“Well, well.”Peter’s fused fugue was broken by d’Zaier’s sone. Looking up to the Shepherd he saw the tall, thinner man doing his best to loom over him like some disapproving elder. Which, Peter had to admit, was teically the case but the old man’s squinting gre did n the twisting guilt of being hoist by one's oward but rather lit a fire of spite iransported young man’s belly. “Well?” Peter found his voice, shaky as it was, as he slowly stood up, brag himself on a knee as he pushed himself. “I do hope you have made peace with whatever gods you believe in before you pulled that stunt.” d’Zaier sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “What did you think, boy, would happen, calling down all of ods to judge an outsider like you?” “sidering I wahem to judge me on my innoce, being accused of things I did not it…” “Obviously you were lying.” He o the bde, “Why else would Xtha'leri'gath—” “… That’s her full name?” Peter asked incredulously.There was a sharp smack as d’Zaier baded Peter. “While this is a temple to the Goddess of Light, I will not stand your disrespect for the Goddess of Death.” The Shepherd angrily snapped. “Santis!” Vaunn, in turn, s his fellow clergyman, “That was not disrespect!” “What else could it have been from … from this outsider.” d’Zaier asked, his sneer growing as he looked more-or-less evenly at Peter now that the younger man was standing fully, “Xtha'leri'gath has delivered to him the instrument of The Family’s judgment.” He o the sword ier’s hand.

  As the two holy men bickered two things happened; firstly, internally, Peter was doing his best to focus calming energy — though not for himself, but for Na’at.He could feel her anger, bubbling, at having seen Santis bad her ‘child’. Please… remember our pn. We ’t reveal your e to me, not yet. ?So, what… we let him get away with that disrespect? Even if you weren’t my godchild he stil…? She paused, thinking, something flit through her deifid, ?He…still…? He will get his, I am sure.

  Sedly, externally; |Do not presume to speak falsehoods in the presence of the Goddess of Truth, Santis d’Zaier.|

  The elder man, and holy everyoanding there, stiffened in shod surprise at hearing the angry tone of the goddess.They had fotten that, in the surprise of Peter’s supposed judgment, that The Family had not left the Church’s grounds.

  

  “Ah!” The old Shepherd paled, almost matg the color of the cotton-like fabric that made up part of his vestments, “Di’si’thy, Xtha'leri'gath… I… I believe there has been a mistake…”

  A third voice spoke, deep and resonant. It was not oer had heard before though it reminded him of a noble protector of the night from a cartoon he used to watch.

  ?Order will be maintained, Shepherd d’Zaier?This male voice spoke, even in to sharp-edged. ?And, for that matter, Justice has been served.?

  “A-As you say… Lord Bel’i’he thin Shepherd’s voice quivered as he spoke, looking up to the sky and casting a gnce back to the Church as if silent beseeg his Goddess to speak on his behalf.

  A Light has been cast here.Another female voice was heard and everyone iraining yard took to their knees, including the elder clergymen.This left Peter standing, looking mildly fused as he looked around at everyone supplig. “Ah…?”

  Ilin'mam'kanaThe voice was tired but warm aer could ‘hear’ the smirk ione. I am known as the Goddess of Light, Peytr Kharl, and it is my holy ground you have beeered by this past week. And, it seems, I owe you a great apology for the as of a few of my followers…

  Peter was not sure, but he swore he saw several people bee rather nervous as those words were ‘heard’. “If… If I may be so bold, Lady Ilin'mam'kana…” Peter was very grateful he could remember, let alone pronouhe Goddess’ name.

  She ughed. I dare say that you’ve been quite bold already, young one. However, speak your mind.

  “My deepest gratitude, Lady of Light.” Peter coughed, feeling his cheeks burn, “Firstly, I apologize for any disrespect my drastid desperate a of calling upon the full Family might have implied. That was not, in fact, my iion. Sedly, my boldness es from… a request.”

  “You dare to request… after what you’ve done?!” d’Zaier seethed at Peter.

  I will allow you to speak this request. Whether or not I grant it…

  “Of course.” Peter bowed, “The request is simple, Lady of Light, I ask that you, and the others of The Family, not dole out your wrath this day. I did not call upon you and yours for that end. Rather merely to exoe myself of false accusations.”

  ?Excuse the breech of order with my interruption… but I am to uand you are asking her not to deliver due justice to those that have wronged you on her holy ground??

  “Lord of Justio. At least, not this day.” Peter said, “If you and yours are anything like the stories of gods and goddesses of my world… those person’s judgment and punishment will e, well, soon enough. I am tent with the truth being known to all. And that, perhaps iure, such accusations would be more carefully questioned. And, for what it’s worth, as I mentioned earlier… simply because I have suspis of who is behind these false charges does not mean I wish to accuse them in turn without irrefutable evidence.”

  d’Zaier swallowed, clearing his throat, “I apologize, then, for presuming, Lords and Ladies. What, then, may I ask, is the o give this otherworlder such a bde?”

  The Goddess of Death spoke again, her voice a tired whisper tinged with annoyance.

  “I…I did yes.” Santis knew better than to speak falsely while Di’si’thy was still present and listening, “As a bodyguard for… for the Chosen Heroine of my Lady.”

  

  “I… I see, Lady Xtha.” Santis, humbled, cleared his throat

  ?Then, as I see it, this matter is mostly settled.?Bel’i’nce spoke curtly. ?We were called upon to judge this one’s as — we have, and have not found him wanting, or due punishment forth-ing.?

  |However…| Di’si’thy spoke up, her tone very much like a disapproving mother, |There is o bit of… business. Ili?|

  Agreed. The Goddess of Light spoke, sounding even more tired, Looking upon the souls of my followers I find the young man who ulled through a summoning portal, while authorized, without sent to be i -doing upon my holy ground. And, while sidered ‘rude’, at best, for summoning another deity, let alone all of them to another’s holy space… it is an uandable rea. Agreed?

  There was a thrum of energy as The Family reached a sensus on that — desperation forced Peter’s hand, it seemed, and none could find fault in that.

  So, as I see it, as he has been a guest under my auspice. His treatment… that being falsely accused, and having followers accost him uhose false accusations… is a breach of sacred hospitality. She paused, I will, however, defer to Peytr’s request. He did not call on us for justice, or vengeance -doing. I will simply implore those responsible to seek fiveness privately. That said…Everyohe gesture as if they could see the ghostly figure of the Goddess of Light turn her majestitiowards another of the pantheon and give a g nod.

  ?Shepherd Santis d’Zaier… As the one who summoned Peytr Kharl from his world, you should have known he did not know our names. You striking him under your perceived notion of disrespect towards our sister Xtha'leri'gath was, in an orderly proceeding, most uncalled for.?

  “I… I assure you, I lost myself in that moment — I…” He stammered.

  |I am certain you did.| Di’si’thy’s sarcasm was dripping in her voice, but did not speak out on his words — Santis spoke the truth, it seemed, though the Goddess of Truth, naturally, khe truth. He lost himself in the moment, yes, but that moment was ‘I am the Authority’.

  ?As such, a penalty will be pced upon you.? The energy shifted, and everyone could feel as if the God of Justice was givier a side gnce, ?Not a punishment, per se.?

  “A-As you see fit, Lord of Justice.” The old man stammered.

  Uhe witness of my brother, Lord of Justice, and sister, Lady of Truth and Magic. I, Ilin’mam’kana, Goddess of Light, do levy the penalty of denial upon you — You will heh, until it is decided by we, be denied access to your athyr manipution. she paused,For crifiagic will still work on you but you, yourself, will be uo cast spells, entments, and all-else.

  The old man bnched, color draining from his tinence, “A-As you deem fit, my Lady.” He stammered, whispering the words harshly.There was a snap-crack, and Santis seemed to dull in color for the briefest of moments, making him stagger a step or two as this penalty lied to him.

  ?And you, young mortal…?

  Everyone froze aer could see Santis and a couple others try to hide their disgusted grimaces at hearing this new voice address Peter.

  ?While I appreciate the chaos sowed by the rather ballsy move of calling on not just one, or even two, but all dek of us…?Peter could feel the enjoyment Na’at got out of so distinctly reminding Santis, and others it seemed, that ‘I’m still here, jerks’. ?…I would suggest n so again. Not that you were rude or demanding, mind, as we all got a good look into your soul, at your invitation, to judge you. The reason I suggest against this particur sort of chaos aime is the amount of athyr being eled doing that once or even twice.?

  “… Oh…” Peter swallowed as a realizatio in what the morrow might bring.

  ?Yes, “oh”… That was a lot of energy you just spent calling us down.? |Oh my, yes…| Di’si’thy spoke up, “You will not be feeliomorrow.| “… Oh, grand.” Peter sighed, rubbing his temples.

  Gring at Peter, d’Zaier addressed the Family once again, “Is there anything we do more, Lords and Ladies?” he asked, his tone doing its best to vey obedieo the greater beings that were the deities but very clearly holding a fair bit of s towards Peter for putting him in whatever situatiohought he was in.

  I think everything has been taken care of for the moment, Shepherd. The Goddess of Light spoke, tired but tender, And, again, my apologies for the mistreatment you suffered at the hands of those who call themselves faithful to me.

  “In all hoy… I deal. I merely wished the truth known…” Peter kept his face even, trying not to frown. How they treat Ennalyssa, oher hand…The thought flit through his mind and he khat Na’at heard, though was unsure if Ilin’mam’kana did — he was also on the fence about wantio hear.

  ?Then we shall take our leave.? Na’at spoke decisively and, just like as they came, the Family was gohe weight of their presence lifting in nearly an instant.

  No ohere iraining field moved — they barely breathed, this included Peter who could feel the adrenaline crash in his near future. “I think…” It was d’Zaier’s desding tohat, again, broke the silence as he moved himself into Peter’s field of view and filled it as much as his tall, willow frame could as he gripped at Peter’s shirt colr with a surprisingly firm grip, “… Yes. I think, ihat you have done enough today.” He hissed.

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