[Sarah]

The Tuun Mountains were a region Revazi was entirely uninterested in. Although it was miles better than the Fe’gan, mountains were mountains. He found the terrain to be an unfortunate set of obstacles, and allowed a remoteness even in populated areas. If he were insane the mountain range might make a good place to wander for the rest of eternity, but he desired a part in the world much bigger than ‘mad wanderer’. It was a good place to hold a meeting between demons. The territory was uninhabited by a lord thus far. Neutral territory was growing scarce, and demons felt oh so uncomfortable behind enemy lines.

[Sarah]

Eirke had not even been given time to feel insulted over the invitation. Markus had been all too eager to send him to the far reaches of Evelon. He was the famed second to a demon lord, and he was expected to meet with two nobodies? If Aibek wanted to spit in his face, the lord would have an easier time coming out of his desert and doing the deed himself. At least he had the sense to claim the meeting grounds in unmarked territory. Annabelle herself would have to come in order for him to meet inside the territory of another lord.

[Sarah]

Sybella was trying to keep a pleasant atmosphere. Her task was difficult, and a bit strange. She was not entirely sure what her master planned to gain out of this meeting. As much as it burned to admit, she was not an incredibly vital demon in his army, yet she was expected to meet with Markus’ second and a being so shrouded in mystery not even the covens knew what to make of him. Aibek was certain the mystery was tied to Malek, the only being they’d been able to say such a thing about. Despite the tensions in the Slums, Malek kept a tight grip on his troops, and it was impossible to tell who was connected to who without living in the Slums.

[Sarah]

The door opened and Sybella straightened. Eirke was the first to arrive. Her eyes darted to his wrist, and she was relieved to see a black band was circling it. She smiled at him, “I’m glad you were able to make it all this way. Please have a seat.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Eirke said waving a hand at her dismissively. “Don’t look so frightened, I did your vow of peace,” he added. Although she’d already studied his wrist, he raised his hand up so she could see the black band surrounding it. No harm would come from him, as much as it irked him to be defenseless.

[Sarah]

“Where’s the anomaly?” Eirke questioned after a few minutes passed.

“Revazi? He should be arriving soon,” Sybella replied. “What do you know of him?” she asked. Eirke was Markus’ right hand man, if anyone knew anything about Malek’s army it was him.

“I know he lives in the Slums. He houses one of Markus’ kids. The guy’s got more rumors surrounding him than either lord combined,” Eirke said. He was not known for being tight lipped, this meeting would be no exception. Being on the border or loyal and betrayer, Eirke found it easier to acquire information if he gave up his fair share. He also found it easier to spill the beans when he held no love for his ‘master’.

[Sarah]

“Apologies for my tardiness,” Revazi said before he’d barely gotten the door open. He knew he was late. It hadn’t been a conscious decision. In fact, he’d gotten lost, and had to ask a very unhelpful hawk for directions. The stubborn creature had put up quite the fight.

“It’s no problem at all. I figured this place would be hard to get to,” Sybella said. The man, or boy, who entered was undoubtedly Revazi. An androgynous looking child, with messy purple hair. His appearance did not reflect how old he actually was. Even if they knew little about him, they knew his age rivaled many a demon.

[Sarah]

“It is strange that you’ve asked me here,” Revazi said before taking a seat.  While doing so he pulled up a sleeve so the two could see the black bracelet. He’d done the magic as they had wished, although it would treat him differently than it did them.

“You were part of the clans,” Sybella reminded him. Revazi was the one she would need to look out for. He was well traveled, and seemed to have eyes and ears all over the continents. Aibek claimed he was one of Malek’s, but his true allegiance remained to be seen.

“I lived with them yes, but don’t get excited. I have no blood ties,” Revazi laughed. There was a large difference. The only true members of the desert covens were blood related, or at least had blood ties. He was blood brothers with no one.

[Sarah]

“You’re a witch then?” Eirke pressed. The biggest mystery at the table was Revazi, the man in purple. He was a legend in the slums, but the stories that surrounded him varied to wildly no one really knew what he was. Eirke was not inclined to believe the man was connected to Malek.

“There are more covens than just those in the desert,” Revazi said. Not that he was a witch to begin with, but if either knew what he really was things would become unnecessarily complicated.

[Sarah]

“You know your kid’s one of Markus’,” Eirke said.

“I am aware,” Revazi replied simply. Was this muscle man trying to provoke him? What was their angle? He had no idea why Aibek wanted to bring them together, but it seemed they were unaware of his intentions as well.

“You play dangerous game,” Eikre pressed, “keeping that boy in your home, and then coming here alone.”

[Sarah]

Revazi smirked. He had nothing to fear from either of them. Eirke was chaotic, but even he would not do something without orders from his lord. Sybella was connected to Aibek, and his people were known pacifists. To appease the desert covens, they swore little involvement with the other lords beyond protecting the desert from them. So long as his secret was safe he was safe as well. “You’re just frustrated that you know nothing about me,” Revazi pointed out. “It isn’t my fault Aibek invited me here on a hunch,” he added.

[Sarah]

Eirke turned his attention to Sybella. “A hunch?” he questioned. Dark thoughts were forming in his mind now. They were both lucky he swore peace with them.

“Mm,” Sybella murmured. She shifted uncomfortably. “You see, Malek has such a tight grip on his ranks that we could only guess at who was connected to him. Revazi is a summoner who has stirred up trouble for Markus before. Aibek theorized that he was one of Malek’s,” she admitted.

“You invited him here on a theory,” Eirke repeated. He was on a delicate balance between disbelief and rage. They had no idea who this ‘summoner’ was.

[Sarah]

“A proper introduction is in order then. You do not know who I am, and we can pretend I do not know who you are,” Revazi said lightly. “I am Revazi, a very free citizen of the Slums,” he introduced. “I have claimed no loyalty to any lord, and I never will,” he added. He could not bind himself to anyone, no djinn could. All djinn were slaves to their artifact, and he had none.

“Sybella, I am one of Aibek’s mediators,” Sybella introduced herself. There was unease settling inside her at his revelation. If he claimed no lord, what was he?

“Eirke. I am Markus’ first bonded, and his least loyal,” Eirke said flatly. Even with the vow of peace, the room felt dangerous. Who was this child to come in and openly claim no allegiance?

[Sarah]

“Well. The world knows all it wants of both of you, but I imagine you have questions for me. Ask, and perhaps I will answer,” Revazi offered.

“Are you a demon?” Sybella asked.

“Not in the way that you are a demon,” Revazi answered. He’d long stopped cursing his own being. At some point he’d realized he had created a set of rules for himself. He’d only grant wishes to those who would sacrifice themselves to help another. He’d never lie, but omitting the truth was just fine. He would live a life of secrecy, and leave wherever he’d settled if anyone found out the truth about him. There were more rules, or there weren’t. Revazi did not yet know their extent, he didn’t really know if the rules he’d named were accurate.

[Sarah]

“What do you want with the orphan?” Eirke asked.

“He is mine,” Revazi growled. He’d granted a wish once; killed a mother to save a child. His own magic bound him to raising the boy. No one was safe from a djinn’s twisted magic, especially not a djinn. At least the magic allowed him to look after the child properly.

“What are you?” Sybella asked.

[Sarah]

Revazi frowned. “There’s a legend about magic. Something about how magic takes form based on the desires of those who call upon it. Most who control it are able to focus their desires and then manipulate magic to do their bidding. A magic user may desire a candle to be lit and so they summon fire. Another might desire knowledge and have books present themselves endlessly for reading,” he paused and looked at the two sitting across from them. They looked confused, but they appeared to be following along well enough.

“But you’re not a witch,” Eirke recalled. Perhaps he was a hybrid. Annabelle had forbidden it as soon as she'd become queen, and the vaults had actively hunted hybrids after they regained control in the war. It would not be unfair to think the child was one of Jabru's, but it was unlikely.