The Devine Demon {Chapter 55}

Lilith ‘stood’ on her new bed moving in a circle a few times until she was coiled and completely on it. She then laid her upper body down on her side and looked at the black wall of scales around her in all directions. She gave her side a poke with one of her hands and then ran all of her fingers up and down her side. Each scale was about the size of a silver dollar, they were uniformly sized and completely smooth. Lilith then gave her side a good hard slap the sound filling the room like the crack of a whip. ‘god I wonder how much I actually weigh’ Lilith thought to herself. The sheer size of her new body was starting to sink in now that she was moving around in doors. Hell she couldn’t even ride on a Giant Giant Golden Eagle with a wingspan of 100’. Just as she was beginning to feel sorry for herself there was a knock on the door. Lilith stood up quickly and began to straighten her hair before calling out. “Who is it?”

“Its Lady Morwen, may I come in?” the confident voice didn’t so much ask as it stated its intent.

“Yes please.” Lilith responded not knowing why she added the word please.

Lady Morwen walked in and shut the door behind her. She then looked at Lilith her eyes going wide for a second before she seemed to regain her composure. Her gaze moved from her head down to the floor and back across her bed where most of her was still coiled. “I see Kevin wasn’t exaggerating. He said it would be quite the shock when I saw you next.”

“Yes ma’am I hope you don’t have a fear of snakes like some of the militiamen did.”

“There are few things that I fear now dear and please call me Morwen when we are alone. It seems I owe you yet another debt of gratitude. You captured that wretch Cromm and my son said I would like to hear the details of what you did to her.”

Lilith recounted the story of how she turned the Baroness into a turtle and scared her back into her shell then turned her to stone and stuck her in a box stuffed with grass. Then she placed her in a demiplane from which there was no escape or hope of rescue. Lady Morwen got a laugh at each step of the way. Then she wiped a tear from her eye a big smile on her face and said. “While I was in that dungeon I never thought justice would come for that woman. I never thought I would be back home reunited with my son and Sir Tanel. Now it has all come true and I have you to thank for all of it.”

“I just did what anyone else would have done given the opportunity. I am sure Sir Tanel would have done the same if he could cast all the spells I can.”

“Perhaps”

“But if you do want to thank someone you should thank Lathander as well.”

“You and Celeste both seem like you are on a path to joining that order. Are you trying to proselytize to me too?”

“Morwen your heart stopped your breathing stopped. You were only a minute away from dying up there in the night as we brought you back. I’m a demon I shouldn’t be able to heal anyone. But Lathander wanted me to heal you. He called you a noble soul.”

“Yes I remember you telling me that. And I had a few conversations with the Dawnbringer yesterday. It seems he plans to stay in town for a while. In any case I am thankful to both you and Lathander. Is there anything you are lacking anything that I can help with?”

“Well you have already thanked me more than I deserve that tract of land east of here is very nice and has lots of resources. I am thinking of making a road and a bridge to connect it to here.”

“A road and a bridge? How would you get the funds to make such things?”

But Lilith didn’t answer she had her eyes closed and was talking to Celeste.

“Hey we landed here on the north bank of the river where all the land was torn up by the orcs. We are ready for you when you arrive.” Celeste said in a cheerful tone that seemed to cross any distance.

“Ok I will be there soon.” Lilith said in reply before opening he eyes to look at the Duchess and her bemused expression.

“Oh your back you seemed to have fallen asleep there for a second.” Lady Morwen said seeming a bit concerned.

“No Celeste just called me and I closed my eyes in order to hear her better. Don’t ask me its just how the magic works.”

“Oh is something going on?” Lady Morwen asked taking a step closer.

“Well we are headed to the Wild lands east of here to practice some magic. I would invite you but this is my first time using this Teleport spell and I don’t know how well it will go.”

“Hmmm Whats the worst that could happen?” she asked

“We could end up on a road in the middle of no where.”

“I think we can handle that. Lets go.”

Lilith thought of arguing with the Duchess but decided better of it. Reluctantly Lilith took Lady Morwen by the hand and read out the rune words [Tel] [Va] [Ma] and activated the spell [Teleport] as she thought of Celeste standing on the bank of the Delimbiyr River. There was a slight screeching noise as the world around them seemed to blur and distort. It was like being on the inside of a glass marble being flung across the world. Just as suddenly as it began, the movement stopped and the world was still. The sound too stopped and there around them were rocks and dirt and the sound of flowing water. Across the river there was a lush forest in stark contrast to the rutted and trampled surface they were standing on. Then something caught Lilith’s eye it was Kevin and he was waving at them from about 100’ away.

Lilith was still holding Lady Morwen’s hand but asked her anyways. “Ready for another jump?”

She nodded yes and in an instant they were standing next to Kevin and they could see Celeste sitting down on a rock by the river watching the three snakes swim back and forth across it.

“Mother what are you doing here?” Kevin asked seeming more than a bit surprised.

“Well Lilith pretended to invite me on her trip out here saying it was too dangerous for me to come with her so I called her bluff and here I am.” Lady Morwen said with smirk only Kevin could see. He hugged her as they both stepped closer before he turned to the side so they could both look at the river.

As the snakes came across to greet Lilith she noticed Lady Morwen stand back a bit. “Don’t worry they came here with Kevin these are my familiars. Noddle One, Noodle Two and Bindi.” Lilith said as they quickly headed in their direction.

“Oh they are quick swimmers aren’t they.” She said holding onto Kevin’s arm a little tighter.

Bindi won the race and arrived in front of Lilith first, followed shortly by Noodles One and Two.

“This river is great it is even smoother than the grass and I can see the bottom if I dive down.” The blue snake said excitedly.

“That's great Bindi can you stand up for a second I want you to meet someone. This is Kevin’s mother Lady Morwen Daggerford.”

She first moved on to more solid ground and then stood up about 4’ tall and said “Hi I’m Bindi of Daggerford did you come to watch the fire works? Celeste said there would be explosions.”

“Yes I suppose I did. You have a beautiful voice you know.” she said bending down to look at the snake more directly

“Thank you I like your hair it shines like the stars at night.” Bindi said looking up at the well dressed Duchess.

Lady Morwen stood up straight and looked at Lilith. “When I first heard about the snakes you were keeping I was worried you had brought something dangerous into my castle. I am glad those fears were unfounded. Now what about these two do they talk?

“Yes can you throw us into the river?” Noodle One asked with his raspy voice.

“Kevin what are they talking about?” Lady Morwen looked a bit confused.

“Oh they can’t seem to get enough of this.” Kevin proceeded to pick up Noodle One with both hands and throw him towards the river. At the last second the snake pushed off his hands and dove head first into the water barely making a ripple. “Next!” He called out as Noodle Two almost leapt into his hands. Soon he too was in the river as Lady Morwen clapped in recognition of the two perfect dives.

“Did you find a good spot for us to practice?” Lilith asked, looking at Celeste who had also come to stand by the river.

“Yes Just around this hill there is a swampy area that shouldn’t catch on fire.” She said pointing to the North.

“Then lets go.” Lilith said as she started to snake her way forward in the direction Celeste had pointed. “Noodles come on you don’t want to miss the show.” Soon the whole group was moving behind her with Kevin and Lady Morwen at the rear, talking to themselves as they went. Eventually they arrived at the bog between hills. It was secluded and there was almost no vegetation on the steep hills that could catch fire.

Lilith stopped about 50’ from the edge of the bog and looked around for Bindi. “Bindi you get the first go at the firing line.” Lilith waited as Bindi slid up next to here and looked up expectantly. “Why don’t you try Ice Arrow first, aim for that tree.”

Lilith watched as Bindi pointed one of her invisible hands at the tree and chanted the rune words [Ik] [Vo] and cast [Ice Arrow]. A 2’ long shaft of ice materialized in front of her then launched at the tree hitting it slightly off to the side but embedding in it deeply. The area around the arrow seemed discolored and blue. The sudden thunk of the arrow hitting the tree caused everyone to cheer as they saw it hit home.

Lilith booped her on the nose saying “Good Job what do you want to try next?”

“I want to try the Frost spell next!”

“Then go ahead.”

Bindi moved a few feet closer and then cast [Line of Frost] resulting in a line of icicles jutting up from the frozen ground that went out 30’ in front of her.

The two Noodles moved down range and began climbing on the icicles and breaking off pieces of them. “They are cold and wet what is this?”

“That's ice you will see lots of it in the winter.” Kevin called out from about 20’ back.

Lilith went forward too and picked up a big chunk of it and handed it back to Bindi who held it in one of her invisible hands.

“Is she holding that” Celeste asked

“Ya she has mage hand active but its invisible.” Lilith replied as Bindi twirled the icicle like a baton. “Celeste what do you want to try?”

“I want to try and make one of the noodles as big as you.” Celeste said with her arms outstretched. “I don’t know if that will work. I think we tried that already.”

“Well then, what about Bindi?”

“You had better ask her, but I suppose this is as good of a place to try as any.” Lilith offered as she shrugged.

“Hey Bindi would it be ok If I made you bigger for a few minutes I want to see if the Enlarge spell will work on you?”

“How big?”

“Maybe close to the size of Lilith.”

“Oh that would be neat lets try it.”

“Ok, stand over there.” Celeste said as Bindi moved down range to where the Noodles were still breaking pieces off the icicles and listening to the noises they made as they broke. She then cast the spell Enlarge and pointed a finger at the blue snake. Almost instantly she grew to twice her size now 26’ long and weighing over 600 lbs. She was more slender in comparison to Lilith but she was much larger than before, her blue scales were clearly visible and shone like polished facets on a jewel as her head moved looking at each member of the party.

Lilith moved forward and gave her a big hug as she was now hooded up 8’ off the ground and was at perfect hugging height for her. “Oh aren’t you beautiful. Look how tall you are.”

“Oh everyone looks so short.” she said as she held still while Lilith released her.

“I will race you to the river.” Lilith said after turning south.

No sooner had she finished her sentence Bindi took off snaking left and right to pick up speed. Only to yell “Ok!” from 20’ ahead of Lilith. Kevin and Lady Morwen move aside as Lilith began to push left and right leaning forward to get as much of her body in contact with the ground as she could. Lilith was pretty sure snakes got slower as they got bigger but she was unusually strong for any creature and may defy that fact. But she didn’t know what effect he magic would have on Bindi. ‘Would it make her stronger too?’ she wondered.

Pretty soon that question was answered as she could see Bindi pulling away from her now 50’ ahead and still gaining. Finally she gave up and began moving slower and jumping behind her just to keep up resigned to let the fastest snake win. Soon there was a big splash as the blue snake met the green river and water went flying in several directions as she turned up stream to swim for a second before circling back to Lilith. “You win. You win Bindi. You are too fast for me.”

“No no I saw you jumping you could have won if you wanted to.”

“Maybe but that wouldn’t have been fair after all, look how fast you went.” Lilith said as she splashed some water at Bindi with her tail. Bindi now exited the river. And looked at Lilith at head level swaying left to right slightly.

“That was a good race but now we have to go back don’t we?” Bindi asked as she slid up against Lilith's side.

“Ya and I am not carrying you. Look you are too big.” Lilith said as she picked up half of Bindi in her arms. She then wrapped her other half around Lilith's back and waist until she was completely off the ground. “Oh I guess I am pretty strong too. No no get down you are faster than me anyways lets get back to the group before you miss one of the explosions.”

“Oh ya.” she said as she raced ahead pushing off of the grass and shrubs. Then they both heard a loud boom and saw a smoke ring in the sky. It was definitely the result of one of Celeste's fire balls and she was getting better at them.

Lilith began to jump ahead of Bindi now daring her to keep up. In only a couple of minutes they were back at the group where Celeste was showering an area with snowballs. Lilith slowed again letting Bindi go ahead where she was greeted by the two Noodles.

“We tried to keep up but lost sight of both of you.”

“Oh you are wet did you swim in the river again?”

“Ya I was hot from moving so fast so the river felt great.” She then thought for a minute and moved down range where the snowballs were falling. She then began to try and catch the snow balls in her mouth as they fell. The two Noodles just watched as did the rest of the group as Bindi seemed to be eating evocation spells for breakfast.

Celeste finally leaned over to Lilith and said, “I think she is immune to the cold that stuff should really be hurting her its knocking the branches off trees after if freezes them solid.”

“Ya keep the snowballs coming I think she is trying to cool down.”

The whole group laughed at the odd spectacle, the 26’ foot long cobalt blue cobra moving and striking at 1’ orbs of snow as they fell from the sky.

Eventually Celest’s Magical energy gave out and the snow stopped and Bindi returned to normal size.

“Ok Celeste lets see the dragons breath can you unfreeze that tree?” Kevin called out.

Lilith assumed they had talked about it while she was off racing with Bindi. So she watched as her friend moved closer to the tree, drew in a big breath of air and spat forth a beam of sunlight that went out 80’ in front of her. The intensity would be blinding to anyone caught in it and when it stopped the tree was clearly not frozen any longer and in fact had singed leaves. Celeste let out a loud laugh as she marveled at her handy work. Going up to touch the tree and see how warm it was.

It was then Lilith's turn and she confirmed again that everyone was out of the magic firing range. She counted three humans and three snakes all standing behind here. She then let loose with a few lightning bots that sounded out large cracks as she cast them and resulted in blinding light and a shower of sparks as the tree they had all been targeting shattered into several pieces. Lilith took note that she no longer had to say the Rune words for Lightning bolt. It just shot out of her hands like when she was fighting the giants. Looking at tree farther away now Lilith cast Fireball at fifth level and hit it dead center. Not that it mattered with a Fireball. The sphere of flame expanded and then lifted into the air forming a mushroom cloud and a smoke ring that could bee seen rising a hundred feet in the air. Satisfied that she had put on a good show Lilith shimmied back to Lady Morwen, who was still clapping and looking up in the air, and asked, “Do you want to try any magic Duchess?”

“I am a trained fighter Lilith I don’t know the first thing about using magic.”

“Well then how about I make some wooden swords and you and Kevin can give us a demonstration.”

“I am hardly dressed for that but I suppose I can give it a try. Kevin do you have a knife?”

Kevin went into his pack to find a knife while Lilith started making wooden swords from the destroyed trees using Fabricate. Soon she had a pile of six wooden swords while a tearing noise sounded out behind her. Snapping her head around Lilith could see that Lady Morwen had cut a slit in her dress up to about mid thigh.

Lilith handed them each a wooden sword before saying, “Now don’t go easy on her Kevin show her the respect she deserves.”

“Oh I wouldn’t dream of it.” he said as he tested the balance of the sword.

After a quick salute they each stood in their own guards and began making feints and movements as they tried to gauge the others stance and weaknesses. Then they clashed, Kevin attacking high at her shoulder and she blocking and countering at his head before he met her sword with his at shoulder level before he pushed off and started anew. This time Kevin attacked at her arm forcing her to parry and back up. Seeing the old pro give ground Kevin smiled as he pressed the attack swinging from his elbow rapidly from the right and then back down from above in a fluid motion. The second attack brought Lady Morwen out of guard as she pushed off and jumped to the side. Kevin’s followup was swift as he caught her on the leg striking her above the knee followed by a shoulder check that pushed her back farther.

Lilith decided to intervene and cast [Haste] on the Duchess as she regained her footing. It only took a few steps for her to realize the difference. Soon she was circling Kevin and testing his guard. Surprisingly he was able to keep up for a while but eventually he fell for her movement and feint of her sword, swinging to parry a blow that never came. With her sword still at the ready Lady Morwen struck him at the wrist and then swung again hitting the guard of the sword to the left. The sword now well out of Kevin’s grasp landed in the dirt and grass some 20’ away. The Duchess pressed forward holding a wooden blade to her son’s throat with a big smile on both their faces.

Celeste and Lilith cheered, but they could also hear the odd sound of Bindi clapping here mage hands together. Soon she was right next to Kevin and said “I want to use a sword too can you teach me Kevin?”

“Maybe you should ask the Duchess to teach you she seems to have won this match.” He said as his mother withdrew the practice sword and pretended to clean blood off of it.

“No no, it has to be you! Because you are my parent!” The blue snake said while looking up at him with a stubborn look as if she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

The wooden blade immediately returned to Kevin’s throat as Lady Morwen grabbed him by the edge of his armor. “Mother I can explain, I was going to tell you, I was just waiting for the right time.”

“You didn’t spend last night in a tent did you.” She said before shifting her gaze to Lilith. “And you I thought we had an understanding.”

Lilith canceled the Haste spell and then answered, “We did Lady Morwen, he just...he saved my life when he killed one of the giants and I don’t think he would have been there if he wasn’t so earnest about pursuing me. He charged at it when he thought I was dead or dying. I am sure he would have charged the other three next if he had to. What do you think could have stopped that kind of love. No he was very persistent and charming, and for the first time in a while I felt human again.” Lilith said with a few tears in her eyes. She then went to wipe them away with her right forearm as she maintained eye contact with Lady Morwen.

The Duchess soon dropped her blade realizing that this demon, who had slayed all her enemies thus far and seemed nearly invincible, was just as human as the rest of them. Still holding Kevin by the edge of his armor she threw him in Lilith’s general direction and then looked down at the blue snake next to her, Bindi’s head bobbing slightly at hip level.

Bindi watched as Lilith went over to Kevin as he stumbled looking over his shoulder at his mother. She placed an arm around him and they both moved over to Lady Morwen’s side.

“You are a beautiful snake you know. Here take this and go practice swinging it at those other two, but don’t hurt them.” Lady Morwen called out as Bindi rushed off to show the wooden sword to the two Noodles.

The Three of them then stood side by side and watched as Bindi showed off the sword. It was held aloft by an invisible hand that seemed to defy gravity and all common sense as it could be swung and moved at any angle as it had no arm behind it. Soon she was practicing on a bush striking it and cutting off small groups of leaves.

“She learned this afternoon that those two can feel pain but they can’t disobey orders. She on the other hand refused to bang her head on the door. That's why we gave her a real name.” Lilith explained with no small amount of pride, the last of her tears long since wiped away by Kevin.

“She has free will….Does she have a soul?” Morwen asked.

“The Paladin seemed to think so.” Kevin answered.

“Oh gods how am I going to explain this to Anthony?” Lady Morwen asked looking back at Kevin.

“He already wrote up the paperwork for the noble birth your granddaughter even signed her own name.” he explained.

“Well that makes things easier...Wait she is two days old and she can already read and write?”

“That’s what surprises you? I will have you know it is much harder to cast spells than it is to read.” Celeste shouted from 15’ away.

Lilith and Kevin began to laugh as Lilith moved to the other side of the group to place an arm around Lady Morwen. “You know she wants to serve Lathander too. Perhaps you should both ask the Dawnbringer some questions the next time you see him.”

“I am sure most of my questions will be about you. Your presence here isn’t normal. You have changed things so much.” Lady Morwen said in a serious tone

“For the better I might add.” Kevin said with a grin which was quickly returned by the Duchess.

“I think we should start thinking about heading back for dinner but there is still one more thing we need to test.” Lilith said looking over at Celeste.

“Oh whats that?” Lady Morwen asked

“We need to test out our dragon.” Lilith said with a toothy grin.

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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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