The next day, I rise with the dawn, and I've decided I'm going to set out once more into the city. Exploring is interesting, drinking in new sights and sounds and smells. We had cities in Artas of course, but I rarely ventured into them – and never in recent memory – but from what I can recall they were considerably smaller than this one. A reflection of the relative populations of our different races.

  With that goal in mind I set about getting out of the bed. Carefully extracting myself from Pink – who had returned last night and immediately pounced on me, before drifting off to sleep. She probably needs to sleep after all, I forget these things, but going weeks without simple body maintenance like sleeping and eating is actually rather bad for her isn't it? Different from me who merely wants to sleep – for her it is something of a need.

  Having stood up I cast a quick spell, triggering it with a thought and a snap of my fingers, and am treated to the unique sensation of magical cleaning. As if every inch of my body vibrates for just an instant, any dust or grime destroyed – leaving behind a subdued scent stolen from some plant or other. Since I've been walking about and interacting with other people this has become a part of my daily routine …weekly routine …well whenever I remember.

  I don't really secrete anything and my clothes are pretty much impervious to something like a stain, so I don't get dirty the way humans do, but periodically the dust in the air might settle on me. Which merits occasional treatment if I'm to maintain my dignity before the insects.

  Maintenance complete, I go over to my small cat and attempt to stroke it – but it quickly leaps away. Apparently its had its fill of physical contact after yesterday and is not interested today. A brave beast – to defy me so. But I can respect it's independent spirit, so I'll forgive its impudence this time.

  ...I'm not sad at all.

  I set about exiting the room, casually walking the the white wooden door I delicately grasp the knob – ever so careful not to crush the puny thing – and open it. Only to be faced by a small human woman in a servant's uniform, stationed directly outside my room. Seeing me her eyes go wide, before she dips into a bow and greets me.

  “M-milady! As I informed you, by order of the duke, I am personally at your…”

  The human starts yammering about something or other but I pay it no mind, confidently walking past her and out into the hall. With quick and decisive steps I advance toward the main entryway I entered through yesterday. While this building is large, it also has a great many outward facing windows – so long as you keep in mind the direction you need to go, you can easily confirm you are headed in that direction using the exterior view, making getting lost nearly impossible …is what I thought.

  After wandering about for fifteen minutes or so, through subtly decorated and seemingly identical hallways and corridors I'm almost ready to give up. I lost sight of my objective out the windows almost immediately and while I would like to just destroy one of the panes of glass and exit that way, that method seems too …undignified. Maybe just around the next turn or through the next door…

  “Lady Alexandria? What are you doing here?” A voice cuts into my reverie.

  Looking up, I see the doorway I just passed through leads into some sort of study or reading room – the walls covered with tastefully displayed books. In the center of the room is a desk, with a pair of chairs arranged before it. Behind the desk – the man who just called out – is Duke Clearwater and in the two chairs are two familiar humans. After a second of thought I recall them, on the left is Captain Nox, on the right Regis Clearwater – the duke's adult son, to whom I was briefly introduced the previous evening.

  It's good we met so recently, or I would not be able to match the names and faces of the two unmemorable humans at all. All three of them are looking at me, two of them twisting in their seats to do so, with expressions of varying degrees of incomprehension.

  “Millie, what's going on?” The voice speaks again, reminding me that I really ought to offer some sort of reply.

  “I-I don't know Lord Clearwater. I'm very sorry! The lady has just been wandering the halls for the last hour, checking doors seemingly at random! She doesn't listen to a word I say!” A half-crying voice exclaims from behind me. Turning I see that same servant I met earlier, her face flushed and on the verge of tears, has she been following me this whole time? Creatures with no discernible mana are truly stealthy things.

  “Apologies for the intrusion. I was just trying to find the way out.” I say.

  The duke raises an eyebrow. “A way out? Did you need to leave for something?”

  “Hmm. Need is a strong word. I was simply interested in seeing more of your city.”

  “…I see. Is there some accommodation you find lacking here? I would not dream of trying to restrict your movements but if you go out into the city as you are you will draw a great deal of attention.” He looks pointedly at my wings as he speaks.

  “Hmm...” I think about it. He has a point. No need to sow panic among the weaklings, so with a few rapid strokes of my finger I draw a character in the air – disguise – and loose my magic. A glamour wraps around my body, concealing my nonhuman features from view. A much more easily penetrated disguise than physically altering my features as I was doing before but I don't think there's much risk of that – and more importantly it doesn't itch.

  “There, that should be fine right?” I ask.

  “Of course.” The duke looks even more tired suddenly but he takes it in stride. “Might I send an escort with you? I think my name will smooth your interactions with the inhabitants of the city considerably.”

  An excellent suggestion! With the duke's men by my side, I probably won't be troubled by annoying humans attempting to recruit me, as happened yesterday. Also they might have gold, which is apparently necessary for various things.

  “That would be most welcome, you are a most gracious host.” I reply with a smile.

  He nods, his sunken eyes boring into me with a look of frenetic calculation.

  “Nox, accompany the Lady. Escort her wherever she wishes to go. I authorize you to use my full authority.” He orders.

  The armored man looks surprised, then resigned.

  “Yes. Understood milord.”

  “...Then shall we go? Or are you busy with something Captain?” I ask.

  The humans exchange glances, wordless communication flying about the room, for just a moment. A conclusion is swiftly reached and Nox stands up.

  “No. I'm not busy at all, let's go.” His expression is flat as he speaks.

  “Ah, Lady Alexandria, were you satisfied with that cat? We managed to contact a proper beastmaster – if you've found it lacking in training.” The younger Clearwater speaks up curiously. The other humans all turn to look at him with expressions of mild disbelief.

  “You needn't worry, it is a most satisfying beast to have around. I appreciate the creature's spirit.”

  “You haven't given it a name yet?” He asks casually.

  Hah? Is he taking me for some kind of fool? I fix him with a cool glare as I consider. Nox, who has halfway crossed the room, freezes and pales slightly. A frown crosses the duke's face and the younger Clearwater just stares back at me with wide eyed incomprehension. Perhaps he's just ignorant?

  “No. I do not believe such a creature warrants a Name, it would likely be completely unable to make use of such a blessing – and its loyalty is questionable at best. It is little more than a pet.” I inform him.

  “My son meant no offense milady.” The duke cuts back into the conversation. “He was unaware of any taboo surrounding giving names to pets – I am as well honestly – I assure you he meant no harm.”

  I shrug. “Name's are powerful things, not to be given lightly. Only the most loyal, the most powerful, the most useful are deserving. I don't know how you do things here on Suprema but I should think that that much would be universally understood.

  At any rate, Captain, let's go?”

  “Yes milady! This way.”

  As I leave I turn the idea over in my mind. Maybe I could name it. It's such a deliciously soft creature.

…

…

…

  We get all the way out of the mansion, into the wide courtyard outside the entrance and under the overcast sky, when Pink intercepts us.

  “Mistress! Where are you going?” Her voice rings out even as I cross the threshold outside.

  “Good timing Pink, we're going out – disguise yourself and come along.”

  She looks at Captain Nox and I – we managed to shake off that servant finally – her face twisting into a cute pout, before nodding vehemently. After a minute she's reapplied her glamour, the slightly headache inducing double vision version of Pink making a reappearance.

  “By the way, did you manage to find anything of that trinket Pink?” I recall she mentioned she would ask the human wizards she was working with about that plate we found.

  “I did. Octavio tells me it is embossed with the crest of Avashorn and possessing it marks me as 'elf-friend' – for whatever that might be worth.” Her businesslike resolve disappears after she says that. “But more importantly! Why did you leave me without a word mistress? Why do I have to wake up to find you traipsing off into the city with some human man?” The glare she sends Captain Nox with those words is positively withering.

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  “I thought you might need the rest. Your constitution does require occasional flirtations with sleep does it not? And Nox will be useful in the city, if only to stop those armored fools from badgering me about their precious 'conscription'.” I reply.

  “Haah, yes it's true that sleep is useful. But I can go a week without easily you know? I don't need it right now. Last night was just… I was comfortable…” Her voice trails away quietly. But she quickly regains herself.

  “That's not important! What's important is that you shouldn't be leaving me behind like this right? I am to be your hands and feet in this land am I not? You don't go out the front door without your hands and feet! That's ridiculous! You are the Demon G-” She coughs loudly. “The Demon Lord! Much too important to be wandering a city of filthy humans alone!”

  “Fair enough Pink, good points as always. And look! You're here now – which is the important thing – so let us set off. Also, please make an effort to not insult our hosts so loudly in the future.” I say.

  Pink looks around at the human servants in the entryway – at Captain Nox beside me – who are all being very careful not to look offended and gives a nod. “Of course, my apologies, I was somewhat swept up in my emotions.”

  “Think nothing of it.” Nox replies with a strained smile.

  We set off. Exploring this “Upper” district of the city as Nox calls it. It is a bit different from the “lower” district I wandered through yesterday. The streets are all wide and evenly paved and the buildings look less like they were constructed entirely from scrap timber stolen from a halfway burned fire. They are; however, still just wooden buildings for the most part, made from better timber or stone and constructed with more care – but still the result of some poor fools physical labor. Not a single proper building constructed entirely with magic in the whole city it seems.

  This Upper district is also much cleaner, no obvious litter or filth in the streets. Large parts of the lower district were fairly clean as well but around here the scene is pristine – not a single splintered remnant of a wagon wheel or spilled barrel of wine to be seen. No graffiti on the walls or discarded food in the streets. Little things like that whose absence is more notable than their presence. Pity the poor human tasked with keeping everything sparkling.

  The people of the Uppers are much like the people of the Lows. Their clothes are cut from finer cloth and they carry themselves a bit better. But it is fundamentally the same group of little-too-lean humans with extensive martial training. I'm not much of a martial artist but I can spot out a fair amount of humans in this district who move in a way that denotes their martial ability, despite their soft and frilly clothing.

  They are also much more respectful. Probably due to Nox and the rather ostentatious crest prominently displayed on his cloak. Occasionally our party receives a cordial greeting from other humans on the street. And they are all very polite, the overt stares I was bathed in yesterday swapped out for surreptitious glances from afar from people too well bred to stare. Walking among them I am distantly reminded of home, demons too are too polite to stare – too savvy to be so overt.

  Nox takes us around to look at a variety of things, acting as a guide. Statues of famous humans. A large park positioned in the center of a bustling merchant district. Not less than three fountains – the builders of this city apparently had an unhealthy fixation on running water. One of these fountains overlooks the eastern part of the city – positioned high enough that we can see over the wall that separates the two districts.

  While we're standing there the scene stirs a faint memory, though the view is wholly unremarkable. Just another large and grimy segment of the human city, this one filled with oversize large rectangular buildings. But I'm slightly curious so I ask Nox about it.

  “What are those buildings down there?” I point down at them.

  “Those are warehouses owned by the Adventure's Guild I believe.” Is his response.

  Huh. That's not interesting at all, is all I can think before dismissing them from my mind.

  After that the tour continues, into high end human merchant shops. Where Nox flashes some sort of crest which causes the owners and staff to become extremely servile. Despite the excellent customer service I'm not particularly interested in anything the humans might be selling. In the first place a significant portion of the human merchants seem to deal exclusively in food.

  We tour a few establishments like that, until Nox seems to notice my complete disinterest and begins to steer us to other shops. Shops that deal in clothing that is inferior to my own, shops that deal in weapons and armor of pitiable quality, a handful of shops that deal in magical trinkets even. It is a complete waste of my time – what bauble could a human be selling that I might have the slightest interest in owning? – yet oddly I don't mind wasting it.

  Pink seems to be enjoying herself too.

  At some point we end up in front of perhaps the most well crafted building I've yet seen. It is large, massive even, but only two stories high – the bulk of it spread out horizontally, maybe five hundred feet long. The shape is boxy and rectangular, reminiscent of those warehouses we saw earlier but that is where the similarities end. Because the entire thing is made of some sleek black and gray volcanic stone – from where that was dragged I do not know, there are no mountains on the horizon – solidly fitted together by expert masons.

  The amount of care into maintaining this building is even higher than I've seen throughout the Uppers. The grounds are immaculate and the entire building has been polished to a shine. The entryway has two large stone doors, sitting open, and various humans are wandering in and out. Directly in front of the entrance is a simple statue – made from that same volcanic stone – a stone forge, complete with arched chimney leading up into nowhere.

  Observing the surrounding humans, many are dressed in much more subdued clothing – simple brown robes and sandals made from dried grass. The move with that somber grace restricted to the deeply religious. These humans apparently hold their metalworkers in extremely high regard.

  “This is the largest Temple of Krin in the Imperium, aside the one in Highmont. It is the pride of Shadfer.” Nox explains.

  “Hmm. Humans worship a forge do they?” I ask.

  Nox shakes his head. “No, that is the Soul Forge. It is said that when Kirn's faithful fall in battle he gathers their souls into his forge – that he might remake them, better and stronger, tempered by a lifetime of faith. In this way we followers of Kirn never truly die – our lives are merely the process in which we are forged and tempered – that we might be made anew.”

  He gives a somewhat bashful smile. “Well that's what the scriptures say at any rate. If you care to be lectured on the tenants of Kirn at length we can go inside – the faithful are zealous with their attempts to convert non-believers. And with the influx of beastkin from the Tribelands in recent years they are well practiced.”

  “No I don't think I have much interest in human theology… but a forge is it? Does that have any connection to the term 'ashborn'?” I ask, remembering a word I heard being tossed around the day before.

  Nox's face darkens. “Huh, where did you hear that?” He shakes his head. “No. That doesn't matter. 'Ashborn' is an impolite term certain dregs of society use for war orphans, as you might imagine we have no shortage of those. And when you get a bunch of half starved kids without parents being told to prepare for war – well they aren't always on their best behavior let's say.

  So a handful of them are always getting up to all sorts of mischief and annoying the 'goodly' folk. The 'goodly' folk in turn insult and belittle them at every opportunity. It's said the unworthy of Kirn, the unfaithful, are merely reduced to ash in his forge – hence ashborn. It's a label that's been being tossed around as long as I've been alive.” He finishes with a heavy sigh.

  “You seem …personally invested, Captain.” I say.

  He gives me a flinty smile. “Lost both my parents on The Line, can't say it's a term I'm too fond of milady.”

  “Fair enough.” As I speak I stretch my arms above my head in the manner I've seen a few humans doing. An interesting sensation.

  “Pink, I feel it might be wise to continue your data collection here on Suprema. See if there is a significant deviation in the number of Unbound being born here when compared with Artas. It could be valuable information to have.

  Nox, you said that that forest we saw to the west – the one with the shadfer trees right? The 'Gold Wood'? – was constantly overflowing with Unbound, did you not?” I ask.

  “Yes mistress, I agree!” Pink replies enthusiatically.

  “You want to leave the city?” Nox says in the same instant.

  The two of them turn and glare at each other for a moment – in a continuation of a strange, and largely one-sided, rivalry that seems to have sprung up over the course of the last few hours.

  “It's not far, you told me that yourself Captain.” I try to gloss over his concerns. “And this information could be invaluable.”

  He looks at me for a moment and then nods slowly.

  “Aye, we could. I don't want to get in the way of your efforts so I've no objections.” He agrees rather readily. Looking at him I think it's fair to say he has his share of objections – but he's also been instructed to cater to my whims and this is apparently still within the permissible range.

  “Then lead on Captain! In truth this city is fine to look at but I don't think I can bear being surrounded by the press of humanity for much longer.” I tell him candidly.

  The humans here are polite. But they are still looking. They no longer gawp and gape but the weight of hundreds of gazes is hardly reduced, even here in front of the Temple of a human God, I can feel their eyes. It gets to be tiresome after a point. And I'm genuinely curious if the corruption is more prolific on Artas than here – because if it were that would mean it propagates itself, a potential for exponential growth if left unchecked. Which would be …bad. 

  Hopefully the lessened feeling of corruption here on Suprema is merely the result of thousands of humans running around constantly culling the corrupted monsters. Finding out could actually be pretty important. It's not like I just want to be free of the smelly humans! That's what I tell myself repeatedly as Captain Nox leads us through the gates – back into the Lows – and then onward and out the outer gates of the city.

  Here we stop, on the road maybe fifty feet from the gates. The queue line of humans has reformed outside of them and I eye it with distaste. How can so many humans tolerate that without going insane? Just …standing… in the midst of a huge crowd for long periods of time. I feel a bit uncomfortable just at the thought – fortunately Captain Nox has assured me we will not have to wait in the queue to return inside.

  “What are we waiting for, is that not the Gold Wood there?” I ask – gesturing to a distant mass of tress that are obscuring the horizon.

  “It is indeed milady. I'm waiting because we were supposed to rendezvous with reinforcements at the gate – they should be here by now.” Nox is frowning as he speaks, eyes on the gate we just passed through.

  “Oh? You summoned more humans?” I ask him.

  “No, just the unit that's been tailing us through the city was supposed to join us – since there is no meaning in trying to covertly protect someone on the open road.” He replies.

  “Humans have been tracking us? I didn't even notice.” I say honestly. Humans are very stealthy creatures apparently, with their negligible mana signatures, hard to keep track of them.

  “You needn't worry mistress, I noted the presence of the insects the instant we left the mansion – if they had anything but the best intentions I would have reduced them to ash.” Pink reports.

  “Mm. Well done Pink. You're quite observant.”

  Pink practically preens. “Of course mistress, for you, I will be ever vigilant! In fa-”

  “Lady Alexandria, you're glowing.” Nox interupts.

  “You dare to interrupt in the mi- wait, you are glowing mistress. What's going on?” The swirl of bloodlust disappears so quickly I wonder if I imagined it. But what are they talking about? I look over at Pink – who is staring back at me, her face illuminated by a softly pulsing green light. Then I look down at my arms and see my familiar vines and blooming rose, glowing an angry green. Distantly I note Pink is moving toward me.

  Curious. Rune Tattoos are an automatic magic, activating independently of my will with proper stimuli, but why would–

  There is no sound, to tell of its coming. I'm aware of the massive lance of holy energy only when it is deflected by green magical barrier that springs into existence around me. A massive line of white light that blasts down from above the clouds, it smashes into my barrier and splinters into a hundred smaller rays of white light – reflected off my magic a hundred different directions.

  In the instant following I note a fair portion of the attack ended up bouncing toward Shadfer, black scorch marks appearing on the walls – a stink of singed flesh rising from the suddenly reduced queue of humans. Some of it was scattered harmlessly – toward the treeline or into farmland. But it was mostly centered on me. All around me the ground is scorched and blasted by the rays, massive gouges appearing in the road and the dirt around it – casting up a huge cloud of dust.

  But before the dust can swallow my vision entirely I note two things. The gargantuan silhouette high in the air – far above the clouds. And the fist sized hole that has appeared in Pink's chest. She finishes one more stumbling step in my direction before collapsing to the ground. Her expression uncomprehending.