"I'm going to be late...not exactly good behavior for an angel."

Walking the streets of Sunmirror, beneath marbled ancient spires that towered over new houses and shops of brick and mortar, was never an easy task. But for Miranda, who also had to work actively to keep her angelic powers and appearance from visibility, it was a complete chore.

"What should I get her? Jewels? She likes some of them but nothing fancy...A new sword! No. No that won't work. I could never get a good piece on such short notice anyway."

She glided through the pedestrians and carts, clothed in a simple dress of blue and yellow. The dress's intent was to hide her athletic and generous build with an air of normalcy. She wasn't a taller or shorter woman by any means, so an otherwise "normal appearance" would allow her to get around without too much trouble. But even then she still received many a curious glance.

"What are they staring at? What's going on?"

Miranda, still walking, looked about her person for whatever was gathering interest. Upon reaching up and touching her masked face, she found her answer.

"Well...I suppose I should have guessed that."

The masking shawl she wore was a bright purple that did not mesh well with her dress. And Miranda realized this too late.

"I could simply transform it I suppose."

So she did so. The shawl was now a floral pattern of blues and yellows like the rest of her ensemble. Bracing herself for some reaction from the other bystanders, she received none. Which was a relief because Miranda didn't need any other distractions. After all, her dear friend Babs was becoming a full knight today, and such an occasion required a present.

"I can't believe I put this off for so long...come on, she's not that particular: Just pick something."

Miranda desperately looked about for some shop or stall that might have something Babs would like. Finally, her eyes rested upon a Taiyang shop: "Kai's Fortunate Goods: read your fortune and receive the gift that's right for you." It sounded interesting, and Miranda definitely sensed some magic inside.

"I've never been keen on seers and prophets, even the good ones. But one visit won't do any harm I suppose."

Keeping her hand at the bottom of the shawl and ensuring it was fastened, Miranda entered the little shop. The place was actually rather charming. Chimes and lanterns from all across the world hung from the ceiling, while all manner of charms, nick knacks, and souvenirs dotted the shelves. There was also the small issue of the skinny orc and large human holding the dwarven proprietor hostage. The human glared at Miranda.

"This isn't your business: just walk out the way you came in."

Miranda let her hand drop from her shawl, and maintained a cool gaze.

"It would be in your best interests to put the man down, and leave."

The thugs looked at each other for a moment. Then the human dropped the dwarf, and marched toward Miranda with his friend.

"I don't think you heard us. Now we're gonna have to cut you. "

Miranda rolled her eyes-

"I really don't have time for this."

-and then took off the shawl. Great wings of silver light sprouted from her back and illuminated her flawless deep brown skin. The light then coalesced into tendrils that snatched up and threw the thugs out the door. The noise was such that it attracted members of the city guard, who descended on the two crooks, and saw the angel within the shop.

"You! You are Angel of the High Court of Paradise aren't you?"

Miranda nodded, knowing what would come next.

"Yes I am...is there anything I can do to hel-"

"We need your aid!"

"I see."

The guards packed up their catch, and all but one took them away. This one guard: a lizardman who wore splint mail armor, walked over to Miranda. He marched in a near reverent manner, and kept his eyes to the ground.

"Oh, most sacred warrior of the highest-"

"Please don't. This really isn't necessary."

"-echelons of the heavens. We beg you: grant us the favor of your sword arm."

Miranda remained silent, and quite annoyed for a long moment. Once she had her time, she took a deep breath before speaking.

"I will help you as much as can. But I would be very grateful if you would let me finish my task here. Is that acceptable?"

"Of course: most sacred of beings!"

The guard walked back out the door, and closed it behind him. Once she was sure he was gone, Miranda walked over to the dwarf.

"Are you well sir?"

The dwarf dusted off his robes, which were of fine silk, and smiled at Miranda.

"Not too worse for wear. And this is certainly not the first time I've been accosted by brutes."

"I'm sorry for that."

The dwarf had a frown on his face.

"Taiyang is generous to its far reaching scryers...less so to those who have the gift of prophecy."

Miranda nodded. She knew that the Golden Dragon Emperors took great pride their prescient vision, and brooked no challengers. In fact, it was why the empire welcomed demons into their ranks occasionally. As demons had escaped the bonds of fate, and could only be monitored and controlled if directly within the Emperor's power. But this was common knowledge to any citizen of Taiyang, perhaps most especially it's expatriates, so she said nothing about it.

"Well, since I'm here..."

"Is it safe to assume that you are the proprietor?"

The dwarf gave a theatrical bow.

"Indeed. I am Kai Chiang. And I believe your good turn deserves another."

"Oh. Please, I don't mind paying for-"

"I certainly do. It would be in poor taste for me to charge my savior for so small a service as a reading."

Miranda smiled meekly. She wasn't comfortable getting her gift for free, but she also figured that such an action might insult the man she just saved. So she accepted the situation.

"Well I suppose we should-Oh, I'm actually trying to get a gift for a friend. Are you able to-"

"The strands of fate can be plucked from any distance...so yes. I can read your friends fortune even if she isn't present."

"Excellent, thank you."

Kai then guided Miranda to a table in the center of the store. They both sat down on some surprisingly comfortable seat pillows, and then Kai asked for Miranda to think on her friend.

"What is she like? Your Friend?"

"Well, her name is Barbara Corsange, though she prefers that her friends call her Babs. She's advancing from Junior to full Knight today, and that's why I came here . To get her a present."

Kai nodded, and his eyes began darken until they were pits of black. But he didn't seem bothered, and Miranda sensed no evil. There was only the strengthening of magic. Kai then waved for her to continue.

"Tell me more. What is she like as a person?"

Miranda didn't even hesitate.

"She's very brave. She's very smart....and she's not exactly humble about it. She also likes to fight. She used to like it a lot more, and to be honest I was concerned the first time I met her. In truth though, she was just ignorant I suppose. What strong and talented young person doesn't like to feel powerful and accomplished?"

"Did you change her?"

"No. She didn't change, she just...grew. I suppose I talked with her, and we became friends. But it certainly hasn't been one sided. She's taken the advice I've given, and made it very much her own. And I'll admit, I might have acquired a taste for the fine brandy and occasional vodka that she favors. Angels don't get drunk obviously, so it's very much about the taste...Babs is a good person, and she deserves all the praise and accolades she'll get."

A low humming noise came from Kai, and the air suddenly grew heavy. His face became sad, or rather: pitying.

"Your friend is a good person. But she will have a long journey before she accepts that I think. Much will be given and much will be taken during her life...and it will be a long one. In fact I cannot see the end of it."

Miranda wasn't surprised often. But right now she was surprised, and worried.

"What do you mean? Will she become immortal? I've heard of such things happening in Taiyang-"

"I can only see so much. But I know a gift that she might like. She prays to Anubis does she not?"

"Yes, occasionally."

Kai's eyes returned to their normal hue, and he walked to the shelves. When he came back, he brought with him a black skull mask. It was steel, with strange dark fibers in place of eyes slots, which Miranda realized she could see through. Within the mask were the iconography and hieroglyphs of Anubis: Judge of the Dead. Miranda's thoughts began to race on what this could mean, but she pushed them aside.

"Not the most cheerful gift. But I know she will like it."

Kai smiled with little mirth.

"It is said that this was made on a wager along with a few other like it. The story goes like this: A Painter and a Blacksmith quarreled with each other over which was the finer art. The Painter created a breathtaking depiction of the stars, the sun and all that circled around and about them. He expected the Blacksmith to create some grand armor or sword, and was surprised when he saw this steel mask."

"I can imagine."

"The Blacksmith said that it wasn't just his skill that was on trial, but the medium he used. Metal makes weapons to kill, tools to build, and armor to protect. It was an essential and now eternal art of life, and it's working just as important. So he made this mask to remind people of the art's place in life, in death, and in the glory of the gods who made them. The logic being that while he may have not been as creative or skilled an artist as the Painter, the art of Blacksmithing itself was superior."

"Strange, that's a legend even I haven't heard before."

Kai smiled with some pride.

"It is a legend native to my people, before the empire absorbed them and "enlightened" us."

Miranda looked at the mask in her hands. It was certainly intimidating but the craftsmanship was clear, as was the cultural value.

"Are you sure you want me to-"

Kai held up a disarming hand.

"Please. Your friend will have more need of it then I ever will."

Miranda smiled and bowed in the eastern fashion.

"Thank you sir."

Kai then reciprocated.

"No: thank you. Many people are simply looking for a trinket or perhaps a leg up on the next lottery. So I am happy that my talents could be used for something more benign."

Miranda said goodbye, and even offered to stay awhile and help clean any mess that the thugs made. But Kai simply shooed her away and said that he'd be just fine.

"Go on. Surely there are other people and older fools you can save today. You've done more than enough."

So Miranda left the store, put the mask in her little travel pack...and realized that she hadn't sheathed her wings.

"Oh no..."

Everyone in the city block starred at the rather simply dressed angelic figure of exotic look and shining eyes. Her response was to grit her teeth and await the inevitable-

"Praise the gods! For their servant has come grace us with her divine presence!"

"She's so magnificently beautiful and so beautifully magnificent!"

"I like her shoes."

That last comment actually got Miranda's attention, prompting her to glance at the shoes in question.

"Oh wow. I actually did pick cute ones today."

But her attention was claimed again by the mounting jubilation of the crowd. Miranda didn't know quite where to start, so she looked for the guard who had left her alone in the shop. He was still by the door, in a very proper military posture. The slight grin on his face as he looked over the crowd though was clear indication that he was hoping to get some attention. Miranda snapped him out of that.

"Private!"

He snapped to and kept his eyes forward.

"Yes madam?"

"What was it you needed my help with again?"

The soldier pointed towards one of the "ringleaders" of the crowd. He was an orc with a lean build and wearing clothes and a badge of office that marked him as a mid-ranking official of the royal administration. Miranda walked up to man, and tried talking to him over the crowd.

"Excuse me sir but-"

The official raised his hands to hush everyone.

"Quiet citizens! The holy one speaks!"

Miranda raised her hands disarmingly.

"Please, I'm no more holy than any other hardworking or devout individual."

Miranda knew she made a mistake the moment she finished the sentence.

"Please not agai-"

"What grand realism and inspirational magnanimity!"

"Indeed. She is so dutifully humble and so humbly dutiful."

The crowd was once more in a jubilant and admiring frenzy...and Miranda was quite done with it. Her wings brightened and holy light shot up into the sky with a resounding noise that silenced all others. Once it had subsided and Miranda observed the crowd's quiet reverence, she took a deep breathe, and turned towards the city official.

"Now, in the simplest terms: please tell me what you need my help with."

The city official cleared his throat.

"Well madam, there is a gang of ruthless cretins that has been plaguing our city district for months now. And the guard has been unable to catch them. Please we implore-"

Miranda had already clapped her hands together. A light emanated from her and the then coalesced into plate armor that was a strange fusion of western and eastern aesthetic. The light died down, and the golden and silver armor of an Angel of the High Court took its natural hue. All watched on in amazement as Miranda adopted a no nonsense expression.

"Where are they?"

The city official gave her the address with a jubilant grin, and the crowd cheered once more as Miranda soared into the skies.

"Look at her speed! Such is the power of a warrior of Paradise."

"Indeed. For she is she is so truly powerful and so powerfully-"

Luckily, Miranda was able to speed out of ear shot from their calls of attention. And once she was sure they couldn't see her anymore:

"Why did I take this job again?"

The job in question was her position as an intermediary between the High Court of Paradise and the various religious sects of Leo. She'd actually spent the most time with the Knights of Bellona, due to the various ethical "nuances" that came with war.

"I can already hear Mikhail yelling in my ear."

Her memories turned to the day of her departure. At the gateway of silver and steel that pulsed with lightning and fire. She had packed up her armor, a few books, an analysis of Leo's culture and political landscape, and was ready to go...until Mikhail marched to her from the opposite door.

His gold and red armor sheathed over him like a second skin, and accentuated his muscles and posture, while wings of crimson light blazed at his back, and cast twisting lights and shadows on the stone faced yet theatre esque mask that concealed his face. His voice came out as a concerned, and almost sweet tenor melody.

"Are you certain about this Miranda?"

Miranda braced herself for another unwanted debate. Firm as she was, arguing with the Judicio Secundus and High Marshal of Paradise was never a pleasant experience. Despite this, Miranda spoke with a patient tone.

"I've made my decision."

"It is a joke posting. We need you on the front lines of our war with the Beyond."

"Why do you dismiss the mortals so easily?"

Mikhail stood straighter, and there was a strange and almost hateful seriousness in his eyes glowing eyes.

"They are hollow and ephemeral things. Even the dragons of old have become corrupted by the temptations of mortality."

"You forget that the very first sinners were the angels themselves."

Mikhail shook his head.

"Flukes, and unfortunate accidents all of them. We as a whole remain pure and powerful: a bastion against the forces of the Beyond and the Corruption. What need to we have of mortals?"

"Perhaps they have need of us. What good are we as saviors of the universe if we do not love those within it?"

Mikhail threw his hands up in frustration, before returning them to his hips and looking Miranda in the eyes.

"Why these mortals though? Why not more advanced creatures? There are many more worlds and-"

"Because these people are still growing, while we have stopped."

Mikhail stood straighter, and folded his arms.

"Explain."

"If we in our perfection cannot stop demons or these new creatures from the Corruption, are we really perfect? We've become so drunk on the thought of our own strength that we can't even conceive of failure or the necessity of progress and evolution...we have stopped growing as people and as a species. I cannot think of a more horrible death then that."

"And you think you can divine a cure from these people? These creatures?"

Miranda nodded.

"I do."

There was an audible sigh that escaped from Mikhail's mask. And he once again threw up his arms in defeat.

"Do what you will. I've every inclination to stop you, but if you insist on this fool's errand: I shall let experience do my work for me."

Miranda gave a bow.

"Thank you for that Mikhail. And goodbye."

"Yes. Goodbye."

And that had been her parting from Paradise. And as she recalled it above the skies of Sunmirror, Miranda shook her head.

"I've seen all manner of depravity during my time here. But more importantly, I've seen the will to combat them...I'm happy to be here."

She finally arrived at her destination: a rundown wooden and stone construct that might have once been a community habitat or perhaps yet another guildhall. What really caught her attention was the assembly of guards outside of it. It appeared more like a military operation then simply apprehending a gang. The guards had established a perimeter, set up barricades, and even had dogs and a few mages at key points. Miranda descended to what looked like the command post, and was surprised to see an elven woman in noble regalia talking with the guards.

"A noble cooperating with the Crown's police forces? That's almost a contradiction."

Once they saw Miranda (not difficult by any means), the guards' directing lieutenant walked up to her, but was quickly outpaced by the elven noblewoman.

"Finally! An actual professional!"

Miranda smiled, but folded her hands behind her back and gripped them perhaps a little too tightly.

"All I wanted was to get a present for Babs...life I guess."

As Miranda noticed her own changing vocabulary, and had a pretty good idea of the reason behind it, the Elven noble held her pointed chin high and stood defiant.

"Those walking fragments of scum have been a menace to this district for too long. Apprehend them!"

Miranda looked at the rather thin and heavily bejeweled elven noblewoman. Then immediately cast her gaze to the lieutenant.

"Are you in charge of this detachment?"

The stocky human officer nodded furiously.

"I am the overseeing commander of this operation, yes."

Miranda walked past the insulted elven woman and waved for the officer to come closer, which he did with some caution.

"I should note that the Baroness Vladmilla has been very-"

"I'm sure. But could you tell me the situation? In the simplest words you can?"

The Lieutenant looked over at the fuming baroness and then at the serious and exhausted faced angel. He made the only sensible choice.

"Well Madame, to be perfectly honest, these are only a group of neighborhood youths playing pranks and being no more than an annoyance. But the baroness-"

Baroness Vladmilla stepped forward with an angry huff.

"They shaved the asses of all my cattle and sprinkled the shavings across my front yard!"

There was a collective effort on the part of the other guards to not laugh. Even Miranda did her best to conceal a growing smile. The Lieutenant though was anything but amused.

"If you hadn't promised extra land and a ludicrous sum for their imprisonment, they wouldn't have barricaded themselves. And we wouldn't have had this much trouble in catching them."

Miranda turned a grim eye towards the baroness.

"You paid the city district and the guard for the apprehension of these...pranksters?"

"Those street rats are lucky I don't put out a death warrant."

Miranda did her best to keep a cool head.

"My lady, surely some community service, which would include cleaning the mess they made would be sufficient punishment. I doubt imprisonment would-"

"They should be put away for life, at a minimum! How dare they pollute the property that I and my family have earned through blood and sweat?!"

The Lieutenant squinted.

"Didn't you marry into the family?"

At this comment, the baroness turned towards the stocky man with an unhinged fury.

"One more saucy comment from you peasant, and I'll-"

"Enough."

The force in Miranda's voice was enough to silence even a noble as haughty as Vladmilla, and provoke a nervous "at attention" from the nearby guards.

"Despite your status as noble, you yourself have no jurisdiction or primacy in administrational duties pertaining to anything related to this city. That lies in the hands of a judge appointed by the King or one of his servants."

"Please. The king has been a shadow of himself ever since his woman died."

"You mean ever since the Queen passed?"

"The queen was a dragon. You can't call up-jumped wildlife a Queen."

Miranda and the Lieutenant exchanged a look, before the angel drew a sword and made ready to enter the building. As she did so, the Lieutenant took out a brace of chains and cuffs, and began binding Baroness Vladmilla...much to her surprise.

"How dare you-"

"My lady, I am placing you under arrest for dissentious commentary and light treason against the crown."

"Light treason?"

"You swayed several members of the royal and city administration in the hopes of defying the laws of proportionate punishment, and skew the overall "poenae modum" in your favor."

Baroness Vladmilla had several other complaints but was quickly ushered into her own carriage and taken to a nearby guardhouse. As this was happening, Miranda genuflected and placed a hand upon the ground next to the dilapidated building before her. She closed her eyes, and the light of her wings channeled into her downcast hand. She reached out and felt the air, the magic, and the souls around her.

There were the surrounding guards of course, and even the little creatures and insects that crawled and buzzed within the building. But as for sentient creatures within its halls, there were only five souls within the place. Once she was sure that none of them were of any particularly violent temperament or harbored powerful or threatening magic, Miranda rose from her genuflection and made ready to fly again.

"Keep the building covered, I don't want anyone from the outside getting restless."

The lieutenant saluted.

"Yes Madam."

With that done, Miranda flew up to one of the broken windows and walked into the building. It was clear that place had been intended for a greater purpose. There were torn pieces of art, and the floor was carpeted, and there were traces of engineered plumbing within the shattered walls and torn ceiling. It was only after she passed a few rooms that Miranda found something that confirmed her suspicions. Many of the rooms held several bunk beds, while others were class and play rooms. The walls were also dominated by group portraits which depicted only a few adults while everyone else in the picture was a child or youth.

"This place used to be an orphanage. Or maybe a boarding school? No, they have no uniforms. Definitely an orphanage...what happened to it?"

She heard voices further down the halls, and followed them. As she floated gently over the ground, and doused the light of her wings, Miranda cast no shadow and made no sound. So she was able to listen to the voices as she drew closer to their sources. First a young woman's, and then a young man's.

"Looks like we've really stepped in it this time."

"You didn't say that when we were actually-"

"The guards weren't on to us last time. Now we're surrounded and that crazy bitch is probably buying up every judge she can find."

Miranda turned a final corner and saw her supposed quarry. The young woman that had been speaking was elven with black hair, while the young man was a rounder human. The other three were smaller children who couldn't have been more than twelve. One dwarf, and two humans. One of the human children though, was clearly frightened. Despite being comforted by the dwarf girl, he was shaking and his eyes seemed focused on some unseen object. This instantly got Miranda's attention, as did his murmuring.

"Help...mom...bad...mom-bad...lights...fire."

The dwarf girl tried hugging him closer and lent a more soothing quality to her voice.

"Jack please, its okay. We're here: Your friends are here."

"Friends die...people scream...I'm scared."

The young elf woman turned in a fury.

"Get him to shut up, or I will!"

The Dwarf girl hugged her friend tighter and shouted at the elf woman in a desperate voice.

"Leave him alone. He's just scared, we all are."

The young elf woman walked forward with her fists clenched and ready to bring them down on both the dwarf girl and the Jack. The round human youth stepped between them.

"Please Hannah, they're just kids."

The tensions rose, as did the yelling. But Miranda finally stepped upon the ground and made her presence known with a cough. They turned towards her with a mix of anger and awe in their eyes. But the looks disappeared as soon as they had come, replaced by fear. All except for the young woman and the boy known as Jack. She was still sharpening a great anger, while he remained consumed by his very personal fears.

"God...god is silent...god is all...virtue is ignorant...we are lost."

"Well that should change. We have heaven's own bag girl right in front of us."

Miranda tried her best to calm the situation, even dispersing her armor favor of her simple dress.

"Please. I'm only trying to help. Were you all students here?"

"We used to be. Before the nobles tried buying up the place to make some fancy ass club."

Miranda's face became grim.

"Was one of those nobles named Baroness Vladmilla?"

The young elf woman nodded, just as Miranda took a look at the others.

"What are your names?"

"Are you going to cast magic on us."

The question had come from the human boy who hadn't said anything up to this point. But Miranda kept her cool and even managed a reassuring smile.

"No, I only want to know who I'm talking with."

So they all gave their names. In order of oldest to youngest: Hannah, the young elven woman. Eric, the young human man. Isolde, the dwarf girl. Josepi, the quiet human boy. And Jack, the poor young soul paralyzed by fear.

"Wrath and Hope...Love and Want...the golden eyes see all...The Crimson God poisons all..."

Miranda looked with pity on Jack. But knew better then to simply walk to him.

"He's very frightened. Do you mind if I help?"

Hannah let out a derisive laugh.

"How? Are you gonna clean out his brain?"

Isolde and Eric turned with a mix of surprise and anger. But Hannah shook it off with a dismissive wave of the hand.

"Don't look at me like that. I was the first one to try and help him. And he just kept slapping me away."

There was another tense silence, with only Jack's continued nervous ranting disturbing it.

"The man in red sees black and white...the woman in black will drown in grey...the thing of amethyst and shadow holds all..."

Miranda began growing concerned, and her voice took on an insistent edge.

"We can talk all you want. But will you please let me help this boy?"

Before Hannah could say anything else, Eric raised his own voice.

"Yes please. We'd be very grateful."

Miranda bowed, and walked over to Jack. The boy was still in the arms of Isolde, who looked up at Miranda with a distrustful expression. The angel lifted up her unmasked hands in reassurance.

"I promise: I will do nothing to hurt him."

Isolde gently let Jack go, and the boy started grabbing for the empty air she left behind. Before Isolde could rush back to him, Miranda knelt down and took his hands in hers. He shook for a moment, trying to slap them away. But eventually he calmed down and looked at the hands in his.

"Hands of Paradise...Sword of Justice...The Fiend's Bane."

Miranda closed her eyes, and her wings sprang up once more, and enveloped both of she and the boy. She then entered the parts of his the perimeters of his soul and mind. Seeing not any one image, but a conflux of memory. Time, Place, and the flow in between...they were completely disjointed in this poor child. What's worse, he was a psionic. A natural reader of the mind and conduit of emotional and soul based energy.

"This poor boy."

From the looks of things, the boy's powers had come active in the very womb. Awakening consciousness before he was even born. Such things could be traumatic to an adult, but the fact that this child was still clinging on to life and hope spoke volumes of his character.

There was nothing Miranda could do to "cure" the condition, and she was frightened of the effect that so comprehensive and instant a solution might have on Jack's personality and sense of self. Still she felt a sense of calm returning to him.

As if he had been anchored back into a single place, instead of scattered to twenty. With that, she left a final thought: "Think of your friends in this moment. And of yourself, enduring right now."

Jack's consciousness began to settle, and Miranda left back to the real world: where barely a moment had passed. Jack stopped shivering, and looked back at Isolde.

"I'm very tired. Are you scared?"

Isolde hugged him tightly.

"Not anymore."

Hannah starred at Miranda with an open mouth.

"You fixed the freak?"

The angel turned on her with a very angry look, but kept control.

"I think using words like that was part of the problem."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"It means there's nothing that I did that couldn't have been done with a kind hand and some basic understanding. Some of you gave him that, but it would seem that a few just gave up as well."

Hannah's anger was still there. But there was a very acute shame among the rest of the children, accept for Jack: who had fallen asleep. But after taking a look at their raggedy clothes, and the calluses and scars on their hands and poorly shod feet, Miranda realized that becoming angry with these children would get her nowhere.

"Listen to me: I will make your case heard. On my eternal life as an Agent of Paradise's Highest Court: I will see that you, and everyone else who lived here will get a fair and just recompense for what happened. But you can't just burn down buildings and act like hoodlums. Otherwise you'll just give your tormentors more power. There are still good people in the law, and as long as that's true: you have no right to act like this. No matter what you've suffered."

Hannah had nothing to say, and sat in the far corner, looking ready to pout. So Eric stepped up.

"What do you need us to do?"

Miranda gave them her instructions, and then walked all of them (including a disgruntled but accommodating Hannah) to the front of the building. When the guards saw the Angel walking down several young persons and even younger children, they stood down and adopted a more even posture. The children were then placed in comfortable and non-intimidating carriages, and driven to one of the magistrates' offices. They took with them a written testimony by Miranda herself, and the lieutenant in charge of the operation.

Both would go a long way in establishing the truth behind Baroness Vladmilla's crusade against the children, as well as isolate those more corrupt and plain idiotic elements of the Crown's local administration.

The situation seemed as resolved as it could be. So Miranda's wings and armor blazed forth yet again and she soared to the top of Bellona's Spire. It was a great tower of enchanted bronze that rose to a lower height then the other spires of Sun Mirror, but was also thicker in its walls and ancillary buildings.

The festivities had already begun. Many nobles, knights, and even the prince himself would be present to welcome the now fully initiated Knights of Bellona. Within the spire's metal and weapon laden hallways: power, duty and some small amount of privilege gathered within the grand hall of ten thousand seats and beneath curtains of mystically woven roses and satin. Miranda was even a fan of the band that was playing a marching tune, even as the ceremony played out in a very steady manner.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Miranda was seated with the royal party. Two Marshals of the realm: the sophisticated looking Kiernan of the Imperial Flame and the gregarious and muscled Lord Kasim of Salah's Avengers, sat with the Royal Prince Edmund and his little sister Isabella.

Both royal scions radiated with a confidence and ease of person befitting their station. But past his royal uniform of black and silver, and the laurel crown that adorned his black hair, Miranda could see a weariness in Edmund's brown draconic eyes: as if he were holding a great weight, and looking forward to unburden himself.

Isabella was an entirely different animal. Though barely a teen, Her face kept an easy smile as her keen eyes darted about and took in every detail, every action, and every intrigue. She had already proven herself to be a prodigy of arms and magic as befitting her blood. Perhaps the keen mind now hungered for the challenge of a more social arena: politics. Lord Kasim certainly applauded her interest.

"It is always a blessing to see the young take an interest in the world. I'm sure you will prove just as able as your sire, Princess Isabella."

The Princess smiled graciously.

"I thank you for your words, and for your charm. That's usually an exaggerated trait when it comes to people of...our circle."

"Indeed. War and statecraft can be a rough business. But I try to keep a genteel manner, at least when it comes to the homefront."

That last statement elicited a laugh from Kiernan, and a very condescending one at that.

"I'm glad to know you have some decency. If only it was spent better."

The Princess was intrigued by this.

"How do you mean sir?"

"You know as well as I do Your Highness that the average citizen of this nation is hardly a citizen at all. They are still in the age of serfs and indentured pay, while the nobles do their best to keep them there."

"But that is what we're trying to fix. My father The King has worked long and hard to reform and improve this nation. And you and the other Marshalls have helped him expertly."

Kiernan smiled and made salute.

"I thank you for the compliment Your Highness. But it is wasted on me. We have been far too soft on blue-blood and commoner alike. I believe we could learn much from the Taiyang: a more centralized administration controlled by the elite and merited."

"You mean a Tyranny rooted in religious fanaticism."

"Religion is merely a belief and trust in the power of a god. And what is more trusted by people and rulers than the power of their state? All people worship their rulers or at least the laws that put them there to some extent or another. I am only suggesting we expand such truth within our own borders."

Prince Edmund kept a distracted look in his eye. But seemed displeased.

"We are not gods."

"Neither are the golden dragon emperors. But thanks to your father, we will have dragon kings and queens of-"

"Not one more word."

The Prince kept his voice low, but his anger...no, his fury was such that it seemed as if his voice might burst into a mighty roar at any moment.

"It is not the simple nature of the common folk that corrupts our nation, but the unbound entitlement and ambition of people like you, who think themselves so righteous that they can fix the world entire."

Kiernan sat back down in his chair, and the rest of the table, Miranda included, didn't say a word as the Prince finished.

"Leave betterment of the soul to the true gods and the people themselves. We are charged with enough, in their life and safety."

The Prince quieted after that, and cast his gaze over to the stage where the newly anointed Knights would assemble. He seemed to be awaiting something, but before anyone could ask him what it was: Marshall Taizo, orcish Head of the Order of Bellona, walked onto the stage in his full regalia of steel and blue.

"I now present the twenty brilliant and blessed few who have survived their final training. And shall walk Caminus as fully anointed Knights of Bellona. Give them your cheer!"

The audience did just that. Twenty knights in the steel and blue trim of Bellona marched onto the stage. Disciplined and stoic, except for one person for one moment. Babs, beautiful and statuesque as she was could not help but field a smile. She'd been working hard to reach this point after all. But then her eyes flickered to the royal table. At first Miranda thought she was the subject of her friend's gaze. But upon closer inspection, the angel saw Prince Edmund return that single look.

For one moment, there was a shared look of sadness. Dame Barbara Corsange wore a flicker of pity and sadness that Miranda had never seen on her before. And the Prince? He looked so joyful and hurt at the same time, as if he were being torn between the two extremes. But the moment was gone as swiftly as it had come, with no one but Miranda noticing it. The cheering also stopped, for Marshall Taizo stepped forward again.

"And now, by consensus of her fellows: Dame Barbara Corsange will speak."

The floor once again lit up with cheers and applause, as Babs walked up with a supreme confidence (though Miranda could see the poor dear's hands shaking within her gauntlets), and then died down as she readied to speak. Babs shook her shoulders, then she began.

"Before I really get into it: I'd like to thank the gods, our teachers, and our friends, some of whom are the same people: for bearing with us through all the hardships we've gone through. You've been tough on us when we were rowdy, kind to us when were down, and very wise when were just plain stupid."

There was a laugh that rose out from the crowd, but the knights on stage remained firm, as if they were bracing for something. Babs showed everyone else just what that was.

"But we're not children anymore. We know the world has its dangers. We know that you want us to fight them, and we will fight them. But not for you. Not for the powerful or the strong. But because the powerful and strong don't need protection, they don't need inspiration...in short they don't need knights. Even the gods are not our masters, but the guides that we model our lives on. They've said as much."

"Our service is to the idea that all people should have the freedom to live as the gods intended. But they cannot live that way without safety. So our duty, and our vow is to make such a place. Our duty is not to the nobility, not to the military, and not even the crown...but to the people and citizens that they are sworn to protect. That is why we are unanimously joining the Magis Eques."

The room was silent, and the faces of the guests there became vicious and angry. Miranda was sure that she might have to bail her friend out of yet another fight. Until Babs spoke up again.

"We know this seems like the worst kind of spit in your face, and we are sorry. But we're only living the lives you taught us to live. For the betterment of ourselves, through the betterment of our fellows, into the betterment of all. That is Knight's duty, and now it is ours. Thank you."

The twenty "rebels", as some called them, bowed and left. The party was in shambles, with most of the assembly rushing out the door in a rage. The royal guards escorted the Princess Isabella and the Marshals out first. But Prince Edmund rushed away and told them not to follow. Before the guards defied such a command, Miranda stood up.

"I'll tend to the prince. See to the others."

The assurance of an Angel was enough to convince the guards. So Miranda was allowed to march through the dissenting crowd in pursuance of her royal charge. And pursue she did. She had to dart through guests, guards, and old knights, through lit hallways, dark corners and finally the outer courtyard. To her immense lack of surprise, Miranda found Edmund and Babs together. They were apart from each other, but clearly wished otherwise. Babs was the first to speak.

"I'm sorry about this."

"No. What you did was brave, and I wouldn't love you if that wasn't true.."

Babs gritted her teeth, and did her best not to look at Edmund.

"There's that word again. Love."

"It is the only word I have for you."

Babs turned and looked as if she was holding back tears. Edmund smiled without and joy and brushed them from her eyes with a gentle olive toned hand.

"Come now, you've went through much already, and have more to do. Don't waste tears on me."

"Don't talk. I made up my mind and you-"

"I know. I can't marry you if you now that you are neither royal nor outside the authority of the Crown. At least my father won't let me, and neither will my sister, Had she a say in it. But I meant what I said."

Babs closed her eyes and shook her head.

"I am not taking you away from the throne."

"You would be taking me away from nothing. I would leave of my own choice. Because you are worth any journey."

Babs was very serious now.

"Ok. I've heard enough. We're not going to see each other again so-"

"Then let me say this. If I'm never going to see you again, then these words shouldn't have any weight."

She looked at him with a hurt expression, and sighed in defeat.

"Alright, do your worst."

Prince Edmund did not have any tremor or fear in his voice, and he stood almost defiantly.

"You know I once heard a story, about a man promising to pull down the stars for the woman he loved. I know that I haven't the strength for such a feat. But I know who does: You. You are brighter than any star, fiercer than any lion, and more beautiful than any timid rose. You are the fire of my life, and like those who first discovered such things I am captivated by you. I want nothing more than to see life with your hand in my own. To face all the tribulations and joys of life with you: my knight, my love, my forever and only queen."

Babs looked as astonished as Miranda actually was. The Prince was certainly pouring his heart out, and a single tear escaped his eye before he quickly brushed it aside with his jacket cuff. Still standing there, proudly, he smiled. Not out of happiness, but out of a realization.

"But that will never happen will it?"

Babs was looking mournful at this point.

"No. I'm the last person who wants to see you heartbroken but I just can't. I want all the same things that you do. Someone to live my life with. But you're the prince, and your life belongs to everyone, you've said it yourself. I know it's selfish, but I don't want to fight forever. If I love someone it's because we'll live for each other, and any kids we have. I don't want my children to be carted away to some rich strangers house when they're sixteen, or my husband to be married to the nation when I need him too. I'm just...I'm just not that strong."

"No, you're stronger."

"Please Edmund. Don't make me beg."

The Prince kept up his smile, his acceptance of defeat.

"I would never dream of it. I am happy enough to have known you my love. And happy enough knowing that, if I can't give you what you need...that there is someone who will."

Babs stood on her toes a bit, as the prince was taller than even she was, and kissed him gently on the cheek. She then embraced him a moment, and he held her closely. The stayed like this for a while, until with a great deal of reluctance, she pulled away, and looked up at him with a mournful smile.

"Goodbye Edmund."

"Goodbye...Babs."

He gave a final bow, and left without another word or backwards glance. When he was gone, Babs sat down on a bench, took a deep breath, and laid back as far as she could. Miranda let her have a few moments, and then walked towards her.

"That was a very brave thing you did?"

"What?"

"The speech. I'm proud that you made your own choice, and even guided a few others in making theirs."

Babs was still leaning back in her seat, exhausted.

"I hope it was the right choice."

"We won't know until it plays out. But, in the meantime..."

Miranda sat next to Babs on the bench, and fished out the skull mask. It glinted in the sun set and immediately caught Babs' eye, and she took it in her hands.

"I've only heard stories about masks like these, there's only seven others like it in all of Caminus. How did you get this?"

Miranda sat a little straighter, and brushed off some sweat from her brow.

"Well, it started like this..."

And that was their evening. They talked about Miranda's adventure, Babs made a few comparisons to her own past exploits. And despite the howling of scandalized nobles and many other trivialities, the two friends enjoyed this much needed break in an otherwise...eventful day.

So Closes "A Very Busy Day." Another Tale of Caminus and Yishu.