There was smoke on the horizon in the west, from this distance it was a few miles off. The patrol got ready quickly and they were off streaking toward it like an arrow from a bow. Elana was mostly keeping her distance from Grez which only made her much more annoyed. The land flew by as they reached great speeds on their horse and Grez barely had time to register the great green lands as it flew by until they began to find the land be more populated by trees and various plant life. As they moved closer to the sea they could see the change in land though it also grew colder. They flew by many carts heading away from the smoke and turned off onto a side road where they found a small grouping of farm houses and fields but the homes were burning and the area was trampled as though a herd of beasts had come running through. Bandits and marauders likely so they rushed to the homes but there was no one around, the sound of metal clanging drew them to the home that was not yet burning and there indeed was a group of bandits. It wasn't a small group either, roughly twenty or so teased a family as they had a man pinned down onto the ground. The group came in on their horse shaking the ground and causing the small bandit group to turn in shock but it didn't help them in the slightest as the horse trampled over one and the captain sliced another straight across the neck and sent him to the ground to bleed out. Grez jumped off her horse in a rather dramatic fashion and with a push of her choker her helmet sprung into being.
Elana didn't quite jump as fashionable but nevertheless she came springing to stand next to Grez as she readied her short sword and kite shield. The bandits managed to recover from the shock and the rest of the patrol were circling around but screams drew their attention to a burning home leaving Grez and Elana to deal with the group though Grez had no worries. "You ready for this Elana? They don't seem to have any real armor or organization, we should be able to handle it enough." Grez told her as they drew nearer though they did appear hesitant to attack someone who was so different and resembling a rather eerie demon. Elana simply nodded and grunted in agreement and readied herself again. The bandits still muttered amongst themselves not sure if they should charge or not until Grez got impatient. "Oh by the fucking gods this is irritating." She said to herself and with a crack of her joints as she flexed and ran straight toward them once again catching them off guard. The blue blade in her upper right hand and the basic steel sword in her upper left cleaved toward the nearest one leaving awful wounds in his chest and he tumbled to the ground. They finally found their courage and went charging in but with a flick of magic she had the fallen foe's sword in her lower right hand and another one from the captain's target in her lower left. Three tried to attack at once but she had enough arms to block and knock them off guard then stabbing into their chest. Elana came running and slammed her shield into one, sending him off his feet and into the dirt where he struggled to get back up but Elana's blade put him on the ground for good. Grez took down several more and she seemed to truly enjoy herself in the rush of battle and the heavy adrenaline flow that she stabbed, sliced, parried and danced around them like they were nothing. Elana would have been impressed if she wasn't fighting for her life.
The sound of a horn cut through the air and it was one of the bandits, from the east where the village streets came rushing even more of them, there had to be at least thirty or forty and with their fellows in trouble they stopped raiding whatever they were in the streets and came rushing. Grez did feel a slight worry in her chest at the sudden swell of enemies but she wouldn't let Elana know that as she wanted her to admire her bravery as no one else would. The ones they were fighting fled to rejoin the bigger groups and regained their confidence. The loud thundering sound of hooves came from behind the two and Grez had assumed the patrol members had returned and were ready to charge the bandit lines but suddenly many more horse went rushing on by them in a much larger group smashing the bandits line and once again sending them scurrying like roaches. There had to be at least fifty horsemen chasing down the straggler bandits and watering the grassy field with blood. It seems Kultia had come to their aid as their red and gold flag and shield sigils came into view. The lead swung back around with two soldiers and he hopped off the horse. "Grezzy! It's been a long time hasn't it?" He took off his helm and it was none other than Prince Alaric himself.
The soldiers were piling up the dead bandits for burning and the villagers for a proper burial. Their patrol was coming back with survivors and those that fled the village, a few healers were on hand to help but not all the villagers could be saved. "It's quite the surprise prince as I think me and Elana had things quite under control." Grez told him as the three of them walked the field surveying the damage. "Oh I know but I really couldn't let you take all the glory even though you flew around like a steel tornado." He said, sounding a bit impressed which only stroked her ego even more. The prince turned to Elana and bowed to her, making her feel a bit self conscious and blushing. "Elana is it? what bring you to this salty red temptress?" He asked her with a bit of a coy expression. Elana bowed back and replied, "Oh I'm her bodyguard, I am supposed to keep her out of trouble and well uh.....out of your bed." She whispered that last part hoping Grez wouldn't hear but she did anyway and covered her face in embarrassment. The prince found it incredibly amusing and burst out laughing for a good long while. "Well Grez I guess that means it is strictly business for us isn't it? Kind of unfortunate since you'll be traveling to my home on your patrol and I hope you'll at least stay for a day so we can at least catch up." He implored but she rubbed her face and sighed, she was about to say something but the patrol came trotting back and interrupted their conversation. They discussed plans briefly and mounted up to head out, Grez and Elana would ride with the prince and his guard while the patrol would go on ahead and make sure everything was clear.
Half of the prince's force he came with were still back at the village tending to the wounded and helping with whatever they needed then would head out and patrol for a few days in a few mile radius to ensure the place was truly safe. After that they would head for home and report in with whatever they had done in the meantime. They galloped at a steady pace making good time and by nightfall they should be at the walls of the city but that's assuming nothing unexpected happened again such as a village on fire. Grez and Alaric were talking like school kids after a short holiday and they exchanged stories while Grez only had far fewer exciting moments up until this day. The prince was incredibly attentive as Grez spoke of the miners accidently breaking into a goblin city that was hiding in the mountain but try as they might they could not get a parlay with the king of the city so it turned into a three year fight back and forth until king Athren got tired of it and took Grez with him as he and the full might of the demon military broke the entrance open much further and stormed the city over a week long campaign.
Elana was ahead of them riding with the guards but she often peeked back and something in her heart hurt every time she saw Grez laughing and having a good time, but she shook it off. She was a soldier and a soldier needed to be attentive to the road ahead and to any dangers that may be lurking somewhere off the road. The group crossed through some more small farm villages and various places where time seemed to be moving very slowly as everything looked so calm and peaceful as the people all kneeled in respect as the prince rode by. People seemed to like him as some even handed him flowers but they were always checked by the guards for safety reasons, once they started coming over some hills they descended and the great deep gray walls came into view. Kultia was built on three levels going up toward the castle which loomed over the others. The bottom was the commoners area and it was vast with numerous shops, inn's and the majority of the population. The next tier up was the military section and it was a bit smaller but far more organized and secure, they made it between the commoners and the nobles that way should any rebellion or revolt happen they would be forced to cross the entirety of the military to get to the castle. Up again were the nobles and their luxury little villas, they had only the best and most expensive shops and food that nobody from below their area would see other than the military. At the top was an overly massive castle that took the entirety of the topmost section with numerous turrets and towers for defense. This was also the capital of the holy knight's order led by the demon's old enemy, the 'Holy Ones' that didn't even have a proper name for their people. The great cathedral was purposely built in the common sector as they knew commoners would need a religion and dedicated foundation if it meant keeping them placated. The massive wood gates were open enough to allow trade carts to come through side by side but were ready to shut at a moments notice due to the king's mental degradation and paranoia. Grez had never actually been inside the city since demons were very looked down upon by this holy city as the holy ones held very high positions and influence on the king and council. Many people stopped to stare as the group moved, stunned that an actual demon was in their city unopposed while others were even fearful. Grez did not help this fear as she started feeling cramping in her rear so she reached back and adjusted her armor then her tail came out freely. Not many people outside her family even knew she had one as she was at times embarrassed by it, it was roughly four feet long and had an arrow shape at the tip but unlike skin it was actually solid like bone and could pierce skin easily. Alaric looked over her questioningly yet also entertained, she simply smiled and shrugged.
They reached the military sector and were stopped at the gate, the guards were not thrilled to have a demon in their city let alone one that was allowed to move toward the castle. "You can come along as the four of you are human but that.....one has to stay in the commons." The guard stated and in a tone that didn't exactly invite challenge. "You are going to step aside and let us through, this is Princess Grezelda of the demon kingdom and my guest." Alaraic was less than happy to have to explain such things but they gave no choice. They went onward and up the ever increasing hill, the nobles just simply stared in awe when they headed through their section but they didn't dare say a word as it was obvious that the prince was in a very foul mood. It took some time but they arrived at the castle gates and headed inside, the guards were dismissed except Elana and Alaric proceeded to take her to his room. Elana stood outside the door on guard with the other two while Grez and Alaric went in and the gods only knew what was going to happen.
The prince lay in his bed waiting for Grez as she slowly stripped down and made it take as long as possible just to torment the prince, she knew he was just dying to have her in bed again. Finally she stripped off her undergarments and tossed them aside then got into bed and got on top of him. She grinned and kissed him before readjusting so they could continue their escapades.
The sound of wood crackling in the fireplace woke Grez up but she didn't move and instead simply lay on her back with the prince next to her and his arm around her lovingly. This was it she thought, this is what she really wanted and the one thing she could not have. Before realizing it she let out a long sigh and Alaric stirred next to her. "Awake already huh? Going to storm out and back to your patrol?" He teased her but gently pushed his face away giggling "No but if you keep being so mushy I might consider it." She replied as he crept and arm back over her and with a slight motion he pushed her side in just above the hip and she instinctively jolted and let out a giggle. "Oh what's this? The up and coming spell blade, rising star of the demon is tickled so easily?" He once again teased her with a wide grin. She grabbed his hand that he had across her and gave him a sly but stern look which clearly wasn't enough and he tickled her even more causing her to burst out laughing uncontrollably. "I'm going to have to kill you for this." She struggled to say between laughs "Oh you can certainly try but I have your weakness now!" He almost shouted and went back to tormenting her.
Grez was out of breath and exhausted when they finally calmed down, she was resting her head on his chest and he gently ran his fingers through her hair. "I'm so glad you're here Grez, I've really missed you." She told her quietly as they lay quietly in peace. She held his right hand in her left and listened to his heart beat as it soothed her almost to sleep again. "I've missed you, you adorable human." She said as she looked up at him again and moved so they could share another kiss. "Grez, I gotta say this before you leave. I love you and your slender red silliness." Grez was stunned by his words, it was the last thing she had expected and she didn't know what to say. For a long while Grez simply lay her head on his chest and listened to his heart though now it was beating quite fast. She finally thought it through and worked through all her worries when her feelings got the better of her. "I love you too even if you're just a big dumb human." She told him as she looked up and could barely contain her smile.
They lay there for a long while with Alaric holding Grez close and even though she seemed to be asleep her tail flicked here and there reminding him of a cat and she was very catty at times. "Alaric! We need to talk now." The voice of the Kultisk king came through the door causing both to jump. He got out of bed and put the sheets over Grez telling her to stay hidden as he put on his breeches and answered the door. The king of Kultia was a rather intimidating sight with his jet black beard and dark robes with the fur of a werewolf sewn on the neck. "What are you doing with a damn demon? You know for a fact that they are not allowed in my city by any means and the holy ones made it clear they would not tolerate any of them if we want their support." The king was very upset that Grez had been seen walking the street let alone allowed to pass the commoner section and even into the castle. "I'm sorry father but I am tired after running a patrol and would prefer to get back to bed, we can discuss this in the morning." The prince tried to convince his father to leave yet it was not exactly working. "I know you have yet another whore in your bed and she can leave right now so we can have a civil conversation." He yelled into the room knowing that there was someone else yet no idea who. There was an audible groan from Alaric as Grez got out of bed and threw on her undergarments before coming out of the bedroom and nearly sending the king into a heart attack. "A thousand other women and you choose this creature to share your bed with?! Have you no standards or even sanctity?" He shouted at his son but Alaric just rubbed his eyes and didn't bother responding. Grez went back and was getting dressed when she could still hear the two arguing yet it wasn't clear enough to hear words. She got all her armor put on and tightened, it felt incredibly uncomfortable after being out of it and in bed with Alaric. She put on her neck piece and adjusted it properly then strode out to meet them. She didn't get to say anything before the king turned on her. "Get out of my city first light or you'll be thrown into the prisons." He told her and she weakly nodded then headed back out of the castle though Elana was nowhere to be seen. It was odd because she took her bodyguard duty very seriously.
The night was a bit cold as Grez walked back down and stepped into the common section, the guards said that Elana was seen in the tavern not far from the main gate so that was the first place to start looking. Unfortunately the night was still young so people wandered here and there with no one really knowing where to go as there were so many homeless in this city since questioning the holy ones was greatly frowned upon and could cost you everything. She turned a corner and down another street looking and looking but there were many places that sold alcohol so she'd have to check all of them. She turned another corner and saw the faintest glimmer of a man before a sudden extreme pain then darkness.