The Necromancer's End: An Epic Fantasy Adventure by Jack Pembroke

Author:Jack Pembroke [Pembroke, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Podium Publishing
Published: 2024-06-04T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

Wet Work Prep Work

All right, Jeremiah,” said Delilah. “It’s obvious we’re not getting anywhere with farmers and funerals.” She had just returned for the evening, her businesslike appearance only slightly disheveled from the day of meetings.

Jeremiah nodded. Despite all the work he’d been doing, and all of the affidavits Delilah had submitted, they had received no word of feedback from the courts, or even any indication that the Seven Judges were listening.

Delilah continued, “It’s become clear that the judges have already decided the outcome of this case. They’re just waiting out the clock. We need somebody who can force them to reconsider. It’s past time to talk to someone with some actual influence. Listen up, you two. This concerns you as well.”

Allison and Bruno joined Jeremiah and Delilah around the table. “Someone with influence, huh?” asked Allison. “Is that who I think it is?”

Delilah nodded. “I’m afraid so. I decided to hear out Colonel Valen’s offer.”

Jeremiah’s stomach sank. “I don’t want to go to war.”

“You won’t have to. At least, not yet. Before you can even be considered for employment by the crown, you need to be vetted on a smaller-stakes mission. That’s where you two come in.” She turned to Allison and Bruno. “There’s a group of bandits that have been attacking small towns and caravans south of Dramir.”

Bruno leaned in. “This isn’t the White Light bandit group, is it?”

Delilah looked surprised. “Actually, yes. What do you know about them?”

Bruno nodded grimly. “We heard about them on the barge, remember? They’ve been gaining territory for months, marauding and pillaging. It’s the life cycle of bandit culture: Someone big and mean enough takes over a gang, and other criminals flock to him. The group gets bigger and bolder until it eventually gets broken up by do-gooders, such as ourselves, or destroyed from within and the process starts over. White Light’s been going strong for some time now. They seem better organized than most, but taking out whoever’s in charge should scatter them to the winds. Do we know where they’re based?”

“Not exactly. Intel has placed them somewhere in the Tarnothy Desert, at least a week’s march east. But it’ll be up to us to find them. If you two are willing to help, that is.”

“GODS, YES!” shouted Allison. “I’ve been so bored! Delilah, I’ll fight whatever you want, just point me at it. Oh, and yeah, I’d love to help you and Jay.” She grinned.

Bruno frowned. “I don’t know. This isn’t squabbling goblins or kobolds or even an orc raiding party. This is a whole bandit camp. No offense, you two, but doing something that dangerous for no pay? I like you guys a lot, but . . .”

“Actually!” said Delilah, perking up. “I’ve negotiated salvage rights for the camp!”

“You got us right of salvage? Hell yes, I’m in!” said Bruno. At Allison and Jeremiah’s confusion, he explained. “Normally if you bust up a bandit camp, everything needs to be returned to its previous owners in a drawn-out bureaucratic nightmare.

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