This was preposterous! The witch of death was leaving? The motherless death scum was fleeing the bog? The witch of thorns, Norae, had long been rivals with the witch of death. What was this? Some plot? Some scheme for her to somehow gain power? She could not be foolish to think that she'd ever amass a coven sizeable enough to ever be a threat to the grand coven. The foolishness of the thought.

Norae naturally assumed the worst. She nearly messed up the spellwork to bind a chimera together when she heard the news. News traveled fast as one might expect in a community of witches with little else to do. But this? This was certainly news. She paced as she had her servants nervously wait. She considered the angles.

"The witch of death is powerful, the only one with strength enough to be any meaningful threat... Could this be the worth of that baking witch? Could the death witch have been betrayed from within? No... it must be some sort of ambition. She must have seen some value in making her own Coven. Perhaps some artifact in the world she intends to claim for her own? Is there some unknown thing to gain by leaving the bog?... We must find out. She must have rolled the bones and forseen something. Make ready, sisters. It is time we found out what the matron of death plans."

Norae seemed unhindered by the mask of thorns she wore, it stabbed into her face and skin had grown over the mask. The mask was a permanent addition to her face and her green and yellow colored hair combined to create a sickly unnatural color. She looked to be an aged woman, perhaps in her mid fifties. However her sisters knew well she had years far beyond a mortal's lifetime. Her tattered cloak and dress were riddled with wire and barb. Her wrists were adorned with briar and metal. She often went without shoes and her feet were discolored and cut looking. It was impossible to say how she survived the swamp of all manner possible dangers without shoes.

Her disciples after scurrying about and returning with what little information they found had nothing of actual value. It seemed the witch of death had simply gone to Maud, had a conversation and now was in the midst of creating a new coven. It didn't look like there was any urgent reason for it. But Norae new better. One did not become a Matron for being impulsive, she either planned this for quite some time. For some sort of agenda? Or a new situation came up and this was simply her best plan of action. Considering that no news had come to Norae, it seemed there was only one person left to ask. Tabitha the baker.

Most witches hid their name, but Tabitha did not need to. Perhaps it was because that wasn't her true name or the fact she simply went by her first name. Or even more likely she was overwhelmingly confident no one would ever try to oppose her willingly. She had many servants and she was one of the first that Malumbra would come to her defense. What's more is she no doubt had impressive death curses ready. Norae needed to investigate. So she made haste before the matron of death fled.

Tabitha was as one might expect cooking and looking over a small number of children. Those who were not deemed useful were given lots of sweets so they could be fattened later for food. To her they were food or breeding stock. Tabitha seemed surprised by the sudden visit from the witch of thorns. However she managed to keep her focus on the children around her. Paying little heed to the matron of thorns until they were close enough to speak.

"Hello witch of thorns. Children say hello to the matron."

The children seemed in a lost dance as they obeyed, "Hello Matron."

Tabitha shooed them away before her smiling face turned calculating and somewhat cautious. She looked over Norae. It seemed as if Tabitha were weighing options of how best to respond. At last when they were alone and could speak she dusted off her hands and got to the immediate point of the matter.

"What do you want?"

Norae considered Tabitha's response a moment. Not just the word but the mannerisms behind it. Annoyed, defensive and curious. It could be Tabitha was a wonderful actress (which she very well was) or it could be that she genuinely did not know why Norae was present.

"I have come to speak of the matron of death. What drives this demand to lead a new coven? What have you heard?"

Of course such information rarely came free. But it seemed as if Tabitha had little to profit or simply did not know enough to share, "Only that this morning the witch of death met with the Grand Matron. And approval was given to form a new coven. She requested mostly new witches and a handful of worthy ones. There is Elizabette, Maud and of course the Matron of Death. Her triad is formed and will be instructing the young. The changelings have been gathered and told that the goddess approved of taking some number of them. It truly seems like they intend to separate from the Grand Coven."

So it did. But Norae wanted to know why this happened. "Could one of her own convinced her to leave? Is there some threat we know nothing of? Perhaps some treasure she intends to claim."

Tabitha deflected the question easily, "The one who has the most to gain from her leaving is you... Yet you ask me why she intends to separate?"

Naturally many would assume the witch of thorns was responsible. However Norae need make no effort to correct them. "I simply need to know what others do. You are no stranger to gossip. I simply wished to know more, little else."

Tabitha looked to the distance, "I doubt she found anything valuable enough to move away from the grand coven. Such things are protected and I doubt she would draw attention to herself claiming it now. All eyes will be on her, even with warns there are no doubt spies among her ranks. Yours and mine. She will take care to remove them should she find them."

Norae supposed it was true that it was doubtful some treasure, but then what was it? A threat she foresaw. What threat could it be? Enough. She simply had to meet the matron of death and see what she could learn for herself.

"Thank you Tabitha, I shall make my way to visit her."

Tabitha went back to her sweet smile and called out to the children to have some fresh baked cookies. "Now dears be sure to eat them all. Bring yourselves and your appetite!"

Norae left and looked at what changed in the area. Already it was roomier and already there was a lot of space no longer occupied by powerful and lesser witches. It would be a welcome break to finally have places to experiment on her new beasts. Such things required a lot of room, room now that would be easy to take with no one left to oppose her. But it seemed best not to celebrate premature. There must be some reason the matron of death fled, she would enjoy the spoils later.

As Norae approached many let her pass. The matron of death seemed to be instructing her Triad on supplies needed. The largest of them turned to see the matron approaching them.

"My lady. A vistor of thorns." The large metal teethed witch Elizabette said, who towered over all other figures and could barely be called a witch or for that matter a woman. So muscular and large were her arms that it was a disfigurement. And she often hunched over staring down at those below.

Esadora turned to greet Norae. The witch of thorns was visiting her? She carefully looked over her as if thirsty for every detail. Norae was suspicious of her. What could make the matron of death flee? The game of words began.

"Sister Matron. I have come to see you off. And beg ask you what prompted this sudden move of sisters and self."

Norae scanned the area, it was a sudden move. It didn't look like anyone was prepared and even the mighty matron of death looked like she hadn't been planning for such a journey. What did she know? Norae now believed it could be some threat some unforeseen even that Esadora selfishly kept to herself.

"My thorned matron and rival, should it not be obvious? It was getting crowded and I intend to spirit myself away. I have rolled the bones and found favor on travel. But this should not frighten you, you will benefit from my absence no doubt. Best we part paths here and leave each other to our ways."

Norae knew that the matron of death would not be open about why she was leaving, but it seemed that she had time to leave. While she could leave quickly, she was carefully gathering and maximizing what could be taken for a long journey. Just a quick look around told her far more than what Esadora ever would. She began to doubt the possibility of some foreign threat and began instead to question why she was leaving.

"Surely there is not something you seek far away. Surely you do not need to bring so many young witches with you just so you can take claim of some unseen prize."

Esadora seemed to calculate while keeping her face plain.

"Even more sure, you would have much to gain from me leaving. Would you not desire such a thing."

She would of course. Norae would have much to gain if this were all it was. Unless.

Norae asked, "You do you not want to leave, do you?... I had wondered if there were some treasure or threat to you... If there is something that is a threat to you. Could it be a threat to me?"

The matron of death considered. Finally some small element of truth. Norae seemed to genuinely want to know why the matron of death. They read each other a moment and it began to become clear to Esadora that Norae perhaps did not swap out her potion.

"You do not know why I am leaving, do you?" Esadora asked.

Norae did not, but simply gave a calculated look. "I do not... but do not think me so foolish that the reason is as simple as being overcrowded. You do not leave for some shallow reason..."

Esadora made a simple gesture, "The reason I am leaving is of no threat to you nor the Grand Coven."

Norae believed her and considered. This only made things more, not less complicated. Norae looked her way, "Was it Tabitha? Surely not Malumbra."

Esadora would say no more. Nor did she need to. The mystery remained.

Tabitha would not, she had little to gain. Malumbra would not, she was not motivated to act unless ordered by the goddess and her methods were not underhanded. Norae did not. Who was it who orchestrated this? It made no sense. Norae considered the possibility that it must not have been a matron. One of her trusted? But then why would they want to move? It made no sense. Elizabette was not clever and Maud would not betray her master. Besides she would gain little. There seemed to be no answer in sight.

Xx xx xX

Lord Simon had been a witchblade for quite some time. Hunters of all sorts generally had short life expectancy. Within the first year, most witchblades died. Those that lived did so through cunning and guile. It was strange that witchblades were so fiercely targeted by the witches to the point of extinction. Their main fortress was gone long ago. Multiple hideouts compromised. As things stood they had few if any place to reside officially and yet they were as strong as they ever were. Their numbers were lower, true. But they were few and elite.

Simon had managed to be a witchblade for 46 years and he had been killing witches, cultists and demons ever since he was 20. Weapons of silver, cold iron or blessed metal were not uncommon to find in his room. The pay could be considerable, but jobs were few and extremely dangerous. His agents were often experienced and unofficially he was the commander of the witchblades. It was understood by many they had no official leader, but one to surpass him had made herself known.

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Claire Vesperia was turning out to be a dazzling agent. Using basic understand of magic and how best to counter it Claire had already lead to the downfall of no less than 2 covens. It might well be three before her time came. The most recent operation was her idea and he agreed with her reasoning. Divide, instigate and conquer. The understanding of witches was important when making plans. To others taking a potion that prevented birth from a witch and replacing it might seem like a strange tactic. But there in slept the genius. Claire had effectively created the beginnings of a small coven of witches who would flee their home in the bog. Separated a particularly powerful matron from the remainder of her coven.

Further the cleverness did not stop there. There was the possibility of infighting. Or powerful matrons attempting to harm one another in the misunderstanding. The witches were quick to kill one another and a child would make the matron desperate and scared. What's more is the child could be used against the matron. The witches were no doubt readying themselves to move, that was if they didn't already attempt to murder one another.

Simon observed the matron of death. She was powerful, but even she couldn't know where she was going. While witches were mobile it was foolish to strike, far better to wait until they begin to settle and get overconfident in the fact no one could possibly find them. Claire simply observed that witches were trading, they had to trade after all. The numbers of the bog were getting too great. Then as Claire pointed out they might be tempted to buy materials from a human. Claire sabotaged particular ingredients with a time delay that would eventually lead to a witch drinking a potion and expect it to work only then to find that it was the incorrect potion. The witch of death as it turns out claimed the ingredients from one of her underlings, who claimed it from the traders. They could not have predicted that the matron of death would get the potion, but they could predict that matrons would avoid having a child. Truly he intended to have Claire be the one to end the matron of death.

As things stood Claire intended to get the witches to fight one another if she could arrange it. She predicted that the grand coven would actually come for the coven if they did not remain in relative constant contact. It might be possible to get them to fight one another, killing a coven of witches and a matron without even a single witchblade casualty.

"You've done well Claire." He told her as he observed her looking over the map.

Claire Vesperia kept herself covered mostly, she lacked any sign of makeup and her face needed to be washed. Her hair was messy, but in truth she could be beautiful if the need called upon it. She had a purple colored hair often hidden by a hood. She of moderate height and build. Her skin was tanned and dirty. Her eyes fierce. Her little owl trained to rip the eyes out of witches as proof of their demise and as an important ingredient in several rituals to kill their kin. Further it was a trophy. She kept witches eyes in lead jars with a name on each one. So far she had fourty.

She knew of course, Lord Simon motioned to the map. "What do you see?"

She considered. "We can kill them when they've settled and her daughter has reached proper age. We can wait until there a complaint of them. If we find where they are we can add the location to our records and simply attack whenever any sort of attention is drawn to them. Sooner or later people will go missing and we'll be ready."

Simon considered her plan waiting years? Focusing on other targets? Knowing where they were and not striking? Waiting until humans went missing or were killed? It was ruthless and it would cost lives of men, women and children. But once the witches killed. Locals would doubtless assist the witchblades. They would hire the witchblades or provide mercenaries. Then they could use the information they'd gathered and what they knew of the witches to kill them. Claire was certainly patient. He agreed.

"Then we'll be hired and have reinforcements..."

She added, "And we'd have time to collect information. Also there's the possibility of the grand coven killing them."

Lord Simon approved. So all they need do is wait? Excellent.

XX xx XX

There were many beings on the world known for making deals, but none so many as the devils. Of the devils the greatest of dealmakers was without question, even among their ranks, the archduke of pacts. One of the devils who ascended to such power he could have potentially been a rival to demon lords or devil kings, but he had other ambitions. Instead of being constantly targeted, constantly threatened for his throne. He thought it better to have no throne and instead sought to spread his influence. Already a Duke among the devils he sought to make deals between all devils and demons. He appeared in many places and forms, whispering sweet words or sound logic. He became a middleman that approached many beings of power, asking nothing for his services. He would speak on behalf of other beings and sides. Able to communicate real time with both and be present before multiple beings at once. He would appear as many forms and figures, each making an offer. Each modifying details, all illusions that could not be harmed. In this way he was never threatened and never appeared personally.

With great magic he could bind both sides into powerful magical agreements. Even mighty demon lords could not hope to break the pact if they made it before the Archduke. He became known as the Archduke over centuries of deal making and clever workings. He eventually became indispensable to the devils and demons. For if ever an agreement was to be struck between multiple factions, he was a heavenly middleman for an unheavenly world.

But the Archduke did not stop there. He stretched his power far beyond the realms of the hellplanes. He sought the physical plane as well as the heavenly one. While it is true many devils enjoyed making deals, devils feared making deals with some beings. Angels for one were something a devil dare not make a deal with. For an angel could see through all lies and deceptions, further they would not hesitate to kill even before words were finished. They had no reason to bargain and devils supposedly, ‘had nothing to offer’. The Archduke orchestrated difficult deals between even angels. Proving that he was in fact a middleman at the end of the day. The angels even were able to make some deals when necessary with devils or demons. Even something as simple as making threats or warnings. The archduke was willing to pass along their words to whosoever they wished.

But of all the things the Archduke hated dealing with there was one that was notably worse. There were beings of the Void. Beings that wanted nothing but to create some sort of paradise of nonexistence. Demons, devils, angels and all of the mortal races wanted nothing to do with the Void. Those who worshipped it were breaking bread with the very enemy of gods. The gods and the Void were at odds. Typically gods were creators and protectors as it suited them. The Void were the old ones who wished nothing more than to swallow all that was. As creation grew, so too did the Void. Few mortals knew this and it was forbidden knowledge. So imagine the surprise of the Archduke when the Void of all things requested to make a deal.

The Void making a deal? Unthinkable.

Even so, the call was made and he heard it. If not careful devils of all sorts could die before the Void, not only die. Their very existence could be forfeit. All things feared dying to the Void. For if a demon died they would merely return to the hellplanes. Reform and reshape themselves over time. Devils too would reform. Although they would often be punished for failure. Angels would return to the realm of heaven. And mortals had many planes they could go to. But should the void end you? None return. There would be no afterlife. There would be nothing left of you should you fall into the mouth of the old ones. Even gods faced them with care. So should he.

The Archduke appeared. Taking the form of something that would be ill offensive to the Void. He took the form of a many eyed and many mouthed creature. Robbed from head to toe in a shroud of darkness and tattered cloth. The forms he took were simply a presentation, he was not present, nor would he be. The Archduke of pacts never appeared in person and he would certainly not start now. Whatever could they want?

“The Archduke of Pacts has heard your summons and shall answer. Who do you intend to make a deal with? Who shall I speak to on your behalf.”

He was now in a strange room, filled with markings and ritualistic writings. Parchments littered the floor and a great endless pit lie in the center of the room. A man wrapped in a strange cloth and his clothes were in fact skin. Although it was difficult to tell at first he made his robes out of his own skin. It was preserved and dried out. But it seemed that his body was covered instead with a strange portal to another world, which worked well as a shield and a means to conceal ones identity. Even the archduke could not see his face. It was shrouded in portals to another plane. He stood tall and with hands behind his back. The figure might have once been male and might have once had a name, but no more.

The shadowed one spoke to the Archduke, “Our beCKons aRe tO you, ArchDuke of Pacts.”

The voice spoke in a foreign manner as if taking pauses between speaking. His voice distorted by his many years of Void magic. His tone shifted up and down as he spoke. He might well be under the control of old ones and given up his identity once and for all.

“To me? While it is possible to make a deal with me. There are many more you could make deals with, surely there is one who could grant your desires?” The Archduke fished for information. Valuable information. Few spoke to cultists of the void. Even under torture most of power did not speak and nor could they. The old ones could take their very minds if they so chose.

“OuR dEal iS tHat You muSt sPeaK To tHe deMoNs. You mUst fOrge aN aLliAnCe BetWeen tHe witcHes and tHe deMons. THen iN yeArs tO coMe yOu muSt fOrge aN aLliAnce with morTaLs of XiNg. You wiLl haVe muCh tO gAin. ThErE iS muCh tHat wiLl bEneFit yOu aS wEll as uS.”

The way he spoke was choppy as if speaking a language not his own.

Benefit him? Interesting. He supposed he could listen at least, there was no need to agree.

“What deal would you have me make and how then would I benefit?”

The shrouded one spoke some sort of otherworldy prophecy, “The commanders of demon and devil armies shall appear upon the mortal plane. Brought forth by promises and portals. But they will be no match for the promised messiah and the pawns of Asmos. They shall fall and those who enter the mortal plane shall forever lose their place in the eternal war.”

The shrouded one explained it to the devil although it wasn’t fully necessary. The Archduke already had figured out most of it, “You will sTart an inVaSion. By maKing aN alLiaNce beTween tHe wiTches and tHe deMons. In thEir deSperation, the mortals will be forced to make a deal with the DeviLs. OfferiNg saFe passaGe to tWo hellsPawNed arMies. The tWo armies shall kNow ComBat. But they will be strucK. Down. Our meSsiAh wiLl be reAdy fOr them aNd the agenTs of Asmos will strike. The deMons and dEvils shaLl fall. They will bE in suCh a weaKenEd stAte that those in pOwer will be in a weaKened sTate. This is gOod for you. As maNy will mAke deAls and oFfer many things to you in return. We offEr you this knOwledge as tribUte to yOur efforts.”

The Archduke admitted, “It would benefit me, this is true. But I’m afraid you must offer something unto me as payment for my services. This information was necessary for me to accept. And I may yet accept, but what do you offer me?”

The shrouded one approached and placed a book of demonic rituals. “A boOk of sUmmOning. It will proVe uSeful wHen insTruCting tHe witChes aNd morTals. A grEat riFt cAn be maDe shouLd it be sTudied.”

The Archduke took it with his intangible form. Only if they agreed to him taking it could he even touch it, such was the nature of his magic. “I see… Then you have thought of everything. Very well. I will attempt to make a deal between the witches and demons. It would not be hard to do so. Further I agree that I will attempt to make a deal between the devils and demons. Is that all you need of the archduke of pacts?”

The shrouded one agreed, “Yes. The bargAin iS stRuck. But one moRe thing shall yOu know. Take your worDs to tHe witCh of All witches. You will need to spEak with their goDdeSs sHe wiLl apPear before you. Her birTh name is knOwn to you is it noT?”

The Archduke had long ago managed to acquire it. He was patient and he would use it if needed. “Of course. I know many names. As is my station. Are we finished?”

The shrouded one bowed, “Our mAster will show you mercY if eVer you step into our doMain for yOur serVices.”

As far as the Archduke was used to, they were quite generous. Most tried to milk everything they could out of a deal. These Void worshippers seemed to offer more gifts than necessary, still it was to their purpose and he understood. They would benefit from the hellplanes getting into a fight as much as he would. Even the angels would benefit in truth. But he cared little. So long as he had something to gain, he would agree. Now all that remained was convincing the witch of witches. He would appear before her when the time was right.

Xx xx xx

From what little the Archduke of pacts knew of these Void worshippers they as an organization were often called Unbidden. For the most part they were left alone and they were happy with their solitude. Their power tended to derive from strange and otherworldy sources. They had little to do with angels, demons and mortals. It would seem that their summonings were due to some prophecy.

The Archduke knew little about Void prophecies, but knew enough to say with certainty that it would not be absolutely wrong. The old ones rarely spoke, and when they did everything had been set in motion. Unlike devils who knew the dealings of powerful forces in the world who constantly struggled with one another and played their quick games of power, the old ones played a very slow game with the gods. These slow games often requiring hundreds if not thousands of years before a side genuinely made a move. When such a force made a move of any kind, it would be wise to watch and listen.

The Archduke of Pacts had positioned himself well. He made no enemy with the old ones nor claimed them as ally. Even should the curred wrath of gods be upon the world, he would remain relatively uninvolved.

The commanders of demon and devil armies shall appear upon the mortal plane. Brought forth by promises and portals.

There was going to be an invasion. The book he read contained a deep magic that could tear open a rift in between planes. Something that could not last long, but long enough for powerful demons to exodus the hellplane en masse.

They will be no match for the promised messiah and the pawns of Asmos.

The promised Messiah? Coming from the Void that was most likely a bad thing. Anything they would consider a Messiah would be a terror or blight upon the plane. The pawns of Asmos were just as troubling for different reasons. Asmos was the chief of gods, God of Magic. He never made a move. In fact in all of the Archdukes many many years, he had never seen Asmos do anything, even once. Not even reports of such a being making a move were ever confirmed. He had no champion. Few prayed to him. And he had no need of their praise. Magic was his to command and it mattered not which plane you hailed, you would find no being his equal.

The old ones on the other hand had made moves before. Offering pacts to poor souls who were sensitive to the other place. They would twist and turn young foolish mortals into agents of their will. It was rare for anything except mortals to get in their way. For few would make an enemy of an old one.

The archduke studied the knowledge. It was useful doubtless, but it seemed he could only learn what the old ones wished him to learn. Their writing was such even a devil lord could not learn what they did not wish him to know. It wasn't a matter of intellect or code. It was simply that the words themselves did not contain the knowledge, it was the whispers.

It was the whispers that told him exactly how to draw their power. In the case of the Archduke they made no attempt to corrupt or sway his mind. Obviously they would find that difficult in any case and not without cost to them. The Archduke of Pacts was not something even the old ones wished to make an enemy of. They had few they could call upon. And the knowledge of the rift was limited. The Archduke understood the situation. The ritual of making a portal to another plane, was not truly prepared by the mortals. So much as it was prepared by the old ones in the darkness. It had been done quietly and had long ago been prepared. Making it a simple matter for mortals or witches to create a tear in an already weakened twilight between the realms.

They shall fall and those who enter the mortal plane shall forever lose their place in the eternal war.

The Archduke was most pleased to hear this. The commanders of demons and devils would lose their place in the eternal war? Yes, demons often fought one another. Devils often fought one another. Demons often fought devils. But rarely did great commanders of the Hellwars ever change. If powerful commanders were to be weakened or fall? It would greatly benefit the Archduke. Change was a good thing when it came to demon lords or devil kings vying for power.

Asmo'daas the Unmaker ruled the demons with an molten iron fist. While the devils were ruled by Mephis'thoth the Silent King who ruled unseen throughout the abyssal depths. Both were of equal power and influence, neither side showing any true signs of change. To think that one or both of them might be weakened? This was a very good thing for the Archduke of Pacts. Considering Mephis'thoth no doubt considered him a threat and Asmo'daas rarely saw the value in making any kind of deal. However he had little doubt he would see interest in a portal to the mortal plane. He would certainly be willing to make some sort of bargain, even with a devil as a middleman.

The witches on the other hand didn't have a reason to summon a demonic invasion at the current moment. They would want the meat of mortals. Demons would burn the land, not corrupt it into a haven for witches. To make a deal with witches, one first had to wait. Wait until they had an enemy. The Grand Coven was at such size that most major cities could not face it, but should the Grand Coven ever decline? The witches might then turn their attention to the Archduke's offer. He would need to be patient, but this was fine. After all he wasn't given a time limit and the Unbidden gave him no time limit to complete the task.

Instead he would simply get permission from Hayketay to approach the witches at a later date. He knew where to find the goddess of witches, he could speak to her at any time, but he needed to make sure it was an... appropriate setting.