The Heavenly Host

“Links don’t just show — no. I am not going to do this. I already know I cannot win this discussion. I will just take things at face value.” Tom sighed. “So can we go? The others are ready to head home.”

Boggy sighed. “I suppose. I’m going to want to take a nap though.”

“Me too,” Estrebrius said, rotating to an upright position. Tom was not sure how it was possible for them to move in molten lava so easily. The iron had been extremely thick and hard to move in; lava had to be worse.

Tizzy sat up, grunting. “Spoilsports!”

Chapter 95

∼

“They went where?” Lilith asked Rosencrantz for the second time.

“Hellsprings Eternal,” the cringing demon messenger replied.

“Why in the Abyss would they go there?” Lilith asked Asmodeus, who was sitting in a large, winged armchair beside her sipping on a glass of blood wine.

“To celebrate, I would assume,” Asmodeus replied.

“They have half the Abyss as well as Tierhallon looking for them. This is hardly lying low,” Lilith pointed out. “Did no one notice who they were?”

“Not so much as I could tell, mistress.” Rosencrantz shrugged. “Most of these people are vacationers and may not have heard the news yet.”

“And no one noticed a Knight of Tiernon randomly wandering the Abyss?” Asmodeus asked.

“Well, it wasn’t like he was swinging his sword and looking to do battle or anything. A few people raised some questions, but once the greater demon told them the knight was with him, they sort of let it go,” the messenger said.

Lilith shook her head. “I really don’t see the point of this move. I would have assumed he’d have rendezvoused with his allies and minions to advance their scheme.”

“Who was with him again, Rosencrantz?” Asmodeus asked.

“Uhm, the bard Antefalken, the miniature fourth-order that looks like the big one, Tizzy and Bogsworth, plus an incubus and some fiend we had no identification for.”

“An incubus?” Lilith asked.

“Yes my queen, he was quite busy with the lady patrons of the springs. As one might imagine.”

“Why would he have an incubus working for him?” Lilith asked Asmodeus, who shrugged, having no idea. “Is he creating an army of these mini versions of himself?” Lilith shook her head.

“Under any normal circumstances, the fact that he’s got Tisdale with him would make me discount any true threat; however, circumstances have proven to be quite far from normal,” Asmodeus said.

“Exactly. Who takes a hostage to a spa?” Lilith took a large gulp of blood wine to punctuate her exasperation.

“So you say they relaxed at the spa for a good part of the day, so to speak, and then simply went back to that hole in the ground they are staying in?” Asmodeus asked.

“Exactly. About six or seven hours by Court Time, Your Lordship.” Rosencrantz nodded as he replied.

Asmodeus sighed. “None of this makes much sense to me. Do we really understand what precipitated all this? Yes, I know the city was under siege, overrun by a demon army, but do we know whose? I forget.”

“Well, it’s not completely clear; however, I do believe Ramses is involved and most likely Exador,” Lilith said.

“Exador?” Asmodeus asked.

Lilith shrugged. “An archdemon of shifting alliances. Rather aloof actually. Apparently he’s been masquerading as a human in Astlan for the last few thousand years.”

“Ugh,” Asmodeus said with distaste. “Why? The amenities there are sadly lacking.”

“Maybe he likes the cold?” Lilith shrugged, not particularly caring.

“Are either of them aligned with a prince?”

“Not currently that I am aware of. Ramses has been on good terms with Belphegor and occasionally Naamaha. I have seen him conversing at parties with Moloch and Azaziel, but nothing particularly suspicious.”

“Hmm, so perhaps nominally in Sammael’s camp?” Asmodeus asked.

Lilith made a face indicating uncertainty. “He’s not in mine, and as you know, my default assumption is that if you aren’t in my camp, you’re in his.” She set her glass down to pour some more blood wine. “However, that doesn’t prove anything.”

“Has Sammael mentioned anything to you about this demon?” Asmodeus asked tentatively.

“No, but then he wouldn’t.” She gave her head a slight shake. “He knows that any such mention of something this interesting would likely rouse my suspicions that he was somehow involved. So either way, he’ll remain silent.”

Lilith suddenly noticed that Rosencrantz was still in the room. She glared at him. “Return to your partner and remember nothing from this room,” Lilithshe commanded her servant.

∼

^{DOF +3}

^{Evening 15-20-440}

“My dear lady, this was a most magnificent feast!” Trisfelt said as he leaned back in his chair, trying to surreptitiously adjust his robe’s belt.

“Thank you so much, but I fear I can claim no credit, save for hiring Chef Jerod and his team.” Hilda beamed to the hearthean as he entered the room to ensure his crew were clearing the table properly.