NEW ACQUAINTANCES

After bashing the heads of two scrawny men, Alfreed broke the cells and discovered that the creatures inside were of mixed races. One of which was a beastman like Lia, the other two, he had not recognized.

“Don't be afraid, I’m here to help.” he said to them.

He freed them from the cuffs and asked them to follow him, which they obediently did. After getting lost multiple times, they finally found themselves in the living room of the mansion.

“Master, I've returned.”, Alfreed called out. Wendell, who popped out of the shadows greeted him,

“Welcome back, what took so long?” as he glanced at the party following him.

“We got a bit lost.”, he giggled nervously,

“Where's the master?” he asked him.

“He’s with Lia and the others.” he replied to him.

“The others?” Alfreed asked as he tilted his head.

“Yeah, look,” as Wendell gestured to the window.

Sargon let his demons who were quietly being transported in his shadow, to roam around the village. The guests, quite alarmed that a dwarf is friendly with a demon, observed them quietly. There were footsteps behind them, as they nervously turned they caught a glimpse of the handsome man dressed in black. What was unusual, was that there were a pair of horns at the side of his head and that the demon named Wendell and the dwarf which saved them, bowed before his presence. Trotting behind him was Lia, her small frame almost invisible, when she glanced at the beastman, then continued to march alongside the handsome man. The beastman, however, looked completely astonished at Lia’s presence.

“Come along now.” Alfreed said to them.

Sargon made his way to Lancaster’s study, it was not as extravagant as the one back at Babylon, but it managed. He made himself comfortable on the soft plush chair.

“Heh, this pork really had it easy.” he muttered.

The others filtered in behind him.

“Master, allow me to introduce the captives.” Alfreed said. “One beastman, and unfortunately, I don't recognize the other two.”

Sargon raised his hand, signaling the end of Alfreed’s speech. “I don’t blame you for not knowing every species, Alfreed, you’ve done well. Now, who are you three, and why have you been captured?” he probed.

They were hesitant to speak in his presence.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” Lia spoke, “he doesn’t bite, at least i hope not.” She smiled.

For some reason, Sargon felt as if someone said that exact sentence about him before.

“I know the one behind is a beastman, but you two…” Sargon glared at them as they dropped to the floor.

“Forgive our discourteous manner.”, the older one spoke, “we are the last remaining merfolks who are under the protection of the water goddess Amphirite. We are forever grateful to your lordship.” Sargon raised his eyebrows,

“Merfolks? Haven’t you people long died out? Also, you don’t look anything like merfolks.” he remarked.

“T-that’s because of the goddesses’ protection, on land we look like humans. Also we have indeed died out, we are of a small tribe hidden just under the nose of the demon lord Vanir.” the merfolk replied to him.

“How did you manage to be imprisoned?” Sargon questioned.

“Well, we were going to request help from the kingdom of humans. You see, our lives are being hunted as we speak. With our fear of Vanir, and the scorn from the humans, we chose scorn rather than sudden death.” he said to him.

“You people are quite brave.” Lia commented, “If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to do anything.” she hung her head. Wendell placed his hand on her head as she smiled.

“So, where are the rest of your tribe’s men?” Wendell asked.

“We are inside one of the mountains that stands besides Vanir’s fortress,” he replied to him.

“That close?” Sargon asked in a surprised tone.

“Yes, Claw’s mountain is actually a triplet, there’s three of them side by side, we live underneath in the shadows, just within reach, trying to survive.” he said to him.

“Intriguing and interesting, you people seem like thrill seekers.” Sargon spoke, “So, what exactly is causing you harm that you’d rather be scorned by humans?”

The merman explained the situation carefully to him.

“I understand, there’s no helping it then,” Sargon rocked back on the chair, “Since the fortress is in Claw’s mountain and you are all residents of that mountain plus we’re going to be neighbours, I guess it wouldn't hurt to help.”

“Are you serious?!” the man exclaimed.

“That’s right.” Wendell replied, "if our master says so. then we will."

“But, you said neighbours, are you perhaps going to serve demon lord Vanir?” Everyone began to laugh, which made them nervous.

“Serve a dead person? You’re quite funny,” Sargon wiped the tears from his eyes.

“What do you mean dead person?” the incredulous man asked.

“Well isn't it obvious? I killed and ate him.” Sargon grinned.

It was at this moment the poor merfolk realized that the demon before him, laughing and speaking to them calmly, was in fact someone deadly and fearsome. The man immediately slammed his head down unto the floor.

“Please forgive my rudeness, demon lord, for you to pay heed to helpless monsters like us, I’ve troubled you deeply.” he said to him.

“Haha, i don’t mind, unlike any other demon lord I am quite carefree.” Sargon replied.

“What are your names?”, Lia asked,

“Ah yes, I am called Mesh, as for this little one, he is called Alect.” Mesh said.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” she then glanced at the beastman, who hasn’t taken her eyes off her since earlier.

“You have her sun-golden eyes.” she muttered, Lia flinched,

“Excuse me?” Lia blinked at her.

“No, it’s nothing, I am called Lexian, I am a wolf.” Lexian replied.

They were given rooms and food in the mansion to use, Lia also made sure to heal them. She, however, constantly felt eyes lurking behind her head. As the demons roamed around outside, Sargon made his way to the master bedroom and threw himself on the king sized bed. After an exhausting amount of time, tossing and turning, he realized he couldn't sleep because Diya wasn’t there. He exhaled deeply.

“These past days, with you not being here, it’s horrendous,” he turned on his side, “hurry and come back to me.”

Down in the dungeon Wendell had kept Lenny alive and was keeping him prisoner to interrogate him.

“I’m quite amazed you’ve held out this long,” Wendell said to him, “I wonder how long you’ll last with the master?”

Lenny, obviously tired, tortured and starving wondered just how much longer he would hold on.

“I got nothing to say to a demon.” he spat out. Wendell kicked him on his face, then grabbed his head,

“I’m going to ask once more, why was this mansion spared by Vanir?” Lenny began to chuckle, then burst out laughing,

“You’ve figured it out? I didn't peg you for the smart one.” Lenny began to laugh.

“It was easy, considering that I used to be Vanir’s dog.” Wendell picked up a branding iron and placed it in the torch before saying, “I was being lenient, I guess you want to be treated as a slave then.” Lenny swallowed his spit,

“Fine, I'll tell. Vanir made a deal with Lancaster, in return, Lancaster offered the entire village and most of his merchandise if Vanir would leave the mansion alone.” Lenny said.

“Where is his family?” Wendell asked.

“Heh, you think he’d want them here where he'd be participating in illegal activities?” Lenny shrugged, “they are obviously in the capital.”

“How many?” he asked him.

“What?” Lenny looked confused.

“How many bastards does he have?” Wendell demanded.

“Oh! You meant children? Last time I checked, nine, that beastman of yours is his oldest daughter.” Lenny grinned.

Wendell slapped him with such force, some of Lenny’s teeth flew out, he then grabbed him by the neck staring into his eyes.

“Lia, her name is Lia. For your information she isn’t some beastman, she’s the joy of our home.” Wendell glared at him, he was overflowing with rage at what Lia had told him. He then flung him against the cell walls, took the branding iron and stamped him.

“Rejoice, you are now a slave, and from a slave you shall serve many of my master’s famished demons.” were the last words Lenny heard.

Lia sighed as she stood outside the door of what was once her room. She was hesitant.

“What’s keeping you back?” Alfreed spoke to her and she replied with a scream.

“You scared me, I didn't hear you coming.” Lia offered.

“Were you that lost in your thoughts?” the dwarf laughed as he tapped her back. “Look alive young’un.” he said as he jogged off.

Lia just shook her head and opened the door. At first she closed her eyes when she walked in, when she opened her eyes she soon realized that that room was just a storage space. Where her bed stood, was now a pile for potatoes, the small desk she had was replaced with herbs.

“What did i expect?” she muttered. She however felt relieved, yet sorrowful. “No use moping around here.” As she turned to leave Lexian was standing behind her. She was startled and was about to scream when Lexian placed her hand on Lia’s mouth, and forced herself inside the room, kicking shut the door behind them. At the same time, Sargon was on the roof of the mansion when Wendell emerged from the shadow bowing before Sargon,

“Good night my lord.” Sargon glanced at him then back at the village of demons.

“Do you need something?” he finally spoke.

“No.” he said to him.

“Then can I help you?” Sargon said as Wendell sighed.

“It’s been a very long time since we’ve met, yet my lord you still treat me so coldly.”

“Do you want to be hugged then?” Sargon asked him.

“Please.” Wendell’s tail twirled.

“Then ask one of the demons below.” At this point Wendell was crying internally. Sargon sat back up.

“Have you ever loved someone?” Wendell figured he missed lady Diya.

“I have never known love. Us demons don't have that privilege. We just know war and blood.” he sat down just a little ways from Sargon. “But I do know of one specific story.” Wendell said.

“What’s it about?” Sargon asked.

“Love.” he replied.

“Hmm? Do tell.” Sargon demanded.

“Well, I heard it when I was young, it was a story of a demon who fell in love with someone he couldn’t have, it was said that the female of interest was a human. Someone who was strong. I don’t know how they met, but I do know that woman fell in love with that demon. Their race tried to tear them apart but they fled, because they loved each other.”, Wendell recited.

“I see.” Sargon said as he rested his arm on his knee,

“Although I don’t know what became of them, it was a story of hundreds of years ago.” Wendell said as he placed his hand on his chin.

“I guess I'll elope with Diya.” he said, filled with determination.

He was fantasizing a home with him and Diya and children of their own, with just them, no one else.

“Please don’t joke my lord, if you two aren’t here, who’s going to rule us?” Sargon said nothing. “Lia may be the current female head of the army right now, but her presence isn't anywhere near that of Lady Diya, as for me, I can’t comprehend your monstrosity.”

“Then you all just need to get stronger. Let’s return and get rested, for we embark for the small detour in our stop.” Sargon said.

“My lord.” Wendell stopped him. “Do you think she’s alright?”, trying not to show the worries on his face he questioned,

“What are you asking Wendell? Where else have you seen someone as diligent as her?” he asked.

Wendell exhaled before saying, “You’re right.”