Throne Room King Raden's P.O.V.

I sit in my uncomfortable throne listening to Duke Kruto, Lord of Durendall, ramble on about port fees. He wants to raise fees for foreign merchants, which I am fine with, but he is taking his time getting to what is in it for me. I have to let him talk my ear off because he is one of my biggest backers and he knows it.

In fact I bet this long winded speech is simply to remind me that I owe him. If I could figure out a way I would get rid of him, Quill could kill him for me but then his idiot son would inherit. Maybe I should have Quill kill the whole family, then I could appoint someone to the title, someone loyal to me.

Yes that should work, I will have to discuss it with Quill after court is done. For now it seems Kruto is coming to the end of his speech, ahh so he is going to offer me troops for the army. That can work, of course he knew that before he showed up to court.

"I agree. You may implement the changes immediately."

Duke Kruto says "Thank you, Your Majesty."

He bows and leaves and the next noble with a petition approaches. Right as he is about to start speaking the doors open and Knight Commander Raveos enters with a soldier in tow. He knows not to interrupt the court unless it is important so I motion the noble to stand aside.

"Raveos, what is it?"

Raveos says "Your Majesty, it is about the beast. It has been spotted."

"Where? When? Is it dead??"

Raveos says "The beast was ambushed and wounded as it emerged from the underground. But according to the report of the only survivor the squad was wiped out by a blue haired demon."

"Demon? He has a demon now?"

Raveos says "The survivor encountered the patrol led by Sir Transk, Sir Transk sent a report and then led his patrol to go after the beast. His patrol has not been heard from since."

"You are saying the entire patrol of fifty men has been wiped out?"

Raveos says "Most likely, Your Majesty."

"Where was this? Transk patrols the western road right?"

Raveos says "Yes, Sire. The beast was spotted emerging from the river in the south western area of the forest."

"Very well double the strength of all patrols, and summon the combat heroes."

Ravenos says "We are going to use the heroes now? I thought we were saving them for the war?"

"This is more important! That beast must die! Besides, they could use some practical experience. Give each hero one hundred men and send them to seek and destroy the beast immediately."

Ravenos says "Yes, Your Majesty!"

I watch as Ravenos salutes and turns to leave the throne room. Then I dismiss the nobles, ending court for the day. Once they have left I turn to my new head court mage Ricker, he is only sixteen but has the most magic potential of all the new court mages.

"Ricker, what do you know of demon summoning?"

Ricker says "Um, nothing Your Majesty."

"Well, find out! If the beast has a demon, we will use demons against it if need be."

Quill steps out of the shadow cast by my throne and kneels beside me. I hate it when he just pops up like this, but he always has something useful to add.

Quill says "Your Majesty, I believe I have some books that may assist Ricker in this."

"Very well, Quill, assist him as you can."

Quill and Ricker both bow and leave together. I will do whatever it takes to destroy that beast, his mere existence is a threat to my plans.

Forest of Fangs, Rebel Camp, Amercy's P.O.V.

I am practicing my magic with Zamart when Alexa comes in and interrupts us. She knows how important this is so it must be something urgent.

"Alexa? What's wrong now?"

Alexa says "We have a report from one of Zamart's watchers."

Zamart says "They are the princess's watchers, I simply oversaw the making of the rings so they can communicate to us instantly."

Alexa says "Whatever, the report says the heroes are moving."

"The heroes? Then the war is beginning?"

Alexa says "No, they are not headed to the border."

Zamart says "Then what is going on?"

Alexa says "One watcher overheard some soldiers talking, something is going on in the forest south west of the capital."

"He is deploying his secret weapon to hunt bandits?"

Alexa says "They are hunting something, but none of the watchers has found out what yet."

Zamart says "It would have to be dreadfully important for the king to call out his secret weapon."

"Like something important enough to recall an army for?"

Alexa says "You think it has to do with the beastman?"

"Well that is the only thing we know of that makes the king overreact."

Zamart says "Well that is true, if the beastman came to the surface the king would do everything he could to kill him."

Alexa says "So assuming you are right and the beastman is on the surface, he will be dead soon. So, we should prepare for what the king will do next."

Zamart says "I wouldn't count him out just yet. Think about what he would have had to survive underground."

"I agree with Zamart, from everything I have heard this beastman is not easy to kill."

Alexa says "So, what do we do?"

"Send our best scouts to the grasslands below the forest. If he makes it out they are to guide him here. Also prepare our defenses, they may be pursued."

Alexa says "Anything else?"

"Zamart, any thoughts?"

Zamart says "Well, if they are searching for the beastman then they will be in small groups spread out, right?"

"Yes, I would think so. What of it?"

Alexa says "I get it! It is a perfect time to bleed the army and maybe even take out a few heroes!"

Zamart says "Exactly, and we may even help the beastman in the process."

"Oh, I see now. Alright, go ahead Alexa. Zamart, now that he has surfaced, could you scry the beastman?"

Zamart says "It may be possible. I will try."

"Good, I would very much like to learn more about him."