Paladin 4: Chapter 34 (Patreon)

Darren, Gaviel, and Horon hashed out a brief plan. Darren would stay back. Having a human in their midst as powerful as Darren would take a lot of explanation and would probably take a council meeting on its own, and Horon thought it wisest to cut straight to Kalaziel’s crimes. To do anything less would be risky, and he was already pulling as many favors as he could to gather the other Prime Saints on short notice.

The Prime Saints usual gathering place had an otherworldly feel to it. It was located at the top of a tall mountain on the northern side of the city, and the sheer-cliff faces along the entire rim of the mountain meant that it would be inaccessible without wings.

The building was little more than a plaza with a roof, serving as a wide open chamber visible from the city below. The Prime Saints wished to hide nothing from their kin, so any who looked could see when a meeting was being held.

The plaza itself was made of shimmering glass that left the sunlight streaming down to illuminate both the tight ring of chairs and the steps behind it for whatever spectator was willing to brave the harsh conditions on this mountain peak to watch this important gathering.

All the chairs but one were simple affairs. They were hewn of stone and built into the floor and seemed like blocky, uncomfortable things. Whoever had built this meeting place hadn’t had long debates in mind.

The only chair of note was one that stood taller and larger than the rest. That was a throne fit for a king, though Darren couldn’t quite name why he thought that. There were no gemstones embedded in the stone nor any gold adornments on display. Besides a single extra step of height and a slightly taller back, it looked the same as all the others.

But there was a certain presence to it all the same, like someone powerful had spent many hours there, and countless eyes had cast looks of reverence in its direction. There were royal thrones in the mortal world that did not have the presence of that simple seat.

Winged figures drifted down one after another. Most had only one set of wings and were Fourth Order seraphim merely gathering to see what the Prime Saints planned to discuss on such short notice.

Others had two, and Darren did his best to blend in with them. He wrapped himself in his own aura, disguising himself as a seraph once again to watch the proceedings.

But the seraph who caught the eyes of all onlookers had three sets of wings. These were the Prime Saints, and every one of them was a marvel to behind.

Horon was first since he called the meeting to order to start with. His shining armor and brilliant wings shone in the late afternoon sunlight, long hair whipped backward in the wind. In the mortal world, he’d look like a chivalrous hero stepping straight out of myth and legend.

The next to arrive was an older figure with a long gray beard that reached past his waist. His back arched back with age, but he looked no less imposing for it.

“Kothar’wa, it is good to see you! I should have known the Prime Saint of dedication and craftsmanship would be first to arrive,” Horon grinned.

Kothar’wa nodded in Horon’s direction, withdrew his six sets of wings, flopped down in a seat, and then pulled out a book. Without saying so much as a word, he ignored everyone and everything around him as he flipped through pages one after another, reading with supernatural speed.

Next to arrive was a woman of astonishing beauty. Her bright green hair stretched past the small of her back, flowing like waves of silk behind her. Her gossamer clothes were paper thin, and they barely concealed the pale skin beneath them. A crown of golden roses wrapped around her brow, and a red gemstone rested in the center of a choker about her throat.

“Synthia, it is always a pleasure to run into the Prime Saint of... ahem... intimate romance...” Horon shrugged sheepishly. “How are the other Prime Saints treating you? I know you haven’t been with us long.”

Synthia laughed. “You can say it like it is, Horon. I’m the Prime Saint of sex. People like to dress up, but that’s how it is. Just like how you call yourself the Prime Saint of Honor when really you’re the Prime Saint of noble deaths and self-sacrifice.”

Horon’s mood turned sour, despite the bright smile of the beauty standing before him. “Honor is important to me, title or not.”

“Yes, of course, dear,” Synthia rested a delicate hand on Horon’s shoulder. “But Kalaziel claims honor as one of his aspects as well under his title of Prime Saint of Valor. It’s best if you give up on it.”

Synthia took a seat, leaving Horon silently fuming.

[That’s the lady who stole my old manor!] Ashe fumed within Melancholy. If she had a body, she’d be glaring at Synthia with all her might. [Asuriel said she dresses up and pretends to be me while filming racy videos on my bed!]

“We will avenge your bed,” Darren promised in a hushed whisper.

Several other Prime Saints arrived, one after another. Each of them stood proud and unique among their peers. Most seraphim were the picture of perfect human health, and they appeared at whichever age they thought suited their temperament best.

The Prime Saints were all that, but a step further. Those that were tall among them were extremely tall. The beautiful, astonishingly so. The fiercest of them had a face that would scare away wild animals with nothing more than a glare.

All told, there were seven Prime Saints gathered, though most of the seats remained empty. Darren knew one of those seats had to be for Kalaziel, but what of the others?

Ashe answered the unspoken question. [I suspect a few failed to show, but it looks like there aren’t as many Prime Saints these days as there used to be. I know the war did a number on us, but I would have thought more would have risen up by now. It isn’t like we pass away from old age.]

“It looks like we’re missing a few people, including Kalaziel,” Synthia yawned. She lounged sideways across her chair, hair draping over one end and kicking her feet across the other side, much to Kothar’wa’s annoyance next to her.

“Kalaziel won’t be coming since this meeting is about him. There are a few other faces I hope to see, but we’ll have to make do without them,” Horon explained. “Today, I come to bring before you testimony of heinous crimes. Kalaziel has exploited mortals for his own gain, collaborated with demons from the depths of the Seven Hells, corrupted the thoughts of the Ophanim, and even taken action to seize control of seraphim in the heavens themselves!”

Synthia frowned. “These are serious accusations. Where is the proof to back up such bold claims? I know you’ve had no small amount of jealousy for Kalaziel’s position in the past.”

Horon smiled. “Protector Gaviel, please step forward.”

What followed was a lengthy exposition of all the evidence Darren had gathered. The recordings Ashe and Asuriel had taken from Whiteguard were presented and shared. That was enough to make Kothar’wa close his book and set it aside. Several of the others had gone from lazy, bored expressions leaning forward with a lot more interest. Synthia wore a scowl on her face, and her fingers ran across the ruby-red gem embedded in her choker.

When Gaviel moved on to the evidence he and Darren had collected on the ophanim, those interested faces became disturbed. And when Horon spoke of what he did to the Protectors, a few were ready to jump to their feet and take action.

Darren felt his heart pounding faster. Would the other Prime Saints take action against Kalaziel? He’d never dared to hope such a thing would happen. He’d always thought that any justice brought would have to come from his own hand. Was this really all that was needed from him?

What would he do after Kalaziel was dealt with? He could spend his days lazing about the Sacred Seas, surrounded by all his companions. Cassandra could have that child of theirs they wanted. He could be a father and raise a family. And perhaps a few years later, when he started to grow bored, he could explore those lands outside the Sacred Seas.

He could picture himself adventuring for the fun and excitement rather than the desperate need to survive and protect what he cared about. It would be a good future.

“And that is why Kalaziel has broken countless laws of the heavens,” Horon concluded. “We cannot allow him to continue. Join me, my brothers and sisters. We will apprehend him and demand he answers for his crimes, as well as put an end to the nefarious deeds being committed in his name at this very moment.”

“Action should be taken.” Kothar’wa stroked his beard and nodded in agreement. “Normally, this task would fall upon the Lord of Light.”

A sly grin slid across Synthia’s face. “Then why not wait for his decision? I’m sure he’ll return to resolve this, so there’s no need to do anything. And if he doesn’t show, surely it’s because he’s already decided that Kalaziel has committed no crimes against the heavens. Therefore, there was no need to call this meeting at all.”

Horon’s face darkened, and his eyes darted around the edges of the chamber. The Fourth and Fifth Order seraphim gathered to watch the proceedings and saw the logic in Synthia’s words. Why hadn’t the Lord of Light taken action if Kalaziel’s deeds were as bad as Horon claimed?

“You know as well as I do, Synthia, that waiting for the Lord of Light is not an option,” Horon replied.

Synthia’s smile widened.

[What a dirty trick! Dirty, evil, vixen!] Ashe muttered in Darren’s head.

Darren nodded silently in agreement. Ashe was right. This Synthia was dangerous, considering the hints Darren had picked up on. The Lord of Light, Laura’s heavenly equivalent, was dead and not in a position to do much of anything. Darren still wasn’t entirely certain of the hows and the whys, but he knew enough to be worried.

The problem was that the bulk of the seraphim in the heavens didn’t know that. They simply thought the Lord of Light was too busy to make his presence known. For beings as long-lived as the seraphim, a few decades in isolation away from the public eye wasn’t too strange. The Prime Saints had been willing to keep that illusion up for now, for there would no doubt be chaos once word spread of his death.

Darren watched doubt flash across Horon’s face. He could almost sense what the frustrated Prime Saint was thinking. Perhaps it was time to abandon the rouse.

“We cannot wait for the Lord of Light to take action on our behalf this time,” Horon said.

Synthia continued to smirk. “And why’s that? Have you been hiding something from the people of the heavens, Horon?”

Horon took a deep breath, eyes gleaming as he prepared to answer honestly. But Darren wasn’t the only one to realize what Horon was about to say.

“Synthia, let us desist with these questions. The Lord of Light is very busy, and we should not disturb him,” spoke a fierce-looking Prime Saint with a hawk-like nose. Though he was addressing Synthia, his eyes were locked on Horon. The message was obvious. Publicly revealing the Lord of Light’s death or disappearance would likely lose him the help he was trying to gain.

Synthia huffed as the other Prime Saints nodded in agreement, but with an uptilted nose, she voiced her agreement. “Very well. We shall assume the Lord of Light is too busy to deal with a matter as small as these allegations against Kalaziel. But tell me this, why are we holding Kalaziel’s character for trial while the man himself is absent? Isn’t that a bit unfair? If you’re going to throw accusations at him, Horon, he should at least be here to defend himself.”

Horon’s face darkened. “Don’t make light of the evidence I’ve brought before this council! Kalaziel has convinced millions of innocents for his personal gain!”

Synthia rolled her eyes. “They ended their mortal lives. It’s not like their souls were destroyed. One could even say they’ve risen to a higher plane of existence now that their souls are in the Seven Heavens.”

“He corrupted the ophanim and perverted their natural disposition.”

Synthia scoffed. “He didn’t do anything. The human souls did it when they ascended to the heavens.”

“He created magical objects to inject those souls into my Protectors, turning them insane, no doubt with the plan of eventually making them his own loyal servants!”

Synthia shook her head. “And all we have is the proof you brought with you. Everyone here is aware of your vendetta against Kalaziel. How do we know you didn’t plant this evidence and sacrifice your Protectors yourself? This could all be a ploy to turn the council against Kalaziel.”

Horon’s glare at Synthia could light water aflame. Such was its intensity. Slowly, he replied. “You have my word. As the Prime Saint of Honor, that should count for something.”

Synthia smiled. “The Prime Saint of Sacrifice and Noble Deaths, you mean.”

Horon’s fingers twitched. A man with less self-control than him would already have his sword in hand. He visibly fought to calm himself, then pointedly ignored Synthia and looked at the rest of the Prime Saints.

“Now comes the time to ask the rest of you how you stand.”

Kothar’wa was the first to stand. “Horon’s words have merit. We should launch a full investigation to confirm his findings.”

Synthia glared at the bearded older seraph, but Kothar’wa ignored her.

Horon frowned. “While I am more than happy to have my findings confirmed, there is no telling how many arms could be done between now and then. We should act to contain Kalaziel now, then perform our investigation after.”

“You simply want to see Kalaziel behind bars!” Synthia shook her fist in Horon’s direction. “I won’t stand for it. Anyone who plays along with this farce is no friend of mine. Or of Kalaziel’s.”

“Of course, I want to see him behind bars!” Horon shouted in reply. “Look at the harm he’s caused! And the devices he’s crafted! How can these be anything less than a betrayal of all the tenants we Prime Saints are expected to uphold?”

A tense moment of silence passed between everyone gathered in the room. The Prime Saints looked one another over, gauging the opinions of their peers without making their own known. The Fourth and Fifth Order seraphim didn’t dare to even breathe, such was the tension in the air.

“Shall we vote then?” Kothar’wa suggested.

“All in favor of investigating Kalaziel for the crimes presented to us by Horon?” Kothar’wa raised his own hand. Horon joined him.

None of the others raised their hands. Darren’s heart sank. That was a bad sign.

“All opposed?” Synthia raised her hand. She glared at a few of her peers, and eventually, one other joined her.

Kothar’wa frowned. “Three of you have made no vote. What is your decision?”

The three undecided seraphim looked at one another and shrugged. “We are abstaining. We will take no stance in this matter. In fact, I think it is best for the three of us to leave immediately.”

“This matter concerns the safety of the Seven Heavens and all the mortal lands we are charged with safeguarding!” Horon slammed his fist against the arm of his chair. “You can’t simply abstain!”

But the three neutral seraphim were firm in their decision as they shook their heads.

“What, are you afraid of, Kalaziel?” Horon demanded. “He may be more powerful than most, but certainly not as strong as all of us. Stand by my side, and I swear no harm will come to you.”

They shifted awkwardly in their seats. Synthia looked on smugly. “Now, who’s the one trying to intimidate the newer Prime Saints, Horon? No wonder you were so quick to throw such accusations at Kalaziel. You are the pot that calls the kettle black.”

“It seems we’re at an impasse...” Kothar’wa shrugged. “If the council is undecided, we can take no action.”

[Darren, let me out.] Ashe said. [I can break the tie.]

Darren felt his heart tighten in his chest. “Is that wise?”

Ashe was still at a mere fraction of her old strength. Without a real body of her own, her abilities were limited. Darren had been reasonably confident he could fight his way free and escape from Horon, but this situation was entirely different. There were six Prime Saints all gathered here. Would his aura disguise even hold up under such scrutiny?

[I will try to keep the attention off you.] Ashe promised.

“But what about you?”

[Please trust me.]

Darren found he did trust Ashe. And so, with a sigh, he released her.

Divine Aura swirled in the stands, drifting out of the stands. Several people stood up in alarm, but Horon recognized the power and held up a hand.

Ashe’s body formed, settling into one of the empty seats. She opened her eyes and crossed her legs, leaning into the chair as though she’d been sitting in it the entire time.

“Apologies for my tardiness. I vote we apprehend Kalaziel.”