✽✽✽
The priests, paladins, and watchers dispersed and walked north to the road leading back to the city. Those reporting to Archdon Westan readied the demon lord for transport and followed the others. Out of the corner of his eye, Millan observed Archdon Omana approaching Mashira, Sundancer, and Razza Merona. Even though the hunt was over, the young priest still considered himself part of the Prima's group, and so he inconspicuously tagged along behind the archdon.
"How are you feeling?" Archdon Omana asked Mashira.
"I'll be fine, thank you. It was just harder than I thought it'd be, especially without the Talisman."
"And he's a demon lord. Even if we can't sense his energy, it's still there. Speaking of which, are you sure this is the correct course of action?"
"I understand the reservation, but we have the chance to cleanse him. We can't do it before nightfall, so we can't stay out here. We have to protect ourselves. Once we're in the city walls, we can do the ritual and be done with all of this. I know his identity. Erynion is Sir Bix."
Millan tried to recall where he had heard the name before.
"The Champion of the Light?" Sundancer asked.
"The Death God founder?" Razza Merona added immediately after.
"The same," the Prima said. "I saw Princess Sereyna in his mind, which makes sense because his father was good friends with King Cato. Bix and his brother were always close to the royal family."
"So, that means Sir Bix is dead," Razza concluded.
"I suppose. Not that we would've heard anything from Alovajj."
"It's interesting. Sir Bix definitely wasn't that tall," Sundancer pointed out.
"Demons come in all shapes and sizes, regardless of their appearance while alive," the Prima reminded her. "Plus, I don't think it could've been any clearer. I just asked Sereyna who Erynion was, and she told me it was Bix. It was really incredible in there."
Archdon Omana interjected. "Your Luminescence, I must insist we reconsider this course of action. I can understand your wish to cleanse the demon. I wish the same. But bringing him into the city could be extremely dangerous."
"Your concern is noted. I've evaluated the risk, and I believe with a hundred priests at our disposal to keep him restrained, as well as the Blessing of Sacred Ground, the demon lord poses very little risk to the civilians of Royal Oak. If we leave him out here, there's no telling how many may die."
"Prima, I must protest. Think of Nesinu."
Millan assumed the mention of his hometown gave him the right to speak up. "Yes, please, Your Luminescence. I was there. I saw what he did!"
"That's hardly valid." Mashira directed her response at Omana only. "A single priest stood against him there."
Millan persisted. "But if he's a demon lord, how do you know if a thousand priests can stand against him?"
Mashira glared at the young man.
Although he wanted to press the issue, Millan knew he'd spoken out of turn. The Prima had been kind not only to let him free this morning, but to also let him join her hunting group. This by no means gave him the right to challenge her. Millan slowed his steps and straggled behind the high-ranking group of priests.
A hand patted him on the shoulder. "You don't want to be up there anyway. Trust me." A fellow don walked beside Millan. The priest was older and had a scruffy complexion. He extended his hand in greeting. "Don Tuarsh."
The Nesinu priest shook his hand. "Don Millan. I hope they know what they're doing, bringing a demon lord into the city."
"It's only one demon, friend. He doesn't stand a chance against hundreds of us. Not even Verago himself could."
"But what if the demons try to attack again tonight? Some of us would have to protect the city."
Tuarsh chuckled. "An attack? I wouldn't worry about that. After the failure last night, I think it's safe to say we're in the clear for a while. Besides, the watchers, the scorchers, and the paladins could keep them at bay. You know, no demon has ever set foot inside the walls of Royal Oak."
"What about the two from last night?"
"Hmm, yeah, I forgot about them. I heard the Brotherhood took down the grate to let them sneak up the river and into the city."
"Really?" Millan noticed another priest come up on the other side of him. She was more pleasing to look at than the first, although, her robes left a lot to the imagination.
"Psh, the Brotherhood? They couldn't find the end of the spring's river even if they were washed out by the current. I heard the grate just rusted and no one thought to replace it. It's been missing from that hole in the wall for years. I'm sure it's been fixed now, though."
"Don't underestimate the Brotherhood, Hess," Tuarsh cautioned the female priest. "They're still out there."
"Conspiracies," she shot back. "They're as dead as the Royal Throne."
Millan adjusted his pace once again to move away from the two priests. They didn't seem to notice his absence at all as they continued to argue.
"Don't mind those two." The archdon with the black goatee came alongside him.
"Oh?"
"Brother and sister. Always arguing."
Millan gave a halfhearted smile. "I see. Your Grace, may I ask you a question?"
"Fire away."
"What do you think about the Prima's decision to bring the demon lord back to the city?"
"I don't think it merits discussion."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, it's not our place to question the Prima. There's a reason why she has advisors. The best we can do is put faith in her decisions, trust that she'll keep us safe, and carry out our duties."
The answer bothered Millan. He was looking for confirmation that this was the wrong course of action, and this archdon refused to give it. "So, then I'm expected to hold my tongue if I think something's wrong?"
"Do you know something more than the Prima?" the archdon politely challenged.
"I'm not sure I understand."
"Is there any information you have that the Prima does not? Are you hiding anything from her?"
Millan was taken aback. "What?! No, of course not."
"Then with no additional knowledge, what makes you think you know better than her?"
Millan opened his mouth, but closed it soon after. His eyes fell to the archdon's swaying white scarf. "Nothing, Your Grace."
"My apologies. It was not my intention to browbeat you into following blindly or to feel guilty about a difference in opinion. I was merely trying to get you to see the situation from another perspective."
"I understand."
The archdon held out his hand. "Archdon Vikard."
The Nesinu priest shook his hand. "Don Millan."
"Yes, I know who you are. I've heard what you've been through. I was sorry to hear about Don Skully. He was a great man."
Millan perked up. "Did you know him?"
"Not personally, no. But my father knew him quite well and spoke very highly of him."
"Even though he openly supported the Death Gods against the wishes of the Prima?"
"We were all saddened by his defiance, but one such act doesn't erase years of service to the guild. He spoke up because he thought it was the right thing to do, just like you did. So, let me ask you this. What makes you think her decision is wrong?"
Millan crossed his arms in front of his chest. "I don't know."
"Come now. I'd like to hear your side. There must be something. I know you didn't challenge our leader without a reason."
"Archdon Omana spoke first."
Vikard stroked his goatee. "Hmm, yes, a well-respected archdon and former advisor. I think that's acceptable. And perhaps that gave you the confidence to speak, but that still doesn't explain why you think she's wrong."
"I don't know." It was all the Nesinu priest could manage to say as he struggled to stay silent.
"Don't worry. You can tell me," the archdon coaxed.
Millan looked ahead, past the siblings and past Mashira, to the shackled demon lord. The
band of priests holding him was breaking from the shore of Lake Ivorus and entering the forest. His mind was racing until it focused on a single image, the wasteland where Nesinu once stood. "It's just a feeling, a very bad feeling. I saw what kind of destruction he's capable of. There was nothing left. Just…just nothing. And now we're going to parade him into the city, past our walls, and I'm supposed to just accept that? We don't know anything about his power."
Vikard placed his hands behind his back. "Interesting, but I have to disagree. We know he can't be stronger than Verago. And if Verago could defeat a dozen archdons and a hundred dons all at once, I don't think the Surface would belong to us anymore. Besides, last time the Devil showed his face, he turned tail and ran like a coward."
"You're talking about Devil's Breach."
"A tragic night, but we learned how weak and scared the Devil truly is. We also learned how the twisted gates are created."
"The gate seeds," Millan said.
"That's right. And thanks to the Blessing of Sacred Ground, that tactic can't be used against us again."
"Did they ever figure out who planted them?"
"Rumors mostly. Some think it was a demon years before, during the Assault. I've heard others suggest the Brotherhood had their hand in it. I'm sure those two up there"—the archdon motioned to the squabbling siblings—"know the truth."
"Were you in Light's Haven when it happened?" Millan asked.
"Devil's Breach? No. I haven't been back to Light's Haven in years. What about you?"
"No, but my Acceptance took place a month after it happened. The people there were constantly talking about it. How the whole ground shook. How the gate scarred the royal gardens. I was told the only reason King Batar survived was because he was wearing the Talisman of Zavi."
"Yes, I heard the same. It really shows you how powerful the Talisman is. One touch could cleanse any demon, including Verago."
Millan clicked his tongue. "It's unfortunate there couldn't have been a second artifact to protect his brother."
"Indeed. King Cato has been through the depths and back. Losing two of his children? That's something no father should have to endure."
Chapter 26
Safely in the City
As the procession rounded a curve in the road, the gates of Royal Oak came into view. Millan noted the sun's position as it sank below the treetops before peering over his shoulder.
"Something the matter?" Archdon Vikard asked.
Millan's head snapped around. "No, sorry." His fingers danced furtively on his thighs. The truth was that even with the archdon at his side, the Nesinu priest felt exposed.
"I can tell you there are no demons behind us."
"I know. That's what's bothering me."
"Oh?"
The young priest leaned in close to the archdon. "Where are all the fray from last night? Shouldn't they be attacking us to save the demon lord?"
"Hard to say. Maybe the army was following the Seductress and not Erynion. Fray can be unpredictable once they lose their leader."
"What about the iymed that got away last night?"
"One iymed, in the daytime, against all these priests and soldiers? He's probably hiding deep in the forest, terrified out of his mind."
Millan envisioned the jester iymed brandishing his daggers by the massive oak tree. As he recalled the brief battle, his heart swelled with pride before it sank within his chest. Eriph had let the demon go to keep Millan alive. Not to mention, though he didn't realize it at the time, the young priest had broken the rules of his guild. He thought back even further to that night in Nolka when Archdon Feranis found out about his ability to do enchantment. What else had Don Skully taught him that he wasn't supposed to know? What would he do next that was against the rules?
"See," Vikard said. "Safe inside the walls."
Millan ended his period of reflection as they crossed the threshold into the city. There was a loud metallic knock as the gates collided against their frame.
"Archdon Vikard!" the Prima called out.
Mashira was off to the side, accompanied by Lady Sundancer. A man stood with them who Millan didn't recognize. As Vikard responded to the Prima, Millan instinctively followed. But halfway there, he halted, embarrassed by the earlier exchange. The Nesinu priest tried to seem inconspicuous as he remained close enough to hear their conversation.
Vikard joined the small huddle. "Yes, Your Luminescence?"
"After some consideration, I've decided it's best if we evacuate all civilians to the southern half of the city."
"If you deem it necessary, of course."
"I do. I don't want to leave anything to chance. But we don't have much time. When you reach the rectory, I need you to send all squires to the watcher headquarters to help with the evacuation."
"Understood."
Millan waited patiently as he heard the footsteps behind him. As Vikard passed by, the young priest hopped beside the archdon and matched his gait. Millan was tempted to look back, but he feared making eye contact with the Prima. "So, who was that man with Prima Mashira?"
Vikard glimpsed over his shoulder. "Who? That guy? I don't know his name, but he's the lead watcher on duty. Why do you ask?"
"No reason. Just curious."
When the pair reached the rectory, the courtyard was filled with hundreds of priests and squires. In the middle of the crowd, a twelve dons had their Blessings of Divine Restraint cast on the demon lord. Erynion was still as a statue, and Archdon Omana had taken her position beside him.
Vikard cupped his hands around his mouth. "By order of Her Luminescence, Prima Mashira, all squires are to report to the watcher headquarters immediately! I repeat, all squires please report to the watcher headquarters immediately!"
Then, he bypassed the crowd and ascended the steps of the rectory. Without a second thought, Millan did the same. The archdon grabbed the door handle. "Where are you going?"
"In-in-inside," Millan stammered. "Inside the rectory."
"Why? Don't you want to watch the cleansing?"
"Of course. I, uh, just thought I'd speak with our other prisoner, the one we caught last night. We still don't know why he and his friend were in the city."
"Uh-huh."
"Thought I would ask him a few questions," Millan continued. "You know, try to get some answers."
"It's fine, I understand." As he entered the rectory, Vikard left the door open, and Millan followed.
✽✽✽
Erynion stood in the courtyard with his eyes fixated on the ground. He cared little about the people who had gathered to help with his execution. With only the moon and stars to fill the sky, he felt the power inside him trying to grow, but the shackles kept him in check. The light energy burned his skin, but the pain was hardly noticeable. He was being spared from the agony, and so he was at peace.
"So, Bix, are you ready?"
Erynion looked up to see the brilliant aura of the Prima. "Bix? Why are you calling me Bix?"
"Because that's you, isn't it? That's your original identity."
The demon lord pictured the kneeling paladin from his dream. "You're mistaken."
"We'll see about that. Archdon Omana, I want nothing to go wrong. Please restrain him as well."
The former advisor stepped in front of the shackled demon lord. She closed her eyes and extended her hands toward the prisoner. Thanks to the exposed Devil's Eye, Erynion observed the light from Omana's aura intensify and flow toward her arms. When the archdon spoke, her voice was deeper than he expected from a woman.
"May the angels grant me strength so that I may shackle this demon to the Surface for as long as I am able. I invoke the Blessing of Unbreakable Binding!" Omana curled her fingers like eagle talons as light burst forth from the ground. Bands of energy clasped Erynion's wrists. The chains were far thicker than the blessings of the other priests. Four more emerged from the dirt, reached for the beast's neck, and created a large collar.
Gritting her teeth, Omana closed her f
ists, as if she were gripping the restraints, and pulled her arms to her side. Any slack in the blessing recoiled back into the ground and fiercely jerked Erynion to one knee.
The demon lord growled loudly. In addition to the other restraints, the archdon's blessing caused more than a little discomfort, but the pain still paled in comparison to the agony. Erynion was more annoyed at the ferocity with which he had been forced to his knee. The unbreakable binding on his neck made it impossible to look away from his executioner. He resented the priests for their decision to cleanse him, but all in all, it made no difference. Why care anymore? Verago had chosen him to be the most powerful demon, but what was the point if he had no control over it? He couldn't even remember his own name. His dreams seemed to be taunting him. The answers were so close but never within reach. And then, there was his purpose. Why would he agree to kill King Batar, who also happened to be his brother? Perhaps he was just another failed experiment like the first demon lord. And after five miserable nights on the Surface, he was about to share the same fate.
✽✽✽
The hinges on the jail entrance squeaked as Millan pushed it open. He had barely taken a step across the threshold, when a hand blocked his path.
"Hold it right there. Who are you?" A priest stood in his way. Millan nearly jumped as a second priest came up from behind him.
"I'm Don Millan. I'm from Nesinu."
"Nesinu? Yeah, I've heard about you. You're the reason we have this one," said one guard.
"Yeah, and the reason we're stuck in here on guard duty," the other added.
Millan raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry?"
"Never mind her. She's just upset we can't watch the cleansing ritual. So, what brings you down here?"
"I'd like to speak with the prisoner, if I may."
The guard moved aside. "If that's what you want, be our guest. But just so you know, the fiend hasn't said a word all day, at least not since Archdon Omana finished with him."
Millan shuffled his feet across the stone floor as he slipped by the two guards. The enchantment on the cell bars illuminated some of the prison, but left the walls mostly in the shadows. The Nesinu priest barely made out the outline of the demon.
The Twisted Gate Page 25
