DIALOGUE WITH A DEMON

"Deliverer, Deliverer, Deliverer," mocked the cloud, "my pet Dilvish, little creature of hooks and chains. Do you not know your master? Is your memory so short?" and the cloud collapsed upon itself and coalesced into a bird-headed creature with the hindquarters of a lion and two serpents growing up from its shoulders, curling and engendering about its high crest of flaming quills.
"Cal-Den!"
"Aye, your old tormentor, Elf-man. I have missed you, for few depart my care. It is time you returned."
"This time," Dilvish said, "I am not chained and unarmed, and we meet in my world." He cut forward with his blade.