The sound of cavalry echoed, as a multitude of riders rushed through the forest; each day less uncharted, less foreign. The woods now belonged to them. Long ago, their people would traverse it warily, perhaps in dread.

But no more; their horses were led directly, with intention. Their grandfathers had dedicated their lives to this land, erasing most of its dangers for years in favour of their sons. And their fathers did so as well, providing a growth and prosperity the region had never lived. A blooming development they could now cherish.

However… there were some flaws around them still; some things still needed to be improved, confronted.

The men held this vow as they neared less welcoming areas of the forest, through roads they wished to call their own. Soon, they stopped seeing cut trees and familiar fields, so far from a southern town. And still, they felt safe, even if slightly unnerved; their official armours reminded them they were of importance, the eyes of nobility fixed on them with approval and support.

They did not falter as they saw the outlines ahead. They did slow their horses and glared at the big manor in between the connecting roads, but still neared it. For it was the place they needed to reach.

With loud thuds, their boots settled on the green grass that surrounded the big gates. Their eyes narrowed, their expressions showing how much they distrusted the armour that stood at the other side. They had seen those things move before; the lack of a spear in its hand did not make it any less ominous.

The soldiers stood there, not daring trespass into the property. They could have, but chose not to; for they knew already what could happen if they did.

Indeed, their presence was always noticed, known. Somehow, even if many loud echoes had been coming from an old forge ahead, the man inside seemed to have heard them dismount. And like always, the door slammed open.

The figure that stood out pierced them from the inside of that room, shadowed by the glimmers of a smelter. Even though there could have been worse beings to greet them, the man seemed the most spiteful upon their visit.

“You were here two months ago.”

His voice echoed to them with pure bitterness, resent. But they were used to his snarls and piercing amber eyes.

“New mandates, simple regulations.” The tallest soldier took out a pamphlet and read with boredom, having done so for many other properties this week. “Under the command of the duke of Galedale, all commoners must contribute with a tariff to the province’s efforts in building a bridge over the rivers that border the towns of-“

“Shut it; I can’t care less about those southern towns and their stupid new bridge.” The men sighed, for the blond was already at the other side of the gate, hammer in hand. However, instead of trying to throw it at them, he tied it to his belt and took something else. He yanked at a purse, and then hauled the coins at their feet past the gate, resentfully. “The duke can shove his taxes right up. Next time, if he wants to get more coin, he can get out of that hole he calls a city and finally show his ugly face around these parts!”

The soldiers cringed, knowing that a simple commoner should not speak of nobility in this way, even if they ruled from the far edge of the country.

“Like your grandfather, you are quite the mouthy one.”

“Grandfather…” Alexis refused to tell the humans that the blond who cussed at their elders a century ago was himself, when they first tried to extort them money due to new blooming politics. “I’ve always been like this, no influence needed.”

“There might be some influence, young man; a very worrisome one. You should be careful of who you trust.”

Alexis sighed, knowing perfectly well that if he turned he would see them at the door, once more looking worriedly at their unwanted visitors.

“Well, why don’t you get the fuck out of my property if you dislike devils so much, huh? Unless, of course, that you want to buy some of my crafts at a reduced price, thanks to some bullshit on a paper.”

At last, the men turned away, some having picked up the coins from the ground. They would have commanded any other man to gather them after throwing them, but not this one. They eyed the three devils that stood by the steps of the manor, knowing better than to risk a confrontation.

There was a huge horned devil of broad shoulders, with claws that could slice metal, violet eyes that could pierce souls, and a tail long enough to be able to strangle anyone less tall than him. However, his serene demeanour seemed more analytical than feral, as his gaze was fixed on the blond with a thoughtful expression. The two other devils at his sides seemed less placid: Next to him, one of similar features, tall as well, but somehow much more graceful in her femininity. She had long black hair that made her expression elegant; however, her glare was more cunning, more resentful, her claws were up in a stance that hinted she could invoke fire. The last one they could see was clad in dark bronze wings, jagged, big enough to dress her if she wanted to; the clothes under the hairy feathers were meant to be worn down, adequate for a night in the wilds. Her gaze was also directed at the blond, but with an emotion that seemed much more possessive. All their eyes were sharp, focused, set on them or their human companion.

The man and his supposed ascendants had always been surrounded by those three, making this manor a strange addition to the region’s territory.

But they could not voice their dislike upon such strange home. Not even if they considered it a den, something that should not exist.

The blond’s scowl lessened after a while, because the men left. The horses headed north-east, away, continuing their calculated journey through the land, stopping at each human settlement.

He turned slowly, to face the only ones who knew he was no human, but an angel.

“They’ll be back soon, Uriel.”

His demon took a deep breath, finally descending the steps towards him. Their daughters followed, having seen this many times already.

That did not mean they were okay with it.

“We will have enough to pay them again. Let them come if they so want to.”

“The more we give these people, the more they will dare to ask.” Alexis looked at Uriel with a frustrated frown, brushing the coal on his hands against his apron. “I need to head off.”

“You did a week ago.”

“And I just spent what we made on those bastards. The nomads are not coming back in a while. You can’t get any money, and we can’t predict what bullshit they will invent next to steal it.”

Ariel glared east, like if she could see the fields she roamed with her father, any time those demons travelled close to their home. It had been a normal routine, now a fleeting chance every year.

“We’re not the only ones bothered by humans.”

Uriel gave Ariel a look of disapproval, still hoping that the market he once frequented would return to its old ways.

“Humans and demons may not wish to meddle between each other right now, but they will soon have to. They are losing ground with which to keep each other away. Time brings growth, and I’m sure they will finally settle and stop trying to arrange their place in the land. The market will one day leave its wandering ways, I’m sure.”

“One day, not today, not in years.” Aurora sighed when her father threw his apron at her, already going back towards the doors, intending on packing stuff. “Aurora, tie up all that you can, you have some pelts almost done. Ariel, we leave tomorrow morning, check on the horses.”

The sisters exchanged a look, now used to his insistent angry ventures, so contrasting to the times in which he would stay at home. Many years ago, Uriel had always been the one to lead their travels for commerce. But each passing year, the human towns grew, and without her presence… so did the distrust.

Uriel gave the two a knowing smile, and then began to walk to the doors too. While Ariel went for the stables and Aurora for her tanning rack, he crossed the main hall. He found his angel easily, the angelic scent and his heartache calling to him.

Alexis did not flinch when Uriel entered the storage room behind him, looming over his back. His whisper was kind, comforting.

“No human would dare lay a hand on me if I went.”

The answer was angry, less accepting.

“No, but I do not want to hear the word lout again. That fucking word makes my blood boil, right out those filthy mouths. I do not want to have to punch anyone.”

“Not that you would have to.”

Alexis yanked at the rope he held, tying a bundle of antlers together with a snarl. He commented, a smirk escaping him.

“They deserved it.”

A tense silence fell, in which the angel merely focused on tying the pelts that were already available from Aurora’s last hunt. The demon eyed him carefully, hating to agree that Ariel managed to get less hateful glares than him, thanks to her inherited charm and less intimidating looks. Her body was different from humans, but similar enough, her beautiful features always drowning their hate in wonder.

A wonder Aurora was less capable of handling, for multiple times she had hissed at men who dared grab her wings. Ariel was sly, capable of feigning tolerance or obliviousness, like her mother.

“She does enjoy the trips there, see their commerce.”

“And she always manages to charm her way into a better deal. The baker seems smitten with her eyes.”

Things were fine, but not as alright as they were.

“I just… wish we could perhaps go to Feiren, this once. We never have to endure hate there.”

Bigger city, more strange people, more mercenaries; after a century, the population was bound to rise. And it did from all kinds of people, even devils. He did not have to worry about seeing any for hire however, as many years ago he found a way to hide his scent. It did not mean he was not startled the first time he turned a corner and saw some working by a well.

“Too far. We could go together, but we would leave the manor alone. If any other traveller comes in here only to find Lykaios, those birdbrained officials will mark this place down for a raid. You know it.”

From time to time, people would cross their woods. Now it was a common occurrence. They never refused them shelter, even if they did not like it.

Alexis stood, scowling at the plaque with a deer head he held, knowing he had to carry it to the cart Ariel was readying.

“Someday, again, we will go; together, Uriel. For now, let me handle this with Ariel. Just watch over Aurora’s hunts while we banter. We will be back in no time, with coin to spare.” He turned to look at those violet eyes, both of them having lived through a lot, even if they looked young. “As you said, it is a matter of time… Humans will figure out how to manage this new country of theirs, with less vitriol, surely.”

Uriel looked sideways, hoping as well things would settle down. Those strange politics and disputes for land were not a threat, just a mild inconvenience. They were happy; they had been since she left them, even if many things changed.

“Surely.”

They felt hope, even if time was unpredictable.

Humans were a race prone to hostility. But they knew they were capable of love.