Her home had once been a paradise with lush, green lands that provided for all. No one had known hunger or need. Demons could pluck their meals off tree branches and drink from the clear streams. The land cared and nourished all. Her people had been philosophers, artists, and dreamers. All had been secure in the knowledge that tomorrow would be better than yesterday.
Until the Black Day had dawned.
When the dragon had come.
The Dread Girusai had burned down the lush lands and all who cared for them. He had burned them down to the bone and left a wound that would not heal. Now everywhere you looked, you only saw wastelands and desolation. Land that wouldn’t grow anything. Land that would not nurture anyone. Trees that had once been filled with fruit now stood black and bent. Once clear streams had boiled dry. The days were hot enough to burn a man and the nights were cold enough to freeze him. All lived in fear that tomorrow would be worse than yesterday.
But Girusai had left one more reminder of himself.
The Sea of Glass.
When Girusai had declared war on Gehenna, he had burned down a large segment of the walls guarding the City of Dis. To teach the demons that they weren’t safe from him even behind the highest of walls. The stone had melted and then turned into glass that even hundreds of years later no one had been able to break. During the day you could not look at it for long without being blinded and the best her people had been able to do was paint large chunks of it with soot.
Usurria looked at all of this and wondered if she would ever see it again.
She looked like a girl of twelve with red skin, hoofs, tail, and white horns that marked her as a succubus. She moved gracefully like a dancer and there was a thirst for knowledge in her red eyes. Three red stars matching her eyes had been sown into her dress to mark her as the member of House Grimaldi of Gehenna. All her life she had dreamt of leaving the City of Dis and seeing the other circles of the Wyrding but now that the day had come, she shivered at the thought. At her most desperate hour she had even thought about running away and hiding in the wastelands until someone else was picked in her place. The emperor had plenty of children and she had read books on how to survive in the wastelands. How hard could it be? All she would have to do was climb down the wall and run… but her body would not move. She was stuck. Rooted down by her own fears.
“Has no one ever told you that its very rude to leave the house without telling anyone?”
Terror and relief wrestled in her bosom when she heard her godfather’s voice. She glanced one more time at the wastelands and then turned to face her him. Unlike her, Furcas was a pure-blooded devil, the highest-ranking member of their society. She knew that his true form was a mighty centaur with chrome skin that no blade could cut, but he had always preferred to appear as an old man with a deeply lined face and a thick beard. He was still fit befitting of a career soldier who had trained the best knights in Gehenna and walked like a young man.
“I had to get out.” Usurria said.
Furcas did not start lecturing her or grab her by the hand to drag her back home. Instead, he leaned against the high wall, and together they stared out at the wastelands that surrounded the City of Dis on all sides like an enemy army. In the twilight of a setting sun the desert had a strange beauty to it. Usurria enjoyed the quiet moment with her godfather and wondered if she would ever have another one like this.
“I never thought I’d get used to this view but now… I don’t even remember what Gehenna looked like during its golden age.” Furcas said.
Usurria glanced at Furcas from the corner of her eye.
“Where you there when Girusai came?” Usurria asked.
Asking about the Black Day from those who had witnessed it was a taboo, but Usurria feared that she would never get another chance and missing out on knowledge was more terrifying than breaking the rules. Furcas did not chide her and instead stroked his long beard while he thought about his answer.
“I was.” He said finally: “I was a boy back then. No older than you are now. Just a squire. We heard a terrible rumble in the night and when we rode out to investigate in the morning, we found a boy standing by a crater that seemed to go on forever.”
“A boy?”
“Yes. The strangest looking child anyone had ever seen. Pale as a vampire with pitch black hair. His lips were blue and there were deep shadows under his eyes and those eyes…” Furcas said and shuddered: “He looked like a boy, but no one can withstand the stare of a dragon for long.”
“What did you do?” Usurria asked.
“There was nothing we could do. Although we didn’t know it yet. We could sense his power, so we took him to see your other grandfather. The previous emperor was a very different ruler than the current one. He sat down with Girusai and tried to understand this strange child.”
“He was the emperor of Gehenna. It was his Domain. Shouldn’t he have been more powerful than even a dragon?” Usurria asked.
“Dragons exist outside the natural world. They are made from fires of creation. Not even high gods can rival them. Not that we knew it at the time. When Girusai demanded fealty from your grandfather, he said no.” Furcas said.
“And Gehenna burned.” Usurria said while looking at the wastelands that her home had been reduced to.
“The Black Day.” Furcas said bitterly: “We tried mounting a resistance but how do you fight fire? When just standing near it cooks you in your armor and makes your lungs burst? Girusai destroyed cities simply by flying over them. With a single breath he melted our mightiest fortresses.”
Usurria could imagine it. She could hear people crying while they fled their homes, but no one could outrun a dragon. A dark shadow had covered the City of Dis on the Black Day and rained down fire and death. Knights and peasants alike had burned.
“Your grandfather could see that all was lost and did the only thing he could to stop the slaughter.” Furcas said sadly: “He bent the knee.”
“That’s what I don’t understand. Why would Girusai have taken pity on us?” Usurria said.
“There was no pity there. Girusai would break a heart just to hear it snap. He wanted to see us suffer. He wanted to see us covering in fear. Men enjoy wine. Screaming Beasts enjoy pleading and begging.” Furcas said and looked at everything Girusai had stolen from them: “Your grandfather was a true ruler. He gave up his crown to save his people.”
“And it killed him.” Usurria said.
“Yes. Many would claim that your grandfather died from grief and shame, but I am no fool. It was his son… your father… that night he sneaked into the king’s room and plunged a knife into his heart. Your grandfather saved us from one despot but never saw another one was just biding his time behind his back.”
A cold wind blew over the dessert and once more Usurria thought about asking Furcas to save her from being sent away. They could hide together in the sands. He could keep her safe. But she knew… Furcas had never flinched before his duty. He had never been a coward. How could she let her fear get the best of her before a hero? Her hero.
“Why me, Furcas?” Usurria asked while rubbing her eyes: “Of all the hundreds of children the emperor fathered… why me?”
Furcas sighed and placed his cape over her shoulder to protect her from the chilling evening winds.
“Because the emperor hates your other grandfather.” Furcas said.
“Why would a high god hate a human?” Usurria asked.
It had caused a scandal when her grandmother had married a human knight. Hector de Grimaldi might have been the Knight of Starlight, but he had still been just a human. Not a fitting consort for a noble of Gehenna. Even one who had lost status.
“Every time the emperor looked at Hector, he saw everything he wasn’t. Hector was a mirror who reflected all the emperor’s flaws back at him and reminded him that a worm with a crown is still just a worm. Hector could have been a king but turned down the chance to marry your grandmother while the emperor murdered his own father for the throne.”
“Grandfather could have been a king?” Usurria said surprised.
“Yes. King Johanna had no children, but she had a godson. Everyone knew she wanted him to be her heir, but he gave it up for love. Not many men could do that. Power can be a curse. When you get a bit of power, it will awake a hunger in you for more. More power for any price. The emperor could not resist that hunger while Hector overcame it.” Furcas said: “When the emperor saw that, he tried to destroy Hector. It started the moment your grandparents were wed, and he gifted Hector with Mother Mercy.”
Godfather shivered when he mentioned the most infamous blade in the Wyrding’s history. A sword wielded by murderers and traitors who had all been destroyed by the sword’s curse. All except one.
“That cursed sword was so vile not even the emperor dared to touch it. If he had… he would have become the sword’s slave. That is what he hoped would happen to Hector but just like Firebird had proved himself more powerful than Mother Mercy, so did Hector. When Hector wielded it, he fought like King Eld Reborn.” Furcas said and pointed at a field of a famous battle outside the city walls: “This was before you were born but when the God from the East tried to take the city, it was Hector who led the first line of defense.”
Usurria knew the story well. It had been her family’s finest hour. The battle that had made her grandfather a marquis of Gehenna despite being a human. A strange God from the East had declared war on Gehenna and had almost breached the city in a sneak attack. She knew the story, but this was the first time anyone who had been there told her the details.
“The emperor sent us to die to buy for the rest of his army to regroup but Hector kept the line. Long enough for me to call in an old favor.” Furcas said: “Decades earlier I had led volunteers to aid the Wyrd King in his war with the vampire Baron. The wolf prince never forgot and when we called for aid, the wolf prince did not hesitate.”
Godfather sighed the way he always did when he thought back on the past. She had noticed most of her elders doing that. The elderly seemed to always have one foot in the past.
“He led the warwolves personally while wielding Father Justice. He cut his way through the enemy troops until he was face to face with the God from the East himself.” Furcas said wistfully: “The God from the East might have been a high god, but he had made the mistake of trespassing in another high god’s Domain and his powers were fast draining. The wolf prince pushed him back from whence he came.”
“The wolf prince is a good guy?”
“He is. One of the best.” Furcas agreed.
Usurria steeled herself. She was the descendant of kings and heroes. She had been guided and cared for by the finest knight in Gehenna. She would not let fear control her. Whatever challenge was facing her, she would face it and overcome it.
“Furcas… I would like to go home now… for one final time.” Usurria said.
Furcas nodded and patted her shoulder.
“Don’t think we will forget this. Kings acting as wards for the children of their rivals has been used to avert wars since the dawn of time. You have no idea how many lives you have saved today.” Furcas said.
“I just wish… I could take you with me.” Usurria said.
Furcas smiled sadly and placed his hand over his heart.
“As long as you remember what your grandmother and I have taught you, we will always be here.” Furcas said: “And it is not like we will never see each other again.”
“Can you swear on that? That I will come back home?” Usurria asked.
“No and whatever is waiting for you, it will change you. Should you return, it will not be the same. That is what growing up is about.”
“It is what it is.” Usurria said: “I will handle it.”
Furcas led her through the ringed city, back to Manor Lane on the sixth circle where the wealthiest incubi and succubi lived in their mansions. The houses were glorious works of art that were passed on through generations and every new owner tried to make it grander and more beautiful. While praying that the emperor’s paranoia would single them out.
That’s where grandmother was waiting for them.
The succubi were not as powerful as devils, but time affected them slowly and marchioness Larissia did not look like a grandmother. She was lean and dignified with unwrinkled red skin. Her horns had been filed down and her tail circled her thin waist like a belt. Grandmother had always been strict and Usurria had been prepared for a scolding but instead she welcomed her back with a tired smile.
“Go wash your face. Dinner will be ready soon.” Grandmother said and looked at Furcas: “I expect you to join us.”
“It will be done, marchioness.”
Servant imps carried food to the dining hall, and they ate in silence. Usurria did not taste anything she put in her mouth and grandmother just pushed her food from end of her plate to the other until she told the servants to take it away. The only one who had any appetite was Furcas but even he was subdued and did not ask for any dessert.
“Usurria, come with me.” Grandmother said when they were done with dinner.
Grandmother lit a lantern and led her to the mausoleum deep beneath the mansion. All noble houses in Gehenna had them but House Grimaldi of Gehenna was a new house, and their mausoleum did not house glorious ancestors from the distant past. They only had two graves.
Her grandfather and mother.
Her mother’s stone casket rested next to grandfather’s. Their likeness had been carved into the stone lids alongside their names. The stone visage of mother could have been grandmother’s sister. Time effected their kind slowly and not even childbirth had touched their beauty. Even in death mother was elegant and beautiful with dignified horns and kind eyes.
And grandfather…
Humans were such feeble creatures. Making it to seventy was considered old for them and grandfather had been grey and wrinkled when an incubus would be just approaching adulthood. But his grave was proof of his power. The figure carved in the stone lid was a knight in full armor and the stony fingers held on to Mother Mercy.
The white sword was terrible and beautiful.
Only two warriors had ever wielded it without going mad and turning against their friends. One of them had been her grandfather and even in death he was protecting the world from Mother Mercy and what it might do in the wrong hands.
The sword was whispering to her even now.
All she had to do was pick it up and the blade would do the rest. Mother Mercy was her birthright, and it would drink the blood of her enemies if she just had the courage to pick it up. Together they would cut off heads. Hack off limbs. They would laugh when their enemies begged for an easy death that they weren’t getting. Usurria closed her mind from the sword’s dark promises just like Furcas had taught her.
“I thought we would have more time.” Grandmother said while running her hand over the sculpture of her daughter’s face: “There was so much more I wanted to teach you.”
“I know.” Usurria said.
“If Hector or Gonzalo were still here, none of this would have ever happened but we have to make do.” Grandmother said and then put a hand on her shoulder: “Promise me you will return.”
Grandmother had always been strict and distant. Warmth and affection had come from Furcas and often Usurria wondered if grandmother hated her for taking mother away by being born. That instead of seeing her as a grandchild, she only saw one of the emperor’s spawns. Knowing grandmother cared was a comfort. She wrapped her arms around grandmother and looked at the graves of her mother and grandfather. After a moment grandmother hugged her back.
“I will return. I might not be the same, but I will return.”
She did not sleep that night and spent the dark hours sitting in the mansion’s roof garden. One of the few places where flowers could bloom in Gehenna. Amidst Gehenna it looked like a piece of heaven had fallen into hell. Grandmother had built it for grandfather to alleviate his home sickness and even now she maintained it like the Knight of Starlight might return home at any moment. Usurria let the scent of flowers wash over her while staring at the City of Dis. Her home. She had sworn to return but worried that she couldn’t keep that promise.
When morning came, so did Tam Lin.
Despite being one of Gehenna’s most accomplished warriors, Tam Lin was unscarred with elegant features and long, auburn hair. A cape the color of fire flowed behind him like the tail of a comet. He wore a light, silver armor and carried a spear that Furcas had forged for him, but it was not the most powerful weapon at his disposal. His most prized weapon marched behind him.
The demons under his command.
Tam Lin had a battalion of knights serving him and despite having one of the smallest fighting forces among devil lords, his was feared for their skill and discipline. In a private moment Furcas had revealed that he believed that Tam Lin had already surpassed him as a mentor and for this occasion, Tam Lin had picked ten of his finest knights and they moved like an extension of him. Usurria and other people stared out of their windows when Tam Lin led the march through Manor Lane but even when she realized they were coming for her, she wasn’t afraid. Tam Lin, and Gonzalo the Spider had been Furcas’s greatest successes and with Gonzalo enslaved by Ginevre, Tam Lin was Gehenna’s most beloved hero. When grandmother stepped out of the mansion, Tam Lin ordered his men to halt just by raising his hand. Usurria stuck her head out of the window to hear better what they were talking about.
“Tam Lin.” Grandmother said.
Tam Lin bowed his head and his knights followed in suit like they were reflections of their commander.
“Marchioness Larissia.” Tam Lin said after raising his head: “Blessing of the Storm upon you.”
“And blessing of the Storm upon you.” Grandmother said in return: “Is it not a bit too early to be making social calls?”
Tam Lin smiled sadly and then handed his spear to one of his knights before approaching grandmother.
“I’m afraid that… the emperor has summoned Usurria. She wants me to take her to Castle Pandemonium immediately.” Tam Lin said.
A shiver ran down Usurria’s back and she could see grandmother’s shoulders stiffen.
“You tell him we can deliver her ourselves. On the agreed time.” Grandmother said.
The mansion doors were pushed open, and Furcas stepped out. He had been in the middle of his morning practice and the muscles in his arms were pumped and the white shirt was stained with sweat. When Tam Lin’s knight saw him, they forgot for a moment they were renowned warriors and looked like starstruck boys. Tam Lin bowed again. This time even deeper.
“Master.” Tam Lin said.
“Tam Lin.” Furcas said sternly but he couldn’t completely hide the affection in his voice.
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“The emperor has summoned Usurria.” Grandmother said.
“So soon?” Furcas said.
“I tried to convince him otherwise but when I pressed the matter, he threatened to send Zagan.” Tam Lin said.
A cold silence followed the mention of Zagan’s name. If Gonzalo the Spider and Tam Lin had been Furcas’s greatest accomplishments, Zagan had been his greatest failure. Zagan the Bloody. Wherever he went, bloodshed followed. It did not matter whose blood was spilled. Warriors or women and children. The only thing he cared about was that blood flowed. None of the Infernal Emperor’s enforcers struck more terror in the heart of their enemies than hearing that Zagan the Bloody was coming.
“So soon?” Furcas said.
“You know how he is. He can’t help but squeeze in one last cruelty.” Tam Lin said.
“Believe me. I know very well.” Grandmother said.
“I am sorry I couldn’t do more.” Tam Lin said and bowed his head again: “I will bring you into the castle before the ceremony. You will be able to say proper goodbyes before she is sent off.”
“We’re not welcome in the castle.” Grandmother said.
“I guess we will have to be sneaky then.” Furcas said.
“I guess we do.” Grandmother agreed.
Usurria was summoned and the servants dressed her in the finest dress she owned. The fabric was night blue, and the hem was decorated with red stars. She walked out to meet with Tam Lin and curtsied to him as she had been taught. Tam Lin smiled kindly to him and bowed to her in return and so did his knight.
“Lady Usurria. Tam Lin at your service. Blessing of the Storm upon you.”
In response to the bow, Usurria curtsied.
“Usurria de Grimaldi of Gehenna. Blessing of the Storm upon you as well.” Usurria said.
Furcas put his hand on her shoulder and grandmother kissed the top of her head.
“Blessing of the Storm upon your journey, Usurria.” Grandmother said.
“Listen to Tam Lin and you will be safe. We will be there to see you off tonight.” Furcas said and looked at sternly at Tam Lin: “You better look after her.”
“With my life. I do solemnly swear by the Storm.” Tam Lin said.
“Good lad.” Furcas said.
Usurria was proud of herself for not crying when she said goodbye to her grandmother and godfather. Tam Lin’s knights surrounded her and Tam Lin in a protective circle and Tam Lin’s spear was handed back to him. Usurria felt as safe as she could under the circumstances.
“You are a very brave lady.” Tam Lin said as they walked: “Your sacrifice will save many lives.”
“I don’t feel very brave.” Usurria said.
“No one does at the eve of their first battle. I didn’t. Courage always comes afterwards.” Tam Lin said and looked at Castle Pandemonium at the center of the City of Dis: “And thanks to you, there will be a time when sacrifices like these won’t be necessary.”
“How so?” Usurria asked.
“Not even emperors rule forever.” Tam Lin said: “It would have been easier if Gonzalo was still here, but we will manage.”
Usurria thought about what Tam Lin had said the rest of the way. Until they arrived at Castle Pandemonium. Castle Pandemonium was the heart of the City of Dis located in the innermost ring of the great city. The Red King had built it during the Age of Wonders and all his successors had expanded it during their reigns. Stepping inside was like entering someone’s mind. The castle was so thoroughly under the emperor’s control that laws of nature only applied there when he so chose. Servants and demon lords could walk on the ceiling like they were floors and water would flow backwards. Staircases and hallways could move on a whim turning the infernal palace into a maze. It was an extension of the emperor’s mind. Ever shifting and changing. But what shocked her the most was the air. It was so cool and refreshing. And it was not just the air. There were flowers there. Everywhere she looked she saw flowers and trees. And running water! Grandmother was rightfully proud of her garden on top of her mansion, but it was nothing compared to the emperor’s castle. No one here looked thirsty or sunburnt. The plants were not struggling to survive. This had to be what Gehenna had been like before Girusai had come.
But a beautiful trap was still a trap.
This was the heart of the emperor’s Domain, and he was always watching. The moment the gates opened for Usurria and closed behind her; she could feel the emperor’s eyes on her. Nothing happened in Castle Pandemonium without the emperor’s knowledge or leave and all the inhabitants living in his Domain lived in terror. Everywhere she looked, she saw only scared faces. The lords and ladies of Gehenna were the most powerful members of their society and had their every need filled by imp slaves who had been bred for servitude. But every moment of their lives was spent in terror. Scared that the emperor might turn on them at any moment. All the luxury in Gehenna could not make them forget that lord, ladies and imps alike were all slaves of the emperor.
“Stay close to me.” Tam Lin said: “If anyone wishes to talk to you, they will speak to me first and…”
“Tam Lin.” A raspy voice said.
The voice sent shivers down Usurria’s back and despite being surrounded by his knights, Tam Lin looked nervous. Everyone was nervous when Zagan the Bloody approached them. Unlike godfather or Tam Lin, Zagan made no attempts to hide his devilish nature. He stood over seven feet tall with a sculpted body the color of bronze, and leathery wings folded behind him like a cape. He had the horns of a bull and the head of some deep-sea creature with skin wrapped tightly around a fleshless skull. His teeth were sharp and jagged and the muscles in his neck thick and powerful as the pillars upholding Castle Pandemonium. Whatever was caught in his fangs would not escape and he would only have to twist his head to rip off limbs. He was dressed only in a loin cloth dyed the colors of fire and a sword hung from his hip.
“Zagan.” Tam Lin said.
When Zagan approached Tam Lin’s knights, they drew their weapons and pointed them at Zagan who couldn’t have been less bothered if they had threatened him with spoons.
“Tam Lin.” Zagan said and glanced at the swords pointed at his throat: “Is this any way to treat a big brother who wants to welcome his little sister?”
“Big brother?” Usurria said.
“Blood of the emperor flows in both of us.” Zagan said and tapped one of the swords with his claws: “So thank you for bringing my baby sister all the way here. I will take her from here.”
Tam Lin’s smile did not reach his eyes and his grip on his spear tightened.
“I think not.”
Zagan snickered.
“I think you don’t realize that wasn’t a request.” Zagan said and his gnarly grin grew wider: “Your services are no longer needed Tam Lin.”
This time Tam Lin pointed his spear at Zagan.
“I swore to guard her, and I will keep my word. Move or die.” Tam Lin said.
A strange light lit in Zagan’s eyes.
“Tam Lin, always so slow to understand. Your services are no longer needed. The emperor knows. He knows all. You have no secrets from him. He knows.” Zagan said.
This gave Tam Lin some pause, and his knights looked at him confused. Then the protective circle of knights surrounding Usurria turned into a ring of fire. The knights serving under Tam Lin were set ablaze by an invisible force and they were cooked inside their steel armors. They could not even scream before their lungs were burned to cinders by the heat. The smell of burning fat and hair filled the castle and the devil lords gawking in the hallways looked on gratefully that it was not them burning. Tam Lin let out a pained scream when he saw his men burning to death and jumped over their smoking bodies to run his spear through the smirking Zagan who just stood there.
Tam Lin never reached Zagan.
Unlike his men who burned, Tam Lin disappeared, leaving his cape, armor, and spear behind. Usurria stood inside the ring of fire, hugging herself for comfort and stared terrified at Tam Lin’s empty armor until the burning knights were reduced to ash. She could taste smoke on her tongue.
“… Tam… Lin…?” Usurria whispered.
Something was moving inside Tam Lin’s armor and… a snout stuck out of the armor followed by a very confused piglet that looked around startled. When it saw Zagan, the baby pig tried sinking its teeth in his hoofs, but Zagan just laughed.
“Look at the mighty Tam Lin go!” Zagan laughed while clapping his hands together before picking the piglet up and looking at the devil lords present: “Our emperor has punished another traitor. Let this be a reminder to all of you. You have no secrets from the emperor. Even in your most private moments or thoughts, he sees all. Remember the price for treachery.”
Then Zagan cast aside the piglet that had once been Tam Lin. It hit the wall with a soft thud and fell on its back before struggling back on its feet. Zagan gave its rear a kick to send it running.
“Run, Tam Lin! Run! Go find a pool of shit to stick your snout in!”
Usurria’s stomach was tied in knots while she watched the piglet flee and listened to Zagan’s laughter. A few other devil lords laughed as well although it was a nervous, terrified giggle. At the back of her mind, Usurria swore to make them all pay. Once the joke had worn thin, Zagan picked up Zagan’s cape and tied it on Usurria’s shoulders.
“There. Now all will know you’re a member of the Infernal Court.” Zagan said and gave her a mocking bow: “Welcome to Castle Pandemonium, little sister. You will be in my care.”
Then Zagan grinded the ashes of knights with his hoofs before looking spitefully at the imp slaves: “Clean this mess and throw the ashes in the outhouse.”
Zagan grabbed her wrist roughly and Usurria could feel strength of a warrior who could tear others to shreds with his bare hands. Usurria could only follow him when he dragged her along, and she stepped over the ashes of her protectors. Everyone gave her and Zagan wide berth.
“You must think you’re brave, little sister.” Zagan said.
Usurria looked at him dumbly. She should have been scared but… she was too numb for that.
“Do you think you are, big brother?” Usurria asked.
Zagan let out a raspy cackle.
“Mouthy kid. No wonder your grandmother and Furcas did not put up too much resistance. I bet they were secretly pleased to be rid of you.” Zagan said as they walked: “You’re just a stupid kid who thinks she’s being brave and making a sacrifice.”
“Have you ever sacrificed anything, big brother?”
“You’re not the only one who has suffered our father’s attention. He let you off easily. No wonder. You are his favorite after all.” Zagan said.
This gave Usurria pause.
“His favorite?”
“Why else would he give you such a soft duty? I envy you. When he summoned me, I had to be a monster to survive.” Zagan said before cackling: “Soft duty for a soft girl. You must be as harder than the world itself if you want to survive. Otherwise, the world will break you.”
The bathhouse Zagan took her was made of white marble and decorated with gold. Statues pure as clean bone depicting beautiful men and women held jars that poured warm water into the baths and the air was thick with steam. There was enough water for a dozen families, and it was being used for bathing.
“Clean her up for the emperor. He is expecting her.” Zagan said.
“Father wants… to see me?” Usurria said.
Zagan’s rictus grin grew wider.
“You are right to be afraid.” He said before leaving.
The imps appeared from thin air. She had read that the Dark Root Tribe had magic unique to them and they could vanish and appear at will. That made them the perfect servants. Out of sight and out of mind. The imps helped Usurria out of her robes, the finest her grandmother could afford, and threw them away. When she tried to object, one of the imps shook their head.
“The emperor’s orders. Better ones have been prepared for you.” One of the imps said.
Usurria didn’t dare to object and let the imps wash her. They washed the ash and soot off her. She tried not to think of Tam Lin and what had happened to him. While she was being scrubbed clean in the royal bath house, she studied the imps to take her mind off the horror. If she studied and learned enough a day would come when nothing could scare her because there was nothing she couldn’t change. The imps were scarcely any bigger than her, a child, and had hairy paws instead of hands. Their flexible tails were as nimble as a third hand. There was a green tint to their skin that revealed them to be closely related to goblins but unlike goblins, imps shaved all their hair and tattooed their scalps with runes that had meaning only to them. Once she had been washed clean, her hair was combed and sprayed lightly with perfume made from flowers in the royal garden. New robes were brought to her and Usurria had to admit they were far finer than the ones grandmother had procured for her. They were dyed in the colors of House Morning Star. Red and orange. The colors of fire.
“Blessing of the Quiet upon your journey.” One of the imps said when she had been dressed.
A slave talking without leave could easily cost a tongue, but Usurria did not hold it against them. Grandfather had forbidden the use of slaves and Usurria had been raised to see it as barbarism. And after what had happened to Tam Lin, she was grateful for any kind words.
“And blessing of the Storm upon you.” Usurria said.
When she stepped out of the baths, there was no one waiting for her and the hallway that had held infinite branching paths was now a straight line with only one way forward. She could feel an alien will whispering in her mind. Telling her she was being expected. Usurria whispered a prayer to the Great Grandparent and stepped forward. She walked for a long time. Long enough for her to start wondering if this was another one of the emperor’s cruel games. Maybe he was going to make her walk until she collapsed from exhaustion and then leave her to starve in the most distant corner of his palace. The robe was already starting to weigh her down and she feared she couldn’t carry it much longer.
Then she arrived at the innermost sanctum of Castle Pandemonium and great doors of oak and gold opened to her.
It was like stepping inside a jewel. It was so beautiful you could go blind from just looking at it. The grand hall could house a thousand guests and a carpet the color of fire ran from the doors to the throne like a stream of lava. The air was cool despite the scorching heat outside, and in the middle of the great hall sprung a fountain large and deep enough to swim in. Nude incubi and succubi carved from the stone stood by the edges of the pool and fresh water poured from the chalices they held. The walls had been adorned with gems more valuable than her life and tapestries depicting glorious victories from Gehenna’s past. There were small patches of dirt carved into the floor where fruit trees sprouted from and Usurria’s mouth watered just from looking at them. The great hall was filled with the emperor’s inner circle. The most loyal and powerful devils in Gehenna who had distinguished themselves in combat or court intrigue. Dressed only in their finest clothes but none of them were allowed to wear the colors of House Morning Star. Red and orange. The colors of fire.
And then there was the emperor himself.
He sat alone on his throne and just watched over his court in silence. He was bigger than the mightiest giant and Usurria would have needed to climb on Furcas’s shoulders just to reach his throne. He was cloaked in a robe of royal colors that hid his face in darkness deeper than the bottom of the sea. A flaming crown floated above his head, but he didn’t need a crown for all to know who he was.
An emperor all other rulers trembled to behold.
The only member of the royal court not a devil was Mephisto. The emperor’s voice. An incubus with a smile so wide it split his cheeks with a pencil thin mustache over his lips. He was forbidden from wearing the royal colors and was dressed in a dark blue robe decorated with white lines. His skin was a darker shade of red than Usurria’s and he had filed his horns into nubs. Mephisto beamed with self-satisfaction but when Usurria looked at him, she only saw a small fish swimming close to a shark to keep itself safe.
Something puny and cowardly.
Mephisto sat by the stairs leading to the emperor’s throne like a pet and he was the only one who paid Usurria any notice. When Usurria stood paralyzed in the great hall, Mephisto stood up languidly and stretched his back before slapping his hands together. He had a powerful voice that carried easily through the hall.
“Infernal court. Give our emperor privacy. He wishes to speak with his daughter alone.” Mephisto said.
The entire court moved out of the great hall like they were being pushed away by an invisible hand. As terrified of them as Usurria was, she could have begged them to stay and not leave her alone with her father, but no one dared to oppose the emperor’s orders. When she stood alone in the great hall with the emperor and Mephisto, the incubus beckoned her closer.
“No need to be afraid, kid. Not yet.” Mephisto said: “Come and greet your father.”
Thoughts of Tam Lin flashed through Usurria’s mind when she pressed closer and when she stood in the emperor’s shadow, all warmth left her body. She was chilled to the bone like she was standing in the surface of the moon. Even though she was merely grazing the emperor’s might, the pressure was crushing her.
“Father…” Usurria said quietly.
The emperor was so huge Usurria could not imagine him being able to stand. Perhaps he was a prisoner of his throne but then he moved his gigantic hand and Usurria realized with horror he wanted her to come closer. She glanced at Mephisto who was smiling like a sadist and just nodded so she started climbing up the stairs towards the great throne. With every step the weight of the mountain was placed on her shoulder. The cold was eating away at her, and she could no longer feel her toes or fingers.
“Closer.” Mephisto said.
She kept climbing up the stairs until her feet betrayed her. The emperor’s shadow was heavier than the world.
“Closer.” Mephisto said.
Unable to walk anymore, Usurria started crawling on all four like a lame animal. The skin on her knees and palms broke and bled, coloring her robes with blood.
“Closer.” Mephisto said.
She dragged herself up by her fingertips until the nails in her fingers cracked and she could no longer move.
“Closer.”
She made one last feeble attempt to push herself forward, but she was spent.
“… I… can’t…” Usurria wheezed.
“Are you refusing to obey your emperor?” Mephisto said.
Before Usurria could beg for forgiveness, the emperor leaned down. He reached out and then picked her up. She was no bigger than a mouse when she lied on the emperor’s palm and the coldness of his touch burned her. He brought her closer like she was a curious insect he wanted to study and Usurria closed her eyes as tightly as she could. She knew that if she dared to look into the shadows his hood cast over the emperor’s face, she would never be the same again.
“What was your mother’s name?” Mephisto asked.
“… Zarissia…” Usurria gasped.
“Zarissia.” Mephisto said with delight: “I remember her. I remember her very well. So does your father. She survived the night but not the birth. You are strong like your mother and the seed of the emperor has only made you stronger.”
The emperor held her in his hand a bit longer and then put her down with surprising gentleness. Mephisto kneeled next to her and stroked her hair. His hand could have been a spider walking over her head.
“Do you know why you’re here, Usurria?” Mephisto asked.
Moving hurt. Breathing hurt. Talking was pure torture but she didn’t dare to stay quiet.
“I will be traded… for the Wyrd King’s son… I will be his ward… and the Wyrd Prince will be my father’s…”
“Yes. Trading children has long been how kingdoms avoid wars.” Mephisto said and ran his fingers over his thin mustache: “I doubt I need to tell you not to reveal anything you have seen here and report back everything you hear in the Wyrd King’s court. No matter how long you stay there.”
“… I will… serve…” Usurria said.
“I know you will.” Mephisto said before standing up: “Your father is pleased. You may ask for his favor.”
With great effort Usurria managed to look up towards the emperor. Her father. She knew what she wanted. To ask him to show mercy to Tam Lin. To give him back his form. But she feared what would happen if she made the request.
“… my father’s trust… is favor enough…” Usurria whispered.
“Good answer.” Mephisto said.
Loss of consciousness had never felt sweeter, and she floated in peaceful oblivion without dreaming until someone roughly shook her awake.
“Get up. It is time.” Zagan said.
She had been laying down on a simple mat on the floor and she realized she had been carried to the slave quarters when she lost her senses. Perhaps that was fitting. She was as much a slave of the emperor as anyone else.
“… will I…?”
“What? Speak up?” Zagan said.
“Will I be allowed to… say goodbye to grandmother and Furcas?”
Zagan let out a nasty cackle.
“You think a disgraced soldier, or a succubus would be allowed here? No. Here you must be prepared to never see your family again.” Zagan said.
“… but… Tam Lin said…”
“Tam Lin isn’t here anymore. If you need him, go find a pigsty.”
The first lesson grandmother had taught her was not to cry. Tears were a sign of weakness in Gehenna. Tears blinded you and a blind demon was nothing more than prey. Everyone in Gehenna had a hungry gaze. So she did not cry and followed Zagan. Air in the great hall had changed when she was led back inside. The demons present were no longer merry and showed their true colors. They were a collection of vicious killers. Even Mephisto had a grim look on his face. Only the emperor was completely at ease and lounged on his gigantic throne. Watching. Waiting. Ready to strike.
“Usurria! Take your place at your father’s feet!” Mephisto called.
Zagan led her to the staircase by the emperor’s throne and stood at guard by her side. The emperor cast a long shadow and Usurria shivered when she stood inside it.
“Wizards! Begin your work!” Mephisto ordered.
Sorcerers in ocean green robes began drawing glyphs with their staffs and simmering letters floated in the air. They formed a circle that cut a hole in reality. Usurria knew enough about magic to recognize them as a Key that opened the Portal System. All you would need was an Anchor to travel anywhere in the Wyrding.
The Anchor guided the Key and portal between the circles of the Wyrding was opened.
Two figures walked through the portal and Usurria’s eyes widened when she saw that one of them was the founder and grand master of Scholomance, Baphomet. A tall lanky man in dark robes with the head of a black goat. She felt an inkling of pride that he was an incubus instead of a devil.
And by his side…
For a moment she taught the man was Baphomet’s imp slave. Then she realized that he was a goblin. The bones tied into his grey hair revealed him to be a member of the Bone Flock Tribe. Despite the grey n his hair and the wrinkles around his eyes, there was something boyish about him. He had the glow of someone who had extended their lifespan by serving a high god and siphoning some of that god’s power.
“Never thought that Baphomet would dare to show his face here again.” Zagan said, sounding mildly impressed.
It didn’t surprise Usurria that Zagan didn’t respect scholars, but Furcas had told her that during the Baron’s war Baphomet had snuck back to Gehenna despite having been banished to smuggle volunteers to battle the Baron. Baphomet and the goblin stabilized the portal with their own glyphs before turning towards the Infernal Emperor and bowing their heads. Although the goblin hid it well Usurria caught the shock on his face. The emperor’s size and power were overwhelming even if you thought you were prepared for them.
“Blessing of the Mountain upon you, Infernal Emperor, war chief of Gehenna.” Baphomet said while kneeling before the emperor: “I do not know if you remember me, but I am Baphomet of the banished House Claw. I am grateful that you have given me leave to return to my homelands.”
“Our emperor can be merciful.” Mephisto said.
Next the goblin took a knee before the emperor. Despite his advanced age, he moved like a spry warrior. It reminded her of Furcas.
“Blessing of the Mountain upon you, Infernal Emperor, King of the Storm. I am Old Robin of the Bone Flock Tribe. Head advisor of House Augustus. I thank you for your hospitality.” The old goblin said.
“And blessing of the Storm upon you, Old Robin.” Mephisto said: “Our emperor is pleased by your presence.”
“And… I am pleased to be here.” Old Robin said before turning to look back at the portal: “May I present to you the captain of the warwolves. Commander of the Wyrd King’s praetorian guard. Prince of the Wolf Clan and the Balefire. His Dreadful Highness.”
Usurria had heard the stories of the wolf prince. Everyone had. The greatest warrior to walk in the Wyrding. The only one who could rival Firebird in skill. The skin-changer who now wielded King Eld’s sword, Father Justice. She had not been sure what to expect but it had not been this.
The portal simmered when His Dreadful Highness walked through, and a gasp ran through the great hall.
The wolf that exited the portal was the size of a rhino and a sword had been strapped in his back. His fur was a mix of ash and silver while his eyes were the color of morning mist. His fangs could bite through armor and trees would be felled when he ran through a forest. Usurria could make out a scar running over his right eye and rumor had it he had gotten it when he had dueled the Baron. The wolf prince let his gaze pass through the great hall and none of the demons present dared to meet his eyes. When the wolf prince noticed Zagan, the devil smiled at him, and the wolf prince let out a growl. Baphomet moved quickly and put a comforting hand on the wolf prince’s neck and whispered something in his ear. Usurria didn’t know if it was a spell or a warning, but the wolf prince controlled himself and bowed his mighty head to the emperor.
“Blessing of the Balefire upon you, Infernal Emperor. I am His Dreadful Highness and greet you on behalf of the Wolf Clan.”
The wolf prince’s voice was a shock to Usurria. She had expected a gruff growl. A deep, powerful bass. A voice hardened from barking orders over battle, but the wolf prince sounded so… young and boyish. Practically green. It was hard to imagine anyone with a voice like that rushing between the Baron and his injured parents or coming to the aide of Gehenna when the God from the East was hammering their walls. Yet he had.
“We remember you well, Your Dreadful Highness, and what you have done for us.” Mephisto said: “You are most welcome. Blessing of the Storm upon you and your clan.”
Unlike Mephisto and Old Robin, the wolf prince had piqued the emperor’s curiosity and from the shadows of his robe, Usurria could feel him looking greedily at Father Justice strapped to the wolf prince’s back.
“And lastly may I present to you the king and queen of the Wyrding. Oberon and Tytania of House Augustus and their son, Oriel.” The wolf prince said.
There was a great surge of power that ran through the portal like a sun flare when the royal family of the first circle stepped through the portal. The Wyrd King and Queen were dressed for war. They wore matching green armor decorated with gold. Antlers the color of sunlight adorned their helmets, and both carried their weapons of choice. A sword for the Wyrd King and a bow for the queen. Their capes were green and had golden leaves sown into the fabric.
Then there was the Wyrd Prince.
Unlike his parents, Oriel was dressed in a flowing green coat, white shirt, and black pants. He walked barefooted and there were golden rings in his toes and fingers. Despite being centuries old, he didn’t look older than twenty. He had a dusky skin, long black hair, and green eyes. He was beautiful but… Usurria couldn’t shake the feeling that there was coldness to him too. Arrogance. For the briefest moment Usurria’s and Oriel’s eyes met and… she could feel the elf prince was incensed. Furious. How could the firstborn son and crown prince be traded for an acknowledged bastard daughter?
“Blessing of the Balefire upon you, Bael.” The Wyrd King and Queen said in unison.
“And blessing of the Storm upon you, Oberon and Tytania.” Mephisto said on behalf of the emperor.
The Wyrd King looked at his son who met his father’s gaze and nodded.
“We present to you our son, Oriel, and leave him in your care for seven years.” The Wyrd King said: “We hope this will be the first step in lasting peace and eternal friendship between our kingdoms.”
Oriel stepped forward and bowed his head to the emperor.
“Blessing of the Balefire upon you, emperor. I am Oriel, and I am grateful for your hospitality. I am looking forward to learning everything I can from you.” Oriel said.
“And we are eager to teach you.” Mephisto said.
Zagan’s smile grew wider, and he placed his hand on the hilt of his sword before whispering at Mephisto.
“We could take them all on. This is the emperor’s Domain. I don’t care if Oberon killed the Baron. We could kill them all now. This is our place of power.” Zagan said.
Mephisto had begun stroking his mustache when he fell in deep thought and the Infernal Emperor seemed meditative. Usurria’s hands started trembling when she saw every demon in the great hall reaching for their weapons and just waiting for the emperor’s order to descent on their guests. If the Wyrd King knew what was happening, he did not seem bothered. The wizards maintaining the Key looked at each other and then stopped fueling the glyphs. The portal that had brought the Wyrd Court to Gehenna collapsed and trapped them inside a hostile Domain.
“How careless of us.” Mephisto said: “It looks like we lost control of the portal.”
The wolf prince had borne his fangs, and Baphomet’s eyes had narrowed. Old Robin looked like he was reaching for a weapon that was no longer there.
“These things happen.” The Wyrd King said.
“Perhaps you should stay as guests until we have the portal running again.” Mephisto said.
“That won’t be necessary. There is always more than one door.” The Wyrd King said.
Mephisto raised an eyebrow while smiling his smug smile.
“Are you suggesting Castle Pandemonium is not secure?” Mephisto said.
“I would not trust my son to an unsafe place.” Oberon said and took his wife’s hand: “I am feeling completely safe right now.”
Mephisto’s smile was sharp as a hidden knife.
“A king should never be at ease.” Mephisto said.
“The elf has gone senile.” Zagan said and began drawing his sword: “I am killing the wolf prince and taking Father Justice for myself.”
Before violence could break out, the sound of wheels and nickering of horses filled the great hall. The demons looked around surprised and tried to locate the source of the sound. Usurria turned to look at the bubbling pool in the great hall and was the first to see a carriage crashing through the surface. The carriage was pulled by four green horses she realized were kelpies and driven by an ancient goblin. He was dressed in a black cape and a well-worn pillbox hat. The hair in his paws, tail and mustache had gone completely grey and his eyes were the color of dirty water. The ancient goblin brought his carriage to a still in the middle of the great hall and jumped down nimbly like a swimmer. When the ancient goblin and Old Robin looked at each other the air was thick with mutual contempt. Then the ancient goblin turned to look at the emperor and took off his pillbox hat.
“Blessing of the Deep upon you, Infernal Emperor. I am Old Flea and I apologize for my tardiness. Some problems with the portal system.” Old Flea said and shot a contemptuous look at Baphomet and Old Robin: “That’s what you get for trusting upstarts.”
A shiver not even the wolf prince had managed to cause silenced the great hall when Old Flea opened the carriage door.
“May I present my master to you. Lord of Storm Roost. Son of the first Great Conqueror. Prince Mordesai.”
A great hill of flesh stepped out of the carriage. The black silk could barely contain the man’s massive bulk. It was like trying to dress a planet. His fingers were so thick that Usurria could have used his rings as wrist bands. He was completely hairless, and his skin had the texture of melted wax like he had been dipped in boiling water as a child. There was something inhuman about his features. Something uncanny. A mimic predator that had not fully completed his disguise. And his eyes…
‘… no one can withstand the stare of a dragon for long…’
Mordesai had eyes the color of a sun that set on kingdoms and just looking at him burned your corneas. The dragon looked around at the infernal court and turned the most ruthless killers in Gehenna into scared children. Once he had cowed everyone into obedience, Mordesai walked through the ranks of demons towards the emperor. Sweat had begun pouring down Mephisto’s face and his slicked back hair was coming undone. He motioned to the emperor’s bodyguards who drew their swords to stop him, but Mordesai simply walked past them and as he did, the steel blades in their hands melted. When Mordesai passed her by, Usurria could feel the fires of creation burning under Mordesai’s skin just by standing near him. Mordesai acknowledged her with a fleeting glance before he began walking up the stairs towards the emperor’s throne and was unbothered by the weight of the emperor’s shadow. When the dragon stood by the precipice of the emperor, he bowed his head.
“Blessing of the Wyrding upon you, Bael. Thank you for welcoming me to Gehenna despite the bad blood between our families.” Mordesai said.
Mordesai had exactly the kind of voice that Usurria had imagined. Booming and powerful. Every syllable could have been a muffled explosion. The dragon’s every word was simmering with power. The fear in the throne room was thick but the emperor did not seem scared and just looked at Mordesai who met the emperor’s gaze without fear. Finally, the emperor nodded to give Mordesai his leave.
“You… are most welcome, prince Mordesai.” Mephisto said.
Mordesai bowed his head again and then walked down to take his place with rest of the royal family. The dragon kneeled to the Wyrd King and Queen.
“I apologize for being late, godfather.”
“You arrived just in time.” The Wyrd King said.
Usurria had to suppress a giggle. When Mordesai bowed to the Wyrd King, it was like he was sticking his butt out at the emperor. She had expected the Wyrd King to be soft and he had proved her right, but the ocean was soft too. How else would a dragon bow to him? Power paired with courtesy was the easiest to accept. Once Mordesai had taken his place among the Wyrd King’s entourage, the Wyrd King started walking towards Usurria. Even when standing inside another high god’s Domain that was sapping his power, he radiated might like a star. But it wasn’t overwhelming her like the emperor’s. The Wyrd King made her feel safe and warm.
When he stood before her, the Wyrd King removed his helmet.
Unlike his son, the Wyrd King was fair skinned with thick, blonde hair that fell on his shoulders. He had large, green eyes like his son but far warmer. There was kindness in them that many demons mocked as weakness but when she met his gaze, she could sense the quiet strength that had allowed him to duel the feared Baron and win. Despite elves having live spans comparable to devils, the Wyrd King had lines in the corner of his eyes and forehead. Marks of his long life, experience and hard-won wisdom.
“You must be Usurria de Grimaldi.” The Wyrd King said.
Usurria could not speak. Only nod. The Wyrd King smiled in return.
“I am Oberon. You will be in the care of House Augustus for a while. I hope we get along.” The Wyrd King said.
Usurria mustered her courage to get the words out.
“… as do I, your majesty.” Usurria said.
The Wyrd King nodded before donning his helmet again and looking at the emperor.
“I entrust you my son, Bael, like you have entrusted me your daughter. I do solemnly swear by the Balefire to keep her safe and destroy anyone who tries to break our pact.”
Mephisto ran his fingers through his oiled hair to get his mane back under control.
“And our emperor solemnly swears by the Storm to protect your son and destroy anyone who tries to break the pact.”
The Wyrd King nodded in agreement and then gave final goodbyes to his son that Usurria could not make out. Under Mordesai’s watchful eye, the portal was working again soon and Usurria looked one last time at her home before she was carried away to unknown lands.