"Do not pretend to dictate my own Laws to me, Quinten. I made it very clear Davies and his circle were not to be harmed until the testing could be completed. It's not enough that your god told you to kill them. You had a duty to report to me prior to taking any action."

“I beg your pardon, your Highness. My oaths are first to the One God."

Arbuckle slammed his desk with an open hand. “And you have oaths you made to me! You owed me the courtesy of explaining any actions you would take prior to acting. Especially when those actions went against the very oath you swore to me!"

Quinten hadn't even flinched with the slap of the desk. To Grace, he looked almost bored. Interesting, she thought. This is starting to feel like a charade. All speaking words they agreed to in advance.

What the fuck is going on here?

"Your Highness, when I made my oath to you, to uphold the sanctity of the Academy, I made it clear that my oath to the One God would always take precedence."

The King looked furious now. His face had gone red. "Do you mock me, paladin? You are only the headmaster, by my grace. I was clear that the Davies circle was to remain unharmed until their nature could be ascertained. They pose a threat to the Realm, but being untrained, it was merely a matter of testing their worth. I will add that Grace herself had declared them fit for being adventurers. How long has it been since witches and a bound spell caster were permitted to Live?

That alone should have stayed your actions.

"I have evidence that you sent two groups of spell casters after Davies. They tried to harm him and his circle prior to having even been tested. Then you sent two other spell casters who tried to murder them on the Academy grounds! And not ONCE did you feel the need to speak to me. You acted without direction and contrary to my wishes! I now have two Duke's demanding compensation for the loss of their sons and for the heads of Davies and his witches. I've had to explain to my fucking dukes that their sons were the instigators. Davies and the witches are in their right to seek compensation from them! You've placed me in a truly shitty position, Quinten Cuirass. I am not pleased."

“Again, your Highness, I apologise. I was under the direction of the One God. I had no choice in the matter but to do as the One God demanded of me. It is my very nature. I told you when I took on the mantle of headmaster that I would always bow to the One God, especially when directed by my God. There is nothing more I can say about the matter except I still want them dead. I cannot suffer a witch to live."

Grace laughed then, startling all of them. “What? It's funny. Your Highness, were you aware that a paladin of Syn was present with Daniel and his women? Syn herself deemed them worthy enough to send her champion. Jennifer Jousts is her name. She watched over them while Quinten was entertaining murder in the name of his god."

Brian leaned forward. “Ah yes, Jennifer. She's a lovely lass. Syn adores her."

Jason was nodding and smiling.

Grace nodded. "Yes. She was quite entertained, according to her. I ran into her as she was heading down south, although I think Syn directed her to me." Grace saw Arbuckle and Sylvan exchange a glance.

"She had a new calling and only told me that Glenda was going to love Daniel and the witches. Surely that's enough for everyone else in the room? Are we ready to question the qualities of Glenda? Have we stooped that low?"

"She is a witch like any other, stated Quinten, with malice in his tone.

Jason leaned away from Quinten and looked at him in horror. "Are you being serious right now? You would compare Glenda to the evil witches of old? Are you that insane? I'm surprised lightning hasn't struck you down. Which is why I'm leaning away from you; in case you were wondering.

"You need to remove the illusion of being separated from the other people around you. You are too isolated. Perhaps with better communication, you could get past this blockage you have when it comes to your god. Speaking of which, just who is this One God you keep prattling on about? I've done a ton of research. He doesn't show up anywhere in any texts."

Quinten was glaring at Jason. "How dare you speak to me in that manner?"

Jason raised an eyebrow. "And in what manner is that? I'm giving you honest advice. Life is too short. You need to relax more. Smell the roses."

Quinten looked furious.

"Be that as it may," interrupted Grace. "Glenda is a national hero.

She single-handedly saved the Realm from the last witch's war. She tore out the evil and exposed it for all to see. It led to the new laws. She has been blessed by not one, but three gods and goddesses who all proclaimed her a force of good in this world."

"But not by the One God," stated Quinten. His tone was pure condescension.