Looking at the undead's expression, noting her scheming smile and greedy eyes; Kaylee did not like whatever she was concocting. Even so, while they were in public she did not deign to say anything about it. She stood aside and watched silently as Sage demanded all the information about the Cryptmaker before the two of them gave their farewells and left.
It was when they were clear of the Guild building that she turned to her undead companion with as deep a frown as she could muster.
"What are you planning?" she demanded.
"I'm obviously going to meet the Cryptmaker," the undead replied simply. "If he really is capable of creating intelligent undead then there is a lot I can learn from him."
"So you're planning on meeting up with him and what- beg him to make you his student?" Kaylee asked, her eyes narrowing in on the masked figure.
"Make me his stu-" Sage sounded almost offended by her question. "No! I just want access to his spells. Perhaps then I'd be able to create sentient undead of my own."
Hearing this, Kaylee's narrowed eyes took on another shape as she raised an eyebrow. So that was what the undead was planning.
"You wish to become a necromancer, an undead necromancer; like a Lich?"
The idea of it brought sent chills up her spine.
Among all undead, Liches were the most feared on the entire continent. They were the result of a Skeleton Mage achieving Ultra Order; and when it came to necromancy they were unmatched. Whenever a Lich was born tens of thousands of undead would flock to its side as it spread death and destruction wherever it went. The appearance of such a creature often resulted in the death of millions. The matter was considered so serious that even Methos and the Imperium would take immediate action.
And Sage wanted to become a creature similar to that?
"Absolutely fucking not!" Kaylee blurted out.
Sage might not be a Skeleton Mage; in fact, Kaylee did not know what she was. What she knew was that the undead was dangerous. She was a 7th Order sorcerer with racial skills that seemed to be related to spectres. So, apart from being able to make herself a ghost she also wanted to learn how to resurrect corpses and make them do her bidding? No fucking way in hell would she allow that!
"Why not?" the undead asked. And she had the gall to look puzzled!
"Because necromancy is an abominable art, one that someone like you cannot be allowed to learn."
"But I already have knowledge of several necromantic spells," Sage stated calmly. "That means I'm already a necromancer of sorts."
This response caught Kaylee off guard.
Was that true? In the time she had known her the undead had not cast a single spell related to necromancy, which meant she was either lying; or the necromancer spells she had learned were not worth noting.
"Regardless, your proficiency in the dark art is a far cry from the Cryptmaker's," she said to her. "I'd be damned before I allow you to increase your expertise in it."
Sage released what sounded like a frustrated sigh in response to this.
"Seriously," she began, the calm in her tone melting away. "What do you all have against necromancy? Why do you think it's so bad? The other branches of magic are capable of causing just as much harm. In fact, elemental magic is more destructive than necromancy will ever be. So why are necromancers hated when elementalists are not?"
"Elementalists don't raise your loved ones' corpses and make them fight you!" Kaylee fired back. "The accounts of mercenaries who were struck down because they came face to face with their fallen loved ones and were unable to fight back are too many. Necromancy is a vile and evil art and it cannot be allowed to spread."
"You sound awfully like a Shean," Sage's voice was a snarl. "I remember you stating that you were a follower of the Beast God."
"Rakka is the God of Nature," she countered, "and necromancy goes against all that is natural."
"Haaa," the undead sighed behind her mask. Then her entire vibe completely shifted. "It matters not what you think. I'm still going. The Cryptmaker is my chance to becoming a 9th Order mage. Maybe he also has information about the Ultra Order. That is something I will definitely not pass up."
Ultra Order? Kaylee nearly froze at the mention of the words.
This level of magical attainment was something of a myth in these parts, a dream if you will. Considering the fact that only one person in the North-Western Rekke had achieved such a level it could be seen why most did not entertain ideas of ever reaching it. Only those with the best A aptitude had the potential to reach the Ultra Order. And yet, this undead spoke of achieving what every sorcerer yearned for as if it was an inevitability. Was her aptitude that high?
Also, she wanted to learn information on the Ultra Order from a necromancer? Like hell she would let that happen!
"You're are free to go to the Cryptmaker if you want," she said. Coming to a halt in the middle of the deserted road, she shot the undead a look she hoped conveyed her determination. "Obviously I can't stop you if that's what you really want; but if you do that know that we're done! And by done I mean DONE!"
Obviously she was not strong enough to stop a determined Sage from running of to meet the necromancer. However, that did not mean she was going to just sit on her arse and allow someone like Sage to learn powerful necromancer spells. Having made up her mind, she took a deep breath and steeled herself.
If the undead was adamant in meeting the Cryptmaker she would not hesitate to cut their connection.
Her words caused the undead to halt as well, as the shorter women took the respite to scrutinise her. Kaylee did not know what kind of expression Sage was making behind her mask but she was certain it was not a happy one. With the help of starlight she spied the undead's hands tightly clench at what could only be frustration.
"Dammit Kaylee do you know how important this is to me!" Sage hissed.
The tone in her voice was different from any Kaylee had heard from the undead. It was laced with genuine frustration, an indication of what the undead truly felt. It caught her off guard, causing her to stare at Sage with wide eyes and an open mouth.
When had the undead ever let slip her disposition? All the times she had interacted with her, Sage had always given her the feeling of someone who was in control. Even in those moments when she showed anger there was always the feeling of restraint oozing from her. However, this was different. Kaylee was sure if she unmasked her now she would see a scarred face exuding desperation. It almost put a dent in her resolve.
Almost.
"I'm sorry but I just don't trust you," she responded honestly. That was the least she could do since the other party had shown her true feelings. "Since I've met you, you have shown that you have no qualms about doing what it takes to get what you want."
Pretending to be the victim of a necromancer only to later rob Kaylee and her friends, robbing the shops on the main street of Tiih and killing the heir of a Duke; even if the last one was truly an accident as she claimed, the fact was that throughout all these actions she had shown no remorse. If the same situations presented themselves she was almost certain to make the same decisions. Such a person could not be trusted to obtain even more power, especially the kind of power that most people considered a taboo.
The undead took a deep breath and exhaled. In that moment Kaylee felt Sage's cracking demeanour mend as the undead gazed at her from behind her white patterned mask.
"Will you be willing to let me go if I promise to take care of the Cryptmaker?" she asked, her tone calm once more.
From her tone alone Sage appeared to be serious, a fact that left Kaylee puzzled.
"And just how would you, a 7th Order mage, be able to beat a 9th Order necromancer?"
Honestly, such a feat was not impossible. In fact, it was even possible for a normal H aptitude Grade 5 individual to kill a 9th Order Sorcerer; however, that was only via special circumstances; like the 9th Order sorcerer being caught off guard, most likely by someone who was never considered an enemy; or maybe they're just a dumb fucking moron whose arrogance caused them to disregard the average guy and turn their back to them without erecting a protective barrier.
Dumb fucking morons never lived long, especially when they also happened to be necromancers. So the idea that the Cryptmaker was a careless individual who would leave himself open to the attack of someone in a lower Order was ludicrous. Someone with his prestige, ill earned as it was, had likely already devised a plan for when the Guild and Church came after him; which was why he was confident enough to stay in the open for more than a few hours.
"If it were any other type of sorcerer I would not be this confident," Sage replied. "But a necromancer? I have a certain advantage against their kind."
"Don't you mean a disadvantage?" Kaylee asked. "You're an undead. Won't that make you vulnerable to his domination?"
"As far as I know spells to dominate undead don't work on me," Sage responded. "This is part of my advantage. It is the reason why even though you are technically my master you are unable to order me around."
"Okay," Kaylee responded with a nod. It was true- and it sucked- but at least their bond provided another, more welcome, benefit. Even so, "what is your other advantage?"
"I can control undead," Sage revealed, "even if they belong to someone else."
Yeah… that one was too much for her to believe. "Bullshit."
"I swear. If there was an undead here I would be able to prove it."
"But there is none and your word alone lacks any credibility," Kaylee put her firm foot forward.
Even if it turned out Sage was not lying there was no way she would allow her to go. An undead capable of controlling undead that are tethered to others; if that was true then her scarred companion was far more than she appeared to be. Not that she did not already have her suspicions that Sage was some kind of special undead; but one capable of yanking control of other undead from their masters' grasps, that was way over the top.
"You are really going to stop me from taking care of the Cryptmaker and endangering the town in the process because you fear me benefiting from it," Sage asked quietly.
"No," she replied. "I'm stopping you because I don't believe you. If the Cryptmaker attacks this town then you're welcome to take care of him. Otherwise, no."
The look that resulted from making her stance would have reduced her to ash if looks could kill. She endured the undead's murderous gaze for dozens of seconds with her own stern glare. Then, the undead turned away and Kaylee saw her fists unclench in the moonlight.
"Fine, have it your way," Sage said, her voice oozing finality.
With the newfound silence they resumed their march. Since it was late Kaylee decided to look for an inn, a decision that the undead simply shrugged at before following behind her.
Unfortunately, the news of the Cryptmaker had caused such a panic that there was practically no one left in Nervahn. The number of people the two of them had passed after leaving the Guild could be counted on no more than a single hand and even they seemed to be in the midst of fleeing the town, as unfeasible as it was to do so at night. Fortunately for them the sky was clear and stars provided enough light that they would not have visual trouble on the road.
Because Nervahn was basically a ghost town now, houses and establishments had all gone dark. The few inns in the town were closed and it seemed the two of them would not find a place to stay the night; that was until a kind old man welcomed them to lodge with him. According to the old man, who introduced himself as Hammond, there was space in his house since his "useless grandkids" abandoned him in the panic. The kind old man offered them a meal and then the room of his granddaughter.
This kind gesture Kaylee appreciated greatly, to the point where she offered her remaining gold coin to the elderly man; only for him to reject it, saying that it was no use to him since he would die anyway after the necromancer began his attack on Nervahn. The reason he had stayed, unlike the towns other inhabitants, was the same reason most old people never tried to escape from disasters; he would rather die in his home than some faraway place.
If the Cryptmaker lets us off tonight I'll take him to the Church in the morning, Kaylee thought drowsily as she rested her head on a pillow. It might have been tough compared to the pillows of the inns she usually slept in, but even this texture was a welcome change from the ground of the road.
The old man had saved her from having to endure another mosquito-riddled night. For that alone she would ensure he would have a great chance of survival when the Cryptmaker attacked.
Having gotten that off her chest, she closed her eyes and sank into the pillow.