Newly Summoned Demoness 2 - Chapter 14 – Trust (Patreon)

As the Lightbringers’ swords flashed in the dim light of the gatehouse, a chaotic reply of steel and shouts erupted from the City Guard. Every single guardsman drew his weapon without hesitation in response to the threat, drawing a series of shocked looks on the outnumbered Lightbringers.

Elania’s hand went to her own belt, making sure that her [Vorpal Dagger] was clear to draw as well.

Henri looked over his shoulder at her and Yolani, before barking an order to the guards flanking them. “Form up! Protect the Artificers!” The guards shuffled into a protective crescent around the two of them without hesitation.

The lead Lightbringer finally broke out of his shock and gestured straight for Elania, shouting another obscenity. Elania squeezed her hands and relaxed them repeatedly. It was obvious that if the guard hadn’t been present, then they’d have attempted to assault her and that she and Yolani would have had to fight. It had been long enough since she’d seen such a reaction that it seriously bothered her.

An argument broke out between him and the two gate guards manning the entry way. The Lightbringer took a single step forward.

Henri’s voice cut through, clear and commanding. “Breach!” he shouted.

The reaction was instant. The crew inside the gatehouse springing to action, pulling heavily on the two levers that controlled the portcullis. With a grating cacophony of chains and gears, the metal bars slammed down, sealing the Lightbringers inside the gatehouse.

Another half dozen guardsmen bust out of two side doors to reinforce the two men manning the entryway, all of them looking rather miffed at being called to duty.

The guards who had been trying to send the Lightbringers away moments before now spat curses, their annoyance palpable. “Damned Lightbringers!” one guard muttered, his face twisted in anger. “Now we’re stuck with them ‘til the sergeant gets here!”

The sentiment was shared by just about everyone present, their frustration clear as they muttered among themselves. “Pain in the ass to raise the portcullis,” another guard grumbled.

The enraged Lightbringer began pounding on the bars, but a guard overhead leaned over a murder hole and then doused him with a piss bucket. “Shut up, ye lot down there! Yer all gonna pay for ruining our card game!”

Elania glanced at Yolani, who met her look with a furrowed brow. The danger seemed diffused, but there was still a sense of tension in the situation. She managed to keep her voice neutral. “Henri, this won’t cause trouble for you, will it?” she asked.

“Better not,” Yolani said testily, giving the Lightbringers a sour glare.

Henri shook his head, his expression hardening. “Just following orders and protocol. That’s protecting you both, and they tried to breach the gate,” he said. His eyes remained fixed on the contained Lighbringers. “Right now, our priority is your safety and keeping them away from you.”

Yolani nodded, her hand reaching out to hold on to Elania’s arm. “Is there another way out?”

Henri shook his head. “Except in emergency, all traffic must use the primary gate, even if it’s delayed because it is blocked.”

The indignation and threats continued. “Unhand us! This is an outrage!” one of the Lightbringers shouted.

The annoyance on Henri’s face finally boiled over. “You drew weapons on the guard! There are laws here!”

The gate sergeant arrived, his presence immediately commanding attention. “Enough!” he shouted. The area fell into a hushed silence. The man looked to Henri, then nodded to Elania and Yolani. “Give them a tour around the corner for a bit.”

“Just our luck,” Yolani mumbled under her breath. Their escort sheathed their weapons, and Henri led them away.

One of the Lightbringers shouted after them. “You’ll answer for harboring a demon!”

As they headed back inside, they ran into Lieutenant Gaston on his way out. He stopped and greeted them. “Heard there was a mess.”

Henri nodded, but Elania could only frown. “Some anti-demon Lightbringers were holding up the gate when they saw me and lit off.”

Gaston grunted. “No wonder they called me down here. Didn’t bother to tell my ass what it was, though. Thought it was another riot situation.”

“If there were more of them, it would be,” Yolani said.

“Leave it to me, I’ll go sort them out,” Gaston replied, nodding them again and then heading outside.

They found a corner of the main lobby to claim while waiting. Elania sat down beside Yolani, but after a few minutes, it became clear it was going to take a while. The desire to check her smart phone hit her. Of course, she didn’t have one anymore.

Yolani glanced at her. “It’s not your fault.”

Elania frowned. Technically, it sort of was, since she’d triggered them. But Yolani’s sentiment was right about one thing: she wasn’t going to worry about the stupid Lightbringers being asshats. “Not sure how they functioned in the city if that’s their reaction. I’m not exactly the only demon around. What are they even doing in the city, anyway?”

Henri nodded. “I heard a few reports on them. There are apparently a few groups about that size that came down the line. They’ve been staying couped up in the Conclave District. They probably don’t get out much. No idea on why they’d be there.”

Yolani looked up at Henri with a smile. “Thank you, Henri. For protecting us.”

Henri gave a small nod, his demeanor still serious. “Lightbringers might not like demons, but that doesn’t give them the right to cause a scene like they did. They might be used to preferential treatment in Tiria, but they won’t receive one here.”

Yolani’s lips pressed into a thin line, a flash of indignation showing in her eyes. “Stupid zealots,” she muttered. “There’s nothing wrong with Elania.”

Henri’s agreement was immediate. “Absolutely.”

Elania swallowed and wasn’t sure what to add to the topic. The support made her feel awkward, but she was happy at least Henri and Yolani were on her side.

After what seemed an eternity, the Lightbringers were led inside wearing cuffs. Their faces were a mix of rage and humiliation, one sporting a black eye. All of them had been disarmed, and a young guardsman followed, carrying a bundle of their swords. They marched past Elania and Yolani, their shackles clinking. More than one of them offered an evil eye, but none of them spoke out.

That was probably thanks to the sergeant, who had a whip in his hand. They certainly weren’t getting the light hand treatment.

Gaston followed behind, stopping to talk to them. “That’s sorted, for now,” he said, adjusting his watch-cap. “You two should be fine to head out now.”

Elania watched the Lightbringers disappear into the lockup and couldn’t help but feel a pang of concern. “I hope this doesn’t fuel more unrest,” she commented.

Gaston didn’t seem perturbed. “We’ll handle it. The City Guard won’t let this escalate. That they are causing trouble is enough for us to go inspect the rest of them for what they’re up to.”

Yolani stood up. “Let’s get out of here.”

Elania followed suit, but Henri held up a hand.

“I’ve put in a request for two carriages for us. They’ll be here in a bit,” he said.

A frown creased her face. The artificed carriages were expensive and getting two of them seemed excessive. “I don’t—”

“It’ll be on the Guard’s dime, so no complaints. If you need to stop somewhere else before getting back, we can do that as well.” Henri’s tone was firm and seemed to brook no argument.

Yolani nodded to her, so she stood down.

Of course, that meant more waiting, but it wasn’t as long as before and when they finally climbed up into the carriage and it set out to return to the Artisan District and Artificer’s Row, Elania felt a bit of relief. She adjusted the pack and made sure it was secure on the seat beside her. She allowed herself to relax slightly.

The carriage rolled forward, the steady clatter of its wheels against the cobblestones filling the silence that settled inside the cabin. Elania gazed out the small window, watching the city streets pass by at a steady rate. It felt like another busy day had hit.

Yolani shifted in her seat and turned to face Elania with a furrowed brow. “Why didn’t you try the fully automatic fire?” she asked.

Elania’s lips turned into a frown. She’s expected the other girl to bring it up, just not so soon. “I just… didn’t feel like it was a good idea,” she admitted. She traced the cloth covered metal of the carriage seat nervously.

Yolani’s expression shifted to confusion. “But we agreed to test it. We needed to see how it worked under those conditions. I’m not sure the heatsinks will be capable of handling firing that fast.”

Elania took a deep breath to loosen the tightness in her chest. “I know what we agreed on, but… I didn’t think it was a good idea,” she repeated.

Yolani’s frown deepened. “Why didn’t you say so, then? Why agree before?”

Elania looked away. “I didn’t want to upset you. Or make you think I didn’t support you.”

Yolani crossed her arms, hurt appearing on her face. “Elania, I can’t read your mind. If you say one thing but feel another, how am I supposed to know? We’re a team. We need to trust each other enough to speak our minds.”

Elania met Yolani’s gaze, guilt and fear mixing into a bitter cocktail. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’ll try to be more honest about what I think, even if it might lead to an argument.”

Yolani reached out, her hand finding Elania’s and squeezing. “We need to be able to have those arguments, Elania. I’m pretty sure our friendship is strong enough to handle a few.”

Elania squeezed back and nodded. “Sorry. It was just… you were so excited, and I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

“Do you want to talk about why you think it’s a bad idea?” Yolani asked.

Elania looked at her. “The men who invented it… they thought it would be so dangerous that it would stop wars and conflicts. Who would ever be insane enough to wage war when one gun could kill hundreds, or one weapon could destroy a city?”

The other girl’s lips creased into a frown.

Elania looked back out the window. “They were wrong.”

Yolani remained quiet for the rest of the carriage ride.