A/N: I'm am SO sorry that I haven't updated in...years! (Okay, not years, but it felt like it.) All of those who have checked out my profile in the past few days will know that I had my computer taken away (which included all my files for this fanfic). I checked up on my fanfic now and then using my mom's computer, but I was unable to update. But now that my parents are out of the house for another few hours, I have found my computer in my mom's closet and came straight here. So, I hope you're happy. I'm going behind my mom's back for the sake of my readers. And I thank my reviewers (which are now only TWO) for supporting me and telling me to continue.

Frankly, I don't understand what is so hard about reviewing. You click and button, type some words and hit the Send Review button. It's not rocket science, so...why doesn't anyone review??? I've checked my stats and guess what. There are 502 views and only 10 reviews. That is utterly depressing. I've made it on one person's fav list and one person's alert list. That I'm proud of. But why don't you send me any reviews?!?!

Disclaimer: Hmm...what's more depressing? The disclaimer or only ten reviews out of 502 views? Hmm...I think it might be the reviews. Anyway...DEATH TO THE DISCLAIMER!!


7) Interview with a Fiend

Lute pulled on her worn boots and stepped out of her tent. It was still fairly early in the morning. The sun sat on the horizon in the distance. She walked over to the tent besides hers and opened the entrance flap slightly, peering in. Artur was still asleep, only his red-gold head visible in the bedroll. Lute crept in. She crouched beside him and shook his shoulder.

"Artur! Hey, Lazybones, get up!" she said in a hushed voice. He mumbled something, but she didn't quite catch it. "What did you say? Artur?" Lute continued to shake him. She received no response. She sighed and bent over his head.

"Artur… There's a bael attacking!" she whispered quickly.

"Mm…wha? Bael?!" He shot upright, glancing around frantically, albeit a little groggy. Lute couldn't help it. She laughed. He scowled, sleepy eyes and unruly hair making the entire situation more amusing.

He grunted. "I hope you're happy because I'm not."

Lute smothered her laughs with a hand. "Sorry, but it was the only way to wake you." She apologized, still grinning.

"Hn, I'm sure. Now, leave so I can dress." He muttered. Artur was dressed in plainclothes and Lute saw that his robes were in a pile with his light leather armor.

"All right. I will go see how Knoll fares." Lute exited the tent and wandered her way to the infirmary tent. It was larger than most tents, cleaner, and had the symbol of a healing stave stitched into the fabric.

Lute peeked in. "Hello? Natasha? Moulder?"

The fair haired, gentle cleric appeared from the back of the tent. She smiled wearily. "Hello Lute. Do you need something?"

"I came to see how Knoll is faring." Lute said.

Natasha's smile brightened. "He's doing much better. I expect a full recovery, but it will take some time." she reported. "You can some in if you like."

Lute shook her head. "No, that's all right. I'm going to find out more about what happened with Artur."

"Very well, I hope you have success, and be careful." The cleric replied.

"Thank you. I hope you have success as well." Lute said, and then walked away. Artur met her before she went too far from the infirmary. She noticed his robes had been washed of the blood and the sleeve was crudely sewn. He also held two magic tomes.

"What did you find out?" he asked.

"Knoll is well; he'll make a full recovery." Lute said and strode on through the camp.

"Are we taking horses again?" he asked as they walked past the tied up animals.

"No."

"No? Where are we going?" Artur asked from behind her.

"We're going over the hills to the plain below. We would be perfect targets for mogalls or gargoyles." Lute explained as if it were obvious.

"When you say 'we', who do you mean exactly?" he asked, unease creeping into his voice.

Lute turned to him with a look of puzzled innocence. "Why, both of us, of course. Did you think I'd abandon you?"

"I can fairly say I have no idea how you think." Artur said, following her out of camp.

"I suppose I can not expect an average Sage like you to understand my brilliant, brilliant mind." Lute remarked with a grin. She heard an exasperated huff from behind her.

"Do you realize we will be virtually defenseless in the open?"

"Yes, I know. That is the whole point of being in the open." Lute said.

"If I did not know you as well as I do, I would think this was a suicide mission." Artur said frankly.

Lute looked over at him, pausing as they climbed up through the hills. "You should not worry. I would not let you die."

"You were cutting it awful close last time." he grumbled.

"But I did save you, didn't I?" she pointed out.

"Yes, I admit you did." Artur said as they resumed their walk. "I'm glad you were there, though it was you who put me in that predicament in the first place."

Lute glanced at him with a smile. "But you must admit, the whole experience was very interesting. The way they tried to trap you, ambush you—they are smarter than your average monsters. They were not generals, but they were clever. I wonder why."

"It may have been amusing for you, but it was far from enjoyable for me." Artur replied. Lute noticed him rub his shoulder.

"How fares you shoulder?" she asked as they crested the hills.

His hand dropped away. "I will be fine. My shoulder is only a little stiff. Tomorrow it should be gone."

Lute nodded and silence fell around them. They had left the hills and were entering the vast, open plain. They stood for a moment, staring out at the flat, empty land. Lute scanned the area, picking out the best spot in which to take position.

"We will have to advance into the center. That is the only way the fiends will see us. This way, we will be able to study how they perform an aerial attack. We may even be able to capture one long enough to talk to it." Lute explained, already feeling the giddiness rise within at the notion of communication with the long feared servants of the Demon King.

"Lute," Artur placed a hand on her shoulder. "Just be careful. These creatures are still dangerous. They are smarter than usual. We cannot underestimate them." He cautioned.

"Artur, Artur," She patted his hand sympathetically. "There is no need to be worried. My magic will destroy the abominations, you'll be safe." She started to walk off and almost faltered in her step when she heard him mutter under his breath.

"It is not me I am worried about."

But she quickly gained her composure and led on. They had a fair distance to travel before they left the shadow of the hills. She knew her feet would begin to hurt from all the walking, but she could handle it. She knew this whole idea did seem slightly mad, but she could handle it. She was a prodigy. A prodigy could handle anything.


"There they are!" Lute pointed skyward. Artur looked up, feeling a sense of dread. She was right. A horde of gargoyles swooped down out of the sky, sending spears and javelins raining down upon them. Artur scrambled out of the way.

"Hurry, Artur, fight back!" Lute called out. Artur opened the Lightning tome and began to chant. Bolts of Lightning crashed into the winged fiends, causing smoking remains to slam into the ground. The shrieking battle cries rang in his ears. Artur narrowly missed a spear that thudded into the ground near his feet. Four gargoyles swooped down. Only one managed to fly away, the other three now ash and dust.

"Artur, if you think Lightning is going to destroy all of these creatures, you are sadly mistaken." Lute called over to him.

"I'm conserving my energy." Artur called back.

She frowned. "For what?" she asked as another gargoyle fell from the sky.

"The deathgoyles over there." Artur said and pointed to the larger beasts, more powerful than their cousins and deep purple in color. There were half a dozen of them and they were already taking the places of their fallen comrades. They were swifter and more powerful than they had been during the war. Artur was almost certain these stronger fiends had hidden during the war in case something such as the destruction of their master happened.

"Artur! We have to keep one of the deathgoyles alive! They will know more than these others. Try to rid yourself of the gargoyles quickly. These deathgoyles are more careful, they will hang back until they find an opportunity. But they will flee if they feel their odds are slim." Lute told him.

"I will do my best. I cannot promise anything." Artur warned.

"Try to keep one alive." Lute repeated, annihilating a monster. All conversation was soon impossible as the creatures bore down on them. Each was lost in concentration and the power of their magic. Artur jumped back as a deathgoyle tried to stab him with its steel lance. The numbers were diminishing, the beasts falling out of the sky as fast as Lute's and Artur's magic could find them. After what seemed like ages, there were only a few left. The five deathgoyles dove as one, two sending down javelins. The spears were easily avoided, but the fiends closed in for close ranged attack.

Lute lashed out with a burst of Thunder. The deathgoyle fell from the sky. Artur finished the incantation and another monster dissolved to nothing. A third deathgoyle flew in from behind her, lance at the ready. Artur saw this and cried out a chant.

"Lute, watch out!" Artur sent the bolt streaking toward the fiend. It collapsed into a pile of ash.

"Thank you." Lute said, a little surprised a monster had gotten through her defenses. "Only two remain now. Artur, look out!" Artur leapt to the side, but the deathgoyle's claws raked his sleeve.

"Hey! I had just sewn that!" Artur shouted at it, irritated that his half an hour effort was ruined in seconds. He muttered the command words and sent a torrent of Elfire its way. The beast barely had a chance to scream. He scowled at the dusty remains. When he turned he found Lute watched him, amused. "What?" he asked her.

She shook her head with a smile. "Nothing, just remind me to never get on your bad side." She then became alert and stared behind him. "Be aware, Artur, the last one is coming. Try to capture it, if you can." She directed. Artur turned to face the last of the fiends and prepared the Elfire chant on his tongue. The deathgoyle drew nearer and nearer with impressive speed. At the last moment, the words spewed from his lips and a ring of brilliant Elfire surrounded the monster. It came to a hasty stop, singeing its wings. It let out a livid shriek and glared at Artur through the fire.

"Hurry, Lute. I can only hold this so long." Artur urged. Lute nodded and stepped forward. She and the deathgoyle stared at one another for a long moment. Then Lute spoke in a language both guttural and smooth. Artur listened in awe. He would never be able to learn such a complex tongue! Lute spoke fluently as if the language was natural for her. The deathgoyle seemed to be surprised, if such a creature could express emotion. It hesitated a moment, seeming to consider her words. Finally, it spoke in the same language, but its words were fast and more fluent than Lute's. She seemed a bit overwhelmed, but she responded again in the Voice, her expression demanding. Whatever the fiend had said, it was not what Lute had wanted. The deathgoyle stared at her again, its grip tight on the lance it held. It uttered a brief syllable, obviously a refusal. Lute pressed her lips together, her expression both frustrated and patient, like she was staring at a very complex puzzle.

Artur was patient, though. He knew from the start it would take much time to crack a fiend and learn its secrets. He was careful with how much energy was being discharged. He kept the flow constant, but reduced. Artur hoped the fiend would not try to break from the prison as it probably would with enough force. Lute continued with her interrogation, apparently threatening it for the creature's red eyes flitted over to the Sage. It turned back angrily to her and snorted as if unfazed. This continued for many more minutes. Finally, Lute spoke to Artur in their native tongue.

"Artur, tighten the circle will you please? Our captive does not seem to take us seriously." Lute said, not taking her eyes from it. Artur nodded and made a simple gesture with his hands. The ring of fire narrowed, causing the deathgoyle to shift uneasily. Its red eyes narrowed in obvious anger at Lute. She spoke again the sounds more guttural than sleek. It grunted at her, tapping the butt of its lance on the ground.

"Tighter, Artur," she said. Artur complied and the Elfire singed the monster's wings. It growled menacingly, but Lute was unfazed. She spoke again and Artur realized she was repeating an earlier phrase. The fiend only glared, baring its teeth. Lute spoke harshly, a threat in her expression if not her words. It huffed at her, stamping its lance again. Lute seemed a little more than frustrated and flickered her fingers at it, sending a small burst of Fire at it. The Fire passed through the cage and hit the beast squarely in the chest. It shrieked and thrashed, damaging its wings further on the Elfire. This form of torture and questioning continued for a length of time. He wasn't sure how long it had been since they had captured the monster, but he could feel the time passing. Artur took a deep breath, trying to steady his depleting energy. Next Lute sent a larger sphere of Fire. The creature screeched piteously, but the glare never left its eyes.

Lute sighed. "I'm not sure I will receive anymore information." She huffed, narrowing her eyes. She spoke one last time, the threat of death in her tone. The monster only spat at her, baring dozens of little sharp teeth. Lute sighed and waved at Artur. He knew what he meant and released his hold on the magic. It swallowed the fiend which used its last moment in life to glare at both of them. Artur staggered suddenly.

"Artur?" Lute held his arm, steadying him.

He offered a weak smile. "I'm fine, just tired. I have never held magic that long before."

She nodded slowly. "Will you be all right?"

"Of course. Though, I must say, I am not terribly thrilled at the idea of walking back to camp." He replied.

She smiled apologetically. "Sorry about that, but horses would have only interfered with my plan."

"I understand." He sighed. "Come on, Lady Eirika wanted us back at camp my midday. I'm not sure how long that will take, but it would probably be best if we started out now."

"Yes, it would be best. I must admit, I'm not delighted to be telling her of the information I received." Lute said with a sigh as they began to make their way back toward the hills.

Artur looked at her. "And what information would that be? It was obvious the fiend did not want to reveal anything."

"You will find out soon enough." Was all that she said. Artur nodded. "You weren't wounded, were you?" Lute asked, changing the topic. He glanced down at his torn sleeve and saw the faintest of traces of blood.

"Trivial scratches." He answered. "And you? I would not want to explain to Lady Eirika why her best Mage Knight was severely wounded while her Sage came from the battlefield with a simple scratch."

Lute touched a scratch on her temple. "Other than this, I'm fine. I would never forgive myself if I had to trouble Natasha and Moulder at this unfortunate time." They made their way back to camp slowly. Artur refused to acknowledge the supporting hands upon his arm, knowing it would only bring unease and trouble should he mention it.


A/N: Well, I hope you like this update because I'm not sure when I'll be able to update again. Hopefully I'll legally regain access to my computer in the next week. If not, I'll post my progress on my profile. So, check it out now and then.

And please send reviews. I hate whining and begging, but please, for the sake of the story, review. If I don't get at least two reviews, I'll stop it. Why two you might ask? Well, I only get one on a regular basis. I think two is raising the bar, don't you think? I don't think posting this and only getting disappointment in returning is a very fair trade. I write because I love it and I want to know peoples' opinions about my writing. I don't care what you put in the review, just...SOMETHING!