The High Commander

did his best to appear nonplussed as they made their way to the main meeting room of the compound, but he could feel all the eyes watching them. He cursed himself a third time for not halting the gate and making the remaining distance, though slower, on foot. The woman would have been easy enough to hide, but there was no disguising a 2 sizes too big wolf, or it's disappearance into thin air after she dismounted. He didn't need to look behind him to know they had picked up an ever growing train of curious demons.

He was surprised to find she was able to keep up with him . Though he had slowed initially she made it clear she was not to be pandered to, seeming to almost float alongside him; given what he'd seen, she might have been, but he dared not look. He would need to keep up all appearances of being in control, even if his insides felt on fire.

Silence fell on the great room as his party entered through the doors, whispers following him as those on the wall at their arrival began to recount what they had seen. leaned against a table, indifference on his face, but was sure he saw a glint of amusement in the High Commanders eyes. Surely he had been aware of the woman. To her credit, she never once broke her gaze, looking always straight ahead and carrying her head high. As they got closer, he found himself wishing fervently he had discussed proper demon etiquette with the woman before this meeting, and cursed himself a fourth time.

To his surprise, she knelt to the Demon leader in perfect unison as him and his company, eyes never leaving the leaders face. was both relieved and terrified was looking at the human. As he and his company rose to , she remained on one knee. All eyes stared at the woman, struck by her confidence and mannerisms. held his breath again (he'd been doing that a lot since he met her) and waited for the leader to explode. The thing he could hear was the scouts nervous shuffling behind him, though he did notice the watcher and move slightly closer to the woman, who stated, ", High Commander of the Demon Legion, I am honored to be in your presence."

All eyes in the room turned to . Standing to his full height, he approached. He was 8 inches taller than , and one of his arms probably weighed the same as the entire human soaking wet; from a physical standpoint, the leader could kill her with a mere swat, the way she would a mosquito.

His skin was black and silver, matching his long braided hair and trimed goatee. His three horns spiraled up out of his head, shiny as black marble with copper veins throughout. His massive wings and tail were nearly pure silver, glinting impressively in the light. He regarded the woman with curiosity, turning the same curious look on and the rest of his company briefly.

As he got close to her, the leader surprised all assembled, he was almost eye to eye and studied her face intently. Satisfied, exploded into laughter, and the rest of the assembled joining . and shared a startled glance, but both noticed the woman did not flinch or move her eyes from the leader. "She's either more powerful than I realize, or more naive," he thought to himself.

Signaling the woman to rise as he stood up, the High Commander said, "Well human, you at least show proper respect and do not appear to fear me. That is more than I can say for others of your kind I have dealt with."

Beckoning to to step and switching to the native tongue, he said, "Well , why do you bring this woman to me? She is not a captive , and she has a basic understanding of demon culture that intrigues me. You are for your unorthodox ideas, but this is a definite new one. You were the loudest voice against working with humans after all."

"To be honest, I can't explain it. something about her that, speaks to me. By all rights, she should have been broken, but there was such fight in her eyes, killing her didn't seem right. And it's been bothering me that he wants her dead so . I don't doubt the strength in her, but what does it have to do with him?"

"High Commander", the watcher interrupted. "Before you judge or hear the tale, let it be he did not act alone. We all stand with him and his decision to aid the little... woman."

Cheers briefly emitted from his company before the gravity of what had been sobered them. They were not sure of the consequences that may be faced, but they would be facing them together now. regarded them all with interest as a twinkle formed in his eyes, having picked up on the brief stall. Before could speak again, a silvery voice interrupted him.

"None of them are at fault here . The General ordered to do that which he could he refused. The General knows his time is coming to an end; my freedom assures it will come ."

Silence followed as again all eyes in the compound turned to her. She had not spoken the commanders' name flawlessly upon meeting him, now the entire statement had been in perfect demon tongue. A slight movement in the crowd caught Baharsh's eye, and he made eye contact with a lessor demon he did not recognize, who gave a slight grin before turning her eyes back on . "That must be ", he thought to himself before being jerked back to the unfolding predicament.

", you did not enlighten me to the fact she speaks our language."

"I was not aware," a stunned replied. This added to Reihnash's amusement.

"", he addressed her, "you have managed to win over one of my best commanders, and his entire company. Even down to the scout, based on his annoying nervous dancing. On top of that, you speak our language and conduct yourself as one raised among us. I am intrigued human, as are those that accompanied you here. Where do you come from? Why does the human want you dead? What are you called?"

and the others felt sheepish as they realized they had no idea. Up until now they had referred to her as the little human, the woman, and most , the watcher had grown fond of calling her little sorceress. The woman and the High Commander regarded each other . It felt like ages had passed before she spoke.

"My name, is ."

Murmurs of disbelief and amazement filled the room as stared, first at the woman, then at , then at . He couldn't believe what he had heard, yet it all made sense. The hatred for The General, his sense of her as a strong ally, the magic he had seen her wield. Every demon knew her name. Every human knew her name. Whichever side she allied with, was believed to be sure to win. Again adding to the confusion of The General wanting her dead.

"That is a mighty heavy claim you make little one. What proof do you offer?"

Her lips twitched into the half-way smile and her icy blue eyes seemed to light up, not with anger this time though. Signaling to and the watcher to give her room, noticed her eyes catch and hold briefly on . The lessor demon smile at her, eyes blazing with excitement.

Satisfied she had enough room, concentrated as a purple mist danced to life around her. As the assembled looked on, the mist began to take shape. First they formed into the scene before them, then out to the courtyard where they had entered and zoomed out further until the entire perimeter of the compound had formed. From there it seemed the scene pivoted to an aerial view, then started to strip layers away, going deeper and deeper into the compound, replicating in perfect detail rooms the woman had never seen.

As each layer was stripped away, leading into the caverns below the compound, realized the woman was not even looking at the scene before her; rather her eyes and the High Commanders were locked, challenging each other . the lowest level had been reached and the image before them was the fire outline of a locked chest.

"Inside this chest lies the blood stone of , carved into the shape of a human skeleton, and radiating with an indescribable power. delivered to you 3 months ago by a wolf, half the size of the one I rode in on."

At once the scene vanished and the room held its breath to see what reaction there would be from once the two broke eye contact. It seemed like ages before they came to some kind of silent agreement and moved to sit at the table, beckoning her to follow. was relieved to see this form of magic did not take such a physical toll on her.

As they sat, glasses were distributed by the High Commanders second in command, a demon named if remembered . He almost felt sorry for him as he poured the ale into the little humans cup, unsure if he was supposed to or not. Demon etiquette dictated if you sat at the table you were the beverage, but none had seen a human drink it and not go crazy, even in low doses; well, none but and his company anyway.

All eyes were on her as she gave a brief salute and drank the brew. This was a much stronger batch than the in the cave and delightful. was impressed again, though slightly concerned when beckoned for her cup to be refilled.

"Why did you send me the talisman?"

"For the exact reason you worked out after I sent it. The humans have no idea what or what it does. They fear what they do not they would have destroyed it in their ignorance. I could not risk it, nor could I risk it being by the wrong demon."

"How did you know I would not use it or destroy it?"

"Two reasons. One, I made acquaintance with one of yours years ago. That acquaintance turned into a friendship, and she taught me much of demon politics and society. Also, your language. Two, and I mean no disrespect, I'm almost certain you don't know how to use it, but are smart enough to understand its value."

"You would truly call a demon a friend?" This question did not come from the table. Looking back at the company she rode in with, an embarrassed scout was being stared at by all within earshot. No one believed he had meant to say what he was thinking aloud.

"Yes, my dear scout. I would consider demons friend. Demons are loyal to the end, and more honest than humans. You protect or you kill. A human always knows where they stand with demons. Even The General knows he is merely tolerated. Humans though will betray you the instant it profits them."

looked at the woman, but she did not notice. Her crystal blue eyes had clouded as she spoke, and she now stared into her drinking cup, her mind miles away. He wanted to know everything behind the pain in her voice, but this was not the time. Shaking her head she snapped out of her thoughts, focusing back on the scout. "What is your name ?"

"" he practically whispered.

She raised her glass to him. "I am honored to call you friend ." and raised their glasses as well, and all three finished off the demon ale.

"I suspect we will receive a visitor from The General soon then, but it will take a days for them to reach us. We can talk more later. For now, I am sure you would like a hot bath, a hot meal and a decent nights sleep. will lead you to a room and I will send a to sort out some proper clothing for you."

Before could argue, or even move, the watcher was by her side. "All due respect High Commander, I will escort the little sorceress to her quarters. I was charged to her and I have no intention of slacking in my duties. It should also be mentioned to all, if you touch her, you will answer to me."

nodded his consent, and was certain looked relieved. After explaining where to take she could rest, addressed the room.

"I would caution you all against behaving around our guest."

believed he could have said more on the matter but decided not to push it. He needed to tell the entire story before he and his company could get a solid nights sleep. As the watcher and the woman walked away he felt a large weight lift off of him. It got even lighter when he noticed slipping away to watch the watchers back.