The First Book of Demons

by Raquel Dove

“Am I early?” Arastoo asked Jahan as he looked around the empty room. The low square table that occupied the middle of Jahan’s audience room was laden with sweet pastries and smoked delicacies. The Lord Enchanter's mouth began to water with the delicious aroma’s floating around the room. Despite his slender form, Arastoo was a lover of food, and was capable of eating anyone under the table.

  “You're right on time,” Jahan said with a smile on his round face. He took a seat at the table and motioned for Arastoo to do the same.

  “The other council lords?” Arastoo asked his brows pulled together in confusion. It was customary for the new member to invite existing members to a meal at their home. It gave them a chance to discuss matters that were out of place in the council meetings, and get to know each other better. Arastoo had assumed that's what this was when he got the invitation from Jahan. The curious absence of the other council lords put Arastoo on edge.

  “Lord Arastoo,” Jahan said with a chuckle and a wave of his pudgy hand, “there is no need to stick with such formalities. I thought as two lovers of food, we could enjoy a meal just you and I.”

  “All this food, only for us?” Arastoo asked, growing increasingly uncomfortable with the peculiarity of the situation. “I can't say that this is entirely appropriate.”

  “Relax,” Jahan said through a forced smile. His plan was already off to a rocky start if he could not get the Lord Enchanter on board. “I only wanted to dine with you. There's no reason for such formality. Please, sit. Eat. My cook is one of the best in the kingdom.”

  Arastoo eyed the food on the table. He noticed it included most of his favorite dishes, and found it easy to give in to his hunger. It's not like it was against a law or anything. It just wasn't exactly customary. He settled himself on a thick silk cushion across from the unusually fat demon. “I suppose it would be a shame to allow such good food to go to waste.”

  “Indeed it would,” Jahan said, the smile broadening across his bloated face. It didn't take long for the two demons to devour most of the food before them.

  “Delicious,” Arastoo said, leaning his back on a triangular stuffed cushion. He let out a thick sigh as he wiped his mouth and hands on a napkin.

  “I’m glad you found it to your liking,” Jahan said as he did the same. “So few things bring comfort in these troubling times, it is a small pleasure to indulge in a lavish meal.”

  “Troubling times?” Arastoo said, a squint in his eyes as he tried to understand the fat demon’s underlying message. It was indeed troubling times, but the way that Jahan had said the words made Arastoo think he was trying to lead into something else.

  “The untimely assassination of our Lord Sultan,” Jahan said with a flourish of his hand, “followed by this mess with Baal.”

  “Yes,” Arastoo said, nodding his head slowly. “We've suffered some unfortunate tragedies recently, but Lord Balthazar will soon be anointed and the kingdom will once again find steady ground to rest on.”

  “I’m glad you are so optimistic,” Jahan said. He set his napkin down on the table. “I can't say everyone shares those feelings.”

  “You fear there will be more trouble for our kingdom?” Arastoo asked, leaning in to the table. He would hear out what this demon had to say. Whether he was in agreement with him or not, it would be good to know exactly where his loyalties lie.

  “I fear we have a prince that is much too young to become Lord Sultan,” Jahan said, his forehead wrinkling in concern.

  “What exactly are you suggesting?” Arastoo asked. “Balthazar was Sami’s chosen prince for succession. Baal thought he was too young, and look what happened to him.”

  “Yes, of course,” Jahan said, speaking gently and waving his hand in the air. “I'm merely suggesting that perhaps--”

  “Lord Balthazar will mature,” Arastoo said, interrupting him. Tension suddenly grew between the two demons at they locked eyes and tried to read each other.

  “He may well destroy the prestige of our kingdom in the meantime,” Jahan countered, nearly under his breath as the sweat beaded on his fat forehead. He picked up his napkin and dabbed at his face. He was stepping into dangerous territory here and he knew it. He needed to convince Arastoo that Balthazar was simply not fit for the throne.

  “Baal had those same ideas, before he was dismissed and shamed,” Arastoo said, his voice growing harsher with each word. “We must have a true descendant on the throne to carry the royal bloodline.”

  “Of course,” Jahan said, emphatically, “I whole heartedly agree my friend. But must it truly be Balthazar, when there are so many other princes. Perhaps it would be more beneficial to the kingdom if a more…pliable prince were placed on the throne.”

  “After Hasan’s miserable attempt, no one will try to oppose Balthazar,” Arastoo said, his countenance softening slightly. He was done listening to this and he rose from his seat to leave.

  “You're the Lord Enchanter. Your daughter’s hand, and support from the council, will lend any prince the necessary leverage to do what Baal and Hasan could not,” Jahan said hurriedly as he tried to get up from his own seat. He could feel the sweat about to start pouring from his scalp all the way down his back. He had just basically suggested trying to overthrow Balthazar before he was even anointed. This was a treasonous line of thinking that could easily have him sentenced to death, but power was all about making alliances, and making those alliances required risks. Arastoo had stopped his hasty retreat and Jahan could see him mulling over his argument.

  “I see what you are attempting to do,” Arastoo said, turning around slightly to glare at Jahan, “And I'm not inclined to assist you. I see no benefit to myself, and with so much risk attached. My daughter will be mated to whoever the Lord Sultan may be, as is protocol. And I am a Council Lord for good reason. I don't feel threatened. It's unfortunate that you do.”

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