Chapter 1

Part 1

A couple of weeks ago my master, Prince Guy, told me he had received a report from one of his contacts, that a sect was gathering so many new members in the shadows that it had become brave enough to send tendrils into the sunshine. With hopes no doubt to emerge into the mainstream. Such rumours wouldn't normally worry my master. Saligia has many sects, they gather members, they fight within themselves, split into factions and sink out of existence as new ones rise. However, this one claims to be The True Church of Vane, and where his beloved paramour Miss Sophia is concerned, he is overly cautious.

Yet I've worn paths around the backstreets of Colde listening to whispers, drunken and otherwise. Until I've become suspicious that my master is wasting my time. That it's a ruse to deprive me of the pleasure of disrupting his wooing of Miss Sophia with an ill-timed cup of coffee.

I'm considering my revenge on him, when one of my informants comes hurrying over to me. Her face shining with zeal. "We need to talk."

Intrigued I offer her a drink at our usual haunt, she frowns. "I'd prefer a cup of tea, if you don't mind."

Tea is cheaper than her usual cocktails, so I readily acquiesce. In fact, tea and cake will still be significantly cheaper, so I offer her that too.

She chooses the most expensive items on the menu and, not for the first time, I wander if she even knows her own preferences. Regardless, I order myself a fragipirum pie to test my theory and once she has taken a sip of her tea, I hold out my fork offering her a taste; as it's the kind of romantic gesture that I find women love.

Part 2

She shakes her head and lays a hand on mine. "Sirius," she says her voice sympathetic, "I'm sorry. I know we've had this thing between us, but I've seen her light."

We haven't, she is merely one of many informants that I call "love" in bed because it is simpler than remembering all their names. Now is hardly the time to tell her that though. "Had?" I ask trying to mix a hint of sadness into my confusion.

Her hand is still on mine. "I know this must be a shock. I did love you, honestly. However, as her attendant…" She blushes. "You should come along to one of the meetings." Her eyes are burning with passion again. "Then you'll understand."

'Her light.' It's a phrase Prince Guy mentioned regarding the true church of Vane, so I act interested and we agree to meet up the evening after next….

In the 'True church of Vane,' men and women do not worship side by side. Once we've entered through the nondescript entrance in the backstreets, we filter into two columns. My informant gives my hand a last squeeze. "Promise me you'll keep an open mind."

"'Course love," I say.

At the word 'love', troubled lines crease into her forehead. "Shush, it is only right to love Vane."

Before I can respond we have been swept apart, and I find myself in a dark and crowded room. A man, cloaked in black, nods to two accomplices who light incense burners either side of a wooden table; I recognize the smell as a mild hallucinogenic. The hooded man then gives a charismatic speech about Vane's love for peace, how Saligia needs her now more than ever and how she in turn needs her worshipers' love. There is no clapping once he has finished speaking, instead a palpable expectant silence.

Part 3

He begins a soft chant, one the men in the room echo back. The chant becomes louder and more ardent until everyone is shouting, 'Vane, Vane', and stamping their feet in a frenzy.

The smouldering burners burst into a golden fire that spreads across the wooden table. Once they meet, a column of flame shoots up and a female figure manifests within it. Cheap theatrical tricks and yet the excitement in the room is at fever pitch.

"Come, all who would pledge their life to Vane."

A young man steps forward. "I do." I imagine he is in on the scam. Soon he has been joined by three others, and they are ushered through a curtain behind the table come altar. The lights come on, the main doors are opened, and the other men, as if waking from a dream, file out.

Once in the backstreets, I look around for my informant. I'd like to know if the female meeting is similar. Not finding her, I head to her lodgings. Her flatmate recognises me and winks. "Kay's not back yet, would you like to wait?"

When we've been alone in the past, I've made a point of responding to the flatmate's overtures with mild flirting, showing an interest yet at the same time acting like a faithful man; because you never know. Now I thank her and accept the offered place on their sofa. She sits next to me, so close that our thighs touch. "Sorry Sirius, you're never winning her back from that cult of hers. She's decided to take the pledge today."

That's what the men had been called forward to take too. "The pledge?"

She rests her hand on my knee, and I hide my irritation as her fingers dance upwards. "Yes, no more playtime with her for you. Although it's already been a while hasn't it."

I remove her hand from my thigh and stand. "I'd best come back later. I've just remembered I've some business to attend to." I leave, acting like I feel a regret that I do not.

Part 4

My informant has still not returned come morning, nor the days that follow. When I call around again her flat mate is so worried she doesn't come on to me.

"I need to know what happens at the ladies meeting. Can you pop along tonight and report back, love."

"No way. They are a complete lot of nutjobs. I bet you they murdered Kay."

She's echoing my thoughts. "I'm not asking you to take the pledge, just attend one meeting, we owe her." I sigh. "You're right, Kay and I've been drifting apart for a while…" I bring my gaze up to her flatmate's and let a hint of lust dwell there. "I feel so guilty 'bout how I was behaving toward you, now she's gone." I gulp and drop my face to gaze at the floor in contrition.

Her hand clasps mine, trembling a little with her fear from earlier. "There is no need, you can't help your feelings."

"But it was wrong of me."

She moves closer, gently lifting my chin up with her fingers. "I have those feelings too." She moves her lips within kissing range, and I grab hold of her, kissing her as passionately as would be expected from a man who isn't meant to have had that kind of fun for months. I stay the night intermittently pleasuring her, I want her too tired to put up any resistance when I send her off to the next meeting.

As we lay in bed the following night, I patiently wait as she remembers extra bits of information. Again, I ensure she wakes at my side, before hurrying back to my master.

Part 5

He's not in the best mood's, saying that Miss Sophia abandoned him last night in favour of spending time with her fur babies. Knowing both of them well, I suspect there is more to this than he is letting on, however, I will let it slide. I smile to myself, they are an incredibly cute collection of fluff balls, and I know he is particularly fond of Cece, yet you would never guess this from his current belligerence.

As soon as I relay my intel though, his mood turns to worry for her; worry I share. I'd hidden around the back of the building while the flatmate was at the ladies' meeting. Once the new recruits had been led out by the hooded men, I'd followed them to a well-appointed mansion someway from town. They were met with jubilation, by amongst others, the men I had seen take the pledge the week before. I'm glad they and thus my ex-informant, are still alive; however, their zealousness disturbs me. What would they do if they discovered Miss Sophia was Vane's descendant and possessed her power.

We are of one mind; I will infiltrate this cult.

As soon as Miss Sophia arrives, I tell her that I am relying on her to keep my master out of trouble. Her face lights up at the trust I am placing in her. I wish my master would take my advice and rely on Miss Sophia more, she is capable and I'm sure that it would draw them closer together. I tell my master the same thing regarding Miss Sophia. He snorts and says, "Obviously."

Having said my farewells, I make my way to Prince Lynt's quarters to enlist the help of my fellow valet, Tino, as he is the only one my master will tolerate caring for him in my absence. Then I leave the Academy as my alter ego to visit the flatmate. I tell her, that I must travel to Avari for work and she's to stay away from the True Church of Vane, because I am worried about her. She tells me she's not an idiot.

Chapter 2

Part 1

That night I take the pledge. We share a feast at the mansion house, drinking and carousing until the early hours. I am then shown to my clean but basic room. Over the next few weeks, I act like a typical convert. I work hard at my duties whether that is helping in the kitchen, digging in the fields or cleaning the latrines. If it weren't for the long religious meetings each night and the meagre helpings of food, I'd assume it was nothing but a well-run commune.

Come full moon, I'm told to attend a celebration festival. Several men go up to the front, they re-pledge themselves to Vane and receive a pin on their collar. It would have to be an expensive gift to make up for all the free labour. However, they are all ecstatic as it means Vane has chosen them to be her admirers. As one of the men lives in a room on my corridor, I purposely bump into him. "Congratulations, what did you have to do to get chosen?"

He blushes. "I don't know. However, I will pray that she chooses you too." Then he bends his mouth close to my ear and whispers excitedly, "We're going to bring her back."

There is another celebration in the morning, and we see them off; as once you reach the rank of admirer it is time to return to the outside world. I cheer, stamp my feet and shout Vane along with the other men. However, I cannot get his whispered words out of my head. I will have to become an admirer, but how. I think back over everything I'd noticed about the chosen and realize it's time to start acting a whole new level of insane.

Part 2

With my pin fastened onto my collar, I follow the other admirers through a door into a cave and past a group of grey-hooded men. Towards the far end is a large dark crystalline structure, the top seared off to form an altar. Two white-hooded acolytes holding candles, stand either side of it. Beyond that there is a semi-circle of five men wearing dark robes and behind them a painting of a woman. She has black eyes, a colour I've never seen in Saligia, and long flowing black hair to match. Yet her face is so stylized she could be anyone. Which is a relief. Especially as she looks like an avenging Goddess to me, rather than the expected lover of peace.

There are two men kneeling before the altar. One rises, steps forward and bows low, offering a broken piece of porcelain. "For this broken world, she will return."

An acolyte takes it from him and places it on the altar. The pottery and alter both glow with a golden light. This time it is no trickery. Which disturbs me no end. One of the grey-hoods says "Welcome, fellow paramour." Pottery man is given a grey robe, dons his hood and stands with the other robed men at the back of the room.

The second kneeling man steps forward, bowing and holding out a piece of fabric. This too is placed on the altar. Nothing happens.

"It does not have her light," the central of the five men says softly. Fabric man sobs, as he hands over his pin and is led away.

I sneak back into the cave later to examine the altar. I'd think it was a black diamond, if such a thing could grow so large and unnervingly it appears even larger than it did earlier. I bend down to explore it in its entirety, blood so fresh that it's still red has trickled onto the caves floor, and yet the altar is clean. What creature's blood is it…. Fear of this cult spikes in me, not for the first time, and I make my way back to my room with extra caution.

Part 3

I have my pin, yet I still haven't been admitted into the upper echelons of the sect. I return to consult my master. It seems like an impossible task, how am I to know what will or won't make their altar glow. Although it does explain another mystery, the number of peddlers suddenly selling Vane relics.

"I'll ask Akedia to get you something from those ruins that have appeared in his kingdom. Not all the excavated items can be rare, and it probably just needs to be old."

That's an excellent idea; I should have thought of it myself. I'm sure Prince Lynt would be more than happy to help my master.

"What if that's no good?" asks Miss Sophia worriedly.

I smile to myself at her concern. "There is no need for you to be anxious about my well-being."

She squeezes my arm. "You must not put yourself in danger for my sake."

"The pin is glowing."

We both look surprised at my master, then at my pin. He is correct. Miss Sophia let's go of my arm and it stops. She unties one of her bunches and passes me the ribbon. I press it close to my pin, to no effect.

"Perhaps if I soak it in my blood?" she asks.

"No," my master says firmly.

"Wait I'll be right back." She hurries from the room, while my master pulls his long-suffering face. "Keep Sophia out of trouble, you said. I deserve a medal."

I chuckle. "I am confident that Miss Sophia is equally deserving of one, sir."

She returns carrying a pair of laced footwear. The pin glows as I hold them. However, I know Miss Sophia wears them whenever she is out by herself. "I could not possibly accept something that is so precious to you."

"Please, I want you to be safe."

I sigh internally. I have missed them both so much and now I must go away again.

Part 4

Come the next full moon, I bow reverently and hold Miss Sophia's laced shoes out towards the alter.

"You insult our Goddess," shrieks one of the acolyte's.

"No, the footwear has her light." A man in a gold trimmed black cloak and the longest white beard I have ever seen, hobbles out of the side shadows. He must be the priest I've heard rumours about. Nothing of substance mind, only that he walks closely with Vane in his dreams and therefore knows her thoughts.

The altar is already glowing with its dark internal light. He personally takes the footwear and reverently lays them on the altar. "Welcome…."

"This man does not have her light." I turn at the sound of my ex-informant's voice. She throws of her hood and points accusingly at me. "He… he…" She is bursting with anger. "Polluted himself with debauchery and made my flatmate spy on one of Vane's meetings."

The man turns to me. "Is this true?"

Deciding that a little honesty would forward my cause, I say, "Yes, I was worried about… my friend back there. But that was before I saw her light."

"You cannot admit him," she snarls, "he is unworthy of our Goddess."

"Can you not see how the altar glows at his gift?"

"He gives the gift but not his heart. If you think otherwise, see whether she will have him as a consort." She gives a derisive snort. "Vane knows what kind of man he is."

The old man gazes thoughtfully into my eyes. My heart almost misses a beat. This is it, only consorts stand behind the altar. Pass this test and I will be let into all their secrets.

"Prepare him for marriage."

To be honest, I look silly in my wedding attire. It fits ill and is in a rather unflattering shade of lilac. Still needs must. I stand at the entrance of the meeting hall, feeling considerably nervous, and for what… a fake wedding.

My ex-informant passes by. "Ever since our church was founded, there have only been five consorts and one priest. Although I've heard that several men have been dressed as you are now. Vane cannot be deceived. You deserve whatever." She spits at me to make her point.

This is not my fault, I tell myself, she is a grown woman, the True Church of Vane her choice. All I did was listen to her gripes and tales from serving her Qelsum mistress. Moreover, I paid her well for that, on occasion, pertinent and useful gossip.

Part 5

The doors open and I walk through the hall into the cave. The old Priest stands behind the altar which has been adorned with flowers. Apart from him, only the consorts have been admitted to this ceremony.

"Vane is the creator. Do you believe this," intones the priest.

"I do." I think… certainly Miss Sophia's presence in our world seems to confirm the myths.

"Vane wields the power to heal. Do you believe this."

"I do." I've seen Miss Sophia do just that. The consorts nod their heads approvingly at my conviction and begin to chant softly.

"Then lay on her bridal bed."

I lay amongst the flowers, as the chanting picks up a pace, worried about what it is exactly they expect from me. The priest raises an ornate dagger high above his head. "Do not fear, Vane always heals her true consorts."

As the dagger plunges towards me I hastily roll off the altar. The priest says, "Bring him back."

I conjure up wind to keep them at bay. One of the consorts hurls icy daggers towards me. I keep the wind up, yet some of them get through, slashing my skin. How do they have this level of power?

The Priest shouts, "Release Shifar."

Shifar, Vane's dragon! A whip made from fire singes my skin. Cursing myself for becoming distracted, I pour more magic into keeping the consorts and their magic attacks at bay. Pain claws along my thigh, making me realize I must end this quickly. As I prepare to release my own attack, lightening hits my raised hand and forks up my arm to my chest.

I'm dragged semi-conscious and exhausted back to the altar. I have failed my master, and all hope of alerting him to this cult's alarming activities has gone. I watch in stunned disbelief as the priest raises his arm once more before plunging his dagger into my bowels. I freeze in agony yet refuse to give him the satisfaction of hearing me scream.

"You are not worthy of her mercy." He yanks out the blade and brings the pummel down hard on my skull. I'm blinded by white light and find myself floating towards it.