Cresil looked over the lakeside encampment with respect. "so this is what the humans have been up to here." He handed his binoculars over to his second in command. "It's pretty amazing what they come up with. I mean, that watermill up river must be providing them enough energy to maintain comfortable living conditions. Those cabins are on foundations. They've had a lot of time to set this up."

  "Like I said, we just discovered this site last week. Previously they were settled farther up river, closer to the French Gulch settlement. The suppliers seem to take a rest here before continuing to the settlement the next day."

  "Have you seen the leader yet?" Cresil pulled in own binoculars out to continue the reconnaissance.

  "No, but that cabin near the middle seems to have the highest traffic. I would assume it to be Tobias's by that much alone."

  "Well done, Grendal. You may take your rest. I will hold watch duty until shift change."

  "yes, sir." The soldier saluted Cresil and left towards the main tent.

  Cresil nestled down into the soft forest floor and watched the humans race through the day. Shortly before dusk, he noticed the activity start to die down. By sunset, there was no movement within the camp. Leaves crackles on his right and he sprang up but a distinct click kept him from turning around. with slow, deliberate movements, Cresil raised his hands.

  "It's Cresil, you said?" a gruff voice asked.

  "Yes, he's our troop commander." The voice belonged to his second in command. "Though I'm not sure how high his authority goes, I know he's important to The Elders."

  "Grendal, thank you for a job well done. I'll no longer be needing your service." A gunshot rang through the trees, causing birds to take flight. "Turn around, Demon." The gruff voice commanded. Cresil turned to face a dark-haired, pale-skinned human, his brown eyes filled with hatred. "Give me a good reason why I shouldn't shoot you now?"

  "I've come with an offer of peace. We seek your alliance."

  "My alliance?" the human scoffed.

  "You are Tobias, right?" Cresil asked with a creased brow.

  "I have no reason to believe the Elders would ever ask for a human's assistance, let alone one whose killed as many of their soldiers as I have."

  "Not the elders." He corrected. "the request comes from a Hell-Child."

  "A halfling wants to ally demon and human troops? For what?"

  "To kill the king." He answered bluntly.

  The human soldiers laughed maliciously. Holding up a hand, Tobias silenced them. "This half-demon friend of yours, is he alright upstairs? He does know we've been fighting each other for centuries?"

  "She is sane. There's been a prophesy foretelling a fight between her and the king. There are two possible outcomes and she believes that in order to win, she will need the assistance of the human race."

  "You're quick to give up this information. How do you know I won't use it to against her? You could easily be used to trap her."

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  "I was informed by my superiors that you were great friends with Keshiema at one point in time. A betrayal like that would be cold even by your standards, I'm sure."

  "Keshiema is your Halfling leader?"

  "Ah, you do remember her." Cresil smiled.

  "Men," Tobias frowned at Cresil, "knock him out."

  The dart hit him from behind. The sharp pain in his shoulder felt akin to a snake bite. "I haven't felt anything like that since Prince Asmoday sicked his sidewinders on me for sleeping in." Cresil fell to his knees, practically paralyzed, fire coursing through his body.

  "Yes, we've heard that rattle snake venom has a unique tranquilizing effect on some demons. Miskia ack mar you piece of shit." Tobias walked away as the Impure-Daemon lost consciousness.

  ***

  Cresil carefully pieced together his thoughts as he regained consciousness. He thanked his stars for the poorly lit room, his head already pounding from the venom. A silhouette approached the door and opened it after a short hesitation. "You awake yet? Even a sloth such as yourself shouldn't need this long to wake up." Tobias's rough voice felt like nails on a chalkboard.

  "That's some hefty venom you've got." Cresil did his best to avoid letting his pain show through. He tugged on his chains. The wood holding them felt less than solid. "Is this any way to treat a guest?" he smiled.

  "You should see your men. Barely enough room to sit up straight. No shoulder space. We haven't fed them in two days."

  Cresil stared into Tobias's dark eyes. "You're not telling me the whole truth." His anger was rising; he read the human's eyes like a book. "I've only been out for..." he thought for a moment, "fifteen hours. Those conditions, though, you're not lying about those. My men have not done anything to deserve such punishment."

  "This is a war, Demon. You have no idea what we've been put through. The king's armies raid our camps, destroy our settlements, slaughter our families. I'm supposed to believe your men are any better? Hell, I'm supposed to believe you're not part of the king's army?" Tobias stood toe to toe with Cresil, his eyes burning with hatred."

  "I'm telling you, we want the king dead just as much as you. He's hurt our people in many of the same ways for a much longer span of time." Cresil made sure to keep his voice steady and calm. Tobias seemed unstable at best. "I have never followed the king's command. I have only ever followed the orders of Prince Merihim directly."

  "And the king's son is any better?" Tobias turned away in disgust. That the demons would have him believe any of them were less than vile scum was insanity.

  "He has his sins. As I'm sure you do as well."

  "And who is to take Adramelech's place? I would not have another demon king wreak havoc upon our lands."

  "Well, Stolas is the Crown Prince..."

  "You see!" Tobias yelled, "Not any better!"

  "Though, if he were to die, his sister would be crowned, I'm sure, given all others with a possible claim cannot produce an heir."

  "Yes, let's swap the Tyrant King for a Maniacal Demon Empress! Such an improvement."

  "I believe Keshiema would be a kind and just ruler." Tobias froze at the mention of his old friend. "She has been a good person for as long as I've known her. She helps anyone she can, no matter the cost to herself."

  "She sounds weak, easily taken advantage of." Tobias paced around the room.

  "Is that really the Keshiema you knew? Weak? Because I heard she gave up a home and friends in order to let them live a better life, even if she could not share it with them. She even keeps a drawing of them in her room. Two young humans and a demon child, the best of friends. The drawing was signed MD. It was done quite well for an eight year old."

  Cresil could see Tobias's sanity slowly draining away. His pacing became erratic, and he clenched his fists so tightly his nails cut into his calloused palms. "No!" he shouted furiously. "She doesn't care about anyone! She told me so herself!" He combed his hand through his hair in frustration. "She said she doesn't feel anything." His voice lowered.

  "Are you sure she didn't just want to make saying goodbye easier on both of you? She was only eight after all, and she knew she would not be allowed to visit you. Cutting off the friendship was the only way she could make herself leave."

  "I've heard enough from you!" Tobias left the room, slamming the door.

  Cresil looked up at his chains. The mounts felt loose enough for him to pull them out with little effort. The guard pacing outside the room would be easy enough to subdue. But not knowing where his men were kept him in place. If he took too long to find them, he would only be risking their lives. "Damn humans." He shook his head in frustration.