CH 5

Abby was frantic to find out where Eric had gone. Tanis also wanted to see the man and get things straight. The problem was, no one knew where he went. There was also the fact that demon had a hold on him.

No one had a good plan to deal with demons. The court wizard thought he knew, but the demon had turned the tables on him. Tanis, Laurana and Abby traveled to Palanthas to the Library to find out more about demons. If anyone had knowledge of them, the Librarian did.

Sitting and reading scrolls and old books for over a week, Tanis did find something. "Listen to this, " he said, "Unlike devils, Demons are made. Usually conjured by practitioners of dark arts, a demon is neither good not evil in their basic form. Due to the fact they are usually made by the forces of darkness, they tend to reflect the will of their maker." He looked up and said, "That demon that has Eric didn't hurt anyone. She managed to out wit Yaralla, and could have killed him and us. All she did was warn us away."

"You're saying she isn't evil because Eric isn't evil," Abby concluded.

"If he made her," Tanis agreed. "It also says it takes a very powerful wizard to summon a demon."

"Eric isn't a wizard," Abby said.

"This might explain it, " Laurana offered. "To keep a demon in the material world, an amulet has to be made. While the demon has a physical manifestation, it's essence lies within the amulet. The demon is bound to obey the holder of the amulet."

"He found it."

Eric travels all over, that is possible," Abby agreed.

In a musing tone, Laurana said, "I think these texts are just basic knowledge. That demon was not just obeying Eric. At the Inn, he was so drunk he couldn't stand up. The demon was acting on her own and got him out of town. Yaralla pulled her to us. Eric didn't have time to order her to do anything, yet she had definite opinions of us. From knowing what he's done before, I don't think those were Eric's opinions. For some reason, she doesn't want us near him."

"She might be in love with him," Abby said vacantly.

"Demons aren't people, they can't love or hate. The just follow commands," Tanis told her. "It is more probable that she wants to keep our influence away from him."

"The question is, how to we get rid of it?" Laurna asked.

"Break the Amulet," Tanis said. "That's what keeps it here."

"Eric must have the Amulet. Maybe we can get him to give it up, then destroy it?" Abby wondered aloud.

"Suppose this isn't a normal demon?" Laurana asked. "We need to study more."

.

Tikiez found a large band of over a hundred Black Knights in a city to the north. A few hours of sensing minds and she located the leader. He waited in his room at the Inn. Tried from the day, he told his men not to disturb him unless it was vital. Right after he went into his room, Tikiez appeared behind him and shoved her long fingernails into his back and pierced his heart. His arms flailed out as he tried to scream, She pushed him over onto the bed.

A couple of his lieutenants, she visited the dreams of and while making them dream they were holding a sexy woman, she kissed them and drew out their life force, killing them.

A gaggle of Knights had gotten together for drinks. Appearing to them as a bar maid with a very low cut blouse, she began chatting with them, then when she had their undivided attention, she Charmed them and insisted that Knighthood was a waste of energy. It was farmers that truly made a difference in the world. Another group, she Charmed to believe peace was best to help further their cause, and give up the sword. The five female Knights she just killed in their beds.

By morning, only a dozen Black Knights were left that she hadn't gotten to. Many of these were squires, they were easier to bend to her will. She charmed all but two. These she got them lustful enough that they eagerly accepted her killing kiss.

Gaining the life energy from those men was sustaining, but she was missing the wonderfully powerful boost she got from her Master. On the way back to her Master, she found a lone Black Knight riding down the road. She dove on him and slashed his head off.

Time to go get a real energy boost.

.

Kitiara was furious. An entire company of her Knights were gone. Flying to the town on her dragon Skie, where they were suppose to be a barrier against an attack, she found some were dead, killed while they slept. Others had wandered off, leaving their armor, weapons and horse barding behind.

Someone had obviously attacked them with Magic, leaving a gap in her defense lines that she was sure that little twit Laurana would soon take advantage of. The Elf had stolen Tanis from her, and now she was planning an assault. Kitiara quickly got troops in place to cover the area around the town, then send wizards out to find all the missing Knights.

What she learned was someone had used a type of hypnotic magic on them. Some refused to pick up their weapons, others insisted they were going to be farmers. Since her wizards cold not break the spells, she had all those men killed. Let Takasis deal with them.

Braced for the attack she knew was coming, Kitiara waited, but no attack came. None of her scouts or spies could even find Solamic or Palanthas troops anywhere in the area. This was a mystery. Why attack and essentially destroy a whole company of Knights for no reason? It was possible her enemy wanted her to focus here, then attack from someplace else she wasn't expecting any trouble from. That did make more sense.

A week went by and Kitiara got a report of Knights disappearing. This time, her reserve force near Sanction was hit. Fifteen dead, and another two hundred wandered off. Then the hobgoblins who had sworn their loyalty attacked a garrison of her soldiers and wiped out another two hundred. In this case, the Hobgoblins walked in as allies, then attacked from the inside, killed the men and burned the place to the ground.

What irritated her the most was the number of Knights that for whatever reason, just tossed away their armor and walked away. All had taken oaths to Takasis and trained for most of their lives to become Knights. It had to be powerful magic to make them break their oaths.

In the grand scheme of things, loosing a few hundred Knights didn't break the battle. This was becoming a constant thing. Picking her force apart a bit at a time. The loss of her reserves near Sanction only meant she would not be able to retake the city in the near future. If this went on though, her forces would be weakened to the point where she would not be able to do much of anything, possibly even defend.

Another report came in, Knights traveling her southern borders were all found dead. This time it was 340 Knights who were slain, with no attacker to be found. There was no magic, other than the mystery of how some Knights apparently died for no reason. Others were found with punctures in their backs that had gone through the armor and all the way into their hearts. Besides the Knights, another hundred Minotars were found slain, their heads cleaved off. Again, where they were found showed no signs of a battle, no enemy was found in the area.

Kitiara sent out scouts in all directions, put her wizards to scrying and called on Lord Soth. This mysterious slaughter of her troops had to be stopped!

.

Like Tikiez, Saphrin didn't want her whole name spouted out, so Eric caller her 'S'. S and T were very busy, heading off to Charm or kill Black Knights. Eric got them on a schedule, When one came back, he sent the other out and loved up then one who just returned to give her energy until she was quivering with power.

Although Eric himself didn't have much to do besides making love to them, he did get an exercise and practice routine going so he didn't fall into flab. He even practiced with the black sword that one smith had made him. Who knew? Maybe he'd need it some day.

It was after a rousing tumble in the lounge on a table with Tikiez that Tikiez looked up and said, "We've been scried."

"Can you tell who it was?" he asked.

The castle has an anti-magic shield, so I doubt they saw anything," Tikiez told him. "The thing is, if they saw nothing at all, they are sure to be suspicious." She sat up and hugged him. "Maybe I should go get rid of them?

Eric held her and petted her back. "You know where they are?"

"No, but I can find them."

"You know," he said, sliding hand down to pet her butt cheek, "If you do that, then they might decide this is the place that's causing them grief. Let them wonder."

Tikiez let out a soft cooing sound. "Good, keep petting me."

Eric lifted her chin. "Kissing too." Eric felt the draw as she kissed him. Not a deep draw of energy, but a slow, savoring one. After the long kiss, she said, "I should stay here in case this Soth ghost shows up. We have no defense against him."

"If something does happen to me, you can just get another Master, Can't you?"

Tikiez slowly shook her head. "No, not any more. I am in you, you are in me. You can smash that Amulet right now, and it will not break our bond. We are bonded together in soul, Master."

"So, it's like a marriage thing?" he asked.

"Much more than that," she said in a serious tone. "If you concentrate, you can feel me wherever I am as I can feel you. We can share thoughts, experiences, everything. The fate of one is the fate of the other."

"So, this is a forever thing," he concluded.

"It is, and I am very content with that."

"But you hate Chicago," he said with a grin.

"I can endure it. I can endure anything, for you are my Master."

They kissed again. There was some energy flow between them, but this kiss was one of feeling.

.

On the continent of Ansalon, there was areas that had no strategic value, so they were ignored by both the White and Black Knights. It was in one such area, mid continent, that one of Kitiara's wizards picked up a spot of nothing in his cries. A square area about the size of a castle that showed nothing.

Kitiara put her people to work trying to find out what was there. Whatever it was, it was hidden by magic. Possibly it was tied to the mysterious slaughter of her troops. It was far away, she decided to send Soth to go see what was there.

.

"Master!" Saphrin cried as she appeared. "I think you will really like this one!"

Eric stopped his exercise routine to see her bouncing up in her red harem outfit. Yup, she wanted some sex. Rather, a lot of sex.

Saphirin rattled on as she ran up and hugged him. "The last group I found was Knights and soldiers going over a long bridge spanning a chasm. At the bottom there was only a stream. I collapsed the bridge, killing all of them! Better yet, this was one of their main roads. I'm sure that will add to their irritation," she beamed.

"I'm sure it will. Good job," he replied and kissed her. In the deep kiss, she drew hungrily. So much so, it put Eric down on his knees from weakness. She dropped to her knees with him.

Breaking the kiss, she grinned broadly and asked, Would you like a nice hot bath and me to wash you?"

"Sounds good. Soon as I can get up," he replied.

"I took too much at once, sorry," she offered.

"I'll get it back. Then we can go have sex in the bath and make sure we're really clean," he told her.

Springing to her feet, Saphrin helped him up. He stumbled up with her help. Eric then saw a ghostly form coming towards him. The form was a knight, his coat of arms was on his breastplate. Eric remembered that breastplate from his dreams so long ago of the knight running away.

"Soth, you bastard!" Eric growled. He shoved Saphrin to the side. Not thinking, he strode to meet Soth. Soth raised an arm , Saphrin let out cry and tried to stop him, she flew right through him. His mind on punishing Soth, Eric grabbed the wrist of Soth's outstretched arm. He twisted and pulled. Soth jerked towards Eric and met Eric's fist in his face.

Soth's head recoiled. Eric punched him again and again, driving him to the ground as he held Soth's wrist. He kicked the ghost, making the ghost let out a weak wail of pain.

"Get up!" Eric growled and hauled Soth to his feet to continue to pummel him. Punches to his head, stomach, a knee to Soth's stomach, then a roundhouse to knock Soth spinning away from him, making Eric lose his grip.

"Come on, you coward!" Eric bellowed. "Get up and fight!"

Soth crab crawled backwards briefly then disappeared.

"You are STILL a coward!" Eric yelled at nothing. "Get back here and take what you deserve. I will find you and I will END YOU!"

Only after seeing Saphrin sitting on the ground and staring at him, did Eric's rage dim. Still angry Soth ran away, he went over and helped Saphrin up. "You Ok?" he asked.

"That was Lord Soth," she said vacantly.

"Yeah, the cowardly bastard that he is," Eric grumbled. "I want you to find him. Find out where he goes, if there is anyone around him or if he had a place to hide. I want his ass!"

.

Tikiez lit fire to a manor full of black knights after she killed the guards. She was waiting for them to come running out when she felt Eric's temper flare. She also felt why. He was attacking Lord Soth. She immediately returned to the castle to find Eric and Saphrin in the courtyard. There was no sign of Soth. "What happened?" she asked.

"The bastard ran away," Eric snapped. "I'll get you more energy, then I want his ragged ass found." He paused and said, "I need to go rest for a bit." He went inside.

Tikiez looked at Saphrin. With a grin, Saphrin said, "Soth came for our Master, and our Master beat him so hard he fled. I never knew our Master was that powerful. He wants us to find where Soth hides."

"I'll go. Wait until you have plenty of energy. Tikiez told her and vanished.

.

Tikiez had no idea where to look for this ghost knight. From Eric's memory, he knew where the man's castle was when he was alive, so she went there first. There was little left of the place. Where the main building used to be was only a mound with grass and bushes on it. She didn't sense anything but some small animals. A town had sprung up nearby, so she visited. No one there had even heard of him. The most she got was all the 'old' knowledge was kept in a library in the city of Palanthas that was on the west coast.

Teleporting to the city, Tikiez took human form and got directions to the Library. The place was large, with long steps going up into the open doors. Walking in, she noted the vast and tall shelves, and rows of tables that were sparsely occupied. Looking around as she wandered, she noted a man who looked ageless, approach her.

"May I help you?" he asked.

Tikiez offered him a winning smile. "I am looking for information on a Knight named Lord Soth. Specifically, anything about where he might be now."

The man waved and said, "Please, come over to my desk here."

Tikiez followed him to a desk stacked with paper and books, but somehow, looked neat. He held the chair for her on the visitor's side, then went around the desk, took his seat and pulled out a paper and a quill pen. "You said you wee looking for information on where Lord Soth is now?" he asked as he wrote.

"Yes, anything you can tell me."

"What is your name?"

"What's yours?" Tikiez countered.

"I am Betram, the librarian." he said, then paused. "Yes, of course, a demon cannot give out their name. To do so would cause you to be vulnerable to wizards. May I have the name of your Master?"

Tikiez blinked. "Why do you think I am a demon?"

"You are. This is for posterity, I record all events so history is not lost. The name of your Master, please?"

"Eric Carvon."

"Do you know why your Master is looking for Lord Soth. He died 400 years ago during the cataclysm. There have been rumors of his ghost, but I have yet to find a personal account to verify it."

"Soth came to our castle. Master beat the crap out of him, he fled. Master wants to find him and end him forever."

"I see," he said, writing away. He then looked up and asked, "This Eric Carvon, did he know Soth when he was alive?"

"They were suppose to meet in Istar. Soth never showed up," Tikiez explained.

Betram's eyes widened. "Wait here a moment, please." He got up and went to some shelves. He returned with a book. He opened it and asked, "This master of yours, Eric Carvon, he founded the city of Gateway?"

"He did. Do you have any information where I might find Soth?" Tikiez asked again.

"Please, this is important information. Eric Cravon has lived through these centuries, how did he discover Soth's ghost is still haunting the land?"

Tikiez told him about looking for one of her sisters, finding the castle and her sister telling of Soth killing her Master, trapping her within the castle. Then her master wanting to draw Soth out to finish him. Eric had already given much of his energy to her sister, so all he could do was give Soth a beating, Soth managed to get away.

" … and now Master wants to find and finish him."

Betram was writing furiously, then looked up. "Thank you, this in invaluable information. The rumors of Soth have been around the northeastern section of Ansalon. Your account puts him in the central continent area. You personally saw Soth?"

"My sister did, and she watched Master beat his ass."

"Eric Carvon."

"That's right."

"At least you have an area to look in."

"That's something," Tikiez said in a grumble. She got up and left. On the way out, she saw a familiar face coming in. "Tanthalas, correct?" she asked.

Tanis stopped and eyed her. His face then showed recognition. "You're the demon." he whispered.

"You do recognize me!" she beamed. "It's nice to be remembered."

"Eric is around?" he asked.

"Nope. He's far away. I just came to get some information on someone."

Tanis clasped her shoulder. "I know you won't let us near him. Please, can you deliver a message for me? Tell him we know the truth. I would like very much to talk with him."

Tikiez cast him a smirk. "You don't want to go where he is. We're stirring up trouble with the Black Knights and making them upset. They even sent Soth after him and Master beat Soth so bad he ran away. Really, you're better off staying away. All of you."

"He beat Soth, the ghost?"

"It was a grudge match, Master really hats him, and it's not over yet. You don't know where Soth fled to, do you?"

"I've only ever seen him once. My Father beat Lord Soth?" Tanis asked again.

"To the ground," she said proudly. "We're looking for him to finish him off. Eric really wants him destroyed."

"What can we do to help?" Tanis asked immediately.

"Stay out of it. If Soth finds out you're his son, he might come after you." Tikiez then walked down the steps and vanished.

.

Tanis watched her disappear. He had planned on looking for any information that had come in about his Father. The demon had just given him that. He turned and went back to their headquarters.

The Black Knights seemed to be moving, but in their own territories. Something had them stirred up, but Laruana had yet to learn what it was. Tanis arrived in time to hear a spy report of Black Knight being found dead. Others had tossed away their Knighthood and went on to other things. So far 1100 Black Knights and their soldiers were deserted or dead.

"No wonder they send Soth after him," Tanis said.

"After who?" Laurna asked. "You found out something?"

"Going into the library, I met Father's demon coming out. She was there to find out a location on Lord Soth." he told her. "Apparently, Eric and Soth are bitter enemies. Soth went to get him, and Father beat him and made him flee. He's sending his demon out to find out where Soth fled to."

"Eric beat Soth, not the demon?" Laurana asked.

"So she said."

Yaralla arrived. "I have found out a few things about this demon Eric has. It's called a succubus," he told them. "They're quite powerful. They are classified as a sex demon. Besides being able to cast various magic, they can teleport at will, and get into other's minds with Charm or Suggestion, and are fairly capable in a fight with long talons on their fingers. Oh, they can fly too. They also can be held in the material plane by an Amulet. Their physical form is not where their essence is, it's in the amulet that is worn by the one who owns them. They feed on lust and can absorb another's soul by draining their life force. Their only weakness they have is sex. They can't deny a request for sex, and they must complete the act."

"How does that help us?" Tanis asked.

"We find the amulet and destroy it," Yaralla stated. "Amulets are made of stone or hardened clay. One good smack is all it takes."

Laurana thought a moment and said, "I don't think we want to do that. Eric's demon is giving the Black Knights a hard time. We should let it."

.

Soth could not be found. Tikiez and Saphrin couldn't find him. Kitiara and her wizards couldn't find him. Kitiara even paid Rastlin to look for him. Rastlin only found Soth was no longer anywhere in the material realm. He'd fled back to the abyss.

Although Tikiez and Saphrin could not find Soth, they did locate another of their sisters in their travels. Off the shore of Newsea, Saphrin had sensed another of her kind. They had to travel into Black Knight territory to get to the shore where they could find a boat to go out and get her.

Eric didn't like the ocean. Drowning was very unpleasant, especially if you had to do it a few times in a row. Although it was nice here in this castle, as well as safe and he had all the sex he could ever dream of, staying here was a dead end. He would get nothing done if he lounged around here.

Packing up the wagon, the trio left their castle and left to go find a road they didn't have to make as they went. There was no track at all in the direction they headed out in. Tikiez went ahead and marked the best places for the wagon to get through and felled trees. Saphrin spend much of her time helping to push the wagon uphill, or holding it back on the steeper down slopes.

Eventually they made what looked like a fairly well traveled road. The first town they came to, Eric stopped for the night. There were two Inns here and Eric swore half the town was stables and corrals. There were also Black Knights patrolling.

"We don't cause any trouble, we're just passing through," he told his demons. He steered the wagon into the closest stable yard to the Inn on the right.

A hired hand came out to meet them. "Afternoon Ladies, Sir, staying for the night?"

"We are. Where do I park the wagon?"

The man pointed to a roof extending from the barn. "Under there, sir. We'll take care of your horses and have them hitched up and ready to move in the morning. After you park the wagon, come on into the office and register."

Eric parked the wagon where the man showed him. Asking about the extended roof, the man told him it was so it would be visible to the town's patrols to prevent theft. That made sense. Eric had Tikiez go to the Inn and get them a room. Saphrin stayed by Eric as he went in and paid for the overnight fee.

The Inn had a large common area Getting close to meal time, the place was filling up. Erci got a table for him and his demons. Tikiez returned with a room key and they sat taking up three of the six seats. Eric ordered food for all of them. Although the demons didn't need to eat, here, they did need to keep up the appearance of being human.

"Sir Carvon?" a voice called.

Eric looked to see Sir Ralstat coming over. He waved, "Sir Ralstat, how have things been with you?" he asked.

"I would ask the same," Sir Ralstat said, taking an empty chair. "You don't hold that Gateway incident against us, do you?"

Eric waved a hand. "That whole thing was horrid. I'd just as soon forget it happened and move on. Living in the past does nothing but cause trouble."

Ralstat nodded. "Well said, Sir. Are you on another trading mission?"

"Always. Need steel? I got it."

"We're having a big meeting, I'm sure you'll be able to sell all you got," Ralstat assured him. "I know the commander is always eager for material." After a pause he added, "Seeing what you're capable of, I do wish you'd join us on the field."

"Not for me." Eric told him. "By the way, you hear of a ghostly guy by the name of Soth around?"

"Never seen him, but I heard he does to jobs for the Commander." Ralstat waver his finger and added, "You don't want to mess with him. He can kill with a touch."

"Thanks for the advice." Eric replied.

A dark haired woman wearing armor drifted over carrying her mug. Eric noted she was eyeing him.

"You look familiar," she said as she slid into a seat by Ralstat, not taking her eyes off Eric.

Sir Ralstat announced, "Commander This is Eric Carvon, he trades with me and his prices are very low. Steel for gold, even weight."

"That is more than reasonable," she said.

"You know the saying, with bulk the price drops. Maybe you're looking to buy?" Eric asked.

"I'm not sure a few pounds of steel will do us much good." she said with a smirk.

"How about 470 pounds of steel?" Eric asked.

As the women stared at him, Ralstat asked, "Got almost a whole load, huh?"

"Yeah, just got here. You want steel, now's the time to buy."

"I'm Kitiara," the woman said and extended her hand. "Which direction did you come from?"

"West. I'm looking for more buyers. Seems the elves got a problem with me recently. Tina here insisted we go find friendlier places," Eric explained, jerking a thumb at Tikiez.

"And who is this vision of loveliness on your other side?" Kitiara asked.

"Sally. They don't look it, but they're sisters. I plan on expanding. They came along to see how to make trades."

"Have you seen any formations on your way east. Military formations or camps?" Kitiara asked.

"Don't remember any. Lately there's been a few Black Knights on the road, nothing like you're talking about."

Looking at him closer, Kitiara asked, "Do you know Tanthalas?"

"Who's he? He got castle?" Eric asked.

"I was just curious. You look quite a bit like him," Kitiara said.

Eric eyed her and asked, "He don't trade steel, does he? If I got competition, I'd like to know."

Kitiara smirked. "No, he's not a trader. He's an enemy."

Eric held a hand up and said, "I don't choose sides, I trade. The only enemies I got are ones who try to steal from me."

"So you trade with White Knights?" she asked.

"One, near Gateway. I trade with him to keep the peace," Eric told her.

"I'll give you double your price just to trade with us alone," Kitiara stated.

"Worth considering," Eric said with a nod.

"That is still a bargain, Commander," Ralstat said.

"So, at double your price, how much for all the steel you got?" she asked.

"Without weighing out, I figure I got 470 pounds left. That would be 940 pounds of gold. Sure you want to give me double?"

"Is it weapons grade?"

Eric turned to Tikiez. "Tina go get that sword the blacksmith made for me with that bar I sold him. It's under the wagon seat."

She nodded and left.

Eric could see this Kitiara was very interested in him besides the trading they were discussing. There was a glow in her eyes that didn't sit right with him.

"You come from Gateway?" she asked.

"You could say that," Eric admitted. "Anyone's welcome there, so long as they don't make trouble. Even the elves behave themselves."

"Sir Carvon owns Gateway," Sir Ralstat said. "Commander, you really don't want to make trouble there. Sir Cavon here can be a good friend, or a very potent enemy as I discovered. I would rather he be our friend."

Tikiez returned holding the sword pointed at the floor. Eric motioned to Kitiara, Tikiez gave her the sword.

"The smith made for me that overnight so they could get another whole ingot," Eric told her.

Kitiara hefted the blade and studied it. "It certainly looks high quality. Mind if I take it outside and test it?"

"Have at it. We'll be here."

Kitiara got up. "Come Sir Ralstat." He got up and went out with her.

.

"This Eric Carvon trades with you, yet owns his own city?" Kitiara asked as she stabbed and made strikes at phantoms with the sword.

"He does. He's been to my castle a few times. Always a perfect guest, and he trades me steel for gold, even weight. Black Knights were in Gateway until he showed up. He caught us in a meeting and killed many of us. It was then I found out it was his city, and he took great offense at how the city was being run. He's got some kind of magic. He was killing Knights one after the other until I bade him to stop. He heard me out, I heard him out and apologized. We left as a force. A few stayed back to spy. The White Knights came, Eric wouldn't let them in either. He talked to a few and their entire army left. He truly does not take either side."

"So, this Eric is powerful," she said in a mussing tone. She swung at a post. The blade bit deep. She wrenched the blade out. "This is a very nice sword with top quality materials. With our master smiths, I can see Mr. Carvon's steel supplying us with superior weapons. This steel is nearly on par with Mithril, and he has plenty of it."

"He does. All my men's armor and weapons are made with the steel he provides a low cost."

"Then let us make Eric Carvon a good friend of ours."