Knowledge shall lead the...

[Corwin]

"Correct," Seira responds, getting into the coach.

[Anastasia]

Duke Martinet sits opposite you. He is a tall, classical devil perhaps 6 feet tall. He is handsome in a way that draws the eye and keeps it on him, his body lithe and athletic. His entire body is fire red, including his barbed tail, long horns that curve up from his head and the huge wings furled at his back. He wears red and black clothes of the finest quality, fit for a mortal emperor, and covered in various diabolic symbols. The unholy symbol of Asmodeus is prominent amid them.

"It's been too long," The Duke of Hell says as the stagecoach door closes. Inside is all opulent shades of gold with red and black accents. It's bigger on the inside, enough to have plenty of leg room. He offers you a smile, "Wasn't that the most lovely little war, Seira?"

[Corwin]

"I've gained all my objectives, and millions were freed from oppression," Seira responds calmly. "The scale might not have been as large as the Lifasa Crusade, perhaps, but I found it very worthwhile."

[Anastasia]

"While our own interests advanced as well," Martinet agrees. The gloom of Avernus gives way to jagged mountains and a red sky, "Ah, Dis," Martinet looks out the window, "Rather striking this time of year, isn't it?"

[Corwin]

Seira makes sure to observe everything properly, especially since her gaze extends for miles and greater arcane sight was made for this.

"It's interesting to travel like this," she admits. "I've mostly made ventures into Avernus so far."

[Anastasia]

It's all mostly empty lands - pretty, but nothing that seems immediately and tactically useful.

"Few go past Avernus," Martinet agrees as you take in the high, jagged peaks. "I believe that's the Ironclaw range. Most of the mining is well below ground, you have to go there to see it." He looks out as well and adds, "I'm sure Dispaster would be interested in trading with you for the metals he mines, if you but only ask him."

[Corwin]

"Yes, they're quite valuable," Seira muses. "We have some unique products ourselves, but the Cauldron is a young realm. We just haven't had time to perfect everything."

[Anastasia]

A shift as you ride on. Outside is now swamps and mud flats, an ugly mix as the sky cries a dark, dribbling rain. "Minauros. One of the less interesting parts of it I'm afraid." He turns from the view and back to Seira, "I'm sure Dispater would tell you that he rents out advisors to help with that sort of thing, all at a reasonable rate."

[Corwin]

"That sounds good for the short term, but you're really shooting yourself in the foot long term," Seira responds, shaking her head. "All the struggles for perfection, all the experience you gain from initial failures, they're all invaluable towards true mastery. That's something you can't just be given."

[Anastasia]

"We can give anything, you know," Martinet says as your trip moves along. A s hift outside as you see flames, flames and fire and great infernos. All stretch long and far to the horizon. "Ah, the classical part of Phlegethos. If you look out that way..."

Ah. You see it. A tower of solid rock and crystallized stone, a high rise above the endless flames. "The Tower of Temptations. One of Belial's palaces. I don't believe you've ever had the chance to go?"

[Corwin]

"I'm afraid not," Seira responds, before asking curiously, "How absolute is that 'anything'? Had I come to Bel before and asked for Zariel, was that on the table? Or are such negotiations the sole domain of Asmodeus?"

[Anastasia]

With a rather white toothed smile, Martinet says, "The Lord of the Ninth would have listened."

Meanwhile the terrain outside freezes over - glaciers and snow, frigid oceans glimpsed. At the edge of your vision is one vast glacier, larger than you can see or guess, but you can just glimpse a titanic face within, frozen in a moment of alarm and panic. The face of Levistus as Martinet looks out. "Ah, we're passing by the Lord of the Fifth."

[Corwin]

"Most of him, anyway," Seira muses. "I heard that an aspect escaped and was up to no good?"

[Anastasia]

"Those rumors do swirl," Martinet says, "Reports do vary." Meanwhile another shift - now it is to a verdant jungle, life and growth everywhere, spreading out thickly. "Here we see what Glasya does with Malbolge."

[Corwin]

"She tends to keep to her layer, doesn't she?"