I feel a pang of regret that I don't have a head to shake at Daniel's question. Of course, I'm just as capable of taking a host as any of the local divines. There aren't many situations in which I'd kill a devotee to do it, but it wouldn't be hard to arrange to have someone snatched from the gallows. I could even make a payment to their family. But… No. The road of pure utility wasn't for me when I attained enlightenment, and it isn't now.
Besides, he has patience. Sooner or later something would happen or his Corps would have come looking. And I doubt they would suffer the same fate he did, given the average Orange Lantern is a lot less spiritual than OL is.
"It is unlikely, though not impossible. If it were my people I rather imagine that a Lantern would be here already."
Daniel originally came to Sadera as a refugee, and came to my temple in search of alms. I personally spoke to him because I wanted to get a worm's eye view of the state of the Empire, and he took that as a Sign. I'm not sure that he completely understand all of what I tell him, but he's reasonably bright and he pays attention. To me, and to what's going on around him and in the country.
Ah, a Believer. At least OL doesn't demand outright obesiance, merely service and assistance, so there's no actual
religion involved.
"Also, unless their stealth technology has improved a great deal I should be able to detect at least some electromagnetic radiation. I take it that there's no word in the city?"
"The army has not yet returned, divinity. Official couriers have been seen, but no letters are being delivered to the families of the legionaries. And certainly no one in the army has come back."
Must be one hell of a coverup to keep that kind of loss concealed so well. Presumably they're
mostly alive and captured on the other side.
And while a priest of a major god might be able to buttonhole a senator in the know, a priest of a minor god would be looking to get a beating for his impudence.
Ah.
"Daniel, would you be so good as to escort the Second Prince to me? Perhaps imply to the praetorians that their services are not required."
Your newest Lantern has arrived, I see. It'll be interesting to see how good he is. After all, he no doubt
wants to avoid dying.
He bows in the direction of my altar.
"At once, divinity."
Heh, the niceties must be observed, after all... Keep up the show.
He walks purposively towards the door, then slows.
"Divinity-?"
"I'm not in the habit of abandoning my obligations, Daniel. You genuinely wish to serve me until you die. Whether here or elsewhere, I will find a place for you, for as long as you desire it."
And OL always makes sure those who aid him are well rewarded. Especially those he considers
friends.
"Yes. Thank you. I am.. sorry to have doubted you."
"Think nothing of it."
Nice boy. Bit of a keen one.
I watch him go, Corps-related memories I haven't bothered with in some time stirring themselves. The Corps was well settled into its groove when I left, but we're not exactly the most stable organisation. Is Azula still Clarissi? She struck me as someone who would always find ways to push herself, but would that drive be strong enough to keep her alive this far beyond the normal human span?
Presumably, Vril Dox II has died of old age by this point? Even an Orange Lantern is mortal, despite their desire to remain young. Or maybe he just retired to raise a family. Hopefully without the shenanigans of the L.E.G.I.O.N comics.
Ah, and here's my nervous-looking guest now. And he neatly combines my actual preference in a bearer with the one I rejected; he's a prince who's acting like a man on his way to the gallows. The praetorians clearly have a similar opinion of the situation. Either that, or his father didn't give them any specific orders and they decided to knock off early.
Of course, once he puts me on then he certainly won't need their protection.
And with you regulating the flow of Orange Light, there's no danger of him going Larfleeze, or even Ragnar. Could be messy if he'd decided that maybe with this ring,
he could be a better emperor than his father or brother...
"Hello?"
He does start when the door closes behind him.
Oof. Let's hope he's not too
afraid to channel
Avarice.
"Hello-"
And again when he hears me speak.
No crying out, though. So he's got some guts at least.
"-Prince Diabo El Caesar. Thank you for coming."
"What..? Would you have me do? Why did you tell my father to give me-"
He waves the scroll appointing him General.
A mere formality, really. I mean, he will be in charge of an army, just not the one he thinks he will. An army of
one, if you will.
"-this, when you're just-."
"To be completely clear, I have no need to possess you or kill you. Using this ring, I can lend you a portion of my power, as well as provide you with guidance."
And maybe take the opportunity to sit in the eyes of a few jumped-up elementals, eh? Once he sorts out this whole Gate situation.
He blinks in surprise.
"You're-? Going to make me your apostle?"
Pfft, God no. Total waste of a life. No, Diabo, you're going to be a
Lantern!
"No. That may happen at some point in the future, if that is your ambition. But at the moment I imagine that you will be content with raising your profile."
He nods cautiously, his manner still tense but a bit less 'cat in a bag waiting to drown'.
Boy, this kid must have been stepped on hard growing up... Must have been cold, living in his father's shadow.
"I imagine that we have limited time. Please, approach my altar and take my ring."
Heh, this really is a recruitment, isn't it? Admittedly, an unusual one, where the recruiter
is the ring he's offering...
He slowly comes closer.
"My father thinks that you will kill me."
"I hate to break this to you, but your father is a giant shit."
Truer words were never spoken in
this world. I bet OL will have a lot of fun sorting things out...
He cringes, looking around for potential observers.
"Don't worry, this room is inviolate. No, your father has committed the twin sins of arrogance and stupidity. I am hopeful that the next generation will learn from his errors, but I am not confident. Thus: you will be advised by me."
Yes, Diabo's older brother... If anything, the only lesson he's learned from his father is how to be an unrepentant asshat.
He finally reaches the altar and reaches out slowly to remove the ring before snatching it and jerking his hand back in case the snake bites him or the man strikes him.
"Very dramatic. Any finger you like, as long as its yours."
Makes me wonder, did any Orange Lantern ever make use of a power ring as a wedding ring in this timeline... Would be an amazing gift, certainly.
He slides it on his middle-left and we have a connection. His desires for self-preservation and power trigger the environmental shield at once, and he watches with a degree of concern as it extends over his body.
"That will shield you and allow you to breathe anywhere. I would recommend taking this ring off before pissing or shitting."
I love that he leads with
that. The voice of personal experience always speaks clearest.
"Why, what happens?"
"It's uncomfortable. Though extremely hygienic. Now, we're needed on Alnus Hill before things deteriorate further. With that in mind I'm granting you the ability to fly."
That may sound impressive, but keep in mind, they do have flying mounts. Wymerns and the like.
"Fl-? How?"
"It's simple enough. You just have to want to fly and want to reach a particular destination. Have you ever flown before?"
"Yes… But… On a wyvern, not by magic."
Oh, you are in for a
treat. Once you learn to avoid the beginner's trap of the swimmer's position, and the like.
He holds up his left hand slightly, staring at the ring.
"I didn't think that was possible."
"Well, I've always had a saying: 'Power rings are awesome.'"
"There's a long and complicated explanation that we'll have to have later about how this actually works, but for now just accept that it does. Now, focus your mind on everything you want to achieve in life, and accept that this is the first step in achieving those things."
"By defeating these barbarians."
Defeat is such an ambiguous word, Diabo. You may be thinking of smiting them in battle. OL is more than likely thinking of diplomacy.
"Possibly. It depends on how you want to play it."
"What do you mean?"
Yep, he's planning on flipping the board. Stuff the Emperor's wishes, let's teach some jumped-up elementals a lesson about messing with people...
"Your father did something very stupid. He picked a fight with a vastly superior force with no way to break contact. If you wanted, you could use this to completely undermine his position. But if you achieve absolute victory, it will appear that he was right all along. The war was winnable, and therefore should have been fought."
And you don't want that, do you? Make him look good?
Pfft.
"And if I… Did… Want to undermine him?"
"Let members of the Imperial Army see the force the barbarians possess. Have them tell others what they saw. Allow that knowledge, that fear, spread thought the Empire. Let everyone know that your father would have doomed them and that you saved them. But for now, we must depart."
Overthrowing a crooked regime 101, lesson 1. Letting the people know what's
really going on in their kingdom.
