Valon's First Lady

Valon's First Lady is the twenty-sixth chapter of Tales of Sheol'gotha:  Shadow of the Abaddon.

Synopsis
Palus laments not being able to fully converse with Calliste about what Valon instructed him to, and takes in the great hall of Flagstone as he recognizes that it is starkly different to how it had been. As Valon arrives he notes that the room should have been empty, which Palus apologizes for, but explains that witnesses are a necessity. Despite Palus' suggestions, Valon is still intent to leave that night. He directs Soltas to finding them a trailrunner.

Turning his attention to Calliste, he finds that before she was Lady Surtur she was Lady Ierra, and her family has long since been dismantled. She is ready to take command over the keep on his behalf, but when Valon mentions keeping the other demonesses in place there is outcry until Haebin silences them by informing them that Valon would not do so lightly. Valon explains that so long as the lords nearby have reason to fear Flagstone they will not attack it, but as soon as they see it is weak they will destroy it, and he needs Flagstone as it is.

Calliste is initially reluctant to agree but does so, even agreeing to assist against Nazrin, when Valon promises that he will not allow the same sorts of beasts to frequent the night as Abaddon did with Surtur. Such a promise is well-received by the demonesses, and when asked how he intends on keeping order Valon admits that he will use blood pacts. While initially laughed at, Valon states that he knows deeper magic of the pacts from an artifact he touched in Nazrin, and that he knows runic components to the spell long forgotten by arcanists. Haebin is quick to investigate, corroborating the claim and revealing some knowledge of the runes himself. Valon admits that he was taught the same as everyone else but had greater aptitude, which he hid, likely at Sharess' insistence.

Palus suggests they move on and Valon agrees, carving the design into his left hand with his right fingerip, and offers the bloody hand to Calliste. She takes it hesitantly and nothing happens until Valon states the terms of their agreement and makes her swear herself to his service, at which point there is a reaction. As he retrieves his hand, the same design is etched on her hand. Content that they are done, and ready to continue his campaign, Valon leaves and Palus says his goodbyes to Calliste.

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