Like a man can tell without looking where his limbs are, Farini could tell immediately that the last thought wasn't his own.
It was spoken in an unfamiliar female voice which sounded both gentle, firm and profoundly detached.
Farini always thought that if gods ever spoke to him, they'd do it with more pomp; and yet, he felt his soul shake with awe. Awe and doubt.
Were gods talking to him, or evil spirits? What should he do?
The words he heard sounded true to Farini. He didn't want to believe that gods were cruel enough to send these disasters upon people. And, of course, he thought he deserved at least a small blessing from them for all their hard work.
Despite his doubts, Farini wanted to believe, so he believed.
He immediately began reciting a prayer of gratitude, and promising rich gifts if only the gods guide him and his province out of the crisis.
'The gods don't need your gifts, only your perseverance. The help they sent is guidance. A divine guardian will be with you to tell apart lies from truth in the minds of people.'
This didn't sound as great as Farini imagined, but thanked the gods profusely, anyway.
Then, a wondrous thing happened.
'There are people who think about you with anger, and worse. Some of them plan to have you killed. Here is the truth inside their minds…'
With wide eyes and gaping mouth, Farini listened to the assassination plans of his courtiers. Some of them he suspected already, while others might have resented him—but to the point of murder? That was a shock to him.
The divine guardian spoke in great detail. Although Farini didn't have any proofs of guilt, with this information he could easily send spies to watch over the disloyal courtiers and find the proof of guilt.
Some of these nobles will have to be executed, while others could just be threatened into submission. Farini was in a situation where unreliable allies were better than none.
Two days later, Farini had ordered imprisonment of the three most dangerous plotters—with each having undeniable proof of preparing assassinations, spying for the sake of Lower Grazahmich, or communicating with someone who was. The rest were sufficiently scared by this, and even the Chancellor (someone too important to outright imprison) acted with more respect now.
Every word spoken by the divine guardian was true, and the last of Farini's tiny doubts had disappeared. Despite the guardian's previous words about not needing gifts, Farini d a notable sum of money to a temple as gratitude.
The courtiers whispered about the sudden investigation, as well as speed and clarity with which Farini found the schemers. Some were impressed by Farini's genius, some scared by his cunningness, but nobody was left calm.
People bowed before Farini lower than ever.
Yet his steps were still heavy when he walked down the palace hallways. Although he didn't have to look over his shoulder anymore, his province was still besieged by enemies, while his subjects were suffering not just from hunger now, but also with new plagues.
The enemy armies could be defeated (maybe) and food for subjects could be bought from other provinces (if they agreed to trade after all), but what could Farini do against an illness?
At night, Farini prayed for an answer, and for his family's health.
The divine guardian spoke to him again.
'The flood that brought famine was just a part of the natural order of things. The plagues that descended upon the world are just parts of the natural order of things. But the attackers from Lower Grazahmich are led by one person. Kill him, and they will stop.'
Farini gasped at this suggestion at first. It was against the law—but then again, what flimsy justification the lord of Lower Grazahmich himself had to attack Farini's province?
'Sending an assassin… It will be tricky. And where I will find an assassin like that? But if I could…'
'Pray, and your enemies will fall dead by divine will,' the guardian promised to Farini. 'The stronger is your belief in divine will, the more miracles could happen.'
Farini did his best to believe.
To believe harder, he went through a rite of purification that some monks did—at least, the shorter version of it. Farini secluded himself in his room for a day without food or water, with only empty walls and prayer together with him.
When he emerged from his room on the next day, Farini's belief was harder than ever, although his courtiers thought he was acting strange.
Either way, the new faith made Farini's mind and will sharper. The merchants from other provinces noticed it and agreed to sell him some grain despite their doubts earlier.
To fight the plagues, Farini ordered to isolate the towns and villages that were affected the most. This also saved some of the food he brought for the army that protected the province…
With food on the table, fighting war was easier, too. The armies of Lower Grazahmich razed a couple of Upper Grazahmich's towns, but then were thrown back by a decisive assault of Farini's general.
Two weeks later, Farini's faith reached its peak, and reflected upon the world.
In court, the Chancellor came to speak out, looking more agitated than ever.
"Lord Farini, the armies of Lower Grazahmich are in disarray! This servant of yours brought news that their general order their retreat—because he heard about the death of old lord Keshich!"
Keshich ma Ruchish was the province lord of Lower Grazahmich. When Farini heard about his death, he felt like he was struck by lightning.
Burning inside, dead on the outside.
"How did this happen?" Farini asked.
"I regret to say that I don't know, my lord. But it was an accident, as I heard, and sounded much like an insect's bite. Perhaps it was his own punishment for denying the will of gods; which doesn't mean that we are sinless, of course…"
Farini wasn't listening anymore.
He knew the will of gods better than his Chancellor, anyway.
'You want me to succeed… Isn't this right, gods?'