Four months after the fiasco with the infamous Blackcaps, a group of high-ranking elven commissioners presented themselves at Midnight Raven. Annoyed as they were, they still had to come, for this was the signing of the new pact between the various forces composing Greenleaf. They had not come expecting good news, and they were not disappointed. The first thing they saw was that their leader's simple aspirations had changed. Instead of seeking the death and desolation of the Overlord's troops, he pronounced himself a weak group that required support from elves and human allies. Yet in the necessity of transforming the Blackcap guild into the elite of magic, the learning methodologies would be changed, and sinister magics would be included solely so the Blackcap mages would not be unprotected. Likewise, open enrollment for all races was established, with the goal of having as much diversity and power in their ranks as possible... except for elves and species aligned with the Overlord.
Upon leaving the meeting, none of the elven envoys could conceive what they had seen. Did he not hate the Overlord? Did he not despise the Whitecaps' mindset? What was happening there? If the information was truthful, the Whitecap representative had been there not a week ago and had given his blessing to this guild. Nothing made sense. Humans were not so stupid as to provoke the Blood Elves' wrath. With furrowed brows, they headed for their mounts when a figure emerged from the shadows. They did not recognize him even as he introduced himself as a Blackcap of great reputation. He asked for a few drinks because it was necessary they learn of one of the greatest lies in Greenleaf's history. Annoyed, they were about to leave and regretted not being able to eliminate that scum wasting their time. Yet one of them noticed one of the pendants they had given the Blackcaps—one that was supposed to see through low-grade illusions. Making a sign, they both accompanied the drunk.
Inside the bar, he began by saying it was a terrible day for humanity. All the school's members did not listen to him, and no one could understand the terror already inside his mind. With such disparate thoughts, they could do nothing. So one of them drew his rapier and held it centimeters from the wretch's face. He squinted from the effort of contemplating a point too fine for any human smith. At this, the human finally seemed to focus and began.
"I was secretary to the Blackcaps. Four months ago, I received a message from the master announcing he was about to arrive. We were exultant, for he came with ancient magic—enchantments capable of melting those crystals of solid magic surrounding the Queen of the Succubi. They were so resistant we still had not found an answer. But in Bloody Coin's great library, it would be another story. Yet the master was always a perfectionist, so I went down to check that everything was correct. I found no one from the night guard. That worried me, for we cannot go around confessing we are a bunch of slackers easier to assault than to laugh at. I extended my field as I had learned with the Redcaps. Below, I felt several of my companions. I shouted at them as was fitting, given the matter. None answered. They were all on the floor, naked. For a moment, the thought of an orgy among men crossed my mind—it was not rare among Redcaps, but I had not seen it here. Then I noticed a red thing lying on the floor. It would measure about one meter forty centimeters. Reddish; a hint of horns was noticeable. Beside it, another similar one but with a few more curves. Both naked. One did not move. What worried me was that these two might have tried to free Lilith, so I tried to kill him. Powerful magics prevented me from aiming correctly. Each time I fired, the demon stayed down but further ahead. I decided then to use an area spell—something that would cremate that nuisance mocking me. Then she appeared.
It was a very strong explosion. Some of the crystals comprising the prison flew out and embedded in my arm. The pain made me lose concentration. When I looked up, I wished I had not. A female demon watched me—rage in her eyes, scarlet body, horns, and goat legs. No doubt—Lilith was free!"
The two elves continued looking at him with suspicion, because in that period he had drunk two jugs of wine and eaten the snacks placed before him. One was ready to leave, but the other, as the king's envoy, considered it his duty to obtain pertinent information. Things were not going as the king had predicted. Magical society was fortifying itself. The Whitecaps had prevented their warriors from entering the cities. If this was a trick by the mages or the Overlord, it was necessary to find out. Almost reluctantly, he extended a silver coin onto the table. The other patrons were very quiet. It was not that silver was scarce, but someone who paid with such a coin and kept their hand the next day must have a very good level. They signaled the waitress to keep bringing jugs of wine as long as the coin lasted. Once the jug was finished, he continued his story:
"When the leader entered, I felt a breath of hope—one that had been diminished by my fear before such power. The first thing I noticed was that he did not have his staff. Yet he seemed stronger than before. Where his hand was, a fluid image of a claw changed as powerful enchantments were launched... at Lilith's side. That demon woman was kneeling before the little creature I had failed to eliminate. Now she lifted it and moved it away from where the Blackcap master attacked.
At that moment, I did not understand why he ignored her. He not only attacked empty niches; his attack eliminated everything except what he thought he saw. The only thing left for me to do was wait. Lilith stood up, and I ran back to my refuge. There, I saw my master still filling the air with magic. She walked—did not speak, did not utter a single aggression. When I saw that the master did not feel her even when she was at his side, a cold sweat ran through me. These were things we should have taught, should have learned. But it was too late—for him, for me. I saw her—with her nail, she opened his skull like fruit rind, opened it and wrote with her claw. It took time, but he felt nothing. Then she closed it again. Then she walked and sat on the throne in the basement. It took my master a while. Then his eyes focused, and he shouted that he had won—but it had been difficult. I wanted to believe him. Every time I thought about it, it sounded rational, but I was sure it was not.
Since then, I tried to indicate his errors. He accepted many creatures of shadow. Everyone sees them as humans; no one understands they are training creatures of darkness. This was a plot. The Redcap should have detained him, and at the ceremony, that old man from Stormhammer was there. That old man came to deliver advanced magic books to our leader. While that happened, Lilith was sitting. Everyone sees her in that crystal tomb, but I do not. I see her wandering the kitchen, in the libraries reviewing texts. No one seems strange to her; no one protests. Even the Whitecap smiled in her direction. You have to help my master. We were young people who wanted power; we never expected power to consume us. Now we are at the mercy of the other guilds and that demon called Lilith. If you support us, we will serve you faithfully. If not, I will found my own magical society, which will only seek the death of the symbols representing her—her and all who support her. I will turn those I can into true Blackcaps. What do you say? Will you help me?"
The elves left the table without a word. It was not that they doubted his word, but he spoke of things that even the masters of magic had not been able to achieve. It was clear the poor beggar had hallucinations from excessive alcohol. But that was of no use to them. So they made him walk with the promise of help and disappeared around a corner. It was not that they could not find out things, but they preferred to send spies. They had to know if they had failed. Lilith was important to the elves, but she was only an obstacle—someone who had not allowed the mages to unite under their banner. There were plans for that. But for now, a madman was the least they needed. They would send delegates; they would decide the future of this corrupt society.