Darian took a step back from Harper. “I need to discuss this with my friend first.”

Harper tutted but then shrugged her shoulders. “Have at it then, but do try and make this quick. We all have rather important business to attend to.”

With a wave of his hand, Fria followed Darian away from the small campfire. Zan stayed close, the wolf’s nose low to the ground, twitching as he sniffed for prey. When Darian was sure the three Society members couldn’t hear them, he stopped.

“How much have you told them?”

“Not a lot. But when I discovered they could make allies, I convinced them to stay until I found you. Gustan also pitched in. He saw our fight with Valmier and what you did after.”

“He saw that…and he wants my help?”

“I told you, they’re a colorful bunch. But this isn’t your home, Darian. Anyone who can kill like you is valuable. The world is dangerous, and that means you need dangerous people. Especially with what we’re trying to do.”

She had a point. “Well, that means they already know a bit about my thirst.”

Fria nodded. “Gustan explained what he could to them, and I only added where necessary. Gorm seemed rather pleased with the discussion.”

“What is he?” Darian asked. He had his guesses, but he wanted to be sure.

“A half-orc,” Fria explained. “Technically considered a half monster in Lonelen, but the people of Vizzera don’t worship Argus or the pantheon. They’re a little more open-minded.”

Darian recalled the night he told Fria he was a vampire. She’d recommended he go to Vizzera once the necromancer was defeated. “And The Society, are they as renowned as Harper says?”

“They are. But I’m sure you’ve realized they can’t exactly be trusted. They’re not necessarily bad people, but they’ll do just about all they can to drain you of coin or labor.”

Businessmen. “What do you think? Can we trust them enough to help us?”

“They’re at least against the necromancer, but I couldn’t get Harper to tell me what they’re really after.” Fria shrugged. “In the end, it’s your call. I’ll follow your lead.”

Darian gripped his chin. If they were already fighting the same opponent, they could make temporary allies. And the fort had been difficult. Luck more than anything saw them through their fight with Valmier. The necromancer’s base would probably be even harder to penetrate. It was difficult to admit, but they could use the help.

“I also told her you know where the Nether Gates are,” Fria added. “That’s about all we have to bargain with.”

Darian nodded. “It will be enough.”

He walked back toward the sputtering fire. Gorm had finished sharpening his axe and was inspecting the edge when they approached.

“Done?” he asked, laying the hunk of metal across his lap. “I sure hope you and the chief come to an agreement. From what Gustan tells me, you’re a real terror in a fight.”

“Something like that,” Darian looked about. “Where are Harper and Gustan?”

Gorm nodded across the fire. “You’re not the only who has doubts.” He sighed. “Chief doesn’t like making deals when she isn’t in complete control. Truth is, she’s panicking about how to get this job done.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Darian leaned against a tree, Fria squatting to pet Zan beside him.

“I like seeing her thrown off balance from time to time.” Gorm smiled, his rows of sharp yellowed teeth bright in the firelight. “And we need help. I’m not saying outright that you should trust us, that’s earned with blood and sweat. But I am saying why not take the help you’re offered? The tribe that fights alone dies alone and all that nonsense.” He spat into the fire.

“Help with strings attached,” Fria chimed in.

“Aye, but that’s just the way The Society operates. Take it up with the high council, not me.” Gorm relaxed, patting the wide blade of his axe. “We lost four people to this job already, and I’ll not see another fall. Even if the chief is too prideful to admit we need help, I’m not.” He looked up, eyes two points of darkness in a harsh face. “The chief likes to have all the answers, but you weren’t accounted for in her plans. Use that to your advantage. Because you need our help, too. Your little friend said you’re after this bastard of a necromancer. And the only other allies you’re to find out here is that scared boy and his Justicar friend.” He said Justicar with a slight growl, his eyes narrowing. “And I doubt you’d get along.”

If only you knew. “You make good points, but let’s see what your leader has to say.”

At about that time, Harper and Gustan came through the foliage. Darian noted that he couldn’t hear Harper move. Her steps fell silently on the ground, and even her breath was muted. Is she using some kind of skill for that? She stopped opposite the fire, her good hand falling to her hip.

“So,” she said, chin upturned. “What say you now? Is a deal amenable or will you prance off into the night to do your bloody work alone?”

Gorm glanced up at Darian, a knowing look in his eyes. “We clearly could use each other’s help,” Darian said, making sure to speak clearly, his shoulders proud. “But I don’t trust you.”

Harper smiled. “Good instincts. But so long as we’re being truthful, I do not trust you either. You are an unknown factor, and I make it a point to keep unknowns at a great distance.”

“But not Fria?” Darian motioned toward his friend. “You still have her pretty close.” Gorm had said Darian wasn’t accounted for in Harper’s plans. Did that mean she knew about Fria and her group prior to arriving? And if she knew that, what else did she know?

“She assisted in rescuing my dear friend Gustan. She has earned my trust.” She gave Fria a quick smile, but her expression remained blank.

Darian narrowed his eyes. “You don’t strike me as the type to trust anyone.” Gorm nodded. “Gustan said it’s been a rough couple of days. That means you arrived in this forest after the Justicars did, correct?”

Harper cut her eyes at Gustan, the man shrinking away. “What are you trying to say?”

“That you know more than you’re letting on.”

“I saw when Jorg freed you from that cell,” Fria said, eyes staring at the ground, lost in recollection. “I was half delirious from the pain still, but you didn’t seem all that shocked to see a Justicar at the fort.”

“Justicars get up to all kinds of odd business. Why would seeing one in their own country be a shock to anyone?”

“Did you know the Justicars had come to this forest?” Darian asked. “Fria told me she convinced you to wait around for me, but were you motivated by her words or were you just curious to see this unknown factor?”

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Harper went to say something but then stopped, her bad hand waving dismissively in the air. “I know only what I’m told, and I was told you’d be of great assistance to us. Is that still true?”

“Maybe,” Darian said, studying Harper’s face. “But if we’re going to work together, you have to tell me a few things first.”

Harper scoffed. “Not how that works, boy. I make the demands.”

“Back home you might, but you’re in the thick of it now. And let’s be honest, you need me more than I need you.”

Harper’s mouth drew into a frown. “It’s true I lack decent manpower, but the two men I have left are enough. You took out one of the necromancer’s generals, did you not? Her forces have to be significantly weakened.”

“Are they?” Darian crossed his arms. Gershank had told him the necromancer’s crypt was well guarded. She probably was keeping her highest level undead close. Darian couldn’t be sure of that, but he had to at least pretend he was. “What we destroyed is only a small part of the necromancer’s forces. You’ll die if you try to fight her without help.”

“He speaks true,” Gorm added. “I’m a good fighter, but with Jace and Vendrick dead, I’ll be on the front lines solo. An extra blade would be handy.”

“And having a healer would aid us greatly,” Darian said. The undead lacked blood for him to regenerate from. Having an alchemist brew a few potions for him would be a massive help on its own. Plus, he had no way to heal Fria.

“Without your help, my friend and I can manage on our own,” Darian said. “But the same can’t be said of you. And if you want to destroy the Nether Gates, then you need my information.”

“That fool paladin seemed confident he knew one lie to the west. If this is the easternmost gate and the girl’s village lies to the north, logic dictates the last gate is in the south.” Harper drew closer, her angular face catching flickering shadows.

“But you can’t be sure,” Fria added. “And is that an investment you want to make? Darian knows exactly where the gates are. You need his information.”

Fria was lying, at least on some level. He had a good idea where the southern gate was, but the western gate he didn’t know an exact location. Hopefully that idiot Jorg can take care of that by himself.

Harper chewed at her bottom lip, her foot tapping the ground. Eventually, she looked up at the stars and sighed. “Fine, I’ll answer some questions in exchange for the information. But what you say better be accurate.”

Darian fought the urge to smile. “First, what are you really after?” The necromancer was no friend of theirs, but they didn’t seem to be sent here to kill her like the Justicars had. Figure she would have said as much if that was the case.

“This necromancer stole something from the Vizzeran house of artifacts before her flight here,” Harper said, a harsh edge to her voice. “We still don’t know how she got inside. The facility is guarded by the best wards and golems money can buy. But she made away with an artifact of great power. One my superiors want back.”

By the way Gorm and Gustan reacted, this was news to them. “And what is this artifact?”

“I believe it’s my turn to receive something. That is how an exchange works. So tell me, where is the remaining Nether Gate?”

“It’s in a swamp to the south.” Her eye twitched after Darian finished. She’d been right, but finding it still would have taken her longer alone.

“Delightful. But to answer your previous question, I can’t tell you what the artifact is. That is information I have been paid very well to keep to myself. What I can tell you is the necromancer herself is most likely in direct possession of the object. Meaning we must do away with her if we are to retrieve it.”

Darian wasn’t thrilled by her response, but he could tell further pushing would cause problems. “Fine then. But I do have another question.”

Harper laughed to herself. “Before I answer, we must come to an agreement.” She straightened her back, throwing off the deflated aura she’d adopted. “And as we lack any official means to seal this accord, our word will have to suffice. Is that agreeable to you?”

Darian nodded. “It is.”

“Then my demands are thus. In exchange for our cooperation, you must assist us in fulfilling our sworn mission to The Society. This will include but not be limited to fighting on our behalf, shielding valuable personnel with your body, braving unknown dangers, ensuring tasks are completed timely, and above all, you must protect the party leader. And that would be me.” She took a quick breath. “Are these conditions agreeable?”

“Only if you and your men swear to help us kill the necromancer. And I want Gustan to provide me and my friend with healing potions.” Darian looked to Gorm and Gustan, both men seeming to have no issues with Darian’s demands.

“Agreed,” she said without hesitation. “And per the original agreement, I will answer any further questions you have. This is, of course, provided they do not breach any prior contract, pact, agreement, blood sealing, or promise I have previously assented to.”

“That’s fine with me,” Darian said. “You called me an unknown factor, but you seemed to make an exception to Fria. And she says you weren’t surprised to see a Justicar at the fort. Did you know they would be here?”

“I did,” Harper answered.

Seeing as she wasn’t going to elaborate without further prodding, Darian continued. “How did you know they would be here? Did you spy on them or something?”

“The Society has spies in all of Lonelen’s organizations and the Justicars are no different. But I believe you’re mistaken in your line of thinking. We didn’t discover the necromancer had fled here from them, but the other way around.”

“The Justicars knew she was here because The Society tipped them off?” Fria asked.

“Indeed. Though we expected them to send a larger force. Their lack of power points to them either being incompetent, which we know to be true, or they simply lacked the proper manpower. They are still dealing with that nasty demonic invasion, after all.”

Fria stood up suddenly, Zan’s ears folding back. “We were your distraction.”

“Precisely,” Harper said. “Your village petitioning them for assistance was only answered so swiftly because they already knew the necromancer was here. But as I said, we expected they’d send better troops. The necromancer escaped from their dungeons and yet they sent only four of their number in pursuit. We made it clear to them this woman was at least a class B threat, but not listening is in the Justicar’s nature.”

“My father died for your distraction,” Fria said. “And I nearly did as well. We walked right into an ambush.”

“Now that didn’t have anything to do with us,” Gorm said, his voice measured. “And we didn’t expect your team to be wiped out. Justicars are bastards, but they specialize in killing the undead. We figured you’d draw enough of the Grave Lord’s forces away for us to do our job.”

Fria didn’t seem convinced. She stood there shaking, her face a picture of rage one second and despair the next. But Darian had another question pressing him. “How did you know the necromancer was here?” As far as Darian had been told, this stretch of forest was in the middle of nowhere.

“That is something I cannot tell you.” Harper said the words flatly, with no indication she would budge.

Darian turned to Fria, the girl’s eyes still locked on Harper. “What do you want to do?” If she wanted to break things off here, he would understand. But he felt strangely cold about the situation. His friend was clearly suffering, her confliction easy for all to see. Yet nothing stirred within him.

“Using people. Typical of The Society,” Fria said. “But we’ve already agreed to terms, and I’ll not be the one to break them. But know, if you do anything to purposefully put me or Darian in harm's way, I’ll put an arrow through your eye.”

“Aren’t I already putting you two in harm's way?” Harper’s shoulder sagged. “But I understand what you’re saying. And know that I am truly sorry for your loss.” It was only for a moment, but Harper’s face softened just a bit.

Fria just shrugged and stepped back, letting the shadows of the forest consume her.

A sudden rumbling from Gorm’s gut drew everyone’s attention

“Sorry,” he said. “Been a while since I ate.”

Harper looked to Darian and Fria. “I take it at least one of you is good at hunting?”

“Want us to fetch your dinner?” Fria asked from behind.

“I wouldn’t put it that way, but yes. The three of us haven’t eaten hardly a thing in two days. If we’re to help, full stomachs are needed.”

“I can help you clean the animal,” Gorm added. “Don’t think you have to do everything yourself.”

Fria clicked her tongue, and Zan joined her. “Zan and I can find something, but we shouldn’t stay here.”

“We can take them to the cave,” Darian said. “It’s not too far from here and it’s close to the swamp.” And he needed a place to hide from the sun.

“Some kind of shelter would be nice,” Gustan said, adjusting his satchel. “I’ll need a quiet place to brew my potions.”

“Splendid.” Harper ensured her hat was perfectly balanced on her head. “Then take us to this cave. I’m ever so eager for a change of location.”

Darian and Fria exchanged an annoyed glance before they walked side by side into the forest, their three new compatriots close behind.