Marcus had been walking throughout the night and using his darkvision and enhanced senses to successfully navigate the vast forest. Finally he reached the end of the forest it opened up into a lush green gorge that separated the forest a small river leading through it. Even though the ground looked peaceful and untouched but Marcus felt death permeate through the earth he knew that many people had died here a long time ago

He switched his attention to the gorge he scanned it from left to right and what caught his attention was a small hut built into the base of a destroyed monument. The structure had long since fallen over and was no longer visible probably covered by the earth with time.Marcus decided to investigate he left his undead warriors by the treeline and walked towards the hut.

Marcus felt a presence inside the hut it was definitely magical and it seemed to be associated with nature he proceeded forward more cautious than before. First marcus moved to investigate the monument base and up close he could make out severely damaged writing. He examined the words the language was known to him it was the basic human tongue but the dialect was not native to his Empire.

The Eternal Empire.

It read: “This monument commemorates the fallen for the courage in the battle for Arkens gorge where the heroic army of light defeated the vile undead forces of Overlord Haldiram.

The text continues with a long list of names that detail the fallen.

Marcus face was grim, Overlord Haldiram was one of his first born, a select group of the first vampires Marcus created. Haldiram had been a mighty necromancer before meeting Marcus and he had been adopted into the fold just because of his skill with the dead.

He had been an invaluable asset but also a loved son, he was also instrumental in the creation of the first undead legions. Marcus did not like to think that one of his sons could be gone forever but after so long it could be a sure possibility.

His thoughts were interrupted as someone from inside the house tried to close the front door as quietly as possible Marcus quickly shrouded himself in the darkness and further concealed his magical presence he had been foolish to get caught off guard it would not happen again.

Soon a woman in her mid 20’s dressed in a robe made of large green leafs appeared and walked up to the spot where marcus had stood moments ago she studied the spot probably trying to figure out the presence she had sensed. Marcus studied the woman she also held a wooden staff in her right hand with a goat's skull attached to the end of it giving it a menacing look. The woman turned and looked into the darkness trying to see if anyone was out there.

While she had been looking out into the darkness Marcus had taken the opportunity to gain a better terrain advantage and had used his agility to quickly scale the monument as he stood over her ready to pounce if needed he stood up and lowered his defences that concealed him.

The Woman quickly turned to look at this new presence she staggered back at the sheer weight of his magical presence as it hit her. But the effect did not last very long she seemed disciplined and instinctually started to cast a spell she took out a seed from a pouch at her waist and threw it at Marcus mid air it started to glow green and it sprouted into a long wooden spear.

It flew unnaturally fast towards Marcus he was not surprised in the slightest he usually get’s this reaction so of course he had taken the time to prepare himself for an attack he started to use his speed fully and time started to slow down.

As Marcus turned his body to evade the spear but instead of letting it fly past him he caught the spear mid air twirled it around in his hand and threw it back at her but he did not want to kill her yet... so he had aimed for just below her feet.

It came a bit closer than intended as the spear flew straight between her legs almost impaling her lower abdomen she looked down and then up in absolute disbelief.

She was about to reach for her pouch once again but Marcus had other plans he leaped from the base of the monument. Landing with his hands around her throat and feet pinning her arms in check. He had her on the ground she squirmed and fought to get free but Marcus did not budge he raised his hand curled it into a fist and punched her unconscious. Before she lost consciousness he simply whispered in her ear

“sleep little druid we have much to discuss”