He was about to ask which situation—the need to scout the demon site once more, her elevation to high office, or them finding themselves together—but in a rare attack of wisdom he said, “Really?” in as neutral a way as he could imagine.

“You find that surprising?” she asked accusingly.

He tried to remain even-toned. “I don’t find it surprising you’ve thought about things, but rather that you’d speak to me of it.”

“Really?” she echoed, her tone very confrontational.

He knew he was rapidly losing any hope of a civil conversation. In the time they had spent together he had found her a perplexing combination of a keen intellect and a tendency to impulsive behavior that bordered on the reckless. Her order taught a quick evaluation was necessary in determining which side of a conflict to come down on, but it seemed to have had the collateral effect of denuding her of the ability to take a moment and consider. He just nodded.

“I have been known to give consideration to weighty matters,” she said, her eyes narrowing and her tone rising. “I only came to speak with you because despite the horrible excuse for a man you’ve become, you still know more of demon lore than anyone I’ve met. Besides, Magnus told me of your discovery in Queg and I need to know what you uncovered about the demons we face.”

Amirantha studied her face for a moment, unsure of exactly what she expected of him; he decided his best course was to take what she said at face value. “Do you want to know what we’ve uncovered about demons in general or specifically what we think about the bunch we’re going to go face down in Kesh?”

“I’ve seen the ones we’re facing in Kesh personally, remember,” she retorted with her eyes narrowing in anger. “Brandos says you and the elf have come up with all manner of new things about demons and you’re barely able to contain yourselves you’re so giddy from it.”

Amirantha looked pained at the thought of being portrayed as “giddy.” “Brandos tends to colorful characterization at times. In any event, what we’ve found is, if accurate, a completely different perspective on what is known as the ‘Fifth Circle’ of Hell.

“Demon summoners like Gulamendis and myself are self-taught for the most part, and occasionally we meet others with whom we can share what we know. In Queg I found a…for lack of a better word, a book, but it’s more than that. It’s a comprehensive examination of the Fifth Circle. The author was often viewed as a madman, and the work was thought a fabrication to perhaps thrill a rich patron or terrify the gullible, but both Gulamendis and myself find the work credible.”