“Yep.” Finn replied dryly and folded his hands behind his back before nodded slowly. “He sure is.” He added rocking back on his heels. “Do you think it would be considered unseemly for a Priest of Death to kick Seth very hard in the ass?” he asked quietly.
“It would likely be a bit out of character for a Priest to kick the highest servant of his god in any part of his anatomy, but we are going to unveil ourselves soon enough anyway so go ahead if it will make you feel better.” Exodus replied with a bright smile of encouragement lighting her delicate face.
“Seth is here for love. He shouldn’t be punished for acting on the heart.” Fidelity murmured in a wistful voice. The Aspect of Love stood just behind Fortune and was gazing at Seth as if the hero of a ballad had just made his grand entrance.
“I still have doubts that Seth actually has a heart. I think I should cut him open and see if you are right.” Finn muttered irritably as he glowered at his servant’s back. This had not been part of his plan, and the idea of his domain sitting unguarded was not resting well in his mind.
“What is that noise?” Exodus asked turning to stare back over her shoulder toward the inner city.
Finn’s brow creased as he cocked his head and listened. “It’s a Spell Hawk from the sounds of it, but none of the enemies have reached the city yet. We still have at least ten minutes of peace.” He replied hesitantly all thoughts of Seth forgotten.
The faint hum grew steadily louder and Finn felt his shoulders sag as he recognized the dull grey hull of the Spell Hawk when it passed over the palace at blazing speeds. Cries rose from the crowd as the wind from the passing ship howled around them, but it was Jala’s voice that drew Finn’s attention.
“Shade! No!” The words burst from the High lady as an agonized scream and Jala ran several steps forward as if she could somehow stop Shade with her pursuit. “No!” Jala screamed again as she stumbled to a stop shoulders slumping in despair.
A small hand gripped his arm and Finn realized he had been moving toward Jala without even considering his actions. His heart hammered in his chest and he watched in silence as Valor moved swiftly to Jala’s side.
“It’s not your place to comfort her anymore.” Exodus reminded him gently and Finn nodded absently in response as he returned to his spot beside Fortune.
“I wasn’t thinking.” Finn replied quietly. Shaking his head he forced his eyes off of Jala and focused on the dull grey of Shade’s Spell Hawk instead. “I think we are out of time for procrastination. I think Shade has just signaled us to act.”
“I agree.” Exodus said. Silently she stepped back from Finn and began unbuckling the Priest robes she wore revealing the bright blue of her silk garments beneath.
With a heavy sigh Finn stepped forward to the center of the stairs and untied the belt of his own robes. Shrugging it from his shoulders he tilted his head upward and for the barest moment savored the feeling of sunlight on his skin. A few confused murmurs rose from the people around him and Finn summoned his most arrogant smirk. The polished rings of his black chainmail caught the sunlight as he stepped forward to the very edge of the stairs to stare down at the stunned faces of the gathered High Lords.
“By the looks of things you all have a rather nasty fight ahead of you.” Finn observed loudly. “It’s one that you won’t win alone I’m afraid, but fortunately you aren’t alone.” He added. Shifting ever so slightly he motioned Fortune forward and the Aspect of Luck shrugged out of his Priest robes and stepped instantly to Finn’s side. “Today we remind you why Gods are revered. When you survive this fight remember that it was not by your own merits that you lived. The Divine will no longer blindly turn aside from the destruction of this world. From this day forward we will have a voice, and today we will show you why you will listen.” Finn’s voice rang off the stones and for the first time since the council of the High Lords had learned of the attack silence filled the air around them. Every complaint and suggestion the High Lords had been voicing had died on their lips as they stared up at Finn with mixed emotions written on their faces.
“You honor us Divine one. My praises to you Lord of Death.” Jala’s words broke the silence as she bowed low to Finn with a bittersweet expression on her pale face. Finn could see the edge of tears in her violet eyes and for the first time since he had begun building power for the gods he felt a flash of guilt for his dramatics.
Nodding to her he smiled faintly and pushed the guilt aside. He had already started down this path now was not the time to regret it. “Fortune grant them your luck for the day.” Finn said loudly and the Aspect standing beside him obediently stepped forward.
Spreading his hands wide Fortune poured his strength into the gathering and Finn could see the look of wonder blossoming on the faces below him. Most of the Elder Blood scoffed at the idea of Aspects, but they had never truly felt the hand of one upon them before with the exception of Jala herself. In the face of the raw power Fortune was bestowing they couldn’t help but acknowledge the blessing and therefore the god that bestowed it.