“Pretty sure that didn’t go like planned,” Devina said.

Tillon took his hand away from his face and shook his head. “No, no it did not… That was a mess. An utter mess. I brought you two to the table so we could work together. And what happened? You sat quiet as a rock while Melodra laughed like a mad jester!”

Tillon regretted his words as they left his tongue. Way too loud.

They’d retreated to one of the breakrooms of the chamber of diplomacy. There was a circle of a dozen comfy armchairs in the center of the room while cupboards full of whiskey lined the fancy walls. The company had to remain as quiet as possible: every sound and scratch passed through those walls.

“It’s funny because what you’re doing is foolish,” Melodra muttered.

Tillon grunted. “What--”

Devina interrupted. “Oh powers that be, you remember what happened! You know she just hates--”

“No, I really think the plan is as stupid as he is.” Melodra shook her head. “First of all, how don't you see why he’s doing it?”

“Calm down,” Tillon raised his voice then lowered it. “I realize this is not the time for fighting. There’s a bunch of idiots squabbling for power on the other side of that door and we won’t beat them by also bickering between ourselves. I--more or less--have a plan and we follow that plan. If you want to prove something to me, do it after we prove to Guardian that we can defuse such a shit situation.” He let out a breath and turned to Devina. “That is what matters now, right?”

“Right…”

Melodra wasn’t finished. “Your plan is only stupid, but your ignorance of what’s going on in that room is baffling,” she said. “You think you can get what you want, ‘win’, without understanding people?”

Tillon clenched his fist. “How do I have to say it? This is not the time for arguing or for attacking me…”

The shouts and the constant murmurs quietened on the other side of the wall. A round of gasps followed.

Tillon raised an eyebrow and neared the door. He stopped for a moment and tried to figure out what had happened, with his ears. Then, he opened the breakroom’s door and stepped through to a sight of the chamber of diplomacy still as the night. Half the people stood frozen and dumbfounded while the others bowed.

A pale lady in a maroon vestment entered the room through the entrance which should’ve been locked and guarded by the overseer. A cloth cloaked her eyes while her hands held a burning candle. Jack guessed the lady could see through the cloth as she overlooked the whole room then started to creep towards the table.

“Good job, Hefferi,” she said in a grandmotherly voice. “The whole lot of scum and sinners is here.”

Hold on… Hefferi?! Jack’s jaw dropped. He’s the one who started this whole mess?!

Not Third and not White, but damned Hefferi?!

“What are you doing, peasant?” Catherine furrowed her brow.

“Quiet, whorequeen.” The lady cackled. “And patience. You will all know why I’m here and what I want from you.”

“Overseer! Guards!" Catherine shouted. “Get this woman!”

I have a feeling that’s not going to work, Tillon though. Hell, nothing makes sense so why should anything work?

He simply couldn’t believe someone like Hefferi would do something so drastic.

“Oh, so you don’t see?” the lady grinned. “How do you think I managed to get in here? Why do you think half the fools are bowing?”

Catherine’s eyes narrowed, but she shook her head and persisted. “You’re delusional… guards!”

The lady put her candle on the table. “Ah, let her play.” She waved. “There are serious matters at hand.”

“What ‘matters’’ do you have here?” Tillon said.

The lady turned to him along with a dozen other frowning faces.

They really do not have a good impression of me.

“I should be asking the same of you, boy,” the lady said. “The Indigo mansion, Villered and,” she pointed at the ones who bowed beside her, “they serve me.”

***

People quietly shifted and moved around, forming sides. There was a group that stood with the lady and one that didn’t. In each of those groups, the madmen bent on a battle for Ixorono scuttled away from the reasonable ones.

Damn Hefferi, Tillon thought, finally coming to terms with the fact.

“I didn’t introduce myself, but I don’t think I need to,” the lady said. “My extraordinary talents have been the only thing able to unite Villered through the thousand years it’s been around. Indeed, half of you aren’t fond of those talents, but I’m not here to because of what you think. I’m here because it’s the perfect time to get what I want.”

“What is it that you want?” Tillon asked. The tension in the chamber rose and he used the opportunity. If he managed to fix this situation, he maybe wouldn’t have to say goodbye to his plans. .

“I want you all to stop your armies and hand me that city.”

Scoffs went around the room and a few grins appeared.

“You seriously think that’s possible?” Catherine said. Tillon couldn’t tell if she was as arrogant as the lady or if she was so naive to think political trash talk would get her far.

“Heh, this threat might sound threatening, but you better listen, cause you didn’t before: Villered is mine. Mine. You are sitting on my chair, by my table, in my mansion, surrounded by my guards,” the lady said. “So watch your words.”

“Kill us and take what you want, then.” Cathernine didn’t budge.

“That’d be foolish. The people of my church, my city, are desperate for recognition and for a new home. You’re all squabbling over Ixorono, but you don’t see that it’s perfect for my people,” the lady spoke. “We will get that city, but killing you all won’t be how we do it.”

“So you’ll do it by holding us hostage?”

“Here’s a little story: before I restored order to Villered, I was just a girl, locked inside a fighting ring. I wasn’t a fighter myself, but I cleaned the blood and corpses of the fighters. You could say I was held hostage in that place. Those years there brought me a miracle. I saw the truth and I met the powers that be. One of them gave me a part of their body so I could escape and help the desperate men and women of Villered fight against the conquerors and evil-doers who did nothing, but grind them to dust.” The lady tapped her nails on her candle. “I think holding you in here for as long as I need will help you see the truth as well.”

“What if I draw my gun and blow your head off?” Tillon said.

“Then my people will do the same to you.” The lady grinned. “See there’s a difference between fighting for a company and fighting for a cause. My people are loyal.”

***

“It’s the only way!” Hefferi said. “You see how many of us have joined her already! You just have to do the same and everything will be fine. Alright, don’t join her, but give her the city. It’s the right thing to do.”

“Is that you talking or the money?” Third pierced him with a sharp gaze. “Must’ve been a good sum to buy someone from the table. But seeing she’s bought the guards and the overseer himself, I’m sure you weren’t a problem.”

“Don’t… don’t change the topic. You know what’s the right--”

“I would not have been born in this world if I was here to do the right thing!” Third roared, silencing Hefferi and the whole chamber’s murmurs.

That is how you get the room to listen, Tillon thought. Exactly what I failed at…

Because Third was Guardian’s enemy, Tillon had to hate him, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t also adore him. He needed rare abilities to become a general himself one day and Third was a perfect example. The man was despicable and as brutal as Guardian, but he was also a great commander and had unthinkable tricks up his sleeves.

That fact also terrified Tillon. He had to win the negotiation, but with Third and the odd preacher woman using trick after trick, the chances lessened every second.

This’d be a whole lot easier if you helped somehow, Tillon glanced at the company. Devina held a blank smile while Melodra’s face remained as cold as always. He leaned towards them.

“This is an absolute mess,” he whispered. “But it is still not too late for you to say or do anything. Just… help...”

Devina nodded and Tillon leaned back in his chair. Even though the situation kept worsening, pieces of a plan started to form in his head. He needed to wait for the right moment. And waiting was what he was best at.

“I don’t understand one thing. I tried, but I can’t,” Steelgordon spoke in his high voice. “These damn worthless weasels are ordering us about? All they have is threats. Look at yourself, Hefferi. Have you ever done anything in your life except for inheriting blood money? Look at yourself, you old grandma. You can’t even see and now you pretend like we’re your puppets? Now, look at all the others who bowed to you. They’re parasites. They’re worthless scum. My men, my strong people, didn’t even have a single thought of bowing. We could kill every single one of you bullshitters without even breaking a sword.”

“I understand your concerns, son,” the lady said. “I am prepared for such doubts.” She gestured with her hands.

The crowd on her side stood up and all--in unison--drew weapons. Some unsheathed daggers, some unsheathed swords while some took out oddities like sharp coins and poisoned spoons.

The lady pointed at Steelgordon and the crowd moved. Everyone else backed out of their path. They gathered in a half-circle and surrounded the tough man.

Steelgordon and the pair of his adversaries drew their swords and backed away, getting themselves to a wall.

The lady snapped her fingers. “That’s enough. As you see, individually, my people are weak. Together, they’re not incredibly strong as well. But you won’t fight them off with your sword and a pair of buddies. If the others here jumped to help, you’d have a fair fight. But they didn’t and I doubt they’ll come and save you when I actually order my people to kill.”

Steelgordon elbowed the wall, frustration on his face. “You’re testing my strength? Gonna be fun hearing what you say when it’s a fair fight!”

The lady shrugged.

Catherine stopped toying with her diamond ring and her eyes widened. “Steel, I think we’re fools,” she spoke quickly. “This is exactly what--”

“You’re calling me a fool?!” Steelgordon growled and turned around towards one of the four doors.

“Son, that’s not the breakroom,” the lady said. “That’s the room you’re not allowed to go in.”

“Don’t tell me what to do!” Steelgordon tugged at the door, beat it and kicked it. Ebony wood shook and a huge lock banged. The door stayed in place.

The overseer jumped to his feet and raised a finger. “Mister! Mister! What did I say? That room is off--”

Steelgordon turned around, grabbed his sword and tossed it. The blade soared through the chamber and lodged itself in the wall, inches above the overseer’s head.

The tension in the room snapped.

Gasps, screams and moans followed. Tillon grabbed his forehead: he couldn’t focus in such chaos, his weak plan faltered and the opportunity he needed didn’t even show a sign of appearing.

Silence fell upon the chamber.

White waved a wand and light swirled out of it. That light engulfed Steelgordon, the overseer, the guards and a few others that were causing the chaos.

One shaft of light moved towards Tillon. His jaw dropped. He shook his head and dodged out of the way.

Now that’s bold, White, he thought. Showing you’re a sorcerer to the people who’ve despised sorcerers their whole lives.

In a moment, the magic faded and the chaos returned. People shouted at one another, called each other names and almost started duels. All the while, the lady sat tapping her nails on her candle, grinning.

Ugh, this is exactly what she--

The ruckus stopped and everyone froze.

What is it this time?!

A dark figure stood in the chamber’s entrance: a man who wore a leather coat and held a pair of leashes that bound black hounds.

The dogs were huge and in perfect shape. Maroon blood dyed the sides of their mouths and their vicious eyes glowed crimson. Despite their scale, they were obedient like companymen and followed when the man strutted to the center of the chamber where the light revealed…

***

Tillon stumbled out of his chair. His eyes widened as he put his back against the wall.

He shook his head and he blinked, but the sight didn’t change.

Tillon was as skeptical as one could be. Yet he knew myths and tales well. He’d proved them wrong in his mind a thousand times. If his eyes didn’t lie to him, he was mistaken about one.

Tillon’s hands jittered and he started breathing rapidly. No one even glanced at him.

He got his back off the wall and barged into one of the breakrooms. He stumbled towards the cupboards, grabbed a glass and a fancy bottle. The cap popped open, fell to the floor and rolled to the wall.

Tillon started pouring the whiskey then chucked the glass. He drank straight from the bottle. The taste bit his tongue. He shivered, but continued.

Devina rushed in the room and put a hand on Tillon’s shoulder. He flinched.

“Oh power’s… we can’t say that right now, can we?” She flashed a grin, but after a second her face went blank again. “Listen. What the hell… can’t say that too… Just… what are you doing?!”

“Coming here was a mistake. Trying to bully them into giving us more than we deserved was a mistake. We should have come in, made our demands and gotten out of here.”

“Answer what I asked: what are you doing?!”

“I don’t know.” Tillon sighed. He took one last gulp and put the whiskey back into its place. “You know who he--or it--is?”

“I’m not an idiot or a heretic.”

“What is going on?”

“Who knows?” Devina said. “Everyone saw it. It’s real. I’m shocked too. But I can’t let you make a bigger fool of yourself. I doesn’t matter what insane magic is going on around here. What matters is that people depend on you, Tillon.”

“We failed already,” Tillon responded. “I can fight a beast, I can discuss a human, but that thing…”

“Shut up.” Devina shook him. “You’ll do all you can, you’ll see what happens and you’ll try to get us out alive.”

“I tried that. But I did not even get any help from you.”

“I’ll do what I can, but I’m not sure about Melodra. She… she smiled when--”

“I know.” Tillon moved to leave the breakroom fueled by a warm confidence that replaced the bitterness on his tongue.

***

He faced the man and the faith in himself disappeared in a second.

The man pointed at Steelgordon. Steelgordon’s eyes widened even more and his trembling finger pointed at White. White put a hand on her forehead and pointed at the lady. The lady gestured a quick prayer, got out of her seat and bowed at the man.

She believes what she preaches....

The man sat on the lady’s seat, nodded at her then gazed at everyone in the chamber. He took out a silver pocket watch, placed it atop the table then put his hands on it.

The man didn’t have arms. Or a body. He was just a humanoid shaped black void with clothes.

“Heh, considering your cora--gazes, I can see you have a clue of who I am,” the man spoke, his voice human. “They call me the Hound for reasons I’ve no need to explain. You’ve all heard that name, haven’t you?”

“What matters are you here for?” Tillon asked, the warm confidence returning. Being drunk was… amazing.

“And why the dramatic entrance?” Devina spoke as well.

At least you’re doing something.

The Hound cackled. “Becoming the talk of the town when you step through the door is a downside of being us,” he said. “I’m here because I heard something. If one would combine all your forces, one would have a... pretty big army. Enough to rule the world for a century, maybe longer.”

“Rule the world?” Tillon scoffed. “Why’d--”

“Yes, yes, I’ve no need to rule the world or an army for that. I need an army because… ah, you’re too simple to understand,” The Hound waved. “Let’s keep it simple: hand me your armies or lead them where I need them, and this matter will be done.”

Third sprung out of his empty stare and shook his head.

“You’re asking us to obey orders?” he spoke.

“You’re right. I am.”

“Don’t think that you can,” Third shook his head. “Doesn’t matter who you are, we--”

“Fool. I am as patient as a being can be. Your words are grinding that patience away. Arguing with a power is what you’re doing now? I--or my hounds--can obliterate you in a second. But I chose not to. I chose to be better than others,” The Hound spoke. “Idiocy like yours is making cora--me question my decisions.”

Melodra muttered something under her breath. She raised her head, wiped a sole tear and spoke, “Are you a man or a woman?”

Tillon’s brow furrowed and confusion went around the room. The Hound laughed.

“Why would we have sexes?”

Melodra showed half a smile for half a moment. “Oh… right... Do you liked to be called a he or she?”

“My humanoid shape was formed after a man so call me that.”

“You don’t order me then.” Melodra put her hood up and started walking away.

Tillon frowned. “Mel,” he and Devina said in unison.

“You too!” Melodra snapped, pointing at Tillon.

It’s come back to her, he thought and goosebumps appeared on his skin.

The overseer got out of his dark corner and stood tall in front of the exit. “Lady, you know the rules of the chamber of diplomacy. Once--”

Melodra stabbed the overseer and stared him in the eyes as she twisted the blade.

He collapsed beside her.

Murmurs and a few screams went around the chamber. For that short moment, everyone forgot about the god in the room.

“Cora skrisk!”

Melodra crashed into the wall. Rubble and blood flew everywhere. Tillon bolted towards her, Devina following him.

“I see killing you all is the only way!” The Hound roared in an uncanny voice.

Tillon grabbed Melodra’s neck. Her pulse was still there, even though blood poured out of her nose and chunks of wall laid atop her chest. Tillon spun on his heel and wielded his revolver. Out of instinct, almost everyone else in the chamber did the same.

White smoke had appeared and swirled around The Hound’s head.

“You foolish humans don’t deserve my attention!” The table started shaking. “You’re so ignorant…” The Hound trailed off. He let out a long screech and the smoke around his head disappeared. Tillon’s finger flinched and his revolver fired.

The bullet hit The Hound and… turned to dust.

The Hound flinched. “What did you do that for?” He said, his voice back to normal. “No need to shoot me over a… why is that girl lying on the floor?”