“True heroics must be carefully planned - and strenuously avoided.”

- Steven Brust

The students and their two teachers walked through the quiet woods. Once they saw a deer that quickly fled deeper into the forest shaking snow from low-hanging branches. Annabeth grinned at Mireille and pointed, “I’ve never seen one so close!”

“I don’t think I’ve seen any before leaving my hometown.” Mireille smiled, but her thoughts were still on the dead dryads.

Sensing her distraction, the brunette girl lowered her head and kicked a bit of snow, “Sorry. I was just surprised.”

“Getting all down over it will not help them or us. But it's hard to feel cheerful at the moment.” Mireille shrugged. “Where are you from? If I may ask?”

“Why shouldn’t you? I come from the southern dockyards of Kronenburg. My parents are a ropemaker and a seamstress. They usually outfit or repair the rigging of the ships. It’s hard work but they seem to like it and we never went hungry. I have been learning from my mom since I was able to hold a needle.” She looked up between the barren branches for a glimpse of the sky before looking at Mireille again. “Anything in particular that interests you?”

“Do you like sewing?”

“Mostly? I hated it sometimes but I’m pretty good at it and so I cannot hate it for long. My magic manifested itself one evening when I saved a ship's captain from a falling crate. I saw the accident happening and tried to reach him but couldn’t get to him in time so my magic caused gusts of wind that blew the captain back, and he was grateful enough to sponsor me for an examination.”

“Isn’t that free for everyone?”

Annabeth laughed, “No. If there is someone of noble birth then yes, the testing is free. If you are a mere commoner the testing can be free if there are signs of strong ability or if someone important speaks for you. You can also pay a sum of money. The captain asked an acquaintance to recommend me and I tested high for air and a bit for water getting me a sponsorship.”

“Interesting. Seems we had a lot of luck.” Mireille mused.

“You were the talk of the academy, coming in as you did and with several professors taking an interest. Then you befriended the princess! I did not dare. A word from prince Carl and I would have been expelled.” She shuddered.

“Sorry for taking a bit of the limelight.”

“Thank you for fighting as you did at the exhibition. I was with the other noncombatants and saw you and your friends driving back the undead and the traitor-troops. Many people were very grateful for what you did.”

“That’s nice to hear.” Mireille smiled a bit more genuinely, then leaned over, “If the work gets too much, tell us we can help.”

Annabeth nodded but then said, “No, I get the money I have to be the one to do the work.”

“I can respect that.”

They stopped for a short while at noon, eating half-frozen jerky heated by magic, and then continued on into the slowly deepening dusk.

“We won’t make it.” The Lieutenant looked highly dissatisfied.

“Maybe we should’ve left after breakfast and not helped those loggers with their sordid business,” Alyssa said softly under her breath.

“What was that?” Philias looked at Alyssa sharply.

“Nothing, sir.”

Finding nothing suspicious he returned his attention to the surrounding woods and called, “Corporal, find us a place to stay we should immediately begin preparing the campsite. Annabeth and...Mireille was it? You still have demerits so please make yourself useful.”

Patting the snow from a fallen log he sat down and stretched his legs while Jeremy and Talbert helped the two sisters before sitting down themselves.

Alyssa looked at the ghostly form of Asandria and met her empty eyes seemingly gazing through her. Raising an eyebrow the specter said, ‘Something on your mind?’

“Could you keep a lookout for Vanessa? I don’t know how good Zhira is, but I fear she might be an obstacle to a nightly visit.”

‘I can do as you ask it’s in my own interest anyway. I knew some of them you know.’ Sighing softly she turned and let her gaze wander over the gloomy woods.

“Who did you know?”

‘The dryads. I visited them once back in my time.’

Alea poked her side, “You look strange talking to yourself. It’s the ghost you are talking to isn’t it?”

“Yes, I asked Asandria to keep a lookout for Vanessa. I wouldn’t want an incident at night.”

“Good thinking.” Gesturing, she sent Butler One to help Annabeth and Mireille.

A small fire crackled and gave the illusion of warmth even as a mere meter away there was only a faint hint of heat brushing across their face.

The fire seemed to deepen the darkness beyond. Zhira turned away from the fire, keeping a careful lookout on the darkened forest, avoiding the flames.

“Zhira, you will take the early morning watch, the rest of you come up with a plan. If I don’t have a clear watch order when I finish my meal you will go double and everyone will have a part of the duty.” Taking a stick from beside the fire with a piece of toasted bread he blew on it before biting off a healthy chunk looking quite comfortable.

Alyssa sighed before suppressing her displeasure and looked at her friends, “Should we ask the others to share the watches?”

“It would only be fair. If they don’t do it today, then the next time we are outside.” Mireille crossed her arms before her chest, looking a bit rebellious.

“Butler One can be my stand-in he will not get sleepy, and I have the utmost confidence in the craftsmanship of my grandfather regarding his eyes and what goes for his ears.” Alea quietly interjected.

Mireille frowned and gave her an accusing look.

“You want your blind classmate, who is also two years younger than you, to stand guard in the middle of a winter night in the forest?” Vivienne blinked her eyes while grinning like a fox.

Shortly afterward, they had allocated the respective watches, the nobles and the two sisters had paid for the privilege of uninterrupted sleep, and everyone was – mostly- satisfied.

The wind strengthened during the night and when half of it had passed Alyssa was looking at the surrounding scenery using the ‘Duskeyes’ spell to gain perfect night vision.

A small cloaked figure appeared beside a large oak tree and waved at her. Asandria floated beside her.

Alyssa quickly looked around, making sure that no one was awake and watching, and then hurried toward Vanessa then hesitated a moment before giving her a one-armed hug.

Vanessa gazed at her amusement in her eyes and whispered, “Iseret is back this way” She pointed into the darkness, “I did not think it prudent for her to be outside in this cold for too long. Anything we should know?”

“Vanessa! Good to see you, and yes, there is a lot. The army is working together with some merchants to cut down a dryad grove, they killed most of them already. We dared not interfere, but it was horrible.”

Vanessa frowned, “Dryads? Oh, one of the old groves of the hundred-streams. They really killed them?”

“Yes, there were bodies lying all over the clearing, perhaps two or three dozen.”

“That is grave news. We have our hand's full being on the lookout for servants of the Heartstealer and can ill afford a new distraction, but this is not something I can overlook. I will go together with Iseret. Will you be alright until I return?”

“During the day, we are on our own, be that as it may. So it shouldn’t be a big deal for you to be away for a few days. I will make sure to mention this to the others so that they are more careful than usual.”

“What possesses them to kill the gentle forest sisters? They would not harm anyone. Very young ones might cause some unintended mischief. They are usually kind and reclusive.” Vanessa rubbed her forehead. “I assume that you are coming from there, and the way back is along your tracks?”

“Should be. We did not make any detours as far as I know.”

Vanessa suddenly turned her head and looked at a darker patch of underbrush before pouncing with a fluid, silent movement. A short struggle ensued, and Alyssa quickly jogged over, seeing Zhira lying on her back with icy claws at her throat.

Zhira whispered furiously, “If I feel you cutting me, I will scream if it is the last thing I do.”

“Aren’t we brave.” Vanessa did not take her eyes off her opponent and softly asked, “Who is that?”

“Corporal Zhira Julius, our scout.”

“That is unfortunate.” Vanessa seemingly weighed her options.

“Don’t kill her.” Alyssa hastily raised her hand. “She did not do anything wrong.”

“I wasn’t planning to.” Vanessa frowned disapprovingly. “But I can’t cast complex spellwork with only one hand and claws to boot. So I would have to transfer her to your custody for a moment.”

“What are you doing here?” Zhira interrupted their musings with a question.

“I only keep an eye on my charges here. And now I will have to take a look at the atrocity I heard about. Why? Is there enough wolf blood in your veins to make a difference?”

“What are you talking about?” The scout looked at them vigilantly.

“I have been...away...for some time and not seen any of yours lately, but the eyes are unmistakably wolfen.” Vanessa shrugged. “Are you really fine with what I’m hearing? The wolf tribes always had a very good relationship with the keepers of the holy groves. The old dryads all bear the blessing of Irkonos.”

Shuddering Zhira drew a long breath. “It’s too sudden. My mother is wolf-tribe but left my father long ago. I am loyal to my fellow soldiers, but I bear my mother’s blood and cannot ignore it when the kingdom breaks the treaty. I...have contacted the tribe when they slaughtered the tree sisters. I couldn’t take action myself, but they will protect what is left. I know that is treason, but it should not be necessary for me to make such a decision in the first place.” Fierce amber eyes looked at the glowing blue orbs of Vanessa.

Moving back and righting herself, moving in defiance of gravity, the vampire’s claws vanished, and she brushed snow from her knees. “Then there is no reason for me to threaten you any longer. Do you think the tribe will be in time to save them?”

“Her, there is only one left as far as I know.” Zhira carefully stood up and looked at the two of them. “And yes, they were already nearby, and they should have enough of a force to stop further desecration.”

“I will have a look in spite of that. I want to see if I know the one still alive. It would be nice to see a familiar face from before….” She looked at Alyssa. “Can I leave you to it? I think she is truthful and should not talk about our nightly outing?”

High branches swayed with a sudden gust creaking softly.

Alyssa looked at Zhira, “More importantly- Do you believe us? Vanessa can be a bit scary, but she is a good person and will absolutely help the dryads.”

The scout looked a bit conflicted, “Trust is something earned, but I think you letting me go is enough to give you the benefit of the doubt. I will keep my mouth shut, and you can ask me if there is anything you need help with.”

Vanessa awkwardly patted Alyssa on the arm, “I will be going, the night is short, and I have to cover a bit of ground before I reach the grove. Take care.”

Alyssa smiled before hugging her, “Be safe.”

With an embarrassed look on her face, the vampire extricated herself and vanished into the trees.

Zhira looked at Alyssa cautiously, “An elf? No, there is something else. No matter. I will be back at the camp if you need me.”

The woman raised the hood of her dark grey cloak, and with a last probing look in Vanessa’s direction, she quickly strode back toward the campsite.

Alyssa breathed deeply of the clear cold air and, with her resistance to cold, found it quite pleasant. Gauging the time by the slowly setting reddish moon Ioreth, it should be at least another hour until she could rest. With a sigh, she settled in to wait.

Calvin waited for the undead to return for another batch of corpses and then slowly and carefully turned to follow. The ramp led downward at a gentle slant, turning as it went. Soon he came by empty rooms, probably meant as storerooms. Broken crates and rotted barrels were scattered in the corners. The lighting was dim and unsteady, coming from down and far ahead. Some of the enchantments adorning his mask let him see more clearly, but it was not useful in complete darkness.

Murmurs from ahead slowly grew louder until he could make out some words over the scraping sound of bodies being dragged along the ground. With disgust, he saw a few fingers that had been broken off by the rough handling.

“….time…?”

“...invasion...best gone.”

Reaching an intersection, he saw a light further ahead casting strange flashes of brilliance in his magic-enhanced sight. Concentrating, he grasped the half-mask and adjusted the sensitivity.

A female voice sounded, “That should be the last one for today. Preparing most of the corpses for possession is quite the undertaking. Good thing the shades will do most of the work.”

An aged male voice answered with the remnants of a deep baritone, “It’s good practice. We so rarely get to work with such an amount of relatively intact corpses. Unblessed ones at that.”

“Could be that they have been desecrated. I hear they get them from some of the older cemeteries or even the mass graves from the last drowning plaque incident.”

“Mh. Might be, might be.”

“Could you pass me the nightshade?”

“Here you are, my dear.”

“Mpf. That one has gone dry, I will need at least double the amount.”

“Other than magic, how did you expect to get fresh ones in winter?”

“It’s early winter still!”

“And colder than midwinter the year before.”

Low laughter sounded.

Calvin crept closer to the doorway, opening into a large vaulted storeroom. Some columns held the ceiling, and the ground was strewn with a layer of sand. An intricate circle of cast metal – probably lead by the dull shine- took up a large part of the center. The corpses were tossed in the middle, more or less side by side, and a woman in a ratty grey robe with stringy grey-brown hair inscribed runes with a large carving knife into the forehead of the cadavers.

An ancient-looking man that appeared more like one of the undead than some of the fleshfiends with white hair hanging to his waist and a deeply lined face and sunken blue-grey eyes was perusing a large leatherbound tome with metal sheaths protecting the corners and a large open lock set into the cover. Dark energies arced from his fingertips whenever they touched the yellowed pages.

“Ready?” The old man looked at the middle-aged woman.

“Nearly; just let me finish this one here.” She carved with practiced strokes until she finished a convoluted sigil bleeding brackish fluid on the forehead of a man clothed in a burial shroud. Taking a few steps back, she left the magic circle. “So. You can start whenever.”

Giving her an indulgent smile that made goosebumps rise from Calvin’s neck and arms, the old man turned and then began an incantation. Darkness poured from his left hand while his right firmly grasped the book still on its lectern. The ground seemed to vanish into a bottomless black abyss, and wisps of black energy seeped into the corpses, making them twitch in a mockery of life. After a few minutes, the darkness began to recede, and the old man blotted some sweat from his forehead with trembling hands. The runes cut into the skulls of the deceased burned with black flame.

“Well done.” The woman praised. “That should do it for now. We need not prepare every single one. It is sufficient to have some more powerful and intelligent ones to keep the horde together. Singly they are not much of a threat.”

Grinning and exposing two lone teeth, the old man nodded. “I think we did a good job today. I would like to continue for a few days. Our money is well earned by then, and I feel that I’m on the cusp of understanding something more.” He stared sightlessly into the middle of the circle. “Perhaps it is enough.” He murmured.

“Father, I understand. Mother would be proud.”

Calvin turned and hurried as stealthily as possible toward the exit. He would have to seek out the nearest army encampment they should have a mounted courier to get the warning to Magister Illimen.

Sighing with relief, he exited the ramp. A light suddenly shone into his face, and a voice asked incredulously, “Who the fuck are you? And what are you doing here?!”