Rose von Erwenhest watched the walls of Hueryss. Dressed in her exquisite battle regalia, the plate armor draped sensual elegance down her body. The armor was shaped like a dress, with an open window for her deathly pale cleavage. The design was of course, impractical, but she wanted to look her best as she slaughtered the city. Hatred burned within her like a volcano. Mounted atop a magnificent skeletal steed, Rose knew she was picturesque revenge.

The undead horde braced itself against the walls. Her vampiric warriors, with their untold years of experience hid within, waiting for an opportunity to scale the walls safely.

Day would break soon, yet the city hadn't fallen. Her general had promised her revenge would be swift. The gates stood defiantly, denying her vengeance. Her blood knights had failed to secure the gatehouse. Something was wrong. She was surrounded by incompetence. The beasts should have been slaughtered by now. Her captain of the guard stirred uncomfortably nearby. Rose von Erwenhest's crimson eyes narrowed upon the second in command.

"Captain Bruhart. Why haven't we taken the city?" The larger vampire stirred uneasily atop his skeletal steed. His chain mail clinked slightly as he turned towards his lady. His expansive black fur coat made him look like a bear. Rose von Erwenhest's predatory eyes soaked in his anxiety.

"Lady, Rose. The larger undead have been unable to breach the gates. It appears the gatehouse has been plugged by some alchemical mixture. The large abominations have been unable to safely navigate the fire as well as pierce the alchemical mixture. It is dissipating slowly, but until it does we cannot attack the gates. The mixture is robbing the undead of their movement."

"What about our soldiers? Why haven't they killed the animals? Why haven't our warriors taken the walls? The guardhouse is still shooting at us. Have they not been trained to a fault? Are they lacking?"

"The defenders are stronger than we anticipated." Captain Bruhart grimaced. His hand moved to his face as he began stroking his large drooping mustache.

"Who's fault is that?"

"It is hard to-"

"You promised me, my revenge would be swift. Yet here I sit, waiting as the night wanes, captain. It will be morning soon, and the city still stands."

"Lady Rose, it is impossible to account for-" Captain Bruhart started his excuse but was unable to finish.

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Rose von Erwenhest hefted her executioner's sword. The blade had been sharpened to an extreme point. The enchanted steel further amplified such properties allowing even a child to slice through a giant's neck with ease. With a flick of her wrist, she sent the blade towards the captain. Stopping just before decapitating him, she hovered the blade just above his pale neck, threatening to end his life.

"Bruhart. I want the city to be scoured. I want them all killed. I will hold you personally accountable, if it is not done quickly. There shall be no more excuses after tonight."

"Of course. My lady."

"Daylight is breaking soon, Bruhart."

"I understand Lady Rose."

"Pull your troops back. Set up a cloaking mist for the knights. Have them circle my carriage in case of a counterattack. You have failed me today. Do not fail me on the morrow."

"My apologies. I will do so at once, and begin preparing for tomorrow's siege."

"Go." The von Erwenhest matriarch commanded as she withdrew her sword.

The representative of the necromancer's guild stood nearby. The woman was dressed in rich velvety black robes. A long cowl obscured her mummified face. The wight lacked the swaying movements of her necromancer peers. The price to employ the guild had been high, yet Rose von Erwenhest had been more than willing to pay. The noble vampire looked back towards the standing robed wight.

"We are retreating tonight. Pull back once Bruhart reports our knights have retreated."

"Will you pay for another day? Should we return to Gris?" The woman's ethereal voice asked.

"Of course, I shall pay another day!" Rose snapped at her. "I will empty our coffers."

"Wonderful news, Lady Rose." The wight replied. Reaching into her robes she pulled out a transmission stone. Whispering a set of commands to her subordinates.

"We will try again tomorrow. I want those gates demolished." Rose seethed.

"It is truly unfortunate. The city was more prepared than we originally anticipated."

"A convenient excuse to bleed me dry."

"My lady, I do appreciate the pun. Yet I assure you that we are professionals."

"Prove it. The gates still stand. Your horde is a useless teeming mass of stinking bodies until the gates fall. Until such a time, your not worth the money. Will I have to wait days until the animals exhaust themselves, or you exhaust your bodies?"

"We offer a special gatecrashing package. It is sure to please your ladyship. Our most esteemed Grave Lord is quite the artist. His masterpiece will surely satisfy your cravings for slaughter."

"Will it break down the gates?"

"Guaranteed, or your money back. Grom is quite the bespoke creation. The guildmaster speaks so highly of his favorite pet." The wight replied. Her mummified face tried to smile. A remnant of a past life that never seemed to go away.

"Then I shall pay." Rose said.

"Wonderful, Lady Rose. Your wishes are the guild's command." The wight replied as she pulled out a different transmission stone. A set of instructions to her superiors reported Rose's latest purchase of the guild's masterpiece. Rose led her steed away from the city. Her carriage called to her. There she could be alone and nurse her growing sadness.