it was a priority to learn more about the city’s politics.
It didn’t take long for one of the servants to arrive and offer them an assortment of exotic treats and refreshments. The food was probably the best that he’d ever tasted in either life and obviously the work of a high leveled [Cook]. There were platters of bread stuffed with spiced roast lamb, yellow rice with onions, peas, and pomegranates, and stirfry of pickled cacti with strips of partridge. He particularly appreciated the cool refreshing fruit cocktails.
Zareth spent the next few minutes learning what he could from Rizok about the guests and enjoying the food. Just as he felt ready to venture into the crowd, he was interrupted by a familiar figure making their way over to his table.
“It’s good to see you again, Zareth. I was beginning to worry that you wouldn’t arrive,” Kassan said with a friendly smile as he rested his serpentine lower half along an elongated seat designed for naga. “Are you enjoying the food? House Kavasa’s [Cook] is widely considered to be one of the best in Tal’Qamar.”
Zareth hadn’t actually spoken with Kassan at all outside of the few times that the Hierophant Council met together to discuss matters. None of them really knew or trusted one another, so those conversations were always a bit shallow and businesslike.
This level of friendliness was very unusual.
“It’s all very delicious,” said Zareth, trying to keep the suspicion out of his voice as he bit into some kind of pastry containing sweet honey and dates. “Not to be rude, but is there something I can help you with? I don’t think that I’m all that more interesting than that pretty woman who I saw you flirting with.”
Rather than get insulted, Kassan merely snorted in amusement. “Oh, how refreshing you are, Zareth. It’s always nice to talk to someone who isn’t interested in beating around the bush, but there’s no need for you to worry. I just wanted to offer you my… expertise, given that we’re colleagues and all. After all, today is a very important day for you and your cult.”
Something about Kassan’s voice made it clear that there was some kind of unspoken implication that he expected Zareth to understand.
“What exactly are you referring to, Kassan?” Zareth asked with a hint of confusion. “I understand that this’ll be my first time meeting with a lot of high ranking people, but I’ve met plenty of wealthy people before in my work. I think I should be fine.”
“Were any of those people from the Great Houses?” Kassan asked knowingly.
“No, they weren’t,” Zareth said immediately. He had tried to ask some of his more satisfied clients if they could refer him to the Great Houses, but none of them had been willing. “Is there really that big of a difference?”
“For you? Definitely,” Kassan answered, his expression growing serious. “Every other faction of note in Tal’Qamar is associated with one of the Great Houses, and they’re eager to see where you all will fall. Raqasor’s death has left a lot of power out there for the taking, and the chaos of war is as good a time to take it, as far they’re concerned.”
Zareth felt a bit taken aback. He hadn’t known that everyone was looking at him with those kinds of expectations.
“But why? My cult is nothing compared to all of this,” Zareth asked with genuine confusion, gesturing to everything around him. “I don’t see why anyone would really care about who I associate with. The Great Houses are so far beyond me that it’s ridiculous.”
“That may be true, but the Conclave left behind a long shadow from which we are all being judged,” Kassan said solemnly. “Religions have a way of growing faster than they otherwise should, especially when the gods that they worship decide to put a finger on the scales. Many powerful people are paying very close attention to all of us, Zareth.”
It’s true that his cult was growing rather quickly, with many more people joining recently and his assistant, Tamir, deciding to follow in his footsteps and take the [Cultist] Class. With every new member of the cult, Zareth could feel his connection to Cerebon growing as the god turned more of his attention to Tal’Qamar. He was also incredibly close to his next Level, much sooner than he had expected.
Zareth was just about to ask why the military would tolerate significant political infighting while they were off to war, but he suddenly remembered something that he’d been told by Rizok. General Nasrith was associated with House Vhelan, which likely meant that the rest of the Great Houses also had their own people in the military.
From that perspective, the military may as well just be another political battlefield for them to fight over.
“And which of the Great Houses do you answer to?” Zareth asked suspiciously. “It’s obvious that you have a long history with them. Is it safe to assume that you were sent by them to gauge my intentions?”
Kassan let out a soft chuckle. “You have a keen mind and your skepticism serves you well, but Ghisara has worshipers amongst nearly all of the Great Houses. I simply wish to offer you my assistance. Who you choose in the end is entirely up to you.”
Zareth took a moment to consider it. He had a gut feeling that Kassan wasn’t being entirely truthful, but Zareth had no way to determine if that was the truth or just paranoia.
Kassan’s offer itself didn’t sound too bad, especially since the only things that he knew about the Great Houses was what he’d been told by Rizok. His bodyguard was very knowledgeable, but he didn’t know as much about current politics as Kassan.
I suppose it can’t hurt to let him introduce me to a few people…
Just as Zareth had made up his mind and was about to agree, their conversation was interrupted by an unfamiliar voice.
“He’s lying to you, boy.”
The interruption was so abrupt that Zareth blinked, turning in his chair to see the newcomer.
She was an old naga, her skin weathered, her red scales faded, and her hair entirely white. She wore a surprisingly simple gown, but carried herself with the kind of confidence that people only developed when they were used to their every order being obeyed. Despite the woman’s advanced age, her icy blue eyes were sharp as Zareth met her gaze, and she emanated a pressure that Zareth had only felt from people with very high levels when they got close.
Before now, he had only felt this feeling from General Nasrith and to a lesser extent, Gurza.
Neither of them were people that he would ever want to get into conflict with, and from the look on Kassan’s face, he had a feeling that this woman was very much the same.
“His god might have worshipers in all of the Great Houses, but this one is very much the favored pet of House Khrysar,” the woman said derisively, gesturing to Kassan as she approached. “I’m sure he’ll give you some good advice, but he’ll be subtly leading you toward his masters all the while.”
Zareth was startled as Rizok rose to his feet to address the woman with a bow “Lady Marilith! I wasn’t aware that you would be attending this event. I would have come to greet you had I known.”
Lady Marilith gestured for Rizok to sit back down. “Relax. You have more important things to do than greet a decrepit old woman. Besides, you aren’t the only one surprised to see me leave my manor. You should have seen the look on Agnazir’s face when I told him I’d be attending.”
“Lady Marilith,” Kassan said after he managed to compose himself, his voice much more subdued than when he was speaking to Zareth. “I have every intention of being impartial while offering assistance to my colleague.”
“Oh? So then it wasn’t your intention to lure in the boy with promises of a few coins after House Khrysar used its influence to restrict his funding?” Lady Marilith asked, arching a thin eyebrow in a way that made Kassan visibly flinch.
Zareth felt a wave of shock wash over him before turning to Kassan. “That was you? You’re the reason that I can’t get approved for more than the bare necessities?!”
The look on Kassan’s face was all that Zareth needed as confirmation. He’d vaguely considered the man an ally since they were colleagues, but Zareth had apparently been far too naive.
“I think it would be best if I take my leave,” said Kassan, his voice uncharacteristically strained as he rose from his seat.
Kassan slithered away after giving a short bow to Lady Marilith, leaving Zareth and Rizok alone with the enigmatic woman.
“Thank you, ma’am,” Zareth said politely as the elderly naga casually claimed Kassan’s seat. “Your intervention was very appreciated.”
“Think nothing of it, boy,” Lady Marilith said dismissively as she leisurely ate one of his pastries. “It’s always a pleasure to ruin a few schemes when I get the chance, especially when it’s self serving. Besides, Rizok seems to be fond of you, so it’s the least that I could do. I can tell from that look in your eye that you have no idea who I am, so allow me to introduce myself. I am Marilith Vhelan of House Vhelan.”
Zareth had been wondering how she knew Rizok, but it made sense now that he knew that he was from House Vhelan.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Marilith,” Zareth said politely. “But what do you mean by self serving?”
“That brat may have been lying about a lot of things, but it’s true that every faction wants to coil their scales around all of these new religions,” Lady Marilith said, her gaze as sharp as a blade. “Your ability to sculpt flesh carries enormous potential, and House Vhelan would treat you far better than any of the other Great Houses.”
Zareth found himself appreciating Lady Marilith’s straightforwardness, especially after his conversation with Kassan. He wasn’t all that eager to ally himself to the Great Houses, but there were many ways that they could help him, from access to funding to useful political connections.
Also, his instincts told him that his wishes wouldn’t be granted if he proclaimed that he wanted to stay neutral.
“However, we’ll have plenty of time for that later,” Lady Marilith continued before he could respond as she placed one of the crystals from House Kavasa on the table. “It’s about time for the ceremony to begin. It would be unwise to miss it.”
A quick glance around the room revealed that Lady Marilith was correct, as everyone was either activating their crystals at one of the tables spread across the room or leaving to go watch the proceedings out in the garden.
Zareth could feel Lady Marilith channel a small amount of mana into the crystal, instantly causing it to activate and begin projecting an image of Tal’Qamar’s central plaza like some sort of hologram. The image was extraordinarily detailed, revealing the figure of General Nasrith approaching the raised platform set up in the middle of the plaza while a row of heavily armored soldiers worked to control the crowd.
Once he reached his position, the General didn’t waste any time before beginning his speech, his authoritative voice amplified by some manner of Skill as it boomed across the plaza and through the crystal, silencing the crowd.
“Citizens of Tal’Qamar, today is not a day of celebration,” said General Nasrith, his voice unexpectedly somber. “For more than four decades, I have served as the leader of this city’s military. During that service I have faithfully led the sons and daughters of Tal’Qamar to lands afar to secure the safety and prosperity of this city. However, it recently became obvious that we should have focused more on the threats at home than those abroad.”
The silence was deafening as General Nasrith reached a pause in his speech. While there were many who didn’t believe the official story, everyone knew that the General was referring to the Conclave’s assassination of Raqasor.
“After I learned about the actions of the scheming Conclave, I resolved to do everything in my power to prevent them from taking control of this city,” General Nasrith continued, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. “I exiled them from Tal’Qamar and did what I could to free us of their influence. Were they wise, the Conclave would have been content with such leniency and left us alone. Instead, they chose to retaliate by sending their minions to kill and sow discord in our city. Today, I declare that we will not tolerate any further attacks on our home.”
Many people among the crowd burst into applause at the declaration, but General Nasrith only gave them a few seconds to cheer before he continued.
“It is for this reason that I’m announcing a formal declaration of war against Fal’Ashar, the city responsible for sheltering these dangerous fanatics,” General Nasrith said gravely, his voice growing more animated as he continued his speech. “I understand that there are some who sympathize with the Conclave. These individuals may worship the Conclave’s gods or question the necessity of war. To them I say this. The Conclave has maliciously used their gods to control this city and keep its citizens compliant, while they further their own power. When Lord Raqasor threatened that power, they had him killed. We cannot stand idly by while such threats persist.”
This time, the bout of applause that followed was louder. The people of Tal’Qamar didn’t overly care who ruled over them, but the Conclave had often been overbearing and wasn’t very popular.
General Nasrith waited until the crowd once again became silent before continuing. “War is dreadful and often leaves nothing but pain and suffering in its wake. However, we must defend our city, our home, our way of life, against those who seek to tear us down and use us all as tools. I pledge to you that we will not falter. We will win this war, and prove to all who watch that Tal’Qamar is the greatest city in these lands!”
Zareth was unsurprised when he heard the thunderous roar that came through the crystal. No matter the world, people liked being told that they were better than somebody else, and the citizens of Tal’Qamar were no different.
“Not particularly original, but he’s not a horrible speaker,” Lady Marilith said with detached amusement before her gaze suddenly turned sharp. “Although, it seems like the opposition isn’t all that interested in allowing him to have his moment. I have a feeling that this one is about to do something stupid.”
Zareth watched as Lady Marilith waved her hand, somehow causing the image to focus on the ambassador from Fal’Ashar.
The ogre woman’s face was twisted into a snarling expression filled with such hatred that Zareth felt a chill go down his back. It must have looked even more intimidating up close, because everyone near the ambassador was giving her a wide berth.
“She does look like she wants to… interrupt General Nasrith’s speech, but I’m sure that the guards will be able to stop her,” Zareth said after a moment of observation.
“You would normally be correct, but I practically see the zealotry wafting off of that one,” Lady Marilith responded. “When it comes to gods and their servants, I’ve learned that it is best to expect anything.”
Before he could respond to that ominous statement, Zareth suddenly noticed that the ambassador’s eyes had begun glowing and her previously furious expression had turned completely blank. Despite this change, the plaza was very large and not many people had noticed her.
That changed once the ambassador’s body suddenly burst into pure white flames.
The fires must have been very hot since even the nearby civilians who weren’t looking at the ambassador immediately cringed back, but the woman herself didn’t seem bothered. Instead, she slowly began to rise from the ground, ascending as if drawn upward by an invisible force.
The nearby [War Mages] didn’t hesitate to attack, unleashing a flurry of spells that were all swallowed by the strange flames surrounding the woman.
“Idiots, there’s nothing that they can do until the ogre’s destroyed by her god’s power,” Lady Marilith muttered, her eyes trained on the flaming figure. “I can’t believe those fools were so incompetent that they allowed someone capable of being an Avatar into the city. What an absolute embarrassment. Fortunately, she probably wasn’t strong enough for a deity to possess her directly, otherwise we’d all already be dead.”
Just as Lady Marilith finished speaking, the flaming woman finally opened her mouth and spoke with a voice that was deeply masculine and reverberated with power. Distantly, he registered the feeling of Cerebon turning far more of his attention to Tal’Qamar than he ever had before, but Zareth was too focused on the spectacle to really react to his god’s sudden interest.
“Mortals. You hear the voice of High Prophet Venthys, chosen servant of Suhail. I have watched this city closely since my faithful were unjustly exiled from its walls, and I must say that I am disappointed,” Venthys said through his avatar, his voice carrying throughout the city. “My temple has offered you all nothing but kindness, and you all repaid that kindness by allowing your new leaders to persecute them. However, I do not blame you. I understand that it is your new rulers who led you astray.”
Zareth instantly understood the High Prophet’s intentions and let out a soft curse. Trying to turn the people against their leaders would be far more effective than if he just started throwing fireballs into the crowd. Given that the ambassador’s body was already beginning to deteriorate, it was unlikely that he would have had the time to do much damage regardless.
“We have been accused by your leaders of crimes that we did not commit, even as they invite foreign gods into Tal’Qamar,” High Prophet Venthys continued. “It is clear that they do not have your best intentions in mind. It is for this reason that Suhail’s divine punishment will fall only on those who take up arms against his faithful. We will prove this, now.”
Zareth flinched as he heard the sound of several powerful explosions pass through the crystal, although he had no idea where it came from. Fortunately, Lady Marilith only needed a moment before she understood what was happening.
“The Conclave likely attacked the city’s garrison, along with a few other military locations,” Lady Marilith said with a scowl. “It seems like their plan is to destroy confidence in the military while showing that they’ll avoid civilians. It’s a clever plan, and our people are idiots for allowing it to happen. Knowing Nasrith, he’ll probably consider this a useless trick that won’t change any of the upcoming battles.”
Zareth could only watch in horror as High Prophet Venthys loomed over the site of the ruined ceremony, the ambassador’s body collapsing as he looked down at the panicked crowd. “I swear to you, people of Tal’Qamar. Your city will soon be free of the traitors and vile gods that now infest it. We will return to guide you back to the right path.”
With that, the ambassador’s body could no longer sustain Suhail’s power and it burned to ashes in a burst of white flames.
The crystal continued showing scenes of the plaza for a few more moments, long enough for Zareth to spot a grim-faced General Nasrith being led away, until the image suddenly stopped projecting. There was a beat of silence within House Kavasa’s manor as everyone processed what had just happened, discussion slowly began to pick up.
“Well, that was certainly exciting,” said Lady Marilith, her tone far more casual than Zareth thought appropriate. “I suppose now you see why people are so interested in keeping an eye on you, boy. Divine power can do ridiculous things when channeled through someone with a high level.”
“Will I be able to do something like that?” Zareth asked in disbelief.
From what he could gather, High Prophet Venthys had just possessed one of his god’s worshipers from the other side of the Qahtani Desert and resisted a full volley of attacks from several powerful [War Mages], just so he could deliver a short speech. That was a ridiculous display of power.
“Maybe one day, if you survive long enough to gather a good deal of worshipers and achieve several Class evolutions,” Lady Marilith said with a soft chuckle. “But you’ll need to survive that long of course, which isn’t easy in a city like Tal’Qamar. You would benefit greatly from a few allies, and some friendly assistance.”
Zareth took a moment to consider Lady Marilith’s words and what he had just seen. Whether it be the Great Houses or the Conclave, today had revealed to him that the major factions of this world were capable of things he didn’t even know were possible. He wasn’t exactly ready to sign his life over to House Vhelan, but Lady Marilith was right that he needed help.
Tal’Qamar was now a city at war, which only meant that it would grow even more dangerous than it already was.
I guess it can’t hurt to hear her out. Unless I signed an oath, there’s nothing stopping me from looking elsewhere if I don’t like what she has to say.
“What would this assistance look like?” Zareth asked hesitantly, hoping that he wasn’t making a mistake.
The satisfied smile that passed over Lady Marilith’s lips did little to ease his worries.
Zareth let out a groan of frustration as he fiddled with the straps of his waist belt.
After Rizok had reminded him that he needed to attend the public Declaration Ceremony, Zareth had been ready to leave at once. Unfortunately, his bodyguard had quickly informed him that Zareth was expected to wear formal clothing as he was no longer a common citizen. There weren’t exactly any laws about it, but the members of the Great Houses held different societal expectations for people who ‘mattered’ and people who didn’t.
Zareth had fortunately already purchased something semi-formal that he could wear; a stylized long-sleeved outer coat worn over a pair of tightly fitting trousers and long enough to pass his knees.
“Despite the poor quality of your attire, I believe you will pass the expectations of the Great Houses,” said Rizok, his eyes sharp as he looked critically over Zareth’s clothes. “Although that Farida woman will likely be annoyed.”
Zareth sometimes forgot that his bodyguard came from an upper class background, but then he went and made comments like that.
“Yeah, well, I’m not exactly rich enough to pay a high leveled [Seamstress] to make me any super fancy clothes, especially not with High Command being so stingy,” Zareth grumbled as he looked at himself in the mirror. His superiors had been generous at first with his budget, but recently he was having to argue over every little expenditure. “And what do you mean about the Great Houses approving? I noticed that some of my clients were more accepting than expected about my clothes, but I assumed that they were just being easy on me since they knew that I was poor.”
“The sherwani as a formal wear was introduced to these lands by the naga,” Rizok explained patiently, reaching over to smooth out an errant wrinkle on his coat. “It’s more commonly worn by the humans in Arzuma. Humans who dislike the Great Houses, usually those from the clans, or naga in general would typically wear a dishdasha instead.”
Zareth let out a second groan of frustration in as many minutes, although this time for a different reason. He hadn’t known that he was making some kind of political statement with his clothing. These kinds of cultural details weren’t usually something that someone felt a need to teach a poor street rat.
“Whatever. It’s not like any of the human clans decided to take me in, so I don’t really owe them anything,” Zareth said with a dismissive wave of his hand. Racial tensions weren’t something that people from the Sunrise Slums had time to care about. “You just make sure that I don’t do anything too stupid during the ceremony. The last thing I need is to discover that I’ve made influential enemies because I didn’t bow at the right angle or something.”
Rizok scoffed softly and shook his head. “I think you’ll be fine. They should have reasonable expectations about your etiquette… hopefully.”
I’ll have to find a way to increase the amount of money I’m earning soon, Zareth thought with a wince as he noticed a subtle tear in the hem of his clothes. Maybe something with Cerebon’s emblem on it. Hopefully Rizok is right and nobody will judge me too harshly.
Pushing his abysmal monetary situation out of mind, Zareth gave himself one last minute look over before stepping away from the mirror and turning to face his bodyguard. After receiving Rizok’s nod of approval, he sighed in relief and began making his way through his sparsely furnished home and out onto the street.
Zareth was somewhat surprised to see the streets near his home much less crowded than usual, but he quickly recalled that he lived near the city barracks and that the soldiers must all be preparing to head out to war. Many of them were probably enjoying their last few days in peace at one of the pleasure houses or with their loved ones.
Zareth was suddenly very glad that he’d never actually gone through with his plans to join the military when he was younger. War wasn’t something that he relished the thought of, no matter how skilled High Command’s propagandists were at romanticizing it.
As he walked through the streets, Zareth passed by a pair of [Musicians] performing an upbeat song outside one of the more popular taverns, [Merchants] loudly hawking their wares, and a few old men gambling over a popular board game called Tawla.
It was obvious to Zareth that the people of Tal’Qamar seemed to be surprisingly unconcerned about the imminent war. There was still some tension, of course, but it was much less than when the military first took over the city. Zareth figured that it was because everyone was already accustomed to the military going off to fight wars abroad, and didn’t feel like it had anything to do with them.
It was widely known that Tal’Qamar’s military was the most experienced, well-funded, and highest Leveled in the Qahtani Desert. So, nobody was expecting them to have much trouble defeating Fal’Ashar. Not only that, but they trusted in the Skyglass Spire to save them from any attempted sieges.
Zareth dearly hoped that they were right, because things would probably become very bad if they weren’t.
As they neared the plaza, he could feel the mixture of excitement and apprehension filling the air. The plaza was always rather crowded, being a crosspoint that people had to travel through to reach different parts of the city, but was now more congested than Zareth had ever seen. A significant portion of the city must have shown up to attend, as the vast square was packed to the brim with citizens.
Large banners containing the crest of Tal’Qamar hung from all the nearby buildings, their previously golden background replaced with a crimson that contrasted with the stylized depiction of the Skyglass Spire.
In the center of the plaza, there was a raised platform on which General Nasrith would likely be giving his speech announcing the war and completing the ceremony. A swift glance revealed the figure of the ambassador from Fal’Ashar seated to the right of the platform, a grim faced ogre woman wearing heavily enchanted robes.
Even from here, Zareth’s [Magic Perception] allowed him to feel the power emanating from everything that the ambassador wore, which wasn’t surprising given that Fal’Ashar was ruled by an [Enchanter Lord]. More interestingly, his [Devotion Perception] revealed that the ambassador was deeply religious.
However, the most eye-catching thing wasn’t in the plaza, but above it. Floating high in the sky was a strange iridescent structure that looked like a colossal diamond, except each of its sides was displaying a dizzying array of images. It reminded Zareth somewhat of those art pieces in which a glass structure infinitely reflected itself with mirrors. Despite being obviously magical in nature, the structure felt like a complete void to his [Magic Perception].
It was obviously supposed to be there given that nobody was running away in terror, but Zareth had no idea what it actually was.
“Hey, Rizok. What is that supposed to be?” asked Zareth, his voice raised so that his bodyguard could hear him over the clamor of the crowd.
“That is House Kavasa’s famous Aetheric Reality Prism,” answered Rizok as he glanced up at the magical artifact with a strange look in his eyes. “It’s an artifact that is said to be capable of creating a massive space in its interior far larger than any space expanding Skill that I know of. It can also fly at high speeds and can withstand significant damage. Not only that, but the artifact’s spatial magic makes it possible for people inside to see and attack enemies outside while they’re protected within.”
Zareth felt his eyes widen in amazement as he looked up at the prism. “That’s amazing. I didn’t even know that it was possible to make something like that. Why would House Kavasa bring out something like that for something like this?”
If the floating prism could do what Rizok said it could, then it was an incredibly valuable artifact that would be worth an absolute fortune. It also made it clear to Zareth that the Great Houses were undoubtedly the strongest faction in Tal’Qamar. Even the most powerful gangs could only dream of acquiring something like the Aetheric Reality Prism.
“It’s mostly a way for House Kavasa to show off their own wealth and power,” Rizok explained, a hint of distaste creeping into his voice. “There was a time that they used it exclusively for war, but nowadays House Kavasa uses it to host extravagant parties or something similar. In this case, they sent out invitations to everyone of significance who wished to watch the ceremony in leisure.”
Zareth was barely able to stifle a bitter chuckle. Literally flying over the unwashed masses and relaxing in a self-contained spatial zone, while the rest of the city waited out in the hot desert sun was exactly the kind of thing that he expected from the ridiculously wealthy.
Involuntarily, his mind conjured images of wealthy nobles lazily sipping on expensive wine as they watched the proceedings from on high.
Pretentious bastards…
“Well then, where are we supposed to go?” Zareth asked as he did his best to force down his envy. “The plaza is too crowded. We’ll barely be able to see anything from here!”
If the place was too packed for him to see the ceremony anyway, then he might as well just head on back home and get back to his experiments. Better that than sitting in the sun while a bunch of rich naga enjoy their ridiculous luxuries in their floating space defying fortress.
Rizok glanced at Zareth with a confused expression. “Did you not hear me earlier, sir? House Kavasa sent out invitations for everyone of significance. That includes you.”
Oh… I forgot about that.
“Right, that makes sense,” Zareth said with a hint of embarrassment.
Suddenly, the ceremony wasn’t looking so bad. A moment of childish glee bubbled up within him at the thought of being able to see the interior of such a powerful artifact. This was the sort of thing that the street urchins born in the Sunrise Slums could only dream of experiencing.
“How do we…?” Zareth began, trailing off as he gestured at the floating prism.
Reaching into his tunic, Rizok retrieved a small crystal that looked similar in appearance to the Aetheric Reality Prism. “This will lead us to the entry point set up by House Kasava, sir. It’s enchanted to cast a visual illusion for the holder that directs them to the appropriate location.”
Moments after Zareth accepted the small crystal from Rizok, it began to glow and an arrow suddenly appeared in his vision directing him to a side alley away from the crowded plaza.
Zareth couldn’t help but feel a little intimidated as he followed the illusionary directions, the arrow continuing to adjust its trajectory as they maneuvered around the plaza. If House Kavasa was trying to show off their power, then they had succeeded as far as he was concerned. It was clear to Zareth that the difference between the Great Houses and his tiny little cult was like the difference between the sky and the earth.
Forget the Aetheric Reality Prism, even the small crystal in his hand was likely created by a talented [Enchanter] and beyond anything that he could hope to afford.
It certainly helped to put things into perspective…
It wasn’t long before Zareth and Rizok found themselves standing in a somewhat hidden alley with a rather conspicuous shimmering portal at the end of it. The crystal had allowed them to pass through some kind of ward that obscured the alley from view, preventing anyone else from finding it.
Zareth was a bit surprised when he saw that there weren’t any guards, but it made sense once he thought about it. That portal led to a gathering of the most powerful and highest leveled people in Tal’Qamar. Anyone who went there with bad intentions would be lucky if they lived long enough to regret it.
After a shared glance with Rizok, Zareth proceeded to step through the portal, only to immediately stumble as the abrupt change in environment left him disoriented. After he managed to get his bearing, Zareth took a moment to look around and was immediately struck by his surroundings.
From the moment that he’d reincarnated into this world, he had never left Tal’Qamar or seen any environments other than the harsh Qahtani Desert. That was why Zareth felt so stunned when he saw the vast garden that surrounded him.
Verdant grass, lush trees, and many blooming flowers of every color filled his view. Trickling streams snaked their way through the carefully constructed garden, their clear waters revealing several fishes calmly swimming by. The pleasant scent of blossoming flowers filled the air, an aroma that Zareth hadn’t had the chance to experience in this life and was all the more enhanced by his recently augmented nose. Even the scorching heat of Tal’Qamar had been replaced by a comfortable, cool breeze.
Throughout the secluded paradise was a path leading to a luxurious mansion larger than any he’d seen in Tal’Qamar.
Zareth was so caught up looking at the scenery that he almost jumped in surprise when he heard an unfamiliar voice to his side. “House Kavasa welcomes you, guest. Would you like me to escort you to the main event?”
Turning to the voice, Zareth saw that it belonged to a strange being that resembled a male naga made completely from marble. Every inch of it was completely white, from its scales to its blank eyes, and it wore colorful sky blue silk robes and gold hemmed sash that marked it as a servant. It took embarrassingly long for Zareth to realize that he was being greeted by some manner of golem, which made sense given how predisposed House Kavasa seemed to be toward magic.
“Uh, yes. I’d appreciate that,” Zareth said awkwardly. He wasn’t quite sure how sapient the golem was given that it was supposed to require an extremely high level to create a being that was truly self-aware, but it couldn’t hurt to be polite. “Thank you for the help. I’m Zareth, leader of the Cult of Cerebon. Who are you?”
“I am called Sevek, creation of the great Archmage Sedis Kavasa and a construct in service of House Kavasa,” said the golem, his expression utterly unchanging as he bowed politely. “Please follow me, Cultist Zareth. I will lead you to where the other guests have gathered.”
Without another word, the golem turned and started slithering down the paved path that led toward the mansion. Zareth shared an uncertain glance with Rizok before carefully following the unusual servant. Soon, he was able to hear the sounds of [Musicians] playing their instruments and the hum of chatter from many voices as they drew nearer to the mansion.
As they got closer, Zareth could see several wealthy naga wearing formal clothes that likely cost more than he made in a year. He could also see a few people who he recognized as high ranking members of the military, their crimson cloaks setting them apart from the rest, along with a few of his fellow religious leaders socializing with the aristocrats.
Kassan in particular looked as if he had done this his entire life, a flirtatious smile on his face as he leaned in towards a beautiful naga woman.
Suddenly, Zareth felt a bit nervous about being dumped in the deep end of political socialization. A part of him wanted to ask the golem if he could just watch the ceremony from one of the isolated pavilions, but Zareth forced himself to push through his nerves.
If Zareth wanted the Cult of Cerebon to become a real power within Tal’Qamar, then he desperately needed to expand his knowledge of the world and the city’s politics.
“Excuse me, Sevek. How will we watch the ceremony once it starts?” asked Zareth, testing the golem’s willingness to answer questions. “Everyone seems rather spread out. I was expecting to see them all sitting around some kind of scrying device.”
Sevek’s voice was calm and precise when he replied. “The Aetheric Reality Prism is fully capable of showing the happenings of the outside world. Once the ceremony begins, the illusionary skyline will be replaced with the view of the plaza below. Should you wish to stay within the manor, the crystal given to those who were invited can also function as a scrying device. All guests will be able to watch the proceedings in real time without obstructions.”
Zareth glanced up at the sky above, its appearance indistinguishable from the regular skyline of Tal’Qamar.
“That’s… convenient,” Zareth responded, starting to feel a bit numb from being continuously surprised. “Can you tell me more about House Kavasa? I’d love to learn more about their history.”
He was starting to realize that his lack of a formal education was beginning to be a severe hindrance, especially now that he was mingling more often with the city’s elite. The wealth and power of House Kavasa was significantly greater than he had estimated, which implied that the other Great Houses were just as impressive.
For a moment, he thought that he saw a hint of emotion pass over the golem’s expression, but it was already gone before he could be sure.
“House Kavasa, like the other Great Houses, was once native to the continent of Arzuma many generations ago,” Sevek said as he led them toward the mansion. “During this period, House Kavasa was highly involved in the realm of academia, particularly with the study of magic. After the advent of the System and the subsequent collapse of Arzuma’s various magocracies, House Kavasa relocated to these lands so that it may peacefully continue its studies. From this city to the Eldamir Empire’s Veilspire Academy, you will not find a greater source of arcane knowledge.”
Zareth wasn’t sure if that was the truth or if it was propaganda, but House Kavasa was obviously no slouch when it came to magic.
Before he could respond, Zareth had already entered the mansion and got his first look at the main gathering. Much like the golem that escorted them, the floor of House Kavasa’s manor was made from polished marble, reflecting the glow of the chandeliers hanging above. Several meticulously made sculptures and other pieces of art work were scattered around the room, drawing the attention of House Kavasa’s wealthy guests.
Zareth also spotted several servants, all of which seemed to be regular lizardkin and not golems, walking throughout the room and offering trays of exotic food and drinks to the guests.
Mercifully, Sevek led them to an empty table instead of forcing Zareth to mingle with the high society figures right away. He had noticed quite a few people looking at him with interest when he walked in, and several were still glancing at him now.
“If you’ll excuse me sirs, I must return to my duties,” Sevek said politely as they were seated at the table. “A servant should arrive soon with refreshments for you to enjoy. You may enter the manor to speak with any of the other guests at your leisure. Good day.”
“Good day, Sevek,” Zareth said with an awkward smile.
The golem stared at him for a moment, perhaps assessing him, before turning and slithering off from where he came.
Zareth let out a breath before glancing to Rizok. “Well, this is pretty interesting. Are the rest of the Great Houses as… extravagant as House Kavasa?”
Rizok took a moment to consider the question before responding. “Prior to [Merchant Lord] Raqasor’s death, all of the Great Houses aside from House Seradis tended to act more modestly in their displays of power. Now that House Seradis has fallen out of power, I suspect that the others are now… compensating for lost time.”
Zareth nodded, once more convinced that it was a priority to learn more about the city’s politics.
It didn’t take long for one of the servants to arrive and offer them an assortment of exotic treats and refreshments. The food was probably the best that he’d ever tasted in either life and obviously the work of a high leveled [Cook]. There were platters of bread stuffed with spiced roast lamb, yellow rice with onions, peas, and pomegranates, and stirfry of pickled cacti with strips of partridge. He particularly appreciated the cool refreshing fruit cocktails.
Zareth spent the next few minutes learning what he could from Rizok about the guests and enjoying the food. Just as he felt ready to venture into the crowd, he was interrupted by a familiar figure making their way over to his table.
“It’s good to see you again, Zareth. I was beginning to worry that you wouldn’t arrive,” Kassan said with a friendly smile as he rested his serpentine lower half along an elongated seat designed for naga. “Are you enjoying the food? House Kavasa’s [Cook] is widely considered to be one of the best in Tal’Qamar.”
Zareth hadn’t actually spoken with Kassan at all outside of the few times that the Hierophant Council met together to discuss matters. None of them really knew or trusted one another, so those conversations were always a bit shallow and businesslike.
This level of friendliness was very unusual.
“It’s all very delicious,” said Zareth, trying to keep the suspicion out of his voice as he bit into some kind of pastry containing sweet honey and dates. “Not to be rude, but is there something I can help you with? I don’t think that I’m all that more interesting than that pretty woman who I saw you flirting with.”
Rather than get insulted, Kassan merely snorted in amusement. “Oh, how refreshing you are, Zareth. It’s always nice to talk to someone who isn’t interested in beating around the bush, but there’s no need for you to worry. I just wanted to offer you my… expertise, given that we’re colleagues and all. After all, today is a very important day for you and your cult.”
Something about Kassan’s voice made it clear that there was some kind of unspoken implication that he expected Zareth to understand.
“What exactly are you referring to, Kassan?” Zareth asked with a hint of confusion. “I understand that this’ll be my first time meeting with a lot of high ranking people, but I’ve met plenty of wealthy people before in my work. I think I should be fine.”
“Were any of those people from the Great Houses?” Kassan asked knowingly.
“No, they weren’t,” Zareth said immediately. He had tried to ask some of his more satisfied clients if they could refer him to the Great Houses, but none of them had been willing. “Is there really that big of a difference?”
“For you? Definitely,” Kassan answered, his expression growing serious. “Every other faction of note in Tal’Qamar is associated with one of the Great Houses, and they’re eager to see where you all will fall. Raqasor’s death has left a lot of power out there for the taking, and the chaos of war is as good a time to take it, as far they’re concerned.”
Zareth felt a bit taken aback. He hadn’t known that everyone was looking at him with those kinds of expectations.
“But why? My cult is nothing compared to all of this,” Zareth asked with genuine confusion, gesturing to everything around him. “I don’t see why anyone would really care about who I associate with. The Great Houses are so far beyond me that it’s ridiculous.”
“That may be true, but the Conclave left behind a long shadow from which we are all being judged,” Kassan said solemnly. “Religions have a way of growing faster than they otherwise should, especially when the gods that they worship decide to put a finger on the scales. Many powerful people are paying very close attention to all of us, Zareth.”
It’s true that his cult was growing rather quickly, with many more people joining recently and his assistant, Tamir, deciding to follow in his footsteps and take the [Cultist] Class. With every new member of the cult, Zareth could feel his connection to Cerebon growing as the god turned more of his attention to Tal’Qamar. He was also incredibly close to his next Level, much sooner than he had expected.
Zareth was just about to ask why the military would tolerate significant political infighting while they were off to war, but he suddenly remembered something that he’d been told by Rizok. General Nasrith was associated with House Vhelan, which likely meant that the rest of the Great Houses also had their own people in the military.
From that perspective, the military may as well just be another political battlefield for them to fight over.
“And which of the Great Houses do you answer to?” Zareth asked suspiciously. “It’s obvious that you have a long history with them. Is it safe to assume that you were sent by them to gauge my intentions?”
Kassan let out a soft chuckle. “You have a keen mind and your skepticism serves you well, but Ghisara has worshipers amongst nearly all of the Great Houses. I simply wish to offer you my assistance. Who you choose in the end is entirely up to you.”
Zareth took a moment to consider it. He had a gut feeling that Kassan wasn’t being entirely truthful, but Zareth had no way to determine if that was the truth or just paranoia.
Kassan’s offer itself didn’t sound too bad, especially since the only things that he knew about the Great Houses was what he’d been told by Rizok. His bodyguard was very knowledgeable, but he didn’t know as much about current politics as Kassan.
I suppose it can’t hurt to let him introduce me to a few people…
Just as Zareth had made up his mind and was about to agree, their conversation was interrupted by an unfamiliar voice.
“He’s lying to you, boy.”
The interruption was so abrupt that Zareth blinked, turning in his chair to see the newcomer.
She was an old naga, her skin weathered, her red scales faded, and her hair entirely white. She wore a surprisingly simple gown, but carried herself with the kind of confidence that people only developed when they were used to their every order being obeyed. Despite the woman’s advanced age, her icy blue eyes were sharp as Zareth met her gaze, and she emanated a pressure that Zareth had only felt from people with very high levels when they got close.
Before now, he had only felt this feeling from General Nasrith and to a lesser extent, Gurza.
Neither of them were people that he would ever want to get into conflict with, and from the look on Kassan’s face, he had a feeling that this woman was very much the same.
“His god might have worshipers in all of the Great Houses, but this one is very much the favored pet of House Khrysar,” the woman said derisively, gesturing to Kassan as she approached. “I’m sure he’ll give you some good advice, but he’ll be subtly leading you toward his masters all the while.”
Zareth was startled as Rizok rose to his feet to address the woman with a bow “Lady Marilith! I wasn’t aware that you would be attending this event. I would have come to greet you had I known.”
Lady Marilith gestured for Rizok to sit back down. “Relax. You have more important things to do than greet a decrepit old woman. Besides, you aren’t the only one surprised to see me leave my manor. You should have seen the look on Agnazir’s face when I told him I’d be attending.”
“Lady Marilith,” Kassan said after he managed to compose himself, his voice much more subdued than when he was speaking to Zareth. “I have every intention of being impartial while offering assistance to my colleague.”
“Oh? So then it wasn’t your intention to lure in the boy with promises of a few coins after House Khrysar used its influence to restrict his funding?” Lady Marilith asked, arching a thin eyebrow in a way that made Kassan visibly flinch.
Zareth felt a wave of shock wash over him before turning to Kassan. “That was you? You’re the reason that I can’t get approved for more than the bare necessities?!”
The look on Kassan’s face was all that Zareth needed as confirmation. He’d vaguely considered the man an ally since they were colleagues, but Zareth had apparently been far too naive.
“I think it would be best if I take my leave,” said Kassan, his voice uncharacteristically strained as he rose from his seat.
Kassan slithered away after giving a short bow to Lady Marilith, leaving Zareth and Rizok alone with the enigmatic woman.
“Thank you, ma’am,” Zareth said politely as the elderly naga casually claimed Kassan’s seat. “Your intervention was very appreciated.”
“Think nothing of it, boy,” Lady Marilith said dismissively as she leisurely ate one of his pastries. “It’s always a pleasure to ruin a few schemes when I get the chance, especially when it’s self serving. Besides, Rizok seems to be fond of you, so it’s the least that I could do. I can tell from that look in your eye that you have no idea who I am, so allow me to introduce myself. I am Marilith Vhelan of House Vhelan.”
Zareth had been wondering how she knew Rizok, but it made sense now that he knew that he was from House Vhelan.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Marilith,” Zareth said politely. “But what do you mean by self serving?”
“That brat may have been lying about a lot of things, but it’s true that every faction wants to coil their scales around all of these new religions,” Lady Marilith said, her gaze as sharp as a blade. “Your ability to sculpt flesh carries enormous potential, and House Vhelan would treat you far better than any of the other Great Houses.”
Zareth found himself appreciating Lady Marilith’s straightforwardness, especially after his conversation with Kassan. He wasn’t all that eager to ally himself to the Great Houses, but there were many ways that they could help him, from access to funding to useful political connections.
Also, his instincts told him that his wishes wouldn’t be granted if he proclaimed that he wanted to stay neutral.
“However, we’ll have plenty of time for that later,” Lady Marilith continued before he could respond as she placed one of the crystals from House Kavasa on the table. “It’s about time for the ceremony to begin. It would be unwise to miss it.”
A quick glance around the room revealed that Lady Marilith was correct, as everyone was either activating their crystals at one of the tables spread across the room or leaving to go watch the proceedings out in the garden.
Zareth could feel Lady Marilith channel a small amount of mana into the crystal, instantly causing it to activate and begin projecting an image of Tal’Qamar’s central plaza like some sort of hologram. The image was extraordinarily detailed, revealing the figure of General Nasrith approaching the raised platform set up in the middle of the plaza while a row of heavily armored soldiers worked to control the crowd.
Once he reached his position, the General didn’t waste any time before beginning his speech, his authoritative voice amplified by some manner of Skill as it boomed across the plaza and through the crystal, silencing the crowd.
“Citizens of Tal’Qamar, today is not a day of celebration,” said General Nasrith, his voice unexpectedly somber. “For more than four decades, I have served as the leader of this city’s military. During that service I have faithfully led the sons and daughters of Tal’Qamar to lands afar to secure the safety and prosperity of this city. However, it recently became obvious that we should have focused more on the threats at home than those abroad.”
The silence was deafening as General Nasrith reached a pause in his speech. While there were many who didn’t believe the official story, everyone knew that the General was referring to the Conclave’s assassination of Raqasor.
“After I learned about the actions of the scheming Conclave, I resolved to do everything in my power to prevent them from taking control of this city,” General Nasrith continued, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. “I exiled them from Tal’Qamar and did what I could to free us of their influence. Were they wise, the Conclave would have been content with such leniency and left us alone. Instead, they chose to retaliate by sending their minions to kill and sow discord in our city. Today, I declare that we will not tolerate any further attacks on our home.”
Many people among the crowd burst into applause at the declaration, but General Nasrith only gave them a few seconds to cheer before he continued.
“It is for this reason that I’m announcing a formal declaration of war against Fal’Ashar, the city responsible for sheltering these dangerous fanatics,” General Nasrith said gravely, his voice growing more animated as he continued his speech. “I understand that there are some who sympathize with the Conclave. These individuals may worship the Conclave’s gods or question the necessity of war. To them I say this. The Conclave has maliciously used their gods to control this city and keep its citizens compliant, while they further their own power. When Lord Raqasor threatened that power, they had him killed. We cannot stand idly by while such threats persist.”
This time, the bout of applause that followed was louder. The people of Tal’Qamar didn’t overly care who ruled over them, but the Conclave had often been overbearing and wasn’t very popular.
General Nasrith waited until the crowd once again became silent before continuing. “War is dreadful and often leaves nothing but pain and suffering in its wake. However, we must defend our city, our home, our way of life, against those who seek to tear us down and use us all as tools. I pledge to you that we will not falter. We will win this war, and prove to all who watch that Tal’Qamar is the greatest city in these lands!”
Zareth was unsurprised when he heard the thunderous roar that came through the crystal. No matter the world, people liked being told that they were better than somebody else, and the citizens of Tal’Qamar were no different.
“Not particularly original, but he’s not a horrible speaker,” Lady Marilith said with detached amusement before her gaze suddenly turned sharp. “Although, it seems like the opposition isn’t all that interested in allowing him to have his moment. I have a feeling that this one is about to do something stupid.”
Zareth watched as Lady Marilith waved her hand, somehow causing the image to focus on the ambassador from Fal’Ashar.
The ogre woman’s face was twisted into a snarling expression filled with such hatred that Zareth felt a chill go down his back. It must have looked even more intimidating up close, because everyone near the ambassador was giving her a wide berth.
“She does look like she wants to… interrupt General Nasrith’s speech, but I’m sure that the guards will be able to stop her,” Zareth said after a moment of observation.
“You would normally be correct, but I practically see the zealotry wafting off of that one,” Lady Marilith responded. “When it comes to gods and their servants, I’ve learned that it is best to expect anything.”
Before he could respond to that ominous statement, Zareth suddenly noticed that the ambassador’s eyes had begun glowing and her previously furious expression had turned completely blank. Despite this change, the plaza was very large and not many people had noticed her.
That changed once the ambassador’s body suddenly burst into pure white flames.
The fires must have been very hot since even the nearby civilians who weren’t looking at the ambassador immediately cringed back, but the woman herself didn’t seem bothered. Instead, she slowly began to rise from the ground, ascending as if drawn upward by an invisible force.
The nearby [War Mages] didn’t hesitate to attack, unleashing a flurry of spells that were all swallowed by the strange flames surrounding the woman.
“Idiots, there’s nothing that they can do until the ogre’s destroyed by her god’s power,” Lady Marilith muttered, her eyes trained on the flaming figure. “I can’t believe those fools were so incompetent that they allowed someone capable of being an Avatar into the city. What an absolute embarrassment. Fortunately, she probably wasn’t strong enough for a deity to possess her directly, otherwise we’d all already be dead.”
Just as Lady Marilith finished speaking, the flaming woman finally opened her mouth and spoke with a voice that was deeply masculine and reverberated with power. Distantly, he registered the feeling of Cerebon turning far more of his attention to Tal’Qamar than he ever had before, but Zareth was too focused on the spectacle to really react to his god’s sudden interest.
“Mortals. You hear the voice of High Prophet Venthys, chosen servant of Suhail. I have watched this city closely since my faithful were unjustly exiled from its walls, and I must say that I am disappointed,” Venthys said through his avatar, his voice carrying throughout the city. “My temple has offered you all nothing but kindness, and you all repaid that kindness by allowing your new leaders to persecute them. However, I do not blame you. I understand that it is your new rulers who led you astray.”
Zareth instantly understood the High Prophet’s intentions and let out a soft curse. Trying to turn the people against their leaders would be far more effective than if he just started throwing fireballs into the crowd. Given that the ambassador’s body was already beginning to deteriorate, it was unlikely that he would have had the time to do much damage regardless.
“We have been accused by your leaders of crimes that we did not commit, even as they invite foreign gods into Tal’Qamar,” High Prophet Venthys continued. “It is clear that they do not have your best intentions in mind. It is for this reason that Suhail’s divine punishment will fall only on those who take up arms against his faithful. We will prove this, now.”
Zareth flinched as he heard the sound of several powerful explosions pass through the crystal, although he had no idea where it came from. Fortunately, Lady Marilith only needed a moment before she understood what was happening.
“The Conclave likely attacked the city’s garrison, along with a few other military locations,” Lady Marilith said with a scowl. “It seems like their plan is to destroy confidence in the military while showing that they’ll avoid civilians. It’s a clever plan, and our people are idiots for allowing it to happen. Knowing Nasrith, he’ll probably consider this a useless trick that won’t change any of the upcoming battles.”
Zareth could only watch in horror as High Prophet Venthys loomed over the site of the ruined ceremony, the ambassador’s body collapsing as he looked down at the panicked crowd. “I swear to you, people of Tal’Qamar. Your city will soon be free of the traitors and vile gods that now infest it. We will return to guide you back to the right path.”
With that, the ambassador’s body could no longer sustain Suhail’s power and it burned to ashes in a burst of white flames.
The crystal continued showing scenes of the plaza for a few more moments, long enough for Zareth to spot a grim-faced General Nasrith being led away, until the image suddenly stopped projecting. There was a beat of silence within House Kavasa’s manor as everyone processed what had just happened, discussion slowly began to pick up.
“Well, that was certainly exciting,” said Lady Marilith, her tone far more casual than Zareth thought appropriate. “I suppose now you see why people are so interested in keeping an eye on you, boy. Divine power can do ridiculous things when channeled through someone with a high level.”
“Will I be able to do something like that?” Zareth asked in disbelief.
From what he could gather, High Prophet Venthys had just possessed one of his god’s worshipers from the other side of the Qahtani Desert and resisted a full volley of attacks from several powerful [War Mages], just so he could deliver a short speech. That was a ridiculous display of power.
“Maybe one day, if you survive long enough to gather a good deal of worshipers and achieve several Class evolutions,” Lady Marilith said with a soft chuckle. “But you’ll need to survive that long of course, which isn’t easy in a city like Tal’Qamar. You would benefit greatly from a few allies, and some friendly assistance.”
Zareth took a moment to consider Lady Marilith’s words and what he had just seen. Whether it be the Great Houses or the Conclave, today had revealed to him that the major factions of this world were capable of things he didn’t even know were possible. He wasn’t exactly ready to sign his life over to House Vhelan, but Lady Marilith was right that he needed help.
Tal’Qamar was now a city at war, which only meant that it would grow even more dangerous than it already was.
I guess it can’t hurt to hear her out. Unless I signed an oath, there’s nothing stopping me from looking elsewhere if I don’t like what she has to say.
“What would this assistance look like?” Zareth asked hesitantly, hoping that he wasn’t making a mistake.
The satisfied smile that passed over Lady Marilith’s lips did little to ease his worries.
