The Paladin's Shadow; Shad's Secret

Credits; None

Shad watched as Petra walked back up the street.  He'd never guessed how she was when she wasn't fighting.  She was more wonderful than he had ever imagined.  And he had to smile as he thought about how obviously attracted to him she was; he'd done his research well when selecting this form.  And he felt rather surprisingly comfortable in it, although perhaps he had overdone it somewhat.  He'd tone it down slowly over the next few years and hope she didn't notice. 
But the more pressing issue at the time was how to resolve the Chori-Sada.  He had a suspicion who might be behind it all.  The story certainly provided a good starting point, but it would have been impossible for one to simply slip into a place like this unaided.  He knew they'd done it before, and there were enchantments in place to detect almost any concealment spell.  In fact, he realized as he paced his study, Zink had been responsible for setting those enchantments.  The old broad had made it almost impossible to do anything within the Arcane Academy without the staff and security knowing about it.  THe only way to bypass those enchantments would have been by using a shadithic power to strengthen an enchantment.  Of course, that too would have been detected, unless it was on a natural ability like the Chori-Sada's chameleon effect.  That would have been detected as a natural concealment, but with the shadithic empowerment it would be neither magic, nor nature, nor science, nor even properly demonic.  He'd have never tried anything like this.  Indeed, most of the upper tier demons were too committed to a particular plan or style to actually try something like this.  And none of the lower tiers would have been able to pull off something this bold.  Which really only left a few rather ambitious mid-level demons. 

"Shithou, Hama, Charibdi, Ecthon!"

The four reintegrated from the dust of the room.  All but Ecthon wore a mortal guise; Shithou that of a Ga-Vok, Hama a Harakai, and Charibdi had disguised herself as a Pythen.  Ecthon had shrouded himself in a pale frost, but his smoldering eyes were clearly visible. 
"Why have you summoned us?"
"Someone wields the Nieldic nightmare; find them."
"Lord," Said Charibdi, "The Nielda fear naught."
"The Chori-Sada, you senile seductress, they have become entangled in my affairs.  Find out who has done this, and bring them to me!"
"OH! You want Grethak.  He was bragging about how he had infiltrated the confidences of our great enemy, using a servant who bore the guise of a fallen one."
"Grethak?  But...no matter.  I know where his servant is, and if he wishes to play in my field, then he will find out why I was made Captain of the Unrepentant."
"Your grace," Ecthon muttered from behind his frosty veil, "Let me deal with him on your behalf.  There is no reason for you to set yourself to this task, when one is already before you."
"No, his actions have brought offense to me; I will do it myself.  Ecthon, a greater plan I have for you.  Go to the depths of space and there await the Ice Queen.  You will have plenty of time to make your plans for that day.  Hama, return to your plots and armies.  Shithou, Charibdi, return to your work as well.  I will summon you if further need arises.  You shall all be rewarded for your aid; that is all."

The four dispersed once more to whence they came.  Shad walked down to the kitchen and began to boil a new pot of water, as he measured out an uneven serving of coffee.