“The northern border is a natural fortress for both the Empire and the Free Cities. A long series of valleys, crevices and rivers. A proper location for stealth and infiltration, but also for deadly ambushes and traps. Needless to say, both sides make good use of the terrain, turning the border into a death pit for anyone daring enough to cross it. On the other hand, there are a few open spaces here and now. Plains and hills, convenient for marching with armies, you'd say. If it weren't for the bunch of fortresses and outposts, yes. The common folk wanting to cross the border will have to follow the main road and pass numerous checkpoints. The whole thing gives us smugglers a hard life, and the profession is one of the most dangerous around these parts. You'd have a better life as a regular merchant, even with all the taxes and stuff. At least that way you don't risk having your head placed on a spike. Aside from bandits. It's rumoured that each side has its own safe routes for spies and the likes, but no one knows the details. Maybe it's indeed a mere rumour and they just disguise themselves as merchants, hah !

-northern smuggler”

* * *

Erin

It was noon when they arrived at the main base of the Imperial army. A large, tall castle with an even larger encampment surrounding it. Behind the palisade, tents and soldiers and horses wherever she looked. The camp was filled with busy people, carrying gear and wood, sharpening swords, putting up more tents and so on. Overall, it looked like a small town. With thousands of people, no, tens of thousands.

“Now this army looks much more high-spirited than the guys from the western fortress !”

Azcheron's remark was stupidly obvious, but even Erin was somewhat disturbed. The magnitude of the northern campaign, she realized, was immensely more important than what she had been believing.

Erin noticed a group of riders approaching. The pair must have looked fishy, since they weren't coming via the main road – where the checkpoint was located – but from the west, where they did some 'adventuring' a few days earlier.

What happened there was... Well, a necessity, although an unpleasant one. Azcheron had tried to ease her, insisting that they couldn't afford letting anyone know about these ruins, telling her that there hadn't been any other choice aside from killing the adventurers. The truth was, she had been already set on killing them once they turned hostile and disregarded Azcheron's warning.

Considering the stone supposedly contained something even Azcheron would rather avoid summoning...

She focused back on the guards. Azcheron's position in the Empire was somewhat delicate, yet they weren't particularly worried about that, because Erin could still use her name to their advantage. Sure, there was a time when she'd do her best to avoid relying on it, but she didn't mind nowadays. She had already been using it as part of Azcheron's plans. Her name was becoming a weapon like any other.

“Who goes there !” inquired one of the riders, probably the captain, while the others pointed their spears toward Erin and Azcheron, forcing them to slow down their horses.

Erin took her helmet off, triggering some surprised expressions from the guards. She was starting to enjoy that reaction, and she knew Azcheron was also delighted to see her indulging in some theatrics. Theatrics, theatrics. Now it's time to show my acting skills.

“I am Erin of House Verald. I come her on behalf of my uncle, Leopold Verald, lord chancellor.” She removed her glove and showed the crest on her signet ring. Again, surprised faces. With a tinge of horror this time, as the soldiers hurriedly put their spears away and bowed.

“Fo-... Forgive me, lady Verald !” the captain blurted out. “It was not our intent to show disrespect to you, p-please understand !”

“Worry not, I pay it no heed. You were merely doing your job,” she said in an august but calm tone, putting the soldiers at ease.

Erin decided to appear respectable and likeable rather than arrogant and fearsome. She considered herself more of a soldier than a noble, after all.

“Shall I escort you to the castle ?” The rider motioned toward the fortress, and they all began to ride in its direction. “A room will be prepared for you, if you wish to rest. I will also send for the Great Sorceress, to notice her of your arrival.”

“Yes, we would very much like to meet with the Great Sorceress,” Azcheron finally spoke, attracting glances from the guards. Since he didn't care to introduce himself, the soldiers had no idea how to behave around him. He could have been nobility too, or even royalty, for what they knew.

Do we really want to meet with her, now ? Erin wasn't sure if that was a good idea. I hope Karia hasn't received any message from the capital yet, because I have no guarantee using diplomacy and waving my titles and birth would save Azcheron if Varymiel ordered his death.

Seemingly catching on her concerns, Azcheron gave her one of his trademark smiles. A radiant, confident one, therefore announcing danger and things of the sort. They had a plan, of course, but he was clearly showing that he wouldn't mind if it failed and if they had to fight.

Come what may...

As Erin and Azcheron wandered in the camp, following the riders, they saw the army up close. A rather heterogeneous army. It went from elite soldiers and knights to peasants and volunteers. They all had one important thing in common however, and Erin didn't need to hear their conversations to know what – their presence here was more than enough. That would be, of course, their hatred of demons.

No doubt, that's Great Sorceress Karia's army for you.

They were a few minutes away from the castle when Erin noticed a strange smell. A smell of burning, something like that. Someone had been cooking meat. Chicken, she guessed. No, beef ?

She glanced at Azcheron, but he didn't seem to care about the smell. Wasn't he hungry ? It was lunch time though. Ugh, the hunger. I hope we can eat before meeting with Karia. Tricking the Great Sorceress is something I don't feel like doing on an empty stomach...

Now the group was approaching the gates, as were a lot of people waiting to enter the castle. Seeing that, the captain addressed Erin. “Forgive me, lady Verald, it seems the castle is getting crowded.”

A vague and superfluous remark. Perhaps there was an announcement or something. And now Erin realized it didn't smell of chicken, or beef, or whatever animal that would usually come to mind. It wasn't just smelling, it was stinking. A stench she knew well, for she had encountered it a lot when she was a mercenary. A stench reminding her of banditry, pillaged villages and aftermaths of battles. Azcheron too seemed to understand, and he looked like he recalled an unpleasant memory. The guards were obviously used to it, because they were casually chatting and laughing among each other. The crowd separated as one of the riders yelled to make way.

I would have liked the rumours to be only rumours. She frowned as they entered the crowded courtyard.

Sticking out from the mass of spectators, burnt stakes and wooden pillars. Dangling from up here was the meat. Charred black and atrociously inhuman in their twisted postures, yet they looked indeed like human corpses.

Perhaps the guard noticed Erin's frown, because he tried to reassure her. “Do not worry, my lady, these aren't human bodies. Only demons from the latest city we sieged.”

Well, he tried. Oh, only demons, it's fine then ! She wanted to reply something sarcastic for a second but deemed better to keep silent and appear dignified.

From the side, a pack of guards came, dragging along a group of chained people. They were maybe a little more than twenty, and they all had something slightly different from the regular human. Be it long ears or small horns. A tail here, a pair of slit pupils there. Someone had a greyish skin.

But other than that they looked like normal people. Old people, young people, children, women and men with all sort of builds. Erin guessed that almost none of them was fit enough to be a soldier.

Some people brought new stakes and replaced the burnt ones. Before long the demons were all tied or chained to the wooden pillars. Then from the gates of the main tower, another group of soldiers arrived. Among them was a woman with wavy brown hair. She wore a white and gold toga over a shiny, immaculate plate armour with silvery decorations. Her attire probably costed more than the castle itself, but she didn't have the air of a rich noblewoman. She looked like an intimidating general. Her identity wasn't hard to figure out.

A herald stepped on a platform. “The Great Sorceress will now proceed to execute these heretic northerners !”

Cheers and hearty applauses from the crowd as the woman joined the herald on the platform. Erin felt appalled deep down. The captain came to her side and once again apologized. “My lady, it seems we are about to witness a rather dark spectacle. If you wish to be spared the vision and go to your chambers, I-”

“It is fine,” she interrupted, keeping her composure. “We shall stay here until it's done and greet the Great Sorceress thereafter.”

The rider nodded and turned his attention back to the platform. Erin looked at Azcheron, who returned the stare. He made a complicated expression. They both knew it was the best course of action if they wanted to get on Karia's good side. They had to look like they supported her cause. Not that they had decided to join her side or anything, but they were giving themselves as many choices as they could.

Even if she knew that the 'spectacle' was going to displease her, for now Erin would swallow her bitterness and grit her teeth.

The herald resumed his announcement once the spectators calmed down. “For the crimes of depravity, belligerence, and heresy ! The sentence is irrevocable ! On behalf of the Emperor, these heretics shall be purged by the flames of the Great Sorceress !”

Another thunder of applause. Do they really have the right to do that ? No, I guess it's true the Emperor himself is allowing it, or even encouraging it...

Erin would force herself to watch even if nobody cared about what she was doing right now.

Karia raised her palms toward the sky, and the courtyard was suddenly hot.

Erin would watch because she would be trampling on her own morals, what was left of it anyway. She became a knight, joined the mercenaries, protected villages... and now, she would let people being burned alive. The least she could do was to witness their last moments.

Fire erupted from the base of the stakes, engulfing the demons in pillars of flames.

Erin placidly watched the demons struggling as they tried to untie themselves, reaching for imaginary saviours that would never come. She calmly listened as horrifying screams and cries meshed together with booming cheers and claps.

The pillars grew larger, the heat became oppressing. Only shadows could be grasped through the flames.

And Erin felt something breaking inside her as an ignoble realization hit her.

After some time, the fire dimmed, until only small flames remained on the blackened bodies. One more round of applause and acclamations, but to Erin it sounded like background noise. She could only focus on the sizzling of what little flesh was left from the charred bodies, and the crumbling chunks of ashes falling on the ground.

Erin felt sad. Not for the reason she'd have imagined. No, it wasn't exactly sadness. She was disgusted with herself, perhaps. She really wanted to avoid Azcheron's eyes now. Because she knew mindless torture displeased him, and then... she'd have to fake a disturbed expression or something like that.

Not that it would be hard.

She was already disturbed by her own indifference toward what she had just witnessed.

* * *

“Lady Verald, is that right ?” Karia inquired, though she probably had her answer when she glanced at Erin and absorbed everything about her, including her ring. “Please take a sit, food will be served soon.”

Erin could smell the chicken in the kitchen. How timely. Nothing like burnt people to make you crave for roasted chicken, I guess ?

They were in the main tower, in a sort of hall. It was rather empty aside from the occasional dusty decoration and tapestry, and a single massive wooden table. Karia was sitting at one end of it, while her guards and officers either stood or were sitting on the other side.

Erin complied and took a chair not far from Karia. Azcheron sat next to Erin, ignoring the curious look the Great Sorceress gave him. Lady Verald acted her role and deemed proper to introduce him before it became awkward.

“This is lord Azcheron. A... guest of the Verald house.”

That should do it. And it did. Karia nodded and signalled for a servant to prepare one more serving. Even heroes didn't bother to question the four great houses of the Empire.

“What brings you north, my lady, my lord ?” the sorceress asked very courteously. It was hard to believe that such a fine and polite woman had just executed two dozens of poor souls in a very gruesome way.

But then again, Erin and Azcheron themselves had no qualms killing people and casually chatting or eating just after. She realized yet again how cold she was. Well, no time for moral dilemmas. I have to make the plan work.

“My uncle sent us. We are to cross the border and reach Atharemine.”

“Surely you will require an escort ? I can guess you're not lacking military prowess yourself, but I must insist.”

“And I must decline. We do not require protection, nor can we afford it. There is a reason we came in such small numbers, unannounced, avoiding the main road.”

Karia squinted her eyes. “Fair enough... May I ask about that reason ? Rather, what curious business do you have in Atharemine ?”

“Divulging anymore would put our mission at risk.” Seeing Karia frowning, Erin carried on. “Do not misinterpret me, the Palace has the utmost trust in the Great Sorceress. But the fewer the people knowing about us are, the better. You are to act as if we do not exist. If all goes well, good news will reach you in no time.”

Silence reigned while people brought plates to Karia's end of the table. She and her two guests were served, then the servants left, probably to fetch the officers' meals this time.

The sorceress let out a long sigh before eventually replying. “I admit I do not like it when the top brass keeps secrets from me. Especially when it concerns my war.” She took a bite before continuing. “However, I imagine this is for the good of the Empire.”

She was now staring at Azcheron. That was the plan overall. Acting as if they were on an off the record and mysterious mission. Azcheron would be kept as enigmatic as possible, so that Karia would assume whatever pleased her.

Now, obviously, the bluff wouldn't last. Varymiel's orders would eventually reach Karia's camp – by now the spymaster should have long known that they went north. But Azcheron wanted to visit the Free Cities before they got sacked, so they had to cross the border no matter what. They could always join Karia's army later, with a small apology, a demon lord's head as a token of good faith for instance. Or not. Nothing was set in stone yet. For now, Erin had to keep playing the game.

“You are perceptive,” she said, more or less figuring that Karia mistook Azcheron for an assassin. “I do hope our circumstances will remain secret.”

“You have my word. But since you asked it yourself, I have to warn you that my plans regarding the war won't change. We will march on Pelirise soon, and Atharemine will be our next target. I cannot guarantee your safety if you are still in the city when it happens.”

“I know. If you haven't heard anything from Atharemine by then, consider that we failed. In any case, we will be either dead or outside the city when you reach it, so don't hold back.”

The Great Sorceress closed her eyes. She might have wanted to avoid having a Verald's blood on her hands, but orders were orders, and so she'd obey. For now. At least as long as she believes the order is legit and is coming from my uncle...

“The other side of the border is chaotic. Soldiers and mercenaries are patrolling and hunting down every Imperial folk they find, fearing our spies. Bandits are roaming the lands, attacking everybody and prospering on the war. You'll have to be careful. I've already lost a lot of men to them.”

Erin nodded. “We'll want to go in as soon as possible.”

“Then you should do it this evening. It'll be a moonless night. I can make you cross safely.”

They finished their meal. That went well. I guess I'll have to thank Azcheron for letting me do things for once. It's curious how it all goes quite smoothly and cordially when I'm the one talking...

She smiled to herself, but refrained from being overjoyed. It could be that she saw through me, or had already received orders from the Capital, and she's preparing a trap for us... No way to know for now.

Eventually, they all stood up. Karia called some servants once more. “You should get some rest while you can. Rooms have been arranged for you.”

Erin nodded, even though they only needed one room. Before leaving, she gave a knight salute. “Thank you for your support, Great Sorceress.”

That night, Erin and Azcheron would set foot in northern territory.