Shartan flamed into the meeting place Malevant had told him about. With Shartan was his chief lieutenant, Maez. Maez looked similar to the demons Malevant had encounted outside of Shartan's chambers. As Shartan looked around he noticed the other faction leaders were all ready present. While each demon had their own specific form, the lieutenants looked very similar to their masters. A trait that identified specific groups of demon types.
Torlock, a demon with black skin and a set of huge horns sprouting from his head, stood near a large table. His chief lieutenant, Talm, stood next to him. Near him stood a demon named Lantier. Lantier was shorter than the other demons, being only five feet tall. His skin was a stone gray color with specks of gold covering his body. His lieutenant, Shock, stood behind him.
Teshick and his lieutenant, Cranlon, stood at the other end of the table.
They were both virtually identical, standing well over nine feet in height. By
far the largest demons in the room. Their skin was pale white and they had jet-
black hair. Their eyes were a deep emerald green that seemed to glow even in
the light of the room.
Near Teshick stood Camlore and his lieutenant, Daltar. These demons were of average height but much stockier than most humans. Their skin was a pale green and they were totally bald. In addition, they each had only three fingers on each hand that ended in razor sharp, serrated claws.
Finally there was Pilnok and his lieutenant, Kestlan. These demons were six feet tall and very thing, appearing to be nearly anorexic. Their skin appeared to be reptilian in nature and was varying shades of brown that produced a patch-like appearance. Forked tongues continuously struck out from their mouths similar to a snakes' tongue. They all looked around at each other as Malevant stood at the head of the large table in the room.
"Good, you are all here," said Malevant. "As I told each of you, we are here to put an end to this foolish war."
"How do you propose to do that?" demanded Teshick. "I agreed to this on your word. How do I know the others will abide by the truce?"
"Malevant has said he would guarantee the truce," said Shartan. "Do you doubt that he can maintain the truce?"
"Only if you keep your word," said Teshick. "Something most demons are not well known for."
"Enough," said Malevant. "I have called you all here to discuss this war. We all know that none of you possess the necessary power to become the new Source. And every day you deplete your power even more with these incessant battles with each other. We also know that this is not truly about who will be the new Source. It is more about the domains we all control."
"Some control better domains than others," said Pilnok, the serpentine demon. "Some have been relegated to controlling insignificant domains. Domains that produce no real power or authority."
"Each has his preference for a domain," said Malevant. "For some it is power and prestige. For others it is more a matter of being better suited for a particular domain. For still others it is a question of status. My domain is as an advisor and counselor of sorts. I have no quarrel with that choice. But the rest of you are dissatisfied with the domains you have been assigned."
"Why should we be assigned domains?" demanded Camlore. "The Source is gone. Even Belthazor has vanished without a trace. Why should we not be allowed to choose our domains?"
"Because you will never be satisfied," said Malevant. "You will always want more and more power. The Source maintained peace between the domains by assuring that each master remained in his domain. Now, with the Source vanquished, there is no one to maintain the status quo. To oversee all domains and ensure they operate for the benefit of the underworld."
"You have a point," said Lantier. "I will admit I have lost many good underlings in this war. More than I thought I would. But what are we going to do about it? None of us are going to willingly give up mastery of their domain on the chance we might get one more to our liking. I'm sure none of them trust me any more than I trust them."
"I have a suggestion," said Malevant. "I would suggest an arbitrator. Someone to decide which demon is best suited to rule which domains. Then each of you takes command of those domains."
"And how do we know we can trust each other to abide by the bargain?" asked Pilnok. "As Lantier said, none of us trusts the others. How can we be sure the others will not try to double cross us?"
"Because once we reach an agreement," said Malevant, "I will insure that each abides by the agreement. Those that try to take advantage will answer directly to me, personally. And I can assure you I will not look kindly on anyone that is foolish enough to go back on their word."
"That would be agreeable," said Teshick. "With Malevant watching our backs, as the humans say, I would rest easier moving into a different domain. Especially one I am more interested in."
"You mentioned an arbitrator," said Camlore. "I assume this arbitrator would be you?"
"No," said Malevant. "As I said, I am content to remain an advisor and counselor. But even if I were to arbitrate this agreement, there would be suspicions that I would have my own agenda in the assignments. And I would have to admit that would not be an altogether invalid assessment."
"You have someone in mind to arbitrate this so-called agreement?" asked Torlock.
"In fact, I do," said Malevant smiling. "Someone that, while he may have his own agenda, also has little or no concern for who commands which domain. He will be able to decide dispassionately which demon is best suited to command which domain. And he has my complete confidence as a fair and impartial arbitrator."
"Who is this arbitrator that seems to have earned your respect?" asked Shartan. "I know from personal experience that is not an easy thing to do. If you are vouching for him he must be someone of exceptional ability."
"He is," said Malevant. "And I'm sure you will all agree that he will make an excellent arbitrator."
"Let's see him," demanded Lantier. "I am curious to see just who you think we would all be willing to listen to."
Malevant didn't say a word. He simply stepped away from the door he had been standing in front of. As he did, the door opened and a man walked into the room. Every demon present gasped in astonishment. Malevant was right. This was probably the one individual in the underworld or the mortal realm that virtually every demon in the room would listen to. Standing at the head of the table was Cole Turner.