A Small Parting Boon.

As positively drained as you were feeling, you could have easily remained on the grass, surrendering to sleep, but your aunts pull you up.

“Come.” Arvha remarks, casting around for your discarded robes and masks. “Our time here is nearly at a close. As I said, father will wish to speak to one last time.”

Throwing your robe back on and carrying your dented mask, you follow your aunts back to the Devil's Throne.

-

Everyone has returned to the central meeting area. Arinum is seated on his throne, watching your approach. Corinne has only recently returned from her obliteration of the ambush site. Roland sits at the central table. You sense his romp with your mother has helped him get over his misgivings with regards to incestuous couplings, given she's currently sat on his lap.

“Ah, it does my heart good to see my bloodline grow closer. For new connections to be kindled and new life, purer than ever, to be fostered.” the demon king says in his authoritative rumble. His gaze is fixed squarely on you as he speaks.

“What happens now, Allsire?” Roland speaks out, his hand raised.

“Now, my boy?” Arinum continues. “Now you return to your lives in the petty human fiefdoms. Live amongst them, but serve my cause, as and when we ask it of you. Spider, Lion, Shark, come forward.”

A little warily, you approach with Corinne and Roland. As you stand before Arinum's throne, he waves his hand. Three silver rings, quite similar to the one the Allsire wears on his forefinger, only resized to fit their respective owner's, materialise and levitate towards each of you, revolving slowly as they do.

You pluck your ring from the air, inspecting it. It is indeed silver, set with a large black stone. Though you weren't exactly an expert, it looked like obsidian to you. Despite the obvious quality of the materials, the craftsmanship is rudimentary. Almost... ancient. On the face of the black stone is a rough hewn image of a Lion rampant.

“Something to help you keep in touch.” Arinum remarks, as you slip the ring on your forefinger, just as he wore his. “The enchantment will allow you to communicate with one another instantly. Only be wary you are not overheard.”

It sounded far beyond any sort of magic you had heard of in your time, but then again, you ventured a guess there were many techniques and secrets your grandfather possessed that humanity had either lost or not yet been able to acquire.

“Pretty nifty!” Roland exclaims, levelling his own Shark-inscribed ring to his face. “Ring, let me talk to Edward.”

Nothing happens.

“Edward.” the beastman repeats, louder this time. “Ed.Ward.”

“You... don't have to talk to the ring.” Arvha remarks, stepping forward. It's evident she has as much patience for Roland as her daughter does. “Simply reach out with your mind, think of Edward, of your need to talk with him.”

The Shark concentrates intently for a moment, brow furrowed with effort, black eyes squinting. Still nothing.

“I'll... walk him through it later.” Bezoriana assures her father. “My boy has many fine qualities, his mental fortitude, no' chief among them, aye?”

“Be off with you now.” Arinum advises. “Dawn is not far off. There will come a day when we can proudly walk this world, free from this... subterfuge, but until then, it's a sad necessity.”

Stomping towards his throne, there's a flash of light, and Arinum has disappeared into the aether as quickly as he had arrived.

-

“Mother and I will ride under cover of darkness for Morland, for the obscurity of my lands, until we are needed.” Corinne tells you. “The Allsire has instructed me to tell you that all my talents are at your service, as and when you need them.”

That... was a useful boon, you noted. You had seen The Spider in action, and as a king, there were a number of situations her abilities would be useful in. To have someone silently killed, or disappeared, or re-appeared, into your custody. Many would be the applications.

“Thank you, Corinne. I may call on you one day.” you say honestly, gesturing to your enchanted ring.

“And thank you, Edward.” The Spider responds with a smile. “Mother tells me we'll soon have some company on the estate. Be they my sibling or my cousin, I'll raise them as if they were practically my own child.”

“That would probably be simpler anyway.” you quip.

“Edward, you don't know the half of it!” Corinne says, with a demented giggle. “Arvha is my grandmother on my father's side, as well as my mother. So technically I've got a new aunt or uncle on the way too. Au revoir.”

Her last statement leaving you somewhat stunned, The Spider disappears off into the night.

-

You approach your mother, fully robed and masked once more, as Roland brings out the horse you had commandeered from King Pierre's stables. The beastman has another mount with him. From the mare's sheer size, you can only imagine its to convey the hulking mercenary around himself.

“My men are actually sequestered in Copieux at the moment, so we'll be heading to the capital just the same.” Roland explains.

“I thought it best for us to depart first, however.” your mother remarks. “Two can travel unnoticed more easily than three, no?”

You also sensed the meeting of the cult had given her much to discuss with you.

“Edward, it's been a lot of fun.” Roland remarks, pulling you in for a bear hug. “I never thought I'd admit it, but thanks to you, I can see not all kings are soft, pampered cunts. Uh, well not the Old Man either. Not all human kings, is what I'm trying to say, I suppose.”

“I understand, cousin.” you respond. “S-safe travels, and may your blade find favour, and your enemies' throats.”

The Shark roars with laughter, clapping you on the back.

“We'll do this again, Edward!” Roland pronounces. “Maybe if we're lucky, after the whole world's fallen to the Allsire's design! I'm thinkin' of asking him for Sinnabarrow as a prize, yeah?”

“Oh?” you respond.

“Oh yes!” Roland continues, a dark hunger creeping into his usually cheerful demeanour. “Show these "pureblood" cunts exactly who they've been looking down on all my life. Put my sword through that decrepit old king, spear that spoiled redhead cunt daughter of his with my... bigger weapon.”

“You know Madeleine?” you can't help but chuckle on hearing Roland's plan.

“Yep. Dotty sow took a bit of an interest in me, took me up to some lab in the palace.” Roland tells you. “I thought she wanted a discreet little fuck with the monster man, yeah? Plenty of noblewomen are into that. Only when we get up there, the freak asks to take some bloody skin samples off me, has this posh weirdo start sketching me.”

“She's... not like other ladies.” you state simply.

“You're telling me.” Roland laughs. “Anyway, she's mine if we ever take Sinnabarrow. I'll fuck a little sense into the mad bint. Don't think I'll be letting The Owl make a thrall of her, either. She'll get to feel everything.”

“I h-had dinner with Princess Madeleine the other night.” you tell him. “And believe me, you're welcome to her.”

Roland laughs once more, then helps you up into the saddle with your mother.

“Farewell Lion,” Roland repeats, giving you a toothy smile. “It's been fun.”