As the car rumbled along the lonely highway over the frozen Ebonmere Lake leading to Eastern Vexheim, where Eludiría was located. The gray sky blended into the ash-laden snow; she could hardly see it until they hit the window. She peered out, a chilled anxiety creeping up her chest the further she knew she was from Sableford, where she left Hyaku Jugo.
"Can you believe it's like this all year round?" Kapri commented, she pulled her gloves that were made from the infernal fur of a hellhound that provided eternal warmth.
Her trench coat was just wool, so it only held heat for so long, and she wasn't that adamant on potentially driving hellhounds to extinction for the sake of one. Underneath, her short, long-sleeve gray dress clung to her skeletal form.
"Yeah, Eastern Vexheim absolutely stinks," Sergeant Jiron said as he pulled her wide brimmed hat further over Kapri's face to veil her face. "Make sure to keep your face hidden."
No one knew she survived that war yet, and news of that getting out now would bring attention to Vexheim, and worse, of all Dazriel. Attention was the last thing that demon needed right now, or everyone would try to snatch his dukedom from under him. The demon hierarchy was vicious when you were weak.
Jorin leaned his head forward, causing his dreads to spill around his face like a black veil, creating a cool aura around him, especially with the .22 rifle slung across his chest making him look like a potential threat. Well, Kapri actually knew he was a threat to their enemies. Her sergeant hadn't failed her on the battlefield, so she had high regards for him.
As for the other two up front, Corporal Nyxith and the one with the French braids in the passenger seat, Private Kavi, she wasn't quite sure about them yet. She stared into the rear view mirror as they held a hushed conversation with each other. They wore thick fabric dresses under their coats, and they looked more like two high school girls rather than potential soldiers prepared for a fight. Honestly, they literally were, since they were fifteen and seventeen and could join the JLDRA for the summer, so they never seen the reality of battle.
Though she would admit that they seemed quite skilled with the sabre, and Kavi's innate ability to soul weave would have been highly valued in her squad. The demon military never mattered to Kapri that much to encourage children, no matter how skilled they were, to risk their lives for nothing. Or to risk being outcasted when they returned to the middle world, especially Kavi with her innate ability.
"This place looks more like a graveyard than a county," Kavi finally spoke loud enough for them to hear. She placed her hand behind her head seeming quite relaxed to be in the middle of a graveyard.
"Like a tomb. I hope I don't end up here when I die," Nyxith replied, glancing at Kavi from the driver's seat as she leaned her elbow out the window. "It's creepy as hell."
"Yes, this is the underworld outside of the little barrier around Sableford you've grown quite cozy in," Jorin muttered as he leaned his head back and his dread fell against the headrest. "It's depressing as hell."
"Who you trying to impress? Why are you trying to look so cool?" Kapri muttered growing annoyed by how good he actually looked and because he's doing it on purpose.
"Not my fault you dress like Shirley Temple, Lieutenant," he whispered, pulling at the end of her short dress. "I know we're in the underworld, but sheesh."
"Don't forget who put you on to getting dreads two years ago," she said, nudging him in the arm, and he nudged her back.
They started elbowing each other until they noticed their juniors looking at them in the rear view mirror before they straightened up. Acting this way in front of them could make them seem to happy and potentially make them actually want to join the LDRA. She glared at Jorin, but he had already closed his eyes, seeming to fall back to sleep.
"We should be relatively safe, since its snowing," she said to them, trying to instill confidence in the privates. "There's no need to worry."
"Do you think we'll really find anything useful in Eludiría?" Kavi asked, her eyes bright with eagerness. "I mean, we are only supposed to get information about Lord Dazriel's heart, right?"
"Information? That's an optimistic word for it," Nyxith replied, her brow furrowing. "We're walking into a nest of vipers. If Countess Lirael really did take it I'm sure she won't give it up easily."
"Maybe she'll have a change of heart," Kavi quipped, as she shrugged her shoulders.
"Sure, let's keep up with the optimism. You'll sure die surprised," Jorin said, his voice low and serious though he had a smirk on his lip. "We're just looking for answers; nothing more. Though we shouldn't let it be known that we're snooping around either."
Kapri hummed to herself, acutely aware that if they find nothing they'll be closer to being fucked than they need to be. Dazriel's heart was what kept them all safe in the underworld, and if he were to fall to a Yin overload, that was it.
"Right now, let's just all stay prepared to expect the unexpected. We are in a land filled with demons, after all," Kapri said, her voice steady. "If she stole it, then she stole it, all we have to do is get the message and leave as we came. No fighting, no bloodshed."
"Right," they said simultaneously in response to her.
Kavi leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper though the entire car seemed able to hear. "What's going to happen if we find Lirael? What if she won't cooperate?"
"Then we will do what we have to," Kapri replied, determination sharpening her tone. "Our Duke is depending on us to come back with something, and if it's her blood?Then so be it. But that's highly unlikely, so be prepared but don't be scared either."
The car drove on in silence for a moment, as Nyxith navigated the desolate road. The distant silhouette of the volcano that was emitting ash loomed next to them.
"Lady Kaprice," Kavi said suddenly, her voice breaking through the stillness again. "What if I tried soul weaving? It could help us find out more about Lirael's plans."
"You know the risk of your own abilities; I won't tell you not to use it," Kapri said. "If it's required, then I encourage its use."
As they continued onward, Kapri felt the weight of being so distant from Jugo again. It put her in a bad mood, as she pouted, pressing her cheeks against the palm of her hand. This was a lesson on her dependent she had become on someone who could leave her in a second. Yet she did not not want to be dependent on him either.
Suddenly she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. When she opened it, her mood lightened a bit as she read it. He simply said: Come back alive.
She smiled widely; Jiron seemed to notice as he looked at the screen, then he chuckled, "You really are just a girl. Excited over a guy whose conversation consists of safety protocols and being nonchalant about everything else."
"I wasn't excited," she straightened her face as she turned off her screen. "And Jugo does have more conversations outside of that."
"Is that right? How lonesome you must be, Lieutenant," he said. "I understand; even someone with no emotions is somebody."
"Well, it's not just that," she huffed in frustration. "I don't have to explain myself, you're my subordinate."
"Whatever you say, boss lady," he muttered as his head fell forward and closing his eyes once again, but she was sure he wasn't asleep either.
Soon enough, they arrived at the countess's estate the atmosphere shifted from a desolate road to a eerie transquility as they approached the castle. The grounds were cloaked in shadows cast by heavy clouds and smoke overhead. For some reason, the air seemed thicker and especially more acrid because of the ash. As Kapri stepped out, she could see into the town that the castle overlooked, and it bustled with lights and demons.
The snow mixed with ash crunched under their feet as they stepped onto the estate's marble pathway. Before they could knock on the door, it opened to reveal quite an unusual sight, even for Kapri, who had been in the underworld for nearly a decade; a tiny goat.
It had deep crimson fur and glossy black horns that curls back from its forehead. Its fiery orange eyes glowed with an intensity that pierced through the gloom. From its ears, silver earrings dangled from it with Lirael's family crest sparkling.
"Aww, a goat," Kavi said happily; she bent down as she made kissing sounds at it while she held out her hand. It came near her before chewing on her sleeve as she pet it. "Did you escape?"
Kapri furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, before another one that looked like came out except it was standing on its hind legs and wore a black suit vest. "Bilbo, stop chewing on people," the older goat said as it clapped it hands together.
The baby goat bleated, before it ran back through the door. Kavi mouth hung open confused by the talking goat standing in front of them.
"Apologies, my son has the mental capacity of a normal goat," he said to them as he folded his arms. "I'm Kraxil the Diminuitive, steward of this estate. Who may I do the pleasure of greeting?"
Kapri stepped forward in front of her unit, her posture regal as she lifted her head so her face is visible from under her hat. "I am Baroness Kaprice Voss of Sableford, these are my lady-in-waiting, Nyxith and Kavi, and this is my knight Sergeant Jorin Varrick. I've traveled quite a bit to discuss the potential of trading with one of the baronies within Eludiría with Countess Lirael."
Kraxil tiled his head as his eyes opened in surprised hearing her title. "Ah, the human Baroness with the demon hierarchy and Vanguard Knight of LDRA viciousness often akin to that of a demon. I wasn't aware you were still alive?" his voice in disbelief.
"Yes, I plan to live on for as long as a demon does. Right now, I'm keeping my survival a secret because of my current condition," she replied, a playful smile on her face, though she could sense the suspicion in the goat.
"Interesting. Many thought you've perished in the last war. Rumors of half your body being burned to a char was spread all over Garoth," Kraxil continue with a thoughtful expression. "But please, come in. I can't have such an esteemed guest lingering out in the ash. The Count is currently away on business, but I'm sure he would want to hear from you upon his return."
"Count?" Kavi whispered to Kapri in confusion, and Kapri was just as confused but didn't say anything further.
When they stepped inside, Kapri was surprised to feel warmth embrace her. The interior was adorned with a more southern gothic, akin to the plantations in Golden Isles in the middle world. She assumed Lirael was into Southern architecture.
Kraxil gestured for them to take a seat in a grand sitting room filled with wooden furniture with plush floral cushions. There were pictures of past presidents of the Freehaven Republic. Kapri looked at everyone, shaking their heads at the decor inside.
"Who the hell wants a picture of George Whispermantle in the living room?" Jiron said low enough for them to hear as he stood next to the couch like a proper soldier. "And Rikard Nixoth? Oh, this demon is a very bad person."
"Hush," she said to him, as Kraxil walked back with steaming pot of tea that he placed on the center table.
"You're quite brave to venture to these parts at this time of night," he said, eying them curiously. "And I must say, a human Baroness in the underworld is quite rare so apologies for my behavior. What do you hope to achieve in your discussion with Count Lirael, he's not very fond of humans being within the demon hierarchy?"
"Count? Is Countess Lirael no longer running this estate?" Kapri questioned.
"No, she's still running it," Kraxil smiled without clarifying further. "Their business interests are quite…complex, they wouldn't be interested with a human."
Kapri smiled as she nodded her head, "I understand, but we're here to discuss about potential trade relations with her. It would be mutually beneficial regardless of my race, I'm sure she would appreciate that, especially with the netherroot nosh famine. Your people are starving and I want to help them."
Kraxil stared at her, as if looking for any sign of deceit in her eyes. Kapri maintained composure with neutral eyes though a small, but grand smirk on her face though not a noble blood through her veins.
"Very well," Kraxil finally said. "But I will warn you again, be aware of Count Lirael's prejudices against humans. Discussions with him will be quite complicated."
"I will keep that in mind," she said as she nodded her head towards him.
As they looked out the window, the ashes seemed to fall heavier than the snow. Kraxil sighed, as he stood up, "I will you accommodations for the night. It is unwise to travel in this weather, especially with your condition."
He gestured towards a grand staircase. They all stood up, not having touched the tea once, "You and your lady-in-waiting may sleeping on the first floor in the guest rooms. While I will arrange for the soldier to sleep in the servant's quarters. I assume he wouldn't want to intrude on your nobility."
"No, I do," Jorin said, not amused by the statement.
Kapri shot a glance towards Jorin. "I believe it would be alright," she replied, suppressing a smile at Jorin kissing his teeth.
"Very well," Jorin said.
After Kraxil left them, Kavi and Nyxith snuck into Kapri's room. They looked at her with many questions and to figure out their next move.
"We need to figure out how to sneak around and gather any information relevant to Dazriel's heart. Without raising suspicions, so act like dumb children if you must," she said, her voice incredibly low.
Nyxith nodded her head. "Of course."
"What about Count Lirael? I thought there was only one person and she was a woman," Kavi asked.
"I wonder about that too. Kraxil obviously didn't want to clarify on that, so let's assume we're on the look out for more than one noble demon," Kapri folded her arms as she nodded her head. "Tonight, when the volcanoes ashes conceals the town we'll go for the library. I'm sure she has done some sort of research there, and I give further instructions from there."
"Nyxith, show me you're a good leader, and private Kavi show me you can be led," she said to them, they both looked at her with newfound determination before they said. "Yes, Lieutenants."
Nyxith and Kavi dipped out of Kapri's room door and quietly closed it behind them. Kapri fell back into her bed, before she pulled out her phone to send Jorin a quick update of their plan. She quickly typed out a concise message:
"Library on the East Wing of the estate when the ash falls so heavy you can't see the town. DO NOT GET CAUGHT ROAMING."
She hit send, but the message would not go through. A frown creased her face as she attempted to resend it, but a red message underneath flashed red.
No service.
The ash started to fall slightly heavier outside her window. It shadowes swirling around the room as she tried to figure out how she could get the message out to Jorin before the town is concealed.
"Damn it," she muttered under her breath as she placed her phone next to her, as her mind raced.