“Ugh.” I sighed heavily, sprawling over parchments I could barely understand. “Wizard lessons and lessons on courtly manners befitting of a lady, don’t teach you how to command a castle about to be sieged.” I spat the words, disdaining the memories of how I was treated like a piece of meat.

Being desired physically is one thing, but being seen as a brood mare to be bred and promptly set aside after I popped out a male. Not exactly a pleasant idea for a woman. Oh I suppose some women would relish the opportunity to be a mother and live in a gilded cage of luxury. The amenities would appeal to most, especially peasants who don’t have a copper between them.

But to someone of my skills and station, it is intolerable. I was complaining again, I knew it. This had become a habit as of late. Very unbefitting of a lady as my dearly departed father would say. Yet before his untimely death he did honour our deal, even if my snake brother broke it before father was even in the ground.

The thought drew upon a deep dark hole, a place I dump all my frustrations and anger. I tried to calm myself, I really did, but I just couldn’t. Everything was in my grasp, I had achieved mastery in conjury as per fathers bargain. With that I should be free from any marital obligations. But brother just had to break a dead mans word, wanted to ship me off to my new husband the second he could.

I chuckled to myself, trying to soothe the anger and forget the pain. Despite father being an overbearing, patriarchal aristocrat, at least he was practical. Well he was a far better then mother, oh all the gods was she horrible. Father was at least tolerable, it was clear he didn’t believe I would succeed in making something of myself. But alas he made the deal, if only he was still alive to see his frail little daughter, summon a third order demon.

“Do you need assistance my lady?” The voice of Sir Felmun sounded behind her.

“I am fine sir knight, I am merely perusing the battle plan.” I said, my back to him, trying not to show my frustration.

He approached, traversing the distance and stood right behind me. He wouldnt dare enter an intimate range as other noble lords were fond of doing. Felmun had always been a gentlemen and sometimes I wondered if he were the only one.

“You needn’t peruse alone my dear.” He emphasised the word peruse and I could picture him smiling. But I knew the moment I turned around he would go back to his stoic self.

“It is fine, I was done already. I think it is best to summon the demon.” I sternly declared, twirling to face him. As expected he was frowning, I had succeeded in compelling an emotion from him.

I did enjoy this, drawing out his emotions with grand declarations to perform what he referred to as dangerous or unwise behaviour. Or as my brother would say, unladylike.

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“Is it truly best to keep such a dangerous being on a leash. I have heard many tales of conjurers loosing their loves to such foul beings. The tales of their deaths were not pleasant ones.” He explained for the fiftieth time today.

I knew he meant well and he had always had my interest and safety at heart. He just didn’t understand how dire the situation is. “It is a necessary risk, you have seen the reports.” I directed him to the myriad of parchments strewn across my desk.

“I have read them, a modest force of human mercenaries and undead were one their way to besiege us. Lead by a necromancer of some renown.” He summarised.

“Exactly, and that is not even the sum total of my brothers forces. They are hired mercenaries and whatever that necromancer is paid in, I shutter with the thought.” I explained rather hotly. “Even if we somehow repel them with our own meagre forces, consisting of my rather small personal guard, a few student wizards I have only just begun to teach and whatever our own death monger can bring to bare.” I was pacing around, burning with anger just as I stepped into his path. “I think throwing a third order demon at them is the least we could do.” I said with finality.

My tirade obviously left him speechless, we had done this so many times that I could anticipate his reactions. As practiced I let the heat in my chest fall to embers. Straightened by surcoat, I am not going to wear a dress ever again, those things are designed to torture women.

All he could do was nod, accepting my decree as a vassal would to a queen. He was adorable when he pouted, I suppose I should be merciful. “Come now Felmun, how about you attend me in my lab, protect me from the vile creature as a knight should do for a defenceless damsel.” I offered with a little sarcasm.

He shook his head with a faint trace of a smile. “You are no damsel, my lady.” He stated firmly.

With that, the both of us left this drab office and made our way down into the bowels of the castle. Passing through the stone corridors, we met the typical castle servant, they bowed as we passed and quickly returned to their task. Approaching a locked wooden double door, layered with runic designs to keep people out. Also unknown to most, to keep something in.

Performing a few semantic gestures, the door unlocked and we entered, only to stop in our tracks. Within the dimly lit room, stood a familiar cloaked figure. Standing just to the left of the pentagram was Belus, our new necromancer ally. I seethed angrily, charging forward to the smug smiling face of his.

Poking him the chest I accused. “How did you get in here and what are you doing here?”

“Curiosity my dear and that door of yours is not as good as you might think.” The death monger explained without even a shred of remorse.

“Get out!” I yelled, noting Sir Felmun was at my side, had upon hilt.

Belus raised his hands as if in surrender. “I just want to see the demon, oh wont you humour this old man?” He pleaded in that fake, mocking manner of his.

I really wanted to tare him a new one, but I stayed my hand. Gesturing to Felmun to stand down and thought through this with a clear head. “Fine, you may observe passively. But mark my words, if you ever compromise any of my and my students workings, I will make sure you look like a zombie.” I threatened, squeezing the only sensitive spot he had.

He stepped back, aghast. The threat struck home and his hand quickly went to his check. It was as if he expected my threat to render his skin to rot. It was about the only thing that Belus feared, which was ironic given his trade. He desired lichdom, but feared losing his good looks.

With that little threat, he backed down and saner heads prevailed. Now with a spectator, I turned to more interesting pursuits and began the preparation to summon my demon.