B4 – Chapter 2: The Demon Houses

Tristan kept flipping through the pages of the dossier Eloise’s friend had composed. A list of the different Demon Houses; their names, the locations of their owned territory, and the current house head. The house heads, of course, were Demon Lords – a designation given to a demon who had amassed power; whether political, economic, essence-weaving, or military.

To the north were the Mariclau, led by Gerard in a region of the realm called the Black Sands. A house that rose to power and prominence by their military might.

To the northeast, the Nouvax, led by Louis, in a region called Ferin – the primary agricultural powerhouse of the realm.

Note to self, Tristan thought as he tapped his fingers on the back of the small notebook, try some local cuisine while I’m here. Continuing his reading and ignoring the slight grumbling in his stomach, he flipped to the next section on the noble house list. Not for the first time since receiving the dossier, he felt disheartened at the lack of information that had been gathered. It’s all so surface level. I would imagine an information source inside the realm would be far better informed.

To the southeast was the Parslile house, led by Clova, and their territory was called Avonal. Powerful essence-weavers who had warped that part of the realm to suit their whims. From the bit of information within the pages Tristan perused, they had reshaped the landscape to create a singular, huge, mountain citadel. The inside was supposedly hollowed out. They would probably be the most powerful allies I could hope to get aligned against the Demon King. I’ve seen the difference that a mighty spell can have on a battlefield.

Directly south was the Tousles house, led by Philippe, from the region called the Crescent Lakes. The youngest of the noble houses, as the leader elected to have a more favorable view of Demonkin – treating them less like peasants and more like servants. Artisans and craftsmen plied their trade in the family’s lands, and several new styles had come to the forefront thanks to their treatment of the Demonkin. They are on the outside of the current power structure. Allying them to my cause should be easy enough given that they obviously seek disruption of the current social order…but will other noble houses work alongside them given how they wish to disrupt the social order?

To the southwest were the Alphinaud, led by Stramal, in the region called Brightmarch. Also a military power, but one that did not rely on large levies like the Mericlau to the north. Instead, they had heavily specialized military units that often worked in conjunction with the northern house. Ideally, I get both of them on my side.

He paused his reading for a moment to stare into the empty hearth opposite the chair. If I was somehow able to get all six of the Demon Houses on my side then taking out Duberceix would be easy. But if they are anything like the nobility in Bhant…then they will absolutely have grudges against each other. Flipping to the last page, he re-read the section about the northwestern noble house, the Dalphatroux, led by Debera, from the region called Khrel. The youngest of the Demon Houses in terms of longevity, and yet their rise to power was meteoric. Thankfully, Tristan knew why thanks to the nymphs and their espionage and scouting efforts. It was because the Dalphatroux had the backing of other realms, facilitated by an intrepid essence-weaver who was enabling them to directly interact with those different domains.

They probably have several connections in other Realms that would be interested in seeing the existing order toppled, and thus giving the Dalphatroux a chance to take over. Tristan knew well enough thanks to his upbringing in Bhant at court how things worked in matters of succession. Normally, the role of monarch would pass to the eldest child. However, in the absence of children, the noble houses – normally the greater ones – would vote on the next ruler.

But this wasn’t just a monarchy. This was control of an entire realm. And thus, the rules were slightly different. A vote among the Demon Houses, for sure, but they could leverage their assets to sway the vote in their favor. Ultimately, I need to just end the threat of these assassins. Duberceix is the source of the plot, and so the Demon King must fall. Just based on these brief glimpses…I would be best served trying to see to Philippe Tousles or Debera Dalphatroux ascend to Realm Protector. They would be the most open to a cordial and peaceful existence.

He looked up from his rumination on the pages as the door shook briefly before opening. Felicity ran into the room, slamming the door behind her, and ran over to Tristan; hugging him tight. Her voice trembled as she spoke in the Standard Tongue. Her voice trembled. “I…smelled another Winterbloom.”

Tristan shot up in his chair – still holding onto Felicity as he stood up and had to gently nudge her back for space to stand. “What? Where?!”

She shook her head against his chest, “I tracked the scent to the center of the capital. A huge castle.” She shuddered slightly in his grip, “It smelled…off. Like it was rotten.”

Tristan scowled, “Then your assumption seems correct. The assassins were meant to take out the bloodlines of rulers. This other Winterbloom you caught whiff of – they must be the person that Duberceix wants to use to take control and rule by proxy.” He pulled Felicity away slightly and ran a hand along the back of her head, looking at her still-shocked face. “It’ll be okay.”

Felicity’s breathing steadied a bit and she bit her lip, nodding slightly. “Mmmkay. You’re right. I just can’t let myself be seen by them at all.” She shook her head, “I’ve smelled full-blooded Winterbloom thanks to you, and half-breed as well before you chased me to the Fey Realm. I’ve never smelt something like that. The bloodline was…polluted. There was barely any Winterbloom, and it was like…rotten mint. Soapy. A nasty, non-scented soap.”

Tristan was raised and told his whole life that he half-breeds were only possible between Humans and other heritages. There was no such thing as a half-breed that is Demonkin and Elf. Unless…maybe one parent is half-breed Demonkin, and the other is half-breed Elf? Could you have a mix? It would be a very diluted bloodline if it was possible. He cupped Felicity’s chin, “How thick was the scent? Can you smell that? How…pure the blood is? Compare it to mine.”

Felicity nodded and her voice firmed up a bit, “It was thin. Really subtle. I only picked up the whiff because it stands out so bluntly.” She smiled ever-so-slightly, “It’s okay- I’m fine. I was just a bit shocked to find another Winterbloom when all of them are dead. Were dead. Except you.”

The two were interrupted and glanced sideways as Eloise entered the room and shut the door behind her. She pulled back her hood, letting her black locks fall free. Sighing, she leaned against the door. She, too, spoke in Standard Tongue. “Well, I confirmed a few details…but you look like you have something going on right now. Mind filling me in?”

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Felicity quickly informed Eloise of her discovery, and Tristan filled in his theory about how such a diluted bloodline might come about. Eloise was quiet, but nodded slightly as the duo spoke. Finally, when Tristan was done, she grimaced. “Then we know why the Venomous Rose were killing off bloodlines. Looks like your “evil genius” prediction was correct, Felicity. They killed off prominent bloodlines in ruling positions across multiple Realms, and acquired a half-breed with that bloodline to interbreed with a half-breed Demonkin, loyal to Duberceix.” She put her hand to her chin and looked down at the ground, frowning as her brow furrowed.

“I was always told that only Humans can interbreed with the other heritages. Is that untrue?” Tristan asked.

Eloise tilted her head to Tristan slightly, “Where did you hear that?”

“It was common knowledge in Bhant.”

She shook her head, “Must have been some propaganda. Any heritage can interbreed with another heritage. Even half-breeds. Makes sense that a Human-centric kingdom would want to shift the truth to meet their ends.”

“We still move forward with the plan then, yes?”

Eloise looked up and met his gaze. “Yes. Duberceix must fall. But, I can go back to the inter-realm market and send message back to some friends of mine at the Citadel. Let them know to notify other Realm Protectors that we know why some of their prominent bloodlines suddenly died off. That alone will mean the Demon Realm begins to become isolated – meaning the Demon Houses will turn on the Demon King. It gives us a better chance of allying them to our cause. But, more support than that from other realms? We need concrete proof. Such as kidnapping these half-breeds that are poised to be inserted into positions of prominence. That would be the most definite evidence.”