“Farm hands aren't known for being the brightest bunch, maybe they–”
A sharp howl pierced through the air, stopping the demons in their tracks.
“Fuck, they've got wolves?” Lephas grated. “What kind of farm is this?!”
“Quickly, we need to–” Raxx began, but trailed off as his dark eyes focussed on something over Lephas's shoulder.
The commander whipped around. Stood before them was a large and very familiar silver wolf.
“Karn?” He gaped. The wolf pricked his ears at the sound of his name and Lephas pulled his snood down to reveal his face.
The large wolf barrelled towards them with his thick, fluffy tail curled happily over his back. He knockedLephas off his feet easily, tussling with him in the snow.
“Hey lad!” The demon laughed, scratching and petting his wolf affectionately. “I'm so glad to see you. Where have you been?”
“Incoming!” Raxx hissed, his visage fading back in readiness for a fight.
Lephas pushed the wolf off roughly and sprang to his feet. His hand gripped around his sword.
A large male skidded around the corner, sword already in hand. Lephas gritted his teeth.
“Fuck me!” the male exclaimed and pulled his own snood down from his face.
“Oriel?” Lephas shouted with surprise. The prince hurriedly sheathed his sword and jogged forward a few paces to meet them.
The commander got to his feet just in time to be embraced roughly by the prince.
“You're alive!” Oriel laughed, releasing him. “Where the fuck have you been?”
“It's a long story.” Lephas grinned. Karn nudged his head underneath his palm and the demon stroked him.
The prince’s eyes fell to Raxx over Lephas’s shoulder. “You took your time. What's taken so long?”
“There were... Complications,” the shadow demon hedged.
“Yeah, no shit. Would it have something to do with the faerie princesses I have tied up in the barn by any chance?” the prince scoffed.
“Are they safe? Not injured?” Lephas asked, trying to keep his cool.
“They're a little bit scratched up and bruised, but nothing serious.” Oriel pinned him with a steely gaze. “Why should we care?”
He ran his hand over a horn awkwardly. “Well, uh, that's a long story too, but they're on our side. I swear it.”
“On our side?” The prince eyed him, doubtfully.
“Look, I'll tell you all about it in a moment – just trust me. Where are they?” the commander asked hurriedly.
“This way.” Oriel walked on, heading towards a large barn a few meters away. He turned to look at Lephas over his shoulder. “Why am I getting a bad feeling about this 'long story' of yours?”
“It's complicated,” the demon sighed, feeling sheepish.
“To be fair, the faeries said the pair of you would be coming. Naturally I didn't believe them but–” Oriel heaved his weight into one of the large wooden barn doors. It creaked open loudly.
There, huddled together in a pile of old, musty straw,sat the two princesses. Lori looked up at their intrusion, her eyes wide and fearful. She was bound with her arms stretched behind her back. A gag, made from a dirty piece of hessian, was pulled tightly into her mouth.
The look of relief as she laid eyes on him made Lephas's chest ache. Tears welled in her eyes and she struggled to get to her knees.
The commander hadn't even been aware that he was moving until he was at her side. She was desperately trying to talk to him, her words muffled and panicked.
