Portal to a Palace

Being here alone was annoying, surrounded by silent servants and still statues. I spent as little time here as possible, usually spending time in Hargeon, or on hunts. However, spending time here after a long journey, or a particularly arduous one, I come back here to refresh myself, spending large quantities of time in the massive bathhouses or strolling the fields of Aphrodisia. However, on this day, I found myself upon the porch of my palace, sitting at a marble table, sitting upon a nice black velvet cushioned outdoor chair. I sat outside, on the lovely afternoon that it was, despite it being quite night-like. I kept a nice book, "The Ages of Love and War" in hand, and in my other, a nightshade-type tea, which had gone through several reductions so as to not be poisonous. It was an interesting read, though I had read the book several times by this afternoon, but it was a good time waster. After my afternoon improvised tea time, I took to the baths again. As I undressed, I received word that someone had entered through my portal. I shrugged and dipped into a nice, hot bath, and rested in said waters for a while.

I removed myself from the bath around 45 minutes after that point, and I wrapped myself in a towel as I traveled from the bathhouse to my bedroom; A quick jaunt between several doors, and another 30 or so minutes of preparation, I found myself in the Foyer, awaiting my newfound friend, enemy, or something in between. All this, in a skirt and sports bra.

Well, approaching visitors in the bare minimum amount of clothing was a bit of a rushed decision, so before I heard the footsteps through my living-wood door or even see them through the mystical glass hidden in the walls. I saw a helmeted figure for a few moments, before I recognized the dress and insignia that his cloak afforded me. Huh, not many find their way here, and not many take the time after a month or so, if i remember right. I don't even know if he'd recognize me now, but hey you'd never know. I rushed back to my room, hearing the door open as I shut the door behind me. I gathered a few of the armorer demons I kept in my employ in case my Realm was attacked by any of the rivaling sins, and I had them make a very fancy set of leather armor, with metal accoutrements to come with it. They, after 30 long minutes of standing around, and having seamstresses in to help them with the piece; I found myself in a corset, one made of leather, boned with thin silver-iron rods that both made a comfortable, though also fashionable in appearance, with an over shirt made of leather bound with silken thread, blackened from some time or process that I hadn't seen or cared to hear about. then a fitted, and very formfitting breastplate that was more ceremonial than useful, though could still deflect a couple blows if need be.
The neck of it surrounded my own, dropping into a somewhat low V, so that my natural borne abilities could still be activated. I looked back at my reflection, as the seamstresses finished the lower portion after another half an hour as well. While I wanted efficacy, the speed of which they finished these things nearly blinded me. However, the skirt that was attached to the right hand side of the breastplate fell in layers, ruffling with a black, nigh see through look to accentuate the miniskirt below it. I had barely a thought in my mind, but I looked at the leather boots that came up to my knees, and the sheer black tights that came up and disappeared into the miniskirt, I thought only "when did they do that?" As they stepped away, I stepped off the platform and went to leave the walk in closet, but before I could I stopped to examine the golden filigree on the surface of this form fitting armor piece, looking at every curve of it, every line, before I stepped out through the double doors, and into my Bathroom, pulling out an ornate brush and walked before the tallest full-mirror I have ever seen, and brushed out my hair. With each pull of the brush, I used the magic of my brooch to lengthen my hair, and magically undoing any knots, before binding the now lower back length, Platinum blonde hair in a very large, very wild ponytail. I then walked out of my bathroom, out past my bed, which really gets in the way at times, which includes right now. However, I made it past, slammed open the doors, though they made no noise as my ever silent servants caught them. I stepped into the living room, then down the steps, looking at Godfrey's helmetless head, saying with a light tone: "Welcome, Godfrey. It isn't often I have a reason to stay here, but here you are. How've you been?"

Lilim was finally ready to receive Godfrey. He left his axe in the hall against the wall, he didn’t like to part ways with it for he felt naked without it. He walked into an empty room and he was told that Lilim was getting dressed. Godfrey sighed, and spoke softly the words “Women.” He stood there in the room, with his helmet still under his left arm, for what seemed hours. Gladly would he have sat down but forced himself to stand impressions matter. The glow in his eyes dwindled and faded a bit during the waiting.
He had not heard the opening of doors but Godfrey shocked awake from a daydream when he heard the light voice of Lilim. The glow in his eyes strengthened upon hearing her voice as if they fed on the sounds. Godfrey looked up from the ground he had been staring at unconsciously. Lilim was beautiful, her long platinum hair was bound up in a ponytail. She was dressed in leather, black clothing and even wore a breastplate. The result was beautiful and bold at the same time. Godfrey went on a knee to bow in respect for the daughter of his master but stood up at his own choosing, as not to show submission. His voice was hoarse as always and said, “Lilim, I thank you for your welcome. I’m doing reasonably well. I passed through Hell and returned, to give you a visit.” In truth he had it quite difficult in Fiore, he did pass through Hell to get to her. Savage Skull, where he hoped to find a sanctuary, had vanished. His men were restless and there was a constant threat of bounty hunters, Pergrande knights and who knows the Rune knights of Fiore itself. “I could wish for a better company though, which is why I have travelled here.” He shifted his weight on the other foot. “May I ask you how you have been?”

After listening for a moment, I grew tired of waiting on my feet, and had one of the Chaise from the indented sub-floor beside me up, and a secondary one beside the feet of Godfrey, for him to lounge at his leisure. Taking a look to Godfrey's face, which strained from the time I assume he spent traveling, and a small tensing of the eyebrow muscles and an unconscious tick of the want of a weapon, common among warriors. I motioned for one of the servants, to whom I whispered in their ear: "Grab his ax and lay it against the head of his Chaise. He seems rather strained without it." Then I sat somewhat daintily, motioning again, and a servant brought a pair of serving tables out, and atop them, bottles of Nectar, mainly reserved for Gods and Devils, which I stole from a caravan of sorts bound for the Realm of Greed. He was not happy, of course, but anything to be a good hostess. I then took a glass of the water looking substance, then sipped it, saying afterwards in a similar tone to my greeting: "I'm well, thank you. I've mainly been here, and in the Mundane Realm, training. I've grown stronger since we last met. However, know this for the next time you enter my house: You do not need to disarm in my halls. I'll instruct my servants to not impede you next time." I then waved my hand, and a servant brought forth a gold plated Fountain pen, one I stole in the same caravan that I nicked the Nectar from, and a sheet of paper made from the bark of the Mahogany tree, so the paper was a bit of a light brown color.

"I departed suddenly last time, so we never actually finalized the terms of our partnership. While not necessary, I thought of each of us bringing things to the table, and having one of my scribes write down a formal list and agreement later on. However, I could have my Oath's man inscribe an oath with his magic if you prefer. If you like, I can give you a ring to get here far faster than traveling through Hell." I then thought back to his previous words before speaking up again: "Well, if you want for company, I'm happy to provide. It isn't the easiest place to get to, but like I said before. Also, if I may inquire, the last time we met you had a brigade of men or so. Are they waiting elsewhere, or have you parted ways with them?" I ended my final sentence with a note of curiosity, finally draining the glass of Nectar, as I had been drinking it in between sentences. I then kept steady glance to his face, as the servants who had disappeared into the hall earlier came back with the same, massive ax that Godfrey called his own. I looked to Godfrey again, waiting to see that familiar flicker as they set it against his seat, of that creature that lashed out in his form before.

The servants brought a piece of furniture to both Lilim and himself, a couch of sorts. Godfrey looked at it for a few seconds before he decided how he would use it, in the end, he chose to sit. He laid the helmet to his left and took off his left hand's mailed glove which he dumped rather carelessly in his helmet. He would have preferred to change into something else but he had left his clothing in his saddle bags though he had nothing suited for an occasion as this. Servants had brought tables in the meantime. The fluid in his glass seemed as clear as water but he didn’t expect that it was just that. He danced his glass on the table before bringing it to his nose, he breathed the fumes in before he slurped a sip. The taste was superb, he made some approving sounds, it tasted like all the four seasons at once. It the tastes was dancing on his tongue. “That’s marvellous.” He said, after which he took another sip and placed his glass back on the table. Godfrey nodded as Lilim talked, the corners of his mouth raised slightly with the last she said. “Thank you for your trust,” he paused for a brief moment, “I myself have taken up some mercenary work, nothing notable but I required the jewels.” He would rather have raided a transport or a bank but that would have brought to much attention, and he certainly didn’t require more of that. A servant brought something forth when Lilim wove with her hand.

Godfrey straightened his back as Lilim talked, he had slacked a bit. He nodded, “A pact suffices, though an Oath never hurts.” Words are wind, he thought. “A ring sound a lot more comfortable then Hell, I would gladly accept it.” The hardship of getting to where he was seemed all paid off, he risked a lot with travelling through Hell. Though he had expected that Minos would have passed him through freely as a servant of their shared master. He took up his glass for a sip of the wonderful drink. He nodded when Lilim said she could provide with company. “Thank you, I assume it will go a lot easier with that ring. About my men, they are in the Spooky Forest. They lay in ambush for those that were following us. I thought they could make themselves useful while I was away.” He then noted that a servant brought him his axe, his eyes pulsed in orange as Bator in him wanted to hold himself. For a moment there was turbulence within Godfrey, but the orange was faded by the blue as quick as it had come. Godfrey tried to be the master over his axe and fought more often against Bator urge’s, for it had brought him much of his hardship. Endangering this friendship with Lilim was not something he wanted to add to Bator’s list of destruction. He stayed tense and glanced a few times to the axe, with a faint trace of orange in his eyes, that laid against his sofa.

“What do you wish to have in the pact?” He was not new to treaties, it was part of his education when he was young, but those were between estates and countries not between two individuals. Though Lilim did actually have a kind of Estate. “Offering each other military support in case of need?” He tried to think of more that could be added but it seemed his brain failed him as it tried to withstand Bator’s urges.

"Hmm, that seems something equitable on either side of the agreement thus far. Alongside that, I'd offer you free roam and room here in my Estate, and, of course, the ring I proffered earlier. In return, I have a request of you. Oh, before we get to that, I'll offer a servant's house as stabling and housing for your warriors and their horses. It goes unused currently, as none of my servants sleep." I cleared my throat, and drank another glass of Nectar, before continuing: "Just fair warning, the Oath is administered by a Fae being. Their magic will bind our words to our flesh. The paper will be the more damning of the two if either of us break it, but the more painful will definitely be the Oath. Anywho, onto my requests: First, and most pressing, I'd like to know the name of, and speak to, your "other," for lack of better phrase. Face to face. Know that I won't press this request if it makes you uncomfortable, but I'd like to speak to him myself. It doesn't have to be now, just whenever you feel the right time is, I suppose. Second, If you are here often, try not to be too loud, I like the tranquil silence of my house to remain undisturbed as much as they can be, anyway. Third, if you need anything, bring it to me. I can arrange for it to happen as soon as possible. If you want me to make additions to my estates, let me know. Fourth, and final addendum: If you want me to help you meet Dad, you can ask me, but try and bring gifts to sooth my ire afterwards. I find interacting with him is... grating." I sighed aloud quite liberally after saying that final bit, but kept a smile on my face. I then waved over my mage, whom I whispered to for some time, before he nodded, and conjured a map of the Circles, each level having a Massive circle beyond the border of each, exempting the Final, 9th Circle, the Lair of dear Dad. Then, I placed pieces that my mage conjured, one to represent the major rulers of each plane in their Estates, realms, whatever they called them, and then big pieces to represent armies and trade caravans. "This is a map of the Circles. I brought this out, because, as a Knight of my fathers, being a Horseman of the Apocalypse, you should know the different political structures, alliances, rivalries and the like going on here. It may not be the best interlude, but here we go anyway. You're here," I said, pointing at the circle adjacent to the Second Circle. "And I am at war, currently with Pride and Greed, which is also known as Envy." I said, and with a lavish wave, pointed at the 4th Circle, and the Two Estates encircling it. "I am also at war with Wrath, though all three that I mentioned are unable to reach me with more than skirmishing forces, because currently, the Lord of Gluttony doesn't want to have his meal times disturbed, which is lucky for me. So, I am dealing with raids on my territory, whilst trying to launch a counter-offensive. The problem, however is the weakness that therein lies the Sin of Lust: We're mainly a peaceful, horny people. I may not share their need for the carnal delights, but I do find it aggravating that when I build buildings, such as orgy temples, Colosseums, and libraries, only to have them torn down." I drank off of the Nectar glass I had in hand, before I slowly turned the bloody thing into powder. As my anger rose thinking about the petulant nature of the fools underneath me, my heat aura leaped outward and lashed everything within 30 feet of me. I then breathed for a moment, and let myself cool down, before continuing: "Sorry, I get a little annoyed at their uncouth tactics. While I may not be of much use as a leader, you've led a troop of your own. They're well trained, and probably quite useful on the battle field. However, if I may ask this of you, I'd like to have you help me in the fight against these idiots. I can brief you on the basic etiquette of dealing with each lord, and what their relationships to other Lords are later. But for right now, that's what I got." I looked back at my mage, and sent him off with a whisper to find and bring forth my Oathsmen, and my Scribe. He dashed off in a hurry, before I turned back to Godfrey, the faintest vestiges of orange still flickering off and on in the corner of his glowing blue eyes. I then sighed, before taking my hand and wiping the minute droplets of sweat from my brow, before turning my gaze back to Godfrey's, and sternly keeping it there, awaiting response.

Godfrey frowned and nodded, a sanctuary in hell would solve his problem with the witch-hunt. “You are most generous.” Spoke Godfrey when Lilim paused. He pointed to his axe, “That’s him, Bator. He is not really the one for dialogues though. Mayhaps on a late date indeed.” He himself didn’t know how Bator would be able to speak without giving up his own control of his body which usually ended up in a massacre. “I’ll keep my men intone.” A lobed off head will quiet them all if they break it.



A mage conjured a map of circles. Hell, thought Godfrey. He could not help but grin when Lilim brought up the customs of her subjects, but it was gone quickly as she pulverised her glass and a wave of heat met his face. He nodded when she apologised, though he had not thought it necessary since no one died. Death was common during one of his rages and wraiths, he was never sure whenever it was himself or Bator who made that happen.



Godfrey straightened himself and he spoke with his hoarse voice, “What you ask of me is but a few grains of barley upon a scale with coins of gold. Aye, I can lead your army. Though I would like to inspect them, to see what I can do with them. I have honestly no idea how similar or different they are to those of Pergrande. It might be something to build beacons and fortress besides temples and libraries.” He smiled, “But why would I need to learn the etiquette’s when I’m going to offer you their heads on a plate?” His eyes flickered bright blue with the thought of conquest and battle and renown. “You ask little of me, there must be more that I can do?” She had refused his service as a vassal, but the current idea of the alliance was in truth quite similar to vassalship. The thought made him grin, he had no problem with it.

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