Pug said, “My son has certain skills even beyond mine. As you can sense demons, he can sense the practice of magic, even to the point of understanding the spells and countering them.” He looked at his son with pride in his eyes. “It’s a rare gift.”

“It’s a poor scrying spell being used, easily defeated. But the longer I maintain the illusion that we’re talking about which books to examine tomorrow, the more likely it is someone may discover my counter-spell. So, what is it?”

Pug said, “Amirantha, I need to ask you something. We have spoken so much about what we know of demons and what we don’t know, occasionally a question gets set aside and we just forget to revisit it.

“We spent so much time speculating on what happened to Maarg at Shila, we never got back to something you wished to discuss.” Then he said quickly, “You were surprised at the demon captain Jakan seizing the Emerald Queen’s body…”

“Demonic possession is rare,” said Amirantha, also speaking softly and quickly. “And it has been limited to a particular sort of creature…I think of them as spirits or ghosts as much as the demons we face. The idea of a powerful demon lord, one of the great captains, or one of equal strength…” Amirantha shrugged. “I really don’t remember what I wanted to ask at the time. Mostly I am confused by it.”

“Why?” asked Magnus.

“It’s not typical of their behavior. Piecing together what you’ve told me, and what I learned from Gulamendis, I’m just now beginning to get a rough idea of demon society, if it can be called that. Rather, how things are done in the demon realm. It’s chaotic by our standards, yet it has its own rules and boundaries. This demon possession by a powerful, magic-using demon…it doesn’t fit in.”

He looked around, appeared frustrated. “This really is something we can’t speak of in a short time, but it’s good you brought it up. If you don’t find this one tome we’re seeking, do be alert for any other references to demon encounters or lore. It might provide us with additional insights.”

Pug nodded. “We’ll talk more when it’s safe to do so.”

They parted company and Magnus dispelled the illusion he had conjured in the counter-spell and they waited quietly in their rooms until they were summoned for supper with Jim.

The meal was sumptuous in the Quegan fashion. Four long tables were established in a square, with just enough space between the corners to allow servants to move inside the open area bringing trays of food. Each guest was free to pick that which appealed to them or wave the servant past. Behind them young men and women moved with large vessels of wine and a very light ale.