Liora’s POV

  The lissik had been fools. There was nothing special about death, or dying rather than doing things. Liora had lived for 200 years as an elf back in the Trein forest, then she spent two years as a wraith with Alaric in his crypt prison, before Paul arrived. If she had a choice, she would still be alive, but even being undead was better than the death she had experienced.

  She looked back at Slorbb who had been moody and quiet since learning of the death of his entire tribe. The spirit lissik wouldn’t even look at his now undead companions. She didn’t know why. Liora had no problems being undead anymore. Slorbb would get used to it.

  “What do you think of being undead, Thunderroar?” Liora asked.

  The giant worg grunted. “I would rather be alive?”

  “Why?”

  “I could feel more.” Thunderroar said. “As a wraith I fly through everything. There is no opportunity to snatch my enemies with my mighty jaws.”

  “You can learn to touch things again. It will just take time.” Liora responded.

  For a long time, they rode in silence. Liora began to think of Alaric and her first days as a wraith. Back when she knew nothing of being undead.

  “Hello child.” A voice rang out to her. For a long time, all Liora could remember was quiet darkness. “Now you live again and will serve.”

  Liora came to her senses and looked around. All she could see was a small clean room made of stone and earth. Sitting in what could only be described as a throne was a man with black hair, white skin, and glowing red eyes.

  “Who are you?” Liora asked.

  “I am Alaric the undead king.” Alaric said proudly atop his throne. “And you will serve me now.”

  Liora felt a presence push on her. Forcing her to acknowledge this man as her master. “Yes master.” She whispered reluctantly.

  Alaric let out a laugh. “Don’t worry. Servitude will come more naturally as you age. Undeath will give you plenty of time in your new immortal state.”

  “Undead?”

  Liora looked down at her hands. They were a slight blueish grey, and partially transparent. Shaking her head, she noticed whisps of black hair floating about. No, her hair should a beautiful gold.

  Elves did not become undead. This was sacrilegious. This should not be.

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  “No.” Liora said softly.

  “As I said worry not.” Alaric chuckled. “You’ll get used to it. Now tell me your name.”

  “I am Liora Starfrost.” Liora responded. “Daughter of the Lord of the Leaves. I cannot be undead.”

  “Your persistence in that is starting to wear my patience thin. Think of it no longer. I don’t wish to hear of it anymore.” Alaric stood, walking closer to Liora.

  Liora bowed. Recognizing Alaric as her new master. She would not forget this injustice. She would one day kill this being.

  Liora looked over at Paul. With Alaric dead, she wondered if her connection to Paul would die out completely. The magic that bound them was thinning with each passing day. A certain level of loyalty to her new master had grown. She told herself Paul wasn’t Alaric, but now she didn’t know if she knew that.

  Liora looked back at Slorbb and remembered hating Alaric for his impatience at her unwillingness to accept her new place in the world. Now she was upset at Slorbb for the same reason. It made her rethink her opinion of Alaric in regards to this issue.

  Liora still hated Alaric.

  It would probably be best to keep an eye on their new intelligent undead. Unlike Alaric, Paul wasn’t stuck in a tomb and Paul would eventually no longer need to rely so heavily on this small group.

  “You will come to appreciate being undead, Slorbb.” Liora called out. “It is tough at first, but gets better.”

  “Do what? Live forever with my clan and village dead and gone?” Slorbb said sorrowfully.

  “They are no longer your people.” Liora said. “We are. The army o the dead is where you belong now.”

  “I don’t want to be undead. I want to be one with my people.” Slorbb seemed to flicker slightly as he spoke.

  “You only think that now, but you will change your mind. There is something about being undead that changes you.”

  “If you say so.” Slorbb looked down at his ethereal hands.

  Bored of the conversation for now looked down at Thunderroar. The dire wolf had been undead just a couple days longer than Slorbb, but seemed to be adjusting a lot better. Maybe she should have Thunderroar talk to Slorbb if he doesn’t come out of his depressed state soon.

  It took them several nights to get home to Gravewell. Paul talked Drekkar, one of Rikkard’s Skullcrushers, with gathering enough goblins from the conquered villages to start a new community near the bog. Wanting to get the mining operation up quickly, Paul had the Skullcrusher gather everyone who knew anything about iron ore.

  Rupert was tasked with setting up a smelt. He said it would take a few weeks to get it operational. His apprentice Marcus was helping with the project.

  Rikkard wanted Rupert to take on a goblin apprentice. The blacksmith was initially reluctant to take on a goblin apprentice, but Rikkard persuaded him that it was in his best interest to do so.

  “Do goblins even know how to work metal?” Liora asked Rikkard.

  “I don’t know if it comes naturally or not, but all we have right now are goblins. They will learn.” Rikkard looked over his small gathering of goblins. “After all, Grag is learning magic.”

  “I think I’ve seen goblin shamans use magic against us.”

  “Shamans don’t use a lot of magic. They also guard it to the point of their own detriment.” Rikkard leaned against one of the newly rebuilt longhouses. “Goblins tend to not be very smart. They have a tough time learning new things, but for now they are all we have. It is important to get as many smiths as we can afford if we are going to wage war against the entirety of the Deepwood.”

  “Do you think we can do it?” Liora looked up at the night’s sky.

  “There have been conquerors before the bloodsucker and his undead army. There are also stories of other necromancers.” Rikkard stroked a hand through his beard. “But yes, I think he can be a conqueror. That’s why I sided with him so easily. The destruction of my own village, or be in on the ground level of a conquest. It seemed pretty simple to me.”

  “Opportunity calls.” Liora laughed.