Chapter 46, in persuit of revenge.

(Ardivar)

Ardivar and his remaining pack members waited in some thick pine trees guarding a mostly barren dirt road around the city of Whyndam like the rest of the Darva. The smell of pitch and the musky smell of wet fur filled his sensitive nose as Ardivar paced under a thick copse of trees. The patter of rain and a faint chill washed over Ardivar's coarse, leathery skin. Five Darvan warriors crept from the treeline ahead of him, climbing up the mud soaked hill. Ardivar hissed as a Darva in charcoal black leather armour made his presence known.

The all black leather armour stood out in an oddly chaotic fashion against the Darvas light brown fur.

" Evening Kuran, how may we help you this fine day!" said Ardivar sarcastically.

" I just wanted to make sure you were in position. Once all of our forces are in position, we will start the attack." Said the Darvan Kuran.

"Of course Randy, I wouldn't disobey an order." said Ardivar. Well, that was a lie, but Ardivar was willing to follow the Kurans' order for now. At least until the Darvan commander left, and Ardivar was free to enact his own plans.

Next to Ardivar, number two choked as Ardivar used the Darvan Kurans' first name. His only remaining pack member gave Ardivar a distressed look.

" The city will soon be ready for the taking. We must be weary, our scouts reported some of the human scourge has already fled the city. Also, the army we were chasing is held up with the defenders in the city." said the Darvan Kuran.

" I could sneak in and harass the enemy to soften them up for your assault." said Ardivar seriously.

" What? With your diminished pack? No! You will be of more help to attack the common soldiers once we break through the outer wall." said the Darvan Kuran.

" And the human I asked you about? Are you sure he is still in the city?" asked Ardivar.

" Yes, our scouts have been tracking the human mage. He is definitely still in the city to try to stop our assault. But don't worry about that human, a weakling like you will only get in our way. Use you remaining pack to do something productive." said the Darvan Kuran. Ardivar growled at the insult. His claws dug into the soft mud as Ardivar thought of tearing into Kellar's throat with his claws.

" Watch the road in case of humans trying to spy on our movements. The Humans will not sit still while we prepare to attack one of their cities." said the Kuran, his voice entering Ardivars mind.

Shivering from the icy rain, Ardivar shook himself. Standing still for hours in the cold brought back memories of his home. Ardivar snarled quietly through a mouth of razor-sharp teeth. He still couldn't believe the variety of sensations in the mortal world. The cold, wet and darkness were a stark reminder that Ardivar was lucky. He could hunt mortals and grow, not to mention pleasing sensations like the sun on a warm day. That was all a young devourer could really ask for. As for the Darvan Kurans' insult, Ardivar would just simply ignore the orders.

Two scouts ran hurriedly through the trees, mud squishing and branches shaking as they stopped in front of Ardivar's number two.

" Varsuth Ardivar, our scouts returned. They report several figures moving along the road to the city." said Number two. Ardivar hissed in excitement. Finally, something to do. After Randys insulting words, Ardivar was looking for something to tear apart.

" Lets move, there is prey." said Ardivar, projecting his thoughts to the rest of his pack

Stalking through the forest, they approached the four figures riding along the road. Pushing aside a leaf, Ardivar grumbled as a bucketful of water flowed down his pack. Tonight was not his definition of a pleasant hunt. Ardivar sniffed the air. The sheer weight of the mana on the air made Ardivar weak in the knees. Salivating from the sweet smell, Ardivar focused intently on the lead figure.

These humans were rather unusual. Not only were the humans riding in the dead of night in the pouring rain, but they didn't have torches. And They smelled heavily of magic, like a burning building smells of smoke.

On each figure, heavy cloaks covered their leather armour with faint markings swirling together in a mesmerizing cadence. Occasionally, he could see the runes as the riders jostled on their horses. Ardivar's hair rose on his neck as he looked over the four humans. The human in the lead raised his head, glancing around. Ardivar's blood ran cold as details came appearant. Greying hair at the temples, a firm jaw and an expression so cold it made Ardivar freeze.

He dug his claws into the mud in anger. Ardivar hissed as he recognised the high priest of the church. What was that human monster doing entering the city? Ardivars thought of an ambush fled, immediately replaced by the urge to run.

" Hold! Do not attack, these are human Kurans." said Ardivar, projecting his mind to all of his pack mates. Hopefully, with his words, the remaining twenty Darva under his command were too terrified to attack. The four humans continued on unmolested past Ardivar and his fellow Darvan warriors.

Ardivar didn't know it, but those three humans with the high Priest were royal knights. The power each of them could bring to a fight was comparable to that of a master mage. Grumbling, Ardivar slunk back to the cover of the trees. He order his pack to stay vigilant in case more intruders were to sneak past.

Body pumping with excitement and nerves, Ardivar abandoned his pack and followed the humans back to the city. His pack would be just fine without him, and Ardivar wanted to know why such a monster was here. And besides, if he told number Two of his plan, the large Darvan warrior might try to stop him. Once the mounted humans reached the west gate, they dismounted, allowing Ardivar to creep closer while the humans waited for the gates to be opened.

Ardivar pulled on the surrounding darkness, embracing the feeling of his home as he touched his native power. Keeping in the shadows, Ardivar slunk like a cat on the hunt through the flat area outside the city's walls. If the moon was out, Ardivar would have been concerned, but in the rain he wouldn't be seen. Most humans were weak-willed creatures with poor eyesight that would hide indoors, not staying vigilant on the walls in the pouring rain.

The massive gates groaned as they swung outwards. Picking up his pace, Ardivar paused at the corner of the gatehouse, leaning his leathery skin against the wet stone wall.

" Right this way my lord, it will relieve the general to have so many esteemed guests." said one human soldier.

Baring his teeth and moving cautiously, Ardivar waited to the side of the opened gate. He glanced inside, spotting four human standing next to a wheel tethered to a thick chain. The humans pushed, their feet sliding for a moment as the chain wound around the spoke they were turning. With a groan and a squish of mud, the doors slid inwards. Leaping forwards Ardivar slipped through the gate just before it slammed shut with an audible boom.

Hopefully, whoever manned the gate hadn't noticed him. All it would take was one guard walking off the stone steps on the wall to take a hard look at the shadows of the gates and Ardivar would be locked in against four monsters. Ardivar crouched in the door's shadow, waiting. Much to his amusement, all four of the cloaked soldiers immediately returned to the wall. Judging by their water logged cloaks and the way they trudged up the stairs, the humans were exhausted. Ardivar smiled. Well, what now?

His pack would wonder where he had gone, but Ardivar didn't care. He only worried about the Kurans' reaction when the Darvan mage realized Ardivar had deserted. The purpose of Ardivar's dissention was simple. Once Kellar was fighting, he would be on high alert and ready. There was no way Ardivar would do something so stupid as to attack the mage again head on.

Even worse, if he stayed with the Darva, he would never get his revenge. His only chance for revenge was to find Kellar and pull out the mage's throat with his teeth while the man slept.

There was no way he could have brought his warriors into the city. The guards were well armed and on high alert, even going as far as standing out all night in the rain. Ardivar's only chance was to come in alone. Ardivar could have at least brought his number two, but the large Darva wouldn't have agreed to desserting the army. Well, that is what Ardivar told himself. He totally didn't leave number two back with his pack to keep the black-haired Darva safe. Ardivar smiled he hoped number two wouldn't be too mad when he returned with Kellar's head.

The clatter of hooves on stone filled the air as the four humans that entered first rode down the street without even glancing back. Ardivar sighed in relief as he was in the clear for now. Moving cautiously, Ardivar crept on all fours along the shadowy streets. Unsure of where to look for his target, Ardivar followed the dangerous humans. They might notice him, but Ardivar was keeping as far behind them as possible while using his native magic to remain hidden in the shadows.

Ardivar told himself repeatedly that he would go unseen. His senses constantly told him to turn around and run away, but Ardivar was determined. He clung tightly to a single-story buildings slate tiles as the four figures stopped in front of the inner keep. Ardivar hissed in defeat as he noticed the guards standing in front of the gate. Wind rustled his wet skin as Ardivar crouched on top of a cold, wet roof in the pouring rain.

All night Ardivar waited on the room for something. He watched the patrols on the inner gates walls and the guards at the front gates, searching for a sign of weakness. Was it just Ardivar or were the humans more competent than Ardivar guessed? Even after watching the walls and traversing the rooftops, Ardivar couldn't find a gap in the patrolling guards.

Ardivar returned to the front gate of the keep, frustrated and cold. All his attempts might do was to end in him getting sick. Well, if demons could get sick. Number two had told him about the importants of staying dry on wet chilly nights. Ardivar scowled. It was for the best. Number two would be just fine without him.

Ardivar's eyes snapped open. Tiles shifted beneath him as his claws clung tightly to the slate roof. He blinked, yawning, as the front gate to the inner fortress swung open. Had he just fallen asleep? As to how he had fallen asleep while cold and wet, Ardivar did not know. Most importantly was the brightening of the cloudy sky. At least the damned rain wasn't falling anymore, giving Ardivar a clear image of the humans.

Pulling the shadows of the chimney around him, Ardivar focused. Three figures and several others in the formal gold and black of the army stepped out first. Ardivar sniffed the air, trying to figure out what was so disturbing about those three humans in the lead. They smelled only lightly of mana, but Ardivar's senses were screaming at him to stay away. The last two figures strode from the fortress just before the gates slammed shut.

Ardivar's blood heated as excitement, and a hint of fear rose in his chest. Kellar was in the lead, dressed in dark red robes with silver embroidery. While the high Priest dressed in his pitch black robe. Ardivar watched cautiously. The high Priest's eyes roved the top of the roofs, landing directly on Ardivar. Ardivar shuddered as the high Priest's eyes stayed firmly on him for one long moment. Ardivar remained still, holding his breath. After a long moment, the Priest's eyes continued to rove his surroundings.

Ardivar sighed in relief. Once the Priest and Kellar enter a side street, Ardivar trailed, keeping them only just in sight. With the light of the sun through the clouds, Ardivar was concerned that the high Priest might see him. He was lucky he had woke up in time or Ardivar would have woken to two powerful humans.

The streets of the city passed in a blur as Ardivar crept along the closely packed buildings. He lept the gaps. More and more of the human pests filled the streets as Ardivar's stalk progressed. The high Priest and Kellar entered a church. Well, that was a pain in his leathery ass. Ardivar sunk down, watching the front of the church. Much like the keep of the city, they built the church with a high stone wall. Ardivar craned his neck, admiring the three towers of the structure and the many guards patrolling the walls. Humans sure were interesting creatures more focused on beauty than on protection.

He waited until the day faded to night. Ardivar grumbled, but he couldn't sneak in until the light had properly faded and the feeble humans couldn't see well anymore. His shadows covered him, but that wouldn't be enough to sneak over a wall in the middle of the day. Ardivar would need to be patient and wait. Just as the sun was setting below the horizon, Ardivar felt a familiar sensation wash over his skin. It was as though someone was using demonic magic or a ritual. He shudder and then the feeling came again, this time stronger. Ardivar furrowed his brow, realizing the sensation was coming from the church in front of him.

Well, that would certainly make for an interesting day. Ardivar hadn't spoken to one of his kind since he entered the mortal world. Well, it wasn't like Ardivar's kind was well liked. Other demons disliked all the Devourers even, even hated them. That was why the devourers were confined to the most inhospitable plane of hell known as the abyss.

Ardivar licked his lips. Essence devoured from demons was almost at tasty as that of mortal mages. It had been weeks or a month? He shook his head that didn't matter. All Ardivar knew was that he wanted to taste a demon again. Before coming to the mortal plane, all he had eaten were the demons who dared to enter the abyss. Now a demon dared to enter the mortal realm. Ardivar hissed in excitement. He hoped he could catch whatever demon was foolish enough to get in his way.

Ardivar crossed the empty courtyard to the church wall and paused. He sniffed the air. The acrid smell of demonic essence washed over him like a cool summer night breeze.

Ardivar shook his head, trying to clear the haze. He couldn't forget those two human monsters were in the building. His mind in a fog, Ardivar climbed the outer wall, slinking over the empty walls. If he was more focused on his surroundings, Ardivar might have noticed the lack of guards. Ardivar was too focused on the sweet smell pulling him in to notice such an important detail. In fact, if he stopped and simply looked around, he would have noticed not a guard could be seen on the walls of the church.

Ardivar was confident in his shadows, so he didn't even give the pitiful human guards a second thought. Not that there were any guards there. He slunk into the empty quart yard and made a B Line for one particular room lit by touch light.