Part 4

Back in the depths of hell, Vordea and six demons lounged while waiting for Agbus to arrive. Everything had gone perfectly, from the staged botched assassination, to the appearance of the Dead God, and even Svetlana making contact with Prince Heather.

"Excellent work, my lovely minions." Vordea said, still in her formal black dress, but with the long gloves removed. "You performed beautifully."

"What was the point of that spectacle, Royal Void?" One of the demons asked. "Shining Light could have simply appeared and spoke to the mortals."

"Presentation, dullard." Vordea said, slapping the back of his head so hard it flew off. While his body got up to retrieve his head, she continued. "What's more memorable, Agbus appearing at a boring party and making a speech like some King, or the Dead God appearing in his true form in a flash of light to personally prevent the assassination of Duchess Ashe, the future Empress of Southern Karand?"

"Empress?" Another demon asked.

"I had to ask dead fish about that one." Vordea said, pointing up. "Eigengrau said Rebecca will form the basis of an unimaginably cruel but ordered Empire. Her methods of backroom deals and treacherous backstabs will go on to become the foundations of an Empire that lasts over a thousand years."

"Who will be their patron?" A third demon asked. "Surely not you, your majesty?"

"Correct. Gilnas belongs to me. Ashe's Empire will belong to him. Agbus preventing her death will give her great power over his fanclub, she'll proclaim herself a divine messenger sent by the Dead God. It's going to be great."