The Gillman sisters ran an Art Gallery.
Close relations, cannibalism, strange fetishes, worship of an Evil God... To any normal person, these traits were unthinkable. To artists, they were fertile soil for art.
A necklace an Elf spent centuries weaving for a Dwarf? Hopelessly vulgar.
A heart built from the heads of a hundred different races? Now that was art!
The Gillman family did have some artistic talent, and the Art Gallery had earned quite a reputation—then Rona proposed moving it to Star-Moon Bay and was refused.
The people of Star-Moon Bay weren't ready for art like that.
Besides, no artist would travel to the middle of nowhere to visit an Art Gallery nobody cared about.
"We're brother and sister."
Rona Gillman corrected Annan's misunderstanding. Her brother simply had some feminine features.
Annan recalled the "young woman" slumped in the carriage. "Is he ill?"
"His cartilage is diseased..."
"Even a Priest's Divine Arts can't heal him?"
"This is the price of blaspheming against the Goddess of Life..." Rona murmured, despondent. Gone was the fervor she'd shown when they first met, and the composure she'd had not long ago.
Only three days remained until January 1, 999, in the Saint Laurent Calendar, the date foretold by the Apocalypse Forecast. Annan hurried to finish what needed doing.
First came the Guards.
The Elemental Legion plan made extensive Guards training less important. Annan cut back on combat drills like riding and swordplay, and increased physical training like standing at attention and hauling supplies.
Krian, one of the lucky few chosen from among the new Subjects, grumbled under his breath. He understood making them haul materials and mine ore. But what was the point of standing straight and marching in formation?
While standing in line, Krian saw their Lord approaching with "Sour Face" beside