The emperor raised a wing to his face. “Truly a marvel.”

Flipper squeaked in agreement.

Walter scratched the back of his head, sheepish. “Thanks. But remember, this comes at a cost.”

Garegom bowed. “Do not worry. I would not dream of betraying the one who gave me a final chance to protect my companions.”

Walter nodded, then looked over to Flipper. “I think you can let out friend back inside.”

The turtle acquiesced, lowering the shield. Gom stumbled through the door, sword at the ready. He stopped at the sight of his emperor.

“By ancestors,” he whispered.

Garegom preened. “Magnificent, is it not? I look better than I did in my prime!”

The bird chirped a chuckle as Gom’s jaw fell open.

“Emperor,” Gom sputtered out. “Is it truly you?”

Garegom stretched his wings wide. “Come, feel my feathers and tell me if I am real or a figment of your imagination.”

Walter smiled at the two’s interaction. The beast emperor was truly loved by his subjects, something Walter couldn’t have said for many kings back on Earth. However, the god knew there was little time for pleasantries.

Walter gave a small cough. “Now that our deal is concluded, I think it would be best to discuss protecting the young prince?”

Gom turned in surprise. “You would give assistance?”

“I did say I didn’t want to see a child’s soul in my domain, didn’t I? I’m not about to sit by while a child is in danger. Death might come to children, but it isn’t something I wish.”

There’s also the matter of my presence leaking out, Walter thought. Davy had already warned him about how gods affected the area around him. He didn’t want to soak a place in Death, not if he could help it.

“With their presence found, I believe the assassins will make their move this night,” Garegom said.

“I’ll triple guard duty around the prince,” Gom answered.

Walter nodded. “Can you get me a uniform? So I can disguise myself? Garegom and Flipper can hide in my domain.”

The god debated about hiding himself as well, but Walter realized that while Death could travel anywhere, it couldn’t see everything happening. He would have no clue when the assassins attacked, meaning he would have to stay outside his domain to catch the assassins in the act. Which in turn meant blending in.

“There are plenty of spares around,” Gom said. “Give me a moment.”

The guardsman left, returning a moment later with a patterned cloth uniform matching his. Walter took it and quickly changed, not bothering to worry about modesty.

After all, there wasn’t time for that if a kid’s life was on the line.

“Okay,” Walter said once he finished. “Lead the way.”

Gom turned, and Walter opened a doorway for Flipper and Garegom. The two helpers stepped through as Walter exited the infirmary.

Along the way, Gom stopped multiple guardsmen and had them inform everyone of the threat on the prince’s life. The guards saluted, rushing away to alert the others. Soon, the palace hummed with activity as guardsmen milled about every corner.

Walter’s nerves started to get to him, so he turned to Gom for small talk. “It seems you have a lot of authority with the palace guards. You must be high up on the totem pole.”

“I’m not sure what a toe-tem pol is, but yes I currently hold some authority.”

Gom’s nerves must’ve gotten to him as well because he started to explain. “Our command structure involves rotating leaders every moon to ensure no one thinks themselves above another. The emperor saw what had happened to many other palace guards and didn’t want a corruptible path to power.”

“Smart,” Walter answered. “Doesn’t that make command difficult?”

“We have preset drills for formations, and everyone knows the commands. Since we are not an army, a clear command structure isn’t as important.”

Walter nodded and opened his mouth to ask another question but stopped when Gom held up a hand.

“We’re here.”

The god of Death and his companion stood in front of two massive wooden doors, the left side carved with a grand bird at the bottom. A carving on the right had been started but was not yet finished.

“The door of emperors,” Gom explained as Walter marveled. “Each successor will have their likeness carved in the door above another, to show that they are supported by their ancestors.”

Walter nodded. Gom pushed open the doors walking into the room.

The god followed, stepping into a room of carved amber wood painted in various bright colors. A large bed, dressed with red cloth, rested at the end of the room beside a high glass window. Three more windows followed it, letting bright light spill forth. The wall to the right of the bed sat lush with various chests and boxes, each one stuffed with multiple toys. On the floor next to the toys sat a small child, a boy who didn’t even reach Walter’s shin in height. He was currently sitting on the ground, a toy in each of his scaled hands.

It seemed the kid was telling himself a story when Gom and Walter walked in, and he was so engrossed he didn’t notice the adults until they were next to him. He instantly jumped in surprise, one hand accidentally tossing his toy across the room.

Gom knelt down. “Hello, prince.”

“’Ello,” the prince answered shyly.

Walter scanned the room as Gom talked with the boy. The windows were the first weak point he noticed. If the assassins could fly, they could easily break through a window. However, there was always the chance they snuck through and came in by the doors. Upon further inspection, Walter noticed a small room to the left of the bed. He entered into what looked to be a washroom, complete with a servant’s door and another window.

The god frowned. This was too many options to cover, Walter could watch one side of the room, but he knew the guards couldn’t see the cloaked assassins. They would have to come up with a solution.