B5 Chapter 35 – An Unexpected Find

As it turned out, Annita Halfshard had agreed to help Master Willhem work on the dimensional gateway, much to Tyron’s delight. Of all the Arcanists he’d ever seen, she was the only one he could say was close to matching the skill of their Master. While Tyron was an expert in the narrow fields he had chosen to focus on, she was a true expert, with an incredible sense and gift for the art of enchanting. He didn’t doubt she had a Mystery related to the artform, perhaps even two. The fact he himself hadn’t received one was proof in his own eyes that his focus belonged on other aspects of magick.

He was confident that the two Masters would be able to correct any of his mistakes, and that comforted Tyron to no end. Also, with Halfshard helping the project, it would proceed twice as fast. That woman was almost as bad a workaholic as Tyron himself.

He had a little time on his hands after doing the rounds of the various research projects taking place beneath the temple. Everyone was intimidated the moment he walked into the room, but at least he was able to dispense a few pointers here and there to help them get some progress.

Back in his room, he decided it was time to make some moves. The gateway project was underway, but it would still be at least two weeks before it was ready to use. There was no reason he shouldn’t utilise that time to try and grind out a level if he could.

Raising his hands, he sent his consciousness racing along the conduits to find the commanders of his undead horde.

Filetta stiffened as she felt a presence roll towards her like a storm cloud, blotting out the sun and smothering her own thoughts. She hated it when Tyron did this.

What is it? She thought at him, a little snippily.

I need you to move out to the plains and connect with the undead already out there. Make sure you return in thirteen days and bring the entire horde back with you.

Filetta wondered what was going on.

We haven’t been back in the city long, and you want us to leave again? Are there going to be enough minions here to keep you safe?

She felt amusement come through the link that bound her to the Necromancer.

Are you worried about me, Filetta? I’ll be fine. I simply need to kill more kin over the next two weeks.

Alright, alright, don’t get your knickers in a twist. I’ll round up the skeletons and head out to the plains.

Good.

Then, just like a storm, he rolled on. Far from the city, out in the desolate wasteland of crystal and blackened sand, Tyron’s undead had continued to fight, killing kin and clearing the way towards the next closest rifts. It was slow work; the kin were endless and the terrain treacherous. Anywhere they went could have a nest of home-grown rift-kin beneath their feet. The magick storms still boiled overhead, striking the ground and causing crystal growths to bloom dangerously. It was a hellscape, and to anyone but undead, it would be a nightmare.

To Brigette, she found she didn’t mind it that much. She didn’t feel the heat or the cold, didn’t get tired, didn’t get hungry. Flecks of crystal slipped inside her armour and rasped against her bones, but there was no pain, no concern at all. Instead, she focused on the monsters, and killing as many as she possibly could.

When Tyron Steelarm’s mind loomed over the horizon, rushing towards the undead like thunder, she instinctively turned towards the city, many kilometres distant, as all of the other undead around her did the same. That enormous mind dwelled on each of them in turn, inspecting the horde, checking on their condition, looking at their souls and minds like a human might peer at an insect in the palm of their hand.

Well done, he congratulated them. I am sending reinforcements. Along with mages to repair the damage you have sustained. Fight hard for another ten days, then I want you to return to the city. We will have a new enemy to fight.

She felt his mind begin to withdraw, but Brigette called out to him with her thoughts.

Master Steelarm. A moment!

That ponderous gaze turned toward her.

Brigette. What is the matter?

He was impatient, but willing to listen. Unconsciously, she straightened where she stood.

We found something that you should take a look at.

A moment of confusion echoed across the conduit.

Something important? Why haven’t I been notified before?

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Tyron was puzzled. He kept tabs on his horde, but there hadn’t been anything out of the ordinary that he could recall. Although… for the last few days, he’d been up to his neck in sigil work while wrangling Dove and Yor.

We weren’t sure if it was relevant or not, there was some confusion, but the wights didn’t want to bother you unnecessarily.

What is it?

Brigette gathered her nerve.

It’s difficult to explain. Look through my eyes and I will show you.