I enjoy my time in the chair the good Duke Clearwater prepared for me. Reminds me a bit of home. I can't sleep, so it's a bit imperfect, but other than that I have no complaints. Pink has been in and out a handful of times, mostly to complain that she is the one forced to uphold my end of our bargain with Clearwater, teaching a handful of his men to wield demonic energy. It can't be helped though, she's the only one who can do it. And it's not as if she isn't already teaching magic anyway, to our two new additions.

They have been much more reserved in making appearances, probably due to Pink, and I haven't seen either of them except one time when all three of them came together – at the commencement of Pink's lessons. They were both very quiet, seemingly disturbed by whatever Pink had been teaching them ...the woes of learning magic from a succubus I suppose. Mostly they have all been very busy (I'm told) wandering the city and purging it of corrupted creatures. I can hardly sense any corruption but apparently the remaining corrupted monsters that vex the human city are of the atypically small and weak variety, insects and rodents and the like, which makes them hard to pin down physically – much less using an unfocused 'sense' for mana.

Things are all moving apace in short, I can just sit here and wait for the good news to come rolling in. A task I'm tackling with great gusto, accompanied by my feline companion – who has proven himself to be quite social, or maybe he's just mistaken me for a comfortable piece of furniture, hard to say. Whatever the case the arrangement is quite beneficial to both parties, as he gets to cling to me at all hours of the day and night, while I in turn am able to use the contact with his small furry body to tune the effects of The Encroachment from my mind almost entirely. Well, when he deigns to stay by my side that is. As often as not the unfaithful creature disappears hither and yon, far more often than can be explained by the necessity of biological functions…

It creates a disconcerting feeling, of time slowing and speeding, of a night passing in a blink and then a dozen agonizing hours in which I am painfully aware of every second. The second day is the worst, because the steady pulse of holy energy that had been emanating from the Temple of Kirn disappears, leaving me with even less distraction from the buzz of The Encroachment. Reaffirming, that even here on Suprema sleep is not really an option. On the third day – probably – I resign myself to that fact, and am spurred to action once more by a pair of …interesting visitors, to Duke Clearwater's manor. A situation is developing, proceedings I should really interject myself into…

After having that thought I spend some indeterminate amount of time staring across my room at the small beast who is currently settled in the bed that was probably intended for me. The beast in turn is studiously ignoring me, as it has been ever since the maid arrived to feed it earlier in the day – at which point it leapt away without a backwards glance. And now it sits across the room, grooming itself with singleminded intensity, paying me no mind at all. Impertinent little creature that it is. Having watched it for so long, I've started to believe that its coat is not in fact black – merely a deep and dark shade of gray, like the ashen ground of Artas.

“Why …why is the beast so alternately affectionate and cold? Does it not grasp that its existence hinges on my grace? Is it truly so …impertinent? How vexing.” I narrow my eyes, regarding the small feline. “And yet it feels appropriate, there is a certain dignity in its refusal …annoying though it is. What say you human?” I turn my eyes to the maid who has been diligently standing guard over me for …some time, occasionally rotating out with other maids.

The cat, at my voice, briefly perks up, turning its small head in my direction. But its attention is only captured for a moment and it – still looking at me, wordlessly communicating its disdain – slowly, deliberately, raises a paw to its mouth and resumes its grooming. Why? Why is it even doing something like that? Do the humans not clean and feed and attend to all of its tiny heart's desires? Is it just…

Mentally I shake myself. I am attributing far too much thought to what is almost certainly a mindless beast. Even if it doesn't want to sit with me – though it could with no trouble! – I don't care at all! Instead of worrying about something like that, I redirect my energies to questioning the human – who is staring at me wide-eyed, surprised at my speaking to it for the first time since I returned to the room I imagine.

“Well, human? Your thoughts? Is the creature brave? Stupid?” I ask pointedly.

“…upset with me?” That last slips from me a whisper.

Hearing that seems to jolt the maid from her stupor and she sends me what I interpret to be a reassuring smile. “Cats are fickle beasts milady, especially one not tamed by a beastmaster, but I can assure you he takes no issue with his current lifestyle – if anything he is quite fond of you, for an untamed animal.”

Her smile is somewhat strained as she continues. “Cats don't usually interact with people overmuch – but this one seems very happy to stay in this room at all hours of the day and night, despite the fact that it could easily leave. A sure sign he likes you milady!”

“Hm, it likes me you say? And yet the creature stays so distant?” I prod.

“Well, everyone needs …space? A bit of space – from time to time. Right?” She replies.

“Space?” I repeat. “Is that something everyone needs? Truly?” I ask, slightly unsure. Obviously to exist you need enough space that you are not physically inside something else… well assuming you cannot modify your form as it pleases you, as I'm fairly certain cats cannot but-

“Yes of course.” The maid interrupts my thoughts. “Even the fastest friends need a bit of distance from time to time. But even if someone takes a step back from you, it doesn't mean they don't like you – it's just a matter of everyone needing space sometimes right? Even the duke occasionally complains that he is constantly hounded by his servants and guardsmen… Ah. Please don't tell him I said that!” She continues animatedly for a while and I tune her out.

An interesting concept. I understand now she refers to emotional distance – as much as physical distance. Perhaps there is some merit to her theory and the cat is secretly very fond of me? Just currently, he yearns for “space”. That must be it, how could anyone not be fond of me after all?

…and ah… oh!” Her previously animated voice loses much of its power. “Duke Clearwater would very much like to speak with you Lady Alexandria, he instructed me to pass that along if you …uh …woke up?… no matter the time of day or night… I forgot, until just now. I'm very sorry.”

I blink. Reminded that I have business to attend to right now, I quickly launch a quick survey of my surroundings and confirm – the “guests” have already arrived, are already with the Duke in fact! Damn my distraction…

“Indeed. I believe I need to speak with the man as well. I think I'll go now.” So saying I rise from my seat, delicately retracting my wings so they hang about my hips like a skirt – in preparation for navigating the cramped interior of the manor. I throw one last wistful glance at the cat, wondering – if I gave it a Name, as the human suggested, would it become more agreeable? – even as I push past the already forgotten maid and out into the corridor.

The last time I was gallivanting about the manor, I became shamefully lost, but this time will be different. Because this time I have three very distinct mana signatures to trace my way to and I am currently focusing on my ears – willing a boost to my audial perception. After an instant of concentration and a small audible pop seemingly from inside my own head – my hearing becomes much more acute, enough to hear the duke speaking – which will hopefully lead me to him.

The only downside is having to listen to the blathering of the humans and their winged company…

“I don't see that you are in a position to refuse Aurora. The treaty is quite explicit in its wording and you are required to render assistance at this juncture – unless you would see the dissolution of our alliance.” The elder Clearwater's normally tired voice has a steel he's never used with me.

“You are harboring the greatest enemy of the Celestial Chorus and you want to talk to me about our treaty?” Aurora's voice responds, incredulous.

“Obviously.” Clearwater's voice is icy. “The Imperium has met every condition the treaty set before us – you had our full cooperation during the culmination of your little vendetta – that things did not end the way you wished is immaterial. And clearly Shadfer has suffered for your negligence, I will not permit you to ascend back to your city in the clouds and float away consequence free. You have a clear obligation!”

“Vendetta? You can't be serious Tefran, that is the Demon God, the source of The Encroachment! The Imperium has not fulfi-” Aurora had been speaking animatedly but she abruptly falls silent, something giving her pause.

“Be. Very. Careful.” Clearwater growls. “Your opinions on Lady Alexandria are completely irrelevant to this discussion and I would ask that you keep them to yourself while you are a guest in my home. Lest you provoke something you are wholly unequipped to deal with.”

“Tch, I take it you believe that mon-… that Demon Lord's explanation for The Encroachment then Tefran?” Aurora says.

“Her demonstration was very convincing. And it is only a matter of time before we can replicate it – Octavio tells me he thinks he'll be able to manage it by the end of the week – though I suppose you already know all that Aurora? Our internal communications are no secret to you are they?” Clearwater asks.

“It's not as if you've made any secret of it Tefran, how many messengers have been dispatched from Shadfer in the last few days? A hundred? And such extensive use of the distantword network? It would be stranger if I didn't know.” Aurora says.

“Right. You know.” Clearwater's voice is bland. “Which is why that avenue of discussion is not pertinent to this meeting. You know our stance, we know yours, we can agree to disagree – or you can dissolve an alliance that has stood for centuries. The decision is entirely yours.”

“You threaten dissolution, but can you actually say those words? Duke Clearwater? The Emperor surely has some say in this matter?”

“After the Chorus' display three days ago I have every confidence the Emperor will agree with my decision. To go against Lady Alexandria is to court near certain death for no identifiable benefit – and she has a manner of proof to her claims, as opposed to the promises of mystics and priests.” Clearwater says.

“You doubt the words of the Most Exalted? After all these years? After all the blood we've shed for this cause? I've told you Tefran – even today our enemy was reaffirmed by all the highest of the Chorus, those who speak with the voice of the Goddess Herself! We must not falter now! How can you be fooled by the 'proof' offered by demons – creatures renowned for their duplicity, creatures that lie as they breathe!” Aurora's voice is almost pleading.

The human man releases a deep sigh. “Aurora. In truth, I care little. If the Chorus has the right of it, and felling the so-called 'Demon God' would bring final stop to The Encroachment – fanciful as that seems – it truly matters little. As you have already so clearly demonstrated, there is little hope of that dream ever coming to fruition.”

“You're wrong Tefran, there are weapons we might yet bring to bear! We have a unique insight into the weaknesses of the Demon God, we just failed to properly exploit them. The Demon God had defenses we were unprepared for – but now we have seen them, we can beat them – beat her!” Aurora says.

Tracing my hand along the wood paneled wall as I pad silently down some corridor or another within this tiny human dwelling, a smile is growing on my lips – exposing teeth.

“And if…” Clearwater speaks loudly, cutting over Aurora's interjection. “If Lady Alexandria has the right of it and to regain control of our world we need a great many practitioners that can channel demonic energy – that goal is equally fantastic. Octavio Dorn is one of the greatest of his generation – the only man in Shadfer who can claim the title of Grand Magus – and his education in demonic magic has been painstakingly slow even with the direct tutelage of a demon. Spreading it far and wide across the land is little more than the stuff of dreams, he assures me.”

“You shouldn't be giving the demons such unfettered access Tefran, even if they are honestly attempting to pass along their foul magics – which can only be bad, whether it is a trick or not – it is playing with fire…” Aurora mutters darkly.

“It does not matter.” Clearwater roars.

Looking up and down the carpeted corridor, I find myself at a flat expanse of solid wall. The voices are nearby – directly on the other side of this wall, unless I miss my guess – but that doesn't help me get to them. Unless I want to just walk through the wall… I eye it speculatively, considering. A frowning human man glares back down at me from his place in the portrait directly in front of me and for a moment I'm tempted to just plow through – just to wipe the glare off the man's inanimate face, teach him to glare at me… After a moment I decide to hold off on that course of action and begin to trace my way along the wall – trying to find a way in.

“The Avashorn Well has been damaged and I cannot concern myself with anything else until it has been repaired. Without the bounty it grants to my lands, our crops will see significantly reduced yields – to what extent is impossible to predict but it is likely that this time next year half of my people will be starving in the streets …unless you do something about it, as you are obligated to, damn you.”

“You're overstating things Tefran, your holdings are vast, even if the yields are somewhat lessened you are in little danger of starving. More important is the Demon God…” Aurora begins.

“No. You need to listen to what I am telling you Aurora. Unless you have a method that will kill Lady Alexandria – with a near 100% certainty – and you can guarantee her death will see the Unbound sickness driven from our lands immediately, the Imperium will be facing a food shortage the likes of which we've never seen. Since we both know you do not have such a method, I am completely unable to entertain any thoughts of crossing Lady Alexandria.

“We've all seen what happens when an Avashorn Well is destroyed – you need look no further than the Cullumo Duchy, our neighbors to the west. Even with the Well, my duchy has seen a steady decline in the yearly harvests – only barely offset by the migration of refugees from the People of The Tribes. With the Well in place and the recent stream of able-bodied refugees expanding the amount of useful food-producing land we have been just barely coming out in the black

“Of course, we will be fine this year – the crops have mostly been harvested, we have stores enough for the winter, our taxes are paid. But next year, unless there is some dramatic and unprecedented reversal, we will be seeing a terrible shortfalls in every crop. And what happens then? The silos and storehouses will sit half empty, until the foodstuffs within can be crated up and carted north to The Frontline – for the Legion Tax – and we will be left to make due with whatever scraps remain.

“The Legion won't hear any excuses – the food is needed for the men on The Frontline – so we will pay and my farmers will starve. The year after that my workforce will be reduced, the crops will be reduced, and on and on in a spiral until… until…” Clearwater's voice drifts off contemplatively.

“No matter. That is the scenario that must be avoided at any cost. Unless you are going to tell me you do have a method Aurora?” He regains himself with a pointed question.

“I do.” She declares with surprising confidence.

“Well, no, nothing as sure as you require… There is a certain technique we believe will be effective – it is merely a matter of landing it on the Demon God, which has proven to be …more difficult than we first imagined.” She immediately backpedals, as I suppose I should have expected – I think I've heard enough really… I'm very close now.

Ah, I walk around yet another corner and spot a pair of doves flanking a solid looking door. Well, a dove and someone that only looks like a dove, actually. Smiling to myself I stride confidently toward them, reverting the magic – tuning out the whining of the human and his dove beyond the heavy wooden door. The dove on the right is boring, a man possessed of the smooth and ageless features all celestials eventually grow into, his body lithe, well built, and encased in a suit of light armor. The dove on the left is Pestilence, wearing her crown of fire – currently shrunk down to a simple circlet embedded with a single ruby, she is …uglier than when I last saw her. Looking at the blue eyes standing out against her pale skin, I can only miss her angry shades of red, this soft and pink look seems less honest – and a bit uncomfortable, since looking at her I feel I can recognize some of the more prominent features of her glamour, the ones I can just as easily spot in a mirror. The curve of the bones beneath her cheeks, the shape of her lips – so like my own …I'll just pretend not to notice that, shall I?

They both notice me at the same moment and the dove on the right stiffens perceptibly – but Pestilence is unfazed, she stares ahead indifferently. As I close the dove on the right opens his mouth, to shout some challenge, maybe, or just generally raise the alarm. So before he can…

Sleep.

I think the Word, lingering on it, savoring it. Directing a single instant of the omnipresent desire that suffuses my being outward – toward the unsuspecting dove. He stops, his entire body slackens and his eyes slide closed – dead asleep on his feet. A white hot flash of jealousy ignites in me for just a moment, before I turn away to face my Demon King. Still her gaze has not wavered, indifferent to the plight of her “comrade”.

“Demon King.” I breathe out the words gently, exhaling a cloud of mana alongside.

This finally garners a reaction, a nervous twitch of the silent beauty's fingers, as my magic works around her. The spell slowly takes shape, wrapping around the two of us, a cloud – invisible but to those who can see. And she …cannot.That I notice immediately, certainly she can sense something, but the nervous jitter of her eyes, the odd flex of her hand, the slightly too heavy breathing – it all goes to show she does not grasp the nature of the magic. Or she would not be so afraid. It's just something to dampen outgoing sound, after all.

Still no need to tell her that. Let her wonder.

“A question.” I murmur the words, pausing that she might respond.

“…What is it?” She responds at last, sullenly. Her hand has steadied and grips the hilt of her blade unconsciously. Presumably just out of habit, rather than some sort of misguided attempt at a threat.

“We haven't gotten to talk much you and I. And I imagine the chances to do so will only shrink as we move forward. Even now we haven't much time.” I look into her eyes as I speak for some sign she understands – some sign she takes my meaning, but she is emotionless, unreadable. Probably easier to do with a glamour in place – but still fairly impressive. Repressing an urge to roll my eyes I decide it's best to just begin.

“To start with, I order you, do not lie to me.” Her lip curls, a soundless snarl that exposes the tips of her teeth, but she nods.

“Good. Now, The Master's Chain, do you know of it?” I ask.

She nods.

“Do you know where it is?” I press.

A long pause. Then she slowly shakes her head.

“But you know something regarding The Chain, do you not? Speak it, if you do.”

“…When the Demon Lord Xeven was killed in his castle by Avashorn assassins, his armies lost their unnatural cohesion – as if communications broke down completely within the ranks – and were routed with ease by the armies of the coalition. However, when his castle was sacked – no magical items of any note were recovered and it was assumed the assassins had absconded with the most choice spoils.

“It is only my personal opinion, but I think it likely the elves have – or had – The Chain. Though the human lords were convinced of the wickedness of demons, of the righteousness of the cause – the elves were always far more pragmatic. They seemed to see the war on Artas as little more than an opportunity to loot the coffers of the Demon Lords.”

Her words give me pause. A part of me wonders what exactly happened. The elves and humans were assisting the doves in a campaign against Artas? When? Why? Who else was involved and for what reasons? …Irrelevant, I conclude in the briefest of instants. Except insofar as how the information can be used to help me now – today.

“Then it is not in the possession of Aurora or her Chrous?” I ask.

The Demon King's eyes flash with annoyance and she shakes her head. I feel vindicated in ignoring her obvious attempt to derail the conversation – it was the correct choice.

“I cannot say. There are many places I have been barred from, I can't claim an intimate knowledge of the treasures of the Celestials – but I've never heard so much of a whisper of The Chain in all my years among the Chorus.” She reports.

“A place to start I suppose – slightly better than nothing. The elves yet live somewhere I take it?” I continue my questioning.

Once again she slowly shakes her head. “The Avashorn withdrew all all of their warriors from The Frontline nearly a hundred and fifty years ago. Following that, nearly a century ago, they retreated into the great forest to the south, closed their borders and withdrew from society entirely. More than that, even if they yet live, I do not know – a 'Blademaster' has no need for such knowledge.”

I stare at her, thinking. There are other things I could ask – maybe should ask. A million tiny curiosities that have welled up in me over the past month or so of activity. For instance, why do the doves control the borders of Artas? What is “The Sundering” that first dove I met mentioned – the words are heavy with magic and meaning, so my curiosity is slightly piqued. Why is the current Demon King living as a toady to the doves? And why have things been allowed to get to this point? Are the leaders of the intelligent races truly such blind idiots they cannot sense the world crumbling beneath their feet?

Why, Demon King, is everyone dead?

Other things too. Smaller things. She has been awake and active among these fools for some time, so she could likely offer some sort of insight …but in the end I don't care. I really… don't have the energy, to suss out the answers to a bunch of irrelevant questions in the name of something like curiosity.

“Alright. Fine. Maybe the duke will know more. Just remember your part, Demon King.” I straighten as I say so, stepping back from her. Her gaze at those words is sharp, hateful, an angry sneer forming on her usually expressionless face.

“I will not forget. Could not forget – if I wanted to.” She replies angrily, her face contorting painfully as she chokes out the next words. “I will …kill you …Alexandria. That. That is a promise. You will regret leaving me alive.”

As she makes her empty threats the door opens, my magic breaking and dissipating as it does. The wall of silence dissolving into nothing, the Celestial's eyes fluttering open – swimming in confusion. Auroura appears is standing in the doorway, her expression almost comically surprised to see me – in response I flash a lazy smile. The Demon King has once again schooled herself into expressionless, the other dove should have no memory of his brief foray into the land of dreams, and I've put enough distance between Pestilence and I that it shouldn't appear overly suspicious.

“You…” Aurora hisses the word.

Still smiling I step into her, until we two are uncomfortably close.

“…” Aurora just looks at me, indiscernible emotion written on her face. Then she glances to her left and right, remembering herself.

“You two. We're leaving.” She says stiffly, brushing past me with her underlings in tow. Well, one of them is my underling, but she doesn't need to know that. So I see them off with a smile before slipping in the still open door.

Within is a familiar room – one I've visited before, the walls lined with books – the center of the room dominated by Duke Clearwater behind his solid-looking desk. In one corner of the room there is a second – smaller – desk occupied by the duke's son Regis – the second son is currently poring over documents of some variety. Also in attendance is that human mage – Sheryl? – sitting still and silent in one of the chairs beside the duke's desk. As I enter the room, all three of them turn to regard me.

“Lady Alexandria.” The duke speaks, his voice level.

“Human.” I give him a small nod of acknowledgment, eyeing the chairs meant for “guests” and deciding to stand.

“You seem …well.” He says after a moment of thought, his eyes fixed on me – searching.

“Of course. I have no issues or complaints – in fact I would like to extend my thanks, your staff has been most diligent in the care of my cat.” I say honestly, reflecting that maybe I owe something for that unasked for favor. Though maybe it is simply expected – an extension of his offer of hospitality?

“We were beginning to grow concerned, these past few days you have been wholly …unresponsive.” He says pointedly. Out of the corner of my eye I see the younger Clearwater averting his eyes, returning to his work.

“Mmm, no need to concern yourself Ser Duke. It is a weakness of mine – a tendency to be easily distracted from the doldrums of minute to minute existence – a fondness for sleep. I doubt it will happen again if only because the noise is so unbearable. Worse every day it seems.” I explain. My eyes narrowing slightly.

“…the noise?” He repeats uncertainly.

“Nothing you need be concerned with, if you cannot hear it – feel it – consider yourself lucky. More importantly, have you anything for me? Pink informs me her 'lessons' proceed apace. And in exchange…” I prompt.

He blinks, frowning. Apparently not expecting this. He looks like he wants to say something, but shake his head as if to clear it and quickly recovers.

“No. Nothing concrete as of yet.” He reports. “Even in the midst of this crisis, as promised, I contacted those who I would consider allies of House Clearwater but was met with disappointment each time. The twelfth is still three days away and I plan to dispatch Gordan to Highmont to attend the Noble War Council, if I can twist Aurora's arm into lending one of her Cloudcutters for transportation. If not you needn't worry, I have a capable enough nephew already in place in the capital who has been informed via distantword of what needs to be asked and of whom. I would go myself but my city and my lands currently demand my personal attention.

I am perusing other avenues of course but these things take time. We have agents as far abroad as Tarisia but getting them new instructions and awaiting them to complete those instructions… It is a process that takes longer than a week.” He says.

I nod. “Indeed. Fair enough.” I briefly close my eyes. “Your maid said you wanted to see me.”

“Yes… As I said I was concerned for your health, also, Sheryl here had something – didn't you Sheryl…?” He turns a curious gaze over at the woman from the Adventure's Guild and I follow suit, looking at the prim blue robed woman.

“Ah… wha? M-Milord, this is not what-” She stutters out something nearly incoherent.

“Is it not?” He interrupts her. “You were telling me you had some quite serious complaints that it was very important for Lady Alexandria to hear? It seems fortune smiles on you Sheryl, because you need not even rely on me as your proxy, you may deliver your complaints personally.” Clearwater's tired voice sounds somewhat triumphant.

Sheryl throws me a fearful glance, before gulping audibly – seeming to steel herself.

“Um… Lady Alexandria. There has been some …commotion, recently, in the vicinity of the Guild – due in small part to the actions of your subordinates – and we would be most …appreciative, if you could do something to, um, reign them in…” She finally says.

“I was planning to go speak to Pink after this.” I say, nodding thoughtfully. “I suppose if her behavior is damaging the humans in her surroundings I will instruct her to desist.”

“T-thank you.” The woman stutters out, before going once more still and silent in her chair – eyes fixed fearfully on me. Her obvious fear is somewhat annoying but… disciplining humans is well outside the scope of my duties – it seems an endless task – so I just ignore it.

“There was another thing, actually.” The duke speaks offhandedly, as if only just remembering. Deciding to play his hand at last I surmise. “It's not my intention to appear ungrateful, my son reported that the only reason the Avashorn Well still stands is due to your intervention and all of Shadfer is thankful for that, but I would be remiss in my duty to my people if I failed to be shameless here. Is there no way you could assist with the repair of the Well? If there is something you need, if there is anything we can give you …few prices would be too high.” He says, his voice sounding tired and strained – but deadly serious.

“You should have a care what your offer to a demon Ser Duke.” I murmur the words, my amusement audible. Fortunately for this man, I am so old that the joys of taking advantage of that sort of open ended offer seem more tedious than enticing. So I decide to just answer seriously, we are allies of a sort after all.

“But to be clear, no. Repairing even properly formed magic is a delicate and complex process and the spell you want repaired is a shoddy, amateurish construction of holy energy – not something I have much aptitude with.” I consider briefly, examining my memories of the “Well”. “It's very nearly impossible I think – much easier would be to simply destroy the thing, remake it with demonic energy…” I trail off as I think about that.

…It could probably be done. If I had time to examine the Formations, replicating them – or at least their functions wouldn't be difficult… but it would be a great deal of work. Utterly impossible then.

“And?” The dukes harsh voice draws me from my contemplation. “What would be your price? To replace the Well?”

I tilt my head slightly, confused at the leap in the conversation. “With demonic energy I said Ser Duke, surely you-”

“I don't see an issue.” The man cuts me off. Rude. But in truth I'm too distracted to be offended, considering the mans proposition. Wondering if there is anything worth extracting here, relative to the costs.

“In fact, it would serve both our purposes, would it not? Unless you mean to tell me feeling the effects of spells formed from demonic energy is inherently poisonous to humans?” He continues.

“No…” I say slowly. There would be no danger, or at least none that could not be mitigated with the right Word. And… my mind skips back, remembering that curled and wretched thing – born inside the corrupted crystal heart – an omen. A portent of things to come…

“Then…?” The duke's questions relentlessly.

“You have an army, do you not? Ser Duke?” I ask.

His face freezes. The woman in the chair pales noticeably. Even the younger Clearwater pauses in his shuffling of documents, turning an appraising glance toward his father and I.

“…no. The only army within Imperial borders is the Imperial Legion, though it is a vast a diffuse organization, it is all technically under the control of the Emperor. I, as a Duke of the Imperium, can borrow the Emperor's authority to order his armies, but they are not mine.” Clearwater speaks very deliberately but a sheen of sweat appearing in his salt and pepper hair betrays his discomfort.

Ah. Of course. This is one of those delicate topics. I suppose I should just let it drop, if I intend for the duke to be of any use to me at all. If he thinks I'm just trying to infiltrate his “Imperium” in a clumsy bid to make use of its armies he will probably no longer be so accommodating. So I just wave my hand dismissively.

“I see.” I say pensively. “I spoke too hastily. I've no particular need of the services of your of any other army, I just have fears for the future. The Unbound will undoubtedly become more dangerous, after the events of three days ago. The immediate and terrible backlash was most likely just the beginning, with the scales shifted so suddenly – it will take some time for the full effect to be apparent.

And when those effects manifest themselves, I was thinking, it would be better to have you humans at my side – working toward our common goal – as opposed to making disjointed and contradictory efforts. Possibly inconveniencing each other in the process. My quarrel is with your Unbound, I care for little else. Even The Chain is just a means to that end.” I say soothingly, stretching the truth to the breaking point by implying that anything the humans could do would inconvenience me.

My words do seem to have the desired effect though, as the tension seems to drain from the room.

“I'm not sure I understand. What exactly is it you are asking for Lady Alexandria? An alliance?” Clearwater asks.

“I do not know how useful or appropriate it would be to “ally” yourself to a Demon Lord with neither land nor subjects, Duke Clearwater. But I do feel it would be …beneficial, to all involved parties, if our continued relations hinged on more than just the acquisition of a magical bauble. If I and my party were permitted to act with a bit more freedom within your borders – in our crusade against the Unbound...” I skirt his question smoothly, allowing my voice to trail off as if in contemplation.

“I see…” Clearwater says, seeming to draw his own conclusions. “I see. I will have to petition the Emporer, for something like this, but it should be doable…” His eyes are distant – calculating – as he considers.

“Good, excellent even, Ser Duke. Then while you do that, I will take this free moment to attend to my servants. Excuse me.” Saying so I simply turn and walk away, pushing the heavy wooden door open and leaving the brooding man to his thoughts.

As I make my way toward the exterior of the manor, I am left with only my own thoughts. Obviously whatever permission I extract from the humans will be worthless, it's not as if they can stop me from doing as I please, but that is why it is not the permission that is important. It's the trust that entails that is important. Making the humans trust is important groundwork, if we intend to make use of The Chain, due to the myriad of restrictions regarding the items use. In order for the item to work, large amounts of souls – preferably of the willing variety – are required. The Chain cannot raise an army from nothing, it can only twist and mutate that which already exists.

In short for the thing to be useful Pink and I must have access to large amounts of creatures that might be swayed by its power. Preferably hardy and vital specimens that are unlikely to be destroyed by the infusion of magic. This city, for instance, would be a poor place to deploy The Chain – due to large portions of the population being too old or too young and a complete lack of trust or willingness to cooperate which would result in a higher rate of destruction of the raw materials. If a person perceives magic as hostile they will fight it after all – that's why goblins and their ilk made such excellent targets to be snared by The Chain, there is little a goblin is unwilling to do if you promise it will grow stronger in the process.

If you went ahead with it anyway and tried to make use of the unwilling you would find them much less useful, their growth halting and stunted, hardly worth your time and effort. And probably not worth it at all, once you've paid The Chains due. In short, willing is better. Fortunately, it probably won't be too hard to gather the willing in this war torn country – if I am free to meet them and they have even the tiniest inkling of trust. The kind of trust that might be gained by feeding the starving masses...

Really… this sort of annoying groundwork is the sort of thing Pink should be doing. Though maybe she doesn't think it's necessary? As I at last find the front entrance to the manor and unfurl my wings I consider if I should complain to her about it. Well I have to find her first in any case, closing my eyes I focus on the bonds between my Chosen and I, disregarding the one that is frayed and the ones outside the city, until only three are left – all gathered in one place.

Servants located, I begin to lazily wing in their direction, idly wondering what trouble they've managed to cause for the humans.