The god of chaos did not sound nice. Lyria gave me another odd look before pulling out yet another book from her magical library.

“Yurel Udeop is the god of chaos. Also known as the god of life or the god of gods.” She paused and looked up at me. “He is known as the progenitor god. The one who came before.” She leafed through the book quickly before stopping and flipping it around. The page started with a symbol that just looked like a plus sign in the middle of a circle with all the ends sticking out.

“That doesn’t look like any other religion symbols you showed me. It’s kind of plain.” He did seem like a really plain kind of guy though, so it did fit him. She shook her head though and spun the page back around.

“And from the chaos of nothing he molded order. There can be no life without chaos for living causes ripples throughout everything.” She flipped the book back around and pointed at another symbol that made my head spin just trying to look at it. It looked like a maze of crawling lines that wrapped around each other endlessly. She nodded as she turned the book back around.

“That is his symbol, the other symbol is the one mortals have to use since trying to inscribe his normal rune would drive most mad.” She shut the book and placed it on her lap and took a deep breath. “You say you met Chaos? When did this happen?”

I scratched at the gold rings on my arm as I though. “Couldn’t have been more than a day ago I’m guessing. Maybe two days?” the damn gold all over me was itching my scales. It’s probably because I looked ridiculous and my scales knew it. I turned back to look at Lyria but she was just staring at me. “What? Do I look that stupid?” I tried to give her the joke but she just shook her head.

“Chaos has been absent from this world for hundreds of years. The churches preach that he wanted to strip the world bare and start again so the other gods formed together and banished him to the outer realms. If you did in fact see him recently then it is an ill omen indeed. I personally do not believe he would destroy what he has created but the churches may panic.” She took her hat off and ran her hand through her hair. “I would recommend that you not tell anyone else what you have told me. This world can ill afford another crusade.” Her face looked so sad I just wanted to hug her. Instead I leaned back into my coils and got comfortable for the rest of the ride to town.

It was a city really. I could see the walls long before we pulled up to the gate. A few other wagons and carriages were waiting in a queue since it looked like every single person was being checked by a whole squad of guards. That made me a little nervous. Every single shiny armored individual I saw looked dangerous. More like knights from old stories than any kind of city guard. I had been expecting fat and undisciplined guards just waving people through if anything, not a platoon of freaking dragon hunters or something. I turned to Lyria but she didn’t seem worried about them, but she also wasn’t some kind of twenty foot long monster with a terrible accent.

Our wagons pulled up to the gate and Daryl stepped forward to greet the guards. I couldn’t hear anything from where I was but soon the first wagon was pushing its way through the gateway. Each one was stopped and eyed over before it went through but soon enough it was our turn. The looks on the guards faces were priceless, or would have been if suddenly I didn’t have all sorts of weapons pointed at my face.

“What in all the hells is that thing doing in your wagon!” the lead guard yelled at Daryl who just looks impassively back at him. I of course raised my hands in the air like any good innocent person would do. Lyria slapped my nearest arm and glared at me, so I lowered it slowly and shrugged. She turned her glare onto the guard who stopped us and stepped up to the side of the wagon.

“What is the meaning of stopping us like this?” She stood up straight and proud and for a moment she could have been years more than what she had actually lived. The effect was ruined when one of the other guards snickered and the one in front turned red.

“Listen little girl, it is my job to make sure nothing dangerous gets into the city. That… Thing you have with you is obviously dangerous. Where in the hells are your parents?” He still had his sword out and pointed at me and I don’t think Lyria like that. Or maybe it was what he said.

Lyria stepped down lightly from the wagon, standing right in front of the drawn weapon and practically melted the guard with her eyes. “I am Magister Lyria, Sworn Blade of the People, Master of the Classical Elements. Who are you sir to question me?” I’ll be honest, even I was impressed with the way she snapped out each word. It was like listening to a drill sergeant breaking in a recruit. The guard took the full force of her words and personality to the face and just gawked at her. That seemed like the wrong move as Lyria seemed to get pissed. Like actual pissed. Runes I hadn’t seen blazed to life in the air around her, sparking and flaming. “Either get out of our way or bring someone more intelligent here immediately.”

The other guards seemed to realize one of their own was about to get toasted and it seemed at least someone in there had a brain. One took off from the group while hands shot out and pulled the armed guard in front of us away. Lyria just glared at them all as they slowly put their weapons away and stood… well guard, and waited. She turned around and hopped back into the wagon with me.

“It looks like we will have to wait here until they decide we are no danger.” She sat down primly and looked for all the world like a proper noble lady but I distinctly heard her muttered “little girl indeed.” I chuckled and patted her on the back as I slithered around to get more comfortable.

“Hard to get respect at your age I assume?” I asked once I got settled. She turned her head to me and I couldn’t read her expression.

“Yes and no. Most people only respect power, for obvious reasons.” I had to nod at that. With a world where people like me could exist, and actual demons, power and strength were probably the only things that kept cities together. “There is also the might of families. Respect can be earned by just having the correct family name. People who live just off of what their family can claim though are scum and do not deserve to even speak in polite company.” Her face took on a decidedly angry look and I chose to not ask any questions. Better to keep my skin on me and not made into boots.

“Sooo… I’m gonna guess the titles you threw out are something you have earned and they convey some form of… something?” I scratched my neck flare and thought about it. She nodded but didn’t say anything so I continued. “Proof of power right? Like you didn’t give yourself those names but someone in power did?” she nodded again and I nodded with her. It was pretty basic. “You seem pretty young to have been titled by anyone.” At her scowl I held my hands up. “Hey I’ve seen your power. You are really terrifying.” I chuckled nervously as she continued to scowl at me. Thankfully we were interrupted before she could tan my hide. Literally.

A new man rode out of the gate and towards our wagon. I had to look twice and then a third time. And I still didn’t really understand what I was seeing. “Is that man riding a bug?” I nudged Lyria and gestured at the new guard. She looked over and smiled slightly before standing up.

“That is a mantis. They are feared mounts only ridable by knights of certain status since most others would just get cut apart if they got too close.” She held her hand out to me and I realized she was expected me to help her out of the damn wagon like some sort of footman for a noble. I grumbled as I slithered out myself and took her hand. She stepped to the ground lightly and I bowed in a wildly ridiculous manor along with a “Milady.” In the snootiest voice I could manage. Her eyes narrowed at me but she walked forward anyway as the knight reigned in his…steed?

“I see the lady Lyria has returned.” The man stepped down from the mantis and pulled his helmet off. He was human as it seemed everyone but I was. Blonde hair and blue eyes he was the picture of a dashing knight or prince. He smiled down at Lyria as he gave her a little bow. “Were you successful in your hunt?”

Lyria stepped in front of him and shook her head. “No, they started a fire in the forest and it raged out of control. We could not afford to ride on with it burning down. I forced an emergency stop so that I may deal with the fire.” She winced slightly, probably remembering how she put said fire out. “It looked like the poachers or brigands were moving towards the border. I very much doubt we will catch up to them before they cross over.” While she had been talking, the man had been taking very obvious glances at me. I just smiled back at him.

“My lady, I do not believe I have been introduced to your companion here.” The night finally said after she had finished. She blinked up at him and then looked between us quickly.

“Oh, yes. Sir Bryant please meet Sseziah Tharo. Sseziah, this is Sir Pennard Bryant, Shield of the People, third of his line.” The knight surprised me by holding out a hand to shake, which I did. Lyria looked on with a small knowing smile.

“I have not seen your kind before Kin Tharo. You are very interesting, and to be traveling with Lady Lyria as well.” He gave a wide grin. “I would love to hear your story.”

I looked at him with a tilted head. “Not going to ask if I am a demon of some form?” It was the obvious question but the knight just let out a chuckle.

“Of course not. You would not be traveling with a magister if you were a demon unchained. As a knight of my station though I can always sense foul and demonic presences.” He waved a hand around gesturing to everyone. “There is no taint to be felt anywhere that I can reach.”

“That’s a rather useful ability. I’m going to assume that these guards here can’t do the same trick.” I pointed at the shitty guard and his group but Sir Bryant shook his head.

“Of course not. They barely have the ability to check their own armor. How would they ever know the signs of a taint except by sight.” He brushed away the question and then looked around. “I would guess that is the reason I am here. They did not trust the Lady Lyria’s word, a magister, and held you from entering.” He sighed as he looked down at her. “It would be a sad day indeed to see what kind of creature could coerce you into being its puppet. That kind of strength would be terrifying.” He paused as he looked away.

Lyria cleared her throat and put a hand on Sir Bryant’s arm. “I would like to take Sseziah here and have him tested for a card since he does not have one. I think it would do much to put many people’s fears to rest about him since we both know he is no demon.” She tilted her head towards the guards and after a moment the knight nodded.

“Yes, that would be very wise indeed. No card you say? How odd. I am sure there is a reason of course but we can discuss that afterwards eh?” he grinned at Lyria and then at me before clapping his hands together and moving back to his mount. “Well let’s get to it then shall we? No time like the present. I will act as escort so there shouldn’t be any problems.” He mounted up and slapped his helmet back over his head. Lyria pushed against my arm and got me moving back towards the wagon.

“Thank you very much Sir Bryant. I do not thing we will have any problems at all with you here.” Lyria said very happily as I helped her back into the wagon. I felt like a damn footman as I slid my body back up beside her. Sir Bryant waved back to us before gesturing the guards out of the way as he started moving through the gate with us in tow.