Lord Grek was the closest to Golden City, so when the Grand Lord summoned him, he was the first lord to arrive.
"What's going on, old friend? I've never seen you in such a hurry."
Entering the Golden Palace's great hall, Lord Grek spread his arms in greeting and gave him a hug from across the room.
Greyk might as well have been the Grand Lord's brother. They had grown up together, gone on adventures together, and even spied on noblewomen bathing together. Lady Melanie was practically his sworn Younger Sister.
"Greyk, are you ready?" Raymond sat imposing upon the Throne.
"Ready for what? Are you finally going on a diet?" Greyk waggled his eyebrows like an overgrown boy.
"I will make the Raymond Family great again!"
"When did the Raymond Family stop being great?" Greyk burst out laughing. When he realized he was laughing alone, he dropped the feeble joke. "All right, seriously. What are you up to this time, Parker?"
Raymond did not answer his friend. He merely looked past him.
Two Servants carried a specially made bishop's robe past Grek, climbed the Steps, and draped it over Grand Lord Raymond as he rose.
Two gold-trimmed ribbons hung down his chest. In the light pouring through the hall, they lent Raymond a faint air of Divinity.
"From this day forward, I will be the Lady's Spokesperson in the mortal world."
"You made peace with the Church?" Greyk had not caught on yet. He thought his brother had simply gained another title. "If you're the new Bishop, what happens to Bishop Hogsius?"
"Greyk, I said, I am the Lady's Spokesperson." Raymond repeated himself.
Greyk's mouth slowly fell open. "Good heavens... How... How is that possible? You..."
"Why wouldn't it be?"
The divine radiance around Raymond grew brighter. He lifted