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Lords of Necromancy
Chapter 32 The Call of Heroes

Chapter 32 The Call of Heroes

With her band of Krimlond misfits, Baroness Lina stood outside a building they had been ordered to convert into a command center. Though battered by time and recent upheaval, the structure still bore the marks of a grander age. It was once one of Ffairfon’s official buildings when the bronze elves ruled the city. In those days, there were no baronies or embassies; power was concentrated within noble families rather than among groups selected for their skills or loyalty.

The building, now abandoned and overgrown with vines, had fallen into disuse when the bronze elves’ rule ended. Lina’s mission was to reclaim it, to turn this crumbling edifice into a stronghold for Krimlond. Under her command, Hoat led the charge, and the warriors of Krimlond moved with practiced efficiency as they secured the building. Inside, they found remnants of the past, old elven guardians that had stood vigil over the house for centuries. These ancient protectors, once formidable, were no match for Krimlond’s forces. They were swiftly dismantled, their arcane mechanisms rendered inert. With the old guardians destroyed, Gauge set to work, installing his creations, stone golems crafted to defend the building with unyielding resolve. Krimlond had claimed the building, transforming it into a fortified command center, ready to serve as the nerve center of their operations.

Across the city, in a different part of the ruins, Talich’s group had their mission. Talich, Zavet, Runner, and Alley went to the Andiesen household, a place deeply personal to Talich. The house, once a proud seat of power within the city, had been claimed by the Andiesen family, one of the few noble houses to survive the city's fall. Talich’s wife, Vivian, was the current leader of the Andiesen family, and this house was a tangible link to that legacy.

The Andiesen household had fallen into disrepair over the years. Its grand halls, which had once echoed with laughter and conversation, were now eerily silent, occupied only by undead servants and guardians left to maintain the household without living masters. These undead, bound to the house by ancient magic, continued their duties in the shadows, their presence a grim reminder of the city’s tragic past.

Talich, however, showed no hesitation. With swift precision, he and his companions dispatched the undead, their ancient bones crumbling to dust as they fell beneath the skilled blows of the Krimlond warriors. The house was soon cleared of its grim occupants, the air thick with the scent of death and decay. Once the last undead were dealt with, Talich ordered the installation of new guardians, stone golems, their massive forms standing sentinel where the undead once roamed. These hulking figures would ensure the household’s security, protecting it from further threats.

Inside, the house was a stark contrast to its fortified exterior. Dust and cobwebs coated every surface, remnants of a time when the house had been abandoned to its fate. Talich could not help but feel sorrow as he walked through the once-grand halls, now reduced to little more than a mausoleum. But there was no time for mourning. The house was more than a memory; it was a secure location for Talich and his group, where they could regroup and plan their next moves. The Andiesen household, once fallen into ruin, would serve a new purpose in the coming battle. Talich and the group would live here while they are in Ffairfon.

With the princess and His Majesty safely escorted inside the newly established command center, Krimlond’s warriors breathed a sigh of relief. The building, once a symbol of the bronze elves’ rule, now served as a fortified refuge for their leaders. But there was no time to linger; they had another task. Talich was out there, scouting for a location they could transform into a more permanent base, a place that could serve as a home away from home in these desolate ruins.

Determined to find him, the group began navigating the labyrinth of crumbling streets and dilapidated buildings that once formed the heart of Ffairfon. They moved cautiously, eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger, yet their thoughts were focused on the task ahead. Talich had promised to leave signs, a trail of subtle markers only Krimlond would recognize, leading them to his location once he had secured a suitable site.

As they traveled, the conversation shifted to recent events and the future of their band. Runner, who had fought bravely alongside them, was the topic of much discussion. He had shown unwavering loyalty, quick thinking, and a knack for survival, earning him the respect of Krimlond’s hardened warriors. “He’s proven himself,” Hoat remarked, his voice low but firm. “Few can match his skill with poisons or his ability to keep a level head during hard times. He’s more than just an ally; he’s Krimlond material.”

The others nodded in agreement. Runner fit in seamlessly with their ranks, displaying the qualities they valued most such as loyalty, skill, and a certain ruthless pragmatism that Krimlond was known for. Bringing him as a full member was the natural next step.

But as the conversation turned to Zavet, the mood grew more contemplative. Zavet was talented. There was no denying that his connection to powerful forces and his surprising resilience in battle had caught their attention. Yet, there was a lingering concern. “He’s young,” one of them murmured, voicing what many of them felt. “Too young. He’s got potential, sure, but potential isn’t enough. Not in Krimlond.”

There was a collective sense of doubt. They had seen what the world could do to those unprepared for its harsh realities, and while Zavet had already faced his share of trials, the question remained whether he was ready for the relentless demands of Krimlond’s way of life. They wanted to see more from him before making any decisions, more battle-worn experience, more proof that he could handle the burdens that came with the name Krimlond.

The discussion eventually drifted to Alley, who had also made an impression on the group. She was resourceful, skilled, and quick on her feet. These qualities would make any warrior proud. Yet, there was something about her that made them hesitate. “Alley’s good, no question,” Hoat said thoughtfully. “But Krimlond isn’t just about skill. It’s about fitting into a specific mold, about a certain… mentality. I’m not sure she’s quite cut out for it.”

The others seemed to agree. Alley was exceptional in her own right, but there was an unspoken sense that her path might not align with Krimlond’s. She was a valuable ally but perhaps not a future member of their close-knit band.

As they continued their search, the discussion faded into silence, replaced by their footsteps echoing through the empty streets. The signs that Talich had promised began to appear, such as an arrangement of stones here and a faint marking on a wall there, guiding them closer to their destination. Krimlond’s warriors pressed on focused on the task at hand, but their minds were still turning over the conversations they had just shared.

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As they walked through the crumbling streets of Ffairfon, the remnants of an ancient civilization scattered around them, Gauge turned to Lina with a curious expression. “What about Talich?” he asked, his voice echoing slightly off the stone walls.

Lina chuckled, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Talich? He was a baron once, long ago,” she replied, her tone light with nostalgia. “That was in another time. He’s supposed to be retired now, enjoying the quiet life. But knowing him, he’s far too stubborn to let go of the fight. Age hasn’t dulled his spirit.”

Gauge nodded, his thoughts lingering on the enigmatic warrior who had once held a noble title. Talich had seen countless battles, each one leaving its mark on him, but despite his years, there was still a fire in his eyes, a determination that few could match.

As they approached their destination, the conversation died down. They spotted Zavet crouched by the side of the building, his hands busy with something on the ground. As they drew closer, it became clear that he was digging in the dirt, focusing entirely on the task.

“Hey, Zavet,” Lina called out, her voice warm as she addressed the young lizardman.

Zavet looked up, his face lighting up with a smile as he recognized them. “Hi,” he replied, his voice bright with the simple joy of the moment. In his hands were a few small insects, his favorite treat, as the others knew all too well.

Lina couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. “Did you guys find a place where we could stay?” she asked, glancing around at the surrounding ruins.

Zavet’s grin widened as he nodded eagerly, pointing to the building beside him. “Everyone is inside,” he said proudly. “They told me to find food.”

Following closely behind, Scarlet gasped in surprise as she realized what Zavet was referring to as ‘food.’ The sight of the wriggling insects in his hands made her stomach turn. “Uhh, we don’t need to eat that, right?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Harley, always one to seize an opportunity for mischief, saw her chance. With a straight face and a glint of humor in her eyes, she leaned in closer to Scarlet. “Yeah, we’re on bug rations,” she said, feigning seriousness. “No one thought to bring food, so it’s bugs for us.”

Scarlet’s eyes widened in horror as she looked at the insects in Zavet’s hands. She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, Teric chimed in, his tone casual as he glanced over at Scarlet. “She’s right,” he said, though his voice carried a hint of amusement. “But I did bring my food, so I’ll be fine.”

Scarlet looked between them, trying to gauge whether they were being serious or pulling her leg. The smirk on Harley’s face gave it away, and she realized they were teasing her. “Very funny,” she muttered, crossing her arms with a huff, but she couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips.

Zavet, blissfully unaware of the joke being played, continued to search for more bugs and content with his task. Lina patted him on the shoulder, her gaze shifting to the building he had pointed out. It was an old structure, worn by time but still standing firm as a potential refuge.

“Let’s head inside and see what Talich and the others have found,” Lina said, her voice carrying a note of authority as they moved toward the entrance.

As the group entered the old, dusty building that would temporarily serve as their base, the air was thick with anticipation and underlying unease. The stone golems that Talich had summoned stood stoically by the entrance, their rough-hewn forms a stark contrast to the ancient home's elegant, if weathered, architecture.

Gauge and Teric, however, were less than impressed. They exchanged glances, their eyes narrowing as they took in the guardians. “Yeah, that’s not going to work for us,” Gauge muttered to Teric, shaking his head. His voice carried a tone of mild frustration, tempered with the knowledge that they could quickly remedy this.

“Agreed,” Teric replied, mentally cataloging the necessary components. “I’ll start gathering the necessary materials. These golems are too rigid, too predictable. We need something with a bit more… flexibility.” His mind raced with ideas of how to reconfigure the defenses to suit Krimlond's needs better.

As the group settled in, they claimed a room within the sprawling, dilapidated structure. Dusty tapestries hung limply from the walls. Their colors faded from years of neglect while the scent of age and decay permeated the air. Lina, taking charge of the situation as she often did, strode into what must have once been a grand dining hall. Though covered in a thick layer of dust, the long table was still sturdy enough to serve their purposes. She placed a large, weathered bowl in the center of the table and affixed a note to it with a piece of parchment. The note in her precise handwriting read: “Please donate half of your findings during the gathering. – Lina.” It was a practical instruction meant to ensure that they all shared the burden of survival and contributed equally to the group's well-being.

Talich, who had initially accompanied the group, knew his place was outside these walls. Though he had been instrumental in securing the building, he was not a member of their barony, and he felt it best to give them space to organize as they saw fit. With a nod to Lina, he stepped outside, the heavy door creaking shut behind him.

As he exited, he noticed Zavet crouched in the overgrown yard, intently gathering bugs into a small burlap sack. Talich’s brow furrowed in mild concern as he approached. “Shit, Zavet, not bugs,” he admonished gently. “Normal people don’t eat bugs. Come on, let’s head to the palace. You remember the place where you first met the master?”

Zavet looked up from his task, his eyes lighting up as he recalled the memory. He stood, brushing dirt from his knees, and nodded enthusiastically. “I remember! I’ll keep these bugs for later. Maybe I’ll smoke them this time. I even found a kitchen outside in the back,” he added, his excitement palpable.

Talich smiled, amused by Zavet’s innocent enthusiasm. “Yeah, I used that kitchen right before I met you. I stayed here right after being put on the mission to discover what happened to the forgotten..”

Zavet’s face brightened further as he thought of his family. “Oh, I want to visit my mom and dad,” he said, almost bouncing on his heels excitedly. “I’ll bring them here after the gathering. It’ll take me a week if I get a wagon and a horse.”

Talich chuckled softly at the boy’s eagerness, nodding in approval. “That sounds like a good plan. They’ll be happy to see you.”

Together, the duo made their way through the deserted streets, the once bustling city now eerily silent. All around them, the former citizens of Ffairfon, now undead, continued their daily routines as if nothing had changed. They were not mindless but rather animated by some strange necromantic force that kept them tethered to their previous lives.