Part 3

There was no mistaking the shining white robes, the brilliant aura, or the snow-white hair. It was Lord Agbus himself, the Dead God.

"No, this won't do at all." Lord Agbus said, in a voice so commanding the screams and shouts of the nobles stopped. "Down!"

The balcony the assassins were on crumbled, and they fell in a heap on the floor, where the woman in the black dress was waiting for them.

"You have been most naughty. I will deal with all of you." She said, snapping her fingers, causing both herself and the would-be assassins to disappear.

Hamlin was actually surprised, for a change. There was no mistaking it, this was Lord Agbus, the Primal God of Order. Was this the moment Eigengrau mentioned a decade ago?

"High Priest. It is time." Agbus boomed, turning to look at Hamlin. "Come and receive my order."

Rebecca blinked. She had just being saved from certain death, or at least horrific disfigurement, by a god. The Dead God, no less. Unsure what to do, she slowly and carefully walked over to Heather, and held his hand, rather tightly for once.

"Well, I must say this is a surprise." Hamlin said, approaching Agbus.

"There are plots in motion far beyond mortal concerns, High Priest. Heed this command." Agbus thundered, the walls of the room itself shaking. "Rebecca Ashe imperium aedificabit quod millennium durat et erit ordo paragon. Adiuva." Agbus continued, speaking in a long dead language only one other person in the world knew.

"I understand, my Lord. What of my quest?" Hamlin said, bowing deeply.

"It has not changed. Now to other matters." Agbus turned and looked at Rebecca directly, who for the first time in her life, felt rather small. "Rebecca Ashe, it is not yet your time. Those spells would have killed you."

"I... thank you, Lord Agbus." Rebecca said, unsure of what to do or say.

"I will be leaving now, before my fanclub arrives." Agbus said, smiling broadly. He could sense the Church of the Dead God priests rushing toward the manor. His aura began to glow brighter and brighter, until it filled the entire room. When it faded, he was gone, with no trace he was ever there.

"Boss! Are you okay?" Jack shouted, running over to Rebecca.

"I told you to call me Duchess in public." Rebecca whispered, patting Jack on the shoulder. "Yes, but it's time for all four of us to leave."

"Praetor, come see me in Lichfield, at the Ashe Manor." Heather called out to Svetlana, as he began to leave.

"Is that an order?" She yelled back.

"It is!" He replied, as they left through a now unlocked door.