A week passes, and a few of the kingdom's nobles meet at the council chamber in Razlond’s mountain stronghold, a stark contrast to the grand halls of the palace in Nuri’fon. Carved into the rock, the room has a somber, imposing atmosphere, illuminated by the flickering light of enchanted torches. The air is cool and filled with the scent of aged stone and incense.

  At the head of a long, intricately carved stone table sat Merlot Nurison, his imposing figure commanding respect. The room was arranged with representatives from each barony: Queen Tiagha, Baroness Lina of Krimlond, and Baroness Lavender of Erenlond. Their presence was a testament to the gravity of the situation.

  Merlot, his red dragon-emblazoned sword propped against the wall, leaned forward as he addressed the gathering. "Thank you all for coming to Razlond’s stronghold on such short notice. The fall of the capital to an unknown undead force has put us all in a precarious position. We must now decide on our next move."

  Queen Tiagha, seated at the head of the table beside Merlot, spoke with her characteristic calm authority. "We have received troubling reports of a battle between two distinct undead factions within the city. One group appears to be led by a small undead lizardman, while the other seems to consist of an elf and a human. The elf was seen summoning seven powerful undead, but in the end, the lizardman seemed to overpower them and took control of the elf's undead. The capital’s situation is deteriorating rapidly. The lizardman seems to have the city under his control."

  Baroness Lina nodded in agreement, her dark attire contrasting sharply with the stone surroundings. "While the elf and the human recuperate, we should launch an attack. So we can caul the hoard of undead."

  Baroness Lavender's sharp and thoughtful gaze interjects with a hint of concern. “Didn’t a lizard man secure second place in the tournament right before the city was attacked? Have we interrogated him about his involvement?”

  Lina, the Baroness of Krimlond, shakes her head, her expression grim. “No, we have not yet questioned the lizard man. However, we do have an individual who might provide insights into his identity. Please send for Runner; he might have the information we need.”

  A servant, accompanied by a few guards, swiftly departs to retrieve Runner. Leaning back slightly in his seat, Merlot casts a curious glance at Lina. “I recall you mentioning during the feast that you had an informant within Ffair’fon. Was this during the uprising of the undead forces that began to surface a few months ago? You indicated that Runner witnessed a meeting involving all the Lords of Necromancy, correct?”

  Lina nods affirmatively, her expression a mix of seriousness and concern. “Yes, Your Majesty. Runner was on a mission from his knight order at that time.”

  Merlot consults a report in his hand, his eyes scanning the details. “It is noted here that Runner was the sole survivor to return from his mission and that he endured the horrors of Wispeineth.”

  Lina adds, “Indeed. He was one of the child survivors who were eventually conscripted into the military and later inducted into the Morning Glory knight order.”

  Just then, Runner enters the chambers, his posture straight and dignified. He bows deeply, adhering to the strict etiquette expected of his station.

  Merlot greets him with a formal but warm tone. "Hello, Runner. We have recently learned that you may have some knowledge regarding the lizard man who participated in the tournament and who subsequently took Nuri’fon.”

  Maintaining a respectful demeanor, Runner responds, "Your Majesty, while I am acquainted with a lizard man, I doubt he possesses the capability to orchestrate the capture of an entire city in the manner described."

  The Queen, expressing genuine interest, addresses Runner with a kind smile. "You are the knight who defeated Lord Ivan so spectacularly. Your performance was truly thrilling. Do you believe there might have been more than one lizard man involved? Additionally, could you confirm if the lizard man in the tournament had black scales?"

  Runner, unable to meet the Queen’s gaze directly, replies cautiously. "Yes, Your Majesty. The lizard man I encountered had black scales with orange markings around his eyes."

  The Queen nods thoughtfully. "Please elaborate further. How did you come to know him? Did he mention if he belonged to a tribe? Was he affiliated with necromancy in any way?"

  Runner recounts his experiences in detail, omitting that he and Talich had studied necromancy together. He describes the lizard man’s demeanor and the circumstances of their encounters, painting a picture of a formidable and enigmatic figure. The Lords and the Queen listen intently, their expressions a mix of intrigue and skepticism.

  Merlot interjects, his eyes lighting up as if recalling a crucial detail. "Ah, he fought against Hoat," he says in a friendly, almost casual tone. "Could we have Hoat brought to the chambers, please?”

  A servant, who has been waiting attentively, steps forward and calls for Hoat. The room soon feels the tension shift as Hoat enters, his posture confident and commanding. He bows deeply to the Queen and the assembled nobles, his presence exuding both respect and authority.

  Merlot addresses Hoat with an inquiring tone. "Hoat, during your match with the lizard man, did you notice anything unusual or peculiar about him? Anything that might shed light on these recent events?"

  Hoat, taking a moment to consider the question, responds with measured clarity. "Your Majesty, the lizard man was indeed a formidable opponent. While I did not observe anything overtly unusual about him, his resilience and combat prowess were remarkable. There was an air of mystery about him, and his ability to endure and adapt was noteworthy. If there were any hidden aspects to his nature or affiliations, they were well concealed during our fight."

  Runner adds, "I can tell you he is very new to magic. He just started learning magic about a week or two ago. If you think that, I don't think he could create all those undead."

  Merlot nods, "His magic was on the novice side. It was too far to tell what type of magic he was using. But what if he was playing both of you? Do you believe it was a coincidence that after Hoat bested him, the undead stormed the palace, forcing us to evacuate?”

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  One of the knights of the White Orchid steps forward. "My apologies, but I would like to say that while defending the queen and fighting off the undead, I saw the lizard man you were speaking of in the arms of a large human man. At the same time, I also saw the other lizard man who attacked the city walking through the streets. I don't believe they are the same person."

  The lords listen to the knight without interrupting. The Queen looks to the knight and says, "Thank you for sharing." She puts her hand up, signaling the end of the discussion. "I would like the baronies to track down the lizard man. I believe his name was Zavet. Merlot, I would like you to gather as much information as possible on him. If he is not a threat, we can leave him alone. In the meantime, let us get our city back."

  The room buzzes with a renewed sense of purpose as the Queen’s directive sets the wheels of action in motion. The knights and lords exchange glances, each silently acknowledging the tasks ahead.

  Merlot’s sharp gaze shifted to a map of Nuri’fon spread across the table. “I got reports that Anyone who was turned Undead Did not resurrect. Elandor Silverleaf, can you shed some light on this type of magic.”

  Runner looks at Hoat and whispers, “Who is that?” Hoat whispers back, “Elandor? He is the archmage of the kingdom.” Runner nods as he understands.

  Elandor Silverleaf stands from one of the chairs behind the queen. He is a very old-looking elf. “In my 800 years, I have only encountered this while I was on the moon of undeath. This is common there. The undead would need to be killed so the people can resurrect. The issue is that the longer they stay undead, the more memories they gain from their host. The information they gain will be given to their creator.” Eleanor sits back down in his seat.

  Merlot tilted his head, contemplating his next strategy. “We need to establish a temporary Resurrection Hall on the outskirts of the city,” he began, his voice steady and authoritative. “We will form specialized groups of five members: one healer, one defender, one scout, and two damage dealers. This composition will minimize our casualties and increase our efficiency in reclaiming the city. Our primary objective will be to retrieve our barony members first. Knights and soldiers are highly prioritized since their combat skills are crucial for our ongoing efforts. However, we must also prioritize carpenters and stonemasons; their expertise will be invaluable in reinforcing the areas we manage to reclaim.”

  He placed miniature soldiers on the map, illustrating his plan. “We will initially enter the city from multiple locations, targeting areas with the least concentration of undead. Each group will clear their assigned districts and then converge back at the base camp,” he said, pointing to the city’s eastern side. “Once we have secured the barony keeps, we can set up the Resurrection Hall to further our efforts.”

  Elandor stood up, commanding the attention of the lords gathered around. “I believe we should summon the Gathering of the Heroic Souls after we have regained control of the keeps. This will bolster our forces with powerful heroes, giving us a significant advantage in reclaiming the city.”

  The Queen thoughtfully interjected, “It has been long since we last summoned the Heroic Souls. While it could indeed provide us with formidable allies, we must remember that not all heroic souls are virtuous. Some could even be necromancers, and their intentions may not align with ours.”

  Merlot nodded, considering her words carefully. “You are right, Your Majesty. We must weigh the benefits against the potential risks. But desperate times call for desperate measures. If we proceed with caution and vigilance, adding heroic souls could turn the tide in our favor.”

  The room fell silent as the lords mulled over the plan, recognizing the gravity of the situation and the need for strategic brilliance to reclaim their beloved city.

  The queen raises her hand, commanding attention with a regal presence. “Okay, lords and ladies. You know your orders. We will rendezvous at the city's eastern side near the Razlond Embassy in four days.”

  With a sense of urgency and purpose, the nobles and advisors rose from their seats, their murmured conversations creating a low hum of anticipation. The Queen and Merlot stood simultaneously, signaling the end of the council meeting. As the Queen gracefully exited the chamber, her robes trailing behind her like a wave of authority, Merlot remained behind. He watched her leave before turning his focus to Lina.

  “Baroness,” he called, his voice firm yet discreet. I want to speak with you privately, Runner and Hoat.”

  Lina nodded, understanding the gravity of his request. The four of them quietly slipped away from the bustling hall, finding a secluded room where they could speak without fear of eavesdroppers. Once inside, Merlot closed the door, ensuring their conversation remained confidential.

  He took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting concern and determination. “I saw something during our surveillance that I did not want to share with the others. We spotted a bronze elf and a large man carrying Zavet on the palace's roof. These two men were later seen in combat with another figure, a lizard man. We speculate this bronze Elf to be the Moon King of Undeath. Moreover, he matches descriptions from mythology, suggesting he could be the creator of necromancy.”

  The weight of his words hung heavily in the room. “If that lizard man bested Mah’nethotep, our forces are insufficient. I know that the last baron of Krimlond was removed for practicing necromancy, but if you still have contacts, use them. We need every advantage we can muster. I will be declaring that all tools be utilized, including necromancy. However, we will strictly prohibit the creation of undead.”

  He paused, looking each of them in the eyes to ensure they understood the severity of the situation. “Our enemy is formidable, and we must be prepared to face them with everything we have.”

  Lina nodded thoughtfully, her expression serious. “We may know someone who can help.”

  Hoat, usually composed, hesitated before speaking, his gaze fixed on the floor. “I need to confess something. I was not being truthful earlier. Zavet was harmed by healing magic. That’s why only the large man was the first to get to him. His name is Talich, and he used necromancy to heal him.”

  Runner, standing beside them, nodded in agreement. “Yes, the bronze elf you saw was indeed Mah’nethotep. I have encountered him before, and there is no doubt it was him. Talich was specifically tasked with caring for Zavet and ensuring his safety.”

  Merlot absorbed their words, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. “This changes things,” he said, his tone measured. “If Zavet was harmed by conventional healing magic, it means he has an imbuement of necromancy. I don't think he was undead. Our knights would have known if he was undead.”

  He turned to Runner. “Your confirmation about Mah’nethotep solidifies our suspicions. If the creator of necromancy is involved, our situation is even more dire. His knowledge and power are unparalleled.”

  Lina spoke up again, her voice resolute. “The contact we have in mind is discreet but knowledgeable in the old arts. They can help us understand the intricacies of necromancy without crossing the line to create undead. We will reach out to them immediately.”

  Merlot nodded, a plan forming in his mind. “We need to act swiftly and decisively. Coordinate with your contacts and gather any intelligence you can. Hoat, continue to monitor Zavet’s condition and ensure Talich has everything he needs. Runner, keep an eye on Mah’nethotep’s movements.”

  The room fell silent as the gravity of their mission settled over them. Merlot’s eyes met each of theirs, conveying his urgency and hope for their success. “We are facing an ancient and powerful enemy, but with our combined strengths and resources, we will protect Tiaghaneth. This is our moment to stand united against the darkness.”

  With a final nod of determination, the four left the room, each tasked with a vital role in the coming days.