Birth page! We first heard of Regent Uriel back in Dampyr #54, and we saw a tiny silhouette of him at the bottom of the previous page. But this page is really where we first see him, when Caleb Lost, also known as the angel Camael, arrives at his tribunal:
(Regent Uriel of Heaven) “This court appreciates your prompt response to the summons.”
(Prince Iblis of Hell) “Instantly, I would say… but, after all, I do not believe you had any alternative.”
“Do you recognize the authority of the high court assembled here, Camael?”
“I do, Regent Uriel, and I extend my respects to you and to Prince Iblis.”
(Prince Iblis speaks in the royal third person) “This one graciously accepts.”
“However on my plane of reality, I am currently engaged in a delicate task that requires my presence. Therefore I respectfully request that this hearing be adjourned to another time.” (Caleb refers to the danger that he and Harlan were facing.)
(Duke Nergal, who is both Caleb's accuser and the prosecutor) “And does this so-called 'delicate task' perhaps involve another grave violation of the Law of Balance? The accused should consider himself relieved of his duties for the duration of the investigation. After all, who can assure us that he doesn't intend to repeat his crime in the meantime?”
(Anyel Zant, defense counsel) “Whether it was a crime remains to be proven, Nergal. And I will demonstrate that the entire accusation is unfounded.”
“However, there are indisputable facts, Anyel. Regardless of the validity (or lack thereof) of his reasons, Camael absented himself from his seat in Prague to use his powers elsewhere, thus failing in his role as an impartial observer. In due course, I intend to bring before the attention of the investigating judges, facts and testimonies that will support my claim.”
(Iblis) “Really? Interesting! New facts and more testimonies to discuss! After two years, I thought all the arguments had been exhausted!”
(Caleb) “Two years? This inquest has already been going on for two years?”
(Anyel) “As he said. But what are two years, for someone with an eternity ahead of him?”
Uriel and Iblis are the highest ranking leaders of the respective Light and Dark Teams. Duke Nergal (also on the Dark Team) is the chief of the secret police of Hell, and a regular antagonist of Harlan Draka. Anyel is a lower ranking angel, as you might have guessed from his name. A story involving all these characters at once is a very big deal for this series, culminating years of previous plotlines.
