Barlowe, Wayne - God's Demon

"It is late and I was resting. Why have you had me roused and brought here?" His creaky, indignant voice was muffled somewhat by interrupted rest, further indication of his having been brought to the Basilica hastily.

"You do not know?" Adramalik asked.

"No," Agares said flatly.

"You were telling ... who was it, Lord Nergar ... ?"

"Baphomeres."

"You were telling Baphomeres that you felt Lilith was better off wherever she was. That is what you said, is this not so?"

"What of it, Adramalik? She is. No one could doubt that, not even you."

"Baphomeres is one of Nergar's demons ... a lowly, covert Security functionary, actually." He saw Agares wince slightly. "As for me, it is not my place in the court of Beelzebub to judge him and his relationship with his Consort. Is it yours?"

Agares stared at the Chancellor General. He was now attentive and on guard, the gravity of the interview obvious to him. His silvered eyes glittered intensely.

"Perhaps not."

Nergar cleared his throat. "Can you tell us anything regarding the disappearance of the Consort?"

Agares looked down.

"I can only tell you what you know already, that she departed, incognito, from the Sixth Gate. No one knows where she went from there."

"Had you seen her shortly before her departure?" Adramalik asked.

"Yes."

"How did she seem?"

"She was understandably distraught. Her handmaiden had just been—"

"We know," said Adramalik without feeling. That one had gotten what she deserved. "Did you comfort the Consort?"

Agares looked at him angrily, small flames licking from his flared nostrils.

"Remember to whom you are speaking, Chancellor General. I am the Prime Minister of Dis, the capital of Hell. I resent your collective implications, I resent I your having brought me here at this time of night, and ... and I resent you."

"That is as it may be, Duke Agares, but your behavior is now an open question."

Agares looked from one demon to the other and, after a long moment, said evenly, "As Prime Minister it is my duty to look after the well-being of the Prince's interests. That includes, by my understanding, his Consort."

Adramalik considered this. "There is a difference between looking after his interests and countering whatever the Prince has implemented as his personal policy. By comforting the Consort you chose to counter his punishment of her through her handmaiden."

"The very real question for you to ponder," Nergar interjected, sounding very reasonable, "is just how is the Prince going to feel about your role in all of this? Especially now that his Consort has not been brought back to him."

"My role?" Agares sputtered. He jerked his thumb at Adramalik. "Ask him why Lilith has not been returned."

Adramalik clenched his jaw. The pain was back with teeth, and Agares' bluntness was almost too much to suffer.

"The Prince already has," said Nergar, "and the Chancellor General is paying, in his own small way, for it. It is now time for your master, through us. to turn to you."

"I have told you what little there is to say. Do I feel that Lilith is better off now? I have already said as much. Did I help her leave Dis? No. And you will never prove otherwise. Now," Agares said, rising, wavering slightly, "may I retire to my chambers?"

Adramalik stood as well; he felt fractionally better on his feet. "You may, Prime Minister, but I would not expect too much rest, if I were you. We are, after this interview, bound for the Rotunda and must deliver our conclusions to the Prince. You will be sure to hear his response before the night is over."

Agares' hand balled into a fist even as he swallowed hard. Focusing on neither of them, he turned brusquely and, without another word, strode stiffly from the room, followed by his unwelcome escort.

"What do you suppose he will do?" muttered Adramalik, looking at the Prime Minister's retreating form.

"What any demon would in his circumstances. Attempt to destroy himself." Nergar looked pleased at the prospect.

"Better Abaddon's Pit than Beelzebub's wrath, eh?"

Nergar nodded as he rose. "Well, yes, actually."

Adramalik steadied himself as another clawing wave of agony shot through his body. As he passed through the threshold on his way to his chambers, he caught sight of Nergar smirking at his obvious discomfort from the corner, but the pain was so intense he ignored him. As Adramalik lurched into the corridor, he promised himself he would not forget Nergar when the time was right.

ADAMANTINARX-UPON-THE-ACHERON