View source for BW XXVII - Hintzu

Both colossal baboon heads turn in unison and fix their red, unblinking, eyes on the man quivering beneath the giant bulk of the Demon Prince.  It’s deep, staccato bark fills the void between them with a primeval noise, which (strangely) Hintzu understands, “So, you have the plan that will bring me close to Inwe and relieve the Prime of the impudent daughter of the Samurai?” 

“I have, Lord,” the dark humanoid shape, not tall enough to reach the Demon’s knee, trembles at the sight and sound of the great beast; involuntarily taking a pace backwards, his movement is arrested by a seemingly disembodied giant tentacle that emerges from the darkness behind him. 

Stretching its lizard-like legs, the Demon raises itself to full height, “Well?” it barks.

Trembling uncontrollably, the assassin struggles to form a coherent reply, “My Lord,” he stammers, “it appears that the girl knows of your intended assault on Nega and wishes to buy herself time by moving her forces to Ochi.”  The oriental pauses, as much to collect himself as to have dramatic effect, before continuing, “She seems to have something that your enemy seeks – a shard of the Stone.”

“And what of Inwe?” bellows the Demon.

“Well my Lord, we understand that Inwe has the girl’s father, Yagatamo…”, Itsuki stammers.

“So?” despite the irritation being clear enough in its voice, the Demon reinforces his frustration by enclosing the assassin in one of its tentacles and begins to squeeze.

“I…I…believe we could convince Yishmay to undertake a rescue mission, removing her from her protective forces and bringing her and Inwe together to a place where you could ensnare both,” comes the gasping response as the terrified oriental struggles to free himself.

“Ahh, not bad…And how would you convince Yishmay to undertake such a hazardous mission? How would you get Inwe to bring her prize out of her lair?” asked the Demon, not unreasonably. 

Still bound but slightly reassured by the Demon’s more conspiratorial tone, “I have people within Yishmay’s command who would be able to sway her – they were once very loyal to her Father – and my position with Inwe should bear fruit if you were to allow me to make her a promise.”

Smiling now, enjoying the discomfort of his victim and the development of another evil plot, the Demon lifts the assassin higher up to look into his eyes before asking, “And what would that be? The last I heard was that you double crossed her and brought me what you thought was Yishmay.”

Realising its futility, the man gives up struggling against the tentacle’s grip and replies, “Yes, but she does not know that the woman you have is not Yishmay; therefore, I will tell Inwe that I will risk my life to double-cross you and bring her the girl, provided we can arrange a swap: Yishmay for her Father.” 

“Would she give him up for the daughter?” the Demon asks disbelievingly. 

“Oh yes, he is merely the bargaining chip; Inwe needs to remove the ‘Bloom’ from the Prime so that she can supplant her with one of her own – a half-elf female.”

Lowering the man and unravelling the tentacle, the Demon considers the proposal, “Who is this half-elf?” it asks. 

“Ellerienne” comes the breathless reply as the oriental falls to his knees and attempts to compose himself, “through her love of one that Inwe has already corrupted, she has become Inwe’s puppet.” 

Pacing and appearing to consider the merits of the option, the Demon seems to question his own memory, “This Ellerienne, is she the one that mistakenly came to my realm? The same elf that stirs Yeanoghu’s loins?” 

Remaining bowed, Itsuki confirms the Demon’s thoughts, “I believe so, my Lord…” 

“Who is it that Inwe has corrupted, that holds such dominion over the she-elf?” Demogorgon asks as if he were about to drop the final piece into a complex puzzle. 

Slowly standing but with head bowed as he expects to be struck down, the assassin answers deliberately, “Mercantire Carass, a Sylvan elf, and a warrior of some renown amongst the peoples of the Prime.  It seems that his desire to wield the Sword brought him to the Drow Queen’s attention.”  

Itsuki sees the danger too late, “Why would Inwe not send her warrior to the swap?  What would she have to gain by attending in person?” the Demon barks, again clutching the oriental in its vast tentacle.

“I would insist,” comes the weak reply, “her warrior might be at the exchange, but I would insist that it is with Inwe, not her pet, that I have a deal.  My Lord, you have nothing to lose, except a useless half-elf witch.”

“And a miserable assassin”, Demogorgan muses, smiling through bared teeth, “but all I gain is the father of another useless human, should we manage to kill off the Drow Queen and her warrior henchman… What makes you so sure that having Yishmay’s Father would bring her to me? Is your influence of her companions so strong?”

Again having difficulty breathing, Itsuki attempts to appear confident, “I believe it is, sama; given a suitable opportunity, she would attempt to free him from your grasp and you could spring the trap.”

“As you say I have nothing to lose,” the Demon smiles, “but your life depends on the success of this venture.  Do not let me down again, Itsuki!”

Demogorgon lowers the assassin and lets him go, “Bring me Malevol and Grun, we need to change the movement of the Army towards Ochi, do we not?  I’m sure that heap of Lemure’s entrails, Orcus, will wish to meet us there – particularly if the girl does, indeed, have part of the Stone.”