Stathis grabbed at Janaxia’s armour and pulled, tugging her downwards into the scratchy grass, ignoring her indignant gasp. She tried to shift away, but Stathis made sure to keep a tight grip and keep her under control. ‘Stay still! Undead might not be the most observant, but try to keep some kind of surprise?’

‘I am aware of basic tactics. But I would rather find somewhere less noisome to go to ground, this grass is most ill-scented.’

Five skeletons were walking through a ravine, just a few paces away. They were moving in an organised group, and had been equipped, chain draped over their bony frames, spears strapped into their hands. At the back was a bulky one, metal plates bolted directly onto the bone. All of them had the same strange harness, leather straps and hooks on their shoulders, like they could be hung up.

‘Janaxia, any idea what that is?’

Watching Janaxia crawl was an education, as she tried to move while simultaneously avoiding as much contact as possible with the ground. ‘Interesting. Similar to the warding spells Hakara can create, but welded onto a skeleton.’

‘So it’s a bomb? What happens if we get too close?’

‘Something unpleasant, I would expect. Although it could be providing spells to enhance or boost the skeletons rather than anything offensive. I could attempt to dispel it, although that may trigger it?’

‘Any idea where the controllers are? Will they know?’

‘I cannot tell from here. It would take extra effort on the part of the controller, but that would seem a sensible precaution. Extra care has clearly been taken in the construction of these. See the plates atop their skulls, and the reinforcements along the ribs and arms? Simple enough, but providing a substantial boost in utility for a comparatively minor outlay of effort and resources.’

‘I’m not interested in a critique of their crafting, I need to know what they can do.’ This close to Janaxia, it was pointless trying to sense anything, as the skeletons marched past beneath them. ‘Or at least anything like how close the controllers have to be.’ Another group of the things was close by, the same numbers, steadily making their way across the open ground.

Stathis picked up a stone and threw it down, near one of them. It slowed for a moment, head twisting for a moment, the rest of the group moving around them. There was a flicker of darkness within the skeleton’s eyes, more than just shadows, as Stathis ducked, making sure she was out of sight. Parth was somewhere nearby, hopefully, but there was no hope of spotting her.

‘Janaxia, can you mark this on the map? If there’s more of these things, then we’re completely surrounded. I’m hoping this is just a small group they’ve somehow moved around.’

‘I do hope this won’t be a protracted event. One hears the most terrible thing about sieges, of being forced to eat moss and shoes and suchlike. A certain amount of bravery and daring tales as well, of course, but a lot of rather unpleasant tasks.’

‘It’s not the best scenario, we’re lacking in strength – the castle’s in decent condition, but we haven’t got anything that can deal with large numbers. A few catapults or something would be perfect, but it doesn’t take many undead to bog down and overwhelm a soldier, and they don’t have to worry about logistics or wounds. In an endurance battle, we lose. I suppose at least that means we’ll probably have lost before we need to worry about starving or anything.’

‘That seems remarkably scant consolation. And now my armour somehow has grit inside.’ Janaxia wriggled. ‘Most uncomfortable.’

‘You get used to it.’ Stathis rose to a crouch and moved closer to the edge. They seemed to have mostly human ranges of vision, limited to in front of them, without too much range upwards. A force suddenly impacted against her from behind, knocking her forward, sending her tumbling off the edge, landing in the middle of the group. A shadow passed over her, something flying through the air as she drew her sword. The skeletons at least were slow to react, giving her the chance to smash through one before they reacted.

They moved together, trying to hem her in with the spears, but their strikes were slow and not very powerful, a speartip rattling off her armour. She retaliated, hammering through an arm, through the leather straps and metal bound to it, then crushing a skull, breaking the enchantment and making the rest of the bones drop to the floor. The shadow passed over her again, and she glanced up – something swooped through the air again, a blast of dark energy streaking down towards her. She couldn’t get the shield in place in time, the energy chilling her, draining her energy.

A few bolts flew back towards it, as Janaxia returned fire. Stathis blocked another strike and tried to look up – some kind of undead flyer? She could see patches of mottled, scaly skin, areas that could be seen through to the bone underneath, parts patched with leather and metal plates. Not big enough to be a dragon, or one of any age, but still a problem. Stathis spun, cutting back before being attacked herself, trying to keep them back and buy herself more time.

‘Deal with that thing!’ She thrust her shield upwards, pointing at the flyer before having to deflect more attacks. They were weak, and there were only three left, but more would probably be coming soon.

The next time the flyer attacked, at least she had some warning, a shadow flitting over her. She dove aside, flaming green energy scorching the ground, the grass burning away to dead and grey ash. The skeletons walked through, entirely unaffected and continuing their attack. An arrow streaked through the air, breaking through ribs and injuring another, before she finished it off. The one at the back was shambling closer, ready to do whatever it did.

Janaxia had moved closer to the edge, peppering the area with blasts. Strong gusts of wind blew around as the flying thing went for another pass. This time it swooped over Janaxia, who took the brunt of a blast, dropping from sight.

Shit! How quickly could she get up there and help? She smashed through another skeleton, parrying an attack and pushing through, the other group now having noticed her, coming to help their allies. At least they weren’t very strong, but they kept coming, and didn’t stop until destroyed. She flicked her blade, letting it catch the light, power flowing through it. She cut at another skeleton, the extra power she was now using enough to destroy it with a single attack.

She managed to break through the mob, then tried to run back up towards Janaxia. More arrows shot past her, destroying another skeleton. The thing swooped down again, giving her a better look at it – a dragon-like body, but smaller, a barbed stinger on the tail, a robed figure on the back. She just barely managed to throw herself to the ground as it dove at her, talons missing by bare inches.

Another spell shot out, a draining tiredness threatening to overwhelm her, but she shook it off as she ran up the slope, where Janaxia was regaining her feet. She looked tried and drained, but was still able to fight. The heavily-plated skeleton was still there, shadowy mist flowing out, moving over the broken bodies and drawing the bones together, some of them starting to rise up again, a mangled composite skeleton made from what was still intact enough to function.

‘You ok?’

‘That was rather unpleasant, but I shall endure. It would be best if that beast were somehow dealt with though!’

It swooped down at the pair of them, talons extended to try and rake them. Stathis crouched, pulling Janaxia in and bracing herself, the attack knocking her off-balance but the shield didn’t shatter. She got a glimpse of the wizard on the back, a black robe framing a young face in the middle of casting a spell, bolts of energy forming around their hands. Stathis slashed back, but was too slow to land a strike.

‘Janaxia, can you target the wizard, try and knock them off? I don’t see any straps on that thing.’ They separated, both leaping aside to dodge another attack. Janaxia’s bolts punched a hole in the wing, sending the thing into a poorly-controlled spiral. As it swooped high, Janaxia took aim, her bolts shooting upwards. A figure fell off, crashing to the ground, the flyer circling again. The skeletons continued to advance, less than before, but faster now, empowered by their repeated resurrection.

‘Time to go! Janaxia, come on!’ She grabbed at Janaxia, pulling her away. They ran past the fallen body, broken and shattered from the fall, their black robe heavy with blood. They were most definitely dead – Stathis took a moment to check through their robes. ‘Janaxia, anything here you can work with or recognise?’

‘Oh, it’s him. Kalnar, Bralnar, something like that? Dreadfully plebeian, and with a rather tiresome presumption of familiarity. And excessively handsy, with no sense of style.’

‘So you think he was in charge?’

‘Oh, I very much doubt it. He was very much a lackey, very little personal initiative. Nor any great skill at casting, to be frank. I suppose it is possible he gained a sudden amount of skill and power, but it would surprise me. No, I suspect he is just a follower. Although his death is little loss to the world, to be honest. Wretched little man.’

‘Right. How did you know him? I thought you were taught at home, not a magical school.’

‘He was an associate of my family, seeking extra tuition. Quite skilled at finding fresh bodies. Very, very fresh, in some cases, to the degree of not quite being “bodies” yet. Sloppy work, and quite the bother to cover up at the time.’

Stathis pulled Janaxia behind herself, raising her shield to block a spray of stinging mist the flyer blasted at them. She turned her face, trying to avoid getting any in her eyes. Janaxia flung a bolt at it, missing as it circled around, an arrow bouncing off an armour plate.

‘That thing’s going to be a problem!’ Stathis looked around – there was a high cliff not far away, that might offer some relief from being attacked from the air. ‘Check he’s dead, than let’s go.’

There was a sickening crunch as Janaxia blasted through their skill, goo splashing onto Stathis’ armour. Then she pulled on Janaxia, making her run for cover, as the undead flyer circled around for another attack. Burning liquid splashed against her, seeping through her armour. It wasn’t that much further, the craggy rock hopefully giving some cover from further attack. Janaxia was already panting from the exertion, Stathis having to drag her along.

Arrows suddenly flashed out, the snap of bowstrings as sharp steel filled the air, flying towards the creature. It veered off, deterred by the sudden attack, sudden stop wrenching at a wing as it tried to pull back.

Closer now, Stathis could see figures beneath the cliff, looking out from caves, bows at the ready, armour battered but still recognisable. Another flight of arrows sang out, driving the creature away, or at least out of sight. Stathis let Janaxia go; she at least managed to stay standing, although was gasping for breath.

One of the soldiers stepped forward, introducing themselves. ‘Sergeant Ferric, of the 42nd.’

‘Knight Stathis, attached to Major Colobra’s command. You got held up?’

He nodded. ‘Yeah. That thing’s been riding us for the last three days. Keeps dropping off undead to keep us busy, before gobbing down, or the bloody wizard hitting us with spells.’

‘Any wounded?’

‘Yes, walking wounded, slowing us down. The first few passes hit us bad, before we learnt to scatter and hit cover. This one’s been showing us places to hide us well. Doesn’t say anything, but her axes smash through those creatures pretty damn smartly.’

He pointed out a woman, tall and lean, wearing the hides of a mountain dweller, her visible skin marked with vivid blue tattoos, an axe on each hip. She stood and came over, looking over Stathis, reaching out and tapping her armour.

Janaxia peered at her, poking a shoulder, running a finger along tattoos. ‘Hmmm. Flamebearer? No, that’s an honour title, and I believe Caracus to be the clan. Vrintar, I think?’ The woman nodded, looking surprised as Janaxia explained. ‘Deed- and name-marks. She appears to be quite the skilled warrior, assuming the marks tell a true story.’

The sergeant shrugged. ‘Not heard her say anything, but she knows the area well. Been leading us between caves and overhangs at night. Without her, we’d be long dead. So thanks, Vrintar.’ The woman nodded, accepting the thanks, before her hand went to her waist, pulling out an axe and tossing it through the air. It smashed into a skeleton, destroying the skull, before arrows snapped again, destroying the rest of the group. Power swirled around the heavily-armoured one, bones twitching and stirring before Vrintar tossed her other axe, destroying it, before going to reclaim her weapons.

‘Handy in a fight, as well, she’s been smashing through the undead. Just doesn’t speak much. Or at all, really.’

The woman was giving Stathis a clear-eyed look, clearly assessing her as Stathis spoke. ‘You know we’re fighting undead, and those that have summoned them?’ She nodded. ‘And you’re willing to help?’ Another nod. ‘Good. My name is Stathis, this is Janaxia. I guess you know the area well? We’ve come from the castle nearby, there’s even more of these things coming, so we need to get there as soon as possible. Do you know how many of these things there are close by?’

The woman considered, raising both fists, opening and closing them rapidly, fingers splayed.

‘Lots, then? So getting a runner through would be hard without them getting killed.’ Nod. ‘Don’t suppose you have any holy relics or anything that can wipe them all out?’ Wide smile, shake of head. ‘That would’ve made things easier. Well, we killed the rider of that thing so hopefully it’s headed back somewhere and we’re safe. Janaxia, can you call Mavrosa again? I wouldn’t want her to get attacked by the undead out here.’

‘Yes, riding would be preferable.’ She gestured at the soldiers to get back and began to cast a spell. If any of them found the spell disturbingly eldritch, there were too disciplined or afraid to say anything, Janaxia’s lash brightening, a chill wind blowing through the air as Mavrosa shimmered into existence, her coat ebon-black, eyes gleaming red for a moment. Then she appeared and immediately tried to lick Vrintar, who jumped back, looking uneasy. She looked at Janaxia, eyes suspicious. Then Mavrosa spun, transferring her affections to Janaxia, who was too slow and found herself getting licked and slobbered on.

‘Do you have any wounded? It’s not much, but I might be able to help patch them up a bit.’

As Janaxia spluttered indignantly, Stathis was directed towards two figures on stretchers, one with a bandaged leg, the other with their skin fully burnt, twitching in pain with every breath, doped into unconsciousness. She went to the lesser-injured one first, checking their leg – a clean break, and well-bandaged, at least for field treatment. ‘Close your eyes, clench your jaw and drink this.’ She handed over her canteen. As he obeyed, she touched his leg, slight flare of light trickling out, then pinched him, hard enough to make him gasp.

‘Now, on your feet, soldier. Easier to move if we don’t have to carry you!’ He rose, slowly, testing the strength of his leg, before finding it whole and stable, able to bear his weight.

‘Wow, that’s good stuff! Our own potions are long gone.’ He handed the canteen back.

Then Stathis turned to the other one, clearly doped up and knocked out, but still shivering in pain. He must have taken a blast of the venom-stuff full on, his skin red-raw, bandages soaked with blood, sweat and pus. This one she could do less about, other than try to reduce his pain a little. At least he was lying in a shaft of sunlight, as she trickled a few drops of water into his mouth as she healed him, the extra glow hopefully harder to notice in the light. His pained breathing eased a little, some of his flesh now reformed. That should keep him together at least until they got back to the castle.

The lieutenant approached. ‘Thanks. We burnt through all ours in the first few attacks. He’s looking better, and it’s good to have Telphar back on his feet.’ He raised his voice. ‘42nd, MOVE OUT!’ They fell into marching order, scouts moving ahead. ‘Double pace! Sooner we get there, sooner we’re safe!’

Stathis climbed onto Mavrosa, Janaxia climbing on behind her, grabbing her around the waist, as they began to move out, heading for the castle at a brisk pace.