Love and War: Male Reader (DMC Vergil) x Raven Branwen

Chapter X: A Matter of Family

Yang wasn't quite sure how she'd ended up there, standing at (F/N)'s left at the head of the council table, the seven sins gathered round it. She wasn't quite sure what she was supposed to do or say, if she was supposed to say anything at all. To say she felt like she didn't belong would be an understatement. These were the leaders of The Family of Sins. (F/N)'s generals and heads of his territories. She wasn't supposed to be there. And it was obvious she wasn't the only one who thought so.

"Would someone please explain to me this girl's presence." Lucian asked arrogantly.

"Her presence is none of your concern." (F/N) said firmly. "I would remind you that she is here under my invitation. As are all of you."

Lucian scowled but raised no more objections.

"Now, if there are no more interruptions, we may begin." (F/N) said. "Firstly, I want to thank all of you for keeping The Family in order during my absence, and for confining the knowledge of this incident amongst only those of us present. As for the identity of the assassins, and how they managed to sneak past our security, I want you to forget about it."

Sounds of protest immediately rose from the sins. Questions as to how (F/N) could care so little about this breach in their security.

"Silence!" Lucian bellowed. "If it is The Dark Slayer's wish that we do not concern ourselves with this matter, then it is our duty to do as he says."

"Thank you, Lucian." (F/N) nodded. "I know that you are all no doubt outraged at this severe act against us, and rest assured that I am taking measures to discover who is behind this plot. But for now, we have more pressing concerns. Raven is on the move."

The atmosphere in the room immediately changed. Everyone, including Yang, stood a little taller at the mention of Raven Branwen's name.

"Do you have any idea what she's up to?" Alastair asked.

"Only a hazy image. A puzzle that I am still in the process of assembling."

"Is that..." Yang began, but when all eyes were cast upon her, she fell silent.

"Go on, child." (F/N) encouraged. "You have as much a right to speak as anyone else in this room."

Still hesitant, Yang put forth her question.

"Is that where you go when you disappear from the camp?" She asked. "Tracking my mom?"

"Amongst other things." He nodded.

"You said she's on the move." Levi said. "What do you mean?"

"Recently the Branwen Tribe has been getting bolder. More daring. In the past they've kept their distance, steering clear of my territories and the villages under my banner. But in the past months, they've been growing closer. Expanding at an alarming rate. I have no doubt that they will come into contact with our western border within the next few weeks."

"But they wouldn't dare encroach upon our lands, would they?" Bezalel asked. "They know what that would lead to."

"I'm not sure." Celine said. "Normally I would say no, but my scouts have reported increased scuffles with the Branwen tribe in neutral territory. And as Mason can attest, the frequency of their raids along our trade routes have also increased."

"Raven is a fearsome warrior." Alastair said. "And a tactical genius. She wouldn't act unless she was sure she had the upper hand."

"Which begs the question," Balthazar said, "what's changed?"

Everyone turned their gaze to the head of the table where stood (F/N).

"What's changed is inconsequential." The Head of the Demons said. "What we know is that she's coming. She's already mobilized her forces and I refuse to allow her to cross into our borders."