David Eddings and Co. still doesn't belong to me. They never will belong to me. Noel very much belongs to me. Ask first, please!

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The demon paused, snarling. The girl snarled back, teeth bared and eyes fierce. Tynian could hardly believe what he was seeing. Having studied necromancy, he knew that what she was doing was above and beyond foolhardy. Only the very brave-or very stupid, he thought-tried to raise a demon. Only those who wished to have their souls obliterated tried to fight one. He tried to nudge his warhorse closer, but it reared and fought him. He finally dismounted and approached the girl on foot. "We have to run, girl!"

"Stay out of this, knight!" she snapped back. "Get back and don't bother me right now." He stared at her. She was crazy! He approached to grab her and drag her back, but a sudden, shrill note from Flute stopped him. He looked at her and she shook her head at him.

One second he was trying to figure out what Flute was talking about, and the next he was lying face down, unconscious.



The slight shift in the demon's weight warned Noel that it was about to launch an attack. And that fool knight was in her way! She shifted her sword in her right hand, hilt outward, and spun, slamming him in the back of his head. She completed the circle, swinging her sword around so that she could use it's blade. The knight fell like a bag of bricks. There wasn't time to worry about him, though. The demon leapt, and she dodged backwards. Sword met claws and teeth with a horrible screech.

Noel gritted her teeth, watching the demon pull back in frustration. It faced her, eyes glinting red with blood lust. Then, with the speed born of the underworld, charged her. But Noel had been training for a long time. She side-stepped the demon, using her left hand to block sweeps made by the demon, and turned, sliding her right blade between the demons shoulder-blades. It screamed, falling to the ground. "Return," she ordered it, bringing her left blade into it's side. Both blades were wrenched from her hands as it thrashed, fighting for it's life. Noel stepped back over the knight's body. Abruptly, the demon threw back it's head, howling at the sky. Light appeared under it's skin and it's howl turned to a shriek. The entire country-side suddenly lit up with light as the demon burst. The light faded quickly, leaving the shaken knights and the girl alone on the hill top.



They returned to their camp, watching the girl as she walked beside Tynian's horse. Ulath and Bevier had lifted him onto his saddle, then tied him to it. Apart from the torn turf and their memories, there was no evidence that a demon had ever been there. As soon as they reached the camp, the girl followed Flute and Sephrenia into Sephrenia's tent.

"Well...she's pretty," Kalten said abruptly. The rest stared at him. "What? I can't admire a pretty girl when I see one? Sure, she's strange, but that adds to her appeal, doesn't it? Mysterious." He grinned and his companions shook their heads.

"I think she would gut you if you tried anything," Kurik said drily. "After watching her with that monster, I don't fancy irritating her." Talen was watching the tent speculatively. "And no, Talen, I don't think you could steal any of her jewelry. She's gut you for trying that too."

Talen sighed morosely. "You're probably right. But maybe I could replace them with some fake jewels..." Kurik snorted. Their attention was diverted with a groan from Tynian.

"What happened? I feel like I've been hit with a war hammer," he complained.

"You fell like you were hit with one too," Ulath commented.

Bevier made his way over by the tent, but not close enough to listen in. "She slammed you in the back of your head with her sword hilt. Not very honorable of her," he said.

Kalten laughed. "I don't think she was overly concerned about keeping her honor in tact. In case you hadn't noticed, there was a monster charging at us." Bevier sighed and shook his head, then returned his attention to protecting Sephrenia.

"Who's keeping first watch?" Sparhawk asked? There were no lack of volunteers. None of them felt comfortable sleeping after what they'd seen.



"Lady, I came. Is there further service that you will require of me?" the girl asked Flute, bowing.

Sephrenia looked surprised. "You know who she is?"

"Of course. She's the goddess Aphrael. Isn't that obvious?" Aphrael smiled slightly.

"Noel, it's only obvious to you and Sephrenia because you both know me," she said. "Those knights out there know me as Flute. None of them suspect my identity, and I would appreciate if you kept it that way."

Noel shrugged. "Won't be hard. I'll be leaving your company now," she said.

"No, actually you won't," Aphrael said seriously. "I can't have you running around the countryside alone, and we may need your services again. Azash doesn't want us to succeed in our quest and will do whatever he can to stop us."

Noel sighed. "You know I don't do well with humans-no offense Sephrenia. They tend to be stupid and guided too much by their emotions. If they could separate their emotions from the task at hand, it wouldn't be so bad."

Aphrael scowled. "Emotions are not stupid, Noel! How many times have the gods told you that?" Noel shrugged. "If it weren't for emotions, we gods would have no followers. Loyalty, bravery, and valor are all emotions and I know that you know how they feel," Aphrael accused.

Noel looked uncomfortable. "Okay, okay, whatever you say, Flute." She bowed to the goddess. "If you don't mind, I will be taking my leave. If I'm correct, we're going to be traveling a long way tomorrow." She stalked out of the tent, looking a thunder cloud. She was only slightly mollified when she saw the knights pull back from her.