User blog:AloofComputer/Dark Winds: Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Doubt A/N: Another chapter. Happy new year, everyone! Read and review.

“We have gone far enough. Let’s get the girls out.” Pallanto commented, as they reached their last camp site. “We are just inside demon realm territory, so it should be fine.”

“Let’s hope we weren’t followed. We got lucky with that first incubus.”

Pallanto opened his expansion pouch, and Veronica and Lucella popped out. “About time!” the baphomet scowled.

“Well, you do understand that someone with your… presence will be noticed immediately inside the human realm. We had to evade some patrols, too.” Alatar tried to calm the pouting girl. Lucella tapped her hoof to the ground and stared at Pallanto.

“Don’t expect an apology from me. You knew what the plan was.” the mage answered her expectant glare with a shrug. “Anyway, we are inside Druella’s domain now, so we can relax just a bit. Let’s eat, I am starving.”

“Who gets to gather firewood?” Alatar asked, causing Lucella to roll her eyes and light a fire with an incantation. The blames burned brightly and warmly, although they had no fuel to feed on. Alatar raised an eyebrow. “Mana flame?”

“It will last until morning, and will not produce smoke. Pretty handy, isn’t it?”

“Whatever” Pallanto groaned as he sat on the ground, near the fire. He pulled a few wrapped packets from his pouch, and tossed one to each one of them. “We managed to pull this plan off, so let’s recap and analyze what we found. We can get additional information once we reach Lescatie. Alater, you first.”

“The monk took me to a room used for interrogation, if the furniture there was any indication. He started blathering about how he didn’t believe the story you told the Order, about me turning against them. He also mentioned that he had created some artificial incubi. We only took out one, so there are more out there. Possibly.”

He took a deep breath, and continued. “He was trying to recruit me to their cause, when the explosion happened. What was that anyway?”

“Oh, the usual reaction when a baphomet steps on blessed ground. That little detail worked wonders.” Lucella giggled. “Although being stuffed inside… that ” she pointed at Pallanto’s expansion pouch, “along with provisions and two squads is certainly something I don’t want to do again anytime soon.”

“I suppose that you chose the perfect dramatic moment to do the grand reveal, Pallanto?” Alatar asked teasingly. His friend smirked, and took a bite off the bread loaf he held.

“ Well, you know me. After all, the look on Alfonso’s face was priceless. Still, it was a risky plan, they could have held me bound, and lose the dramatic effect.”

“So, he intended to recruit you?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Maybe later, but I doubt he really wanted me in. He just wanted to know the procedure. After that, my usefulness would be spent, then off with my head.” He laughed.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“The fight was short, to be sure. Most men were knocked out by the blast. The moment Lady Lucella started pouring demonic energy to the place, we had the second explosion. Kind of risky, really, we could have collapsed the compound on our heads.” Veronica said. “The squads were out, and they began neutralizing the soldiers, and taking their pick.” She smiled at the memory. “They were all anxious and stressed, and they let all of that out on their chosen ones. It was good as evidence, too.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“We will have to inform Frederic, to move the men that were left to Lescatie, or another monster city. They should begin turning even now. If he can spare them the executioner’s block...” Alatar sounded troubled.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Oh, it will be easier than you think. The Order won’t want this incident to be known. Only Alfonso will get it, if the commander is to be believed. Having a lot of people lined up for the block will rise questions. If he offers to dispose of them quickly and quietly, it will be simple enough.” Pallanto reassured him. “Yet, there are loose ends. There are more artificial incubi lurking about. The monk that took you escaped. And the seal on that door… that seal troubles me more than anything. We didn’t find any laboratory, or magical workshop. Where did they seal and turn their incubi?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I can fetch Alfonso and we can-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ It’s unnecessary, Lucella. Alfonso is just a figurehead. The monk that escaped, he is more likely to know. Anyway, maybe Druella or Frederic will find out more during the investigations. Also…” Alatar hesitated, and his change of mood fell like a heavy cloud on them. Veronica placed her hand on his, and squeezed it lightly. With a deep breath, he continued. “That monk. He told me that he had found a way for an artificial incubus to survive indefinitely, given that he has access to monster mana, and he hinted that he knew of another way that didn’t require even that.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Silence followed his words. Alatar kept his eyes locked on the magical fire, as he continued. “Of course, this is most likely just a bluff to lure me into joining them, but he did have a point. He told me that they had experimented with the sealing and turning, quite many times in fact. So, there is this possibility. If they have a powerful mage into their ranks, it stands to reason that there is a chance they know something.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Cheer up there, pal. There is a good chance we will see that monk soon. All we have to do is monitor the border and keep an eye out for kidnappings. They will need mamono to create more incubi. They won’t be as fast this time; I expect the number of their followers and their supporters to fall dramatically. Unless, of course, they employ blackmail as well. No matter, this is a tremendous setback for them.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ You realize that we were lucky with the incubi, too?” Alatar’s pessimism continued. “The one we found out must have been turned fairly recently. His fighting techniques were basic, at best. The next time we face them, it will be even more dangerous. We barely managed to avoid injury from that one… suicide attacks? Those guys are fanatic as all hell.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Let’s try not to sour the mood too much, dear. We just scored a major blow against the radical side, managed to help Frederic, rescued the kidnapped mamono and get some husbands for them along the way. We should be celebrating!” Veronica stroked his hand, earning a small smile. “I do hope the girls are all right.” she sighed.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Oh, don’t fret over it. Mimil is a master of the healing arts. Those girls will be fine once we get back. Those cowards kidnapped only the most docile of species, and the easiest to keep under lock and key. Some strength they had.” Lucella scoffed. “How they got Merrows though, is something I’ll have to investigate personally.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ They probably wanted them for their blood. It commands a ridiculously large sum at the human market. If this is a source of income for them… we will have to question the Merrows once we get back. But for now...” Pallanto stood up and stretched. “I think I’ll hit the sack, but first things first. I’ll conjure a barrier around, to keep our location safe...”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ I’ll help you” Lucella jumped from her sitting position. Veronica looked deep inside Alatar’s violet eyes. It tore her heart, looking at the turmoil inside. Wrapping her hands around his neck, she kissed him deeply, before pushing him on his back. “I think I know where I want to sleep on, dear. Won’t you be my bed?” She asked in a seductive voice.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes, ma’am.” Alatar answered, as he found his smile.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0.03in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; font-style: normal">“Don’t worry, I’ll give you a pillow. Two, in fact.” She cooed, as she laid herself on top of him, burying his face between her breasts. “Sleep well.” she whispered in his ear, before casting a minor sleep spell to help ease his mind into slumber.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The trip back was uneventful, and after two days, they were inside Lescatie’s walls. Pallanto walked skittishly, feeling the burning, lustful stares he gathered from the afternoon strollers. Of course, the moment the single monstergirls saw Lucella walking close to him, and the looks she gave them, they sighed and carried on.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“God, I need a drink...” Pallanto sighed as they passed from an inn, its open door spilling songs and dim light. “Do you think we can-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Don’t even think of it, magic boy.” Lucella scoffed. “We have to report to Lady Druella as soon as possible. We are already late, since we chose to walk the entire distance. We must hurry to the palace to report back. Then-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yea, I’m not doing that. You know I can’t enter the palace, of all places. So,why don’t you report for me? I’ll be at any place that serves alcohol. Alatar, care to join me?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Husband duties, Pallanto. Have fun!” Alatar smirked, as he grabbed Veronica by her waist and walked towards the Fluffy Tails onsen. He heard Lucella click her tongue, and turned to see the fake scowl on her face. “Well, that’s that. I think I’ll drink on my own someplace quiet. Fewer dangers that way. See you tomorrow, girl!” he waved as he walked off, making his way to his temporary room in the city, courtesy of Druella.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0.03in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; font-style: normal">“Kids these days...” the baphomet murmured as she walked to the palace.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Pallanto opened a dusty bottle and poured some wine in a glass. He had chosen a small, isolated garden with a view of the forest for his relaxing spot. The sun had set, and the night chill was creeping in, but his cloak and mask shielded him. He pulled his mask down and took a sip, letting the red liquid warm his insides.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">He was lost in his thoughts, when a moving shadow in his peripheral vision called his attention. “Come out, Lucella. Finished with your report already?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The baphomet came out of the shadows, looking mildly annoyed. “How did you know? I thought I had concealed myself perfectly.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Strawberries and whipped cream.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Eh?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You reek of strawberries and whipped cream. And you should take some lessons from Alatar regarding sneaking around, he is a pro.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The baphomet sat besides him. “What have you learned from the captives?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Nothing more, for now. They are still in shock, it will take some time until they recover. With some of them, Mimil barely made it.” Lucella said, seething with suppressed rage.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Here, have a mug. It helps.” Pallanto poured some wine in a wooden mug, and passed it to her. She drank in silence. “So,with this business concluded...”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Alatar?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes. He refrained from pressing himself too hard, but the problem of his condition remains. And that chat with the monk has been bothering me.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You know, if you told us of the Seals of Nemesis, we would be able to come up with something.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You know this is out of the question. Besides, this is magic that you wouldn’t even consider using, even if you could. And I am reluctant of using Alatar as a test subject.” Pallanto sighed. “I guess that he will have to be confined in places stepped with demonic energy with his wife by his side for the remainder of his days. Rather depressing conclusion for his experiment, crazy as it was.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You are hiding something.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Pallanto looked at the tiny monster, her eyes staring him with a knowing look. “…yes. That is something I’ll have to discuss with Alatar. In private. After all, crazy problems tend to have crazy solutions. And I doubt that he will accept staying put like a good little boy. We may even have to distance ourselves from Lescatie for this. And he may even never come back. I have a hunch as to what those maniacs did, but to confirm my suspicion, we will have to be far away. Even from Veronica-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Quit kidding yourself, magic boy. She will never agree to this.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“That is why I’ll need your help-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“No.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I haven’t even-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“The answer is still no. I’ll not separate a wed couple. Especially if one of them has a good chance to die.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Pallanto emptied his mug. “So be it, then. We will leave at dawn. The sooner we get this over with, the better.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Make it the day after. Veronica is probably fucking the brains outta your friend now, so he’ll probably won’t be able to stand tomorrow. I’ll consult with Lady Druella, maybe write to the Demon Lord herself. Won’t you wait until we can have some results?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0.03in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; font-style: normal">“That’s up to Alatar to decide. He has been pondering on it a lot. Now it’s high time I sent the report to Frederic.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Greetings, Commander.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Come in Benjamin, have a seat. It seems our little operation went beyond our expectations.” Frederic poured a glass of brandy to the head of the Shadow mages.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Indeed. Although, it seems, that the problem runs a lot deeper than we initially thought.” the young man muttered, deep in thought, staring into his glass, like he was hoping he would find his answers in the amber liquid.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“One step at a time.” Frederic commented, as he took a sip from his own glass. “Still, it will take some time until our adversary manages to regroup. We can use this time to further our own position. It’s not pretty, this waiting and maneuvering game, but essential nonetheless. How is the investigation for the defector suspects going?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Smoothly. Too smoothly. I suspect concealment, or treachery. I have taken quite some measures to protect myself. Are you-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The commander laughed heartily. “That’s the good thing about being a public figurehead, Benjamin. I may not be able to act freely, and watch my every word and move, but if something happens to me, it will be known throughout the whole nation in a matter of days, and in a couple of weeks to all human kingdoms. You, on the other hand...” he took another sip from his glass. “Pallanto was troubled with this, too. Sneaking through the shadows has this downsize. You can write to him, ask him for advice. It’s not something to be ashamed about.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I have done so already, multiple times. I do not wish to trouble him further; his writing indicates that he has enough troubles as it is, and not of the horny kind.” the young mage said, before emptying his glass. “He asked for my help again. He wasn’t clear on the details, but it concerns Alatar.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The name of the former knight caught the attention of the knight-commander immediately. “What of him?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“He needs an isolated space at the border, far out of the way of Order’s garrisons… and a few mages. He also wrote that he may even need several priests. This is not something small. And, judging from his tendency for… unorthodox plans, we may even need to evacuate all of our agents, and the Order of Holy Light, from the area.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I suppose he predicted this, as well?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes, he has arranged all monster forces to leave the area for that time period. It is essential that we keep up appearances; none is to suspect that the other side has withdrawn. I wrote to him, asking for more details, but I doubt that he will share anything more.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You should learn that habit, too. It is annoying, admittedly, but definitely safer. When will they need that space?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“They will contact us as soon as they arrive… that doesn’t make much sense.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0.03in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; font-style: normal">“It does, if you follow basic tactical thinking. ‘To fool your enemies, first you must fool your allies’. Sneaky little bastard, that Pallanto. Oh well, we can place our trust in him. Make sure to notify our people in the area to be ready to move at a few hours notice.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">A/N: Plot, plot, plot. Sorry to disappoint, but no lemon this time. Read and review.