"They were masters of deception," Ephram explained, "able to disguise themselves as a god's own clergy and siphon divine power for their own use. I possess a scroll, created by a Legend-tier Profane Priest, which can imbue you with his ability, 'Guileful Lie'. It will be enough to fool the God of Artifice for years, unless some unforeseen event exposes you."
A class that steals from gods? What a wonderfully strange world, Leo thought.
"I accept your trade," Iyet said. A Profane Priest's power was exactly what he needed.
The deal concluded, Fiona, not wanting to be left out, asked a question that had been bothering her. "If I think the first letter of a god's name, will they notice?"
Ephram smiled gently. "A god's divine sense is triggered by the full speaking of their name. A thought, or a partial name, will not alert them. And even then, they are unlikely to take notice unless you also use words that they have flagged as significant, such as 'heresy', 'demon', or 'sun'."
Fiona was relieved.
"That was a free answer," Ephram said, "in gratitude for your warning. You may ask one favor of me at a later time, as payment."
Fiona agreed, pleased with the outcome.
"The gathering is at an end," Leo announced.
Back in the Gray Keep, Ephram felt a renewed sense of terror. His god had fallen. He would have to abandon his life's work, his power, his status. But first, he had to escape. "His Excellency will help me," he thought, clinging to the hope. "But how?" The Gray Keep was the God of Knowledge's divine fortress on the Material Plane. Not even another god could simply walk in and take someone.
In Kisinyov, Fiona greeted her father, Duke Howard, who had returned home. He was pleased she had enjoyed the ball. She, in turn, felt a new sense of purpose. She had to become stronger, to earn her place in the strange new world she had glimpsed. She immediately penned another letter to her master, Albella.
"Dearest Master," she wrote, "I have heard the God of Knowledge has fallen, and that his scholars are being corrupted. I know you have a vial of Angel's Blood in your collection. A friend of mine is in great danger and may have need of it..."
In Gantz, Leo sat in the ruins of the tower, pondering how to extract Ephram from the Gray Keep. A direct assault was out of the question. He took out the Loom of the Fates. He would have to be subtle.
"...for a perfectly valid reason, Folgreis, the Battle-Master of the Church of Dawn, arrives at the Gray Keep. He discovers the corruption within and, driven by his righteous nature, a battle erupts..."
"...at the same time, Ephram Krell receives a divine sign from me, and he understands that it is time to flee..."
This was crucial. He couldn't have Ephram just waiting around to be rescued.
"...the battle draws the attention of the Gray Keep's guards, who are all focused on Folgreis. The path is clear for Ephram's escape..."
But that wasn't enough. The Gray Keep itself was a variable.
"...Ephram knows the fortress is dangerous. He fears he will not escape. Desperate, he prays for my protection. But he does not know my name. In his desperation, he remembers a passage from an old book: to gain a god's attention, one must show them malice. And so, he chooses to be... profane."
This would allow Leo to use the Eye of Horus to see what was happening and intervene with the Loom if necessary.
"...Folgreis is losing the battle. He knows he is outmatched in the enemy's stronghold. He decides to call for aid. He begins to pray. He calls out his master's name."
Leo stopped weaving. He had set all the pieces in motion. The river of fate would now flow on its own. The Lord of Dawn, that zealous hater of evil, would surely respond to his champion's call. And when he did, the fallen God of Knowledge would be forced to reveal himself.
"Amon-Et versus a corrupted Oghma," Leo mused. "Now, who will win that fight?"