“I cannot thank enough for everything you’ve done, master.” Said a middle-aged man to the youngster in front of him. He was Agafya, one of the two people with death affinity serving under the northern lord.

Ignis showed a rare genuine smile. It was rare for him to receive heartful thanks. “I already told you not to call me master, I’m too young for that.”

The good hearted and studious nature of the man was too much for him to deal with. Death mage tended to be effaced or brooding, but this one had the luck to have been born to a wealthy family serving under an open-minded lord.

Another man, ten year older than the first laughed. “I’m afraid it won’t happen; I’ve been asking him the same thing for over twenty years, and look at the results.” The second man’s voice was gentlemanly, and everything else about him also screamed chivalrousness. He was Alastair, great lord of the northern region and the polar opposite of his predecessor.

He was so righteous and likable that talking with the man for more than ten minutes had been enough for Ignis to let go all of his apprehension.

“It’s a bit sad to see you go, but I swear I’ll make good use of your teaching and make you proud, master.” Spoke Agafya, tearfully embracing his junior.

No matter how just they are, people in power will gather resentment and curses; so many in fact that without proper countermeasure, an early death is all but inevitable. Even if more knowledgeable than the common man about the reality of this world, they aren’t without prejudice either and it’s rare for them to totally trust, and be trusted by their subordinate like this man.

The church does what it can, but they only have a handful of master themselves, not enough to teach other while also dealing with the myriad of demands all across the kingdom. Which is why, when asked to send an escort, the lord saw it as a way for his subordinate and friend to access the knowledge he so sorely lacked and current situation.

“I know you will, so please stop hugging me, it’s embarrassing.” Squeaked the necromancer in defense. This kind of open and heartfelt dealing had been his dream for a long time, but he had never expected the real deal to be so cringeworthy.

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“Do you want an escort? Just because we haven’t found any more trace of them, doesn’t mean they’re gone. For all we know, they could have been targeting you.”

“Thank you very much for the offer lord, Dacaea.”

“It’s only natural after all you did for us. Be assured, I’ll inform the church if I find more about this mysterious group.”

“I cannot speak for others, but I’ll do the same if I can.”

Ignis and his were on the way to the eastern capital when they heard screaming up ahead. Bandit attacks were excessively rare on the very busy central road, but from time to time, a particularly stupid or audacious group would try and almost immediately get hunted down.

Saving a damsel in distress from a bandit attack then reap the reward had been another of the mage’s youthful dream. Listening to his heart – and libido – he quickly rode to the rescue, forgetting about the twenty valiant knights riding with him.

Needless to say, it was a massacre. There’s nothing a few bowmen can do against an equal number of armored professional riding barded war horses and a powerful mage. As in his dream, the young girl in the convoy swooned over their saviors, but contrary to what had happened in his vision, they preferred the muscular well-toned warrior – do not forget well paid and garrisoned near a major city – over a normally build erring mage.

‘I’m young, I regret nothing. I’m sure I’ll get my chance later…’

The leaders of the convoy knew better than his younger peers and quickly came to thank the necromancer for his help. “Thank you, milord. If you and your knights didn’t come to our rescue, I don’t know what would have happened to us.”

He answered “I only did what is natural.” Adding internally ‘and got nothing for it.’ It didn’t mean he wouldn’t have saved them without the prospect of recompense, just that he was peeved to see others reap the reward he craved. “I thought the central road were sure. Do this kind of incident happen often?”

“Never. The was trouble in the west some times ago, maybe they thought the regional border would be less well defended.”

‘Wishful thinking’ though Ignis, ‘these roads are the arteries by which the commercial lifeblood of all four regions pass through.’ Out loud he said. “The idiots and hopeless are everywhere and we better make our lot in life.”

“Well said milord. If you don’t’ mind, can I ask you where you are travelling to?”

“Sure thing, we are heading to Oto. Is it also your way?”

“Aw, sadly no, we’re heading to Utique in the west.” Losing a free escort was a big blow for the leader, but an unexpectedly good news for the mage since he wouldn’t have to see the knights steal his rightful reward.

“I see. We’ll accompany you for a short while, but you should think about hiring escort in the future.”

“You’re probably right milord.” Said the merchant hoping it wouldn’t come to that as he’d have to rise his prices or lose profits.