Summoned to a Shattered World

Birthright Chapter 7 - Unlikely Allies

"So, what's the ring do then?" I'd been dying to find out since Sarinknell got it, but I waited until we left Biustarn's group behind to ask.

Slipping the ring onto her index finger, Sarinknell held her hand out. "Watch." A shimmer appeared in the air before her, large enough to cover several people. "Try throwing a rock at it from the other side." I did as she suggested, the rock bounced off as if it had struck a solid wall.

"Wow." It wasn't the most exciting effect, but it would definitely be useful.

The fake Demon Lord puffed out her chest, with a smug look on her face. "And with that, we're one step closer to reclaiming my birthright."

"Is it really your birthright? Biustarn was pretty clear about the title not being yours by right."

Sarinknell sneered. "It doesn't matter what the law says."

I could only shake my head at that. She was definitely a villain, no two ways about it. Even if she didn't seem that bad most of the time. Granted, I'd only spent a couple of days with her so that "most of the time" didn't count for much.

We walked until sunset, when Sarinknell called for a rest. Everyone was too tired to have much interest in conversation and after eating some of our rations, we turned in for the night.

After the evening meal, Sarinknell walked over to me. "We'll be in enemy territory tomorrow, make sure you get some sleep. I'll need you alert."

I doubted I'd be very alert, regardless of how much sleep I got, but I nodded. Sarinknell had the bedroll she'd brought from where they were staying, where as I was left to sleep on the ground.

I'd never roughed it like this, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get much sleep. But to my surprise, I drifted off in a manner of minutes. I awoke to someone kicking me in the ribs, hard. Trying to get up, I stopped short as a spear-tip appeared at my throat.

Looking around without moving my head, I saw half a dozen armoured demons positioned around us. Three of them carried two-handed spears, while the two had crossbows, and the last had a sword on his hip. "What the hell is going on? Who are you people?"

A demon with long, curved horns and red skin turned to me; the one who hadn't drawn his weapon. "We are soldiers in the service of Lord Sarinknell." He smiled at Sarinknell, the one I knew. "And unless I'm mistaken, you're his runaway niece."

Sarinknell stood up, not paying the slightest attention to the blade levelled at her. "That's right. What do you plan to do about it?"

"I was planning on delivering you to your uncle."

The wannabe Demon Lord crossed her arms. "Well? If that's the case why we standing here talking?"

I didn't understand where she was going with that, did she want to be captured?

The leader of our captors looked around at his men. "My men and I aren't on the best terms with our lord. And let's just say he's not exactly known for gratitude either."

Sarinknell snorted. "So you want me offer you something better? Very well, march on his manor with me and I'll see that all of you are richly rewarded."

The demons looked at each other and burst out laughing. "I don't like the man, but I'm not in a hurry to die fighting against him. Nah. How about this, you turn over all your valuables and we'll pretend we never saw you."

I watched, still lying on the ground, as Sarinknell covered the ring on her finger. She took a deep breath. "I can't do that."

The red-skinned demon shrugged. "Then I guess we'll be taking you to see your uncle." Seeing Sarinknell scowling at him, he shook his head. "You can hardly blame us for this, you're the fool who decided to come back."