He knocked on the door of his mother's study. It was a few seconds before it opened; normally a knock meant a slave.

"Yes? Theo! What in any Hell are you doing here?"

"I'm no longer welcome in Rahadoum. And it's enough of a credit to the family name that coming back seemed like the wisest move."

"What."

"I would have written ahead! But it was a surprise to me, first. I'm a priest now."

"Now you're just lying to your mother."

"I'm not. Look:"

He pulled the still-glowing necklace out of his shirt.

"My divine symbol. Erecura, Thief of Forever, Emira of Hubris, and, most crucially, Queen of Dis."

"And you're an empowered cleric of her."

"Yes. I got stopped from re-entering Rahadoum because I couldn't swear under zone of truth to worshipping no gods. Which I didn't think I was doing, but, well. I asked Her if she wanted my service and... well, she started me at second-circle spells and made this shiny necklace, so I believe she was pleased."

She gave him a narrow, steady look.

And slapped him, hard.

"I won't claim I didn't deserve that but I'm not sure which act it's for."

"Call it a little of each. Deserting the family to join the godless and returning without checking whether you'd shame us further."

But she pulled him into a hug.

"I didn't think I'd ever get to see you again, Theo."

"Me neither. I was pretty happy as a Rahadi, but not being able to see our family in the flesh was my least-favorite part."

"I'll understand if you don't want me to live here while my status is uncertain. Or even not let me visit, though if so I'd like to stay long enough to see Father before I go."

"You can visit. Priesthood of minor powers of Hell still get leeway. I'll have to ask him whether we want you to keep a separate residence immediately. You could stand to be a little less honest, though."

"It would probably be better for my health. I don't think I could, though. Stand it, that is."

"No, I suppose not.
Who let you in the gate?"

"Tibex recognized me. I'll be peeved if he's punished for it."

"No, no, he would know the difference. If you'd smooth-talked one of the newer slips, that would be a different story."

"I guess it would be."

"You're too soft-hearted, Theo."

"True. I probably wouldn't have left otherwise, despite being a malcontent."

"And will you try to fix it now?"

"I'm like my lady; an outside voice in Hell, not in favor of its actions but content to keep mum for most of them. I hope that gets me a little extra license."

"And if it doesn't?"

"Then I'll keep a separate residence as soon as I can, and try to be in another city when they decide to execute me, so that you don't have to see it."

"That won't help that much."

"Probably not. But still."

Father was... Father. Distant, ambitious, unemotional. It was still good to see him.

But he and Mother agreed that it was best for Theo to keep a separate residence. So he gave one of the slaves a silver to tell Tibex he'd probably have to postpone - she seemed incredulous that he tipped so much, so he guessed the rest of the 'staff' hadn't gossiped about him much - and got a letter of credit giving him limited access to family funds. So: to the local House of Mammon in Rego Sacero. And then to a street in Rego Aerum where fine townhouses are available for rent to travelers of good families.

And then, in the morning, back to Rego Sacero and the local shrine to Dispater.

"Greetings, priests of the Tower. I come seeking information you are likely to have."

"Oh? And should we have it, why would we share that knowledge?"

"Well, do you recognize this divine symbol?"

The man looked at his necklace, puzzled. Then his eyes widened in recognition.

"Our lord's wife. You are her priest?"

"Yes. Newly-chosen, but of the second circle. I am seeking other members of her priesthood, and inquiring into the status it holds with the national Asmodean hierarchy."

"Hmm. I believe Lord Dispater would wish me to aid you in your search. However, I cannot; you are only the second empowered priest of Lady Erecura I have met. The first passed through the city some years ago; she was bound for Korvosa. I believe, further, that you are only the twentieth or so of her priests of any kind that I have met, and none recently."

"Unfortunate. And for the other matter?"

"On that matter I see no strong motivation to aid you."

"What can I offer? Advice, as my lady does for your lord? The favor of House Lebanel?"

"House Lebanel, hmm? Not a name in high esteem, but one known to me. But why would it grant favor for helping you?"

"My name is Theopho Lebanel, son of the house's lord and lady."

"Certainly not a lie to be said lightly."

"Indeed not."

"Hmm. We have not concerned ourselves with this, but the House of Secrets would know better. I'll write you a brief introduction. Or if you'd prefer, the House of the Tower in Egorian would most likely know details, and will certainly know if there is an established cult of Erecura."

"I'll take the introduction, thank you. If I don't like the price Mephistocles's priests demand, I'll keep Egorian in mind."

"Wise, but I expected no less. Good luck, I suppose."

The House of Secrets was expecting him. By name, even, so it wasn't just their cold-reading omniscience act. Honestly, they were as bad as Scrivenbough. No price was demanded because, they said, it "had already been paid". When he asked if it was paid by Erecura, they just smiled mysteriously - which probably was just their cold-reading omniscience act.

They had a short letter, in an odd hand, signed by the High Priest of Mephistopheles in Cheliax.

To Theopho of the Runes, prodigal son of House Lebanel,

Your church does not yet exist in Cheliax; you are, at the time you will most probably receive this message, the strongest empowered priest of Erecura in the Inner Sea region. You will have safe passage within Cheliax for at least one month from your date of landfall in Westcrown, provided you do not act overly rashly or abuse it. Should you take this chance to go to Egorian and plead your case, you have a genuine opportunity to establish the church in an official capacity. Should you succeed you will become High Priest and empowered further; Queen Erecura is manifestly fond of you.

Do not seek to contact me in person; I shall not answer your attempts to do so if you have not yet succeeded, and make no promises thereafter either. But I will be watching with avid personal interest; it's all very exciting.

Yrs.,
Lord in the Crimson Mask

P.S. A word to the wise: Scrivenbough is not happy with how your deal went, since the secret paid was exposed within months. They will most likely retaliate. I expect no favor in exchange for this knowledge; it is purely a matter of sabotaging my professional rivals. Good luck; you may need it.

"I'll end up owing you favors if I ask any more questions about this, won't I?"

"Of course."

"Well. Thank you for conveying the message."

Now he just needed to decide what the damn to do about it.

He heads to Egorian, after a week. He has... an angle, if not a great one.

His commitment to Cheliax is questioned. He acknowledges that there is basis to question it. He is accused of being ideologically at odds with the Crown; he admits to it outright. But, he reminds the hearing, is any of that untrue of Erecura Herself? And both Dispater and Asmodeus Himself consider her a valuable ally and resource. Why should the Chelish crown not follow His example, since He is the patron of the nation and Hell the model for the structure of its government? Theopho's loyalties may have been divided in the past, but did he ever work to advance the cause of any enemy of Cheliax besides Rahadoum? And is he not manifestly, irrevocably, an enemy of Rahadoum now?

Officially, the Most High of Asmodeus has sole say in the outcome of these hearings. But she rarely appears, and in her absence the lower-ranking Asmodean priest who stands in for her customarily defers to strong majority of the heads of the priesthoods of the other eight Lords of the Nine. Belial's church opposes it, but Dispater's, Mephistopheles, and Geryon's support it, and on a second polling Mammon's high priest adds his support and no new opposition is raised.

By fiat of the Asmodean archdeacon, Erecura's church is recognized, permitted to proselytize at temples of Asmodeus in the three hours after the main services, and its priests considered to rank as Demibarons and its high priest as a non-landed Baron. No financial support is provided, nor tax exemptions as some of the more major faiths receive. Not a huge victory, but a victory nonetheless.

And his goddess agrees. Both his spellcasting abilities improve. Not a full circle for either, but still.

He sells spells and divine healing - now there's a market he never expected to corner - until he can afford to buy a nice two-floor ex-embassy in the Rego Sacero, which he redecorates as his temple on the ground floor and lives in on the second.

A few months later, he has a few people regularly visiting for advice; none from outside Westcrown, but still, progress. He still makes substantial money, and a few months later buys Tibex, Janina, and their son from his parents. Freeing slaves isn't legal but he can at least treat them better. (Only helping them is probably hypocritical or something. He doesn't particularly care.)

It's a pretty weird life. Not one he ever expected. But good, on the whole.