Holtmeyer assembled his troops in the storage house, where a gentle rain spilled from the giant hole in the roof. The three hundred-member regiment stood stunned and silent in front of Holtmeyer and Lara.

“Men and women of this outpost,” Holtmeyer started, “you’ve served your duty better than any other unit in the country. We have some news about our king, which is, well, let’s put it this way; the only person in command right now is Lara. And I will let her speak.”

Lara took a step forward and shouted, “As all of you know, King Mozer came here each week to this exact storage house investigating the remains. In actuality, he used summoning spells to bring back a prehistoric monster to life. While some of you may not believe it is true, King Mozer is a necromancer. Holtmeyer and I witnessed the beast come to life and fly out of the storage house. We can no longer trust our king, who ushered in an era of hatred and destroyed this outpost. He has abandoned us, lied to us for years, disrespected many of us, and now, we must look to the necromancers for partnership to help save Lavarund!” Lara paused. She expected an outburst of bickering, but they all nodded in reply. Her lips curved upward.

“I know it is hard to believe, and it may seem like a suicide mission, but we must restore our kingdom that Mozer has damaged. We must charge Nezura and aid the necromancers, for Mozer plans to wipe them out completely and enslave the rest of the land. He has created a greater divide between us and them because he knows they’re the only ones who can put his power in check!”

“When do we depart?” an infantryman cried out.

“Get your things, for we are leaving right away!” Holtmeyer yelled. “You’re either with us, or you stay here!” He followed up with a battle cry echoed by the rest of the regiment.

They departed from the stables and raced towards the royal palace. Lara assembled the guards of the castle and informed them about everything that transpired. Holtmeyer stood by her side to confirm what she witnessed. Lara added three hundred more warriors to their brigade as they took their horses to the Southeast.

* * *

Wynn, Betty, and I reappeared in a small loft at the top of a stone building. The residence only had a desk and a bed for one person.

“Where are we?” I asked, gazing at my hands that had disappeared in front of me a moment ago.

“Well, she said this would take us to Nezura, so I assume that’s where we are.” Wynn shrugged.

“Yes, but where exactly in Nezura?”

“I don’t know.” Wynn stepped over to the window and pulled back the curtains. “From the looks of it, we’re in the southern part of town. I can see the lowered horizon just north of here. Looks like we’re on a main road. Some market shops and bars are just below. Wow, it’s a pretty good view.”

Betty and I leaned forward, and the three of us gazed out at the skyline. Skull Tower was far to our left, and I could see all the other stone buildings and some pillared structures made of osseous steel. My eyes were glued to the Municipality Building’s massive dome, always beautiful to look at from afar.

“This is a pretty nice place Akara has here,” I said.

“Do you think she’s going to be joining us?” Wynn asked, but Betty hung her head.

“I don’t know. It seems like Betty might know something. Let’s read the scrolls that she gave us. I mean, she made us take them for a reason, right?”

I pulled the scroll out of my pocket and unraveled it.

Maximilian,

If you crushed the talisman, you must be housed in the apartment that I owned in Nezura. Congratulations, you and Wynn are now the owners. Feel free to sell it if you wish and split the earnings or give it to someone in need. Do whatever, it’s yours now.

This also means that I’ve passed away. That’s right; I’m no longer alive. I didn’t use another resurrection spell. I’m sorry you had to find out like this. Believe me, I wish I had the courage and strength to tell you and Wynn that I knew I would die, but I’m not one for sentimental goodbyes. Not because I dislike showing emotion, but if I had to say goodbye in person, I would second-guess everything and not want to leave you. Also, that future would have been much worse, trust me. Survival would have been meager.

You and Wynn have some time before you face off against Mozer. He’s coming to Nezura. I don’t know how you’ll do it, but you’ll have to figure out how to stop him, although one thing is for sure: you have it in you to succeed. Don’t doubt it for a second. Take everything you’ve learned from staying with me and put it to the test.

I understand that you are probably upset with my passing, especially with no warning, but there’s something I want you to remember. Whenever you summon a skeleton or pile of remains, a piece of your personality goes inside whatever you’re conjuring. Look at it this way, Betty carries on my legacy. She holds one of my most valuable traits. The joyful little girl I always was is what Betty is. To become a Noble Necromancer, I had to develop a tough exterior and a disciplined manner. But deep down, my spirit has always been the young girl who loved everyone and was afraid of loud noises. Just because I was seen as the best around doesn’t mean I didn’t have my own fears and uncertainties. Perhaps the greatest lesson I’ve learned through my long life and career in education is that it doesn’t take skill to believe in yourself.

Only if you believe in yourself, Maximilian. I’m confident you’ll get it done.

Again, I’m sorry you had to find out about my passing like this, but know that you and Wynn meant a lot to me. We’ve shared some great moments the past few months, and I wish we could have done that longer. You and Wynn were like son and daughter to me. I was never a mother, but you two felt like my children, and I love everything about each of you. Your successes, failures, and quirks make you who you are, and I wouldn’t want that to change for the world, which you and Wynn will save.

I love you, Max. Take care of Betty.

***

One week earlier…

Telyos sat at his desk in his Municipality Building office, catching up on work until the early evening.

Ah, I haven’t even checked the mail today, he thought.

Telyos collected a letter from the cubby outside his door. He stared at it for a while, wide-eyed. The message was closed with the purple wax seal from the Royal Lavarund Castle—the sight of the crown impression sent shivers down his spine. Part of him wanted to burn it. Another part of him wanted to see if any other Noble Necromancers had received similar communication. This was the first time in his tenure that he received a letter from the Royal Castle.

A gentle glide from his letter opener cut the envelope. He unfolded the note.

Telyos,

I know it has been far too long since we last talked to each other, but I’m planning to visit soon. Please don’t be alarmed. I’ve never harbored ill will towards you. I keep having dreams of coming to Nezura. Expect me soon, but I’m not sure when. Something horrible is going to happen. What it is, I’m not sure, but I’ve been having vivid visions, and I know this is my destiny. I’m risking my life sending this letter to you, but I made a friend at the old bookstore you used to visit when we were kids. The bookstore owner knew how to deliver this to you. I’m sorry if the wax seal gave you any worry. I understand if you’re skeptical, but to prove I’m serious, I’ll risk my life with the following sentence:

I renounce King Mozer and wish his reign to end with his demise.

Such words are punishable by death to write together, especially if the document is signed. Funny, isn’t it? How an action so small as moving your wrist with a quill in hand can cause your undoing?

With much love and respect,

Your sister,

Lara

Telyos’ heart sank to his stomach, his eyes brimmed, and he dried them off with his sleeve. He sat back in his chair, closing his eyes.

Those bastards. I was ripped away by Silver Infantrymen from my own damn house. Lara’s screams in the middle of the night were the last time I heard her voice, he thought.

Later that same evening, Telyos went to the border gate that protected the city with a twenty-foot-high bone wall.

“Hello, Vera,” Telyos said as he walked into the central outlook tower.

She jumped. Vera was alone in the stone chamber, sitting on a couch while a skeletal bird stared out through the wall’s rectangular slit.

“Telyos.” She sat up, saluted, then relaxed her shoulders. “What can I do for you?”

“It’s good to see you. It’s been a while.”

“It really has, yeah, but no news is good news.” She shrugged.

“Look, I, uh, don’t know how to say this. But if you see anyone who looks like they might be from the Silver Army or anyone from the Royal Castle, get a hold of me immediately. Send a skeletal pigeon or something.”

“You’re expecting someone from there? Someone trustworthy?”

“Uh, yes.”

Vera narrowed her eyes at him. “People from the Silver Army are usually met with our skeletal knights. It’s rare, but it has happened. We gotta watch out for spies, y’know?”

“Yes, and I understand it might look strange, but you have to trust me. I think I might know someone who’s turned over to our side.”

Vera inhaled a deep breath. “All right, I’ll keep watch for someone like that and hold off on attacks.”

“Thank you very much, Vera.” Telyos stepped over and handed her some gold coins. “For your trouble.”

Vera’s jaw dropped. “Telyos, you really don’t have to do this. My goodness.”

“Please, I understand it’s a huge favor. This person might come in a week, maybe in a few days; I have no idea. But keep watch for them.”

“Well, thank you very much, I really appreciate it. One last question, man or woman?”

“Woman.”