Weeks later and food was becoming a pressing issue. While many of the warehouses in the merchant quarter had been destroyed, not all the food was ruined. Fermented vegetables, potted meats, and jams and jellies were unrecoverable once their vessels shattered. However, grains, dried fruits and vegetables, and cured and smoked meats could be picked through and repackaged. The city also had a few storage cellars that survived the fight. Add depots arranged throughout the city, an old practice in case of fire, and they had enough to keep the people fed for a month of winter.

  As season rolled towards spring, and the worst of the winter receded, relief came. The citizens of the city turned out to cheer on as a caravan from the east approached the city. Count Lonelyknoll and Lord Virgil Marble, the son of Archduke Marble, and their entourages waved from their carts to the crowds as they entered the city. Three carts went through the city and up the hill to the palace complex. The rest of the train, carrying the supplies to feed the people, pulled into fields outside the city while city and caravan guards posted around them to protect the supplies from thieves.

  Each of the carts heading up the hill was painted and flew a flag with the emblem depicting who they carried. The one at the head displayed the emblems of the Ministries of Gods, Law, and Judgment. It was followed by the cart of Count Lonelyknoll, the man himself having debarked in the city to stroll alongside the cart, so the people could see him. Not to be outdone, Lord Virgil strolled along with the fitter members of his entourage, but the crowd was less enthusiastic for him compared to the Count.

  Later that day, Biyu received a summons to her Inquiry. It would be held three days later.

  The Inquiry was held in the great hall of the Greater Palace. A long table with five chairs for those sitting in judgment was set up along one side. The Magistrate from Judgment sat in the center of the table, with Law, and Gods to one side, and Count Lonelyknoll and Lord Virgil to the other. Biyu had been provided a mattress and pillows to lay on. Both Anya and iris sat on pillows beside her. This left them all looking up at the people sitting at the table. Biyu's liaison with the Ministry of Imperial Affairs sat with her. The gods, Lord Victor and Wizard Benjamin, made up the gallery to one side. The Magistrates kept glancing at the gods uncertainly, although Magistrate Divine gave them warning looks.

  There was also a group of three men wearing armor and surcoats who stood to one side. Their surcoats depicted a broken ritual circle. They stood with their hands upon their weapons, battle ready, as they observed the proceedings. The gods spent more time looking at the Grudges than acknowledging Magistrate Divine.

  Before the Inquiry opened, everyone's comfort was seen to. They expected the Inquiry to last awhile. Once everyone was assembled and the servants had withdrawn, Magistrate Justice rapped a ceremonial rod on the table to draw attention.

  "We are here today to perform an Inquiry into claims made against Defender Elderwoods. There are three in total. The first claim is that she is a demon. While this is not in itself illegal," he hesitated, glancing at the other Magistrates to give them an opportunity to speak up. Seeing they had nothing to add, he continued, "it does bear scrutiny.

  "The second claim is that Defender Elderwoods is a necromancer, or has at least engaged in necromancy. This is a criminal charge, and the punishment for it is death or slavery. Given Defender Elderwoods has claimed for herself that she is a demon, the outcome would be death.

  "The final claim is that Defender Elderwoods is a death god. This is one of the few kinds of gods that the Empire has thoroughly outlawed. Magistrate Divine, would you like to explain why that is?"

  "It's self-evident, isn't it Tim? Death gods are all about death. Why would the Empire allow someone to run around killing people at random like that? We may as well stop convicting people of murder at that point, and most murderers only kill one or two people. Death gods kill multitudes."

  Magistrate Justice gave his fellow Magistrate a dirty look. "Quite. Do you have any questions about the charges levied against you?"

  "Being a demon is not against the law?" Biyu asked. Anya and Iris were equally curious at the admission.

  "It is not," Magistrate Law stated firmly. "The statutes for dealing with demons states that if a demon is 'moral and upstanding', then they may be registered with the Ministry of Gods. However, you'll understand that we can't just allow such potentially dangerous individuals wander around doing who knows what. We assign them an observer to keep an eye on them.

  "As for the reason why, it's quite simple. Just look at the destruction outside. Why should the Empire invite havoc fighting battles it doesn't need to? That's the same reason for the Empire's policy of détente with the Sacred Beasts."

  "Currently we have three registered demons in the Empire," Magistrate Divine said. "One of them is one of the Empire's proclaimed nine mortal gods. Historically, most of them do end up being put down." His tone remained informal and conversational, much to the disgust of the other Magistrates.

  "Thank you," Biyu said, giving a shallow bow.

  "Before we proceed any further, I want to just say that regardless of how the Inquiry ends, the Empire thanks you for the services you have rendered during the crisis," Magistrate Justice said. "My investigations paint you in a favorable light… morally. Legally, I'm afraid it isn't quite so encouraging."

  "I second their thanks," Count Lonelyknoll said. He was similar to his brother, except with a stronger chin and sturdier frame.

  Biyu returned their bow as the table of five bowed to her in thanks.

  "How do you plead to the first claim?" Magistrate Justice asked.

  "I admit to being a demon. Those I have killed have been bandits, Goblins, a man who made ogres, the soldiers of Archduke Marble who set upon Lady Isolde Kurt Lonelyknoll, and people my investigations revealed to be cultists of the demon god."

  Magistrate Justice gave a solemn nod, and made a note on the paper in front of him.

  "Has anyone anything to add?" Magistrate Justice asked.

  One of the armored men standing to the side took a step forward and bowed at his waist.

  "Speak," Magistrate Justice ordered him.

  "We need her aspect and domain, Magistrate," the man said, still bowed.

  "That's…" Magistrate Justice began before trailing off. "Ah, you need it. Of course. Defender Elderwoods?"

  "My aspect is… was poison. I am not sure what it is now. Wizard Benjamin informed me that it has changed."

  "I did," Wizard Benjamin said. "I don't recognize it."

  "I am still finding my domain. What I do know is that my domain includes redemption of the dead, retribution of the dead, and killing anathema like the demon god and the Ogre Maker."

  "I see," Magistrate Justice said. "Grudge Bryant, can you determine her aspect?"

  "If I may approach, Defender Elderwoods?" he asked Biyu. Despite the polite question his eyes were hard and unfriendly.

  Biyu waved him over.

  The man looked into her milky eyes, his lips frowning slightly. His eyes lit up with a visible effect as he scrutinized her. His face contorted with increasing confusion, before he shook his head in defeat. "Magistrate Justice, I cannot tell what her aspect is either." He stepped back, giving Biyu a barely polite bow, before returning to his comrades.

  "You have an unknown aspect. Noted." Magistrate Justice checked over his notes, then put his pen down.

  "Next, we'll move onto claim two. That you are a necromancer. Magistrate Law, would you provide us with the legal definition of a necromancer?"

  "Broadly, anyone who works with the dead. Statutes outline three broad groups of necromantic practice. The first is animating dead bodies, but this references legal codes pertaining to the proper disposal of the dead. The second is killing people for the purposes of trapping their souls for use in enchantments or animating dead bodies. The last is capturing Lost Souls for the purposes of enchantment or animating the dead. Conversing with the dead, trapping vengeful spirits, and contact with the dead such as ghosts and haunts are expressly designated as not being necromancy."

  "And as it pertains to the nature of demons?"

  "Pardon me, I should have thought to mention that. Demons are waived for self-defense, war, destroying dangerous undead, and similar. They are strongly discouraged from being involved with combat with the exception of fighting Goblins."

  "Thank you. Defender Elderwoods, how do you plead?"

  Biyu frowned, considering it. "I think my souls all fall under the waivers. Most of the souls I now hold are from the demon god. I have animated the dead, for the purpose of defending the city. Once the city was safe, I had them properly attended to."

  "Can you share how you raised the bodies?" Magistrate Justice asked.

  "I granted the vengeful spirits I have…" Biyu trailed off as she saw the looks of surprise and interest from the men facing her.

  "You command vengeful spirits?" Magistrate Justice asked. Magistrate Law had opened a thick tome and was flipping through the pages, his brows knitted.

  "I do. They were grateful to me for killing the Ogre Maker."

  "How many do you have?" Count Lonelyknoll asked.

  "That is a difficult question to answer. I had eight before the fight with the demon god. Now, I believe I have three."

  "You lost them during the fighting?" Count Lonelyknoll asked.

  Biyu shook her head. "I changed them. I do not think they are vengeful spirits anymore. They may be guardian spirits. I lack the experience to tell."

  "Perhaps I can help?" asked a jovial voice. A man, tall and thin limbed, stood to the side. He wore a short-sleeved tunic, and knee-length trousers with total disregard to the weather. A broad rimmed farmer's hat sat on his head. His eyes were black, and his broad gap-toothed smile was a little too wide. His skin was chalky white with dark bruises around black veins. No one had entered the room, yet there he was. Worse, he had no sense of presence. Biyu could see and hear him, but no matter how she tried she could not see his soul or mana. They were absent.

  "Lord Nightmare?" Magistrate Divine asked. He was sitting up straight in his seat, sweat beading on his forehead as he stared at the stranger.

  The gods fared no better. Both of shifted squeamishly while bowing their heads low. Biyu joined them. Iris, Anya, and the liaison followed her lead.

  The man gave a deep belly laugh. "Right person!" he agreed. "Wrong epithet." He leveled his smile at Magistrate Divine, challenging him to say it.

  "Lord Hells," the Magistrate squeaked out.

  "Yes! Sorry to interrupt. I see you're doing something quite important. Just came to collect something that's mine. Lord Victor?" Lord Hells strolled up to him and held out his hand expectantly.

  "It's mine," Lord Victor quavered, looking at Lord Hells defiantly from his bowed position.

  "No, no. It's really mine. You know that. Don't worry, I'm not asking you to give it to me for free. Gods trade. You've been one long enough to know that."

  "What are you offering me?"

  Lord Hells sighed, shaking his head, but the smile never left his lips. He opened his other hand, and within it Biyu could sense a wealth of Divinity. Her eyes could almost see it. Looking around, she could tell that only she and the gods saw it.

  Lord Victor stared at it greedily. He produced a soul, an unhealthy pink light, and handed it over. Lord Hells gently tossed the Divinity to Lord Victor, who gripped it tightly to himself.

  "Congratulations on your coming Ascension," Lord Hells told Lord Victor.

  Turning away from the god, Lord Hells held the soul up for inspection. He asked in a casual, detached tone, "What do you think his domain was?" He looked about, and seeing blank looks, he elaborated. "The demon god that wrecked your city, I mean."

  The gods Wizard Benjamin and Lord Victor were both too busy staring at the Divinity the god of Holy Lances held. Neither heard the question posed by Lord Hells.

  Magistrate Divine answered the question, once he realized no one else would attempt it. "From what I read… blades?"

  Lord Hells shook his head. "No. Simpler than that. Baser. Cutting flesh. That was all. He was a man of no notable status or ability. A completely ordinary man, except for his enjoyment of cutting others with sharp things."

  Rolling the soul between his fingers, Lord Hells stared at it contemplatively. "He became a demon almost by accident. A cold winter during a food shortage. His latest butchered victim lying there while his stomach grumbled. 'Just a bit' he thought. Took in the soul of the man he ate. What did he do with godhood? Pursued his pathetic little 'hobby' full-time. Offered others power and immortality, for nothing more than that they bring him people to cut."

  Lord Hells lifted the soul while all watched, and tipped back his head. He held out his tongue, and dropped the soul onto it. While only the gods, no longer distracted, and Biyu could see the soul, they all watched as he drew his tongue back into his mouth. His throat bobbed dramatically as he swallowed the soul whole.

  Done with soliloquizing, he returned to his former genial smile. He turned it on Biyu, and his eyes lit up. "Ah, sister! Nightmares and Hells greets you! You're doing better, I hope?"

  "Sister?" squeaked a voice. Biyu could not tell who said it, because she was trapped in the black eyes looking into her own.

  "Yes, sister. Just like them two are brothers." He waved a dismissive hand at the two gods who watched on with interest.

  "You have something for me, too, don't you, little sister?" Lord Hells asked suggestively.

  Biyu swallowed. "That is not for me to say."

  "No, no, little sister. It is for you to say. Arliss rejects, he does not cast down. So, will you give me my due? I offer you a trade. Ten Lost Souls for Leslie there. Ten souls that have never been to Judgment."

  Biyu shook as she asked, "If I refuse?" Those gleaming black orbs bore into her. She could feel the weight of Lord Hells existence by its absence. No sign of Divinity. Not a single trace of mana. A hole in the world.

  "I'll kill you and take the soul." The smile never faded. His words held not a note of threat. "And any others that strike my fancy, while I'm at it."

  Swallowing, Biyu reached into her realm seeking the Ogre Maker's soul.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  "No. No need to get it for me. I insist, let me get it for myself."

  Biyu stared as one of Lord Hells long fingers extended towards and then into her. The feeling was not as strange as when Arliss had been in her soul, but there was a twinge of pain as she felt something in her domain twisting and changing.

  Withdrawing his digit, it came away with a nearly clear soul with tattered edges. Lord Hells tipped back his head, and let the soul drop from the tip of his finger into his waiting mouth. From this angle, Biyu could see that Lord Hells had no incisors. All of his teeth, even those in front, were molars. She watched as he swallowed and then smacked his lips.

  Lord Hells cupped both of his hands together, and offered it to Biyu. Within his hands were the ten souls she had been promised. Some were ragged, their edges torn asunder. One was a vengeful spirit, black and full of wrath for a name she could almost hear. A few were nearly pristine. Their colors differed, and to her eyes a few were more than simple colored lights. They had hard to discern patterns. Biyu carefully drew them into herself.

  She followed the souls into her realm. She was startled to hear the 'voice' of Arliss speaking the Litanies for the new arrivals. Three of the souls were whisked away. Biyu looked east, where she saw Arliss's spire in the distance. He looked back at her, and she forced her eyes away. The vengeful spirit she entrusted to Hotaru Twicedead and her friend Pisces.

  Those duties attended to, Biyu fixed her attention on what she could only call a gate. It reminded her of when she had cut her soul to allow the souls to escape her domain should something happen to her. It smelled of rot and burnt flesh. The edges were made of flesh and ash. It writhed and twisted as she watched like a living thing.

  May stood before the gate, inspecting it. Their bond had been weakened when Biyu broke, but traces of her blessing remained even now. A sense of each other that was intimate, but a whisper of what they had shared.

  "Biyu, what the Hells is happening?"

  "Lord Hells took the Ogre Maker for his own. I think this is a result. Post a guard, please." May gave a perfunctory fist to heart salute before calling the soldiers to attend her.

  Returning her attention to the waking world, she stared at Lord Hells as he waited on her patiently.

  "If you find any more souls that deserve my tender mercies, just shove'm through that gate. I'll give you Lost Souls in return. A standing trade. Alright?"

  "That is a gate to the Hells?" Biyu asked.

  "Right. If Arliss passes them over, and you don't want them, just toss them in. I'll take good care of them."

  "I have no right to decide that," Biyu said, her hackles rising.

  "Why not?" he asked, his smile wider than before. "You knew whom I was talking about when I asked for the soul due to me. How did you know?"

  "I just did," Biyu said. She found it hard to meet his black eyes.

  "How do you know? What told you? When was that moment where you knew with all your soul that he deserved my tender attentions?" the god of demons asked as he took one languid step after another around her, his body leaning forward so that his face came closer and closer to hers.

  "When I watched him callously kill a man."

  "Was that it? Really? You never killed a man without much regard?"

  "I have felt justified. Or lamented the need," Biyu said.

  "Who else have you felt that way about? That he deserved the Hells?"

  "The demon god."

  "Ah. What did the two have in common, hmm? They both did something you and I both know is very naughty."

  Biyu considered this. It took her longer than she would like to admit, but she felt herself flush when she came to a realization.

  "I have denied souls the Heavens too!" Biyu countered.

  "You always intended to see them delivered to Judgment. Don't hide your eyes."

  Biyu looked around, another challenge rising to her lips, but she was unwilling to out her Master's secret. Lord Hells looked on with a kind smile. "You have to ask the question if you want me to answer." He lifted a finger dramatically. "But! You don't have to ask the whole question. I'll know what you mean."

  "Why not her?" Biyu asked.

  "Well… what do you feel the most compassion for? Or maybe, what is the easiest thing in the world for you to feel sympathy for? Or maybe… what crime have you always tried to avoid for yourself?"

  Biyu squirmed in her seat, uncomfortable with the direction of the question. "I do not know."

  He tsked at her. "The room," was all he would say. Something within Biyu slid into place, and her soul resonated.

  "I hate necromancers and demons?" Biyu asked.

  "That's something you've got to work out for yourself, little sister. Turns out, if you tell a god how to be the god he's meant to be, it don't work. You've got to discover the most important bits yourself."

  Biyu swallowed. "I hate those who deny other's Judgment and the possibility of the Heavens." There was a moment of power, a shifting within Biyu as her domain and soul aligned. She shuddered a breath, as the stitches on her soul were tugged one more.

  "You do! Which is why you'll be motivated to find and kill necromancers and demons. Then, you'll give me the souls. An excellent deal for each of us, don't you think? Since you'll want to kill them anyway."

  Biyu gave a numb nod.

  "Now that you've got that sorted, I'll let you in on the next step. It's all about rules. You've been doing it already, but you need to focus on it. Don't worry about adhering to them. Find out the rules you can follow, and those you can't."

  "Rules?" Biyu asked.

  "Rules!" he agreed with an enthusiastic nod. "Rules for worship. For whom you'll exercise your powers, and those you won't. What your Priests can and can't do. How they progress through your blessings of power. What powers you give'm! And, of course, what to do with the souls unfit for either the Heavens or the Hells. All sorts of things. Including leaving yourself wiggle room so you don't choke on your own rules."

  "What do you mean?"

  "You're a mortal god. We all need ta be able to defy ourselves every once in a while. You know, acting on our whims. The stricter your rules, the smaller the kinks you leave, the heavier your touch on the scales of the cosmos. Yet, chain yourself too tightly, and you won't always be able to act when you know you should." He gave a shrug. "As for what the rules should be? Well, that's something you have to figure out."

  Lord Victor and Wizard Benjamin were both nodding sagely at Lord Hell's words.

  "Another reason why it's something to do now is your domain ain't finished. Creating rules will give you an idea of what you rule, and how. You can think of it as defining the rules helps define your domain. Helps if you look at it that way."

  Biyu bowed the best she could to the god. "Thank you for your instruction, Lord Hells."

  The man smiled at her broadly. "Good. Now, there's something you want to do, isn't there?"

  "There is," Biyu agreed.

  "Then ask. No harm in just asking, is there?"

  "There can be, Lord Hells."

  "Please, no need for formalities. Hells is fine, little sister. And in this case, no there isn't. Ask." The smile had not faded, the jovial demeanor as spirited as before, but there was an underlying menace in the command.

  "I want to hold a Feast of Ancestors for the city. Like my Master did."

  "Well, obviously I'm not the one you have to ask for that. Go on, call her. She's been waiting for you."

  "Lady of Secrets and Dreams, I would like to hold a Feast of Ancestors for the city." Biyu failed to keep her voice steady as she called upon a fellow god so much more powerful than her.

  Another figure stood beside Lord Hells. Lady Dreams was a silhouette of shadow wreathed in diaphanous scarves that barely obscured her figure. She was not as alluring as she was in dreams. Lady Dreams looked at Biyu and smiled, even through her face was featureless blackness. "I see. And you ask me because…?"

  "You can bring souls from the Heavens to people in their dreams."

  "To dreams. Not the mortal world."

  "You cannot conduct them to me?"

  "Not on my own authority. You'll need to make this request of all the greater gods." Lady Dreams glanced at Lord Hells. "You really should have told her that."

  "Thought it might scare the tyke. You are telling her to call upon Gunthar, Gillas, and Vraa."

  Three more figures appeared in the room, summoned by Lords Hells calling their names. All of them were empty voids to Biyu's ability to sense souls. Their domains were absent. Biyu recognized them.

  Gillas was a tall, strong man in a loin cloth. He had the head of a stag with a magnificent wrack of antlers. His body was covered in fawn colored fur. He looked down on her imperiously over crossed arms. Biyu was glad for the loin cloth covering him. She heard his avatar remained nude and erect at his place beside the Emperor.

  Gunthar was a rather small Minotaur. Something about him felt diminished, despite the fact that he radiated no power at all. His fur was a light gray bordering blue, and he was wearing a gown made of dried blue grass from the north. He had a crown of flowers, a necklace of wooden trinkets, and he propped himself up with a wooden staff.

  Vraa was the only one to come in a Human guise. Biyu had expected her to be a Troll. She had dark hair, and wore the gown of a Magistrate with an emblem of a shepherd's crook on her breast. Her dark eyes looked upon Biyu, and she felt herself weighed and judged. Like the Magistrate, she held a rod of office in her hand. Vraa frowned at the tool in confusion before letting it go. It hung in the air on its own.

  Biyu felt her heart quicken. The three Dragon gods, and the two other greater gods worshiped by all the people of the continent stood here in this room, facing her. The five greater gods of the pantheon were in attendance to hear her request.

  "You're dressed for once," Gunthar commented to his son, breaking the tension.

  "Mother's here," Gillas said.

  "You never stay your hand where pride is concerned," Vraa said. She never turned to look at her son.

  "Who here do I need to impress that I would worry about my pride?" Gillas asked. He waved his hand around the room. "Mortals who should be grovelling at my feet, grateful to bear witness to my magnificence? Or the pair of male mortal gods? Maybe the woman who's reluctant to lay with anyone?"

  "I think you're off-topic here," Lord Hells said. The other gods looked at him when he chastised them. None rebuked him.

  "We may know what you want to ask, child," Gunthar said, taking the role of speaker. His voice was a low rumble, soothing despite the way it rattled her bones.

  "I want to hold a Feast of Ancestors for the city."

  "Why?" Gillas asked.

  "So the living may meet and grieve those they lost. At the end, I intend to send them back to the Heavens… and the city's Lost Souls to Arliss."

  "We can allow that," Gunthar said.

  "But a price must be paid," Vraa interjected before her husband agreed too readily. "What favor will you do for us in return?"

  "I can only ask what you want."

  "You still owe me for sending a bunch of souls to meet their loved ones," Lady Dreams added. She grinned. "I love having an open favor."

  Gunthar looked Lady Dreams askance for her interruption.

  "Collect Lost Souls, and send them to Judgment," he said. "From now unto the end of either the world or yourself."

  Biyu swallowed. "I have to collect souls for eternity for this one request?"

  "Ah, no," Gunthar said. "We assumed you would want the ability to call upon the souls in the Heavens more than just this once. Perhaps make it one of your festivals? This is the price for that."

  "There is more," Gillas said. "You must protect the souls the best you are able. No feeding demons."

  "I will need help."

  "You have a thousand souls that either need redemption, or who've declared themselves yours," Vraa said. "Many of them soldiers. I think you have hands enough to assist you. Granted, your ability to empower them is… minimal."

  "She'll have power enough during the feast. Her domain will cover the city," Gillas pointed out. "That will be the hardest part. Heal first. But, if you agree to the terms, then I accept the trade."

  The other gods nodded their heads, except Lord Hells. "I've nothing to do with the Heavens," he said when she looked at him. "Doubt you want evil souls and demons joining your party. By the way, good idea guarding the gate. They can sneak out through it."

  Biyu wanted to ask Lord Hells questions about that admission, but she was too busy formalizing the agreement with the gods.

  "As for your debt to me," Lady Dreams said, once the gods and Biyu had agreed to the bargain. "Simple enough. Tell your whole story to a minstrel of my choosing. That's all you have to do. I'll let you know when you meet'm"

  "I hold other people's secrets. I will not reveal them."

  Lady Secret arched her eyebrow delicately at that. "I do know something about secrets. However, you can reveal them to the minstrel. He'll understand too."

  Biyu bowed in apology to the Lady of Secrets and Dreams.

  The gods bowed back to her, all just dips of the head. Then, they were gone. The room suddenly felt empty, and everyone in the room was slumped in their seats. Iris leaned in against Biyu while Anya took one of her hands. Both sweated profusely in the presence of the major gods, and looked to her for comfort.

  Lord Victor called for a servant to bring around a pitcher of water, and musicians to help them relax after the ordeal.

  Once everyone had settled, Magistrate Justice looked at everyone else. "I think the results of this Inquiry are beyond my authority to dictate. I will be sending a letter to the Minister of Judgment for review. Until then, I will leave this case as 'unresolved'." He paused, turning toward Magistrate Divine. "Unless you have pertinent advice?"

  "I'd like to say we should close the case, forget what we saw, and never speak of it again. But that would be unprofessional. So my advice is to agree. Let it be someone else's headache." He pointed at Biyu rather rudely. "Besides, how can Lady Bringer here be a necromancer when she hates them so passionately, or a death god when she resents murder enough she represents the retribution of the murdered."

  "Are you giving her an epithet?" Magistrate Justice asked.

  "Yeah. Bringer of Judgment, 'cause of what they said." The Magistrate had dropped any pretense at formality. "She brings Lord Judgment anywhere she goes."

  Magistrate Justice wrote on the paper he had been taking notes on. Even during the visit of the gods he had made notes. "Noted. Defender Elderwoods, known as Lady Biyu Kimmel Lostlakes Elderwoods Bringer, the Bringer of Judgment, there is sadly one more duty I must discharge today."

  Biyu bowed. "What is that, Magistrate Justice?"

  "You can no longer be Defender Elderwoods. While gods can head their Orders, Guilds, and so on, they are not allowed to rule lands. That's because typically the god aligns with the purposes of their organizations, but very few gods are the 'god of managing their property'. Even if they do become their realm, it rarely makes them an exception to that rule."

  Biyu felt a twinge of pain in her chest. "I see. So Allie, my heir, is now Defender Elderwoods?"

  "Yes. She will, of course, require a guardian to help her care for her hold until she is ready to assume her duties. There is an issue if she becomes a Wizard, but that can be handled when it becomes relevant. For now, who will you assign as steward?"

  "I will do it," Iris said. Biyu and Anya both looked at her, confusion written on their faces.

  "Lady Anya can't do it. She's your wife. May shouldn't, she doesn't know how. I'm the best option." She bit her lip. "I'd already been thinking about heading to Elderwoods to work with Lord Jeffery. We need start making preparations for taking it over."

  "You are leaving me?" Biyu asked.

  Iris looked a little surprised, and then touched her cheek gently. "We'll be apart, but no. I'm not leaving you. We will see each other again. It'll just be a little while."

  Magistrate Justice coughed before they could do anything else embarrassing. Iris huffed, but bowed to the man along with Biyu. "I've recorded it. If there's nothing else?"

  Lord Virgil, Archduke Marble's son, gave the Magistrate an incredulous look. "You don't want to ask her what this 'Feast of Ancestors' entails?"

  "That sounds like a local affair for Count Lonelyknoll to deal with. That said, I would like to hear about it for my letter to Minister Justice."

  Biyu explained the Feast of Ancestors to the panel. In return, she was promised aid, including a feast for the city.

  Night was descending. It was early spring, and the nights were still cool. A procession, led by Biyu carried in a palanquin, marched in from the east road. They walked the outer ring road. In their trail was left a fog in which indistinct shapes moved. Scared citizens hid in their home. They had been warned, but few had believed. At a few doors, knocking rang out with requests to be let in. Cries of fear or joy cried out in response.

  Each of the ring streets were covered by the procession, advancing from one to the next along the East Road. The Guild quarter gates were thrown open at her approach. Once the inner ring of the city was traversed, and luminescent ghosts walked in her wake, they came up the hill to the palace complex. Here a ritual exchange was held, where the guards recognized Lady Bringer and sent runners ahead to announce her throughout the complex. The nobles in residence came out to greet her. She was brought into the Greater Palace, where she was met by Lord Virgil, Count Lonelyknoll, and his wife Lady Tabitha along with three concubines. They all paid her obeisance as her due. Lady Tabitha was completely put out, her eyes never leaving Biyu while the expression remained one of confusion.

  Anya, who had walked alongside Biyu while wearing a plain white mask, stepped out in front of her to speak on Lady Biyu's behalf.

  "Lady Bringer has come to oversee the Feast of the Dead. She opens the gates to the Heavens, so you may greet those you have lost. In the morning they will go, so enjoy your time with them." She gave a bow after the pronouncement.

  The mist thinned, and a sense of power erupted from Biyu, who twinged a little as the power ran through her. Brighter ghosts, lit by their own will rather than Biyu's borrowed power, filled the streets. They mingled with those brave enough to leave their homes. Banquet tables had been laden with food. Each family offered their own repast as part of the feast, but most of the food was provided by the city.

  Until the first touch of the morning light, the dead would walk the streets. Masks and charms to hide from the dead had been sold for those who feared retribution. Allie had been quite pleased with her profits, being the official charm maker of Lady Bringer.

  Hotaru Twicedead floated through the streets, chatting with her new friend. He was a strange fish. He had a long body. Not that you could tell, with the tail curled around her arm anchoring him down. He had a long snout, and big eyes. Spines covered his armored body, and he had a cute paunch in the middle. His fins were so tiny that she sometimes forgot he had any.

  Over there, Hotaru, Pisces said.

  She looked where he indicated, and sighed as she saw a phantasm bullying a young man.

  Floating over, letting flames of righteousness fill her, she yelled, "What do you think you're doing?"

  "This brat didn't get me anything to drink!" the ghost said.

  "That's no need for violence. Keep it up, and Lady Bringer will chuck you into the Hells."

  The man scoffed. "She'd not dare!" he declared.

  "Then I will."

  You aren't allowed to do that, Hotaru.

  "He didn't know that," Hotaru scolded Pisces. "I was bluffing, so I wouldn't have to banish him."

  "Banish me?" the man harrumphed.

  "Yeah. Take away your body and mind, and stuff you into my pocket until the Feast is over."

  "Like you can do that."

  You should have just done it. We have other places to be.

  "I told you, Pisces, Lady Bringer is tolerant of mistakes. We're supposed to warn people, and only punish people when they refuse to listen."

  I bet he plans to beat his son to death. Pisces scoffed. Humans make terrible parents.

  "So you've said." Hotaru brightened. "I'll mention you said that to Lady Bringer."

  Pisces glared at her. You wouldn't dare!

  Hotaru gave him a mischievous smile. "Of course I would. I'm eternally eight."

  You aren't! I know you aren't!

  "You don't look eight?" the bullied youth opined.

  "I'm also twenty-eight. So I made myself look in between. Eighteen! Lady Bringer was proud I figured it out myself. I wasn't very good with numbers. Neither was Glen."

  I don't think it works like that.

  "How would you know? You die twice?"

  That still sounds stupid to me.

  The ghost of a drunkard and the young man both stood watching the indecipherable argument between the guardian spirit and the ghost of a strange spirit beast.

  "Right. Well, young man, want me to make him go away?"

  "… please?"

  "Right!" Hotaru said. The ghost was gone, and Hotaru tucked his soul away for later.

  "What do I owe you?" the young man asked. Relief filled his face.

  Nothing but praise for Lady Bringer.

  "Surely I can do something for you…?"

  "Oh, are those fried eggs?"

  Dawn came, and through Biyu Arliss touched the world covered in her mists. Those from the Heavens returned. The rest were judged. Biyu grimaced under the strain of new souls collected into her domain, but she refused to leave them untended to cause trouble for the living. It was only another three hundred souls or so. Hardly the teaming masses that had injured her.

  Soon it would be time for Biyu to head north to Shadow Gate. Iris would head west to Elderwoods. Intuition told Biyu that Iris had plans beyond taking over Elderwoods for her trip there.