17

17

POV Valeria (Valariel’s lesser daemon)

“Continue south. Through Drakwald then even further south until you reach the border princes beyond the mountain. Continue to hide and breed. I and Lak will alternate to use our magic to conceal ourselves. Rest at day and move at night. But we have to move fast. It won’t be long before the human notices that they need a mage to look for us properly.” I told the herd the command from mother through our shared connection

“Then what about mother?” Lak asked and mother already give me her answer

“She said she can take care of herself. We need to take care of ourselves now. Any more questions?”

“Um.. does anyone know where this Border Princes is?”

A silence fell on the herd

“Somewhere south.”

“And beyond some mountain”

The two answer from other beastmen does not offer much to dispel the uncertainty

“You want to go to the Border Princes Confederacy?” Robadel, our halfling cook asked. I translated his words as my beastmen kin still does not understand Riekspiel.

Many nodded in unison. for new novels

“But ain’t that quite far? It should be a month or two before we reach there.”

“You know the place?” I halted my translation but my beastmen kin perked their ears.

“Yes, it’s quite near from Moot wh-”

“He knows the way!” I interrupt his sentence and announce to the herd.

They erupt in cheer and start to pack and start moving.

—

Pov back to Valariel

Despite my reassurance to Valeria, I cannot handle this myself. My chains are further reinforced with magical locks. I can’t do anything other than shift to convey my discomfort. Teclis continues to ignore this and he doesn’t speak much. Besides, I am already in Ulthuan. Put inside a cage within a magic circle. Apparently they are in some sort of a ritual room. No doubt within the Tower of Hoeth which makes my escape practically impossible. We are already here because of Teclis' generous usage of teleportation magic. Three other high elf wizards are in this room. Two to make sure my seal is working properly and one for a scribe. After preparing for a while, Teclis finally released my gag. I guess this is where my interrogation starts.

“Which Chaos God do you align with?” Teclis started

“Well, technically not me. But the norscan who I fucked.” Teclis' eyes twitched. While the other wizard leaned his head to check my loin.

“I can grow the part.” I added. The scribe’s eyebrows lifted as he continued to furiously write everything.

“Surely that wasn’t everything. What else are you hiding?” Teclis asked again. I bit my lip, thinking hard on what to say.

“Ask Asahane. She knows.” I tried to deflect the attention away. The sound of writing grows louder.

Teclis took a breath to pace himself. I am surprised he did not ask if what I said was the truth or not. Can he tell if I am lying or not? I doubt he has that kind of ability. Then he took his staff.

“You said Valariel’s soul is still present and you haven’t devoured a single part of her?”

“Yes, and why would I want to eat my creation?” Teclis starts to chant something.

“One way to find out.”

Then he cast a spell. Banishing me straight into my sanctuary within the warp. But Valariel’s soul is not present.

—

POV Teclis

The daemon is surprisingly cooperative. It did not use ambiguous words like every other daemon. While Lady Asahane’s reaction did confirm that both have made contact in the past, there is no knowing if everything she said is the truth. Asking if it is the truth is also a waste of time. Instead I need to confirm her words one by one.

I cast Arcane Banishment towards the daemon. If Valariel’s soul is unharmed then this is the fastest method to ascertain the truth. Arcane Banishment works for early possession but the victim’s soul is always damaged. But for fully mutated possession, it will kill the body and banish the daemon from this realm.

I saw the daemon recoil and pass out. Only to wake up the next second. I cast Arcane Banishment for a second time but there is no reaction.

“W-what? Where am I daemon?” I am extremely surprised that the daemon tells the truth. A soul returned after full possession? This might be the first in history. The real Valariel looked around before seeing me.

“Lord Teclis?” she said in disbelief. “Did I return?”

“Yes. Yes you did.” I tried to assure her the best I can.

But this does not bring me joy.

More dread crept up.

A constantly gripping idea.

That the daemon always tells the truth.

And I need to confirm the truth.