Aps City, Radiance Lord Temple.
"What? This Romon actually dared to strike you in public?" The archbishop sprang to his feet and stared at the priest before him. The imprint of five fingers on the priest's face had swollen considerably and was clearly visible.
"Yes, Your Grace! This is nothing less than blasphemy against our Lord!" Bishop Suxim said furiously. "We must take severe action against him, or our Lord's glory will be diminished!"
The archbishop drew a deep breath. His fingers curled slightly as he tapped the desk, his eyes narrowing.
The afternoon sunlight was somewhat scorching, outlining a deep black shadow in the room.
An intense air of anger filled the room.
"Repeat what Romon said. Do not change a single word," the archbishop said flatly.
"As you command!"
"Five thousand years ago, the gods signed the sacred pact."
"Article seventeen of the sacred pact stipulates that even the emissary of a hostile deity represents that deity's glory and majesty and must not be humiliated or killed."
"Under the sacred pact, a series of subsidiary agreements were signed, including the Continental Pact and the Legendary Pact."
"According to the Continental Pact, even the emissary of an enemy kingdom represents the glory and majesty of that nation and must not be humiliated or killed. This law is endorsed by the gods and enforced by the great God of Order."
"The elves now fully qualify as emissaries. Are you still half asleep, or is something wrong with your brains, that you would make such a stupid demand of me?"
"Let me tell you something else. I am the Favored of Isidis. As long as the goddess has not withdrawn her divine grace from me, calling me a sinner is already blasphemy against her... Under divine law, if you say another