Chapter 94

The search for the demonic horse proved to be more difficult than Aurelia realized. Lord Bathory had no references to the creature. He asked the team to keenly observe it so he could add it to his creature compendium. They questioned everyone around all three taverns in Venmere.

Zinjo leaned against a wall and sighed, "I don't get it, dark princess. I would've expected a demonic horse to have a local legend. It's as if the horse didn't exist."

"What does the culture of Kianzangi say about demonic presences?" Aurelia leaned next to Zinjo. She held his hand and stared at the handsome face. She promised to dedicate herself to the marriage once they dealt with Lebende.

"The demons collect souls, and they often choose families to torment. Back home, a Hyena warrior named Rashid encountered a demon named Mbulu. Like any person, he challenged Mbulu to a fight. Mbulu promised Rashid great riches if he won, and if Mbulu won, he would possess Rashid's soul."

Aurelia opened and closed the parasol in thought, "Let me guess, the demon counted on the family wanting revenge."

"No, just the opposite. It would come to Rashid's house and challenge the family once a season. The family is no more, according to hyena legend."

The parasol snapped shut, "The question is whose family was the horse after. We have to assume if Lebende's wife had relatives, the horse would actively be stalking the next family member or moved on to a new family."

"From what I remember, Rashid's family had all manner of protective charms which forced Mbulu to keep his distance. I would assume a family would protect themselves here would similarly protect themselves," Zinjo wrapped his arms around Aurelia and kissed her, "If we fail, we may have a demonic problem ourselves. Are you sure you want to secure victory this way?"

"You saw how powerful Carmen was. We would lose good people. Our goal is to work smarter and not harder. An all-out assault is our last option," Aurelia stroked the muscular chest and inhaled Zinjo's spicy scent.

"Let's look around the urban areas for a strangely decorated house," Zinjo offered.

***

Zinjo suggested they start on the outskirts of town, "I think a creature like this Cheval Mallet wouldn't wander too far into town. It has better escape options if it remains near the road."

"If the demonic presence bonds to a family, what would happen if we moved the family further into town? Would it follow?" Aurelia's instincts told her the creature would stalk the family to the ends of the earth.

"I sense a plan is brewing?" Zinjo beamed with pride.

"Yes, but let's try to confirm your theory first, and we should let the others know what we are up to," Aurelia looked down at her stomach. The last few days had proven she was with child. "We have to hurry. We can't count on Gael sinking the machines."

The couple stopped at Lord Bathory's, who would relay their recent activities to the others. From there, they headed to the outskirts of town, where the Cobblestone ended, and the dirt tracks began.

Here the houses sported thatch and wooden shingles and stone foundations. A few sported charms of all shapes and descriptions, at the fence line and again at the front porch.

Zinjo and Aurelia shook their heads in astonishment, "What is going on here?" Zinjo peered at the charms and protective amulets, "It's as if there is more than one demonic presence at work here."

A woman came out to the weathered stone well bucket in hand. Aurelia and Zinjo started to approach her. The woman dropped the bucket and held up a charm, "You will not take me this day, demon," She shouted loud enough for everyone to hear."

Aurelia put up her hands, "I am not a demon. I am Queen Aurelia Dusk of Shadowfen. My husband and I heard about your trouble and came to offer help."

The woman relaxed a little, "What is the name of the big one?" She asked as she pointed at Zinjo.

"This is king Zinjo. He comes from Kianzangi in the east. How many demons are here?" Aurelia asked.

The woman looked around and motioned for the newlyweds to follow her, "Quick, get inside. They can't hear us in there," She practically dragged the pair into her modest home, "I'm Irma, by the way."

Clouds of dust floated around their feet and covered everything. Symbols etched into the floors near the simple straw bedding spoke to how bad things were, "The Cheval Mallet came around twenty-five years ago. We thought there was one, but time made fools of us all."

Aurelia goggled at the woman, "There is a whole herd?"

Zinjo shook his head, "Madness, how did they come to be here?"

"A mother was desperate to have a child, so she made a pact with a demonic presence. In exchange for her soul, the demon promised her a child. He stipulated on the day the mother died, the entity, would come for both their souls."

"Did the child have a name?" Aurelia asked

"Thea, she married a kind baker by the name of Dietrich Wagner. The other women were envious of her marriage. Dietrich was well off and a good husband...," She stopped at the sight of Zinjo's hand in her face.

"Then why do they continue to attack? Shouldn't they have ended with mother and daughter?" Zinjo eyed the woman with suspicion.

Irma blushed a little, "Out here, we are all related by marriage or blood. It's not uncommon for people to marry...,"

"We know how the story ends, and we might have a way to end the demonic assaults for good, but that is going to require a little trust on your part," Aurelia spoke in a crisp and confident tone.

The woman leaned in, "If you can end the attacks, I expect every last man, woman, and child would follow you back to Shadowfen."

"We are going to need to move you into the inner city. I have an idea," Aurelia smiled and held Irma's hand.

***

A few short hours later, the people on the outskirts of Venmere settled in the Dawnstar Inn. Aurelia and her companions met at a table in the Tavern. "Okay, we have the means to lure the demons here, but the question is, will Lebende show up to avenge the death of Thea?"

"Hmmm," Zinjo stroked his chin in thought, "I would put gold on him showing up. I expect this is why he needed the machines because there were more than one."

"I have to agree with my hairy friend," Nian said, "A man driven by revenge will jump at a chance to exact it."

"Okay, but how do we curb Lebende and the Cheval Mallet herd?" Tang Sai traced the air with a finger, "I mean, the plan was to capture one, how did it become a herd?"

"Does it matter?" Ayasu shot Tang sai a dirty look, "What matters is we are here trying to do something about it."

Mshindi and Redford rose from their chairs, "We will work on getting a message to Lebende. I have a feeling the Cheval Mallet will be preoccupied with him."

"I wonder if the urn can hold more than one presence?" Aurelia mused, "The runes said the container becomes what it needs to, right?"

"You think the size of the urn means it can hold more than one lethal spirit?"

Ayasu smiled, "It is worth a shot, but that means we will need more than one person chanting the spell," She gestured to the scroll on the table.

"It too bad Gael didn't come with us. The Al' Miraj could cut through the Cheval Mallet like butter," Tang Sai mused.

"Looks like we know what I will be doing," Aurelia held up the Lion's Fang. "Tang Sai, and Ayasu, round up priests and priestesses. You two will lead the chant," Lord Nian, Zinjo, and I will engage the enemy on the ground. Redford and Mashek will keep their eyes out for Lebende, and Mshindi will join us in melee."

Ayasu and Tang Sai rose and headed out to complete their task. Nian looked over at Aurelia, "Do you think we have a chance?"

"Whether we have a chance or not, this is our best shot at ending this."