Chapter 45

Lilith arrived just in time to watch as her friend was being eaten alive. It really was like something out of a horror movie. Undead orcs were surrounding Celeste tearing and biting at her feathers and flesh preventing Lilith from pulling her free or teleporting her away. In desperation she looked around hoping to see a direction that physically clear so that she could pull her away from the horrors devouring her. Finding her friend completely surrounded she turned back to her giant eyes with an apologetic look. Just over the eagle’s head she noticed the spectral shape of Celeste’s human form just floating just above it displaced slightly in the ethereal plane. With her adrenaline pumping time almost seemed to slow down as her eyes focused on Celeste’s spectral form noticing it in detail for the first time. Lilith could see her golden hair, golden eyes, and golden skin even though most of her was covered by a white set of wizard’s robes. In this brief moment she also noticed something different about her symbol of Lathander, it was glowing with its own internal light as if it had been blessed. ‘This just might work’ Lilith thought as she considered a magical solution to their problem. Her eyes shifted quickly as she brought up her codex and read out the rune words she needed. Then she spoke [Ha] [La] [Lu] [Ya] as she cast Dawn for the first time.

Even as the last word left her lips, there was a brief tearing noise in the sky followed by a steady roar as a miniature sun came into existence some 100’ up in the sky. Suddenly there were no shadows as the new celestial body illuminated the battlefield. Then the light seemed to focus downwards turning into a column of light that burned everything below it. Lilith flinched taking in the familiar pain as she could feel her skin cracking even as the zombies began to blacken and char. Everything around her was bright and painful, her vision washed to pure white as she was stricken blind by the sun’s rays. The feathers on Celeste’s wings began to curl and smolder as the radiant light beat down on them. Small wisps of smoke rose from both of them meanwhile the zombies were turning to ash. Then Lilith remembered she had felt this sensation before and knew exactly what to do. With here eyes still clamped shut she looked up at the new sun beating down on them facing the spell she had cast just moments before. She could feel the heat wash across her face as she looked skyward, then as soon as her face pointed at it fully, the pain stopped her eyes no longer felt burnt and scarred. Opening them, she could see again and what she saw brought a smile to her face. There above her, inside this miniature sun, she saw a radiant symbol of Lathander. In that brief moment it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. At the top of the column of radiant energy was a round orb made of golden metal that streamed light in all directions. Then her focus shifted, around her the zombies were burning left and right while a few had found cover under Celeste’s right wing as they continued biting her. More feathers were pulled from her as she cried out in pain. Then the Polymorph spell ended and Celeste turned back into her normal form. The cloud of feathers that normally floated around her were vaporized in an instant. Then to her horror she was bitten once again on the leg. Her real leg. She kicked it off even as the zombie tried to get one last bite in before it was set aflame by the radiant energy falling around them. Stunned by the pain she pulled herself clear as a new pain took hold, her skin was burning! Panicking she looked around confused before her eyes found her friend. Lilith looked untouched by the radiant heat even as she felt it burning her and the zombies in equal measure.

Seeing the smoke rising from her friend’s skin, Lilith moved closer trying to shield her before she thought of something else. “Look up! Focus on the sun!” She yelled as the last zombie within the beam turned to ash as her friend’s skin began to blister.

Without any hesitation Celeste did just that, she looked up at the sun, and was amazed at the familiar sight held within. It was the largest symbol of Lathander she had ever seen but rather than having just five points along the top edge of a half circle it was a full sphere slowly rotating above them in the morning sky. As soon as she looked up her eyes were spared any further pain, instead she felt a warm sensation as the light almost seemed to dim. Taking a steady breath, Celeste looked around to see where the nearest threat was. Without the cover from her wings the zombies near her had turned to ash. Taking a step towards her friend, she stumbled leaning on her to steady herself. To her credit Lilith held her under the elbow supporting some of her weight before she began to point with her other hand directing the sun to move over the zombies still scattered around the field. In twos and threes the zombies perished scorched by the radiant light. Even so, many of the orc zombies had begun to clash with the militia streaming towards them in a large mass. Soon they were too close to her allies so she turned the sun away. Instead she directed the radiant beam using it to mop up the last stragglers that had turned towards them. With an inhale of regret she canceled the spell disappointed that she couldn’t help them further but she knew the radiant beam was too powerful to put anywhere close to the militia.

The grass around her was scorched a large line leading to the flank of the militia where her wall of fire had once been. Briefly she watched the ensuing battle as the zombies spread out, encircling the militia. Lilith’s attention turned to her friend as something seemed to be wrong with her.

“Are you alright?” Lilith asked as she helped Celeste to the ground, as her legs seemed weak and unable to support her weight any longer.

“No? I mean yes. What was that? Was that the light of Lathander?” she asked blinking and shaking her head still amazed at what she had seen.

“I think so.”

“Oh……” she considered the ramifications of that before a more urgent thought crossed her mind “Where is the necromancer? That Son of a bitch shot me again!” Celeste complained, trying to sit up but failing. Instead she sank back into the grass before she let out a cough feeling a tightness in her chest.

“I got him already. I am sure this time.” Lilith said with a nod.

They could hear and see the battle unfolding between the militia and the Orcish zombies. Both of them wanting to help but unable to do so. Celeste because of her sudden weakness and Lilith because she couldn’t leave her friend. So she sat there in the long grass with her friend propped up in her arms as they both tried to recover from what just happened.

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One minute earlier: The heavy infantry formation, commanded by Sharl Lightfoot.

No one can ever predict the flow of battle, not completely. The enemy is bound to have some surprise tactic or a new weapon. Hell they had 100 new weapons themselves and had done plenty of damage with them. ‘Even so there is no way I could have expected 600 orcs to come back to life as zombies after the battle was already won!’ Sharl complained to himself. Despite his complaints his militia were now facing the prospect of being surrounded on three sides by undying, uncaring, walking corpses. ‘At least they move slower now.’

“Alright men we are going to make a fighting retreat, back across the bridge and into the town. Then we will hold the gate with the help of the archers. Now Reverse march 1/2!”

The militia already had zombies in front of it and a few on the sides but as they retreated the area of contact diminished consisting of only the front middle of their formation where it was the strongest as the zombies had a hard time advancing much faster than the retreat. Still more zombies gathered and pursued them as they backed up and attacked at the same time.

Then Sharl heard a human groaning behind him. He turned to see the walking corpse of one of the fallen infantrymen they had placed behind their lines. Then he saw four more. The bastards had turned his own fallen men against them as they now had zombies to their rear.

Kevin wasted no time battering the first zombie’s shield aside before cutting his dominant arm off at the elbow. He then ran him through and cut out the left side spilling blood and organs onto the ground. But still it stood reaching out again with its one remaining arm. Taking one more hack from the left Kevin cut through the zombies spine at the neck where it fell over in a heap just as the second one attacked him from the side. At the same time Sharl began to clash with the third. Then two of their men who had lost their spears came over and helped attack the rest. Bashing them with their shields and using their arming swords that had been kept on their hips just for occasions like this.

“Strike their heads and spines.” Kevin called out. As he dodged the zombies bite and cut its head clean off.

Sharl and the other two men soon did the same. Blocking with their shields and cutting into the zombies necks, the swords making a sickening crunch as bone and lifeless flesh gave way.

With their former allies vanquished Sharl turned back to the problem at hand taking a long look at the militia formation as they continued their retreat.

“Hey Sharl, we need to change formation, the bridge is only 4 men wide.” Kevin said as they were soon going to back into the trench if they didn’t do something.

“I can see that Kevin.” Sharl’s mind raced as he thought about how to change the formation while in reverse march and engaged in combat. It wasn’t something they had drilled for so he didn’t have a command for that. Gritting his teeth he resolved to solve this problem the only way he knew how, one step at a time. “Company halt!” He called as the back part of the formation was only 10’ from the edge of the trench.

Quickly the men stopped as more zombies piled into them with each passing second. The undead were being stabbed and cut down but the sheer number of them was overwhelming. The wall of spears wasn’t working the same as it had on the living. Some of the zombies seemed quite happy to keep pressing forward after being stabbed. Some walking closer and closer while impaled rending one of the log spears useless as they advanced.

Seeing this, most of the militia began making smaller stabbing motions withdrawing their spears quickly but even so they just couldn’t kill the unliving in the same way they had before.

The orc zombies continued to press forward reaching he shield wall. Even as they stood face to face with the horde separated only by their shields the militia held fast. It was only their discipline and their tightly held ranks that prevented them from taking any more losses. With their backs to the trench the oncoming zombies couldn’t encircle them completely, but they were surrounded on three sides and the men were getting tired. A few spears were pulled from their grasp as swords were drawn. The zombies began to try to bypass their shields clawing at the edges and climbing over getting ever closing closer to biting living flesh. Orc heads were cleaved in two as swords fell fending off the zombie horde but only just.

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Lilith watched the militia intently from her seat in the grass. She was debating whether to get up and try to help them when a flash of movement from her left caught her attention. Three riders crossed the field their weapons glowing a bright gold as they were held at the ready. The paladins where charging, their horses crossing the field in great strides. As she watched Lilith noticed their shields start to glow as well, again in a bright gold.

Even Celeste stirred, raising her head at the sight, her eyes tracking the three men as their horses seemed to pick up speed. She still couldn’t stand, her legs were numb probably paralyzed. So Lilith propped her up as they both watched in amazement.

In the distance, the militia had retreated as far as they could their backs were to the bridge and the trench as the fighting seemed to intensify the yells of the men getting louder and more urgent.

Lilith let out a small snort as she saw the vigor with which the three holy men were closing on the battle even with her jumping 150’ at a time there was no way she could get there first even if part of her wanted to leap into action. Instead she patted her friend on the shoulder watching with anticipation as the paladins drew closer to the mass of 500 zombies that were encircling the Militia.

Then she saw it, a flash of light, a mixture of white and gold expanding as a sphere of radiant energy erupted from one of the riders. The shockwave washed over the battlefield silencing everything as the world seemed to stop as chaos was turned back by order. A moment later the wave passed over Lilith and Celeste with barely a sound as it pushed the grass over flat in its wake. Forced to blink only for a second, she looked back at the bridge and the encircled Militia only to see nothing. The zombies were gone. Only ash and smoke drifted on the breeze while behind it a line of soldiers stood as if frozen in time their weapons still poised to strike.

After a short delay, perhaps only a second, they moved again many spears, swords and arms reaching for the sky. Then a massive cheer could be heard from the men in front of the bridge followed by more cheers from the wall. Lilith couldn’t believe it, the horde of zombies was gone. No corpses to burn, no bodies to bury, they were just gone.

After the shock wore off Lilith began to stand trying to lift Celeste to her feet only to find she couldn’t support herself. After a few glances of confusion and agreement she picked up her friend holding her in her arms before she jumped several times over to the cleric to see if he could help her paralyzed friend.

Arriving near the gate she saw that the paladins and the cleric had already gotten off their horses and started healing the injured militiamen. After a few spells and cheers the cleric turned around to speak to one of his companions his eyes falling on Lilith who was carrying someone who was obviously injured. Quickly he approached looking her over, his face turning to confusion as he healed her leg but still she didn’t move her skin remaining a pale blue.

“I feel cold.” Celeste said groggily her eyes barely open as her head bobbed.

“She can’t stand, she was bitten by the zombies.” Lilith added with a bit of worry in her voice.

The cleric looked her over for any more bite marks but found none. He then checked her eyes, opening them fully with two of his metal fingers “Its a bad disease, but its not too late. Hold her still.” he said as he took off his armored glove.

Lilith steadied herself with her tail as the cleric placed a hand on Celeste's forehead. A soft glow emanated from the large man’s hand before her whole body took on the same shade of gold. Soon it faded her skin fading to a more natural color the blue tint replaced by a more rosy tone.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Hey, how do you feel now short stuff?” Lilith asked while jostling her arms slightly.

“It feels like I slept on my legs wrong they are all tingly.”

“Maybe you should try moving them to get the blood flow back?” The cleric said in a kind voice.

Celeste kicked her legs and wiggled her feet testing her range of motion. Soon Lilith put her down and she stood there, unsteady at first before taking a few cautious steps.

“Thank you.” Celeste said as she hugged the cleric, partially to steady herself. After a second she pushed herself away still holding onto his armor with one hand. “So what should we call you fine gentlemen?”

“Ya, what should we call the men who bailed out our failed retreat.” Sharl asked as him and Kevin emerged from the line of cheering militiamen.

“I am Dawnbringer Hass and these are my escorts. When a runner told us of the orc’s movements, we rode through the night to try and make it here and be of some use in the battle. I am just glad we made it in time. I see two of you have received Holy Symbols of Lathander. I knew Father Theodon was going to give Lilith one as a gift but who gave you yours?” He asked looking down at Celeste who was shifting her weight from side to side while still holding on to him with one hand.

Hearing his question she took a half step away reaching for her symbol. “This? This is just a normal symbol from a vendor back in Waterdeep. I’ve had it for years.” she said waving a hand dismissively.

“No my child that is a holy symbol. It has been imbued with the light of Lathander.” The cleric said with a nod.

“Oh, then maybe I made it. I cast bless on myself while holding it during the battle.” Celeste said with a confused expression.

“Then it seems you bare the light of Lathander too. Make sure not to give a holy symbol to anyone who is not a trusted believer as they work both ways. A cleric for an opposing deity could use one to spy on our god’s actions.” he said with a serious tone

“I understand. I won’t make any on my own, this one was an accident.” she insisted as a large friendly hand patted her on the shoulder.

Looking up she was happy to see Sharl joining them. With a big smile he began shaking hands. First the two paladins then the cleric. “Hass was it? Thanks for getting rid of those. We were a bit stuck there for a moment. Couldn’t figure out how to get us across the bridge without losing men. You really saved our hides. I’ve never seen magic of that sort before. What was that?” Sharl asked.

The two paladins still had their helmets on the cleric however didn’t seem to have one. Instead he had short black hair and a dark beard framing a rather handsome face. He was a large man looking to be in his mid 30’s who was otherwise clad shoulder to toe in silver plate armor trimmed in gold. In fact, all of their armor was decorated in the same regal design. Gold trim with small star bursts and on their chest a symbol of Lathander. After a short chuckle he patted his hand then released it. “It was Lathander’s magic not mine. He just loans it to us when the need arises. Are any more of your men injured? Perhaps I could check them for disease at the gate?”

“Hmm, that's a good idea. Don’t want anyone bringing something into town. However, I need to go confirm the Warchief’s death and find where the cavalry company ended up running off to. Celeste, if you are feeling better we could use your help finding them.” Sharl asked as Kevin joined the circle standing close to Lilith’s side.

“I feel much better now, but Master Wendel is waving at me from the wall. I had better go see what, if anything, he needs of me.” She insisted looking back to Sharl while giving him an apologetic smile.

“I’ll come with you Shalr. Just give me a few seconds here.” Lilith offered getting nods from both Kevin and Sharl.

In a flash of activity and loud shouts, Sharl began barking orders to his men. Health checks, then gear checks followed by gear inventory and maintenance. After all that they were to report back to the farmer’s gate for new orders once they were all done.

Meanwhile the Cleric and paladins were talking amongst themselves one of them mentioning father Theodon as Lilith caught a few words.

Celeste on the other hand was busy stretching her legs before she made for the tower gatehouse and the stairs leading up to the wall.

With all that done the group split up. The three new arrivals and the militia heading back into town while Sharl, Kevin and Lilith proceeded out into the field her tail snaking behind them leaving a path in the long grass.

“So what did you think of the fire works?” Lilith asked as she elbowed Kevin in the side playfully.

“I have never seen so much fire in one place. Its a wonder that the grass wasn’t set ablaze.” Kevin said his eyes going wide as he spoke.

“That's the nice thing about magic it only does what you tell it to.” she said with a smile.

“Heh, I may have to learn some magic after all. Its just too useful. But what about those explosions I thought you were dead.”

“No that was part of the plan. If I got surrounded Wendel was supposed to drop fireballs on me, I am immune to fire luckily.”

“Ya and what about that giant beam of sun energy. You were in that for a while Lils that should have cooked you alive.” Sharl asked as they neared the first dead orc of the honor guard. Oddly enough these were the only bodies left on the battlefield. All the others were turned to dust either by Lilith or by Hass and his miracle.

Looking down at her arm Lilith seemed to remember the pain from earlier, her eyes going distant for a second. “I think Lathander may have spared me from that but it did burn me at first. See I got a sun tan my tail is even darker now.” Lilith said as a joke having noticed the change to her tail when she woke up that morning.

“Ya, it IS darker. I hope that isn’t permanent.” Kevin said with some concern looking at her forest green tail that was some 12’ long behind her.

“Ha ha he … who knows.” Lilith smiled then looked away from Kevin as she now stood over an orc with a very fancy head dress and a sword shaped hole in his chest.

“Should we take the head dress back and show it to Tany?” Sharl asked not sure what to make of the strange head covering.

“Ya you grab that. Hey Lil. What about the Necromancer? Where is his body?” Kevin asked while searching left and right.

Lilith pointed to a small pile of dust hidden by the grass that hadn’t blown away completely. “That's all that’s left. I had to disintegrate him.”

“Ouch that's one way to make sure.” Sharl said as he picked up the Warchief’s headdress tucking it under his arm.

Just then the Cavalry arrived with bloody spear tips and tired horses. Sharl and Kevin approached and got a report from the commander. They had run down the 50 or so retreating orcs with great success apparently. Sharl told them to head inside and get the gear off the horses they had gone above and beyond that day and deserved the rest.

While the men talked, Lilith noticed the carts full of slaves and went over to check on them. Many of the captives were from the outlying villages, others were from farther away. Most of them were human women but there were also a few Gnomes, Dwarves and even two Wood Elves. Many of them had their arms outside the bars waving at her but then stopped when they saw her tail and red eyes, the desperate trapped civilians suddenly going silent as she got closer.

To be fair it was, in deed, a grim sight. Lilith snaked her way between the dead orcs scattered about the field. Each of them having one or more bloody wounds. Slowly her eyes scanned across the caravan of supply carts and slaves her expression turning sour not because of their reaction to her but because of the indignity of so many people trapped like cattle.

Going over to the first cart, the people seemed to recoil. By the time she got to the lock at the rear of the first wagon the prisoners were piled against the far side. Whispers of “demon” and soft whimpers were heard. Then there were more confused words and murmurings when Kevin approached her side. He then began to speak to them promising food and shelter thanks to the Duchy of Daggerford. All they had to do was give them their names and the location they were taken from as they entered town.

With Sharl’s arrival the people calmed down even further thanking both of them and celebrating with glee once he explained the victory of the militia and their proximity to Daggerford. Still no one said anything directly to Lilith nor did they meet her gaze. They were on the far side of a small rise in the field that concealed the town walls just beyond. The prisoners were both completely surprised and ecstatic to hear that human civilization was only a mile away.

After Kevin and Sharl’s explanation the prisoners seemed to calm down quite a bit. Then at Kevin’s direction Lilith pulled the locks off the cages by hand and soon the people piled out of the carts. Finally the first of them actually spoke to her thanking her as they passed. The mass of humanity milled about stretching and looking around the field for a while before they inevitably walked to the rise getting a look at the town walls beyond. There, Sharl started getting them lined up facing the Farmer’s Gate so he could get a head count. Lilith then called Sir Tanel using sending, informing him of the slaves they were freeing and that they would need a page at the gatehouse to record their information along with a place for them to stay. Once everyone was released and counted, the three of them led the freed slaves back to the farmer’s gate where a set of guards were waiting for them.

Lilith was utterly surprised by the welcome she got at the gate. Perhaps it was because of the stark contrast to how the captured civilians had treated her but inside the town walls she was greeted from all sides with cheering and the congratulations. The sudden change seemed rather surreal. The horror of the zombies and almost seeing her friend eaten alive still fresh in her mind was juxtapose to the hand shakes and well wishes inside the town. First she was greeted by the City guards who witnessed the battle from the wall and then from the Militia Men who had returned from dropping their gear at the barracks looking for Sharl, to get their next orders. The townspeople which had been quiet and secluded in their homes that morning were now out and celebrating.

Sir Tanel made an announcement from atop the gatehouse that there would be a banquet at the Castle that night and that each of the militiamen and cavalrymen was invited.

Sharl soon put the militiamen to work. They were to get room and board for all the freed slaves as soon as possible each militiaman took a person as there were about 80 freemen and 95 militiamen. Sharl told them to inform the inns that their stay and food was to be paid by the Duchy. Rooms would be easier to find tonight as the sheltering people could now safely leave the city.

As Lilith was about to enter the tower she saw Celeste turn back into a Giant Golden Eagle atop the wall before she flew off to the North, gaining altitude with each wing beat. Curious she hurried up the curved stairs to where Wendel and Sir Tanel were still talking atop the wall.

“Where is Celeste going? Do I need to go with her?” Lilith asked with a little confusion.

“No you have done well my friend.” Sir Tanel said placing a hand on Lilith’s shoulder. “I sent her to scout out Cromm’s Hold just in case there are any orc scouts retreating there after their defeat. I also think there is a chance the Baroness might try to make a run for it some time today.” He said with a tired but mirthful expression.

“I saw you save Celeste from those zombies Lilith. I don’t know how you did that, but it worked. I couldn’t go into that many of them there were at least a hundred around you two.” Wendel said stretching his arms wide.

“Ya, that was a lot of zombies. Its a good thing the Dawnbringer arrived or we would still be fighting them right now.” She said stepping back from Sir Tanel to look back at the battlefield. Her eyes retraced her path that morning events replaying in her mind. Despite it all there were hardly any bodies just lots of dropped weapons, a few dead horses and a lot of scorch marks, most of them hers.

“I got a count of the men. We lost 5 militia men, two cavalrymen and three horses. Overall that is a far better outcome than we could have ever hoped.” Sir Tanel said after a runner came up handing him a slip of paper.

“Well they almost had me too but Wendel bailed me out as I was being pummeled. Thanks for that. Maybe I will have to call you master for a day.” Lilith said with a smirk.

“Just a day?” He complained.

Sir Tanel smiled for a second before he looked down at the line of freed slaves being registered as they entered the gate. “I can see I have lots of work to do. Lets get out of this armor and report the news to the Lord’s Alliance. Wendel, please come with me to the study. Lilith, get some rest and come see me in an hour after you have eaten.” Sir Tanel said with a serious look but also a slight smile. Lilith could tell he was pleased with the outcome but also overwhelmed by the amount of work that still needed to be done.

Taking a moment to consider his words, Lilith realized she had indeed worked up quite the appetite. Not wanting to end up in line behind a bunch of militia men she started to plan her next move. First she bowed to the Regent then turned and jumped multiple times down the length of the wall to the east, until she could see the grassy field that led to the castle entrance. Jumping down to ground level she saw three men in plate armor walking back from the direction of the stables turning towards the castle entrance. Three men that she had a lot of questions for. So she jumped ahead of then waiting for them to approach.

“Hello, Please let me make a more formal introduction. I am Lilith of Devine, Defender of Daggerford.” she said with a polite bow.

“Greetings. I am Brother Amon and this is my junior, Brother Feldin. I believe you have already met the Dawnbringer.”

“Oh ya, Dawnbringer Hass wasn’t it?” She got a nod from the cleric before she continued. “Father Theodon said you were on your way. I am just glad you made it so soon.” Lilith said with a genuine smile.

“Perhaps we should be calling you Dawnbringer this day. After watching you wield his light it is hard to doubt what we were told about you.” Hass said with a chuckle while pointing a single finger her way. Lilith could see a large ornate mace on his hip that seemed to shed incense and a dim light as he moved to the left side of Amon.

“Yes a divine demon, working for our lord, it is unheard of. But here we are.” Brother Amon said gesturing at Lilith with both hands.

“To be honest I was quite surprised the first time he spoke to me. But he was kind and reassuring and I have only had a few doubts along the way.” Lilith admitted before she was surprised by the odd look she got from one of the paladins.

“Doubts? What kind of doubts?” Brother Amon asked.

“Never doubts of faith, just doubts of whether I was worthy of his trust, and whether I could endure the trials ahead of me. I never expected to be stricken lame, in such an odd way.” Lilith said as she gestured at her tail.”

“Stricken? You mean this happened recently?” Amon asked while tilting his head to look at the rest of her.

“Yes just two days ago, but would you like to come inside I am a bit hungry after that battle.”

“Hah! There’s nothing like slaying orcs to work up an appetite.” Brother Feldin said with a grin.

“Oh yes we were also told they had lodging for us in the Castle. Do you know who we can speak to about that?” Dawnbringer Hass asked.

“Yes I can show you to the head stewards office then the banquet hall.” Lilith said smiling with that last part.

“Then please lead the way.” The Dawnbringer said motioning towards the castle.

At his request, Lilith led them inside moving at a steady pace, coiling up and pushing ahead 10’ at a time. First they went to the head steward’s office to secure them their guest quarters. They were given keys for rooms four, five and six which were across the hall from Lilith's. After that, they went to the banquet hall and began filling their plates. Lilith carried two full plates while the paladins and cleric had about half a plate each. Feeling rather hungry her plates were completely full of meat. As she slowly walked and slid over to the nearest table she didn’t have a free hand to wipe the drool off her mouth since both hands were full. The paladins soon caught up to her going to the opposite side where they noticed her… issue.

“Well, you really must be hungry.” Brother Feldin said as he raised an eyebrow at Lilith. The embarrassed demon quickly putting her plates down to wipe her face.

“Oh sorry, please forgive me.” She apologized but quickly figured it could be a good way to break the ice so she asked. “How much do you know about demons Brother Feldin?” Carefully she sat down on the bench swinging her tail parallel to the table so that it wouldn’t trip anyone. Lilith then picked up a sausage link and tossing it into her mouth as she waited for his response.

“Not a whole lot except how to detect them and how to kill them but I assume you are asking about their eating habits? Along those lines I know nothing.” Brother Feldin said as he began eating a pancake covered in butter.

“Well I didn’t know much either until I found myself transported into this body. But now I can tell you for certain the food in hell must be awful. Even the simplest of things here, like a greasy piece of sausage, tastes like a fine delicacy.”

“Well that doesn’t sound so bad.” Brother Amon said as he ate a fork full of scrambled eggs.

“No it was quite nice at first but then one day I discovered that people started smelling like food too and it made things a bit awkward.” She said and then drew in a breath threw her teeth.

“What?” Brother Amon asked putting his fork down.

“Ya, so, now I have to avoid big crowds or sitting too close to very pure hearted people. Huh… they tend to make me drool and there is little I can do about it.”

“That sounds ghastly.” Amon said recoiling at the thought.

“Now now Amon, I think she is actually suffering from this. That is why you confessed this right Lilith?” the cleric asked.

“Ahh, yes I figured you three are probably going to smell really tasty. So please forgive me if you see me drooling its a bit embarrassing. I really wish I could control it better.”

“Tasty?” Brother Feldin asked, before breaking out in laughter. “Drool all you like sister as long as you keep your teeth to yourself we won’t have a problem.”

Lilith gave him a smile and then finished off her first plate.

“Well I find the condition disturbing myself but it is something I have had to come to grips with. All the more reason for me to stay well fed.” Lilith said now starting on her scrambled eggs and ham.

“I kinda understand. When we train as paladins we develop the ability to detect fiends and undead by connecting to the weave with a sensitive portion of the mind. The more unnatural the creature is, the more disturbing their presence is to us. The first time most brothers use that skill in a crypt or a tomb and detect undead, it causes their hands to shake. Some even drop their weapons. It simply isn’t one of our five natural senses so it takes some getting used to.” Brother Amon explains as he pushes his empty plate way.

“And how does my presence make you feel?” She asked.

“Normally a demon would feel like an open wound upon the world. Like a cancer that needs to be excised. But your presence feels like a mole, a bump that shouldn’t be there but poses no threat.”

“Well I’m glad I don’t make you feel sick to your stomach.” Lilith said giving a conciliatory nod at Brother Amon.

“Yes it would be almost impossible for a paladin to break bread in the presence of an actual demon.” Feldin said as he too finished his plate and pushed it away.

“Now if you don’t mind I think we will retire and get some sleep we did ride through the night to get here.” The Dawnbringer said pushing back his plate as well before he stood to head towards the guest hall.

“Of course but if you could do me one favor?” Lilith asked, also standing with them.

“If it is in our power I don’t see why not.” Dawnbringer Hass said.

“Can you come to my room and tell me what you sense inside. Can you tell me whether they are evil or not?”

“I take it there is something unknown inside?” Father Amon asked with a tilt of his head.

“Not unknown just unique.” she clarified.

“Sure lead the way.” Amon motioned for Lilith to go ahead.

As she moved out of the banquet hall and into the guest hall Lilith looked back at the two brothers wondering if this was a good idea. She had just met them after all and they could kill both the noodles with a single swing of their swords if they wanted. These Paladins seemed to be armed and armored almost all the time even at the dinner table. Lilith looked down at her armor and thought ‘Heh, you sure are one to talk’ as she had been sitting at the table fully armored with a greatsword on her back.

“This is my room can you tell me what you sense inside?” She said moving off to the side.

Stepping forward Amon placed a hand on the door and closed his eyes for a second, then spoke. “There are two of them but they seem just like you, harmless and neutral.”

“Well that will be a relief to Master Wendel. Thank you Brother Amon.” Lilith said with a smile.

“You are a strange one, where did you find such creatures?” Dawnbringer Hass asked.

“They kinda found me actually.” Lilith said as she rubbed the side of her head messing up her hair slightly.

“You will have to tell us that story some time for now we need some rest.”

With that the Paladins and the Cleric each went to their rooms. Father Amon inspecting the Dawnbringer’s room first before he declared it safe and allowed him to enter. Lilith watched all three doors shut before she entered guest room number 3. Once inside she took off her sword and began to change into some commoners clothes.