Inea’s Paladins were still milling around palace grounds in confusion when Derzina arrived, though they’d regained enough of their senses to take Temius away. From what she’d seen, he’d probably live. If he was lucky, he might even be able to use his arm again. Avoiding eye contact with the lot of them, Derzina reached the palace’s front door to find Mostanto leaning against it.

“You’re back,” he said.

“I am,” Derzina said. “Have they already started talking things over?”

“More or less. There was a little unpleasantness at first, though I believe they’ve moved past that now and gotten down to the real meat of things. Though there’s no need for us to concern ourselves with it, I’m sure they’ll work it out eventually.”

“Still, I’d like to do what I can. While I don’t know much about your city, I’d like to see justice done.”

Mostanto smiled at her. “Your dedication is admirable. You’ve done more than enough; don’t you think you deserve a rest? I’d practically be demanding one if I’d worked as hard as you have.”

To Derzina’s growing annoyance, she realised he was trying to keep her out. The dishonesty annoyed her more than what he was trying to do. Did he really think she was too stupid to notice?

“I can rest later, once this is all over. Be honest with me, is there some reason why you don’t want me to go in there?”

“You’re a sharp one,” Mostanto said with laughter in his voice, completely unashamed at his deception being exposed. “I’ll give you that. It’s nothing serious, Xanathel just thought it would be simpler if he handled this himself without interruptions. Besides, I know your heart’s in the right place but it’s just like you said; you don’t know much about this city. They’re likely to spend hours arguing over the finer details, you’re lucky you don’t have to be part of it.” He shook his head. “In all honesty, I envy you. I’ll probably be out here the whole time.”

Derzina weighed the value of being part of the negotiations against interrupting and trying to force herself into them. It was likely she’d upset one or both of them, and given that she probably had little to offer to the discussion it seemed foolish to cause trouble over something like that.

“I suppose I can sit this one out.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Lord Xanathel would’ve been much more upset at me than you. Given that this was my one job in all this. You’ve done amazingly by the way; you practically flipped the city on its head within a day.”

“I can’t take much credit for that; it was the efforts of Xanathel and Gorthar that brought this about. As well as Inea listening to reason in the end. If she hadn’t, I doubt we’d be chatting like this.”

“True.” Mostanto gestured toward Inea’s paladins. “They’d probably be after our heads at the very least, and I have more than enough to deal with as it is. Anyway, you’re welcome to stay and chat if you’d like.”

“Thanks,” Derzina said, “but I have more important things to do.”

Relatively pleasant as his company was, now that the situation within the city was in hand it was probably about time she paid Araveena another visit. The wizard’s support was arguably more important than any of the gods.

For all their power, they likely wouldn’t be able to defeat Meztraxia without a way of severing his connection with the heart. Though, after having witnessed Gorthar’s power, they might have more of a chance than she’d initially thought.

Mostanto pouted, doing his best to look hurt. “Then I shall think of you until next we meet.”

“Alright, you do that,” Derzina said, coldly. That last line struck as her more creepy than charming, and she’d rather not get too involved with Xanathel’s followers. Though they were technically on the same side, she’d prefer to remain impartial where possible. Leaving Mostanto behind without looking back, Derzina left the city.

Without Atasimon to help her scale the wall, she was forced to get a soldier manning the walls to help her down with a rope but they recognised her, and complied without complaint. When she told them she wouldn’t be long, they were even so kind as to await her return. She reached the base of the wall, and from there it was only a short walk to Araveena’s tower.

After all the conflict with the gods, the sight of the wizard’s relatively simple home came as a relief. Though Araveena had not precisely agreed to help in the fight against Meztraxia, she had seemed amicable enough to the idea. If the gods of Brtet were all willing to work together, then surely the wizard would agree to join them. Once Derzina reached the tower, she called for Araveena and the door opened a few moments later.

“Oh, it’s you again,” Araveena said. “If you’ve come about your Demon Lord problem, I still need more time to consider it.”

“That is why I’ve come, but I have some new information on the subject that I believe will force you to reconsider your position.”

“Go on then, I’m listening.” The wizard crossed her arms, sounding intrigued.

“Inea has surrendered her hold over the city and agreed to share power with the other gods in a more equal fashion, which includes the matter of Meztraxia. Thus, I have come once more to beseech you for your aid. Will you not join our fight?”

“How strange,” Araveena said, brow furrowed in confusion, “it sounds as if you’re telling the truth, and yet I cannot fathom how you could have managed such a feat. Did you find some way to strip her of her free will and force her to do your bidding?”

“I suppose so, in a manner of speaking. Gorthar defeated her rather handily in single combat and she was forced to concede to our demands.”

Derzina shifted uncomfortably, all too aware of how such a tactic might be perceived. If Araveena was anything like her, then she was sure to be unhappy with it.

“He attacked her?”

“He did, by his own choice. Though I bear some of the blame, as I was the one who demanded he involve himself in the first place.”

“How did she fare?” Araveena asked, voice tinged with concern. “Is she injured?”

“Fortunately, despite her defeat, she wasn’t seriously injured. For a time, I feared the battle could only end her in death, but I was able to convince her to see sense and give in before it came to that.”

“Good. Whatever miracle it was that allowed you to change her mind, it was well-timed. I would hate to have lost Inea, especially in a fight amongst those who should be allies.”

“Indeed,” Derzina said, “but that’s all in the past now. We must look to the future; will you join us?”

“I will. If Inea has gone over to your side, then I shall as well.”

Derzina restrained a cheer, contenting herself instead with a smile. Defeating Meztraxia, the most difficult part of all, still lay before them. Now was no time to celebrate, that would have to wait until the Demon Lord’s foul blood watered the corrupted soil. Only then could she finally rest.

“Wonderful,” Derzina said. “You have my deepest gratitude. If there is anything you need once this is over and we’re triumphant, then you have only to ask. I will do anything in my power.”

“I appreciate the thought, but that’s really not necessary. This is my fight as much as yours and I’m happy to help. Let me just get a few things together and I’ll join you in the palace.”

“The palace?” Derzina asked.

“Is that not where we will be organising the city’s defence from?”

“I’m not sure at this stage, it’s probably as a good a choice as any. Regardless of what they decide to do, I’ll meet you there.”

“Then I suppose this is goodbye for the moment,” Araveena said, closing her door once Derzina finished saying her farewells.

Once she was alone, Derzina took a deep breath as she struggled to remain calm. Excitement and dread filled her, combining to form a storm of emotion. Vengeance was nearly hers, yet potential disaster loomed ever closer. Chiding herself for getting so wrapped up in what might happen, Derzina refocused herself on the present; on what she could do now.

Though she likely wouldn’t play much of a role in the actual defence of the city, there was sure to be far more work than there were people to do it, and she would help however she could. Even discounting her desire to see Meztraxia destroyed, she didn’t wish for the people of Brtet to suffer unnecessarily. It could never replace Ortesion in her heart, but her short time here had endeared it to her; feuding gods and all.

Scaling the wall using the rope that had been left for her, Derzina re-entered the city and headed for Inea’s palace.