Chapter 5 Part 7

"I am not pleased, Firstborn." Asmodeous, Archduke of the ninth plane of Hell, pounded a fist on the mahogany table with enough force to cause several candles to wobble significantly. "You have your fingers in too many pies. You are overextending yourself and jeopardizing this campaign."

"I assure you, Lord of Hell, that the Firstborn is not involved with anything that is not a vital part of the plan," Miguel countered in defense of his father.

"Whose plan," the devil returned, "his or ours?"

"What are you implying?" Serpent Blackheart hissed from his seat. The inhale of breath made a blood curdling sound that reminded Asmodeous of a cobra's hiss.

"Gentlemen," Morteous said quickly, "let us be reasonable. Our plan is part of your plan and your plan is part of our plan." He smiled. "It would be insulting to deny that each of us have underlying plans."

"So, now the warlock speaks," the devil said turning his glowing red eyes to Morteous. "Where are your strings, puppet? Your brother is an artist indeed for I did not even see his lips move."

Morteous' smile faded. He glanced at his brother. Serpent made no attempt to defend him. The conference had not gone as well as they had planned. The forces of Hell were not happy to have Freon as allies but they had accepted it. What had the Dukes all stirred up was the fact that the plan of operations had Freon covering the Dukes' flank. It was well known that Freonians were demon worshipers. Devils and demons were arch enemies.

Morteous forced himself to smile again. It was important to seal this conference and prepare for the upcoming battle. He could avenge his honor after Serpent ascended.

Tyson sat at the back of the room in a chair next to the fireplace. It was a large room with a circular table near the center. Miguel had told him that it was customary to use such accommodations when two equals negotiated.

"We insist on knowing more of the details," Mammon, the devil to the right of Asmodeous said. Mammon was considered the most even tempered of all the Dukes of Hell. "We wish to know what our part in your secret plan is, what your part is and what your goal is."

"What is your goal?" Serpent asked him.

"Obviously, the immortal souls of those we take and advancement of our influence on this plane," Mammon began.

"Which will not be served by the use of demons!" Asmodeous shouted. "And we are not about to trust our backs to Freon!"

"Freon's spoils are possessions, not souls," Miguel informed him. "Every soldier of ours who dies becomes yours and every enemy killed does likewise. Our bargainings and dealings with the gods of death have ensured this. The demons get no souls for their part. But they do get to possess certain key individuals. You gain numbers; they gain political clout. You need not worry. You of all creatures must know that persons possessed can only do so much."

"The gods are going to sit back and allow this to happen?" Asmodeous was shocked at this possibility.

"We have been assured that we have enough divine clout to veto any attempt by the gods to interfere in the affairs of this plane.

"What is your ultimate goal, Firstborn?" Asmodeous asked at last. The room grew silent. It was time to lay everything on the table.

"Very soon," Morteous cut in, "there will be a new god of war."

Asmodeous froze for a moment. He glanced at Serpent Blackheart and a smile spread across his face. Then the devil laughed a roar that shook the walls. "Such ambition," he bellowed.

"But you are still half mortal," Amon, the wolf-headed Duke of Hell next to Miguel said. "How will you achieve such power as to depose the noble god of war and honor?"

"I am sorry that some secrets must remain secret a little while longer. Otherwise the element of surprise would be lost to us."

Asmodeous thought for a second. "The ramifications of this alliance appear to be quite beneficial to our cause up on the surface," he said. "However I would like to look into this a little more before crossing the point of no return. The participation of the Demons does not sit well with us at all, but the chance to put such a close ally," he nodded at Serpent, "in the pantheon of gods may yet be what we need to tip the balance of power in our favor forever."

"I agree," Miguel said politely. "I would not think too highly of one who rushed into such an undertaking without careful thought. But please bear in mind that our time is quite limited."