[Called to Court... Finally, the day that had been postponed more than once is here.] Gordon Brimknot thought to himself, as he sat in the Minor Official seats in the stands. The court was exceedingly thin, but with so much time that had passed... It wasn't as thin as it would have been two months ago.
The House of Undeath and House of Unlife were still largely untouched, with the exception of two members on the side of the House of Undeath. All the Warmarshalls in the capital were present, Warmarshall Frostgard, Verruca, Chaoshood, and a new one, that Gordon did not recognize... He expected would be announced, just like the two other ladies on the thrones beside the God-King.
In a low voice, another Minor Official Spoke to Gordon, "Gordon bud... Just what are we to expect this time around?" The Minor Official to the side of Gordon, a chubby Zombie Official asked.
"Jake... I... Just don't know anymore." Gordon responded.
"Gordon, you've always had your ear to the ground. How else would you be spared the cleansing?" The Official chuckled.
"Shhhh... Are you stupid?" Gordon reprimanded his best friend. His parents and Jake's were friends... In fact, his best friend was his brother-in-law, as he married his sister.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry... It's just... I'm nervous. I'm saying too many stupid things." Jake wilted.
"It's alright. I just don't know this time." Gordon looked to the two seated thrones, that was once the sole throne of the Holy Witch King, and then to the two smaller thrones to the left and right of the large Throne in the middle.
"-Things are not as they use to be." Gordon continued.
"What do you mean-"
As Official Jake Kravenoose attempted to ask, the hymns began aloud, signaling the approach of the Holy Witch King, but now it would be best to call him... The God-King.
A pair of heralds walked before the Holy entrance, followed by fourteen undead of the Choir, who continued to sing their Holy Hymns.
""Let it be known, that The God-King of Deagoth will grace us with his presence!""
Gordon and all the Officials of the court kneeled in the stands and on the floor.
The large double doors were pulled open by fourteen clergies by large gold chains, as thick white smoke billowed out, and carpeted the obsidian floor.
The Court collectively looked onward, as they heard the ominous sound, that was much more intense than it was the last time.
That rhythmic sound...
Clank...
Clank...
Clank...
And from the white smoky fog, two strangely colored flaming wisps soon departed, revealing the full form of the new God-King.
Clank...
Clank...
Clank...
Many a mind within the Court froze, while others slowed to a snail's pace, looking at the new regal garb of the God-King. He appeared much more... tyrannical.
The God-King went to the base of his Throne, where he gently raised the new Pope Lucius to his feet and nodded his head. He held out his hand, as it was taken by his first Consort, Consort Leslie. They ascended the Throne together, as the God-King sat left seat, while Consort Leslie sat in the right seat.
Behind the God-King and the first Consorts, were two others. One with a crown of horns, that took the small throne to the God-King's left, and the last one that appeared to be an amazing beauty... took the throne on the right.
After the four settled into their seats, a loud clank was issued from the staff of the God-King that echoed within the grand Court.
CLANK...!
"I welcome everyone back. Now that the Court has been cleansed... Not only will the faith of the people be stronger in the Court and of the Kingdom, but work will progress with much more... Efficiency." The rumbling voice of the God-King lingered in the ears of everyone.
Gordon mouthed the words of the God-King, as he shivered, he heard the God-King command, Pope Lucius, "Bring the court to order and let Us resolve the issues from the last session before continuing to the current issues.
Gordon watched on as Pope Lucius opened, "Let Court come to session, his lordship, the God-King of Deagoth presides!" All the Officials watched as the Pope unrolled a scroll and read the first of the business on the docket from the last session."
"As Unlife Official Thompson is no longer among the unliving, condemned for his previous travesties, his work was handed to the newly instated Unlife Official Maxine."
Unlife Official Maxine stood in front of her table on the floor as a short dainty skeletal undead with long black hair that reached her hip bones, as the God-King's face turned to look over her. Gordon couldn't help but feel that the flames within the sockets of the God-King were stranger this time than they were last time...
Unlife Official Maxine stood and gave her response, "As decreed by the... God-King, a council was set up that will report directly to the Court. Their first article they wish to address with the court is to be given a raise for the work they do in both the North and South Boneyards," Maxine rattled a little, as she spoke.
The God-King's clawed black gauntlets rapped upon the skull of his throne, as he deliberated the request. Gordon felt suffocated by the silence of the court... Even the rattling of the undead paused as if time stood while waiting the judgment of a god.
Many thought the request was absurd in the face of a god, but Gordon was among the few in the stands as a minor Official that knew the request was written before the ascendancy of the God-King Title.
Soon, the God-King brought his hand to his chin as he spoke, "I have a need for immense amounts of materials for the new City Bellum, which I am sure everyone present knows. Tell the Council of the Boneyards, that I wish to see production tripled."
As the God-King's words rippled out among the Officials, many felt dazed by the word Triple! The Boneyard workers were already pressed, with low wages and so few joined them. The old bone dogs that run the yards were nearing their true death from sheer soul exhaustion, and the request for more monies was an aim to leave behind some kind of patience for their families.
Before Maxine could reply, the God-King again spoke, "I do not ask this lightly. Deagoth's currency will change soon, which is an announcement of itself today but with it... I will pay the heads of the Boneyards five times what they are making now in the new currency equivalent to glowstone if they are able to make my dues... As for the workers of the boneyards... Double the pay."
Then the God-King waved his hand as if to dismiss Maxine. Unlife Official Maxine's legs gave way under her as she slowly sank back into her seat.
As for the rest of the Officials, cold air was hissed, and bones rattled... A new currency? Five times pay for the Boneyard foremen. Double the pay for the workers?
Among the chatter of undead, the God-King silenced it...
CLANK...
And again, the court fell into silence.
"The transition of the Currency will be carried out by the Treasury in conjunction with a new establishment that will be working with Us of Deagoth. More details will be passed out after Court."
With that, no further chattering erupted.
The God-King waved his hand again, and Gordon noticed that the New Pope, nodded his head, and read the next issue on the docket.
"The issue with the absorbent prices of the Southeastern Undead Trading Company." Pope Lucius spoke.
Gordon then noticed that an overly large Office stood up... He had never seen this one before today.
"Unlife Official Crag asks to speak." Crag spoke up while eyeing his surroundings. Never in his unlife did he think he would be among the court of Deagoth.
Clank...!
"The Southeastern Undead Trading Company has come under new management and has backed down on their prices. While still making profit, it has become more competitive with those in the areas around. In addition, the Southeastern Undead Trading Company wishes to form a merger with my own Company Crag Industries and be renamed Southeastern Undead Financial."
A collective chatter again erupted from the Officials, on the floor, and in the stands.
"Say... Gordon... What does this mean for Deagoth?" Jake leaned over and asked him in a whisper.
After some quick math in his mind and piecing together the news earlier, bright lights seemed to shine in Gordon's eyes, as he leaned over to Jake, "Jake, my pal... If this is what I think it means..."
"Means what, Gordy? Means what??" Jake asked faster.
"It means, we are going to be rich undead... We invest in the new Southeastern Undead Financial!" Gordon spoke with fever.
"But that doesn't tell m-"
CLANK...