《Advisor to a Kindhearted Demon》


 0. Deserter

    The Moonrise clan killed all our sentries first when they attacked, which was exactly what I would have done and also a pain in the ass to have used against you. For days now, Phlox¡¯s warriors had been sprawled over the hilltop, so we had a lot of perimeter needing to be watched. And enough soldiers had grumbled about guard duty that our oh-so-glorious leader had toned down shifts, not long before the enemy demons hit us that night.


    Phlox the self-proclaimed Great had overruled my concerns. He claimed a few sentries would be enough to see anyone coming up the hill, and that I¡¯d told him it was stupid to attack a fortified position. With the rapid gains we¡¯d made in territory and manpower, he¡¯d become comfortably bloated with pride, boasting that no one would dare attack his Obsidian clan.


    Aconite¡¯s wolves coming out of the woods might have been enough to deflate his confidence, if either of us witnessed the battle''s initial phase. As it was, I didn¡¯t realize the attack had started until screaming was coming from all around my tent. Thesmothete Aconite could have brought her whole host up to sweep through us en masse, with the lookouts who¡¯d have seen them massing already dead. She wouldn¡¯t have managed it so easily if Phlox had ever understood what fortified means.


    The screams were heralded by a rushing fwoom and a wave of heat that rustled my tent¡¯s walls, sharply drawing my attention. I swung my heavy pack up over my shoulder, arming myself with my crossbow and dagger and moving to the outside. The crackling of flames was audible before I could see the source of them, and reaching out for my tent flaps I wondered what was going on. Aconite¡¯s troops relied on physical prowess, large-scale fire Arts should be beyond her clan. And while Phlox could have done it, I hoped even he wouldn¡¯t set our own camp on fire.


    Stepping outside was pushing into a wall of sound and heat, the primal roars of triumphant demons mixing with the screams of their victims. Dark figures stalked the night among our tents, distorted by heat haze and illuminated by leaps of flame. They hadn¡¯t been set aflame like what looked like half our camp ¨C had that really been a single fire attack? ¨C but this still couldn¡¯t be comfortable for Aconite¡¯s troops, so many covered in fur and no doubt drowning in the heat.


    Bugbears ¨C large, brown-furred and shaggy ¨C reached into tents and yanked out demons by the neck or ankle. Their smaller green-skinned goblin cousins swarmed around their heels, and a barghest, one of the vast black dogs that guard goblin tribes, savaged one of our pale little pirus. The forest sprite shrieked beneath the demon dog¡¯s fangs, grasping desperately for a weapon that couldn¡¯t help her now. Aconite¡¯s kishi, eerily human in body but with snarling hyena faces on the back of their heads, ripped mouthfuls of meat off the large horned hares that were our jackalopes. And though I couldn¡¯t see them now, wolf howls carried through the night, the triumphant cry of Aconite¡¯s fellow rougarous.


    Night attacks. Even against a race as comfortably nocturnal as demons, they were a powerful tactic to leverage in warfare. Everyone had to rest sometime, and convention was to do so during hours when not all of us could see. If you wanted to hit a force with its pants down, this was one of the best ways.


    ¡°Commander Anthurium!¡± Yarrow, a centaur and one of our staff officers, rushed towards me. His chestnut coat was smoldering and his white cravat was askew, but his eyes showed true panic, this chaos and carnage overwhelming to a mind used to nothing scarier than paperwork. ¡°They¡¯re all around us, they¡¯re tearing through the camp! Ma¡¯am, what can we do? What are your orders?¡±


    Even in confused situations like this ¨C no, especially in times like this was when a skilled tactician could shine. ¡°They haven¡¯t reached the inner camp. Get our birds airborne for eyes in the sky, rally the gargoyles and ushi-oni.¡± Those giant ox-faced beetles were heavy cavalry and would struggle to maneuver in a flaming campground, but they could be a living wall of meat even for stone-skinned gargoyles. ¡°Gargoyles form up in a flying wedge and hit the goblins from the air, the ushi can reinforce them on the ground. The goblins should break easily under that concentration of force, and the bugbears won¡¯t last once they¡¯re outnumbered. Our soldiers will form a perimeter defense once they¡¯ve drawn attention, they¡¯re sturdy enough to hold out a while.¡±


    ¡°In the meantime, have the manticores form a firing line by the supply tents, send volleys at any enemies out in the open. Our cerastes should burrow and guard the ground around them to snatch anyone who gets close.¡± I did know the winged, scorpion-tailed lions wouldn¡¯t be tempting to charge at anyway. But having a burrowing snake demon lunge up and start strangling your friend would be even more disincentive for Aconite¡¯s troops to try. ¡°And have the manticores conserve their spines; the longer they can keep the enemy pinned down, the more time we¡¯ll have to regroup.¡± I hesitated a moment, but spoke again. ¡°And if the battle turns bad, then no matter what Phlox says have our troops surrender. No point dying if it¡¯s a lost cause.¡±


    I could see Yarrow drinking in each word to commit to memory, and he gave me a sharp salute with a slightly manic smile. ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡± He turned on his hooves to go execute my orders. Thankfully, not seeming to consider why I¡¯d given him responsibility for that last.


    As soon as Yarrow turned his back, I turned and ran full tilt in the other direction. Those tactics might buy us some time, but I knew the battle was already lost. And I was not about to die for an incompetent slug like Phlox, nor would I go and grovel at Aconite¡¯s feet.


    Phlox hadn¡¯t emerged from his own gaudy tent, and under the strain of attack no one else questioned where I was going. Nearing the edge of the woods, pale tree trunks dimly lit by the distant flames, I slowed my pace, opened the third eye possessed by all demons, and steeled myself.


    Nearly a thousand demons¡¯ auras flared to life in my mind¡¯s eye, and I clenched my jaw at the corresponding throb of a thousand pinpricks in my forehead. Maybe over a thousand if we¡¯d taken fewer casualties than I thought. I shut my sixth sense back down as fast as I could, pushing away guilty thoughts of the familiar auras I was leaving behind me. But I¡¯d learned enough from a glance. All those demons were behind me, so my exit would be clear.


    Thank gods. I¡¯d had my doubts, but it seemed Aconite had left the back of our camp open, not enclosing us completely. Well, she was shrewd enough to understand the enemy will fight harder if they have no hope of escape. I pulled open my pack and extricated my heavy iron lantern, focusing my meager mana to form a spark on my fingertip. My own power was less than probably any of the auras I¡¯d seen, but it was more than enough to light a candle, and save me from an ignominious death breaking my own neck in the dark.


    The lantern¡¯s cone of pale light swung with it in my hand, illuminating bushes full of berries in shining red, black and blue, countless wildflowers whose pastel blooms painted swathes of color as I ran past. It was an odd incongruity of Hesperia, realm of demons; the more we spilled each others¡¯ blood, the more of our namesake life bloomed from the bloody soil.


    Battles were always loud affairs, but as I was retreating down the hill, far enough that I could nearly ignore the sounds of killing, something shifted in the timbre of the battlefield¡¯s tone. I slowed and stopped, unable to put my finger on it, and turned around.


    On top of the hill, backlit by dancing flames, I could see countless shadows scurrying, moving at barely-perceptible angles, but enough to recognize a flight when I saw it. So much for organizing a surrender, it seemed the battle had become a rout, and any demon warlord would pursue the fleeing troops of a rival. ¡°Fuck,¡± I swore, looking around quickly. Finding what I could recognize as a cedar tree, I wrested off a thinner branch with a crack, leaving bits of injured green wood as I blew out my lantern. The last thing I needed was to be found by one of Aconite¡¯s hunters, or killed by one of Phlox¡¯s side for deserting slightly earlier than became acceptable.


    Poking my way along with a walking stick was much less efficient than running, and I tried to will my eyes to adjust faster to the dark. Hearing footsteps and hoofbeats and snapping twigs getting closer, I told myself, heart in my throat, that all I had to do was reach the river. It was at the bottom of the hill, curled around its base, and in the water even canid demons couldn¡¯t catch my scent.


    My ears pricked up as I heard a familiar voice on the edge of my awareness. I couldn¡¯t make out words yet, but hastening downhill I looked around for a thick tree and placed myself behind its trunk. Now I just needed them not to smell me, but as they got closer and I recognized words and speaker, I realized that wasn¡¯t a concern.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    ¡°Need to get away, please, Suanil, let me get away,¡± a woman¡¯s high voice gasped as she rushed past me, her breathing ragged, twigs crunching under claw. Corydalis, one of our scouts; an avian birdfolk who resembled a human-sized blue jay and a very nice girl. What was she doing here? Why was she walking instead of flying?


    I¡¯d hoped that she would escape with the other birdfolk scouts, once the battle turned hopeless. Watching her stumbling silhouette, I saw her left wing dragging on the ground, and put the answers together just before a snarl ripped through the night.


    Cory looked back and screamed. A large shape leaped at her and slammed her to the ground, growling and huffing low barks. One of the rougarou, Aconite¡¯s elite troops; while I¡¯d only seen her in a humanoid body, these others nearly always stayed in full wolf form as heavy cavalry. They were strong and tough, but skilled pursuers too, as poor Cory was seeing now. Her screams reached a fever pitch between sounds of ripping flesh as the rougarou tore into her.


    I found myself staring, a sick feeling suffusing me and twisting my stomach. Should I help her ¨C no, I couldn¡¯t fight a rougarou myself, and I wouldn¡¯t escape if I got its attention. All I¡¯d do was get myself killed too¡­


    The vast wolf stopped its feast, Cory letting out a weak chirp, and raised its head with an audible sniff. Keen yellow eyes turned towards me in the dark, and my heart stilled.


    We looked at each other for a second before it huffed, and from the flash of fang in the moonlight I could swear the wolf grinned at me.


    ¡°Please¡­¡± I heard Cory¡¯s thin, pain-laden plea, before she let out a horrible groan as the rougarou turned back to her, more wet chomps and slurps sounding out through the night. It seemed the wolf was content with its current feast.


    I walked away, guilt filling the pit of my stomach, as Cory¡¯s voice faded to desperate whines, and then to nothing at all.


    It seemed the rout was disorganized, as most are, so however many demons scattered over the hill, most didn¡¯t cross paths with me as directly. Still, I caught glimpses as my night vision adjusted and heard sounds of more scuffles around me; a yowling catfolk cornered by two fiery-eyed hellhounds, a half-goat satyr bleating frantically as a snake-tailed lamia swallowed him whole, a gargoyle striking down goblins with loud, cracking blows before the rest leaped at her eyes and overwhelmed her.


    I just kept going, finding a path through the trees, making my way down the hill. The battle had already long been decided, my actions wouldn¡¯t make it any more or less of a victory for Aconite. The wood was thinning out now, the slope flattening to a plateau, and I could see moonlight glint off water ahead. I just had to get a little farther¡­


    There was another whoosh and rush of heat on my back, blowing hair in my face as the night turned markedly brighter. Shit, was this Aconite¡¯s mystery fire-user? Had they caught up to me?


    ¡°Anthurium!¡± An angry bellow bounced off the trees in ugly bass, fire crackling around it. ¡°Where are you, you traitor?! Show yourself, in the name of Phlox the Great!¡±


    Oh. This might actually be worse. I grimaced, and turned to look back at my egomaniac ex-boss.


    Phlox was a demon I¡¯d always thought resembled a slug, but without the charisma. His brown body was squat, wrinkled, and low to the ground, with a wide mouth and beady black eyes adorning his face. His arms were disproportionately small compared to his body, and I¡¯d never been clear on whether he lacked any legs or if they were buried underneath his girth.


    Surrounded by burning trees and brush and showing not a bit of discomfort, Phlox growled, squinting his eyes as he looked around the woods. The earth beneath him shifted, flattening to a slick trough, and his body shot forward with alarming speed, overrunning a bush and smashing through tree branches. He grunted and spat out a few fronds, unbothered by the collisions.


    Yeah. He really didn¡¯t need legs, and it was a pressing problem for me right now.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re not far, I can sense you! Come out right now, or I¡¯ll burn you to a crisp!¡± Phlox roared, and I took a couple quiet steps back, keeping cover between us. He clearly hadn¡¯t spotted me yet, and I¡¯d take indiscriminate burning over fire thrown right in my face.


    Besides, if I¡¯d intuited something correctly, all I should need to do was wait and avoid being crisped.


    ¡°Where were you when they attacked, you weak little mongrel?!¡± A tree next to me exploded into flame, and I jerked back, thankful I¡¯d learned to keep my hair up near Phlox. ¡°We would be the victors here if it weren¡¯t for you!¡±


    I ground my teeth at that, glaring at the demon. Phlox was a prime example that power was in no way correlated with intelligence or common sense. He would never have gotten this far if it weren¡¯t for me, and I didn''t know what I''d been thinking to offer him my service. But I kept all that to myself with effort, just continuing to slowly back up.


    ¡°How much did the wolf-bitch offer you, whore? She got lucky tonight, you know she could never match me,¡± Phlox continued to rave as the temperature rose around us, and I could feel sweat dripping down my face. ¡°Rrrgh, I should have devoured you when I first had the chance!¨C¡±


    A wolf leaped from the woods and hit Phlox full-on from the side. It would have snapped his neck if he¡¯d had any to speak of. Instead he turned, glared, and breathed a stream of fire at the beast. The wolf¡¯s fur went up like a torch and it fell away with an anguished yipe, falling to the ground and twitching.


    But another rougarou pounced on him, clawing at his eyes, and then another struck him and started mauling his arm, and bit by bit, at least a dozen shaggy demons literally dogpiled him, gnawing through his thick skin and bearing him to the ground as he shouted in pain and rage. Even the best Thesmothete could be overwhelmed by sheer numbers, and Phlox was far, far from the best of warlords.


    For my own part, I sighed in relief; finally. With all the noise and fire he¡¯d been making, Phlox might not have realized what a target he¡¯d made himself, but I certainly had. It was just a matter of time before Aconite put out the kill order. With that taken care of, I turned back towards the river and froze.


    Thesmothete Aconite was standing there, smiling at me. She was a tall olive-skinned woman with a silver-furred wolf¡¯s head on a lean, muscled body. She had no armor or weapon, only loose clothes that were little more than rags, but I had no doubt she could tear my head off before I moved.


    ¡°There you are. Strategos Anthurium.¡± Her voice was low and husky, near a growl even in this mostly-human form. ¡°I suppose I might owe you thanks for your assistance with¡­ this.¡± Her voice dripped disdain as she looked over at Phlox, still roaring as her best troops continued to maul him.


    I nodded silently, very aware of my position and not trusting myself to speak. If she had changed her mind¡­


    ¡°Why not give you my thanks in the form of a head start.¡± She grinned, and I could see the fangs among her teeth. ¡°Run away, little prey. I will enjoy hunting you.¡±


    And that tinted my vision red with anger. So I still wasn¡¯t worthy of the slightest respect? Not even a threat in her eyes, just one more weak demon to toy with, playing with her food. Fine. I didn¡¯t know when I¡¯d be back, but Aconite would regret not killing me.


    She didn¡¯t try to stop me as I weaved around her towards the river. I cinched my pack tightly shut, grabbed my lightweight wood staff-slash-flotation device, and plunged into the freezing cold.

 1. Refuge

    Most demons¡¯ stamina far outstrips that of humans, but in all respects but intelligence I was near the bottom of ¡®most demons¡¯, and by the time I pulled myself to shore I was thoroughly exhausted. The twin suns had risen and were high in the sky, and my surroundings had changed from forest to flatlands, marking me as outside Phlox¡¯s ¨C well, now Aconite¡¯s ¨C demesne.


    I rested up as best I could under the suns and ate some dried fruit and meat from my pack, keeping a wary eye on the elk and bison grazing nearby. They might be feeding on grass now, but I didn¡¯t trust them not to try me for seconds. Hesperia¡¯s animals had grown nasty to not be hunted to death.


    My pack was lined with oilskin, as close to waterproof as I could get, and while aquatic escapes weren¡¯t why I wanted it I was willing to call those a fringe benefit. It had kept both my food and more importantly, my map of Hesperia mostly dry. The map was covered with light tracings in pencil, which I¡¯d constantly redrawn to reflect shifts in the warlords¡¯ territories.


    It seemed I¡¯d come ashore in the Tessalion Plains. Uncontested territory among the major powers, but as it was home to nomads instead of armies, it wasn¡¯t a place where I had spent much time. Right now I stood in a field of shining white-gold flowers, and the sweet aroma I breathed in I assumed was their doing. The grass was a vivid dark green, up to my knee height. But I couldn¡¯t just stand around enjoying the sights. I needed to find a place to lay low, and a minute perusing my map suggested one.


    The wind tousled my hair as I made my way across the plains, past trees painted autumn colors and lowing, lumbering wildebeests. It was calm here, quiet and peaceful in a way I hadn¡¯t known for months. Strange to feel at first, after all the time I¡¯d spent planning attacks or watching for ambushes. But able to see anyone coming a mile away, I could zone out and walk until I reached the road, checking the twin suns again before bearing south.


    If my map was right, I was heading away from the nearby city of Hymetos. Aconite might not favor cities, but there was still too great a chance I¡¯d find someone looking for me there. The road was fairly empty of travelers, at least, just a pair of rabbitfolk who steered wide around me when they saw my weapons. I couldn¡¯t blame them, though. Especially out in the wild, it paid to be wary of demon strangers.


    A few dark smudges in the distance grew slowly into buildings, and with very little fanfare I found myself entering a town. Monem, my map had said, next to a dot a flea would struggle to find. My legs were aching in a way I¡¯d been increasingly failing to ignore, so finally being here was a huge relief. Now I just needed a place to rest.


    Walking among the tarred wooden buildings, there was no real street or paving stones to speak of, just some patches of dirt where the grass underfoot had died. I¡¯d guess whoever first settled here had thrown up a few houses and called it a day, The village couldn¡¯t house more than a hundred demons, but the first building with more than one story seemed like a good bet for what I wanted. A sign stuck in the ground denoted it as The Sleepy Ogre, and I made my way inside.


    The front door led into a large, wood-furnished room, with a lit fireplace crackling to my left and a few worn cushions set out in front of it. A wooden staircase punctuated the far wall behind the innkeeper¡¯s counter, and to my right I could hear clattering dishes echoing through the doorway. The orcish man at the counter wore a dark shirt open to show his muscled chest, which didn¡¯t immediately endear me to him, but I¡¯d tolerate it for a place to sleep.


    He nodded to me as I came to the desk, gray-eyed gaze calmly evaluating. Up close I could see the orc looked older than I¡¯d thought ¨C not outright old, and he was clearly in good shape, but there were streaks of gray in his black hair and stubble, something I¡¯d seen very rarely among other demons. He must have Emerged in an unusually mature body. ¡°Hey, there,¡± he greeted me in a low, mellow voice. ¡°Looking for a room?¡±


    ¡°I am, yes.¡± This place hadn¡¯t looked like it could house many guests, from the outside, but so far it did seem clean and well-maintained, so I¡¯d maintain a hopeful skepticism for the rooms¡¯ own quality. I doubted many long-term guests would come through Monem anyway.


    ¡°Two obol a night. Though I reserve the right to bring that up if you start making a racket or tearing the beds apart.¡± He smiled, but in a way that I didn¡¯t think he was joking. ¡°I¡¯m Sedum Acre.¡±


    ¡°Anthurium.¡± Names were always convention to give, but he didn¡¯t need to know more than that, and from the nod at my short response I could see him consciously acknowledge it. I appreciated a respect for privacy. We¡¯ve all got our scars, and I could see some old ones on his chest and neck. No sense in poking at wounds seen or unseen.


    ¡°Cheers. I¡¯ll spare you the spiel about food and drink, you look like you can find ¡®em just fine without me telling you how.¡± Sedum chuckled, placing a brass key on the counter. ¡°Any trouble on the road?¡±


    I pushed two iron coins across in exchange. ¡°Not in particular, no.¡±


    ¡°Lucky, that. Monem itself is safe enough, but traveling alone¡¯s always chancy.¡± Sedum shook his head. ¡°Well, breakfast starts serving not long after sunup. Let me know if you need anything.¡±


    ¡°Will do,¡± I replied, thinking he shouldn¡¯t count on it.


    There was an unadorned mirror on the wall by the stairs, and I glanced at my reflection as I passed it. Looking back at me was a tall, willowy woman with long raven hair, perfect clear skin, and soulful green eyes you could lose yourself in¡ª ha, ha, yeah right.


    No, I just looked about the same as I ever had these last ten years. My hair could probably use a trim, dark brown bangs blowing into my eyes even with my glasses, ramlike horns a weight atop my head I was well used to. Ash-brown skin with darker markings in places, tattoo-like stripes that I¡¯d had since ¡®birth¡¯, though I¡¯d gathered plenty of scars to join them beneath the heavy black cloth of my gambeson.


    I''d have had to stand on tiptoes to see below my neck in the mirror, though. I consoled myself with the lie that it was at a height for orcs.


    My room was small but clean, with the inn¡¯s same wooden floors and furnishings. It didn¡¯t have much but the necessities, a table and chair and a bed larger than I¡¯d need. And a window, always useful if I had to leave in a hurry.


    I checked to make sure the lock actually worked, wedged the chair against the door as extra security, and tucked my dagger under the thin, deflated pillow. Then I collapsed into bed. If there were bedbugs, I¡¯d reap the consequences tomorrow.


    - - -


    I slept in late enough that I¡¯d have been embarrassed if I was still in camp. But walking for a day did take it out of you, my legs were still achingly sore after that, so I couldn¡¯t blame myself too much. Thankfully, I found no itching bumps from bedbugs.


    The savory smell of food beckoned, so I scanned my surroundings for threats, then retrieved and donned my armor to go downstairs for breakfast. It turned out to be roast pork and thick oatmeal, and the cost was more than reasonable. Just another obol paid to a scrawny red-skinned imp, and I went back to my room.


    Rummaging in my pack, I pulled out a heavy leather-bound case. Inside was the sheaf of parchment where I kept the notes I¡¯d compiled over the years. The first few pages looked like so much gibberish to me now; I¡¯d stopped using a cipher for my notes early on once I realized one, it took more time, and two, my work associates didn¡¯t actually care enough to peek. But I still had cause to bring out my codebook eventually, when I thought to jot down something important to keep secret.


    Flipping through the binder, I pulled out one marked page to reference while I worked. I¡¯d never bothered showing it to Phlox, but it was the beginning of how I¡¯d briefed a couple of my past superiors. The ones who I thought could make use of it. A basic summary of the Archons, which any Thesmothete would need to overcome if they wished to rule Hesperia.


    The vampire Dreadlord Camas, the rakshasa Tigrida the Mighty, the cyclops Pachypoda the Invincible, and the witch Bryonia Alba.


    I spent the next few hours writing out plans to destroy them.


    But eventually, I realized I was wasting my time. Yes, if I had sloth demons I could shatter Camas¡¯s castle roof and let sunlight stream down on the vampire lord. With naiads I could quench the flames of Tigrida¡¯s draconic enforcer and overwhelm the raskhasa herself, keeping wary of her illusions. But my plans leveraged things I¡¯d invariably need, and unlike with Phlox or Sarraceni or any of the others past, right now I had nothing. I had no warlord or army or resources, and until I had them or the leverage to get them, this wasn¡¯t strategy. It was a fantasy.


    Dimly I noticed that it was getting dark outside, and that my stomach was growling with a painful need. It was stuffy in my room, too; I needed fresh air, and I needed food.


    Downstairs, I smelled a meaty flavor in the air, which I could check on shortly. I opened my third eye once more to check for any powerful or familiar demons that might have tracked me here. None were nearby, the same as breakfast, so I made my way out into the night.


    I nearly bumped into another woman in the process. She was a harpy, a cute one, whose snowy wings and hair stood out in the dim evening. And she¡¯d been craning her neck looking out into the night before jumping at my arrival, whirling to face me with a surprised little squawk.


    ¡°Evening,¡± I told her, allowing a small smile. Probably for the best that I wasn¡¯t holding a weapon, or I might have done more than startle her. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Ah, hello¡­¡± She smiled back cautiously, wings settling down by her sides. Her clothes didn¡¯t cover much, I was noticing now, with short shorts and a cream top that bared shoulders and midriff. ¡°I¡¯m Uvaia. Were you here for dinner? I don¡¯t know how I missed you come in.¡±


    ¡°Anthurium. I haven¡¯t eaten yet, just meant to stretch my legs.¡± Well, I doubted a stretch would help their soreness at this point. ¡°I¡¯ve actually been inside all day.¡±


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re a guest!¡± Uvaia didn¡¯t hide her surprise, dark blue eyes widening. ¡°Ah, right, that¡¯s why I haven¡¯t seen you before. I thought I¡¯d met everyone in town by now.¡±


    More of a social butterfly than I¡¯d thought, then. She¡¯d seemed pretty skittish so far. ¡°I take it this place doesn¡¯t get many guests.¡±


    ¡°Nooo, not really,¡± Uvaia said, letting out a little laugh and raising one wing to rub her cheek. ¡°It¡¯s pretty quiet here. Doesn¡¯t change much, for¡­ better or worse.¡± Her eyes turned shadowed for a moment.


    Sensing deeper concerns than I might want to delve into, I steered us back to likelier benign topics. ¡°So, do you work here? For the innkeeper?¡±


    ¡°Well, um, I do sometimes work here, but not for Sedum, no,¡± Uvaia said, laugh sounding more nervous this time. ¡°But he lets me use the rooms here, to share with people who want to. People who are interested in some company?¡± She smiled hopefully at me, meeting my eyes. Her own sparkled with the promise of suggestiveness. Underneath, though, she looked deeply tired.


    Ah, that lent context to her choice of outfit. ¡°Not really the kind of company I¡¯m looking for,¡± I told her, shaking my head. She was pretty and she¡¯d been pleasant enough to talk to, but sex was a bit much for someone I¡¯d just met. Someone who could take the chance while I slept to rob or devour me, too.


    Uvaia drooped. Not just with her wings, but with her full body. Even so, she kept up her smile. ¡°Ah, that¡¯s okay. I hope you have a good rest of your evening!¡±


    She couldn¡¯t actually be that disappointed, could she? She¡¯d only just met me too, and I hardly had the kind of presence that inspired lust at first sight. ¡°Thanks. Maybe I¡¯ll still see you around?¡±


    ¡°Um, yeah! I¡¯ll probably be inside later tonight¡­¡± Her smile looked distinctly more wilted, now. And whether it was an act or not, I had trouble walking away from those dejected eyes.


    ¡°Confident you¡¯ll find a client, then?¡± I asked, fairly certain that was not it.


    ¡°Oh¨C no. Sedum lets me sleep by the fire for free when I need somewhere to stay the night.¡± She shrugged her shoulders, smiling weakly.


    I winced. There were a couple explanations for that, and neither painted a good picture. I was about to respond, but a gurgling growl filled the air between us, and I didn¡¯t think it¡¯d come from me.


    Uvaia moaned and covered her stomach with a wing. I hadn¡¯t realized how thin she was until now.


    ¡°Actually,¡± I said, deciding I could do something nice for the cute, possibly homeless harpy. ¡°Why don¡¯t you join me for dinner inside? I¡¯d rather not eat alone.¡±


    Uvaia¡¯s head snapped up. ¡°Really?¡± Her eyes shone with a relief that made me feel validated, cold dead heart or not. Then she hesitated. ¡°Ah, I can¡¯t pay, though.¡±


    I had to give her credit for admitting that now instead of after dinner. Still, being an honest prostitute might explain why she was going hungry. ¡°It¡¯s alright, I can pay for you. Food at places like this can¡¯t be that expensive.¡± I smiled slightly again. ¡°Besides, I¡¯m sure your company is plenty worth it.¡±


    Uvaia stilled a little, giving me a wide-eyed look for reasons I had trouble decoding. After a second, though, she nodded as resolution settled on her face. ¡°Okay.¡±


    I led the way inside. Sedum was back behind his counter, gaze settling on us, and he smiled at Uvaia before giving me a hard look that felt frankly undeserved with what little he should know of me. I made a note of that, and we entered the dining room.


    Dinner turned out to be a cauldron of stew nearly as high as the imp stirring it. There were a half-dozen other demons at the tables all around, a pair of stout pebble-skinned oreads, a helmeted turtle-like kappa giving a critical look to his bowl, and a pair of antlike beastfolk with a mushroom-headed blammigon sitting between them. The imp server, I thought Yaupon was his name, handed us each a small loaf of pale bread with our stew. A good business decision to give us something cheap to fill up on.


    Bread and flour-based foods were valuable to feed armies, too. Not the most popular in general, as meat was the preferred cuisine for a majority of demons, but well worth the dip in morale when considering the logistical benefits. Food that would last longer without spoiling and could be baked on the go took significant stress off an army¡¯s supply train. And soldiers complaining about what food they had was far better than rioting over food they didn¡¯t.


    An oni named Capsicum I¡¯d had the frustration to know had refused to hear it, fixated on his grand idea of moving fast and feeding his new clan off their conquests. The last I heard he¡¯d crashed hard and fast, and his soldiers had eaten him.


    The night¡¯s bread, while oddly shaped, tasted decent enough even if it was dry, and having it with the stew mostly solved that problem. That was the highlight, savory and well-spiced, with a meat that was probably beef at its core and several root vegetables to round it out. I idly mused on the farming demons who grew and raised food. Stronger demons looked down on them, but they held a lot of responsibility for us not starving and tearing each other apart. It was relatable.


    ¡°It¡¯s not bad. I can see why this place is popular,¡± I said, shaking myself out of my thoughts and looking across the table at Uvaia. The sight of her made my lips quirk into a smile; she was tearing into the food without care for manners, bowl held tight in her wings as she guzzled stew down. Some was spilling on her blouse and leaving brown splotches, but with the happy sounds she was making, I couldn¡¯t interrupt.


    Inside in the firelight, I could see the caramel color to her skin, and a blue streak in her hair I hadn¡¯t noticed before. It looked good on her. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re enjoying it too?¡±


    ¡°Mmhm!¡± Uvaia set her bowl down, beaming at me. ¡°So good. I,¡± A loud belch interrupted her sentence, and she blushed. ¡°I can¡¯t remember when I last had food like this.¡± Her gaze dropped to her bowl, and she licked her lips absently.


    ¡°You can get a refill, if you want,¡± I told her, smiling back. It looked like she¡¯d put her bread aside, likely to save for a time without this privilege.


    She blinked in surprise. ¡°Are you sure? Wouldn¡¯t that cost extra?¡± She looked hopeful, even so.


    ¡°Look at how big the stewpot is, they¡¯re bound to have food left over most days. You¡¯d be doing them a favor using up more.¡± I shook my head, amused. ¡°Just ask for a refill and don¡¯t mention price. Trust me.¡±


    She bit her lip with a hesitant look, but jumped up and went to do just that. I kept filling my mouth with meat and vegetables, definitely not focusing on the glimpse I¡¯d gotten of her butt. She wasn¡¯t thin everywhere, apparently.


    Uvaia came back a minute later, excited. ¡°It worked!¡± She plopped down across from me, gently holding her stew. ¡°Thanks, Anthurium. I wouldn¡¯t have been brave enough on my own.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d be surprised what you can get if you convince people you deserve it,¡± I told her, smiling. ¡°Doesn¡¯t the orc already let you stay here for free? I¡¯m sure you could talk him into giving you free meals too.¡± I wasn¡¯t sure if it was romantic, sexual or paternal, but from the look Sedum had shot me he seemed to have a soft spot for her.


    Uvaia¡¯s face fell. ¡°Ah. Maybe.¡± She took a slurp of her stew, looking down at it instead of me. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t really want to ask. The fireplace was something he offered me, but begging for free things can make people resent you fast.¡±


    Her voice had the bitter ring of experience, and I grimaced. ¡°Not the easiest way to make ends meet, huh.¡± I¡¯d never been reduced to begging myself, but I¡¯d seen enough of cities¡¯ underbellies to get the picture.


    ¡°Not exactly, no.¡± Uvaia sighed, and took another wet gulp from her bowl. She raised her eyes with an apologetic look. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯d rather not talk about this.¡±


    ¡°Sure, that¡¯s fine.¡± I¡¯d rather not dwell on that time, either. ¡°I¡¯d hope your current job¡¯s a step up from that?¡± Though I wasn¡¯t certain it would be. Prostitution often wasn¡¯t the most voluntary of professions.


    She faintly smiled. ¡°Ah, well, it pays! When I can¡­ find people, who do pay.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Stupid question. I had to stop putting my foot in my mouth. ¡°Well, maybe while I¡¯m in town I can try to send some business your way,¡± I said, only half-joking.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re a matchmaker, huh?¡± Uvaia chuckled softly. ¡°If you want to do me a favor, I think there¡¯s easier ways.¡± She raised her eyebrows.


    ¡°Easier? I don¡¯t know, depends how much you charge.¡± She laughed a little louder at that, gratifyingly. ¡°No, but I have done a bit of matchmaking in my time. One time I saved my boss¡¯s life by sending a mothgirl to her bed.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re making that up.¡± Uvaia was smiling like she didn¡¯t know whether to play along with a joke.


    I smirked at her. ¡°Try me.¡± And I launched into a story about my old boss Sarraceni, the trio scheming to overthrow her that I¡¯d sniffed out, and how I¡¯d broken their plot by learning one lonely mothgirl had been pining over Sarra, convincing my boss to win her back to her side in bed.


    By the end of my recounting, both of our moods had lifted, and Uvaia was laughing at my description of the other conspirators¡¯ faces when they¡¯d walked in to see their friend in their enemy¡¯s arms. ¡°Oh, wow,¡± she said, grinning and putting down her empty bowl. ¡°I thought you were just making a joke, but you sure made that sound real.¡± She eyed me curiously. ¡°So, were you Sarraceni¡¯s bodyguard, or something?¡±


    ¡°¡­Something like that, yes.¡± I¡¯d left out several of the gory details, like what Sarra and her lover had done to the others next. Or that she''d been a Thesmothete, an aspiring warlord.


    ¡°That¡¯s really amazing.¡± Uvaia shook her head, gaze turning wistful. ¡°I wish I could do something like that. I¡¯m nowhere near strong enough.¡±


    That made me hesitate. I looked around briefly, seeing no one who could overhear. This still wasn¡¯t smart to say out loud. ¡°To be honest, I¡¯m not strong at all either,¡± I whispered to her anyway. Maybe I was just weak to a pretty face, maybe I felt some kind of kinship with Uvaia. ¡°But there are other ways to get what you want.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Uvaia¡¯s eyes went wide, and I gestured sharply to keep her voice down. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have thought that at all. You¡¯re way more confident than me.¡±


    ¡°Yes, that is one of those ways to get what you want.¡± I snorted. ¡°But listen, we are both demons, you know? The sky¡¯s really the limit for how strong we could get. One of us could be the next Demon King some day.¡±


    She smiled faintly. I could tell she didn¡¯t believe me. ¡°It¡¯s a nice thought.¡±


    Silence fell between us, and we were done eating, but I found I didn¡¯t want to say goodnight just yet. ¡°So, supposing I did want to ask you upstairs after all. How much is your rate?¡±


    Uvaia looked visibly startled. ¡°Ten obol for a night, but¡­ you do actually want to pay me?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I¡¯d missed some serious miscommunication here.


    ¡°You paid for my meal, so I thought¡­¡± She shook her head, swallowing. ¡°You said dinner would be worth my ¡®company¡¯. It¡¯s okay, really, it¡¯s nothing new! This is better than people who don¡¯t ask until after, and ask if I¡¯m going to just leave after what they did for me, and I don¡¯t want to make them mad so I just-¡± She faltered, there.


    ¡°No, Uvaia, hey.¡± I shook my head hard, wincing as I felt an ache in my chest. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean anything like that. I just wanted to talk to you. The meal was for you to enjoy, that¡¯s it. Zero expectation of anything else.¡±


    Her mouth fell open slightly, and she stared as I continued. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have asked just now, I should have realized the context. You¡¯ve got a tough job, hell, I know what that¡¯s like, you can just take a night off! And forget what I said. You shouldn¡¯t have to sleep with anyone you don¡¯t want to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hey.¡± Uvaia spoke softly, moving around to my side of the table. She leaned her head in towards me, and I stuttered to a halt as our foreheads touched.


    ¡°I do want to,¡± Uvaia murmured, her voice soft and her eyes bright. ¡°With you, I want to. Anthurium.¡±


    I swallowed. My heart was beating fast in my chest. ¡°Right. Good. That¡¯s settled, then.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± She smiled warmly and pulled back. Somehow I¡¯d only noticed now how she was half a head taller than me. ¡°Let¡¯s go upstairs?¡±


    I nodded assent. We cleared our dishes and passed through the front room, a bounce in Uvaia¡¯s step that hadn¡¯t been there before. Sedum looked over again, but his expression relaxed this time. And he showed me a respectful nod.


    It was true that I couldn¡¯t make Uvaia the next demon queen. But for now we could still enjoy each other¡¯s company. Really enjoy, not just try and force it. And anyway, it wasn¡¯t that much money.

 2. Promise

    How had I managed to run out of money? I¡¯d only been here for a week, surely my expenses couldn¡¯t have been that high.


    Yes, the cost of my room and meals would of course add up, and yes, I may have ended up soliciting Uvaia a few more times, but¡­ ugh. I supposed this wasn¡¯t implausible so much as it was irresponsible.


    Well. I wouldn¡¯t be bereft of ways to get more money quickly if I must, but the likely solution was that it was time to leave. A week had passed with no one coming after me, so Aconite¡¯s parting shot about ¡®hunting¡¯ me was either meant just to unnerve or she had decided I wasn¡¯t worth her time. The latter was much more insulting, and I wanted to punch her in the snout just imagining it.


    After one last look for coins that might¡¯ve been misplaced, I packed up my clothes, books and other belongings. I¡¯d gotten the stench mostly out of my outfit, however much time and effort it took, so I could put my armor back on without people looking at me like something dead was on my face. I supposed I really should head to Hymetos next. Cities had opportunity, even if I¡¯d never been to this one in particular. Before heading downstairs, I opened my third eye for the now customary check of any danger nearby¡­


    A blinding presence practically knocked me off my feet. I fully was not expecting it, the experience like opening the curtains and seeing the suns were filling your yard. Swearing, I slammed my third eye shut and took a deep breath, massaging my now sore temples with both hands. What was that? Who was that?


    No. They were exactly what I needed. An opportunity. The presence had come from off to my left, and hastening to look out the window I saw the woods that way, beyond the town¡¯s last houses. Well, it seemed I had a new destination, then.


    I made my way downstairs, still thinking on what I¡¯d felt. That had to be an Archon, surely? I couldn¡¯t think of what Dreadlord Camas would be doing out here, and any other Archons would have had to come even farther. But this was at least a demon on their level. Though even Bryonia hadn¡¯t been that blinding ¨C had she? ¨C however much else she had going for her.


    I stumbled briefly at the thought that they might be mortal, some truly legendary hero aiming to finish what Dame Marcella started when she killed the king. But no, it had been years since I¡¯d run into any mortals, but thinking back they did have a different feeling to their mana, their auras.


    And there was plenty of variety in demons¡¯ own auras too, but¡­ this was a demon. I was almost sure.


    ¡°Morning,¡± Sedum greeted me as I passed his desk, attention fixed on a book he had open. He looked up quickly when I slapped my key down in front of him. ¡°Well, this is a surprise. Leaving so soon?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been a week, innkeeper.¡± I was only half-focused on the conversation, thinking about what I should say, how I should approach this new player.


    ¡°Has it? With all the time you spend in that room, feels like I¡¯ve hardly seen you at all.¡± He grinned briefly, but it faded as he took me in. ¡°Heading out for good, then?¡±


    ¡°Most likely.¡± If I wanted to ingratiate myself with this new demon, I¡¯d need to go with them wherever they wanted. ¡­I hoped that wouldn¡¯t be to invade Viletiu, though. The human border wasn¡¯t far, but that would be a mess I would argue against.


    ¡°Uvaia will be sad to hear it,¡± he said a bit too casually, and that did bring my thoughts to an abrupt halt. Looking at him now, he wore an expression that veered into the judgmental, which would rankle more if I wasn¡¯t suddenly thinking I deserved it.


    ¡°Oh. Yeah.¡± Thoughts of the pretty harpy with her soft warm wings and sad, hopeful smile did make my stomach twist with guilt. ¡°Do you know if she¡¯s here?¡± I looked back at the stairs.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t see her in last night, either alone or with company. Probably with a customer at their house.¡± He glanced at the doorway, a dark look crossing his eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯s all right, Sedum.¡± I hoped that for her sake, not for her client¡¯s, but had no doubt that if she wasn¡¯t alright their suffering would be much more severe.


    ¡°If you mean that, lass, then you don¡¯t know her as well as I thought.¡± He flashed me a smile again, more tiredly. ¡°Won¡¯t even stick around for breakfast, then?¡±


    Maybe if I actually had money. But no: ¡°This isn¡¯t something I can leave waiting,¡± I told him honestly. Even if my stomach did grumble in complaint. I hesitated before asking, ¡°Can you tell Uvaia goodbye for me?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re sure.¡± The disappointment was clear on his face, but I tuned it out this time.


    Because I was sure. These stakes were much bigger than one harpy, even one I¡¯d come to consider a friend. ¡°I appreciate it.¡± I shouldered my pack, turning to go.


    ¡°Stop by again if you can sometime, aye?¡± he asked behind me, and I stopped just briefly. ¡°Could use more folk like you coming through.¡±


    A startled breath of a laugh left my mouth. If only he knew. I didn¡¯t answer, just heading out the door, not looking back.


    I passed a few villagers on my way to the woods, most of whom I¡¯d seen at one point or another eating Sedum¡¯s cooking in the inn. No one tried to stop me, though, and with a couple minutes¡¯ brisk walking I¡¯d made my way to the trees, thick with the orange, reds and golds of autumn.


    Taking a deep breath, I blinked my third eye open briefly. It would be easy to get lost in the forest, especially one without a path, and blundering off in the wrong direction from the demon was the exact opposite of what I¡¯d want. Another glimpse confirmed they were still in my vicinity, and still painful to look at, but hey, I¡¯d never thought I wouldn¡¯t suffer for the cause. Forward bearing to my left, it seemed like.


    In my mind, I ran through different scenarios of how to make a first impression, but discarded each of them quickly. This demon was an unknown unknown, the worst kind of circumstance in my opinion, but all I could do was wait to see what they were like and go from there. The one thing to be sure of was that I had to be careful.


    It took a few more minutes, but I happened upon her. Strangely, without needing any more triangulating at all.


    Another woman, or so I assumed from the chest and wide hips, with peach skin in unusually human tones given the curled horns above her face. Her hair was longer on one side and primarily pink, fading into aqua around her chin. A plain navy dress hugged her figure, and black shoes shined on her feet in the grass. And she looked youthful, the standard of a race that doesn¡¯t truly age.


    She didn¡¯t look like the threat that I knew she must be. I¡¯d never known my energy sense to be wrong, and she¡¯d been blinding even at great distance with my third eye open. This close, I didn¡¯t even want to risk looking at her with it; she¡¯d already been like the suns, no need to fly up close to them and give a long stare.


    I hoped I wouldn¡¯t startle her by coming out. I¡¯d been nearly obliterated more than once by my alleged ¡®betters¡¯, catching her in a jumpy mood might cut that streak short. Being reduced to ashes wouldn¡¯t do much for my goals, so I called out from my healthy distance, aiming for inquisitive over a threatening tone. ¡°Hello?¡±


    The Archon-level demon jumped slightly and looked around, turning her head with an expression of innocent surprise. ¡°Ah, hi there! Sorry, I¡¯m not quite sure where you are?¡± she called.


    That wasn¡¯t a ¡®how dare you address me, weakling¡¯ or a ¡®do you even know who I am?¡¯, so a good start, all in all. But more than that, I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d ever heard a demon of her power apologize, let alone for something so unimportant. Something was strange about this one.


    I didn¡¯t like uncertainties, but somehow her manner still had me coming out from behind my tree. ¡°Yeah, I didn¡¯t want to startle you. Appearing out of nowhere when you¡¯re alone wouldn¡¯t give the best impression, right?¡± Actually, for that matter, what was someone like her doing all on her own? Where was her clan, her followers?


    Her eyes widened as she looked at me, and coming closer I could see how they were sapphire-blue and very pretty. Not that the rest of her wasn¡¯t, but those eyes really brought it all together. And the spray of freckles across her cheeks certainly didn¡¯t hurt. ¡°Right, right. Ah, so, you have¡­ horns?¡± she asked, mouth hanging open slightly.


    I bit back a sarcastic, reflexive response. Maybe someone had messed with her memories. Maybe she was unusually sheltered ¨C it¡¯d explain how I hadn¡¯t heard of her before ¨C and was used to being the only horned demon in her clan. Regardless, I didn¡¯t want to mouth off to someone so cute. ¡°Most mongrels do, that I¡¯ve seen. Obviously not just us, though,¡± I added quickly with a nod to her head, in case she¡¯d be insulted by the comparison.


    She blinked, forehead crinkling in confusion for a second. She raised a hand ¨C no obvious claws ¨C to her own horns and flinched hard as she touched one, mouth and eyes rounding out with shock. ¡°What- whoa, okay. Uh, am I dreaming right now?¡± she asked, urgency filling her expression as she raised both hands now, looking to be feeling out the contours of her horns.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    This was quickly getting even stranger. Even amnesia couldn¡¯t explain that, and while I did have one idea, it couldn¡¯t be likely. ¡°I sure hope not. I¡¯d hate if the whole life I¡¯ve been living is just window dressing for your dream.¡± That seemed to startle a quick smile out of her, which I appreciated as I continued. ¡°Do you mind if I ask your name?¡± I had the sense by now that she didn¡¯t take offense easily, but some politeness couldn¡¯t hurt.


    ¡°Um, I¡¯m Gia. Gianni Thompson.¡± She looked at me hesitantly.


    Not a demon¡¯s name. A human name on a demon. Unlikely or not, it looked like my guess was right. ¡°Well, I¡¯m Anthurium, Gia,¡± I said, trying to reassure her with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m a demon. Don¡¯t freak out.¡±


    She didn¡¯t scream or try to run away. Her expression just turned bug-eyed. ¡°What, like a real demon?¡± Gia asked, smiling with a disbelieving look. ¡°This must be a dream, then. Um, no offense.¡±


    That was not at all what I¡¯d expected, and it didn¡¯t make much sense. If she had her memories from before, she should know perfectly well that demons are real. I¡¯d never heard of newly Emerged demons doubting that, either. Shouldn¡¯t she know what she is? ¡°What¡¯s the last thing you remember?¡±


    Her smile died on her face, and she dropped her gaze, looking queasy. ¡°I¡¯d rather not talk about that,¡± Gia said, voice suddenly very small, and I felt a stab of guilt. ¡°Or even think about it, really.¡±


    Damn it, that was insensitive of me. If she was a brand new demon, her last memory might well be death. ¡°Sorry. Forget that, then.¡± I racked my brain for an informative question that wouldn¡¯t make her upset. ¡°Ah, where do you live?¡± Not asking in the past tense was the least I could do.


    ¡°Like, my address? Uh,¡± Gia looked around, taking in the forest surroundings. ¡°Maybe you mean more generally. Cadillac, Michigan?¡± She winced again, saying it.


    ¡°¡­Is that in Viteliu, Helveta, or Osterach?¡± I asked, wondering if I¡¯d heard her wrong. ¡°Or Undoz, maybe?¡± Throwing in the minotaurs¡¯ realm couldn¡¯t hurt.


    ¡°What?¡± She looked as bewildered as I felt, now. It would be generous to call that progress.


    ¡°Okay, you¡¯re not from around here.¡± That, I was at least confident concluding, though not much else added up. A demon this powerful seemingly out of nowhere was strange on its own. Retaining her old life¡¯s memories was nearly unheard of. But not knowing demons exist? Where could she be from to make that possible?


    ¡°Where is ¡®here¡¯, exactly?¡± her voice cut through my thoughts, and I saw Gia smiling nervously at me. ¡°Sorry. I know this is a lot, and not just for me. But maybe if we can slow down and answer that?¡±


    Right. Of course I wasn¡¯t the only one confused. ¡°We¡¯re in southern Hesperia, nearby a town called Monem. I think this is Scaritida Forest, I don¡¯t have my map on me.¡±


    She nodded, slowly. ¡°Um, can you tell me about Hesperia?¡±


    I could tell her enough to bore us both to death. But the thrust of her question seemed apparent. ¡°Hesperia is known as the demon realm.¡± Gia took that with good grace, nodding along with me, so I felt I could follow it up. ¡°And everyone who lives here are demons.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± It took barely a second, to her credit, before her eyes went wide as understanding dawned. ¡°Oh. Wait, so then, am I¡­?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. You¡¯re a demon now, Gianni.¡± I tried to say that as gently as I could. Even if she wasn¡¯t from around here, with how we were seen by humans, most wouldn¡¯t take it at all well.


    Her forehead crinkled as she processed that. ¡°So either I¡¯m dreaming or in hell. Would honestly prefer the latter option.¡± She seemed like she was talking to herself. After a second she took a deep breath, blew it out and looked at me. ¡°Right, okay. Gia is fine, by the way. So, what does a demon do?¡±


    I felt my eyebrows raise. Taking it well so far. ¡°Are you asking for information, or for advice?¡±


    ¡°Well, kind of both, I guess!¡± She was smiling again, and though her eyes showed some strain, her smile didn¡¯t look feigned, exactly. ¡°Is there something that I need to do, if this is me, now? Like, I don¡¯t really want to torture sinners, but if it¡¯s that or wake up in the hospital I guess I¡¯ll give it my best shot.¡±


    Now her smile looked pained. More of a grimace, really. ¡°You don¡¯t need to torture anyone,¡± I assured her, hoping that would help. ¡°And all the sinners here are demons. That¡¯s where we come from, in fact.¡± Directly asking me what she should do was a new one. And the ''you should do whatever it takes to become the next ruler'' answer was almost too obvious. But it wouldn¡¯t do to come on too strong, so I tucked away mentions of conquest for later. ¡°But no, demons in Hesperia live a lot like mortals do. You might have certain urges, or be pressured to act in different ways. But in the end, life as a demon is what you choose to make of it.¡±


    I could see some tension leave her bearing, and Gia let out a sigh in relief. ¡°Okay. Okay, that¡¯s good to hear. I really didn¡¯t want to torture anyone.¡± She brushed pink bangs out of her eyes, and then showed me a rather dazzling smile. ¡°Thank you for that, Ann- uh. Anth-er¡­?¡±


    ¡°Anthurium,¡± I filled in, seeing her struggling. Her smiling made my cheeks feel warm in a way I tried to ignore. ¡°I haven¡¯t done anything worth thanking me for.¡± Maybe apart from correcting a strange, unfounded assumption about torture, but that didn¡¯t count for much.


    ¡°You really don¡¯t think so?¡± Gia¡¯s smile widened. ¡°I¡¯m even more glad I met you, then.¡±


    I held in a wince at that. I didn¡¯t know when or how, but sooner or later she was bound to eat those words. ¡°So you¡¯re all right with being a demon?¡±


    ¡°Oh, well, it wouldn¡¯t have been my first choice, but this sure is better than what I had back home.¡± She wore an odd expression as she looked down at herself, smoothing out her dress. ¡°And I wouldn¡¯t mind a mirror, but I know your horns look cute, so that¡¯s a good sign.¡± Gia flashed another smile at me, but it faded into pensiveness. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m still assuming this is a dream, or a coma or something. But I really hope it isn¡¯t.¡± Her voice fell to something quiet and fervent. ¡°God, I don¡¯t want to wake up.¡±


    I lowered a self-conscious hand from my left horn ¨C no one had ever called them cute before ¨C to focus on more important matters. ¡°Well, assuming you¡¯re not going to spontaneously poof out of existence,¡± Which would be just my luck, finding someone strong, sweet and tractable and having her disappear. ¡°There are some things that you should know. A few more urgently than others.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± That got her attention, eyebrows raised and gaze focused on me. ¡°Okay, sure. I¡¯m listening.¡± She blinked, and a slight smile touched her lips. ¡°Am I the chosen one or something?¡±


    With difficulty, I did not sigh. If there were any doubts that she¡¯d been human, an idea like that put them to rest. ¡°There are no chosen ones here. Hesperia is at war, and new demons like you pop up all the time. We¡¯re in a remote place right now, but everywhere and everyone is touched by the conflict eventually. War doesn¡¯t care how young you are, it takes from you all the same.¡±


    The hint of amusement fled from her face as I explained, expression sobering quickly. ¡°Ah, a war, wow. Right, um, who¡¯s fighting who, exactly?¡±


    Who wasn¡¯t? ¡°Everyone, just about,¡± I said, chuckling bitterly. ¡°There¡¯s been no unifying ruler for over a decade, and that means opportunity for those who want more power. There¡¯s dozens of clans and outlying tribes, but most have either been pressed into service or they no longer exist. Power is often shifting between different major clans, but most of Hesperia¡¯s de facto under the control of four. Warlords who¡¯ve carved out their territory and are unquestioned in their control.¡± For now, at any rate. ¡°They¡¯re known as the Archons.¡±


    Gia¡¯s eyes hadn¡¯t glazed over, and she looked like she was paying attention, which put her ahead of Phlox and some others when I¡¯d briefed them. ¡°Archons, right. So they¡¯re¡­ fighting everyone who they haven¡¯t taken over?¡±


    That wasn¡¯t quite right, but at least she was listening. ¡°In a sense, but not exactly. Most of Hesperia has been taken over by one or another. There might be a few parts left that aren¡¯t worth the effort,¡± And I saw her eyes light up there, which should have been a warning sign. ¡°But in general, the Archons fight each other to seize more for themselves.¡±


    Gia nodded, but didn¡¯t speak yet, just thinking. ¡°You made it sound like where we are wasn¡¯t touched by the war, yet?¡± she asked, continuing as I nodded assent. ¡°So, is it really that urgent that I know all of this? I mean, I do still appreciate you explaining,¡± she added quickly.


    That was not a point I¡¯d wanted her to make. ¡°That¡¯s more the background,¡± I said, switching tactics to put more weight behind my argument. ¡°The urgent part is that demons will come for you.¡±


    Gia squeaked. ¡°For me? Why? What did I do?¡±


    ¡°Nothing other than be born with a rare amount of strength,¡± I told her, considerably understating the problem. ¡°You have powers you can use to defend yourself, but there¡¯s only so much you can do against an army. They¡¯ll want you to fight for them, and if you don¡¯t,¡± I hesitated, just briefly. ¡°You¡¯ll be fuel.¡±


    Gia¡¯s pretty face paled. ¡°Saying that does not put good ideas in my head.¡±


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be a good fate, either.¡± I paused for a second more, but¡­ well, she did need to know the risks. ¡°The easiest way for demons to get stronger is by consuming other demons.¡±


    Her eyes went wide with fear. ¡°Consume-?! Oh, geez.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I would have used a stronger epithet, but who knows, maybe that word was one where she came from.


    ¡°Okay. Uh, yeah, definitely important to know,¡± Gia muttered to herself, brushing back her hair and staring off over my shoulder. ¡°God. I thought you said I could live how I want, as a demon.¡±


    ¡°I said you could live the life you made for yourself. Not the same thing.¡± I¡¯d certainly had that beaten into me by now. Oh, yes.


    She looked downright dejected, now, and seeing that and feeling an all too sympathetic pain, I said something which wasn¡¯t terribly smart. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll help you.¡±


    Gia looked up sharply at that, eyes filling with a shining hope. ¡°Really?¡± she asked, something doubtful but joyful in her voice. ¡°You mean it? Just like that?¡±


    Well. I had already meant to help her in a sense. Not one she¡¯d directly asked for, but really, had she asked for any of this? ¡°I didn¡¯t have anything else planned for today,¡± I replied, affecting a shrug, but with a small smile that no doubt spoiled it.


    Gia giggled, a smile spreading back across her face. ¡°Thank you. Thank you, Anthurium.¡±


    That one, I didn¡¯t contest. My help would be worth thanking me for.


    It had damn well better be.

 3. Mentor

    ¡°Our first order of business is to figure out what powers you have,¡± I called over to Gia, seated on a log as I looked at her across the clearing. We¡¯d found another spot to try this out; large open spaces were at a premium in the forest, but given the destruction that might well ensue, I¡¯d rather make less noise destroying trees and wildlife if possible.


    ¡°Right. Demon powers¡­¡± She seemed to say something to herself, but I couldn¡¯t hear at this distance. Still, even from here I could see her excitement. ¡°How do I do that? How can I do things?¡±


    Lacking in personal power as I was, I normally wouldn¡¯t be a good one to ask. But I¡¯d been around a lot, and while I hadn¡¯t met other brand-new demons, I¡¯d spoken with those who had and asked many demons about using their own abilities. ¡°There should be a natural urging, somewhere in the back of your mind. Maybe a strong emotion, maybe something you really want. Try to concentrate, and find that ¨C act on what it¡¯s telling you.¡± I paused. ¡°Unless it¡¯s telling you to attack me. On second thought, why don¡¯t you just start by telling me what you feel.¡±


    I could see her close her eyes, and silence fell between us, birdsong and wind-rustled leaves the only sounds until she eventually spoke. ¡°Um, I¡¯m not sure. A little thirsty, maybe?¡±


    ¡°Just thirsty? Not hungry?¡± A gluttony demon would be more likely than anything aquatic, but Gia didn¡¯t seem like demons of either kind I¡¯d known. Most likely this was a dead end, but I wanted to be sure.


    ¡°Nope, I¡¯m good! Maybe I might be in a little while, but not now.¡±


    I sighed. ¡°Then unless that comes with a longing to plunge into water or thoughts that it¡¯d be fun to drown someone¡­¡± From how she gawked at me there, I assumed both were a hard no, and mentally eliminated kappa and morgans from my list. ¡°We can assume that¡¯s not demonic instinct, and you just want a drink. Try and concentrate, again.¡±


    She tried, but grimaced after a few seconds and shook her head. ¡°Sorry, I just can¡¯t feel anything like what you said. I don¡¯t think so, anyway.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right. We can approach this in a different way.¡± Looking around, I spotted what I needed and picked it up on my way over to her. ¡°Here.¡±


    ¡°Why are you giving me a stick?¡± Gia asked, smiling like she didn¡¯t know if I was playing a joke on her.


    ¡°Because we¡¯re going to test out some specifics, and I¡¯m not letting you set me on fire. Now¨C¡± I retreated several paces just in case. ¡°You still have all your memories, right? Think of something that makes you angry. Something you really hate, that you¡¯d want to destroy at all costs¡­¡±


    A moment stretched out as Gia stared at the piece of wood, then looked at me apologetically. ¡°I can¡¯t think of anything.¡±


    Really? ¡°Try harder,¡± I snapped, only to regret it as she flinched. ¡°Just¡­ there must be some time in your life you were angry, right? So angry you couldn¡¯t think straight, you just wanted whatever had caused it gone.¡±


    ¡°I mean, yeah, of course I¡¯ve been mad before, it¡¯s just¡­¡± She trailed off, and something in her expression drew tighter. ¡°All right. I might have something.¡±


    ¡°Good. Imagine like you¡¯re back then, focus on those feelings.¡± Gia¡¯s jaw clenched up, discomfort flashing through her eyes, but I kept speaking. ¡°Imagine that whatever you were mad at is right in front of you ¨C it¡¯s held in your hand, right now. You can get rid of it for good, you have the power¡­ just, turn around,¡± I said hastily, not wanting to be caught in the blast radius. ¡°Throw that hateful thing away,¡± I didn¡¯t want her to be caught in her own eruption, either. ¡°And let all that anger out¨C¡±


    Gia let out a full-throated scream of frustration, much louder than I¡¯d think of this softspoken woman, resembling the cry of someone in agony. She whirled around and chucked the wood in her hand.


    Absolutely nothing happened to the stick, save for it sailing a few yards away, bouncing along the grass and settling. Gia heaved out a heavy breath, staring at something I couldn¡¯t see, and turned back to face me, a sheepish smile quivering back into position. ¡°I, uh. I don¡¯t think it worked, whatever was supposed to happen.¡± She gave a short, shaky laugh. ¡°Felt pretty good to let that out, though! Even if it¡¯s kind of embarrassing¡­¡±


    ¡°All you did is follow my directions. Nothing to be embarrassed about.¡± The nervousness in her eyes faded slowly as I held her gaze, smiling. ¡°And I¡¯d say we can be sure you¡¯re not a rage demon, if it was that hard for you. Now, let¡¯s try something else.¡±


    The next few tests were no more successful, though, as I went through some major categories. No unusual laziness that I could tell, certainly not enough to sink into the ground. There were things Gia wanted, but no great avarice, not enough to pull them through the winds to her. Jealous thoughts were the easiest yet for her to conjure, but trying to transform objects met with a dead end. Gia couldn¡¯t find enough reason to change rocks or flowers or trees, and though she asked, I wouldn¡¯t let her try to transform herself. Too risky if that went wrong and she couldn¡¯t change herself back.


    There were other sins dangerous enough that I passed over them entirely. Lust was, well, a complicated thing to risk toying with, and trying to make Gia feel it for me, or vice versa ¨C no. That would cross a line with the tentative trust we¡¯d established, and risk taking us places from which there was no coming back. The risk of her turning our minds into dough was just all the more reason.


    And pride¡­ if she was a pride demon, I would not let her learn now, with me. Tapping into those powers without conscious control, and with the strength she commanded, she could put me into a waking dream I¡¯d never escape. I might not even realize that she had done it. Demons of pride were among the most feared, and with very good reason.


    So it was the lesser evil, really, cutting our testing short for today. ¡°You may be the world¡¯s most powerful mongrel,¡± I told Gia, standing over her as she sat on the grass, catching her breath.


    She showed me a blank look, more confused than insulted. ¡°Uh, you mean like a dog?¡±


    ¡°Mongrels are demons that don¡¯t have a driving sin or characteristic behind what we are. Which generally means we don¡¯t have the unique abilities of other demons, or much power of our own at all.¡± The reminder of my own weakness rankled. ¡°We can gain some in growing stronger ¨C enhanced strength, or agility, or durability ¨C but not much besides that. And you don¡¯t have any of those, either.¡± Well, not that we¡¯d checked if she could take more pain or damage, but the others¡¯ absence was evidence in their case. ¡°You must have some powers, though. You¡¯re like a bonfire of mana.¡±


    ¡°Well, I sure don¡¯t feel as powerful as I''m supposed to be.¡± Gia looked weary. ¡°Why are you so sure that I am?¡±


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    ¡°Demons can sense each other by the mana in our bodies. I could feel yours from a mile away. Literally, that¡¯s how I found you.¡± Her eyes went wide, some realization dawning as I continued. ¡°That¡¯s a big part of the problem.¡±


    ¡°I can see, yeah. Like I have a giant target on my back.¡± She winced, quickly standing back up. ¡°Right, that¡¯s bad, uh. Can I do anything to hide? I know you¡¯ve been nice, but I don¡¯t want just anyone to be able to find me.¡±


    ¡°It would be better if you could fight, when they do.¡± Gia gave me a pleading look, and I sighed. ¡°It¡¯s technically possible to learn to hide your presence, but that would be harder for you than nearly any other demon. Not just from your inexperience, but the quantity of mana to conceal; it¡¯s harder to muffle a flare than a candle, you see?¡±


    ¡°I dunno, a bucket of water would probably do it for both,¡± Gia murmured, lips quirking up in a faint smile.


    ¡°Cheeky.¡± But I couldn¡¯t help an amused huff. ¡°It¡¯s possible there is a shortcut like that, but I couldn¡¯t tell you how to go about it. Aura concealment¡¯s not something I ever got the hang of.¡± Which I¡¯d always found odd; it should be easy, with my own strength practically nil.


    I could see her thinking for a moment. ¡°Could you ¨C I don¡¯t want to have to ask it of you,¡± Gia said, eyes guilty and earnest as she looked at me. ¡°But do you know how to fight, if people do come for me?¡±


    At least she realized risking my life for her was a tall order. ¡°I know how to fight, yes. But most demons out there have advantages I lack. Preparation and good tactics can give you the edge, but you can¡¯t pull off miracles with them. Once you¡¯re outmatched to a certain extent, you have to accept your odds are hopeless.¡±


    ¡°You really think things are hopeless?¡± Gia¡¯s expression tightened, scared and drawn.


    ¡°No, I meant¨C I was talking broader contexts,¡± I said quickly, wincing. This girl wasn¡¯t a military leader yet, and might not ever have the makings to be more than a figurehead. She wouldn¡¯t be used to me talking principles of strategy. ¡°We do have advantages of our own, here. Monem is a backwater, it¡¯s got no strategic significance. No one important¡¯s going to have reason to come here.¡± And at this point, it did seem no one had pursued me. ¡°And besides that. Even if you can be found by sensing auras, most demons don¡¯t use that power without specific reason.¡±


    ¡°Wait, really? Why?¡± Her eyebrows jumped. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be really useful, like to know if someone dangerous is around?¡±


    ¡°It can be, yes. It¡¯s just distracting, seeing in an extra dimension, especially when more people are around you. It can even be painful, depending on who and how many. Your aura¡¯s outright blinding, I don¡¯t want to look at that.¡±


    ¡°Oh. Sorry.¡± Gia fidgeted, looking guilty again.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be, that¡¯s just how it works.¡± Still, it did leave me in a precarious position. I used that sense frequently when I could afford it, but being with a demon as strong as Gia meant I¡¯d have to go without. Normally that would be fine, if I could depend on the demon, but she was far from ready for me to do that. ¡°It would be best if you learned to sense energy, though. Even if we don¡¯t know your own powers, that¡¯s something all demons can do, learning to open our third eye.¡± I paused. ¡°Well. A few only have that one eye, and some races have even more, but ¨C it¡¯s a colloquialism, is my point.¡±


    Gia giggled softly. ¡°Sure, I¡¯m happy to try that. I wouldn¡¯t blind myself, though?¡±


    ¡°You might think so, but demons can¡¯t actually sense our own auras. Maybe brightness isn¡¯t a perfect metaphor. I imagine it¡¯s like, let¡¯s say seeing your own face.¡± I paused; Gia opening her third eye would involve seeing how weak I was. Which wasn¡¯t something I liked to draw attention to. But, well, she should lack a baseline for what ¡®normal¡¯ auras felt like. And I¡¯d have time to prove my worth by the time she knew more. ¡°Close your eyes. This will be easier without normal vision¡¯s distraction.¡±


    She did so, lips parted slightly, freckled face serene. I found myself staring for a second before I shook myself and continued. ¡°You might not be able to fully open your third eye, at first. We¡¯ll just want you to find that part of yourself. If you can open it just enough to find me, without using your eyes¡­¡±


    Gia lifted a hand and it bumped against my side, startling me slightly as she smiled. ¡°Found you.¡±


    ¡°Without my voice as a guide, either,¡± I told her, though I couldn¡¯t keep a laugh from my voice as I took her hand ¨C her skin was very soft ¨C and lowered it. ¡°There should be, mm, prickles of sensation, even with your Eye closed. Like when you know someone¡¯s behind you, or you can tell you¡¯re being watched. Try to find that prickling. Focus on it, dig into it.¡±


    I let my voice subside, watching Gia standing there, silent. Her forehead was creased now in concentration, and all was quiet save for her soft breaths and the forest¡¯s sounds around us. I¡¯d let her have a few minutes like this; it wasn¡¯t easy, tapping into a new sense for the first time.


    Waiting and watching, I felt a prickling on the back of my neck. I twisted around and looked over my shoulder, scanning our surroundings. Nothing obvious but bushes and autumn trees, so I turned back to face Gia after a moment, but brushed the hilt of my dagger to make sure it was there. No one ought to be around, but they could be hiding.


    ¡°Okay, I think¡­¡± Gia spoke up, eyes squeezed shut. ¡°I think I see something, feel something, but ¨C it¡¯s like there¡¯s two glows, not one?¡± I tensed up, instantly on alert. ¡°I¡¯m not sure if that means I¡¯m doing it wrong.¡±


    ¡°Where are they? Where¡¯s the other one?¡± Aura sensing wasn¡¯t exact, but a rough direction for our eavesdropper would let me know from where to expect an attack.


    ¡°What?¡± My whispers looked to startle her, and Gia winced, eyes blinking back open. ¡°Aah, I lost it. I¡¯m not totally sure, you were both in front of me, the other one was farther. Over there, maybe?¡± she suggested, pointing past me.


    ¡°Good enough. Stay here, don¡¯t move, keep your eyes open. Shout if you see or hear someone.¡± Turning away from Gia, I tuned out her gasped ¡®wait!¡¯ and cut a sharp right out of the clearing, hiding myself among the trees.


    Ideally, they¡¯d be scared off now that Gia had sensed them, but there were plenty of demons too stupid, greedy or gluttonous to pass up a chance like this. And I didn¡¯t know how much they¡¯d seen, how aware they were of Gia¡¯s weakness. But I had to assume they knew enough to be a threat. Drawing my dagger and circling around towards where Gia had pointed, I looked for any mismatched colors, any hints of movement, ears peeled for sounds of breathing or someone moving through brush.


    Nothing stood out as I crept closer, so out of reluctant necessity, I opened my own third eye. Even steeling myself for it, Gia¡¯s brightness made me grit my teeth, forehead throbbing immediately. I searched around for the other presence she¡¯d mentioned, and¡­ nothing?


    How could that be? They couldn¡¯t have fled that fast without some kind of sound. They could be hiding their own presence, but why wouldn¡¯t they have been doing so before Gia noticed them? If you¡¯re trying to observe while hidden, of course you¡¯d want to hide yourself as well as possible. That didn¡¯t rule out the stupid option, but¡­


    A rustling from above was all the warning I got. I dodged away on instinct but it wasn¡¯t enough, and barely held in a scream as a weight smashed into my shoulder, bolts of pain shooting through me as I staggered back. Looking up frantically I saw a blue-haired goblin dropping from the apple tree, wearing torn leather armor and a helmet and hefting a battleaxe as big as her. My heart jumped in my chest, but a glance confirmed she hadn¡¯t cut me, even if my shoulder was a mess of white-hot pain and I couldn¡¯t feel my arm below, let alone hold my dagger. She must have hit me with her axe¡¯s blunt back, but given goblin eating habits, not wanting me dead was not encouraging.


    Fuck, how had she ambushed me? I should have seen her up there when I first looked for someone! Unless she¡¯d climbed it while I made my break for the trees, covering up the sounds with my own crunching footsteps¡­


    Yellow gaze settling on me, the goblin showed me a toothy grin and pulled her axe back for another blow. I stumbled back, steel flashing in front of my glasses, searching for anything to defend myself. A branch could catch blows and maybe dole them out too, but as I stooped to grab one in my good hand, she stepped in close and struck again, faster than I¡¯d thought.


    Pain exploded behind my eyes, and as the world went dark, I dearly hoped Gia had learned something that could help us now.

 4. Struggles

    Waking up again was not the most pleasant experience. My head hurt like hell, my shoulder was worse, and my vision was blurry, but I realized quickly that last was from missing glasses and not a serious head injury. Thoughts flooded back in with my renewed consciousness. The goblin, she¡¯d ambushed me, and struck me down but I was alive. Goblins did like to keep their prey alive.


    Pushing myself up into a sitting position, my first step was scrabbling for my glasses with my one uninjured arm. Carding through fallen leaves and soil that stuck to my fingers, I could hear crunching nearby as I felt their frame poke my arm. Mind whirling, I grabbed what I needed, pushing my glasses on just in time for the goblin to appear around the apple tree. I hadn¡¯t even put a scratch on her short, stocky body, or made her work up a sweat on her green brow or blue hair.


    More urgently, though, she had Gia with her. In her, as my stomach lurched to see. Goblins were chest-height on most, shoulder height on me, but they had unending appetites and could unhinge their jaws like a snake¡¯s. The goblin¡¯s whole front between her chest and waist was bloated out with a wide, squirming mass, and I belatedly saw her reason for armor that left so much uncovered.


    Movement meant Gia should be alive. And if I was still alive I couldn¡¯t have been out more than a minute. But her position was even more perilous than mine.


    The goblin licked her chops as she looked down on me. ¡°Should have stayed asleep. Less pain that way,¡± she told me, lifting her axe off her shoulder again.


    She was faster than she had any right to be with an axe that heavy. She¡¯d need maybe a second to swing it at me, and I was in a bad position, on the ground and vulnerable. It¡¯d take me maybe two seconds to stand and face her with my injured arm. Negotiation was nonviable, but she¡¯d already overpowered me in close quarters, and now I was both down an arm and possibly concussed.


    Better hope this plan worked, then. The goblin stepped in closer as I gripped my dagger with my weak hand and pulled my legs under me. Her gaze had the air of approaching an injured animal, not a true threat.


    She didn¡¯t expect me to slam both feet into the tree trunk as hard as possible, sending overripe fruit raining down upon our heads.


    The goblin girl yelped and I scrambled to get my feet back under me. Fruit bounced off her round belly and splatted against her helmet. This was the most chancy part, we were both underneath, and one fruit hit my leg while another glanced off my chest. But none struck me in the spot where she¡¯d broken my shoulder, so I made it through the shower without being left reeling, stunned and helpless. One.


    They weren¡¯t missiles that would hurt her, even a blow to the head with her helmet, but they didn¡¯t need to. Being struck on the head by something unexpected will knock anyone off-balance, and she instinctively reached for her own as I managed to stand. Crucially, that meant taking one hand off her axe. Two.


    I lunged. She saw me coming, of course. Growling and resettling her hands¡¯ grip, muscles flexed as she started to swing her axe. But I threw my side against her arm, putting my body¡¯s weight into it. Waiting for her to close with me had bought me her half-second of windup time, and unlike those absurd demons who practiced punching at one inch, I¡¯d stopped her swing with most of her force and momentum arrested. Two point five.


    I¡¯d unbalanced myself with that, though, so I really needed to make this count. Grabbing the top of her armor and pulling my face up to hers, I locked gazes with the goblin and spat the mouthful of dirt I''d grabbed directly into her eyes. Three.


    She screeched and reeled backwards, dropping her axe and clawing at her face. My weight was all on her so we both went over, but I was the one on top as she hit the ground. The impact made me flinch as it jarred my shoulder, but I¡¯d cushioned the worst of the fall against her belly, and as she writhed underneath me I wormed my dagger underneath the goblin¡¯s chin. She went still.


    ¡°Spit her up,¡± I ordered, trying not to gag at the taste still on my tongue and pushing the knife¡¯s edge harder into her throat. I couldn¡¯t fight well at all with my right hand, but I¡¯d gotten it to the only place I needed it. ¡°Spit her up right now, or I cut you open.¡± Normally I¡¯d have cut her throat or stabbed her through the eye and been done with it. But Gia was wrapped up tight inside her, and cutting a goblin corpse open might come with slicing her up too.


    The goblin couldn¡¯t well nod, so she spoke hurriedly. ¡°Yes, yes. You win,¡± she said, voice coming out a strained rasp. I pulled my knife back slightly, sitting back to pin her legs, as the goblin twisted her head aside and started to noisily gag. This had been much hairier than I liked my plans to be, but somehow I¡¯d managed to make it work.


    It wasn¡¯t a pretty process, but Gia came back up her throat, goblin jaws unhinging just as well to let prey out as take it in. She was sodden, hair and clothes soaked dark with juices, but I couldn¡¯t see any signs of injury on her. And her gasps for breath as she stood made it clear she was alive. ¡°Oh, my god. Oh, god. Did that actually just happen?¡± she breathed, a hand pressed against her chest.


    But I was still focused on the goblin, making sure she didn¡¯t try anything else. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± I asked Gia, staring down our would-be killer as she blinked grit out of her eyes.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m, I¡¯m okay. Don¡¯t know how, but I¡¯m okay.¡± Another shuddering breath escaped her. ¡°You beat her, then? You saved¡­ oh, Ann.¡±


    ¡°I did, but thank me later. You should look away for this part.¡± I pressed my dagger back against the goblin¡¯s neck. She jerked, giving me a fearful look.


    ¡°Fealty,¡± the goblin gasped out, more panic flitting in her eyes. It was a common practice for defeated demons to surrender and swear loyalty, in exchange for their lives. And not something I was remotely considering right now. ¡°Don¡¯t, don¡¯t! Will serve!¡±


    ¡°A-Ann? What are you doing?¡± Gia asked, a frantic note in her voice. ¡°You¡¯re not going to ¨C you can¡¯t just kill her like this!¡±


    ¡°I said look away. She¡¯s a threat to both of us, the only sensible move is to kill her.¡± The goblin knew far too much. She¡¯d seen Gia could be overpowered, and done so to both of us once. Letting her live was just asking for a repeat attempt. ¡°Why are you trying to stop me? You¡¯re the one she ate alive!¡±


    The goblin let out a soft whine. Her yellow lizardlike eyes flicked over to Gia, and I pushed the blade harder, drawing a choked gurgle from her as blood welled up. ¡°Look at me. Don¡¯t look at her, you look at me,¡± I hissed, and the goblin¡¯s fearful eyes did so.


    ¡°Stop it!¡± Gia shouted, stepping closer and still dripping drool.


    ¡°This is for your sake as much as mine¨C¡±


    ¡°Then if that¡¯s true, listen to me.¡± There was a new edge to Gia¡¯s voice, but I wouldn¡¯t take my eyes off the goblin for a second. Giving her the slightest opening could mean my death. ¡°Isn¡¯t there any other option? She said fealty, even I know what that is. Can¡¯t we let her, you know, be loyal to us?¡±


    ¡°If we could trust her to be, maybe. We can¡¯t take that risk.¡± There was no way I¡¯d keep my word in her position. Limitless power at my fingertips, and no reward for loyalty at all. ¡°Come on, you can¡¯t say that she doesn¡¯t deserve this!¡± Frustration was bleeding into my voice. Why couldn¡¯t Gia see?


    ¡°I don¡¯t care whether she deserves it!¡± Gia shouted, loud enough that I did have to look back over. Her hands were balled into fists at her side, but rather than with anger, her voice was filled with anguish. ¡°I just don¡¯t want you to murder her!¡± There was a desperation in her eyes that made me pause. And I pulled back the blade just slightly.


    Why did one goblin who¡¯d nearly killed her matter this much to Gia? It was beyond obvious to me that her life was more important than letting this little pest live. But if Gia was this insistent, and this unprepared to have someone killed in front of her, I couldn¡¯t make myself go through with it.


    ¡°I get it, you think she¡¯s a threat. You think this is too risky. But I¡¯d rather take a risk than watch you cut her throat,¡± Gia spoke again, softer. ¡°Anthurium. Please. I get it, she scared me too. But can¡¯t we give her a chance?¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t scared,¡± I lied. Glaring at the goblin, I weighed my options. Killing the goblin would mean alienating Gia. I could probably get her to forgive me, but was it worth the damage in the interim? And conversely, was sparing her worth the risk of losing Gia to her?


    I hissed out a breath. No, it was not worth the risk of losing Gia and everything she represented, but killing the goblin so blatantly would pose that same risk too. So if she lacked sufficient reason to stay loyal, I¡¯d just have to make one myself. ¡°One chance. One hint of betrayal, or if you try to run, and I¡¯ll kill you myself. Got it?¡±


    ¡°Crassula understand,¡± the goblin babbled, bobbing her head. ¡°Crassula will serve.¡±


    I pulled my hand back, and stood up, still watching the goblin evidently named Crassula. She rubbed at the bleeding line on her neck, giving me a mournful look.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Gia murmured to me, but the way she looked at me was different now. There was a guarded quality in her eyes. Maybe even a hint of fear.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it.¡± I could always find a use for cannon fodder, anyway.


    - - -


    ¡°Alright, first order of business,¡± I told Gia and our snaggletoothed new recruit, grimacing as my aching shoulder gave another throb. ¡°Pretty sure you,¡± I glared at Crassula, ¡°Dislocated my shoulder. Have either of you ever popped one back in place?¡± I¡¯d feel a lot less vulnerable once I¡¯d regained two working arms.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Eyes wide, Gia shook her head, but Crassula didn¡¯t even blink. ¡°Sure, done it more than once for other soldiers. Easy fix, just push, and snap.¡±


    I trusted her significantly less than Gia, but I¡¯d make an exception here for experience. ¡°You¡¯ll do, then. Let me make sure I don¡¯t bite through my tongue,¡± I muttered, reaching for a stick with my unhurt arm.


    ¡°Wait, I don¡¯t think this is a good idea,¡± Gia said, waving to catch my eye. ¡°What if you get hurt even worse? Shouldn¡¯t we get you to a hospital? ¡­ugh, maybe you don¡¯t have hospitals.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard that word before, so draw your own conclusions.¡± That didn¡¯t dispel the doubts on her face, and I sighed. ¡°Look, we¡¯re miles from anyone who can treat wounds with skill. I need to be in shape to fight, so we¡¯ll make do with what we have.¡± I bit down on the wood, and nodded to Crassula.


    She gripped my arm with both hands. A burst of pain filled my mind and wood cracked between my teeth, but even as I swore furiously around it, the pain was simmering back down. It settled on a clear ache that was still a vast improvement, and my arm obeyed when I moved it now.


    ¡°Alright, that should do,¡± I told Gia and Crassula, and both women sagged in relief. I felt a small, grudging gratitude towards Crassula, and reminded myself she had injured me in the first place.


    ¡°Um, Crassula,¡± Gia spoke up, tentative. ¡°Do you need any medical attention?¡± Blood was still dripping down the goblin¡¯s neck from where I¡¯d cut her.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Crassula looked bewildered.


    ¡°Your neck, it¡¯s kind of¡­¡± Gia winced.


    ¡°Oh, Crassula know that. Just not expecting to be asked,¡± Crassula said, rubbing at the red trickle and studying Gia. Not that this said much, as goblins had never been known for their studies. ¡°Will be all fine. Not deep, or would be feeling it already.¡±


    I did agree with that. If I¡¯d cut anything critical, my problem would¡¯ve solved itself. ¡°Why did you attack us?¡± I asked the goblin, getting back to important matters.


    She blinked her big yellow eyes at me. ¡°Crassula was hungry.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t play dumb.¡± Well, she was a goblin, it might not be playing. ¡°There must be more to it than that.¡± If she¡¯d sensed Gia¡¯s power or heard us talking about it, she¡¯d know how much of a power boost feeding on her would be.


    She shook her head. ¡°Crassula had been walking a while. Been days since Crassula had food that can fill you up.¡±


    ¡°Then how did you find us? And why did you try to eat G-?¡± I caught myself. That name was something we¡¯d need to address soon. ¡°Why her,¡± I said, gesturing instead. Surely she¡¯d sensed Gia¡¯s blazing aura like any demon could? I couldn¡¯t believe she¡¯d found us and gone for Gia by chance.


    ¡°Heard your voices talking? Voices stick out in the woods.¡± Crassula looked at Gia as I asked. ¡°Already made sure you wouldn¡¯t run. Could get her before she ran and save you for later. Didn¡¯t know she taste so sweet yet.¡± Gia made a choked noise at that.


    All right. I supposed that was believable, a goblin might exhibit more cunning in the name of filling her stomach. I¡¯d still keep my eye on Crassula, though, especially since¡­ ¡°You were hiding your aura, weren¡¯t you? How long were you doing that?¡± I didn¡¯t see another way I wouldn¡¯t have noticed her. But Gia had sensed her aura, too.


    ¡°Aura?¡± She looked confused. ¡°Not sure what you mean, but hiding for the whole time. Learned how to hide well back with Acanthus. Not hard once you get hang of it.¡±


    Great, so the goblin found it easy and I still couldn¡¯t do it. Well, she had already seemed stronger than any normal goblin. I knew I would have put up a better fight otherwise.


    No, but Crassula had said something important. If she¡¯d been hiding her presence, even without realizing, then Gia had pierced her aura¡¯s veil unknowingly. So even if Gia could only do one thing so far, then whether due to a unique trait or just sheer power, she could do it well enough to find anyone hiding around us. That would very much be useful. ¡°Who is this Acanthus? Friend of yours?¡±


    The goblin visibly shuddered. ¡°No way. Old boss, Crassula left him back with tribe. Too bad for tribe, but good riddance for him.¡±


    And she¡¯d mentioned other soldiers. ¡°You¡¯re a deserter, then.¡± Not like I had any room to judge.


    ¡°Crassula was dessert. Yes.¡± She bobbed her head.


    I paused, and decided to let that pass. ¡°And who does Acanthus work for, himself?¡± I might not know goblin tribal leaders, but I should know all the real power players by now.


    ¡°Mm, the red dragon lady. Kama-nerry? Sounds like that.¡±


    ¡°Chamanerion?¡± Chief enforcer of Archon Tigrida the Mighty, Chamanerion could easily have been an Archon herself, but had chosen to stay in a subordinate role. Her name was not one I¡¯d expected to hear, though. ¡°You said you¡¯d been walking a while, but I didn¡¯t think you meant from the opposite side of the country.¡±


    ¡°Not worse than a forced march.¡± She shrugged. I had to admit that was fair.


    ¡°You walked across the country? Alone?¡± Gia looked at her with concern. ¡°What made you want to come so far?¡±


    ¡°Friends from old tribe all gone.¡± Crassula looked more somber now. ¡°Acanthus thought goblins easy to replace. Crassula thought more distance from him was better.¡±


    Gia was staring at Crassula, face having gone pale. ¡°Oh. Gone. Oh, god.¡±


    ¡°Life like that sometimes,¡± Crassula said simply.


    I couldn¡¯t disagree with that, and I did feel a newfound twinge of empathy for her. We¡¯ve all had that one superior our lives meant nothing to.


    ¡°Need any more from Crassula?¡± the goblin asked me, before pausing, forehead wrinkling up. ¡°What should Crassula call you? Acanthus liked boss, so boss? Sir?¡±


    Gia twitched at that, and I hesitated. The fact that Crassula was asking me brought up a looming issue. ¡°Just Anthurium will do, but give us a minute,¡± I told her, gesturing for Gia to step away with me. Better to tell her some things now, before she came next. Pain lanced up my arm as I gestured, and I ground my teeth. Of course being fully fine would be too much to hope for.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Gia asked me, following me over and flinching as she looked at my face. ¡°Ah. Are you mad at me?¡±


    ¡°Hm? No, it¡¯s just,¡± I nodded at my shoulder, and saw her concern melt into sympathy. ¡°It¡¯s not important, we need to discuss some things. You¡¯ll need a demon name, for one.¡± She already acted too human as it was.


    ¡°Oh? Huh, that could actually be kind of fun,¡± Gia said, eyebrows climbing as she smiled hesitantly. ¡°Like a code name, right? What should we go with, something like Sat-Annie? Lucy Fer?¡±


    ¡°I was thinking Hydrangea, actually,¡± I said, a slight smile touching my own lips. I didn¡¯t know what she was getting at, but she seemed to be having fun.


    ¡°¡­Isn¡¯t that a flower?¡± Gia asked, visibly fighting back a laugh. I bristled, and she held up her hands quickly, still smiling wide. ¡°No, I mean I like it, it¡¯s a pretty name! It just doesn¡¯t sound very demon-y, does it?¡±


    ¡°Hesperia might be the demon realm, but it¡¯s widely known as a land of flowers. Something in the air, or soil,¡± I did think it was blood, though I didn¡¯t mention that. ¡°Fosters all different kinds of plant life. Demons these days take their names from one or another.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not messing with me? Huh,¡± Gia said, eyebrows raised. ¡°All right, yeah. I like it. Hydrangea¡­ I¡¯m sure there are worse options than sounding like a shrub.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s also a level of protection, if I say ¡®Gia¡¯ and we¡¯re overheard. You¡¯ve already been calling me Ann, so it just sounds like we have,¡± don¡¯t say pet names, ¡°Nicknames for each other.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Gia¡¯s cheeks turned pink, and I wondered if she¡¯d had the same thought as me. ¡°I don¡¯t, um, mind that either.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± Quickly, I moved ahead to a less sensitive subject. ¡°The other issue. Demons fall into strict hierarchies based on power. Anyone sensing yours will expect you to be in charge, and me to be subordinate. Which we haven¡¯t exactly been doing so far.¡±


    ¡°Well, uh, does that need to be that big a deal?¡± Gia asked, smiling nervously. ¡°You¡¯re the one who knows all this. I really don¡¯t mind following your lead.¡± She hesitated, and I saw her gaze flick back to Crassula. But she didn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°I can still guide you, we just need to be more subtle. If you¡¯re clearly letting me be in charge of you, demons will wonder why. They might think you can¡¯t control me. And that you¡¯re secretly weak.¡±


    ¡°Ah.¡± Gia¡¯s face fell. ¡°What do we do, then? Wait.¡± She scrunched up her face. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be asking you that.¡±


    I huffed a laugh. ¡°I can be subordinate to you and still advise you. That¡¯s what I¡¯m used to doing, in my job.¡± Even if I didn¡¯t have ulterior motives, this was the kind of help she¡¯d need. ¡°There are little things you can do to convey authority. Act confident, speak loud, stand straight. Announce what you want, don¡¯t ask for it.¡± Seeing her nervous look, I took pity on her. ¡°And you can always say things like ¡®Ann, take care of it¡¯, and I will. Then all you¡¯ll need to do is stand there and look vaguely menacing.¡±


    Gia looked down at her cute, freckly, pink-haired self. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can do menacing.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯ll have time to learn.¡± We were in the middle of nowhere. I looked back at Crassula, wondering how she¡¯d behave back in town.


    ¡°And what about Crassula? Is it okay that you¡¯ve been more in charge with her?¡± Gia asked, before her eyebrows jumped. ¡°I mean,¡± She pulled up her chin. ¡°We need to make a decision. Tell me your thoughts,¡± she said, pitching her voice around two octaves lower.


    ¡°Better,¡± I told her, smiling. ¡°But use your own voice. For her, follow my lead.¡±


    Crassula was twirling her axe when we came back over, and I noted significantly less fruit around her than before.


    ¡°Our superior has decided she wants to be addressed as Lady Hydrangea,¡± I told her. ¡°Do I have that right, my lady?¡±


    ¡°What? Oh,¡± Gia said, eyes widening. ¡°That¡¯s right. And you had better remember it!¡± I almost thought her voice might crack.


    Crassula was looking between us, eyebrows raised as wheels turned behind her eyes. ¡°Can Crassula call you Lady for short?¡± she said after a moment, and did look at Gia instead of me.


    ¡°That will, um, suffice. Yes.¡± Gia gave a stiff nod.


    ¡°And Lady Hydrangea, I hope I¡¯ve proved myself enough by defeating Crassula,¡± I told Gia, putting my hands on my hips. Another flare-up surged through my shoulder in doing so, and I clenched my teeth hard. ¡°Ngh. Please, if we meet more enemies who you could obliterate easily, don¡¯t feel the need to test me again?¡±


    ¡°I, ah, don¡¯t believe it should be necessary,¡± Gia agreed, understanding visibly slotting in as I spoke. ¡°But I am glad we didn¡¯t obliterate Crassula. I know your life before wasn¡¯t going so great,¡± she said, kneeling down to meet Crassula at eye level. ¡°But it¡¯s not going to be like that here. Okay? We will look out for you.¡± Her voice, and the look in her eyes, could get surprisingly firm.


    Not terribly menacing, though. But Crassula didn¡¯t call us out as frauds, just staring at Gia, eyeing me and turning back to her. ¡°O-kay. Anything else?¡±


    ¡°I would suggest we return to town now. I don¡¯t think there¡¯s much else for us here,¡± I told Gia.


    ¡°Oh, good idea. Uh. Ann, lead the way!¡± Gia agreed. Crassula trundled behind as we walked off. I had to fight the instinct not to turn my back to her.


    ¡°I guess she believed it, then?¡± Gia whispered. ¡°Even though you¡¯re the one who saved my life.¡± She wore a strange, complicated expression as she said that.


    ¡°She¡¯s a goblin. They¡¯re roughly as intelligent as your average lemming.¡± I stopped short, realizing one downside of returning to town. ¡°Ugh. I hope she thought to bring some money when she deserted, though.¡±

 5. Stories

    Finding our way back to Monem took some trial and error, but even with the lack of roads or trails it didn¡¯t take too long a walk. And as there were no walls or even guards stopping our way, we could walk right in without putting Gia¡¯s acting to the test.


    So it was all going well until I walked into Sedum¡¯s inn and saw one more person than I¡¯d accounted for. ¡°Anthurium!¡± Uvaia exclaimed, the harpy¡¯s wings fluttering as she stepped forward towards me, excitement flooding out the downcast expression I¡¯d caught on her face. ¡°You¡¯re still here! Sedum said you¡¯d left, I thought I would never see you again,¡± she informed me, visibly drooping.


    ¡°Ah, hi, Uvaia.¡± I shot a look at the orc behind his counter, who smiled back at me with the unshakable calm of one whose problem now belongs to another. How dare he tell her exactly what I¡¯d asked him to? ¡°No, he must have heard me wrong. I had to head out in a rush, but I¡¯ll be here at least through tonight.¡± Hopefully that would ward off my harpy¡¯s melancholy.


    ¡°Oh, well, that¡¯s better then!¡± Her cheer seemed dimmed by the news I was still leaving, but Uvaia kept a smile on her face. ¡°At least we¡¯ll have time for a proper goodbye.¡± I felt the lightness of my purse, telling myself I would need to keep goodbyes platonic, as she looked past me at Gia and Crassula. ¡°Are these friends of,¡± Uvaia¡¯s eyes widened, drool collecting on her lip as her gaze unfocused. ¡°Goblin¡­¡±


    Sedum cleared his throat loudly behind her, and Uvaia jumped, clarity and sheepishness returning in a rush. ¡°Sorry! Sorry. I¡¯m good,¡± she told him, and I saw Crassula relaxing her grip on her axe haft, which she¡¯d brought to ready position impressively quick. Gia was eyeing Crassula uneasily, clearly alarmed at what almost unfolded. ¡°Maybe I should get some lunch like you said after all, aha.¡±


    ¡°Maybe should serve up chicken,¡± Crassula said, giving Uvaia a look carrying all the weight of an obscene gesture.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Uvaia quite literally ruffled, feathers puffed out and wings half-raised as she glared back with an intensity I¡¯d never seen on her face. ¡°I don¡¯t have to take that from a grub like you.¡±


    ¡°Crassula, stand down,¡± I snapped as I saw her eyes flash and her grip tighten on the weapon. ¡°Uvaia, can we not escalate?¡±


    ¡°Ease off, lass. You don¡¯t need to prove anything,¡± Sedum cautioned Uvaia quietly on the tail of my words. ¡°And you. Weapons away while you¡¯re in my inn. If you want to fight, do it outside or not at all.¡± He leaned over the counter as he stared down Crassula, muscles clear and defined beneath his open shirt.


    Harpy and goblin stared each other down for a moment more before Uvaia looked away, chastened, feathers settling down. Crassula grunted and let her heavy blade thunk against the floor. ¡°Don¡¯t have place to put away,¡± she told Sedum, gesturing at herself.


    ¡°Put it against the wall, then.¡± He settled back as she did, exhaling a silent breath before blinking as Gia stepped forward.


    ¡°Make sure you don¡¯t do that again,¡± Gia told Uvaia, lifting her chin and crossing her arms. ¡°I am Lady Hydrangea, and I will not have you threatening or insulting my,¡± she paused briefly, ¡°Goblin.¡±


    Everyone looked at her with the shared awkwardness of someone speaking out of step with expectations. It was good Gia was trying, and it wasn¡¯t like these two would pose a threat, but her manner and timing both needed some work.


    As I looked closer, though, Crassula didn¡¯t seem to share our feelings. She was looking at Gia with a strange expression again, but she didn¡¯t seem hostile or displeased. Maybe confused.


    ¡°Right! Of course. Sorry, Lady Hydrangea,¡± Uvaia said after a moment wavering, quickly bowing down and lowering her head. Erring on the side of deference would be safer than not, but I couldn¡¯t help worrying it helped people walk over her.


    ¡°So, someone mentioned lunch. Is it still serving? Have we missed it?¡± I asked Sedum. This was one case where I hoped we were late, as taking leftover food off their hands might be more doable.


    ¡°You were the last guest, and you¡¯d left. That, or I heard you wrong that you were leaving,¡± he told me, straight-faced. ¡°Most come by for breakfast or dinner, so Yaupon and I just had sandwiches. I¡¯m sure we can whip some up for you too, if y¡¯like?¡±


    Damn. So much for a free lunch. ¡°Ah, well¡­¡± I floundered for an excuse that wasn¡¯t being broke.


    Uvaia looked over then, and caught my eye. Her own widened with the sympathy of the financially insolvent, and she quickly nodded with new enthusiasm. ¡°Let¡¯s eat lunch together! I can treat you, Anthy.¡± She smiled warmly at me.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± I asked, face warming slightly, though I dearly hoped the answer was ¡®yes¡¯. I didn¡¯t enjoy taking charity, but our current circumstances justified an exception.


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I be? I still owe you for dinner the other night, anyway.¡± She let out a soft laugh. I glanced over my shoulder at Gia and Crassula, and Uvaia followed my gaze. ¡°Oh, and your¡­ friends can join us too, of course.¡±


    I didn¡¯t miss her hesitation, but was grateful she¡¯d followed through anyway. ¡°All right, then. Sedum, can we get a table?¡±


    ¡°We will accept your invitation,¡± Gia told Uvaia, as Sedum nodded and headed to the dining area. ¡°Did she just call you ¡®Anthy¡¯?¡± she asked me next in a whisper, far less formally.


    ¡°It¡¯s not important.¡± Cheeks hot, I marched quickly after Sedum.


    The dining room was empty as he¡¯d said, Sedum giving instructions to his imp employee behind the bar. Yaupon took a look at us and fluttered off as we took seats around a table, Uvaia sitting down next to me and Gia taking my other side a second later. This put Crassula and Uvaia next to one another, and their glare standoff was resolved by scraping chairs around and away.


    ¡°So,¡± I said, casting around for a distraction. ¡°Lady Hydrangea, I hope you won¡¯t mind the food. There¡¯ll be more variety once we reach a bigger town, or city.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it will be no issue,¡± Gia said with a stuffy nod. The imp server came over with a platter stacked with pink-red raw meat, and she blanched. ¡°Uh,¡± she said in an undertone, shooting me a desperate look.


    I gave her a slight nod. ¡°Could we get some of this cooked?¡± I asked Yaupon, as he set down a loaf of bread, a water pitcher, and the plate of most likely pork in the center of our table. The little red-skinned demon huffed, but picked up two cuts and about-faced towards the kitchen.


    ¡°And more food. Anything good,¡± Crassula added as the imp fluttered away. Given the overripe fruit she¡¯d eaten with no ill effects, I did believe she did mean anything.


    ¡°Does cooked meat really taste that much better?¡± Uvaia asked, biting a flank held in her talon, and I started slicing bread as best I could with my right arm. ¡°I think you¡¯ve asked for it every time the inn was serving meat.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Gia¡¯s eyebrows jumped as she looked at me.


    ¡°The first place I spent much time was in Hymetos. City like that, lots of foods were common. Guess I just acquired a taste for it.¡± I shrugged, doling out sliced bread and speaking again quickly. ¡°Crassula, you came from up north. Did you pass through on your way?¡±


    The goblin slurped up a steak-sized piece of meat in one gulp before looking at me. ¡°That the big city with the walls?¡±


    ¡°There are a lot of those. But it is one, yes. It would be the closest one nearby this town, around a league roughly to the north.¡± At least I hoped my map had been accurate, there.


    Crassula thought, then made a face. ¡°That place. Didn¡¯t get inside, just got chased away. Demons guarding had metal armor, like humans. Or short fat humans.¡±


    ¡°Dwarves,¡± I corrected, though I didn¡¯t expect it to stick in her mind. That jarred a memory free from mine, though. ¡°Armored demons. Did their armor or shields have a symbol on them? A shape?¡±


    She pressed her lips together. ¡°Black bird, Crassula thinks?¡±


    ¡°Ebon Company, then.¡± A mercenary force of five hundred-odd demons, primarily heavy infantry but with training in various arms. Vicious and disciplined, I had heard they were stationed in Hymetos, but it was good to have that confirmed and up-to-date. ¡°We should make the city our first stop. If you approve, Lady Hydrangea,¡± I added belatedly. Sue me if the prospect of well-trained soldiers was distracting for a girl.


    ¡°Um, yeah, sounds good.¡± Seemed I wasn¡¯t the only one distracted, as Gia¡¯s attention was on Crassula. ¡°So you¡¯ve met humans before? They¡¯re around here too?¡± she asked, and I realized that was one major topic I hadn¡¯t yet filled her in on.


    ¡°Sure. Lots of humans out there. Good eating on them, too.¡± Crassula licked her lips.


    ¡°¡­oh.¡± Gia paled at that. Our server coming back with two sizzling slabs of meat did not seem to help any, and she shot me a somewhat desperate look as Yaupon placed one in front of her.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. They¡¯re really rare around here,¡± I whispered from the corner of my mouth. That didn¡¯t seem to reassure her completely, but seeing me take a bite of sandwich got her to nibble on her own.


    ¡°The goblin¡¯s just trying to sound tough. Humans are really scary,¡± Uvaia said earnestly, after a scowl in Crassula¡¯s direction. ¡°There¡¯s no way she- oh, I love these,¡± she cut off with bright eyes, as the imp placed a plate piled with wriggling white grubs, the spawn of Hesperia¡¯s vicious person-sized beetles, between her and Crassula. She picked up a fat grub the size of my head and bit into it with a squelch. ¡°Mm, such a treat. The mature ones are tasty too, but it¡¯s been so long since I snacked on these.¡±


    ¡°What were you saying about humans?¡± Gia asked, staring with what I couldn¡¯t tell if it was revulsion, fascination, or both.


    ¡°Oh, right.¡± Uvaia swallowed her mouthful, wing wiping some insect juice off her lips. ¡°They killed so many demons in the last big war, you know? My tribe mostly stayed clear, but we¡¯ve all heard the stories. I¡¯m glad they stay away, I don¡¯t know what we¡¯d do if they didn¡¯t.¡± She shuddered.


    ¡°Easy to be scared of stories.¡± Giving her a scornful look, Crassula swallowed a grub of her own, its legs flailing desperately before it vanished down her throat. ¡°Most humans, their whole towns not strong at all. They run away or hide, cry like they think will help. Some fight back but most don¡¯t, most too weak, makes them easy for picking. Must be a coward harpy to be scared of that¡­¡±


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    ¡°The important thing is, that¡¯s all over and done with. The humans have their lands, and we stick to our own,¡± I interrupted, putting added force behind my words. Gia was pale now as she stared at Crassula, expression betrayed and despondent, and without thinking about it I reached over to take her hand. If I¡¯d known Crassula took part in the Feast of Blood, I would have changed the topic much sooner.


    Extending my arm towards her made my shoulder flare white-hot with pain, but I swallowed it down with clenched teeth as I touched Gia¡¯s hand. If there was a plus side, her eyes went wide with concern as she looked at me. I¡¯d take that over her thinking about massacres. ¡°Everything else is in the past,¡± I told Gia, holding her gaze. ¡°It¡¯s best to leave it at that.¡±


    Looking back at me, Gia swallowed and nodded weakly. Behind her, I saw Crassula watching Gia with a look that might have held regret.


    - - -


    The rest of our lunch went more quietly, save for some bits of small talk mainly driven by me. Gia seemed to have lost her appetite, and I admittedly didn¡¯t have much anymore either, but I knew to fill up on food and water when I could. Especially with someone else paying.


    Murmuring more thanks to Uvaia for that, I led Gia away from the table, not holding her hand but with Gia not resisting. ¡°Sedum,¡± I addressed the innkeeper. ¡°My lady could use some rest. Can I have my room¡¯s key back, if I pay tonight¡¯s cost by this evening?¡±


    The orc¡¯s gaze trailed over Gia, and his stern expression softened. ¡°Sure thing. Just make sure to come up with it, I don¡¯t want to have to get my club out,¡± he told me, handing over the brass key.


    I snorted a laugh, though I wasn¡¯t fully sure he was joking. ¡°Won¡¯t be a problem, thanks.¡± Looking back at Uvaia and Crassula still by our table, I lowered my voice. ¡°And can you make sure those two don¡¯t kill each other while I¡¯m gone?¡±


    ¡°Aye. That one¡¯s on the house,¡± he muttered back, following my gaze.


    With a grateful nod, I guided Gia towards the room. ¡°You okay?¡± I asked softly.


    She let out a shuddering breath. ¡°Crassula¡­ she wasn¡¯t just trying to sound tough, was she. She really did what she talked about.¡± Her voice was dull as she spoke, questions not really a question. ¡°She murdered people, lots of people. I know you said it¡¯s in the past, but how am I supposed to¡­ am I supposed to just act like that never happened?¡± Life slipped back into her voice as she spoke, mixed with a rising desperation.


    I took a deep breath, stopping and turning to face her. This wouldn¡¯t be an easy conversation. ¡°So, I¡¯m not trying to absolve Crassula of what she did. But she didn¡¯t just decide to go murder humans one day. A lot of demons, thousands, maybe tens of thousands, flooded out of Hesperia to invade. A human hero killed the king, and demons wanted blood in revenge. And they took it, over a year of killing called the Feast of Blood. Crassula may have just¡­ gotten caught up in that.¡±


    Gia was staring at me as I spoke, wearing a look of mounting horror. ¡°How many different demons helped with¨C is this supposed to make me feel better? Knowing anyone I meet here might be a murderer?!¡±


    ¡°All that I¡¯m trying to do is set your expectations. We¡¯re demons, not angels, Gia.¡± I exhaled. ¡°There¡¯s been a long history of conflict between demons and mortals. Humans, dwarves, elves¡­ those minotaurs that aren¡¯t demons themselves, somehow¡­¡± I shook my head. ¡°Demons killing humans, elves killing demons, it doesn¡¯t carry the same weight as mortals murdering each other. It¡¯s just a part of how it works. Not so much nowadays, with the border wall restored, but no less natural than butchering animals for food. Or demons feeding on one another, for that matter.¡±


    Gia¡¯s gaze fell to her feet. ¡°¡­I was kind of excited at first to be here. With a new life, in a new world.¡± She heaved a sigh. ¡°I should have known it wouldn¡¯t be that easy.¡±


    ¡°We only have the one world. All we can do is live in it.¡± That made her lips twitch, when I said it, and she let out a bitter breath of a laugh. ¡°And you¡¯ve heard all about the bad parts just now, but it doesn¡¯t have to be like that. You can live here without needing to kill anyone.¡± It might not be remotely common, but it was possible.


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s true.¡± Gia was quiet for a moment, before she looked back at me. ¡°What about you? Did you take part in the killing back then?¡±


    I felt a twist in my stomach, words stuck in my throat before I freed them. ¡°I did some things I¡¯m not proud of. And I regret my choices there.¡± That was the most truthful answer I was prepared to give her. And yet it was so very insufficient.


    ¡°You did too, huh.¡± Gia¡¯s face fell, and I felt a twist of guilt. I knew she couldn¡¯t have the right idea, but maybe a lie to spare her still would have helped. ¡°Well, then, if you regret it¡­ Does that mean you wouldn¡¯t ¨C would you do it again? If demons were angry, and going to kill humans.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± I held her gaze, giving a hard shake of my head. ¡°And if I ever end up in charge, there won¡¯t be any more massacres of mortal lands. That much, I promise you for sure.¡±


    She let out a quiet sigh, a smile finally touching her lips. ¡°All right. That¡¯s a relief. Thanks, Ann.¡± Gia paused a moment. ¡°Are there angels in this world, too?¡±


    ¡°Supposedly, yes. I¡¯ve never seen one, though that might say more about me than them.¡± I smirked at her, and Gia smiled a bit wider. ¡°A ¡®new world¡¯, is it. So you¡¯re not just from a faraway country?¡± Once might have been a turn of phrase, but twice was more telling.


    Her expression turned more serious. ¡°No, I¡¯m not. I mean, it¡¯s possible this is just far in the past or future, but ¨C no, wait, you have two suns. Couldn¡¯t explain that,¡± Gia muttered. ¡°Where I¡¯m from, some people do believe in demons, but there¡¯s not demons just walking around like you ¨C like we are.¡± That seemed to take her some effort to say.


    A whole different world. Then how exactly had Gia ended up here? Could Hesperia be the afterlife of other worlds¡¯ dead, and no one had ever realized it? How many worlds could there be out there? Had anyone ever known there were others? ¡°What was your world like?¡± I didn¡¯t even know what to imagine.


    ¡°If you want me to describe a whole wide world, that¡¯s going to take a while,¡± Gia said, laughing softly. ¡°Ah, well, let¡¯s see. There were a lot of differences. We only had humans, well, and plants and animals, but nothing like,¡± She gestured at me with a hand. ¡°We didn¡¯t have fighting and killing and war where I was from. Not for I think at least a hundred years? Though there was plenty in other parts of the world, so maybe that¡¯s not fair to say.¡±


    Gia was quiet for a long moment, but the pensive look she wore now still kept me from interrupting. ¡°I don¡¯t know. We had a lot of things that you don¡¯t, that I¡¯ll miss, I¡¯m sure. But I wouldn¡¯t say it was easier, living there. At least, I can¡¯t say for sure that it was, yet.¡±


    ¡°Things we don¡¯t? Were they useful things?¡± Having an entire world¡¯s worth of ideas no one here had ever heard of could be an indescribable advantage. ¡°Could we reproduce any of those here in Hesperia?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not some genius who could recreate phones or anything, so I doubt it,¡± Gia said, with an awkward-sounding laugh. ¡°I can still tell you more about Earth if you want, but¡­¡± She trailed off. ¡°Right now, I don¡¯t know if I want to dwell on it too much. Like you said, it¡¯s in the past. I¡¯d rather enjoy my life here without making myself homesick.¡±


    ¡°Sure, that¡¯s fine.¡± I could understand that very well, in truth. And besides, I¡¯d have plenty of time to pick her brain, there was no urgent need of it. ¡°Let¡¯s get back to the room, before someone interrupts us.¡± I gestured away from the spot we¡¯d claimed in the hall.


    ¡°Aha, right.¡± Gia smiled sheepishly, and I led the way to my room in silence save our footsteps. Once I moved to unlock the door, though, she spoke up. ¡°Um. So, are we¡­ is the plan to share a room together, then?¡±


    I glanced back. Her cheeks were pink, and she wasn¡¯t quite meeting my gaze straight-on now. I opened my mouth and swallowed back my instinctive response. No seducing the pretty new girl who had no one else to depend on. ¡°The plan is for you to stay here and get some rest. I¡¯ll be going to scrounge up money to pay for rooms for the rest of us.¡± Maybe Crassula¡¯s skills could help us rob some non-humans.


    ¡°Oh! Oh, okay, sure,¡± Gia said, nodding her head quickly with what I chose to assume was relief. The room was unchanged from how I¡¯d left it, small but clean and functional. While the bed did fit two, it would be hard to non-intimately. ¡°I¡¯m not really tired, but I can try to take a nap, I guess?¡±


    ¡°You can do what you like. The important thing is that you stay somewhere safe until you can defend yourself.¡±


    Gia stopped mid-step over to the bed as I said that, face falling. ¡°Ah. I guess that does make sense, yeah.¡± She winced, but startled and reached out for me as I started to close the door. ¡°Wait, Ann! Hang on a sec, are you still injured?¡±


    My gaze flicked down to my aching shoulder. ¡°Somewhat, yes, but I¡¯ll live with it. We have work that needs doing.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure that¡¯s a good idea? I mean,¡± Gia visibly backtracked as I gave her a hard look, ¡°What if you hurt yourself worse? I don¡¯t know if you have doctors here, but are there, I don¡¯t know, healing potions? Healing magic?¡±


    ¡°None that we¡¯d have access to.¡± I grimaced. ¡°Most clans have their own doctors, but there aren¡¯t many demons with the patience to learn those skills. A backwater village wouldn¡¯t have one, Uvaia''s already told me they don¡¯t. As for healing magic¡­¡± No. A white lie was called for here. ¡°It does exist, but only among mortals. We¡¯re not going to find anyone who can cast it in Hesperia.¡±


    Gia didn¡¯t need to know the whole story. It was true that demons can¡¯t use restorative magics, with just a few demons possessing Aspects that let them regenerate their own wounds. But that didn¡¯t mean healers were nowhere to be found in the demon realm. Raiding a mortal settlement, while risky even for strong clans, could easily allow capturing an elf or human with useful skills; the loss of a few soldiers would be well worth it for a magical asset that no demon could match.


    I did understand the logic, and the pragmatic benefits. But that was one policy I¡¯d never been willing to push for. Defeated demons could swear fealty and go on mostly unharmed, but there was no such convention that made humans be treated humanely. Even with their value, most mortal prisoners didn¡¯t last long, I¡¯d heard. And the ones that did survive probably wished otherwise.


    ¡°Well, what about me?¡± Gia asked, shaking me out of my thoughts. ¡°Humans count as mortals, right? I used to be human, so maybe this is something I can do.¡± She had a new determination in her eyes.


    ¡°A lot of demons used to be human,¡± I stressed, letting out a sigh. ¡°Doesn¡¯t let them use human magic. Trust me.¡± But, even saying that, I couldn¡¯t get the thought out of my mind.


    Yes, a lot of demons had been human, but demons who actually retained human memories were practically unheard of. I had long assumed it made no difference, but maybe things were different for her. Maybe Gia¡¯s unique circumstances, whatever brought her from another world, would let her do things another demon could not¡­


    It was selfish, in retrospect, for me to push forward with it. But then and there, I had to know. ¡°All right. Try to heal me.¡±


    Gia blinked at my change of heart, but nodded quickly. ¡°Okay.¡± She took a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯m not quite sure how you¡¯re hurt, so maybe let¡¯s sit down and I can take a look?¡±


    I had no objections to that, so I came inside to sit on the bed. ¡°It seems to still be my shoulder,¡± I said, pulling up my sleeve, about to say more before a burst of pain knocked the words out of my mouth. ¡°Ow, fuck.¡±


    ¡°Careful!¡± Eyes wide, Gia reached out for me before hesitating, pulling back. ¡°Just put your arm and shoulder how you had them before, where it didn¡¯t hurt so much. I¡¯ll take off your jacket.¡±


    I resettled myself, and her long fingers brushed over my gambeson¡¯s laces. I couldn¡¯t feel her touch through the thick cloth, but the unavoidable thought that she was undressing me was distracting in its own right.


    ¡°Uff, this is heavier than I thought,¡± Gia muttered, pulling the cloth around and off my uninjured arm first, carefully unwrapping my torso.


    ¡°Well, it is armor.¡± I shivered at the cool touch of air on my shoulders.


    ¡°Really?¡± Gia herself seemed admirably composed, but as she pulled my gambeson off and took a look at me without it, a thin gray undershirt tight around the swell of my chest, I caught her staring, her cheeks reddening.


    ¡°Can you do what you need to from there?¡± I asked.


    Gia jumped and lifted her gaze to mine. ¡°Um, yeah! I uh, we still can¡¯t see your shoulder, but if I¡¯m careful I can pull your sleeve off it¡­¡± There was a light brush of fabric gliding over skin, and Gia hissed a breath. ¡°Ow. That doesn¡¯t look good.¡±


    Looking down at my bared shoulder, I had to agree. Black-purple bruising covered where the axe had hit me, and angry red crescents surrounded the area above and below. ¡°This may be a good time to ask if you have any medical knowledge,¡± I muttered, wondering why, over the past ten years, I couldn¡¯t have added that to my own skills.


    ¡°Just for a few specific things. Not broken bones or whatever this is, unfortunately.¡± Her hesitant gaze met my eyes, fell back on my injury, and she took a deep breath. ¡°Well, here goes nothing.¡± A look of concentration spread over her face. I reminded myself that nothing would likely happen, just like our other tests of Gia¡¯s powers.


    Except something was different this time. A sharp tingling spread fast through my shoulder and surrounding parts, and I flinched as I felt something shift under my skin. Gia¡¯s expression was looking more strained, now, sweat beading on her forehead as muscles inside me yanked.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I wanted,¡± I heard Gia whispering, and if I hadn¡¯t been alarmed already, that would have done the trick. ¡°Stop, no, go back¡­ Ann, I need to stop. How do I stop this?¡± she asked frantically, as pressure and a blinding pain built up in my shoulder. ¡°Stop- STOP!¡±


    Bone erupted through my skin out of my shoulder, and I screamed.

 6. Readjustment

    I¡¯d been hurt many times, but never like this. My shoulder was a red-hot mass of agony, I felt myself being stabbed with several blades but paradoxically it was from the inside out. Like my sins had finally had enough of being within me and exploded out with naked, jagged force. Then the stabbing gave way to a tearing sensation, I heard my scream reach a higher pitch than I knew I was capable of, there was a horrible wet noise and I was left curling up on the bed, my eyes wet, my lungs begging for air.


    Everything between my neck and forearm felt like it was on fire. I could hear someone sobbing, dimly, nearby. Was it me? Gods. I couldn¡¯t remember the last time I¡¯d cried. No demon would tolerate it, such a clear sign that I was weak.


    A higher voice impressed itself on the edge of my awareness, interspersed with hiccuping, racking sobs. Oh. Maybe it wasn¡¯t just me. ¡°Ann, I¡¯m sorry, god, I¡¯m so sorry. Please be okay, god, what did I do to you¡­¡±


    I wanted to know that myself, but my mouth wouldn¡¯t obey me in forming words. All I managed was a weak groan. Was this what dying felt like? It hadn¡¯t been this bad with Bryonia.


    Footsteps, running, scratching on the floor. ¡°What happened?¡± Another voice now, frantic, familiar. Uvaia. Oh, no, she shouldn¡¯t have to see me die. ¡°There was screaming¨C A-Anthy?! Anthurium!¡± A scream near a squawk, on the edge of hysteria. ¡°What happened to her?¡±


    ¡°Ouch. That lots of blood.¡± This raspy voice wasn¡¯t so familiar, but my hazy mind tied it to Crassula¡¯s name and face. ¡°You have a disagreement?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Gia¡¯s yell was a panicked denial. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t, I would never- I was trying to heal her! She was hurt, and I thought, but this happened instead¡­¡±


    ¡°So you did this to her? What were you thinking?! Of course you couldn¡¯t heal her, no true demon can¡­¡± Uvaia¡¯s words jabbed into me as much as they would Gia. What had I been thinking, letting her try this.


    ¡°All of you, stop it. Listen t¡¯ me.¡± A deeper male voice, calm, but with worry thrumming underneath. Sedum. ¡°Throwing blame around¡¯s not going to help anyone. Least of all her. Breathe in, hold it, let it out.¡± I could hear a couple exhalations. ¡°Better. Uvaia, can you find where she¡¯s bleeding?¡±


    Feathery touches to my arm, fluff filtering down through layers of pain. ¡°I don¡¯t¡­ this spiky part coming out of her is covered in it, but I can¡¯t find any cuts or gashes.¡±


    ¡°Bleeding¡¯s inside, then. Mm, that¡¯s not good. Lass, what was it, Crassula? Can you tie a tourniquet?¡±


    ¡°Sure, Crassula can. But might be better to just leave¨C¡± Her voice trailed off, more sobs from Gia filling my ears. ¡°Crassula will take care of it.¡±


    ¡°Good on you, then. Use the sheets, they¡¯ll need washing anyway. Here, around beside her neck and down here on the forearm.¡± I felt a tight pressure from my collarbone to the side of my chest, another cinching my tricep. The pain was starting to die down, and these were something else to focus on.


    ¡°Will she be okay, Sedum?¡± Uvaia sounded more in need of reassurance than truth. ¡°Fierce Suanil, I can¡¯t believe this happened. We were just talking, and eating, and now¡­¡±


    ¡°She should make it through just fine.¡± His voice was low and comforting, though I caught a mutter under his breath that was less so. ¡°How she¡¯ll feel after all this ¨C well, we¡¯ll just have to see.¡±


    ¡°Ann said there wasn¡¯t a doctor.¡± Gia¡¯s voice was small, tired, dull with regret. ¡°Why couldn¡¯t we have just asked you?¡±


    ¡°I ain¡¯t nothing of the sort, lass. Just a few tricks picked up from hard living. Anthurium,¡± his voice thrummed out. ¡°Dunno if you can even hear me, but try to rest, if you can. Body¡¯s going to need it, after that.¡±


    Part of my mind rebelled at the thought of resting, sleeping, when I was injured and vulnerable. The rest of my mind and body was bone-weary. I drifted off, pain giving way to a blank darkness.


    - - -


    I didn¡¯t dream, but that was nothing new. I couldn¡¯t recall dreaming once in my ten years of existence as a demon. Normally, when you did pass out, it was just a matter of waking up, hopefully refreshed, hours gone by in no more than the time to lose consciousness.


    It wasn¡¯t as easy as that, this time. Waking up was a fitful experience marred by throbbing, an aching soreness throughout my shoulder and upper arm. I groaned and rolled onto my back, a sign I wasn¡¯t thinking, as a sharp pain lanced out as my joint hit the mattress and I spent the next half minute swearing under my breath.


    Eventually I sat up, gingerly and carefully, admitting defeat on the attempting unconsciousness front. The room was dark compared to earlier, but there was enough light coming in through the window to let me spot objects left on the bedside table. A mug of brownish liquid and a scrawled note beside it.


    Wiping off my glasses, feeling a crick in my neck and an absence in my belly, I reached out with my good arm to read what it said.  This used to help me and some friends with muscle pains. Can¡¯t say how much it¡¯ll help you in your situation, but figured it¡¯s better to have than not. - Sedum


    I looked at it for a moment before turning to take in my own situation.


    For a second I didn¡¯t recognize what I was looking at, with the wild thought that I was dreaming after all before I realized. The white bone fused to my skin resembled a pauldron, the caps covering shoulders of armor. A half-dozen bone spikes jutted out, as also might decorate armor, though generally only on demons eager to risk poking out eyes. I just wouldn¡¯t lean to my left anymore, I guessed.


    Dried blood covered the bone pauldron in a crust, but less than I¡¯d have thought, and my arm¡¯s dark skin was also surprisingly free of it. Looking around some more, I saw two bunches of twisted up sheets, one more bloodstained than the other. The tourniquets I¡¯d heard them putting on, and it seemed someone had come to clean me off as well. My stomach churned at the thought of what a pathetic mess I must have looked like.


    There was time for self-reproach later, though, I had something important I needed to check. Trying to move my arm away from my body, I clenched my teeth as the sharp pain dragged out and intensified. But it confirmed what I wanted to know, and attempts to flex my arm forward and backward had the same response; minimal. I could still rotate my elbow, but my shoulder wouldn¡¯t move, half my once-dominant arm functionally paralyzed. My guess was that Gia had fused my shoulder together, warping muscle and bone.


    I pressed my good hand to my forehead, swearing softly. The others might not have known how this happened, but I¡¯d seen this kind of thing before. Gia had a rare skill to twist and reshape others¡¯ bodies, an Art known as fleshwarping. And a novice fleshwarper was probably the worst kind of demon to give free rein on your body. Especially a novice with too much power for her own good.


    The thought crossed my mind that it could have been worse. With her power, Gia might have turned me into a puddle. And then I was laughing, chest softly shaking with bitter chuckles and jabs of pain accompanying each. Gods, this was a fucking mess. How was I supposed to take over a nation like this? Even feeding or dressing myself would be a struggle, let alone trying to fight with a single weak hand. And as for managing to gain respect of demons, good fucking luck with that. I¡¯d seen how cripples were treated in a realm where personal strength dictated so much. And I¡¯d already been weak enough as it was, but now even fantasizing about punching assholes would be painful.


    I¡¯d gone through plenty of low points in my life, but it seemed there were always new and exciting ways to suffer. As my laughter died down, I reached for the mug, feeling I did need a drink but not willing to try something wholly unknown. The scent was bitter and sour, but not alcoholic, and not like bitter almonds which ruled out at least one poison. The scrawl matched papers I¡¯d seen Sedum write, too, so odds are it was real, and he probably didn¡¯t want to kill me. So I took a small sip, and gagged, but forced the rest down.


    It tasted about like it smelled but stronger, which was to say worse. But if it was some kind of medicine, I wasn¡¯t about to turn it down. The pain was a heavy drumbeat in the back of my mind, and my mind had always been my greatest weapon. This was a time where I especially needed to think clearly. I took slow, deep breaths as I felt the drink slosh in my stomach. Trying to chase away the histrionic thoughts that this was hopeless. Contemplating different ways I could maybe make a sling one-handed, and how the doctors I¡¯d known had used them.


    Tying it off was a pain, but I managed to convert a sweater into a half-functional sling, holding my arm to my body, and the hot ache was dying down to a dull one, thank gods. So I sighed, sat, and thought.


    This didn¡¯t have to be the end of things. It would be difficult for sure, but I¡¯d lost something key I depended on once before, even if it hadn¡¯t been so physical. But I¡¯d learned bouncing back from loss was about finding ways to compensate for what you lack. And I had a wealth more experience now than I had back then.


    Plus, I did have Gia, too. I gritted my teeth thinking what she¡¯d done to me, but a second later winced remembering how she¡¯d cried. I was the one who should have known better, not her. She was still new to this world, and uncommonly powerful, and she might not have the temperament to lead but I could do that for her. My physical capabilities were far from my biggest determinant of success. I¡¯d need to hide my weakness once we had a following, and I¡¯d be more vulnerable if I was attacked personally. But I could still plan and scheme and deceive just as well as I could before, and that was what would earn me my goals, not having two functional arms.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    I¡¯d want time to adjust to it and see what else I could still do, but that was the use of a place like Monem. Gia could learn more control of her arts, I could learn to get around with my crippling injury, find some clothes to hide the warped bone and conceal that I was hurt.


    Some distant sounds were infringing on my concentration now, and I grimaced, glancing around. It would be easier to think if it weren¡¯t for that yelling. And¡­ screaming.


    Standing up quickly, I registered that the light coming from outside was now flickering and dancing on the wall. As I looked out the window, I saw the town was on fire.


    - - -


    ¡°What the hell is happening?¡± I demanded to know as I came down the stairs, and was fortunate enough to find myself face-to-face with a captive audience. Gia, Uvaia, Sedum, and Crassula were gathered in the inn¡¯s lobby, standing in a circle with stress written across their faces.


    My arrival didn¡¯t so much negate the stress as appear to reorient it, as Gia and Uvaia started, turned to me and started talking over each other, relief and worry warring on their expressions.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake! Oh my god, are you okay?¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oh, thank Suanil, Anthy, I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re looking better¡ª¡±


    ¡°Can you walk all right on your own? I feel so bad for what happened¡ª¡±


    ¡°Sedum said we just needed to wait, but seeing you like that was just¡ª¡±


    Crassula loudly cleared her throat, thumping her axe¡¯s butt on the ground. ¡°Should save fussing over her for when not under attack.¡±


    I nodded firmly in agreement, slightly overwhelmed by being fretted over and relieved for the distraction. I did show both Uvaia and Gia a somewhat pained smile, though. ¡°We do need a plan, yes.¡±


    ¡°We were just discussing what to do, aye. Helps if we don¡¯t need to move you.¡± Sedum nodded to me, brow crinkling. ¡°Hope the tea might¡¯ve helped?¡±


    ¡°That''s what it was, then? Tasted like you¡¯d fed me mud.¡± I quirked an eyebrow at him. ¡°It has helped the pain, yes.¡±


    Sedum snorted. ¡°Tree bark, actually, but good. Now, I was saying I think it¡¯s best to stay in here, block the door maybe. Shouldn¡¯t be there¡¯s anything they¡¯ll want enough to spend the extra effort. And if anyone does get in, we¡¯d stand a better chance against one or two than out on the streets.¡±


    ¡°I still think we should make a break for the forest,¡± Uvaia said quietly. ¡°We don¡¯t know how many of them there are, or how strong they might be. If they do get in here, or set it on fire, we¡¯ll be trapped.¡±


    ¡°Wait, you don¡¯t know how many there are? Why don¡¯t you just¡­¡± I cut off, concentrating and opening my third eye.


    The immediate wave of discomfort made me regret that some, but by this point I knew what to expect from Gia¡¯s, and a headache wasn¡¯t something I was going to let stop me. Auras shone all around now like bright pinpricks, and I had to resist the urge to turn away or to be overwhelmed. But this was a small village, maybe a hundred people, and I¡¯d scanned it before and knew most townsfolk were nothing special. The stronger auras, the attackers, shone brighter in my mind¡¯s eye, and there thankfully weren¡¯t many. I could pick them out with surprising ease from among the others. One, two, three¡­


    ¡°Fifteen of them, I think,¡± I reported, shuttering that sense and opening my eyes. ¡°I can¡¯t be exactly sure, some of those could just be villagers.¡± At least half a dozen hadn¡¯t even been noticeably strong. ¡°But I¡¯m pretty confident. Those ones were all active and moving¨C¡± I realized everyone but Gia, who was just nodding along, was staring at me. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You can just tell that, without even needing to see?¡± Uvaia asked me, eyes wide. ¡°Wow.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a neat trick,¡± Sedum muttered, eyeing me with raised eyebrows.


    ¡°You think?¡± I looked between them, surprised. ¡°Any of us could do it. I¡¯m sure I might have practiced more than most demons, but even so.¡± Aura sensing was as natural to any of us as sight or smell, and yet so many barely even bothered to use it. Other demons did baffle me, sometimes.


    There was something bothering me in the back of my mind, though. I couldn¡¯t put my finger on what, but some aspect of these attackers¡¯ auras had stood out without the slightest effort on my part. Like they were somehow familiar.


    ¡°Anyway,¡± I said, shaking my head. I could see if my brain put it together in the background. ¡°I¡¯d like to propose another option. We are still outnumbered, but it may be possible to break through and repel the attack¨C oh, come on,¡± I cut off, nettled. The eyes on me had taken on pitying expressions. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that. In these numbers they¡¯re likely just bandits, only one of them was even remotely powerful.¡± Well, when compared to other demons I¡¯d known.


    ¡°Bandits could still kill us just the same,¡± Uvaia pointed out softly. ¡°I¡¯m not feeling all that powerful either.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not doubting your courage, lass, but you do realize you¡¯re not,¡± Sedum gestured at me, ¡°In a fit state to try repelling anyone.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I know that I¡¯m injured,¡± I snapped. ¡°I don¡¯t need to be the one to fight.¡± I had no doubt Gia could kill any of the underlings with her fleshwarping, and depending on their layout and formation, we could break through to the leader and keep most of them from needing to go to waste.


    ¡°Ann,¡± Gia spoke up, wincing through her whisper. ¡°I don¡¯t know about this. It¡¯s not like I want to let the people here get killed, but what could we do to stop it? Running and hiding sounds best to me, like Uvaia said. We might not save the town but at least we could keep each other safe.¡±


    It looked like we¡¯d thrown Gia¡¯s authoritative act out the window, which rankled me some to see. But her lacking confidence was a bigger issue right now. She would be the cornerstone of any counteroffensive, and while saving the town was frankly the least of my concerns, if she wasn¡¯t ready then retreating might be the best option after all¡­


    ¡°Crassula like this plan,¡± Crassula spoke up unexpectedly. ¡°Me was thinking pick off one or two and sneak away. But with help, we could get lots of them.¡±


    I blinked at her, but latched onto that wisdom from the gutter. ¡°Yes, exactly. Sedum, Uvaia, you both know the town and the bandits don¡¯t. We can hit them when they¡¯re not expecting it, strike and disperse, and we don¡¯t need to take them all. Break through to the leader and if we take them, we¡¯ll have leverage. A smaller fighting force can still win under the right circumstances.¡±


    ¡°And just who are you picturing in this smaller force?¡± Sedum asked me, holding an even gaze.


    Well, if he wasn¡¯t volunteering himself, other methods might be called for. ¡°Uvaia, will you stay with me?¡± I asked my harpy, reaching out with my good hand and touching her soft wing. From how Gia stood up straighter as I did so, this might help to persuade more than one person.


    Uvaia¡¯s eyes widened, and her caramel cheeks darkened. ¡°I-I¡¯m not a fighter, but if you¡¯re going to stay and fight, I¡¯ll help if I can.¡±


    ¡°Force my hand, huh.¡± Sedum chuckled, a sound without mirth in it. ¡°Alright, lass. I¡¯ll join in too. Still looks like we¡¯ll die, but can¡¯t say it won¡¯t be for a good cause.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not going to die,¡± I said, mostly to reassure a now visibly alarmed Uvaia. ¡°This isn¡¯t a conventional battlefield, they won¡¯t all know where each other are at once. If we pick off smaller groups and defeat them quickly, we can avoid being surrounded and overwhelmed.¡± And ideally, we¡¯d have Gia to kill anyone we needed to. But she still wasn¡¯t volunteering herself, either.


    ¡°How do you know will be small groups?¡± Crassula asked in an unfortunately salient point.


    ¡°My aura sense made it look like they were dispersed, but I can¡¯t be completely certain. Uvaia can help with verifying that, if she flies above to confirm. Harpies have good night vision, right?¡± I asked her.


    ¡°All the ones I¡¯ve known, yeah.¡± She nodded, wings flapping."I can do that."


    ¡°And what if someone shoots her out of the sky?¡± Sedum asked, a faint growl in the words.


    ¡°¡­That is a risk, yes.¡± No point denying it. ¡°It just depends on if it¡¯s one we¡¯re willing to take. But she could do a lot to keep the rest of us alive by doing this.¡± I pursed my lips, looking back at my harpy. ¡°Uvaia?¡±


    She gulped, but gave me a nod, with stubbornness I hadn¡¯t expected filling her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve been in danger a lot before. My job is dangerous, Sedum. You don¡¯t seem to mind me doing that.¡±


    ¡°Well, if it were up to me¡­¡± He grimaced, but relented under her gaze.


    ¡°And Crassula is with us, she said. So, Lady Hydrangea?¡± I asked Gia, turning to her. If she was going to have what it takes to survive Hesperia, she¡¯d need to fight for herself.


    ¡°I¡­¡± Gia swallowed as well, but faltered where Uvaia had stood firm. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I could do to help. I feel like I would just get in the way.¡± She looked at me guiltily.


    Not the most auspicious start. I managed to not sigh aloud, but could see concern in the others¡¯ eyes as they looked at her. Which, to be fair, was better than the scorn I¡¯d half-expected.


    ¡°You could stay here with Yaupon, little lady,¡± Sedum told Gia, voice gentler with her than he¡¯d been with me. ¡°Not sure we can afford to protect her throughout,¡± he directed at me. I felt myself bristle, even though it was true.


    ¡°Won¡¯t need to protect her,¡± Crassula spoke up, and I winced preemptively. Whatever bluffs I¡¯d made, surely no one could think Gia was powerful and fearsome after that. ¡°Lady can just do what she did to make Crassula¡¯s axe bounce off.¡±


    That gave me pause. ¡°What?¡± I demanded, turning to Gia. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me you did that?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know I did that!¡± Gia insisted, shrinking back. ¡°I just closed my eyes when she swung a weapon at my head.¡±


    ¡°Happened both times Crassula tried. Watch,¡± the goblin said, lifting a hand up. My hand twitched with the instinct to go for my dagger, but instead of going for her axe, she simply pulled off her helmet and swung it hard at Gia.


    The headwear bounced back in her hand, and from the lack of any reaction save widened eyes I didn¡¯t think Gia had even felt a thing. ¡°How are you doing that?¡± I muttered. Many demons had enhanced durability, but they still took the blows in the first place. This was more like a mage¡¯s force field, or a witch¡¯s barrier.


    ¡°I honestly don¡¯t feel like I¡¯m doing anything,¡± Gia said, giving me a helpless shrug.


    ¡°But that didn¡¯t stop you from¡­¡± I didn¡¯t finish that sentence. Crassula had made circumstances strained enough without bringing up that she¡¯d eaten Gia. But Gia¡¯s defenses clearly didn¡¯t protect her from everything, even if I¡¯d need to worry less about her now.


    ¡°If Lady wants to stay here, Crassula will stay and guard her,¡± Crassula said unexpectedly. ¡°Or even if Lady wants to run,¡± she said, placing her helm back on her head and looking at Gia with what I''d nearly think was respect.


    ¡°What? No, we¡¯re going to need you,¡± I said immediately. I did think Crassula was more powerful than most of her kin, and while beating me wasn¡¯t the greatest accomplishment she was still the only fighter in the room whose skills I had seen in action. If both she and Gia wouldn¡¯t help, this might not even be worth trying.


    ¡°Crassula answer to the Lady first.¡± She might have had some smugness to her grin as she said it. Damn it, why hadn¡¯t I had her obey me instead?


    ¡°Lady Hydrangea,¡± I said, still doggedly clinging to our cover story however much Gia had done to tatter it. ¡°Don¡¯t doubt yourself. The same fleshwarping you used on me could be used to kill any demon you want.¡± Well. Any of the caliber we were likely to face tonight. She wasn¡¯t experienced with it, but you didn¡¯t need experience to be destructive with an Art like that. For which I was ample evidence.


    Gia flinched, and shook her head vehemently. ¡°No, I really can¡¯t. I¡¯m not¨C¡±


    ¡°And if you don¡¯t help us out,¡± I interrupted, irritation flaring. This had gone on long enough. ¡°It¡¯s far more likely one or more of us will die.¡± I wasn¡¯t usually so heavy-handed when manipulating my superiors. But if I was ever to make her a ruler, Gia couldn¡¯t fall at the first hurdle in a land of conflict. She needed this push. ¡°Can you live with that?¡±


    Gia showed me a startled, hurt look, and she swallowed hard. Fear fought with worry in her eyes, and one was swiftly overtaken. ¡°I can¨C I can try to help, if you really want me to.¡± Her voice wasn¡¯t confident, but I¡¯d take assent over running and hiding. ¡°Maybe someone can use me as a human shield.¡± I felt my whole body stiffen, and she flinched again. ¡°A demon shield! Like you might use, uh, humans for? Ha! Aha.¡± Her laugh came out very strained.


    In some minor miracle that I could only assume stemmed from spontaneous temporary deafness, no one immediately called her on that. Crassula did lick her lips, but that could easily be from the second idea about humans.


    ¡°It¡¯s up to you,¡± Sedum said, watching Gia.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t get yourself killed, okay?¡± Uvaia asked, flapping her wings and looking hesitant. It looked like her anger I¡¯d overheard while half-conscious had been short lived, for which I was grateful.


    ¡°Follow my lead, and none of you will get killed.¡± I supposed there was no point in being coy about taking charge now. ¡°I am very familiar with battle and warfare. Now, let¡¯s push these bandits back.¡± And I¡¯d just hope my mentee would handle herself better than her first fight.

 7. Clash

    There weren¡¯t as many screams echoing through the town as a proper battlefield. But the sounds of people suffering were perfectly clear, even over the whistling wind and the distant crackling of fire. Civilian targets weren¡¯t as common, not whole unaligned settlements like this, though snatching up individuals happened every day. But in a war-torn land with no laws to protect them, the weak made easy prey for the desperate and bold. With a ruler, the right ruler, maybe Monem wouldn¡¯t have met this fate.


    If we¡¯d wanted to save the remaining villagers, those not yet fled or killed, the move would be to sweep across what passed for the bandits¡¯ front line. Hit them hard and fast, as the old clich¨¦ goes, and add loud to the mix. Armed resistance would catch swift attention if they¡¯d been planning for civilians, and they¡¯d converge on us to see who was fighting back. If we¡¯d had Gia killing bandits left and right, it wouldn¡¯t even have been difficult.


    But I wasn¡¯t doing this to save the town. Charging out like idiots was how you got killed, and I meant for my own to survive. First, importantly, we had to get the lay of the battlefield.


    ¡°Uvaia, I need to know, can you spot any of theirs in the sky?¡± I asked my sharp-eyed harpy, hanging back inside the inn¡¯s doorway and watching for movement. Whether we could claim the sky for a scouting advantage would make a huge difference in this fight.


    ¡°I¡¯m looking, I¡¯m looking¡­¡± Uvaia whispered, neck craned back as she looked skyward. She gasped after a second, looking at me. ¡°There is one, there! Not a harpy, but avian, not our body shape.¡±


    Damn. In the day, at my best, I might be able to shoot them down, but night-blind and one-handed my crossbow would be useless. ¡°Alright, everyone stay hidden. How are they moving? Sweeping over the town, using any pattern?¡±


    ¡°Flying away,¡± Sedum suggested. Right, this could be a civilian making the smart choice to flee the coop.


    ¡°They¡¯re flying around in a big circle,¡± Uvaia murmured. ¡°Not too high, or too fast.¡±


    I bit my lip. Surveying the area, doing their own scouting. These were competent bandits, if that was what they were. ¡°And you¡¯re sure that you couldn¡¯t take them out by yourself¨C¡± Seeing her look at me with big eyes, I aborted that line of thinking. ¡°Never mind.¡±


    She smiled weakly at me. ¡°I¡¯m not a fighter, Anthurium. I was never good at hunting, even back with my tribe.¡±


    Even knowing her for a week, I couldn¡¯t be surprised at that. ¡°All right, fine. Keep an eye on their movements, we can dart between buildings when they¡¯re circling away from¨C wait.¡± Now I had an idea. ¡°You¡¯re not a fighter, but Crassula is and she¡¯s small enough to carry. Try and lift her real quick. Just her, no weapons,¡± I said, gesturing to them.


    Both women shot each other a dirty look, but Crassula set her axe against the wall and Uvaia jumped up, talons grasping Crassula¡¯s shoulder pauldrons and hoisting her vertically. ¡°Erf, yeah, she¡¯s kinda heavy but I can get her,¡± Uvaia told me, wings flapping rapidly as she hovered now.


    I gestured for her to set Crassula down. ¡°Do you think you could fly fast enough holding her to get up there and reach the flyer, before they turn around to see?¡±


    ¡°I, I guess?¡± She looked startled, biting her lip. ¡°But my wings aren¡¯t silent, Anthurium. They could hear me coming and then get away.¡±


    Damn it. So close. A gust of wind blew my hair into my eyes, and batting it back I paused. ¡°Would the wind make it harder to hear you, by chance?¡±


    ¡°It¡­ actually would.¡± A small smile spread on Uvaia¡¯s face. ¡°It¡¯d still be risky.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take the risk. And if they attack you instead of fleeing, Crassula can defend you.¡± I glanced at the goblin. ¡°How heavy is your axe?¡±


    She held it out to me. I took the haft in my hand and nearly collapsed on the spot. ¡°Fucking hell. How do you lift this?¡±


    ¡°Goblins built better.¡± She was grinning at me. Bitch.


    ¡°Well, smartass, you¡¯re leaving it with me. We can¡¯t weigh Uvaia down that much if she¡¯s ferrying you.¡± I yanked out my dagger and handed it to her hilt-first. ¡°Take this instead. We¡¯ll need to time this carefully.¡±


    I saw Gia wince as she looked at the blade, but as I caught her gaze she quickly turned away.


    ¡°Speaking of, should we really be waiting so long?¡± Sedum asked in an undertone. ¡°Any moment they could come around over to the inn.¡±


    ¡°Let them. All they''ll see is an open door, not armed resistance out on the street.¡± I took a deep breath, looking at my harpy. ¡°Uvaia, you¡¯re the only one who can do this. But I know you can pull it off, okay?¡±


    ¡°Crassula the one needing to actually kill them,¡± Crassula pointed out. I ignored her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡± Uvaia swallowed, holding my gaze. A faint smile touched her lips, and she leaned in towards me. ¡°Kiss for good luck?¡±


    My cheeks warmed. I was very conscious that Gia was standing right there. ¡°Maybe after the battle.¡±


    ¡°All right, all right.¡± Uvaia took a deep breath, eyeing the sky, and launched herself and Crassula into the air.


    Maybe two seconds later, a pair of horned figures rounded the house in front of us, fan-bladed polearms in their hands. I couldn¡¯t make out their features easily, but the silhouettes made me think satyrs. ¡°Sedum, I¡¯ll need you for this part,¡± I told the innkeeper, turning towards him and stopping short with a blink. He was already gone.


    The man was fast. He covered the ground between us and the bandits before they knew he was upon them, and I saw one swing their halberd at him, bleating in alarm. There was a splintering crack and the bladed end landed in the grass beside us, as Sedum grabbed the bandits¡¯ heads in either hand and slammed them together with a thud. One went down, the other reeling and stumbling back, trying to bring their weapon to bear. They didn¡¯t manage it before his fist struck the bottom of their chin, and I could swear I saw the second satyr lifted off the ground before they landed.


    ¡°Whoa,¡± Gia whispered beside me, staring. ¡°Can a lot of people here do that?¡±


    ¡°Not like that, they can¡¯t.¡± Our odds without her fleshwarping might be better than I expected.


    The orc looked back and gestured me over, and I followed. Gia came along, which I wasn¡¯t sure if I wanted, but it was probably best to have her where I could keep an eye on her.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t want to let them call in their friends, aye?¡± Sedum asked me, breathing hard. Two goat-legged half-man demons lay on the ground.


    ¡°My thoughts exactly. Good work.¡± Satyrs indeed, thoroughly down for the count, though something bothered me as I looked down at them. I just couldn¡¯t put my finger on exactly what.


    ¡°Are they, um. Dead?¡± Gia asked, looking more gingerly at the fallen pair.


    ¡°From a couple hits like that? They¡¯ll have a headache in an hour, but I doubt they¡¯ve buggered off just yet.¡±


    Gia sighed in relief. ¡°All right, that¡¯s good.¡±


    ¡°We did it, he¡¯s dead,¡± Uvaia reported, fluttering down and dropping Crassula beside us, and Gia flinched. Uvaia herself didn¡¯t look shaken, which surprised me a little. ¡°I¡¯m almost sure of it, at least. Crassula stabbed him and he dropped out of the sky.¡±


    That was a genuine relief. ¡°Well done,¡± I told Uvaia fondly. Someone would probably notice their ally¡¯s involuntary skydive, but we still held the aerial advantage now. I took back my bloody dagger from Crassula.


    ¡°Y-yeah. Good¡­ job, both of you.¡± Gia showed them one of the least happy smiles I¡¯d ever seen. Crassula still seemed to appreciate it.


    ¡°What now?¡± Sedum asked me, as Crassula darted back to get her axe. ¡°These couple weren¡¯t tough. Why not clean up the rest of them, save who we can?¡±


    ¡°Be glad they didn¡¯t have a chance to get you horny for them.¡± I had intended to ambush them to avoid that, but Sedum bulling them over had worked out, too. ¡°Satyrs aren¡¯t frontline combatants, they can evoke lust even from a distance or intoxicate with a touch. I wouldn¡¯t have sent them out like this, but the halberds must have been to buy them breathing room¡­¡± I frowned. This felt increasingly, uncomfortably familiar.


    ¡°That¡¯s a lot of talking and not an answer,¡± Sedum told me, eyes narrowed. ¡°Are we doing this or not?¡±


    I growled at him. ¡°I¡¯m thinking. But my point is no. You¡¯re decent in close combat, but draw attention and you could get fucked up from a distance. We don¡¯t know what other demons they have.¡± I paused, looked at Uvaia. ¡°Did you manage to identify any others?¡±


    ¡°I saw silhouettes, but couldn¡¯t tell what except the owlfolk in the air,¡± she said, shaking her head. ¡°But there was a big one in the back, by the road, not moving.¡±


    Satyrs and a birdfolk. And they¡¯d all felt familiar. I hoped I was wrong, but these might not be just bandits after all. ¡°We advance north, assume for now that¡¯s the leader. If we have the chance, capture one to verify it. Do you know how to handle a halberd?¡± I asked Sedum.


    Sedum looked at the fallen weapon, jaw clenching up. ¡°I¡¯d rather not.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re trained with polearms, take it anyway. You look like you know how much reach matters.¡± I took a breath. ¡°Crassula, Sedum, in front. Uvaia, keep an eye on our surroundings from above. Short chirp for enemies ahead, short-long for foes to our left, long-short for them on our right. If you think we¡¯re about to be attacked, just yell my name.¡± I reconsidered. ¡°Not my name. Just yell.¡±


    They followed my orders, Crassula once more with her weapon of choice, even if Sedum looked more grudging about it. ¡°Be careful,¡± Uvaia warned me before flying up again.


    I looked back at Gia, who was clearly uncomfortable, even if in this darkness not much else was clear. ¡°You¡¯ll be fine,¡± I told her, a little grudgingly. Should I give her a weapon? Would she even use it if I did? ¡°Attacks bounce off you, remember?¡±


    ¡°I know, I know,¡± Gia said, wincing. ¡°It¡¯s just scary, that¡¯s all¡­ I¡¯m okay. Let¡¯s keep going.¡±


    We advanced. Some more yells of pain or roars and snarls of triumph came on the wind, but though blood and bodies were underfoot, no one alive crossed our path.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    I was starting to think we might reach the leader without more skirmishes at all, when the ground erupted up under my feet, in a spot Sedum and Crassula had just passed.


    My reflexes saved me, but they sure as hell didn¡¯t come with coordination. I frantically threw myself to one side as a horned, whip-flexible snake strangled the empty air where I¡¯d been standing. I landed hard on my injured arm, and my vision lit up with pain as Sedum and Gia shouted, alarmed.


    ¡°Knew the feel of your footsteps, Commander,¡± the cerastes hissed at me, more venom in his words than could be contained in his fangs. Though I wished I''d been wrong, I recognized his voice; Capensis was this one¡¯s name. These bandits had indeed worked for Phlox. ¡°Finding you here is a stroke of luck. You killed the Obsidian clan. Now its remnants can return the favor.¡±


    He lashed out at my fallen form, lightning-quick. Gia threw herself in the way.


    My shout for her to stop was halfway off my lips ¨C Sedum or Crassula could die for me, not her ¨C when Capensis rebounded off her with a startled hiss, and reality asserted itself. Right, she could do that.


    ¡°A-Ann, run!¡± Gia stammered. The demon snake struck at her directly now and she screamed, covering her head. This attack met with just as little success, but when Capensis skittered forward and coiled around Gia¡¯s ankles it did work, somehow, and she yelped as I pushed myself to my feet. This was a terrible time to be crippled.


    Crassula stepped up and swung her axe at the snake, but he flitted aside from the blow and snapped at her face, drawing a screech from the goblin as his jaws pierced her cheek. She struck out blindly with a hand and Capensis flicked his length out of the way, before Sedum swung down his polearm and the snake detached from her face to evade, two bloody punctures dripping beneath Crassula¡¯s eye. She let out a startled burst of what sounded like gibberish as it wrapped around her neck.


    ¡°Get off of her!¡± Gia cried, legs still tangled up but grabbing at Capensis¡¯ sleek body with her hands, but the cerastes slipped out of her grip with ease. She made a desperate noise of frustration.


    ¡°Damn unwieldy things,¡± Sedum grunted, pulling back his halberd with a look like he was sorely tempted to drop it. ¡°Must be rustier than I thought.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not the weapon, they¡¯re just really flexible, and have great reflexes,¡± I relayed tensely. ¡°Good at dodging, hard to land a hit.¡± Cerastes were a bitch to fight in physical combat, and I¡¯d made full use of it in Phlox¡¯s army. Especially in numbers, as while one could trip up multiple enemies they had limits to their ¨C wait.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to kill me like that,¡± I taunted the serpentine demon, backing up after a quick gesture for Sedum to wait. ¡°But fine, if you¡¯d rather contend with my minions, I¡¯ll gladly take the chance to escape.¡± I took a few hurried steps, looking back over my shoulder.


    Capensis hissed at me angrily and unwrapped from a gasping Crassula¡¯s throat, coils sliding off of Gia. ¡°No, you don¡¯t get to live!¡± he shouted, stretching out to reach me with gleaming fangs¨C


    And with the cerastes stretched taut and focused on one dimension, Sedum¡¯s halberd sliced down and sheared him in half.


    I let out a shaky breath. I hadn¡¯t had time or means to give direct orders, without the snake himself overhearing, so that had been a gamble. I¡¯d had to rely on allies I¡¯d never trained or fought with to take my cue and see the opportunity. ¡°Good work,¡± I told Sedum, as the demon¡¯s two halves flopped in their death throes on the ground.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. You two alright?¡± He nodded to Gia and Crassula.


    ¡°Crassula will live,¡± Crassula rasped, rubbing her throat. My night vision had adjusted enough to see the streaks of blood running down her face.


    ¡°I¡¯m not hurt, I think,¡± Gia said, eyes wild and breath coming hard. ¡°God, what kind of snake was that? How did it move like that?¡±


    ¡°Talk as we go, we made a lot of noise,¡± I said, gesturing them away with me. ¡°More will converge on our location soon.¡± Uvaia chirped once, short, overhead, and I tensed. ¡°In front!¡±


    There was a rumbling as the ground shifted, and a big clod of earth flew at us out of the dark.


    Sedum struck out faster than I could react, hitting the missile bare-handed and breaking it into pieces and a dirt spray, but the second caught him in the chest and knocked him down with a grunt.


    Peeking around a building¡¯s corner were the stone-rimmed brows of an oread, and I¡¯d guess a second if I¡¯d been their commander too. Oreads¡¯ control over earth was fine, but they needed windup time for it. Fitting for sloth, and why I¡¯d insisted on pairs to cover each other¡¯s backs.


    ¡°Crassula,¡± I called, pulling behind the house¡¯s wall and beckoning sharply for the goblin to circle around the other side. ¡°Hydrangea, get them!¡± Much as I hesitated to use Gia in this capacity, so far she¡¯d been better able to take hits than any of us. Besides, even if something failed a missile of dirt wouldn¡¯t kill her. I was lucky Monem wasn¡¯t built on stone.


    ¡°Get what?¡± Gia asked me incredulously, as I paused and a thought clicked into place. As a matter of fact, an assault like this against armed and dangerous opponents wouldn¡¯t be sufficient at all on its own. But to pin them down or distract them while others took up positions¡­


    ¡°No, wait, Crassula, stay here!¡± I shouted, before a bloodcurdling roar filled the air and a black dog nearly the size of a house charged out of the darkness. A barghest.


    Crassula turned before yelping and stumbling back as the barghest snapped at her, and pinned down between a charging lupine and a couple earth nymphs I chose the latter. I jumped back out of cover as the barghest charged, barely missing me. Another flying near-rock came my way for it.


    Gia tried to jump in the way of the earth projectile but missed completely, and this one hit me in the stomach, knocking me down and leaving me gasping for breath. Gods, if my shoulder wasn¡¯t messed up I could use my armor. The barghest hadn¡¯t gone for the kill seeing me and Sedum fallen, at least.


    Hang on, that didn¡¯t add up, and it wasn¡¯t the only strange factor. A guardian of goblins hadn¡¯t hesitated to attack Crassula, it hadn¡¯t made direct contact with any of us, and most importantly, Phlox¡¯s clan hadn¡¯t had any barghests.


    ¡°Throw something at it,¡± I hissed at Sedum.


    He looked up from pushing himself to his feet, staring blankly. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Wood, rock, beer bottle, anything! Aim for its head, I can¡¯t try like this.¡± I gestured uselessly.


    He shrugged and picked up a clump of dirt, throwing it at the barghest as it turned to face us.


    It did not duck as a normal creature would with an object flying at its head, and though I couldn¡¯t see perfectly, I was almost sure the dirt flew through the beast¡¯s cheek with no resistance. The ¡°barghest¡± roared and its mouth opened. In the wrong order.


    Hypothesis confirmed. ¡°It¡¯s a trick. That¡¯s a piru, they¡¯re minor demons who bend light to look like stronger creatures,¡± I told Sedum, smirking. It could have seemed to appear from nowhere, before Uvaia could warn us. And the roars would come from being paired with a jackalope, known for sound mimicry but evidently not perfect timing. ¡°Sweep your polearm through the lower body, you should strike it. Crassula, as you were.¡±


    She bobbed her head and disappeared around the house to ambush the oreads, and Sedum advanced on the fake barghest with a grin. Another projectile flew our way, but Gia managed to swing her arm into its path and it burst, dirt showering her and making her yelp. But things had turned in our favor again, we were coordinating well¡­


    A pair of strong limbs grabbed me from behind, pinning my arms. I was pulled back against a hard muscled chest, swearing as pain spiked in my shoulder and fear filled my throat. Damn it, damn it.


    ¡°It is you, isn¡¯t it, Commander? I thought that was your scent,¡± a low reptilian voice hissed in my ear, and I shuddered as a tongue brushed against it. ¡°You left us in quite the dangerous situation. Now, how should I pay you back for it?¡±


    Grasping my dagger in my weak hand, I stabbed at the lizardfolk¡¯s arm, but the tip of his tail flicked my blade aside. Stupid extra-limbed demons. ¡°A little help¨C!¡± I called, trying to keep panic from my voice. Crassula and Sedum were out of reach, Gia was still a pacifist. Hot breath washed over my hair, and I squeezed my eyes shut. Gods, of all the ways to die¡­


    A high, ringing screech pierced my ears. Then a wet crack sounded out, a jolt rocked my body, and the arms holding me abruptly slackened. I pulled free of his grip as the lizardfolk fell away and hit the ground with a thud.


    Uvaia had saved me. Her talons were gouged into the lizardfolk¡¯s head, deep enough that she must have hit him at high velocity, and the corpse¡¯s neck was at a sharp angle from its body. ¡°Are you okay, Anthy?¡± she asked me, pulling free with a wet squelch. Her claws were stained dark with blood and likely bits of brain, but her eyes were full of nothing but concern.


    My fluffy harpy was a killer, then. Well, she¡¯d picked a damn good time to show it. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± I took a breath, glad she couldn¡¯t hear how fast my heart was beating. ¡°I thought you weren¡¯t a fighter?¡±


    ¡°I-I¡¯m not. This is just how all of us learned to hunt. Break their neck, one quick kill.¡± She smiled nervously through the dark, wings flapping.


    She¡¯d also said she wasn¡¯t good at hunting, but I¡¯d leave that to address later. We had a new combat asset. ¡°It¡¯s certainly effective. Well, if you¡¯re willing to do that, get back up there and I¡¯ll signal you if I need it.¡±


    Uvaia¡¯s face fell, but she nodded assent. I realized belatedly that she¡¯d hoped for more, and opened my mouth as she spread her wings. The words were rusty on my tongue from disuse, but¡­ ¡°Thank you, Uvaia.¡±


    That made Uvaia start, but her face lit up in a smile before she took off.


    I turned back to the battle, and saw Sedum pinning a dark-skinned piru to the ground, barghest guise dispelled. Beyond, Gia looked frantic as she waved her hands at Crassula, holding what I assumed to be an oread since the barrage had stopped.


    I looked around quickly with my aura sense, I did not want to be surprised again, but no more familiar-feeling auras were nearby than I could account for. One we hadn¡¯t spotted was relatively near, but I was willing to bet that was the piru¡¯s partner.


    And there were far fewer auras around than when I¡¯d looked in the inn. This wasn¡¯t a simple raid for supplies; most of the village¡¯s life had simply been snuffed out. But I pushed that to the back of my mind. Win and survive first. Dwell on the consequences later.


    ¡°You wanted one to question, right?¡± Sedum asked me as I walked up. The little forest sprite looked up at me and I saw recognition on his face.


    I recognized this one, too ¨C I¡¯d worked more closely training the irregular operatives than normal soldiery, and Boquila was one such. ¡°I did. Crassula, Hydrangea,¡± I called, beckoning them and kneeling down to speak. ¡°Hello, Boquila.¡±


    ¡°Strategos.¡± He grimaced up at me. ¡°Did you really betray us like they said?¡± His blank white eyes were hard to read.


    ¡°Who is ¡®they¡¯?¡± I asked, dodging the question. ¡°Who are you working for now?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to say anything to a traitor.¡± His voice was harder now.


    Well, I¡¯d expected that. Gia and Crassula approached, and I looked up. ¡°Lady Hydrangea, with me. Sedum, Crassula, this one¡¯s partner is over there,¡± I pointed in the direction I¡¯d sensed, and saw Boquila¡¯s blank eyes go wide. Got him. ¡°Deal with her with any force you deem necessary.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Boquila started struggling frantically in Sedum¡¯s grip. ¡°Don¡¯t hurt Byzantina!¡±


    I held my hand up for them all to stay, tuning out the alarmed look on Gia¡¯s face. ¡°Tell me what I want to know, and I¡¯ll spare you both.¡± I¡¯d already hoped to keep those alive who I could, anyway. Turned to banditry or not, we could make use of them.


    Boquila wavered, but gave in. Just as I¡¯d thought. ¡°Taraxacum is the one in charge. We¡¯re the only ones who got away from Aconite. And we¡¯re on our own now, so he wanted to make more of us stronger, like him. That¡¯s why we attacked this place.¡± He made a pained sound, squirming in Sedum¡¯s grip. I inferred Sedum hadn¡¯t liked that. ¡°He, he did say you betrayed us, but he wasn¡¯t the only one!¡±


    I blew out a breath. Taraxacum was a manticore, the strongest among the tribe we integrated and correspondingly their lieutenant. Without Gia¡¯s fleshwarping, he would not be easy to take down. ¡°Understood. Crassula, go find the jackalope, tell her we have her partner. Bring her here, unharmed if possible.¡± I didn¡¯t take my eyes off Boquila. ¡°And where is Taraxacum now?¡±


    ¡°In the north part of the village.¡± Boquila groaned. ¡°He told us to bring him the other townsfolk. The ones who didn¡¯t get eaten. By the others, not me!¡± he added hastily as Sedum¡¯s grip seemed to tighten again.


    I did believe him there. Piru had natural talents for disguise Arts that nearly qualified as shapeshifting, but their bodies were frail, small and weak. Feeding on hearts or souls was enough for demons to gain power, but without trickery piru weren¡¯t likely to even get a chance at that. ¡°I believe you.¡± I made an ¡®ease off¡¯ gesture to Sedum.


    Sedum had a dark look in his eyes, still, but he seemed to obey and the little demon sighed with relief. ¡°That¡¯s our target, then. What¡¯s the plan? Take him down, save whoever we still can?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not a plan. That¡¯s an example of why I make the plans.¡± It could be our goal, certainly. I assumed Taraxacum had wanted some slaves to serve his warband, and there was no reason not to save them from that. Getting there, on the other hand¡­ ¡°Taraxacum is a manticore and a deadly fighter. Try to fight him head on and you¡¯ll get riddled with spines before he rips out your throat.¡± I glanced at Gia. ¡°He¡¯s a lion-dragon-scorpion, essentially.¡±


    Her eyes went wide. ¡°So what do we do?¡±


    ¡°That depends on you. Without you, he¡¯s likely too strong for us to beat in a fair fight.¡± It would be possible, but very dangerous. Even if we did win, I expected at least one of the others would die.


    Gia swallowed. ¡°I¡­ I can try to help shield you guys again¨C¡±


    ¡°You know that¡¯s not what we need.¡± I held her gaze. Even the kindest demon queen would need to kill time and again. ¡°That¡¯s not what those people need. We¡¯re the only ones who can save them from him.¡± Gia had expressed interest in saving the town. This was it. Would she have what it takes?


    Gia stared at me for a second, emotions running high across her face, before she squeezed her eyes shut. ¡°I can¡¯t. I wish I could, but¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Ann.¡± Her voice was low and flat, heavy with self-loathing. But that didn¡¯t change her answer.


    I let out a slow breath. I supposed I''d need to find more drastic measures to take. ¡°Well, then. It¡¯s fortunate for us,¡± I said, looking around and spotting Crassula dragging a jackalope over by her long bunny ears. ¡°That I have not the slightest intention of fighting fair.¡±

 8. Lady Hydrangea

    Taraxacum had been a study in crimson even on peaceful days, but I was sure the night had stained him with even more blood. The manticore had a crimson mane and fur unlike most of his kind, draconic wings a shade paler than his leonine body, and even his otherwise human head was lion-sized with a mouth full of sharp teeth. Not the kind of demon anyone would be eager to face.


    However, even moving quietly, he noticed me as I crept up beside a burned-out house, one that had already turned to char without collapsing. ¡°Anthurium,¡± Taraxacum growled, low and dangerous. ¡°To think you would be hiding in a place like this, strategos. How the mighty fall, is that not so?¡± He huffed. ¡°No. I think you were never mighty in the first place. And unlike you, I will soon rise again.¡±


    ¡°Both of us aren¡¯t at our best, lieutenant, but you¡¯re the only one who¡¯s sunk to banditry,¡± I replied. For good measure, I asked, ¡°How did you spot me?¡±


    ¡°Hah. So many of you bipedal weaklings think only of your eyes and ears. Your smell was clear to me, little general.¡± I could hear the grin in his voice. ¡°And I can smell what few rabble you¡¯ve scraped together to fight back. You¡¯re nowhere near as clever as you claim if you think they can interfere before I kill you.¡±


    ¡°Why is that necessary? We¡¯ve worked together already. You could use someone like me again.¡± I saw Sedum give me a sharp, angry look out of the corner of my eye, but I ignored him. ¡°But why kill so many here? This wasn¡¯t necessary, all you should have needed to take was supplies.¡±


    ¡°So small-minded, even now.¡± Taraxacum chuckled. ¡°You never understood the truth of being a demon.¡±


    Oh, he did not fucking say that. ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°Strength is the only thing truly necessary. The strong survive and devour the weak. Aconite, misbegotten bitch that she is, understood that much.¡± Another dangerous growl. ¡°But no matter the victims ripe for the taking after our victories, I never saw you feed on another once. Of course you wouldn¡¯t understand our purpose here. I should have known something was wrong with you long before your betrayal.¡±


    I clenched my teeth hard enough to hurt. ¡°I¡¯m not an idiot, Taraxacum. Demons can gain power from feeding on each other, everyone knows that.¡± Or mortals with enough mana to make a difference, but those weren¡¯t nearly as easy to find. ¡°If all you wanted to do was serve the strong, you could have surrendered to Aconite and been in her clan now, without this horseshit pointless slaughter. Don¡¯t call me a traitor for running away just like you did yourself.¡±


    ¡°You think we did not try to surrender?¡± Taraxacum¡¯s voice rumbled.


    For a moment I was sure I¡¯d heard him wrong. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The battle was against us from the outset. And that centaur always with his head in his books shouted for surrender quickly.¡± Taraxacum snarled. ¡°The battle continued unabating. So when Aconite made her appearance, he charged through the battlefield and made it all the way to her, simply to insist again. She tore that head of his off and threw it to her wolves, laughing.¡±


    My blood turned to ice. ¡°What¨C that¡¯s ridiculous. She refused the surrender?¡± That didn¡¯t make any sense. Aconite was a good tactician, why would she give up the chance to win the battle in one stroke? Even if she¡¯d wanted to cull Phlox¡¯s side, a surrender would have made it trivial to round them up as prisoners. She should have accepted, I¡¯d planned for her to, I didn¡¯t plan for this!


    ¡°She told us she would not let us end her hunt early. We did try to fight on then, what choice did we have? But they were too strong, too many. We scattered, we ran, and she hunted us like beasts.¡± He growled. ¡°Perhaps she did choose a select few to keep for herself. But all the rest of the Obsidian Clan were rounded up and eaten.¡±


    My stomach twisted as his words hit me, a violent pressure rising in my throat. This wasn¡¯t what I¡¯d meant to happen. Of course there would be casualties, I¡¯d accepted the truth of that, but Aconite slaughtering everyone on her irrational whims? I¡¯d made a grave mistake, miscalculated severely.


    And everyone had died for my mistake, once again¡­


    ¡°Nothing to say? Not even a twitch on your expression. Well, that does show you never cared a whit for any of us.¡± I heard him huff. ¡°Phlox should never have hired you, and you are an idiot if you think I would follow his mistake. No, I will make a new clan of these remnants, with no place for you in it. I would have preferred my fellow manticores, but the night¡¯s feast will make the weaklings stronger. We can continue to feed on the weak and newly emerged until none can threaten us.¡±


    I shook myself out of dark thoughts¡¯ grasp, reminding myself to focus. I couldn¡¯t see Taraxacum¡¯s face right now, but I was surprised he hadn¡¯t attacked me yet. He must have liked hearing himself talk. ¡°You¡¯re the small-minded one if you think that will work. You think you could stand up to major powers with what, a dozen demons? No, you¡¯re¨C¡± My voice paused for a second, before I insisted on continuing. ¡°Nowhere near strong enough to pull that off. You¡¯re lucky you didn¡¯t fight Aconite, she would have crushed you without a second thought¡­¡±


    Taraxacum¡¯s snarl ripped through the air. Pouncing at me, he might have taken my head off my shoulders, or shredded me with his claws.


    Unfortunately for him, I wasn¡¯t standing where he thought I was. I couldn¡¯t even see just how he did react ¨C but the rattling slam as he hit the building before me was enough to confirm my taunts had worked. I heard a scream from Boquila, but one seeming to be of a frightened rather than maimed timbre. So the piru disguised as me had escaped death too, manticore pounce going over his head.


    ¡°Now,¡± I said sharply, letting go my grip on the horned hare demon I¡¯d been feeding lines to project. Byzantina wouldn¡¯t be happy with me, after I¡¯d made it clear to both her and Boquila that their choice was cooperate or die. But she had played along and not alerted Taraxacum, so I¡¯d assume she¡¯d obey the fealty they''d both sworn.


    Crassula dashed forward before Taraxacum could recover from his, I presumed, self-inflicted headache. She swung a talent¡¯s weight of steel at the charred house¡¯s corner column. A crack rang out, and with a rumbling, crashing clamor, the building collapsed forward onto Taraxacum as Crassula jumped back out of the way. Another loud roar of mixed pain and frustration filled the night.


    ¡°That better not have hurt Bo,¡± Byzantina growled at me. Jackalopes were one of the few demon types shorter than me, but I had no doubt she could hurt me badly if she tried.


    ¡°He¡¯s fine.¡± I wouldn¡¯t spend time on a longer answer telling her he knew the plan. If he was clear, he¡¯d be safe. If not, my armor I¡¯d draped on him wouldn¡¯t stop a collapsing house. But it had successfully masked my scent. Take that, Taraxacum.


    I whistled, next. A collapsing building wouldn¡¯t be enough, so Uvaia dove down from above. Too high for Taraxacum to have smelled, she dropped like a stone towards him. She had natural talent but no honed strength I could tell, so I couldn¡¯t bet on her managing to break his neck, even if it wasn¡¯t too buried in rubble to reach.


    Wings, however, were much more fragile. And judging by the sharp fleshy rip that made Gia flinch beside me, and the resultant scream in Taraxacum¡¯s voice, Uvaia had hit one revealed enough to tear in half. Good girl.


    With the manticore reeling in pain, Sedum stepped up around the other side of the broken building, halberd gleaming as he raised it to deliver the finishing blow.


    It should have worked. It would have worked, except that instead of letting Sedum split his skull, a stream of red flame shot out beyond the side of the house, and Sedum roared and stumbled, clutching his side.


    What the fuck, Taraxacum had not been able to do that before. No one but Phlox in our army could. ¡°Sedum, pull back!¡± I shouted, swiftly recalculating. Okay, we could still do this. Engagement was more dangerous, but he was injured and pinned down, inflict enough of a wound and we could just bleed him to death.


    A rumbling sound filled the air as Sedum stumbled backwards, and I tensed, having an awful feeling that was Taraxacum shaking off the debris atop him. I hadn¡¯t thought he¡¯d be able to do that, either. Manticores were physically strong, but this much? ¡°So that¡¯s where you really were? You and your clever little tricks,¡± I heard him growl.


    Crassula yelled a battle cry and there was a shunk follwed by another agonized scream from Taraxacum, sounding even worse than the wing. I heard the noise of flesh striking flesh, and a blow sent Crassula tumbling backwards. She came to a stop in a few feet, holding tight to her axe whose weight she¡¯d used as an anchor, and pulling herself back up with surprising speed.


    But Taraxacum did not follow to engage her further. His vast bulky form emerged around the house¡¯s corner, bulling Sedum aside as he charged. One wing was torn and dragging, blood dripping from the stump of his tail, but his eyes were aglow with a feral madness. I dimly noticed our jackalope conscript fleeing, and frankly I couldn¡¯t blame her.


    I clutched my loaded crossbow in my one good hand. I couldn¡¯t aim well with my injury, but one bolt could be enough. If he didn¡¯t kill me first.


    With a fearful whine, Gia pushed her way in front of me as Taraxacum charged, but he grabbed her in a paw and threw her aside like a doll. Gia hit the half-collapsed wall with a crack that put my heart in my throat, as he loomed over me.


    Uvaia landed on Taraxacum¡¯s back with a screech, talons raking at his eyes. He roared in pain, batting at her blindly now but not landing blows. I took the opening to aim, and with an explosion of muscle he threw her like a horse would a rider, roaring again.


    Uvaia hit the ground with a cry, and as Taraxacum settled down I pulled the trigger of my crossbow. I''d aimed directly at his open mouth, up into his throat and hopefully his brain.


    He caught my crossbow bolt between his teeth. Fangs in his human face bit down, snapping it.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    For fuck¡¯s sake.


    Taraxacum spat out the half-projectile, deep gashes over his eyes, and shoved me to the ground with a paw, jarring my teeth as my head hit the earth. ¡°This is nothing,¡± he insisted, panting for breath. ¡°All of your tricks. And I¡¯m still alive. I still won.¡± He leered down at me, and I could see his teeth were stained with blood. ¡°Do you want to know why?¡±


    I was out of tricks. I just glared up at him. I should have felt more scared, but I¡¯d rather have spat in his face.


    ¡°Before I eat your heart, you¡¯re going to know how I outsmarted you.¡± Taraxacum grinned. ¡°Did you really think I¡¯d have slaughtered this town to strengthen my clan¡­and wouldn¡¯t have saved the lion¡¯s share for myself?¡±


    ¡­fuck. Boquila said they¡¯d brought him the villagers, but there had been so few auras left in the town. None around Taraxacum¡¯s. None left alive.


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± He chuckled, an unsteady sound. ¡°You never did know what it means to be a demon.¡± He took a deep breath, and I could see flames glowing in his throat.


    They glowed there for a second longer. Then he made a low, strangled sound and his head was pulled hard to one side.


    I¡¯d give him one thing. He fought it. I could see the muscles in his neck straining, his jaw clenching, eyes filling with panic. A high, thin scream forced its way out between his lips.


    He lasted a full second, before a visceral krrrcchh twisted his head in a circle, and a snap broke it free from his spine completely. His scream hit a fever pitch before ending abruptly, and I heard a faint whoosh as the flame ignited his insides.


    The beast¡¯s human head bounced, rolling over to Gia. She was standing tall with a hand outstretched towards Taraxacum, mouth half open, eyes twin blue swirls of fury and fear.


    Then his head bumped her foot. She looked down, met dead eyes, and a full body shudder went through her. Gia collapsed back against the wall, covering her mouth.


    Her groan very nearly sounded like her own death rattle.


    - - -


    All in all, we¡¯d come through the battle with surprisingly little damage. Gia hadn¡¯t been hurt by being thrown into the wall, and Crassula''s snakebite had stopped bleeding without any signs of her beig poisoned. Uvaia might have had a scrape or bruise but little more than that. And even both the bandits we¡¯d press-ganged, Boquila and Byzantina, had made it through in one piece.


    Sedum was the most hurt, and he could have been much worse. ¡°His aim was off, I¡¯d say,¡± he told us, smile offset by a voice tight with pain. The left side of his torso was marred with dark red burns and blisters, from where Taraxacum''s jet of flame had grazed him. It formed a strange contrast with his green skin, but he would live. His fighting would be impacted until he healed, of course.


    Very likely Taraxacum had never used that Art before, if he¡¯d only gained it tonight. I¡¯d never managed to use a demon magic technique myself, but I had inferred long ago that there was a learning curve involved. Gia¡¯s first fleshwarp demonstrated that as well as anything. Thankfully, her second try had been effective enough.


    Still, we might have survived, but the village had not. A few people might have fled into the trees, I would think some had enough survival instincts for that. But by and large, this would be a dead town now, abandoned. Killed by the depredations of a blustering manticore, and the warlord and strategist who''d pushed him to it.


    ¡°What now?¡± Uvaia asked me once we¡¯d taken stock of the situation. We''d formed a small circle, those five of us who''d fought together. Gia was staring off into space.


    ¡°There''s not much for us here anymore. We''ll need to head to the city, Hymetos will be a place we can set up again.¡± No one seemed to object to that, which was good, as the next part would be a harder sell. ¡°And we''re going to take the others with us.¡±


    Sedum looked sharply at me. ¡°You really mean to take those bastards along? After everything they did here?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I do. Traveling is dangerous, a larger group should keep opportunists off our backs. And if we run into major danger, then we''ll want to have troops we can afford to lose.¡± That seemed to mollify him somewhat. So he didn''t need to know I had no actual plans to sacrifice the Obsidian remnants. Well. Not unless it became necessary.


    I took a moment to think over my words. ¡°Fly up above, call this down to whatever bandits you see. ¡®Taraxacum is dead, killed by his better. Scatter if you will, but if you don¡¯t want to be left alone and leaderless, then assemble by the northern road to swear allegiance to Lady Hydrangea.¡¯ ¡±


    Sedum looked like he had a bad taste in his mouth again, but Uvaia didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°Got it,¡± she told me. She did look at me in a hesitant, expectant way for a second, but I wasn''t sure what she''d want with the battle now over. So after a pause, she took wing once again.


    ¡°Lady Hydrangea, I suggest that we¨C¡± She wasn¡¯t there when I turned to her, and I had to look around. Gia was stumbling away towards the road, and I hastened after her in alarm. ¡°Lady Hydrangea!¡± I called, but she didn¡¯t respond. Wincing and mindful of the demons both familiar and not, I called more softly, ¡°Gia.¡±


    She didn¡¯t turn back toward me, but she did stop in place, standing beside a smoldering house with its door torn off its hinges.


    ¡°Hey, you did well. What¡¯s going on?¡± I asked her, stepping around her since she wouldn¡¯t face me herself. ¡°Really, I¡¯m grateful for what you did.¡± A faint smile froze on my lips as I saw her expression.


    Gia¡¯s eyes were wet and full with tears, and her shoulders were trembling. ¡°I killed him,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°Uh, yes?¡± This was apparently the wrong thing to say, as her shoulders hunched up and her expression tightened. Quickly, I grasped for explanations, alternatives. ¡°You did save my life with it,¡± I pointed out, hesitant. Suddenly mindful of how insistent she''d been to not kill Crassula.


    ¡°I know. I know, I had to, when he was about to kill you like that.¡± She shook her head, teeth clenching. ¡°But god, the way he screamed.¡±


    ¡°Would you have rather given him a quick death?¡± Most demons were not especially prone to doling these out, but there were those that respected fallen opponents enough for it. And I supposed Gia might not want anyone to suffer. Personally, I''d been more than happy for him to suffer.


    ¡°Why did there have to be this death at all? Why did any of this have to happen?¡± She gestured around weakly at the remnants of the town, and I felt yet another pang of regret. ¡°You screamed like that too, when I tried to heal you,¡± Gia said, voice thick as she wiped her eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to put anyone through that again.¡±


    So that was why she hadn¡¯t wanted to kill? No, that couldn''t have been the only reason. ¡°Do you regret killing him?¡±


    Gia winced, and swallowed. ¡°No. If it was you or him, I¡¯d pick you every time. I didn¡¯t even think about it.¡± She made that sound like a confession. ¡°Maybe another way would have been better. Not as bad. What I did¡­ it just hurts.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t sure what to say. I tried to reach for her, swallowed a curse at the blinding pain, and reached more clumsily with my right hand, now. I managed to awkwardly pat her on the shoulder.


    The first time I¡¯d killed someone was a lifetime ago. I knew it hadn¡¯t hurt me like this. Was I in the wrong back then, or was she? ¡°You did the right thing,¡± I told her softly. That much, I was sure of.


    ¡°I did the only thing.¡± She sniffed again. ¡°God, I hate this.¡±


    I caressed her shoulder. Her eyes were still running, but she attempted a tight smile, so that did seem to help. ¡°Living here as a demon isn¡¯t easy.¡± Gods know I knew that was true. ¡°But it doesn¡¯t have to be like this forever. When someone wins the throne, when the clans have fallen in line and won¡¯t see any gain from fighting each other, this won¡¯t have to happen anymore.¡±


    Gia wiped her eyes again, taking a deep breath and letting it out. ¡°Do you promise?¡± she asked, meeting my gaze with bright, glistening eyes. ¡°That we¡¯ll be able to live here peacefully, one day.¡±


    ¡°Trust me.¡± And I did feel an ache in my chest as I told her that, remembering all the promises to bright-eyed demons I couldn¡¯t fulfill. But this time it would be different. It had to be different.


    Gia blew out another breath. She looked marginally calmer. ¡°Do we really need to have the other ones who did this ¡®swear allegiance¡¯ to us? To me?¡±


    Oh, so she hadn''t been too zoned out to listen. ¡°It¡¯s either that or we kill them. Or just let them go and attack whoever else they¡¯ll want, later.¡± She winced, and I gently squeezed her shoulder. ¡°But by exerting authority, we can keep them in line.¡±


    I led her back to Crassula and¡­ not Sedum, as it turned out. Some of the other demons were gathering a few feet off with Boquila and Byzantina, speaking in low tones and looking our way as Gia and I walked up. Several of their gazes held recognition. Nearly all of them showed fear.


    ¡°Where did the innkeeper go?¡± I asked Crassula. Two deep punctures were still visible on her face.


    She pointed the way we''d come initially, towards the woods and the inn. ¡°Back that way. Looked like he had something important.¡± Crassula looked up at Gia for a moment, studying her face.


    I hoped Sedum hadn¡¯t chosen to leave after all, but if he had we¡¯d be able to make do without him. ¡°Stay here, Lady Hydrangea will be with you soon,¡± I called to the other demons.


    Crassula put a hand on Gia''s arm as she moved to follow me, and I flinched as she lifted up her axe. But she simply leaned it against one shoulder, reaching up to Gia''s face with a grubby hand and wiping off the tear streaks on her cheeks, as Gia stared at her in surprise.


    I kicked myself for not having thought of that. I supposed even goblins would know how tears meant weakness. Gia¡¯s eyes weren¡¯t too puffy, so that ought to help for when I had Gia address the others. ¡°Come on,¡± I told Gia and Crassula, beckoning them along as Crassula stepped back.


    With the way she¡¯d placed her oversized axe, it might have blocked the gathering demons from seeing Gia¡¯s tears. I wasn¡¯t sure if that was intended or an accident.


    On the way as we looked for Sedum, Uvaia fluttered down to join us. ¡°I think I found everyone,¡± she told me, letting out a sigh. ¡°Everyone listened, I''m pretty sure, too. Threw down their torches or victims and started heading back to where we were.¡± She said that like she was describing the weather, before a discomfited expression spread over her face. ¡°But I also saw Sedum, and, um. I think you should come along.¡±


    When we did find the older orc, he turned out to be standing still, looking up at a two-story building on fire.


    The Sleepy Ogre inn was no more. I''d only been here for a week, but it had sheltered me and been my home for all that time. And if even I felt the loss, Sedum must have been taking it worse. ¡°Sorry about your livelihood,¡± I muttered, but started as I saw him walk forward into the flames. ¡°Hey!¡± Damn it, if orcs had some weird tradition of ritual suicide¡­


    He emerged less than a minute later, but though it wasn¡¯t that, the truth wasn''t much better. Held in his arms was a small red unmoving body. Yaupon, the imp who¡¯d worked in his kitchen for who knows how long.


    ¡°Oh, no,¡± Uvaia breathed. She fluttered up to his side, looking anxiously at the orc¡¯s downcast face. She was quiet a moment before she reached a wing out to the imp¡¯s face and closed his glassy eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± Gia whispered, hands over her mouth.


    Crassula looked uncertain just how to respond. But with a glance at Sedum, she took off her helmet and bowed her head.


    ¡°Would you rather go another way from us?¡± I asked the orc man somberly. The imp hadn¡¯t meant much to me, we''d barely even talked, but I had to show respect for Sedum¡¯s own loss.


    Sedum looked at me, then Uvaia, then Gia. And he shook his head roughly. ¡°No. No, I¡¯ll stay.¡± But the rough note to his voice made me sure this wouldn¡¯t be soon forgotten.


    - - -


    There were roughly a dozen survivors of those under Taraxacum, all told. The satyrs Sedum had knocked out, the oreads Crassula had beaten, and our piru and jackalope were those I¡¯d seen. Beyond that, there were a trio of beastfolk, cat, fox, and rabbit. A half-spider arachne, whose web-spinning skills would help both in and out of combat. And lastly, Eupatorium, one of the skeletal spartoi demons kept ¡®alive¡¯ by lust for battle. I remembered him, and he might be a problem.


    Not many of them had seen Gia, either, but by now her being the one who¡¯d killed Taraxacum had spread through the band of survivors. Still, the first impression she made on them would be essential. They would expect her to be their new leader, and Gia badly needed to learn to lead.


    I¡¯d coached her quietly on what to say as we walked back over. How she should act. Trying to prepare her. ¡°Don¡¯t hesitate in speaking, don¡¯t let on any nervousness or fear. Tell them how things will be. Make it clear that they have to obey you. And think through your words before you speak, so you can be sure of what you say. But above all, don¡¯t act human.¡±


    As Gia took her place in front of the small crowd, she took some of my advice, but not all. ¡°I know your old leader brought you here to kill the people in this town,¡± she began. Her voice was tremulous at first but grew steadier as she continued. ¡°If I¡¯d known that was what he wanted, I would have stopped him before he ever got here. What happened here,¡± she said, eyes and voice hardening, ¡°Will not be happening again.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how many people each of you has killed. I know I can¡¯t change that you have done it. But if you¡¯re going to come with me, there won¡¯t be any more of this, this killing just to get stronger. If you do have to kill, then it¡¯ll only be to defend yourself, or each other.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t like the sound of this. If you want to leave, and attack more people who¡¯ve done nothing to you,¡± She took a deep breath. ¡°I will stop you.¡±


    Silence fell as we stared at her. My stomach had sank progressively throughout Gia¡¯s little speech. I couldn¡¯t imagine most of these other demons knew what to think. I should have given her a damn script, who knew if they¡¯d even take her seriously with this kind of rhetoric, or if she¡¯d be able to follow through if they did try and leave¡­


    A sharp clap, clap rang out through the air. Crassula, who might have had the most bloodstained history of the lot, was applauding slowly but loudly, gaze fixed on Gia. ¡°Lady Hydrangea!¡± she called, grasping her axe in a hand and hoisting it into the air.


    As her clapping stopped, another set of firm applause started. ¡°Aye, here¡¯s to the lady,¡± Sedum said, voice raised and carrying over the small crowd.


    That was enough to break the silence, and a few hesitant voices joined in, calling out Gia¡¯s name as blank uncertainty took on a shade of hope. The satyrs, the arachne, and the rabbitfolk, along with Boquila the piru and Uvaia.


    On just as many faces, however, I saw doubt and disdain. The cat and fox-folk stayed silent and tight-lipped, the oreads were muttering with mutinous looks, Byzantina the jackalope scoffed and looked away. And though Eupatorium¡¯s skull showed only a ghastly grin, the orange eyelights in his skull blazed with scorn as he looked at Gia.


    But I could deal with all of that. We were no longer just a handful of fragile demons, we now had a small warband under Gia¡¯s command, even with her own reluctance to use it. Not much power, but still power to exert and leverage to obtain more.


    My plans were proceeding apace. And whether or not Gia approved of such methods, I would destroy any obstacles keeping us from reaching them.

 9. Growing Pains

    We set a course north back into Aconite¡¯s territory. The city of Hymetos was several leagues away, along the road if my map was to be believed. There was another town called Trozen on the way, though, which under ideal conditions we could reach in a day¡¯s travel.


    However, ideal conditions didn¡¯t include injuries. Taraxacum had given Sedum a bad burn on his side, and though he didn¡¯t complain, once we¡¯d set out I could see him flagging after an hour or two. The damn satyrs whose heads he¡¯d knocked together complained more of needing to rest, though they had to be some of the least injured of those we¡¯d fought and left alive.


    I insisted Gia not give in to their whining, lest the warband think she could be pushed around. But once an appropriate time had passed between complaints, I gave into her pleading looks and let her call the first of several rests. She had to be new to long periods of exertion too, after all. And better to let our wounded recover than leave them behind, even if the satyr men were sorely tempting me.


    Whenever we stopped, and I could be sure no one was eavesdropping, I filled in Gia on information she¡¯d been missing. Who the Obsidian clan were, or had been before Phlox¡¯s fall and the escape of those now with us. The ruthless wolf-woman Aconite who¡¯d defeated her rival themosthete and wiped out his forces near-entirely. The truth of that news still felt raw, but I pushed through it for Gia¡¯s sake. Aconite¡¯s Moonrise clan, whose territory we were now nearing, and the danger they could pose if we encountered hunting parties apart from the main force.


    I didn¡¯t mention just what part I¡¯d had in what happened. Gia had heard or surmised that I¡¯d left the Obsidian clan before their defeat. She didn¡¯t seem to judge me for that much. So it was all she needed to know.


    Our travel being prolonged meant concerns of logistics. Though many of our new recruits had filled up on civilians, food would quickly become an issue especially for those who hadn¡¯t. And traveling on the road meant less risk of encountering Aconite¡¯s forest-dwellers, but it also meant we¡¯d find nothing edible save for occasional hapless travelers. Which, Gia aside, straits weren¡¯t nearly dire enough for me to allow.


    So when we stopped for the night, I assigned our demons for our two main needs in the present situation, lookouts and hunters. We were still bordering the woods, which had no shortage of wild creatures to be found with the right skills. I personally wouldn¡¯t object if they brought back fruit or edible plants, but I didn¡¯t get my hopes up. Meat was the main diet of demons, after all.


    Boquila and Byzantina could have helped with disguises and sounds, but the jackalope hadn¡¯t been happy I¡¯d used her partner as Taraxacum¡¯s bait, so I let the two of them stay in camp. They spent some time talking to Lagurus, a rabbitfolk with a paler coat and taller stature than Byzantina. His land speed could have let him run down animals, but rabbitfolk weren¡¯t known for strength and lacked racial Aspects beyond agility, so I stuck him as a guard rather than get him mauled by a bear.


    The other two beastfolk would make better hunters, however. Salix, a feline demon, was swift, fierce, and quiet enough to pounce on animals or enemies, with only his unusual pale coloration making him easier to spot. Purpurea, a fox-woman, had similar skills and could cover his weaknesses, and they seemed to work well together in bringing back game.


    Tortula and Grimmia, the male and female oreads Crassula had clobbered, weren¡¯t too injured to help out, though I made it clear hitting us with earth missiles rather than prey animals wouldn¡¯t be tolerated.


    And the skeletal Eupatorium I had hunt not because I thought he¡¯d have particular aptitude for it, but because from what I¡¯d seen before of spartoloi, their bloodlust grew when they lacked chances to kill things.


    Uvaia insisted she ¡°wasn¡¯t a good hunter,¡± but she still managed to bring back a giant beetle the first day and a literal bear the second, needing several others¡¯ help to drag it back. Harpies weren¡¯t as plentiful in mana but they were feared for good reason, and I really had to wonder what criteria she used to rank herself. Sedum, for his part, didn¡¯t stray far from camp with his injury, but managed to find greens for a rather nice salad.


    Crassula I knew was an able hunter from how she¡¯d ambushed me. But each time she came back successful, it was with a full bloated belly rather than food to share. That attracted some grumbling from our new recruits, but I let it go as reward for her service so far. Our own headcount hadn¡¯t gone down at all, so whether her meals were animals, demons, or deeply lost mortals, I didn¡¯t need to know.


    The satyrs, Vitis and Hordeum, I stuck on guard duty. Neither man was the type to enjoy physically demanding work. And lust inducement, to say the least, would not be best applied to animals one was hunting. But they could provide a useful distraction if anyone did approach with malicious intent. Less so if svelte half-goat men weren¡¯t our attackers¡¯ type, but it had worked for them surprisingly often.


    Lycoris, a pretty redheaded arachne, could have helped hunt, but sitting and waiting in her spider half¡¯s spun webs would take too long. I set her spinning them around the edges of our makeshift camp instead, which she seemed perfectly happy with.


    Most of us simply slept on the ground. It wasn¡¯t comfortable, but I could survive it, and thankfully there was no rain. Taraxacum had evidently been the one demon who¡¯d scrounged a large, collapsible tent, which I was quick to snatch up for Gia in turn. Leadership had to have its perks. But from the dark circles beneath her eyes in the morning, she didn¡¯t seem to sleep much better than us for it.


    There was a fairly sharp division between the Obsidian clan remnants and those of us who¡¯d fought them, in how we walked, gathered, and rested. It wasn¡¯t terribly surprising; camaraderie is a powerful force, and having killed another group¡¯s friends doesn¡¯t foster social lubricant. I¡¯d seen this happen more often than not when one defeated clan was merged into another.


    Gia was the common element tying both groups together, and it wasn¡¯t uncommon for Obsidian demons to approach her with questions or requests. While their respect for her might have varied, they looked at her with a common fear, to my relief. Her ¡®demon leader¡¯ act still needed work, so I knew Gia couldn¡¯t look like much, but it was well known by now that she¡¯d killed Taraxcum. He¡¯d been the strongest of the group by far, and they feared that she¡¯d do the same to them if they stepped out of line. So, while we¡¯d had some trouble getting there, things were proceeding on the right path.


    Crassula, to my surprise and initial concern, was spending the most time with Gia of anyone. I kept a wary eye on her, thinking she might be planning to run off with Gia after all, before I noticed that most of her attention wasn¡¯t on Gia herself. Whenever unfamiliar demons did approach Gia, Crassula wouldn¡¯t take her eyes off them until they¡¯d left, with an air like she was ready to reach for her axe at a moment¡¯s notice. It was almost like she¡¯d appointed herself Gia¡¯s bodyguard. A concept which I had trouble reconciling with her behavior thus far, but which would be valuable if she stuck to it.


    Uvaia sought me out the second night after we¡¯d eaten bear. ¡°What¡¯s the story with Hydrangea?¡± she asked, and I didn¡¯t miss that she¡¯d shed the ¡®Lady¡¯ honorific in private. She did make the effort to whisper, anyway.


    Well, I had expected someone to ask sooner or later. ¡°What do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°Why is she here? No, why are you with her is a better question,¡± Uvaia murmured, watching me. ¡°And what is she, at that? I¡¯ve never met another demon who acts like her.¡±


    ¡°When you say ¡®with her¡¯,¡± I started to ask, but seeing Uvaia¡¯s blank look I tabled that thought. Grateful to not get into dangerous questions of what we were, or what Uvaia and I were, with one other. ¡°¡­She¡¯s a newly Emerged demon. Very new, all of a couple days if I¡¯m right. So she still doesn¡¯t know how things work here, really.¡±


    My normal instinct was to lie in the service of keeping secrets. But I¡¯d thought about it, and for the three in the inn, concluded that explaining her na?vet¨¦ as anything other than newness would just make things worse. ¡°I¡¯m still not sure what type beyond that.¡± Fleshwarping was an Art I associated with envy, but Gia hadn¡¯t shown any signs of feeling it for us that I¡¯d seen.


    ¡°I guess that does make sense. I¡¯m sure I didn¡¯t know anything when I was first¨C when I emerged.¡± Uvaia said the last hurriedly, and I gave her an odd look but dismissed her wording as misspeaking. ¡°You only just met her, though? I thought you might have known each other longer than that.¡±


    ¡°What makes you say that?¡±


    ¡°You two just seem, um. Close.¡± Now she looked shifty-eyed.


    I opened my mouth and paused, deciding to consider my words carefully. ¡°We are friends, I suppose. We might have gotten fairly close in a short time, but I have with you, too.¡± And I didn¡¯t have the same conflict of interest being close to Uvaia.


    That answer seemed to relax Uvaia, and she was quiet for a second. ¡°You didn¡¯t answer why you¡¯re with her, though.¡±


    I hadn¡¯t told Uvaia of my ambitions either. Though, frankly, I hadn¡¯t told just about anyone ¨C even the warlords I¡¯d promised to make rulers had thought it was their own idea, not mine. ¡°I think that we can help each other,¡± was my technically true dodge of an answer.


    She smiled a bit sadly at me. ¡°All right. You don¡¯t need to tell me, Anthy.¡±


    - - -


    There were no incidents overnight, and the next morning, our first destination finally came into sight. Spotting the haze of buildings on the horizon, I motioned for Gia to call a halt. She just looked confused at my gesture, so I went over and whispered what I meant instead.


    ¡°Everyone, stop!¡± she called. Not quite an angry warlord voice, but she didn¡¯t hesitate, which was progress. And our ragtag bunch of demons obeyed without grumbling, gathering around.


    ¡°That should be the village of Trozen up ahead, right?¡± I asked, looking at Sedum and Uvaia. It was what my map had indicated, but the locals would know better.


    ¡°Aye. Have a few friends who should still be living here,¡± Sedum was the one to answer. I hid a grimace at that. It would complicate things. ¡°Bigger than Monem, but not by much.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s on the map enough for Aconite and other themosthetes to bother with, so I¡¯m not surprised,¡± I said, thinking. ¡°But I¡¯m surprised Taraxacum didn¡¯t attack here instead after what Aconite did. Trozen is sworn to her, aren¡¯t they? At least nominally.¡± They weren¡¯t likely to have much of great interest to a warlord, but everyone needed supplies.


    ¡°He said we were too weak to start with Trozen,¡± Boquila said. ¡°Better to start somewhere we could raid without resistance.¡±


    ¡°Though we all saw how that worked out,¡± Byzantina muttered, glaring at me beside her partner.


    I gave the pair of them a flat look. ¡°You¡¯re saying a farming village was too intimidating for him.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s stories about the village chief,¡± Lycoris the arachne spoke up, her red eyes wide. ¡°Like that she strangles anyone who tries to attack them, and she¡¯s almost impossible to kill¡­¡±


    ¡°Anyone can be killed,¡± Eupatorium said in his echoing, dusty voice. One thing I did agree with the skeleton on.


    I looked back to the orc. ¡°Have you met this chief of theirs, Sedum?¡±


    ¡°Attenuata? Sure, she¡¯s a bit stern but always seemed a good sort.¡± He seemed not to realize just why I was asking, from the glare he turned on Eupatorium but spared me.


    ¡°Any idea what sort of demon she is?¡±


    He frowned. ¡°I couldn¡¯t say the name, but one of those ladies with necks that can stretch.¡±


    A rokurokubi, then. Their rubbery bodies would be hard to harm with weapons or blunt force, but there would certainly still be ways to kill them. But if all went well, that shouldn¡¯t be necessary. ¡°We¡¯ve still got a day or two to reach the city, and we¡¯ve been cutting things close for feeding ourselves. We¡¯ll have to pick up supplies in Trozen.¡± Enough supplies to feed a larger group for longer was my goal, really.


    There was a general rumbling of agreement, before Eupatorium stepped forward. ¡°Lady Hydrangea, let us take what we need from those Moonrise slaves,¡± he said. ¡°They¡¯re sworn to our enemies, they deserve whatever bloody toll we inflict on them. And even these others are strong enough to face them now.¡± His skull was a permanent ghastly grin.


    ¡°I said we¡¯re not killing anyone outside self-defense,¡± Gia said, glaring. ¡°If you¡¯re thinking of attacking them the same way as the other town, then forget about it.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Why even think about how we could gain all we need and grow stronger yet for it?¡± He let out a low, withery chuckle. And though I did take his point, rebelliousness had to be stamped out.


    So I stepped over and murmured in Gia¡¯s ear. ¡°Not strong enough. Don¡¯t let them stand up to you.¡±


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    Gia showed me a startled look, but nodded. ¡°Is that going to be a problem, Eupatorium?¡± she asked, raising her voice.


    ¡°Your weakness, Lady Hydrangea? I should certainly hope not.¡± He continued grinning.


    ¡°More,¡± I told Gia, gritting my teeth at the defiance. ¡°Give them a reason to listen to you.¡±


    Gia swallowed hard, but drew herself up taller. ¡°And if anyone does kill someone in this village, I¡¯m doing the same thing to you that I did to Taraxacum.¡± Despite her hesitation, her words rang out loud and clear. And the demons did stand up straighter and look to be listening, now.


    It wasn¡¯t quite the show of dominance I¡¯d had in mind, but it should suffice. Physically harming one of ours might still be too much to ask of her. ¡°That being said, Lady Hydrangea,¡± I spoke up. ¡°We do still need to obtain supplies.¡±


    She blinked at me, taken by surprise. ¡°Can¡¯t we just buy them?¡±


    ¡°With what money?¡± That was a dodge. Uvaia had money, I¡¯d seen to that myself, and I was willing to bet Sedum had taken his own savings from the ruins of his inn. And I fully expected our new recruits had taken more from the Monem residents than their lives.


    But we were going to need as many funds as possible once we reached Hymetos. And the fiscal well-being of a few villagers was not my concern, when considering the big picture. ¡°They¡¯re used to supplying a much larger clan than we¡¯ve formed for ourselves. They can afford to give us some food.¡± That reminded me how we needed a name for the clan we were forming.


    Gia looked at me, visibly uncomfortable. ¡°So you want to just steal from them?¡± she asked me in a whisper now. Thankfully, showing she flinched at something so minor wouldn¡¯t earn her any respect.


    ¡°If we ask in the proper way, I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll be willing to hand over what we need.¡± I did not lower my voice, looking out at the other demons. Trade and barter were perfectly common in Hesperia, but theft and extortion were the prerogative of those who could get away with it, especially with the Demon King gone. And foraging as a military was more an exercise in power than equitability.


    From the smirks on some of the Obsidian remnants¡¯ faces, they did see what I was getting at. Sedum looked like he wanted to call me out, maybe even offer to pay himself, but with a look at the others around he held his tongue. He might well end up confronting me later, but for now he was outnumbered in his opinion.


    Uvaia looked at me like she wanted to say something too, but bit her lip and stayed quiet.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Gia said, grimacing as she forced out the words. ¡°I guess we can go¡­ talk to them. If you¡¯re sure we need to do this,¡± she added in an undertone.


    Trozen was surrounded on either side by woods and plains, with large swathes of the latter set aside for farmland. I could see fields of golden grains swaying in the breeze around us as we entered the town, and among the farmhouses and other buildings smaller plots growing tomatoes and vegetables.


    As for the residents, I didn¡¯t see many that would put up a fight in a raid. There were some foul-smelling but weak nuppeppos with their pale blob bodies, a few fork-tailed bakenekos that had made the jump to demons from cats, and a smattering of the odd tsukumogami that I could only assume formed from the possessions of the worst sinners. Fairly weak creatures, all in all.


    One of the demons stood out to me, however. A large shadowy barghest, at odds with the others around, and yet seemingly real unlike Boquila¡¯s imitation. Likely an envoy of Aconite¡¯s, and that made something click in my mind. Maybe we wouldn¡¯t need to exert force on the village itself after all.


    A pair of large horned figures stomped up towards us as we approached, growling and looming over us. I tensed, oni would make strong guards for the village, but then a couple details jumped out at me. First, rather than spiked clubs or other heavy weapons, these two only had a knife and farming sickle in their hands, and their arms were not remotely bulging with muscle.


    That wouldn¡¯t itself be conclusive, as many demons like Crassula had physical strength beyond what their build suggested. But I also spotted, barely visible on their faces, holes cut out around each of their eyes. Or rather, the eyes of their masks. These weren¡¯t oni, but namahage, weaker demons who disguised themselves as their stronger kin.


    ¡°Take us to Attenuata,¡± I said. I wouldn¡¯t show fear, but neither would I out them to our warband. Call it weak demon solidarity. Besides, there was no benefit in it for me. ¡°We have business to discuss with her.¡±


    They escorted us to a larger wooden building, beckoning me inside but glowering through their masks at the others at the door. That worked fine for me, though; I¡¯d prefer to handle this entirely on my own, save for bringing Gia for leverage. The namahage only let out minimal grunting at that.


    Inside was a tall, dark-haired woman wearing an expensive silken dress. The pink garment was floral-patterned and had a high collar covering half her face, but the gray eyes that shone out from over it sized us up as we approached.


    ¡°Chief Attenuata?¡± I spoke first. ¡°May I introduce Themosthete Hydrangea.¡± Gia had no claim to call herself a junior archon yet, but I wanted the chief to stand up and take notice. ¡°I am Anthurium, her strategos.¡±


    ¡°Hello,¡± Gia said, nodding her head but showing me a confused look. I didn¡¯t bother to explain. This would go smoother if she stayed quiet and let me do the talking.


    ¡°Lofty titles for a nascent clan and a small army.¡± The rokurokubi¡¯s voice was low and smooth as she looked at us. ¡°I hope you have good reason for insisting on meeting with me.¡±


    ¡°We need food,¡± Gia said, and I winced at how plaintively she put it. ¡°The town we were just staying in was attacked, and¡­¡± I kicked her ankle and she jumped, looking at me in confusion. I shook my head.


    Attenuata simply laughed, short and brusque. ¡°I am afraid we have obligations to another themosthete. Along with many mouths to feed in our own village; which, I will note, holds ten times your own number or more.¡± I caught the flash of a smug smile over her collar. ¡°If you intend to force me to oblige, you will have your work cut out for you.¡±


    I gestured at Gia. ¡°Numbers aren¡¯t everything. Why don¡¯t you take a closer look at our leader?¡±


    The chief looked at me suspiciously before getting a focused look in her eyes. The next second she flinched with her whole body, head bounding a foot off her shoulders before her elastic neck snapped it back into place.


    She was rattled. Good. ¡°So that¡¯s how it¡¯s going to be, then?¡± she asked, voice tight as she looked at me and Gia. But I could see her tensing as if preparing to spring. Ready to fight if she had to, even knowing she couldn¡¯t win. ¡°What do you want from us?¡±


    Negotiating from a position of strength was powerful. And after that look at Gia, we might have been able to demand practically anything. ¡°I know you¡¯re one of the villages supplying Aconite¡¯s clan. I want you to give us the next shipment of food you would have sent to her instead.¡± But there were advantages to generosity, on occasion, too.


    The rokurokubi¡¯s serious mask slipped. For a second she was clearly startled before catching herself. ¡°You know the Huntmistress would never accept that. We have no reason to try short-changing her, and if I gave you both the same quantity we¡¯d have to dip deep into our stores. Why shouldn¡¯t I kill you now rather than deal with that?¡±


    ¡°How much do you think your village matters to Aconite?¡± I asked her quietly. ¡°How much do you think she values you and your people? I¡¯m sure you could put up a good fight, chieftain. But is it really worth fighting for her?¡±


    Attenuata studied me for a moment, eyes narrowed. ¡°They¡¯ll notice within days if a shipment goes missing,¡± she said, but I could tell she was listening. The mess with Taraxacum had been good for one thing, at least. I¡¯d learned just how little regard Aconite had for those outside her hunters. It wasn¡¯t hard to infer she¡¯d be a terrible boss.


    ¡°A few days, and maybe another couple to send a runner to check. But very soon it won¡¯t be her problem anymore.¡± This was a gamble, one I¡¯d gone back and forth on whether it was worth it. A lot depended on whether she¡¯d see more loss in letting a dozen armed demons shake her people down, or continuing to stay in thrall to Aconite.


    She gazed at me in silence, before turning to Gia. ¡°And why should I think I won¡¯t have just as much of a problem on my hands with who comes next?¡± she asked, and I relaxed, slightly. That she was this willing to entertain the idea spoke volumes.


    Gia blinked a couple times ¨C not seeming to understand the chief¡¯s full meaning, even if I did. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t need to come back here again. We just don¡¯t have the money to pay you right now, miss, but we can have someone come back with money when we do?¡±


    The chieftain stared more blankly at Gia for a second. She looked at me, eyebrows raised as if to ask ¡®is she serious?¡¯. ¡°You might be tricking me. Or you might be a damn sight better for the village than Aconite has been,¡± she said after a long moment. ¡°I¡¯ll accept your proposal.¡±


    Gia looked relieved, albeit still confused, but I couldn¡¯t leave it quite at that. ¡°And Aconite¡¯s envoy will be dealt with appropriately?¡± The barghest would inform Aconite if given a chance.


    ¡°It would be preferable if you could deal with him yourselves, but¡­¡± Attenuata trailed off, looking from me to Gia. ¡°I will see it done,¡± she said a touch grudgingly, and I smirked.


    - - -


    We were able to obtain a cart from the villagers, which as I supervised was piled high with bread, fruit, vegetables and rice, without obvious signs of short-changing us. Another cart would likely be needed if we were to get the whole of a shipment meant for Aconite, but for now, all seemed to be going to plan.


    ¡°Anthy?¡± I turned to see Uvaia looking at me, wings tucked behind her back and a nervous expression on her face. ¡°I was just wondering, um¡­ are we going to need more than food, while we¡¯re here?¡±


    Well, I was relieved she didn¡¯t have the objection I expected from Sedum. ¡°Depends on how strictly you define need. But we could certainly benefit from more than the essentials.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Uvaia nodded slowly. ¡°So if I saw some other things that I think could help us, you might not mind if I took some of those?¡±


    I blinked at her. ¡°Uvaia, are you offering to help extort people for me?¡± I asked, chuckling. Phlox¡¯s ex-soldiers were likely engaging in some of it themselves, which I would turn a blind eye to as long as there weren¡¯t deaths, but my fluffy harpy was not one I¡¯d expected this from.


    ¡°No!¡± She blushed. ¡°I-I¡¯m not talking about threatening them. Just taking. Stealing,¡± she added in a softer voice, glancing around. ¡°I¡¯ve been looking around, I saw through the chief¡¯s window. She had a sword against the wall that was glowing like the ones in stories of humans. Do you think it¡¯s a hero¡¯s weapon?¡±


    I felt my eyebrows shoot up. Enchanted weapons weren¡¯t just the stuff of heroes, but they were almost wholly made and used by mortals, so in Hesperia they might as well be. ¡°It does sound likely. Though I can¡¯t say where she found that.¡± I hadn¡¯t seen her as one to help in the Feast of Blood or other, smaller raids. But demons could have a very long history. Who knew just what she could have done in her life?


    ¡°So it must be valuable, right? We could sell it for a lot, in the city.¡± Some hesitance in her expression had settled down, and she looked more relaxed as she looked at me. ¡°Do you want me to take it?¡±


    ¡°Only if you¡¯re very confident you won¡¯t get caught,¡± I told her, wincing. ¡°She might kill you if she found you taking it.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t get caught. I¡¯ve done this before.¡± Uvaia showed me a small smile. ¡°Though, I was usually able to get far away before my targets knew things were missing¡­¡±


    ¡°Right, wait until we¡¯re almost ready to leave.¡± I narrowed my eyes at her. ¡°You know I¡¯m going to have to ask about the stories behind this, right?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing too interesting to tell,¡± Uvaia said, blushing again. ¡°But okay.¡±


    I let her go, looking around. If I could keep the chief outside her home until Uvaia was done¡­


    But as I looked around, Gia was speaking with the chief on her own now, and as I watched she handed over what looked like a full purse. Shit, who¡¯d let her carry our money?


    ¡°Lady Hydrangea,¡± I said, hastening over. ¡®What the hell are you doing?¡¯ was not a part I could say aloud in front of others, much as I was tempted.


    ¡°Ah, Ann-! Uh, Anthurium,¡± Gia said, straightening up and nodding officiously. ¡°I was just telling Attenuata how we did have the money to pay after all. Isn¡¯t that great?¡± She smiled at me.


    Fantastic. ¡°Yes, of course. My lady, can we discuss in private for a moment?¡± That she had already handed over the money meant it would be hard to take it back, but at the very least I needed her to see what she¡¯d done.


    ¡°Um, sure.¡± Gia looked taken aback, but followed me a few feet away.


    ¡°Where exactly did you find that money?¡±


    ¡°Sedum pointed out that we should have enough to pay after all,¡± she said brightly. I was struggling to believe he¡¯d beggar himself over this when Gia added, ¡°He pointed out the bandits might have taken things from¡­ before, and it turned out he was right.¡±


    Oh. Well, that wasn¡¯t undeserved, but I didn¡¯t have the luxury of caring about the moral rightness of our funding. Whether taken from Monem¡¯s dead or Trozen¡¯s still living, the Obsidian survivors¡¯ wealth would have better spent on new weapons or the service of new troops. ¡°So you just went around and asked them?¡±


    ¡°Pretty much, yeah. Some said that they didn¡¯t have anything, but Crassula growled at them a little and most of them caved after that.¡± She looked unashamed to say it, and I¡¯d have been proud of her standing up to our troops if she hadn¡¯t wasted our money by doing it.


    ¡°Right. Well, I don¡¯t object to you gathering up their funds,¡± I said, rubbing my forehead. Those demons¡¯ morale might suffer, but I¡¯d have needed to collect from them eventually anyway, and this shouldn¡¯t be enough for them to mutiny over. ¡°But the thing is that we didn¡¯t need to pay for this food.¡±


    Gia¡¯s eyes widened and she let out a small shaky laugh. ¡°I-I mean, I guess we didn¡¯t need to, yeah, but isn¡¯t it better that we did? It would be stealing otherwise, and Attenuata was saying how they won¡¯t need to risk getting in trouble with Aconite this way¡­¡±


    And they wouldn¡¯t need to kill her barghest envoy, and wouldn¡¯t be locked into supporting us until Aconite¡¯s defeat. They could sit back and safely stay uninvolved, which was great for them, and not for us. ¡°If they were willing to give it freely, it¡¯s not stealing. Aconite¡¯s exploiting them anyway, we were doing them a favor by taking care of this for them.¡±


    ¡°But she made it sound like we¡¯d have to kill Aconite for that,¡± Gia said, looking at me wide-eyed. ¡°And you made her sound really scary and dangerous, right? This way we don¡¯t need to deal with any of that¡­¡±


    For fuck¡¯s sake. You try to be diplomatic and this is what it gets you, a tractable prot¨¦g¨¦ asking questions she shouldn¡¯t. We should have taken the food at swordpoint and damn the consequences, without bringing Aconite into the equation. ¡°You should have come to me,¡± I said, avoiding the question. She clearly wasn¡¯t ready to hear that we would be confronting Aconite, the first major obstacle in the way of Gia¡¯s ascension. ¡°If you get an idea that¡¯s going to affect us all, you come to me before you act on it, understand?¡±


    Gia shrank back at my words. But she didn¡¯t back down. ¡°She said if I was going to be chief¨C which I guess is kind of like what I am, now¨C I had to decide things for myself, not just go to you.¡±


    I grit my teeth. Maybe we should have killed the chieftain after all. ¡°You¡¯ve been in this world for less than three days, Gia. There are a lot of factors that you¡¯re not aware of, you¡¯re not in a place to make informed decisions yet¨C¡±


    ¡°How informed do I need to be to not want to steal people¡¯s food and leave them hungry?¡± Gia burst out, eyes flashing. ¡°I saw how people looked when we were loading up the cart, Ann. They knew that was their food we¡¯re taking. They knew we didn¡¯t even pay, we just took it out of their hands,¡± she said, voice softer, pained. ¡°Not caring if they needed it, if they¡¯d go hungry because of it. Did you not see them, did you not¨C ?¡± She cut herself off before the last word, looking at me beseechingly.


    ¡­I supposed I hadn¡¯t been looking. I¡¯d worked out an equitable deal with the chief that would provide us needed supplies and deny them to our enemy, all for no cost save the life of one enemy demon and some mild peril for the town. I knew it would be fine, so who cared if the villagers didn¡¯t understand?


    Gia did, apparently. ¡°I understand why you did this,¡± I told her, sighing. ¡°But you still should have told me. The people wouldn¡¯t have gone hungry, no moreso than they have from Aconite¡¯s tribute. And we really could have used that money to help keep ourselves safe.¡± I didn¡¯t know how I could afford to hire the Ebon Company now.


    Gia looked at me silently for a second. ¡°Was that why you told the bandits to take what they needed from the villagers here?¡± she asked, holding my gaze.


    This girl really did test my poker face, sometimes. ¡°I did not tell them any such thing.¡± I thought the implication should be clear to them without my saying so. And Uvaia wasn¡¯t a bandit, anyway.


    She let out a slow breath, nodding at me. ¡°Okay. Crassula and I found Purpurea doing it, and she said ¡®the commander¡¯ understood even if I didn¡¯t, so¡­¡± Gia shrugged helplessly. ¡°Sorry for, um, accusing you, then.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    She was quiet for a moment. ¡°Are we really that desperate for money?¡±


    ¡°Hesperia is dangerous. Especially in Aconite¡¯s lands. If she finds us, right now she could kill us, and there¡¯s not much we could do to stop her. I was hoping to hire on more help as protection.¡±


    Gia paled. ¡°Oh. I¡¯m¡­ sorry, Ann. I meant what I said, but I didn¡¯t want to put us in danger.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve already been in danger.¡± I shook my head. ¡°But I¡¯ll find a way to make it work.¡± I wouldn¡¯t have been able to hire mercenaries until we reached the city anyway. And now thanks to Uvaia, I might have new options for revenue once we were there.

 10. Priestess

    When we stopped that evening en route to the city of Hymetos, it was with three newly packed carts of flour, fruit, and vegetables. I¡¯d convinced the chief to throw in some tents and bedrolls to boot; I didn¡¯t think Gia had even haggled with the price she¡¯d paid them, so it didn¡¯t take much persuasion. And with that and no need to go off in the woods to hunt, we made camp beside the road in greater leisure today. Though it was certainly for the best that the chief hadn¡¯t noticed her sword go missing.


    As it was, though, Uvaia had passed it off to me a little outside the town, with a squirm and blush as I patted her on the head for her service. It was a double-edged straight blade in a dark blue sheath, a different make than those forged by Hesperian smiths in either the north or south. A knight¡¯s weapon, was my guess, one Attenuata had taken from its first owner. And with a disturbing implication or two of who they might have been.


    I lacked the magic to really analyze the blade¡¯s enchantments, but the materials alone were telling to an educated eye. The blade¡¯s edges had a brighter gleam than the steel, and just brushing one with a finger I felt an unpleasant shock. Silver-edged, then. A disadvantage against mortals, but the purity was at odds with demons¡¯ corrupted souls, more dangerous even to those who weren¡¯t lycanthropes like Aconite.


    But an anti-demon blade wasn¡¯t itself concerning, they were standard make for anyone expecting to see combat with us. No, the worrisome part was the pommel stone. An oblong piece of amber, polished but not cut to better fit the blade. Unmarked by tools, to maximize the mystical power of the gem. Holding and channeling souls.


    And I could almost convince myself it was some necromantic dabbler¡¯s weapon, strengthening themself with the ghosts of fallen allies, if it weren¡¯t for the crest marking the pommel and sheath alike. This had belonged to the Church of Revarch. Ideologically opposed to demons, and I would guess even more prominent in Viletiu¡¯s nationwide rebuilding after the Feast.


    What were church agents doing with weapons like this? Weapons custom-made for their warriors, no less. Was their aim to capture demons¡¯ souls and interrogate us? Or were they stooping to demons¡¯ own means; if souls could be consumed by one¡¯s fellow demons, the same principles might let mortals empower themselves in the same way.


    And how long had weapons like this been in manufacture? There shouldn¡¯t have been any recent impetus. Had there been incursions into Viletiu I hadn¡¯t heard about? Damn it, if only I could use my magic¡­


    ¡°How¡¯s that wound treating you?¡± I looked up at Sedum¡¯s voice, seeing the grizzled orc man standing there with a mug of tea.


    ¡°Oh, you know, it¡¯s a wonderful distraction from the knife someone stabbed in my back.¡± I glared at him, but he just chuckled, which made me glare harder. ¡°Why did you go behind my back to tell Gi¨C Lady Hydrangea what to do?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s making a bit much of it, don¡¯tcha think?¡± Sedum asked, eyebrows raising. ¡°All I did was point out that we did have more coin than she might¡¯ve thought. Didn¡¯t want to bring that up in front of the killers we¡¯d be taking it from.¡±


    ¡°You could have suggested to me that we pay them. Not just her alone.¡±


    ¡°I figured you would know that we had the money.¡± Though he kept a smile up, his eyes narrowed as he looked at me. ¡°And once they were loading up, a quick talk with Attenuata made it clear you hadn¡¯t wanted to use it.¡±


    ¡°Both Lady Hydrangea and I negotiated for the supplies¡­¡± He scoffed out a half-laugh, and I cut off, frowning. All right, fine, I¡¯d cop to that one. ¡°Well, it wasn¡¯t as bad as you two seem to think. This wasn¡¯t highway robbery, I¡¯d planned it out, we would be doing them a favor.¡±


    ¡°I must¡¯ve missed the part where you shared your brilliant plan with the rest of us,¡± Sedum said, shrugging a shoulder. Then he winced, looking down at his scabbing over but still burnt side. ¡°All I could do was call it like I see it.¡±


    ¡°Try opening your eyes first next time.¡± I held his gaze, staring. ¡°No more influencing her without my permission. Got it?¡±


    Sedum just smiled at me. ¡°Tea?¡± he asked, holding out the mug.


    I looked at it, looked at him, and decided I wasn¡¯t willing to be that spiteful. I took a long drink, and though I still gagged at the bitter flavor, I knew my shoulder¡¯s near-permanent soreness would start to lessen, soon.


    ¡°Not your best self when you¡¯re in pain, I know,¡± Sedum said genially as I drank. I resisted the urge to make an obscene gesture at him. Without a full mouth I¡¯d have said he didn¡¯t know me. ¡°Wish that still did much of anything for me. But I found a few roots that help the burn a little.¡±


    I finished the tea, letting out a breath. ¡°How did you learn about these different plants and herbs?¡± It wasn¡¯t a skill I¡¯d known in any other demons.


    I saw him hesitate for a second. ¡°Spent some time in the wild with a few folks that taught me. Wasn¡¯t the worst thing to pick up,¡± he said, shrugging again. I was willing to bet that was a lie, one liar to another.


    ¡°Was that before or after you picked up your skills with weapons?¡± I saw his expression tighten up, guarded, and shook my head. ¡°Never mind.¡± No need to bite too hard at the hand giving tea to you. ¡°But you are in the company of plenty of us from a military background.¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t military. And I wouldn¡¯t call most of that lot ¡®company¡¯, either,¡± he said, glowering at the Obsidian demons. I held the sheathed sword out to him, and he blinked. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°Feastday present. Can you use it?¡± Handing off a valuable and mysterious weapon did rankle, but I wasn¡¯t in much shape to use it with my weak hand, however much I¡¯d tried to practice once others were asleep. And if we were ambushed by Aconite, I¡¯d want someone reliable holding the werewolf-bane blade.


    ¡°Never heard of presents for that,¡± Sedum said, chuckling with his brow furrowed. He hefted the sword, drawing it and rotating it in his hand. ¡°Balanced well. Enchanted?¡± He swung it slowly in an arc, then lifted his other hand to grasp the blade in a half-sword position. I started, ready to warn him, but he gripped the blade and mimed a thrust, lowering it and nodding. ¡°Aye, sure. Prefer my fists, but I can use it fine.¡±


    I stared for a second. Those tusks certainly didn¡¯t look fake. And he was taller than you could expect of a human, right? Damn it, being this short made it hard to tell. ¡°Well, there¡¯s a lot of demons out there in need of stabbing, so keep the sword just in case.¡± Maybe he just had a higher pain tolerance than me.


    He snorted. ¡°Got it. Any reason for the sudden generosity?¡±


    ¡°Not all that sudden, I only just picked it up in town. Uvaia picked it up for me, really, but I doubt she¡¯d mind you taking it either.¡±


    Sedum paused at that, brow furrowing as he looked at me. ¡°If it was a gift for you, I think she¡¯d be happier if you held onto it, lass. You two aren¡¯t on the outs with each other, aye?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not for me,¡± I insisted, face heating up. Uvaia hadn¡¯t meant it in that way, right? ¡°It¡¯s salvage to benefit us all, and in a fight you¡¯d wield it better than me. And no, we¡¯re ¨C we¡¯re getting along fine.¡±


    ¡°Mm.¡± He pursed his lips. ¡°In my experience, ¡®fine¡¯ leaves a lot of room for improvement. I know a lot¡¯s changed lately, but from the way she looks at you, I¡¯m pretty sure she¡¯d have room for more from you too. Have you thought about if that¡¯s something you¡¯re willing to give?¡±


    ¡­That wasn¡¯t an easy question to answer. I liked Uvaia, I did. She was cute, sweet, and attractive, and she¡¯d held together surprisingly well in the fighting and being displaced from her home. I¡¯d thought that Uvaia would just stay behind when I left Monem, but she¡¯d stuck with me and made herself useful.


    But Gia complicated it all significantly. I was fairly sure Gia was attracted to me too, and if I was intimate with Uvaia, I¡¯d risk making Gia feel rejected, alienated. She was too important to all this for me to risk that. But getting involved with her would have risks too, and I was more emotionally compromised by her than I should be already¡­


    ¡°There¡¯s someone not far off,¡± Gia spoke up unexpectedly, saving me from needing to answer Sedum. I jumped up and came over quickly, a muttering spreading through the demons around. Gia lowered her voice as she continued. ¡°Ann, if it feels brighter, that means they¡¯re stronger, right?¡±


    I¡¯d asked Gia to keep her third eye open as a lookout. That she could spot demons veiling themselves when I couldn¡¯t do the same was a major boost to our security. Plus, more control of her powers would not be a remotely bad thing. And she could get over the mild headache it would cause.


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± I activated my own aura sense, and consequently winced at my instant headache. I¡¯d hoped Gia¡¯s presence might get easier to handle with repeated exposure, but it hadn¡¯t happened yet. Still, I did quickly locate a strong aura, not a demon I recognized. The startling thing, though, was that they weren¡¯t in fact a demon at all.


    ¡°Well, then they do seem strong, this one. Stronger than you, even,¡± Gia continued, and I twitched. If she was trying to flatter me, she could have pointed out some trait where I wasn¡¯t woefully insufficient.


    ¡°Yes, this one¡¯s powerful, but more importantly they¡¯re a mortal,¡± I stressed, thinking quickly on how best to handle this. Only the one? They clearly weren¡¯t weak, but coming to Hesperia alone meant they were some combination of brave and stupid. Though it was entirely possible they hadn¡¯t been alone, but were the last survivor. Still, if we could get this mortal under control, it could be a great advantage. And with Gia nominally in charge, I wouldn¡¯t have to worry about mistreatment of a prisoner.


    ¡°What?¡± Gia started. ¡°You mean they¡¯re human?¡± She said that louder than I¡¯d been speaking, to my chagrin as more eyes turned towards us.


    Sighing, I elected to stop whispering. ¡°Or they could be an elf or dwarf. Or possibly a minotaur.¡± I¡¯d never seen one of those in my time as a demon.


    ¡°We should hunt the mortal down,¡± Eupatorium said, a malicious grin on his skull of a face.


    ¡°A mortal here? One who¡¯s survived? No, we should stay far, far away,¡± Boquila said, eyes wide with fear as he looked up at us.


    ¡°Lady Hydrangea could deal with the mortal, though. Couldn¡¯t she?¡± Lycoris asked, tapping her spider half¡¯s legs together as she showed Gia a hopeful look.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    More attention turned to Gia at that. I could see both Sedum and Uvaia with anxious expressions; I supposed they¡¯d seen enough of Gia, rather than Lady Hydrangea, to be nervous at the prospect. Hell, I couldn¡¯t blame them, I certainly was. Crassula, though, was watching Gia almost expectantly.


    Eyes wide as she took in the gazes on her, Gia visibly hesitated for a second before swallowing and standing up straight. ¡°Yes, I most certainly could. And will. The rest of you can stay at a distance.¡±


    ¡°Lady Hydrangea. A word?¡± I said quickly, gesturing sharply to beckon her away from the others. ¡°I don¡¯t think you realize how dangerous this is,¡± I told her once we were out of earshot.


    ¡°I just want to talk to them!¡± Gia said, blinking at me. ¡°Come on, this is someone like me, or more like me than the other demons. N-not that you¡¯re not great,¡± she added, cheeks reddening, though with a guilty tinge to her eyes. ¡°I just think it would be nice, you know?¡±


    ¡°Mortals around here,¡± I avoided saying ¡®this world¡¯ just in case anyone could still hear us. ¡°Are raised to see demons as monsters, their enemies. They¡¯re not going to want to talk to you.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know until we try, right?¡± Gia was frowning at me now. ¡°What were you wanting to do about them?¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯d,¡± I paused as I realized how this would sound, but still finished reluctantly. ¡°Get them on our side, ideally, but we can¡¯t depend on that¡­¡±


    ¡°See?¡± Gia brightened back up, excitement shining through. ¡°So wouldn¡¯t it be better if we can just talk instead of attacking or whatever?¡±


    ¡°The problem is that they¡¯ll probably attack you on sight,¡± I said, grimacing. Then again, if they couldn¡¯t see her, or any of us¡­ ¡°But, well, I might have a way around that. Byzantina,¡± I said, beckoning over the jackalope. ¡°What¡¯s the farthest range you can use to project sound?¡±


    - - -


    Quickly, we spoke together and I hatched a plan. The forest was too thick for Uvaia to get a look at the mortal from above, but we could get close enough to the presence for them to hear. I whispered to Gia, and she spoke aloud for Byzantina to mimic.


    ¡°Stop there, mortal,¡± Gia¡¯s projected voice carried between the trees. ¡°We have you surrounded ¨C really?¡± she whispered to me, giving me an askance look. I gestured sharply for her to continue. ¡°But there is no need to try and fight. Surrender and you will not be harmed.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m supposed to believe that, then, am I?¡± The voice that spoke was feminine, accented, and a little haughty. An elf, was my conclusion. ¡°Why don¡¯t you show yourself and we¡¯ll see how that goes.¡±


    Hm. She was stubborn, though if she¡¯d made it this far into Hesperia I supposed she wouldn¡¯t scare easily. I whispered more lines to Gia. ¡°I think not. Best for us both if you do not try and attack me.¡±


    ¡°Is that so.¡± The woman¡¯s voice dropped to something quieter, and my ears pricked up as I recognized it as chanting a spell. Flinching, I beckoned Gia and Byzantina back with a sharp gesture, before a few paces away from us a wide column of pearlescent light filled the air, a rushing sound as it rained down before dissipating. Holy magic. I could feel my hair stand on end even at this distance from it.


    ¡°Still alive, demon?¡± The woman¡¯s voice called, more smugly now. When no response came she spoke again. ¡°Tch. ¡®Surrounded.¡¯ What a troublesome bluff.¡±


    ¡°Change of plans. This isn¡¯t worth the risk,¡± I told Gia quietly, gritting my teeth. ¡°That¡¯s a priestess, and a powerful one. Holy magic is especially harmful to us, and she¡¯s clearly very willing to use it.¡± If we had a way to combat her from outside her range, maybe it could be worth trying, but trying to swarm her with a force like this would wipe most of us out. We might be able to lay a trap or ambush, but if it didn¡¯t subdue her instantly plenty of us would die. And if we ended up killing her instead of subduing her, those losses would be for nothing. ¡°We can avoid her easily, let¡¯s just go.¡±


    ¡°A priestess? But then,¡± Gia¡¯s eyes widened, and her expression set in a determined look. ¡°No, it is worth the risk. You said I¡¯m shielded, aren¡¯t I? I¡¯m going out there.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± No, she was not! I was not letting this idiot walk to her death based on some half-founded belief she¡¯d be safe from it. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± I reached out to grab her, but muscle memory meant I did so with the wrong hand, and when the sparks of pain cleared from my eyes she was beyond my arm¡¯s length. ¡°Gia!¡± I called in a strained, desperate stage whisper.


    ¡°Hey! Miss priestess!¡± Gia called, walking away from me.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re still there.¡± The elf¡¯s voice was tinged with disapproval now.


    ¡°I¡¯m Lady Hydrangea. You don¡¯t need to surrender, but I do want to talk,¡± Gia said, stepping between two trees. Then a spear of blinding light struck her in the chest, and searing brightness filled my eyes.


    My stomach lurched, and as I blinked the spots out of my eyes nightmare scenarios flashed through my mind. Was it all gone just like that? All my plans with her gone because I couldn¡¯t keep this from happening? And Gia, gods¡­ when I could see again, would there just be a burnt corpse where she had stood? Would there be anything left of her at all?


    But when my vision cleared, I saw Gia standing right where she¡¯d been. Though I could only see her back, even her clothes were unmarred and unharmed. ¡°Ow,¡± Gia said simply. ¡°That hurt my eyes.¡±


    ¡°How¨C?!¡± The elf¡¯s voice came out choked. ¡°What is this? An illusion? There¡¯s no way you could have survived that utterly unscathed.¡± Her words were thick with fear now, and I felt a dark satisfaction hearing it.


    ¡°I literally just said I wanted to talk, and you immediately try to kill me? Ugh.¡± Gia growled. ¡°Alright, I guess Ann was right about you. No, okay, focus,¡± I heard her mutter to herself, as I crept closer through the trees, hiding behind each one and trying to catch a glimpse around the trunk.


    ¡°What do you mean to do with me?¡± The elf¡¯s voice had a slight tremble to it, and as I moved closer I managed to spot half of her face. If I was less pissed and terrified I¡¯d have called her beautiful, with silky blonde hair, emerald eyes and unblemished pale skin. She wore an elaborately curved metallic headpiece, and a large earring dangled from her ear.


    ¡°To talk. Again. Jesus,¡± Gia muttered incomprehensibly. ¡°The first normal person I¡¯ve met so far and it¡¯s like talking to a wall. Alright, what¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°¡­I am known as Vaeri,¡± the priestess said, expression tightening. ¡°You would not know my family name, I come from people of no consequence.¡±


    Well, that was obviously a lie. But Gia didn¡¯t call her on it. ¡°Hi, Vaeri. I¡¯m Gi¨C Hydrangea. Can we start again?¡±


    I could see Vaeri staring at her blankly. ¡°Are you truly a demon?¡±


    ¡°Wha- uh, yes! Of course!¡± Gia said, floundering, and I wanted to smack myself. She had better not make me go out there, I would get blasted for it. ¡°Anyway! Vaeri. You must have some reason for being in demon lands, right? Since you seem to hate demons?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡± More blank staring. ¡°Why would you want to know? To use it against me?¡±


    ¡°Maybe I think we could help you,¡± Gia said tetchily. This was the first time I¡¯d heard her close to losing her patience, and honestly, it was a good look. ¡°If it wouldn¡¯t blow your mind for a demon to consider such a thing.¡±


    A short, startled laugh came from the elf now. ¡°My mind will survive, I am sure.¡± She looked to be studying Gia for a moment. ¡°And what would you ask of me in exchange, then? My life? My soul?¡±


    ¡°All I¡¯d want is for you to do something simple for me,¡± Gia said, sounding like keeping calm was an effort. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t cost you anything like that.¡±


    ¡°Very well. I suppose, under these circumstances¡­¡± Vaeri shook her head. ¡°I am here seeking the rescue of a friend, imprisoned by a powerful demon.¡±


    Well, shit. No¨C I shook off that initial reaction, reminding myself of the big picture. Depending on who it was, this could absolutely work for us.


    ¡°Oh, geez. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Gia couldn¡¯t have missed Vaeri consequently looking at her like she had two heads, because she quickly continued. ¡°Uh, anyway! What if we could help you rescue your friend?¡±


    ¡°¡­You would do that?¡± Vaeri¡¯s voice was soft and fragile for a moment, and I could see twin tides of disbelief and relief crash over her face before she schooled her expression back. ¡°Ahem. Who is this ¡®we¡¯ that you suggest I accept help from?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t try to kill them.¡± Gia¡¯s voice was hard. ¡°If you do ¨C you¡¯d better not.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, of course. I simply wish to know what this would involve.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡± Gia sounded suspicious, but turned back towards me. ¡°Ann! You¨C oh,¡± she said, startling as she met my gaze. ¡°You were right there the whole time, huh? Well, um, come meet Vaeri?¡± She smiled, more hesitant, fidgeting like she expected me to punish her for something done wrong.


    I walked into the open. Vaeri did not try to kill me, so I had a moment to take her in. A beautiful elven woman, wearing a dark high-collared dress and the sunburst symbol of Revarch around her neck. Seeing her full on, there was a clear intelligence in her eyes. And I could see her sizing me up as I did the same.


    ¡° ¡®Ann¡¯, is it?¡± Vaeri murmured, watching me with a neutral gaze.


    ¡°Anthurium. I¡¯m Lady Hydrangea¡¯s advisor.¡± I glanced to Gia, who still looked fidgety. ¡°Good job negotiating with her,¡± I said, surprising myself somewhat with a lack of sarcasm.


    Surprise flashed in Gia¡¯s eyes, followed by relief. ¡°Ah, thanks! I just thought, with what you said¡­¡±


    ¡°You thought right.¡± But we would talk about her risk-taking later. ¡°Do you know anything about the demon holding your friend?¡± I asked Vaeri.


    ¡°Yes, Erik was able to get a message to me. Her name is Aconite, one of your bloodthirsty tribal leaders,¡± Vaeri said, with a look of distaste.


    Aha. Now things were slotting into place. ¡°Your friend wouldn¡¯t happen to know fire magic, would he?¡± But I knew the answer must be yes, it finally tied together two mysteries. He was the fire mage, that boy was how Aconite had set our camp on fire. And I hadn¡¯t sensed his presence there because a fireball could be launched from long range¡­


    Vaeri jolted, mask cast aside for an expression of unmitigated worry. ¡°Yes! Have you seen him? Do you know if he¡¯s alive?¡±


    ¡°I battled against Aconite roughly a week ago. And I¡¯m fairly sure I saw his handiwork. If he was alive then, there¡¯s a good chance he is now.¡±


    Vaeri¡¯s shoulders slumped, and she exhaled a deep sigh of relief. Then she looked at me, calculating. ¡°She is your enemy too, then.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s someone it might be in our interests to go up against.¡± No need to make it too easy for her.


    Vaeri¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Then if I were to cooperate with you, what would it cost me?¡±


    I opened my mouth, but Gia got there first. ¡°Can you heal her?¡± she asked earnestly, and I realized she was pointing at me.


    Vaeri blinked. So did I. ¡°That¡¯s why you wanted to talk to her?¡± I asked Gia. Incredulous, and a little touched.


    ¡°Well, once you said she was a priestess¡­¡± Gia smiled weakly at me. ¡°I did think it was worth it.¡±


    She¡¯d been willing to risk getting killed for me. Gods, this girl.


    ¡°Most of my training is in combat magic, but I do know some basic healing spells,¡± Vaeri spoke, studying me. ¡°If you can tell me where you are injured¨C¡± She stopped as I held up my good hand.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to propose a different agreement, actually.¡± Gia looked over at me with a start, hurt in her eyes, but I tuned her out. This was important. ¡°In exchange for our help opposing Aconite and rescuing her prisoner, you will give our forces any magical help and support they require in the course of other battles we fight on the way, and in order to ensure his safety.¡±


    ¡°And would you be plotting a course that puts Erik¡¯s rescue after all of your other enemies?¡± Vaeri asked, lips twitching at the corners.


    Well. I certainly wasn¡¯t going to now. ¡°We can go straight there. No detours.¡± Really, though, while I¡¯d considered that same idea, going directly for Aconite had seemed like the best choice. If I played my cards right, we could get two powerful magical assets on our side, and keep them for much longer.


    Gia looked at me with wide eyes. ¡°The city¡­¡±


    ¡°No detours to fight other warlords,¡± I corrected with a small sigh. ¡°Our current destination will help us muster more strength to fight Aconite, anyway.¡±


    Vaeri nodded slowly, scrutinizing me. ¡°Then I agree to your proposal.¡±


    As she said it, a great pressure lifted off my chest. Now, finally, this was coming together. Now we¡¯d have more of a fighting chance.


    ¡°Does that mean you¡¯re not going to heal Ann?¡± Gia asked in a small voice, looking at Vaeri.


    The elf woman looked back at her a little helplessly. ¡°It¡¯s not directly covered by the agreement,¡± she started to say, then sighed. ¡°But I suppose, as a show of good faith.¡± She looked at me, stepping forward. ¡°Where are you hurt?¡±


    ¡°My shoulder, here.¡± I waited tensely as she placed a hand on my shoulder. She drew it back as if stung, looking askance at the bone spikes, before shaking her head and touching my arm instead, chanting quietly.


    A softer glow shone from her hand and suffused my arm and shoulder. I could feel the tense soreness built up over the last few days start to fade, the stiffness in my shoulder lessened. Abruptly, however, I spasmed as I felt muscle jam up against something that felt wrong, intrusive, like it shouldn¡¯t be there. I let out a harsh breath as the healing magic subsided. The wrong feeling didn¡¯t.


    ¡°Ann? Are you okay?¡± Gia asked, eyes widening.


    I grit my teeth. ¡°Something got healed, I¡¯m pretty sure, but it sure didn¡¯t heal right. My shoulder doesn¡¯t hurt anymore, but it¡¯s not comfortable, either. Gah, it feels like something¡¯s stuck inside my arm.¡±


    ¡°Ah, damn it¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Ann.¡± Gia¡¯s face fell, and she sighed, looking helplessly from me to Vaeri. ¡°I thought it would be worth a try.¡±

 11. Hymetos

    ¡°We should discuss how to proceed,¡± I told our new elf recruit, though speaking just as much to Gia. Vaeri was a powerful priestess, and one clearly with no love for demons. We might have found a common purpose for now, but it would be a mistake to trust her as much as a conventional ally.


    Not that I trusted any of my allies overly much, but the point stood. ¡°You can see there¡¯s no reason to keep traveling on your own now, I hope? There must have been demons that already attacked you¡­¡±


    ¡°What could have given you that idea?¡± Vaeri let out a short laugh, and I felt a flash of irritation. ¡°Just about every one of you ¨C that is, every bottom-feeder that¡¯s spotted me,¡± she moderated herself midsentence, though I¡¯d say the damage was done ¨C ¡°By my estimation. One had the courtesy to tell me that elves are a ¡®delicacy¡¯,¡± she said, scowling, though not managing to completely hide a shudder.


    ¡°Then isn¡¯t that a good reason to come with us?¡± Gia asked. She had a genuine empathy in her eyes I was surprised she still had the patience for. ¡°We¡¯re not going to try to hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps if it was simply you two on your own,¡± Vaeri said, expression softening as she looked at Gia. ¡°But Anthurium spoke of your ¡®forces¡¯, and I would not expect other demons to take so kindly to me.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t.¡± If we just walked back to our warband with an elf in tow and said she was our new ally, I¡¯d half expect a mutiny on the spot. Even optimistically, there¡¯d be some serious questioning of our judgment for treating her as an equal rather than an enemy or meal. ¡°But if we claim you¡¯re our prisoner now, they¡¯ll go along with¨C¡±


    ¡°No. Absolutely not,¡± Vaeri interrupted me, eyes flashing. ¡°I will not lower myself to such a vulnerable position. I will continue traveling on my own, thank you.¡±


    Stopped short, I glared at her, gritting my teeth. Gia respected me enough to not interrupt. ¡°You won¡¯t need to actually be our prisoner. It¡¯s just a ploy to placate the other demons, not a single one will touch you if we tell them otherwise¡­¡±


    ¡°And yet to sell this ploy they would need to be convinced I am your prisoner,¡± Vaeri replied, glaring right back. ¡°Being bound up and paraded in front of an army of lecherous, mocking demons? No. That is more than a step too far, ¡®twould be intolerable. I have survived just fine in this hell on my own, and I will continue to do so.¡±


    ¡°Guys, hey,¡± Gia said, blue eyes wide as she looked between us. ¡°It¡¯s alright, I think it¡¯s totally fine to do something else¨C¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t even know where you¡¯re going!¡± I snapped back at Vaeri. ¡°Do you plan to just wander in circles until you¡¯ve died or found your friend? What a heroic death that would be.¡±


    ¡°Of course not. Now that we will be traveling to the same destination, I will simply follow you,¡± the elf said, smirking and looking down her nose at me. She had at least half a foot on me, and it made me hate her even more.


    ¡°Our soldiers are not going to like having an elf clearly following us,¡± I told her through gritted teeth. Especially since we already told them we¡¯d deal with her.


    ¡°That is hardly my problem, is it?¡± Vaeri said with a sniff. ¡°Find some way to justify it to them, for you will not do the same to me with your own plan.¡±


    ¡°If they get antsy enough, you realize some might even want to attack you?¡±


    ¡°Then I suggest you do not let them, or you will lose as many minions as dare to try.¡± With that, she turned on her heel and strode away.


    ¡°Bitch,¡± I muttered, watching her walk away. ¡°Fine, then, let¡¯s get back,¡± I told Gia.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think she¡¯s that bad, really,¡± Gia murmured. ¡°I can understand where she¡¯s coming from.¡± But she followed my lead.


    Byzantina had already made it back, and several sets of eyes turned towards Gia and I as we returned.


    ¡°What happened with the elf?¡± Vitis the satyr asked. Ah, so Byzantina had already spread that part.


    ¡°Did you kill her?¡± That was Lycoris¡¯ high voice.


    ¡°We certainly could have killed her, but Lady Hydrangea was shrewd enough to manipulate her into serving our purposes instead,¡± I told them. ¡°The elf is convinced we have a mutual enemy: Aconite.¡± Scowls and curses scattered among the Obsidian soldiers as I said her name. ¡°She¡¯ll be guarding our rear as we travel there. If anyone tries to attack us from behind, they¡¯ll have to deal with her first.¡±


    Whispers spread through the warband now. Most seemed approving, but I could see doubts on some faces. ¡°Are we just going to let her kill any demons she sees?¡± That was Boquila, and he wasn¡¯t helping.


    ¡°What if she tries to attack us?¡± Uvaia asked me.


    ¡°She won¡¯t attack us, that¡¯s been taken care of. As for other demons, we need to look out for ourselves.¡±


    ¡°We should just get rid of her!¡± Salix said, hissing, and a couple whispers of assent answered the catfolk.


    ¡°Maybe eventually. But right now she¡¯s useful to us. Once she¡¯s not¡­¡± I shrugged my shoulders with a smile, and a few laughs rippled around.


    Not from Gia, though. Her brow furrowed as she looked at me, and she said nothing.


    - - -


    Uvaia was flying ahead when we next set out, as I¡¯d told her to come down and warn me when Hymetos was in sight. I wanted us to set up camp just off-road not far from the city¡¯s walls, but out of sight of any guards who might ask questions.


    There weren¡¯t many legitimate reasons for a small group to be towing three carts of food, and we looked too scruffy and heavily armed to be merchants. Besides, even if I could make that story fly, walking through the city with that much food would be asking to have it depleted by thieves and less fortunates. Or outright attacked by anyone desperate enough to risk their lives for a bite. Either case would be a mess.


    Normally, I¡¯d have accepted the risk of taking the supplies inside over leaving them outside at risk of attack. But out here we could kill anyone hostile, with no laws to contend with. And the trigger-happy priestess meant anyone trying to either sneak up or sneak off would have to contend with being blasted to cinders.


    And unless she knew deceptive magic not in keeping with Revarch¡¯s straightforward zealots, I strongly doubted Vaeri could enter Hymetos herself without starting a fight. Better to keep a presence out here, where we could stay in touch.


    ¡°This is it? We¡¯re finally here?¡± Gia asked me as we approached, leaving the camp behind. I¡¯d left it guarded by Eupatorium, Salix and Perpetua, all aggressive and more at risk of causing trouble in the city. Her eyes were bright as she looked at the city walls, a hopefulness to her countenance that seemed a bit much for just one next stop on our campaign.


    ¡°It¡¯s only been a few days, my lady,¡± I told her with a half-laugh. Then, mindful of how she¡¯d gone off alone in both the village and with Vaeri, I added, ¡°Let me do the talking to get us inside.¡±


    She blinked and straightened up, nodding seriously to me. This did seem to be important to her.


    ¡°And stop sensing auras, if you still are currently.¡± We¡¯d be nearing a concentration of demons too much for her senses to handle.


    Approaching the city gates, I noticed Crassula tense up in the corner of my eye. Two armored demons stood by the gate, a black bird emblazoned on their steel shields ¨C the Ebon Company¡¯s symbol, like Crassula had mentioned encountering herself.


    I hadn¡¯t thought much of it at the time, but in the days since then I¡¯d realized the oddness in that. You would expect a mercenary company to be contracted for military tasks, not guarding a non-military location. It would be one thing if they were hired to guard Hymetos against attack, but it was at least nominally sworn to Aconite, and she¡¯d just destroyed the only rival clan in the immediate area. If some powerful figure was planning to move against Aconite, that was absolutely something I could use.


    ¡°Stop there,¡± one of the guards addressed us in a woman¡¯s rough voice. ¡°If you mean to cause trouble in Hymetos, I¡¯d turn away now. Governor Kimmei¡¯s having us deal with conflict swiftly and decisively.¡±


    So the governor himself had hired them. ¡°We¡¯re not here to cause trouble. We¡¯re just refugees, looking for work and a place to stay,¡± I said, bowing my head. It wasn¡¯t entirely wrong, and should give reason to believe we¡¯d be well-behaved, if our entry and residence depended on it. ¡°We come from Monem, it was destroyed just a few days ago in a raid.¡±


    The guard straightened up at that, peering at me. ¡°A raid? By who?¡±


    ¡°Deserters, I think. Didn¡¯t exactly stick around to ask.¡± I shrugged at her, keeping my expression neutral.


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± The guard gave a look over our little band, and seemed to find us scruffy enough to find that believable. Leaving the supply carts out of sight had been best. ¡°We¡¯re not exactly hurting for people inside, but we¡¯ve got room for a few more. Come on in.¡± She and her partner stepped aside, and chains rattled as someone else turned a crank to lift the gate. ¡°And if some of you are any good with those weapons, the company could be a good place to find work.¡±


    ¡­that was also interesting, and somewhat concerning as well. The Ebon Company I¡¯d heard of wouldn¡¯t just recruit any old demon off the street. Had their standards been slipping? Were they short on numbers due to some recent decisions, or trying to bolster their numbers for a coming offensive? ¡°Thanks for the tip.¡±


    Heading through the gates, the city opened up before us, and the contrast with the smaller towns was immediate. Closely packed wood and stone buildings lined real cobblestone roads, the work of hard labor from demons too slothful to ordinarily bother. Being multistory was these homes¡¯ standard rather than an exception, and the street was thronged with multi-hued demons walking, flying, or riding, carts and rickshaws drawn by carnivorous wildebeests and the occasional slave.


    The chatter of urban life had its own feel to it, walking within like wading through a river of sound. A pair of nymphs talking cheerfully, a chimera snarling at a blindfolded gorgon selling food. This was a place unquestionably lived in, by hundreds if not thousands of demons, who¡¯d found their way to relative safety within the brutal demon realm. Disagreements could still turn violent or murderous, but there was a sense of civilization in a city like this. A place where you could live and breathe freely without needing to constantly watch your back.


    ¡°Ah, yeah, this is much better.¡± Gia sighed happily as we walked along, looking earnestly around at buildings and passersby. ¡°Not exactly like back home, but this is a lot closer,¡± she told me in an undertone. Not one quiet enough for my comfort level. ¡°Geez, I can¡¯t wait to sleep in an actual bed again¡­¡±


    ¡°Remember there¡¯s a lot of strangers around us, Lady Hydrangea,¡± I told her, stressing the moniker, and she started and drew back, chagrined. ¡°¡­But why don¡¯t you take the others and find an inn. You do look like you could use a rest.¡± She still hadn¡¯t been sleeping well, and a small entourage would do more to deter opportunists than my own presence would.


    ¡°You¡¯re not coming?¡± Gia asked, looking startled.


    ¡°I¡¯ll catch up to you later, stick with Uvaia and Sedum. I need to look into some things.¡± Strategos or not, I¡¯d always worked better on my own.


    ¡°If you¡¯re sure you¡¯ll be okay,¡± Gia said, hesitant before her expression cleared. ¡°Oh, I guess you did say you¡¯re from here, didn¡¯t you.¡±


    I nodded noncommittally. I probably had said that. ¡°Ask around if there¡¯s a doctor, too. Sedum could use one still.¡± The mess of spiked bone that my shoulder remained was beyond a doctor¡¯s ability to treat, but I still wanted to know if we had alternatives to Vaeri. Even if she wouldn¡¯t charge money for her own services.


    ¡°Here, Lady Hydrangea, I can show you around. I used to be a tailor here,¡± Lycoris said, smiling at Gia and wiggling her spinneret. ¡°The Kirin¡¯s Mane is a nice inn nearby¡­¡±


    Making a note to ask her about a more imposing outfit for Gia, I split off from them, and familiar voices faded into the background.


    I¡¯d never been to Hymetos before, but the basics of navigating a city remained the same. I didn¡¯t make eye contact with any strangers, keeping an eye out for signs and landmarks, and avoided streets where the buildings were run down, the guards were sparse and the people were desperate. I might have business to attend to there later, but as a stranger and out-of-towner I¡¯d start in places less likely to get me mugged.


    Information was the key, now and always. I spoke with some street vendors, plying them with purchases of meat skewers, meat pies or drinks, and asking in exchange how things had been. No, the city hadn¡¯t had anyone attack it, not from outside, anyway. But don¡¯t worry, it had months since the last riots, ever since the governor had brought in those strange armored folks. Any complaints? Well, the taxes, of course, those had gotten even higher lately. Did he really need that much money to pay the new guards? Well, it probably did end up lining his pockets, but things were safer now, and the problem of thieves had practically dried up in exchange. What had happened to them? Don¡¯t know, not our problem.


    With my ears full of gossip and my stomach full of street food, I walked along to look into one more actionable bit I¡¯d heard. The governor was holding a conference of some kind, and spotting a crowd gathered in the street with an oily voice floating above their heads, I inferred that I¡¯d found it.


    ¡°Good people, I assure you all is well in our fine city!¡± Governor Kimmei wasn¡¯t a type of demon I recognized, but then I couldn¡¯t remember seeing any other demon decked out in such gaudy clothing. The golden silks draping his heavy form did nothing to hide how he resembled a large silver-scaled fish, presumably bipedal though I couldn¡¯t see his feet to confirm. ¡°Is Hymetos not a bastion of order, of safety among the wild wastes?¡±


    ¡°Those armored thugs of yours are just making things less safe!¡± one voice shouted from the crowd, and there was an angry murmur of agreement.


    ¡°My mate got in an argument at the market, and the next thing I knew those Ebon fucks were beating him within an inch of his life!¡± another demon called, his voice a growl of anger. I supposed there were downsides with hiring trained killers as a peacekeeping force.


    ¡°Simple misunderstandings, I assure you!¡± the governor said smoothly, raising his scaly hands and not looking moved in the slightest by the complaints. ¡°If you have any complaints with the Company¡¯s conduct, I am sure the commander will be happy to resolve them for you at their barracks.¡±


    ¡°And why are so many of the streets empty now?¡± another voice called, sharp and feminine and angry. ¡°I cut through the Basalt Quarter the other day to see my cobbler, and it was a ghost town down there!¡±


    ¡°This is simply part of my Great Revival project for our fair city!¡± Governor Kimmei¡¯s grin was oily smooth, complaints simply sliding off him. ¡°Some renewal of the older, storied parts of Hymetos. Soon they will be restored to their former glory and far better beside.¡± He seemed to have far more confidence than I did that this wouldn¡¯t turn into a riot.


    Notably, if it did, his own guards visibly weren¡¯t Ebon Company, which made me wonder why, as they certainly didn¡¯t look better. One was yawning as he stood behind the governor, and the others on the dais with him were visibly zoned out. If anyone had meant to assassinate their employer, I doubted this lot would notice until it was too late. I had the thought to pull out my crossbow and see if they even noticed, but dismissed the idea. I could gather empirical evidence later and without starting a panic.


    Still, I¡¯d learned enough for now. This greasy man wouldn¡¯t make any kind of ally against Aconite. But that just meant I¡¯d have no regret taking his hires away from him.


    - - -


    I¡¯d heard the Grisly Griffin was, regardless of its name, one of the better spots to spend your coin on drink if you had enough of it to throw around. So it did made sense that the Ebon Company spent their time at this tavern. Asking the bartender, I learned they kept most of the upper floor to themselves, Nyctocereus and a few of his lieutenants with others going in and out.


    I had to admit, though, I would have expected the infamous mercenary leader to be more imposing. He was slumped in one of three chairs around the table, still in raven-crested armor but not looking battle-ready. If it weren¡¯t for the armor and the serpentine features on a demon of his stature, I would have wondered if it was him. Not many danava asuras so resembled snakes.


    I took in the two imposing figures to either side of him as I approached. The gray-skinned figure was largest and stooped low in his chair, looking like his near-bare torso was carved out of stone ¨C possibly a small j?tunn, I¡¯d heard a few of them did fit that trend. To his left was a large red-skinned woman, just as muscular but with a robe and brown tunic concealing her form. No horns or apparent tail, which ruled out many classes of demon, but with the dot on her forehead I would guess another asura. Likely a danava like her leader, but a more conventional-looking one; I doubted a lesser asura would have her apparent position of prominence.


    ¡°Are you Nyctocereus?¡± It was really a formality to ask, but snarking about how he¡¯d fallen so low was not the way to begin a business discussion.


    The serpentine leader allowed me one glance before dropping his gaze. ¡°Either join the game or piss off.¡± His voice was a deep, gravely bass.


    ¡­well, I couldn¡¯t be blamed if he was rude first. ¡°I can see business is good in the city. You¡¯ve got a whole, what, ten obol apiece in that pot?¡±


    Nyctocereus¡¯s gaze flicked up with annoyance, but a red-skinned, muscled woman at his left chuckled lowly and gave me a look up and down. ¡°It¡¯s a friendly game. And not any of your business unless you¡¯re a new recruit,¡± the leader told me, glowering.


    ¡°Could any of our recruits afford to join in? Hard to if they¡¯re down four weeks¡¯ back pay,¡± the muscular woman asked casually. I could see a glowing golden mace slipped into her belt, certainly enchanted and ready to go at a moment¡¯s notice.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask you either, Macodes. It¡¯s common wisdom to make ¡®em think twice about walking away. And don¡¯t discuss company business in front of a stranger.¡± The serpentine demon sighed and looked at me grudgingly, as Macodes smiled at me behind his back. ¡°Who are you and what do you want?¡±


    ¡°My name is Anthurium.¡± That got the attention of all three, their dice game forgotten however temporarily as they looked at me. Pushing through the wariness that stirred up, I kept talking. ¡°I¡¯m the strategos to an up-and-coming leader-¡±


    ¡°Oh, I know who you are. You¡¯ve made quite the name for yourself these last few years,¡± Nyctocereus interrupted me, serpent¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Clan leaders rise and fall, and you keep on surviving, isn¡¯t that right? Well, I don¡¯t care to get involved in these games of yours.¡± I felt frustration fill my chest as he looked back down, this wasn¡¯t going to get far if he stonewalled me, before he added half to himself, ¡°And if I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d left that bitch of a sorceress, I¡¯d kill you right where you stand.¡±


    Ah. That was something I could use. ¡°I assume you mean Bryonia Alba,¡± I said, lowering my voice. I didn¡¯t spread around my past with the Witch of the North, and I didn¡¯t care for him calling me on it. ¡°What are your grievances with her, exactly?¡±


    ¡°She cut off his balls,¡± Macodes said, cheer in her voice at odds with a flash of anger in her eyes as she looked at him. I made note of that, too.


    ¡°The bitch doesn¡¯t fight fair,¡± Nyctocereus said, glaring at his lieutenant. ¡°I could have killed her easily if we¡¯d even got close, but those storms she set on us were nothing natural. Should have known that meathead would drag us into trouble, ¡®invincible¡¯ my ass¡­¡±


    ¡°You were part of Pachypoda¡¯s last push against her, then.¡± Rumors could be distorted, but everything I¡¯d heard indicated that the cyclops¡¯ attempt to take Bryonia¡¯s lands had failed catastrophically. Archons fighting against each other was a toss-up, but Bryonia was a juggernaut in craftiness and cunning. Obviously she hadn¡¯t needed my help to repel her rival. And I didn¡¯t need her, either. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t think you¡¯d hold a grudge, when she could be next to hire you.¡±


    ¡°No. She won¡¯t.¡± He blew out a breath through his teeth, staring off at nothing now. ¡°I lost more men in that one assault than I have in the past decade. A hundred sixty three snuffed out, and for what? For nothing.¡± He shook his head slowly. ¡°Two arrogant sons of bitches and their pissing contest over some scraps of land. Well, I¡¯m done getting involved with any of it. The work here isn¡¯t glorious, but it pays, and it¡¯ll do.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s how the infamous Ebon Company ended up as glorified town guards.¡± I crossed my arms, mindful of the hostility in his gaze now, but likewise taking in the gleam in Macodes¡¯ eyes. ¡°The man who¡¯s poisoned lakes and razed clans to the ground, lost his stomach for battle? There¡¯s more glory to be won and power to be earned than you¡¯ll ever get here. Playing dice in a bar, while your men chase down thieves.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve never served, have you,¡± Nyctocereus said in a low voice, staring at me. ¡°Not as a soldier. Not for true.¡±


    I felt myself tense up. ¡°I¡¯ve spent my whole life as a demon working for warlords, building up armies¡­¡±


    ¡°And yet you still don¡¯t know what any of it means. I pity the fools you¡¯ve led to their deaths following you.¡± He laughed at me, low and tired. Anger flared in my chest. ¡°Glory is a young man¡¯s beacon, chased down blindly until all his friends have died around him in the mud. And power¡¯s not something to be held by people like me. The ones with power might depend on us, call for us ¨C but in the end we¡¯re the ones dying while they hold onto all they have. And sometimes, even an upjumped little runt has that privilege.¡± He snorted, as my hands clenched into fists.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how you got the witch to make you a general. But I won¡¯t ever believe that you earned it. War hasn¡¯t raised you as a soldier. It¡¯s all just some means to an end for you.¡± He shook his head, looking away. ¡°No, strategos, I won¡¯t play your game. Best a soldier can hope for is enough coin to keep him afloat and a life to enjoy it with. That¡¯s what I¡¯m giving my men, all the ones I¡¯ve got left to me.¡±


    I took a deep breath and let it out. ¡°Enjoy the rest of your life, then. Wasting away while opportunity passes you by.¡± I looked at his lieutenant for a moment, then turned and headed back downstairs.


    I didn¡¯t need to wait long. Waiting at the bar, I heard the stairs creak behind me, before I felt a large figure loom over my head. ¡°You looked like you wanted to kill old Nyc on the spot,¡± Macodes said lightly, sitting down beside me. ¡°I would¡¯ve tried if he¡¯d insulted me like that.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t find it the strategically soundest choice. Attacking him with one,¡± I looked sidelong at her, ¡°Or two loyal lieutenants at his side.¡±


    She grinned at me in answer. ¡°You do seem to have an eye for opportunity. Which one of those would you calculate¡¯s right?¡±


    ¡°It seems to me I¡¯m not the only one he¡¯s been insulting. Keeping you away from the chance to really seize something special. Stagnating, and dragging the company down with him.¡±


    As I spoke, her eyes glittered, and she inclined her head to me, tugging my drink over to quaff down herself. ¡°Let¡¯s chat.¡±

 12. Groundwork

    The governor¡¯s mansion was the largest building I¡¯d seen in the city, and even if the barracks might end up outmatching it, I was fairly sure his home could fit hundreds of demons itself. But my perspective was limited, looking up at the building looming above spiked walls. Most would-be thieves would think twice about scaling those if it risked impaling themselves on those.


    Fortunately, some demons did have natural advantages, and waiting and watching from around the corner I let out a sigh as Uvaia fluttered down before me. ¡°What do you think?¡± I asked her. I could only see her so clearly in the dark, but her breathing and rustling wings were familiar sounds to me.


    We¡¯d waited for nightfall to case the place, as while many demons did have good night vision, evening limited the number out and about to spot someone flying into the governor¡¯s yard. And as her hunting strategy demonstrated, looking up to spot danger wasn¡¯t something nearly enough creatures tried, until they¡¯d been swooped down upon and it was too late.


    ¡°It¡¯s not hard to get inside by flight. But there are a lot of guards in there, I could see them through the windows,¡± Uvaia said earnestly. ¡°I don¡¯t know about this, Anthy. Even if you¡¯re right that they¡¯re not that well-trained, all it takes is one person to catch me and then I¡¯m in big trouble.¡±


    ¡°Well, we¡¯re not going to break in tonight. This is just reconnaissance.¡± That was unfortunate news, though. I¡¯d figured with a place this large he couldn¡¯t keep a large enough garrison to watch every inch. Paying a staff that big would quickly get expensive, and the governor had sounded like a man who¡¯d want to pinch every obol.


    ¡°Recon-? Um, right, I guess.¡± Uvaia paused a moment. ¡°When you say we, you do mean me, right?¡±


    ¡°I am planning to come with you,¡± I said, blinking. ¡°Did I not mention that?¡± Thinking about it now, I might have one guess for how he could maintain a staff that large. I¡¯d want to ask Macodes if she knew, but a house staffed by slaves could explain some other local happenings.


    ¡°¡­In that case I take back saying it¡¯s easy to get inside, because even if I could carry you, I¡¯d be way more clumsy flying around like that,¡± Uvaia said, letting out a nervous laugh. ¡°Plus, um, I don¡¯t mean this in a bad way, but do you have any experience sneaking around and stealing things?¡±


    ¡°The former, some.¡± It had been a while since I¡¯d been involved with crime in earnest, but I couldn¡¯t have forgotten. ¡°It¡¯ll be fine, Uvaia. If there¡¯s still any thieves that haven¡¯t been rounded up, some of them must have thought about hitting the richest man in town. And if we can¡¯t learn from them about any back ways or hidden entrances, we can use the oreads to tunnel in underground. No need to carry me that way.¡±


    ¡°Right, but again, lots and lots of guards,¡± Uvaia said, some strain in her voice. ¡°If we have to do this, I think I should go alone. It takes practice carrying coins or valuables so they don¡¯t jingle. And I wouldn¡¯t feel that safe pulling this off, either¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not coming because I¡¯m after valuables. Not just valuables,¡± I added, her doubt palpable even in the half-light. We¡¯d need to secure funding to pay the Ebon Company, yes, but for the plans I was considering to get them away from him, leverage would be at least as important. ¡°People with lots of money will want to keep careful track of it. I know he¡¯s hired the Ebon Company as general-purpose guards, but does that cover everything he¡¯s had them doing for him? He might have them working as leg-breakers at least, maybe he¡¯s hired a few for other things. Off the books. That¡¯s why I want to get my hands on his records.¡±


    ¡°Leg-breakers¡­¡± Uvaia shuddered, feathers rustling. ¡°But if they¡¯re off the books, wouldn¡¯t they not be written down in his records?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s ways around that, too." I looked at her for a second, noting her discomfort. ¡°I take it you¡¯re not as experienced with organized violence?¡±


    ¡°I, no, I don¡¯t think so.¡± She winced and shook her pale-haired head. ¡°I¡¯ve hunted before, and stolen when I had to, but I¡¯ve never been part of an army or anything like that.¡±


    I hesitated. That wasn¡¯t exactly what I¡¯d meant, but¡­ ¡°You¡¯ve done well enough fighting with us so far. If you did end up being drawn into one, what would you think about that?¡± I¡¯d never intended to make her part of one, but she¡¯d come this far with us. I might as well ask.


    Uvaia was quiet for a moment before letting out a breath. ¡°It¡¯s not what I planned on doing with my life, but if that¡¯s what you¡¯re going to do, then I¡¯ll stay with you, Anthy.¡± She smiled softly at me, moonlight glinting in her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯d really make much of a soldier. But clan armies do have camp followers and things, right?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s plenty more to you than prostituting yourself, Uvaia.¡± I chuckled and reached out a hand, stroking her feathery wing. I still wasn¡¯t sure if it would be best to take her along, but hearing she was willing did take a load off me.


    She shivered as I touched the sleek feathers, leaning into my hand. ¡°You say that, but I¡¯d be way more up for having sex than trying to dodge past guards and grab the governor''s money,¡± Uvaia said, a laugh in her voice as well.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the guards, Uvaia. With the proper distraction, we can keep them off our backs.¡± I pulled my hand back, a little reluctantly. ¡°I¡¯ll come find you tomorrow night once we¡¯re ready. Speaking of, ready to head back to the inn?¡±


    ¡°Um, well¡­¡± Her cheeks darkened. ¡°It¡¯s a little embarrassing, but I was actually going to sleep back at camp. I¡¯ve gotten used to roosting in a tree again, the last few days,¡± she mumbled, lowering her eyes.


    ¡°Whichever you prefer,¡± I told her, smiling but managing not to laugh. ¡°I might touch base with you there, then. I¡¯ve still got some more to do in the city.¡± The shops should be closing around this time, so it was time to follow up on another lead.


    ¡°Oh, all right!¡± She nodded and fluttered her wings, but spoke up as I turned to leave. ¡°But, you know, I don¡¯t need a tree either! Just in case you would prefer a tent, or bed¡­¡± And she dashed off before I could respond.


    Blinking, I stared at where she¡¯d been for a second before smiling to myself, heading away.


    When waging a war, a basic but crucial consideration was one¡¯s allies and enemies, and the nature of each. Aconite was set firmly in the enemy category, but even with the Obsidian clan all but destroyed, she wasn¡¯t the only power in southern Hesperia. Archon Camas wouldn¡¯t get involved unless threatened personally, and I was sure I couldn¡¯t convince him Aconite posed a threat to his rule. But there was still one local clan leader on Aconite¡¯s level, the hamadryad Zamioculas.


    Walking quickly as I could, I reached the shop that was my destination just as the last patron walked out. Fertile Flowers¡¯ proprietor was still inside, lit by candles carefully held in glass away from the wood furnishings. She was a beautiful dryad, with skin the dark brown of tree bark but smoother than any tree, and white hair that put me in mind of wool or apple blossoms, wearing a pale green gown.


    She looked up at me as I stepped inside, a variety of clay pots holding flowers, bushes, and even a small tree around the shop. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, we¡¯re closed for today, miss.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re Kalmia Angustifolia?¡± I asked, still trying to catch my breath. The arch of her pale eyebrows I took as a yes. ¡°I need to talk to you.¡±


    ¡°Just Kalmia will do,¡± the dryad lady said, mouth tightening. ¡°I take it you¡¯re not here looking to start a garden.¡±


    ¡°I want to talk to you about Guardian Zamioculas.¡±


    Kalmia went very still and stared at me, but my ears pricked up at the faint rustling from the plants around me, and I could swear I saw potted plants¡¯ branches lengthening, reaching towards me. ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so. You should leave my shop, miss,¡± she said, voice low and even.


    She was the one I wanted, then. Dryads and several other demons had strong bonds with plants, but only hamadryads could grow and control them with a thought. She could kill me if she had a mind to, but she was strong enough to make it to Zamioculas even if Aconite tried to stop her. There were others tied to her I¡¯d heard tell of in the city, but none as connected as the once-known Guardian¡¯s Gardener. ¡°I¡¯m not here to confront you, or threaten you,¡± I said, holding up a hand. ¡°All I want is to tell you that she and her grove, your grove, are in grave danger.¡±


    ¡°She and her grove are no concern of mine anymore,¡± Kalmia said, crimson eyes flashing. ¡°I¡¯ve washed my hands of that warmonger and everything she¡¯s grown. We are not on speaking terms. Please leave.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. I can accept that,¡± I said carefully, having no intention of accepting that. ¡°But are all the plants that grow in those lands her concern alone?¡± Lines creased her forehead, and I thought her glare might have softened incrementally. ¡°Are there no demons who you knew that don¡¯t still live there now? I¡¯m sure they¡¯d remember you fondly, Lady Kalmia¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t try to manipulate me, little one,¡± the Gardener said, eyes hard once more. ¡°I won¡¯t have you coming in here and speaking of things that are no business of yours. I would have known you if you lived among us before Hellebore¡¯s fall, but you¡¯re a stranger to me. I don¡¯t believe you¡¯ve lived in either my or her woods.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true. I haven¡¯t.¡± Before King Hellebore¡¯s death, the demon called Anthurium hadn¡¯t even existed. ¡°All I am is a victim of the demon who threatens them now,¡± I said, lowering my head to her. ¡°A woman with no regard for life, demon or otherwise.¡±


    She stared at me briefly in silence, but I did think that had caught her attention. ¡°Who is this demon you¡¯re talking about?¡± Kalmia asked me, crossing her arms.


    ¡°Well, Aconite.¡± It seemed news hadn¡¯t reached the city yet. ¡°Huntmistress Aconite destroyed my clan a week ago. We tried to surrender, but she took no prisoners. She set our camp on fire with no regard for the destruction it would do, and hunted us down while the flames spread through the woods.¡±


    ¡°That little wolf¡¯s gone rabid,¡± Kalmia muttered, eyes narrowing. ¡°And who exactly are you, child? Who are you that escaped her, then.¡±


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Calling me a child rankled, but I supposed for one of the oldest of dryads most demons might seem as such. ¡°My name¡¯s Anthurium.¡±


    Kalmia blinked. Then she started to laugh. ¡°She killed your clan, you say? Oh, now I see the shape of this. Yes, I¡¯ve heard your name, and I wonder how many clans you¡¯ve seen die, Anthurium Faustomir?¡±


    I felt my throat close up. ¡°No one calls me that anymore,¡± I managed to say, heart pounding in my chest. She shouldn¡¯t even know to call me that, what had she heard about me?


    ¡°Oh, do they not? I spent some time with dear Bryonia before I settled down here. The stories she had to tell of you.¡± She smiled at me in an utterly mirthless way. ¡°I wonder, dear, if you know I left Zamioculas because she joined this war. Why would you think I¡¯d help someone who¡¯s worked for years on end to prolong it?¡±


    I felt some bit of self control snap. ¡°You don¡¯t know a damn thing about me,¡± I spat at her. Fuck the script, fuck my arguments, she was wrong, wrong, wrong. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to end this war. This whole time I¡¯ve wanted to find someone that can win, and put a stop to all this bullshit. And if Bryonia told you otherwise, then she didn¡¯t know a thing about me either.¡±


    ¡°Really? Well, there is the temper that she told me of,¡± Kalmia said, smile widening. ¡°And have you found someone? Someone you think can end it. Restore the land to one we don¡¯t endlessly water with these massacres.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I have.¡± Gia could do it, I¡¯d make sure she would. I¡¯d learned a lot from all my failures. I¡¯d build our strength from the ground up, I wouldn¡¯t make the same mistakes I had before.


    The hamadryad laughed, but it was softer, not so mocking, this time.¡°I think those might be the only true things you¡¯ve told me since you came in here,¡± she mused, watching me. ¡°No sweet words to sway me. The truth from your mouth.¡± She leaned over the counter towards me. ¡°And since we¡¯re telling the truth now, what is it you came here for, from me?¡±


    I hissed out a heavy, ragged breath. Fine. I supposed honesty could have its day. ¡°I wanted you to bring a message to Zamioculas. I¡¯m going to destroy Aconite, and I want her help drawing Aconite¡¯s forces away. Small strikes over their border, incursions enough to draw her attention. I¡¯ll take care of the rest.¡±


    ¡°And in return?¡± Kalmia said, eyeing me.


    ¡°In return I¡¯ll deal with our mutual enemies.¡± I wouldn¡¯t say it out loud, but she should know that Archon Camas was one just as well. ¡°And if we have an understanding now, we won¡¯t need to go head to head later.¡±


    She watched me for a moment longer before nodding slowly. ¡°Very well. I won¡¯t relish seeing Zami again after most of a decade, but I¡¯ll have someone to watch my shop and deliver your message. Bryonia did speak very highly of your potential.¡± She stepped out from behind the counter, giving a tender look over her potted plants before she glanced back at me. ¡°But while we¡¯re talking reunions, you really should speak with her again, child. You and her may have more in common than you think.¡±


    - - -


    Later that night, back at our camp things were more under control than I¡¯d expected. The supplies looked untouched, no one had been killed by a lurking elf priestess, and the only enemies our demons had contended with seemed to be boredom. Which could be a killer if you were bloodthirsty enough, but a day of it had been no problem, it seemed.


    ¡°Hey.¡± I looked up as Gia spoke. She was twirling her hair around a finger, watching me with a nervous smile. ¡°Can we talk?¡±


    I tried not to jump to conclusions on what that could mean. ¡°Go ahead. I thought you¡¯d be at the inn?¡±


    ¡°I was looking for you.¡± She looked off to one side meaningfully, and after making sure she didn¡¯t mean we were being watched, I took her cue and we walked a short way from the camp.


    ¡°So, I was wondering,¡± Gia said, turning to face me. ¡°I know you wanted to like, buy weapons, and hire people to fight with us, but¡­ this city seems pretty nice, to me. And a lot safer than the town we were in before.¡± Her expression clouded. ¡°Either of them, really. It¡¯s too big to be attacked by bandits or robbed by, um, us.¡±


    ¡°You know why we had to do that,¡± I told her, holding in a sigh. ¡°You even compensated the villagers, it¡¯s not like we left them destitute.¡±


    ¡°I know, I know.¡± She winced. ¡°But you told me I shouldn¡¯t have, with how dangerous Hesperia is. And now I¡¯ve been worrying I might be getting us all killed¡­ But that¡¯s the thing!¡± she said, more forcefully, eyes brightening. ¡°If we stay here, it wouldn¡¯t have to be so dangerous! We could be safe!¡±


    ¡°Stay?¡± That threw me for a loop, and I felt the unpleasant, unsteady feeling of realizing I¡¯d miscalculated badly. That she was asking about this at all was not a good sign.


    ¡°It¡¯s just, ever since I got here, it¡¯s been one horrible thing to another,¡± Gia said, wincing again and tugging some strands of her hair. ¡°First Crassula almost killed me, then I hurt you so bad I thought I might have killed you, then the town got attacked and the bandits almost killed you, and I¨C¡± She gritted her teeth. ¡°And then seeing people¡¯s faces when we were taking their food¡­ and Vaeri even tried to kill me too, though that was more annoying than scary,¡± Gia muttered.


    She took a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯m ¨C I¡¯m tired, Ann. I don¡¯t want to have to kill more people, or worry about people I care about dying. Why can¡¯t we just stay in the city? We could find work to do here, maybe even, you know, buy an apartment together¡­¡± She blushed a little, touching her fingertips.


    ¡°You know we can¡¯t do that.¡± My words came out sharp, and Gia flinched, color drained from her face like she was bleeding out.


    And the frustrating part was that she didn¡¯t know, did she? She didn¡¯t know what we had to do, because I¡¯d kept it from her. But no; if she was trying to pull out after just a few skirmishes, that just showed I was right. She wasn¡¯t ready for the truth. And she wasn¡¯t ready to become a demon queen. ¡°What about Vaeri¡¯s friend? Are you going back on wanting to help him, then?¡±


    Gia swallowed. ¡°I¡­ no. No, of course we still need to help him, and her. I¡¯m just,¡± she sighed, ¡°Not ready for that yet. If we¡¯re going to go off and, I assume fight again?¡± She looked at me, I nodded, and her face fell. ¡°Can¡¯t we just¡­ take a rest here first? Just for a few days. Maybe a week?¡±


    I didn¡¯t answer for a moment, considering it. A broadly safe location to recuperate could have benefits for us. I still couldn¡¯t fight properly with my right hand, but with a few days to practice, and test what use my dominant hand was now, I wouldn¡¯t be completely helpless in combat. That could be worth it.


    Even so, it would mean leaving Vaeri¡¯s friend to his current fate. Gia didn¡¯t know what that would mean. But I did.


    ¡°Ann,¡± Gia said softly. ¡°There¡¯s a doctor here. I talked to her. And she said she¡¯d let me be her apprentice, if I wanted.¡± There was a neediness in her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t know enough about bodies to fix what I did to you. But if we stay here, I can learn. I¡¯m going to learn. Even if we¡¯ll have to leave, if we stay long enough for me to learn, I can get your body back how you want it to be.¡± Her smile looked very pained.


    That¡­ that would be big. If I could have my body restored to how it was, it would be the end of a great deal of danger and stress to me. I wouldn¡¯t have to worry about hiding my injured arm, being betrayed by demons who learned I was near-helpless. I wouldn¡¯t be any great warrior even properly healed, but I could defend myself. I wouldn¡¯t need to live knowing I¡¯d have no hope on my own if I was attacked. And letting Gia learn more control of her fleshwarping would be useful too, of course.


    ¡°All right,¡± I told her, and my lips twitched at the surprise and joy in her eyes. ¡°We can stay. Not forever, but until you learn how to heal me.¡± Or at the very least until I found some other way to defend myself. Aconite wouldn¡¯t wait forever.


    ¡°Ah, Ann!¡± Gia¡¯s blue eyes were sparkling in the moonlight. ¡°Thank you. I will, I promise, you won¡¯t regret it.¡±


    ¡°I believe you.¡± I paused, remembering something she¡¯d said. ¡°And if you¡¯re afraid of Crassula, and the other demons we have with us; don¡¯t be. I don¡¯t plan on bringing them when we go.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Gia started, mouth falling open in shock. ¡°What- we¡¯re just going to leave them here? Why?¡±


    There were several reasons, really. Some more practical than others. ¡°I¡¯m going to contract the services of the Ebon Company, a more professional fighting force. An army should be unified under a single command structure. And while they could integrate our handful of ragtag demons into their ranks, ours aren¡¯t trained to fight in the same way. Drilling them would be a waste of time.¡± Though if we would be here longer than I¡¯d planned, now¡­ well, I could consider it.


    Gia nodded slowly, forehead lined. ¡°I guess that makes sense. And it¡¯s not like we¡¯re just abandoning them in the woods. But what about Sedum and Uvaia?¡± She paused, a hesitant smile touching her lips. ¡°And, well. I know Crassula isn¡¯t a great person, but she has helped us a lot. She¡¯s kind of grown on me. I think she likes me more than Uvaia does, anyway,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°The problem there is that they¡¯ve seen enough to be a threat to us. They saw you cry, they¡¯ve seen how you don¡¯t want to kill. They know you¡¯re not a normal demon.¡± Frankly, the smart thing would be to have them killed so they couldn¡¯t tell anyone of Gia¡¯s weakness. But I couldn¡¯t do that. Not to Uvaia, especially. ¡°And they¡¯ll be safe here,¡± I added, more gently now. There was still a small, sentimental part of me that had clung onto that. I didn¡¯t much care about Crassula¡¯s safety, but I didn¡¯t want more friends to get killed.


    It was at odds with the pragmatic part of my brain, but that was part of why I¡¯d wanted to leave the Obsidian remnants here, too. I¡¯d already gotten too many of the others killed. I could at least let these ones avoid that fate.


    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Gia murmured, dropping her gaze. She let out a short laugh. ¡°It¡¯s selfish of me to want them to come with us, isn¡¯t it. Even knowing they will be safer if they stay.¡±


    ¡°I mean, they could be useful if they did come with us.¡± Sedum and Crassula were decent fighters, and Uvaia had her own, ahem, skills. ¡°But Aconite doesn¡¯t screw around.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, I get it.¡± Gia sighed, and raised her gaze to mine with a wistful smile. ¡°I¡¯ll just miss them. It¡¯s been nice, having them as friends.¡±


    I opened my mouth, and words stuck in my throat for a moment. Gia really did want them to come with us, I could tell. If I left them here, I¡¯d be the only one she could rely on- but if I didn¡¯t, then it would make Gia happy. ¡°It¡¯s not a guarantee of safety,¡± I said slowly, as a new idea coalesced. ¡°But we could bring them along, and I¡¯ll make sure they¡¯re kept out of the direct fighting.¡±


    ¡°Can you do that?¡± Gia asked. Surprise was written across her face, before it melted into gladness. ¡°That would be great, if you could.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± I told her, nodding. ¡°We won¡¯t need them to fight, anyway. No practical reason to bring some strangers we met in a tavern to fight a warlord.¡±


    A soft giggle parted Gia¡¯s lips. ¡°I guess you haven¡¯t read many of those stories.¡± She looked at me for a second, freckled cheeks dimpling, lips parting more.


    Then a rustling came from the bushes near us, and we both jumped. A rabbit darted out of the bush and skittered off through the trees, and Gia pressed a hand to her chest, exhaling. ¡°Uh, well! Good night!¡± she said, a bit too perkily, and turned and hastened away back to the tents.


    I was debating whether to follow her, before I heard a cough from behind me and stiffened. Somehow I knew who it was even before I turned around. ¡°Hello, Vaeri.¡±


    How much had she heard? I ran back over what we both had said. Plenty I wouldn¡¯t want her to know, but nothing truly incriminating, I didn¡¯t think.


    ¡°Straight to Aconite. No detours.¡± The elf woman¡¯s voice was hard and clipped as she stepped out of the bushes. Her eyes held a cold, suppressed anger. ¡°Those were your words, were they not? I wonder, did you ever intend to honor our agreement, or did it merely take you less than a day to go back on it?¡±


    I didn¡¯t speak for a moment. Face to face with her, it was suddenly much harder to justify this. ¡°We¡¯ll get your friend back, Vaeri,¡± was the best I could do.


    Her eyes flashed. ¡°Will we? In what form? Though I suppose that¡¯s of no concern to a demon like you, is it.¡± I grit my teeth, and Vaeri huffed. ¡°I don¡¯t expect you care about Erik or myself, really. I doubt you¡¯d have suggested it if your Lady Hydrangea hadn¡¯t first.¡±


    ¡°Whatever you may think of me, I don¡¯t intend to leave him to Aconite now that I know about it.¡± Ruthlessness with a purpose was one thing, cruelty for self-satisfaction was quite another.


    ¡°You seem perfectly willing to leave him while you stay in this place.¡± Vaeri crossed her arms. ¡°But even if you are content to drag your heels, I certainly will not. I will give you one more day to get your affairs in order before I set out for Aconite. Whether or not you are accompanying me.¡±


    I felt a flash of anger and frustration. Stupid, stubborn, bullheaded¡­ ¡°Trying to get him alone would be suicide. I don¡¯t care how strong you are, you can¡¯t take on an army.¡±


    ¡°Then you had best be ready and come with me, shouldn¡¯t you?¡± She smirked.


    ¡°You think I care about what happens to you?¡±


    ¡°No. I think you care about yourself.¡± Vaeri held my gaze. ¡°You were very quick to bargain for my assistance for your own purposes. If you don¡¯t wish to lose it, then talk sense into that girl, and be ready.¡±


    Damn it. She wasn¡¯t wrong, having a mortal priestess on our side would be a major force multiplier, and a significant aid in taking down a vampire lord. I hated to admit it, that she¡¯d backed me into a corner with it. But keeping Vaeri would be a bigger factor in our victory than restoring my body. Or making Gia happy. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to lose to Aconite, then you need to give me enough time to gather arms and manpower here.¡±


    ¡°If you need more than a day for that, give me a time and I can allow it.¡± She narrowed her eyes. ¡°But if I think you are dragging your heels, then I will leave.¡±


    I breathed out through my teeth. ¡°A day should suffice,¡± I muttered, rubbing my forehead. ¡°I have plans for how to get what we need. I¡¯ll need to work fast to execute them tomorrow, but I can do it.¡± Which meant the only problem, the only non-selfish problem, was Gia.


    ¡°You must know Hydrangea won¡¯t be happy about this,¡± I told Vaeri, looking back at her. ¡°But that¡¯s of no concern to an elf like you, is it?¡±


    To my mild surprise, she winced. ¡°I¡¯m not unsympathetic to her situation,¡± Vaeri murmured, looking off where Gia had walked. ¡°If a life wasn¡¯t at stake, I would be more than willing to let her rest and recover from her trials. But the world won¡¯t wait for her, and neither will waiting here make her more prepared to face death and danger. All there is is to steel herself for it.¡±


    If Vaeri cared about Gia, I could use that to keep her tied to us even if she¡¯d rather leave. But feeling attached to her so soon was strange. ¡°You¡¯re speaking with a lot of authority on her for someone who met her yesterday.¡±


    She gave me a sharp, startled look. ¡°Perhaps she reminds me of someone. Who can say.¡± The elf woman turned away, before looking back at me, eyes hard. ¡°If she is not prepared to leave, then do what you must to convince her. And if you need further incentive¡­¡±


    She reached out a hand towards my shoulder, and I let out a sharp, startled scream as I felt burning pain lance through my flesh, feeling like my arm was melting. When she removed her hand, I saw no visible injury, but the hot ache under my skin made my eyes prickle with tears.


    ¡°I healed you in good faith. Now that is gone. I will restore your injury when you have done as I asked, and we leave,¡± Vaeri told me with a cold, hard stare.

 13. Follow-through

    As it turned out, a stealthy night entry or a tunnel underground hadn¡¯t been needed to enter the governor¡¯s mansion at all. Illusions, transformations, and nonmagical disguise were all skills beyond me, but with the right uniform and some lies, people believed you¡¯d belong.


    Or, in this case, the right armor. The guards at his gate had stood up much straighter when Uvaia and I approached in the emblazoned garb of the Ebon Company, and a few words from me with a nod to our ¡°cargo¡± let them step aside and let us in with no questions. I¡¯d had doubts how quickly Macodes could supply us armor and uniforms, but my new asura ally had let me leave with several sets, and plenty of time left in the night.


    ¡°Wow, you were right. It really worked,¡± Uvaia told me quietly, her talons clacking on the stone floor as we entered the manor proper. Her talons stuck out awkwardly beneath her plates of mismatched steel, but the gate guards hadn¡¯t questioned her disguise. Honestly, I was glad we¡¯d found armor that could fit around her wings at all.


    ¡°Of course it did. I¡¯m always right.¡± I looked at the two demons we had between us, draped in rope tied in knots that looked impressive but would, in a pinch, do nothing to actually restrain them.


    Seeing as these two were Sedum and Crassula, that was just what we were going for. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t go that far, but looks like you were right about the poor sods in here, too,¡± Sedum spoke, looking around with a dark expression at the manor inhabitants. ¡°Tolmbudh below. How many of ¡®em are there?¡±


    There were more guards posted in the hall, and a few housekeepers still around despite the late hour. But whether they were wearing cheap leather armor or untailored servant¡¯s clothes, there was one common trend around each of their necks. Slave collars. A weighty metal mark of ownership.


    ¡°Hundreds, probably. Depends how many he had killed rather than just kidnapped.¡± I¡¯d thought the governor didn¡¯t have the Ebon Company guard his home because he didn¡¯t trust them, or was planning to relocate them elsewhere, but the real answer turned out to be much dumber and more banal. According to Macodes, her boss thought guarding the manor as well as the city would warrant a second contract with Governor Kimmei, given the size and scale of his home. That meant new monthly payments, and that meant more expenses than Kimmei was willing to pay.


    So instead, he¡¯d bribed individual Company members eager for money on the side. They¡¯d drag in demons from the slums and clap them in collars. Known thieves and criminals, in theory, to make a show of cleaning up the city and making it safer for the rest. Not simpler, but cheaper, especially over the long run. Evidently it had been working for him so far. But that wouldn¡¯t last much longer.


    ¡°Can¡¯t be all of them are slaves,¡± Crassula spoke up, thankfully not needing a reminder to whisper. ¡°No one to keep them in line? Whole place would collapse quick.¡±


    Which was true. The guards outside and those with the governor earlier hadn¡¯t been wearing collars, but it could be they¡¯d just been removed for public appearance¡¯s sake. Or they were loyal enough to not require it.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s why we¡¯re here, isn¡¯t it?¡± Sedum asked, voice a growl. ¡°C¡¯mon.¡±


    I nodded, beckoning them but putting a finger to my lips when I was sure no one was looking our way. ¡°We¡¯re looking for a particular demon who does just that. No more talking from you two until I give the word.¡±


    They followed me down the opulent hallway, conversation on pause between all of us. I¡¯d initially thought Sedum might give me more pushback on this plan, but when I¡¯d mentioned the governor¡¯s slaves we¡¯d be helping he¡¯d agreed without a second thought. Needing to play a slave hadn¡¯t been as easy a sell, but we¡¯d agreed it wouldn¡¯t require anything too degrading for him.


    I located one of the slaves apart from the others, a vanara judging by the monkey features and tail but the lack of fur all over. He looked especially tired, slowly wiping off a bronze statue of a muscular fishlike form as I approached.


    ¡°Got a couple fresh ones to deliver,¡± I said, nodding to Sedum and Crassula. ¡°Where¡¯s the Pain-Eater?¡±


    The cleaner stiffened up as I asked that, fatigue wiped away as fear flashed in his eyes. ¡°He¡¯s in his room, ma¡¯am,¡± he said, with the air of an unsaid ¡®and thank the gods for that¡¯.


    Not as informative as I¡¯d have hoped. ¡°Escort us to him. I want to make sure everything¡¯s running smoothly.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± He jolted, gaze darting around in search of escape before he stopped, rubbing fingers on his collar with a wince. ¡°You can¡¯t ¨C ma¡¯am, I really don¡¯t think I¡¯ve done anything to deserve that¡­¡±


    Well, tough luck for him, as we needed to find the slave-trainer if this was going to work. I opened my mouth to insist on the point, before Uvaia brushed my arm with a wing. She looked at me in mute appeal, glancing towards the vanara.


    I nodded to her after a slight hesitation, and Uvaia stepped forward. ¡°We¡¯re not going to do anything bad to you. My partner and I are new recruits, so it¡¯s our first time doing this.¡± She spoke softly, meeting his eyes with an earnest look even as she veered far closer to the truth than I¡¯d wanted to admit aloud to anyone. ¡°We just need directions to his room, and we¡¯ll be out of your hair?¡±


    I was expecting it to all go wrong ¨C surely that would be too suspicious, new recruits here at such a late hour, and showing respect to the slaves to boot?


    But the vanara just relaxed, sighing out as tension slid off his shoulders. ¡°Better you than me, I¡¯ll tell you that,¡± he told Uvaia, bowing his head. ¡°The Pain-Eater¡¯s down in the cellar, he has a room past the wine barrels.¡± He looked at Sedum and Uvaia, hesitating like he might say something more, but settled on just a grim nod.


    ¡°You might want to come along after all,¡± Sedum spoke up unexpectedly, and I swallowed a curse, glaring at him. Damn it, people, stop going off-script! ¡°See something satisfying, that way.¡±


    The vanara jumped as the tied-up orc spoke, giving Sedum a bewildered look but one that slowly melted into curiosity. ¡°I¡¯m going to stay far away,¡± he pointed out, but followed as we moved on, still holding uncertainly to his towel.


    No one else stopped us as we went downstairs, but over the musty smell of dust and barrels, venturing into the basement brought with it the smell of blood. Nearing a stone slab of a door, I could see a puddle of it leaking underneath. I took a breath and pushed the door open.


    The scent of butchery that hit me was almost a physical wall in itself, but I pushed past it. There was one living demon in the room. The other bodies were clearly that. Living people had more organs. And limbs.


    A pale, dark-haired incubus lounged in a chair amid a series of spiked metal and wood devices, bodies stretched over them in a grisly tableau. Under other circumstances he might have been called handsome, with a well-toned physique he showed off by a lack of clothing save a loincloth. I didn¡¯t know if it had been red originally, but it did match well with his wings, horns, and eyes.


    His long nails were coated with blood and flecked with bits of gore, and as his crimson eyes flicked my way he licked a piece of flesh off one claw. ¡°What¡¯s this? More toys needing to be taught to behave?¡± he asked in a smooth voice. For a second I thought we¡¯d need to fight earlier than intended, before I realized he was looking past me, not at me. ¡°Come, come, bring them in.¡±


    I looked at the others. Both Sedum and Crassula were visibly wary now, and I saw Crassula herself look at me in a distrustful way, but as I gestured they came forward into the room.


    ¡°New slaves to be broken in, yes.¡± I turned so the sheathed sword I had was on the side facing Sedum. Then I frowned, realizing someone was still outside. ¡°Uvaia,¡± I muttered, giving her a sharp look.


    Uvaia made a soft whining noise, but stepped inside with me. The haft of the heavy axe strapped to her back was visible beneath her wings.


    ¡°Good, good, I was hoping to have more delivered. As you can see, these ones here,¡± the incubus waved a hand idly at the maimed corpses, ¡°Broke.¡± He smirked at me, lowering his voice. ¡°Have you checked in with the majordomo yet? If she hasn¡¯t heard there¡¯s two of them, well, I could reward you if you didn¡¯t let that detail slip.¡± His voice came out a purr.


    I felt a haze trying to overtake my mind and a flush of heat in my face and lower throughout my body, but I forced back the sensations, focusing on my purpose here. ¡°No, thank you. But I could do you a different favor. Clear some space for the new ones?¡± I gestured to the still-filled torture racks.


    He looked towards where I was gesturing, and I snapped my fingers.


    Several things happened fast. Uvaia yanked with both wings on the ropes binding Sedum and Crassula, and the quick-release knots came undone, bindings falling to the ground. Crassula grabbed her axe and I was ready for Sedum to draw the sword, but he lunged forward instead as the incubus was turning back. A gnarled fist smashed into the Pain-Eater¡¯s face and his head snapped back with a startled hiss.


    Then Sedum reached back and drew the sword, as Crassula pushed forward around me, swinging her axe at the incubus.


    He jumped back from the blow with a beat of his wings, but the room was tight quarters and he couldn¡¯t keep that up for long. He darted back at her with enough speed that he blurred, but she caught his claws¡¯ blow on her large axe blade with a screeching sound of nails on metal. His tail lashed out like a whip towards Crassula¡¯s neck but she caught it in one hand, grinning as it whipped around, trapped. His eyes glowed red and Crassula abruptly seized up with a rasping scream, echoing off the walls as he flooded her senses with pain.


    Sedum struck out at his chest with the stolen sword, and the incubus whirled aside, fluttering, but his tail was still held tight and the blade carved into his upper arm. The incubus let out a startled shout at that, which turned into a high, shrill laugh before Crassula hit his neck with a blow that took off his head.


    She gasped, strained and panting, as the incubus head bounced on the ground. The amber gem on Sedum¡¯s sword glowed bright white briefly and there was a rushing sound as a shimmering haze flowed between the demon¡¯s body and the knight¡¯s blade.


    Then it was over, the sounds of dripping blood and catching breaths the only noise in the room. I¡¯d have to look into that later, but for now we had more to do.


    ¡°He¡¯s done,¡± Sedum called back into the hall, after staring down briefly at the sword. Crassula was twitching slightly as she stood there with sharp breaths and wide eyes, and Uvaia reached out a wing for her hesitantly but the goblin jumped at the touch and they both drew back. ¡°But uh, y¡¯ might not actually want to see¡­¡±


    Too late, as the monkey-faced vanara was already peering into the room. His eyes bulged and he gagged at the gory surroundings, but his jaw dropped as he took in the beheaded torturer. ¡°He¡¯s dead? He¡¯s really dead?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. We¡¯re busting you out of here.¡± Sedum¡¯s voice was firm.


    ¡°What is going on?!¡± The vanara¡¯s voice rose to a disbelieving shriek. He looked at me wildly. ¡°And you¡¯re, you¨C but the governor always said the mercenaries would kill us if we tried to escape!¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s been a change of plans.¡± I supposed having him here could save some time after all. ¡°Go with the orc and goblin, stay quiet but point out anyone you trust to help escape. You two,¡± I added to Sedum and Crassula. ¡°Kill the gate guards first, then this majordomo, and anyone without a collar. Except the governor,¡± I warned them.


    ¡°You don¡¯t plan to let the bastard get away?¡± Sedum growled. Behind him, Crassula was angrily shoveling the headless incubus into her mouth.


    ¡°He won¡¯t, I¡¯ve got plans for him. But we don¡¯t know how powerful he is, so it¡¯s not the time to risk a fight. Salix, Perpetua and Eupatorium will be along to help soon, but stick to the plan. Unless you want Uvaia and Lady Hydrangea to hear you got killed.¡± Adding the last for Crassula¡¯s benefit, I beckoned my harpy. ¡°Uvaia, you¡¯re with me.¡±


    ¡°R-right.¡± She nodded quickly, coming to my side as I hastened out of the torture room. ¡°Time to steal and find information?¡± Uvaia asked me quietly.


    ¡°Among other things.¡± Looking like Ebon Company should let us search without much trouble, but there was another part to the plan I hadn¡¯t mentioned to everyone. Before the city awoke, we¡¯d be making more trips in and out with ¡®slaves¡¯ to deliver.


    I couldn¡¯t depend on this being enough on its own; the governor enslaving citizens might provoke some outrage, but he¡¯d targeted criminals and less fortunates for a reason. If more people had cared, the disappearances would have damned him already. That¡¯s why I had the three others making up for that now. I¡¯d picked them not just for strength and fierceness, but a shared moral unburdenedness.


    - - -


    By the time morning had come, a mob had already formed. I didn¡¯t know when exactly, as I¡¯d only fallen asleep close to dawn, but I¡¯d asked Uvaia to wake me when a commotion started outside, so unless she¡¯d fallen asleep while keeping watch I assumed I hadn¡¯t missed much. Stumbling through the bleariness, I told her to get some sleep herself, and let my tired harpy in to flop on my bed.


    I left the Ebon Company armor locked up inside. This would not be a good time to be seen wearing it.


    Gia was standing by the inn¡¯s windows with Lycoris, staring outside as I came downstairs from my room. ¡°Ann- Anthurium, what¡¯s happening out there?¡± she asked me, worrying her lip.


    ¡°Can¡¯t say for sure, but it could be dangerous. Stay here.¡± That was bullshit on a couple of levels, but Gia still seemed to hold some sway in my opinion, looking anxiously between me and her recent arachne friend.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep you safe, Lady Hydrangea.¡± The half-spider girl smiled at her, though not without casting a nervous look herself out at the demons in the streets. ¡°Let¡¯s just have some tea and wait for this to be over.¡±


    Sound advice, really, but I had to stay in the middle of it, to make sure all proceeded as planned. I waited for them to leave and then knocked on Byzantina¡¯s door. ¡°Come on, it¡¯s time,¡± I called in to the jackalope.


    The long-eared hare demon gave me a baleful look as she opened the door, but she did follow. She hadn¡¯t been happy with Gia¡¯s and my leadership, but I¡¯d told her I¡¯d release her and Boquila from their oath of fealty if she helped this last time. If all went to plan, we shouldn¡¯t need them anymore.


    The multicolored, many-limbed mob of demons was making a lot of noise, shouting threats or incoherent sounds of anger, but they weren¡¯t moving especially fast, so we could catch up before they reached the governor¡¯s manor. I could make out shouts of ¡°Kimmei is scum!¡± and ¡°Kick the bastard out!¡± among similar, more colorful phrases, so things did seem to be on track so far.


    There were no guards anymore at the manor¡¯s gates, just a puddle of dried blood underfoot on the stonework, so the mob smashed through the gate and assembled on his lawn, shaking claws or paws and shouting.


    ¡°Kimmei!¡± ¡°Get down here!¡± ¡°Come out and face us!¡± Roars went up from the angry crowd.


    Only silence answered from within the mansion windows. So after a few minutes of that, someone had the bright idea to break down the doors, and with smashing sounds of timber the mob poured into the mansion halls, yelling and trampling on his floors.


    This part, I¡¯d expected to be chancy. Demons can do dangerous things when cornered, anyone can, but a natural response to finding one¡¯s guard and staff vanished could simply be to flee. But I didn¡¯t think he would run. Hide, perhaps, but you don¡¯t rise to power without pride in your station, and he had a great deal of wealth and belongings here he couldn¡¯t bring on his own.


    Still, when the fish-faced demon swept out to look down at us from the top of a long staircase, I did breathe a sigh of relief. ¡°What is the meaning of this!¡± Governor Kimmei shouted, oily stateliness of the previous day forgotten. He looked disheveled, unbalanced, his silk clothes rumpled and creased.


    ¡°We know what you¡¯ve done, Kimmei! You¡¯ve been using those thugs of yours to kidnap and enslave your own people!¡± One voice rose above the rest, and a raccoon face and fluffy tail physically rose above the rest as he spoke. A tanuki, with a familiar ring to his words, one of those who¡¯d spoke out against the governor yesterday.


    ¡°Ridiculous!¡± The governor scoffed, though I could see him looking ill at ease. ¡°I would never do such a thing to fine, upstanding citizens like yourselves! Have you forgotten what I¡¯ve done to keep us all safe from Hesperia¡¯s dangers, both within and outside our walls?¡±


    There was some angry but less directed muttering from the crowd at that, so I tapped Byzantina on the shoulder, whispering into one long ear. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you?¡± She echoed my words, magnified with her sound projection Art. ¡°You¡¯ve been using the mercenaries to prop yourself up, and keep you in power!¡±


    A rumbling of angry agreement came at that. Everyone knew he had hired the Ebon Company, so no matter if the details were true, the first bit of truth was enough to hook them for the rest. ¡°Right! Of course you¡¯re the one who sent them to my house!¡± another demon shouted, bolstered in confidence.


    ¡°Who said that?¡± Kimmei demanded, looking around. ¡°Who would accuse me of this, after all I¡¯ve done for you?¡±


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    ¡°They broke into my house last night, too!¡± another shouted, a spider-like jorogumo whose voice I also remembered. ¡°They pulled me right out of bed and beat me unconscious, and I woke up tied up in your home! A spartolos and two others all in armor, said this was what I got for speaking out against you!¡±


    The Ebon Company really would have been better off if they hadn¡¯t become willing to recruit anyone who could fight. Though, of course, having Macodes on the inside willing to fast-track the process for us certainly helped.


    ¡°Ah, I remember that one! He burned me with his sword and wouldn¡¯t stop until I told him where to find my neighbors who were at the rally!¡± a new voice cried. ¡°They brought me to be enslaved, too¡­¡±


    ¡°Me, too! But I got right up and ran like Tombudh himself was after me. You must be losing your touch to let us escape, Kimmei!¡±


    ¡°This is absurd!¡± The governor was sweating more. ¡°I would never order such a thing! These, these mercenaries must have been acting on their own! No, one of my enemies paid them to do this!¡±


    I¡¯d been hoping some of the slaves we¡¯d freed might speak up here; point out he had ordered worse than that done to the demons he had taken for his household, those sent to the Pain-Eater for ¡®discipline¡¯. But after getting away, I guessed they hadn¡¯t wanted any more to do with him. Still¡­


    ¡°You did! I have your records right here! The payments you made for them to capture us!¡± Another voice spoke up, waving a ledger above the crowd. Ah, good, so that part had worked out. ¡°A harpy helping us escape showed me! Look!¡± More angry murmuring crescendoed as the papers were passed around.


    ¡°What?! I would never!¡± Kimmei looked aghast. Which was half-right; he wouldn¡¯t have written such transactions down, in plain words. Uvaia hadn¡¯t been wrong when she said so about his off-the-books work. But in a ledger clearly for the governor¡¯s finances, a few edits for clarity wouldn¡¯t go amiss, And a different hand could be excused by the many people staffing a mansion. ¡°This is a trick! Slander!¡±


    The angry shouts were growing louder. I looked around, pulling Byzantina with me to the side of the crowd. This would be a great time for a certain someone to show up, but no sign of her yet.


    ¡°Traitor to Hymetos!¡±


    ¡°Death to the governor!¡± Voices started to clamor above the rest, and the mob surged forward towards the large staircase and man atop it.


    ¡°No! Stay back!¡± the governor shouted, body suffused with a cyan light, and there was a rushing, rumbling sound. From behind and around him, water poured out of nowhere, waves crashing down the stairs and coursing around him like he was a stone pillar unmoved by the tides.


    The people were not so lucky. Waves of water crashed against the living wave of demons, and screams were drowned out by an aquatic roar. Demons were swept downwards as water spilled over the staircase and coalesced on the floor, and though most of those knocked down struggled quickly to their feet, a good number of bodies did not.


    ¡°This is my home, you ingrates! This is my city!¡± Governor Kimmei roared, eyes ablaze. ¡°I don¡¯t need the mercenaries! And I don¡¯t need you! Leave here at once, or I will drown anyone who does not!¡±


    There was another angry rumbling as hundreds of eyes looked up at him filled with anger, but that show of power had clearly sapped their confidence. The rear of the crowd was beginning to back out the door, now. I gritted my teeth, but beckoned Byzantina with me to follow.


    At best, they¡¯d just been delayed, but something might have gone wrong. I might have been able to make the mob attack Kimmei again, with some choice projected words in his own voice, but I didn¡¯t see the point. Even if they won it would be at great loss of life, and with no point other than simply killing him. The relationship between him and the Ebon Company would be weakened severely even if he lived.


    ¡°Clear the way!¡± a woman¡¯s gruff voice barked in a military shout, and I perked up. There we go.


    Macodes¡¯ large, striking figure cut through the crowd, parting around her and the column of armored mercenaries at her back. There were bruises, cuts and dark patches visible on her skin, but she was here, and alive, and no one was still bold enough to pick a fight with her.


    ¡°There you are! What in Suanil¡¯s name took you so long, I sent for your commander an hour ago! I had to disperse these rabble all by myself,¡± the governor ranted as she made her way up the stairs, those on their feet fleeing more quickly. ¡°Someone has been slandering my good name, lieutenant. I want a full investigation, anyone that might have been acting behind your backs¡­¡±


    ¡°Sure, sir. I¡¯ll take care of it for you. Nothing to worry about,¡± Macodes told him easily. Then she drew her lightning-bladed sword and drove it deep between his ribs.


    There was a loud, crackling bzzzrt and a sparking burst of light around them both, and the governor spasmed in unnatural jerks like a puppet thrown from its strings, eyes bulging out of his head. Lightning arced down the long pool of water on the stairs, and there were some high, short screams, before he slid off her blade and dropped to the ground, smoking.


    My own attention was on the demons at the foot of the stairs. From the sounds just now, a lot of them had still been alive after Kimmei¡¯s waves hit them. Had.


    ¡°Man, I wish Nyctocereus had gone down that easy,¡± Macodes said, walking down the stairs with a grin as she trod on the other demons she¡¯d fried. ¡°You left me with a bitch of a fight on my hands when he got the call from this old guy. Even surprising him myself, wasn¡¯t an easy fight.¡±


    I shook my head slightly, focusing on the newly ascendant Ebon Company leader. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you managed it. Were the soldiers I gave you helpful, I hope?¡± I hadn''t wanted those three anywhere the mob could see them, so I thought they might as well back her up with the last part of the plan.


    ¡°Against him? Guess they distracted him for me a little, but the beasts¡¯ll both probably die. Got them bad with his venom, spartolos was the only one it couldn¡¯t hurt,¡± Macodes said, voice casual. ¡°But hey! We won. Make sure to return that armor once they die, alright?¡±


    I swallowed. Byzantina was looking at me with horror and a rising anger on her face.


    But Macodes was right. This was a victory. We¡¯d looted the governor¡¯s stores of money, and I had freed the Ebon Company from their contract with him. A feared mercenary group was now at my beck and call, a force strong enough to take on Aconite, and to be a crucial element in future victories. I couldn''t let myself be bogged down in the details.


    That just left one more matter to take care of in the city. One of the most important.


    - - -


    ¡°This is really the way to see your friend?¡± Gia asked me as we walked, the city¡¯s noise fading as we passed into rundown streets.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s just a shortcut through here to her district¡­¡± I slowed my pace and stopped, making a show of looking around. The landmark I needed, a sign with Sasquatch Shoewear scrawled on it, jumped out from just a few paces away. But that was nothing I wanted to point out to Gia. ¡°Hmm. This place doesn¡¯t look like I remembered.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we can go back to the inn and ask Lycoris?¡± Gia asked, some nervousness on her face now. ¡°I mean, just if you don¡¯t remember the way, but it would be fine if you don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Leaving so soon?¡± a coarse voice came from behind us, laced with amusement. I saw Gia tense up, and turning around revealed a tall, broad-shouldered oni woman, dressed in ragged clothes and with a heavy spiked bat slung over one red-skinned shoulder. ¡°Nah, I don¡¯t think we can allow that. She looks like the one to me, boys.¡±


    Out of alleys and dark streets, two more demons emerged to flank us, wearing malevolent grins. One was a green-skinned bestial creature on all fours, with an unnaturally wide mouth full of fangs and an amphibian cast to its bearing. One could have mistaken it for some freakish animal if it weren¡¯t for the gleam of intelligence in its black eyes; this was a taotie, a gluttony demon that could and did devour anything. The other was bipedal like the oni woman, with an elephant¡¯s head atop a more rotund frame than hers, a brown potbelly poking out from his clothes. One of the Vin¨¡yakas, I was fairly sure, who apart from their own bodies¡¯ strength could possess other creatures. He¡¯d be essential to kill first, and quickly.


    ¡°Stay calm,¡± I muttered to Gia, who was paling now. I stepped in front of her and raised my voice, addressing the oni. ¡°What do you want with me? You don¡¯t look like Aconite¡¯s lackeys.¡±


    The oni laughed, a sound that set my teeth on edge. ¡°I wasn¡¯t talking about you, four-eyes. Pinkie back there¡¯s the one we want,¡± she said, lifting one hand and pointing at Gia.


    ¡°What? Why her?¡± I asked, and added out of the corner of my mouth to Gia, ¡°Get ready to run.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you need to know that. But you do look like you¡¯re gonna try and get in our way¡­¡± She looked past me, smirking. ¡°Groundsel, Colocasia. Either of you boys feel like a snack?¡±


    ¡°They both look tasty to me, Peri,¡± the taotie rasped in a slobbery voice. Gia shuddered, and I felt her grab and squeeze my hand.


    ¡°Eh, you always say that.¡± The oni waved a hand dismissively.


    ¡°But he might be onto something this time,¡± the vin¨¡yaka said, his own voice thick around his trunk. ¡°If that one¡¯s as strong as you said, why should we even take her back to the client? Can¡¯t be paying enough to pass up a chance like this.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡± The oni woman rubbed her chin, before a grin spread on her face, fangs gleaming among her teeth. ¡°You know, maybe you¡¯re right! To hell with making some rich shrew stronger. With the power boost I¡¯ll get from eating up Pinkie, who gives a damn whether she¡¯ll pay or not. Once I¡¯m done with her, people will quake in fear at the name Peristylus¡­¡±


    ¡°And just why should you get to have her?¡± the taotie growled, hackles raising as he slammed a clawed paw against the ground.


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t whine. You can have the other one, be happy with that,¡± Peristylus said, glaring at him, and two of three¡¯s attention off us was good enough for me.


    ¡°Maybe we can cut the strong one into pieces, and each have some of her flesh ¨C hey, they¡¯re trying to run!¡± the vin¨¡yaka shouted, trumpeting in alarm as I hauled Gia away from the trio.


    ¡°Groundsel, get ¡®em!¡± The oni¡¯s voice was a shout, before there was a rumbling rush of winds and I yelled in alarm at a strong force tugging me off my feet, Gia screaming as she was pulled into the air with me. The taotie¡¯s fanged mouth was wide open as we hurtled on a cyclone pulling us towards it, a greed Art I had not expected from the gluttony demon¡­


    ¡°Gia!¡± I screamed over the winds, heart in my throat, no time or thought for appellations. This was bad, this was much worse than I¡¯d planned for, if those jaws closed around us I might die in a single bite ¨C ¡°Kill him, kill him now!¡±


    There was a fleshy crunching sound from just nearby, and sheer panic overloaded my mind for a second before I hit the ground, and though the rolling impact against stone was painful, from Gia¡¯s own grunt on impact I knew it wasn¡¯t either of our bodies that had been bitten.


    ¡°Nnnaaaagh!¡± I heard an agonized, strained scream from close by us, and managed to raise my head to see the source. The taotie Groundsel wasn¡¯t dead, but his inhaling mouth had been shut tight with excessive force. Blood was leaking out over the demon¡¯s chin, jaws looking like they¡¯d been practically welded together, and I was fairly sure I could see some long teeth jutting through the underside of his head now. His muted scream twisted into whimpering, and I watched him collapse onto the ground, two claws desperately trying to pull his fleshwarped jaws apart.


    ¡°Groundsel!¡± the vin¨¡yaka Colocasia shouted, alarmed, as I pushed myself to my knees, gasping and looking at Gia. ¡°Shit, what did she do to you?¡± I could hear him stomping over, closer to taotie and us.


    ¡°Okay, good enough, get the elephant next. Just now was a surprise, but that one could possess us¨C¡± I whispered urgently, before it dawned on me that Gia was still groaning on the ground, noises pained as she struggled, remaining facedown. Was she¡­ actually hurt?


    ¡°Oh, fuck me,¡± I heard the oni growl from concerningly close, before a tight grip squeezed the air out of my already bruised ribs, hauling me up off the ground. I couldn¡¯t say any more as I came face to face with a glowering Peristylus, one hand big enough to span my chest and waist.


    ¡°No more of that, you hear?¡± she told me, glaring, before a cruel smirk spread once again on her face. ¡°Looks like you can¡¯t do a thing like this, huh? Much better.¡± She squeezed me again and I felt ribs crack and break. I would have screamed if I¡¯d had any air in my lungs. ¡°Fleshwarper, huh? Yeah, you do seem the type. Should¡¯ve known that little butterfly would have a strong guard.¡± She grinned wider at me, mouth slightly open. ¡°Sure sucks for you that she¡¯s helpless herself, huh? Yeah, don¡¯t be surprised, I¡¯ve already heard. So what I¡¯m gonna do is eat you in one bite, and then enjoy myself having Pinkie for seconds¡­¡±


    ¡°Let her go!¡± I heard Gia¡¯s semi-breathless scream, and a wrenching rip tore the air as the oni roared out in pain. I felt myself falling, saw blood fountaining from Peristylus¡¯ shoulder, and realized Gia had torn the arm holding me clean off before I hit the ground again, knees buckling under me.


    ¡°Ann, Ann,¡± Gia gasped, and she was at my side again now, breathless but not bleeding, thank gods. ¡°Oh, thank god¡­ Ugh, stupid thing still holding you,¡± she said with a glare at the now severed arm, and there was another crackling noise as fingers bent back to free me. ¡°There, good, are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Ribs,¡± I grunted, breathing now possible but a sharp, painful effort. One of the ribs she broke might have punctured a lung. Then in a burst of adrenaline and desperation, I frantically added, ¡°Duck¨C¡±


    Gia flinched, but obeyed just in time for the oni¡¯s club to miss her, downward swing whistling inches over her head. If she¡¯d been hurt just now I did not want risk that blow beheading her, but as it smashed into the ground and chips of stone flew every which way, I heard Gia let out another pained cry. Damn it, what was happening, why was she vulnerable now?


    ¡°Fucking bad information,¡± Peristylus gasped, shoulder still gushing blood as she lifted her weapon up, glaring at us with murder in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m going to kill that Ebon bitch for lying about you. Fine, I¡¯ll eat you both now, and I better get the strength to heal myself from it¡­¡±


    Gia drew a sharp breath, looked up at the oni, and one more crack split the air. Peristylus stood still for a second, no longer looking at us, her head now twisted around to face the opposite direction. Then she fell backwards, already dead as she landed on her face.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I forced the words out to Gia. I didn¡¯t say it much, even with two whole lungs, but saving us twice if not thrice certainly deserved it. ¡°There¡¯s ¨C one more. Can¡¯t run like this¡­¡±


    Gia¡¯s face was drawn and ashen. She didn¡¯t answer aloud, but she did turn around to look at the oni¡¯s two minions, and I staggered around to follow her gaze.


    The taotie was lying in blood, and had gone completely still, just a few feet from us. The elephant-headed Colocasia was looking down at him in dismay, but as he felt our gazes he looked up, raising hands with a panicked look. ¡°Wait, wait. You don¡¯t need to do this¡­¡±


    ¡°Why did you do this?¡± Gia asked him, voice hollow-sounding, empty. ¡°We weren¡¯t hurting anyone. I never did anything to you. Why would you try to kill us?¡±


    ¡°It, it was this woman who hired us. She told us about you, she wanted you alive for herself. She said you were amazingly powerful, but you wouldn¡¯t fight back.¡±


    ¡°Did anyone see you?¡± I asked Gia. The words were still an effort, but essential right now. ¡°Sense you? When you came back to camp last night?¡±


    Gia¡¯s shoulders hunched up, and she bowed her head. ¡°Maybe. I don¡¯t know, I wasn¡¯t¡­ wasn¡¯t looking. Wasn¡¯t thinking about something like this.¡±


    ¡°Soft, just like she told Peri,¡± the vin¨¡yaka mused. I glared at him and he held up his hands, flinching. ¡°Which is fine! I respect a demon who¡¯d, who¡¯d consider mercy?¡±


    ¡°Gia, this is the one who could possess us,¡± I told her, clenching my teeth. ¡°Force us out of our bodies and we¡¯d never get them back.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t! I know you¡¯d kill me if I did, I, I can see that now.¡± Sweat was beading on his gray-skinned forehead. ¡°Just let me go, you¡¯ll never see me again¡­¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t do this for you, Gia. He could kill me right now. You¡¯re the only one who can keep us safe.¡±


    ¡°I would never! Please, mistress, fealty. I¡¯ll be your demon now, if you give me a chance.¡±


    ¡°Gia, I need you to do this¡­¡±


    Gia cut off my words with a high, long scream. Then there was a wet squelch, the splat of flesh hitting the ground, and the vin¨¡yaka slumped, and keeled over. His heart throbbed on the ground, burst right out of his chest.


    Gia stared glassy-eyed at the bloody scene she¡¯d arranged, and then fell to her knees and started sobbing. She held her face in her hands, and I reached an arm around her.


    ¡°I killed him. He was begging to live, he begged and I still killed him,¡± Gia gasped between thick, ugly sobs. ¡°God, they¡¯re dead, they¡¯re all dead¡­¡±


    ¡°It was the only way, Gia. He could have done worse than death to us if he¡¯d tried.¡± Hesitantly, gingerly, I patted her shoulder. ¡°This one wasn¡¯t Crassula. You did what you had to, to keep us safe.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want this, Ann. I don¡¯t want to kill people.¡± Gia shook her head, crying. ¡°I thought we could be safe here! I thought we could stay and we¡¯d be safe. That there wouldn¡¯t be more killing¡­¡±


    ¡°This is life as a demon.¡± Even as my ribs creaked in protest, I knelt down in front of her. Blood pooling around my feet, I guided her tear-streaked face to my chest, holding her in a loose hug. ¡°It¡¯s kill or be killed. You saved both our lives, Gia.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the only one I care about saving,¡± Gia muttered, something bitter and caustic running deep through her words. ¡°You said we could live a peaceful life here, Ann. You promised me we could.¡±


    ¡°And we will. But we need to make that life for ourselves first.¡± I swallowed down my guilt and patted her on the back. ¡°We can¡¯t stay in Hymetos anymore, Gia. If these demons came after you, if someone powerful is after you, more could easily do the same.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Gia whispered, weakly, wetly. ¡°I know.¡± She sniffed, coughed, wiped her eyes. ¡°This is all my fault, Ann. It¡¯s all because of me. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    The guilt was too much to swallow, that time, but I spoke around it in my mouth. ¡°Let¡¯s get you back to the inn, Gia. You can rest there, under guard, everyone keeping you safe.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡± Sniffling and wiping her eyes, she stood up again. She had a glassy-eyed look in her eyes seeing the bodies, but focused again seeing me wince. ¡°You¡¯re still hurt, though¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get Vaeri to heal me up.¡± And she was closer right now than Gia would know. But seeing as we¡¯d made it through the attack in one piece, I¡¯d rather take the pain of walking back with broken ribs than raise suspicion by bringing her out. They could be healed, anyway, even if fleshwarping couldn¡¯t.


    She¡¯d wanted me to give Gia reason to leave, and it hadn¡¯t been difficult to set up. I¡¯d given Macodes instructions for hiring some thugs and where to find us, unaware they¡¯d be going to their deaths. And I¡¯d already seen how Gia was willing to kill to save me. With the right pressure, with no one else who could step in, she could do again what she¡¯d need to do to become a ruler.


    But just in case something went wrong, I¡¯d brought Vaeri in early to wait at the ambush site. When the city guards were on your new ally¡¯s payroll, sneaking an elf inside turned from implausible to possible. And if she wanted us to leave so badly, she could damn well be my backup, ready for emergency healing or killing if either was needed to save us.


    Even so, looking back and seeing her peering out the door of the cobbler¡¯s store, an unmistakable resentment filled my chest. She¡¯d made me break Gia like this. And even as one step towards reforging Gia, that wasn¡¯t something I¡¯d forget.

 14. Stars

    The journey back to the inn was painful but not otherwise interrupted. And in Gia¡¯s distraught state, she didn¡¯t seem to question it when Vaeri showed up after a few minutes¡¯ waiting. The priestess was draped in a dark cloak that concealed her ears and most of her body, which I¡¯d thought might draw its own attention but hadn¡¯t seemed to, yet. We¡¯d sprayed the cloak to mask her scent, too, so no one should suspect an elf was under there. After all, what mortal would risk walking into a demon city?


    She kept her voice quiet enough that the incantations weren¡¯t blatant as she healed Gia and I. Me first, to my surprise, but mine might be more critical. Once I could breathe freely and my chest¡¯s sharp pains were replaced with soreness, Vaeri moved on to Gia, murmuring ¡°there, now, it¡¯s all right.¡± Words and tenderness she hadn¡¯t used with me.


    That was the first time her defense had failed so obviously. Thinking back, I couldn¡¯t see an obvious reason why; Gia hadn¡¯t known she was doing anything, but if she was defending herself subconsciously, the circumstances should have been frightening enough for her to do so. She¡¯d been hurt just now by falling on the ground, and then the shrapnel of a missed blow. So perhaps it had something to do with being attacked directly? But she just had been by the taotie¡®s suction, so I couldn¡¯t see how that would make sense¡­


    Healing Gia was quick and seemingly easy, regardless, and Vaeri left once she was at least physically better. Gia had a dull, vacant look in her eyes, barely seeming to be processing things around us. She stirred slightly when the inn door shut, looking around before settling on me with a beseeching gaze.


    I wasn¡¯t sure exactly what she was looking for, but I did know I didn¡¯t have the right to comfort her more than I had. So I got her up to her room and put her to bed, like I was tucking in a child or younger sister. I murmured for her to take care, posted Lycoris by her door as a friendly face to guard it, and went to make some more preparations before returning to camp.


    When I did stroll back into camp, it was with Macodes and several Ebon Company heavy hitters. I¡¯d made the satyrs and oreads guard the place to fill in for Salix and Perpetua. But those two wouldn¡¯t be back to relieve them of duty, now.


    It didn¡¯t take long to find what we were looking for, a small campfire off away from our own, but no elf immediately in sight.


    ¡°Planning to kill me after all, then?¡± Vaeri¡¯s voice rung out. She was glaring out at us from behind a tree, and I could see a glowing circle suspended in front of her now, a staff made of light summoned into her hand. ¡°Well, you should have brought more demons than just this, if that is your aim. I won¡¯t go down easily.¡±


    ¡°You weren¡¯t kidding about the mouth on this one,¡± Macodes told me, still smiling.


    I pushed down my senses screaming that a painful death could happen any second. I wouldn¡¯t grovel or beg, but I did bow my head, low enough that it might be considered mocking. ¡°Lady Vaeri. I¡¯m here to apologize for failing to fulfill your wishes.¡±


    She blinked. That seemed to startle her enough that the conjured staff winked out. ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°You insisted that we be ready to leave a day from when we last spoke, or you would leave on your own. It¡¯s now been a day¡¯s time, and the professional mercenaries I¡¯ve contracted,¡± I nodded meaningfully to Macodes, ¡°Will need a few more hours to fully ship out.¡±


    ¡°Ah¨C well, yes, that is acceptable,¡± Vaeri said, regaining some of her poise, though her brow was still furrowed. ¡°I accept your apology, that will be just fine¡­¡±


    ¡°I insist, Lady Vaeri! I failed to live up to our agreement, you shouldn¡¯t have to be held back by our delays now.¡± I was trying to keep a straight face, but I could hear Macodes starting to snicker, as Vaeri¡¯s gaze darkened with growing suspicion. ¡°Go on. Be free. You have no more need to be tied to us. Aconite will be somewhere off that way,¡± I waved a hand in a vaguely northern direction, ¡°And I wish you the luck you will no doubt need for taking her on all alone.¡±


    Vaeri¡¯s long ears twitched, and her eyes narrowed to slits. ¡°Oh, you vile woman.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°Guilty as charged.¡± I should have called her bluff last night, quite frankly, but I hadn¡¯t thought to at the time. Besides, people didn¡¯t act rationally when they were angry. She might well have stormed off if I had told her to, or done worse than injure my shoulder.


    But I¡¯d brought enough muscle with me now to be confident she wouldn¡¯t try it. Now I had the upper hand. ¡°You did say you¡¯d rather travel on your own, no? Well, I¡¯m pleased to say your services are no longer required. Now you have the chance again.¡±


    Vaeri¡¯s angry look was fading, becoming more agitated. As far as she knew, I was serious about this. ¡°Surely you must know this is a mistake. You need my battle magic, and magical healing¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, the Ebon Company has an army doctor who can see to our wounds,¡± I said, glancing to Macodes for confirmation.


    Macodes nodded along, right on cue. ¡°Sawbones won¡¯t make you look all pretty, but he¡¯s great at getting you back on your feet.¡±


    ¡°So thoughtful for you to care about injuries like the one you gave me, though,¡± I told Vaeri pleasantly.


    Vaeri growled at me, eyes flashing. ¡°I should have let you keep those shattered ribs.¡±


    ¡°Surprisingly, also not an injury I¡¯d have, if you had actually interceded to help at any point.¡± I smiled at her coldly. ¡°You really haven¡¯t made this parting difficult for me, Vaeri.¡±


    ¡°You told me yourself to hang back and wait¡­¡± I could see a flash of fear in her eyes, and felt a dark twinge of satisfaction. ¡°Anthurium, I realize our relations haven¡¯t been the most¡­ cordial, but surely you won¡¯t truly abandon me to my death¨C¡±


    ¡°You came here all on your own to begin with. And you seemed perfectly willing to leave us no matter the danger we¡¯d be in without you.¡± I smiled at her more. ¡°And now we¡¯ll be just fine without you, Vaeri. You should have known not to try strong-arming a demon.¡±


    She bared her teeth, anger once again filling her eyes. ¡°You realize I could kill you now where you stand.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely. And if you didn¡¯t kill every other demon here, you¡¯d bring your chances of rescuing your friend from small down to zero,¡± I said agreeably. ¡°Not to mention how Lady Hydrangea would feel if you did kill me,¡± I added in a casual tone, but I didn¡¯t miss how her expression shifted at that.


    ¡°She can¡¯t approve of you doing this to me, either¡­¡± Vaeri swallowed hard. ¡°Anthurium, just let me talk to her. You owe me that much, at least¨C¡±


    ¡°I think there might be an elf skulking around our camp,¡± I told Macodes, cutting Vaeri off. ¡°If I were her, I¡¯d leave before the sentries notice. You did tell me how they can get jumpy on watch.¡±


    Vaeri stilled, looking at me, before her jaw set. ¡°I¡¯m glad demons have nothing once they die. Hell would be too good for you,¡± she hissed at me. Then she turned on her heel and left.


    I waited until I was sure she was out of earshot before turning to Macodes. ¡°You¡¯re sure that she won¡¯t notice being tailed?¡± Vaeri could handle lone demons just fine, but she¡¯d need rescuing if she ran into Aconite¡¯s pack.


    ¡°My guys were watching that whole time. You didn¡¯t notice them, did you?¡± My surprise must have shown on my face, given how she chuckled. ¡°Yeah, she didn¡¯t either, I¡¯m sure. They¡¯ll stay close by, but I still think it¡¯s a waste not to eat her ourselves. Haven¡¯t had elf in ages, and she seemed like a strong one, too.¡±


    ¡°No. Believe me, she¡¯ll be useful to us.¡± I looked in the direction Vaeri had gone. ¡°This is just to remind her that she needs us, too.¡± And make it clear that she had no right to call the shots with me. If she tried pushing me around, I was going to push back.


    - - -


    Morning came, and the suns rose over Hymetos, but the city hadn¡¯t forgotten all that happened yesterday. It wasn¡¯t long after sunup before shouting started in the streets, voices decrying the dead governor and his thugs and torturers.


    More angry demons joined in quickly, and even though the ones taking most of the blame were dead, the people¡¯s rage still burned, just asking for an outlet. Before long, crashes and screams threaded through the shouts, the stomp of angry feet and claws a rumbling in the background. An angry gathering had turned into a full-on riot.


    Our breakfast had been interrupted by the noise, so I was in the inn¡¯s lobby with Gia and Crassula, looking out on the streets. ¡°I thought things quieted down after yesterday. But so many people are still angry,¡± Gia murmured, gaze still distant even today.


    I was going to tell her it would blow over soon, but Crassula cut in before I could. ¡°No one in charge around to give orders. No one left in charge to be mad at, either.¡±


    I gave Crassula a look, but grudgingly agreed. That was pretty astute for a goblin thug, even couched in a basic vocabulary. Power vacuums were dangerous instabilities, as looking at the whole damn country could easily tell you. A lack of obvious successor here was a consequence I¡¯d expected.


    Normally, even in Hesperia¡¯s ¡®civilized¡¯ parts, violent disputes for leadership led to either the victor taking over or the demon whose behalf they¡¯d fought on. But the Ebon Company would be thoroughly unwelcome here after yesterday¡¯s news, so even if she wanted to Macodes couldn¡¯t easily stay and rule.


    ¡°The governor?¡± Gia stirred a little at that, looking between us. ¡°Is he what they¡¯re mad about? But I thought you said he was really bad and hurting people.¡±


    ¡°He was. Believe me, they¡¯ll be better off without him.¡± I did believe that. I had to believe it, because we¡¯d be leaving them like this.


    ¡°Then why are they still¡­¡± Gia gestured weakly outside.


    ¡°Rioting?¡± I shrugged. ¡°Doesn¡¯t take a wrath demon to get angry about things. A lot of demons lost people, either at his manor yesterday or before. And the governor being dead means they can¡¯t have revenge on him. Ebon Company helped capture demons for him, so I¡¯d guess most anger¡¯s directed at them.¡±


    I¡¯d foreseen it and told Macodes she should get the mercenaries off the streets. Armor, weapons and training wouldn¡¯t keep you from being mobbed to death. And escalating into a conflict with the citizens was the last thing we needed right now.


    Macodes had made the point that the citizens wouldn¡¯t be so angry if not for the kidnappings our ¡®new recruits¡¯ had done last night. But it had gotten her free of the governor, and I¡¯d still helped put her in charge, so she couldn¡¯t be that mad.


    ¡°The ones we¡¯re taking with us,¡± Gia said, mouth in a tight line. ¡°I don¡¯t love the idea of that.¡±


    ¡°Mercs will follow orders,¡± Crassula told her. ¡°Lady won¡¯t order to kidnap people, so should all be fine.¡± She grinned toothily at Gia, who gave her a weak smile in response. Crassula¡¯s gaze flicked my way, but if she had more to say she didn¡¯t voice it yet.


    ¡°And it was just a few who he was paying off on the side. Corruption¡¯s just as plentiful in demons as in mortals.¡± I chuckled mirthlessly. ¡°Moreso, if you believe what the priests say about us all having corrupted souls.¡±


    ¡°Our souls?¡± Gia swallowed, looking down and poking a finger against her chest as if hoping to gauge her soul¡¯s sturdiness. ¡°What, like even kids? That sounds more like religious people being judgy.¡± She frowned, but her heart didn¡¯t seem in it.


    Crassula blinked and looked sharply at Gia as she mentioned kids, but didn¡¯t speak up, so I answered instead. ¡°Well, the priesthoods are that. But their words about sins match up with all I¡¯ve seen of demons.¡± Plenty didn¡¯t map onto an obvious sin, admittedly. But I couldn¡¯t know everything after just ten years. ¡°And demons don¡¯t have children. We just appear in adult bodies, like you did. It¡¯s called Emergence.¡±


    Gia¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Don¡¯t have kids, or can¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°Neither. We¡¯re beings of sin, so they say. We form naturally when mortals die. No need to reproduce.¡± No families to leave behind. No legacies but what we build for ourselves.


    Gia looked down at herself and sighed. ¡°Well, I guess I¡¯d have needed to adopt anyway, but¡­ aah.¡± She looked morose. ¡°Crassula, didn¡¯t you mention having a tribe? I think Uvaia did too. You don¡¯t have families in those, either?¡±


    ¡°Tribes are generally comprised of one race of demon, but just ones that found each other and stuck together for protection,¡± I answered. I could have sworn Crassula stiffened up when Gia asked, but looking at her now she did look at ease. ¡°There are orc tribes too, Sedum¡¯s probably from one. but, you know, he doesn¡¯t really talk about his past.¡±


    Whether tribes, clans, warbands or cities, safety in numbers was one of the first rules of Hesperia. Demons Emerging near allies were likely to survive. Demons who appeared on their own were frequent, easy prey.


    ¡°Yes. That how tribe works.¡± Crassula looked blank, but with a shifty cast to her eyes. It was a bit odd how there were so many goblins ¨C were they just the natural formation of some kind of soul? ¨C but that wasn¡¯t something I cared about enough to delve into.


    Gia just nodded, looking distant. ¡°I guess it¡¯s better if kids and families won¡¯t get caught up in all that, out there.¡±


    There was the shattering sound of glass breaking from outside. Gia flinched, but the inn still hadn¡¯t been touched, so we were fine. I¡¯d guess the taverns where the mercs used to drink might not be so lucky. ¡°It¡¯ll all blow over soon,¡± I told her. It couldn¡¯t be that long before someone new took power. I steadfastly ignored the empty throne¡¯s evidence to the contrary.


    Gia winced. ¡°Is there¡­ I don¡¯t know. Nothing we could do to help?¡± Her voice was tired, though. This wasn¡¯t the determined Gia who¡¯d made me spare Crassula, or ran off to befriend Vaeri to find me a healer. She was asking me, not insisting. I wasn¡¯t sure, seeing her drawn face, if this was better after all.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°We wouldn¡¯t have many options other than suppressing the riot or imposing calm by force.¡± If I really had been from here like I said, I might have known a replacement leader we could put in power now. But I hadn¡¯t, so we couldn¡¯t. ¡°A new leader could step in, but you¡¯re not known here, and you haven¡¯t proved yourself to them like when you killed Taraxacum.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d want me to be in charge?¡± Gia¡¯s eyes had gone wide and scared. ¡°No, no. Leading people around¡¯s one thing, but I can¡¯t run a whole city.¡±


    ¡°It was just an example,¡± I told her, holding in a sigh of disappointment. ¡°We need to go after Aconite, anyway. You can¡¯t just take over, tell people to stop fighting, and then leave.¡± Though if she¡¯d been willing to take over, coming back afterwards would have been my next suggested stop.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ true.¡± Gia sighed. ¡°I guess it¡¯s not really our business.¡± She looked glum all the same.


    ¡°Hey.¡± I touched her shoulder, and Gia stirred. ¡°Come with me. I¡¯ve got something that might cheer you up,¡± I murmured to her, and beckoned Crassula along as well.


    Gia came along, with a slow pace and a doubtful look. It gave Crassula time to tag up by my side, lowering her voice to a raspy whisper. ¡°Ann is paying mercs enough, yes?¡± she asked, and I bristled. ¡°Fought with ones like them before. Might leave or kill you if not paid. Or better offer.¡±


    ¡°I know that. I don¡¯t need you to tell me,¡± I snapped. I¡¯d been managing armies my whole life as a demon, I didn¡¯t want some sub-literate goblin telling me my business. Mercenaries¡¯ loyalty was negotiable, but nearly anyone¡¯s loyalty was negotiable. And getting trained, experienced fighters numerous enough to fight a warlord was more than worth the price. ¡°And you call me Anthurium.¡±


    The goblin shrugged her shoulders. ¡°Crassula glad we swearing to Lady instead of Ann.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Swearing?¡± Gia started, looking at us in confusion.


    So much for the surprise. ¡°Yeah. Come inside,¡± I told her, and opened the door to my room.


    Uvaia and Sedum were already inside, standing, each of them fitted with gleaming steel armor. Sedum showed Gia a friendly grin, raising a hand. I¡¯d gotten Vaeri to heal his burn, so the breastplate shouldn¡¯t aggravate it. Uvaia smiled more nervously, wearing a light chainmail shirt with large holes for her wings. The smith hadn¡¯t been pleased with that change to her work, but stealing from the governor had


    Crassula came over and shrugged off her old breastplate, starting to don new, riveted brigandine. Three blank white tabards lay on my bed; getting custom embossments for armor couldn¡¯t happen overnight, but a symbol could be sewn or painted onto cloth more easily.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Gia said, staring at them all. Her mouth had fallen open, but a faint smile was tugging at her lips as she looked my way. ¡°Ann, what is this?¡±


    ¡°This is my solution to bringing them along, hopefully with less danger.¡± I saw realization flicker in her eyes as she recalled our talk the other night. ¡°This kind of thing isn¡¯t all that precedented in Hesperia, so I figured a small, private ceremony would do. Though I doubt what I¡¯ll be asking will be much more than what you¡¯ve done already,¡± I told the others, chuckling.


    ¡°Plenty worse ceremonies to join, I¡¯d say. And we get some good armor to boot.¡± Sedum said, smiling back.


    I nodded. ¡°Stand across from Gia, you three. I¡¯ll officiate.¡± They took positions ¨C the room wasn¡¯t quite meant for this many people, but it would do. ¡°Loyal servants of Lady Hydrangea. Representatives of our clan¡­¡± I paused, looking at Gia. ¡°We really should choose a name for our clan. Obsidian and Moonrise are the ones I¡¯ve told you.¡±


    Gia quieted briefly. ¡°How about the Evening Star clan?¡±


    I blinked at her. ¡°That sounds alright to me. But do you have a reason for suggesting it?¡±


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s kind of silly,¡± Gia said, blushing. ¡°But there¡¯s this¡­ basically a demon, from where I¡¯m from, known as the Morning Star. He was really powerful, but he caused a lot of problems, and I¨C I¡¯d just want to be a different kind of demon than that, I guess.¡±


    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t think that¡¯s silly.¡± In the end, much of what I meant to do was fixing problems, myself. ¡°Representatives of the Evening Star clan. Uvaia. Sedum. Crassula. Do you swear to serve and support Lady Hydrangea, however she needs both in battle and without? She will not ask things of you you are unwilling to give. She will treat you kindly, watch over you and keep you safe. And you will do your best to return this treatment to her in kind.¡±


    ¡°Aye, I swear it,¡± Sedum said, inclining his head to Gia.


    ¡°I swear, too.¡± Uvaia had been smiling at first like she wasn¡¯t sure how seriously to take this all, but she looked focused now.


    ¡°I swear.¡± Crassula herself looked dead serious. She even got the pronoun right this time.


    I clapped my hands once. ¡°Then I welcome each one of you to Lady Hydrangea¡¯s personal guard.¡± And like that, it was like a rush of tension had left the room.


    ¡°This is really sweet,¡± Gia murmured, smiling around at them. ¡°It¡¯s like you¡¯re all my knights.¡±


    That got looks of confusion from Sedum and Uvaia. ¡°Knights?¡± Uvaia asked, blinking. ¡°You mean like humans have?¡±


    Gia stared at them, then swallowed, visibly steeling herself. ¡°Yeah. Like humans have. I¡­ remember my life before I became a demon. I¡¯m used to being a human. I still kind of think of myself as one. If you¡¯re going to be looking out for me, I just,¡± She inhaled, hesitating. ¡°Thought you all should know.¡±


    I was frozen. Not wanting to look at them, staring with disbelief at Gia. How could she admit it so easily like this? Didn¡¯t she know how vulnerable it would make her? Didn¡¯t she realize she¡¯d be helpless once they knew she wasn¡¯t a real demon?¡­


    ¡°I thought it would be something like that,¡± Uvaia murmured, touching her chin with a wingtip.


    ¡°Aye, that does explain quite a few things,¡± Sedum agreed, sharing a look with Uvaia. She nodded.


    Crassula was grinning ear-to-ear. ¡°Crassula thought so from the start,¡± she said proudly, and that was what made Gia let out a startled, relieved laugh.


    ¡°Okay. Okay, that¡¯s¡­ good, I¡¯m glad.¡± Gia let out a bone-deep sigh, smiling like a heavy weight had left her shoulders. ¡°Thank you guys, for being, um. Cool with it. Being here really hasn¡¯t been easy. But I think with friends like you to support me,¡± And she smiled at me too, oblivious to the guilt twisting in my stomach. ¡°I might eventually be okay.¡±


    - - -


    We set out not long after that. I¡¯d thought getting the Ebon Company out of their barracks might be a bigger problem, but to my surprise, riot or no riot, Macodes and her force met us outside the walls right on time. She herself had a bulging stomach and I could see blood around the mouths of several others, but I didn¡¯t bring it up. You work with the tools at your disposal.


    We now numbered nearly four hundred, even with a few of our own not coming along. Boquila and Byzantina had chosen to stay, and I¡¯d told Gia the technical truth that those who¡¯d died were staying in the city too. It was easier on her this way.


    We¡¯d spent most of the day marching, through which I was glad not to be one of those wearing heavy armor, before I . Off in the distance, against the dimming sky, I thought I spotted a few flashes of light.


    ¡°Commander,¡± an Ebon Company soldier came up to me, a red-skinned woman bigger than me but not matching Macodes. ¡°One of our scouts reported in, hostiles up ahead. They¡¯re engaging the elf.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Gia startled, looking at me. ¡°Does she mean Vaeri? What¡¯s she doing out there?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± I told Gia shortly, looking at the soldier. ¡°Moonrise Clan?¡± Aconite¡¯s clan was the safest assumption, but I let the woman confirm with a nod. ¡°What¡¯s the enemy composition?¡±


    ¡°Rougarous, at least two, maybe more ¨C they¡¯ve been using their agility to dodge the elf¡¯s holy magic. Bugbears and goblins, one or two barghests. Estimate of two score or a bit over. Minimally armed.¡±


    Easy pickings, for the force we now had at our disposal. ¡°Distance?¡±


    ¡°About half a mile.¡±


    Good, so Vaeri hadn¡¯t gotten too far ahead of us. I¡¯d thought Hesperia being unfamiliar to her would help there. ¡°Have the light infantry corps advance in two detachments, archery corps supporting them. Enemy force is all infantry, so Lieutenant Lithops¡¯ unit will draw the hostiles out, archers hold fire until they¡¯re near to minimize chance of escape. Sergeant Chromolaena¡¯s wait off Lithops¡¯ east flank to engage, and keep any stragglers from escaping. And try to take prisoners, if they can.¡±


    The soldier saluted and went to relay my orders. Gia was looking at me with raised eyebrows before she shook her head, seeming to refocus. ¡°If Vaeri¡¯s in trouble, we need to hurry.¡± She sped up her pace, and though I doubted we¡¯d reach the scene in time to make a difference ourselves, I quickly followed.


    As I expected, Aconite¡¯s forces didn¡¯t stand a chance. We outnumbered this group of them five to one, even without the half the Company that were heavy infantry, and Vaeri had taken out who knew how many before our force backed her up. And, crucially, they weren¡¯t expecting us.


    By the time Gia I arrived there, the battle had been very thoroughly won. One lone elf stood there, splattered in blood, amid dozens of demons both alive and dead.


    ¡°Vaeri!¡± Gia called, running towards her as I followed, seeing no rush. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    Vaeri was wiping her bloodied mouth with an embroidered handkerchief. ¡°I am alive, no thanks to that one,¡± she snapped, pointing at me. ¡°She abandoned me!¡°


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who suggested setting out alone,¡± I said quickly. ¡°But of course we followed you to ensure your safety. You¡¯re still valuable to us.¡±


    Gia frowned at me, but didn¡¯t press me on it. ¡°I¡¯m really glad you¡¯re okay,¡± she told Vaeri earnestly. ¡°But you shouldn¡¯t keep traveling apart from us! It¡¯s dangerous!¡±


    ¡°I am well aware,¡± Vaeri said, cheeks reddening under Gia¡¯s gaze. ¡°But I doubt it would be safe in your current company, either.¡± She shot me a look that could kill.


    ¡°We can talk to the other demons for you¨C¡±


    ¡°Lady Hydrangea.¡± I sighed, shaking my head. ¡°They won¡¯t magically be alright with having an elf here.¡±


    Gia hesitated at that, looking between us. ¡°Well, Ann did have that prisoner idea¡­ But I know you didn¡¯t like it, Vaeri. Is there anything else that could work?¡±


    Vaeri stared at Gia for a second. ¡°I would be willing to pretend I am your prisoner. If,¡± she added sharply, holding up a finger. ¡°I am quartered with you and none other. ¡­My lady.¡±


    Gia blinked a couple times. ¡°Um, well my tent¡¯s not that big, but we could fit in another sleeping mat¡­ that¡¯d be alright.¡± She looked at me. ¡°That¡¯s alright, isn¡¯t it, Ann?¡±


    I frowned. I rankled at the thought of letting Vaeri have her way again, but this would be a simpler solution than having anyone else guard a ¡®prisoner¡¯. I trusted Sedum and Uvaia not to harm Vaeri, but Gia was the only one the elf couldn¡¯t kill if she had a mind to. Of course, if she did get violent, Gia still might not be ready to shut her down by force.


    ¡°Give us a minute,¡± I told her, and pulled Gia aside, whispering once I thought we were outside even an elf¡¯s keen hearing. ¡°You realize she could be requesting you since she thinks you won¡¯t hurt her.¡±


    Gia stared at me, eyebrows rising. ¡°Um, is that supposed to be a bad thing? Why would she want to stay with someone who might hurt her?¡±


    ¡°No, I meant¨C ugh.¡± I grimaced. ¡°I meant she could be banking on that, planning to take advantage of it. It would be safer to get her in your tent and then slap a gag in her mouth, and bind her hands.¡± Not only would that keep Vaeri from casting, but from telling Gia anything inconvenient.


    Gia¡¯s brow furrowed, mouth turning down. ¡°I think part of why she¡¯d want to stay with me,¡± she said, with a patient air that reminded me annoyingly of one speaking to a child, ¡°Is that I wouldn¡¯t try to make her do that kind of thing. Meaning,¡± she continued as I opened my mouth, ¡°That I can guess she¡¯d hate it. And I¡¯d rather we be friends.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not in the habit of friendships with people who could easily kill me.¡± If I said the wrong thing and pissed a strong demon off, I might well end up as a bloody splatter. Better to keep things professional, and keep them distant. Exactly like I had not done with Gia.


    ¡°That explains some things.¡± Gia smiled weakly as I glared at her, raising her hands. ¡°Didn¡¯t mean it in a bad way. So, is that a yes, she can stay with me?¡±


    I hesitated. ¡°Let me talk to her first to be sure she¡¯ll behave.¡± I turned away towards Vaeri, before pausing, looking back at Gia. ¡°If she does start casting spells and you need to stop her: mortal magic needs the caster to fully vocalize an incantation. Anything to keep her from speaking would do. Just don¡¯t hesitate.¡±


    Gia blinked at me. After a second her cheeks flushed pink.


    ¡°What are you imagining?¡± I asked her, torn between chuckling and rolling my eyes.


    ¡°Nothing!¡± Gia yelped, too quickly. ¡°Nothing I should be thinking about if I¡¯m going to share a tent with her,¡± she added under her breath, still blushing as she looked towards Vaeri.


    I felt a flash of irritation. Not jealousy, not for the stupid tall elf with her perfect hair and perfect skin who Gia had seen straightaway as like her, a mortal with no secrets in the way of a bond¡­ ¡°That¡¯s right. You shouldn¡¯t,¡± I told her, maybe more forcefully than I intended. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    Vaeri had her arms crossed as I walked back, glaring at me. ¡°Have you told her yet how you abandoned me to die?¡±


    ¡°You threatened to walk first. All I did was call your bluff. We were following you ready to assist if you got in danger. Like we did just now.¡± I shook my head. ¡°You were fine.¡±


    ¡°Well, for all I knew I really was kicked out and walking to my death!¡± Vaeri hissed at me. ¡°I don¡¯t think I slept a wink even when I bedded down.¡±


    ¡°So you had to deal with, let¡¯s say a day of being under extreme stress, wondering how you¡¯d pull it off? Feeling like someone you¡¯d been counting on didn¡¯t care if you lived or died?¡± I stared at Vaeri. ¡°Wow. I really wonder what that¡¯s like.¡±


    ¡°Sarcasm does not become you,¡± Vaeri growled at me. ¡°This isn¡¯t over.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I know. We still have your human to rescue.¡± I smiled at her, knowing I did have her number there. ¡°It won¡¯t benefit either of us to push each other too far. Right?¡±


    ¡°¡­agreed.¡± She frowned at me, jaw clenched tight. ¡°A truce for now, until Erik is safe and Aconite is dealt with. So long as you don¡¯t break it first.¡±


    It didn¡¯t escape me that a truce was something called between enemies. Maybe Gia¡¯s perspective had a point. But it was a bit late to try and befriend Vaeri myself. So I¡¯d stay the course myself and hope Gia could handle that.


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± I told her, then lowered my voice further. ¡°Oh, and if you¡¯re thinking of trying to drive a wedge between me and Gia,¡± I couldn¡¯t imagine she hadn¡¯t considered it, with what we¡¯d both taken part in to make Gia kill. ¡°Keep in mind that she¡¯s of more use to us both if she¡¯s not distracted or torn up inside. And I¡¯d carefully consider just whose word she¡¯d trust more.¡±


    ¡°So concerned with betrayals and people¡¯s use to you. You¡¯d fit right in back home, oh yes,¡± Vaeri muttered, tone not remotely complimentary. Then she stopped and looked at me, eyes narrowing. ¡°I don¡¯t believe I told you Erik was a human¨C¡±


    ¡°Commander Anthurium!¡± A shout from an Ebon Company soldier interrupted us, before I had to come up with an excuse. ¡°We¡¯ve captured some of the hostiles alive, per your orders. One of them, he wants to speak with you.¡±


    I looked over and saw a rougarou kneeling on the ground with a sword and spear spanning his throat, wolf tail thumping as he looked back towards me. Not remotely what I¡¯d expect of a demon in this situation.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± I told the mercenary, pursing my lips. ¡°Lady Hydrangea, you stay and guard the prisoner for now.¡± Something in the back of my mind  made me think I wouldn¡¯t want Gia hearing what he had to say.


    I walked over to the rougarou, stopping a couple yards away. In this form he was a brown-furred wolf with patches of white on his face and underbelly. ¡°Shift back,¡± I told him. Rougarou could speak even in wolf form, but it was also the shape Aconite always had them fight in, as far as I knew. He should feel more vulnerable in furless form, which would help for any interrogation. And it would make it harder for him to leap up and rip out my throat.


    His own neck shrunk down neatly between the weapons, and I ended up facing a pink-skinned man with sideburns and dark hair covering his arms and chest. His ragged shorts tied by a rope didn¡¯t fit a wolf the same as this body, but I didn¡¯t look away as he pulled up and tightened them, even with a wince at the flash of full frontal. ¡°Hello!¡± he told me in a rough, low voice. ¡°You are Anthurium! Right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s me. Who are you?¡± Looking at him like this, you could have thought he was human. But I knew better than that; he might have been at one point before taking the rougarou curse, but even for the few demons turned rather than Emerged, the transformation was a permanent one.


    ¡°My name is Comfrey!¡± He grinned at me, looking for all the world like he¡¯d be wagging a tail if he still had it. ¡°I knew I recognized your scent! Huntmistress told us about you!¡±


    ¡°Uh.¡± I tensed up hearing that, neither part of it news I liked. ¡°What did Aconite- no, why did you want to speak to me?¡± The half-asked question might not be one I¡¯d want answered aloud.


    ¡°She said you were the one who gave us the good information!¡± Comfrey said helpfully, and I froze. Shit shit shit. ¡°You helped us a lot to beat the lumpy demon. That¡¯s why she said to bring you back if we found you!¡±


    Fuck. Of all the times to hear this news, it was standing by near-strangers who didn¡¯t answer directly to me. Too many witnesses around to kill them, and I couldn¡¯t myself, I¡¯d need Gia or Vaeri. ¡°Bring me back? She doesn¡¯t want me for a mate, I hope?¡± I didn¡¯t think her tastes ran my way, but at this point I was desperate for a distraction, trying to think on how to keep rumors from spreading.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so! But Huntmistress keeps a lot of mates. I think she picks me often because I am a generous lover¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I didn¡¯t ask, okay,¡± I told him, holding up a hand. Still, that¡­ might have possibilities. In build and facial structure he resembled a hairier, pink-skinned Sedum. But I had more pressing concerns right new. ¡°So she wants me there. What, peacefully? Or by force?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure!¡± Comfrey said, tongue hanging out the side of his mouth. ¡°But she told our pack not to kill you if we saw or smelled you. And I recognized your smell from when you came to our camp, so I let you go in the forest!¡± He panted. ¡°I think we should be friends, too. I don¡¯t know why the Huntmistress didn¡¯t want to be friends before.¡±


    My mental screams for him to shut up and stop talking were interrupted by the ice-cold thought that this was the one who let me go. This was the bastard who¡¯d killed Cory. I had to force myself to take a deep breath, trying to stay calm. ¡°So. You want to escort us to her. No ambushes. No hard feelings over this?¡± I gestured around at the littered corpses.


    ¡°Uh huh!¡± Comfrey beamed at me. ¡°You didn¡¯t know we wanted to be friends yet. And you weren¡¯t the one who killed one of the pack!¡± His eyes narrowed at that briefly, but he was quickly back to smiling.


    This had to be a trap. There was no way Aconite had actually reconsidered¨C no, I¡¯d think about that later. Even if this was a trap, whether or not this man was lying to my face or oblivious¡­ If I played it right, kept all our forces alert and delayed for my plans to come through with Zamioculas, it could still work in our favor. Aconite wouldn¡¯t know about that yet, and she couldn¡¯t ignore Zamioculas once she was posing a threat. She¡¯d have to split her forces to handle the hamadryad. She might end up with actual reason to depend on me.


    ¡°All right, Comfrey.¡± I gestured to the Ebon mercenaries to let him up, and he stood as they pulled back their weapons. ¡°I hope you understand we¡¯ll need to keep you and the other survivors guarded, but I¡¯ll let you escort us to your Huntmistress. She and I can have a talk.¡±


    He grinned widely at me, and I looked at the others. If I filled in Macodes right away, she shouldn¡¯t have reason to distrust me. She could convince the company this was just a new opportunity for victory and profit. ¡°Report to Commander Macodes. I¡¯ll speak with her soon; tell her there¡¯s going to be some changes to our plan.¡±

 15. Human

    Stalling our arrival to Aconite¡¯s base camp wasn¡¯t as hard as I¡¯d expected. We¡¯d taken a dozen-odd prisoners who¡¯d survived the skirmish, but the none too bright rougarou Comfrey was the only one who seemed interested in returning. The other demons seemed happy to stay as far from their Huntmistress as possible. Presumably, Aconite didn¡¯t care for failure any more than demons she deemed weak.


    Manufacturing delays with Macodes was enough to keep Comfrey contented, and if the Ebon Company grumbled at receiving the blame, too bad, they¡¯d follow orders anyway. In the meantime I sent scouts out to get the lay of the land, and keeping eyes on more of Aconite¡¯s hunting parties, sent couriers to find her rival Zamioculas. I wasn¡¯t about to approach Aconite until I knew that plot had borne fruit. But after a few days of meandering travel, I finally got the report I wanted. Zamioculas had agreed to my request for alliance, or at least for taking down a mutual enemy. Aconite was moving her troops to guard the western front against the dryad warlord. With her attention now split, I finally felt safe enough to approach her.


    That meant less need for reconnaissance, as we made for her camp. I kept a certain number in the field, but both major powers likely to threaten us were now accounted for. The Archon of southern Hesperia, Dreadlord Camas, would have little presence here. Mostly because he had no need to. I¡¯d seen him take certain measures to ensure loyalty in Phlox, and if my theory was right, he could be so hands-off with his other bannermen because he had no fear they¡¯d rise against him.


    Once Comfrey said we were getting close to Aconite¡¯s base camp, and I pulled Sedum into my tent once we¡¯d made our own camp a little ways away. I had some plans for Aconite in which he¡¯d figure centrally.


    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure this is a good idea.¡± Sedum told me, once I¡¯d briefed him. Apparently, the chance to sleep with a fearsome wolf-woman wasn¡¯t what got him going.


    ¡°Why not? It should work. You¡¯re a,¡± I gestured at him, trying to find the right words. ¡°Reasonably attractive male¡­¡±


    ¡°Thanks. Means a lot.¡± He rolled his eyes.


    ¡°And you¡¯re a fighter, with the scars to prove it. You should be able to catch her interest. And more importantly, you¡¯re one of the few I can trust to stay the course and not be seduced to Aconite¡¯s side.¡±


    ¡°Leavin¡¯ aside how I¡¯m the one you want to do the seducing,¡± Sedum said, shaking his head with a grunt. ¡°What if she kills the folk she takes to bed who disappoint her?¡±


    I paused. I hadn¡¯t considered that. ¡°¡­Don¡¯t disappoint her, then.¡±


    ¡°And you wonder why I have doubts.¡± He sighed. ¡°Not to mention I¡¯ve never even met this woman you¡¯re telling me to bed down with¨C¡±


    ¡°Asking. I¡¯m asking,¡± I stressed, wincing now. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t force you to prostitute yourself, Sedum. This isn¡¯t an order, it¡¯s a choice.¡±


    ¡°Is it?¡± He cocked his head, an odd smile on his lips. ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem like I have much of one, if I want to look out for you kids. Just gotta take one for the tribe.¡±


    ¡°If you can¡¯t or won¡¯t do it, or if it just doesn¡¯t work, I¡¯ll come up with another way to distract her. That¡¯s fine.¡± I hesitated, grimacing. ¡°¡­But yes, it is the best plan I¡¯ve got so far.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯ll force me to risk my life, but not my manhood?¡± He chuckled, but there was a bit more mirth in it and his eyes now. ¡°You are an odd one, lass.¡±


    I shrugged uneasily. I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d forced him to do anything, but this wasn¡¯t the time to argue. ¡°Nothing says that a demon can¡¯t have standards.¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t saying you can¡¯t. I¡¯m just talking, is all.¡± He let out another short laugh. ¡°I¡¯ll do it. Give it a shot, at least. No promises I¡¯ve got the raw charisma you¡¯re counting on. But,¡± he added, ¡°One question.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead.¡± Even if I couldn¡¯t relax yet, it was a relief knowing he¡¯d agreed.


    ¡°Why tell me this yourself? Why not have the little lady involved?¡± Sedum asked, meeting my eyes. ¡°She¡¯s the one we¡¯re supposed to serve, is my understanding.¡±


    ¡°¡­Lady Hydrangea wouldn¡¯t understand what¡¯s at stake.¡± I rubbed my forehead. ¡°She¡¯s told you what she is, now. She still doesn¡¯t fully understand how things work here. And she might find it too unsafe to have you sleeping with the enemy.¡± If she vetoed this thinking I was coercing Sedum, I¡¯d be back to square one, needing to go with an inferior plan.


    ¡°So you¡¯re doing it behind her back,¡± Sedum said, frowning at me.


    Among other things, yes. ¡°I am. Is that a problem?¡±


    ¡°Just strikes me that if you ever want her to understand, it might help a good bit to talk to her about it. You can¡¯t keep someone in the dark forever, lass.¡±


    He nodded to me and stepped outside. I was irked that he¡¯d gotten he¡¯d gotten the last word, but gathered up my things to follow him out.


    Only then did I wonder how he¡¯d called us kids, when no demons I¡¯d ever known could have children.


    It was a short walk to Aconite¡¯s camp, and I marched up at the head of our army; knowing Aconite, we needed to appear strong from the outset. Gia was at my side with Crassula and Uvaia flanking her, the goblin more confident than my harpy fidgeting in her emblazoned armor. Sedum wasn¡¯t with us, and I told them quietly he¡¯d catch up later. If Aconite knew the well-muscled orc was one of Gia¡¯s personal guard, the honey trap would go up in flames. For similar reasons, I kept Vaeri out of sight.


    The camp was in the middle of the woods. A fortress would have been a better base of residence, but then Aconite and her clan had never cared for trappings of civilization. High wooden palisades surrounded her camp, though, walls of sharp logs looming overhead as we walked in. But I did already know she was smarter than Phlox on that count.


    Several hulking bugbears manned the entrance, and as we approached one bellowed an alarm. They looked ready to charge us down ¨C no weapons to throw at us, not Aconite¡¯s style ¨C and might have done it, if I hadn¡¯t put Comfrey in front, visibly baffling them with his cheery waves walking among his fellow prisoners.


    ¡°We¡¯re not here to fight. We¡¯re here to meet with Huntmistress Aconite,¡± I called as they wavered. ¡°My name¡¯s Anthurium, and I¡¯ve been told she¡¯d want to speak with me.¡±


    They exchanged some looks, grumbling and making us wait while one ducked inside. After a couple minutes, he ran back out and grunted gutturally, sounds I didn¡¯t understand but which Crassula perked up to hear. ¡°Come in,¡± the messenger said more comprehensibly, and we did.


    No great surprises awaited us within the camp, hundreds of demons spread out among the tents, many sparring, some eating or talking. More goblins and their bugbear cousins, though the smaller green-skinned goblins looked on with what might have been awe, jabbering to themselves. Seeing Crassula stand up straighter and even preen as we walked past them, I inferred she was the source, somehow. More large black barghests and their fellow canine rougarous, more of the monstrous boars called calydonians.


    I could see some manticores among her troops, and that was some surprise. Phlox¡¯s clan had included them last time we fought, but Aconite hadn¡¯t. So she had kept a few of ours alive for herself, after all, then. Beyond the winged lion demons, I saw a dozen or more ¨C I supposed both were fierce and predatory enough for her. Both factors I¡¯d need to account for in my battle plans, now.


    A chorus of lupine howls came up, and the hair rose on the back of my neck as I gestured for Gia to stop. She stopped in place, and as I gave her a pointed look and glanced back at our troops, blinked and nodded hurriedly. ¡°Everyone halt!¡± she called.


    Two dozen large wolves in varying shades of gray and brown prowled our way, heads held high and hackles raised. Their hackles were raised, and a growling filled the air, eyes fixed on us like we were so many small, fuzzy creatures.


    At their lead was Aconite. The one rougarou not in wolf form, she strode towards us with not a hint of fear. Tall, muscled, and nearly appearing human save for her silver wolf¡¯s head, she had a confident, thin smile on her vulpine features. Her golden eyes were fixed on me as she approached.


    ¡°Huntmistress!¡± Comfrey called happily, bounding up towards her, movements loping and doglike despite his own near-human form. I didn¡¯t try to stop him, there¡¯d been no need to even bind him with his effusive want to be friends. ¡°I am back! I brought the Anthurium you wanted!¡­¡±


    ¡°You led her right here, did you?¡± Aconite¡¯s voice was dripping disdain, and he stopped as if struck. ¡°Right to the heart of our power.¡±


    ¡°You said you wanted to have her here?¡± Confusion laced Comfrey¡¯s words as he looked up at her.


    ¡°When I said that, I meant to drag her back yourself. Not lose to her and bring her at the head of a newly raised army.¡± Comfrey drooped more at her words, letting out a low whine, as Aconite¡¯s gaze turned to me instead. ¡°Been busy, haven¡¯t you?¡± She smiled thinly at me. ¡°Come inside. Let¡¯s talk.¡±


    Gia¡¯s mouth had been half-open but snapped shut at that, and she looked at me in alarm as muttering swept through the troops behind us. It might not be her concern, but Aconite had disregarded our nominal leader, hadn¡¯t even acknowledged her in favor of me. And that hadn¡¯t been lost on our demons proper.


    ¡°Only with the leave of my mistress, Themosthete Hydrangea,¡± I spoke loudly, looking at Gia, but she hesitated, eyes even more worried now as she looked at me. ¡°I¡¯ll be all right,¡± I told her in a whisper, even though my heart was beating fast now too. I wasn¡¯t sure of that, but I couldn¡¯t show weakness. This was a key moment. And Aconite could smell fear.


    Gia swallowed, but bobbed her head, projecting her voice louder. ¡°You can speak with my¡­ Anthurium. But I want her back in one piece!¡± she called to Aconite.


    Aconite just chuckled, not sparing her a glance as she led me away.


    Her tent, the largest in the camp, wasn¡¯t far from where I¡¯d stopped our column. Made of patchwork skins from a dozen different creatures, there was bone mixed among the wooden struts holding it up. The floor inside was covered with furs, and mounted on the walls were a number of grinning skulls. The one part not so wild was the bed in the corner, a large construction that wouldn¡¯t look out of place in any city. I supposed if she did spend her time in this form, she could make one concession to it.


    ¡°You know, girl, I did believe you were smarter than this,¡± Aconite told me in a low voice, smirking as she led me inside. ¡°You had a stronger position out there. In here you can¡¯t match me, you¡¯re fully at my mercy. You must be very confident I won¡¯t simply kill you.¡± She had a knowing look in her eyes.


    I carefully avoided eye contact with the young human man in the corner, by the bed. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Zamioculas has been mustering troops on your border,¡± I told Aconite, and her eyes narrowed to slits.


    ¡°That girl has no idea what she¡¯s up against. I¡¯ll shred her tree into chips and watch her die screaming.¡± Despite her words, I could see the focus in her eyes. Hamadryads were dependent on the tree they were bonded to, but there was no way Aconite would know which one and be able to use it against her rival. ¡°But what do you care what she does, little strategist?¡±


    ¡°It seems to me that we¡¯re in a position to help each other, Huntmistress. She could cause trouble for you as it is, but our combined forces could crush her with no issue.¡±


    Aconite laughed, short and sharp. ¡°You think I need your help? Oh, that is adorable.¡± She leaned over and grinned at me, showing her teeth. ¡°Both of you are weak compared to my Moonrise clan. Your former allies were delicious, by the way. And in my experience, it¡¯s far more likely for weaklings to gang up against their better. So why shouldn¡¯t I kill you now before you have the chance?¡±


    ¡°Dreadlord Camas,¡± I said simply. She stiffened slightly as she looked at me, a wariness flitting behind her eyes, and I knew I had her.


    It had happened a week or so after Phlox had established the Obsidian Clan proper. The vampire lord had appeared in our camp with no warning, a subtle menace to his presence, appearing to Phlox and insisting on speaking with him. Though my ex-boss had been full of bluster and boasts that he¡¯d be the next Archon soon, once Dreadlord Camas left he¡¯d seemed like a different person. Subdued, almost cowed, with a glassy look on his face, and though I had been wary enough not to do it, another demon¡¯s assurance that Camas would get his led to them being reduced to a smoking pile of ash.


    I could see the telltale signs of an enchantment on Phlox. And research confirmed charms were an Art of vampires. If Camas had come to charm a blowhard like Phlox, he certainly would have done the same to someone genuinely dangerous like Aconite.


    ¡°You must know by now what the vampire¡¯s done to you. Arts that charm can be subtle, but you¡¯re ferociously independent. It¡¯s not in your nature to just bow your head to a demon stronger than you. He¡¯s instilled loyalty in you¡­ but just how much loyalty?¡±


    ¡°Careful, girl,¡± Aconite told me, voice half a growl. I was treading on dangerous ground.


    So I held up my hands. ¡°I¡¯m not saying you need to take action against him. All I am saying is that if anyone could take him down, it would have to be someone he hasn¡¯t gotten to yet.¡± I didn¡¯t spell it out beyond that. I didn¡¯t know the exact workings of the enchantment he¡¯d laid on her and Phlox and Zamioculas. But I did know Aconite valued both strength and wildness. The charm might well push her to defend Camas, even simply on an implication¡­ but Aconite herself would fight it, if she possibly could.


    She was quiet for a moment, but I could see her eye twitch and her jaw clenching, before the internal battle she was fighting was won. ¡°Perhaps we can indeed help each other,¡± she said stiffly, and I smiled.


    ¡°An alliance for now, then? We have mutual enemies. We can assist each other to the best of our ability against them.¡± I was mindful of the charm, still, wary of it. ¡°If you want to fight me afterwards, it can be once those have been dealt with. We¡¯ll be each other¡¯s last obstacle. And the victor will have the south.¡±


    ¡°Yeees,¡± Aconite drew out the word, watching me. ¡°I can agree to that.¡±


    We returned to the stalemate of our armies, where the sounds of a scuffle could be heard as we approached. Aconite''s pace slowed and her eyebrows raised as we came close, and I tried to appear as surprised as she was.


    Sedum was wrestling an oni from the Ebon Company. He was fully shirtless now rather than simply leaving his open, and I could admit his musculature was impressive, glistening with the sweat he''d managed to work up while we were away. Maybe not impressive enough to have beaten the mercenary for real, but as he slammed the oni''s horned head into the ground, it certainly looked convincing.


    ¡°Ma''am.¡± Sedum looked up at me and gave a short salute, though his gaze flicked towards Aconite as he was speaking. ¡°Had a little misunderstanding while you were busy. Didn''t want it to get out of hand, ruin whatever you were doing.¡± He did incline his head towards Aconite, there. Good, he was playing this well.


    ¡°You. Who are you?¡± Aconite asked him, tone curious but words no less a demand.


    ¡°Sedum Acre. Man-at-arms.¡± Sedum stood up above the unmoving oni, dusting himself off as he and Aconite looked each other up and down. ¡°And of course everyone knows who you are, Huntmistress.¡±


    Aconite''s lip curled, her eyes glinting. She''d liked that. ¡°Sedum, mm. I daresay a man like you is wasted serving little girls like this.¡± She grinned in my direction, and I bristled. I hadn''t expected her to disrespect me quite that openly, but it was fine. It would work for what I was after. ¡°Why don''t you come to my tent later. I''ll make you a better offer.¡±


    This part would be key. I''d told Sedum what we needed, but I couldn''t speak for him here, so all I could do was wait, stomach twisting, as he opened his mouth. ¡°I''m surely flattered, Huntmistress. I''ve heard a woman like you has many men, ah, serving her. Honored that you''d pick out me.¡± He smiled, stepping closer, and she chuckled. ¡°I''d hope I might have the chance to show what I could do for you alone,¡± I could hear Sedum say in an undertone now.


    ¡°Oh, tonight? No one else, certainly not that piece of mange.¡± Aconite snorted, nodding in Comfrey''s direction. ¡°There is a boy I keep around, but I won''t have need for him tonight.¡±


    I swallowed hard, gritting my teeth. I was very glad Vaeri wasn''t present to hear that. Hopefully Gia hadn''t either.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°Ah, right.¡± Sedum sucked in a breath, and I could see him weighing his words carefully. Don''t let her know you know about the human, I''d impressed upon him. ¡°Well, that''s good to hear. Having time with a woman like you, I wouldn''t want any distractions...¡±


    I saw Aconite pause a moment, eyes narrowing as she contemplated that. ¡°Naturally. I could¨C¡± She stopped, reconsidered. ¡°Perhaps another place, for tonight,¡± she said, and I felt a wave of relief. This first night, then. Practically the ideal outcome. ¡°And we can see how much you''re worth it. I''ll come find you.¡±


    She turned and walked away, the rougarou following her, save for Comfrey, who looked unsure whether to stay or go. I felt someone moving beside me, and looked sideways at Uvaia, brushing my arm with a wing. ¡°Is Sedum going to be okay?¡± she asked me, eyes full of concern now as she looked at the retreating Aconite.


    Right. I had never quite pinpointed the relationship between those two, but they had known each other for a time and seemed close, back in Monem. ¡°He''ll be fine,¡± I assured her. Hoping it was true.


    - - -


    ¡°You¡¯re sure that I can¡¯t come along with you?¡± Gia asked me. Night had fallen now, and Sedum had left to go meet Aconite. That left a window open for me and Vaeri.


    I shook my head. ¡°If something goes wrong, one of us will need to be here to give the orders.¡±


    ¡°But I don¡¯t know how to order around military people,¡± Gia insisted, eyes wide. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be the one to do that, and I can go with Vaeri?¡±


    ¡°You also won¡¯t be convincing enough with Aconite¡¯s demons. I know how to act around them. I can lie to them well enough that we should be able to pull this off, and not force a battle early.¡± I sighed, seeing Gia¡¯s anxiety written across her face. ¡°And I¡¯ve already given Macodes the battle plan if it does come to that. You just need to give the order, because you¡¯re our clan¡¯s authority.¡± A clan consisting of a mere handful of demons other than mercenaries, but even so. ¡°If you hear any shouting or fighting that lasts more than a second, tell our forces to attack.¡±


    ¡°But,¡± Gia swallowed. ¡°What if it¡¯s just, like, roughhousing, or a misunderstanding¡­¡±


    ¡°If you hear anything,¡± I repeated, staring her in the eyes. ¡°You give the order to attack. If Vaeri and I get caught in combat, then delaying could mean our deaths.¡±


    Gia¡¯s face paled, but she gave a shaky nod. ¡°A-all right. Okay.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± I turned to Vaeri, who¡¯d been standing there mulishly, probably because of how I¡¯d outfitted her. ¡°Let¡¯s go save your friend.¡± And secure a powerful fire mage as an asset.


    We made our way back to Aconite¡¯s camp. This time the guards were fewer, but they recognized me as well, stepping aside after a look up and down at me and the elf with me. I wasn¡¯t trying to be stealthy, which no doubt helped their decision to let me in. The camp was dark, with far fewer demons out and about.


    ¡°Aconite¡¯s own tent. You are certain?¡± Vaeri asked me, voice low as she trailed behind me. I¡¯d been prepared for some resistance or even her trying to blast me, but for the time being she seemed to accept we had a mutual enemy. ¡°I assumed she would have a dungeon or similar.¡±


    I hadn¡¯t heard any such thing, but I hadn¡¯t needed to. ¡°Humans are valuable. It makes sense that she¡¯d want to keep him close and¡­ keep the others from damaging him.¡± That was difficult to say without wincing. ¡°But yes, I¡¯m sure of my intelligence.¡±


    ¡°More sure of it than is deserved, in my opinion,¡± Vaeri muttered. ¡°And is this bloody collar really necessary?¡± she hissed at me, tugging on the leather ring around her neck. A few of Aconite¡¯s demons were looking her way and leering or chuckling.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to be attacked on sight, yes. I don¡¯t want any trouble.¡± Not until we had all our allies in place, but I didn¡¯t even want to breathe a word of that while in enemy territory.


    We approached a larger, more ornate tent, with a rougarou in two-legged form standing in front. Male, and rather obviously so, as he wasn¡¯t wearing much clothing. ¡°Is Aconite in? I have a gift to offer her,¡± I told him, motioning to my leashed elf.


    Vaeri shot me a look so venomous I might have combusted on the spot. What was the problem? I¡¯d told her this was the plan. Well. Broadly speaking.


    ¡°She¡¯s not here right now,¡± the rougarou man told me shortly, scratching himself with a clawed hand. Also going to plan, then, and I hoped Sedum would keep Aconite busy for a little while longer. Otherwise we might end up needing to assassinate her with just Vaeri and her friend. ¡°So you should leave.¡±


    Pushing up my glasses with a finger, I sighed pointedly at him. ¡°I¡¯m one of the leaders of the Evening Star clan. You have heard that we¡¯re allies now, right? This elf¡¯s meant to commemorate that. Look, I¡¯ll just bring her inside, I¡¯ve already arranged it with your boss.¡±


    He peered at Vaeri and sniffed her. ¡°Huntmistress¡¯s tastes must be broader than I thought,¡± he said, licking his lips. Vaeri recoiled, eyes narrowing to slits as she looked at him. ¡°But nuh. No one goes in without Aconite here. Give her to me, I¡¯ll put her with the other mortal.¡±


    ¡°Of course, go right ahead and¨C Vaeri,¡± I told the priestess sharply as she started chanting. But she kept on going, raised a hand, and a beam of searing light blasted through the rougarou¡¯s torso. I winced as his remaining body fell with a thud, smoking. ¡°Damn it, I told you I didn¡¯t want to fight yet.¡± My ears were pricked for shouts of alarm and angry demons coming our way, but miraculously, neither happened.


    ¡°We confirmed Erik is here, so I saw no more use to this farce.¡± A smirk touched Vaeri¡¯s lips as she turned to me. ¡°Surely you can¡¯t have expected me to go along with this demon¡¯s whims?¡±


    I exhaled through my nose, rubbing my forehead. ¡°I was meaning you to go inside and then kill him. To avoid witnesses? Help me drag the body in, quick, before someone comes to investigate.¡±


    ¡°Well, then you should have told me as much.¡± She huffed, but bent down to grab one of the rougarou¡¯s feet.


    ¡°I was about to. And then you killed him.¡± I grabbed the other, and we hoisted the smoking body up, the smell of burnt fur in the air. Shit, plenty of Aconite¡¯s had sensitive noses, we¡¯d need to be quick. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get your boy.¡±


    Aconite¡¯s tent was unchanged from earlier, with the essential exception that she was no longer in it. Heading inside, I focused my attention on the one remaining occupant; a young human man, his hands and feet chained to the posts of her bed.


    He was a mess. Dirty clothes hung off his thin malnourished body, what might once have been green robes but were now little more than rags, torn and covered with streaks and crusts of blood. A tan leather muzzle bound his face and covered his mouth, and he lay there listlessly, eyes closed beneath bangs of wavy brown hair. If it weren¡¯t for the faint rise and fall of his chest, he wouldn¡¯t seem alive at all.


    ¡°Erik!¡± Vaeri¡¯s mask fell away, and I saw raw pain on her face ¨C she looked younger, more vulnerable, than I¡¯d ever seen her before. His eyes shot open, emerald gaze settling on her, as she rushed over to his side. She looked at the bed he was chained to and her jaw tightened harshly. ¡°Let me get these filthy things off of you,¡± she said, grabbing for the muzzle covering his mouth.


    He yanked away from her with desperate strength, a moan muffled by his gag as terror filled his eyes.


    ¡°¡­Erik?¡± Vaeri asked, staring at him with her hands in the air, confusion and guilt lacing her words.


    ¡°Give him some space,¡± I told Vaeri, wincing again. Gods, I hated seeing people reduced to this. Was there anything I could have done sooner? ¡°Erik, is it? Neither of us are going to hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Erik, it¡¯s me,¡± Vaeri said softly. ¡°You do remember me, don¡¯t you?¡±


    That cut through the state he was in. He shook his head slightly, staring at her, then me, and then down at himself. With a bitter, disgusted look on his face, he lifted his chained hands, the metal on them jingling.


    Vaeri grit her teeth and, watching him tenderly, pulled the muzzle down more slowly this time. Erik let her, and gasped as soon as she did, taking deep breaths with his eyes focusing.


    ¡°Vaeri? God, I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re here,¡± he spoke, voice raspy with disuse. His face was free of stubble underneath, furthering the sense Aconite had done this to someone barely old enough to be a man. ¡°How did you even find me?¡±


    ¡°I got your message, you oaf,¡± Vaeri replied with a stilted laugh-sob. She was patently overflowing with emotion, and for that reason I wasn¡¯t sure if she caught his startled look at her answer, and what, I thought, might have been outright confusion in his gaze. ¡°Ah, Erik, you don¡¯t need to stay in this awful place anymore. I¡¯m getting you out of here. I¡¯m going to bring you home.¡±


    He let out a tired, breathy laugh as she said that, gaze trailing over her. ¡°You didn¡¯t get imprisoned too just to get to me, right?¡± he asked, frowning sharply as his eyes settled on the collar, and traced down to the leash still in my hand.


    ¡°What? No, don¡¯t be absurd. It was only a ruse to get me in here.¡± She narrowed her eyes at him with a pout that made me stifle a laugh. ¡°Surely you don¡¯t think I¡¯d let such a thing happen?¡±


    ¡°Heh, guess not. I must be the only one dumb enough to have let this happen to me.¡± There was no rancor in his voice, but Vaeri still flinched and dropped her gaze, looking guilty.


    ¡°Well, you won¡¯t have it happening to you anymore. We¡¯re getting you out of there.¡± Vaeri spoke a new incantation and the metal of the chain glowed. I thought at first she meant to melt it, no matter how it might burn his hands, but rather than glowing red-hot it settled into a soft golden tone.


    ¡°Easy, now. We need to think about this,¡± I told Vaeri sharply, as the softened chain started to stretch between Erik¡¯s straining wrists. ¡°Aconite will not like her prisoner going missing from her own tent. At best she¡¯ll organize a search, but more likely she¡¯ll suspect us and attack. It¡¯d be a bloodbath.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a damn how much demon blood is spilled,¡± Vaeri hissed at me. ¡°Erik¡¯s suffered here for far too long already. We get him out now.¡±


    I bit back frustration. This wasn¡¯t exactly unexpected, and was the main reason I¡¯d come up with battle as a backup. Vaeri¡¯s loyalty was unpredictable but she had raw power to depend on in a package that could easily pass as a slave. Just what I needed to get in here, and getting both Vaeri and Erik back to our camp together, we could tip the balance even more before I ambushed Aconite herself. ¡°All right. We¡¯ll bring him back now.¡±


    Vaeri blinked at me, open shock on her face. Suspicion followed an instant later. ¡°What is your game?¡± she asked me, narrowing her eyes.


    ¡°No games. You¡¯re right. Aconite¡¯s gone and her tent¡¯s now unguarded. This is our best chance to get Erik out safe.¡± I glanced at the human boy. ¡°And we¡¯re going to fight her anyway. I¡¯d rather get you out of this hell now than make you wait any longer.¡±


    Vaeri was still staring suspiciously, and leaned in towards Erik as if to whisper something, before startling as he let out a rough laugh.


    ¡°Haha! Ah, thank god. I wasn¡¯t sure what to think when you came in with Vaeri on a leash, but I did have a good feeling about you back then.¡± He was grinning at me, but it faded as he held my gaze. ¡°Even if you were trying to work for her.¡±


    ¡°Back ¨C you two have met?!¡± Vaeri looked wildly from him to me, glaring. ¡°You, I asked you if you¡¯d seen him alive but you told me nothing of this! What is going on?!¡±


    And this was the other reason I¡¯d wanted to be here instead of Gia. I remembered back then, too.


    - - -


    ¡°We¡¯re camped on top of the hill by this bend of the Driobe river.¡± I pointed to the spot on my map, spread on the unfamiliar table in front of me. ¡°Your scouts might already have realized that. It¡¯s not the best defensive position, but I¡¯ve been insisting on a heavy guard. They¡¯re already complaining, and Phlox doesn¡¯t like conflict he can¡¯t just deal with by burning it. Give it a day or two and he¡¯ll have toned down our guard shifts to appease the soldiers. That would be the optimal time to strike.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve already been making preparations, then? Even before you secured this meeting.¡± Aconite smirked at me, muscled arms folded across her chest. A chained-up figure was laying against the wall beside her bed, a brown-haired human lying listlessly but with his head tilted slightly our way, most likely listening since I¡¯d come in. ¡°You must be very confident in what you have to offer me.¡±


    ¡°It should be clear I¡¯m not interested in working with Phlox any further.¡± I looked up, meeting her gaze. ¡°I¡¯m offering you the easy means to destroy him. Then Zamioculas will be your only rival left in the southern territories. If you play your cards right, you might be able to usurp Camas completely.¡±


    ¡°And what is it that you wish in exchange, then?¡± Aconite¡¯s smile showed her teeth. ¡°Don¡¯t think I haven¡¯t noticed you eyeing my pet over there. If you¡¯d want him as a reward, you should know I¡¯m not fond of sharing.¡±


    The human boy stiffened at that, looking at me with fearful eyes, and I held in a wince. ¡°He¡¯s not my type,¡± I said shortly, which did, depressingly, seem to calm him down. ¡°What I want is a position as your new strategist. I can do for you what I¡¯ve done for Phlox, to make him as prominent as he is.¡± My gaze trailed over to the young man. The chains on his wrists, the pain in his gaze. ¡°But if we¡¯re negotiating, I wouldn¡¯t mind taking him into my custody. I¡¯m sure a themosthete like yourself has plenty to keep yourself occupied, especially if you will soon be a rising Archon. Is a distraction like him really necessary¨C?¡±


    ¡°Are you trying to tell me my business, little one?¡± Aconite asked almost sweetly. But I could see the hackles raise on her lupine head, see the warning way her lips pulled back over her fangs.


    I backed down. ¡°Just an idea, Huntmistress. I occasionally have good ones, I¡¯m told.¡±


    She let out a short bark of laughter. ¡°Such as trading up from that fool to a new mistress, I assume?¡± Aconite¡¯s dangerous smile settled down, and I relaxed just slightly. ¡°It would no doubt be an improvement for you. But my answer to your proposition is no.¡±


    My stomach lurched, and I felt physically thrown for a loop. ¡°Excuse me? But I¡¯ve already helped you¡­¡± I¡¯d thought she might try to bargain me down. An outright refusal was not expected.


    ¡°Which I will consider sufficient tribute to let you leave alive and not devour you right here.¡± Aconite smirked at me. ¡°But you should know better than to lead with everything you have to offer. You¡¯ve already set up all I need to win. So what use do I have for your further service?¡±


    Now I felt myself growing angry. ¡°You can¡¯t possibly think Phlox could have accomplished so much on his own. You can win one battle, but if you want to keep winning, you will want me to serve you.¡±


    ¡°Serve me like you have served Phlox, by leading him to his death?¡± She chuckled. ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t doubt you¡¯re clever, strategos. But I also know that you¡¯re weak.¡± Her gaze chilled me now, and I felt trapped in place. ¡°I¡¯ve had my eye on you for some time, Anthurium. The mystery woman whispering in Phlox¡¯s ear. But the reports I¡¯ve had of you in battle were¡­ disappointing.¡± Her lips spread in another feral grin.


    ¡°You fight like a human, strategist. Not even a worthwhile one, just one of the simple fools that try and fail to guard their settlements. As though weapons and armor can stand up to demonic strength.¡± She flexed her hand, black claws gleaming. ¡°And I have no place for a weakling in my army.¡±


    I could feel even her prisoner¡¯s eyes on me now. I felt exposed, the secrets I¡¯d tried to hide very nearly out in the open. ¡°Fine. You¡¯re not going to employ me. Why shouldn¡¯t I go right back to Phlox and strengthen our defenses for your assault?¡±


    Now Aconite¡¯s eyes were chips of ice, but her voice stayed even. ¡°You could do that. You most certainly could. But I will come for Phlox, whether or not you choose to make things difficult. And if you do, if your information is not accurate, then I will tell my troops to seek you out and rip off your limbs, to make you a helpless prisoner fully at my mercy.¡±


    Her voice turned honey-sweet. ¡°However, if you let the betrayal you¡¯ve already set up proceed as planned, I will let you flee from the battle alive. So long as you don¡¯t do anything stupid.¡± She chuckled. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t try fighting my troops yourself, I¡¯ll tell you that much. Just run away like the weak little creature you are. Find a new master, one who doesn¡¯t know better than to listen to you.¡±


    ¡°And I will be eager to crush your next master just the same.¡±


    - - -


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time to discuss it right now,¡± I said, shaking myself out of the memories. ¡°Vaeri killed one of Aconite¡¯s guards, and it left a strong scent. Erik, would you be able to fight?¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding? You have no idea how long I¡¯ve fantasized about busting out of here.¡± He laughed unsteadily, starting to stand but grimacing and almost collapsing. ¡°Gah, hell. I didn¡¯t know I was so sore.¡±


    ¡°Vaeri, you can get him more ready with your healing, right? I¡¯ll try to head off anyone coming to investigate, outside. If anyone unfamiliar comes in, kill them.¡±


    I made my way to the tent flaps, opening my third eye just briefly. The auras in our vicinity were blinding enough as it was, I was glad I¡¯d stationed the mercenaries at more of a distance. Even with a glimpse I was pretty sure no one was right outside, and the familiar auras were ¨C wait a godsdamned second.


    Oh, you had to be kidding me. He was here? He was alive?!


    I rushed out of Aconite¡¯s tent, making a beeline for the all-too-familiar aura I¡¯d sensed. It led me away from the tents and fires to a darker, colder part of camp off by the palisade walls. There an unexpected sight awaited me; a demon¡¯s head barely visible above the rim of a watery personal prison.


    ¡°Phlox,¡± I told the maimed, pathetic figure of my previous boss, staring up at him. ¡°I¡¯m genuinely shocked she kept you alive.¡±


    He was hardly recognizable as himself anymore. Phlox had been a large demon, with a squat but sizable body. Looking at him now, I could tell Aconite¡¯s threat to rip off my limbs hadn¡¯t been empty words. But with his own so small, and most of his body being flab and tail, she hadn¡¯t stopped at that.


    I didn¡¯t know how he was even alive. Most of his body was simply gone, what was left terminating in a jaggedly torn surface at the bottom where he floated in water. The exposed muscle no longer red or pink but turned grayish, decaying in the stasis in which he was held. I could see part of an organ, maybe his stomach, poking out of the bottom. Phlox had little left to him but his face and that chunk of wrinkled brown torso, but I could see murky waste sunk to the bottom of his glass cell. So Aconite had been feeding him, even if it would have been kinder to let him die.


    He was in a large glass basin full to the brim with water, and I could feel the cold air radiating off its walls ¨C a countermeasure to his fire Arts, presumably. I couldn¡¯t imagine where she¡¯d found something like this, but to humiliate her former enemy, she¡¯d evidently spared no expense.


    Phlox¡¯s black beady gaze found me then. ¡°You,¡± he rasped. ¡°Have you been here with Aconite all this time, traitor? I¡¯m surprised that you didn¡¯t come to gloat before now. Are you proud of your betrayal?¡±


    The smart thing, perhaps, would have been to deny it. Say I was here to backstab Aconite, offer him vengeance against her, set him loose from his imprisonment and see what damage he could do. Injuries like this would at best be stretching Vaeri¡¯s healing to the limit, but it might let him survive briefly as a decoy and suicide bomber.


    But I had a bone to pick with him. ¡°It rid me of you. That¡¯s one thing to be proud of about it.¡± I glared at him, climbing up the stepladder placed beside his cell. ¡°You were an arrogant, narcissistic ass from the outset, Phlox, but probably the dumbest thing you ever did was think that you could be more without me. You brought what happened on yourself.¡±


    ¡°I should have killed you,¡± the sloth demon groaned, gazing at me with a look of hate. ¡°The moment you first came to me.¡±


    ¡°And you thought you¡¯d make up for lost time, right? All I¡¯d done for you wasn¡¯t enough. You were still going to throw away a perfectly good tool.¡± I blew out a breath, and lowered my voice to a whisper. ¡°You want to know the fun thing, though, Phlox? You would have been right to do it.¡±


    His eyes bulged out in his scarred brown head. ¡°You little shit¡­ did you always mean to betray me?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say it was in the back of my mind since I first met with you.¡± I chuckled, staring him in the eyes. ¡°Ever since I became a demon, I¡¯ve been looking for someone who had what it takes to be king. It was obvious from early on that you wouldn¡¯t. But you were easy to manipulate. You let me build a strong clan under you. I thought I could at least use you to topple Camas, and if he killed you in the process, so much the better. If you lived, I¡¯d have made you Hesperia¡¯s dumbest Archon, easy as pie to stab in the back.¡±


    He started straining to move, a disgusting and pathetic effort considering he didn¡¯t have any limbs. ¡°You vile¡­ disloyal¡­!¡±


    ¡°But then you had to screw it all up, huh.¡± I glared at him. ¡°I thought I could turn to Aconite¡¯s side, but she didn¡¯t respect me, no more than you. That she left you alive instead of Cory or Yarrow or Rubi¡­ ugh. Bastard, you¡¯re the only one who didn¡¯t deserve to live.¡±


    I brought my crossbow up and pointed it between his eyes. The way he shrunk back in fear gave me a very pleasing shiver. ¡°Let¡¯s just correct that right now, shall we?¡± I couldn¡¯t have him telling Gia I wasn¡¯t to be trusted. I¡¯d make sure Aconite died tonight too, and if I couldn¡¯t keep Erik quiet¡­ well, I could make do without him.


    Phlox¡¯s eyes blazed with fury, and he let out a furious roar. I caught a glimpse of his maimed body glowing red before steam started pouring off the water¡­


    I pulled the trigger, felt the bow kick in my hand, but any noise was cut off by the hissing of steam. I jerked back at the hot condensed air on my face, nearly falling backwards off the stepladder.


    But in a few seconds¡¯ time, the steam was clearing up. Looking in, I saw Phlox¡¯s blank, dead eyes. My crossbow bolt was embedded deep between them, my asshole boss rightfully dead at my hands.


    But as the steam cloud he¡¯d formed with his last breath floated up, I could hear barking and shouts from all around the camp. The alarm had been raised, the Moonrise clan on alert.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I muttered. Time for the backup plan, then.

 16. Aconite (Part 1)

    The first thing was to get my bearings, as the alarm was raised by Aconite¡¯s guards. While I could find my way back to Erik and Vaeri, heading back to Aconite¡¯s tent alone was asking to get killed by a Moonrise Clan demon. I¡¯d much rather have had them close by for the battle breaking out, but at this point, getting back to direct the battle was a higher priority. We could collect those two later, and they could handle themselves in the meantime, especially backing each other up.


    So I ran back towards our adjoining camp, staying in the shadows of the wooden palisade wall. I could hear roars, screams, and clangs and crunching sounds as the Ebon Company clashed with Aconite¡¯s demons. Thankfully, it seemed like Gia hadn¡¯t delayed in giving Macodes the order to attack. But something felt off; the sounds of battle were less one-sided than I had planned on. Aconite¡¯s should have been caught by surprise, but instead they were ready to put up a fight, striking back audibly at the armored demons I¡¯d sent in as our first wave.


    That was fine, though. Casualties might be higher than I¡¯d hoped for, but we still had the numerical advantage, and were far better trained and equipped than Aconite¡¯s wild army. Many of her demons would be stronger individually than our majority-asura mercenaries, but they¡¯d be nothing we couldn¡¯t overcome. Aconite herself was the only one that worried me, but I had plans to deal with her. They just needed to come through.


    I reached the entrance to the camp, where a loud melee was ongoing between heavy infantry, Aconite¡¯s bugbears holding the line against our armored asuras. Bodies littered the ground around me, and more mercenaries coming through looked about to skewer me with their polearms. But thankfully, they recognized me quickly ¨C I needed my own recognizable uniform ¨C and waved me on through. ¡°Macodes!¡± I called, making my way to the danava woman who towered over most others.


    The red-skinned muscled woman pulled her lightning-bladed dagger from a rougarou¡¯s eye and laughed aloud as it fell, grinning at me. ¡°Hey there! Thought you were going to miss the fun. Few of these guys were lying in wait for us.¡± She clapped a hand on the shoulder of the pink-haired woman at her side, and Gia stumbled and nearly fell from it. ¡°Thought I¡¯d bring the Lady along to see what she could do, but she still hasn¡¯t killed a single one of ¡®em!¡±


    Gia¡¯s wall-eyed expression said she would rather be anywhere else right now, but it melted into relief as her gaze fell on me. ¡°Oh, thank god, there you are,¡± Gia breathed, looking between Uvaia and Crassula at her sides as if to make sure they were still there. ¡°Are you okay? Where¡¯s Vaeri?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, she¡¯s with our target.¡± I hadn¡¯t told Macodes that we were risking so much to rescue a human, and I was happy to stay vague now. ¡°We¡¯ll link up with her soon, but there¡¯s more pressing business. Commander Macodes, where¡¯s Aconite?¡±


    Having Sedum play the honey trap for Aconite was a multipurpose plan. Getting her out of her tent where I knew Erik to be was part of it, yes, but the rest was luring her to an isolated location. Sedum had seemed to convince her of the need for privacy, but she hadn¡¯t been willing to stay at his tent, taking him off to another location. But we¡¯d had a contingency in place for that too.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know,¡± Macodes said, looking thoroughly unbothered. ¡°But I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll show up soon enough. Save me a piece, will you?¡±


    What did she mean she didn¡¯t know? ¡°What happened to the covert ops you had tail her and Sedum?¡± If they could find her, we could kill her. I had no compunctions about killing someone mid-intimacy.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t reported in. Might be dead, might be tied up.¡± She shrugged her shoulders.


    ¡°You said she wouldn¡¯t be able to spot them!¡± Vaeri hadn¡¯t noticed being tailed by the same scouts.


    ¡°Well, things don¡¯t always go as planned. Like we didn¡¯t catch the Moonies with their pants down how you said. Now are you going to keep gawking at me, or take command?¡± Now she was glaring.


    Her tone made me twitch, but I took a deep breath and focused. ¡°They¡¯ll have reinforcements for the bugbears soon. You and Lithops form up with your units in a wedge formation, push on Aconite¡¯s west flank, engage the ushi-oni when they arrive.¡± Infantry in a pike wall could face down charges from rougarous or even tough-skinned calydonians. But the armored beetles that were ushi-oni would shrug off blows of anyone other than our heaviest hitters, which was where our jotnar and danava came in.


    ¡°Have Chromolaena¡¯s light infantry seek out the manticores, pin them down with a decoy force while they report back to you. Then you or Lithops search and destroy. Kill them and we¡¯ll have ranged superiority assured.¡± The scorpion-tailed manticores were the only long-range combatants in Aconite¡¯s army, and while their poisoned spines might not punch through plate, they¡¯d be a menace to anyone less armored being fired upon. ¡°Keep the archers behind a shield wall until the manticores are dealt with, they¡¯re too valuable to get shot down or poisoned.¡± With a steady rain of volleys on Aconite¡¯s forces, victory should be assured.


    She nodded, serious again and drinking in my every word. ¡°What about Aconite?¡±


    ¡­almost assured. ¡°Anyone who spots her should report her position immediately. We¡¯ll concentrate volleys on her if we can, otherwise, only heavy infantry should confront her if possible.¡± They wouldn¡¯t win, but she¡¯d have to punch through their armor to kill them, so it¡¯d buy more time. ¡°We can take care of her if she shows up,¡± I added. Gia should be able to, especially backed up with holy magic. ¡°Leave a platoon of heavy infantry with us, we¡¯re going to pick up some additional assets.¡±


    Macodes gave a quick salute, and moved out, as Gia and her guards came back up to me.


    ¡°So Sedum¡¯s still out there with Aconite?¡± Uvaia asked me, eyes wide with worry. ¡°But there¡¯s no way she won¡¯t notice this battle now. What if she blames him? She might kill him!¡±


    And that was one reason why I¡¯d wanted to bring Vaeri and Erik back first. Assassinating Aconite could have ended the battle before it started, and improved Sedum¡¯s odds of safety to boot. ¡°He knows the risks. We discussed it.¡± I wavered in the face of her despondent expression. ¡°We¡¯ll link up with the elf priestess Vaeri and her friend. If he¡¯s¡­ hurt,¡± And still alive, and not killed. ¡°She can help him.¡±


    Gia and Uvaia exchanged a downcast look, and even Crassula looked grim. ¡°I could,¡± Gia started to say, before hesitating, wincing. ¡°No, Vaeri¡¯s a better idea than anything I could try.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± I beckoned them, and we advanced, surrounded by armor and shields.


    I directed us around the camp¡¯s outskirts to avoid the bulk of the fighting. I had to guess my way towards Aconite¡¯s tent, but there were flashes of light and familiar booms of flame that I led our troop towards. Getting in fights wasn¡¯t my goal, keeping our priestess and mage alive would be much more important than losing a few more soldiers in skirmishes. Macodes and her sub-commanders should have things well in hand, and though a few scattered demons tried to face us and at least die fighting, each one was cut down swiftly and easily. Gia winced, moaned, or shuddered each time.


    Oddly, at one point a rabble of enemy goblins came towards us shouting and waving weapons, but Crassula startled and pushed her way through to the front. I couldn¡¯t see well through demons taller than me, but I saw the goblins stop short, then veer off course, evidently picking another fight. Something to ask about when the night was won.


    But our relative luck couldn¡¯t last. I could hear Vaeri¡¯s voice faintly now when a larger assemblage of Aconite¡¯s demons spotted us. Calydonians and rougarou and kishi, all the bestial demons charging towards us on sight and crashing into our lines with screams and clangs.


    ¡°Shields up! Form a phalanx, push them back!¡± I shouted, gesturing sharply to Gia, Uvaia, and Crassula. ¡°Come on, this way!¡± I started pulling them free of our formation.


    ¡°We need to help, right?¡± Gia called over the sounds, eyes wide as the fighting broke out, but I grabbed her shoulder and pulled her out from among the Ebon ranks.


    ¡°We can help them better with Vaeri and Erik.¡± I gestured her forward towards the tent ¨C Gia should go in first, in case Vaeri blasted the first person she saw. ¡°Come on, we can¡¯t get bogged down, we¡¯ll be right back,¡± I told her, beckoning Uvaia and Crassula behind me. It was just a short distance to cross alone, a lull in the fighting empty of other demons.


    Halfway to her tent, Aconite hit me with the force of an avalanche.


    I was lucky in that the impact didn¡¯t kill me, but it certainly fucking didn¡¯t feel that way at the time. My ribs screamed in protest as I was thrown from the ground, and I couldn¡¯t breathe even before I landed hard on my back, which my organs didn¡¯t take any better.


    I heard Uvaia and Gia scream my name but I couldn¡¯t respond to them. Partly because I was winded, mostly because having Huntmistress Aconite crouched over you had a way of freezing words in one¡¯s throat.


    ¡°Still alive, little strategist?¡± the wolf-woman growled, grinning at me with a mouth full of fangs. ¡°Good. I don¡¯t want you to die before I¡¯m done with you.¡± Her arm lashed out lightning-quick and I felt a tight grip strangling me.


    A high avian cry filled the air and Aconite tensed up. In a flash she was gone from atop me, an angry Uvaia flapping into the space where she¡¯d been a moment ago, but I¡¯d caught a grimace on her face that looked very like pain before she¡¯d disappeared.


    ¡°Get back here!¡± Gia shouted from somewhere off to the side. That might explain the glimpse I¡¯d gotten, but it¡¯d be too much to hope for Aconite to be dead yet. ¡°No, wait, I mean stay away from her! Back off!¡±


    ¡°You found a fleshwarper! And here I thought those girls of yours all smelled like pushovers.¡± That confirmed that, and also figured. Aconite¡¯s mocking laugh came out of the night around us, as Uvaia pulled me to my feet, gripping my hand with her wingtip.


    ¡°How bad are you hurt?¡± Uvaia started to ask before I waved a hand sharply to stop her, gesturing skyward as best I could as I tried to breathe and speak.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯m fine.¡± My ribs would be a mess but adrenaline dulled it for now, and the long-term effects were far less pressing than surviving right this second. ¡°Get up,¡± I hissed at her through gritted teeth, Aconite might take her time with me but she wouldn¡¯t show restraint with anyone else¡­


    There was a hollow wham of flesh hitting a surface followed by a pained, startled yipe, and I whirled to see Aconite staggering back from Gia, turning herself with wide eyes to face the werewolf who¡¯d leaped at her from behind.


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    ¡°And quite the defense on you, fleshwarper,¡± Aconite growled, but hunched and leaped a dozen paces in a bound, landing opposite me as Gia let out a frustrated shout. ¡°Fine. You can keep your head for now. I¡¯ll feast on some wings instead.¡± She grinned darkly at me.


    Aconite charged at Uvaia and me, and I couldn¡¯t do anything, I knew rougarou were strong and agile but I couldn¡¯t stand up to this¨C


    A silvery blade swung in between us and Aconite swerved, growling and skidding on the grass as she stopped beyond us, looking back at her new foe. Crassula grunted and turned towards her, glancing at her axe and seeming disappointed to find it unbloodied.


    That, I could use, Aconite was fast but she couldn¡¯t stop right away, and I saw now how she¡¯d picked an open part of the camp to ambush me. ¡°Get in cover!¡± I shouted, more a gasp really, as Uvaia finally took flight and Crassula circled around me. Hopefully she¡¯d realize the air was better defense for her, because if Aconite was going to keep charging at us, putting obstacles between us and her would help significantly¡­


    Aconite leaped before I could act on that thought. The shape and tint of her forearms changed in midair, and I tried to dodge away reflexively, but she wasn¡¯t pouncing on me. Crassula caught Aconite¡¯s claws on her axe haft and I saw a glimpse of larger furred paws and legs ¨C Aconite could partially shift her body, then? ¨C but Crassula spun the weapon in her hands and fended off strikes from both paws as Aconite took a stance. If she could only land a hit.


    But Aconite was still faster, and speed was even more dangerous in close quarters. Aconite¡¯s claws swiped lower now at Crassula¡¯s armored side, and there was a high screeching sound of them scoring the metal. From how Crassula hissed, the impact had scratched through, and as she staggered and her grip slackened Aconite struck out with her other paw to rip off Crassula¡¯s head.


    But with her other arm, Crassula brought up a small shield and the blow glanced off with a clang, when had she gotten a shield, I hadn¡¯t given her that! ¨C And Aconite growled, she readied herself for another death blow but snapped her teeth and let out a frustrated roar, pulling back with feet trampling the grass, darting out of sight for now.


    I looked at the girl I deemed responsible. ¡°Gia, you can¡¯t get her?¡± No time for titles, not with this enemy.


    ¡°She¡¯s too fast! I try to hurt her but she¡¯s gone before I can make it work!¡± Gia shouted back, voice high with strain.


    No, Gia couldn¡¯t give us an easy win this time. She¡¯d been keeping Aconite from engaging any of us for long, but I couldn¡¯t count on that for much longer. I couldn¡¯t fend Aconite off like Crassula had, if she got a mind to she could kill me before And we couldn¡¯t make her come at us from a single direction, even the camp was an open battlefield and she was so much more mobile than us¡­


    Wait. That could work. ¡°My shoulder. Whoever she goes for, do that, bigger.¡± The pauldrons I¡¯d picked up in the city should conceal my meaning. Aconite might move too swiftly to target her body, but our flesh was still available. Aconite wouldn¡¯t expect spikes to erupt from whoever she struck. Best case they¡¯d impale her, but all I needed was to hold her in place long enough for Gia to finish the job.


    ¡°What?! No! Why would I do that?¡± Gia looked at me with panicked incredulity, and I started to reply before a lightning bolt ripped through my arm, and a scream came out instead as Aconite blurred past me, arm torn open by her claws.


    ¡°Think faster. You¡¯re such a juicy, tempting target¡­¡± Aconite¡¯s chuckling salted my wound, as pain throbbed through my arm and I tried not to drop to my knees.


    ¡°Just do it, Gia! We¡¯ll be fine!¡± I fought to get out the words, teeth grit. Victory was worth this cost. I¡¯d rather be fleshwarped than killed or dragged off to be treated like Phlox had been.


    ¡°No! No, I can¡¯t, not again!¡± Gia shook her head wildly, still not understanding the need. ¡°I¡¯m not going to hurt you, Ann! Don¡¯t try and make me!¡±


    ¡°Is that right?¡± Aconite¡¯s voice rang out before another blur flashed in my vision and a vice grip grabbed my lower arm. Crassula and I had both been watching but Aconite had still grabbed me before I could react, with a force that nearly pulled my arm out of its socket. She might have dislocated it if that wasn¡¯t the arm Gia had ¡®healed¡¯, but a wrenching pain still shot through me as I was pulled off my feet, carried bodily along until she slowed her pace and stopped. We were behind a tent with dark figures clashing around us, none closer than a few yards off, none of my allies in sight.


    ¡°Unlike you, ¡®Gia¡¯, I couldn¡¯t be happier to hurt this traitor. And I¡¯ll start on her right now if you don¡¯t do exactly what I say,¡± Aconite called over, claws digging into my arm as I fought the need to scream. ¡°I¡¯m not going to take my chances with a fleshwarper, so if you or any of you don¡¯t do what I say, I break your general¡¯s skinny little neck. Got it?¡±


    Fear was rapidly overtaking adrenaline now. ¡°Aconite, we shouldn¡¯t be fighting, I don¡¯t know what kicked off this battle,¡± I started to say before her hand moved off my arm to clutch my throat instead.


    ¡°Yes! Yes, okay, I get it! What do you want?¡± Gia¡¯s frantic voice carried over, and I clenched my teeth. Playing into her hands, I had to find a way out, but Aconite literally had my life in her hands too.


    ¡°Very good. Now, you need to see me to work your skills on me, so you¡¯re going to cover your eyes, with cloth or metal, not your hands. Then one of your allies walks you over here. You will do nothing to defend yourself, and I will eat your heart.¡± I felt a chill through my body, and Aconite licked her lips. ¡°If I see you with eyes uncovered, I kill her. If I can¡¯t tear your heart from your chest, I kill her. If any of your friends try to interfere, I kill her. Understand?¡±


    ¡°¡­and you¡¯ll let Anthurium go if I do what you want?¡± Gia¡¯s voice was smaller now, but still audible, if barely.


    ¡°I¡¯d choose to think of it like this. The longer you go without obeying, the more deeply I harm her now.¡± Her claws pierced into my stomach, and she let go my neck just enough to let me scream as she dragged them down slowly, tearing my flesh. ¡°She won¡¯t survive easily if I¡¯ve ripped off her arms.¡±


    ¡°I get it! I¡¯ll do it. I¡¯m coming, just let me cover my eyes. Just wait a second¡­¡± Gia sounded desperate. I dearly hoped that was put on and that she had a plan. If she actually let Aconite kill her, it would be the worst case scenario.


    ¡°Aconite waits for no one, girl. Be quick about it.¡± She pulled her claws from my abdomen and stabbed deep into my intact arm, and I felt another scream rip from my throat.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you want to hunt me?¡± I gasped. I could barely speak with the pain, my eyes had filled with tears, and I loathed myself deeply for it. ¡°What kind of hunt is this?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll set you loose and have my fun with you once that one¡¯s dealt with,¡± Aconite told me, chuckling. ¡°I¡¯ve heard how dangerous she can be. No, I won¡¯t tell you how. I¡¯d rather kill her with my own strength, but I¡¯ll settle for this.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you want a fleshwarper working for you?¡± A haze of pain was blurring out all else now, and I tried to concentrate, searching for any words that could salvage this still. ¡°I can make you Archon. You can feed on anyone else for strength, don¡¯t waste a talent like her.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need anyone but myself. Not a tender heart like her, and especially not you.¡± Aconite¡¯s voice was a growl, dark with anger. ¡°You think I didn¡¯t expect your betrayal? Why of any demon out there would I trust someone like you? I thought I¡¯d use you against Zamioculas first, but I kept my army alert in case you¡¯d try something foolish. And you proved me right. You earned your own death.¡±


    That explained why the battle hadn¡¯t gone as planned, but that knowledge didn¡¯t help me now as she kept talking. ¡°From the moment you came to me I found you pathetic. A quivering little prey creature, hiding behind her betters to survive.¡± Aconite¡¯s expression turned ugly as she clutched my throat, squeezing, strangling. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought of you at the time, but now I know it¡¯s even worse. Even prey knows to roll over and die when it¡¯s beaten. No, little girl, what you are is a parasite. You worm yourself into the graces of stronger demons, and eat them from the inside out to keep yourself alive.¡±


    My air supply was running thin, but I heard footsteps from nearby. Lots of them, too many to be Gia. I felt my dagger up my sleeve, I just needed a second¡¯s distraction, but Aconite didn¡¯t take her eyes off me for that second needed. ¡°Huntmistress! We here to fight!¡± A voice chirped out, raspy, goblinoid.


    ¡°Weaklings. Worse than your goblin. One of these days I¡¯ll give them their due,¡± Aconite muttered to me, before raising her voice. ¡°Have you missed the battle all around you? Go and fight, then. Find Mimulus and¨C¡± There was a small shthunk noise and she let out a startled, pained growl.


    ¡°We here to fight you!¡± The same voice crowed, and the pressure on my throat vanished as Aconite dropped me. I could see her legs shifting to thicker lupine limbs, but before they did I caught a glimpse of several small lacerations, matching the goblins¡¯ blades. ¡°Huntmistress not respect goblins! Not care if goblins die! New leader will!¡± A raucous chorus of cheers followed his declaration, before cutting off into panicked shrieks as Aconite struck one goblin in the face with a crack that snapped their neck.


    ¡°Turning my own against me?¡± Aconite snarled at me over her shoulder, lashing out with a sweeping kick that sent more goblins careening amid screams. I was still trying to breathe, saving me the choice of whether to claim responsibility or admit I had no idea what was happening. ¡°You should have tried with real demons, not fodder I can snuff out with a single bite¡­¡±


    A rock struck her on the crown of her head, and Aconite hunched up with a yipe, looking around wildly as I scampered away. She wouldn''t find the source until she looked up; that was something I¡¯d worked with Uvaia on, and while I hoped to work her way up to javelins, she¡¯d timed that drop very well.


    Several goblins were still making noises indicating they weren¡¯t dead, and as I ran from Aconite I saw Crassula waving to them, shouting out something in the goblin language that I couldn¡¯t understand. I couldn¡¯t think on that now, though, hearing Uvaia shriek; whirling around, I saw her careening downward with Aconite latched onto her leg, having leaped high enough to drag my harpy to earth.


    ¡°Now for dinner,¡± Aconite growled, brushing aside Uvaia¡¯s frantic attempts to fend her off. She grabbed one wing and bit down hard with a crunch, and Uvaia screamed to the heavens as Aconite lifted her mouth up, dripping dark liquid¡­


    A blinding white beam shot through the night towards her, and Aconite yanked herself to one side. The blast missed, but a wide, wild column of fire followed, making Aconite jump fully off Uvaia to avoid it, though Uvaia cried out at the flames just above.


    Vaeri was standing a few yards off with luminous shields floating around her, and beside the elf priestess was Erik the human, sparks and embers emanating from his hand.


    ¡°Hey, there! Cavalry¡¯s arrived!¡± Erik shouted, light from Vaeri¡¯s magic glinting off his smile. I didn¡¯t care how neither of them were remotely close to cavalry, all I felt was overwhelming relief.


    ¡°You have a lot to answer for, demon,¡± Vaeri hissed at Aconite, eyes glowing with holy light.


    Aconite stared at them with hard eyes for a second before she turned and rushed out of sight. A high, clear howl cut through the night, and I tensed at the sound.


    ¡°Erik, she¡¯ll be calling more rougarou. Can you wall us off?¡± I called ¨C whether we¡¯d be cutting Aconite off from us or in with us, either should limit her options. ¡°Uvaia, are you alright?¡± I asked more softly, as Erik chanted familiar phrases and a sheet of orange fire formed on the ground, spreading around us in a circle and igniting several tents as it did.


    ¡°Aah¡­ I¡¯ll live,¡± Uvaia moaned, voice thin with pain as her wings fluttered and spasmed. ¡°Really wouldn¡¯t mind some healing, if that¡¯s something you can do.¡±


    I nodded quickly, and grit my teeth at the flares of pain from my midsection and arms. ¡°Vaeri, heal Uvaia. Erik, blast Aconite wherever she appears. Without friendly fire, if you would.¡±


    ¡°Oh, did I singe ya? Sorry, fire magic¡¯s kind of all over the place,¡± Erik told Uvaia, letting out an awkward laugh as Vaeri chanted in her tongue. ¡°Now, where is that wolf bitch?¡± he added, eyes and voice hardening.


    An answering wham came and Gia yelped and stumbled into sight around a tent, reaching up for the blindfold on her eyes as Aconite reeled back from her.


    ¡°How are you doing that?! Did you hear me? Smell me?¡± Aconite growled. Vaeri chanted and thrust a glowing hand at her but Aconite was gone from sight before the luminous spear even materialized.


    ¡°Everyone, gather in close!¡± I called, seeing Crassula run to help Gia now. ¡°Vaeri, can you have your barriers surround all of us?¡± I asked, feeling relief as Uvaia struggled to her feet, though she was still holding one wing stiff.


    Vaeri grimaced. ¡°With reduced efficacy, but yes.¡± She gestured and the glowing discs spun wider, but no faster, their time shielding any one person now more limited.


    Useless, with Aconite¡¯s strength and speed. ¡°Right, forget that. Erik, get ready to form a tighter circle, I want to buy time for her to heal everyone who needs it¡­¡± The words died on my tongue as an unexpected figure stepped up behind Vaeri and Erik, his green skin backlit by the flames. ¡°Sedum?¡±


    ¡°Sedum!¡± Uvaia cried, as Vaeri startled and looked back but relaxed seeing the orc I¡¯d had her heal previously. ¡°Thank Suanil you¡¯re alive, I was so worried!¡±


    ¡° ¡®Course I am. Managed to slip away.¡± His words were short as he came forward, and his shirt was buttoned up fully. He wasn¡¯t wearing his armor. Of course, he wouldn¡¯t have, to a tryst, but¡­


    No. Something was wrong. He must have been within the wall of flames, watching and waiting for some time ¨C or someone like Aconite could have jumped it, but Sedum couldn¡¯t have himself. ¡°Wait. Stop there,¡± I called sharply, but he kept moving. ¡°Vaeri!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Vaeri called back irritably, as Sedum, if it was him, stepped in close behind her. In within the guard of her shields.


    He grabbed her shoulders and swung her toward him, and she let out a startled gasp cutting off as his hands seized her throat. Erik made a startled sound, but he was too slow, and I was too far.


    Sedum gripped Vaeri¡¯s neck for a half-second before grunting and pulling back, and for an instant I felt relief. Then his familiar face shifted to a wolf¡¯s head, just like Aconite¡¯s, and he dropped his head to Vaeri¡¯s neck, snapping his teeth. There was a awful sound of ripping flesh. Then his jaws came away bloody, holding half of Vaeri¡¯s throat.


    The shields and luminous spear disappeared, and Vaeri let out a wet, gargling noise. She dropped to the ground limply, clutching desperately at her throat, but she couldn¡¯t vocalize a healing spell, or any spell¡­


    Erik let out a horrified scream of pain and fury, and flame exploded out of him without any incantation, sending Sedum reeling back. His body shifted into a wolf¡¯s as it came aflame, bursting out of his clothes, but mid-change I spotted a red mark on his chest.


    A werewolf bite, still red with blood. Still fresh.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s more like it!¡± Aconite¡¯s raucous laughter filled the air. I felt the bottom drop out of my stomach. ¡°That¡¯s what she earned for trying to steal away my toy. Couldn''t wait to taste her, boy? Well, that''s fine. She''ll be just as dead.¡±


    Erik let out another agonized cry, as Sedum jumped into a roll that snuffed out the fires burning his fur, and Aconite flashed into sight, looming over Crassula and Gia. ¡°You¡¯re not the only one who can keep something in reserve, strategist. I have to say,¡± She grabbed Crassula and threw her bodily through the air, grinning at me, yellow eyes gleaming. ¡°I like these odds much better.¡±