When Hell Froze

by Forrest Minter

  Benny slumped, hating the fact that she was getting dragged into more political games. “Would it be easier if she was placed under my command like with Noraz and Lorbin? Since I technically own her title, I can put her back into the same position.”

  Azel thought about this for a moment. “I suppose that could work. I mean no offense by what I am about to say, but if that were to happen, there would be a great deal of sensitive information I could not give you access to. In essence, she would continue reporting directly to me, and your presence in the chain would be a figurehead position at best. I have given you an extraordinary amount of free rein under the circumstances, but there are limits.”

  Benny shrugged. “The less I get involved in Demon politics the happier I’ll be. I’m more worried about whether she’s going to try to kidnap me again.”

  Azel shook his head. “Success, or failure, each time someone makes a kidnapping attempt they must wait a year before they can legally try again. If she tried now, it would be treated as a crime against the goddess. She would be executed after a trial.”

  Benny stewed on this for a moment, before asking her next question. “Am I allowed to kill a kidnapper in self-defense?”

  “Yes and no. If they attempt to violently subdue you, and die in the process, none would question it. Once they have been subdued though, the answer is no. If you had successfully strangled Lilian for example, I would have had to impose harsh penalties since she was essentially disabled by that point. The idea is to encourage the kidnapper to show stealth and cleverness, not brute force.”

  Benny nodded, suddenly grateful Noraz and Lorbin stopped her when they had. “Is there anything else you needed to talk to me about? I just realized I hijacked the conversation a bit.” Benny said, with a chagrined expression.

  Azel chuckled lightly. “Actually, I thought I might take this opportunity to officially assign you your role in my army. You made it clear you were not comfortable pretending to be a concubine, so I have been working to give you real status. As such, I will be installing you as the commander of the town guard. You will oversee enforcement of rules, while also being responsible for the welfare of the subjugated human townspeople. Essentially this will be a test of your ability to act as an arbiter between human and Demon interests. You will also be the de facto mayor of this town, empowered to make some of the necessary decisions on behalf of the human citizens, so long as they don’t conflict with our interests.”

  It was simultaneously an olive branch, and an impossible task. Until the past month, Benny had never been in a command position, nor had any form of experience navigating town politics. She saw why it was necessary, even agreed with it intellectually; but internally she rebelled against the position as being something outside her scope.

  “I don’t know. This seems-”

  Azel cut her off. “I understand your concerns, but to quote a wise Demon, it is when we are in the most uncomfortable positions that we learn the most. I have no doubt you will struggle at first, but we are here to support you as you acclimate. I have no doubt you will thrive once you do.”

  Benny nodded, feeling uncomfortable. “If you say so.”

  Azel waved his hand dismissively. “If it makes you uncomfortable, then I’ll tell you the secret to command. Even if you find yourself ill-suited to the task, all you need to do is find the correct person to do it for you. Delegation, the true key to success.”

  Benny nodded again. “Alright, I guess I’ll take the job then.”

  Azel smiled at her warmly. “Wonderful, then I look forward to seeing more of you over the coming months. I expect daily reports until I feel you are ready to handle the position by yourself. Oh, and make sure you are present when Lilian receives her sentence.”

  With that, the meeting was concluded, and she left the room with a curt nod. Benny’s apprehension spiked as her guards fell in behind her once again. The fact that she was now truly responsible for the well-being of others was agonizing as she reflected on how utterly she had failed to even protect herself the past few weeks. The cloud of worry followed her all the way out of the keep.

  Chapter 15

  Lilian’s trial went as Benny had expected based on her brief discussion with Azel. After the sentencing, Lilian performed the same blood fealty ritual that Noraz and Lorbin had during Noraz’s trial. While sharing the peculiar melding of souls, Benny could feel Lilian held zealous devotion to Azel. She wondered what Azel had done to inspire such devotion, but the question was washed away by the stream of feeling.

  A moment later, the ritual was complete, and she felt the slight increase in mana drain as the enhancement powers gained another level from her new subordinate. Benny had taken to leaving them permanently active as a way to train her mana regeneration. By doing this, she had managed to keep her regeneration just barely ahead of the cost for her skills.

  The throne room which Azel used as his courtroom was full of muttering Demons as Benny and her three companions stalked out of the room dramatically. Knowing what was going to happen ahead of time had taken some of the impact out of things for Benny, so she found it took some effort on her part to maintain the dramatic air as she swept out of the chambers. Once she made it back to her room, she collapsed into her bed; grateful to be able to relax after a day filled with politics.

  Before she could get fully settled, she realized that a strange silence had taken over her room. Even her own breathing had ceased to make noise. Reacting to the strangeness, she rolled off the bed; just in time to avoid being impaled on the point of a long dagger. Benny jumped to reach her sword, but her assailant; still under her bed, threw his knife. The projectile forced her to turn her jump into a roll; costing her the chance to reach her sword as an unfamiliar Demon propelled himself from under the bed.

  He snarled in rage as Benny deftly avoided a strike from his talon; dodging backward as he swiped at her legs. Contemptuously, she slammed the heel of her right foot into his hand. She exploited the second of pained recoil by smashing the top of her foot into his chin. For his part, the Demon seemed to be seeing stars as his movements lost their previous killing intent; devolving into the frantic movements of a wounded animal.

  Stalking up to him, Benny caught his arm before he could claw her with his talons. Using a quick strike of her foot to break the wrist of his uninjured hand, she dragged his struggling body to the door. Opening it, she tossed him out of the room. Noraz and Lorbin stared wide-eyed, seemingly stupefied as the thrashing figure landed on the wooden planks of the floor. The moment the would-be assassin passed the threshold of the door, the spell of silence ended, his screams of pain deafening her with their suddenness.

  “Can you deal with him from here? I got the impression that he was actively trying to kill me, not just kidnap.”

  “Yes, Verilien.” Lorbin said. Noraz was still staring at the writhing Demon who struggled to his knees before mistakenly putting weight on his broken wrist. The howls of pain deafened Benny slightly, as the unknown Demon collapsed again.

  Lorbin smacked Noraz lightly on the back of the head. “You search her room, I’ll secure the prisoner.” Noraz seemed to come back to himself, and nodded; uncharacteristically quiet.

  Benny decided to accompany Noraz into her room after the view of Lorbin mercilessly binding the Demon’s hands; broken wrist included, made her slightly uncomfortable.

  Under her direction, Noraz checked beneath the bed. Somehow, despite being six feet tall, his entire body disappeared into the space. He reemerged a moment later.

  “There’s a room beneath your bed. Someone pulled out planks from the roof of that room to access this room.”

  Benny shook her head in wonder. It was ingeniously simple, and an easy threat to miss. Especially for Demons who spent most of their lives in stone structures underground. Benny unconsciously traced the scars on her arm as she processed this thought.

  “I am sorry Verilien. I have failed you again and again. I formally request that you transfer me, so Aze
l can assign you someone better.”

  Benny bent down to where Azel sat on the floor, leaning against the bed. Glaring at his bleak expression, she flicked his forehead with all the force she could muster. Perhaps thanks to her power-enhanced strength he looked slightly dazed.

  “No one’s perfect. I don’t expect you to see every threat. I don’t doubt your competence in the slightest, and more important than that, I trust your loyalty.” She said affectionately.

  “But-”

  “Enough. It’s not your fault, and that’s the end of it.”

  Noraz nodded, and stood; the talons of his hands scoring the wood floor slightly as he pushed himself up. Benny sighed as she stared mournfully at the bed she could no longer use. Sticking her head into the next room, she found it empty aside from Noraz. Lorbin had apparently taken it upon himself to deliver the would-be assassin to Azel’s tender justice. Falling back on old habits, Benny grabbed her sword plus a blanket from the bed, entered the guardroom, and curled into a ball in the corner.

  The warmth of the blanket offered little comfort when compared to the hardness of the floor, but Benny was used to sleeping in uncomfortable positions. Long periods in the field as a soldier had seen to that. Noraz entered her room, and emerged a moment later carrying the entire mattress from her bed.

  “This should be more comfortable Verilien.” He said earnestly.

  She smiled, but waved him off. “Thank you, but I’m better off like this for right now.”

  Noraz frowned, but bowed. “If you say so.”

  Benny curled into herself without responding, drawing the blanket over her head like a shield against the world. She listened silently as Noraz retreated to her bedroom, replacing the mattress. A small sigh escaped Benny’s lips as she curled into an even tighter ball. Her brooding was interrupted when the door opened a few minutes later, ushering in a second set of footsteps. They didn’t sound like Lorbin’s, causing her to tense. The tension escalated when the footsteps came to a stop in front of her.

  Propelling herself into a roll, Benny shed the blanket mid-motion, ending the maneuver in a standing defensive posture. She blinked in surprise when she saw Azel; head cocked in amusement. He began clapping as his face broke out into a grin.

  “That was quite impressive. I would give it a seven out of ten.”

  Benny huffed as she dropped into a neutral stance. “Only a seven?” She asked in irritation.

  “You let me get far too close before you reacted, so I docked some points.”

  Benny rolled her eyes at him. “I’m surprised you’re not lecturing me about politics right now. That’s usually how our conversations go.”

  Azel shrugged. “I so rarely get to teach these days, it is hard to resist. Usually the lessons you teach as a military commander are the kind no one wants to learn.”

  “Well, it’s nice to know you have a sense of humor under all… that.” She said, waving in his general direction.

  His smile widened. “All what? I am sorry, were my rippling muscles getting in the way of my sparkling personality?”

  Benny stomped up to him, and flicked him. “What’s with you all of a sudden? You’re like a completely different person.”

  Azel sighed, the smile fading. “I thought humor might be better for your mood than concern, or anger. Did I do it wrong? My knowledge of your language and culture only extends so far.”

  “No, you did fine; though I think you were more in the land of flirting than actual humor.”

  Azel winked. “Was it working?”

  Benny stared at him incredulously for a moment, rolled her eyes, and retrieved her blanket; returning to her corner of the room to sit.

  “Why are you really here Azel?” She asked, glaring into his eyes.

  Azel’s expression turned fully serious once again. “I made a promise to keep you safe, and I intend to keep it. I have unique magical abilities which are useful for investigations, so I have assigned myself as your investigator. If you would, I would like you to accompany me in doing so.”

  Benny sighed, discarding her blanket once again. “Fine.” She grumbled monosyllabically.

  Lorbin entered the room a moment later, having apparently been standing in the hallway for the entire interaction. Meanwhile, Benny and Azel entered her bedroom; joining Noraz, who seemed to be contemplating the hole in the floor. Benny noticed that he had moved her bed to the opposite wall, but said nothing.

  “As I suspected, the would be assassin has a co-conspirator.. This hole was created with magic. Since the assassin has the power of silence, he would not have been able to do this.” Azel remarked, after examining the hole for several seconds.

  “Why couldn’t he have more than one power?” Benny asked curiously.

  “Demons born with innate power are somewhat uncommon. Those born with more than one are essentially unheard of. Only lords have multiple powers due to the mingling of souls, and the assassin was no lord.”

  “So, I’m guessing this isn’t the end?” Benny asked.

  “It would be safer to assume not. Though to be honest, I already know who is behind the attempt.”

  “Then why don’t you arrest them?”

  Azel shook his head. “His name is Demon Lord Zenas. While I could go to war with him in retribution, most of the other lords would either ally with him or stay neutral. A single assassination attempt against a human will matter little to them, and an attempt at retribution will hurt us in the end. Such is the nature of politics.”

  “Then what now?” Benny questioned, frustrated that politics had managed to invade her sanctuary.

  “Remain vigilant. There is little else you can do. For my part, I will pursue other avenues to resolve the problem.”

  Benny sighed, but nodded.

  “Then I must go. I have asked Noraz to keep watch on the room beneath you, while Lorbin will guard you here. Please do not leave this room until I can assign additional security to the space above and below you.” Azel smirked. “Ironically, this may turn out to be beneficial. It gives us an excuse to heighten security, which may reduce the number of kidnappings.”

  Benny shook her head. “Good to know I have so many enemies they’re tripping over each other.”

  Azel shrugged. “The cost of popularity is high. Doubly so in Demon society.”

  With that, he turned, and walked out the door. Benny watched him go with mixed feelings, but soon settled back into her cocoon of bedding on the floor. At some point during the conversation someone had snuck several extra blankets into the mix. Benny gave silent thanks to her unknown benefactor as she forced herself to slowly drift off to sleep.

  Chapter 16

  Benny woke the next day feeling as if she hadn’t slept at all. She groaned as she fought against the multiple layers of blankets, until she finally managed to extract herself fully. Noraz napped in a chair in the corner of the room, his light snoring coming out more like a growl than the sawing noise one might hear from humans. Benny looked to her left, and saw Lorbin standing rigidly on guard, positioned strategically to view both entrances.

  The rustling of Benny’s movements called Lorbin’s attention to her as she emerged from her blanket shield. “Good morning, Verilien.” Lorbin said, bowing to her slightly.

  “Morning.” She said with a yawn, and a stretch. Glancing at Noraz, Benny wished she had a marker to take advantage of the rare opportunity for mischief. The wistful memory of applying lipstick to Charlie in his sleep killed her mischievous impulse.

  “I take it someone else is guarding the hole under my room?” She asked, turning to Lorbin.

  “Indeed Verilien. Azel detailed an entire squad to that room, as well as the one above you. Neither were in use, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”

  “Great.” She intoned blearily, mind still struggling to reach full activation.

  “Also, the floorboards have been repaired, so we returned your bed to its original position.” He said.

  Benny grunted acknowledgement as
she pulled herself to her feet. Tripping on the blankets, she stumbled into her room, and smoothed down her hair in the wall mirror.

  “Lilian wishes to speak with you.” Lorbin called from the other room.

  Benny sighed. “That’s fine, let her in.”

  Lilian walked in, and gave Benny a once-over. “Wow, who stepped on your face?”

  “Shut up. What do you want?” Benny grumbled, unconsciously patting her hair again.

  “Azel designated me as your assistant, in addition to my… other duties. I’m in charge of keeping your time organized. That’s why I’m here to let you know you have a meeting in fifteen minutes.”

  “What? With who?” Benny spluttered.

  “The former town council. Azel picked them as a good first step to turning the human population into willing subjects.”

  “When did this get decided?” Benny groused, beginning to dig in her dresser for fresh clothes.

  “About an hour ago. Azel felt it would be imprudent to release you into your new role without a starting point.”

  Benny sighed as she pulled out one of her two identical blue dresses. “Alright, give me ten minutes to shower and change. I’ll meet you in the courtyard.”

  Lilian nodded, and left the room. Ten minutes later, Benny emerged from the building feeling marginally more human. Lilian smirked at her. “Well it’s good to know you clean up well when you’re not in warrior leathers.”

  Benny flipped her off. “Look, what’s your problem with me? I can really do without the snarky remarks.”

  Lilian shrugged. “I don’t have a problem with you, this is how I normally talk. You’ll get used to it.”

  Benny groaned internally. “Alright fine, lead the way.”

  The pair wound their way through a maze of streets, until they arrived at a generic-looking two story town-house. Lilian knocked on the door while Benny examined the small yard. The grass had been churned into a broken mess, and the sparse red patches interspersed throughout suggested there had been a battle here during the town’s defense. Benny supposed the occupants had been too preoccupied to properly clean or replant their yard.