[HIATUS] When the Past Meets the Present

Gaining Trust

Nanashi, Merlin, "Verin", and the other knights on the massacre task force were sitting around a table. Another massacre had occurred the night before. This time a hospital had been hit. The culprit had left a message this time.

Death shall follow those who side with the wretched. No space shall remain untouched, not even the place where angels tend to the wounded.

"Now that sounds like a threat to do more of these hits." The chief night threw the papers down onto the table.

Nanashi grabbed one of the papers, "I agree, though by the wording it would discredit the politically motivated theory that Ambassador Verin and King Arthur created yesterday."

"I would say that we should throw that theory out and start on a new one." Merlin said.

"What would that be then?" One of the knights asked.

"The one that fits most here. The war theory. Whoever is doing this is an assassin from the demon clan." Verin stated.

"Why would it be the demon clan ambassador?" The chief knight asked.

Verin glared at him, "The culprit used the words 'Angels tend to the wounded' which was an old saying from the Holy War that would describe doctors and nurses that nursed wounded soldiers back to health. I read it in a book on old vernaculars."

"I didn't mean to offend you, ambassador sir. I was just wondering why it would be from the Demon clan instead of a human country." The chief knight apologized.

"If we know the identity of this assailant then we should go after them, right? I mean, it can't be that hard to find a demon in a country of humans." One of the knights asked breathlessly, opening his arms as if to shrug his arms.

Merlin looked down at the file copy in front of her, "It won't be that easy. If there is anything you can be sure of, there are only two ways we will find the identity of this demon; Either they will reveal themselves, or they will slip up and stay at the scene of a massacre long enough for us to catch them."

"What I'm getting at, Lady Merlin, is that we need to wait for more massacres before we can catch this demon. Am I correct?" Nanashi asked.

"Regrettably yes. The only way I can see the demons revealing themselves is if they take over the kingdom." Merlin sighs.

Verin stands, "I must excuse myself for the day, I apologize. I must go attend to some of my duties."

"I must go as well. I some spells I need to work on, excuse me." Merlin stands and leaves along with Verin.

Instead of turning to her lab, Merlin follows behind Verin, earning a look of distrust from the raven-haired demon. They both stop at his room/office.

"I didn't take you for the self-praising type Zeldris." Merlin emphasized his name as if to flaunt that she knew.

"I see that Orlondi told you of my arrival," Zeldris turned to look her in the eye, except this time he had his demon mark on display, "My brother speaks quite highly of you Daughter of Belialuin. Though he did mention how dangerous you could be as an enemy."

"Are you the one responsible for the massacres Zeldris?"

"I am, yes. Will you turn me in?

"No, as long as you don't kill Arthur nor harm him, I'll work with you. Though I am interested in how you became an ambassador to a country that has no ties to the underworld."

"I killed the ambassador and took his place, simple. I'm glad that you already knew that I would ask for your alliance."

"Orlondi told me about your goals, I can try to convince Gowther to join, though I can't make any promises."