The Fireseed Wars

Just in case the Investigator's anger turned ugly, he had his special deputy, Yagos, hidden behind the drapes with a dart-blower, some sort of tube that spat poison darts. His deputy had bartered the device from a former Mexicotal slave, who had been rescued when one of the Styphon's House war galleys had boarded a Mexicotal slave ship and captured the flesh-eaters. A coffle of these unusual Ruthani slaves had been brought to Balph as curiosities and sold in the slave market. One of his house agents had bid on the lot, thinking they would add a sense of mystery to Anaxthenes' new mansion.

He would have used one of Thessamona's poisons but she'd left for the countryside to tend to her sister's latest birthing. It was best that she had vacated Balph at this particular time; she had no official standing but would have nagged him to attend the ceremonies involved in his elevation. It would have been difficult to refuse her without causing resentments and Thessamona was a dangerous woman to rile.

Yagos had taken a liking to one of the small brown-skinned Ruthani and through signs had learned about the dart-blowers and their special poison-curare. Yagos had brought this to his attention and it had been one of those darts that had finally ended Sesklos' interminable life. Now, Yagos was hiding with instructions to send a dart into Roxthar should the Investigator act upon his temper. He only hoped that it would be that easy to remove the Investigator. Yagos had firm instructions not to act until Roxthar had left marks upon his person so that no one could say that he'd murdered the Investigator; thus sparing him the wrath of Styphon's Own Guard.

Were he free to act, Anaxthenes would have had Roxthar ambushed and murdered before he reached the Holy City. However, the Investigator had strong ties to High Marshal Xenophes, the head of Styphon's Own Guard; the Temple Guard would have taken the loss of their benefactor badly, maybe even sacking Balph in the aftermath of Roxthar's death. If Grand Master Soton had been more forthcoming with his support, this would not be an issue. Unfortunately, Soton was another true believer and refused to do anything that might cause a schism within the Temple.

However, once the Usurper Kalvan was removed, Anaxthenes would deal decisively with all of these issues: Roxthar would be stilled permanently, Xenophes would be dismissed and Soton tamed. For his peace of mind, it couldn't happen soon enough.

The shouting in the outer chamber was now loud enough to carry through stone walls and his assistant, Highpriest Valmoth, opened the door. "Your Divinity, Archpriest Roxthar demands to be admitted to your chambers at once." Valmoth, usually unruffled by any crisis, appeared shaken.

I'd better let that madman in before he demoralizes my staff!

"Valmoth, you may grant permission to Archpriest Roxthar to enter."

The Highpriest let out a sigh of relief, spun around and returned to the outer-chamber.

Within a breath, Roxthar ran into the room like a caged wolf that had just escaped from the Balph Menagerie. "How dare you take control over the Inner Circle while I was doing Styphon's Own Work in the False Kingdom of Hos-Hostigos!"

"I took nothing that was yours, Archpriest. In future, when you speak to me-my proper address is Your Divinity, not you."

Roxthar's mouth actually foamed, like a rabid opossum. He sputtered, his arms windmilling, as he tried to contain his temper. Clearly the Investigator had been among those who feared his every breath for far too long. It was time the dangerous fool learned some humility.

"Your Divinity," he sputtered. "Our agreement was that Dracar would become Styphon's Own Voice On Earth while I concentrate my Investigation on the heretics outside of Balph."

"Wrong, that was your agreement with the former Styphon's Voice Sesklos. I only abided by those terms as long as Sesklos was alive. When he died, I was surprised as anyone to learn that he had entrusted the Temple's fate in my hands." Anaxthenes who had orchestrated his own appointment as Styphon's Voice, tried to appear perplexed. The fire in Roxthar s eyes told him he probably wasn't doing a very good job.

"I would personally escort that old fraud to Hadron's caverns were he still alive!" Roxthar cried.

"Unfortunately for you, he's dead and so are any agreements he made with you and anyone else. Now, I'm Styphon's Voice and I'll make my own arrangements."

Roxthar looked as if he was about to swallow his own tongue.

"Maybe it's time the Inner Circle reviewed the success of this Holy Investigation that many in Balph are calling Roxthar's Reign of Terror." Anaxthenes did his best to keep the smile he felt inside from showing on his face. After all, he couldn't single-handedly dispense of the Holy Investigation without taking on the Temple Guardsmen. That day, however, was coming.