Back in Aspheri - Open - (Gabriel)

Be'lakor looked around in Truesight, searching for the Prince. If he was anywhere in Aspheri, then Be'lakor would see him, and he would not escape. Be'lakor flew down to the ground, and stomped on the feather that had dropped to the ground, before he continued to butcher the Merthians.

The Prince had disappeared from the dimension, vowing to return and deal with the princess in a less honourable way. Shadow was starting to flag. The loss of blood was making her lightheaded, and soon she morphed back into her humanoid self, tiredly raising a sword.

Be'lakor leapt into the air and dropped down next to Shadow. He picked her up, not making her waste her energy, and flew her back to the castle. He called for her siblings, summoning them to the throne room while the war waged outside. Be'lakor placed her down and immediately left the room. He returned with medical supplies. "Now you must have time to recover, child."

Shadow didn't try to struggle against Be'lakor, knowing that he would easily overpower her even in a fight where she didn't feel half dead. None of her siblings appeared, occupied with the war outside. They had thrown up strong mental defenses against any dirty tricks that the enemy might try to spring on them, and none heard the call.

Be'lakor continued to prepare the supplies. He looked at Shadow, and thought for a second. "Where are you worst injuries, they shall be treated first." Be'lakor smiled at her, even in this serious time. "The prince left, i have no doubt he will return. I will stay with you, to protect you from him."

Shadow closed her eyes briefly, bringing her thoughts back under control.
"Stab wound to the right shoulder," She said quietly, her violet gaze turning to Be'lakor. She reached up a hand, tugging at the ribbon that kept her mask on, pulling the black face off. If it hadn't been for her blindside, she felt that she wouldn't have been wounded. With a look of faint disgust, she placed it next to her.

"Your the ruler of this dimension, change the rules." Be'lakor stated as he started to clean the stab wound with alcohol. "This will sting, brace yourself." Be'lakor continued cleaning out the wound of all dirt, using an alcohol soaked cloth, which he replaced after a few seconds. After the wound was clean, Be'lakor started to bandage the wound.

"I can't change that rule," Shadow said darkly. She gasped, her face contorting slightly in pain as Be'lakor started to clean out the stab wound. The demoness discreetly tried not to look. She may have been a field medic, but she had never been able to heal herself with magic, and it annoyed her.

"Who's to stop you? Its your dimension." Be'lakor stated in return, as he finished bandaging up the wound. He turned around and started to search in the container he had brought for more bandages, and more alcohol wipes.

Shadow gingerly touched the bandage, wincing slightly before looking at Be'lakor.
"It's not just a law, it's expected of the female rulers. Only one female ruler has ever refused to wear the mask, and she was killed three days later in an uprising of the people." She told the Daemon Prince, rubbing her temples.

"Its unbelievably sexist towards female rulers. If you prefer then it is fine. But nobody will be killing you, princess. Not when i'm here." Be'lakor reassured her, as he gripped the alcohol wipe. "Where?"

"No more serious blood wounds," Shadow said, carefully avoiding the subject about being killed. She had had enough experiences like that for a long time. She ripped one of her sleeves, a broken bone visible, pressing against the ivory coloured skin.
"One of the soldiers got me when Merlas fell." She explained quickly.

Be'lakor examined the wound, a grimace appearing on his face. "This is going to hurt...a lot. But the bone has been dislodged, it'll have to be put back in place." Before Shadow had time to think about the wound, Be'lakor grabbed it and popped the bone back in place, he prepared himself for her scream, quickly wrapping a bandage around her arm and attatching it to a sling.

Shadow did scream as the bone crunched back into place. She bowed her head, her eyes closed, breathing in short, rapid pants for a few moments before managing to regain her composure.
"Thank you," She said, managing a fairly weak smile. She leant her head back, her eys closed again as she concentrated against the pain still in her arm.

Be'lakor smiled at her, as he let her arm rest. "It is my duty as your protector, Princess." Be'lakor bowed down to Shadow, as a messanger entered the throne room. "Princess, the war is over, the Merthians retreated. They were lost without their ruler, and they left." The messanger had a huge grin on his face.

Shadow had grabbed her mask, holding it over her face. She nodded once at the messenger, thanking him for the message. Once he had gone, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Now we rest and wait for the next ambush." She said softly, placing the mask next to her again.

"Or we lead the next ambush. Strategically his army is now weakened, we could assassinate the prince of Merthras." Be'lakor stated, he had fought and won many wars, and he knew how such matters were resolved.

"Be'lakor, his army may be weakened, but so is the Aspherin army," Shadow pointed out. "We still need a little time to rest and recouperate." She reached down to gently rubb the ears of one of her wolf guards, who had returned to her quickly after she had been taken out of the battle.

"It does not take an army to kill one man. I am reluctant to leave you unprotected against this foe, as i would go." Be'lakor stated, thinking about the issue at hand. He took apart his Daemon Blade and rebuilt it, clearing his head.

Shadow sighed, putting her head in one hand. She was tired. Being part human had its disadvantages. The many events of the last few days, notably with ambassadors arriving, and then the events of that day had tired her out. She was finding it hard to think clearly.

Be'lakor smiled. "You should sleep. Your wolf friends will protect you. They can warn me if anything happens." Be'lakor said, standing next to the throne. "Your siblings will no doubt be returning here shortly." Be'lakor stated just loud enough for Shadow to hear him.

Shadow nodded tiredly, pulling her cloak from around her shoulders and laying it over herself. The demoness fell asleep almost immediately, her broken arm cradled safely close to herself so as not to worsen the injury.
One of her siblings appeared in the room, the archer named Vrael. He glanced at Shadow, and then at Be'lakor with a questionning look.

"I have tended to her wounds. She is tired." Be'lakor simply answered, walking over to Vrael. "Now i may get to know you and your sisters. If you wish." Be'lakor smiled at Vrael, a very warm, friendly smile.

"My brother and other sister are attending to the aftermath of the battle. They sent me to check on the princess." He said, running a critical eye over the sleeping demoness. He could tell that the major wounds had been well tended to. He looked at the Daemon Prince.
"Why do you have a wish to know myself and my siblings better?"

Be'lakor smiled more at Vrael. "You interest me. Demons living among humans as you do. It is unusual to me." Be'lakor stated bluntly, his smile was one of intrigue and general friendliness.