Page 81 of Inferno
“That’s nine,” Renfold reminded them all, having kept careful count. And curse the man for discounting Yorin’s own voice as one that actually counted. “Anyone else?”
“I’ll speak for him!” A great, booming voice broke the silence, and Yorin looked up in surprise to see that it was Mr Fensworth, the man who’d spent the early part of last week in such a fuss about his daughter’s wedding. But this time, his volume was actually doing him some good for once, as he got everyone’s attention. “Nerik is a good friend of Yorin’s,” Mr Fensworth said. Ironically, until they’d been seen kissing in front of his shop, Yorin would have doubted anyone would have known Nerik was anything more than a passing acquaintance to him. “And Yorin’s as honest a lad as they come. So if Yorin thinks Nerik is one of the decent folk, then so do I.”
Baffled by the sudden vote of confidence, Yorin glanced at Gosta. Could Mr Fensworth actually be a Chalandrian? But Gosta subtly shook her head, looking as confused as Yorin was. So why on earth would a human be speaking up for a demon? Not that Yorin was unhappy about the development – just confused about it.
“You needn’t look so surprised, lad,” Mr Fensworth said, clapping his hand onto Yorin’s shoulder. “Your dad was a fine man. Up until that sad business with your mum. He’d want me to be looking out for you.”
The sudden reminder of his parents, along with the concerned look on Mr Fensworth’s face, made Yorin feel very young. He’d been looking after himself entirely since he was sixteen, and more often than not since he was twelve. It had been a long time since he’d had someone to look out for him, and only a recent realisation that he’d actually like someone to. “Thank you,” he said, feeling the words were entirely inadequate. Mr Fensworth was throwing his hat into the collective ring to save Nerik’s life, after all.
But Mr Fensworth wasn’t done. “Some folks around here think that two blokes shouldn’t be getting too friendly with each other. But I say that’s bullshite, right there. It does no one any harm, and you should have the right to live your life the way you want to. So if anybody gives you any trouble over it, you send ‘em my way and I’ll give ‘em a right talking to.”
Yorin didn’t know whether to float away on a cloud of elation or die of embarrassment right there in front of the crowd. Mr Fensworth was supporting not just his relationship with a man, but one with ademon? “I appreciate the support,” Yorin said, managing to stop his voice from cracking as he said it.
He turned to look expectantly at Renfold. “Well, that’s ten, then,” Renfold said, looking rather bemused that the required number had actually eventuated. “So I, um… I guess that means you get to stay, Nerik.”
Before either Nerik or Yorin could voice their gratitude for the decision, the crowd burst out into loud objections, with a dozen or more people shouting about the city being overrun by demons, the contamination that Nerik would bring, or the idea that Renfold had lost his mind.
Renfold tolerated the chaos for about thirty seconds, allowing people to voice their strongest objections, then he interrupted. “This is not an open invitation for demons to live in Minia,” he shouted loudly, subduing the complaints from the crowd. “Demons started this fire in the forest, and I consider them to be just as much of a threat as they ever were. Nerik is one single individual who has proved his worth, and his good intentions. Anyone causing him harm will face the full force of the law, just as you would if you harmed any human. But aside from that, there is no change to any law or policy regarding the Gate of Chalandros. Demons are to be kept out of the human world, and any that try to cross the gate will face the wrath of the army for their intrusion.”
The announcement quelled the anger of the crowd, but reaffirmed to the Chalandrians that regardless of Nerik’s efforts to save the city, little had changed with regard to the humans’ views on ‘demons’. It was disappointing, but not surprising.
“There is one more thing I’d like before we wrap this up,” Renfold said to Nerik, and it was no surprise to Yorin that there would be an extra complication thrown in. To have things as easy as they’d been so far was too good to be true. “I’d like to see you turn into a human,” Renfold said. “You said the magic should work, now that you’re not in a cage.”
Yorin froze. Gods above, if Nerik had to activate his obsidian gem right there in front of the crowd, then the identities of dozens, maybe hundreds of Chalandrians would instantly be at risk.
“If I do that, I’ll be naked,” Nerik said, taking an entirely different tack in attempting to dodge this problem.
“And if anyone objects to seeing a naked man, they can avert their eyes,” Renfold said, loudly enough that the immediate onlookers could hear him. “I want to know what I’m dealing with, and I consider your modesty a fair price to pay for the assurance that this city will be safe with you in it.”
It was an entirely rude choice to be forcing Nerik into… and yet, if all Nerik had to do was show Renfold his human form in order to be allowed to stay, it was a chance too good to pass up.
I’m going to need a convincing light show and maybe a bit of smoke to disguise what I’m actually doing,Nerik announced, over the mental link.
I’m out of magic, Kit replied immediately, looking alarmed.
I’m on it,Beetie interrupted.Thank the gods we’ve still got one functioning witch,she added, with no small helping of pride.
“Okay, but brace yourself,” Nerik said to Renfold. “This might be a bit bright.”
“You just do your part,” Renfold said sternly. “I’ll worry about me.”
“Fair enough.” Nerik began by pressing his hands together in front of his body. Then he spread them apart and started weaving an intricate pattern in the air in front of him. Yorin felt secure in assuming that the gestures themselves meant nothing and that Nerik was making it up as he went along. Right on cue, a swirling pattern of light began emanating from his hands, and Yorin glanced over at Beetie, seeing her fingers moving in small circles – just enough to work a little magic, while not drawing any attention to herself.
The display of lights got brighter, and a mist of smoke began swirling around Nerik – probably not a surprise to Renfold, given that Nerik was a ‘fire demon’.
Okay, time for the finale, Nerik prompted Beetie. A moment later, a brilliant flash of light surged out from Nerik’s hands, along with a groaning sound. Yorin winced and was forced to look away, as the light continued to get brighter and the sound louder; an excellent mask to the spell that Nerik would no doubt be muttering frantically behind the curtain of light. Then the light faded, leaving Nerik standing there, in human form, buck naked and completely unashamed about it.
Renfold slowly lowered his hand from where it was shielding his eyes. He looked Nerik up and down, trying to hide his astonishment at the transformation. To be told that the black demon was Nerik was one thing, but to see it was another thing entirely.
Renfold cleared his throat. “Right. Well.” He seemed to have nothing more to say.
“For the gods’ sake, could someone give him some clothes,” Kit complained, rolling her eyes and folding her arms. Yorin suspected that the request was more for Nerik’s comfort than for her own sensibilities, but either way, it got the desired result. One of the women rushed into a nearby cottage, returning with a shirt and trousers. Both would be too big for Nerik, but he put them on anyway, thanking the woman and promising to return them the following day.
“All right, everyone, back to work,” Renfold announced, with a decisive nod. “We still have to put out these spot fires and check on the residents in the cottages in the forest. Let’s get moving. Nerik, I think… Well, um… I suppose it’s probably best if you just go home,” he finished lamely.
“I’ll walk him home,” Yorin volunteered. “Just so you know someone’s keeping an eye on him.”
Renfold snorted. “As far as keeping him out of trouble goes, I hardly think you’re the man for the job. But I said I would let him stay, so… Well, I suppose you’re both free to go.”