8 Sneak Attack

The army was on the move. It was hard enough to see at night for the average human, but this army was surrounded by shadows that made them invisible. The shadows also helped to muffle any sounds that the army might have made. Not that they did. No one in the army wore heavy armor, their skin and magic was strong enough to protect them. The horses moved as if they were ghosts. All in all they looked like the Wild Hunts of myth, for anyone who was powerful enough to see through the shadows.

It was an hour before dawn when the walls of Dreymore came into sight. The army split up as it moved closer. Caine led his half to the back, Gavin and Xanthe moved towards the front gate. Dreymore has two entrances to the main wall where the average citizens live and the lower nobles. You have to get through the inner walls to get to the nobles, rich merchants and the lord of the city.

"How is your fire element?"

Xanthe whispered to Gavin.

"I was able to improve it a little during my training, but nothing significant."

He whispered back. Xanthe found herself smiling. She has lived in the dimension long enough to know that any element other than dark is basically useless. If he managed to improve his skill, even just a little, it means that he potentially improved it by a large margin on the surface.

"As we get closer I want you to catch a couple of the wall guards on fire. We have someone on the other side to open the gates, they're just waiting for a signal."

Gavin nodded his head and turned his attention to the wall. The closer they got the easier it was to see men walking along the wall. His nightvision wasn't as good as the demons, but it was enough that he could see figures moving. When they were close to the wall, close enough that even Gavin could see the stones of the wall clearly, they stopped.

Gavin glanced up the wall and started to track a figure that was walking. He pulled on the elements of fire and directed them at his target.

"Immolate."

He spoke the spell aloud, though as quietly as possible. He didn't expect much, hair catching fire, maybe the guards clothes. What did happen sped his heart up in excitement. The guard on the wall was suddenly illuminated as his whole body was consumed by flames. The guard was nothing more than ashes within seconds of catching fire. The other guards were calling out and moving to investigate.

"Can you do a couple more?"

Can I? Gavin didn't need Xanthe to do more than ask before he picked out another target, and yet another.

"Immolate. Immolate."

Two more on the wall caught fire. They were aware enough for them to scream, whereas the first guard had been caught completely unaware. The guards who were unaffected were searching for the source of the magic.

Gavin was excited about his increase in power, and completely oblivious to the fact that he had just killed three people. I've never had this level of power before. How did it increase so much? If he actually thought about it he would be able to figure it out, but for now his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the gate opening.

The guards heard the gate opening but were unable to see anyone near the gate. As Xanthe and Gavin moved towards the gate they released more shadows like what had been concealing them while traveling. The rest of the army contributed to the shadows being released, it resulted in a thick fog of shadows moving through the gate and covering the area within the first wall.

As the shadows moved to cover everything Xanthe and some of the men switched to producing a sleep spell that mixed in with the shadowy fog. It took about fifteen minutes for half of the first wall to fall asleep. Caine and his group took care of the other half using the same technique.

The two groups converged together at the entrance to the second wall. Their people within the city had the gate open and ready for them. Caine felt some disappointment as they moved through the second wall using the shadow fog and sleeping spell. He knew that they would have other chances for battle.

The sun came up as they were making their way to the castle within the center of the second wall. The shadow fog hadn't made it this far and the guard on duty saw them coming. One of the guards slipped inside to warm the inhabitants while the other stayed outside and tried not to lose his mind at the sight of an army this deep in the city.

"I am here to speak with your lord and negotiate his surrender."

Caine spoke as he moved forward. The guard was visibly shaking, but was still able to move into a defensive stance.

"I can't allow you to pass."

Caine laughed, "Let me rephrase that. I am here to claim my castle and all who stand in my way will die."

Caine dismounted and moved towards the guard. The shadows moved to form a cape and dark energy gathered in his hand.

"Move aside and bow to your new leader or die."

The guards' eyes shifted from Caine to the army of demons and back again. He didn't want to die, he wasn't loyal enough to the lord of Dreymore to offer up his life so easily. Before Caine could get any closer the guard stepped aside. He didn't so much bow as fell to his knees as he prayed to the gods that he would be spared.

"Good choice."

Caine threw the gathered magic at the door to the castle and dark flames consumed the wood. Xanthe and Gavin dismounted and came up behind Caine, followed closely by fifty swordsmen. They had left small groups of men to patrol the area of the first wall and second wall. Two thousand men in each section of the city, another hundred left to guard the castle. The rest of the army moved out to camp outside the city before the sleep spell wore off.

The small group entered the castle. The soldiers walked in a semi circle around their lord and his generals. Anyone that tried to attack were quickly dealt with by the soldiers as they made their way to the Lord of Dreymore's office. Caine's inside source had given him all the information he would need before entering the small castle; a detailed map, names and living quarters of everyone within just to name a few.

When Caine finally found the room and stepped within he was greeted by a middle aged man sitting behind a desk. His brown hair was thinning and had a bald spot, his face prematurely wrinkled and trying his hardest to not show any emotions.

"Lord Evian?"

He nodded in acknowledgement while internally trying to figure out who would try and invade.

"To whom do I owe this pleasure?"

Caine's lips moved upwards in a grin, his eyes as cold as ice as he stepped forward to allow the others to enter the room.

"I am Lord Caine, Lord of Yisa, or Demon Lord if you'd rather. I am here to reclaim the demon's lands that were stolen."

Gavin and Xanthe moved in to stand at Caine's side while his soldiers filed in behind to stand guard. Evian's face lost all it's color and he was filled with dread. No one had expected the demons to move so quickly. They had sent the hero not that long ago and were still hopeful that he had been able to kill the Demon Lord.

When Evian moved his eyes to take in everyone that had come into the room he understood where they had failed. The hero, Gavin, was standing to the right of the Demon Lord. He was shirtless and wearing a slave mark on his chest. Evian had a feeling he knew what that meant.

Caine moved to the desk and sat on it, his eyes locked on Lord Evian's face. He especially loved the look that Evian made when he realized that the hero was here.

"Now, I have been told by a reliable source that Princess Joelle is here. Any chance you'll give her up without giving me trouble?"

"She's not here, but even if she was I wouldn't just hand her over."

"Really? Because my source said that she arrived here yesterday afternoon."

Evian tried hard to remain calm. He wouldn't give up the princess to these monsters.

"I guess your source isn't that reliable."

Caine laughed and motioned to his men. "Take him to the dungeon and secure him. I will be there to deal with him before long."

Two soldiers stepped forward and forcefully removed Evian. He only stopped fighting for a moment when he passed by Gavin and the look he gave was not pleasant. The soldiers that had gone in with Caine had been briefed earlier at the base of the mountain and had memorized the layout of the castle so they knew where to take the nobleman.

Caine moved to sit at the desk, making himself comfortable.

"I want two men to stay here, the rest of you finish securing the castle. Keep as many alive as possible but don't go out of your way."

The soldiers bowed and dispersed, two of them stayed and took up guard outside the door.

"Xanthe, I want you to stay here and coordinate the soldiers. I need to interrogate Evian, I'm certain he has the princess hidden somewhere."

He didn't 'need' to do anything, but he did look forward to interrogating the man. It had been a long time and would make up for the lack of battle.

"Gavin, will you be my hands? You still need some training."

Gavin didn't need a translator to know what Caine meant. He isn't certain if he's ready, if he could ever be. You can do this, Caine was younger than you when he started. That thought didn't do anything to convince him.

"If it's what you wish."

"Think you can handle it."

Gavin gave him a half hearted smile, "I won't know until I try."

"Perfect!" Caine stood and moved around the desk, his eyes were lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. Gavin definitely did not feel the same enthusiasm. He wasn't able to back out of it, when he had decided to win the fight with Xanthe he had known that Caine would ask him to do things he didn't want to.

They left Xanthe and made their way through the castle, working their way down to the dungeon.

"He's a noble who's never seen combat so I don't see it taking much. He may surprise us, though."

As they walked Caine explained what they would be doing. Gavin felt steadier about it knowing about everything ahead of time. It gave him time to brace for it.

When they arrived in the dungeon Evian was in a cell and the two soldiers that had carried him off were standing guard. Caine ordered the soldiers to remove him from the cell and strap him down to a chair that was in an adjoining room.

Gavin's eyes caught sight of all the items hanging on the wall as soon as he stepped in. He could identify only a few of the items. There were chains on the walls that he assumed were for securing prisoners. Even the chair they strapped the nobleman was different. First off it had straps on it, but it also had a hold in the center.

"I understand why he's doing this, all demons are monsters. Why are you betraying us, hero?"

Evians words brought forth a whirlwind of emotions within Gavin. The strongest of these was the cold grip on his heart.

"I never promised to aid Edicia, I never swore fealty. None of you are my people. You can't even remember my name.

"I didn't betray anyone."

The look of surprise on Evians face said that he wasn't expecting Gavin to respond the way he had. He had gained confidence in himself since he was last in Dreymore.

"The only words that will sway Gavin is to tell us where the princess is hiding."

"Never."

Caine nodded to Gavin. Evian only let out a gasping sound as Gavin broke a finger.

"The Princess?"

"Fuck you."

Caine held up two fingers and Gavin proceeded to break two more of Evians fingers. They made it through both hands without getting anything. Evian was breathing heavily as sweat ran down his pale face.

Caine decided to up the ante and pulled out a dagger.

"Since you don't seem to be worried about your hands why don't we try for something lower."

He took the tip of the dagger and pointed it just below Evians belt.

"I'm sure it would be fun to live out the rest of your life as a eunuch."

Caine punctuated his words with laughter and caused Evian to lose what little blood is left in his face.

"In my office."

"What was that?"

"The Princess is hiding in a hidden room in my office."

Caine waved the dagger around as he spoke, "How do I open it?"

"The bricks… press the center brick and it will open."

Caine tossed the dagger to Gavin who caught it easily.

"Finish it."

Gavin didn't need an explanation on what was expected of him. He remembered the story. He only hesitated a moment before plunging the dagger into Evians eye and through his brains. The nobleman died before he could even register what had happened.

Gavin was fine one moment, and the next he was bent over as he emptied the contents of his stomach. Caine walked over, careful to avoid the vomit, and rubbed Gavin's back.

"You did well."

"You didn't get sick your first time."

Gavin spoke slowly as he stood, using Caine to help steady himself.

"You forget, I'm a monster and not much bothers me. It's ok if it bothers you. You're not me and I don't expect you to be."

Gavin snorted, "One you is enough."

"Exactly, so don't try to be me. You are strong enough."

Gavin was relieved to hear Caine say that. Since coming to this world people had been trying to make him fit a mold, an image of how they thought he should be. Here is Caine, the bad guy, telling him that it's ok to be himself.

Gavin smiled and leaned against Caine. There may be a dead body in the room and vomit on the floor, but Gavin was enjoying the moment. I could see myself falling hard for him if he keeps this up. He isn't even certain he cares if he's being manipulated.

Caine let Gavin rest for a while before they headed back to Xanthe. He had the two soldiers follow them, someone else could clean up the mess they made.

When they returned to the office Xanthe was talking to a soldier. Caine had Gavin sit then went to the desk and started opening drawers. Gavin was curious but didn't ask about it.

"Ah hah."

Caine pulled a bottle and two glasses out of one of the bottom drawers. He poured a small amount into a glass and handed it to Gavin.

"Drink it, it'll help with the taste in your mouth."

Gavin took a sip and thought he was going to die. It tasted like paint thinner and burned all the way down.

"What is this?"

His voice was hoarse when he spoke and Caine chuckled.

"It's the good stuff. I think it's similar to whiskey."

Caine poured himself a glass and drank it in one go. He made a face as he placed the glass and bottle back into the drawer.

"Not quality stuff. Drink the rest."

Gavin thought for sure he could breathe fire once he got the rest of it down. His whole body felt warm and his throat felt like he had swallowed flames. Before he could complain too much his body had already healed most of it.

"That was the captain we left in charge of the squad on the first level. The people didn't give much trouble once the shadows cleared and they realized they had been invaded."

Xanthe reported after the soldier she had been talking to left.

Good. Have we heard from the captain of the second squad yet?"

Caine asked as he moved around the office inspecting the walls. It didn't take long for him to locate the spot that would open the hidden room.

"He has not. We did plan for the nobles to give us more trouble."

Caine motioned to the two soldiers that had followed them from the dungeon. In one move Caine pushed in the brick and stepped to the side. The wall slid away to reveal a small room.

Within the room stood a young woman wearing a rather elegant gown and a young man wearing a royal blue suit.

"Greetings, Princess Joelle, Prince Riley."