Page 71 of Lord of the Lone Wolf
The interior of Kitsuki’s tent was a testament to the skills of their Enchanters. He sat beside the silver fire burning in the central brazier, having exchanged his formal battle attire for a simple tunic of midnight blue and white breeches. His long hair fell around his shoulders, free from the tight warrior’s braid he wore during combat. Despite their victory, tension lined his face.
Jaega settled into the chair, noting the untouched plate of fruit on the small table between them. The silver fire crackled, fueled by Kitsuki’s dragon magic. Outside, soldiers spoke in hushed tones, weapons being sharpened on whetstones, and pots clinked as cooks prepared meals for the warriors. The tent city sprawled across the forested foothills, an organized marvel of efficiency nestled among the trees for protection and camouflage.
“You mentioned you had an urgent matter to discuss with me,” Jaega said when his nephew remained pensive.
“Something happened during my battle with Rethus,” Kitsuki replied. He raised his hand, palm upward. Silver smoke swirledabove his fingers, coalescing into a shimmering cloud. A weapon materialized, which sent dread coursing through Jaega.
The sword appeared to be carved from a single piece of obsidian-black bone, its surface etched with intricate carvings. Unlike when Jaega had faced such weapons thousands of years ago, the runes lay dormant now, their malevolent power contained without a living wielder to feed upon.
“Rethus carried this,” Kitsuki said. “When our blades met, it drained my ice magic. If history holds true, it would have consumed my life force had it touched my flesh.”
Jaega leaned away from the suspended weapon, centuries-old instincts flaring to life. “Then the rumors our scouts reported are true. Necromancy has returned to our lands.”
“Could it be Ishibiya?” Kitsuki asked, his silver eyes reflecting the dancing flames.
Jaega shook his head, his gaze fixed on the bone blade. “This lacks his mastery. His weapons were far more elegant in their corruption, and he never wasted time arming living soldiers. His focus was always on controlling the dead directly.”
“Then someone else must have discovered the forbidden knowledge,” Kitsuki concluded.
“Perhaps,” Jaega said, his brow furrowing. “I once believed all the necromancers were hunted down after the war. But then, I also thought the unicorn shifters were extinct until I met Fersen. If one magical bloodline could survive in secret, perhaps a necromancer did as well.”
“Rethus was still alive, though corrupted. His skin had turned gray, with veins of toxic green pulsing beneath. His eyes glowed with the same sickly hue, but he was still alive.”
“The early stages of necromantic influence,” Jaega explained. “The living warrior becomes a conduit for death magic, transforming until nothing human remains. During the war, we called them the Hollowed.”
Kitsuki dismissed the bone blade, watching as the silver smoke dissipated and took the weapon with it. “Could someone have preserved Ishibiya’s knowledge after his defeat?”
“It would be forbidden. After the war, all texts on necromancy were burned, and all practitioners executed. But knowledge has a way of surviving, especially when it promises power to those willing to pay its price.”
Kitsuki frowned. “Nasume has always craved what he cannot have.”
“And now he reaches for the forbidden.” Jaega heaved a wary sigh. “This changes our approach to Norello. If Nasume has embraced necromancy, we face more than conventional forces.”
“What can we expect?”
Jaega considered his answer. “If this practitioner follows the traditional progression, the bone weapons come first, followed by corrupting living soldiers. After that, the animation of the deceased.”
“And beyond that?” Kitsuki prompted.
“Powers help us if they conjure necrowings.” The name alone stirred dread in Jaega’s heart. “Massive constructs of bone, resembling dragons in their skeletal form but pervertedby necromancy’s death magic. They fly without flesh wings, screaming with the voices of all the souls bound within them. A single necrowing has the power to devastate an entire battalion. And if any of them turn into soulvores, we will surely lose.”
Kitsuki’s expression remained composed, but Jaega noted the tightening of his jaw. “We must discover what awaits us to make better plans.”
“Agreed. Lieutenant Norkon could provide that intelligence. His raven form allows him to observe without detection, and he has proven his worth as a scout many times over.”
“Can he depart tonight?”
Jaega nodded. “I will summon him. His talents are uniquely suited to this task.”
Kitsuki’s gaze drifted toward the large map spread across his desk. “I wonder why Kizoshi did not show herself during today’s battle.”
“She would not appear for a skirmish so easily won,” Jaega replied with fondness for his niece. “It is her style to reserve her strength for the final grand battle, where she will rain down dragon fire on our enemies.”
“True. My sister has always had a flair for dramatic entrances.”
Jaega allowed himself a small smile. “Kizoshi will arrive when we need her most, when Nasume himself takes the field.” When they fell into silence, he continued. “Maseo’s performance impressed me today. He fought with remarkable skill and courage.”
Kitsuki’s posture stiffened. “He did.”
