A whole week went by, as the High Heavens watched silently through various vision pools. All of the noble lords despised Andre from the testimonies of their daughters and what Zayl said. When they found the despicable noble there at the ruined castle, they knew the truth was told. Especially from all the different footprints from their daughters in the mud. Zayl was rewarded handsomely by each family for saving their daughters from a fate worse than death. One of the fathers even offered his daughter's hand in marriage to him!
"Ah, as much as I'm sure it would be appreciated, I do work with the Horadrim. I tend to travel quite a bit. I also do very dangerous things. I may not be a suitable husband for her," Zayl said politely.
"I'll marry her!" Humbert said.
"No," Zayl said with a roll of his eyes. The regal father with dark hair and brown eyes rose a brow with a small smirk at the skull in the Necromancer's outstretched hand. As much as he was wary of it, his daughter vowed that it was harmless and even helped in the rescue.
"Seriously! I'll treat her right and proper!" the skull continued.
"And how would you make children?" the father asked. "I would expect grandchildren."
"Oh. Um...Zayl could make something for me," Humbert started.
"No," Zayl said with a touch of disgust.
"Oh, come on! You can do it! It should be easy to activate a small piece of flesh to-!"
"Shut up!" Zayl scowled and flicked the skull to quiet him. "Sorry. Humbert is far more...disgusting than I thought possible. I'll put him back in my pouch now."
"No! I'm sorry! I was just...well...it was just a thought," Humbert pouted.
"Well, if you change your mind, I'll give you a month," the father chuckled. "Just you. The skull can find another to suit its fancy."
"Oh, bother!" Humbert muttered. Zayl chuckled, accepted the small sack of gold as a reward, and started to leave. Anabelle saw him walking out and moved swiftly to confront him.
"So...you do not wish to marry me?" she frowned. He sighed at the black-haired beauty.
"It is not that. I find you very desirable. I honestly do! It's just...my line of work always has me on the go. Once I'm done here, I'm off to another land to heal it. A Necromancer's work is never done. There's that and...well...to have you on the road with me would simply tax you far too much. You need to stay here. Where you belong. I could be here for another year. I could be gone by tomorrow. There is no safe way to say how long it will be until I have to move on," he explained gently.
"I see..." she said in a mildly hurt way. She did find him very attractive. She knew her other new friends did, too, but their fathers didn't offer over their daughters like hers did. They were wary of Necromancers and others that dealt with such practices. Her father was, too, but he knew how much she liked him. He saw it in her gaze as they spoke, and even he saw that Zayl was a touch different from the other Necromancers that were seen. "Well...may I say something to you, then? If you will hear it?"
"Of course," he chuckled. She worried her lower lip, rushed up to him, and planted a full kiss on his mouth. As shocked as he was, he found himself giving in to it and even deepening it. He was surprised at himself. Very surprised at himself.
"I would be willing to wait for you. If you did have to leave," she whispered and kissed him again. "I honestly don't believe that I would want any other to be my husband."
"I..." he blinked at this. Most women shied from him, due to his companion and dark natures. This one was very different. "My travels...could take me away for years at a time..."
"It wouldn't matter to me," she said. "You proved yourself to me. As for Andre...well...it was mere infatuation with a vile snake's sly tongue. I could not care less for him anymore. Let him rot in a cesspit and stay there! As for you, I do mean it. I would wait for you. And this...isn't mere infatuation that is talking. I've never felt so strongly about this before."
"Your father said I had a month to choose..."
"I can wait a month," she said softly and blinked her emerald green eyes.
"Just say yes!" Humbert scowled. "You know you want to!"
"I would agree with your friend," she chuckled.
"Please!" Zayl sighed. "Give me a month to think on this."
"I bet, within two days, you'll be singing songs to her outside her window," Humbert snickered.
"I will drop you off a cliff!" Zayl growled. Anabelle was simply blushing at the thought.
"Oh! Maybe you'll play a harp or something, too?" the skull egged on. "Hey! No!"
"Sorry," Zayl said and put the chatty skull in his pouch. "You're in time out."
"Awww!" Humbert pouted. Anabelle giggled and was still blushing. Zayl sighed and shook his head. At how she was still watching him, he found himself thinking.
"Just give me a month. I would need to consider various options. Everything may work out. Or it would be too much. I really need to see what can be done first. My work must come first. Before family and friends. It's...really why I may not be a suitable husband. I may not be able to devote the proper care and time to you," he said.
"Well...what if you trained me in your arts? Would that help?" she asked. Now he looked at her with complete disbelief. "I mean...if you don't think it would be feasible..."
"Stop. Right there," he said. "You don't know what you are asking! You would be sacrificing so much! I gave up almost everything I knew of to do what I can do now. Many even died in the process. Such a thing...I don't know how you would take it. And, there may be times that you would have to train under someone else other than me."
"I really do just want to belong to you, Zayl," she whispered and pressed herself into him. He found himself hugging her tight.
"Are you sure you want to wait?" her father asked from where he stood in the main hallway. Zayl wasn't a noble, but he was a very powerful figurehead. He worked with very strong heroes and leaders. He already found himself approving of the Necromancer more and more.
"I believe so," Zayl said. "I am...quite taken with her. Don't get me wrong..."
"Like I said, you have one month. Come, Anabelle. Let the good man do his work," her father ordered. She nodded and felt herself get squeezed again. She smiled a touch when Zayl nodded to her and left the small estate. As he moved through the streets, Malthael appeared.
"You should have taken the offer," Malthael mused.
"Not you, too!" Zayl groaned.
"I told him to!" Humbert shouted from the pouch.
"Anaurael feels that this one would even suit you. This female does not despise your talents. Or your companion. She offered to learn the same trade as you. She is worthy of you. No others have offered to do as such, correct?" Malthael asked. Zayl had safely made his way out of Westmarch and back into the Bogs to talk to him more directly.
"No. None others did. The other girls seemed to cringe at the sight of Humbert. Anabelle was the only one that actually touched him without any revulsion, now that I think about it. I just...I'm worried that I will not be what she expects when it comes to raising a family. I am simply not ready for that yet. Her father would expect it. My work cannot be left alone for too long."
"But, your sire created you and raised you in his image, did he not?" Malthael asked now.
"Well...yes..." Zayl frowned.
"And, who is to say that your offspring would do the same? Necromancers are few and far between. If she is willing to assist you in small tasks, why not? She may not have to learn the full trade, but she could understand it. She could aid you in various things. She is willing to try. That is more than I would ever expect of another," he pointed out. Zayl only groaned.
"Take me out of this pouch!" Humbert demanded. Zayl muttered, but ended up doing just that. "Zayl, we've known each other for a long time. A rather long time. As much as you hate to admit it, and I'm the same way. And, as much as I don't care for Malthael, he has a point. Quit complaining and go for it! You may likely never get this chance again."
"But...the Bog..." Zayl growled.
"Wait until the issue with that noble fool is dealt with in the High Heavens. The girl you desire may also be there to bear witness and speak her mind. Think of it then, too. You may surprise yourself. Anyways, that such judgment needs to be done shortly. We are having our warriors go to each household from each female to request their presence," Malthael mused.
"No! That would be too much!" Zayl grimaced. "Let me be the messenger."
"Very well. Hurry, though. That noble fool may have been banished from this area, but he is fast approaching another area to take root," he warned.
"You going to talk to Anabelle first?" Humbert asked.
"No. Last. And you need to go back in the pouch for now," Zayl said. Humbert grumbled, but readily agreed. He stopped by Delilah's manor first to talk to her father again.
"Did you forget something?" the mildly portly man asked.
"Not quite. I'm just a messenger for now. Higher officials may ask for your daughter's testimony against Andre soon. A rather...intricate guard will appear. In short, an actual angel. The High Heavens wants this man put to justice. He slandered a very respectable girl. One that is to help keep Sanctuary safe. Don't worry. Delilah will be brought back unharmed. You have my word," Zayl said.
"An angel? Have you gone addled?" the man asked. Then his jaw dropped at the angelic warrior that appeared. "I...um..."
"So, you have decided to come down as I speak with them?" Zayl chuckled.
"It made the most sense," Darius nodded. "You have my word that your daughter will return unharmed. I must collect her now."
"Have...any angels been known to marry a girl?" the man asked now.
"No. We do not believe in such things," Darius said calmly.
"Oh. A shame. But, yes, I can fetch Delilah," the man nodded. When he left, Darius shook his head with a touch of disgust.
"He offered you his daughter? That's funny!" Humbert chuckled from the pouch.
"Disgraceful," Darius muttered. Zayl could only nod. When the girl came down, she paused in complete shock at the large angel. "I am to escort you to the High Heavens for another trial against the foolish mortal. Please take my hand. You will come to no harm."
"I will want to know what happens," her father said.
"You shall," Darius nodded.
"Um, should I dress better?" Delilah asked.
"No. You are fine as you are," Darius nodded again. She was wearing a gown of a soft purple cream in coloring. She felt it was too drab for Heaven, but it didn't matter to them. With a deep breath, she took his large hand and found herself standing in the Angiris Council chamber. Darius nodded to those there and vanished away to follow Zayl in an invisible state.
"Hello! I am Anaurael," Anaurael said from where she was in Imperius's arms.
"Oh! You're the one that was slighted, too?" Delilah asked.
"Yes. I was the first, apparently. When they learned of it here, they demanded to find the one that did so. I'm glad that we did to save you," she frowned. Her beauty far surpassed any mortal girl's, and there was already a hint of jealousy in Delilah's gaze. "Love, can you set me down?"
"No," Imperius muttered and held her close in his arms. She leaned up to whisper into his helm softly. He seemed to grumble, but he refused to relent. Another soft whisper was given, and he muttered again. He was refusing to break in this.
"Why won't you put her down?" Tyrael asked calmly.
"Because I don't want to," Imperius snorted. "Not until this mortal mess is dealt with. I worry too much for our offspring. I must protect her and keep her safe."
"Well...yes. I can understand that. Just remember that she's bearing my son, too," Tyrael chuckled. "Yes, our son, but just keep that in mind."
"As if I can forget," he grumbled.
"What?" Delilah blinked.
"Anaurael is bearing a child that belongs to both Tyrael and Imperius," Itherael said from where he hovered. "We are not sure how it happened, but it did. Please be patient. We are getting the others that were part of your torment. If you need to sit down, we can bring you a chair."
"Um...yes. That would be nice," she nodded timidly. A chair was brought to her for her to rest her feet. Other chairs were soon brought out and set nearby.
"If you need refreshments, just ask," Anaurael smiled.
"So...who are they?" Delilah asked and gestured to Imperius and Tyrael.
"I am Tyrael. I am the leader of the Horadrim. When Anaurael is on Sanctuary, she is my wife. She is also my wife here, but she truly belongs to Imperius. If you had the ability to see how, she bears a glowing dot on her forehead that is tied to his life. Imperius is the one holding her, and he is the Archangel of Valor. He is also the leader of the Angiris Council," he explained calmly.
"Oh! Like in the old stories?" the girl asked.
"Exactly," Tyrael nodded. "I was also the Archangel of Justice, but I chose to become a mortal."
"Why would you do that?" she frowned.
"It's a...very long story. One that we don't have much time for. Maybe, in the future, you will learn of it," he said wisely. She nodded and saw Clarissa appear next. Introductions were made, and she was seated. Margarite was next to appear and introduced. Issabella appeared shortly after with a bit of surprise in her gaze at where she was. When it came time to collect Anabelle, Zayl had to steel himself for it when he approached her estate again.
"You're back?" Anabelle asked softly.
"For business, unfortunately," he sighed. "I need you to come with me to the High Heavens. We need to do another court ruling for Andre."
"Oh! For the girl? I can do that," she nodded. "Let me tell my Father."
"I'll wait here," he nodded.
"It is good to see you again..." she blushed. He smiled softly and nodded again, as he watched her run up the marble staircase to her father's chambers.
"You should just ask her to marry you!" Humbert said from the pouch.
"Shut up," Zayl growled out lightly.
"I'm telling you! You can thank me later! Hey!" the skull scowled when he got flicked. When her father appeared, he bowed lightly.
"Do you have an idea on when she will return?" her father asked. At the sight of Darius, he paled and dropped his jaw with surprise.
"If all goes well, she shall be returned within the hour. Maybe two. We shall have to see," Darius said in his deep, echoed tone. "Come with me, please. Just take my hand. You, too, Zayl."
"Of course, Darius," Zayl chuckled.
"And you should wed her. I am sure that the High Heavens would approve of your marriage," Darius said. Now Zayl's jaw dropped, Anabelle's eyes widened, and her father found himself musing over a wedding in the High Heavens.
"If there is to be a wedding, I would need to be there," her father said. "With her mother."
"That is understandable. I can suggest it to the Angiris Council," Darius nodded. Zayl just sighed hard at all of this. Anabelle worried her lower lip, but she was smiling.
"I could also order that she is not to return to me until he marries her," her father mused.
"Ah..." Zayl gaped.
"Father!" Anabelle said with dismay. He laughed and waved them off to show he was joking. "Your jests are not needed right now! Mother would not be pleased!"
"Your mother is shopping right now with her new friends. As in, the other mothers of your new friends. What she doesn't know won't hurt her," he winked. "Now, be off with you! I want a good ruling on that knave!"
"Of course," Darius chuckled. The moment Zayl and Anabelle grabbed his large hands, they found themselves in the Angiris Council chamber.
"Zayl?" Tyrael looked at him and chuckled.
"Not a word from you," Zayl warned him.
"Okay! Out of the pouch!" Humbert demanded. Zayl sighed and pulled the skull back out. Then he blinked when Malthael appeared with his wings flaring white. Anu granted him the ability to help with the judging as promised.
"Are we ready to retrieve the uncouth one?" Itherael asked from where he hovered.
"I believe so," Tyrael nodded.
"How will we bring him here?" Auriel asked.
"Greed may have to do it," Anaurael said. Then she looked at Anabelle and smiled. "Hello. I am Anaurael. You could say that I was the first one that was slighted. I could be wrong, though."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Anabelle smiled back.
"She wants to marry Zayl!" Humbert said.
"Shut up!" Zayl scowled. Tyrael rose a brow and grinned at his friend's sour look.
"I was thinking of a wedding for them here," Darius said.
"No," Imperius said stubbornly.
"Love, it's fine. They don't need to come here. But, an angel could go down to show that the wedding was witnessed by us. That should be enough," Anaurael said gently.
"Very well. I can allow that," he nodded. Izarius chuckled at this and glanced over when Imperael walked over. The girls were stunned at the size of this angel.
"Sister, should we contain the mortal when he arrives?" he asked.
"I think just by him being here should be enough. Actually..." she mused. "I have a better idea."
"Hmm?" Tyrael looked at her. She whispered to Imperius, and he cleared his throat with dismay.
"No," he said. "I cannot allow that."
"I would have Tyrael with me. We can walk the Silver Spire, and the mortal fool could be teleported there. If he sees me and tries anything with Tyrael as a witness, it's all the more to judge him as a definite fault," she chuckled. Imperius shook his head again.
"Anaurael, he is correct. It is simply too risky. You must think of your health with your offspring," Itherael said. "If you must, we can hide ourselves here with the mortal females. The chamber would seem empty, save for you standing here. As long as we are in the same room to watch over you, it would be better. Tyrael can also stand with you, but it would be safest to do so here."
"Does Talus'ar agree with this?" Imperius asked.
"Hmm..." Itherael thought and went to retrieve his Scroll. On bringing it back, he read the strands. "Yes. It would be safe. I cannot see the outcome of the humans, but Anaurael will be safe."
"She isn't human, too?" Margarite asked.
"No. Her parents were originally angels, but they became mortal to be together," Izarius said. "She is a naturally birthed pureblood mortal angel."
"That explains her hair," Clarissa mused.
"Actually, her bond with Imperius explains her hair," Tyrael smiled.
"They share the same Light. The same life. The same temperaments. They are a whole together," Malthael said from where he stood. "We are wasting time."
"That we are. Have Greed collect the mortal fool," Imperius said. Izarius reached for the mirror and whispered into it. Gurzick appeared and waved.
"Hi! I get now?" he asked.
"Yes. He is to come here. We will be invisible," Auriel said.
"Good to know. I shall collect the mortal now," Greed said from the crown.
"Oh, Greed," Anaurael said.
"Yes, child?" he asked.
"Zayl may need a good wedding ring," she giggled.
"Really?! I'm sure I have something lying about," Greed mused.
"That's not necessary!" Zayl said.
"You're right. He needs an engagement ring first!" Humbert said.
"Stop helping this!" Zayl muttered.
"You're getting married? To who?" Issabella asked. At this, Anabelle walked over to Zayl to put her hand on his arm. He sighed and found himself placing his free arm around her dainty waist. That had the other girls completely floored and jealous, but they would get over it.
"I guess...it's official..." Zayl sighed.
"You haven't even asked her to marry you!" Humbert scoffed.
"Fine! Anabelle, will you marry me?" he asked.
"Oh, you can't ask her like that!" Anaurael giggled. "It needs to be in a romantic setting!"
"When I asked you to marry me, it wasn't a very romantic setting," Tyrael mused.
"It's different with us," she grinned softly.
"There's no need to complicate things," Zayl said.
"I know of a place to take them to. Let us see to this first," Auriel said. She had been studying on various places that fascinated her from the viewing pools, and she knew of a few spots in the High Heavens that could give the 'romantic' feel that was being spoken of. Anaurael nodded and found herself yawning. Imperius squeezed her and sighed softly at the feel of her hand on his cheek.
"I'll be close by," he vowed.
"Okay," she smiled and kissed him deeply. "I love you."
"And I love you," he said, as he cradled her. When he saw Gurzick vanish away, he grumbled. He really didn't want to set her down. He didn't want her to stand for so long. "Izarius, fetch her rocking chair. I do not wish for her to be on her feet so much. My offspring in her soul may cause issues."
"Very true," Izarius nodded and vanished to retrieve it.
"In her soul?" Clarissa asked.
"Yes. She is having twins, if you think about it," Tyrael smiled. That had the girls clamoring with delight at this. Malthael simply snorted his distaste, but he began to shield them all with invisibility with Anu's help. Right after it was done, the girls were warned to keep silent. Anaurael's rocking chair was placed nearby for her in case she needed it, and Imperius set her down by Tyrael to let him support her. A careful arm was placed around her to let her lean into him.
"Oh! I think my parents wanted to be here, too. We should also have my brothers here," Anaurael said. Darius nodded and quickly fetched them. When he came back with them, her parents hugged her, and she was given hugs by her brothers. The invisible shielding was given to them, and they all were able to see each other to chat softly this way.
"You both need to remain quiet. We'll just stand over here, okay?" Ilerael said. They both nodded and settled to stand with him and their mother.
"We'll introduce ourselves soon," Lilaurael said to the various girls there.
"I know you! Little Durlin, right?" Delilah asked.
"Yes. I'm with my new Mom and Dad now. I wouldn't change it for the world," he smiled and got his hair tussled by Ilerael. "Andre was my Uncle."
"What? And he didn't take care of you?" Anabelle asked.
"He said he couldn't take care of brats," the boy frowned. That had the girls fuming.
"He could have said the same to any of our children!" Margarite growled.
"He'll get his true rewards soon enough," Issabella nodded. Zayl was quite livid on hearing this. Even Humbert was ticked. After another moment of recollection, they managed to quiet down to wait.
On Sanctuary, Andre was cursing himself. I lost everything! I lost my title, my home, and my future brides! He was not pleased, but he vowed to build himself back up to his prior status. At the sight of a Greed Goblin on the side of the road, he paused. It wasn't Gurzick, but he was waiting nearby.
"Those things tend to have a lot of treasure..." Andre mused and took out a carving knife. It was a goblin that was holding a bag of useless colored gold bricks. The fake bricks was Greed's personal way to have his own form of amusement. They were now used as a form of punishment for the worthless mortal. The goblin pretended to pay no notice to him. It was an advanced goblin, but Greed wanted it to use the training bag as an added method of insult to the human. When Andre shouted in his advance, the Greed Goblin looked over, yelped, and simply dropped the useless bag as it teleported away.
The bag was now claimed and found to be pleasantly heavy. I'll be taking this to the nearest inn! He couldn't believe his good fortune. While he mused over the contents, Gurzick casually dropped a teleport gem in the middle of a small pile of gold coins. This was easily claimed, and Andre's jaw dropped when he found himself in the High Heavens.
When he looked around in sheer wonder, he paused at the molten gold-haired beauty that was gazing out a window. A rather large man wielding a glowing sword was standing next to her. He had an arm around her waist and whispering words of comfort to her. At the sound of Andre's shuffling, she turned and blinked in question.
"Darling, were we expecting guests?" she asked.
"I don't recall," Tyrael said with an air of perfect acting. "Where do you hail from?"
"Oh! Um...I'm from Westmarch," Andre said regally when he stood up. As he did, the sack he was trying to carry tore at the base. The contents spilled out onto the floor with a somewhat noisy outcome. The bags were designed to be carried a very certain way to keep them from ripping.
"Why do you have a bag of fake gold?" Anaurael asked when she spotted a gold brick with an odd chip in it. "That is fake, isn't it? It doesn't have the proper shine that gold has. I don't recall gold chipping, either, now that I recall..."
"Greed carries fake gold? That's a new one," Tyrael mused in a low tone to her. She stifled a giggle and leaned into him. Andre blinked at what she said and picked up the brick. On realizing that it was, indeed, fake, he swore violently. On a closer inspection of the other bricks, his tirade of swearing got even worse. Anaurael frowned and winced at the harsh langauage. Tyrael quickly narrowed his eyes with warning. "Do not swear around my wife!"
"Oh..." Andre found himself at a loss. As he glanced at Anaurael again, he now realized that this was one that he was pursuing. His only thought was that she was married. But, he now felt that he could try to weasel his way into her life as a side-long lover. He did notice her pregnancy in her golden finery and decided to ignore it. From the circlet on her head, he could only muse that she was a queen of sorts now. As he continued to study her, he said, "I think I know you."
"Do you? I would hope not," she frowned. Tyrael placed a large hand on her belly and glared at him. "Ah. I think I do know you. You were the one that pestered me in my youth. You brazenly defied me when I ignored your advances, and you insisted on me to marry you at a young age. My Father was most displeased with you. In fact, he still is."
"Ah. I also recall him. Didn't he have a trial in Westmarch over misleading other young girls into marrying him in secret?" Tyrael mused now. "I am the leader of the Horadrim, you know. I have scouts all over the place. From what they reported, this man was cast out and banished."
"Was he really?" Anaurael frowned. "Such a shame! Do we know why?"
"I know. As to why, it had something to do with the local girls there. I couldn't get much, since it was a private trial. But, that's what I know of, anyways," Tyrael shrugged.
"It's all a lie! I'm simply relocating to a better place," Andre said. "Westmarch became too dull for me. That's all. Honest!"
"Really? Then why do you smell of a swamp?" Tyrael smirked.
"Darling, don't point out such things. It simply wouldn't do," she chuckled.
"But, since I'm in the process of relocating, I could help you out here as a servant," Andre started, and Tyrael started laughing hysterically.
"Ah...you don't know where you are, do you? You're in the High Heavens," Anaurael said with a small smile. "No, you're not dead. You were simply brought here for a reason, it seems."
"I could serve you in any way possible," he said in his most semi-seductive way. "And I do mean any way. There would be no limits as to what I could offer..."
"Um...no..." she cringed with disgust. "Do you not notice my husband standing next to me? Or even my pregnancy? I do not need servants. I do not need the comfort of another. My husband is plenty. You need to rethink what you want."
"I could do much more than him," Andre started again.
"I've heard enough," Tyrael muttered, and El'druin flared protectively. Even Anaurael's necklace shimmered with distaste. "My name is Tyrael. I was the Archangel of Justice, but I am now the Aspect of Wisdom. You are in the Angiris Council chamber of the High Heavens. You were brought here to be tried. Again. And I find you guilty."
"No one else is here!" Andre smirked. Then he paled when Malthael appeared before them.
"So you think, mortal filth," Malthael fumed and kept his hands on his scythes. When the others appeared in full, Andre paled even more. "You are a disgusting blot on the High Heavens!"
"Indeed," Imperius growled and moved right over to Anaurael to gather her back up into his arms. She rested her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. "We should toss him out a window."
"We could," she chuckled and placed her hand on his cheek to help him focus. "However, I don't think he's even worthy of that. We should give him a free ride to the Burning Hells."
"Maybe. However, they would gain a new member to their army," he muttered.
"True," she said and yawned. He pressed a kiss to her palm and watched Ilerael walk up to Andre with his sword drawn. The prior noble definitely remembered that blade.
"I'd run you through, but this is the High Heavens!" Ilerael growled.
"I would do it for you," Imperael smirked, as he walked over. At the sheer sight of the massive Archangel, Andre fainted. Humbert barked out laughter from Zayl's location.
"What a fool! He fainted! Dead away!" Humbert laughed.
"And he always told us how brave he was," Margarite clucked her tongue. Gurzick was giggling from where he was and bore witness for Greed.
"I think he soiled his breeches again," Issabella grimaced.
"I will never understand humans like him," Itherael sighed. Anaurael smiled and reached for him to hug in a form of comfort.
"Your concern is as great as mine," Anaurael said softly. "And, as much as I hate admit it, there are more humans like him out there than anything."
"So, what is the plan with him?" Imperael asked.
"That is what I wish to know. We need to finish this," Auriel agreed.
"That we do. Maybe the Nephalem would know?" Itherael asked.
"Must we bring such filth here?!" Imperius growled. Anaurael whispered softly to him to help keep him calm. He sighed and squeezed her. "Fine. Bring the Nephalem."
"Should the others that accompany the Nephalem be here, too?" Tyrael asked. Imperius seemed to grumble, but he nodded slightly. Izarius moved to retrieve the small group, and Myriam was brought up with them. She took one look at the man on the ground and barked out laughter.
"Oh! This one is so funny! Haha! He will be rejected everywhere he goes!" she crowed out.
"He will?" Anaurael asked.
"Yes! And, you, Zayl. Marry the girl in your arms. You will be glad that you did!" Myriam chuckled. Zayl grumbled a bit, but Anabelle pressed into him to get squeezed.
"Well, hello, my dear ladies," Lyndon said to the four stunning girls in the chamber.
"You touch them, I hurt you," Imperael glowered and moved to stand behind them. "If you want to pursue them on Sanctuary, then seek them there. Not here."
"Can we stay here, then?" Clarissa asked.
"As much as we could agree, we cannot. We have no true accommodations for you," Auriel said softly. "You belong on Sanctuary. Anaurael is the only one we can truly have here. Just to keep her stable here is a touch taxing on us, too."
"They could join the Horadrim," Mithus said from where he stood.
"Maybe they could work with the other mortal angels there that lost their wings. True, they are not pureblood, but we don't know how it would work," Azarius said when he caught on.
"Hmm," Tyrael mused. "That would be up to them. I could send out the ones that don't have females yet. But, it would depend on what they want, too. We'll have to see."
"I would not care," Imperius muttered. "Just keep them out of Heaven."
"Agreed..." Malthael nodded. "But, I am curious. You five that were cheated. What punishment do you think this one deserves?"
"He should be hung from a tree naked," Delilah said.
"Too simple! Branded with hot irons!" Issabella giggled.
"No! I say he should be flogged, beaten, and tossed back out in the swamp," Clarissa said.
"I do like the thought of him being naked, but he should be tossed out in a public place for permanent amusement," Margarite said. "That's my thought."
"Actually," Anabelle mused. "Zayl, remember how he said he would be a willing servant? Maybe that's what he needs. To be a servant to another, but not to any females."
"Hmm..." Zayl thought. "I wouldn't have him join the Horadrim. That's not a worthy position for him. But, to be a servant to another could be a fitting punishment..."
"And it could be done in Westmarch to hold further scorn to him," Tyrael smirked. "He would have no title, no true household, or anything. There are plenty of arrogant, single lords there."
"But, they could be corrupted, if he was sneaky enough," Anaurael frowned. "It's just best to cull him. Take him out of the picture completely. I have been thinking of this on all angles."
"Then we shall call a vote," Imperius nodded. "I agree with Anaurael."
"As do I," Malthael nodded and flicked his wings.
"There should be another way for him," Itherael said.
"I agree with Itherael," Auriel said. "To simply cull him will not solve anything."
"It's true. It would solve nothing," Tyrael said. "Servitude to another would be the best thing."
"To an old and cranky lord," Anabelle mused. "Oh! He also said that he didn't like brats. Part of his service would be to see to children!"
"Okay. That's funny!" Tyrael grinned. "But, I wouldn't want them tainted by him."
"Huh?!" Andre said when he came about.
"Oh. He woke up," Malthael muttered with distaste.
"I have the perfect idea," the Nephalem said. "Let him apprentice to Haedrig."
"What?!" Tyrael gaped and started laughing. "Haedrig would kill him, himself, if he did something wrong! You know he would!"
"What's going on?!" Andre paled.
"We are discussing your fate, foul one!" Kormac growled.
"Are ones like him always so slow to understand?" Eirena mused.
"Constantly!" Kormac agreed.
"Get Haedrig," Tyrael grinned to Izarius. Anaurael's brother nodded and vanished away.
"I'm glad he's not my uncle anymore," Durlin said from where he stood with Lilaurael.
"Who's that? Durlin! Dear nephew!" Andre said.
"I have no family. You called me a brat. You disowned me," Durlin said sternly. Ilerael placed a hand on his son's shoulder and glared. "This is my family now. Mom? Dad? Can I go home?"
"Of course, dear. I'll take Loremy with us," Lilaurael smiled and kissed his forehead.
"I'll tell you what happened," Ilerael said and let Darius take them back.
"So, what all did he do?" Lyndon asked.
"He tried to marry all of us and keep us all a secret from each other," Clarissa sniffed.
"What?! You idiot! You don't get into marriage! Oh, you fool!" Lyndon scowled. "You dance with one, let them go, and find the next. You don't keep them all! And is that fake gold bricks?"
"Says who?" Andre mumbled. "Why should I listen to the likes of you? And the gold I found off a goblin! How was I to know it was fake?!"
"We should give him to the Thieves Guild. They'd rough him up within the a day," Lyndon smirked. "He may not even survive any jobs they give him, either."
"Haedrig declines him as an apprentice," Izarius said when he returned alone. "He feels that this one, in his words, would be too stupid to know what the difference was between a dagger and a sword. As well as other things, too, when it comes to pieces of armor. There were other things said that I would not wish to repeat. He also already has an apprentice. So, Haedrig says to choose another fate."
"He may be right," Zayl smirked.
"Regardless," Malthael said and looked at Myriam. "What do you think?"
"Hmm," Myriam frowned in thought. "No matter what he does, he will fail after this. I would not leave him with children. Or with other women. To be in servitude to a tyrant will fit him."
"Then we'll do that," Tyrael said.
"I know who," Margarite said with a wry smile. "I'll talk to my Father about it."
"You do that," Tyrael nodded.
"I should have him do a few bounty runs with me. Maybe I can offer him to the goatmen as a peace offering," the Nephalem mused. Anaurael giggled.
"Interesting idea..." Malthael admitted. Andre was just gaping at how he was being discussed. "However, let him go into servitude. And...you, Necromancer...you need to get married."
"Do I have to?! Right now?" Zayl asked with disbelief.
"You have a month to prepare," Malthael chuckled.
"I agree!" Humbert said. Zayl sighed with defeat on this, and Anabelle pressed into him.
"Ah! Before I forget," Greed said from the crown and had Gurzick go up and hand over a superb diamond ring. "Give that to her. And don't worry about the stuff on the ground. I'll collect it back."
"They need a good setting for proposing," Anaurael giggled.
"I will take them both to my Gardens," Auriel said. "I have an idea, as I said before."
"Good! Zayl, congratulations. I shall stand with you at your wedding in a month," Tyrael winked. The Necromancer only laughed softly and nodded. Izarius was quick to take the remaining mortals to their homes, but the noble was held in a chamber separate from the High Heavens until a place in Westmarch was established for him. He would be offered low grade food and water with a small basin for bathing in. That was all he would be granted.
Zayl soon found himself in front of one of the small altar ledges of gold, and it was surrounded by plants that shed their sparkling blue lights. Anabelle found herself blushing at the vast expanse of the Silver City before them, too. Now Zayl bent on one knee and presented the ring.
"Will you marry me?" he asked.
"You know I will!" she whispered. She let him place the ring on her finger before watching him rise up, pull her close and kiss her soundly.