Into The Abyss (Demons of Astlan) (50 page)

"Yes indeed. Jenn was it?"  Tizzy asked.  "You have the right idea.  Why should I wait around here for Tom to return to take me back to the
Abyss?  Here I have every demon's dream.  Free reign on the planes of men.  All the young babes to eat, maidens to ravish and men's souls to consume, that I could ever wish for!"  Tizzy began dancing around in a circle.

Suddenly, before she could react.  Tizzy grabbed her head with his top two claws and kissed her full on the lips.  As he stepped back, releasing her, she spat.  She was horrified, sickened.  "Thank you, thank you, Jenn.  You have given me such a wondrous idea.  Here I was just going to go meekly back to the Abyss
once Tom returned!  But you! You my dear have given me such wonderful ideas."  Tizzy began testing his wings as if preparing to launch again.

Jenn was shocked.  A
lmost speechless.  She couldn't believe this.  The crazy creature was about to go out and create goddess knew what mayhem on the world.  All because she'd told it to go! It was thanking her!  Goddess save her! "No!" she shouted.

"No?  You don't want me signing your name in the credits after each massacre?"  Tizzy asked, pausing suddenly.  "You are a modest girl, but don't worry.  I will see you get your credit.  After all, there are union rules to follow here.  I really must give you
billing credit.  After all, you have practically given me the script to follow.  Don't worry, I'll sign your name up in blood, right there with my own.  What was your family name again?"

"No!
Demon.  I do not want credit.  I do not want you going out to do this.  You will stay here, with me, until the other demon comes back."  There, it had backed her into a corner.  She didn't want it to stay.  Gastropé was staring at her.  She didn't have a choice, she didn't know if it would really go out and do all those things, but it was a minion of the Concordenax.  A being of cruelty and evil beyond imagining, it probably would do exactly what it promised.  She had no choice, even if it was bluffing; she couldn't risk that it wasn't.

"Good marsh gas girl, you are just the slightest bit mutable in your desires.  First go, then stay!  Have you tried lithium?  I hear it can work wonders.  Or," here the demon got quieter, as if trying to be confidential, "is it just, well, you know, female problems?  That time of the month, hmm?"

Jenn took a deep breath, if not for the fact this irritating thing was a demon, she would have slapped it silly.  She really didn't want to put up with this creature.  "Demon, you will stay, and you will be watched every moment you are here.  You will have no opportunity for mischief."

"Miss Chief?  Who's she?  Never met the lass.  Although" Tizzy peered towards the hold, "if she does happen to be a goer, and she's hiding somewhere on board, well...I can certainly do the...thing."  The demon leered again.

Jenn rubbed her forehead.  "You know what I mean, demon."

Tizzy tilted his head.  "You're sure?" 
It asked.  Jenn simply nodded. "Really really sure?" Jenn nodded again.  "So, would you say, you are asking me to stay?"

"I am telling you to stay
, demon."  Jenn said tiredly.

"You know you can't stop me from going?" Jenn sighed, the demon was right.  She nodded, reluctantly.  "So you are asking me to stay?"

"Yes."  Jenn said through gritted teeth.

Tizzy crossed his four arms, tilted his nose up towards the sky and tapped his foot.  "You didn't say the magic wo...ord."

Jenn's eyes stretched wider.  "The--magic--word?"  Jenn snarled.

"You know.  The P word."  The demon locked its lips together in a small grin, rocking its head slightly back and forth.

Jenn closed her eyes.  Why her?  "Please.  Stay."

"Well, OK" the demon said suddenly.  "But only because you begged me."  The demon smiled broadly. "I'm sure we're going to be great friends."

"An inquiry?  Like my word isn't good enough.  Like the obvious hole in the ground where my castle was, the remains of Exagas' army aren't enough?"  Lenamare slammed the door to his recently furnished study's door.  He and Jehenna were just returning from the first of what looked to be several council sessions regarding the dispute.  Jehenna had preceded Lenamare into the room.  She seated herself in one of the chairs in front of the desk while Lenamare raved on. 

Jehenna looked around the room.  It wasn't much.  Cheap furniture, uncomfortable
furniture if the truth were to be known. Unfortunately, while they both had suites in Freehold, they’d never stayed in them for any length of time, teleporting in and out as needed.  For this reason they’d never bothered to completely furnish their suites.

The bookshelves had a few books on them.  The books she and Lenamare had recovered yesterday when they teleported back to the ambush sit
e.  They'd have done it earlier, but so many other things had to be arranged.  Fortunately, all the valuable stuff had been protected from the elements by spells.  Their main spell books were safely cached away elsewhere, in a small extra dimensional space.  They should have put 'the book' there.  However, given its nature, they hadn't wanted to put it in any place so potentially accessible to extra-planar beings.  Not that there were a whole lot of such people, only that those most likely to be interested in the book were intrinsically extra-planar.  At least the room had a window. 

If they were to stay for long in Freehold, they would
have to find much better furnishings.  However, neither of them wanted to be in such close proximity to the busy bodies on the council; so a completely new location was going to be required.  A new school perhaps.  Maybe not though, maybe it was time for a more private life.   Jehenna didn't relish the thought of having to gather together a whole new set of brats.  Most of the old ones were a lost cause.  The only ones accounted for were the ones with Trisfelt.  They were the next worst thing to all new students.  Of course, all of this presupposed they lived through the current situation.

Actually, if they did live through it, that meant
, almost by definition that they got the book back.  If Exador got it, they wouldn't live through it.  Of course, if Lenamare and she got it, Exador wouldn't live through it.  Further, if they got the book back, that meant private life or new school were meaningless.  If they got it back, they'd eventually get it open, then they'd have power.  The sort of power to carve out, or repossess existing, empires.  Ruling an empire didn't count as having a private life, Jehanna supposed.   Too many demands on the ruler, still they were demands Jehenna would be willing to put up with.

The
worst-case scenario, Jehenna supposed, was that this fiasco drag out for a long time.  Which was part of what was giving Lenamare grief right now.  Not that it was completely unexpected grief.  "As I understand it," Jehenna interrupted Lenamare in his tirade, "an inquiry is standard procedure in such claims."

"I know.  I expected one in fact.  That doesn't mean I have to like it."  Lenamare resumed pacing, one of his favorite habits.  "In one sense, it does give us time.  Time to find that book.  On the other hand, it gives Exacretin time to look for it as well.  Assuming he knows its missing.

"On the other hand," Lenamare continued, "an inquiry increases the chance that Damien or one of his fellow councilors will figure out what is going on.  And finally, as you know, it slows our most recent plans for taking the rug out from under Exatoad.  I've decided, however, to have Zilquar hold his position.  The inquisition is going out to the school.  Naturally, both Exafiend and I will be going along.  Since he'll have his army, or what remains of it, there, I feel I'll need an army too."  Lenamare stopped.

"I wonder if Damien will be taking any people with him?"  Lenamare asked himself.  Damien was leading the inquiry.  He wanted to inspect the site personally.  "Such individuals might get in the way if there was a confrontation.  We should certainly plan for all eventualities."

"Is a confrontation wise?"  Jehenna queried.  "We didn't fare too well in the last one."

"Neither! I will point out, did Exador."  Lenamare raised his index finger above his head to
emphasize the point, as if lecturing to a class.  "Things are a lot more even now.  Or at least they would be.  If I could find that damn fourth order demon."

"Do you suppose Exador took it out of the picture for good?"

"Destroyed it?"  Lenamare started pacing again.  Jehenna figured the cheap carpet wouldn't last a week.  "Possible, but doubtful.  Destruction of such beings is extremely difficult.  While certainly something like a Cloud of Disintegration would take it out, there isn't much below that that can."

"So it's still on this plane?"
She and Lenamare had tried twice more to summon the demon since their first failed attempt.

"Apparently.  Or it's being shielded."

"By an archdemon?  Nothing less could shield it."

"I know, thus we'd better pray to whatever gods will still listen to us that it's still on this plane.  If archdemons are involved, we really are doomed.  At least until we get the book back. At that point, archdemons better start running scared."

"So, if it is running around, it's got to be killing things.  Eventually we'll hear about it.  Random demon infestations aren't that common."  Jehenna commented.

"Eventually is the key.  It takes time, such information travels way too slowly.  So, maybe the inquiry is for the best.  It gives us that time. As long as Exaslime doesn't pull any tricks during the inquiry.  For that we must be prepared."

"You've got good communications to Hortwell?"

"Yes, we've got mirrors on both ends.  Zilquar is almost as good at preparing for things as I am."  Jehenna raised her eyebrows, that statement was high praise from
Lenamare.  "I'll arrange some things with him later today.  The inquiry is still gathering other documentation.  The site visit won't be for a couple days."

~

Jenn didn't know.  She just didn't know.  Her mind was a complete haze these days.  Somehow, someway, they'd finally made it to Hoggensforth.  She didn't know how she'd survived.  She and Gastropé had taken turns trying to manipulate the wind to their advantage.  They'd had some success, particularly at night where they’d made great speed for some reason; it had only taken them three days rather than five or six from the time they started until they reach Hoggensforth.  Thus they were only about a day behind schedule.  Not that she had a schedule, but behind the time they'd planned to be there.

When they weren't directing the wind, they were taking turns watching the demon.  Mainly her and Gastrop
é.  She couldn't trust Rupert with the demon.  He talked with it too much.  The fiend would probably pervert or consume the poor lad's soul if the two were left alone.  In addition, Rupert wouldn't be able to do much should the demon try anything.  Not that she or Gastropé could do much, but....Edwyrd had taken turns as well.  He didn't seem too concerned about the demon, but he took turns to keep her happy.  Maelen took a couple, but he kept insisting he could keep an eye on it from anywhere on the ship.  Maybe he could, but Jenn wasn't comfortable with this, so she often sat his shifts as well.

Because
of this, Jenn was about ready to drop.  She'd hardly slept, and what little sleep she'd gotten had been plagued by pirate nightmares.  When she got this tired, things started looking different.  For one thing, it must have been her imagination, but it seemed the crew gave Edwyrd a really wide berth.  They kept their distance, and were always extremely diffident and respectful towards him.  To Jenn's sleep fogged brain, it seemed they showed more respect to Edwyrd than the captain.  She couldn't quite figure out why.  The captain didn't seem to object, in fact, if anything, he was the worst of the lot in this regard. 

The really strange thing was that she wasn't sure which the crew were more nervous of, Edwyrd or the demon.  The demon they just tried to ignore, especially after Edwyrd promised them he wouldn't let the demon hurt them.  As if the boy, for that's all he was, certainly no older than Jenn, could do anything to stop a demon.  Jenn shook her head, was the entire world insane
?  Or was it her?  Actually, the real piece that boggled her mind came a few moments ago as they were getting off the ship.

The ship's master had come up to Edwyrd and handed him a small bag, claiming that he was returning their cabin deposit.  Their cabin deposit? Jenn didn't see in the bag, but it looked to her as if they were getting a refund.  While Jenn had to admit they'd saved the ship from the pirates, the ship had been damaged anyway.  The ship's captain was a merchant.  Who ever heard of a merchant giving money back?  The whole concept was absurd.   

To be honest, they should have been paid as guards for the trip.  Especially considering the fact that without them the ship would have been lost. That, however had not been the agreement.  They'd foolishly agreed to pay for passage, rather than be paid for it.  Before, the captain had been more than happy to take their money, and their protection.  Why would he have a change of heart?  Did he suddenly find honesty?  It just didn't make sense.  Unless he was afraid of insulting someone he feared?  Could Edwyrd have so intimidated them that they felt it safest to pay him what they legitimately should have owed?

Jenn walked down the dock, having just departed the ship with her companions.  She was
beginning to come up with too many questions and too few answers.  In her rather sleepy state, it took her a moment to notice all the people scurrying quickly off the dock as they proceeded down it.  Why would they be doing that?   She glanced behind her.

Curses!  She'd completely forgotten about the demon.  How could she be so
careless?  No wonder people were in a hurry to get out of there way.  The multi-limbed nightmare was flying slowly down the dock behind her, Gastropé and Rupert.  Behind the demon walked Edwyrd, and behind him, Maelen.  The thing was certainly frightening enough.  It was bigger than an average sized man, and had those humming bird wings, and four arms and four legs, but other than that, looked somewhat, vaguely, human.  Splotchy greenish but, humanoid.  Well, and it had two large sets of male equipment dangling below it, between each set of legs.

In her cobwebbed mind she had to laugh.  If people thought that little thing was scary, they should just be glad she wasn't still toting that fourth order demon around.  The whole city would be empty by this point if it were here.  Actually, Jenn knew she had to be getting numb.  The little demon, first or second order, didn't even bother her anymore.  She'd been getting used to it, if annoyed by its rather crazy prattle.  Finally, after living in constant fear with that fourth order for so many days, this demon was an ember compared to that bonfire of terror. All other terrors seemed inconsequential.  She'd seen the Abyss itself, and lived.

~

Fiernon watched as the party with the wizards and the demon departed the smuggler's ship.  He memorized their faces.  Memorized them so he could accurately give their description to his superiors.  Memorized them so that justice might be served.  There was no question in Fier
non's mind that it had been this party of maleficious sodomizers and vile reprobates that had heinously and most foully murdered 34 officers of Oorstemothian Constabulary along with a Protectator and his very own beloved mentor, the Vice-Constable Pyromancer Trelgon.  No question that these maggots of corruption and putrificence had been responsible for the destruction of sacred public Oorstemothian property in the form of the consecrated Protectorate Vessel Dielsmoth.

No, there was no question in Fiernon's mind.  He remembered their faces well enough from the vessel.  Remembered well the unlawful transgressions they'd
performed upon his personage with their foul spells.  Remembered well their unlawful and unjustifiable defiance of Oorstemothian law, their very refusal to submit to the due process of law.  While true, Asmeth and his crew of smugglers would pay dearly for their transgressions.  He'd see to that tonight when he put flame to their vessel while they slept.  It was undeniably true, that the full might of the Oorstemoth Constabulary would be brought to bear against these vile, murdering, demon worshipping scumdregs from the pits of depravious lust and degradation, who even now surely deceived themselves into believing that they were escaping the hand of justice unscathed. 

Fiernon shivered slightly as he stared after the transgressors.  He seemed to have caught a cold in his long trek from the burning ship.  All that cold saltwater had done him little good.  Exposing a Constabulary Officer to Life Threatening Conditions, however, was a relatively minor capital offense these
pusillanimous, philandering sadist exiles from the Abyss would have to deal with, compared to their other crimes.  A clipped smile of chilled enjoyment played across Fiernon's face as he contemplated the justice these reprobationary microcephalic  miscreants would receive.  Yes, justice would be served, he would see to that.

~

Finally, they’d reached land; it had been a bizarre, cramped slow trip after the battle.  If he wandered around the ship too much, Maelen would want to talk shop.  He could stay in the cabin, Tizzy and Rupert spent the day on top talking; but it was cramped.  Given that he didn’t sleep, all he could do was lay there.  He did go up on deck a bit at night, but Tizzy would then start babbling along.