The Heavenly Host

The vicar general beamed in what seemed genuine pleasure. “Amazing, My Lady.” He bowed slightly. “I hardly expected to find someone in Freehold who knew the plural protocol for addressing a senior church official and a senior Rod official in a single greeting.”

Hilda blushed slightly, both to appear natural and out of embarrassment for that slip-up. “Thank you, Vicar General. I spent my youth in Eton, where, of course, we are all familiar with the good works of both the Church and the Rod.”

“Are you of the faithful per chance?” the arch-diocate asked.

Was that a loaded question? Hilda thought to herself. She made a small grimace. “In my youth, I fear that since moving to Norelon and Freehold, I may not have attended chapel as often as I should.” She tried to look appropriately ashamed. Technically it was true; she did not actually go to chapel, although her day job was listening to prayers and entreaties from people in chapel, and for collecting mana and animus from worshipers and dispensing mana to priests engaged in higher-level rituals, typically in a chapel or other setting.

The arch-diocate smiled and shook his head. “An all too common problem when we get caught up in our daily lives. But remember, prayer and celebrating Tiernon can be revitalizing and useful for everyday life.”

Hilda nodded. “There is a chapel here in town, and I have been already; I will work on going more often.”

“Excellent, and I must say your healing is very good as well, very fluid and relaxed. You are not a thaumaturge though, correct?” the arch-diocate asked.

“Ah, no. I’m an animage, actually,” Hilda admitted. Alright — lied.

“Ah, an old-school healer. Excellent work, excellent work. Well, keep up the good work.” The arch-diocate patted her shoulder. Hilda tried not to tense as she worked to suppress any hint of her true nature. “The grace of Tiernon be with you.”

“And with you, Your Grace.” Hilda bowed her head as the party moved on. She followed them visually until they left the courtyard. She had not dared to use any Sight on them. She had no idea if they too were lying; if they had discovered her or not. If so, they were silent about it.

Danyel suddenly let his breath out loudly. “That was tense.”

Hilda smiled and gave him a pat on the back for reassurance. “Yes, rather unexpected. Definitely awkward.”

“I would have a word with you, healer,” a rather odd-sounding voice said behind her. Danyel glanced behind her and his mouth went wide. She noticed that all of the patients and aides in the courtyard were also looking behind her in shock.

∼

“So you are off then?” Randolf asked Crispin.

“I fear so,” Crispin said with a smile. “The calyphs must be brought up to speed and with these wards in place, I can’t just zap to Djinnistan. I have to physically leave the city, wander off somewhere into the woods and then zap myself.”

“I’m not used to seeing you in non-Turelanean garb. Or non-djinn garb, as the case may be.” Randolf smiled.

“Or non-ungarbed?” Crispin winked at him playfully.

“So when are you coming back?”

“I am sure this copy of the ball will cause every bit the consternation in Djinnistan as it has here. I’ll get besieged by an unending stream of questions, to which I’ll have little answer other than this.” Crispin held up his left hand containing a crystal ball with a copy of the battle. “I probably won’t escape tonight, so hopefully sometime tomorrow. What will you be up to?”

“I hope to get a copy of the plans that Lenamare gave his team for modifying the wards. My messenger should be by later this afternoon.”

“Those wards are impressive, and the information on how he was able to expel archdemons could be critical for the ‘thing.’ ” Crispin made air quotes as best he could with a crystal ball in one hand.

“What pushes one out, should be able to keep one in,” Randolf stated, and Crispin nodded.

∼

Hilda turned to see one of the most unusual, if not the most unusual individual she had ever encountered. Her first thought was that it was a metal golem. However, closer inspection revealed a being of such amazing artisanship that, if a golem, it was a true masterpiece beyond the scope of any normal priest or wizard. This golem-like creature was pure metal, and almost every edge was razor sharp. Its arms and legs were curved with trailing razor edges along what would be the outer edge of a human arm or leg. Its fingers seemed to have retractable blades, as did the edge of the golem’s palms.

“Hello!” Hilda beamed at the golem.

“I would interview you,” the golem said.

“Very well. Why don’t we go somewhere more private?” Hilda asked, gesturing to a nearby exiting corridor.

“As you wish,” the golem stated.

Hilda motioned for Danyel to stay put; this golem appeared exceedingly dangerous for living creatures. She shepherded it along the corridor to a small storage room, currently commandeered for bandages and other medical supplies. She opened the door and let it in, then entered and closed the door behind her.