TWELVE
"That was the big surprise?" Peter asked Baldasor. "That he tricked a human out of a potentially powerful item? I've had human clients that did pretty much the same thing. That's not so surprising."
"You're forgetting," said Baldasor. "Getting the book was not Belthazor's primary mission. His test for the Brotherhood was to kill Malevant. In those days Malevant was only one of several advisors the Source had. But he was by far the most outspoken and most trusted by the Source."
"There's another little flaw in your story so far," said Peter. "Angelique. She's going to betray him. Which just proves my point. Demons can't be trusted. They have no honor."
"Would you ever put a witness on the stand who you knew was going to lie under oath?" Baldasor asked.
"Of course not," said Peter. "Suborning perjury is a crime and a lawyer can be disbarred and go to jail for doing it. I operate strictly by the law."
"Would you agree there are lawyers who do it, though?" Baldasor asked.
"Of course," said Peter. "There are always a few bad apples in any profession."
"My point exactly," said Baldasor. "You're judging all demons based on the few you have encountered. Not all demons are the same. There are some who do have honor such as the Brotherhood."
"You'll have to prove that to me," said Peter.
"The point of my story," said Baldasor.
"Okay," said Peter. "So, Cole now has the book. What happened next?"
"He went to complete his primary mission," said Baldasor.
Belthazor stood in the swirling mist that was home to Malevant. He held the book in his hand ready to present it to the senior demon. In a very short time Malevant would be dead and he would be a member of the Brotherhood. The small demon Malevant had called Grimlor loped through the mists and came up to Belthazor.
"Master wait for you," said the malformed little demon, pointing back into the mist. "Master say you come. He talk to you."
"Thank you, Grimlor," Cole said. "You serve your master well."
The little demon seemed proud that Belthazor had spoken to him. Belthazor could imagine this poor creatures' life. Most demons took him for granted, hardly speaking to him at all and certainly not thanking him. He would have been too unimportant for that.
In a way they were kindred spirits. This little creature was shunned and an outcast because he had the misfortune to be born malformed. Belthazor had a similar misfortune. He had been born half human. Although it was not apparent when you looked at Belthazor, his misfortune was even more pronounced than this pathetic little creature. At least Grimlor was a full demon.
Belthazor walked through the mist until he came to a small chamber. This surprised him. He had never heard of any chambers in this area of the underworld. Anyone who had ever come here had simply told of the swirling mists that seemed to cover everything.
Malevant was in the back of the chamber looking over some parchments. As Belthazor entered Malevant turned to look at him. He noticed the book in Belthazor's hand and a smile crossed his lips. This, too, surprised Belthazor. He had never heard anyone comment that Malevant had ever smiled.
"You have the book," Malevant said.
"Yes," said Belthazor, holding up the book. "It was easier than I thought it would be. The human gave it to me gladly after I saved his life."
"Interesting," said Malevant. "Place the book on the table. The rest of your payment is also there. Plus a little bonus for your efficiency."
"Don't you want to check it?" Belthazor asked. "To make sure it's the right book?"
"I have no doubt it's the right book," Malevant said. "You would not be so foolish as to try and pass a fake off on me. You know how severe the penalty for such foolishness would be."
Belthazor walked over and placed the book on the table. Sitting on the table was a small chest similar to the one he had received before going on the mission. He picked up the chest and placed it under his arm.
"You aren't going to check the contents?" Malevant asked.
"No," said Belthazor. "I am certain it is all here. You have little reason to try and stiff me on my fee. Besides, everyone knows you honor your debts. It's one reason most mercenaries are glad to take missions from you."
"Of course," said Malevant.
"It's an interesting book," said Belthazor. "Not at all what I was expecting."
"You looked at it?" Malevant asked.
"Yes," said Belthazor. "I was curious. And you didn't say not to so I figured it wouldn't hurt."
"Then you know what it is supposed to be," said Malevant.
"I have a good idea," said Belthazor.
"I do have one question of my own," said Malevant.
"Certainly," said Belthazor. "Something I can clarify for you?"
"Of that there is no doubt," said Malevant.
The senior demon put down the parchments and turned to face Belthazor. He walked over and picked up the book from the table, looking the cover over carefully as he did. Belthazor watched, waiting for Malevant to open the book. But Malevant didn't open the book.
"My question is this," said Malevant, putting the book back on the table. "Did you honestly believe you could just walk into my domain and vanquish me like I was some ordinary demon?"
"What are you talking about?" Belthazor questioned.
It was then that Belthazor noticed he was lightheaded. It was getting hard to concentrate. His vision was beginning to fog over and the room started to spin.
"Oh, don't worry," said Malevant. "The poison on that chest won't kill you. It will just incapacitate you for a while. When you awaken you'll tell me who hired you to vanquish me."
Belthazor didn't speak. He found it hard to even stand. The chest fell from his arm to the cavern floor. He reached for the table to steady himself. The dizziness and blurred vision were becoming more pronounced. He tried to shimmer but found it impossible to o concentrate enough to use any of his abilities. As Malevant watched, Belthazor fell to the floor and lay on his back as consciousness began to slip away.
"You will tell me what I want to know," he heard Malevant saying as he slipped away. "Of that, you can be sure."
Then the chamber faded away and Belthazor fell into unconsciousness.