War Council
The next day, I was summoned to appear in the Chapel of Councils, the general meeting room of the church. I was slightly nervous, as the only reason I had ever been regarded my slave crest, but refusing was impossible. Fortunately, by the time I climbed my way up from the slave quarters, I found the other nine heroes already assembled.
The gathering within the chapel was small, consisting of the heroes, the Pope, and a few Fathers. All of the clergy were unfamiliar, and their garb and accents differed greatly from the Fathers I knew who lived at the Divine Throne. Were we gathered for some sort of worldwide council?
"Welcome, Xiviyah," the Pope said, gesturing to the only empty seat in their circle.
I nodded, cheeks reddening slightly as everyone's eyes focused on me. "I apologize for my late arrival," I said, giving a slight curtsy. "But I came as soon as I was summoned."