Actually as a point of fact, while Damien was one of the more conscientious council members, he normally wouldn’t have paid this much attention to the matter; or would not have if not for the rather unusual reports coming from the confrontation between the two wizards.
Apparently, Exador had lain siege to Lenamare’s castle on the premise of taking Lenamare’s school. A rather worthless thing to do, but given the egos of the two wizards involved, not outside the realm of possibility.
Lenamare had responded as everyone knew he would by tossing up his super wards around the castle. The wards were worthy of respect, even if Lenamare, in his insatiable demand for fawning compliments, did make their secret just a little bit too well known. When Exador tried to remove the wards, Lenamare apparently retaliated with a fourth order demon. Having a fourth order demon on hand was quite a feat, in and of itself, stupid and dangerous to use, but quite a feat.
Anyway, despite Lenamare’s wards and big demon, Exador somehow managed to push Lenamare to the limit. For some reason, apparently thinking his castle was a lost cause, Lenamare blew it up and took the vast majority of Exador’s army with it.
Another piece of incredible wizardry from Lenamare, thought Damien.
Damien relaxed in his chair thinking. The music from Antefalken’s harp slowly relaxing some of the tension from reading the messages. Damien was in his quarters at Freehold, relaxing in his stuffed chair listening to his bard, Antefalken, play a collection of melodies from the Vargosite Empire, 600 years ago. Damien sat gently stroking his light beard and mustache, now and then brushing a dark golden lock of hair from before his eyes.
The melodies temporarily diverting him, he once again noted the advantages of having a bard that could play music that no one else had heard in 400 years. Actually, his bard had other advantages. Maybe Antefalken could find something out about Lenamare’s fourth order demon. No one had been aware that Lenamare had one. Perhaps Antefalken with his special connections could find something out.
Damien looked over to Antefalken. Antefalken was perched with his small harp, sitting on the back of a sturdy chair, with his legs on the seat. The lap harp balanced on his thighs as he played. At first glance, Antefalken appeared to be a boy. Certainly in size and proportion he was about the size of a thin boy of about seven years. However his beard and moustache rather despoiled that image. Well, upon further thought, Damien decided that maybe the cat-like eyes or the small bat-wings on Antefalken’s back didn’t help the image much either.
“Antefalken?” asked Damien, interrupting the flow of music.
“Yes, m’lord?” the bard replied, still strumming, but more softly now.
“You haven’t by any chance, heard of any fourth order demons being enslaved recently have you?”
“Fourth order?” the bard said with a puzzled expression. “No, I don’t recall any such events. Of course I’m normally here in Astlan most of the time, so I do miss the court gossip.”
“Hmm. Next time you’re back, if you could perhaps enquire. Lenamare has come up with a fourth order demon that he’s been using in combat with Exador.”
“Using a fourth order demon in combat? My, my, isn’t your friend Lenamare getting a little bit senile these days. Or is the end of the world coming and he’s pulling out all the stops?” asked Antefalken.
“Hardly the end of the world, or at least if it is, Exador and Lenamare haven’t bothered to tell the rest of us. Not that they would mind you... but the thought would be nice. Anyway, for whatever reason, Lenamare’s up to something so big that he’s willing to use fourth order demons and waste his own castle in a rather incredible blast to try and take out Exador.”
“Hmm, well, if you won’t be needing me tonight, I could return to the Abyss, dig up what I can at the Courts of Chaos. Anna Leri claims she’s got to work all night to get a gown ready for Lady Beth, so she won’t be able to make our usual rendezvous...
“Normally, I’d find another lucky lass to share my bed, but it seems Anna Leri’s told the other maids that I’ve got crabs to keep them from sleeping with me. Thus being out of luck, I’m free to do your bidding.”
“Thank you,” Damien said with mock gratitude, “I feel so lucky to be served so faithfully by a demon in such high demand.” Antefalken nodded, with a slight smirk, accepting the gratitude in the spirit in which it was given.
