The room was oppressively warm, or would be if not for Xar’aven’s innate resistance to fire and heat. Rainer however, was sadly suffering in the uncomfortable environment. They took turns feeding coal into the ravenous maw of the oversized furnace that powered the riverboat. They could feel steam leaking from some of the pipes leading to the gears that turned the massive paddle wheel. Rainer looked exceptionally grumpy, uncharacteristically so for the typically well dispositioned bronze dragonborn.

“How’d we end up here?” He asked aloud in between scoops of coal.

Raven had been leaning against the wall several feet away trying to avoid the black dust that kicked into the air with every scrape of his friend’s shovel. It was a futile endeavor. The black powder clung tightly to everything and everyone in the room. “I can only guess that the captain knows very little about the differences in dragon species and assumes you are all resistant to fire. Stereotypical, but not a far reach, I’m sure she thought the same thing about tieflings.” He posited while waving his hand. A shovel sized heap of coal rose from the pile and floated into the furnace with the help of his telekinesis.

“All well and good but at least you tieflings are…” Rainer paused for a moment looking to see if Raven was sweating through the thin layer of black ash and coal dust. “Aren’t you?” 

“Yes they are, or at least he is.” Z’beksiya answered from her reclined position among the torrent of flame in the furnace. She had sprawled out across a section of white hot coals, basking in their warmth. She was wearing a less than modest baatorian greensteel bikini. “I mean it’s possible those freakish spawn of Levistus might prefer the cold but they’re the exception, not the same quality of character as our dear Xar’aven, that’s for sure. Then there’s Mephistopheles, ‘The Cold Lord’…brrr.” She mock shivered. “But his blue hellfire runs white hot.”

Rainer stared at her through the flames, shaking his head. “I’m not sure I like how casually you discuss such powerful evil beings. Archdevils are nothing to trifle with.”

“Well on that we agree. See? Common ground.” She rolled onto her belly and looked up at him. “I’m not so bad am I? I mean, at least I’m not ugly on the outside right?”

The dragonborn wore a dubious expression on his face.

“You wound me dragon. I’ve been nothing but nice to you and well behaved. The least you can do is call me pretty.”

Raven laughed. “I think you’re beautiful Bex.”

“Yeah well you would. You have to.” She said dismissively.

“Are you sure she’s your familiar and not the other way around? You two have an odd relationship, certainly an atypical one for warlocks and familiars.”

“Yeah I’m sure. For now at least.” Raven joked though not really.

The imp smirked as she turned away, laying her head on the fiery coal.

“What does that mean?” Rainer asked with a hint of confusion and concern.

“Nothing my friend. Just that I do not expect her to remain an imp forever.”

“And then?”

“Everything will be as it should. Right Bex?”

“Damned right.”

Raven could see the anxiety growing on Rainer’s face. He decided to change the subject. “Have you had a chance to drop in on Hildy? Is she feeling ok?”

“Yeah. I saw her this morning. It seems whatever Stuart’s doing is working, for now at least.”

“I don’t trust the brain in a jar.” Z’beksiya scowled. “Undead are no better than demons… and some are worse.”

“Worried about the child are we?” Rainer asked with skepticism in his voice. “I thought the demonic possession would have you feeling different about her.”

“I won’t lie, Rainer, my initial thought was to seek a more permanent solution.”

The Dragonborn frowned.

“But after some discussion with Raven I came to see that we owe it to the girl to see her safe and whole again, and I’m a stickler about paying one’s debts. Isn’t that right Raven?”

“Indeed. Bex has agreed that she will do all she can to protect Hildy and help us find a cure for her ailment.”

“Perhaps then you’ll begin to trust me, at least as much as that pickled aberration.” She said with an eye roll.

“Trust has to be earned, and will come only after the passage of time.” As the words left Rainer’s mouth he paused in mid shovel. “Gods! That sounded like it came straight out of the Lord Marshal’s mouth!” He said aloud but more to himself. Rainer sat in stunned silence staring at the dancing flames in the furnace. His mind desperately searching for more of his lost past.

“The Lord Marshall? Who’s that?” Raven asked. 

“Sounds like a title a mortal who needs to feel overly important would bestow upon themself.” Bex snarked. “Regardless, I’m slightly disappointed you still don’t believe I have earned your trust. We’ve spent quite a bit of time together and I haven’t tried to kill you once”, she smirked before leaning back into the flames and closing her eyes, feigning insult but only slightly.

Bex’s comments fell on deaf ears. Raven, genuinely interested in helping Rainer, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. The kind gesture brought Rainer’s thoughts to the present. He released the flames from his gaze to look upon Raven.

“I’m… I’m not sure.” He said with hesitation. In my head I can hear his voice but I only see shadows.”

Bex mouthed a wretch. “Is the foreplay over boys?”

“Hush you.” Raven replied curtly. “Do you see or hear anything else? Anyone else?”

“Did you just hush me?” She asked, threatening the warlock with a hunk of hot coal.

“No. No. It’s gone now. “ He said with disappointment. 

“Oh well. Maybe for the better. We have enough complications with intrusive thoughts and personalities.” He said lightheartedly.  “Have ya had a chance to walk around yet? I saw a performance yesterday.”

“Is that what you’re calling it?” Bex sneered. 

“Anyway the first act featured a Tiefling named Ozakius. Have you seen him?”

“Oh sure. Just another fiend the dragon will trust before me for certain.”

“I wouldn’t say that… What’s the old saying? The devil you know…”