A Message from the Divine

Despite her mother’s request, Kella couldn’t spend the night at her family home.

She’d returned home to Pilgrim’s Post to tell everyone of Connor’s death and the funeral was taking place in a few days’ time.

If she had stayed at home with her parents, Kella knew she’d never been able to leave.

That didn’t mean she wouldn’t attend her brother’s funeral. Instead, Kella was going to rent a room at a nearby inn for the week.

“Hey, kid,” a friendly voice called to her.

A man in plate armour with short black hair, a neatly trimmed beard and grey eyes was walking towards her with a small smile.

“Tylus.”

“Captain Tylus now, actually.” Tylus showed her the crest denoting his rank on his shoulder. “Got promoted two years back when old Ulian retired.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” Tylus awkwardly scratched the back of his head. “I heard what happened to Connor. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“…Thank you. Will you be coming to the funeral?”

“I hope so. Planning on seeing if Connor’s friends from the garrison could get a few hours off but, well, these are strange times.”

“The Great Disaster.”

Tylus nodded. “We’ve had reports of monsters, murders and all sorts of strange sightings across the empire.”

“Has anything happened here?”

“No, thankfully. Well, just the usual small crimes and one murder this month.” Tylus chuckled bitterly and shook his head. “I don’t know if that’s something to be happy about.”

“It’s better than what’s going on at Stonefall. The city’s one step from breaking out into a massive riot.”

“I’d heard the stories, but didn’t believe it. What in Themis’s name is happening to the Holy Empire?”

Kella’s hand clenched into a fist. “I don’t know.”

Tylus patted her on the shoulder. “If you need any help or a place to stay, let me know. The wife and I will always have a place for you in our home.”

Kella smiled. “Then, I think I’ll take you up on your offer. Do you mind if I stay until the funeral?”

“Stay as long as you need. We’d love to have you.”

“Sir!” A guard jogged up to Tylus and handed him a sealed envelope. “Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to-”

“It’s fine, son,” Tylus said with a wave of his hand. Then, he leant over to Kella and whispered, “Problem with getting the promotion: never a moment of rest.”

Kella laughed a little with Tylus before Tylus turned his attention back to the guard. “What is it?”

“Forgive for the interruption but we received a letter addressed to Miss Kella just now and, um,” the soldier said, his body shaking a little.

“What’s wrong?”

The soldier held up the envelope and showed them the blue wax seal with the iconic mark of the Staff and Sword of Saint Themis - a seal that only the royal family or those with Divine titles can use.

“It’s from Lord Arieon the Wise, the Divine Caster.”