![degleex-ganzorig-nyLGS1i2MSY-unsplash.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/internutter/23t7DRAdKLLy6oamp5YtcE3h5EBJbscwScijBPCzLqpAzKCHvev9yfXDfptk2SdckXKTE.jpg)

> Careful to whom you speak, and the tone of use. Just remember insult is rarely forgotten, and not all retribution is swift. -- Anon Guest

Night Watch, ten years before the significant event...

Officer Druempf almost missed the moving shadow in the half-light of dawn. "Halt! Who goes there?"

The shadow slowed, sighed and straightened, revealing itself as that double-damned devilborn. The alleged lordling who was the most infamous student of that Elf's school in the landscaping place. "It's only me, Officer," said the Hellkin. "On my way out of Wolklippenstadt for good."

"Elf finally kicked you out, did he?"

"I saved him the bother. Just think, if you arrest me, you'll have to put up with me for _even longer_."

That was the bronze ring to get Druempf to stretch his definitions of the law. "Glad to see the back of you," he said. And when he was sure the beast was out of earshot, added, "Filthy _teuf_."

He thought no more of it, eager to see the back of that smear on the face of _his_ beautiful town.

Until a skyship sailed to dock with the Elf's gigantic house-tree, and a _King_ came to visit. A King, according to gossip, who had once been a student of the Elf.

Druempf, claiming crowd control, managed to get very close to the gates to the larger part of the Elf's estate. He was therefore among the first to lay eyes on the foreign dignitary.

One of the most important in the list of very important personages. A King of conquest.

And the very same Teufel that Druempf had relentlessly harassed since the fellow was six years old.

Druempf _knew_ that blue hide. He knew those spiraled, upright horns. He knew that shade of red and the white chess castle of his family sigil resting upon it.

Kormwind Arachis Felbourne Whitekeep, Ninth of his Name. Once a mere Viscount, now a King with blood on his hands.

Druempf's prayers that the King would not recognise him were dashed when those glowing yellow eyes settled on him. Ticking over the indications of rank and the improvements to his uniform.

"Emmerich Druempf," said the Hellkin King. "Congratulations on making Captain." He offered his wrists and said, "Care to arrest me again for old time's sake?"

And then, horror of horrors, he lowered his voice so only Druempf could hear it and murmured, "Or call me a filthy teuf to my face and see what happens?"

News of what he'd done to his own father for saying the same words had travelled around the world twice before the news of who he actually was.

Druempf locked his knees so that he couldn't tremble and forced his breath so he wouldn't faint. "That won't be necessary, sir. Sire."

He still had that bloody disturbing sharky grin. Far too many pointy teeth showed themselves to Dreumpf's sweating face.

"So nice to meet an officer who remembers good manners," said the King Kormwind.

[Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@degleex?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Degleex Ganzorig</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-town-with-a-steeple-in-the-background-nyLGS1i2MSY?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a>]

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