Читать книгу The Chronicles of Articia; Children of the Dead - K.D. Enos - Страница 8

“They were better prepared than we thought they would be, Baron," the master-of-arms reported. "The girl had power we did not expect."

"Enough," the baron responded. "I told you to take precautions when dealing with the royal whelps. Do you know what you have brought down on the barony?" As the baron finished his statement, he turned and looked wide-eyed as a demon grabbed his master-of-arms from behind and threw him out of the tower window. He could hear the soldier scream until he hit the ground in the courtyard.

"My kind takes it personal when promises are not kept, Baron. You do not understand with what you dabble," the demon said as he grabbed the baron by the shirt and dragged him toward the window.

"P-please, I am still committed to destroying the brood!" the baron screamed. The demon held the baron out the window over the courtyard. "You have already failed me, Baron. My kind does not give those who fail us second chances."

"P-p-please, I will do whatever you ask of me!" The baron was in total panic now.

"Anything Baron, what do you have that I could possibly need?" the demon responded.

"Anything, Tell me. I will give you anything!" the baron yelled.

The demon pulled the baron back into the room and looked the baron in the eyes. "Then I take your soul!" As he finished the statement, he reached into the baron's chest, pulled out his soul, and swallowed it whole.

The baron turned a ghostly white as he started to understand what had just happened. He was not dead, but it was a fate worse than death. He could feel the torment of his soul in the demon and his spirit was broken. "What is your wish, Master?" the baron asked.

"Now, Baron, let us discuss how we will eliminate our common threat to the darkness." The demon sat the baron down in a chair and started to pace the room.

…

"Master, while you were off to see the baron, a message from the citadel arrived from the dark sorcerers," the lesser demon reported.

"What was this message, then?" his master inquired.

"I would not presume to read a message that is directed to you, my Lord," the lesser demon said as he handed the scroll to his master and backed away. Before the lesser demon realized what was happening, the greater demon jumped across the room and struck the smaller demon so hard he flew into the wall.

"Do you really believe that you can hide any deception from me? I can see your lies before they leave your maw." The lesser demon slowly rose to a crouch and scuttered to the other side of the room. "My apologies, Master. Of course, you know all. I only read the scroll to ensure that your time would not be wasted in its reading."

The demon lord laughed as he opened the scroll. "Hmm, it seems that the dark master of the arts has an interesting idea. We may defeat the light yet. I will be leaving immediately for the citadel to converse with this dark practitioner."

"Yes, my Lord," the lesser demon responded, a slight curve of a snarl forming on its face.