The Citizens of Sheol'gotha

The Citizens of Sheol'gotha is the twenty-seventh chapter of Tales of Sheol'gotha:  Shadow of the Abaddon.

Synopsis
As the army continues south they come across a small village at a crossroad, and with many commanders busy or injured Valon gathers a few to go with him toward Spoiler's Harbour. As they arrive they are welcomed by silence, and in the center of the bridge-town they see demons approaching upon gi'gita - great reptiles that dwarf the regular gita.

The demons atop move to meet them, speaking vampiric to the group. Valon does not understand it, but Haebin does and drives the conversation to the common tongue. The captain, Obar, explains that he was warned that a vampire was on his way and that the Harbour was to expect them. When he leaves to get the lord of the keep, the group note the captain's lack of surprise at seeing a prince outside the palace and suspect that Kaltrin had already been through.

The baron arrives before long, descending from the keep in a burst of light and arriving before them. As he arrives he signals for a number of harru to be released from their cages. They rush across the courtyard, but each is snared at the collar by one of the hooks hanging from the baron's form, and the harru are leashed to him and unable to continue their charge. Baron Deremond greets them, and Valon is quick to ask who alerted Spoiler's Harbour that a vampire was coming. Deremond describes a dozen demons coming through, led by one with white eyes and quills, and though it otherwise seems to describe Valon's half-siblings, they note that none of them bore quills.

The baron explains that the demon claimed Valon killed royal family members and is leading a rebellion, which Valon does not deny. Deremond states that he was also made aware that Valon had been touched by the gods, and at his request Valon reveals the blade in his arm. Deremond delights in it, mentioning that he is glad that the marrowfiends are still among them. When Imma reveals she doesn't know of them, Deremond explains that the marrowfiends are considered among the first children of the gods, and that the current races are descendents of them. He explains that they were able to cannibalize from the dead, making them great and terrifying combatants.

Valon asks whether Deremond can supply them with soldiers and support, but Deremond refuses, stating they are Gyn-tur'schin's warriors and it is not his decision. When asked, Valon states that they are continuing on to Adramelech and Deremond offers them the use of the bridge. Haebin requests the opportunity to speak with Deremond, and Valon agrees, turning with the others and leaving the vampire to his privacy.

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