“The world can be a very small place at times.” - Old folk saying.

Around half an hour after the battle wound down, representatives from the Antemeian rebels – though technically they were more like different factions within the council – came to meet with the commanders from the Lichdom. In the lead of the representatives was an avian therian with features similar to a rooster that reminded Aideen of a certain enemy of hers from centuries ago.

“Greetings, honored emissaries from the Lichdom,” greeted the therian man as he gave a bow of respect which the rest of his group followed in unison. “I am Flesh Artisan Ascendant Gallus Sofoghenes, representing the egalitarian faction of the Antemeian Council of Artisans. We wish to express our sincere gratitude over the help you have rendered to us, and to our people who escaped beforehand.”

“We just did as the Bone Lord ordered,” replied Mimia politely but curtly with a nod. “Are you the person in charge of this group then, Ascendant Sofoghenes?”

“Unfortunately so, milady,” replied the therian man with a sad shake of his head. “Since Senior Ascendant Adriana has met with misfortune during the battle, I am afraid that left me as the senior-most member of our faction present,” he explained. “Rest assured, however, that I have been given the authority to negotiate and make calls for the others.”

“Good to see that your people are prepared,” noted Èirynn from her seat beside Mimia. “So, Ascendant, since your people will likely know better about the situation at hand, would you explain to us about the current situation in Antemeia as we speak?”

“Certainly, miladies,” replied Sophogenes, cleverly noting how the people who looked like military commanders present deferred to the two women in the matter. He was learned enough to guess that the two were likely disciples of the dreaded Bone Lord himself, based on that fact. “At the moment, Antemeia has lost most of the north-east to the Vitalican offense. We had been caught off guard and unprepared for their assault, nor did we expect their savagery.”

“Once we had learned of how they put entire villages to the sword everywhere they passed, we mostly fought holding actions, while focusing on evacuating the civilians in the invader’s path,” continued the man. “As for what to do with those civilians, there was much debate amongst the elders. Our faction suggested requesting shelter for the civilians in the Lichdom, but the other factions disagreed.”

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

“What do they suggest, then?” asked Mimia with some curiosity.

“A couple of hardliner elders wanted to turn the civilians into zombies to fight the enemy with, but they had been overruled by everyone else,” answered Sophogenes honestly. “We couldn’t come to much of an agreement before we realized that the situation had deteriorated, and that the invading force was stronger and far more specialized for fighting undead than we expected. At that point, we came to an agreement that each faction would enact their own plans.”

“As such, the elders of our faction had sent us to evacuate the people willing to follow us to the Lichdom, though we hadn’t expected to be intercepted midway,” he added. “As for the rest of our civilians, they were gathered in the western regions, while the elders have chosen to make their stand at Gor-Seinnon itself, to decide the fate of our nation there.”

“What of the elders of your faction?” asked Aideen.

“Our elders chose to remain in Gor-Seinnon as well, milady. They decided that they would fight while the rest of us made our escape. In their words, at least they would be able to buy us some time, even should they lose their lives,” explained the therian man with a sad tone. “May I be so bold as to inquire about the purpose of miladies’ expeditionary force?” he then asked with a hopeful tone.

“You heard him, Baruk,” said Mimia after a moment of quiet. “Have everyone rest properly tonight, then inform them that we’re headed for Gor-Seinnon once dawn arrives.”

“As you willed, Lady Disciple,” replied Baruk with a respectful bow. The other commanders in the room similarly gave an affirmative response to Mimia’s words.

“As you might have guessed, Ascendant Sophogenes,” continued Mimia as she turned to address the therian man and his people. “The Bone Lord had not sent us simply to bring you over to the Lichdom. He has shown a distaste for the way these so-called crusaders behaved themselves, and sent us to convey his displeasure to them.”

“Regarding the fate of Antemeia itself, we can leave that to further discussions at a later date between the people who has the authority to decide that, but for now, rest assured that we share a common foe, and that the army you saw will be heading to Gor-Seinnon to meet that foe,” she continued. “Now I have to ask whether you and your fellows would be guarding the civilians until they reach the Lichdom, or if you would ride with us instead?”

“If the Lady allows it, I would like to send the young aspirants with the civilians,” replied Sophogenes immediately, which garnered an appreciative nod from Aideen. “As for ourselves, it would honor us to be allowed to join the Lady in the fight to come.”

“That works,” noted Èirynn. “There’s a couple thousand dead bodies belonging to the crusaders on the field, so feel free to use them as material to replenish your forces. We will march at dawn tomorrow, so be ready for that.”

“Understood, miladies. We shall inform the rest of our people so they can replenish as much of our forces as we could and rest well to prepare for the march,” replied the therian man with another polite bow. “If we may be excused?”

“One last question before you go,” chimed in Aideen from the side. “Does the name Gallus Beragonys sound familiar to you?”

“Why, that would be my late great-great grandfather, milady,” replied the therian man with some puzzlement. He clearly had no idea why Aideen asked that question, as the events related to that name happened centuries ago.

“It’s a small world indeed… That will be all,” replied Aideen. “You may go.”