Page 3 of The Anointed's Paladin

“The key to hell?” asked Ilyana.

“The very same. It’s at risk of becoming…a lot less secure than it is now.”

“Well…” Pollux spoke in his low, sleepy voice. “That’s sure to grab the Gods’ attention. But none of them can enter the tower. Hmm… Can we assume a new anointed will soon join our ranks?”

“Exactly,” said Ajax. “A contest of champions is coming.” He paused. “Including those put forth by the missing Gods.”

Ilyana sucked in a breath, and something next to Rat clattered to the ground.

Ajax leaned back. “Don’t say I don’t do anything for you guys. Good luck.”

With that, he severed the connection.

He’d be keeping a close eye on the proceedings.

2

Resignation

Talon

My breathing was laboured as I walked up the road. I focused on taking my next step, and then the one after that. Whatever had healed me had not convinced me to believe in my oath again, so the magic I normally used to help my endurance was absent. Sweat coated my back, and for a second, I wondered if I was crazy for what I was trying to do.

I used my wing to shift the nagai’s corpse into a better position, rolling my shoulder. My internal firestorm kept my muscles moving, kept my energy up.

Keep going. Another step,I told myself. It wasn’t too far now. People stared as I passed, for once not focusing on my horns or exposed wings, but instead glued to the monstrous corpse I was carrying.

Whispers followed me, and conversations broke off into uneasy silence as I approached the Guild Hall.

I had been encouraged to use the back door when entering the building, and until now, I had done so. The large main entrance was unfamiliar tome.

I heaved the body down onto the white cobblestones beneath my feet and stood, catching my breath for a second. My gaze slid past the smooth green stairs that led up to the door, right up to the statue of Lydes. I glared at him. He was there because he was the God of loyalty and devotion, the patron of most Paladins. He had been carved with a key in his hand, the symbol of his victory against hell. He had sealed off all portals to and from, stranding my people on this side.

“Talon?”

It was Jyne, an older member. I mainly knew her because she had been fierce competition when it came to recording our kills. Her eyes lingered on my wings. I usually disguised them when I entered towns but couldn’t be bothered today.

“Fetch the masters,” I said, loudly.A steady anger was simmering within me, and I was focusing on keeping it low enough that I didn’t trigger Mirilith’s fervour.

She hesitated, but one glance at my face and she turned, heading up the stairs and entering the hall.

I waited, arms folded, wings tight. A crowd was gathering.Good, I thought bitterly,let them witness this.

It wasn’t long before the door crashed open, and three elders came out. The tallest was Ravenshaw, whose face soured as he took in the scene.

“What is the meaning of this?” he snarled, coming down the steps and stopping in front of the nagai.

“I did what you requested,” I replied flatly, my storm flaring at his anger. Though I stayed as still as I could, I couldn’t help my tail lashing behind me, betraying my frustration.

Despite his stature, Ravenshaw still barely came up to my shoulders.

“Did you forget we requesteddiscretionon this matter?” said Ambrose, barely managing to keep her voice quiet.

“Come inside,” Mortimer suggested. He had always been the most level-headed of the three, and had it just been him, I would have skipped this whole scene.

“Are you trying to incite a panic? Stir up fear?” asked Ravenshaw.

“Hush, Ravenshaw,” Mortimer said, glancing at the crowd. He addressed an initiate at his side. “Please deal with the body. Keep the fangs, and milk the venom sacks; they are very valuable. Now, Talon.” He turned back to me. “You look weary. Come inside and sit. We can talk there.”

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