I gasped, exhausted from the night’s exertions. Demon summoning was not an exercise for the weak of spirit and apparently it gave the body a rough workout to. Regardless of my own inexperience, I had managed to conjure and bind a third order demon. This I could be proud of, and I wondered if my old masters would be envious of her accomplishment.

Alas that was all in the past now, she doubted if she would ever be welcome there again. It was not that the school or the masters hated her, it was because she was exiled. Being an exiled noble generally made you persona non grata within the halls of the upper class.

Still that no longer mattered, I had made my first step in reclaiming all that was stolen from me. Obtaining a third order demon would be a boon to my dwindling forces. Not many would fight for me, loyalty was in short supply. I guess there was no loyalty in a bound demon, but it would obey, I would ensure that.

Stuck in my reverie, I barely noticed the very light-footed individual approaching. For a moment I tensed, expecting an assassin’s blade to slide into my back. I was calmed by the baritone voice that followed.

“Impressive my lady, to bind a third order at your age.” He complimented in his typical back handed way.

I was not sure if it was true praise or condescension, the elderly necromancer had always looked down on the young and youthful. I had always wondered if it was envy or spite, perhaps both.

“Thank you, Lord Belus I am proud of my meagre accomplishment.” I said demurely.

The practitioner of an equally vile art chuckled evilly. “No need for that my dear, I have enough fools tip toeing around me.” He came into view, and I had a good look at his profile.

The necromancer wore a lose black robe with red trim, gaunt and scraggy fingers extended out of the wide brim cuffs. Under his hood dwelled a wrinkled face with a hooked nose, dark blue eyes and surprisingly white perfect teeth concealed behind a horrendous smile. The man should have been on his death bed, surrounded by his loved ones, assuming the distasteful man had any, she doubted it.

Before she could continue her sycophant routine, she was saved by the entrance of another. Draped in exquisite silver full plate armour, decorative sword sheathed at his side and his helm tucked under his right arm, revealing a middle-aged man. Short salt and pepper hair with dark brown eyes and sharp features.

“Best keep your hands to yourself, death monger, less your vile touch corrupts the soul of thy lady.” The knight spat contemptuously, eyes filled with disdain, alleviated when they fell upon me.

“Sir Felmun, our mistress is already corrupted.” The necromancer countered dryly, directing the noble knight to the braziers and pentagrams.

Felmun grumbled to himself, I could sense his disdain for the dark work. But there was no time for morality in such immoral times. “Leave us Belus, I wish to speak with Felmun in private.” I commanded, which was merely a pre-emptive measure against the argument the two would descend into.

The necromancer bowed flashing me a smile and turned to leave. The two glared at each other like cats, the room reduced from three occupants to two. Once Belus had closed the door behind him, I looked to Sir Felmun. I could see the disappointment plan as day, the honourable knight had never been a fan of necromancy nor demons.

I wondered if I had tarnished the vision he had of me in his heart. It was no secret his affections for me, he had always seen me as a proper lady of grace and womanhood. Now that I had devoted myself to conjury, I suspect his image of me is now tinged with darkness.

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“Please, try not to antagonise him, we will need the death monger when are enemies are at our doorstep.” I pleaded, since all prior attempts to get him to understand had failed.

I suspect that knights simply don’t have the flexibility required for distasteful tasks. It is a failing at least to me, but they likely see it is a virtue. I shook my head; such a line of thinking was worthless. If he did his job, he could go on disapproving all he wanted.

“Mistress, I beg you to reconsider, summoning a demon is one thing, but working with a necromancer. Both entities are evil and vile creatures, not to be trusted. They are more than likely to stab you in the back, then aid you.” The knight pleaded, making several valid points.

I sighed, less out of exhaustion and more to give myself time to think up an appropriate response. I could see his view; the death monger was not to be trusted and demons even more so. “You have made your point Sir Felmun and I tacitly agree. Belus cannot be trusted, but I need his forces if we have any chance to repel my brother’s army.”

The knight shook his head, not convinced. Which makes sense, the man had greater faith in swords and the strength of a man’s arm. He was a formidable knight and fought in manty battles, against major odds. That bravery was worthy of respect, but bravery would not defeat the immense odds we were against.

“Mistress please, allying with a necromancer is not wise, even more so to summon a major demon. While it is impressive to conjure a third order, to be expected from my lady.” He said proudly. “It is another potential threat added to an already dangerous situation.”

“It is a necessary evil.” I explained, placing a hand on his arm. The knight tensed from the intimacy, something I once enjoyed, but now it seemed quite petty to toy with the man’s feelings. “I wouldn’t have bothered with the conjury for a first or second order, but I couldn’t pass up on a third order.” I added quickly before he could blush.

“Why did you want such a beast, that I cannot fathom. To deploy it in the battle?” He pleaded, trying to fathom my intentions.

Formulating a response, I tried to come up with an answer. Why did I want to summon such a powerful force of evil? Honestly, I don’t know the answer, at least not a singular central reason. I did want to test myself, to see how far my skill in wizardry could take me. When I saw the third order, I knew this was the test, to see if I truly were powerful and not a weak vapourish seductress my brother painted me as.

“I do plan to deploy the demon in battle. But I had another purpose for him.” I explained, before putting some distance between us.

I glanced at the braziers, the elaborate pentagrams and other accoutrements of conjury. I was proud of my achievement and hoped that if I survived long enough, I would rub this achievement into the face of my teachers.

“The demon is an insurance policy; I want something powerful enough to contend with my enemies and with my allies.” I gestured to the exit where Belus had left a short while ago.

Realisation dawned on the knight; his frown didn’t leave but at least he could see why I had summoned the demon. “While I do not agree, I will stand by you my lady, no matter what.” He made a theatrical declaration, to which I accepted.

Sir Felmun had always been a theatrical man, modelling himself off the old chivalric knights of long past. It was a point in his favour and is the main reason I trust him, despite his inflexible nature.

“Thank you, sir knight, your faith in me will not be forgotten.” I said, curtsying like a proper lady of the court.

He smiled in that devilishly handsome way, but of course he was no demon, in fact he could easily be mistaken for a saint. But that was ludicrous, as if a saint would come to this god forsaken land. I bet Tiernon himself would declare the place heretical and smite the lot of us. And yet, we endure despite all we have done.

I shook my head, letting these foolish thoughts fade away. My mind needed to be turned to more practical pursuits. I inspected the pentagram, admiring my own handywork and frowning. That demon was odd, it didn’t look normal, but was a third order.

“What is it my lady?” He inquired, concern obvious in his tone.

“That summoning was strange, the demons astral form was not quite right. But I am sure it was a demon and a powerful one at that.” I answered, still puzzled.

“Is this something to be concerned?” He asked.

“I don’t think so, I will just need be careful when summoning it. I suspect there is more going on, I just cannot put my finger on it.” I pondered, eyes transfixed upon the pentagram, wondering when I should summon it again.