The Devine Demon {Chapter 48}

Beginning of Book 2.

Preamble: The world of Faerun is filled with humans, Elves, Dwarves and Dragons. The upper planes are filled with many types of Gods, good, evil and in between. The lower planes are inhabited by two warring factions the Demons and the Devils. But on the surface of Faerun along the Sword coast a large scale battle occurred that morning. A battle between 800 Orcs from The High Moors and 140 infantry and cavalry from the town of Daggerford. Each side had wizards. The Orcs had one that specialized in Necromancy. While the Town had three with a range of skills. One of those wizards wasn’t like the others, she was a demon with a human soul. She possessed a spark of the divine and was working as an agent of Lathander, the god of life and renewed creation. She had assumed the name Lilith and been given the title of Defender of Daggerford. Even though she was originally a man born in Devine Texas, She had now become accustomed to her body and was trying to make her way in this new world and in her new form. The strange existence of a demon was one of her biggest obstacles. With immense power she could accidentally kill those around her without the right discipline or guidance. But with help from her friends and from Lathander himself, she had managed to make a home here in the town of Daggerford. A growing town of 1400 people. With the grueling battle won, Lilith and her friend Celeste prepared to return to Daggerford having spent the afternoon exploring the wilderness to the East, trying to forget the dangers and horrors they had seen that morning.

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Faerun: Wild Lands East of Daggerford: On the banks of the Delimbiyr River.

Celeste was currently in the form of a giant eagle it was the best way to move over vast distances quickly. On her back was her friend Lilith and her two familiars named Noodle One and Noodle Two. As Lilith waved goodbye to the Greenspear family of wood elves Celeste walked across the river they had been playing in to the far bank. This side was pitted and rutted with the tracks of 800 orcs that had marched through this valley following the Delimbiyr River West so they could attack the town of Daggerford. Their tracks had flattened brush and compacted the ground making it unlikely that vegetation would regrow there any time soon. However this path did make a good runway and Celeste began running along it flapping her giant wings and taking to the sky in short order. Gaining altitude quickly, she circled over Sarkas Greenspear and his two kids. Celeste tilted her wing as a kind of wave then continued West into the setting sun, toward the town of Daggerford. Following the river they were also following the path that the orcs took. After 15 minutes the path turned way from the river going around a large prominent hill and arriving at a the grassy field on the north side of the town. There Lilith expected to see several carts that the orcs used to carry slaves and supplies but they had all been moved inside the walls during their absence.

Circling a few times over the Farmer’s Gate Celeste came in to land in the grassy field between the Wizard’s Tower and the Ducal Castle. The guards had become so used to her antics as a Giant Eagle that they hardly batted an eye. Even Tom stayed at his post guarding the castle entrance as Lilith slid off the side of her friend landing on the grassy field with two ten foot long cobras wrapped around her neck and shoulders. Lilith cast invisibility on the two snakes and they disappeared, shrouded in the near ethereal plane. Celeste’s Giant Eagle form became less giant as the spell faded and Celeste stood there only 14’ high at the head. Then she brought her head and right wing together and nibbled on her right wrist. This signal caused the enchantment on her to fade and with a puff of golden feathers she returned to her normal form Wizard’s robes and all.

The two ladies began walking inside, Lilith having to coil up her 15’ long tail and push herself as her legs tried to keep up. She had tried walking with her tail kept off the ground but it just weighed too much, the long dense muscles were more than double her mass. It had also made her look ridiculous as she had to bend forward so far to offset the weight. It was much more dignified to stand up straight and deal with the slight slowdown her tail caused. As they passed the guards and made it to the entryway there was a crier waiting to announce people as the banquet hall was now full of guests and music.

“Now entering, The Wizard Celeste Baker accompanied by Lilith of Devine, Defender of Daggerford.” he said in a proud voice.

The two of them entered and walked to guest room three to drop off the two danger noodles that Lilith was carrying. She canceled the invisibility spell to save her magical energy and gave them the usual warning about staying hidden.

They then went across the banquet hall having to shake a few hands and wave back as militia and cavalry members thanked them and cheered at their success. But the biggest figures in the room and at the center of the crowd were the two paladins and Dawnbringer Hass. The militia men had brought every type of ale and wine they could find and stacked it on their table but only the two paladins seemed to be drinking. Each had a tankard of wine and they raised them to Lilith and Celeste as they went past. Eventually they made it to the back hall and then turned to the left knocking on the door of the Master Study. The master study had been where Sir Tanel ran he secret government while the false duchess was on the throne. He had continued to conduct business there as there had been so much to do, changing offices during a crisis just wasn’t an option.

After they heard a few voices finish a discussion they received the distinctive call of Sir Tanel yelling for them to come in. Lilith and Celeste entered and found a new face standing next to their friend who was well dressed in blue and silver formal wear juxtapose to his brown leather riding boots. Lilith could instantly tell this was a rancher but she couldn’t tell what kind yet.

“Duke Rarington let me introduce Lilith of Devine, Defender of Daggerford and the Wizard Celeste Baker.”

“This is a rare pleasure indeed meeting a demon who has been given a formal title. I have heard a lot about you in fact you could say that you are the reason I am here.” the Duke said taking a step forward to shake her hand.

Lilith then gave a short bow to Sir Tanel and said “I can tell you are rancher but I doubt you are here to sell me livestock.”

“Oddly enough I am recently out several dozen head of cattle but you are right Duke Rarington is here as a representative from the Lord’s Alliance. He was initially sent to make sure that some sort of leadership was maintained here while the real Duchess was found. But luckily you solved that problem before he could get here.”

“I arrived last night and spoke to a few contacts here in town. I heard from the criers and the runners along the road about the orc army on the move and wanted to make sure that the defense of the city was being seen to. Well our mutual friend Mr. Miles brought me to the Drill Field last evening and what I saw left me with no doubt that the defense was in good hands.” The Duke said in a jovial attitude.

“Sharl really does keep those men in good order. I don’t know what we would do without him.” Sir Tanel half bragged.

“So I didn’t approach Sir Tanel until after lunch today to discuss the remaining issues.”

“Yes about the Baroness.” Sir Tanel said as he gritted his teeth.

“I am sorry to say that the Lords Alliance is going to want some assurances that it was indeed a dragon that destroyed Cromm’s Hold and not some type of retribution sent from here.”

“You can’t possibly think we could fight off 800 orcs and a necromancer and then 600 zombies and still have time to Sack a keep all in one day?” Lilith asked seeming a bit nervous.”

“Don’t worry this is going to be very informal I just need you to send a force to garrison the keep so that bandits or Lizard folk don’t move in and allow me to inspect it as soon as possible before anything is tampered with or stolen.”

“Duke Rarington has already asked that a relief force be sent down from Waterdeep and it will be here in five days Till then we just need to hold the keep and make sure he is able to finish his inspection.”

“And when do we start this little expedition, I assume you are asking both of us to go?”

“Tomorrow morning weather permitting.” the Duke said as he clapped his hands together for effect.

“I can’t make either of you join this expeditionary but since you two are the last ones there before the keep was sacked, you are the best ones able to help Karl sort this mess out.” Sir Tanel said while looking at the two ladies.

“Well there were scorch marks and burnt...anyways the evidence will speak for itself.” Celeste said turning her head away looking at the wall for a moment before looking back.

“I will go but Celeste has a previous engagement that she needs to attend tomorrow.” Lilith said stepping forward half a pace.

“I do?” she asked sounding confused.

“Yes you need to find the two wood elf refugees and return them to their home in the morning a brother and sister.” Lilith said, giving Celeste a knowing look. She wanted to spare her from the grizzly sight of the burned out bodies if she could.

“Yes! I do need, to see to that. Regretfully Duke, I won’t be able to join you.” Celeste said in a staccato fashion and then finished with a smile.

“Not to make light of the Dukes business here, but I need to attend to a more serious duty now. If you would like to join me in the banquet hall I will be saying a few words to morn the dead and then giving out honors for the battle, followed by some special food for the festivities.” Sir Tanel said as he began to exit the room.

Lilith, Celeste and Duke Rarington soon followed suit and moved into the banquet hall each going their separate ways. Sir Tanel began by quieting down the music and calling for everyone's attention at the front. Lilith went over to stand next to Kevin who was also keeping his mother company. Celeste went to find Sharl but ended up bumping into Wendel first, so she stood with him as Sir Tanel began to speak.

Sir Tanel started by explaining the magnitude of their victory and how fortunate they were to have the Dawnbringer arrive just in time to save the infantry company as they stood in defense of the Farmer’s Gate. He then explained the fate of the seven lost men and why they could not be brought back to life.

“Through the use of foul magics all humanoids that had fallen on that battlefield were re-animated as the living dead. This included seven of our own men who had fallen earlier in the battle. I am told by the Dawnbringer himself that this foul act severed the connection between their souls and their bodies and these seven brave men are now with their gods.”

“May they be guided by Lathander’s light” the room said in unison. The men then raised their glasses in honor of the victorious dead. Their names were called out one by one and their friends cheered in turn. Finally Sir Tanel announced a yearly stipend for their families that would last for ten years. Cheers sounded out again and more wine was spilled. With the sad business settled he switched his tone and asked the band to play again.

It was a flute and snare drum piece that seem almost patriotic to Lilith's ears. The actions of the battle were then called out starting with Celeste’s valiant aerial bombing run that resulted in the almost complete annihilation of an orc berserker company. Celeste went to the front to receive a decorative ribbon that was Green with white and black vertical stripes. It was obviously made for a militia dress uniform but Sir Tanel pinned it to her Wizard’s robes anyways. Next He called out Lilith for using fire magic to cut another Orc company in half and then single-handedly delay the remainder, successfully defending he militia’s left flank. A big cheer went up from the men as Lilith walked and shimmied her way to the front. Sir Tanel presented her with the same ribbon he had given to Celeste but could not find a place to pin it on her plate armor.

In a vain attempt to be helpful Lilith decided to dismiss her chest armor to reveal her arming jacket underneath thinking that Sir Tanel could attach the pin to that. She said the rune word to dismiss the chest piece but instead of revealing her crimson arming jacket, it instead revealed a white, tight fitting, string bikini top. Lilith heard and saw a much bigger reaction from the militiamen than she expected and looked down wondering if her jacket wasn’t fully buttoned. Now remembering that she had worn the swimsuit that afternoon as her and Celeste had spent it relaxing by the river she quickly reactivated her chest armor and reached out her hand for the ribbon.

The crowd took a while to quiet down and a few of the men asked her if that was what she normally wore under her armor. Lilith ignored the jibes as she knew they were made in good humor and returned to stand near Kevin. Next was the recounting of the multiple fire balls that Master Wendel cast to help Lilith in her defense of the militias flanks and he too received the same ribbon pinned to his robes.

Finally Ribbons were given to the two paladins and the cleric that had rescued the militia company from a horde of undead orcish zombies. Once Sir Tanel was done Father Theodon stepped up to the front having been completely unseen before hand. He spoke of the Necromancer that raised the dead and the ever damning consequences that were the fate of all that trusted the demon lord Orcus, ‘who feasted on the souls of his victims and his followers alike’. He then announced that he would be awarding Lilith with a magical ring for her service to the living, having slain such a foul wizard.

“May this ring serve as a remind that Wisdom cuts away folly just as light cuts away darkness.” He said as he waited for Lilith to come to the front again.

Seeing enough room for her and her 15’ tail Lilith jumped forward the 30 feet needed and arrived next to Father Theodon in record time. He soon presented her the ring and told her that it could help protect her mind from outside influences. It was a smooth gold band with three rubies embedded in it, the central one being twice as large as the others. Lilith dismissed her left gauntlet and placed the ring on her middle finger where it resized itself to fit perfectly. A loud cheer went up and she waved to everyone then bowed to Father Theodon before he stepped back behind Sir Tanel and Lilith went back to Kevin’s side.

Lilith had never seen Lady Morwen so reserved normally she liked to be in the thick of things and she was literally against the wall as far from Sir Tanel as she could be.

“Why aren’t you up there supporting him?” Lilith asked of her.

“This is his victory. I would only be distracting from that.” She said with knowing look. “I will take the throne again in 17 days and then I will make sure he wins his next battle too.”

“And what battle would that be ma’am?” She asked looking a little surprised.

“The battle for my heart of course.” The Duchess said with a sly smile.

Lilith returned the look but also noticed Kevin’s head whip around and give a questioning look to his mother. Lilith just took his arm and pulled him back in line with her. They continued to watch together as the festivities went on.

After explaining that Sharl had volunteered for guard duty so that as many militia men could attend the celebration as possible Sir Tanel commended him for his preparations on drilling the men to a fine razors edge and leading them into battle.

Lilith showed her ring to Kevin and asked him how she was supposed to attune to it. “You just hold it in your hand for an hour its best to do it before going to bed. Once you are attuned you get any of the passive benefits the magical item has as long as no one else has attuned to it. But you need to have the item with you if there are any active abilities like the circlet of blasting for example.”

“Oh then I will be sure to do that tonight it seems Lathander gives me things right before I need them.” Lilith said holding her left hand out again to look at the ring.

Then Lilith heard her name from the front and she perked up to listen. They had brought out a silver platter with a large domed cover and said it was a special meal for her. Lilith was asked to sit at one of the tables up front before they brought her the platter. Once she was seated they opened it and the room erupted in laughter. Inside were three dozen raw eggs stacked into a pyramid in a large wicker basket. She looked around sheepishly figuring that someone had noticed the missing eggs but she still didn’t know how they knew it was her. Wendel finally put a hand on her shoulder and said “They had me place a sensor in the pantry and do you know what I saw last night? Eggs floating in the air and disappearing.”

“You caught me. Lilith eater of eggs.” She said loud enough for the whole room to hear.

“Slap her in irons!” Once man called out as a cheer went up around the room.

Lilith then began to eat the eggs and they were just as good as they had been the previous night. She was through about half of them before Sir Tanel announced the main course for the feast that evening.

“Despite the rumors the orcs didn’t get all my cattle. I abused my power and had some of them brought inside the walls and fenced in a portion of the commons to keep them safe.”

A few boos rang out across the room in jest.

“I had to just in case the Orcs put us under siege. But I figured since we had the cows on hand anyways why not use a few for our feast tonight. That way my hands will have fewer to drive out to pasture in the morning.” Sir Tanel said as he made two sharp claps in the direction of the kitchen window.

At his signal the staff began bringing out platter after platter of every cut of beef imaginable. The men started cheering as the plates were distributed to each table and they all began to take their seats at once.

Kevin soon came over and sat across from Lilith who was still working on her eggs. She could smell the seared brown meat of the steaks but didn’t stop her progress for even a second. Egg after egg found its demise as she swallowed them whole and crushed them with the muscles in her throat. Each egg tasted like a sugar coated candy as it went down and she made some scandalous noises as Kevin watched on in envy. “Now don’t enjoy that too much you will make me jealous.”

Kevin seemed to be wishing he could enjoy food as much as her so Lilith thought of what she could do to return the favor.

Lilith turned around looking for the Master Wizard while she still held an egg in her hand.“Wendel I need you to summon up some food for the men.” Lilith said in a very loud voice even though he was only one table away.

“Sure what do you want me to make?” He asked as Lilith finally picked up on where he was sitting.

“Onion rings!” Lilith said with a giant grin.

After a few minutes and a few more eggs Lilith explained the recipe for both onion rings and for barbecue sauce. Wendel then had the staff bring over an extra table and he produced around 40 lbs of Onion rings and barbecue sauce using the spell [Create Food and Water], filling the table end to end.

Men began trying the new food and found it to their liking. Keven retrieved a large plate of onion rings and sauce, for both he and Lilith. Their steaks arrived while he was up much to his delight.

“Talk about service!” He said as he set down the platter of onion rings in between the platter of steaks and the nearly empty basket of eggs.

Once the basket was empty Lilith threw it under the table and pulled a steak onto the silver platter with a fork and began taking mouth sized bites out of it as she held it with both hands.

The music changed to a more jaunty tune fitting for dance and the night went on. Drinking and eating for most Dancing and laughter for others. Given that the company was mostly male the dancing was of a totally different variety than Lilith had ever seen before. It was a mixture of line dancing and posturing that seemed very odd to her. Kevin then explained that it was done at the beginning of a ball to entice ladies to dance with them later.

Sir Tanel finally made his way to Lady Morwen’s side and spoke briefly before they retreated up stairs likely to the dining room for their own meal. Lilith watched as they went to the stairs in the servants wing. She shot a smile at Kevin when he looked at her after having noticed their departure as well. Kevin returned her smile but he soon had other things on his mind. His feet met hers and wrapped around the back of her armored calves. Lilith appreciated the sentiment but this was probably not the best night for it in her mind. She needed to be well rested for her expedition in the morning and Kevin needed to start getting used to some distance between them.

After a few more drinks and the rest of the onion rings Lilith excused herself and kissed Keven on the top of the head as she went to her room. Kevin soon followed, entering her room after he was sure she had time to change.

“Kevin I have to be up early in the morning we are going to Cromm’s Hold to survey the damage.” Lilith said as she held her new magic ring in her hand. She had already changed into her evening gown and all the rest of her jewelry rest on the dresser.

“I know, it would just be nice to spend a night with you where something weird doesn’t happen.”

“So you didn’t like it when a 10’ long snake came out of mouth and landed on your arm last night?”

“No to be honest.” It was actually more weird than what happened before the dinner.

“So tell me what am I?” Lilith asked with a serious tone as she took off her armor and stood there in front of him, wearing nothing but her white swimsuit.

“You’re a Demon and a damned beautiful one at that.”

“Oh flattery will get you everywhere, just not tonight.” she said with a coy smile followed by a toothy grin.

“Fine but do me a favor?” Kevin asked as he looker her up and down with one hand on her left elbow.

“What?” She asked as she played with the straps on her top.

“Mess up my hair first I don’t want the guys thinking I came in here for nothing.”

“Ok, but only if you promise to leave now.” Lilith said as she placed both hands on his head waiting for him to promise.

“Fine, I promise I will leave.”

Her hands went crazy, mixing his hair up like a salad. Kevin then kissed her on the lips holding her close for about ten seconds until he released her and fell back from his tip toes down to his heals. He then left closing the door behind him and Lilith was finally alone. Well almost alone.

“You awake Noodles?” She called out before she heard two replies from the closet. They soon came out and lay on the bed next to her, each of them coiled in a circle on the far side of the bed. Lilith then said a prayer before laying down herself. “Dear lord, please give me the wisdom to follow your path and the strength to overcome any obstacles along my way. In Jesus name I pray, ah men.” She then snapped her fingers to snuff out the candles with Prestidigitation and began to hoist her whole body including the 15’ dark green tail onto the bed. She once again decided to hug it like a body pillow the feeling of holding on to something roughly her own size was comforting. Slowly she drifted off to sleep. It had been a long day. A day filled with the near death of her friend. Her own pummeling by orcs and the near decimation of the militia unit. She then thought about the wild lands they had visited, East of Daggerford, the lush forest valley and the family of wood elves she had met. Then there was the fun she had with Celeste in the river. But most of all she remembered the sun glistening over the river as the day drew to a close and that leaf that fell and floated away. With that she drifted into a zen like sleep at peace with the world and her own place in it.

Then she heard a voice. “He heard you.” it said in a calm and gentle tone she had come to be familiar with.

Lilith was in a waking dream surrounded by nothing. Her existence was shapeless formless in an empty void. Then she saw a point of light ahead of her. It expanded and curved downward forming a horizon line. It grew brighter and then from its center came the rising sun. Out of this sun walked a familiar man, his young face was kind and caring, his hair golden and curled at the edges. His clothes were a mixture of white and gold cotton fabrics fitting him perfectly.

He walked closer and closer his enormous size becoming more apparent with each step. Soon he was standing above Lilith towering over her and she knew she was in the full presence of Lathander. “You have done well my child. You have proven yourself worthy of the power you were given. Your faith in me and in that of the Teacher have reflected well upon you. And it is due to your faith that I can offer you the last of the power that we salvaged from the one you know as Maldeval. It will help you on your journey and ensure that you are able to overcome the ‘obstacles’ ahead of you.” He held out a radiant orb in his hand it glowed red like a ball of fire and he drew it closer to her.

Seeing this Lilith spoke out surprising herself as she achieved it. “I have been having trouble adjusting to these gifts. Can you make me more in your image, more human?”

“I am sorry but the soul cannot be separated from the body for very long and I have paltry means of sculpting ones body. My powers lie in the creation of worlds and in the creation of new life not fully altering existing ones. But if you choose, I could make you into new life in a more human body. As your form is changed so too would your mind. You would lose all memories and start over again.”

Lilith thought back on the her cherished memories. Those of her childhood, those of her brother, and her father. The memories of climbing the continental divide on a backpacking trim with him and her vacation to Alaska with her grandfather. Then she thought of her time with Wendel, Sir Tanel and Celeste. She also thought fondly of Kevin and found she was in conflict, but the sum total of what she had to lose and what she had to gain left no doubts in her mind. “No I would like to keep who I am.”

“And so you shall.” He said as he moved the red orb of energy closer to her.

“But is there anything you can do to make this easier? Less punishing on the people around me.” Lilith asked thinking how hard it had been on both Celeste and on Kevin.

“I have already done all I can. As I told you my powers revolve around creation, new life and rebirth.”

It then occurred to Lilith what he meant. He was the reason that the Noodle’s had her disposition and some of her knowledge. He couldn’t give them a soul but he could give them as much of her as their minds could carry. For a second Lilith tried to imagine the chaos if actual demons had been summoned by her and she understood the magnitude of the gift he had given her. “I understand. I know what you have done and they are good companions. I will treat them well.”

“I don’t think you understand fully but you will in time.” He said with a smile that illuminated the world.

Lilith could now see the world of Faerun below her spinning, as the continuous dawn moved over it like a wave. She reached out with a hand and received the orb as he brought it down to her. In an instant it passed into her hand and she felt the power suffuse her body. The feeling was overwhelming and Lilith had to focus on his visage to not lose consciousness. The brightness of his face and golden hair still visible as she nearly blacked out.

“The last thing I have for you child is not a gift but a promise. My light will never again harm you or your companions so log as you remain faithful. Now go, you still have much to do and much to learn.” He said standing back up to his full height.

With those words Lilith began to fall back from Lathander and away from the rising sun. Soon she had slowed and was now stationary above a single part of the world covered by the darkness of night. She felt a warm steady beating in her heart and the warmth overcame her lulling her back into a peaceful sleep.

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Daggerford Map

Map of Faerun
Daggerford is on the Sword Coast, South East of Waterdeep and south of the Sword Mountains

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