Arrival at the Cathedral

Arriving before the Cathedral’s steps, the trio looked up, seeing the Bull Demons guarding the massive doors of the entry. They each held a massive halberd and was dressed in ceremonial uniforms of dark blue with silver royal crests embroidered across the chest.

Hekate glanced to Nuntius, “Perhaps you should have warned me, I needed to drop by my house and get my ceremonial uniform?”

Nuntius sighed, “My lady an emissary from Indivia is scheduled to visit this afternoon, before that though the court is meeting to deal with another issue, one that requires your presence.”

Alexis looked to her mother, and at the imposing guards, shifting nervously from one foot to the other, as she bit her lower lip. Perhaps this was not her best idea, but right now, she knew she needed to support Hekate, as she was not in full control of her abilities. That is when she felt Hekate’s hand reach over to take hers and reassure and calm the nerves of her daughter. Leading the way as she began to march up the stone stairs.

The hulking guards eyed the two young human women cautionary, able to feel the power within them. Then glancing to Nuntius questioningly, but not asking anything as they kept their halberds crossing blocking access to the door.

Hekate growled, “Are we going to do this every time I visit from now on? You are completely useless if you can’t recognize me by now.”

One of the guards blinked, “Lady Hekate?”

Nuntius just nodded slightly behind them.

Shaking her head, Hekate stepped closer, “Who else do you think I could be, fools?”

The other guard stammered, “But, but you’ve never been human before, and you are not casting a glamour spell.”

Hekate smiled mischievously, “oh, so what else do you know about me?”

The guards pulled back, in unison, lifting their axes, “Our apologizes, our Lady.”

Hekate then grabbed Alexis by the hand again and pulled her through the doors, before any more questions could be asked.

Nuntius offered a nervous smile as he passed by the guards, knowing he will have to answer questions later from all the gossips that run the Cathedral.

Marching through the halls as servants were busy preparing for envoys from the realm of envy and jealousy. As they neared the throne room, one demon glanced over from the banquet room noticing the trio passing by, handing his clipboard off to another as he ran towards them.

Hekate recognized the patronizing seneschal of the Cathedral, swiftly approaching in his flowing formal robes of dark blue with purple embroidery including the royal crest at the shoulders. The canine demon with a long face, and glowing red eyes, his tan muzzles snarled showing the fangs as the black fur along the sides of his face bristled. “Lady Hekate, I would recognize your aura anywhere, how dare you show up today, dressed like a common trollop. Don’t you realize we have an important guest from the Realm of Indivia arriving this evening?”

Hekate was about to answer but the servant clicked his mawl, reaching up to snap his fingers. In a burst of colored smoke two twin Jinn women appeared, both dressed in silks with the royal crest indicating them as handmaids of the palace. One with flowing, long, wavy red hair, and the other with ice blue hair that hung straight to the top of her buttocks. Each girl took a knee, “Yes, boss, how may we serve?”

The man snarled, “It’s Master Nox, girls, how many times must I tell you. And Mistress Hekate, needs garments that fit her station, if she is here today.” Then turning to look at Alexis, “And who might you be, Succubus? What is your role, I see you have the same taste in dress as Mistress Hekate?”

At this Hekate had enough, and placed a hand up, “Custos, I don’t have time for this. This is my daughter, Alexis, and you will treat us with respect. We were summoned to meet with King Belphegor and his court.”

The dog man frowned, but not daring to challenge her. “Very well, but please at least allow my girl’s to at least fetch you a cloak of rank as an Aide of the King.” Then looking back to Alexis, “And for the girl something to reflect her rank?” As he rolled his eyes, not really sure of what to think of this person visiting the Cathedral, whose position was unknown.

Hekate, just shook her head, realizing arguing with this servant and useless, as he believed he was only doing his job, and was stuck in his ways.

The canine smiled, glancing to either side and the girls kneeling there, “Ignis, Glacio, find Mistress a cloak that fits and of the proper rank, and something fitting for Mistress Alexis.”

“At once, Master Custos.” The young women echoed as they disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Custos growled, “It’s Master Nox, you sordidis pupas.” Then smiling back to Lady Hekate, “Thank you my Lady, they will return….”

Then cutting up as two puffs of smoke appeared at either side and the young jinns quickly knelt each holding out a garment. Ignis held a folded cloak of dark blue with silver accents, and the royal crest emblazoned on the right chest. Glacio meanwhile held forth a powder blue robe, with red stitching and and a smaller crest of Belphegor on the right shoulder.

Hekate reached out taking the garment from Ignis and flipping it over her shoulders sliding her arms into the slots and fastening it across her ample bosom. Then glancing to her daughter, “Go ahead dear, other wise the puppy will keep us here all day with a lecture on proper procedures of the Cathedral.

Custos growled at the character ****, but not saying a word, just fuming at how bold this little girl was, didn’t she realize how important he is at running this castle. He has been doing it since before she was even born and has watched many of the King’s children come and go. Many falling on their on hubris.

Alexis then took the robe from the blue skinned girl, offering a slight bow of her head, “Thank you Miss Glacio?” Hoping she got the name correctly, having only heard it once.

The young woman glanced up, slightly caught off guard by Alexis’s politeness towards her a servant. Smiling softly, but daring not say something and face Custos wrath at not knowing her place in the hierarchy of the Cathedral.

Quickly donning the robes and fastening the red belt around her waist she turned to her mother when ready. Starting to once again fear that coming here might be a bad idea, especially if everyone in the Cathedral acted like this guy. Though for some reason she felt a tinge of curiosity about the twins and desire to find out more about them.

Seeing as they were now both covered in garments he believed were fitting of an audience with his Highness, Custos ushered them forward to the large ornate doors of the throne room. Taking the large silver handles in his hands and opening one to allow the women and courier who had been rather silent since entering the Cathedral.