When she finally joined them, Trella couldn’t stop smiling. “I’m behind on my Alchemy. Level five is a major point for the skill, where we select a specialty, and I’m going to grind attribute potions to get to it.”
“Poisons?” Sara asked.
“I don’t think so. Every Sister learns to mix poisons. Of course the Alchemical ones are better, but I really want to work on modifiers. Buffs and debuffs for attributes. Skills. Maybe even talents. Poisons are limited. Buffs and debuffs give me flexibility.” Trella’s tone said her mind was made up already.
Druids didn’t look twice at them as the party made their way through the Grove, since Sara’s psuedopods trailed along behind her under her coat, and Kaden’s hid the metal embedded in his chest.
Rangers did not care about winter or snow or wind, and in fact seemed to be enjoying the terrible weather. Kaden counted several archery contests among level fifty rangers on the way through the encampment, and a troop passed riding horses through the snow. Wisp 71 led them to a wide circular tent and stopped at the door, fading away.
When Kaden stepped in a low table with a projected map stood in the center with rangers gathered around it. “Feris? I’m Kaden Birch. Demon Sight guy.”
Feris was a young man, younger than Kaden, with blond hair as long as Eve’s braded in a prettier braid than hers and a grass green cloak that shifted to dark patterns as he moved. His voice was high and soft as he gave a nod. “The Forest Saint said you would help. We have [Planes Hunter] rangers, but they’re on a strike into the fourth level of Hell. It’s a warren of stone caves and the demons there hide more than fight.”
Kaden approached the map. “Three towns? What continent?”
“This is only four hundred miles south,” Feris said. “We track Demon’s Daughters and these three have been meeting. We need to understand why. Daughters never get along.”
Kaden drew Naski’s Seed from Inventory. “This one did. Had a twin.”
Feris stared at the core. “What happened to it? It has no demonic power. Oh, that’s Naski, isn’t it? We’ve been trying to replicate what you did. Get a Demon Lord to disown their own daughter. But no, let me show you.”
Ashi and Trella joined Kaden, while Sara took the opposite side of the table with Feris.
“This one is Demon Lord Zarg’s daughter. That one is Tick’lazur’s. We don’t know this one but they fought three times before coming to an agreement.” Feris tapped each of three towns. “You purged a cult, right?”
That was directed to Sara, who took it as a compliment. “I organized it. I only killed a few cultists myself. The manifestation of Asmedus was Kaden’s. Ashi handled the Demon’s daughter, and the Demon Lord—I’ll have to check my records.”
“This won’t be that. I have a Business Profession, too. I’d love to discuss how you’re leveling yours later, but right now, I need your Beast Master to tell us who in a town is a demon. This isn’t a cult, it’s an invasion. They’re not recruiting commoners, they’re replacing them.” Feris tapped one town. “For my money, it’s this one.”
“How is this possible?” Eve asked. “We beat back the cult. We went into Hell to maintain the advantage that keeps demons at bay.”
Feris drew up a scroll. “It’s a numbers game. They can’t send Demon Lords because of Asmodeus’s disaster. They don’t have many Daughters. But they have thousands of low level demons whose presence alone isn’t enough to tip the scales. I don’t want to accidentally kill a commoner. Any commoner.”
That was a sentiment Kaden could agree with. “I told Winlock I’d find the demons but killing them was up to you.”
“Not me, I just made twenty-five. All of these will be lower level. We have sixteen squads of [Ranger] recruits who will handle the actual killing. I need someone with Demon Sight to mark every last infected one.”
“Tell me how I mark them.”
Ashi spoke in Vichorean. “Gathering of the Ancients—Apologies. I know what spell will be used. You have a wand, do you not? [Gathering of the Ancients] was a spell to make a god mark his followers.”
“We call it [Tag], but yeah, same concept.” Feris drew a slim metal wand. “It has no combat use, so the mana cost is negligible and there’s ten thousand charges. If someone’s a demon, mark them with it. Oh, and don’t just go pointing the wand everywhere. Demon hordes will turn on the commoners the moment they know we’re coming.”
Kaden had a plan called [Stealth Aura]. “They’ll be afraid of me. [Feared By Demons] isn’t negated by stealth.”
“And,” Eve said, “You can expect illusions. I suggest you and I go together. I have no love for demons.”
“I don’t like it,” Sara said, “But I do see the necessity. What’s the chances there’s secretly a demon lord? Or three daughters? Or some hell-beast waiting to attack Kaden the moment he arrives? Sorry, Eve, but it’ll be Kaden.”
“It’s the truth,” Eve answered.
“No Demon Lords. Three Daughters, all level twenty. Six minotaurs who we think are body guards for the daughters and probably two hundred minor demons wearing skin suits,” Feris answered. “I’d invite you to join in, but this is a tier issue. We have to let the younger Rangers handle what they can.”
“I understand. In fact, I think the best thing I can do is learn so I’m stronger for my own party. Is there an entrance fee for the archery?” Sara’s question put a smile on Feris’s face.
“Head to the third range by the stable,” He said.
Kaden looked to Ashi. “What will you do?”
“It is enough for me to be. Winter does not come to Vichor, snow is not allowed, wind blows only as it is permitted. I will embrance this. When you have need of me, call.” Ashi pulled the coat down and headed out into the wind.
Which made Kaden increasingly worried. Where was Trella? There, in the distance, he heard her voice. “I’ll be back.”
Kaden charged back into the winter storm and searched. Ashi lay in the snow, letting flakes accumulate on her eyebrows and melt on her skin. Sara stood far in the distance, bow in hand, chatting with [Rangers]. Following the sound of Trella’s voice, he passed through row upon row of tents and found her standing, hands on her hips, arguing with the Forest Saint.
“And I’m telling you, if you need help with demons, grow bigger, better [Rangers]. Don’t push your problems off on first tier adventurers. You say demons are your sworn enemies so act like it. That’s it. You can get back to your ‘meditation.’” Trella turned on Kaden. “I’m done here, just clarifying a few things.”
“You interrupted his six month meditation?” Kaden asked.
“With pride. It’s amazing how much clarity being dead gives you, besides, he was just getting started. And, I’m not level twenty five, that means stabbing demons is still on the table for me. I like stabbing demons.” Trella headed back toward the tent.
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Kaden looked to Winlock. “Sorry?”
“Must be interesting in your hourse. And we’re going to do exactly what she suggests. Handle our problem before it’s a problem.” Winlock ducked back into his tent.
Kaden hunted down Feris—and found Eve, but no Trella. “Have you seen a [Shadow Blade]? She gets kind of stabby when she’s hungry. We haven’t been here long but it is cold, and she’s acting stabby, so I want to give her a snack.”
“I gave her a piece of jerky and Feris gave her a Quest to kill ten demons,” Eve said. “She’s happy and currently with the [Rangers] staging. Did they explain the time frame?”
“I didn’t.” Feris said. “Whenever you’re done, they move in. Low level demons don’t like cold, they’re not moving much. We have the Far Portal coordinates and a man who dual classed as a [Merchant] who can act as cover.”
Kaden looked to Eve. “It’s always a good day to kill demons. Or mark demons. Is there anything else you need?”
“Yes. I need you to accept a Quest so I can advance my profession. Both of you. I have a Quest that requires me to organize higher level adventurers.” Feris focused on each of them.
New Quest: Tag, You’re an It - Mark the demons for Feris the Ranger so he can hurt them without hurting his conscience. Reward: Naturi Faction Token, Faction Favor.
“Perfect.” Kaden was ready.
###
He stepped out of the [FarPortal] already wrapped in [Stealth Aura], with Eve by his side, in a village smaller than the one Eve had cleared. Feris had made it clear there were two others, and he was starting at the one least likely to be infected. Ahead of him, a burly [Merchant] lumbered, carrying a box. A box he set down in the village square. It began to unfold, and as it did, a brass bell rang atop the contraption.
It must have been enhanced because it hurt Kaden with every ring.
“Bunson’s Baked Goods, the finest magical baked goods a man can taste! Come and sample. Raise your mana, raise your health, raise your member after you raise a glass!” The Merchant shouted, magically loud, and people began to stir.
That was odd.
Small town people were hard workers and cold and dark were no barrier to the fact that things had to get done. Kaden winced as a woman looked out from the doorway, highlighted in pale gray. He clicked the wand in her direction.
You have marked a Demon!
Continue to mark Demons for greater rewards!
As the village roused, Kaden moved quickly, with Eve by his side, marking an entire family in their single room home. The mayor. The blacksmith’s apprentice, half a dozen farmers.
Then a flare of yellow caught his attention. A [Demon’s Daughter] scrambled to the rooftops to watch, then froze as Kaden painted her. She scanned the town while Eve huddled close to Kaden, then dropped to the ground and uttered words in a foul language.
Three minotaurs emerged from the shop to flank her. Kaden marked them all, and then followed as the Daughter set out on a circuit through the village, stopping to whisper with other infected townspeople.
Eve pulled at his shoulder, then pointed to the smith’s forge. *Illusion*, she said in prim and perfect Mindspeak. Kaden checked—and almost vomited. The forge had several burned skulls in it.
*The Well, too,* Eve sent.
Kaden looked at the well, thinking of his dungeon. *We can’t go down there safely, we’ll need to tell Feris.*
The last Demon wasn’t the [Priest], it was the little girl clinging to his robe.
You have marked 98% of demons in this area.
Kaden moved on, leading Eve out of the village. In the scrubby trees outside she dispatched her peacock Messenger Bird to Feris to warn him of the well and how there was at least one Demon in it. Less than a mile away, Kaden saw the outline of buildings.
*Hold on, something’s wrong about this path.* Eve nudged them off the path between villages.
Kaden generally respected Eve’s desire to be untouched, but now he held her close and focused on [Stealth Aura]. Because from the village ahead, a [Demon’s Daughter] came. And behind them stood the one from the town.
They approached, slowing as they came closer and closer—then looked down.
A red crack appeared in the earth between them, and light shone up as the two Daughters exchanged hisses and gurgles [Multispeak] declined to translate.
The first Daughter continued to scan the trees as she spoke—then lunged, flinging a dagger. It struck the tree right above Kaden and Eve just as he clamped his hand over her mouth to muffle a cry.
He didn’t move a muscle, even when she accidentally bit him. Twice.
After a moment, the two daughters turned and headed back to their villages.
As Kaden relaxed, a load of snow shed from the branch above, crashing onto him. He shrugged it loose, grateful it had held. A minute earlier and [Stealth] would have broken. Now, he picked up Eve and carried her through the snow and quickly up the path, where he marked the second Daughter. This town was like a nest of Formicideans whose Queen had been shot with an arrow. The citizens raced everywhere. And they were almost all Demons.
Kaden quickly hoisted Eve on to a roof and began marking. With each demon marked, the frenzy grew worse. They didn’t even pretend to be human here, tearing doors off hinges and flinging them through the air—until the Daughter scaled a house and gave a scream that brought the town to silence. The demons began to shuffle forward, assembling in the square.
*That is bad. Ferris needs to know.* Eve’s peacock flew off, glinting in the pale morning sun. *How are we going to check for illusions?*
*Quickly.* Kaden picked her up and dropped to the ground, using [Stealth Aura] to keep quiet as he ran through the village, stopping five times to check disguised doors and buildings Eve pointed out.
You have marked 94% of demons in this area.
Kaden shared the notification with Eve. *No minotaurs. They’re here somewhere.*
*I’ll handle the communication. How are we going to get to the final village?*
Kaden had his own ideas. He led Eve out the west entrance, searching in the woods for the right tree. There, one bent and broken from snow. Kaden pushed against the trunk with all his might.
Crack!
A series of louder and louder cracks rang out, as Kaden re-established [Stealth] Aura. The tree crackled and snapped as it shed ice and snow, splintering across the path.
“Careful.” Kaden held his position exactly where he’d stood and concentrated on stealth as Demons boiled out of the village he’d come from and down the path. From the far village, the one he hadn’t visited yet, came a Demon’s Daughter unlike the others. Her hair was the color of a sunset, shifting in colors as it fell down her body, and unlike other daughters, she wore actual clothing, a heavy coat and boots, with a short-sword slung by her side and a crossbow over her back.
[Demon’s Daughter Desmona]
This daughter has lived so long her Demon Lord Father and all the Lords of Hell he swore fealty to are gone. No longer beholding to any Lord, she cuts her own swath through the world with those who give her loyalty.
Level: 25
HP:???
Mana:???
Kaden waited as Desmona approached the fallen tree and hissed at the frothing lot on the other side. The Daughter there pivoted and growled at her horde, driving it back up toward the village.
Desmona hadn’t moved, sniffing the air. She looked back and forth from the tree to the second village. When she turned to trot across the hilly stretch, Kaden didn’t breathe. Something wasn’t right.
Twenty feet away, Desmona stuttered. Disappeared.
Eve didn’t just tense, she practically went catatonic. Because a few feet away, a second Desmona balanced on the tree trunk, working her way closer and closer.
“Hey!” Kaden screamed out. No, that was the [Falcrow] answering Kaden’s call. It dipped down to clutch a stone between its claws and flitted to the top of a tree, where it continued to scream out, “Hey! Hey! Hey!”
Desmona drew her crossbow and fired a bolt.
And another.
And another.
Then cursed under her breath as the almost non copreal bird continud to gaze on her with contempt. After long minutes, Desmona crept away. Ten feet from the gate, the [Falcrow] swooped down on her and yanked hair from her head. Two feet away, the hair turned to grey goo that drizzled down on the ground and crept back to Desmona.
Kaden marked her while her back was turned and smiled as the Demon lashed out, clawing at the air, only to find nothing. She didn’t hesitate, sprinting into the town, and this time, Kaden was sure it was her.
“How can you breathe? Can’t you feel her hatred?” Eve asked. “She’s cunning and patient. The [Rangers] need to know what they’re up against.” Even dispatched her bird once more, then followed Kaden up the hill. As Kaden approached, workers trod out holding axes, or saws. In the village, the constant murmur of voices heralded a village at work. Kaden didn’t take to the roofs, instead sticking to street level and working his way through the village.
He found Desmona eating in the market.
*Illusions. All three of the men sitting around her aren’t men.* Eve’s statement had a note of panic.
*Got them.* Kaden watched as one of the men stood and the table he sat at shifted and groaned. *That’s way larger than a minotaur.*
Hour by hour, minute by minute, he worked his way through the village, finding exactly one demon—a grandmother who watched over children while parents worked. Kaden hated it, but leaving the demon alive wouldn’t alert Desmona.
You have marked 100% of demons in this area.
The [Rangers] would come through soon.
Three steps out of the village, Kaden turned right and hid along the wall, then dispatched the Falcrow with a message for Trella. “The Northeast Village has only four demons, but one of the most dangerous. For your quest, you want Southwest.”
Eve notified Feris. *They’ll be pouring in any moment.*
*Desmona is twenty five. That makes her fair game.* He considered it again. Alone, he wouldn’t hesitate to slaughter the minotaurs.
Eve briefly clasped his hand. “Trust them.”
From far away, Kaden heared Demons roar. In the distance, flashes of arrows lit up in the sun. Then in the village behind them, the screaming started.