The group traveled in the mechanical cart along the road beneath an overcast sky. They encountered a few merchants and farmers heading southwest toward Sinora, and Karl warned them of the pending civil war. Some of the travelers were shocked by the news and turned back.

“Do ye suppose the fighting ended by now?” One dwarf merchant asked.

“We left in a hurry. I do not recommend going to Sinora,” Elora responded.

“I wager the victor will want to resume things back to normal. Thank ye fer da warning,” and the dwarf began to head out on the laden cart.

“I respect that merchant. I would think he would benefit from a zombie guard,” Zel said and then hopped after the dwarf.

Elora rolled her eyes. “We don’t have time!”

“It will be just a moment,” Zel said and waved down the dwarf merchant.

“We could leave them,” Karl grumbled, but he did not activate the cart.

A short distance away, they heard the merchant shouting. Zel had to slowly back out, and the dwarf left mumbling curses under their breath.

Zel returned back to the others. “The wonders of Necromancy are still undiscovered by the general population. Superstitions and misinformation about the art continues to spread. However, I do believe I proposed a solid business plan to that merchant. It is their loss.”

Karl and Elora shook their heads, and the cart resumed along the road. The landscape was dotted with farmsteads.

“It is strange that last night in Sinora was the scariest night of my life. There was so much bloodshed and violence, and yet here, not that far away, it is quiet as if last night was a dream,” Elora observed, and her voice cracked by a gentle sob.

“If what you say is true about the Princes. Then the war will spread through here soon,” Nameless added.

“The Legion at Sinora could have defeated Prince Zaverick,” Karl said from over his shoulder in the front of the cart.

“I can not brag that I know warfare, but my intellect and pursuit for more challenging arenas can lead me to safely conclude that the Legion was defeated and Prince Zaverick will have control over Sinora.”

“The Necromancer is correct.”

“Thank you, Nameless.” Zel gave a slight bow toward the knight.

“Why did your mentor want you to inform the Wizards of Tameal?” Nameless asked.

Elora answered, “since the Machinery was activated by the Goblins in the Wastelands. We know the membranes between the dimensions and our world have shifted. Some have grown stronger, thus distancing us further from the gods, but others have grown weaker. Prince Zaverick in possession of a Demon Heart could….”

“Again, conjecture,” Zel interrupted. They were awarded by an icy glare from Karl.

Elora continued, “we do not know the ramifications a Demon Heart could bring. It may tear more holes and thus flood the Imperium with demon hordes. The Wizards of Tameal will know how to respond.”

“They can also alert the legitimate king so that the Legions can respond appropriately,” Karl added.

“How far is Tameal?” Nameless asked.

“Two, maybe three days ride at our pace,” Elora answered.

“We are out of food, and we were lucky the weather held up last night. We have no way of camping in the rain,” said Karl.

“What supplies did you pack?” The knight asked.

The others glanced at each other, and Karl’s shoulders slumped. “We didn’t pack any.”

“I have some money,” Zel stated while holding up a pale hand with some coins.

Nameless shook his head.

“We are city folk. We don’t travel the roads,” Elora explained.

“I did some traveling for my family’s business, and that was why I was prepared and brought some money,” Zel bragged.

Karl and Elora shook their heads with their mouths opened with a response, but they both decided against it.

“We have to assume that Zaverick’s next target is Tameal,” Nameless said. As he talked about war strategies, more bits of his memory and knowledge surfaced through the thick fog in his head.

The three looked at him, and Nameless continued, “Zaverick started his coup at Sinora and the Academy. He effectively cut off the city’s ability to communicate magically. His next target will be to capture Tameal. Then he will continue on deeper into the Imperium.”

“The Legion will stop him,” Karl stated.

Nameless shrugged and pointed upwards toward the sky. The others looked up and saw dozens of flying Caizene demons heading in the same direction as they were.

“They are going toward Tameal?!?” Elora cried.

Karl shook his head. “That is too small a force to take that city.”

“No, they are going to take the next town to effectively cut off communication and begin establishing supply lines,” said Nameless.

“We must hurry!” Exclaimed Elora, and Karl sped the cart to its maximum speed.

“But, will we have time to eat?” Zel whined.

Nameless placed a heavy gauntleted hand on Karl’s shoulder. “What do you expect to accomplish against such a force?”

“We must help them!” Karl exclaimed, the cart still rumbling.

“How can us four change the tide of battle against a force of demons?” The knight asked.

“We have talents,” Elora interjected.

“I am with the knight. It is hopeless, and we should veer off to find a village to eat and let fate take its course.” Zel counted the coins in their pale hands.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

The message and compulsion appeared again in the knight’s vision, and Nameless groaned. Zel’s idea would not work for him. Besides, he didn’t need to eat. A part of him actually wanted to fight. It was his purpose. But the thing that nagged him the most was that he may fail in his quest, and something deep within him hated that.

“Any idea how far the next town is?” The knight looked up at the others.

“It is close, but I do recall a village being just over that hill,” Zel answered.

“How close?” Elora asked.

“The village is a few minutes away.” Zel pointed to a country trail.

“The town!” Exclaimed Karl.

“Oh, maybe an hour. Wait, you are seriously not considering us going to fight demons? Are you all mad?” Cried Zel.

“Why not? We do have with us the most talented Necromancer in all of the Imperium,” Elora said with a grin.

“Well, I’m gifted for sure. Plus, there are not many that take up the craft.” Zel’s pale cheeks blushed red.

“Karl, slow the cart down. I need to know your abilities if we are going to proceed further,” ordered Nameless.

The cart stopped, and they gathered around the knight.

“Skills?” Elora asked, and Nameless nodded. The elf continued, “I can sing, dance, play the flute, and I have some credits in business management….”

“I meant skills useful for combat. I thought you were apprentice mages! You two have the tainted eyes,” Nameless interrupted.

“Oh, well, I channeled Shadow Magic and can create illusions and project sounds,” Elora finished.

“Plus, she can fight. She grew up on the streets,” Zel added and received a glare from the elf.

“What? You told us you were a part of a gang and stole enough money to get into the Academy,” the necromancer responded, their deep voice squeaking slightly.

“I told you that in confidence!” Snapped Elora.

“No, you told us when you were drunk. Also, it was not a gang. You said you were a part of The Guild. Which is much worse,” Karl added.

“You can fight?” Nameless asked.

“I’ve been in a few scraps,” Elora replied.

“You have a weapon?”

Elora smoothly produced a dagger to show the Knight.

“Whoa! Where did you get that?” Zel asked.

“A girl must always keep a blade ready,” Elora said. Her tone of voice changed as if a facade fell, and her more authentic self was revealed.

The knight turned his great helm to look at Zel.

“I’m next? Well, I’m the most studied compared to these two. I am able to channel Necromancy and Fire magic,” answered Zel with a confident nod.

“And? What can you reanimate? Can you launch fire spells?”

Zel scoffed and then shook their head. “I can reanimate one human-sized zombie, and I can produce a flame.” With a flick of their pale wrist, a flame appeared in their hand.

“Hit that rock with it,” Nameless ordered.

Zel snorted and flicked the flame. It arced, fell short of the target, and splashed on the ground, creating a small fire. After a moment, the magic dissipated, and the flames disappeared, leaving charred grass and smoke. The knight recalled that magic disappears after being summoned, even the flames ignited by the initial fire spell.

“We will need to work on that. What else can you do?”

“I can siphon energy from others,” Zel answered.

“That can be useful.” The knight nodded at Karl.

“Well, I never channeled magic through me. That’s why I don’t have pretty eyes, hah. I have been a laborer my whole life. Loading carts and building stuff. I joined the Academy to learn how to manage enchanted items. My ultimate goal would be to work for a mage’s tower and maintain their security wards.”

“You made the hammer?” Nameless asked.

“Yes, and this cart. I’m a decent craftsman.”

“What about war enchanting?”

“No, that was not offered at the Academy and not really what I wanted to focus on. I think my ancestors did enough war-making,” Karl answered.

Nameless drummed his metal-covered fingers along the cart. “So, we can create illusions, have one zombie and a demolition sledgehammer. Definitely not an ideal fighting force.”

“I know enough basic theory to do war enchanting if needed,” Karl interjected.

“Like what?” Asked Nameless.

“I packed some mana crystals. I can reinforce weapons and armor and create runes of protection, I think,” The orc replied with a shrug. He held tiny blue crystals in his hand.

MANA CRYSTALS

MAGICAL ENERGY IN SOLID FORM. SCHOLARS AND MAGES HAVE LONG ARGUED THAT MANA, OR MAGICAL ENERGY, SURROUNDS US. IT IS IN THE AIR, THE ETHER, AND INFUSED IN NATURE. IT IS MOSTLY INSUBSTANTIAL, UNLESS A MAGE CHANNELS IT THROUGH THEIR BODIES IN ORDER TO FORM SPELLS. IN SOME CASES, THE MAGICAL ENERGY SOLIDIFIES INTO A SOLID FORM, WHICH IS CALLED A MANA CRYSTAL. NO ONE IS CERTAIN WHY THIS HAPPENS. ONE THEORY STATES THAT THE AIR CAN BECOME OVERSATURATED WITH MAGICAL ENERGY THAT SOME OF IT POPS OUT IN THE FORM OF CRYSTALS.

BOTH MAGES AND THE NON TAINTED CAN USE MANA CRYSTALS FOR ENCHANTING OR IMBUING ITEMS WITH MAGICAL POWER. THIS REQUIRES VERY SPECIFIC RITUALS AND RUNE ENGRAVING TO CHANNEL THE MAGIC LOCKED WITHIN THE CRYSTAL. IF THE RITUAL OR ENGRAVING ARE DONE INCORRECTLY, THE MAGIC WILL BE RELEASED AND WASTED. OR, IN SOME VERY RARE CASES, IT CAN CAUSE AN UNPREDICTABLE EVENT.

MANA CRYSTALS CAN BE FOUND ANYWHERE AND ARE A PRIZED RESOURCE FOR MAGES, ARTIFICERS, AND ENCHANTERS.

“Your clothes?” Nameless motioned to each of them.

“Huh?”

“Can you place protective wards on your clothes?”

“Oh, yea. That I can do.” Karl dug into his pouch for etching and scribing implements.

“Now long?” Asked the knight.

“For each of us? Thirty minutes. It will be rushed work, but it should definitely offer better protection for us.”

“Okay, get started on that. Zel, you use this time to be able to hit that rock.” The necromancer nodded.

“What about me?” Asked Elora.

“I need to see what type of illusions you can create,” answered Nameless.

“Give me your cloaks,” Karl gruffly ordered, and the other two gave him their traveling cloaks.

Elora took out a chalk pad and looked ready to take notes. Behind them, they heard Zel curse as her fire spell missed the rock by a sizable margin. The ground ignited briefly before the magic faded, leaving the earth scorched.

“What are you doing?” Nameless asked.

“This is how I channel my illusion magic. This is my focus. I can do it without it, but I find using it creates a more realistic image,” answered Elora.

“Can you create an illusion of a platoon of Legionnaires?” Nameless asked. The knight figured if she could, that might just scare off the Caizene.

Elora gasped, “what?”

“Too much? How many soldiers can you create an illusion of?”

“I’m not sure. I never tried.”

The next thirty minutes did not give Nameless much hope regarding their odds of survival. Magic for the tainted was very taxing and risky. The mages would risk insanity if they overdue themselves, and Elora and Zel were both inexperienced with strenuously using magic. The two needed to take a meditative break after five minutes of effort.

In the end, Zel was able to hit the rock, and their power was pretty impressive. However, Nameless doubted that the necromancer would be able to hit a moving target that was bent on killing them. Elora was able to create a highly realistic squad of four Legionnaires. She could make them march with the sounds of their armor and weapons rattling. Such an illusion would not scare off the Caizene, but it may distract them into attacking differently. Also, it may bolster the town’s existing defenders into believing that more support is on the way.

The most hopeful was Karl’s enchantments. He made the cloaks extremely durable, nearly as strong as heavy padded armor. Nameless was impressed with the craftsmen’s skill with runes and wards.

“How long will the warding last?” Asked the knight.

“For sure? One day. After that, I will need to check up on them. If the cloaks take any significant damage, then the warding would be inactive.”

“Huh? What does that mean?” Zel squeaked.

“It means do not get hit more than once,” Elora responded with a roll of her eyes.

“Can you enchant Elora’s dagger?” Nameless asked.

“I’ll need more time.” Karl took out fine engraving tools.

“Good, you two keep practicing. Zel, I want you hitting that rock every time. Elora, I want you to make an illusion of six Legionnaires,” ordered Nameless.

The apprentices groaned and went to work. Nameless did not believe that an hour of practice would make them a better fighting force. Instead, he felt this time was a necessary rehearsal for a battle strategy he envisioned. Due to the magic levels of his armor, he could not afford to take unnecessary damage. Deep in his memory, he recalled that he was a strategist. What he knew of the Caizene and how they fight, he had a strategy that just might work.