Vggdrassii's means to an end.

A crooked man stood there. Sticks and scribbles. His movement was ancient and slow. His head swayed unnaturally as he looked at the demon. Not unlike the white stones the demon was searching for, his teeth were small and beady, tinted yellow. His eyes seemed to refuse to look in the same direction. As the boy moved closer, one eye focused on his bow the other into space. The old man turned and fished four cards form his pocket. This was the dealer.

“Why have you come here, Heathen?” His appearance betrayed his thunderous voice. It was not as direct and impressive as the Demon’s, but its element of surprise took the beast aback. The decrepit thing seemed to put forth a mighty effort into keeping one eye focused on the sword, as if expecting the blade to thrust forth an answer.

“I am no heathen. I bear no ill will towards you, dealer.” The Demon straightened his back. “I come with an offer, more accurately a wager.”

“A wager? Ha!” There is nothing that you people have that I could ever find worth in.”

“This is a wager that even a miscreant such as yourself cannot forgo.” The dealer hobbled over to The Demon, and looked into his eyes. He was not lying. But the dealer couldn’t think of anything that he needed or wanted.

“Humph. What would you have that I would want? I have no material possessions, and I desire nothing from your cities. Therefore, it cannot be wealth. I have loved over one thousand maidens in my lifetime. Therefore, it cannot be love. I have the power to control and influence the fate of most mortal men. Therefore, it cannot be power.”

The dealer looked up at the demon’s face, and knew. “Such gall you have, Demon of the South. Only the most wicked and damned creatures have offered such a prize to me and all have failed to produce. I must ask, what shall you request if perchance you win?”

“A means to defend my people, unparalled prowess in combat, and a boy from the ranks of the enemy."

The old man cackled sickly. “A boy you say? Do your people know of your flavor and desire? They would neve-“

“You know of whom I speak, wretch!” The monster stepped towards the dealer. “If it is jest and chuckles you wish to engage in, I will find another means. I will revoke.”

Again, the dealer sensed no deception. “Let us begin, demon.”