The Dracolich Empire looked the same as the Dawncrest Kingdom, at least according to Juno. “Right?” he asked with a yawn. “It’s not that much different from some of the outer regions of Solaria. What I’m trying to say here is—”

“You’re sleepy,” Zola told him. “We need to rest. We’ve been traveling all night, you know.”

Caidan motioned to some of the rocks ahead, which created a natural barrier and a deep enough indention that they would be able to take shelter. “That’s why I led you here. Head inside and rest. You’re going to need it.”

“It looks spooky as shit in there,” Juno said. “Last time we entered a cave, or maybe that was an abandoned mine shaft… either way, it sucked. That’s what I’m trying to save.”

“It’s not a cave,” Zola told him. “It’s just a quaint little resting spot. Think of it like that.

“Quaint? I keep expecting something to jump out at us. A big spider or a bat. Heh. I guess I could summon Desolara.”

“Juno—”

“Inside,” Caiden told him. “Unpack your things. This is where you will leave them when you venture out later tonight. Let me talk to Ghost.”

The two headed in, leaving the Dracolich witch with Alistair. Naturally, Ghost took control: “Let them get settled,” he said quietly to Caidan. “Once the two teens are asleep, you and I can talk. Alistair, join your friends.”

Alistair entered the cavernous space to find Juno and Zola arranging thin blankets they had with them. He summoned Ziggy, who squished with delight as he jumped down onto one of the blankets. Squish!

“You’re such a cute slime,” Juno said as he gave Ziggy a hug. “Such a big cutie. Can I use you as a pillow?”

Squish? Squish! Ziggy hopped away and jumped into Zola’s arms.

She didn’t say anything, but she did smile as she laid on her side and cuddled the slime.

Ghost: Now, isn’t that cute?

Alistair: Please don’t call teenage girls cute.

Ghost: Rather than argue with you, because believe me, I would love to do that, you need to get some rest. Or at least pretend to do so.

Alistair rolled out his thin blanket as well. It wasn’t cold, but it would give them something to lay on. He took off his overcoat and fashioned it into a small pillow. Soon, he was resting on his back, listening to Juno and Zola tease one another.

They were nervous, and he couldn’t really blame them. With all that was happening, it was hard not to feel apprehension. Their voices eventually caused him to fall asleep, Alistair aware that Ghost would take over, but not cognizant when the assassin finally did.

Everyone was asleep now aside from Caidan, who remained outside as if she were standing guard. Ghost quietly got to his feet. He was going to motion for Ziggy to join him, but the slime seemed to be comfortably cuddled up with Zola.

“Lionel?” Ghost whispered into the dark.

“I’m here.”

“Good. Stay close, as always.” Ghost stepped outside and joined Caidan, the Dracolich witch with her arms crossed over her chest. “Now, tell me what I need to know to make this happen.”

“I was wondering when you would ask something like that. But before we get into that, tell me, why did you bring children?”

“It’s a long story, and they are helpful. Or at least the girl is. Unfortunately, we have to keep our eye on the boy. He is a Stonewind. That is a big deal in the Dawncrest Kingdom.”

“Yet you bring him here. Not very smart of you, assassin.”

“Are you going to keep asking me about that? Or are we going to come up with an actual plan that we can execute?”

“You still never answered my question.”

“It just worked out that way. It’s not ideal, but if I hadn’t brought them, I would have had to kill them,” Ghost lied. “They would have blown our cover, my cover.”

“I suppose that’s fair.”

“Nothing is fair, but it is the way things have turned out. First, Kang. You’ve been observing their camp for how long now?”

“Four days. It took me two to find it.”

“Why haven’t they moved across the border?”

“Good question. Something about the power they are using to continually fuel the necrotic warriors is preventing them from moving forward. It seems unstable. It is some ancient relic, I can tell you that, but is only able to sustain so many. That number keeps growing, however. This makes me think that they are simply waiting until they have amassed enough.”

“And where are they amassing them from?”

“Ah, the bodies. There are numerous. In piles. They have some of their forces bringing more in.”

“From where?”

“The Dracolich Crown is helping, but they don’t seem to be doing so officially. If word reached your kingdom it would be an act of war. But there are bodies. There are catacombs in Rostogray.”

“Rostogray. The capital of the Empire.”

“You’ve been?”

“Once. It was a dreary city. The children, as you call them, seem to think there are similarities between our two nations,” Ghost told her with a hint of bitterness in his voice. “But they are merely topographical. And you know that.”

“I never denied it.”

“But that is a discussion for another day, a discussion that will likely never happen. What about the mask I gave you?”

“The lich mask? I destroyed it once I found them.”

“You destroyed it? Why?”

She narrowed her eyes on him. “You don’t understand the possibilities of dark magic like that. It is not a relic that anyone should come into possession of, so I dealt with it after I found them, and I will do the same once I get my hands on the other two lich masks. It is a power that should be extinct.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“I suppose that makes sense.”

“It makes perfect sense.”

“Kang and Dreadwell are still preparing their troops. How are they giving orders to them? Last time I saw their necromancy in action, it was laughable at best. Has it gotten stronger?”

“Some seem to be more cognizant than others, and their forces now have a leader. A woman with dark skin.”

Ghost knew who it was without even asking the question. “And silver tattoos?”

“You are familiar with this woman?”

“Hilda. She’s the first person I killed. Did you see a large man?”

“I did not.”

“Decapitation works, apparently,” Ghost said, thinking of Goran. “But we can’t decapitate them all. We need to stop the power source, but Kang first, and I’m assuming Hilda will be part of that.”

“He meets with her nightly to have sex with her.”

“Come again?” Ghost asked.

Caidan’s eyes flitted to the ground. “I didn’t realize she was dead. I’m only understanding how twisted that is now. But that’s what he does. He covers his face in blood, wears the lich masks, and fucks her in a private tent.”

“That’s when we’ll deal with Kang, then. I should clarify, I need to be the one that kills him. He killed me. I already took care of Hilda, so I don’t really care what happens to her. But Kang is mine. And Dreadwell.”

“It should be the other way around.”

“This is the way it must be.”

“It is certainly strange taking orders from a child.”

“It’s best to get used to that now.”

“I still don’t see why Senka liked you.” Caidan placed her hand on the hilt of her sword. “You don’t seem like a person anyone could truly care for.”

“I’ll take that as both an insult and compliment. Are you planning on drawing your sword?”

“No.”

“Then I suggest you not make it look like that is your intention lest you end up with Senka. There’s one more thing.”

“What?” Caidan said as she lowered her hand.

“Thank you.” Ghost held his chin just a little higher. “I suppose that sounds strange considering I just threatened your life, but I mean it. Thank you. You have made this much easier, and you didn’t have to.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“But it will all be worthwhile.”

“It sounds like you have talked yourself into that sentiment, Ghost.”

“True. But sometimes, that’s the way it has to be. By this time tomorrow night, all of this will be over.”

“You seem so certain.”

“I can sense it. Just do me one more favor. Make sure that the three children get across the border.”

“You won’t be joining?”

Ghost shrugged. “That remains to be seen.”

****

Late afternoon came much faster than Ghost would have liked.

It was better for the three teenagers to be sleeping, but they were up now, anxious to get started. He wanted to scold them and tell them to be quiet, yet they couldn’t help themselves. And Caidan didn’t seem to mind, which told Ghost that they were far enough away not to be discovered by the necrotic forces.

As the day turned to night, the Dracolich witch finally spoke, just as Ghost had asked her to in an effort to conceal who he really was. “We will first move on Kang and Hilda’s tent—”

“Hilda?” Juno asked.

Alistair answered for her: “One of the assassins that has already died and has been reanimated. I saw her after her death, in Solaria, with Kanda. She was at the big party that Felix hosted there.”

“Wild. I can’t believe we’re going to have to fight some zombies.”

“Hopefully, you don’t,” Caidan said. “This isn’t a game.”

“We know,” Zola said for Juno. “He just gets a little overzealous at times.”

“As I was saying, she will be there with Kang,” Caidan said, “they share a tent at night.”

“Hold on,” Juno said, interrupting her again. “Are you telling me he’s hooking up with the zombie lady? Like having sex?”

“I didn’t hang around around long enough to find out, but that does seem to be the case.”

Zola stuck her tongue out. “Are all assassins weird and gross? No offense,” she told Caidan quickly.

“I’m not an assassin, so I couldn’t help you there.”

Ghost: But I am, and we’re not all weird and gross, as Zola said. Some of us have real standards and a code to live up to. Tell her that. Wait. You know what? Don’t. Don’t tell her that. But know that I said it.

“Whatever,” Alistair mumbled.

“So let me get this straight, you want us to attack them while they’re getting it on?” Juno laughed nervously. “That’s fucked up and, I mean, it’s also fucking awesome.”

“You won’t be doing any attacking,” she told him. “You are to remain on the periphery and provide cover.” Caidan pointed at Zola. “You as well.”

“It’s better this way,” Alistair said, repeating Ghost’s words. “My master had very specific instructions. You all are doing enough already. I just need your support. Le Caidan and me do the bulk of it. You brought a stone to recharge your wands, right?”

“Of course, I did,” Zola said.

“Good. And you have your summons. Cause as much chaos as you can once things kick off,” Caidan said. “That is what we need most. If it were up to me, I think we hit Dreadwell first—”

“That’s not going to work,” Ghost said for Alistair.

Caidan tensed. “I’m aware. But you realize that if things go wrong here, you could alert the entire zombie army.”

“We already discussed why I feel this way.”

“You did?” Juno asked who he thought was Alistair.

“Last night, after you went to sleep,” Ghost said, even as Alistair told him the dial back. “This is the way things are going to be.”

“I can get out there much easier than the three of you,” Caidan reminded him.

“Not necessarily,” Ghost said.

“If we are going to do this, we should do it as a team,” Zola told them. “If this is a strategy that Alistair thinks is best, I’m going to assume that he has his reasons.”

Ghost: Zola gets an A in my book.

Alistair: She doesn’t realize just how fucked in the head you are.

Ghost: Fucked in your head.

Alistair: What did you speak about with her last night? Tell me everything. No secrets. It is too late for that.

Ghost: No secrets. I believe it is better this way. If we go for Dreadwell first, we will certainly cut the head off the snake, but that’s like doing so and ignoring the fact that the snake has another head, one that is equally terrible.

Alistair: A two-headed snake analogy.

Ghost: Something like that, yes. If we time it right, and I think we will be able to, we will cut one of the snake’s heads.

Alistair: You and decapitation.

Ghost: It’s often easier that way. And I’m going to be honest with you. This is going to be one of those situations. It isn’t a fight for glory, nor is it a chance for me to prove myself. If I can take a cheap shot and deal with Kang quickly, I’m talking quick enough that we don’t even have to hear what he has to say for himself, I will. This, Alistair is what a true hit is like.

Alistair: A true hit, huh?

Ghost: Yes. Do you think assassins really sit there with their victims and let them wax poetic? No, never. In and out with the precision of a crossbow bolt fired at point blank range. That is what we are striving for here. And as much as I would like to cut Kang down piece by piece—believe me, Alistair—we have bigger fish to fry.

Alistair: Dreadwell and whatever he is using to control the mass of zombies. I get it.

Ghost: You do. I’ve trained you well. Caidan provided a crude map of what we can expect. It is my goal, no, my mission, to execute this as smartly as possible. Execute those who deserve to be executed, I suppose you could say. It is also my goal to protect you and your friends. I mean that, Alistair. None of you die here tonight.

Alistair: In and out.

Ghost: Kang first, Dreadwell second, which will stop the army he is putting together, the army they are putting together. And if I can hit Kang in the middle of having sex with Hilda, I will. Easier that way. An insult too. Fuck them both.

Alistair: I can’t even imagine what this is going to look like. And you don’t want me helping out, right? Because if you are looking to go for the kill, there are numerous ways that I can assist you, from Lionel to something like Rain of Blades.

Ghost: I don’t know. I don’t know just yet. Let’s keep it at that. Now, pay attention to Caidan, and make sure your friends don’t stray from whatever she says. Tonight is our night. By tomorrow morning, everything will be different, everything will be better.