that_s

Sheida asked seriously. "Because that's exactly the story that I got."
"No, but it's pretty damned obvious if you know the players."
"What about the Demon?"
"Convenient, isn't it, how he just showed up right when things went south," Edmund said sourly. "You really think that's coincidence?"
"You think he was in on it from the beginning?"
"I think he was in on it from before the beginning. It's a little late to search out now, but it might be worthwhile to look at how Celine, who was a nut-job from the word go, and Chansa got on the Council in the first place. The Demon is old, Sheida. Older than either of us. Old as some of the elves."
"You think he planned this?" she asked. "All of this? Even he isn't that insane, is he?"
"The Demon? Yes, he is, Sheida."
She sighed and nodded her head tiredly. "I suppose you're right. But where does that leave us?"
"In one hell of a hole," Edmund admitted. "But that's what shovels are for. Go home, Sheida. Let everything go to hell for one night. Pull in all the avatars and get some damned rest."
"Okay," she said smiling impishly. "I wish I was here; I'd get some rest with you."
"Not tonight," Edmund said. "I'm going to be doing nightmare watch."
"True," Sheida said shaking her head. "If you find him . . ."
"I'm going to nail his gonads to the first tree," Edmund said. "You see, deep down inside, I don't give a shit about laws."
* * *
Herzer had accepted a meal chit and headed for the shelters before his brain really kicked in. He was in Raven's Mill, the rain had stopped and for the first time in weeks he was going to be able to eat and sleep under shelter. Not much food, he'd been warned, and not very good shelter. But it was food and shelter and that was a good thing.
There were already lines forming for food and he got at the end. He was annoyed when