"Did I recall you at a good time," asked Reyzenhart as he weakly leaned on his spear. The pale tiefling appeared even paler than before. All his vigor and strength had left his body and it was all he could do to stand up.

"Aye Reinhardt, they had me locked up like you said they would," said Cozbi. "Beaten too I might add."

"Who did this to you!" roared Amon. "I will make them pay a thousand fold! I will grind their bones till…."

Cozbinaer silenced the Great Wolf with a wave of her hand.

"Duke Amon," she said giving him a curt nod. "Always a pleasure."

Amon looked stunned for a second, before bowing on one knee respectfully.

"Looks like you two have been scrapping, and I'm guessing over poor missing me," she weakly laughed. "I love it when boys fight over me. I should be flattered, but now is not the time."

"Please my lady, I don't understand," said the still kneeling Amon.

Cozbinaer pointed to Reinhardt. "Reinhardt will explain. I need to sit down."

Reinhardt gathered his breath. He formed a few hand gestures and icy motes popped from his hand and formed themselves into a great frozen chair, which hardened the surrounding lava. The tiefling then took off his tunic and laid it over his newly created throne for Cozbi to rest on .

"Rawwrrr…"purred Cozbinaer as she glanced at Reinhardt's chiseled abdomen.

Amon shot Reinhardt a hard look, but the Gelugon simply smiled. "We've been in a futile siege for the last ten years against the fortress of Czinmoch. Our war efforts here in Phlegethos are effectively stalled until we take this chokepoint, but every time it looks like we have the tactical advantage, they miraculously get resupplied with reinforcements and arms. We've failed in our thorough attempts to block them magically or to locate a supply tunnel, which leads me to believe there is a traitor in our midst."

"Or your administration of the siege has been borderline incompetent," stated the Great Wolf.

" Amon, please," admonished Cozbi.

"As I was saying, I drew several conjectural plans to storm the fortress, mainly for my own interest. Most were too dangerous to enact, but Cozbinaer came upon them while, rummaging through my tent."

"Oh don't give me that look Amon. I was just curious! I wanted to see if he slept as a tiefling or an insect," she cooed to Reinhardt's discomfort. The Gelugon also noticed Amon fidget, and wondered if he had experienced a similar experience with their Lady Consort in the past. In his experience, her flirting had always been limited to words and eye contact, but Reinhardt was a fool not to be aware of her reputation.

"I consider myself a student of history, and have studied many battles from different dimensions and realities. One of them struck me as being very similar to the situation we now face. A place called Hastings, where a heavily entrenched force was overcome by a similar sized invader," continued Reinhardt. "The invading general at the time, the Conqueror as he was known…"

"Hastings? Were the inhabitants quicklings? The Conqueror? I like that," commented Amon. "It's brash, but catchy as well."

"Aye, the Conqueror led and all-out attack against the fortifications of the enemy, but his forces broke and ran. Seeing victory at hand, the defenders charged the fleeing foe, only to be counter attacked and caught in the open field by the rallying forces."

"A planned withdrawl to draw out the enemy? " Amon listened to the Gelugon and then rubbed his long chin hairs. "Interesting, but what makes you think the enemy would fall for a feint of that magnitude, especially if they have a spy in our ranks? "

"They'll fall for it, if they think it's their idea, "stated Reinhardt. "With Cozbinaer captured, our hand is forced. We all know Geryon's wrath if we leave her in the enemy's grasp. We'll be expected to attack. Whoever their traitor is will let them know and they'll be ready for us."

"Machalas, he's your traitor. When they caught me, I saw him escort us through his ranks, said we were a scouting unit, "explained Cozbi.

Amon snarled. "I'll eat his innards. I'll tear those pathetic bat wings of his off his body, and use them as a cloak. My claws will rend his flesh to ribbons and…."

Reinhardt sighed and ignored Amon. "Really? I thought for sure it was Agares. The old devil seemed too cool and collected for my liking. Anyways, with Cozbinaer captured, it would be the 'casus belli' we need to justify a change of tactics. We would be forced to take her back by force, meaning a suicidal attack. In fact, I expect them to goad us into making a rushed attack. In normal circumstances, I would say we would succeed, but we would take devastating casualties, but if they enemy knew of our plan I say our chances would be non-existent. I would wager that the enemy would be prepared for a strong counterattack, to destroy our supply line and siege weapons as well as to break the siege for good. "

"But, you'll be ready with your reserve to catch them in the field, just like this Conqueror person," noted Amon.

"Correct. I intend to throw a sizable force at the fortress, break as expected and crush their counter attack. As well, I will maneuver the Black Legion, since they are the most skilled at subterfuge, to seize their gatehouse after their forces ride out. I doubt they could take the castle, but they will buy us enough time to reinforce them."

"You would sacrifice tens of thousands of our soldiers for this plan?" asked Amon.

"Better than hundreds of thousands if we drag out this siege for another ten years," retorted Reinhardt.

Reinhardt's answer seemed to please Amon as he nodded in approval. "Cunning, but how did you convince Cozbinaer to go with this plan?"

Cozbi laughed. "Haven't you been listening? It might have been Reinhardt's plan, but I was the one that wanted to go through with it. As for why, isn't it obvious? My Lord Geryon may be loyal, but loyalty in the Pit is not a desirable trait to have. There are six rebellious Archdukes, versus Asmodeus, that guard dog Tiamat, and of course my noble lord Geryon. While we had initial success against Belial and Moloch, the initiative turns against us. Every day we delay we endanger our lord and victory slowly escapes his grasp. If putting myself in harm's way is what's needed to grant my Lord leige victory, than it's a risk I'm willing to take. "

"Very well. Now tell me how did you escape? I know Reinhardt's magic is strong, but I doubt its powerful enough to whisk her away like that, else he could have made a portal into their fortress. I thought they would place all the magical wards and physical restraints they could to keep you their prisoner. "

Reinhardt stepped forward. "Yes, they probably did. Knowing Cozbinaer's way with ..umm…words, they probably kept her in isolation to prevent her from charming the guards. However, there are some ways to get around this. Some methods that even wards and protective circles can't contain."

Amon looked confused for a second, then shocked. "Wait…you gave him your true name? He summoned you like you were a cheap succubus? Unbelievable! You gave a simple Gelugon your true name? I thought only Geryon knew it?"

Reinhardt braced for another attack. An outsider's true name was his or her most treasured possession. It allowed a spellcasters to both call , banish, imprison, and even control an extraplanar being with a word if the correct incantations are known. Most outsiders jealously guard this information to prevent such a violation. For Cozbinaer to give her name to him, it was sacrilege and Reinhardt could only guess at Amon's response.

"I share your concern, and believe me I was against it when it was suggested. Most Infernals do not even know their own true names and the few that do guard it jealously. A true name for those few that possess one is a very personal thing tied to its soul as you may. Also, as you may or may not know, using a true name is not an easy matter. Besides the fact it is a complex ritual, it is quite draining to the arcanist. As you can see, I'm in no position to fight even with my regeneration. Did I not say, I would be at your mercy if I was allowed to bring council? If Lord Geryon did preform the ritual to recall her to safety, it would also leave him vulnerable to attack. In fact, his entire front in Malbolge might collapse if his power waned."

Amon didn't seem to care, his eyes blazed fury as he began to wade through the lava towards Reinhardt. He spoke the truth when he said he was at Amon's mercy. After summoning Cozbi, he was in no shape to fight. Reinhardt looked at Cozbinaer and nodded. He shifted back into his insect form before she took his arm and wrenched it from its socket. The Infernal consort then took the now detached segmented arm and threw it at Amon, who easily caught it.

"Stop your silly chivalric display right now. We're here to win, not fight for my honor like school boys. Here are your orders Duke Amon, you will take the arm and tell the other Generals and nobles that you have defeated Reyzenhart here to confuse Machalas and any other traitors we haven't rooted out. Then you will lead the attack personally against Czinmoch with all haste. The faster the better, for they won't realize I'm gone. Make it dramatic, and take dear Machalas with you. After our forces have taken grievous enough injuries, fall back, no …run back. Reinhardt will have the Black Legion and his own forces at the ready to take advantage of the confusion. Even if he is weakened, his leadership and tactical abilities should win the day. We'll just have Gretaxel stand in for him, she can carry his spear. It should work, most people can't even tell Ice devils apart."

Amon snarled, and for a moment Reinhardt thought he would continue his attack. Instead the Duke threw the arm into the air, changed into his wolf form, caught it and jumped out of the pit in a single bound.

"That, went better than expected, " smiled Cozbi.

Reinhardt klicked and klacked as he wiggled his stumps.

"Oh, change back silly. I have no idea what you're saying."

Reinhardt did as commanded and almost fell into the lava. While his tiefling body was a fake form, and thus an extension of his true insect form, it had the humanoid characteristic of being very sensitive to pain. Though the loss of his limbs and his crushed eye socket would not kill him, the summoning ritual and his injuries filled him with immense pain.

Cozbi saw this and eased Reinhardt to the ice chair he previously made, and gently touched her hands to his stumps. Soft white bands of energy flowed from her fingers into his body and his lean muscled arms grew back in a few seconds. "I'm weakened as well. I'll heal your eye later."

"You're a healer? " he asked as he flexed his newly regenerated limbs."Wait…that's Celestial magic."

"Shhh….it's a secret," winked Cozbi. "Well not really, there are not many real secrets left in the Pit, but I can assure you that not many people know of this one."

"That's a rare talent for an Infernal. Most divine casters here focus on the more destructive and dominating spells. Healing magic, especially celestial magic of that power does not come naturally to them."

Cozbi sighed."Aye, I have access to the more …direct… spells as well, but I always preferred spells of a curative and heavenly nature."

Reinhardt nodded."You are one of the first Infernals aren't you? The great band of rebellious Angels that fell from so-called grace. That's how you wield their healing magic so effortlessly."

Something that Reinhardt said seemed to annoy Cozbi. For a second the wounded Gelugon saw a deep profound sadness overtake her, but it quickly faded away. "Yes, you guessed it. Before we rose up to fight the so called hypocrisy of the heavens, I was a Celestial once. A Celestial that championed Love if you could believe it."

"Yes I can, and beauty too if I might add."

Cozbi looked surprised. "I didn't think Gelugon's could be such charmers. I thought they were all about winning battles and biting heads off."

"I might be an insect, but even one such as I could appreciate your many charms."

The pair then stared at each other in uneasy silence as the heat of the lava around them caused their bodies to bead in sweat. The Gelugon appraised the green hair maiden and was truly taken back by her beauty. Even with the bruises and wounds on her, she practically radiated an aura of allure. Without thinking he took a step towards her.

Reinhardt wasn't sure what he was doing. Was he simply falling for her obvious seductions? Or was he actually trying to flirt with her? What would that accomplish, besides making a fool of himself? After all he was just an insect in humanoid clothing. More importantly, thought Cozbi might be charming, friendly, and might even like him, she was his Lord's Consort. Reinhardt had always prided himself as being loyal, and his lord had done nothing but return this loyalty. Most greater devils were often rumored to dally with consorts of various ranks, but Reinhardt had always thought himself above such petty urges. Now as he stood in the lava chamber alone with the alluring Cozbi, he wasn't so sure he was above his fellows. Besides her beauty, and raw sensual appeal, she was smart and brave. Volunteering to be bait for the sake of her Lord was admirable and was something he respected. She also could have betrayed him to Amon if she wished, it could have been so easy, but instead she stood up for him. Reinhardt was tempted to kiss her.

"So do it already,or are you afraid?" dared Cozbi as she suggestively bit her bottom lip. "I won't bite….much."

Reinhardt didn't even admonish himself for his mental slip up as he stepped up and kissed the green haired girl. Her eyes grew wide as she didn't expect him to take her offer, but she soon returned the embrace as they lovingly drew strength from each other in the lava chamber.

Reinhardt wasn't sure what to expect. While certain emotions were still alien to him, he found their embrace pleasurable and even heart-felt. It was similar to the kiss he shared with Amirah so long ago, but not quite the same. He definitely felt a bond towards Cozbi, but he wasn't sure if she felt the same way in return. Reinhardt felt a great awkward weight on his shoulders.

For a few moments the war seemed distant, but it ended as quick as it started when Cozbi took a step back from him. She stared into Reinhardt's remaining eye and brushed his short black hair. "I do not deny my feelings for you, but we both know we are here by circumstance. We're both lonely souls, and we're lucky enough to find solace with each other. However my heart belongs to another, just as yours belong to your long last Aasimar,"she said with a distant voice.

Reinhardt could not fault her observation, however as he listened to her he made a connection about her past as well.

"I understand now. You didn't really rebel against the heavens did you? Unlike the rest of us Infernals, there's not a shard of evil in you. You fell from grace not because you demanded change or desired power, but because you loved Geryon so much," retorted Reinhardt.

"You are too clever for your own good," sighed Cozbi. "Maybe I should have let Amon kill you after all."

"Ok, maybe you have a small shard of evil," joked Reinhardt.

The heavy weight lifted off Reinhardt's shoulders as the mood between the pair lightened.

"Now that we got that out of the way, shall we go lead your forces to battle? I'm sure Amon is bungling the attack as we speak," laughed Cozbi." Gretaxel is probably getting worried, and my Lord Geryon can't wait forever for his fortress to be conquered."