The group was escorted to a hut and guarded by Bokbek and told not to leave while they decided what to do with the demon in their group. “Jenora is a demon…” Emilie muttered completely distraught and unable to complete another thought.

  “The literal last thing she said to us was save Emilie. She loves you.” Victor insisted.

  “She’s a demon lad. Devils lie and deceive. She might have been using her for some nefarious purpose this whole time. Once she transformed into a demon like you told me when we met she lost her ability to deceive others and ravenously attacked us.” Gargrim shook his head. “Stupid tent flaps. They’re even worse than wooden doors. They can’t even do the job of keeping the heat in much less keeping us safe from a demon.”

  Brice interjected. “I was unaware devils turned into demons.”

  Serena explained. “Swordie told us that when they are starving they can lose control of their shapeshifting ability and transform into a powerful predator against their will.”

  Brice made a knowing nod. “Oh. That is a fascinating revelation. I wonder if any other creatures have that problem.”

  Emilie continued to mutter. “She’s a demon… I’ve slept with a demon?”

  “Aye lass, that’s a bit more information than I needed.” Gargrim looked at her stroking his beard. “As for you lad what the hell are you thinking? You defended a demon you-”

  “Shut up. Leave her alone. I won’t tolerate this racist nonsense from you or anyone else. If you want to kill me feel free to try but I won’t allow you to do that to her.” Victor grabbed his beard.

  Gargrim shoved him away. “Relax lad. It’s not like I can get past these monkeys to kill her, but we should kill her before she kills someone else.”

  Serena gave Emilie a hug and took her over to the corner of the hut. “Breath.”

  Emilie took a breath. “Jenora. Is. A. Demon.”

  “And that makes you feel what?” Serena asked.

  “Betrayed! She never told me anything about this the entire time we’ve been together! I could have lost my position as a cleric if I slept with a demon.” Emilie gulped down trying to keep control. “I just assumed she killed someone in her past and was trying to reform or that she might be runaway royalty or possibly even an escaped slave. I never could have thought she was a demon.”

  “What did she do as she was about to transform?” Serena gently coaxed her.

  “I was running toward her and she turned to Victor and said ‘Save Emilie’ with such a sweet smile. Then I saw nothing but a dark maw about to wrap around my entire body. I was about to die to her.” Emilie shook grabbing her arms to stead herself. “All I saw were those giant fangs. They reminded me of something I never wanted to think about again.”

  “Did Victor save you?” Serena asked rhetorically.

  “I think so.” She pinched her cheeks. “I think I’m still alive.”

  “You are. Do you think we would have defeat the snake without Jenora’s help?” Serena leaned in.

  “It was going to kill Gargrim. It hurt you and nearly broke Brices barrier in one hit.” She recalled. “Victor was doing some damage and so were you but another good hit and at least Gargrim would be dead. If it was a bit faster we’d have died since it was so much stronger than us.” She paused. “I don’t know if we could have killed it.”

  “Why do you think she charged into danger?” Serena asked.

  “We were going to die.” Emilie conceded.

  Serena stood up. “If you want to talk I’m happy to stay, but I feel like you might need some time to think.” She nodded hanging her head down.

  Serena returned to the rest of them alone. Victor was continuing to try and insist to Gargrim “She lost control once! She wouldn’t ever hurt us if she was in her right mind!”

  “And you nearly got eaten! She’s a ticking time bomb even if she can be changed back! I ought to kill her and put her out of her misery.” Gargrim shot back.

  Brice quietly interjected a couple question. “Should we really kill her for losing control? It’s not like she wanted to. You wouldn’t kill a companion who was mind controlled would you?”

  “If I had to.” Gargrim insisted. “If you stay this hopeful you’ll get everyone in your party killed. ME INCLUDED! Not that I’m here because I want to be. By the Bearded God I’m too old for this.”

  Victor took a deep breath ready to shred Gargrim as Jingles walked in with Bokbek and two other guards. He tapped his staff for attention. “Welcome to Simian City. We live in the glory of the Green Goddess here. You outsiders have defeated the great serpent and earned citizenship to our great city. We welcome you to our city.” He paused for applause. “Can they not speak Simian?”

  “Um. Only I can speak simian.” Victor clarified. “Would you like me to translate?”

  “Yes. Please.” He answered and Victor translated his speech.

  Serena raised an eyebrow and looked to Victor. “Can you tell him we’re thankful?”

  Gargrim chuckled. “Well we’re grateful to be alive at least.”

  Victor translated then asked. “What are you going to do to Jenora?”

  “The demon will be executed at dawn.” He answered.

  “You can’t! She doesn’t have to die, just feed her!” Victor insisted.

  Emilie rushed over. “What’s going on?”

  “I see no reason to waste food on a demon.” Jingles scoffed.

  “Use the crocodiles and fish that we caught to feed her. Please.” Victor pleaded.

  “Are you talking to this ape about Jenora?” Emilie asked.

  “His name is Jingles, and the other is named Bokbek. Yes.” Victor nodded to her.

  Jingles scratched his chin. “Bokbek what do you think?”

  “I captured them instead of killing them because they earned they earned their kills and protected them. They’ll make good citizens of Simian City one and all. If they chose to feed the hound we can contain it.” Bokbek sternly nodded at Jingles.

  “Very well! After consulting with Bokbek I decree she remains locked up in the cage until such a time she regains her senses!” Jingles decreed.

  “What did he say?” Emilie asked concerned.

  Victor answered. “He said she won’t be executed she’ll remain in the cage until we can change her back.” Victor asked Swordie. “How long will it take and how much food will we need to feed her to change her back?”

  “She must be sated for at least 24 hours. Her transformation hasn’t gone on long but a day is the minimum length of time.” Swordie answered. Jingles and Bokbek along with both guards backed up suddenly as Swordie spoke. Swordie began to speak Simian. “I am the angel Swordie. Angel to the Golden Goddess, friend to the Green Goddess and I appreciate your friendship in these hard times for my young knight.”

  “What does that mean Bokbek?” Jingles asked.

  Bokbek stepped forward. “Your young knight?”

  Swordie proudly proclaimed. “Victor is my young angelic knight. A title he has earned. I take it at least you know what that is.”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Bokbek shook his head no. “My father was a knight of the green, but I think that sounds the same for the Golden Goddess.”

  “A knight of the green? How blessed are we! Is he here?” Swordie asked cheerfully and eagerly.

  “He perished fighting the long toothed spinosaurus.” Bokbek backed up.

  “I am sorry for your loss.” Victor bowed his head.

  “It has been some years.” Bokbek turned his head aside.

  Jingles interrupted. “Not to interrupt this moment Bokbek but we’ve not hunted today and it’s nearly dark.”

  “Of course King Jingles.” Bokbek emerged from the tent pounding his chest as 9 other apes united around him quickly charging out of the gate.

  “He gets distracted sometimes.” Jingles clicked his cane and seemed to become hypnotized by the rings on his staff before tapping it again and giggling. “Anyway let your companions know there are only a few rules here. Respect your fellow citizens, work to earn food or catch your own, and obey the king.” He leaned forward and whispered. “Mostly Bokbek, mostly listen to Bokbek I’m just the inspirational one.”

  Victor gave the instructions to his group. Brice seemed taken aback. “That’s almost unbelievably reasonable.” Victor told him that.

  “We’ll we’re apes! Not monsters.” He gave a hearty laugh as Victor relayed his words.

  Brice stood up to shake hands. “What is your elf doing?”

  “Shaking hands, it’s a sign of respect.” Victor explained.

  King Jingle scratched his head and then shook his head no. He grabbed Brice and lifted him off the ground showcasing how tall he was easily wrapping even Brice entirely up in his long red hair as he hugged him tight. “Apes show respect by kneeling and affection by hugging. You’re my citizens now. Welcome to Simian City.” He put Brice down as Victor relayed the information. “Farewell for now I have other matters to attend to for the moment. Enjoy your day.”

  As soon as the apes left their hut Cawthorn swooped in with a key ring in his beak. “I’VE COME TO RESCUE YOU!” He paused and looked around. “I’VE COME TO RESCUE THE WOLF!”

  “The wolf is Jenora.” Victor looked at Cawthorn as the key ring dropped into his hand.

  “I’VE COME TO RESCUE JENORA!” Cawthorn proclaimed proudly.

  “I think we just have to feed Jenora.” Victor noted.

  “I’ve not come to feed Jenora.” Cawthorn calmly glared at Victor.

  Emilie panting stomped out of the hut into the twilight of Simian City. Torches lit the roads well and the apes waved to her as she stomped toward where they were being held. She tried to work up the courage to do this and knew she had to say something or do something but she had no idea what to do. She felt lost and confused. Jenora always made her feel better until today. She had to lay eyes on her to make sure the betrayal she was feeling was real. She approached one of the bone cages rattling as the vicious beast with red fur, 4 eyes, and two tails bit the bones but couldn’t bite through them. She rattled the cage at Emilie. “Grr!”

  The fish and clear crocodiles had been delivered to the hut while she was away. Emilie gripped her fist. “Why wouldn’t you tell me!?” She shouted angrily. “I told you EVERYTHING!” She slumped down. “You nearly killed me.” Jenora just growled at her biting the nearest bone to her. She turned around resolved to save her but still furious with a feeling of profound emptiness as though Jenora had left her despite her walking away.

  Emilie walked back into the hut seeing the food delivered. “Serena, can you cook? I’ll help.”

  “I’m starving. We all are. Let’s get cooking.” She stood up. “Go get me a few spears we’ll start a fire in the pit outside our hut and roast them. If they have salt we’ll trade some of it for salt. We can keep some of it then.”

  Victor picked up one of the crocodiles. “I’ll see if I can get salt.”

  “WE WILL SALT THE MEAT AND FEAST AT LONG LAST!” Cawthorn proclaimed.

  Victor departed with Cawthorn to get salt. Serena went outside to a fire pit already stocked with wood. Brice approached. “Fire bolt” He couldn’t light the log. He tried again with a twig. “Fire bolt.” He was able to spark the twig and used it to start the fire. “Fire magic is so worthless here.”

  Brice sat down on a nearby rock. “I’m sorry I’m useless here. My most powerful spell might as well be a pair of rocks.”

  Serena looked at him and took a deep breath. “I’m going to be honest and don’t take this the wrong way. It hasn’t helped, but that isn’t the biggest deal tonight.”

  Brice looked down slowly stoking the fire. “Sorry. I’m not great at reading social situations with mortals.”

  Serena turned to Emilie who sat her head in her hands bordering on tears. “Do you want to talk Emilie?”

  “No… Yes… I don’t know.” Emilie sighed.

  “What are you feeling?” Serena continued to stoke the fire and setup the spit.

  “I feel like I lost the person I love most in the world has disappeared. I’m so empty. There’s nothing below this white cloth. There is no glow to this golden thread.” She put one hand on her chest squeezing hard. “I can’t even tell if I’m grabbing anything.”

  Her description left the two of them completely speechless as the fire crackled before one log cracked several moments later. “So you’ve decided already?”

  “I don’t think anything she could possibly say anything to change my mind. I owe it to her to save her life. Goddess knows she’s saved mine repeatedly. The Goddess is dead, my girlfriend lied to me, and nearly killed me. How am I supposed to feel? This hurts so badly I feel empty inside. It feels like my chest dropped out of my body and abandoned me.” She squeezed harder.

  “I know that man said the Goddess was dead but based on my understand the Goddess lives on within her angels. She’s not dead, more like in hibernation.” Serena noted trying to cheer her up.

  “That helps so much.” She continued staring directly at the flame with one hand drifting toward it.

  “Is there anything I can do to help ease the pain?” Serena asked.

  “Hand me the fire. Burn me to a crisp here. Don’t make me face the dawn again.” A tear ran down her face.

  Serena shook her head. “I’m not going to do that and I’m not going to let you do that either. Once you eat go to sleep. You’ll feel at least marginally less terrible in the morning.” She paused getting really quiet. “It worked for me after I was enslaved.”

  Brice breathed out audibly. “I don’t know how you can love someone so much and ever even consider leaving her.”

  “What?” She asked almost confused.

  “Literally hours ago you’d have died for her, and her literal last words were to protect you. Words that gave Victor time to save your life. She saved your life twice literally hours ago and you’re unable to get over her lying about something that if she told absolutely ANYONE they’d kill her. I mean to be clear I’d kill a devil onsite at least prior to learning that Jenora was one. Now I don’t know what to think about devils. Victor gave me a chance, why won’t you give her one?” Brice demanded to know.

  Emilie had no answer almost offended at the question still clutching her chest. Victor returned with salt and spears. “Ah that fire smells great. Lets get cooking!”

  Cawthorn proclaimed. “FOOD! I WANT FISH!”

  “I thought you want sausage?” Victor asked.

  “DO WE HAVE SAUSAGE!?” He screamed in Victors ear.

  “No.” Victor answered

  “DO NOT TAUNT THE BIRD WITH SAUSAGE!” Cawthorn angrily flapped in front of Victor before landing on his head.

  The group cooked and ate the fish while the two crocodiles cooked to the point they became easily visible and golden brown. Emilie and Serena picked up the two that remained and began to take it over to Jenora. Victor was too busy arguing with Cawthorn about the merits of fish to notice them leaving. The two arrived with Jenora still gnawing on the cage. Emilie took a deep breath and slowly pushed the spear inside the cage. Jenora ferociously tore into the first one finishing it in a few bites. She looked at the two licking her lips and panting as Serena did the same and once again it was torn apart immediately. “Well it won’t be hard to get her to eat enough to change back.” Serena noted.

  “Small blessing I guess.” Emilie looked down dejected as Jenora panted dumbly at them with her tongue out.

  “If she told you would you have stayed with her?” Serena asked.

  “I don’t know. Maybe. If she was honest with me I might feel a little different about it.” Emilie noted.

  “When would she have to have told you? You’re pretty hostile to devils and demons. Do you think she didn’t feel it was safe to tell you?” Serena speculated looking at Emilie.

  Emilie’s eyes sat transfixed on Jenora. “You’re probably right. I told her I’d be with her through anything, now I can clearly see that I was lying. She’s beautiful even here, now. A vicious hellhound I badly want to jump into the cage with and cuddle.” Jenora licked her nose and went back to panting staring at the two of them with her 4 eyes. “It just hurts too much. I want to run to her for comfort but she’s what I’m running from.”

  “You don’t have to breakup with her you know.” Serena noted.

  “I do! I always said the only way she could ever convince me to leave her is if she was a demon or an undead. I thought she was stuck with me and we’d grow old together. She won’t even grow old!” Emilie choked up. “Even if I wanted to why would she? She’s immortal. I’ll die long before she ever meets her end.”

  “I think she’d have an opinion on that.” Serena noted.

  Emilie outstretched her hand close to the cage to Jenoras sniffing nose. The curious demon sniffed furiously before outstretching her tongue to lick it just barely able to reach. She licked and slobbered all over her hand causing Emilie to giggle with a tear running down her face. “I wish she could express it right now.”