"Aaaaaarg…" Louise groaned. "I feel like we've been waiting here for 13 months."

"…that is a very specific number of months." Kirche remarked.

Louise merely grunted as she again leaned out around the cart and stared across the street. The three girls were currently hunkered down behind a cart sitting on the opposite side of the street from the rundown theater. It had been several hours since they had left for the palace, and by the time they had returned, night had fallen. The streets were all but abandoned and an eerie quite had settled over that part of the city. Save to the occasional hushed squabbling of Louise and Kirche.

Something the fourth member there was not pleased about. "Quiet." The three looked over to see Agnès glaring at them, and they all (well, Louise and Kirche) cowed under her gaze. Once they had told the Knight Captain what they had seen and shown her the pistols they recovered, Agnès promptly gathered a team of musketeers and set up to stake out the building. Now the lot of them we waiting for Stone to show up with the rest of his gang to move the firearms.

Now if only it wasn't so dull. Louise had been willing to wait for an hour or two, but this was just inconsiderate. She was going to say something to that effect, but when she looked over at the Knight Captain she had to suppress a yelp when she saw another musketeer crouched next to her. Where in blazes did she come from? Louise wondered as the woman whispered to her superior. Agnès nodded the other woman slinked away, disappearing into the darkness almost instantly. "We have movement around the back." Agnès said. "We'll be moving out shortly."

After a bit, the front doors finally opened just a crack, and a man slipped out onto the street. He moved cautiously, glancing up and down the street to see if anyone was in sight. After seeing that it was empty he ducked his head back into the building for a few second before he moved back into the street. The doors to the theater opened fully and about a dozen men walked out, some of them hauling crates between them.

"Now." Agnès said, and Kirche raised her wand skyward. A small ball of fire shot into the air and exploded in a burst of light, and an instant later musketeers were vaulting out of cover and taking aim at the gang members. "By the Authority of the Crown, surrender!" The Knight Captain yelled as she strode out towards them.

The various thugs yelled in surprise, a few trying to draw their swords while most dashed back into the theater. The musketeers didn't give the ones who took up arms a chance to use them and immediately opened fire, downing several of them in an instant. The rest that had run wasted no time slamming the doors shut behind them, leaving a few of their members pounding on the doors to be let in.

"Move up and cover the door. Take as many prisoners as you can." Agnès ordered, and the assembled women did just that, subduing the few men left out in the street quickly before training their rifles at the doors. Louise could hear frantic shouting and scraping from the other side like they were being barred, but Agnès didn't seem to pay it any mind as she looked to Tabitha. "You're up."

Tabitha flicked out her staff, and several icicles formed and shot forward. They ripped through several points on the doors' frame, causing it to simply fall in. The men inside shouted more as their only barrier they had was torn down with such ease, and the musketeers instantly moved up to take position. Louise could only see a little ways into the building from her position, but the few men she could see appeared to be giving up and raising their hands.

And that's where things went wrong.

Just as knights started to advance into the building, there was a low thump followed immediately by a deafening blast, and the whole front of the theater was engulfed in flame. Louise flinched back at the sudden conflagration, and both musketeers and thugs dove away from the flames in various states of screaming and on fire. Several other detonations then came from various other points in the building.

Over it all she could hear Agnès shouting "Damn it, who detonated the gunpowder?! Get those men out, We can't let them escape and we need some alive. And somebody find Stone!"

"Distraction." Louise barely registered Tabitha's voice beside her, and by the time she looked over the blue haired girl was moving away, half jumping half floating up the side of a nearby building and out of sight. Kirche looked after Tabitha before she said "She has a point. Louise, circle around and keep an eye out for anyone trying to escape. I'll try to keep the fire under control." The red head then spit off and moved towards the building with her wand out, tongues of flames moving off the building with each gesture of her hand.

The pink haired girl suppressed the frustration she was feeling and focused on her surroundings. Everything was quickly devolving into chaos, a mix of criminals trying to fight or flee, and the musketeers marshaling together to stop them. And the building was going up in flames at an alarming rate. It didn't take her long to decide to move further down the street, passing the alleyway that was already full of fighting (and fire) and diving into the one next over. There was no way she'd be able to see or do anything useful amid all that mess. Besides, it stood to reason that anyone trying to slip away would also try to avoid the crowd.

Louise dash down the alley and came to a stop just before it opened up into the next street. She peered around the corner to see the slightly less chaotic melee happening at the back end of the theater. The musketeers were focusing on the back entrance and the men fighting their way own from it. Louise then spied two, no, three men tumble out of a second floor window onto the street. They were all singed, and the landing wasn't easy on any of them. Still the half dozen musketeers were busy looking in the other direction, so the thugs awkwardly made their escape. Right toward Louise.

Louise stepped out of the alley, wand raised. The three barely had time to register she was there before she shouted "Repel!", her wand aimed at the one in the front. The blast took the man in the chest and sent him tumbling back down the street. The other two men spun on Louise, drawing daggers from their belt as they did so. The pair hesitated for a moment as they tried to decide to fight or run. The moment passed as the advanced on her, figuring they had a better chance of getting away if they took out the lone mage first.

Unfortunately for them, neither of them looked up.

A shadow backlit by the fire behind it dropped from above and landed behind the two with a heavy thud. The first man had his knee kicked before a gauntleted hand smashed into the side of his head. His partner spun and stabbed at the shadowy figure in reflex, but the blade was knocked to the side before hes was kicked in the sternum. The thug crumbled as he smashed into a pile of crates. The figure waited for a moment to be sure the two criminals were down before it picked them up and walked forward.

As he walked into the light, Georgius laid the men at her feet and brushed the ash of his cloak. "Do you see what happens when I am not around, Master?"

Louise couldn't help but roll her eyes. "First of all, I had this perfectly under control. Secondly, I had enough of your worrying back at the palace." To be sure, Louise had been happy to see her familiar up and about when she returned to the palace. She had been less enthused by how much he had fussed over her for going on a mission without him, and how he refused to let her do this final part on her own. Admittedly, this sort of confrontation was where her familiar excelled, so she concede to let him come on the grounds that he would stay back and only intervene if needed. And the situation was spiraling out of controller enough that she was willing to let this go.

A gunshot brought her attention up and behind her. She heard some muffled shouting, and she managed to see a few wisps of ice falling off the roof the building near her. "Tabitha… she must have caught someone trying to escape across the rooftops. We need to-"

Before she could finish, a scream pieced the air which was abruptly cut off by a loud thud and crack. Louise and Georgius moved as one, sprinting down the street to where they heard the sound come from. They two ran into yet another alley, and Georgius moved in front as he scanned for threats. "Tabitha! Are you alright?"

"Fine." Came the response. Looking up, Tabitha stood on the lip the building about three stories up, her appearance and demeanor completely unruffled.

"We heard a scream." The man said. "What-" he stopped as Tabitha pointed with her staff, and their gaze was brought downward. A body lay at an odd angle with respect to the wall, its neck twisted unnaturally with the apparent impact. And since the face was twisted towards them, Louise felt a pit of dismay form in her stomach as she realized who it was. The man known as Stone.

"He tripped." Tabitha supplied helpfully from above.

High Judge Martel looked at the assembled group standing on the other side of his desk, his lips pressed tight. After hauling all of their prisoners to holding cells, a messenger had arrived summoning them all to the judge's office. Word of the incident had traveled fast, it seemed, and the man wanted to know just what the hell was going on. So, Agnès, Georgius and the three students stood silent at the Knight Captain finished her report. And the judge was not overjoyed. "This is not exactly the windfall I was hoping for, considering the death and destruction you lot caused for it."

"It should be more than enough!" Louise said incredulously. "We found the people responsible for shipping the guns into the city, and it clearly wasn't the Germanian military. And one of the worst gangs in the city has been taken out in the process!"

"Yes, all of which done in an operation whose legality I am politely ignoring for the moment," the man said evenly as he eyed the students. "I suppose I can get the more war-focused of our nobility to stop clamoring for an invasion of Germania, but with Stone dead and no other evidence pointing at the actual guilty party, there is little else to be done."

"What about Richemont?" Agnès asked. "We found the body right where the girls said it would be dropped. Surely we're going to investigate-"

"Of course we are." The man interrupted with a grimace. "I have already moved some clerks to investigate the late Finance Minister's effects. Though unless the man was kind enough to write down who he was cooperating with, I am afraid that this whole affair will be written off as him being in charge of this act of treason."

Kirche looked confused at this. "You don't think that is true? He did stand to benefit from the princess's death after all."

Martel hesitated for a long moment before he replied "I knew Richemont. He was a rodent with aspirations above his station, but he was also an opportunist and smart. He preferred to take advantage of situations that occurred around him, and knew his own limits. The man would never try to setup an assassination himself… but if someone else was planning it, offering assistance in return for a better position afterwards is certainly something I can see him doing."

"But we still have somewhere to look." Georgius insisted. "From Richemont we can look at who he had been in contact with, and we can still attempt to trace the origin of the firearms we found. The men we captured may know something, even if it is just small details."

"True," The judge begrudgingly admitted. "But it will take time. And with an attempt this brazen I am worried that whoever is behind this will move soon, either to make another attempt or to try something else. We can move as fast as we can, but I fear that for now it will be back normal business."

Georgius hummed at that. "I suppose that now we can get back to the trial, finally."

Martel grunted. "We could, if the Albionesse delegation hadn't left."

Agnès did a double take. "Wait, they just… left? Why?"

The judge grumbled as he leaned back in his chair. "Because they, rather rightfully, were getting tired of waiting for the princess to deign to meet with them. They were willing to make concessions to insure the princess's safety if that was the issue, but she still refused. So, they left to do a small investigation of their own to get more evidence to force the issue."

Agnès's brow furrowed. "Investigation? Into what?"

"According to barrister Harrison, one of the main pieces of evidence they had supporting the claim of bigamy was a record of an event occurring at Lagdorian Lake." Martel made a small gesture. "This in itself is not much, but it supposedly happened in front of the water spirit that lives there. If properly entreated, the spirit will tell the truth of what happened that day, so the Albionesse delegation has gone there to ask it themselves."

"But that is a breach of protocol!" Louise insisted. "Even if it hasn't technically started yet, the trial has already been confirmed. The accusing party can't just leave to do something else because they don't think its prompt enough. Besides, the water spirit only response to the noble family it made a pact with. And they'll never help the Albionesse incriminate their own princess, not without a Royal Writ."

"I know. Which is why I gave them one."

Everyone else in the room stared at the High Judge in surprise. He continued "Barrister Harrison came to me and presented his argument, which I found to be a fair one given the circumstances. As both High Judge and a Regent I brought the matter to the Regency Council, and we voted to allow it."

"You gave a foreign representative a Royal Writ?" Agnès asked, her tone somewhere between angry and incredulous. "To aid them in a court case against the Crown?!"

"Against the princess." The judge said stiffly. "The longer this 'trial' goes on, the worse it looks for Tristain. Repeatedly stalling it only makes the government look like it is trying to cover for the indiscretions of its royalty. I felt that showing a little bit of good faith would-"

"How dare you do that to Henrietta?!" Louise screamed, her indignation overriding everything else. "How can you be so disloyal-"

Martel's hands slammed down on the table as he pulled himself to his feet. "Let me be perfectly clear…" the man said, not shouting but his tone hard all the same. "My loyalty is to the nation of Tristan first and foremost. My job is to insure that justice is served, no matter who it must be dealt to. If it is true that the princess is guilty, then it is my duty to see it through. This nation is not just its princess. So don't you dare accuse me of being disloyal." He stood still for a long moment before he sat back down. "I am sure you all have your own business to attend to. So get out of my office."

There was nothing more to be said, the five of them shuffled (or in one case, stormed) out of the room. The group then looked at each other in dissatisfaction. The mission was over, but somehow this news made everything feel… incomplete. That the job was not yet done. In the end, Georgius was the first to speak, and he summed up what they were feeling best.

"So, to Lagdorian Lake then?"

She should have felt at home in the kitchen, but disquiet permeated the room. Something was wrong, something had invaded her personal sanctum. She looked nervously around every table, in every shadowy cupboard, but no matter how hard she searched she did not see it coming. In one moment she was alone, and the next when she turned the man was already leaping at her, driving her to the ground with his hands around her neck. All she could make out of the dark shape looming over her were teeth and eyes, glaring at her in hate as he choked the life out of her.

She knew how this would end, how to save herself, but she tried to fight it at first. But it was no use. The man was too strong, and the room darkened as death closed in from all around. She looked down, the terrible object of her salvation already in her hand. With a last dregs of strength she jammed it under his chin and pulled the trigger-

A strangled cry escaped Siesta's throat, and she sat up in the bed. She breathed heavily for several seconds before she let out a soft whimper and put her face in her hands. The warm light of what she guessed was morning shined on the bed she was in and cast the room in a soft light. The room was simple yet homey, reminding her of her old bedroom back at Tarbes. Her uncle had most assuredly pick this room out of the inn's many for her to rest in for just that reason. Though, while she had managed to get to sleep, it unfortunately had not brought her comfort.

She just… couldn't stop thinking about it. About the man in the kitchen, the one that tried to kill her. It had been half a day at least, but the scene kept playing out in her mind over and over again. And it worried her.

She wasn't naïve. In spite of all the adventure novels she read, Siesta knew that the real thing could be a lot more… visceral and unpleasant. But all the same, part of her had always thought… well, that she could still do it. If she ever embarked on her own adventure, that she'd find the inner strength to see it through. Yet here she was, still holed up and shaking because a man nearly choked her to death and she… killed him.

And she couldn't tell which of those two things distressed her more.

Siesta was snapped out of her thoughts when a series of rapid knocks came from her door, and her cousin's voice come from the other side. "Siesta, are alright?" Jessica asked, concern in her voice. "I thought I heard a scream."

"Fine, I'm fine." The maid said quickly. "Just a bad- doesn't matter."

Silence came from the door for a few seconds before Jessica responded. "Ok… well, just so you know you have a guest waiting for you downstairs. I was going to say that you were still resting, but if you feel up to it…"

Siesta weighed her options for a few second before she replied "Just… send them up here in a few minutes." She heard footsteps walking away down the hall and she move out of bed to get dressed. She could do that much at least, though a knot was forming in her stomach.

She could only think of one person who would come to see her at a time like this, and while she felt warmth in her heart that Georgius was awake and looking after her, she wasn't sure that she wanted him to see her like this. Part of the reason she had been happy do go on this 'adventure' was the chance to be helpful to him, but she had barely done anything before she was forced to withdraw into herself.

And so, after she had gotten dressed and there was a knock at her door, it was with mixed emotions that she opened it… and confusion was added to that mix when she saw just who it was. "Ah, Dame Agnès? What are you doing here?"

The Knight Captain strode inside, taking in the small room before she turned to look at Siesta. "I would think it was obvious, I'm here to see you."

"I-" the maid started to say before she stopped and started again, this time adding a curtsy. "Thank you for the consideration Dame, but I am not sure what I did to deserve the honor."

Agnès arched an eyebrow. "You played a part in a mission I sent you on. Even if you are just a civilian, I'd normally be looking for an informal debrief at least. And from what I heard you comported yourself surprisingly well when suddenly faced with men trying to kill you."

Siesta blushed. "I-I did not do anything special, Dame. Truth be told the man nearly had me. I… just grabbed the pistol off his belt and shot him with it."

The other woman grunted. "Maybe, but you'd be surprised how many people would just lock up completely. By the way, just how did you know how to use that pistol? Many commoners go their entire lives without seeing one."

"Well… I read a lot of novels involving corsairs. They made personal firearms seem fairly simple in use." The maid said as she twiddled her fingers, decidedly neglecting to mention that combat was a rather secondary focus of those books.

Agnès gave an amused hum as she gave the other woman a look up and down. "Hmm. Well, better than nothing I suppose. For now, get your stuff together, we're heading out in an hour."

Siesta blinked at the sudden change of subject. "We-we are? Why?"

"Short version, your mission was a partial success, but something else came up. Those students you were traveling with are heading out to Lagdorian Lake to prevent the princess's name from being dragged through the mud, at least on someone else's terms. We're already behind so we don't have time to waste." The Knight Captain turned and moved to walk out, already considering the conversation over.

"Dame," Siesta said tightly, mustering all the strength she could into her voice. "I think it is best if I remain here."

The woman stopped at the doorway and looked back with a frown. "…Why?"

"Because I'm weak." Siesta said as she looked down. "After I… killed that man, I could barely function. I don't see myself being useful to anyone right now."

"For the love of-" Anges sighed and she turned back. "Girl, you seem perfectly capable of walking and talking right now, so that should be enough. Besides, this is just intercepting a diplomatic envoy. There should be no fighting of any kind-" she stopped and narrowed her eyes. "Wait, you are talking about something else aren't you."

"It is my character, not my physical strength. The nobles managed to keep their composure and finish the mission, but I was useless after the first spot of trouble. If I wasn't strong enough then, to even just be there, then he won't-" Siesta left out a small squeak as she covered her mouth.

Agnès looked at her for a long moment before she pinched the bridge of her nose and groaned. "Damn it you storybook knight, this is your fault isn't it?" she muttered to herself before she looked back at Siesta. "I assume you're talking about Georgius?" the maid hesitated before nodded, blushing all the while. Agnès continued. "Right, I don't have a lot time here, so I'm going to give it to you straight: You don't have to come. You can go right back to the academy and continue living out your common life. But I can tell you right now, if you really are looking to chase that insufferable white knight, you'll never get him if you do that."

"…Because I would never be near him." Siesta admitted as he hung her head again. "Because he would think less of me if I wasn't willing to be there. Just a common maid." She said.

Agnès snorted at that. "Of course not. I'm not sure the man is even capable of thinking less of someone because they're common, let alone someone who seems to be pining to be a fair maiden to be rescued like you currently are." She then pointed at Siesta. "But you will think less of yourself. And take it from me, no one wants to be with anyone - commoner, knight, or king - who doesn't respect themselves. So, you have two options. You can stay in this room and wallow, or you can make like Captain Roberval and build yourself an air-dingy out of the crashed remains of your old ship so you can make it to the peace summit in time. Your choice." And without waiting for a response, the woman turned heel and left the room.

Siesta started after her for a long moment before the last part of Agnès's sentence hit her. "Wait, you know about the Corsair serie-"

"I am allowed to have hobbies!" The knight captain shouted back from the hall.

Londinium was not quite at the center of the Albionesse landmass, but for most practical purposes it might as well have been. Due to the natural formation of mountains and rivers that swept through the middle of the country, it was natural for most of the roads and trade routes in the nation to converge on the city. Built upon a raised section of the terrain, the sprawling city stood out, the chaotic mess of building broken up by several docking spires for airships.

And in the center of the city was the Royal Palace, standing taller than any other spire. Specially sanctioned airship could dock with the palace directly, though on that particular day the skies were clear. The front plaza of the palace was a large circular space that could accommodate thousands of people if needed, the sides lined with frescos detailing the nation's history. It had always been open to the public since its creation, both to give the commoners a view of the excellence that is the architecture of the Royal Palace, and to give a space for the King or Queen to make speeches to the masses.

And on a platform overlooking the plaza, a man stood tall, clothed in fine robes and holding a staff. "The new age is upon us!" Oliver Cromwell shouted, reaching the climax of his speech. His voice was amplified by magic to be heard by all of his followers below. "No longer shall we tolerate those filthy non-humans who have taken our Holy Land from us! No longer shall we tolerate those who claim to follow Birimr's ways, but are too afraid to see it through!"

Even with the amplification, his voice was almost drowned out by the roar of the crowd below. They yelled and cheered in fervor, the Word of God taking hold in their minds and hearts. Still, he continued "For we have the Will of God on our side! As His Apostle, I shall lead you to the righteous victory that is our destiny!

Cromwell raised his staff high, gripping it around the brace in the middle. "His Will be done!"

The crowd started to chant "His Will be done! His Will be done!"

Cromwell allowed himself a pleased hum as he surveyed his domain and subjects, before turning and walking back inside. While showing the masses the way was an important task, there were many other things a man in his position needed to take care of as well. He was the leader of the Reconquista after all, and a movement that was growing as rapidly as it had a lot of logistics and administration to handle. Not that he did all of it, mind, but he did need to make sure that those in positions of power within the movement were taking their responsibilities seriously.

Cromwell walked down the down the halls to the throne room, only pausing to give greetings and blessings on a pair of Nobles who passed him by. The two men stiffly nodded before carrying on their way. Cromwell hummed at that. The Parliament still only tolerates me. Most Nobles are too self-obsessed to recognize the true Word of God when they hear it. I will have to move quickly, before the Parliament gets restless.

Cromwell reached the throne room and threw open the door before striding in. He felt a moment of confusion at finding the large circular chamber empty before a voice spoke up from behind him. "The masses really are easy to fool. After all they seem to listen to you 'Apostle'." Cromwell turned his head and saw Sheffield pushing herself off the wall and approach him. He always had do suppress a small shiver whenever he saw the woman, for she never seemed to move quite right to him. There was too little motion, too stiff movements, like she was a puppet that wasn't quite like life-like enough.

Still, he would not be intimidated by her. Not anymore. "The masses may not be inherently gifted with the wisdom of God, but all of his children recognize his words when they hear them. Some just need a little more encouragement than others."

The woman was not amused by this. "Yes, and that 'encouragement' is why I am here." She said with a hint of malice. "It's come to my attention that that there has been an assassination attempt on the princess of Tristain. By men dressed as Germanian military. I also noticed that Captain Williams and his squad have been missing for the past week." The implication hung heavy in the air.

Cromwell let out a small laugh and smiled. "Yes, that. A pity they weren't able to kill the girl, but at least they should do their part in sowing distrust among Tristan and Germania." He said as he continued to walk to his throne. In spite of what he was saying, he was not surprised that Sheffield had learned of the true origin of the attack. The woman's particular skills and resources gave her far too many different ways of getting information, and her entire purpose here was to insure that her master's will was being carried out. "All in all, I call it a success." He said as he took his seat.

"I don't care what the hell you call it." The woman all but spat out. "There are plans in motion that you can begin to understand, little man. I will not have them ruined because to rat got an inflated ego and decided to play at the game of nations. From now on, you don't do anything without me telling you, do you understand?"

"Oh?" Cromwell said with an arched eyebrow. "And why should I do that?"

Sheffield snorted in contempt. "Suddenly gained a spine after I handed you that piece of junk, did you?" She said as she gestured to the staff in his hand. Her own hand clawed and some form of dark energy swirled around it. "Does it make you feel closer to God? Because I can arrange a meeting, if you like."

"Why Sheffield, it sounds as if you are threatening me." The man said in an uninterested tone. "Are you really that upset with how things have turned out? Your master will get the war he is looking for, after all."

"That doesn't fucking matter!" She screamed as she brandished her empowered hand at him. "What I need is someone who does exactly what I tell them, and if you won't dance like a good little alviss…"

"You could kill me…" Cromwell said calmly. In truth he had made a few preparations in case she tried such a thing, but he wasn't yet confident in them. Besides, that was not what she needed to be made aware of. "But if you do, what then? You need the Reconquista for whatever it is you're planning, and if I suddenly die it will be thrown into chaos. The movement would never accept anyone from the outside to take my place, and I know everyone directly beneath me is committed to the cause."

He leaned forward with a rapturous smile on his face. "So go ahead. Kill me. I am willing to die for my cause. Can you say the same?"

Sheffield's face was the picture of fury as her hands formed claws at him. There was a long, tense moment where neither of them moved. Eventually, the woman let out a snarl of frustration and turned stalking out of the room.

A smug smirk crossed his face as he watched the woman leave. Piece of junk to you perhaps, he though humorously to himself as he looked at the 'staff' he held. Like the brace around the middle that held the two pieces together, the crystal ball atop was affixed with a metal grip at the end of the wood, the inside hollow to allow space for the spearhead. Not for the first time Cromwell wondered if he should do away with the pretense and carry the spear openly, but he restrained himself. No, once things were underway, then it will be time to show its full glory.

Sheffield had tried countless spells and techniques to get the spear to activate, or even just reveal it true purpose to her, but every attempt failed. Cromwell knew not exactly what eldritch powers the woman had, but it was the first time he had ever seen her baffled by any piece of artifice. And given how angry she had been, it likely was a first for her too. In the end she had simply tossed the pieces at him as a joke and decided it was broken beyond repair. But she didn't understand. Perhaps the spear was less than what it once was, but the power it held was like no other on this world.

And the moment he touched it, Cromwell realized what the 'Staff of Destruction' needed. That thing that so many people, so many nobles neglected. That thing that no matter how much magic power or skill one has, they will never be able to ignore or surpass.

You needed faith.

Sheffield, for how terrifying and intelligent she was, was a very basic woman. She didn't believe in anything that she couldn't see or control. To her everything was a resource to be exploited, every person little more than an animal. Cromwell believed it was impossible for her to believe in something higher than her own self. She could never receive the spear's true benediction.

But Cromwell believed. He had all his life, knowing that God was always with him. And now he was and extension of His Will on earth.

Eventually Cromwell was interrupted from his musings when one of his more trusted aids walked into the throne room, probably having seen that the devil woman had left. "Apostle, the site has been properly cleared, and the preparations are ready."

A comforting smile came to his face. Though he didn't particularly care to leave the city, he could not ignore the importance of the site which had been discovered out on the western plains. "Good. This ritual is the last thing we need." He got to his feet and the spear butt hit the floor with a resonating clang. "And then the Crusade shall begin."

A/N: At my current rate, I estimate that this fic will be done by 2030.

Alright, so I ran into a bit of a block with this fic about a year back. It wasn't so much that I couldn't write what would happen next, I just couldn't make it interesting. And if it was so uninteresting that I couldn't bear to write it, I doubt it would have been good to read. So, a year later I'm kind of skipping things ahead a bit to bypass that little rut entirely. Don't know when the next one will come out, but hopefully it will be sooner than this one.

Till next time.