They arrive at the palace, and Adaly is nervous about the male elf. He either is the elf from the auction, or her father. In both cases this means trouble. Her father would put himself awfully exposed, so she tries to convince herself that it isn’t him.
They get escorted to the big hall where they also had their negotiations before. She takes a few breaths before they open the door. Adaly is already activating her soul sight. When the door opens, she sees the same nobles as before, a few additional guards and the king. Next to him are two strangers, one human woman and… the soul sight overwhelms her, it looks like a big gaping hole in the universe. Sickly yellow eyes, radiating hate, power, sin, everything she expected her father to be. She deactivates her soul sight and just sees a middle-aged elf.
He is a tall man, strong stance, muscled, but not excessive, which are covered by nice black robes, black hair, a stern but gorgeous face. He does still have the sickly yellow eyes, but Adaly can understand why woman fall for this shape.
Adaly keeps her eyes on Ilhoketh, not even acknowledging the king “Hello adventures…” the king starts but Adaly just walks firmly to the table, goes to stand across from Ilhoketh “Hello all, I have not properly introduced myself before, so I think that is long overdue. I am Adaly As-Gorathial, also known as Itaniel, daughter of Eleshra and Ilhoketh. My father being lord of the citadel, leader of the dawnless night, arch devil in the 6th layer of hell…”
Adaly suddenly gets telepathically a message ‘I don’t know what your game is, but I would advise against revealing my true nature here, darling. It would be such a shame if I had to kill everybody in this room don’t you agree?’ Adaly keeps eye contact with her father but changes what she wanted to say so just continues “Now I have always rejected my heritage, but I thought it would be good to spell out who I am for these people, who I have never met in my life.”
Ilhoketh smiles wickedly, while the king replies “Ombralin has offered to help us with the warlock issue. He has told us that his daughter got mixed up with our nobles’ children, but she is not a warlock, and he wants to rescue her. You did mention you knew Adaly…” Adaly keeps staring at Ilhoketh while subtly messaging Damon ‘He is a devil, the daughter he speaks off is the devil giving out the warlock contracts. Get out, now’ A hesitation in Damon is audible ‘Fuck…’
“Just a misunderstanding your majesty… I think we can clear this up in private, if you allow us.” Ilhoketh asks the king, and he nods in agreement. “Shall we?” Ilhoketh says while walking towards a different door and Adaly nods before sending a quiet message to Livia ‘Don’t join us… this is Ilhoketh, he should not learn your identity’ ‘But… I…. Shit’, Livia replies while Adaly walks towards the door.
The rest of the party except Livia join, just as the female wizard Ilhoketh brought. The female wizard sits down while Adaly closes the door and says to Ilhoketh “Hello father” and he wickedly smiles “Hello daughter… and her friends. Us meeting has been long overdue don’t you agree?”
Adaly swallows but keeps looking at him, feeling nervous but keep standing strong “Indeed… what brings you here, father?” he chuckles “Well Es-Grenalieth is doing something outside of my orders, we cannot have that can we… But when I learned you were involved as well, I couldn’t resist the chance to meet the famous Itaniel.” She thinks for a second, she is fully aware how powerful he is, even though this is just an avatar. She needs to thread with care.
Adaly crosses her arms “I was under the impression she was gathering the crest for you father. Hence me working with her.” Ilhoketh laughs and says sarcastically “You are working with her… That is why you are starting a war with her warlocks?” Adaly paces a bit around “Well she hurt one of my allies, I cannot tolerate that kind of behavior. But yes, I am working with her. We went to her this morning and discussed some terms so she can still get the crest, but she will lose her minions. We are actually here to postpone the attack. Now who is this woman?” Adaly asks pointing to the female wizard.
“Oh of course, where are my manors. This is Allissa, she summoned me here” Ilhoketh drops a spell, and she can see the lady being pregnant. Ilhoketh smiles “She has made an agreement with me, for each hour she keeps me summoned here, she will get a month longer with her son…” the lady says “Sorry”, but Adaly starts laughing “You are trying to create a second Itaniel?”
Ilhoketh’s face is serious, and he goes on “So, I understand you want the gift.” Adaly narrows her eyes “Maybe we should kick the paladin out before we start discussing that” Ilhoketh nods and Adaly sends a quiet message to Sam ‘Go and get Livia out of here… go to the safe house, we shall meet you there.’ ‘Adaly… he… I can help’ Sam reacts almost pleading.
Adaly looks at Sam showing her she means it before sending a message ‘He has not noticed Livia yet, but she is in grave danger, get her out… now’ Sam nods ‘I… I will. I love you, stay safe’. And he starts leaving. Amara gives a nod to Gevaudan who also leaves. Leaving Adaly and Amara alone with her father and his summoner.
She closes her eyes for two seconds, letting out a big breath, before shifting her focus to her father, trying not to show him how desperately she wanted Sam to leave.
Adaly smiles wickedly and walks closer “Of course I want the gift… Why do you think I am working with Es-Grenalieth? I was hoping to get your attention. I deserve it.” She slaps the table and Ilhoketh laughs “You have resisted me your entire live… Why do you think you deserve it?”
Adaly shifts her face to look serious at him, strong no nonsense “I have seen your pathetic excuse for children. The ‘elite’ of them getting defeated by us in no time… you need me. Next to that father I have never been against you… but I would like to survive. You have been sending devils to collect me, devils who would love the honor of killing Itaniel. I had no choice but to run”.
Ilhoketh looks her over and smiles “I don’t even slightly believe you, but let’s put this up to the test, shall we…? You help me now, punishing Es-Grenalieth for her transgression. We will collect the crest together and you come to the citadel with the crest before the 10th of Coldnight and the power is yours.”
Ilhoketh grabs a piece of paper and draws a teleportation circle on it. “This is the teleportation circle too my home…. Come to the 6th hell, and you can teleport directly to me.” Adaly looks Ilhoketh over and considers this. It sounds too easy, but she needs to protect the mission, he cannot figure out their actual plan. “Agreed” Adaly sticks out her hand and he shakes it. Afterward she grabs the paper and puts it in her notebook.
He broadly smiles “Now shall we plan our attack” Adaly nods in agreement and leaves the room. She is happy to see the rest of her party left, is disappointed that Damon is still here, but sees the king left.
“Our apologizes the king had to leave for important family matters, now I hope everything is cleared up?” Oliver asks, clearly nervous. Adaly nods “Yes, let’s focus on the devil in Avario manor. I have reason to believe she is present herself, which complicates matters however we and Ombralin will focus on her. Hopefully keeping you out of harm’s way” Ilhoketh nods “The four of us will teleport in once the attack starts. We attack inside out, while you attack outside in”
Damon and Oliver nod their heads, clearly nervous, but they plan how to take back the nobles’ home from infernal forces.
Stories of my brain 