Prologue: One Got Away

Tenebrous Storm Paladin stared coldly at the horizon. The wind cut past him, it was but a ghost ship sailing on what little was left of Creation in this secluded pocket of reality. The breeze was hollow and vestigial, dissipating into silence long before the infinite skyline faded. Snow fell around him, obfuscating the observatory deck of his black, marble watchtower. As always, he remained calm and collected, ever calculating. He was unphased in the wake of disaster; his patience had been tested many times before. As the silence was broken, however gently, he shot a glance over his right shoulder to note a servant's approach.

It would appear his patience would soon be tested again.

The servant walked a bit further before genuflecting.

"Your Highness..." His voice was confident, but subservient. He was an Air-aspected God-Blood, primarily tasked with maintaining communication between the palaces many guardians, researchers, and laborers.

Tenebrous Storm Paladin said nothing, hesitating to free the servant from his gesture of humility. The ancient Solar continued to watch the scenery's endless oblivion as the servant reconted the mishap.

"One got away... We don't know how. He wasn't god-blooded, nor was he forecast to Exalt at any point in his lifetime; you know we cross-check these things with the Bureau before bringing anyone out here... He was just... just a man, your Highness."

Tenebrous Storm Paladin finally replied, though he did not turn his eyes from the horizon, nor did he give the man permission to rise; this was as harshly as his displeasure would manifest, however - his tone stayed level as he spoke.

"Just a man?"

The servant bowed his head even lower, well aware the Solar's question was intended to drive him to further humiliation.

"He just started walking, and he was long gone before anyone noticed. By the time we spotted him, he was too far out to safely pursue, even with transports. Frankly, I don't know how such a thing is even possible--"

The Solar's reply was terse, but again, calm.

"Anything is possible. Especially here. How long has it been?"

The servant continued, a little shakily at this point.

"Two hours, my lord."

The Lawgiver simply continued to watch the horizon, as though scanning it for the runaway, despite the futility of such an attempt - any land he would be traversing outside of the citadel would have long shifted. In a rare moment of sentiment, Tenebrous Storm Paladin let the silence linger, knowing it would be the last calm moment for some time to come. The scene was a surreal one, serf kneeling before a distant master atop a grandiose watchtower, a howling, empty wind rushing past figures frozen in time and space. For a short time, only the whipping of the Lawgiver's silken black hair with the gale punctuated the aural vacancy. Finally, he acted. He startled the God-blood with a rare gaze in his direction.

"Rise. Send instructions to my estate and principality to prepare for my arrival. Afterward, alert the Western patrols that a rogue Wyld aspect has entered Creation's borders. It's better he ends up in the Deliberative's hands -- at least he'll be easily found there."

The servant rose hesitantly, only meeting his master's gaze as his orders were finally recited.

"Of course, your Highness."

Just as the meeting was about to adjourn, the anxious servant let his unease get the better of him. At what he felt might be considerable self-risk, he spoke again, trying to maintain as much confidence as he could.

"... Are we spared your wrath, then, Highness?"

Tenebrous Storm Paladin turned toward the horizon once again, pausing before he answered the question. He slipped his hands, previously folded behind his back, almost casually into the pockets of his overcoat.

"You will live to see the consequences of your mistake."

The Solar cowed his retainer once again with a slow glance back to him. The tone of his voice portended far worse than his spoken words could ever imply.

"I, however, may not."