Chapter 2

Once outside, Lilith could see what looked like a medieval town. Most of the houses had wooden shingle roofs, wood timber frames and white walls. Cobblestone roads ran between the buildings but there were no civilians in sight. Instead she saw a formation of 100 footmen equipped with shields and spears arrayed along the street. The spears were only 6 feet long but had a metal spearhead attached to a shaft guard that was metal for the first foot. Their armor was chain mail and covered all of their arms down to the wrists while the bottom ending about mid thigh. The shields and banners had a silver dagger that was dripping in blood in front of a blue field. Lilith, seeing the young men standing and shifting uncomfortably, thought to herself ‘These men looked scared.’ as she didn’t understand what this armed and armored fighting force had to be afraid of.

There was a distinct thud as some type of mechanism gave way and the two halves of the gate began to swing open as her group approached. Surprisingly the gate only opened about 4’ wide before it stopped. The captain, who had been in the lead, did not go through. Instead he stood to the side and said. “Its the big guy standing in front. You can’t miss him. Good luck.”

Lilith proceeded through the large wooden and Iron doors and under a raised portcullis. She heard the doors behind her close with a thud as she continued to walk forward out into the battlefield.

Sure as blazes there was an army of orcs. They were split into three groups perhaps 200 each if she was to believe their estimate. It was only now that she understood why those troops looked so nervous. These orcs were huge and there were a lot of them. Also they looked rather pissed off. There was a leader of some sort behind the army riding a giant wolf… A giant wolf. But more importantly there about 100 yards in front of the army was a single orc in chain mail armor that had to be over 7’ tall. He carried a great club made of wood with Iron spikes hammered through it. Looking closer it looked like he was bouncing the haft against his hand as if he had been waiting a while and was getting impatient.

Lilith looked behind her and saw the wizard up on the battlements his blue robes matching the blue banners of the town of Daggerford both his hair and the banners blowing in the wind.

“Good luck Champion” she heard him say from the battlements and that’s when it occurred to Jason…… he didn’t know how to fight with a sword.

He was a mechanical designer he could draw a nice picture of a sword and calculate how much steel you would need to make it. He could draw you a nice building using his computer and tell you where to put the wind bracing. But he had never held a sword in his life. Now, here he was on a medieval battlefield facing a 7’ tall orc….. no he looked more like 8’ tall now that he was getting closer… Jason liked to play fantasy games online and in person. He had always wondered what it would be like to fight a real battle and now he would have his chance but it would be in the body of a woman with red hair who may or may not be invulnerable to their attacks.

Lilith swallowed a lump in her throat and drew her sword from her back. It felt light but it wouldn’t come out. Trying again she twisted it and this time it slid out of the sheath being pulled over her head and down in front of her. It was bigger than she expected, the blade a full 4 foot long, It looked like a greatsword and there was room for both hands on the handle. It was made of a dark metal, even darker than her armor and had a faint purple light to it. Lilith held the sword in two hands while a sudden flash of movement grabbed her attention. Without any warning the orc champion began running at her. He had obviously been waiting long enough as he was sprinting directly at her. “WAAAAAAAAAGH” the orc bellowed as the distance closed rapidly.

Lilith held firm and began to try to formulate a plan. He was huge but he had no armor on his arms or below his knees. That would have to do.

With only a few yards separating them, Lilith took two quick steps forward with her blade pointed at the orc’s throat and met his club with her blade as the two of them collided. Her boots dug in kicking up mud and grass as she dissipated the force from his charge. Feeling her boots regain their traction, she stepped forward pressing the attack. Pushing his spiked club to the side Lilith lifted her armored boot and landed it… directly on the bridge of his foot. She heard bones snap and grind as she pressed down on it before she renewed her advance and pressed forward. The orc stepped back, once, twice, but his second step was made with a broken foot causing him to fall backwards. The limp limb not giving him the support he expected. As they both fell, Lilith followed him forward, her sword now pointed at his throat again. There was a wet noise as they hit, her blade dug into his neck and hit soil going a good foot deep into the dirt. Supporting herself on her sword with both hands, the demon pushed herself upright and withdrew the blade never taking her eyes off her opponent. The world seemed silent as she surveyed the damage. The orc’s club rolled from his hand and he lie motionless as red blood spilled from his neck.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Lilith held her sword in one hand and walked to the orcs shoulders kicking his head away from the body so the outcome was obvious for everyone to see. She then raised her dirt and blood covered blade and shouted “For Daggerford”. Looking up at the blade she decided to clean it on the orc’s chest before she placed it back over her shoulder and twisted it into place.

Cheers could be heard from the city walls as Lilith walked back to the gate. In stark contrast not a sound was heard from the orcs. Lilith had so many questions. How was she strong enough to push an 8’ orc back and break his foot with a single stomp of her boot. Maybe the armor was enchanted for extra strength and she knew that blade had to be magical.

She was glad the towns guards were still cheering as it gave her the confidence to not look behind her as she walked through the now openning gates. The wizard was already coming out of the same tower where they had first met. “Please come inside demon so I can debrief you. We have much to discuss.” he said calmly.

Lilith entered the gate tower for the second time that day, this time willingly and without the aid of some unknown magic. Surprisingly it was just her and the wizard now although she could hear foot steps from people above her on the next level. The wizard soon directed her to a nearby room under the city walls but off to the city side that had a table and a few chairs. It looked like a break room as it had some supplies and food inside.

“Please have a seat. Sir Tanel will be with us shortly.” The wizard said with an inviting tone.

Lilith sat and looked over the wizard for a moment as he sat opposite of her. He was sweating a bit from the mid day sun and probably also from the excitement. “And your name is?” Lilith asked.

“You may call me Master Wendel.” he stated before he turned to the door behind him.

A set of metal footfalls could be heard coming down the hallway quick and sure. The guard captain, Sir Tanel entered the room and shut the door behind him. He did not sit but began to talk to the wizard while standing over the two of them.

“They are in full retreat. Our little demon did it!” Sir Tanel said as he snapped his fingers and paced a bit in the small room.

“Yes you sure did make short work of that orc. I am impressed, demon.” Wendel said as he fidgeted nervously with his staff.

“Yes that devil’s bargain you made sure paid off” Sir Tanel said enthusiastically.

“Well he hasn’t let me down yet even if his request this time was rather odd.” Wendel replied while thinking to himself for a moment, one finger pressed to his chin.

Snapping back to his senses, Wendel began talking to Lilith again in a calm controlling voice. “As champion, you will be honored with a feast attended by our Duchess, Lady Morwen, and the local guild masters. Please be kind and respectful to everyone in attendance. At the parties end you will retire to your guest chambers and per my contract with Maldeval you will return to Avernus at the stroke of midnight. I will show you to your room shortly, unless you have any pressing questions or requests, demon?”

“Master Wendel, why do you keep calling me demon? You know my name is Lilith.” she jabbed out of frustration.

Wendel looked confused and taken aback. “Well that is your true name you don’t want anyone else to know it or else they could command you too. In fact we are keeping those 3 guards in quarters on the far side of the city so they don’t see you again until you leave us at midnight.” Wendel brushed his hair back frustrated that the demon in front of him didn’t know basic things about her race. “What name do you normally go by in Avernus?” Wendel asked.

Jason had a decision to make. He was aware that he had been role playing as Lilith so far. It came naturally to him as he played D&D twice a week. This world being similar to a traditional fantasy setting kinda made him feel at home. Sure he could play the part of an enslaved demoness for a bit but Jason really wanted to assert his own will. After all he hated being railroaded by a controlling DM. It was also best to play in a way you could sustain for a long period of time. So any vocal affectations or posed looks were out of the question. Besides how would a demon act or even think. Did he want to act like a demon?

No, no, Jason had never played an evil campaign and he enjoyed helping people. So he needed to act in this world in a way he could be proud of and maintain some semblance of self determination. But he still needed to fit in. So he would compromise. He would play the role of a human and set aside the whole Woman thing until it became a problem. Besides he doubted anyone would try to get romantic with a demon. So with the decision made he began to consider how exactly he could act like a she and convince the people of the town. To Jason it seemed like a good play, as far as he could tell he looked exactly like a human woman so how hard could it be. ‘I just need to speak properly cross my legs and walk different right?’ Jason considered before his mind turned back to the conversation at hand.

“Wendel, I am not from Avernus and Lilith is my normal name, I do not have a true name and I am not under your control.” Lilith said in a calm voice imitating Wendel’s practiced tone.

With that the wizard pushed his chair away from the table and stood, the blood draining from his face as he went pale.

“I am human and I was happy to kill that orc for you.” Lilith said with a smile hoping it would calm the obviously nervous wizard across from her.

Wendel grabbed his staff and held it forward in Lilith’s direction. “Be silent demon!” he commanded

“Lilith! My name is Lilith.” she said while pointing a gauntleted finger back at her face.

“Lilith be silent!” he commanded.

“Hey, thanks for using my name.” She said with a smirk.

“This can’t be! What kind of trickery did Maldeval play on me? I knew-- I knew I was low on spell energy and his request was so odd and, and … and now there is a demon loose on the mortal plane.” Wendel said looking to Sir Tanel for help.