Owlriel

Devouring Light

“I can ensure you’re not there for that. I’ll have someone come in before me, and escort you away,” Asran said. He knew that there was a chance she might get too attached to some of the convicts. Those were the ones he’d devour first. He didn’t want them trying to steal Ayrie away from him, or blind her by their lies. Or have her plead with him to release them as that was just not happening.

Devouring Light

Asran thought about it a bit more. “Then maybe this isn’t the job for you. After all I’m gonna need to devour them sooner than the festival. So I won’t go insane with hunger. I can’t last more than a month with ought eating. If you stood in my way I couldn’t guarantee your safety,” Asran said. He looked apologetic at Ayrie for his nature. It was not something that could be helped. “Your job is confession, and last rights. Not stopping me from eating Ayrie,” he said.

Devouring Light

“I actually have two for you to pick from. One is giving confession to prisoners before I eat them. The other is working with Nadia as her assistant. Both come with their own problems. The confession is well you’re pretty much giving them last rights before they die. While the other you need to have a firm grasp on magic. Along with able to run various errands around the city,” Asran said with a shrug. Then paused for a moment as he thought a bit more. “Well technically that only leaves one job that you can do. Which is working with prisoners. Not great I know, but it’s all I could really think of.”

He crossed his arms then looked to Ayrie. “It’s a job I trust you with. Meaning I trust you not to poison me. Something I’m not going to be giving to those damned priests. I would sooner kill them, and throw them into the gulf.”

Devouring Light

“Indeed, I’m pretty sure he’d go nuts. When his shielding goes so too does his cognitive thinking skills. Meaning that only demons would be safe. It’s an intense chore to restrain him,” Malcolm said.

He then lead Ayrie to around the temple, to a smaller offshoot part of the building. They went through an office with a large desk with three people working behind it. “This way,” he said. Some of the workers looked at Malcolm and Ayrie for a second before continuing their work. Malcolm took them to a back office that said Mayor. Most people knew Asran simply as the mayor no actual name. When Malcolm lead Ayrie in they saw Asran leaned against the wall behind his desk. He was looking down at two folders. Asran looked up at Ayrie, and smiled at her happily. “Hey, How is it going? I see the priests are here,” he said simply.

Devouring Light

Malcolm backed up a step, and covered his nose with a handkerchief. “Ugh, the holy power on that is absolutely noxious. Much stronger than the last time I saw it. Shatter it, and throw the pieces into a fire. That’s the best way to get rid of it. Hurry before we meet with Asran in his current state such a powerful symbol may shatter his recovering shielding.”

Devouring Light

The imps followed after Ayrie keeping at a safe distance. Though two remained to watch the priests. Waiting for the second they tried hurting Asran to kill them both.
Malcolm met Ayrie a block away from her home. “Ah Ayrie good morning, Asran is waiting at city hall. It’s also an offshoot of the main temple. I guess you could call the main temple city hall. Let me guide you there,” he said smiling.

Asran was in his office at city hall. He was working on documents looking for the perfect job for Ayrie. He was debating between someone that offered confession to prisoners, and sacrifices. Or a job with Nadia helping teach the children. He rubbed at his chin looking at the two different jobs, and then shrugged. Figuring he’d let Ayrie decide.

Devouring Light

The imps showed Asran with the crystal eye how the priestess treated Ayrie. “Clever girl,” he said. As her lies all stemmed with seeds of truth as all good lies should. “Is she sure she’s not part Devil,” he asked himself. Then drank some wine, and ate some soup.

When he saw her forced to sit on the floor to eat he became angered. How dare those lowly peasants treat his Ayrie like that! They should be the ones eating on the floor not her. He couldn’t stop his hand from flexing to the point he shattered his wine glass. He cursed as his hands dripped with wine with glass shards all over the table. His butler handed him a towel smirking at seeing how flustered Asran got at seeing Ayrie being treated in such a fashion. “Thanks,” he said cleaning up. “Not a problem sir. Though do keep in mind Ayrie is a big girl she can handle herself just fine,” the butler said. “Yeah I know Malcolm, but it’s very difficult all the same.” Asran sighed as he finished cleaning his hand. Then passed the towel over for Malcolm to finish the rest.

After getting a new wine glass, and a fresh bowl of food Asran finished his meal. Then popped off to bed with his imps still watching over Ayrie protecting her, but their hatred had been moved onto the priests. As they treated their masters guest with such impudence. They’d find a way in, and then they’d slit their throats. This time Asran would certainly reward them versus getting angry at their thoughts.

Devouring Light

The imps has attempted to follow only to be repelled by a holy symbol on the building. The priests had put it back up stopping them from crossing the threshold. One of them quickly departed to alert Asran of the priests arrival. Along with what they could hear as Ayrie being in trouble.

Asran had arrived at his home without issue. It wasn’t big or grand like his temples. By comparison it was simple a one story house overlooking the bay. His butler was making some soup for him while he took a much needed shower. He was completely enraptured by the warmth of the water as it sprayed down his shoulders, and back. When an imp showed up unannounced and spoke he let out a very unmanly yelp. Making the imp giggle with amusement.

Only to irritate the demon lord making the imp stop as Asran glowered at them. “what the hell do you want? Speak before I devour you whole,” he commanded. The imp cleared his throat nervously. The priests have arrived during the festival we think. That priestess,” the imp snarled a little still not liking her. “Is in a considerable amount of trouble.” Asran sighed deeply rubbing at his chin then shook his head deeply. “Continue monitoring the situation, if they try to bring her harm alert me immediately. Take one of the crystals in my office desk,” he said. Then went back to cleansing himself of the elixir’s residue.

Devouring Light

Asran looked back at her, and smiled faintly. He liked how she was so unselfish to consider other people. Before thinking of being escorted home. Then again that was more his desire to do it than anything else. “Yeah, I’ll go deliver it. Thanks,” he said. Then walked off back to the temple going back through the hidden exit, and signaling to a now exhausted Markus. Who helped him disguise his presence, and flawlessly switch the illusion Asran for the real one.

He stood up in his demon form summoning the attention of everyone there. They’d turned to him with faces of admiration loving how they were being rewarded for staying while so many left to go home. “With this joyous hour over so too does. My citizens, and family I bid thee to enjoy your full bellies, and souls as you dream of all your deepest desires. Given they aren’t perverse, cause I mean come on. I may be great at making dreams come true, but I’m no miracle worker.” A few people laughed at his joke. “But, in all seriousness. Go home, be with the people you care about. Who care deeply about you, and enjoy yourselves. Good night,” with that Asran waved to them all before returning inside followed by his priests bowing slightly to him as he passed.

Once inside he was swarmed by everyone checking him over. Casting healing magic, and prodding at his body. They ignored him as he shifted back into human form. Then started lightly smacking hands away with a swatting of his hands. “Will you please STOP THAT,” he said as he’d become very irate. He knew that they cared about them. But, it was more of making sure their leader was okay then a friend. Save for Nadia who just smiled at him kindly as he ighed deeply. “I’m going home,” he said walking away. Ignoring the many protests. “Also Markus catch,” He said lightly tossing a bottle to him. Markus caught it, and smiled seeing it was a mana potion he chugged it down. “Thanks,” Markus said earning a smile from Asran. Then he left out the back way trying to head home. Despite the now massive crowds of people leaving. He swore he got passed around more than a ball during a game.

Devouring Light

Asran nodded, and then motioned for Ayrie to follow. He lead them through the back exit of the temple. The streets were quieting down considerably now that the festival was almost completely over. When they approached a large crowd Asran took Ayrie gently by the hand guiding her through. The people looked a little disturbed, and that was when he realized he hadn’t given the closing speech. “Shit,” he said low under his breath. “Forgot the speech, because of course I did.”