Seventh Interlude - Hell of a Night

Jacob Kilburn slept until nearly noon. He had a supplier to meet with at four in the afternoon, but his agenda was blank until then. He was in a rather nice accomodation in a hotel in Dunlin, a few days travel south of Ulgotha on a half vacation, half supply run on the Sons of Thunder's bankroll. Dunlin was Sardipa's second-largest iron smelting town, after Ulgotha itself, but without the capital city's heavy local industry. Hence, material would be much cheaper in Dunlin than it would have been in Ulgotha. Kilburn was glad for the change of scenery.

After he met with the supplier and negotiated an acceptable rate, he secured a delivery service. In the evening, he went out to dinner and danced with a few lovely ladies. He'd been spending so much time on the job lately, he'd forgotten how much of his life he'd been missing. Though he went back to his lodging alone, he went with a smile on his face.

The smile evaporated after he locked the door. He was certain he heard someone breathing.

"Who's there?" he asked the darkness.

"You will have your answer when you light the lamp." came a deep voice from across the room. "But know that it is not my mission here harm you."

Kilburn lit the lamp, and immediately wished he hadn't. The creature across from him was clearly not human; it was six-and-a-half feet tall, and wore what Kilburn couldn't tell was skin-like armor or armor-like skin. A pair of leathery wings came within inches of the ceiling, their tips splitting into three lobes. Movement behind the creature suggested a tail, but Kilburn couldn't see clearly it in the dimness. The head and shoulders were covered by a leathery black hood and cloak, but the creature's fanged mouth was visible. Just then, it opened its eyes, letting out a dim, red light from each.

"What the hell are you, and what are you doing here?" Kilburn demanded, feeling very vulnerable indeed.

"Tell me, what else could I be but a demon?" asked the creature, beginning to pace back and forth in the darkness. "Men call me the Reaper of Souls. As for why I am here, I propose a deal."

"Forget it. I've heard about bargains with demons before, and I'm not interested." Kilburn was terrified of the creature, noticing that its tail bore what looked like a stinger. At least he knew that if he resisted, he'd probably only end up dead; making a deal with a demon could bring him to worse ends.

"Nonetheless, I shall make my offer. There a place to the East of here, a long canyon called the Scar. You have heard of it, perhaps?"

"Get out."

The demon stopped pacing and looked Kilburn in the eye. "Answer the question."

Kilburn hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "Yes. It's hundreds of miles long and is straight as an arrow. No one knows why."

"Good. Inside the Scar is a door with but one side. This door is called Hell's Gate, and it is the link between Chona and Apollyon--your world and mine. It is at this place I require your services.

"The minions of Celestia have long since learned the location of Hell's Gate. There has been many a bloody battle as our ancient enemies try to wrest control of the Gate from us, its rightfully custodians. We require a stronger defensive position, which we have learned can be produced by artifacts you are capable of fabricating."

Kilburn stood for a moment, taking in the information. "You want me to build you cannons to fire at angels with?"

"Precisely. In return, I will grant you eternal life, and see to it that whatever else you need comes your way."

Kilburn shook his head. "My answer is still no."

"Think about it. You would have the whole of eternity to continue your studies--no question would need go unanswered. And it need not merely be eternal life--I can make it so that your body does not age, that your damaged flesh can repair itself with ease--"

"I said I'm not interested." said Kilburn. "Now get out."

What Kilburn could see of the demon's face sneered. "Very well. But should you change your mind, call out for me, and I will return."

"What part of 'get out,' didn't you understand?"

Kilburn felt a rush of air and then a blast of cold. The demon had flown out through the window, leaving Kilborn alone with the snow drifting in.