The Devine Demon {Chapter 40}

Arriving at the entrance to the Castle Lilith could see a few more guards than usual and Sharl was in their midst giving directions. As they walked into the large entrance way Sir Tanel and Lady Morwen were present along with her brother Maldwyn, Keven and a few other nobles.

“Oh good you are all here now. Good Good. The coaches should be here soon.” Sir Tanel said as he looked around at the 12 or so people present.

With the outer doors open Lilith could see a blue coach with silver trim pull up to the door along with another team of horses behind it presumably pulling a second coach. Sir Tanel began leading everyone out of the Entrance way as they began to board their rides for that evening. Sir Tanel, Lady Morwen, her brother, and her son all entered the first coach. A guard could be seen climbing the rear of the coach and perching on a foot rest and a hand hold made just for that purpose. The second guard was up front with the driver.

Behind the well appointed coach was a large covered wagon similar to the one Lilith had used to bring the lumber back from the woods a few days past. But this one had a large rain proof cover that provided shade and a wind break as well. Wanting to enter first she stepped forward sliding 10 feet using her tail as a spring.

Lilith tried to climb the wooden ladder at the back but she couldn’t lift her weight without breaking part of the ladder. She could feel the wood about to snap as she started to pull herself up but decided to stop. Instead she wrapped her tail around her feet and teleported to the middle of the wagon landing 2” above the floor and dropping onto it with a slight thud. After sitting down she pulled her coils close to her legs to make it easy for the others to board.

Finally Celeste, Wendel, Sharl, and 3 other nobles and Hamlin Miles joined them in the back of the covered wagon. Lilith was thinking that the wagon was being used just for her but it also seemed to easily fit this number of people. Two maids and a guard came in the back and sat at the end of the same bench Lilith was on and another sat up front with their driver too. Soon a call from the front coach was made and the two carts started to move down the path inside the keep and out past Hill Road.

The clip clop of the two, two horse teams could be heard sounding out as they moved down the rough dirt roads. They picked up speed as they headed down the Duke’s Way. As the cart began to shake and jostle with the bumps in the road Lilith felt a new sensation. It was soft at first but then jumped at her with sparks and waves. It was the feeling of sexual pleasure and it was coming from her tail. Lilith began to flush as the cart continued to bump and shake as it trundled down the road, turning right then left again. Soon it came to a stop, the horses slowing gradually. Lilith looked around a bit confused and disappointed that the ride had been so short.

“Are we there already?” She asked.

“Ya the carts are really just to help with the trip back at the end of the night. We could have easily walked here.” Sharl explained.

“And where is here?’ Lilith asked while tilting her head, unable to see out because of the canvas of the covered wagon.

“The River Shining Tavern. Its the big red building we keep walking by.” Celeste said with a smile.

While she was waiting for the rest of the passengers to get out of the cart Lilith looked down at her tail trying to pinpoint where the happy feelings had come from. The best she could guess it was about three feet back from the tip of her tail, where it began to get thicker. Once it was her turn, Lilith teleported down from the cart and began to follow the others into the well lit front entrance of the River Shining Tavern.

Inside there were large tables all draped with red table cloths. Large candle laden chandeliers made of tainted glass and deer antlers hung above the room. There was a stage with a band playing to the right and a bar and kitchen to the left. To the back Lilith could see a game room with darts and a game similar to corn hole. They were shown to a set of tables and they each had a seat. Lilith however had to turn her chair sideways so she could sit down properly. She was seated between Wendel and Celeste and Hamlin and a noble named Gusto were seated across at the same table. At the other table were Sir Tanel, Lady Morwen, Sir Maldwyn and Kevin Demura. This table had 2 maids in attendance standing close to each of the Daggerfords.

Drinks were brought out almost immediately and each table soon had a cask of wine and a pitcher of amber beer. Their hosts were soon there and began taking orders. Lilith ordered three plates of rack of lamb and one bowl of beef stew. Everyone began talking about the day’s events, the daring rescue and the likely hood of an undead army storming the gates of the city before or after the orcs tried to do the same. Lilith was more interested in hearing stories about Lady Morwen and things she had done and tried to steer the conversation that way.

Sharl explained how she was the reason the town had a militia in the first place. She insisted on every able bodied man Training 2 months a year once in the spring and again in the Fall. Every able bodied man trained but only 140 served at a time. A man could get another to take his place if he had need but otherwise desertion was punished with prison time. She trained with the men as well both as a foot soldiers and as Cavalry. None could complain when the Duchess herself was hefting the same equipment or training the same hours. She had organized punitive forces with the cavalry to root out bandits and goblins that threatened the trade routes. But most of all she had kept the city free from onerous laws and corruption, at least until her kidnapping and imprisonment.

Fresh baked bread and butter were served and a few decided to ignore the cheap fair as it would spoil their apatite. Lilith already being hungry due to using pact magic earlier decided to try some of the bread. Much to her dismay she found that she couldn’t properly chew the it. Her teeth couldn’t pulverize the starchy food as they had no flat surfaces. Apparently her teeth were now made for eating meat only. However she did not spit out her food, Lilith persisted and after about 2 minutes she was able to swallow the bread as she had enough time for her saliva to soften it along with what her sharp teeth had managed.

Then Kevin came over switching seats with Wendel well before the food arrived. Sharl was sitting to the side of Celeste and Kevin was sitting to the right of Lilith and the two girls now found their attentions divided and facing away from one another. Kevin seeing that Lilith was having trouble using her right arm with the seat back being on her right decided to remedy the situation by ripping the seat back clear off the chair.

“Can’t you go one evening without destroying a piece of furniture Kevin?” Lilith asked with a smirk.

“I assure you the chair had it coming.” he said with a serious look in his eyes.

“So, what was it doing that offended you so greatly.” she asked

“It was blocking my view.”

“Oh you’re a cheeky one.” Lilith said with a smile.

“And you are an interesting one.” he replied turning towards Lilith a bit more.

“What makes you say that? Is it the eyes?” Lilith blinked a few times for effect.

“Among other things. But its mostly just you.”

“Me.. and what am I?” Lilith asked in a hesitant voice as if she didn’t know the answer either.

“Brave and loyal, thoughtful and beautiful.” He said with a small smile directed at only her.

“Come now. I am none of those things except maybe brave.”

“Very brave indeed to wear such a dress.”

“Things like this are normal where I come from” Lilith said as she bounced one of her crossed legs on top of the other.

“And where is that exactly?” he asked shaking his head slightly.

“A place called Earth?”

“That's an odd name why would it be called dirt?” Keven seemed confused for a second.

Lilith, remembering how that word didn’t seem to translate, decided to try something else. “Its a different universe not just a different plane. It is as far from here as possible. And it is a world with no magic.”

“No Magic as in the weave doesn’t exist there?” Kevin asked with a surprised expression.

“Yep” she nodded

“Then how would demons and devils and fey survive in such a place?” Kevin asked again more confused.

“They don’t, we have none of those things.”

“Then it must be a peaceful place.”

“I don’t know we seem to make our own troubles more often than not.” Lilith's face contorted remembering the terrorist attacks on her own country and the constant wars in the Middle East.

“So there are nations like Luskan where you come from?”

“Yes and much worse. There are people so devoid of humanity that they would kill themselves just to kill another.”

“So just like that necromancer you fought today?”

“Is he dead? Like can he be killed normally? I am pretty sure I hit him with a bolt of lightning but he seemed to get away.” Lilith asked seeming a bit flustered.

“They sacrifice things and get different gifts in return. First, they sacrifice their own soul. Then they begin to sacrifice the souls of others. They get more power with each act of horror they perform, Orcus revels in it. They can be killed but it normally takes someone with divine power to do so. The power of one god to offset the gifts of another.”

“Then I might have a chance.” She said with a smile.

“So you have some divine magic?”

“I think so but I’m not sure.” Lilith said as she gripped the Holy symbol hanging tightly to her neck.

“You know I don’t pay heed to the warnings of my mother. If you are in the good graces of Lathander then you are good enough for me.” He said giving Lilith a serious look forcing her to look away.

“She isn’t wrong though, I may be more trouble than I am worth.” Lilith shied away from his intense look and checked the room. Celeste was getting similar treatment from Sharl and had a hand on his knee. Lilith then spotted the serving staff bringing their food out.

“How so?” Kevin asked after many plates of food were placed on the table. Half of them arranged in front of Lilith.

“Because I may just eat you out of house and home.” She said as she began to devour her first rack of lamb.

Kevin let out a good laugh and began to enjoy his dinner as well.

Lilith had been craving the meal for the past ten minutes. Being surrounded by people of such high character seemed to make them smell like food prepared by a professional chef. Celeste most of all, still smelling like a honey baked ham, and sitting so close to her. But now Lilith focused on her food and savored every bite. And each bite was doing more now than they ever had. Her teeth accidentally slicing through the lamb bone when she got the slightest bit over exuberant. Lilith just pulled the half of the bone out of her mouth and continued on to the third Rack of lamb. Her teeth made short work of the supple meat and she closed her eyes in ecstasy at the taste even letting out a few embarrassing noises.

Looking around for the stew she noticed Kevin staring at her intently. “You really seem to be enjoying that.” He said having put down his own fork and knife.

“It has been so frustrating. I have been surrounded by food all day and trying not to club the same people with my tail while they try to thank me in droves.” Lilith blurted this out as she pulled the bowl closer to her.

“Did you just refer to people as food?” Kevin asked tilting his head at her.

“Maybe, but really I am just talking about how they smell.” Lilith cringed a little realizing her mistake.

“Really then what do I smell like?”

Lilith leans over to smell Kevin just for show. Her top exposing her cleavage slightly as she leans in. “You smell like a bacon cheese burger with all the fixings. Like one of the gourmet ones with all the spices.”

“What’s a cheese burger?” Kevin asked, wresting his head on his hand. His elbow then resting on the table next to his empty plate.

“Well it looks like that will have to be my second invention.” Lilith said as she put a finger up to her face in deep thought.

“So people really do smell like food to you?” he asked looking at her intently.

“Yes ever since Lathander gave me my latest gift.” she admitted.

“Why couldn’t he have just given you wings and a better sense of direction to go with it?”

“I know right? But it seems this demonic body is growing through its life cycle and what comes next is even less pretty.”

“How so?” he asked scrunching his face.

“Well, I am wearing this dress for a reason. I wanted to show off my legs while I still have them.” Lilith said as she swallowed a big chunk of stew meat without bothering to chew it.

“What?” he asked scrunching his face even further the wrinkles all converging between his blue eyes.

“That thing behind me, that's not a tail. That’s part of my body. I can feel my organs inside it digesting my food as we speak.” Lilith said while tilting her head down with a slightly dejected look before something else caught her attention.

Lilith noticed Sharl stand and face the entrance way behind her. She turned to follow his gaze and saw a guardsman entering from outside. He was covered in water and it seemed to be raining. A light flash of light confirmed her suspicions but no sound was heard over the joyful band and the lively guests. The guard approached Sharl and began to repeat some message to him. Sharl nodded and dismissed the guard. He then went over to Sir Tanel and Lady Morwen and repeated the same thing for both of them to hear. Lady Morwen’s face lost a bit of its color as she turned to face Sir Tanel. He just nodded and pushed his plate away. With that Sir Tanel and Sharl began to leave and were soon gone into the dark of night.

“Kevin can you find out what that is about? I don’t want to get up and risk knocking over a table.” Lilith looked to him and swished her tail slightly as it was wrapped around both hers and Celeste's chair.

“Yes I want to know too.” He said as he stood up and turned to go speak with his mother.

“Whats going on where did Sharl go?” Celeste asked turning in her seat to face her friend.

“He left. I think something is wrong.” Lilith clasped her holy symbol and heard a pair of words in her mind. “Im sorry” This only put Lilith more on edge. She stood up and began casting Mage Armor.

Hearing the familiar Rune words Celeste did the same and they both turned to face the door as two more guards entered the Tavern and one came over to approach Lady Morwen, who had just finished speaking to Kevin.

As Kevin walked over to her with a troubled look on his face, Lilith could hear the sound of splintering wood coming from over her right shoulder. Instead of worrying about the noise, she looked to Kevin for an answer.

“Scouts spotted the orc army. It is larger than last time and it will be here by the second morning.” Kevin said in a stoic voice. “Sir Tanel and Sharl were getting the coach and covered wagon brought around for us. We need to head back to the keep. There is much work to be done.”

Lilith gripped her holy symbol and muttered something about her parties always getting interrupted. She then turned to look back at Celeste and saw that both their chairs were now in splinters having been crushed by her tail. She just looked at Kevin and shrugged. “Well I guess you are off the hook for destroying the back of my chair.”

“What chair?” He said with a smug grin.

“Ha, ha.” Lilith said as all three of them began laughing and moving towards the door just behind the Daggerford brother and sister. Hamlin left a sizable tip on the table and soon joined them as they all boarded the coach or covered wagon except this time in a steady down pour. Lilith and Celeste had picked up their shoes and held them in hand as the streets had turned to mud.

Once situated in the wagon, Lilith shook the rain out of her hair and then lamented the sheer volume of mud that her tail and feet were covered in. It was a brown clay, likely made of river bottom silt. The wagon soon began moving as another flash of light could be seen in the distance. This time Lilith could hear a small thud and rumble about ten seconds later. The ride was much smoother this time given that the road was made of mud. After only a few minutes they were back at the castle and people were hopping off into the area in front of the entrance that was covered in gravel rather than mud.

Lilith began to clean her tail by leaving it out from under the roof letting a down spout hit it and wash away the mud. She soon did the same for both her feet before walking under the first arch of the castle entrance. A few maids and stewards were present with water and rags to clean the feet of the entering guests. Lilith, Wendel and Celeste all used prestidigitation on themselves and who ever else was willing to get rid of the excess water and any small amounts of mud.

Sir Tanel, Sharl and Wendel went ahead first and said they would be in the master study. The first order was given to Gonald to clear out the remaining guests in the banquet hall and bring the guild leaders to the Court for a war council meeting. Sir Tanel signed it and pressed it with a ring then gave it to Sharl to deliver. Next was an order to have runners notify the outlying lands and have people and provisions brought inside the town walls before nightfall tomorrow. Sir Tanel continued writing order after order. Calling up the Militia in full, asking near by kingdoms for aid in case it devolved into a siege. Another letter was sent to the Lords Alliance telling them of the sighting of a necromancer leaving Cromm’s Hold and the likely involvement of Baroness Cromm with Orcus the demon lord of death. This letter was given to Wendel and he transmitted it to a known scribe in Waterdeep who took such messages at this time of day. Finally the war council was convened in the Ducal court and most of the guild masters were present along with Sir Tanel, Lady Morwen, Lilith and Wendel. Celeste stayed outside the room with Sharl as neither of them had title or station to grant them a voice in the meeting.

Lilith watched as the council discussed only two issues, the completion of the new weapons before nightfall the next day, and the gathering of people and supplies inside the city walls. Each guild promised to do their part, building temporary store houses or loaning out carts. Gonald had the most on his plate. 20% of the steel still needed to be smelted but it could be done by noon the next day. He then specifically asked for Lilith's help finishing the last of the spears so that his craftsmen could focus on making the shields. If things went poorly some of the men would have shields that weren’t lined with metal. But if everything went according to plan all the shields would be complete by midnight the next day if not sooner.

Lilith promised her help but reminded them that she still needed the raw materials and a good nights sleep. Other plans were made concerning live stock and new fencing. Then the issue of housing for the people’s from outside the town was discussed. When the clock struck eleven the meeting was adjourned and Lilith found Celeste and Sharl waiting for her outside.

“Some party huh?” Lilith said to Celeste as the rest of the Guild leaders and a few nobles walked by also leaving the court.

“Yes why does this keep happening.” Celeste asked looking at both Lilith and Sharl.

“I don’t know but these orcs just made my enemies list.” Lilith said stamping a foot in anger.

“Do you really keep a list of your enemies?” Celeste asked.

“Just in my head. It is a short list. Mosquitoes, Fire ants, Telemarketers, Lady Cromm, and every orc that spoiled my party tonight.”

“Whats a….. never mind it is too late.” Celeste said with a yawn.

“I will walk you to the tower there short stuff.” Sharl said putting a hand on Celeste’s shoulder.

“Thanks my champion.” She said, looking up at him matching his gaze.

Lilith waved goodbye as her friends went into the banquet hall and towards the castle entrance.

Now that all the stress and rush were over Lilith noticed a new sensation. She had just enough time. She teleported into the banquet hall then left, down the guest hall to the end, and opened the women’s lavatory. Feeling a rather distinct pressure building in her tail she pushed it into the small room and sat it over the wooden toilet seat. Soon there was a sweet release and nature ran its course. ‘god I hope no one sees me like this’ Lilith thought to herself as she was standing 4 feet outside the lavatory holding the door open, with her tail going inside.

Just as she finished Kevin came around the corner and saw her standing there with an odd look of satisfaction on her face. Lilith just about had a heart attack and turned around to face into the lavatory and cast prestidigitation on her tail then quickly left letting the door close on her tail as she moved down the hall. Kevin just stopped and stared trying to make sense of what he just saw. Lilith began moving faster shooting forward 15’ at a time by coiling up and pushing forward across the marble floor. Soon she was at her room and went in pulling her tail past her and closing and then locking the door for good measure.

“Rest well I shall see you tomorrow.” Kevin said from just beyond her door.

“Yes. Good night Kevin.” Lilith called out as she began to look around her room.

Lilith still had a more magical energy left so she used some more of the fabric she had to make a few more bras. She made two for Lady Morwen and a second one for herself. Now feeling the sum total of the days stress Lilith got undressed and hung up her new dress, took off her holy symbol and put it next to her ring box in the closet. She then took off her bra and cleaned it and herself with prestidigitation before lying on her bed naked, clean and utterly exhausted.

Once again she pulled her tail up between her legs and hugged it like a body pillow, the rest of it going under her head, supporting it, and wrapping around until it reached the small of her back. She lie awake for some time recounting the days events. From nearly biting her friend’s arm off, to being honored in front of most of the town’s nobles and guild members. From having the most delightful conversation with Kevin, to having it interrupted by some militant orcs.

Then she heard a tearing sound somewhere inside her own body as if a sheet of wrapping paper was being cut by a pair of scissors. As it progressed her stomach felt more and more full. It had a weight and a mass to it and then that mass started moving after the sound stopped. Something was in her belly and it was alive. It moved and spun in different ways and she could feel it pressing out on her. Then it began to press in a new direction and Lilith felt something rise in her throat. The sensation continued and intensified and then she felt an uncontrollable urge to vomit. But there was no noise and no heaving she simply opened her mouth and out it came. She could feel it leave her lips as it slid by. She tried to caught but it was impossible her mouth was full of something long and smooth and it was leaving her body. Out it came, more and more, until it circled back and looked at Lilith as the last of its tail left her mouth. It was unmistakable, a king cobra. About 10’ long and almost all black except for white belly inside its hood.

Lilith coughed and gagged regaining control of her airway and throat. Quickly Lilith got out of her bed away from the snake, her tail pushing out behind her and crushing a night stand as she moved. But the snake just sat there coiled up in a series of neat tidy circles. Its head tracked her as she moved back around the room and confirmed that the door was locked. Lilith then checked her codex and sure enough Summon Fiend was being cast again but the spell rune covering it was impossibly small as if it had just started again only moments before.

“Fuck!” Lilith said out loud. Then she heard a voice in her head.

“Hello majestic one how may I serve you?” It was a male voice but spoke out of respect and some fear.

“Stay in the closet and do not bite or harm anyone for any reason.” Lilith said not knowing what else to do. ‘I just want to go to sleep’ she thought as the cobra began to move.

“As you wish your grace.” The snake said into Lilith's mind as it moved off the bend and slipped under the crack of the closet door.

Lilith went back to her bed and checked the rest of her spells to see if any were being cast. Just as she expected only Summon Fiend had a magical rune covering it that got slightly bigger every minute. ‘What have I done? What have I done?’ Lilith thought. Writhing around on her bed not knowing what to do. Would it give the maid a heart attack when she finds it during the day. How long would it be here on the mortal plane? Was it evil? What if it wasn’t evil and she had just condemned it to a life in darkness? Was it a new life? Was it something she had created? What did she owe it as it’s creator?

Lilith called out to the serpent. “Snake, whats your name?”

“Rumdala is my true name oh beautiful one. But you may call me whatever you want.”

“Ok I am going to call you Noodle One. Come up here I want to talk to you.” Lilith said while patting the middle of the bed next to her. She had already drawn her tail up onto the bed and coiled it on the opposite side, in front of her.

The snake came out from the closet and found his way over the foot board of the bed, over Lilith’s tail and coiled up in the center of the bed between her.

“Ok Noodle, where did you come from?” Lilith asked in a tired voice.

“I came from you.”

“No I mean….. Did you come from the abyss or did you come from one of the hells?”

“I don’t believe so, the first thing I remember is being in darkness and then finding my way out of your mouth to lie before you.” The snake spoke into Lilith’s mind clearly and calmly.

“Do you know what you are?”

“I am your servant and you have named me Noodle One.”

“Are you hungry?” Lilith asked her head now at the same level as the snake.

“What is hungry?” It bobbed its head slightly as its words reached Lilith’s mind.

“Ok, I can’t deal with this.” Lilith was tired and wanted to go to bed, she didn’t have the energy to explain the metaphysical meaning of hunger, want, desire, loneliness, or boredom. “Look Noodle do you have any will of your own? What do you want to do if I give you no orders?” Lilith asked trying to get to the crux of the problem. Now she was beginning to understand why it took Wendel four days to deliver his report.

“I want to stay with you and follow your commands.” He said with a small bit of pride.

That wasn’t very much of a will. Nor was it hard to satisfy. What should she consider this thing? It seemed more like a blank slate than a fiend. “Ok I command you to never bite or hurt anyone. Do you understand that?”

“I believe so it is very easy for me to keep my mouth shut. I can talk to you with my mind after all.” He said this in a smooth fashion as he moved slightly closer to Lilith.

“You can sleep on the bed with me but when I am gone you need to hide in the closet or under the bed and don’t let anyone see you except me.” Lilith thought that if all he wanted was to be closer to her, she could at least permit that while she was asleep.

“I will do as you say magnificent one.”

“Just call me Ms. Devine and try not to wake me.” Lilith then brought her tail in close for a hug, wrapping her arms fully around it while Noodle 1 moved over her to sleep on the unused pillow.

Sleep found Lilith quickly and she had many dreams, all seeming to be derivatives of the days events. This culminated in her dreaming about eating dinner with Kevin at a Tavern surrounded by red walls and red carpet. But Lilith had no legs and no arms. So she had to press her face into her plate in order to eat her food and use the tip of her tail to raise a wine goblet to her mouth. Wanting to taste the wine first, she brought her head down to it and stuck out her tongue fully. Lilith noticed it was forked like a serpents tongue. Looking down at her reflection in the smooth surface of the wine she could see the expressionless face of a giant cobra looking back at her.

Recoiling at the sight Lilith’s tail swung back and forth knocking over tables and chairs and guests. Many of the people around her flew across the room and landed with dull thuds.

And that is how she woke up, to the sound of dull thuds against her door. ‘knock knock knock’.

“Wake up Lils we got work to do.” It was the gruff dwarven voice of Gonald and it was the last voice that Lilith wanted to hear so early in the morning. She could feel something move down her bed and then onto the floor. Quickly she sat up only to see the black tail of Noodle One slip under her closet door. ‘Knock knock knock’

“I’m up, I’m up. Just give me a minute.” Lilith shouted out as she went to retrieve her arming jacket and armor.

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