Chapter Fifteen: The Bringing back of the Dead

The first thing Rynn did when she reached the safety of the city was to visit the Blacksmiths to collect her reward. Giving a loud knock on the door, Rynn entered hearing the familiar booming voice, “Cmon in who ever ya are.”

Rynn came up to the counter as the blacksmith saw Rynn in amazement. “Well look who’s here. If it isn’t little miss bloodbath herself? Well how can I help ya?”

Rynn brought the helm up to the counter waiting to hear the blacksmith roar. “Well look at that! You’ve managed to get the bloody helm. Well lass I keep to me word, here ya go. 2000 Gold just like we said.” “Thank you. I’ll stop by tomorrow before I leave.” Rynn said.

“Off on more adventures are now lass? See you the tomorrow then lass.” Brekk exclaimed.

With her money in hand Rynn left the blacksmith and back to the streets.

Despite her eagerness to give Arokh the rune, she had no idea where to find him. She ran to the palace knowing it would probably suit a humble dragon like Arokh.

When she entered the palace, only Zola Dana was to be found.

“Where is everyone?” Rynn enquired looking around the vast entrance hall.

“They will be along shortly, why don’t you take a seat and wait for them?” Zola answered showing her to a small side room in which was a table and a couple of chairs. Rynn gratefully sat down and felt the relief of being off her feet. She noticed that she still had the swamp goo all over her and suddenly felt embarrassed at entering Lady Myschala’s home in such a state.

It was quiet but she knew she was safe. Whilst she waited for her bonded to return, she leant forward and closed her eyes thinking of what she had just been through.

She was daydreaming to such an extent she didn’t notice the dragon enter the room.

Arokh put his nose up close to Rynn, “HELLO RYNN!” he said in his booming voice.
Despite his joke, the situation wasn’t funny as Rynn reflexively put her sword to Arokh’s snout. “Don’t DO that. Damn dragon, I don’t know where you’ve been, but I have had a hell of a morning, what with the Trogs, and whatever, and you not being here…..”
Arokh ignored her whining and just stared at the sword in Rynn’s hand.

“Amazing discovery Rynn, Is that a sword of the order?” Arokh snatched it away from her and began to inspect it “ I believe it is, why this will certainly have to go in my collection.

“Hey you give that back, I found that, it’s mine.” Only now did Rynn notice Lady Myschala, and the General. Quickly her mood turned from annoyance to embarrassment. “Oh, M’ Lady, excuse my behaviour, but my dragon isn’t exactly a prince.”

Lady Myschala gave a sheepish smile and turned toward the door. “Make sure she comes to see me Arokh, after you give her the details on her NEXT assignment.” As she walked off, The General turned to her. “Certainly THEY aren’t going to be given authority over the new Order!” he protested.
“Why what ever is wrong,” The lady smiled. The General didn’t understand her humour. “Certainly that wasn’t knightly behaviour”
“Oh General, She is in the middle of a lot of suffering, she has to have some normalcy sometime. She has lost her family, her village, that dragon is all she has left.”
“But they don’t even like each other” stated the General.

“Haven’t you ever had kids, She is behaving quite normal, Besides General, unless YOU would prefer to have gone into the swamps, we need her. Do not worry it is not a queen we need right now, it is a hero, I doubt she would enjoy political life anyway. For now we must tolerate her behaviour, For she must endure so much herself.” Myschala stopped, ignoring the General’s next question, and turned to look back at the two rogues. “Yes, It will be wonderful to have the dragons back, wonderful.”

As Myschala left, Arokh got down to business, “So where is it?”
“The cipher rune? Actually I couldn’t find it.”
“WWHATT!! Boomed the Dragon, for a minute looking genuinely fearful, that he may have to search for it himself.

“No silly, of course I’ve got it.” Rynn grinned showing him the rune.
“Rynn, you really shouldn’t.”
“Quiet now, we cant digress Arokh, now tell me what I have to do next.”

Rynn and Arokh grinned at each other for a moment then Arokh's expression turned more serious.
"There is something I want to tell you Rynn. Lady Myschala and General Dherimon think you are a bit of a rouge and they seem to have the impression we do not like each other." Arokh said sternly.
"What!" Rynn yelled angrily. "A rouge huh. Well, Ill show them how good I am given time. They are wrong." She paused for a moment then whispered "we do like each other don't we?"

Arokh jaws drew into a smile again. "Of course we do. But you should try and make an impression when we are in Lady Myschala's presence, as you can see, she seems to have got the wrong idea. She respects me but to be honest I agree with her; you can be stubborn and rude sometimes."

"I suppose so yes, I admit it. However, I am not used to fitting in with the rich and famous, you know where I come from. You were one of the most honoured dragons of the Order so you fit in well. I can see that. I don't really like Lady Myschala anyway - she is too stuck up and snooty." Rynn said in an irritated voice.

"I understand Rynn" Arokh said placing one of his front feet on her shoulder. "They are not so forgiving,” he said nodding his head in the direction of Dherimon and Myschala who were heading back to the throne room.
"Okay. Ill try to change my attitude" Rynn snapped. She sighed when she saw the dragon's expression which followed.
"I guess they will be the leaders of this new Order." Rynn said bitterly. "The likes of you and me won't have a say in it" she continued.

"I will be one of the council members that rules the Order Rynn. So will you as you are bonded to me, Ill make sure of it. Don't worry about the future, things and feelings between us and our new allies will work out given time. We must avoid arguments and bad feeling between our possible future council members; after all this was what led to the original Order's downfall. Navaros fell out with the council and formed the Dark Union, he was evil, yes but similar things could happen here." Arokh said remembering the days of the Order and its eventual destruction.

"Yeah. Perhaps you are right" Rynn agreed, looking thoughtfully towards the hub gate, pondering their future.
"Once the dragons of the Order come back, they will probably take my side for political matters. Furthermore, once I become a dragon lord, I will outrank all of the human inhabitants of this city. You see, the Order was ruled by four bonded dragon lords and one magi making the total number of council members to nine. We plan to have the same system of government for the New Order. Lady Myschala will not be the sole decision maker." Arokh laughed.

Rynn smiled and turned her head to meet the dragon's stare. "Anyway, let’s get these gates opened and then Ill go and get a change of clothes and a bath."
”If it only were so simple” the dragon said softly.

Rynn gave a puzzled look but Arokh quickly continued before she could speak. “I’m afraid the gates were closed and sealed from the other side, we would have to travel to them to re-open them.”

“Well where are these gates?” 

“Two gates are in the Northlands where ancient Meridia once stood and the others are to the south; I'd suggest going to the North first as they are closer." Arokh answered thoughtfully.

“So another series of long journeys then” Rynn said lowering her shoulders in disappointment. She thought she had had enough of traipsing around the world.

"Well, I'd agree on going to the North first” she continued. “I overheard a conversation earlier, two townsfolk were talking about the lands to the south; they are much more dangerous.”

Arokh gave a little laugh and flashed his eyes then stared at her.

"I am unsure of how to get there though. There is an outpost in the Andrellian Isles; we must go there to search for a guide to Ravenshold which where the closest gate is" Arokh said sternly.
Rynn looked down at the ground for a moment then looked into the dragon's eyes. "Sure. No problem."
Arokh nodded. "Well, Ill go and activate the hub gate on the other side of the palace whilst you are busy getting ready.”

Arokh stepped back and absorbed the cipher rune into his body in a show of magical purple light and Rynn stepped back with surprise. "Ill meet you back here, Myschala would like to speak to you" he said and left the room.
Slightly taken aback, Rynn left the palace without saying anything to Zola Dane or the guards and headed for the tavern to ask directions to the nearest shop which sold clothes.

Crossing the large Town Square, Rynn entered the city's tavern where the locals mixed with the knights to talk of their day's experiences. As the young woman walked down the main room towards the bar, she felt out of place. Her boots squelched slightly on the thick wooden floor and her appearance and smell certainly turned heads.

"I have not seen you before here Miss, are you one of the refugees?" the barman asked as she leant against it. "No. She is the dragonrider!" A young man spoke up before she could even answer. Rynn nodded seeing the barman's face. "You are in a bit of a state to say you are the dragon's bonded" he pointed out noting her swamp goo covered clothes.
Rynn gave a bittersweet smile. "You bet. Could you tell me where I can get a change of clothes around here?" She asked, hoping she would be pointed in the right direction; she didn't want to keep Arokh waiting.

"Yes, follow the street around to the left, there is a place where you can buy leathers and boots. Pretty cheap as well" the barman grinned exposing his yellow, broken teeth.
"Thanks" Rynn mumbled and began to head for the door but the barman called her back. "Miss, Do you want something to eat? It’s on the house."
Rynn paused for a moment and walked back to the bar. "In my state? Well, if you insist, that would be nice, yes. Bring me an ox meat sandwich" she said sitting down at a table. Shortly she was joined by a man who seemed to be extremely worried about something.
"Excuse me, but could I have a word?" the man said placing his elbows on the table.
"Yes, I'm all ears" Rynn muttered.

"I could do with your assistance. You see, there is a problem over at the Brother's of the Word monastery. They preserve ancient texts and books which are vital to the understanding of Drakan’s history; some of the texts are thousands of years old. You see, the dead are coming back" he said quickly and quietly as if he didn't want anyone else to hear.
Rynn raised an eyebrow in interest. "You mean undead? And these are destroying the books?"
"Yes, exactly. But its more than that; the monks who do the work are slowly being killed. There is a crypt under the monastery and there are skeletons coming out and attacking anyone they meet!"

Rynn looked up as a maid brought the sandwich. She took a bite and swallowed. "Sounds like the work of the Dark Union. Lady Myschala mentioned some old enemies coming back. Ill check it out before I go on to the Andrellian Isles if its OK with my dragon."
The man nodded and got up to leave. "You should find the monastery to the east just out of town. You can't miss it,” he said as he walked out of the tavern.

Rynn finished her sandwich and headed to the shops the barman had mentioned. Half an hour later, Rynn was equipped with a new outfit, funded by the money she stole from the Trogs. She made sure she bought the best money could buy; she had to get something in return after all.

"Ah, glad to see you" Myschala said as she noticed Rynn walking up to her, she was busy reading some ancient books and taking notes. Rynn craned her neck to see but what Myschala was writing did not seem to make sense to her.
"Ahem. Please can you stand away a little?" she coughed putting her hands over her mouth. Rynn stepped away noticing that her smell was not particularly pleasant to the noble woman.
"What do you want to see me about?" Rynn asked putting the bag of clothes onto the floor.
"I guess Arokh has told you about Ravenshold?" Myschala started.
Rynn's face remained blank. Myschala sighed. "I guess he didn't explain very well. Okay, the city of Ravenshold is where the closest gate is. There, you will find allies known to us as the Northmen; their leader, Ranwolfe will help you get to the first and second gates."

Rynn nodded. "Arokh did mention Ravenshold but he didn't mention about Ranwolfe. He said we had to search for a guide in the Andrellian Isles as he has forgotten the way" she informed.
"You must hurry Rynn. Don't forget to speak to Ranwolfe before you go around the city; you might be mistaken as foes." Myschala advised.
"I'm not going anywhere without a bath" Rynn grumbled.
Lady Myschala laughed and waved one of the knights to come over. "Take Rynn to the bathing room." she commanded. The knight nodded and began to walk away.
"This way Madam" he said turning his head to see where Rynn was. Rynn picked up her new clothes and followed.

A short time later, Rynn emerged from the bathing rooms refreshed and clean. Her new boots needed wearing in; she had forgotten to buy some stockings and the bare leather was uncomfortable against her feet and ankles.
"Rynn. You took your time" Arokh growled when he saw her walk up to him. She ignored his remark and climbed onto his back. "Come on Arokh, let’s go,” she said. Arokh did not need to be told twice; he began to walk out of the palace with Rynn upon his back, the doors closing behind them with a loud crash.
Once they were on the bridge, Rynn decided to ask her bonded about the undead creatures. "Arokh, could we call by the monastery? A man in the tavern mentioned the undead coming back, possibly the work of the Dark Union." Rynn said hastily remembering what the man had told her.

There was a long silence then eventually Arokh answered. "Very well, we will check it out, but we don't want to spend too long. The opening of the gates are our priority."
"Thankyou" Rynn mumbled and began to sort her weapons whilst on the dragon's back. She had bought a Mithril longsword when she was in town and she took the time to examine her new weapon whilst they headed out of the city into the wilderness.
"Hang on Rynn. There are blackwings nearby, I can smell them" Arokh suddenly said stopping to hover for a moment.
Rynn looked where the dragon's head was pointing and saw two black specks about a mile away. "Smell them? From that far away?" she said surprised.

"I have an acute sense of smell" Arokh grunted.
"Really? If you can smell another dragon's body odour from a mile away, surely your own smell would drown it out." Rynn pointed out.
Arokh landed outside a cave entrance and roasted a Grull who was standing outside. "What are you trying to say?" He snorted, with some anger in his voice.

"I was just wondering how you could smell something as far away when there are stronger smells nearby." Rynn informed realising she had offended the dragon.
"Well, I don't have body odour if that's what you are implying." He bent his neck down to smell his feet. "Nope. They don't smell either, I've recently had a bath and a massage." The dragon continued with a slight smile lifting his neck back up to see where the blackwings were.

"A massage huh? Well I can see you have been pampered whilst I was gone" Rynn said with a hint of disgust; whilst she was wading through stinking mud, Arokh was having massage oil rubbed on him - no comparison to what she had to endure.
Arokh grinned "I enjoyed it."
"I bet you did. I bet it was a few young women who did it as well. Furthermore, you seem to have taken a shine to Lady Myschala." Rynn snapped seeing the dragon's expression as his great head turned round to see her.
"It wasn't actually. It was one of Myschala's servants. I recommended him as a dragon groom. As for Myschala, I have to get on with our possible future council members."

Rynn sighed and smiled at the dragon. "Well, just remember, you bad boy. You are mine. I know you like to be the centre of attention but just remember me will you?”

“Okay I will” the dragon smiled. Rynn gave a sheepish look. "Anyway, talking baths; I thought it was the bonded's job to bathe their dragon."
Arokh shuffled about and scratched his side to remove an annoying itch. "It is normally. However, dragon lords and other high ranking dragons get the upper class treatment."
"But you are not a dragon lord... Yet" Rynn pointed out.

"I will be soon. Anyway, back to smells, all dragons have a smell which can usually only be detected by another dragon species. It’s a bit like humans for example. Its for selecting a mate or whatever; you should know what I mean" Arokh continued to explain.
Rynn jumped down from the dragon's neck and stood by his side. "Yeah I know. Remember Arokh, anytime you want a massage, I'd be more than happy to do it for you." Rynn said softly kissing his side.
The dragon's head turned to face her observing with his sparkling red eyes. He fell silent; he knew the human's feelings for him. He also knew that her feelings would probably be temporary; perhaps once Rynn had overcome her tragic loss and made new friends, she would not be so clingy towards him. 

Rynn understood through the dragon's facial expression alone and decided to leave it at that. She turned around and walked up to the cave. "Ill just see what's in here, won't be long,” she said running into the cave.
Arokh grunted in reply and laid down on the grass, his front legs folded underneath his neck with his head resting on his front feet. He watched the skies, keeping an eye open to see if the blackwings would attack. He wondered for a moment if they would be successful; He knew Rynn was an excellent warrior and he didn't doubt himself but altogether, his hopes were high. He thought Rynn was okay but he thought she was a little selfish sometimes. He certainly would not let her stop him from mating with another dragon; after all the race of Elder Breed dragons are just as much endangered as humans are.

Ten minutes passed and Arokh was getting impatient. Eventually, Rynn emerged from the cave with a broad grin upon her face.
"Find anything?" The dragon asked getting to his feet.
"Yeah, money, a shortsword and an invisibility potion" Rynn said holding out some of the items to show the dragon. "Useful. Come on, let’s go and find that monastery."

Arokh travelled east taking out the two blackwings patrolling the skies east of the city. Any wartocks that had set up camp outside the city walls were turned to ash in seconds. Arokh's breath weapons that he gained during the journey to defeat Navaros had worn off leaving him only with his natural flame. The camp locations were easily given away by the plumes of smoke from the campfires; the dragon's eyes picking them out against the expanse of green grass below them.

"Down there, Arokh! I want to see what's in there" Rynn shouted, her voice slightly muffled due to the wind.
Arokh looked down and saw a small cave entrance. "Must she investigate every cave we come across?” the dragon thought to himself as he landed on a natural bridge letting Rynn off to investigate. She found nothing in the small cave apart from a chest containing gold which would come in handy; it wasn't a total waste of time.
As she left the cave entrance, she saw several Grull a couple of hundred meters away running over to attack. Some of them had arrows and one whizzed past her ear. One even hurled fireballs at her; even Grull could manage a bit of basic magic she thought.
"Arokh. Behind you!" she yelled warning the dragon of the ambush he was unaware of.

Rynn readied her bow and took out one of the Grull but the other one within firing range was hidden behind Arokh. "Arokh, could you step aside?" She yelled at the scaled beast.
Arokh flew upwards into the air and began taking out the rest of the small group with his flame breath, Rynn decided to run straight at the nearest Grull, the Earthblade outstretched. Searing balls of flame rained down from above as the Grull scurried all over the place trying to avoid them.

"Get out of the way!" Arokh snarled angrily when he saw that Rynn was too close. "Its kind of difficult at the moment" Rynn mumbled swinging her sword around slicing the creature's head off with one hit from the Earthblade. Arokh landed nearby and walked up to his bonded.
"That wasn't so hard,” he said as he scratched the underneath of his head. "Come on. I can see the monastery from here. With a bit of luck, there should be no more surprises."

Rynn mounted Arokh but he did not bother to fly the short distance to the monastery, choosing to walk down the short path instead. Rynn swayed from side to side slightly as he walked, she could feel his powerful muscles working with each step.
Ahead, two men were sweeping the path where it changed from mud to stone. Another was sweeping the large stone patio in front of the monastery, none of them seemed to notice the large dragon walking up to them.

"Excuse me, I need to pass" Arokh said to the nearest man. The man looked up at the dragon and some fear showed in his eyes but he did not speak.
"I said excuse me!" Arokh said again in a louder tone.
"Are you deaf or stupid? Get out of my way!" He snarled when the man did not move, Arokh could not get around as the path was between two small rocky mounds.
Rynn patted the dragon on the neck informing Arokh of the situation. "They are monks, Arokh. They probably have taken a vow of silence; they are not allowed to speak to no-one."
Arokh glared at the man. "Perhaps, but he should still be able to understand me." He sighed in exasperation and roughly pushed the monk aside.

The red dragon walked up to the imposing stone building; it looked very old, perhaps as old as Surdana itself. "Interesting place" Arokh noted as he looked around at the intricately carved detail on the stones. Rynn hopped off and began to walk up to the door. "Ill go on in and see what's up."
"Okay. But be careful; if it’s true what you said earlier, there could be great evil lurking in there." Arokh said quietly, deeply concerned for his bonded.
"Ill be fine" Rynn smiled and ran inside.

The young warrior was greeted by a large entrance hall and beyond that a room full of books. One monk was looking through them but he did not speak, instead he waved a finger over at a table where a older man sat on a chair reading.
"Ahem. I am Rynn; I believe you have a problem with skeletons?" She asked.
The man stood up from the table and shut the book he was reading. "Ah, I see my message has reached Surdana" he said placing the book into his pocket.
"I'm sorry. Please let me introduce myself; I am the Grand Savant of this place. It's stood here for almost 800 years, built during the days of the Order." There was a long silence and Rynn was becoming impatient.

"Well, why do you want me here" she asked.
The man sat down on the chair and observed her thoughtfully. "There is a crypt under the floor. But the problem is the dead monks are coming back, poor souls. It’s ghastly. We don't know how or why they have been awakened from the dead but it must be stopped at all costs; they have killed many of my monks." Another pause. "I will give you 1000 gold if you can put an end to it."

Rynn thought for a moment then gave her reply. "Well, 1000 gold is a fine reward but I can't promise anything. Ill check it out for you."
The Savant smiled. "Go through the door there and see Brother Alto. He will let you into the crypt."
Rynn nodded and walked into the next room, also full of books. A man greeted her as she walked in.
"Ah. I am Brother Alto, what brings you here?" He asked, bowing to her with his hands clasped.
"I am here to investigate the trouble down below" Rynn said nodding to the crypt entrance.
"Ah, good. Do you want to read some of our books? We have subjects on just about everything that has happened in the world during the last 4000 years. The thing that fascinates me the most is the Order; imagine that - flying on the back of a dragon! There was one around yesterday, Arokh I think they called him. A fascinating and intelligent creature. A pleasure to talk to."

Rynn grinned and told him who she was. "Yeah, I know. I'm his rider"
Alto looked surprised for a moment. "So you are the one. Well, I put my trust into you to resolve our crisis and I hope your quest is a success. The Order's rule - the Golden Age as it was known, only lasted around 400 years. I hope the new Order lives for much longer."
"I hope so too" Rynn smiled and turned towards the crypt door which swung open.
"Good luck down there and don’t forget to browse our library when you are done" Alto wished as he pressed the switch to light the torches in the crypt.
Rynn nodded and began to descend down the cobweb-infested stairs, not knowing what was in store for her.

With that Rynn left the comfort of the majestic library and into the dark catacombs. Luckily there were torches lit all around to provide light and safety, which gave Rynn a bit of relief. Upon coming down the dim hall there was a tomb to the left, which made Rynn curious. Rynn started to slowly approach the tomb when the top of the tomb burst off into the air. A skeleton with glowing eyes rotated its head to where Rynn was and crept out of its grave. The possessed brother took an axe and slowly came to Rynn momentarily in shock with the sight. Rynn took to her closest weapon and sliced the skeleton in two.

Leaving the tomb Rynn continued down the hall in search of what caused the dead monks to resurrect. As Rynn walked down a long hallway fear started to creep up her back. Suddenly skeletons charged from the walls in attack. This startled Rynn as the skeletons tried to surround her. She took out two weapons; one in each hand and battled both sides of her dispatching all the reborn skeletons.

After her victory a sudden chill passed the hallway and a wispy voice passed putting out all the torches in the hall. Rynn knew more tricks were about and she did not like the looks of things. Rynn started to run when one last skeleton approached her for a fight but only to loose. After the battle Rynn had caught something at the edge of her eye. There was a lever along with a few healing potions. Rynn took the potions and put them in her backpack with the others and pulled the lever. The sounds of a gate opening filled the halls making Rynn wonder where the sound came from. Controlling her senses the warrior looked beyond a corner to find metal gates opening. Rynn advanced and as she did she had noticed a large room and paused.

Exploring the room at the start Rynn noticed four tombs, two at the right and left. Expecting of what might come, Rynn took one of weapons she found at the Grull camps to fight this small battle. Each skeleton emerged out of their resting places wanting to kill any living being. Rynn made the battle quick and finished off all that was in the room. After her fight there was a stairway that led down and at the same time Rynn noticed a large fissure in the ground where there had been a landslide at one point. Rynn met the fissure at the bottom of the stairs looking downward. “There’s no way I’ll survive a fall like that,” she told herself. Backing up to make a run and jump for it, Rynn was just about to leap, when a quake erupted. Rynn shrivelled into a ball hoping nothing would hit her during the quake. When the quake had finished Rynn opened her eyes and sighed in dismay. The quake had made the large hole on the ground wider and hard to reach the other side. Rynn scanned the edges looking for a small place for her to jump towards. At last there was a spot that the quake barely touched. Rynn prepared herself ready to make her move and leapt.

Rynn nearly stumbled when her keen senses kicked in and she quickly grabbed the edge just in time. Her rusty sword that she had found fell and down towards the bottom of the hole, as it hit the stones and rocks, metallic clanging noises were given off getting quieter and quieter as it got closer to the bottom. Rynn sighed and pulled herself up to the top. Catching her breath the warrior took to a door that lay at the other side. Down the hall there was a fork, and Rynn took a path that lead to a room with fire torches.

The room looked very suspicious as if there was some sort of puzzle. Rynn inspected all around but found nothing. Rynn thought that the fire was merely nothing and approached an open door. As Rynn got close the door closed shut, a trap! Turning around Rynn saw the pillars of fire go out one by one leaving no lighting whatsoever. This worried Rynn, she knew whatever came at her had the upper hand. The floor rumbled as skeletons came out and pushed themselves off the ground. This became difficult for Rynn, for she could only see the dark glow of their eyes. Using this to her best Rynn went for the fight. The fight seemed endless as more skeletons came from every part of the room. The skeletons started to surround Rynn, and clashed their weapons upon Rynn’s chain mail. Rynn became tired of this fight and drew out her Earth Blade that gave some lighting around her. She called upon the magic of the blade that sent a green force swallowing all that was around her up into the ground. The door opened revealing a new path to take. Rynn took a breath and grabbed a potion to heal herself from her injuries. “That was a tough struggle,” Rynn said as she wiped her mouth. “I just hope Arokh is alright.”

Feeling rejuvenated Rynn approached the next room. The room seemed more forgiving than the last for torches of blue flame were on the walls giving plenty of light. Tombs were around the perimeter and Rynn knew what to expect. Luckily only one skeleton came at a time, giving Rynn an easy time for her fight. After all was done there was yet another small quake, but this did not scare Rynn. The quake sub sided as Rynn saw that the floor of the next room was partially collapsed. Rynn dropped herself to what part of the floor was stable and jumped from piece to piece to the next door.

Rynn entered the next chamber in the underground catacombs but something set the hairs on the back of her neck upright; somehow, something didn't seem right. Suspended from the high ceiling on meat hooks were a good 30 human corpses in various stages of decomposition. The chamber was eerily quiet with blood stained marble walls and Rynn stepped forward carefully looking out for any traps. Just as she half expected, the gate behind her crashed shut locking her in the room awaiting whatever killed the men and women hanging from the ceiling.

An ethereal wind brushed up around the room bringing with it the dust that had settled on the floor. Rynn readied the Earthblade just as a skeleton wearing thick plates of armour rose up from the floor in front of her. In its bony hand was a long sword wreathed in flames. Rynn stood there for a moment paralysed with fear then the undead creature spoke breaking the silence.

"Ahh, another human to grace my lair. You would make a fine warrior with weapons like that but your flesh is weak. If we were to strip away the flesh, we would reveal the strong bones underneath. Come to me let me convert you." It said in a surprisingly gentle voice as if it was trying to coax Rynn.
"Who are you?" Rynn questioned taking the opportunity to ask before she destroyed the being.
"I have no name but I serve Gothraul, Lord of the Dead" it said quietly.
"Well, your lord will be bitterly disappointed in you. Its time you were sent back to your grave!" Rynn snarled under her breath lunging at the undead creature damaging some of its bones.

The skeleton retaliated but Rynn was too quick for it, using her agility and speed to avoid the searing flame of the sword it was carrying.
"Why do you fight? Let me make you strong" it continued, trying to persuade Rynn to stand there and be killed. Rynn just laughed and hit the creature again smashing off one of its arms, the shield it was holding clattering to the ground. Undeterred, the skeleton continued to attack but it was now defenceless down one side. Rynn took advantage of this, continually circling her foe and hitting the unprotected side cutting away at the bones.
Eventually, the skeleton's legs gave way and it crumpled to the floor in a pile of bones uttering a faint "Why?" before it dematerialised and was gone.

Rynn walked over and took the sword it was carrying. It looked incredibly sharp and was wreathed in magical flames whenever it was in her hand. "This will definitely come in handy" she remarked, as she was about to put it away. Something caught her eye however; two skeletons had grown out of the floor and were coming to attack. Rynn whipped the new found flamestrike sword around destroying both of them in one hit. "Phew" she muttered and walked around the chamber looting any chests she came across, taking their contents of gold and the occasional health potion.

"I think that's it. Now to find the way out" she thought as she looked around for another exit as the door was still locked. "There!" she said out aloud spotting the purple glow of a teleporter in one corner of the chamber. She ran over and stepped on it finding herself back in a room at the bottom of the stairs leading back up to the monastery. Breathing a sigh of relief, she ran back up and returned to Brother Alto.

"Ah, I see you have returned. What did you find down there?" He asked.
Rynn sat down on a chair at the table, she was glad of the rest. "It was a bone lord or something. Said he served Gothraul?" Rynn said placing her backpack on the table.
"Gothraul!" Brother Alto said alarmed. Rynn looked at him with concern; this Gothraul was obviously somebody or something terrible.
Alto noticed the look on her face and began to explain. "Gothraul is lord of the ghouls. He has lived for thousands of years if you could call him living - actually he is an undead being, the remains of a powerful necromancer who lived a few thousand years ago. Navaros tried to seek his assistance once but failed, Gothraul favours neither the Order or the Dark Union but he is a dangerous adversary nevertheless."

"I would guess he has something to do with the Desert Lords" Rynn said thoughtfully.
Brother Alto looked up from across the table. "I think you are right. It would certainly explain the undead coming back recently. As far as I know Gothraul has been keeping himself hidden for centuries but he has always existed. It's most probable that the Desert Lords have struck a deal with him; Gothraul has always worked on his own and never allied with anyone. He won't do anything unless there is something in it for him."

Rynn nodded and got up to leave. "Thanks for letting me know, perhaps we may come across Gothraul on our way to the gates. We will be careful and with luck destroy him."
"Farewell Rynn. Remember, if you want to read up on any of Drakan's history, please visit us again" Alto suggested.
"I will" Rynn said as she left to collect her reward from the Grand Savant.

Arokh was waiting outside as usual; he looked relieved when he saw his friend. "Did you succeed?" He asked in his loud booming voice.
Rynn mounted the dragon and made herself comfortable. "Its Gothraul behind all of this. I defeated the Bone Lord in the catacombs but it seems there are more serious problems." Rynn explained.
Arokh snorted in disgust. "I thought he was dead. Gothraul was..."
"I know. Brother Alto told me all about him" Rynn interrupted.
Arokh fell silent and he turned around to walk back up the path leading away from the ancient monastery.
"Have you been here before?" Rynn asked remembering Brother Alto had spoke to Arokh yesterday.

"Yes. I came yesterday" Arokh snapped, clearly angered by Rynn interrupting him.
"Funny, you didn't seem to know the way here,” Rynn said quietly.
Arokh snorted again. "I know exactly were I am going."
"But you don't know your way to Ravenshold" Rynn pointed out.
Arokh began to fill with rage but took a moment to let himself calm down before he answered.
"I forgot. I can't be expected to remember my way to everywhere in the world. Now, come on lets go to the Andrellian Isles to find a guide."  

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