The chisel snapped and elicited a shared, “fuck” from both the owl-thing and the elf. It was the fourth chisel that Kailin had taken to the lock and it snapped in half. Before that, the hammer had broken and the time before that, a chisel. The lock was cursed like that.
“You dare to summon me onto this pitiful world while drunk, and not know how to open up the cage?” growled the demon in its little cage.
As the night had exhausted itself and given into the day, Kailin had sobered up. They also noticed more of the creature that they had in their company was beyond any kind of owl they’d ever encountered. Even the grotesque ones they’d spotted in Germany. Its hand-talons were dry and calloused like those of an old workman, but its fingernails were white barbs that seemed perpetually wet. The beast also spoke with a voice that seemed familiar, though they didn’t know why.
“You might make this a bit easier by hushing up,” They held the broken metal rod at the creature. And it responded by narrowing its glassy eyes.
“Now why would I want you to have an easy time? What do you think a lord of Hell enjoys being summoned by some pauper-wizard?”
“I cannot recall reading about any lord of Hell named Dale, so either that’s some manner of alias, or you’re a lesser thing. Probably not even a demon.”
Kailin demonstrated this by whacking the cage with a metal bar, rattling it, and forcing a terrified squawk out of the creature. “You’re a shitty wizard, you know that?”
“No kidding?” they said. Giving the cage another hit with the rod.
“You know what you could do, odd little thing. If you release me swiftly, I promise not to flay all of the skin from your body. How’s about that?” said Dale.
“I’d like to, I really would. Unfortunately, I can’t get the damn lock off.”They said.
“You realize this strongarm tactic will only take you nowhere. You need something powerful, old, and magical. You bound me to this cage, so find something that can break it,” Dale spat at the elf. “This is Britain, yeah? Don’t suppose you have Caledfwlch handy, do you?”
“Oh yes, I’ll walk right up to the king himself and say, ‘Please Mistah, I know I just tried to massacre an entire town, but might I borrow yer magick sword for a spell?’ That will work out beautifully for me, won’t it?”
Dale moved its left hand up from beneath it and along its chest to stroke it's head. The beak manipulated itself into a scowl and Kailin could see a mess of glass-like teeth that somehow sat inside it.
The beast allowed its eyes to dim, only for them to suddenly widen, “I know… I’ve outthought you, conjurer. In the south of France, there is a cave. Inside that cave is a musical note that can be used as a weapon. Play it and you can break this cage that binds me.”
Kailin nodded and stood up, this spine popped loudly as they straightened the length of their back. They cast their eyes down on the owl demon. “Alright, alright. But I want something in return demon. Even though I was inebriated, I want your aid in helping me to slaughter a town or five.”
“A town or five? That’s chump shit, why do you need help with that?”
Kailin inflated their cheeks and bashfully looked up and away from the caged demon, “I have found that I’m not very good at carrying out wicked acts.”
“What do you mean? It’s effortless. Nobody’s good at doing evil shit, that’s most of the point.”
“I’m aware. But…Last night, I summoned forth an army of the dead to murder their still-living neighbors and relatives. I failed to realize that the town’s crops keep the living dead docile. Before that, I tried to kill a woman with a horse and she broke my leg with a hammer,” Kailin growled. “The evilest thing I have successfully done is steal books from the occult library in Cleethorpes. Thinking about it, I'm pretty sure they let me do that out of pity.”
The little monster sounded like it was choking, “That’s…That’s not the most unfortunate thing I’ve ever heard of. You’re incapable of actually sinning, it seems and you’re a satanic magician?”
“Wizard. I am a satanic wizard,” they said, pouting like a shitty child.
“Alright, tell you what. I’ll help your pathetic ass, in exchange for my release,” said Dale
“Wonderful. And this note? What exactly is it?” they asked.
“What do you mean? It’s a note. A musical note. You play it and you can blow the kneecaps off the world.”
“Right…So, here’s the thing. I don’t know how to play any instrument.”
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