At the inn, the Nesinu priest was surprised by the amount of noise coming from it. It was almost as if everyone from the street had funneled directly into this establishment. And despite the possibility of an attack, the patrons seemed to drink and socialize like nothing was wrong. No one paid him any attention as he stepped inside and made his way to the opposite end of the room.
Sitting behind a desk just outside the bar area, a silver-haired woman greeted Millan. "Welcome to the Golden Branch. Would you like a room?"
"Hi, and no, thank you. I'm looking for someone. He said he'd be staying here tonight."
"Oh? What's the name then?"
"Eriph."
The woman ran her finger down the ledger. "I see. I'm sorry to say, but that gentleman specifically requested not to be disturbed."
"I understand, but the matter is quite urgent. Candelux business. I promise I'll only take a few moments of his time."
"Urgent, you say? Well, I wouldn't want to interfere with Candelux business. Take these stairs to the second floor. At the top, take a right, and he'll be the third door on the left."
"Thank you very much."
Millan followed her directions and soon found himself in a staring contest with a door. How would Eriph react to his presence? He forced his hand into a fist and gave the wood three sharp knocks.
"Who is it?"
Millan parted his lips, but his throat closed.
"Who is it?" The voice was louder.
The young priest tried to speak his name but failed.
"Got a demon tongue? For the sake of the angels, who is it?" Eriph flung open the door. "Shouldn't you be defending the gates?"
"May I come in?"
"I heard the bells. You shouldn't be here."
"It'll only be a minute. May I come in?"
Eriph opened the door wider and gestured for the Nesinu priest to enter.
Millan hastily accepted the invitation. "I wanted to come see you one last time. To ask for your help."
"Uh-huh. I figured as much. That's why I told that woman I didn't want to be disturbed."
"Look, I know you're a bit sore because of how the guild has treated you, but there's a lot of panic right now. No one knows what this demon lord is capable of. To be honest, the only time I've felt safe since Don Skully died was when you were there. Who knows what would have happened at the twisted gate if you hadn't been there to shield the group?"
Eriph held up his hand. "Please, stop. Just stop. I can appreciate the fact that you haven't been outside Nesinu much. And perhaps you don't understand the power that each archdon holds, because it's far greater than what I possess. Royal Oak is in very good hands. A dozen archdons and hundreds of priests. Believe me when I say the city is safe. If I truly thought there was a chance that human life could be lost tonight, I would be out there as well."
"But what of Erynion?"
"The demon lord? I don't know, Millan. Erynion stood—no—knelt before a handful of priests and was helpless. The Marksman was the threat in the forest. And before you mention Nolka, Don Yatiga was killed by the Seductress. Erynion is just a distraction."
Millan bit his thumbnail. "You don't really believe that. You came from Alovajj to warn us about him. You sacrificed your place in Candelux to deliver your message. What about Nesinu?"
"Again, I'm sorry for your loss. Your mentor, your home. For hundreds of years, Verago has threatened to create a demon lord that would lead his armies to victory. A creature so fierce and powerful it would lay waste to cities. That claim became reality at the Assault but ended the same day. I came to warn you because we thought this one might be different, but Erynion clearly doesn't have control over his energy or his mind."
"So, what if he purges tonight?"
Eriph gazed out the window. "The ground is glowing, which means Scarit and his group are casting the Blessing of Sacred Ground. You're going to be late."
Millan remained, defying what he knew he was supposed to be doing. "What if he purges tonight?"
"Then my involvement will have no consequence. You must understand that my participation is not going to sway the results of the fight."
"You don't know that for sure."
"You're right. But what I do know is that you will be expected to help. The longer you stay here, the more trouble you're going to be in. You agreed to help, and so that's what you should be doing. You'd best be off, lest you end up like me."
Millan couldn't understand why someone would be so unwilling to lend a hand to protect innocent people. But there was nothing left to say. "I suppose this is good-bye again."
The excluded priest crossed the room and opened the door. "Take care of yourself, Millan. You're young and you have a good heart. I feel our paths will cross again."
"In Alovajj perhaps."
"Perhaps. May the angels watch over you."
"And you as well." Millan rushed down the stairs and was inundated by the social ambience of the bar. He was in awe at how unconcerned they all were about the potential threat. Before he crossed the bar, the innkeeper grabbed his arm.
"Oh, Don, please, I need your help."
"You do? What is it?"
The innkeeper pointed toward one of the windows. "Some of the patrons think they spotted a demon outside."
"A demon? Inside the city?"
"That's what they said. Would you mind speaking to them?"
"I suppose I could."
The innkeeper guided him through the room to a table where a small group of men huddled around the window. "Hey, fellas, I found a priest."
"Hello, gentlemen, my name is Don Millan. I'm told you all saw a demon?"
One of the men laughed. "You actually brought a priest?"
"Yeah, there's nothing out there," another explained. "Lem just had too much to drink."
"That's not true! I've only had two pints!" the man yelled in defense. "And Quill saw it, too, didn't you?"
"I mean, I saw something. I don't know if it was a demon, though. It was kind of short."
"Well, I saw it all, and it had claws!" Lem held up his curled fingers. "And it was carrying an anvil!" He dropped his arms and pretended to hold a large invisible object. His back was hunched over from the incredible weight, and he shimmied away from the table, dragging his back foot along the floor. "He was walking like this."
The rest of the group erupted in laughter.
His friend slapped him on the shoulder. "How ridiculous. How could you even tell if it had claws from this far away?"
Lem released the invisible object and straightened his back. "I just did. The claws were huge."
As the argument waged on, Millan knew it was leading nowhere. Whether the demon existed or not, the young priest decided to put the issue to rest. "All right, listen. Now, the city's in lockdown, so I don't know how there could possibly be a demon inside the walls. And even if there was, the Blessing of Sacred Ground is in effect."
"But I saw it running along the glowing ground." Lem pleaded his case to the group. "It was short, just like Quill said, and it was wearing some funny clothes. The blessing didn't seem to bother him at all. Did I mention he was carrying a fangling anvil?"
"Then perhaps it wasn't a demon after all," one of his friends suggested. "Maybe it was just a short blacksmith or his kid."
Lem gasped. "Or maybe it's that demon lord everyone's been talking about."
"Demon lord? Really? How far are you going to take this?" one of his friends asked.
"I'm serious. Didn't you hear about it? All of Nesinu is living in Nolka now. Birka's cousin's in the guard there."
Millan interrupted. "Trust me. What you described is no demon lord. Look, I'll go out and see what I can find. Can you point out where you saw it?"
"Sure thing," Lem said. "He was over by the corner of the tailor shop, and he was running up that side street, like toward the oak."
"Thank you. Everyone please remain calm and indoors. May the angels watch over you."
The patrons thanked h
im, and Millan weaved his way through the tables to the front door of the Golden Branch. Back on the empty streets, the Nesinu priest scoped the area. He would've been more at ease if Eriph had come along with him. Following Lem's directions, he took the side street that would lead him back toward the massive tree. It was only a small detour, and once he found no demon, he could head toward the north gate and join Omana's group. It was like Eriph said. Royal Oak was home to a dozen archdons, a hundred priests, and even more squires. Nothing was going to get into the city. And why would a demon need an anvil? That part of the story made Millan question Lem's testimony the most.
The Nesinu priest rounded the corner toward the oak when he spotted two figures sitting on the retaining wall around the tree. Millan immediately retreated behind the corner and peered out. He recognized one from the tattered clothing and jester hat. This was the iymed they had caught in the tree near Nesinu. The impish demon was soaking wet. The other one was his companion who had escaped. Millan searched the square, but there was no sign of an anvil. There was also no one else in sight. Everyone was either indoors or at their post like they were supposed to be. Millan felt more alone than ever until he slipped his hand into his pocket. His fingers grazed the gift he had received from Don Skully. A rush of confidence overpowered his fear. Pulling out the star, he gripped it firmly in his hand. Hiding it behind his back, he walked out into the open to confront the two iymed.
✽✽✽
"Whoo! That was kind of fun." Flinch swam to the retaining wall.
Sonojj sat on the wall as his friend climbed out of the spring. "Fun?"
Flinch struck the side of his head repeatedly to dislodge the water. "Yeah. Just that last part."
"I have to say I'm surprised. I didn't think it'd be this easy."
"Ha! You call that easy?"
"Seriously, though," the blind demon said. "I never thought we'd just walk right in with no opposition."
Flinch plopped down beside his friend. "Well, swam, but I know what you mean. Not a soul in sight. We're all alone."
Sonojj's ears twitched, and he sniffed the air. "Not for long, it would seem."
The jester glimpsed in the direction Sonojj had pointed his nose. A young man in brown robes with a black scarf slinked out from behind the corner of a building. Flinch sneered. "A priest. I see your sense of smell is returning."
The young man took small steps toward them, and his voice wavered slightly. "What are you two doing here? How did you get into the city?"
Flinch patted his friend on the shoulder and used him for support to stand. The jester iymed circled the tree toward the priest. "Did they stop teaching manners in Candelux? No introductions? Just straight to accusations?"
"My name is Don Millan. Now, what are you two doing here?"
"You don't actually expect us to answer that," Sonojj retorted in Kisejjad.
"We're going to find out one way or another. The others are coming."
"He's lying," Sonojj said softly.
The jester grinned as he pulled forth his daggers. "We know you're alone, pig. What stops us from killing you right now?"
The priest was rooted in place.
"Probably not the best timing," the blind demon called to his friend. "We should leave."
"And let him rat us out?" Flinch spun around. "There's no one here. We can do it lickety-split. A little slice and dice. Plus, I want some payback for those priests who strung me up in that tree."
"Fine." Sonojj relented and splashed into the spring.
"You may be iymed, but you're weakened by the sacred ground," Millan warned. His shaky voice gradually became steady. "If you feel like you can kill me, then have at it. Otherwise, I'll cleanse one of you and restrain the other for information."
Flinch chuckled. "A man with a plan named Dardan. We'll happily grant your death wish."
The jester slid off the wall as his companion emerged from the spring in his cat form. Both dripping wet, they slowly advanced on the priest. Millan's breathing became uneven. Flinch sensed his panic, and it delighted him. The two demons split up and circled the priest in order to flank him. Millan eye's darted back and forth between his two enemies.
As the two iymed converged on the priest, a yellow aura enveloped Millan, and a radiant light burst forth. Flinch stopped abruptly and tried to shield his eyes. Through a half-opened eye, he barely made out the form of his demon friend, leaping through the air toward the priest. Millan sidestepped Sonojj's attack, and another surge of energy forced Flinch to close his eyes momentarily. When the jester iymed recovered his sight, he was horrified to find Sonojj motionless in a crumpled heap on the ground. His front paws were severed from his body, and the dark blood from the wounds flowed freely into the dirt.
Flinch bolted to his unconscious friend and knelt beside him. The jester clenched his teeth. Wings of light adorned Millan's back and lit up the area. By his side, he wielded a sword with a blade that danced like yellow fire. But then, the light from both the wings and the weapon flickered and disappeared into the night. Millan dropped to his knees and panted.
Flinch bared his fangs. "You're dead!"
The demon's muscles tingled as he charged the defenseless priest. Retribution for his friend would be swift. No games. No jokes. Just his dagger slicing through Millan's throat. Flinch came within inches of striking his target when a sudden wave of light knocked him back toward the massive oak tree. The iymed tumbled, but gracefully recovered from the blow. Scooping up his daggers, he prepared to face his new attacker.
Close to Millan stood a man with blond hair. He wore a brown robe with no scarf. In his right hand, he held up a shield, ready to defend the priest on all fours.
Flinch snarled. "Another priest?"
The man ignored the question and nudged Millan with his leg. "Hey, are you hurt? Can you fight?"
Millan's lips moved, but his words were inaudible. A moment later, the young priest fainted.
The newcomer stepped in front of the fallen priest. "I don't know how you made it into the city, but you should run while you still have the chance."
"I'm not leaving my friend." The jester called to the blind demon, "Sonojj, get up!"
"You're wasting your time." The man lowered the shield.
"Demons aren't weak like humans. We can endure such injuries with no problem."
"I'm well aware, but that attack was not like a normal blade. Look at this priest. He poured everything into that one strike. Your friend there was exposed to an incredible amount of holy energy. And the Blessing of Sacred Ground certainly isn't helping him."
"I'm not leaving," the demon repeated.
"I'll make this very simple for you. You're in the middle of a major city, standing on sacred ground. It won't be long before the paladins sense you. If you stay, I'll restrain you until they arrive. Then, you and your friend both get cleansed. Personally, I'd rather tend to my friend here, but I can only do that if you're gone. So, what's it going to be?"
Flinch squeezed the handles of his weapons until his arms shook. He took one step back. The newcomer's shield indicated he favored defense. There was nothing the short iymed could do. Sonojj hadn't moved a muscle since his injury. Taking another step back, Flinch gritted his teeth. "Forgive me."
Chapter 21
The Best-Laid Plans
Sereyna led the demon army from Lake Ivorus toward Royal Oak. Her loyal lieutenant, Maligus, marched on her left side. His machete drawn in anticipation of the upcoming fight. Erynion was on the opposite side, lost in his thoughts. Between the dreams, his meditation, and the help of his new friends, he struggled to piece together the fragments of his past.
"What's on your mind, love?" the Seductress asked.
Erynion lied. "I was just wondering where Flinch and Sonojj ran off to."
"Hmm. I was wondering that as well."
Maligus growled. "Who cares about those vermin? They'd only get in my way."
Sereyna swooned. "My ruthless killer longs for battle."
&n
bsp; "It's been too long since we've had a decent attack."
"Just a little longer. You'll get your chance."
The large iymed swung at a branch and severed it cleanly from the trunk. This was the first time Erynion had ever seen him smile. It was disturbing.
In the distance, bells started clanging. Sereyna clasped her hands. "How nice. They're announcing our arrival. You think the nobles will come to meet us?"
"Who cares about nobles?" Maligus asked rhetorically. "Give me the priests and paladins."
"Well, you're in luck then. There's sure to be plenty waiting for us."
"Good!"
Erynion made no effort to join the conversation. It was bizarre, but the thought of attacking the city bothered him to no end.
Sereyna nudged him with her elbow. "Maligus is ready to kill. How about you?"
"There's only one person I need to kill. You know that."
"Yes, and we've been over this before. Batar will be next. Why aren't you more excited?"
"Why should I be? I have no desire to attack this city or its people."
Sereyna slipped her arm under his. "Well, you should. Attacking this city is the next step to controlling your power. And if we can take down Royal Oak, just the three of us with our army of fray, then this war will be as good as over. Nothing will be able to stop us. And you, my sweet Erynion, can go to Light's Haven and kill the king."
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