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Zadkiel found the lack of pomp striking, but he was too stupid to discern what it really meant. No armed guard was present to protect the Cherub save his son Melchizekek, who bore no visible weapon, yet he was in truth armed with a small, powerful artifact forged by Bat-El herself that was called at times the Killing Relic, and at other times the Golden Gift.

The Cherub said, “Lord Zadkiel? I have heard of a Hashmal in the city of Adan who goes by the name Zadkiel. And yet you did not obtain leave from Prince Melchizekek to preach in our realm. You did not even ask my daughter Princess Lilith. Ophanim, both of them.”

“Sire, I say this all due deference, Were I the get of a lowly craftsman like this glassblower’s son named Michael, I would still have leave to preach in Salem. For Samael himself commissioned me, and your kingdom still lies, no matter how uneasily, within the Middle Lands.”

“Were Lord Samael himself to come to Salem he could not pronounce death even for a glassblower’s son. That is my power, solely. The giving of the scepter is without repentance.”

Zadkiel said, “Then sire, at the very least, I counsel you restrain this Michael by fetters if not by death.”

“Not in haste, self-described Voice of Samael. My own daughter admires this young prophet and puts his words into action, which gladdens my heart in a way I cannot begin to tell you.”

“Your Majesty, the ideas admired by your daughter spread through the land like a plague. Already the river of pilgrims who flow to Adan seeking absolution ebbs. The priests had to raise rates across the board! Michael is a dagger pointed at the heart of the state.”

Melchiyahu looked at hym with a mixture of pity and amusement. Abruptly Zadkiel realized the Cherub’s purpose in limiting the audience to just two noblelen in this private setting. Grandstanding was impossible. In a raw state his words sounded insane even to himself.

The Cherub said, “I will listen to the words of Michael with my own ears and judge whether they are a threat to Lord Samael’s greater--” “Have a care, Melchiyahu!” Zadkiel dared to interrupt. “I solemnly assure you the Lord will not hesitate to bring an errant cherub to heel through war!”