Anvil (Afina)

[Ebiris]

"Yes, former tiefling turned whatever. Yian described her as magically overwhelming but unskilled in combat which I take to mean she has little strategic acumen."

[Anastasia]

"Ah, a wizard then," Morniel smiles briefly, "Pardon my turn of phrase, but I find it an insightful comment. I have known many wizards of startling intelligence; tactical and strategic acumen is a talent that does not always come with intelligence and magical blessings. An unusual person to promote so highly in the diabolical castes. Were she a normal lemure, she would have this weakness tormented out of her before she was promoted."

[Ebiris]

"Such are the rewards for being one ninth responsible for handing an entire world over to the pit," Afina says resignedly. "She'll get what she really deserves soon, though."

[Anastasia]

"She will. The light of Chronias reaches all in the end," Morniel says, "Be it for salvation or justice."

From there, the group continues to wait. Soon a hound archon approaches Aurora's gates from the celestial camp. "I come in the name of the Second of the Hebdomad," he calls, "I request entrance."

[Ebiris]

This is more pleasing company and Afina agreeably stills the gate defences. "Request granted, you are welcome within our walls," she calls over.

[Anastasia]

The hound archon enters. No murmurs or weapons brandished for him. He comes right to Afina and bows, "Lord Domiel wishes you to know that our advance scouts encountered demons sworn to The Pale Mother, Pale Night."

[Ebiris]

Presumably they're trying to keep the rift open but it pays not to make assumptions in this. "Please pass our thanks to Lord Domiel for his consideration in sharing this information. Can you tell us what actions have they taken?"

[Anastasia]

"They attacked our scouts," The hound archon replies immediately, "Their numbers consist of several dretch, hezrou and mariliths. No obyriths have been sighted as of yet."

[Ebiris]

While that could just be demonic hatred for archons manifesting even if they're here to close the rift, continuing down that line of thought is just silly. They're clearly here to cause chaos and mayhem and are just another to a long list of problems. Hopefully they'll go kill some devils next before being wiped out. "Is there anything else?" she asks.

[Anastasia]

"Yes," The archon says, "Are you familiar with cube battle ships from Acheron? The devils are noted to create and use them on occasion. Mechanus has taken the field in the northern top of the sphere with one and is disgorging Inevitables and champions of law into the rift from there."

[Ebiris]

"Good," Afina says to that. The more forces sent in to pacify the rift the better their odds of success are.

[Anastasia]

"Yes ma'am," The archon smiles, a toothy grin full of sharp canines. "Are there any messages you wish for me to relay back?"

[Ebiris]

"None at this time," she shakes her head. "Things are quiet here and we haven't heard from our expeditionary forces."

[Anastasia]

"Yes ma'am," The hound archon bows once more and hurries off. As he does, Ebony quietly approaches. "I must council you to be careful and have word sent, if possible. Pale Night is not an opponent to be taken lightly. Her machinations have come closer to winning the Blood War than any other, and it was her first known involvement in that ancient struggle."

[Ebiris]

"What do you suggest saying?" Afina asks, since as far as she can tell it's just one more enemy to fight. "In fact you know Sending, don't you? Pass the warning onto Ithea, you'll know best what needs said."