Meanwhile Arick had arrived at the general's tent, with the general himself impatiently waiting outside.

"You called?" he asked casually.

'Yes. Yes I did." Gyrn was glaring at him, his voice harsh.

"I sent your squad to take out the enemy's archers, yet when they return you were nowhere to be seen. Then, your second comes asking for a map, saying that you're planning to go on a holiday. Mind explaining?"

Arick groaned. If she was going to say anything, she should have just told the whole story. Instead she had annoyed Gyrn. And worst of all, she had likely done it on purpose.

"In order to acquire a reliable subordinate, I promised to take her friends home." He tried to summarize.

"So basically, you were doing whatever you want, completely disregarding the battle, and on top of that you were planning to run off."

"Technically, yes. However..."

"And this 'reliable subordinate' is human?"

"Yes."

"So you're planning to enter human territory during the middle of a war. Do you not realize how dangerous that is? And how do you know this human isn't planning to betray you?"

"Gyrn, I am plenty aware of the dangers."

"Are you? If I let you go and something happens, it'll be on my head."

"Since when do you care about that kind of stuff?"

He sighed, the anger disappearing from his features.

"My brother would get mad at me."

"Garm trusts my judgement."

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Another sigh escaped the large demon.

"So, what's this subordinate like?"

"The serious type, and incredibly loyal. Her skills with a bow are phenomenal. If I hadn't noticed her in advance, she would have shot me down with a single arrow."

"Why did you notice her in advance?"

"She was on the front line, and her superior had gotten mad at her because she wasn't doing as she was told. You see, apparently hunters from her village were taken to join the war by force, on the threat of their village being destroyed. None of them were fighting because they wanted to."

"How low will those humans sink? Threatening one of their own villages to get a few more soldiers."

"You know Garm dislikes people talking like that."

"Yes, I know", he huffed. "But you do realize that is how most demons view humankind. Your new subordinate won't be an exception."

"I am aware."

"Is she though? She won't even be tolerated in the city unless she possesses a demon's mark, and that's despite Garm's efforts to decrease hatred."

"Are you trying to dissuade me?"

"I'm trying to keep you from doing something you might regret."

"Again, not like you."

General Gyrn snorted, glancing towards the battlefield.

"Then do whatever you want. It's not like you'll listen to me either way. You're explaining the situation to Garm though, don't expect any help from me. Oh, and take Cecile and Mirus with you."

He grabbed the gigantic sword punctured into the ground next to him.

"Enought talking. I have a battle to win!"

Arick smirked. Now this was the Gyrn he remembered.

Taking to the sky, he watched as the demon warriors opened a path for their general, signaling that the end of this battle was near.

Back on the hill, the hunters were standing in a half-circle around Aiden, who was still holding the map. Excitedly discussing, they completely ignored Arick.

"Have they been like this since I left?" he asked Cecile.

She nodded wearily.

"Honestly, where are they from? They don't know what the ocean is, and I'm pretty sure they can't read."

"I did hear that the literacy among humans, especially in remote areas, is very low."

"How did the talk with the general go?"

"Well enough, I suppose."

"He allowed you to go? In that case, I guess we'll see each other back at Black Mountain."

"You and Mirus will be coming too, orders of the general."

"You're kidding!" Disbelief and reluctance fought to take control of her expression.

"I am not", he grinned, "Would you go get Mirus, please?"

She glared at him, but still did as he asked.

"We're going to be leaving soon!" Arick informed the group of hunters. "Have you found the location of your village yet?"

"No", responded Aiden, "We don't have enough to go by. However, if we follow the edge of the Forest, we'll know once we get close."

"Alright. That would also make it easier to avoid humans, I suppose."

Arick pointed at a large hill to the south.

"Go get your stuff first. We can meet up over there when everyone is ready."