Riley woke for the fiftieth time. The sound of undead smashing into things grew and then suddenly stopped. She glanced at her notifications.

[Your base level has advanced: 368 → 369!]

I’m leveling due to undead wandering into my aura. She shook her head and sighed. Why aren’t they back? They should be back.

Nicole snuggled against her. “Go back to sleep,” she whispered. “Althea will be fine.”

Riley leaned against her. I wish I could. The sound of breaking branches filled the air, and she sighed. This entire nation is going to have undead everywhere.

“Get them to shut up,” a knight said to Ivan.

Ivan groaned. “Shut up and go back to sleep.”

Riley listened. Is it caught on a stake trap? It thrashed and went quiet. She leaned her head against Nicole and let her eyes drift shut.

Minutes ticked by. Sleep fell upon her, and a snapping branch woke her again. Leaning against the slumbering Nicole, she frowned. I hate necromancers. Turning inward, she meditated, letting herself fall off to the celestial plane.

Looking out at the glimmering stars, she turned and looked back at the ground. Are you out there? She searched, trying to find the others.

“Hello, Riley,” Beauty said, walking forward.

Riley looked up. “Hi, Beauty. I’m hunting.”

“Trying to find them? Regrettably, that will not work.”

Riley sighed. She considered where else they’d hide. Would she be back yet? I imagine she would be. Frowning, she looked at the city.

Beauty walked over and studied the ground. “Trust people to report it.”

“Sorry.” Riley smiled at her.

Beauty hugged her. “I am sorry. They’ll get another chance.”

Riley shook her head. “It doesn’t seem fair.”

“Life never is,” Beauty replied, releasing the hug and conjuring a couch.

Riley sat and leaned against the goddess. Beauty started humming. Humming along, Riley drifted off to sleep.

~~~

The sound of snapping wood jolted Riley awake. I hate this place! Sighing, she looked around the room and felt like screaming. How are they not back yet?

Nicole lifted her head and stretched.

“Good morning, ladies,” Ivan said, yawning. “We’ve had a steady stream of undead. My guess is that they both ran out of stamina and are recovering.”

“How much longer?” Riley murmured.

“The sun will rise soon. So, that’s the hope,” Ivan said, sighing and glaring at the sound of nearby undead. “Gods, they’re getting on my nerves.”

Riley nodded. “Are we burning them?”

“Yes. It’s a risk to the city, but there are too many undead, and I’d prefer not to leave them.” Ivan frowned and shook his head.

Riley stood and stretched. Well, it’s time to go get them if they won’t come out. She walked out the door and nearly ran into the woman outside.

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Althea pulled her into a hug. “Good morning, Riley.” Kissing her on the forehead, she released the hug and walked into the room, pulling Nicole into one.

Riley let out a breath of relief. “Dad, are you okay?”

Roger looked up and nodded. He gestured to his torn armor. “They did a number on it, but I survived.”

She darted forward and hugged him furiously. “No more necromancers by yourself.”

Roger sighed and patted her back. “No arguments from either of us. Gods, that was a mess.” He frowned and shook his head. “That entire city is crawling with undead.”

“There aren’t any living left,” Riley whispered. “Not anymore.” She pulled back. “Dad, the royals? What if they do this?”

Roger frowned. “Althea and I discussed. We need that country to collapse, and rumors of the knights fleeing will have spread.”

“Are we headed there now?”

“Yes. We’ll assassinate as needed. That’s the plan now.” Roger patted her on the back. “Some knights are launching fire into the mess. We’ll go when they return.”

Riley nodded. I should have tried to get more rest. I could have made replacement potions. She looked at him and felt a lance of pain ring through her mind, some distant person thrashing against some caustic spell. “Dad, now!” She pointed to the northeast.

“Condemnation,” Roger hissed. “We have another!” he bellowed and headed for the door.

Riley took a quick sip of water and followed, jogging out of their stone structure and looking at the hastily fortified picket. Undead bodies littered the area beyond it, covering it in yellow and red fluid. A noxious smell washed over them.

Ignoring it, Riley leapt down from the stone platform and landed lightly. Locking on the source of distress, she jogged and then ran, sprinting toward the source of pain.

Trees blurred around her. Half-melted snow broke underfoot, and the group jogged through the woods. Nodding to the group, Ivan moved up.

Riley pointed, and he shot forward with a few other knights. Gods, they’re fast. Sprinting after them, she focused on the path forward, vaulting over logs, streams, and rocks.

Is this what it’s like to be with the knights? Riley wondered while she ran through the forest. Breaking through the trees, she was forced to veer around a lake, shooting down the shore and following the path of the scouting group.

Althea jogged alongside both her and Nicole, her eyes darting around them.

“Not scouting?” Nicole asked.

“No. I had enough fun for one night.” Althea frowned. “They’ll get a good look and come back.”

Riley ran and felt the pain increase. Gods, don’t let them do this. Not again. Running faster, she tore around the lake and across a snow-covered meadow.

The source of pain faded away, and Riley sped up.

“Riley?” Roger asked with a growing frown.

[You have assisted in killing a level 314 necromancer. +24 experience.]

Riley let out a breath of relief. “I think the knights found them,” she said and spotted the distant village. If we focus on collapsing things, the army can move in. She looked to the north. It’s time.

~~~

King Titus glowered at the messenger. He willed up the notification.

[304 people have broken their oaths and been judged.]

Scanning through the list of knights, his rage surged. “You’re telling me that not only did they abandon their posts, but they’ve also joined Eteln and captured three cities already.”

The messenger nodded and swallowed nervously.

“Condemnation,” Titus snarled. He looked at the heavens. “Where was the judgment?” he hissed.

Lisa’s fingers drummed on the throne. She turned. “You know what we have to do.”

Titus frowned. He nodded and turned towards the servants. “Summon the necromancer.”

The lone girl curtsied, shaking slightly. She walked from the room.

Titus waited. He turned toward his wife. “Did you discover what happened with the servants?”

“Several fled after… the incident,” Lisa said, sighing and pointing at a lingering blood stain.

“And Timothy?”

“He’s upset and pouting.” The queen sighed. “Perhaps we were too soft with him.”

“Lily?” Titus asked.

“Studying one of those tomes,” Lisa said, straightening her gown. “She seems to have an affinity for it.”

Titus grimaced. “It’s disgusting. Tell me she doesn’t have some undead creature in her room.”

Lisa didn’t reply. She met his eyes instead.

“Gods,” Titus said, grimacing again. He looked at the door and frowned.

The servant girl walked back in. She handed a note to the guard, curtsied, and stepped out of the room.

The guard unrolled the paper and blanched.

“Out with it!” Titus barked.

“She’s in the city… shopping.” The guard swallowed.

“Shopping? She’s shopping?” Titus held out his hand and gestured for the guard to move forward.

Taking the letter, he quickly read.

Hello, your majesties.

I assume you’ve realized how essential I am to you and our new kingdom. I am taking precautions and gathering the supplies needed to ensure our survival. If the people cause a fuss, I trust that you will handle it. After all, such things require sacrifice…

Titus jerked up from the letter. He handed it to his wife and contemplated. There is no other choice.

Lisa turned toward the guard. “Get me the Milvsky baron and baroness. They should be added to the list.” She stood. “Come. Let us have words with our guest.” She strode for the door.

Titus followed. “Where are we heading?”

“The cellar. She went to acquire bodies, but she’ll be back.” Lisa walked down the halls, and Titus followed.

A chilly wind rippled across the keep, and Tahani turned and ran, racing toward the assassin’s guild and Althea’s hawk.