The next morning came and Jack had returned to the barracks.
His armor had fully repaired overnight, the enchantments consuming the demon blood he'd fed it and restoring every damaged section.
His shoulder felt perfect, no lingering pain from Pho's devastating strikes.
{So,} Oscar said as Jack started walking toward the exit, {we're shadowing Rynath today, right? The serpent general who's totally crushing on you?}
'That's the arrangement.'
{This should be interesting. I wonder what the intelligence specialist does all day. Probably lots of paperwork and spying and general sneakiness.}
'We'll find out.'
Jack moved through the fortress with purpose.
Other demons cleared a path when they saw him, word of his spar with Pho and his new position as pit overseer having spread throughout the fortress.
He found Rynath waiting outside her quarters, her serpentine form coiled with elegant efficiency.
Her scaled features showed nothing as she noticed his approach.
