Arick walked at a quick pace through the black-walled corridors, effortlessly finding his way through the maze-like fortress. Someone who had never traversed these hallways before would get hopelessly lost, something done on purpose to deter enemies, but he knew them like the back of his hand by now.

Eventually he stopped in front of a dark wooden door at the end of one such corridor. For a moment he hesitated, wondering if lord Garm would be angry at him for departing so suddenly and at such a strange time.

He shook his head. It was no use feeling anxious, especially since it was already done. He just hoped general Gyrn hadn’t been too harsh during the debriefing.

“Come on in.”

On the other side of the door was an office, with a large desk opposite the entrance, and bookshelves filled to the brim covering either wall. An enormous window occupied the far wall, giving a far-reaching view of the military grounds and a part of the valley below.

Two other people were present. One of them, namely the one sitting behind the desk, was obviously lord Garm Zwart himself. The other, with his back leaning against a bookshelf, was his brother, general Gyrn Zwart.

“You are back, I see”, said Garm matter-of-factly.

“I apologise for being away so long.”

“Nonsense. I did say you could take some time off after that battle. Though I had expected you to take a trip back home, not go travelling into human territory.”

Arick stayed silent. It hadn’t been his idea of a holiday either.

“And for a human, no less”, snorted Gyrn, “I really hope you found it to be worth the trouble. Not to mention all the headaches employing a human in our military is going to cause.”

“I know”, Arick responded, “I am very much aware, and I told her so as well. From what I have seen, she should be able to handle herself.”

“That’s quite the high opinion you have. Where is she now?” asked Garm curiously.

“On a tour of the military grounds with Cecile, I believe.”

A slight smile tugged on the edge of the lord’s mouth. “You’ll have to introduce her to me sometime.”

Arick sighed in relief. “So you will allow it?”

“Why don’t you first tell me about what went on during your trip?” Garm narrowed his eyes as he said this.

Most would interpret that expression as intimidation, as trying to get him to reveal as much as possible. Arick knew the man well enough however, to know he was merely interested in what he had to tell.

Though, ‘merely’ was perhaps the wrong word. Because when one of the four demon lords asked you something, you answered.

After he finished narrating everything that had happened since meeting Jyl on the battlefield, silence descended in the room. Both Arick and Gyrn waited patiently as Garm contemplated everything he just heard.

When it seemed it would take a while, Gyrn asked a question instead.

“This village is really located inside the Great Forest? That hunting ground of monsters? How can anyone survive in that place for so long?”

“Apparently they have been living there for many generations, despite the dangers”, responded Arick, “They even hunt beasts for food and clothing. One of their younger generation hunters was able to fight Cecile to a standstill, even besting her several times.”

“Bested her? The one even Gyrn has trouble with in a straight up fight?” lord Garm questioned, shaking out of his thoughts.

Arick nodded. “Without using magic, of course. But you should also consider that they were trained for hunting beasts, not fighting people.”

Gyrn stared at him in disbelief. “You sure these are humans you’re talking about? Even without magic, the average demon is stronger than a human.”

Chuckling, Garm glanced at his younger brother. “It seems Gyrn is itching for a fight.”

“Of course”, Gyrn harrumphed, “I barely get challenged anymore . Can’t let myself get rusty.”

“Regardless, I can’t say I am not interested in meeting these people as well.” Lord Garm turned to Arick, a familiar gleam visible in his eyes. “For now, I will allow this Jyl to stay here. Keep an eye on her. When we are sure we can trust these people I wouldn’t mind negotiating with them.

Considering the length of the border we share with the Great Forest, people with skillsets like theirs would definitely be welcome. The biggest problem obviously, the fact these are humans, is not something that can be easily resolved.”

Arick bowed, and, with the discussion having reached its end, turned to take his leave.

The first step had been taken, what happened from here on would depend mainly on Jyl.