Published at 22nd of August 2026 8:02 am

Chapter 170: Dance of the dawn, or, the revealing science of a god high on their own supply.

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A surprise to see you too, Hierarch, I say through gritted teeth. I dont suppose youll tell me why youre here?

His smile grows toothier with a noiseless laugh. My dear Monhal, I was requested to recover the stolen armour; may I ask if the same can be said of you?

I shrug. I sent a note informing the auction house that I had located the armour.

And the bodies?

Things got out of hand. Still, the death of thieves isnt much of a loss and yet, something doesnt sit right, does it? I overheard the thieves saying a buyer would give them a hundred large gold for the armour. A suspiciously familiar sum.

A rather round sum, Ill give you that, he chuckles, not at all nervously. Whoever came up with it certainly knew little of negotiation.

Indeed? I raise an eyebrow. And yet is it not the sum that you offered for me to reveal my collection of divine contracts?

He smirks. My statement did not exclude self-reference.

So I noticed Ill ask you plainly then. Are you the buyer?

He mimes hurt. Malichi, what a scandalous thing to suggest, and with such scant evidence too.

It wasnt a suggestion, but a question. And I dont need evidence, just a straight answer from a devotee to a god of truth, on which I will insist. I gesture threateningly with the crossbow.

He laughs at the movement. You really think that peasant toy can pierce the radiance of the sun? He speaks, no doubt, in reference to the advanced shield spell I previously speculated him having.

Unperturbed, keeping my eyes locked on him and with a steady, emotionless voice, I say, The bolt is lightning enchanted, and Ive targeted you with a spell that will double its force.

Ah he says with a finger raised in thought. Fifty-fifty then. Faced with the sudden prospect of actual death, his face greys, though does not lose all hint of mirth. It seems were at an impasse. I cant start casting for fear that your bolt can pierce me. But you cant shoot, because if it doesnt, then thered be nothing to stop me from incinerating you.

I sigh, growing exasperated. Enemies of the empire died today without need. Yet this man stands here and plays games with me. Why would there be an impasse at all, when all you must do is speak plainly? Did you arrange for them to steal the Ocean Stone, and did you help them bypass the auction houses security measures?

We stare at each other tensely for several seconds before he breaks out laughing, hands on his knees with a gregarious smile. Oh, I cant lie to you, Malichi.

Or, in general?

Well, yes, that too. But what a sharp mind you have. Your suspicions are well founded. It was indeed I who did those things. Well sussed.

My mind wheels at the admittance. I suspected it, and yet to be confronted by the truth. That he would act so I dont know, recklessly. A man of his position. How did these people beat us? Why? I gasp out. Surely you couldnt think you could get away with it, not with your inability to lie.

That is assuming anyone would think to ask me in the first place. I am, after all, a citizen well above suspicion.

Okay, hubris, but fine. I still dont see a benefit. You were paying them way more than what you could have bought it at the auction for. Why?

He laughs again. Oh Malichi, I would have thought it was obvious. I have no interest in the armour qua armour. No, my interest is that you had expressed an interest and tried to hide just how much you wanted it. I hired them because I wanted to see how youd react to seeing the object of your desire snatched. Heh. I must say, you did not disappoint. Two dead before they left the stage, and another two mortally wounded! Not even with spells but with thrown knives! As if you were some knight! His amusement is unbounded.

I mutter. There was a spell. The knives hit because of it.

Ah, yes. Your guidance effect. I had almost forgotten about it. But when did you have time to cast it?

I have a new version that I can keep always active, I mutter, feeling awkward at the strange praise.

With your shield spell active

Plus a few minor things.

All that at such a young age? Impressive.

I shake my head. Not really. Everythings kept at the lowest power.

Still But then, thats not even all, is it? You tracked the thieves to their lair and killed them all.

I shake my head. They killed themselves.

Hmm he glances around. Yes, I can see that. Even more impressive. Howd you manage that?

I shrug, trying to regain my conversational stance after his effusive admiration of my skills. I stole from those bound heavily to the God of Thieves.

Ha! Yes, that would do it.

You dont object? You know, as the Supreme Hierarch of the Imperial sect? I thought meddling with the contracts of others was frowned on.

For you, Ill make an exception.

Why? I say with a sudden increase in force, almost snapping the word at him. What could possibly make me so worthy of this absurd attention? To jeopardize your position by committing how many crimes just to poke and prod me? To expend so much wealth? What could you possibly want?

You mean you havent figured it out? Malichi, Im the favoured servant of a god of knowledge and truth. I could not have become so without an obsession for exposing secrets to light my light, specifically. I went through all this trouble, to poke and prod you, because you have something I cant gain from anyone else a first hand account of your experience as an Anar cultist.

I nearly shoot him. Perhaps Im too stunned to. By the time my mind whirls around to contemplate the action (run up stairs if it doesnt penetrate and start casting the liquifying beam. Let that secret surprise him.) he has already raised his hands palm out in the universal Im not casting spells gesture, trying to convey non-hostility.

I can always shoot him in a minute.

How long did you know?

Youre not going to deny it?

I shrug. No point. Youd see through it.

Hm, yes, I suppose I would. I knew since about an hour after our first conversation. It was rather obvious, once given the clue of your refusing so much coin. After all, it is my job to be aware of how contracts affect people, and yours was just not right.

I see and the fact that Im not presently dead or captured means that you havent told anyone else?

That is correct.

Youre not exactly advocating my not shooting you.

Heh, youre welcome to try. In fact, Im almost tempted to provoke you. Im craving to find out if you can actually hurt me. But no, the knowledge of the Anar cult is far more tempting a treat.

On that point, do you think Id be able to get away with killing you if I succeeded?

He shrugs. Probably. You seem competent at disposal. At least, I have no special knowledge as to why youd fail.

And youre not stalling for others to arrive?

Ha, so paranoid. If that were the case, Id hardly reveal what I knew, now would I? No, I said Id handle the problem of the missing armour by myself.

I see, I say, fingers creeping towards the lever. Youre really not giving me a reason not to try, now are you?

He shakes his head. Well how about this? I will swear in view of the setting sun, then stand vigil with you throughout the night and repeat the oath to the rising dawn that I will not reveal the fact of you being an Anar cultist, nor any other secret of yours, nor deliberately act against you in word or deed (with the exception of immediate self-defence for the latter). With any reasonable modifications that you might come up with before then, of course.

Thats all well and good, but until then Im ather vulnerable, arent I? Especially if you dont end up making the declaration.

He shakes his head. Just saying that I will make such an oath without the intention of doing so would do grievous harm to my god. Besides facing severe punishment the next time I step outside during daylight, I am a dedicated servant. My gods continued wellbeing is my highest priority.

All right, Im considering it Under what circumstances will you keep the oath then?

He scrunches his face in confusion. Under all circumstances. I thought I made that clear. It wouldnt be a very good oath otherwise.

I shake my head. Never promise all or forever. Mortal minds cannot comprehend such things, so such statements become lies of neglect neglect of thought, at least.

Heh, a novel perspective on truth. How surprising. Do you mind if I quote you on that? Im writing an essay for the temples newsletter, and I think it might shed some light on its subject.

By all means I say, smiling through gritted teeth.

Excellent he smiles back, much more sincerely. As to your position? Well, I certainly wont object to inserting caveats, if you insist.

No, I state flatly, staring straight at him without shaking my head. You misunderstand. I want you to suffer the consequences for breaking the oath no matter the circumstance. What I am asking is: what circumstances would you be willing to suffer the consequences under?

His smile finally falters. Er well, considering that breaking this oath would result in my death and more importantly severe harm to my god, I cant imagine any circumstance in which I would willingly break it.

Then you lack imagination, I say immediately, having waited for the chance. Lets play the game then. Suppose there were a circumstance in which you not breaking the oath would result in the destruction of the world, and the sending of all mortal souls in it to the domains of dark gods.

He shrugs. Well, I suppose, for the sake of argument, that such a circumstance would, not only result in my own death, but would likely harm my deity more than the breaking of the oath. Therefore, I would likely break it. But thats an absurd extreme.

Then change the event so that it would be less damaging to your god to keep the oath, such as by having some souls go to them. Would you still break it?

Yes, I suppose if it were to save the whole world, then I would break the oath, even if it harmed my god to do so.

I smile, well, not victoriously, but close. Then we have a starting point which we can work backwards from. How much less death and destruction than total would there have to be for you to keep your oath? Say not the whole would, merely the whole empire? And in such a way that the Sun would suffer significantly less if you keep it.

Do you think thats a likely prospect? he says wryly.

Its the process. Now answer the question.

Sigh Fine, yes, I would likely break the oath if it meant preventing the death of literally everyone in the empire, even if it resulted in net harm to my god.

Then not literally. Just enough for it to collapse, or be weak enough for Hyclion to successfully conquer us?

I dont know, he half whispers. I have duties to myself, my god and my sovereign. I suppose I havent fully considered the priority before. So, I guess we found the breaking point you wanted. Anything less than that and I likely wont break it What about you? Do you imagine yourself causing such a situation?

No, I decide as I say it. First, I doubt Id ever be so successful. Second well, there are people here that I am somewhat fond of. My goal is freeing Caethlon, and I dont know if destroying the empire would be necessary or even sufficient. Perhaps wed be changing one master for another in the form of a suddenly peerless Hyclion. So no, I may want to hurt the empire, but destroying it isnt presently my goal.

Well thats good, I suppose. Does my answer satisfy you then? Can we proceed? His tone takes a sarcastic quality.

No, I ignore his tone. I might be satisfied with the oath, for now, but you still havent given me a reason to take the risk. What do I get out of this?

My continued silence isnt enough? He raises an eyebrow.

Your silence will be continued if youre dead.

Heh, fair enough. I should have thought to write some letter to be found in the event of my death, though I suppose hubris is a seemly vice for a servant of my god. I simply didnt imagine youd come up with a means that might harm me. I should have paid more attention to your spell progress. A heinous failing in my role as teacher Hm, I suppose I should remedy that.

Lets try for one stone then. I propose to officially become your study advisor. This would not only be prestigious for you, but would afford weekly meetings between us. During which, I will interview you regarding your experience in your cult (sealing my notes until fifty years after my death, as is custom for knowledge gained under such heavy caveats) and pay you five large gold for each hour, provided that you are forthcoming in answering questions. Besides that, I will assist you in getting through this he gestures around the room, situation with the most benefit as I can. To not only be recognized as the one who recovered the armour without any of my help, but to be rewarded for it both financially and socially. To be acclaimed as the hero of the hour. You do seem intent on using your time in the academy to your advantage. An event such as this could vastly improve your posting after graduation, if you use it well.

And all that just for a few words?

For words from a perspective I have not found the like of in all of the grand libraries of the academy. For a first hand account of a secret cabal that has flitted through the shadows of the history of every civilization of the past thousand years. Yes, for something that unique I would give this and more. My god would not have chosen me as their favoured if I wouldnt.

Even knowing that with your inaction I may kill again? Sacrifice again? I say angrily? Why? Why am I upset at his recklessness when it benefits me?

Yes, he says without hesitation. What are some peasant souls compared to bringing light to knowledge? In fact, I would welcome it. It would make the account that much fresher.

I see, I say. Why did I fear this man? Hes even more enthralled to his gods vices than I am to mine. Then I suppose your offer is a good start.

Ha! You want more! But of course, Anar is the god of ambition. What do you have in mind?

Youll owe me a favour for each session in addition to the coin.

But of course. It would only be fitting as your official mentor to assist you in my superior social position. Get you invitations to things and arrange meetings and so on... Unless Do you perhaps mean giving help securing prey? He sounds disgustingly hopeful.

Perhaps I wouldnt want to dismiss the possibility, and itll let me know his limits.

He shrugs. That would be fine, I suppose. Though I would want to bear witness to any crime I help you commit. So I can add my perspective to the account.

I nod. Breathing deeply, I try to think of a reason not to do this other than my instinct, of course. I dont trust him, and yet, how could he be lying? He is the favoured of the sun. Even a major boon from it would likely see him smote upon the ground for such a deceit. I mean, its not exactly likely that hes been tricking everyone to think he was the favoured. Besides, who else would make such an offer?

Theres so much to gain here for so little cost and so little risk. Perhaps thats whats making me hesitate most of all. My experience is that all good things are tricks.

Even Terry? Not that hes tricking me, but maybe Im tricking myself into thinking I can have him? Which is why Im buying him such agift, to reassure myself that he wont leave me, like so many others have. Im just telling myself that he needs the best armour against Bart, taking seriously the claim that hes some implacable foe.

No. No, of course not. Terry is not a trick, and if that good thing isnt a trick, it establishes precedent for this good thing not being a trick. For my fears being wrong.

Sighing, I look at him and smirk. I dont suppose its possible that the Sun god has secretly been a god of lies this whole time?

He laughs, all his tension draining away. He laughs for the first time in a way that doesnt feel slimy. Ive burned people for lesser heresies Just a little though You know, a sunburn.

I laugh, feeling my tension draining too. All right then. Ill talk.

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