Page 45 of The Malevolent Eight

7.Lord Gloom

8.Lord Covetousness

9.Lord Carnality

10.Lord Guile

11.Lord Rancour

12.Lord Vanity

13.Lord Spite

And the Malevolent Seven:

1.Cade Ombra, Mortal mage of unknown attunement

2.Galass, Mortal mage of Sanguinal attunement

3.Corrigan Blight, Mortal mage of Tempestoral attunement

4.Aradeus Mozen, Mortal (handsome) mage of Totemic attunement (rat)

5.Shame, Auroral Angelic, Emissary Cadre

6.Aliciaj Meharcorum, Infernal Demoniac, Justiciar Cadre (self-proclaimed)

7.Temper, Beast of Unknown Origin and Ill-Temperament

Codicil I: Corrigan Blight

(i)Be it hereby agreed that upon successful completion of the mission, the anatomical proportions of a specific portion of the aforementioned thunderer’s anatomy shall be increased from its previously restored dimensions to one ‘commensurate with the legendary beauty of this most widely beloved instrument, not for the unduly withheld accolades of its wielder by certain disreputable wonderists, but to further add to the pleasure of those upon whom its majesty is bestowed.’

(ii)No aspect of this codicil to be discussed or revealed to the unworthy and ungrateful wonderists referred to in Clause (i)

Codicil II: Cade Ombra

(i)Be it hereby agreed that the Lords Devilish shall in no way reveal, discuss, insinuate or cause to be exposed the plane of reality to which the wonderist has become attuned.

(ii)The anatomical proportions of an unnamed Tempestoral mage shall, once all previous agreements regarding said organ have been fulfilled, be returned to its merely average dimensions and distinctly unimpressive appearance.

Chapter 23

The Parade

Yeah, we made a deal with the Lords Devilish to steal some piece of tat called the ‘Glorian Banner’ from the Aurorals in exchange for information on the Spellslinger and the secret cult of apocalyptic warmongers for whom she was working. The whole arrangement reeked of Infernal scheming. No doubt it was a set-up; the Lords Devilish were almost certainly intending us to bury ourselves even deeper in the Lords Celestines’ bullshit. . . or as I preferred to see it, everything was going according to my brilliant, cunning and ineffable– even to me– master plan.

‘This is literally the worst plan ever conceived since the first spark of ecclesiasm brought sentience to the endless darkness of the universe and ruined everything for everybody!’ Corrigan was bellowing as the seven of us walked through the bustling streets of a city only recently annexed by the Aurorals.

‘Is the big brute trying to get us killed, Fallen One?’ Alice hissed.

I have no idea why she always directs her anger at other people towardsme.

‘No,’ I replied, ‘but flapping those bat wings of yours while hissing at every Glorian recruit we pass might just do the trick.’

Aradeus, despite the crowds all around us, managed to make enough space to perform an elaborate bow. ‘Fear not, Brother Cade. The legendary bravery and nobility of rats leads some to forget that they are also masters of espionage. As their totemist, I am gifted with potent spells well-suited to infiltration and camouflage. Take heart in the Musk of Subterfuge I have cast upon us.’

Galass sniffed the back of her own hand then wrinkled her nose. ‘Forgive me, Master Mozen, but is that why we smell so—?’

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