You remove your mask.

Throwing your caution to the winds, you nod your head.

"Good... Good." Arinum intones, as your left hand reaches up. You fumble with the leather strap keeping the mask on, letting it fall.

“Tell them who you are, my child.” the ancient demon rumbles, summoning you to join him before the other unmasked cultists. Standing, you limp around your mother, The Shark and The Bee and then join Arinum.

The look of surprise flaring in Baroness Corinne's eyes would suggest she doesn't need you to say it explicitly. Roland, however, stares on in puzzlement.

“I-I'm Edward. King of Itheria.”you announce. Though they're naturally harder to read than the humans, it doesn't seem like either of Marissa's sisters were aware of your true identity.

Roland, for his part, is flabbergasted.

“King? King of Itheria?” The sharkman repeats, befuddled.

“You may have your legions of bastards, Bezoriana, but what I've produced with one deft stroke, one snuffing out of a boy king's spark, is so much rarer, so much more valuable.” your mother boasts, joining you and her father.

“Ah, but Corinne, Roland, you've never had the pleasure.” Arinum says, a note of lust creeping into his rich, powerful voice. “The Mantis” unmasks once again, baring her true face proudly and freely.

“My eldest daughter, once my right hand. Though she has spent many years in the guise of Marissa, Regent of Itheria, her true name is Akkhadia, first daughter of the Allsire!”

Arinum pulls “Marissa” close, kissing his daughter hungrily. You survey your “family”. The only one who seems remotely disturbed the incestuous interaction is Roland of Senna, and even then, The Shark reacts only with mild perturbation. As for you, you merely find it unusual to be observing your mother in the act, rather than engaging in it with her.

“It's been too long, father.” the demoness says, when their lips finally part.

“We can all get... reacquainted while the children are off...” Arinum says mirthfully.

“Off... doing what?” You interject. When Arinum turns his gaze to you once more, part of your being screams out to plead his forgiveness for your interruption. As a ruler of men, it's a most unfamiliar sensation...

“Yes, there's a matter that requires your attention. It will also be another key indicator of your... commitment to our cause.” Arinum states. “I take it you're familiar with the Order of the White Torch?”

“Intimately.” you respond, thinking back to your trip to Beatha, that night with Kara and Rhona..

“Those demon hunters are fools to raise arms against our kind. Fools, but fools whose methodology can occasionally be effective. They've put many lesser demons to the stake in their time.”

“B-but the White Torch are a Beathan order, are they not? We're far from that kingdom.” you respond.

“Though not, I understand, far from Beathans. Groups of hunters from the order have travelled into Sinnabarrow with the armies of their prince and princess.” Arinum informs you all. “Arhva tells me one such group draws close. They come to inspect the Devil's Throne for signs of witchcraft. Malefic rituals, summonings. They have no idea.”

“And... what are we to do about it?” you ask.

“Go out to meet them with your cousins. Kill them, but take two as prisoner. The Owl will learn what they know.”

“With a bit of luck, they'll survive the gleaning process. Beathans make such useful thralls. They're like workhorses.” Arhva remarks.

“No' bad to rut with, either!” Bezoriana adds giddily. On that, you had to agree.

“Go now.” Arinum bids you. “When you return, there will be rituals to perform, bonds to be cemented, and revels to be had.”