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Chapter 24

Once they had been alerted to the strange phenomena in the sky, the special session had been adjourned, and all of the judges had rushed from the Chamber of Argument to see the thing in the sky for themselves. After it had gone from their sight, a tremor had shaken the Capitol.

Two men stood apart from the frightened others.

“What have you unleashed, Omand?” Devedas demanded, as they watched eerie lightning dance across the unnatural red clouds to the northeast. Never before had any of them seen such a worrying sight.

“You flatter me but creating such a spectacle is beyond my capabilities.”

“Do not make jokes at this time. If we felt the impact from here, who knows what state the north is in.”

Omand gave a small bow of apology. “This was not my doing. My report about the ancient demonic weapon being awakened in Vadal was true. This is something else.” Then he noted that their position upon the steps was near where the Chief Judge had been felled by an assassin’s bullet, and that thought made him smile.

“By the compass, it is no coincidence,” Devedas muttered. “This is some form of magical assault against us.”

“Whatever it is, dealing with it is your responsibility now, Lord Protector…Or rather, I should use whatever your new title is, once these judges return to their debate over what to call their new emergency leader. The deed is done. Now they simply have to give it a name. It has been a long time since any one individual has held such unchecked authority.”

“That title will not be king.”

“Not yet…” Omand nodded his golden mask toward the frightened judges. “But see how they are scared?”

“They should be.”

“Crisis presents opportunity, Devedas.”

“How can you still scheme at a time like this?” Devedas turned toward Omand, incredulous. “We must set our plans aside for now. This changes everything.”

It changed nothing, but of course Devedas would think that way. He was a man of strict responsibility. Even his maddest ambitions were tempered by a sense of duty. Devedas would overthrow the government and crown himself king, but only because he truly believed he would be better than all who had come before. Such predictability would keep him manageable.

“Then go, Protector. Gather your army and rally the Orders. Obligate warriors. Take what you need, then do whatever must be done in the north. I will remain here and make sure the Capitol fully supports your endeavors.”

“I shall.” Devedas gave him a grim nod and began walking away.

Troubled yet determined, with that handsome face scarred by black steel, Devedas cut such an imposing figure that even the most prideful judges were quick to scurry out of his way. Here was a real leader. Some judges offered Devedas encouraging words, saying that all of Lok was counting on him, and to go forth and be their champion. The Law’s champion. When they saw their idealized protector going off to face the storm in the north, they even took up a chant.

Devedas. Devedas. Devedas.

For just a moment, Omand felt a pang of jealousy. What rubbish. In all his years in the Capitol, Omand had never imagined the judges acting with such indignity. Despite all he had done for these ingrates, they had never once cheered for him. Perhaps they should have…then he wouldn’t need to overthrow them.

The Grand Inquisitor turned his gaze back toward the distant storm. He didn’t know for certain what had happened in Vadal, but he had his suspicions. It would be necessary to speak with the Astronomers Order. The giant spyglass in their observatory on the other side of Mount Metoro would be able to confirm it, but he suspected the old illegal gods had just stomped on his prisoner’s clever ploy.

Religion was for fools, but nonetheless, he had been blessed.

Omand’s dreams had begun with a tidal wave and would be achieved in a pillar of fire.


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Framed