War of Saints

Chapter One: Council of War

Kristan sighed as he sat with the other seven demon lords. Lidianne, being the oldest and most powerful sat at the center of the half-circle shaped table. He was on the farthest left of her because he was the newest demon lord. To his right was Mahalath, a pretty, pale blue skinned demon with white hair from the group of many islands known as Corupe. Next to her was Vanth, a pale skinned woman with long ears that had many small hoops in them, long, black, wavy hair spilled around her. She was from the Land Ordina to the south of his most northern land of Hostria. To Lidianne’s immediate right was Lothar. Lothar was the Demon lord of Zorastarta; he was scared beyond anything Kristan had seen before. Stark white hair, pale skin and mad yellow eyes, Lothar looked like the thing nightmares were made of, even though he was wearing pastel blues and greens. Next to Lothar was Nakur, Nakur was a wraith, sleek black skin, red hair and one ocean blue, one fiery orange eyes. Nakur ruled over the demons on Lochianna.

Nakur smiled at Kristan. Kristan felt himself smile back. Nakur was said to be fair and kind, but was able to be ruthless when he needed to be, and with the non-demons of Lochianna Nakur needed all the iciness he could muster.

Next to Nakur was Seth the naga from Ramadat, Seth was the second youngest demon lord, having overthrown the last lord of Ramadat only two centuries ago. Seth was shirtless save for the red beads around his neck. Kristan could see Seth’s other half, the snake part, twitching with boredom.

Lidianne rose, the black hair of hers that wasn’t put up in the ornate bun fell behind her. Her yellow eyes fell on each of the demon lords. “Lord Xeed is not with us today as you see.”

“Since when is ever?” Lothar asked in his baritone voice.

Lidianne smiled slightly, “True, but the seven of us are more than capable of running Sine without him.”

“He’s probably harassing Lord Wizard Basra again,” Mahalath said quietly.

Lidianne cleared her throat, “That is not the point,” her eyes filled with sorrow, “We are here to discuss what we are to do with the Dark Saints.”

“What?” Nakur looked at her, “What about the Dark Saints, aren’t the mortals dealing with them.”

“The fairies and the dragons have been attacked by the Dark Saints forces,” Lidianne explained, “They are coming together to fight them, but they’re power is too great for dragons, fairies and mortals alone, Cayne thinks if the demons join with the other races we might have a chance to defeat them.”

Nakur looked forward, “Are we doing this as a race or as separate lords?”

Lidianne sighed, “As separate lords. I have already told Cayne that I have no wish to go against Byakko.”

“Then I vote to fight.” Kristan wasn’t surprised, Nakur was looking for a reason to ease tension between mortals and demons on Lochianna, “I’m sorry Lidianne, but if the attacked the other two ancient races then who’s to say they won’t attack us?”

“A fair point,” she admitted.

“I won’t fight,” Seth said, “Not until my people are in danger.”

Mahalath nodded, “I agree.”

“I agree with Nakur,” Vanth said, “I have close connections to all the races of Ordina, I will protect them all.”

Lothar smiled wickedly, “Fight, I will. I haven’t seen a good battle in a long while.”   

It was three to three, all heads turned to Kristan. The blond let himself fall into a thoughtful silence. “I am still very new at this,” he admitted. “For now I will say I will not fight. If I am attacked I will join the battle.” He turned his pupilless red eyes to Lidianne. “Will you fight if attacked?”

Lidianne blinked at the question and smiled at the youngest demon lord, “Byakko is like a brother to me, I am sure that he will not attack.”

“What of the other Dark Saints?”

“Byakko will make sure that I’m left alone as long I am neutral.” Lidianne said firmly, but softly, “I’m glad that you ask such questions Lord Kristan. You will do well as a demon lord.”

She stood. “This meeting is adjourned; go in faith by brothers and sisters.”

Lothar, Nakur, and Vanth left together, agreeing to meet with the dragon kings and the fairy maesters later to discuss battle plans.

Seth slithered over to Kristan and put a hand on the younger boy’s shoulder. “Nice going,” Seth whispered excitedly, “You got yourself into Lidianne’s good book.”

“What’s that mean?”

“It means she’s going to keep an eye on you. Give you little hints here and there that don’t make since until suddenly something pops up and BAM! It all fits.”

Seth raised himself higher on his lower half, “How old are you?”

“I’m only eighteen thousand.”

“Not bad,” Seth turned to go off in another direction, “Well good luck with ruling Hostria.”

Kristan nodded to himself and continued walking out of the council room, feeling as though something important had happened, but wasn’t sure what.