The Devine Demon {Chapter 87}

Chapter 87

---

Faerun in the city of Waterdeep the next day.

Lilith arrived in her room in the basement of the Tower of Rest with many guests in tow. She had teleported them to the Blackstaff Tower teleportation circle and then directly to her room in the basement of the Tower of Rest.

“This way out to the common room, if you don’t mind.” Lilith said as she pointed out the door.

Celeste lead the group out but many of them knew the way and exited up the stairs. Brothers Amon and Feldin immediately began going up the stairs followed shortly by Father Trendel. This left just Celeste, Wendel and a very cranky Corporal.

“Now where are we going? The troops are almost done with their lunch break and will be ready to move again pretty soon.”

Lilith was well rested. She had spent the night eating and drinking with Bindi, Kevin, Celeste and Sharl as they talked about the battle and the heroics of Lathander and Celeste as they fought side by side. They had spent the night in an actual Palace in a giant bed that both her and Kevin could sleep in with room to spare. She had a wonderful breakfast made to order by unseen servants and a calm morning spent catching up with Lady Morwen and Sir Tanel.

But even with all that behind her, Corporal Hayes was starting to get on her nerves. “Now, we wait. I am sure you are familiar with the exercise.”

“How long?” he asked pointedly.

“Just a few minutes while Father Trendel alerts the staff and gets the campus ready to receive eight hundred soldiers and forty or so wagons. They have to cancel some events and open the gates and alert the town guards to hold traffic for the returning army you know the usual stuff. Just sit and relax.” Lilith said as she moved into the common room to find a place to sit.

“I am sorry its just this seems almost like a dungeon and I would just feel better above ground.” the Corporal stated as he paced around the room finally deciding to sit as he sees her take a seat.

“I know I haven’t had time to install any windows yet it is a bit oppressive in here with only the crystals to light the place.” Lilith said as she looked around the room from the comfort of her favorite love seat.

Wanting to be helpful Celeste cast the Daylight spell illuminating the stone walls and the faded decorative rugs in brighter light than they deserved.

“Look at this. None of this furniture matches. Who decorated this place?”

“A devil who is now in a completely different universe far far away.” Lilith said in an uninterested voice as she leaned back against the soft cushions of the love seat.

“Well that does explain this peach colored arm chair. No human mind could conceive of a padded chair this uncomfortable, much less two of them.”

“These really are uncomfortable Lils he has a point. I mean I am so low to the ground that my knees are almost up to my shoulders. We might as well throw a cushion on the ground and just sit on that.” Wendel said joining in on the complain train from the second oddly sized peach colored arm chair.

Having taken as much of this abuse as she could. Lilith stood and moved over to the center of the room and raised a finger at them.

“Fine! I don’t like them either, I can’t even sit in them. Get up both of you!” Lilith snarled as her eyes glowed with an intensity they had only seen when she was casting spells. She then drew her adamantine blade and spoke the rune words for Disintegrate…… twice…… as she reduce both of the poorly made peach colored chairs to ash and dust. The sound of the spells was like sizzling bacon mixed with a small bolt of lightning and it made everyone in the decent sized room jump except her.

“Holly shit what was that?” The Corporal asked looking at the two piles of gray dust where the two of them had just been sitting.

“I don’t know but It sounded like two guests who wanted to stand rather than sit.” Lilith stated flatly as she returned her sword to the sheath on her back.

Celeste cackled for a bit before she realized someone was going to have to clean up the dust piles. Looking at her friend she realized first, that she probably wasn’t in the mood and second, that she tended to stay clear of messes because her tail liked to spread them across the room each time she turned or pushed off. Looking to Wendel she asked. “Whats the best way to get rid of a mess like this? I don’t’ think prestidigitation is going to cut it.”

“If we were outside you could use mold earth to bury it. But in here I think an unseen servant might do the trick but it will need a real dust bin and broom.” He stated in his usual calm demeanor.

The Corporal on the other hand was sweating bullets he had seen combat and even a few deaths with swords and arrows. Most recently he had seen a few of his men that were knocked off a 40’ wall by a demon the size of a small cottage. But he had never seen destructive spells like this and certainly not from such close range. He was about to speak again but he decided to stay still and move as little as possible just in case her vision was based on movement. Looking around he saw Lilith sit back down on the love seat and Celeste go to another room returning with a rectangular waste bin that was made out of wood.

Seeing this, Wendel cast Unseen Servant and commanded it to put the dust in the waste bin and flush it down the toilet. Lilith chuckled as the servant did its job scooping up the dust with invisible hands that only she could see and then take the bin to the restroom where it was flushed.

As she watched this cycle play out for a third time, she felt a familiar mind connect to hers and speak. “We are all set up now, you can place the opening on the outside of the admin building facing the entrance to the Cathedral.” Father Trendel said into her mind.

“Ok, on our way up.” She said back without delay. Lilith then raised herself out of the love seat and moved next to Celeste who was supervising the clean up effort “They are ready. Lets head up everyone.” she said patting her friend on the shoulder as she passed.

Lilith normally moved at the rear of a group as it meant that no one else would have to wait for her 35’ length to pass them. But today she rushed up the stairs knowing that it was her spell that was needed to get this mass migration started.

Passing the two paladins that guarded the tower she gave them a nod as she moved around to the right, to the side of the admin building that faced the cathedral. Looking over her shoulder she could clearly see the large Holy Symbol of Lathander at its entrance. As she took out a candle to begin making the large door she saw Father Trendel and Brother Amon come back out the Cathedral entrance to greet her.

“Everything is set we have the gates open and the road cleared so that they can march to their five different barracks.” Father Trendel said as he approached her making sure to stay clear of her coils as she used them to lift herself up the wall.

Soon Lilith had the massive door drawn on the side of the tower. It was 20’ wide and 15’ tall and had a curved shape drawn as the handle. Lilith did one last check making sure that the Corporal had joined them before she cast the spell [Demiplane] opening up a purple colored portal to the Grass Farm beyond. “Stay here I am going to move the portal around from the other side.” She said as she went through.

After making sure her tail was clear she used Fabricate to move the portal so it was on a different wall than the one from Daggerford. She set it so they were at a corner of her Demiplane about 100’ apart and at a right angle to each other. She then used Mold Earth to make a curb to a path that would easily lead the troops from one portal to the other. ‘I will have to smooth that out later’ Lilith thought as she moved back to Waterdeep to fetch the cantankerous Corporal. “Hayes! Lets go.” she barked.

The two of them then walked and slid along the path she had just made to the portal for Daggerford where there was a large group of Clerics and Paladins waiting on their carts and horses respectively.

Once through Lilith pulled her length to the side and looked at the Corporal. “Its your show now.”

“Alright you each know your destinations back in Waterdeep. But to navigate this path it is very simple. Go in make a left and exit via the other portal. Honestly if you get lost here, we will be better off without you anyways. Now, move out!” he shouted pointing at the lead cart and the clerics their in.

Lilith watched as the first cart entered her Demiplane. It was rolling into the wall on the inside of the Caravan Gate House where she had made the large entrance to accommodate them as close to the palisade as possible. But when she saw the third cart there were some familiar faces waving back at her. She then moved into formation to follow them forcing a few paladins to delay their procession for a moment as her tail still seemed to spook the horses as it slid from side to side. “Hey what are y'all doing in the wagon are you too tired to walk from last night?” Lilith asked looking up at Bindi and Kevin in the back of the wagon.

“No we were just saying goodbye to some of our traveling companions here.” Kevin said as he looked into the shaded interior of the covered wagon.

“Say hi Noodle Four” Bindi said causing Lilith to come to an immediate halt.

‘How did she know? I never told her about what happened to me there. How does she know that I was turned into a snake?’ she thought as she looked at Kevin wondering if he had told her about her plight.

But then she saw the head of a blue snake peak over the tail gate of the wagon and bob up and down in a friendly fashion. Instantly Lilith felt as if a stone in her stomach had been lifted and she began moving again. “Is that your familiar?” she asked her voice coming out a bit higher pitched than normal.

“Yes, he’s number four but he only talks to me.” Bindi said in a proud voice before she looked down at the snake saying “Oh yes she is very big and in the Abyss she gets even bigger.”

Lilith continued to follow the Wagon as it went into the Grass Farm and out arriving in the courtyard of the Spires of the Morning Cathedral. Their wagon then went out the gate and turned left parking on the outside of the stables while many of the paladins brought their horses into the large wooden building to begin taking off their armor and saddles.

Bindi and Kevin hopped out the back and then helped an older cleric down to the street. They then pulled their packs out from under the benches looking like they were ready to go on an adventure. “Look its just a court date guys, you didn’t need to bring all your things.”

“Hey ma’am! Move your tail!” a driver called out from behind her as Lilith had to quickly pull in her coils to let it pass.

“Well with you we can never be sure. You know?” Kevin retorted after he held back the older cleric waiting for the other wagon to pass. Once it was safe they all began moving towards the Tower of Rest, going around the steady stream of soldiers finding both Celeste and Wendel on their way.

Lilith bent down to pick up Noodle Four and place him on her shoulder before they moved to the entryway of the Tower of Rest. “I am going to call Carl and see if I am to testify today or tomorrow.” she said as the small snake wrapped his tail around part of her shoulder pads.

As she cast the spell she felt her mind connect to the energetic Duke. “Karl I have returned to Waterdeep just moments ago am I to testify at some point?”

“Yes they are calling witnesses today. I just got off the stand a few minutes ago and we are in recess. How soon can you be at the Piergeiron Palace?”

“Looks like I will be heading to court now guys It is being held at Piergeron’s Palace if you want to come watch. I just need to warn Karl before we teleport there.” Lilith said with a bit of a surprised look.

Kevin and Bindi quickly handed off their bags to Brother Amon, telling him to place them in the Tower of Rest. With that sorted Kevin nodded at her while he held Bindi with one arm. Wendel and Celeste also gave her a nod but the intrepid wizard gripped his staff and jammed it into the grass.

With everyone ready Lilith cast Sending again and said. “I can teleport to you in two minutes make sure to get to somewhere with a lot of room.”

There was nothing at first but then after about 45 seconds she got a reply. “Ok, I am out in the hallway now.” Karl said his voice carrying his Waterdavian accent.

“Alright stand close if you want to go to the court, it could be a bit boring but you might get to see Lady Cromm get sentenced today.” Lilith said as her friends and family gathered around before she recited the rune words for Teleport while thinking of Duke Rarington and his tricorn hat.

The six of them arrived about 10’ from the Duke causing him to turn around quickly his blue and gold cape swinging around to his side. “Oh the gang is all here I see.” he replied as his eyes scanned the motley crew of wizards, fighters, demons and half demons arrayed before him.

Lilith lifted Noodle Four and placed him on Bindi’s shoulder before she moved to give Carl a hardy handshake followed by a light hug. ‘Don’t break the human’ Lilith reminded herself as she was wearing her demon plate and sword.

“How has the case been going?” She asked after shifting back to a respectful distance.

“It has gone well I think. Cotton and myself have already testified. The statements of Celeste and Lady Morwen have been read into the record and Mr. Gray should be returning from lunch any minute now so we should go look for him at the entryway.” Duke Rarington said as he motioned for them to follow.

“I think I will go find a seat in the viewing area.” Celeste said as Wendel turns to join her.

“Save us some seats if you can.” Kevin called out as he moved to follow the Duke and Lilith with Bindi at his side.

As they approached the Castle entrance from the inner hallway a group of guards began alerting each other to the possible threat, soon four of them had moved with their pole-arms lowered to block her way as Lilith came to a sudden stop.

“Halt fowl beast! How did you get in here? I would remember admitting the likes of you.” One of the men asked with the point of his weapon only two feet in front of her.

“I teleported in, I am to testify on a matter before the court today.” She said in a slightly raised voice as she eyed the spear tips pointed at only her.

Kevin and Bindi backed up slowly wanting to give her room to maneuver but Karl stood by her giving and incredulous look at the guards not believing that this was happening yet again.

“Impossible these walls are warded and can’t be penetrated by magical means. Now speak the truth or we shall slap you in irons.”

With the mention of ‘irons’ Lilith's eyes went wide and glowed a bright red hiding her eye brows behind their red liquid fire. Slowly she began to reach for the point of his pole-arm her hand open as if she intended to grab it by the bladed point.

“Easy chaps this one is with me.” came the even tempered voice of Mr. Gray from behind them.

Each of the guards turned seeing the royal prosecutor step out of the sunlight and into the entry way.

“Honestly ‘halt foul beast’ does she look like a beast to you?” The prosecutor asked not expecting an answer as he walked past the royal guard standing between them facing both Karl and Lilith. “I am curious though how did you get in here?”

“I teleported to Karl of course he told me you were calling witnesses today.” she said as her hand returned to her side.

With this the prosecutor held up his hand the interrogation ring on his second finger clearly shining green. Seeing this the guards lifted their pole-arms and began returning to the entrance. The senior guard turned sharply dipping his weapon down and then up again as a formal gesture indicating he was returning to his post. But as the spike at the tip of his weapon was down he noticed something was off. It had been bent back on itself now looking like a hook rather than a spear tip. As he glanced back at the Demon, the noble and the prosecutor walking away he now questioned the wisdom of his actions only moments before.

“I think we had better talk to the court wizard because if you got in here then any demon could get in here.” Mr. Gray said as they walked down the hall next to Lilith. “But that is a problem for later, for now I am going to call you to the stand in about twenty minutes when the court comes back into session at the first hour. How have you been. You look….. healthy.” He said glancing down at her chest for a second and then back up to her face with a half smile.

“Yes well I did have a nice dinner last night in Daggerford to celebrate our victory and my return.”

“Brilliant that. Who would have thought the Morninglord would intervene is such a spectacular fashion. You know we heard his voice here. Yesterday. We all did. Wait what do you mean your return, you were supposed to stay in Waterdeep.” He asked coming to a stop near the entrance to the Royal Court.

“I went to Nightstone to try and stop the attack there and I was captured.”

“Oh so you were the Agent of Lathander that they spoke of being lost in the attack. Well its good that you are back just in time. Now here is how this is going to go down. I am going to ask you questions on the stand. I want you to explain what happened but keep it just to the facts don’t discuss motivation or emotion unless I ask you. If you don’t recall a detail just say so. It is better to be forgetful than a liar. Then the defense is going to ask you questions to try and destroy your credibility. Whatever you do.. don’t lose your temper. It is an old trick they will try to bait you…. Don’t fall for it. Ok?” he asked with his head tilted and his lips pressed together flat.

“I understand, I think I can keep it together for a few questions so long as no one threatens to put me in chains. I didn’t have a very good time while I was out of town.” Lilith said with a head tilt of her own.

“I see…. Well you will be before the Royal Court so that means that the Open Lord will be the judge and they are assisted by two Lords of the ruling council. Laeral Silverhand is one of the most accomplished mages of our time so do you best to obey her commands at all times and ah… be polite.” He said in a more sympathetic tone as he placed his hands on her shoulders a good 6” above his.

“Alright. I would like to meet a mage of that caliber anyways. This should be fun.” She said giving him a nod and a nervous smile.

“Ok lets go in ahhh, you can stay on the back wall to the right for now. You two should sit in the audience gallory it is just in and to the left and up.” He said to Lilith and then to Bindi and Kevin.

“Good luck.” Kevin said as he held his boot against her tail letting her push off of him as she went by.

‘I really need to come up with a nick name for Kevin.’ Lilith thought as she handed off her sword to a royal guard. She then entered the Royal court and moved to the right hugging the wall before she circled back folding over herself and looking back at the middle of the room. In front of her facing forward were the defense and the prosecution tables followed by an open area with a witness stand. Behind that at the far side of the room was a raised gallery only accessible via a guarded flight of stairs. In the center of the gallery sat three people. Lilith could guess that the two on each side were lords of Waterdeep as they wore black silken coverings that moved and shifted. But there between them was the Open Lord herself Laeral Siverhand. She looked ageless with regal features her head was covered but her piercing green eyes seemed to cover the entire room with a simple glance.

More members of the court entered as she waited but last to rejoin the room was an old woman in chains. Her wrinkled and miserable looking face gave her identity away, it was Lady Cromm. An uncontrollable smile went across Lilith’s face as she was certain that justice was about the be done and she would get to play a part in it.

“This court is now back in session. Prosecutor do you have any more witnesses to bring to the stand?” The Open Lord asked.

“Yes your lordship I would like to call Lilith of Devine, Defender of Daggerford to the stand.” Mr. Gray requested with a dip of his head.

“You may.” she said without moving an inch, her eyes scanning the courtroom looking for who was going to approach the stand.

Lilith pushed off the wall sliding across the marble floor before she got some troubling looks from the guards at the base of the Lord’s balcony.

“Over there … Oh ya you aren’t going to fit in that.” the prosecutor said threw gritted teeth as he pointed Lilith towards the witness stand and quickly realized the problem.

Looking to her right Lilith saw a dais with a wooden chair inside that she had no real chance of fitting into so she moved over to its edge and pulled the chair out setting it aside. Then she moved into the dais proper and leaned against the back of waist high walls that now surrounded her. She then wrapper her tail around the outside of those walls until her length went around her twice. Shifting a bit she looked up at the judge and gave a slight nod to indicate she was ready.

The Open Lord then waved a hand at the prosecutor and Mr. Gray stepped forward to begin his questioning.

“State your name and title for the record.”

Lilith could feel that she was under a zone of truth but it didn’t seem to have affect on her. She could speak freely but she got the distinct impression that if she spoke a lie the magic would be dispelled and a mage like the Open Lord would be sure to notice. So not wanting to risk it she told the truth, the whole truth. “I am Lilith of Devine, Defender of Daggerford and Lord of Summer.” she said after only a bit of hesitation while she thought it over.

“When was the first time you heard the name of Lady Cromm?”

“About Sixteen days ago when I spoke to the real Duchess of Daggerford for the first time.”

“Please elaborate.” he asked shifting his weight between feet as she stood in front of the witness stand.

“The court wizard of Daggerford had scryed on Lady Morwen and saw her shackled in a dungeon but could not identify her location as of yet. So I decided to use Sending to speak with her and see if she could identify her captor or her location.”

“And did she?”

“Yes she spoke the name Baroness Cromm and said she was in Cromm’s hold.”

“And did you go to Cromm’s hold?”

“Yes I went there with the Wizard Celeste and together we rescued Lady Morwen from the dungeon underneath the largest tower at Cromm’s hold.”

“While you were there did you damage the fortifications?”

“No but I did use Stone Shape and Mold Earth to make way for Lady Morwen’s escape. Though I canceled the Stone Shape after we left.”

“So the only evidence of your rescue was a hole leading down 10’ to the dungeon wall as Duke Rarington testified.”

“It was a hole shaped like a set of stairs so that we could walk up them as we escaped.” Lilith answered with a nod.

“I would hold to the court that this testimony is consistent with what we have heard from two different nobles. Both Duke Rarington and Duchess Daggerford have given statements consistent with the testimony you just heard. Now Lilith when was the first time you met Lady Cromm?”

“When I was with Karl… I mean Duke Rarington. I was his escort there and we were exploring the ruins of Cromm’s Keep when we found a secret passageway that led perhaps 40’ below ground to a hidden cellar that was full of preserved foods, water. There was also an altar to Orcus and Lady Cromm herself.”

“How did that interaction go when you met her in the basement?”

“At first she berated the Duke because she thought we were trapped in there with her due to damage on the main floor. But then when she saw me… When she saw a demon she thanked me claiming that Orcus had sent me to rescue her.”

“Did she speak his name?”

“Yes”

“Then what happened?”

“It was clear that she was a follower of Orcus, so I asked her to show me his symbol. And she showed it to me it was in the corner of the room inside of a wooden case. She opened it revealing a wand with the skull of a child as its focus.”

“How did you know it was the skull of a child?”

“Because of its small size.” Lilith said turning her face pointing down to the floor.

“Then what did you do?”

“I became a bit enraged at that point and I destroyed the symbol of Orcus and I trapped Lady Cromm inside of a small stone statue.”

“Did you destroy anything else?”

“No. I used Stone Shape to allow us to escape the broken mechanism on the hidden passage.”

“When was the next time you met Lady Cromm?”

“I met her again when I delivered her to you here in Waterdeep and you asked me to help with her interrogation.”

“What type of interrogation was it?”

“It was a type of undercover interrogation. I was to pretend that I had delivered her to a safe house and that she was soon to be free.” she said looking over at Lady Cromm who sat motionless with her bound hands resting on the defense table.

“When you spoke this second time did she open up to you?”

“Yes it wasn’t that hard it seems she was used to dealing with demons. She even mentioned one by name she said that Pencheska was in Daggerford sending souls to Orcus. Then she also mentioned a warlock named Joker who served the same master.”

“Did she mention her son?”

“No. I did. We had discussed wanting to know whether her family was involved so I offered to contact her son and she indicated that he was not involved in her schemes and wouldn’t be of any help.”

“Did she try to involve you in her own conspiracy against this region?”

Lilith had to think for a bit before it finally clicked. “Yes she asked me to contact the Joker in the hills East of Cromm’s Hold and tell him to stir up the giants to destroy Daggerford.” she said with a smug face and a nod.

“Lady Cromm asked you to help her destroy a town?”

“Yep.” she said with another nod.

“I have no more questions your Lordship.” Mr. Gray said as he returned to the prosecution’s table.

Lilith repositioned herself and tried to calm her nerves ‘Sweet cheeks? No that's too mushy how about pepe le pew? No he would never understand that. Oh isn’t that a fancy shirt.’ She thought to herself as the defense attorney approached the witness stand. He was a noble with a navy blue silk shirt that was complimented by his equally fancy black cotton pants and tricorn hat. He was dressed similarly to Karl but with less color and none of the practicality of the cattleman’s boots. His face was pleasant enough but his eyes were focused and he seemed troubled by who he was about to speak to.

“Tell me Lady Devine where do your loyalties lie?”

The question struck Lilith hard. Was she loyal to a place? Was she loyal to a person? Who was she loyal to? Her friends and her family of course but this world had a type of structure to it and she had been working within that structure since she arrived. With two people coming to mind she answered. “I must admit my loyalties are currently split I serve two masters, the Regent of Daggerford and Morninglord Trendel of Waterdeep.”

The attorney smiled, pretending that he expected that answer while Lilith could see one of his fingers twitching as he was trying to come up with his next line of questioning.

“What type of Demon are you and who summoned you here?”

“A Marilith, and I was summoned by Master Wendel Loadstone.” Lilith answered a bit unsure about the first part.

“And who does Master Wendel serve?” the defense council asked.

“He serves the court of Daggerford.” she answered in a calm manor quite sure of that one.

“And when were you summoned on what day if you can recall?”

“It was the Third day of Eleasis I believe.”

“Yes the Third of Eleasis back when the Succubus Pencheska was still on throne of Daggerford Tell us did she order Master Wendel to summon you?” He asked a glimmer of hope in his eye as he thrust a finger in her direction.

“No.” Lilith said flatly with a bit of a laugh at the mere thought.

“Who gave the order to have you summoned then?” he asked his with a curious look.

“It was Sir Tanel the current Regent of Daggerford.”

“And why did he summon you?” The defense attorney asked.

“Objection! Irrelevant.” The prosecutor shouted in a curt tone

“Sustained.” the Open lord said quickly.

With this the defense attorney paused pacing a bit as he tried to think of a way to ask the same question in a different way. “What was the first order he gave you?”

“Objection! Irrelevant.” The prosecutor said again.

“This speaks to the witnesses’ motivation we have to know what she was commanded to do here.” The lawyer quickly said trying to justify his line of questioning.

“Overruled, but lets get back to testimony that has to do with the charges against your client some time soon.” The Open Lord warned in a pointed tone.

“Very well.” she stated with a nod before he turned back to Lilith asking. “Please tell the court, what were the first orders that Sir Tanel gave you?”

“He asked me to go outside the town walls and defeat an Orc Champion.”

“What.. an Orc? Can you explain that to me?” The look of surprise on the defense council’s face made her pause for a moment as it indicated exactly how far off topic they currently were.

“There was an army of six hundred orcs outside the gates of Daggerford and they asked for combat by champion. So Sir Tanel asked Master Wendel to summon a demon that could pass for human and that is how I ended up here.”

“You pass for human?” He seemed insulted by the notion as if he had caught her in a lie but he didn’t know how that was even possible as they were both within a zone of truth.

“I had legs back then….. god I miss my legs.” Lilith said as she looked down shaking her head.

Not knowing where to go after that admission he decided to get back on track. “What was the next order you were given.”

“They asked me to capture the Succubus Pencheska and imprison her in the Wizard tower.” Lilith said with some amount of pride.

“And after that?” the Defense council asked quickly as if he was losing patience with her just as fast as the court was losing patience with him.

“To help make weapons and tactics to help defend the town from the next orc attack.”

Getting frustrated with her answers the attorney changed gears hoping that he could get to her true motivations. “Why are you here on this plane?”

“Why are any of us here? To make our mark on this world and spread our knowledge and beliefs to the next generation.”

“What? Your Lordship her answers must be lies. These cannot be the words of a demon. Is the Zone of Truth still working?”

“What makes you think you are speaking to a Demon?” Lilith asked with a thick tone of incredulity.

“The witness will be silent unless answering a question.” The Open Lord commanded. She then turned to her side looking behind her. “Aubert is it still working” A firm yes was heard from behind her. “It is still active council. Please proceed.”

The Attorney paced back and forth trying to collect his thoughts. “Please tell me how you are managing to lie to this court.”

“I have not lied.”

“So you are really concerned with passing on your knowledge to the next generation?”

“Yes.”

The attorney spun around as if he could not believe what he was hearing. He then refocused on Lilith and asked. “What do you think of us mortals?”

“My best friend is a mortal. My daughter is a mortal. I think th….” the room was suddenly awash with a cold gust as the energy in the weave was set loose causing wind and light to swirl and dissipate.

“What was that?” the attorney asked looking up at the Open Lord.

Laeral Silverhand held up a single finger as she looked around the room her eyes settling on Lilith. “Tell me Lilith when and how did you arrive within these walls?”

“I teleported here your Lordship, about twenty minutes ago.”

“Then it was you that destroyed the wards on this Palace?” The lord and judge implied.

“I don’t know. I just teleported to Duke Rarington. I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.”

“No there was a ring of luminous fog and a breeze just like what we saw here, but I did not know what caused the wards to be dispelled. But now I do. You are no ordinary demon and you do not have a daughter.” She said looking down at her from her perch.

“I do have a daughter and she is here today. Both her and I are registered nobles of the Lords Alliance.”

“Then if that wasn’t the lie then what is? That she is a mortal?” the Open Lord asked, her eyes focused on Lilith. But seeing the confusion and disbelief in her eyes and face, she quickly realized the truth of the matter. “Oh you didn’t know. You thought she was mortal but the spell knew because the watcher knows. But how were you able to lie in the first place? Only an equal or greater divine power could dispel the Cleric’s magic.” She asked looking down at the demon coiled around and sitting within the witness stand.

Lilith didn’t know either, so she held up her hands in apology when she noticed the ring she was wearing. “It could have been my ring. It was a gift from Lathander he wanted me to be immune to charms and other mind altering affects.”

“Ms. Lilith works as an agent of Lathander you Lordship.” The prosecutor said in a respectful tone.

“Oh, my my my, so you are the Divine Demon. The one that saved Daggerford and was lost at Nightstone. Well welcome back. I am glad you were able to return to the prime material plane. I am sorry I did not have time to research the witness list fully I have been….. busy with other more pressing matters.”

“It is quite alright ma’am.”

“Aubert cast Zone of Truth again.” She said turning behind her seat to look at someone behind her. After a few moments she turned back around and said, “Council please do not waste any more time trying to impugn this witness. They are a Noble of this land and if you insult their honor I will allow them to request restoration of said honor via trial by combat. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes your Lordship.” The defense council said as he swallowed a lump in his throat that was audible to half the room.

“Splendid now please limit your questions to the facts of this case.” The Open Lord instructed.

The defense attorney returned to the witness stand but still stayed around 5’ away from the base of it where her tail was coiled. “How many times did you hear my client speak the name Orcus?”

“At least three times.” she responded.

“And in what way did she refer to him in those instances.”

“I think it was ‘my lord’ or ‘our lord or just ‘lord Orcus’ in those cases.” Lilith said with a nod.

Turning around and muttering to himself the attorney seemed to be lost for words. Saying things quietly to himself before being upset at their sound.

‘Oh, he can’t ask questions that have false assumptions in them. No wonder his questioning has been so strange for a defense attorney.’ she thought as he turned around with a finger raised.

“Are you aware of any extenuating circumstances that might justify my clients actions?” He asked finally satisified that he had come up with a question that might serve his client rather than incriminate her further.

“Yes she is getting old and Orcus promised her eternal life. But you and I can both guess what that promise is worth.” Lilith said mockingly.