I sat on my throne with a heavy mind; there were many things plaguing me, including the Shadowsiphon dagger. The damn thing felt like evil itself, a dark and malefic presence constantly emanated from it. The curved, jagged dagger appeared to subtly move at times. It was clear as day to me that the dagger was some sort of being, one with nasty intentions strong enough to remain alive even in the form of a weapon.

I threw it into my inventory when I heard footsteps encroaching from the throne room’s side entrance. Einar walked in the center of my line of sight and kneeled. “I am pleased to see you back, my lord. Might I know what responsibilities you wish for me to fulfil?”

I took my head off my fist and sat up properly. Oh, right. My eyes judged the level of light coming from the stained windows. Guess it’s not too late. I pulled up the grimoire and searched for Venomknight. Huh? Well, that’s interesting. I set my portal to the castle of Ivora, outside Royal Archwizard Kaelyn’s room. Of course, I used my female vessel to visit her.

Her room was alit with a couple dim Dawnlights; the amber hue of sunset still gave ample lighting through the windows. Demarcus, the Knight-Captain, quickly put his goblet of wine away. Kaelyn sure had a wine problem… “Sorry, I forgot to knock.” I entered anyway. “I hadn’t realized you two were, close like that.” I made a gratus to greet them properly.

“Expert Deidre,” Demarcus stood up, half-donning his armor, “do not feel because the queen favors you, that I will let my guard down around you. I’ve my eye on you, necromancer.”

I rolled my eyes. This guy never liked me, huh? “That’s good. Would you like to have your eye on me somewhere else? You’re the reason I’m here, Demarcus.” I popped open another portal to my castle.

“There’s nothing you can say to me that you can’t say to her.” He stood adamant. His dirty blonde hair was a bit overgrown, so he had to keep shoving it out his face. The sword he removed from his waist was clenched tightly in his hands, as if he expected to fight me at the drop of a hat.

I palmed my face and rubbed my neck; what an awkward atmosphere. “It’s hard to hide your relationship when you say stuff like that, man.” I wondered if he knew Kaelyn’s true identity, her elven background. From the looks of hesitation that she gave me when I eyed her in a particularly intense way, I realized she kept him in the dark. He didn’t seem like the person that would accept her as an elf. However, he felt like the type of man that would stand at his family’s side no matter what the circumstances. Banking on him to fall in love, huh? Well, it might work. Deceit was something I abhorred, but I understood her position, at least on the surface. “You should come alone. If it’s not a big deal for you, then you can tell her afterwards.”

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Of course, Demarcus still didn’t trust a word I said, but Kaelyn convinced him after holding his hand tightly and nodding. Finally, the stubborn man yielded and came along to the grim and gloomy Lich God’s castle.

Einar sat patiently on a chair in his room and immediately recognized Demarcus; the resemblance probably gave it away. Demarcus’ eyebrow raised and he looked to me for answers.

“Demarcus Sloane, meet Einar Sloane.” I introduced. “Einar Sloane, Demarcus Sloane, Reuland’s Knight-Captain.” I kept the portal up and saw myself out the room.

While they reunited, I remembered the advice Lich Kaya gave me about gauging the depths of people’s intentions. Demon King Fyren’s intention was one that had me concerned, though it didn’t concern me. Both he and Lilith Darkviper were cause for worry, but as of this moment, I couldn’t care less. All I cared about was seeing Isaac.

I read up on what I needed for world-travel once I settled down in my room. That’s it? I turned the paper around and looked at it from all angles, expecting the fine print to be somewhere. Well then, lucky me, I guess. I Synthesized a piece of ice into a magic crystal around the size of a fist and used it in conjunction with normal portal magic to test it out. It led to the roof of the royal castle like I wanted it to.

The more I used ridiculous spells and read the grimoire, the more I wondered how I could do those things and why the grimoire was made up the way it was. It’s like I’m an IT admin. It didn’t make much sense to me that I could effortlessly wield magic without the need to practice, but I definitely wasn’t complaining. And why would I complain? A modern city girl suddenly going to a medieval world? I’d die in a heartbeat. So, if all I needed to do was complement my portal with a magic crystal, then so be it.

For now, I decided to relax at my window and enjoy a calming sunset. I’d wait until tomorrow to attempt crossing worlds. After an hour or two of rummaging around the pages of my grimoire, one of my undead notified me that Einar and his grandson, Demarcus, was finished.

Things looked amicable, so I wasn’t very worried. Einar however, had a very determined demeanor to him. Don’t tell me…

“My Lord,” he kneeled yet again, “if I may, I have a bit of a selfish request to make.”

I nodded for him to continue and gestured towards the dining room; it was about time for dinner. “I, did not properly give my son the time he deserved when he was alive. Even though I pledged my loyalty to you, I…” His fingers dug into his armrest.

I smiled on the inside; I was glad he made the right choice. “I understand, Einar. Don’t worry about it, okay? I can help you get started on a new life in Ivora if you’d like.”

“My Lord, you misjudge. I still intend on serving you as your knight.” He stood strong on his words. “But I would wish for permission to visit my grandson.”

I laughed out. Do knights not get time off? “Of course. Since you have agreed to serve me, I will have you swear secrecy in front of me. I am Lich God Deidre,” I used my female vessel, “this is the form I use for communicating with people. A few people know my true identity, but most do not know I am a lich and think that my lich form is a lich that granted me powers. This is the story you are to use if it is ever relevant.” I rested my hand on his shoulder. “Welcome to a new life, Einar the Unbreakable.”

“My sincere thanks, My Lord.” He made a gratus.

“Call me Deidre,” I said.