86 A Rift's Hold

In front of me was Langen Hold. It was the front line to gain entry into the Langen Rift. It was packed full of devils and other lesser races. Rifts had to be defended at all times. There would always be a new flood of fresh meat ready to fight with their lives in a Rift.

There were eleven narrow, round towers tower above all, they're linked with small bridges and are connected by enormous, heavy walls made of a dark brownstone.

Stylish windows are scattered thinly around the walls in perfect symmetry, along with holes of various sizes for archers and ranged casters.

A vast gate with wide wooden doors and vigorous defenses gives a safe place to rest in this Rift stronghold.

A handful of waterfalls flow into various small rivers and provide the precious farm fields outside the hold with needed water. This rift front has stood the test of time, it stood it well, but I could see here cracks of long-fought battles and there.

I soon got in line at the recruitment area. With Mira's mark in hand, I shouldn't encounter any difficulties entering the Rift.

"You wish to join the fight in Langen Rift?" said the attendant, he was dressed in military garb with thick round glasses.

"Yes, here is a mark from a noble in the Zagell Empire," I said as I handed over Mira's devil mark.

"Do you wish to record your accomplishments for yourself or the noble devil that refereed you?" said the attendant.

"I would like to record them for myself, I wish to become a noble devil of the Zagell Empire," I said.

"To become a landholding noble devil will require you to commit many merits at the Baron realm, most devils can not rack up enough points until they reach the Viscount realm. And even then it is a trying endeavor," said the attendant, rolling his eyes at my ambitions.

"I understand, but I need to start somewhere. This is my first time visiting a Rift," I said.

"Do you have any skills that are of use on the battlefield? Are you a battle devil?" said the attendant.

"Currently, I am not a battle devil. However, I am a Devil Baron Smith focusing on cursed armaments," I said.

"Smiths are useful on the battlefield, but most of their time goes to repairing armaments rather than forging them. We offer additional merits for professionals that work on the battlefield," said the attendant.

"The River of Despair and the Cove of Death require a Baron Smith. By the names, you can tell that both of them are prime casualty areas."

"You can join a safer area but you would not receive the additional merits for being a contracted battlefield smith. Choose wisely young devil."

"What is the casualty rate?" I said.

"The Cove of Death randomly spawns low-Viscounts from time to time. Though there is a mid-Viscount on guard at the site, they cannot always respond on time before casualties occur."

"Choosing these areas comes with a merit multiplier for Barons, however. The River of Despair has a 2x merit multiplier and the Cove of Death has a 4x merit multiplier."

"With that kind of enticement many try their luck at the sites even though they know their life will constantly be at risk."

"I will take the Cove of Death," I said.

If I would be cautious and not put my life on the line, I would have stayed at the Hudson Estate. And the only way I would make enough merits to get a fief would be to try my luck at this death site.

"I have given you forewarning young devil about the risks involved in this site, you are only a low-Baron. Are you sure you want to risk your life there? Merits are great but you can not use merits when you are dead," said the attendant as he shook his head.

'Another foolish one thinks he can head to the Cove of Death and rack up merits and walk off with a fief. We don't even have to pay most merits for the Cove of Death since these foolish people die,' thought the attendant.

"The minimum contract term at a Rift site is 10 years. You will have to make an oath on your devil heart to do your best to defend the location."

"If you desert the site, your own devil heart will consume you. Then you can never practice devilry again. You have a week to think over your decision, devil's shouldn't take on such tasks lightly."

"There is free lodging within the Hold for people preparing to enter the Rift. Come back in a week and I will take your devil heart oath." said the attendant as he motioned for me to leave.

I left my name with the attendant. In a week, I could come back and confirm whether I would venture into the Cove of Death.

The lodging provided was basic, a bed and three square meals a day.

I motioned Sybil to come out. She would be the one to talk to about this.

Jax was useless for anything coherent and I left Jurrath babysitting my apprentice.

"What do you think Sybil, do you believe I will survive in the Cove of Death?" I said.

"Hey, if you want to become a battle devil the best way is to put your life on the line. With me by your side, your chances of dying are very low regardless of the enemies encountered. I can heal you, remember?"

Yes, this was true, with Sybil by my side as long as I wasn't assassinated I should be all right.