“And you look like a walking corpse, as usual. I see grandpa still makes everyone wear that stupid makeup.” Weren grunted out a response as she walked over and set another mug of that soup before her sibling.

  “It’s part of our sacred vestments, you remember that at least, don’t you?” The woman spoke before taking a sip of what Wen had made. Her eyes went wide as she stared at the liquid. “By the Father, what is this?”

  Wen groaned and rolled her eyes. “It’s just broth and spices, for fuck sake.”

  “I’ve not tasted anything this good since… well you remember that day.”

  “The day grandfather decided he wanted me to be hated and you all agreed? Yeah, I remember. How could I forget the day I knew my family would never accept me.” Weren’s tone was ft, but I read the hurt in her voice.

  “Were-bear, you know we-”

  “I don’t know a gods dammed thing. You tossed me aside. I was there for you, for all of you, even when it hurt. But the second that wrinkled old bastard snapped his fingers I may as well have been one of those wights you train so hard to ignore the words of. I meant NOTHING to any of you.” She snapped, a single tear streaming down her face. “All while I had so much love for you in my heart.”

  The woman lowered her head slightly in shame. She tried to mask it, but that really doesn’t work against me, does it? “Our purpose doesn’t allow us any room for compromise.”

  I took a breath and spoke. “Introduce yourself.” I gave it as a command. I was too tired and upset to be nice, and besides, I had the right in this case.

  The woman turned her eyes on me and arrogance fred bright. “I believe it is proper to-…”

  Her eyes went wide and her voice failed her as I lifted my hand and a simple ntern containing a pale blue fme formed from nothing, hanging from my grip. “I gave you an order. Introduce yourself.” The Blue Father had granted the ntern to me with Charon’s blessing. Though I had strict orders not to misuse it, I didn’t think this counted as such. Honestly I think Charon would find this use very appropriate.

  Fear. Confusion. She stepped from the table to prostrate herself. “Greatest apologies blessed one, I am Lianathe of the Tombguard. I humbly accept whatever punishment I have earned.”

  I waited several heartbeats, enough to make the woman start to sweat. Then I made her REALLY nervous. “Your punishment is to earn Weren’s forgiveness.” Before she could say more I spoke again. “I also command you and any others of your order who are nearby to assist in gathering our dead and performing whatever rights are appropriate.”

  Lianathe looked at me, then Weren, offering a small bow after after a breath of hesitance. “I will… let my fellows know what is required of them.” Then she disappeared.

  “You seem angry.” Weren said. “More than I am.”

  “If those fuckers were here all along and just watched us die without helping, I have every gods damn right to be furious.” I dissipated the ntern and took a breath, leaning against Luv and closing my eyes. “Wen, can you go tell the important people to expect assistance from the Tombguard, please? I need to sit here and unspool for a minute.”

  She sighed, I felt her lips on my cheek a moment ter. “You rest for a bit then. I’ll go make sure no one gets shot unless they deserve it.”

  I buried my face into Luv’s chest and wrapped my arms around her. I could still see the face of the old sniper as cws tore into him. Shock, pain, then he was gone. I was so stupid. I thought, I mean, I woke up for the first time surrounded by the dead. Hell, I’d killed and watched people die on the train the day the angel attacked. I was friends with the Ferryman himself. Death shouldn’t mess with me this bad, right?

  But of course it did. It had to. My heart would have to be completely closed off for it not to. The day that death didn’t bother me anymore was the day I wouldn’t be worthy of being my Goddess’s Saint. But it was still somehow surprising how much it hurt seeing someone die that I’d only met maybe half an hour before.

  I’m not sure how long I was resting against my love, but eventually I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard Dekarru’s voice. She spoke softly, she could tell I was fraying, but I had duties. “Stareyes. We need you on deck. Our new guests are causing a scene and Weren is about a second away from grabbing a gun and making things worse.”

  I nodded and stood. I had to use my cane, I was too tired to compensate for the peg without it. I had gotten practice with the lesser false leg, but I still couldn’t wait for my new prosthetic. I was followed by Luv and Dekarru as I made my way to the foredeck. Bodies of both the monsters and our own had been removed, but the blood was still being mopped away by a few support staff that were so professional they completely ignored the yelling that was happening.

  Weren’s voice was the loudest, but Olivia’s was also raised and angry. Oh dear. Wen, Liv and her guard, the captain, and four Uvtrayl Marines were standing on one side of the deck while ten orcs in matching bck and blue leather armor and pale face paint stood on the other. The Tombguard.

  Olivia and Weren were standing side by side, arguing with an old man standing front and center of the death priests. “You arrogant old fart, do you have any idea who you’re saying that shit to?!” The cook screamed.

  “I bow only to my duty, not to supposed Saints of some foreign gods.” The ancient, withered leader of their group responded. My blood ran cold, the feelings I read from him were… not great.

  Arrogance. Pride. Disgust. Anger. Hatred. A complete ck of curiosity. An iron cd certainty of his position. A mix of emotions that told me that this man thought he knew everything and would resist any attempt to correct him. “Fucking boomer.” I muttered under my breath as I stepped over. “Excuse me.” I said louder once I came close. “I am Saint Esme Dreamsinger.”

  The old man turned to me with hate in his eyes. “YOU! You were the one that showed some false sign to my granddaughter!”

  I sighed and lifted my hand, the ntern pulling itself from The River itself to exist in our realm. The pale light it cast felt cool against my skin, but not cold. Like a breeze under the shade of a tree on a hot day. It leaked a fragment of power from the one to whom it belonged. I don’t know if it was possible to fake the feeling it gave off, but if it was it would take power far beyond my capabilities. I gred at the old man as worry warred with anger in his features. “I have introduced myself, it is proper that you do the same in return.”

  His gaze turned cold. “I am Daindrel Gravewalker. I am the leader of the Tombguard and Priest of the Blue Father. I serve this nd’s gods, not your interlopers.”

  “My gods are allied with the Green Mother and Blue Father.”

  “So you say.”

  “So I have seen in person. I have met both of your gods, this ntern was granted to me by the Blue Father himself with the Ferryman’s blessing so that I might speak with you on important matters.”

  “You waste your breath.” He snapped, eyes turning towards Weren with completely undisguised revulsion. “I might have agreed to a parley had you not inflicted this failure’s presence upon us.”

  I looked at the rest of the group. They wore emotional masks even stronger and more practiced than Viranatta’s. But against me they did little. There was fear in many of them, a disagreement with what the old man was saying. A few gnced at Wen with an ache in their hearts. But none were willing to act against the leader of their order.

  Olivia’s skin began to glow slightly. “Watch your tongue old man. Weren is loved among us and we will not stand for insults against her.”

  “Of course she has supporters from those from other nds. Disgusting. I gave her a chance to become what she was meant to be and she spat on it. Take this disappointment from my sight and apologize and we can speak on whatever nonsense you’ve come for. Otherwise-”

  He stopped speaking as [Draw Dream] hit him. I could see him trying to resist, but I was tapping into my Saintly power to enhance it. He trembled as his dream pulled itself into his mind.

  “W-wait, no, glorious Father! We are not meaningless! We are still your bulwark against the perversions of death!” He spoke to a phantom only he could see, a nightmare had taken root. Good. I had a feeling a man like him wouldn’t have many good dreams.

  The other Tombguard all looked confused, there was some of that on our side too, but mostly people looked at me simply curious about what exactly I had done. One of the death priests at the old man’s side reached out to him. “Sir Gravewalker?”

  He ignored them, likely unable to perceive them, and fell to his knees. “There are still restless dead in the world that must be found and sealed away! Do not abandon us! Our order is your most sacred, we serve your greatest aspect glorious Father! The girl was only one failure! No more will leave your service, I swear it! I am your most pious and beloved priest, the one whom your favor falls on the most! Do not forsake me over the failings of my lessers!”

  I narrowed my eyes, Weren’s widened in rage. “Are you fucking kidding me? All that, all that I went through, all of the torture this old bastard gave me was just because he was scared of not being important anymore?”

  Even some of the other Tombguard were suddenly staring at the old man with looks that were not fttering. Three in particur had rapidly growing anger in their eyes. Three who all looked a lot like Weren in fact, Lianathe among them.

  I snapped my fingers and the old man looked around in confusion as the nightmare faded and the world returned to him. I cleared my throat. “I believe it is best that you retire, old priest. You have served long enough, it is time for others to step forward.”

  “You, you dare! I am the most beloved of the Father! I will not bow to some whelp from another god, ntern be damned!” He screamed at me, rising to his feet slowly. Then suddenly he faded from my perception.

  Sixth Sense roared in my head and I fell backwards in shock. Some small part of my mind noticed that Luv was gone and my panic increased. My heart raced in fear, I couldn’t tell what was happening. As I struggled to focus, I suddenly saw the old man’s face far, far too close. Hate and rage were written on his features for a few moments, but were very quickly repced by confusion. He looked down, I followed his gaze, and saw his death.

  His arms had been outstretched towards me, a spell forming in one hand, a dagger in the other. But there was a hand holding the hilt of a sword plunged into his chest, blue-green skin on the long, powerful limb. Luvetra slowly appeared like a chameleon shifting colors, gring at the man as he went limp. She shoved his dying form back towards the other Tombguard before she faded from sight again.

  Her voice however, carried over the deck. More powerful, more certain than I had ever heard it. “Esme Dreamsinger is protected. Those who attempt to harm her forfeit their lives.”

  I took a breath and calmed, my giant love was there to keep my safe. I pulled myself back to my feet with Weren and Dekarru’s help. I looked at the old man, his life slipping away completely and I sighed sadly. “I am sorry that it came to this.”

  One of the older members of the Tombguard turned to me, he hesitated before speaking. “I… I believe we have some internal matters to attend to now. But I do not think, based on what has happened, that you can be entirely bmed for this. You carry the ntern, he should have listened. We will listen to you now, but we ask you give us time to mourn and send him to the Ferryman.”

  I looked down at the ntern that had fallen to the deck, with a thought I dismissed it again. I turned back to the man speaking. “Of course. We will meet you at your home in two days time. I would give you more but our purpose is not one that can wait for long.”

  He nodded, then turned to Weren. “Will you come with us, to say goodbye to him?”

  Wen sighed and stepped over to the man, then wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. He was shocked, but recovered in moments and returned the gesture. “Dad, I’m sorry. But any love I had for him, he killed long ago. The only feelings I have now are relief that he can’t hurt me again.”

  “I, I think I understand.” His gaze returned to me. “We will be waiting for your arrival Saint Dreamsinger. I will warn you that many will be upset at this, but none should seek retribution or dismiss your words. You carry the ntern.”

  I nodded. “We will see you in two days then. We also have our fallen to see to the river.”

  There was a deafening silence as the Tombguard left, one that continued as I returned to the mess. Weren set down mugs of mead for us all and we sat quietly, sipping our drinks for several long moments. Luvetra appeared at my side after some time and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

  Olivia downed her mug, refilled it, then rubbed her face in frustration. “That went absolutely fucking horrible.”

  “The Blue Father expected something like this I think.” I said.

  Dekarru turned to look at me. “What?”

  “When I met him, he said we wouldn't need Ogaro and that the oracle might actually make things worse long term. He seemed… unhappy about something. I think he knew Gravewalker was going to cause a scene.”

  Wen let out a short ugh. “You’re telling me that old fuck really was abandoned by his god?”

  I shook my head. “I think the Blue Father expected a change to happen. Honestly the most likely thing would have been that the rest of the Tombguard realized he had been slipping and peacefully removed him from power. But…”

  “But that’s n-not what happened.” Luv spoke softly. “He attacked you and I k-killed him.”

  I took her hand in mine and squeezed it. “I am lost without you. When you are not there, I can never feel truly safe. With you I know that I am protected, that any who try to harm me must fight through all the hells to even try. Do not bme yourself for doing what I have come to rely on you for so much, my love.”

  Dekarru raised her mug. “Your actions today were not just appropriate, they were just. You are a good person, Luvetra Swampblood. I have never doubted this for a moment, and I’m not gonna start now.”

  Luv gave me a small smile. “I know, even the s-system agrees.”

  I raised a brow. “How so?”

  “I hit fifty in the attack on the d-den. I got my third css. It’s c-called Shadow Guardian. It l-lets me stay with someone I’m protecting while h-hidden and I can sense th-threats to them with really good accuracy. It’s h-how I knew where he was.” She shrugged, as if silently downpying what she’d done.

  I pulled her against me and held tight. “My protector. My love. I belong with you.”

  I could feel the warmth of her blush. “And I you.” She spoke quietly, her arms holding my tight.

  Olivia sighed. “I don’t mean to lessen the depth of this moment, but this still went pretty shit.”

  “Less shit than you might think.” I turned my head to see Lianathe standing nearby. She bowed when she saw me looking at her. “This wasn’t a great meeting, but some people were starting to question grandpa’s choices anyway. There will be people upset that he was killed, but most will be more upset that he attacked someone who was granted the ntern. That’s arguably bsphemy, the only reason it might not be is because you serve a foreign god.”

  Wen snorted. “You should have questioned him sooner.”

  “Were, he was our leader. A man with the same effective authority as a High Priest. You don’t just start questioning someone like that.”

  I turned my body to face her. “You never STOP questioning someone like that. Mindlessly following someone is foolish under the best of circumstances. But you kept following him long after he showed abject cruelty to someone he was supposed to be caring for.”

  “Weren was always-”

  “HERSELF!” I yelled, I could feel my power coursing through me. My skin moved, my hair flowed, my eyes glowed, I hadn’t done it on purpose, but I was so pissed that the walls fell without me thinking about it. “She was herself and he punished her for it, AND YOU LET HIM! She never belonged in the Tombguard, you should have just accepted it and helped her find a life where she could be happy. Her family should have been there to support her, but instead you simply stood by while she was abused.” The shame on her face deepened. “Did you even care when she left? Did you notice? Were you upset or did you celebrate being rid of her?”

  “I was relieved!” She finally broke, tears on her face as the mask fell off. “I couldn’t help her leave but I could pretend I didn’t see her sneak out! You think I don’t love my sister? I covered for her for hours! Sia and Tuury went to distract grandpa to make sure he didn’t realize anything was wrong until she was too far gone to chase down! I wanted her gone so she could be free! We all did!”

  Weren was on her sister in a heartbeat, arms wrapped around the other woman and squeezing her close. The hug was returned in moments and the two sisters were able to show one another a love they thought was long dead. “I didn’t know.” Wen mumbled.

  “Yeah well, contacting you would have kinda ruined the point of it all, right?” Lianathe sniffled. “He ordered mom and dad to hunt you down and bring you back. They were gone for a couple of months before they came back and-”

  “And told the old man she had protection.” Dekarru spoke up. “They were following you when we first met, hiding far back and keeping an eye on you for days. When you asked to join me is when they left. I guess that makes sense now, as soon as they had an excuse not to try and grab you, they could return.”

  I gred at the Tombguard, though my anger was somewhat lessened. “You are not forgiven, not by me at least. Your thoughtless zealotry and mindless obedience kept you from doing the right thing for years. Leadership needs to be obeyed yes, but also held to a higher standard. A standard that if not met, means removal and repcement. ‘I was just following orders’ is not a fucking excuse. Not for you or anyone else. We cannot be allowed to look past cruelty simply because it wasn’t your idea.”

  Wen looked at me, and at her sister, then pulled back slowly. “I think Esme’s right. I want to have my sisters back, but if I simply accept it now I’ll just be wondering when you’ll be ordered to turn on me again.”

  Lianathe rubbed tears from her face, paint streaking on her cheeks. “That… that’s fair. So I guess we have a lot to do to earn that forgiveness, huh?”

  Wen nodded slowly. “You do. All of you.” She took a slow breath before speaking again. “I love you. But I don’t forgive you yet, and I will never forgive grandfather.”

  The Tombguard woman bowed towards her sister, then towards me. “We will see you again in two days,” then vanished.

  Weren slowly walked over to sit between Dekarru and myself, she leaned on the oracle and took a deep breath. Then she cried.

  AnnouncementHoly hells. 100 chapters. I honestly wasn't sure I could pull this off. I want to thank all of my readers, my critics, and the people fixing my numerous errors. You all have made me a better writer, and given me the drive to keep up my work. So thank you all for keeping my ADHD ass on task and here's to another 100!