Free Working God's Mischief by Glen Cook Page A

cells. I’ll deal with them later. Round up any Society vermin who come out of the woodwork.”
    Kedle said, “I’m on my way.” She prodded the groggy bishop with her axe handle.
    Many of Count Raymone’s retainers went along when Kedle left.
    Brother Candle started to speak.
    â€œIn a minute.” Socia stood. She had been sitting in the seat that belonged to the Countess of Antieux. “The situation is in hand, people. Go back to your lives. Report unacceptable behavior when you see it. Raymone may be gone but that changes nothing. Antieux will be what Count Raymone Garete made it.”
    Socia drove her point home by moving to her husband’s high seat.
    The crowd buzzed while leaving. Socia leaned toward Brother Candle. “I’ll need you more than ever, now.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œI’ll need you close to rein in my wrath. Terrible things are cooking inside me.”
    â€œWe can deal with that if you’re honest with me. Right now you need to focus on keeping the peace.” Outrages and atrocities were afoot already, he was sure.
    â€œThis isn’t a good day to be a known Episcopal. Or, worse, a member of the Society.” Slight smile.
    Brother Candle had a sinking feeling.
    She meant to let the mob exhaust itself on the Brothen Church, guilt or innocence irrelevant.
    â€œOr to be Devedian or Dainshau?” Those minorities always suffered when civil order lapsed.
    â€œNo. I won’t tolerate that.”
    A curious, violent child, Socia Rault. How would she enforce the safety of the traditional scapegoats?
    Brother Candle prayed to the Good God that Raymone Garete was just lost. Or up to something deeply secret, and not truly dead. Otherwise, there would be no restraining Socia’s darker side.
    He knew the hope was vain while hoping it.

 
    9. Realm of the Gods: Twilight of the World
    Gray smoke boiled out of the face of the Great Sky Fortress. A fierce rumble descended upon Piper Hecht and his companions, followed by a hailstorm of debris. Two smaller explosions followed that.
    â€œWhat the hell?” Heris demanded. “What was that?”
    â€œSomebody tripped my booby trap,” Hecht replied.
    â€œWho could?” Anna asked. “Everybody is out.”
    Debris kept falling. The stench of burnt firepowder arrived.
    Hecht watched Eavijne. The explosion had so startled her that she had lost her hold on Heartsplitter, then her footing. She snatched at Geistrier but snagged it with just one finger. She lost her sack of apples, then her grip when she tried to save the fruit.
    She commenced the long fall. Knife-edged basalt awaited two thousand feet below.
    The ascendant changed shape, violently and painfully. He screamed as he plunged after Eavijne, a giant eagle driving itself downward faster than the goddess fell.
    That was drama enough to halt all progress down the road to the harbor.
    Heris asked, “Did you include godshot in your booby trap, Piper?”
    â€œI did. Everything I could find, including two falcons. Whoever set it off has to be one of the devils.”
    â€œThat’s probably good thinking.”
    The eagle caught the falling goddess. The pair passed out of sight.
    Heris said, “How about we get on down, too? Before somebody gets into mischief down there.”
    Hecht grunted. He was watching the rent in the Great Sky Fortress.
    Heris suggested, “We might cobble up a couple more infernal devices.” She helped Hecht stare.
    The breeze dispersed the smoke.
    Hecht said, “Didn’t do damage enough.”
    A black stain like heavy treacle flowed out of the breach and down the face of the fortress. Its boundaries were defined. It left no trail.
    â€œThe Trickster,” Hecht said. “He broke out.”
    â€œThe violent vibrations of the hammer mill must have weakened some of the seals. We didn’t notice.”
    â€œThat would explain why we felt his emotions toward the