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Chapter 31

"No not this time." I snarled.

Chase stomps around the old lab as I work on making the portal runes, "And just why the hell not, Ebony? If there is a threat to any member of this pack I have the right, the obligation, to address it."

Letting out a sigh I pause drawing the runes and look up at him, "There is no threat against anyone. I am simply going to try and get information."

He pauses mid-stomp and glares at me, "Information you said could draw unwanted attention to Silver and us causing a threat to not just your pack, but your own godson."

Closing my eyes I set the brush down in the bowl while taking a deep breath, "I am well aware of that, Chase, and I am very much against doing anything to bring more trouble here. But I have no other choice. If Silver is indeed capable of doing what I suspect he is then I know of no other place to find the answers we need."

Opening my eyes I see Chase glaring at me as he starts again, "All the more reason I should go with you. If nothing else to be present as support, to help you in some way."

With a swipe of my paw I reply in a gruff voice, "No and that's final."

His eyes go wide for a moment and a flicker of hurt appears in them causing my own emotions to catch. Letting out a sigh I say, "Last time there was a legitimate threat posed to the pack yes, but I was also going under the direct orders and protection of a demon lord. Protection, I remind you, we do not have this time. On top of that, the entire court had been dismissed until I was to present myself to Tribus. That will not be the case this time."

Crossing his arms across his chest Chase raises an eyebrow, "And just how would that make any difference?"

My eyes widen slightly at what is either his lack of understanding or lack of caring about the situation, so I explain, "The difference is that when we both went there last time, there was only one other demon present in my grandfather's court that day. A normal day could see dozens if not hundreds of demons trying to gain his attention and favor."

I step up to him placing my paws on his shoulders and look him square in the eyes, "Even with just Circe there an attempt was made to take you from me. With so many more demons present the odds of me being able to protect you from them are drastically reduced."

His arms lower slightly as he hears the worry in my voice, "You really think it would be so much more dangerous for me to go?"

Nodding I answer, "I know it would be. Most of the demons who will likely be present will not be bound to respect my claims in the way Circe was. Once she realized who I was she knew that doing anything to me or those under my protection would provoke the wrath of Tribus directly. None of the others today will have that same worry, at least not to the same degree, as they are not part of our family."

He raises one paw and rubs his eyes with a thumb and forefinger, "You mean they will attack others in your grandfather's own house?"

I give him a shrugging nod as I lower my paws from his shoulders, "That's typically how demons gain favor with demon lords. They prove they have the strength to be of use by any means at their disposal: that could be by combat, by subterfuge, theft, even murder. Nothing is off the table."

As I turn to go back to work on the runes I feel Chase grab my arm, "You mean they could try and kill you as well?"

I pause for a moment in silence before simply nodding.

His grip tightens as he turns me back to face him, "Ebony, no information is worth your health or safety... We can find the information somewhere else."

I grab his paw in mine and hold it tight, "Chase, there is no other place I can think of to go for the answers we need. Believe me this is not my first choice. It is our ONLY choice." I let go of his paw and go back to the runes, "Besides, I need to know more about the book I left with Tribus if he has had time to study it more."

Chase just stood there in silence watching me work for several moments before the door opens and two pairs of paw-steps enter the room. Looking over my shoulder I see Richard and Jasmine walking in each carrying one of the twins.

With a small smirk aimed at Richard I ask, "Did someone finally wake up from his new bed in the kitchen?"

He gives me a half hearted glare, "Oh har har, not all of us can go weeks without a nap you know."

Jasmine gives his shoulder a playful swat with her free paw as Silver looks around the room from his spot in her other arm, "We just wanted to come see you off, Ebony, and to thank you for doing this. After you left earlier I watched Silver and Ranger playing on the floor, and I think you're right."

She looks down at her son with a mix of love and concern, "He can see things the rest of us can't, and we need to know why." Her gaze moves back to me as she continues, "We can't thank you enough for this. If there is anything we can do to help..."

She trails off as I finish the last rune in the circle and the portal comes into existence in the center. Standing I turn and look at Silver who is watching the new wonder in the room with wide eyes, "Jasmine, there is nothing you need to do besides keep these little ones safe and happy. As I was telling Chase this is too dangerous for any of you. I have to go alone."

Richard holds out a paw for me to shake which I take with a firm grip, "Ebony, I don't understand a lot of this stuff, but if even half of what you and Chase have told me is true I don't see how I could repay you."

With my other hand I wave off his comment, "Neither of you will owe me anything, Richard. All I'm doing is going to ask some questions, nothing more. I would do the same for any of you."

He gives me a half smile, "Maybe so, but as a father it still grates on me that I have to rely on someone else to help my cub."

Finally letting go of his paw I take a step back and adjust the cloth wrapped around my shoulders a bit where it's hanging loose, "That I can not even try to understand. Now before this gets much more emotional I should be getting ready to go."

Jasmine looks from my sword, to me, the portal and asks, "What more do you need?"

Chuckling comes from me and Chase at the same time as I answer, "I have to go in my true form."

She tilts her head in confusion while Richard's eyes widen slightly, and he steps back as he pulls her back with him, "He means he can't go looking like a wolf, right Eb?"

Nodding, they both step back giving me space. As soon as there is enough area around me I shift into my demonic form in the span of a few heartbeats. I go from being just a bit taller than everyone in the room to towering over them as my horns scratch the ceiling and my wings flare out behind me. The toga wrapped around me going from barely staying on to being almost tight but still protecting my full modesty.

I hear a loud gasp come from Jasmine and turn my head so I can see her with one eye while I speak in a gravelly voice, "Sorry, I should have warned you."

She shakes her head slightly before saying, "Richard told me what you look like, but it's something totally different seeing it in person."

At that moment a happy giggle echoes around the room drawing all eyes to Silver. The small cub is looking up with me wide eyes shining bright as he reaches both of his small paws up towards me. That causes everyone in the room to stare at him for a long moment before I slowly lower my head closer to him.

As soon as my nose gets within his reach he lets out another loud laugh and grabs onto my muzzle in delight with one paw while the other points eagerly at my horns. I just stand there in silence as the cub who is small enough to fit entirely into my draconian mouth eagerly explores my scales and exposed fangs with no fear.

After a long moment Chase clears his throat and says, "Well I think that answers the question on if Silver could see Eb's true form or not. He's way too comfortable with it to not have seen it before."

Slowly and carefully I pull away from the cub much to his displeasure, "I would say it does."

With that I pick up my sword and turn towards the portal, "Well I guess I better go then, now that we need those answer more than I thought. I should be back later today, tonight at the latest."

Before I can step through I feel a tug on my lower left horn as my head is pulled down and to the side to look at Chase. His eyes have a hint of tears and fear in them as he says, "You be careful, Ebony. Don't do anything reckless ok?"

Before I can answer he places his lips against mine in a deep kiss that I return with care. When he finally pulls back I give him a smile and say, "I promise to do my best."

With that he lets go of my horn, and I step into the portal letting the house fall away as darkness envelops me.

............

As quickly as the darkness came it clears away leaving me facing the lake of lava once again. Fighting back a cough from the sudden dryness along with the smell of sulfur and smoke I look around the area. Nothing has changed from my last visit, and I quickly find the stone path leading out into the lake towards my grandfather's estate. Squaring my shoulders I stand up as straight as I can and set off along the path gripping my sword in my left paw, my claws gripping the hilt tight.

Along the path I can't help but look around the realm and take in the view. As much as I try to deny it I find myself actually starting to enjoy the area in a way that only a draconian demon could. The heat slowly sinks into my body warming me up from a cold that I didn't realize I had been living with. Each breath I take grows easier and deeper as the smell of the sulfur and magma begins to invigorate me in a way I hadn't felt in centuries.

About half way across the lake I begin to realize I am walking with a bit of a spring in my step as I feel stronger and more energetic than I have in centuries. When I realize the changes coming over me I stop in my tracks and think back to my previous trip just a couple weeks ago, but I can't remember the same feelings then as I feel now. Shaking my head at the thought I push it from my mind chalking it up to not being afraid I was going to my execution and start walking again.

When I reach the large doors I stand before them for a moment looking up at them when a shadow to the right side detaches from the wall and forms into a giant three-headed hellhound that is looking down at me with three sets of eyes filled with curiosity.

Looking up at the large male I smile, "Hello again, Magnus, how are you today?"

The center head gives a snort before lowering down to sniff my face while the other two keep watch over the area. After he gets my scent I reach up my free claw and scratch him behind the ear which causes him to let out a soft growl of pleasure for a moment before he pulls back and gestures toward the door with a huff.

Letting out a sigh I look at the door before asking him, "Is it crowded in there?"

The left head this time looks at me before rolling his eyes in a way that conveys the message of 'you have no idea'.

Letting out a small groan of my own I smile up at the hound, "Thanks for the heads up."

All three heads nod once in unison before Magnus sinks back into the shadows and attaches to the wall once more. Swallowing hard I reach for the door handle and move my way inside.

The wall of sound hits me like a physical force as the voices of hundreds of demons filling the great hall blasts out the now open door. Moving quickly I slip inside the door and close it behind me trying to avoid attracting unwanted attention as much as possible.

My efforts were wasted however as the sheer mass of demons was more than enough to hide my presence from all but those closest to me, and none of them spared me more than a glance before returning to their discussions or arguments. All around me creatures of all shapes stood, slithered, crawled, or flew through the air.

Moving along the wall to the right I pass a creature nearly as large as me that seemed to be a cross between a spider and a crocodile who is having a rather heated debate with a snake-like creature with five arms, "...I don't know about you but I am not going to let that imp continue to infringe on my territory without ripping his wings off..."

Moving along the wall a large feathered demon flies over my head before landing on a perch just ahead of me as it calls out, "Hey I saw you come in. What is your business here you weakling?"

I look up to see a harpy looking at me with a sneer. Baring my fangs in a low growl I answer, "My business is my own, and I would be careful with who you call a weakling, you vulture."

The feathers on the harpy's wings flare out as it starts hissing at me, "How dare you call the Queen of Harpies a vulture, you stupid lizard?!"

She flares her wings and makes as if she is going to try to attack me, but before she can I however, I expand my own wings out to their farthest limits above and to the sides as I stretch my body to my full size, all while doing my best to direct my demonic energies in her direction. My actions catch her off-guard, and she freezes in her attempt as fear flashes momentarily across her face. I see the moment when she realizes she may have bitten off much more than she can handle.

With a huff she turns and in an attempt to save face says, "You're not worth my time, you whelp." In a flutter of feathers she quickly flies off in search of easier prey.

Before I attract any more unwanted attention I quickly fold my wings back around my shoulders while working to suppress my energies. I continue making my way along the wall trying to get closer to the thrones which I know are at the far end, but can't be seen for the mass of demons clogging the area.

Chastising myself at my outburst I fail to notice the growing silence until I have walked into the back of another demon. Biting off my apologies I look up and see they haven't taken notice of me and instead are staring at the far end of the hall where three large dragon heads are rising up above the crowd. As one the entire crowd steps back and to the side, mashing hard along the walls leaving a long empty path down the center of the room.

Just as the path clears wide enough for me to see a single figure at the far end standing in front of my grandfather. Before any questions can form in my mind the figure turns to try and run. Making it only a few steps before each of the great head opens its maw wide and three gouts of red, blue, and green fire issue from deep within their throats and shoot down the full length of the hall engulfing the running demon.

Acting on instinct I shield my face from the intense heat and light as the flames roar past to splash against the door catching more than a few bystanders in the process. When Tribus finishes his roar of flames and closes each of his mouths the flames vanish leaving nothing but small piles of ash where the unfortunate demons caught in the way had been.

As for the one who had attracted my grandfather's ire, all that remained was a single smoking foot, burned off at the ankle, which very quickly turned to ash and blew away. Acting as one the entire crowd turned to face the thrones as Tribus spoke through his center head, "Any other demons feel like trying to threaten me or my kin today?"

Silence echoed loudly through the room before several sounds of movement could be heard around the edges of the room followed quickly by the entrance door opening then closing with a loud bang. Before the doors fully shut, however, screams and growls were heard coming from outside just before the ripping of flesh was silenced by the shutting doors.

Gulping hard I just watch in silence as my grandfather's gaze travels around the room for a moment before he begins to settle back down. When he is about half way through sitting back down he freezes as his head crowned in fire locks its gaze on me and his red eyes widen ever so slightly. His pause is brief but just long enough to draw all attention in the room in my direction.

Before anyone can move, however, his gaze moves on, and he bellows out, "Back to business before I get tired of your presence."

As though he had not just incinerated several attendees the crowd returned to what it was doing before with just a small bit more elbow room for those left. Letting out a small sigh a large furred creature next to me with the body of a bear and the head of a great horned owl lets out a low hoot before saying in a slightly nasally voice, "Your first time here, young one?"

I turn to look at the demon who spoke and answered, "Not exactly. Just the first time I've attended a full court before."

The demon nods before saying, "That's easy enough to tell, most demons know what happens when someone comes here to make threats against Lord Tribus or his clan. The stupid bastards who make that mistake never make it out alive." He reaches up a large claw and scratches his lower beak, "Though I gotta say it's been a long time since someone pissed him off bad enough to use all three of his heads to roast them. Must have really pushed the wrong buttons."

He looks me fully up and down before squinting his eyes slightly and asking, "You're not here to cause trouble are you? The Lord seemed a bit surprised when he looked at you just now?"

My blood grows cold despite the heat of the room as I answer, "My business is none of your concern, and I have no idea why my presence would surprise him."

The owl creature narrows his eyes farther till they are little more than slits, "I care not what your reason for coming here is. I only care about whether standing next to you will get me burned to death or protect me from the fire..."

I give him a small smirk, "I am in no danger of the fire that I am aware of, but I offer no shield either."

He gives a very slow nod before saying, "I see... I suppose being a draconian yourself the fire would be of little concern. All the same I will give you one piece of advice, youngin, the only free advice you will receive here. Get better control of your surprise at what happens. Others will view it as weakness and will use it to further their own strength."

With that the demon turned and moved into the crowd quickly vanishing from sight. Shaking my head I have to admit he is right. I may not know all the nuances of how to navigate this court, but I do know that showing any kind of weakness is tantamount to cutting my own throat.

I continue to make my way along the side wall of the room until I am less than a quarter of the way from the two thrones at the front of the hall. Finding a spot along the wall hidden in the shadow of one of the pillars I find a position with my back to the wall and a full view of the court below the thrones. Settling in for a wait I lean against the wall crossing my arms over my chest while keeping my sword gripped tight in my left paw as I watch.

One by one the parade of demons fight and jostle their way to the front of the room into one of three positions, each addressing a different head of my grandfather's dragon form. In nearly every instance the same thing plays out over and over. The approaching demon presents their complaint, demands, or requests. After a short time my grandfather will give an answer. Usually the answer given is not what the lower demons wanted to hear as most leave with defeated looks. Occasionally some will get good news for them and will turn to look smugly at the demons behind them only to be met with glares of hatred.

Twice more however demons that I took to be either upper level demons or extremely stupid ones came forward with drawn weapons and issued challenges of some form. In both cases the results were the same... Fire.

As the hours began to go by I started to notice that at around every fifth demon who came up the red eyes of the head closest to me would dart in my direction. My grandfather was very clearly aware of my presence and very curious as to my reason for returning so soon, but was still unwilling to call any more attention to me than he already had.

Then my desire to remain hidden in the shadows was taken from me when a familiar harpy managed to force her way to the front of the line and got the attention of my grandfather's blue eyed head. Before she spoke all eyes had already turned in her direction as she was waving a large blade around in her taloned hand and yelled out, "I DEMAND TO BE GIVEN SATISFACTION OF COMBAT FROM THE STUPID LIZARD WHO INSULTED ME IN YOUR COURT!"

My blood goes cold as I let out an involuntary growl, "Oh come on...."

All talking ceased as all three of my grandfather's heads gave their full attention to the harpy, "What are you talking about?"

She points her blade straight at me and continues to yell. "THAT STUPID LIZARD RIGHT THERE CALLED ME A VULTURE! I DEMAND TO BE GIVEN RIGHT TO COMBAT TO CLAIM HIS HEAD!"

All eyes move to stare straight at me as my grandfather's heads all turn to me as one and he asks, "Is it true that you called the Queen of Harpies a vulture?"

Letting out a long sigh of annoyance I step away from the wall and make my way forward as the crowd parts around me. Once I am standing before my grandfather I straighten my posture as much as I can, my arms at my side and my wings folded against my back. I glance over at the feathered annoyance who just screwed up my day before looking back at Tribus and answering, "Yes Lord Tribus I did."

He stares at me fully before the center head addresses the harpy by turning back to her and asks, "And you feel that is sufficient reason to call for his head?"

In a screeching voice she cries out, "Yes I do! No demon, save you Lord, has any reason to insult those who are better than them, and I demand the right to claim his head."

For a long moment Tribus stares at both of us in silence before drawing all three of his heads back and in an instant changes into his humanoid form before saying loudly for the assembled crowd, "We are all aware of the laws of demons both written and unwritten in regards to how you treat your betters. Above all strength and power makes right in our world. All know this, all live by this, all will die by this."

He glances at me and I see a tiny flicker of a smile in his eyes before he looks at the harpy who is swelling with anger and says, "Very well, if you can claim his head with your greater power then I grant your right to a challenge."

Turning to the crowd he says louder, "Let this be a lesson to all of you about making assumptions about who is your lesser."

A slight murmur echoes through the room as he sits in his throne before saying, "Get on with your fight."