The misadventures of the necromancer

“Finally!!” Nero exclaims with what sounds like genuine excitement.

That reaction makes Adar both pleased and a little uneasy. It’s rare to see the necromancer so honestly cheerful — and, on the other hand, such moods never last long. And when things eventually go wrong, they really go wrong.

As an example, Adar only has to remember the village they stopped in a few days ago to restock on fresh supplies. They weren’t exactly starving, but real food — food that isn’t meant to last for months — always tastes better.

Adar and Nero had gone together, leaving Seres and the mule outside the village to avoid any potential trouble with the undead.

At first, things went well. They even took the opportunity to buy Nero new clothes, replacing the rags he’d been wearing when Adar first met him, and the newer coat that had gotten its sleeve burned.

The only bit of bad luck so far was that Nero also wanted new potion flasks to replace the ones he’d recently given away. But the merchant serving them couldn’t remember where he’d stored them, and in the worst case, might have to order more from another trader.

While the merchant was sorting himself out, they decided to grab a meal. After all, they’d have to carry their goods quite a distance back to where Seres was waiting — so why not eat something in the meantime? What could possibly go wrong?

That’s when the son of the local leader burst into the inn — apparently with romantic problems.

From the start, Nero hadn’t liked the boy’s attitude. But given how much they had to hide, the necromancer managed to calm down and ignore the commotion.

Adar still can’t believe they thought that would work. Even without Nero moving or saying a word, trouble literally fell on him — in the form of a pot of hot soup that ruined the clothes he’d just bought.

And the damned boy was so insufferable. The way he kept needling Nero was enough to make even Adar lose his temper. He’d been trying to calm Nero down so the necromancer wouldn’t blow up the inn with them still inside — something Nero would almost certainly survive, but the rest of them, Adar included, wouldn’t be so lucky. And while Adar was doing his best to stop that, the fool kept provoking him.

In the end, Adar himself had punched the guy, which, in his defense, was definitely preferable to being hit by one of Nero’s fireballs.

Once they’d subdued the idiot and his muscle, the boy’s father — the village leader — showed up. And for whatever reason, he also managed to irritate Nero.

In the end, it was pure luck that things didn’t turn out far worse. The merchant sending word that he’d found the potion flasks had probably saved the entire village.

They practically fled afterward to stop Nero from losing his temper for real and setting the place ablaze.

Never in his life had Adar imagined he’d have to leave a place in a hurry to save everyone else.

But that’s exactly what they did.

In the end, Nero didn’t even buy new clothes, complaining that with his luck, they’d just get destroyed again — and he wasn’t about to waste money on that. Of the new outfit, he only kept the pants, which still had a few soup stains, but were at least better than the rags he’d worn before.

And so here he stands, dressed like that, looking out over the landscape below. The abandoned region spread out before them — the destination Nero had chosen. As usual, his reasons for coming here remain a mystery.

Still, Adar has to admit — the view is stunning.

Mountains and forests, with no truly flat land except around a lake that seems to be at most a day’s journey away — all these hills converge upon the gigantic mountain that appears to rise endlessly into the sky

A sentiment Seres shares, saying, “It’s a beautiful view.”

“Especially since it’s familiar! Behold, the Western North Hills!” declares the necromancer, spreading his arms as if to embrace the scene before him.

“Western North Hills!?” Seres repeats, echoing Adar’s confusion at Nero’s announcement.

Which makes the necromancer turn to him with a puzzled look of his own, leading to an awkward silence as they just stare at each other for a few moments before Nero finally speaks.

“What do you call this region?” he asks, gesturing toward it.

Seres exchanges a glance with Adar before answering slowly, “Well, I don’t know. I never really thought about it. I always assumed it was one of the abandoned regions… or part of the unexplored zones.”

The necromancer tilts his head to the side, blinking slowly before replying, “Right... but it’s called Western North Hills. There was an entire expansion dedicated to it.”

Another one of his strange remarks — prompting Adar and Seres to share a silent look, wordlessly deciding whether it’s worth asking for clarification… and, if so, who should be the unlucky one to do it.

At last, Adar accepts his fate and asks, “Expansion!?”

Which earns only a briefly embarrassed glance from Nero, before he turns back to the horizon, pretending not to have heard.

Adar and Seres stare at each other, then at Nero’s back, before finally shrugging in resignation. Clearly, this was going to be one of those times when they’d get no explanation at all. Best to just move on.

Seres steps closer to Nero and asks, “So, do you know this area well?”

He hesitates briefly before answering, “Well, yes, in theory I should know it... But we’ll see. That’s part of what we’re here to find out.”

Another typically vague response — but Seres seems encouraged by it, pointing toward the towering mountain in the distance. This majestic peak rises high enough to disappear into the clouds.

“And that mountain — what’s it called?” he asks.

“Snowbirth Peak,” Nero answers immediately.

“Oh! Is that where we’re headed?” Seres continues, happy just to have a normal conversation with him.

But suddenly Nero tenses and turns toward him. “Go to Snowbirth Peak!?”

Raising his voice slightly, he continues, “There are better places to die! The place is crawling with Snow Trolls and Ice Witches — and that’s not even counting the penalties.”

Naturally, both Adar and Seres ask at once, “Penalties!?”

Which makes Nero put a hand to his head and mutter uncertainly, “Well... I mean... the cold, yes, the cold. The place is so cold it kills people...”

Which actually makes some sense — though his reaction is as bizarre as ever. After all, Nero’s the kind of person who, if you ask about some ancient secret knowledge that others would kill for, he’ll treat it like it’s nothing special. But if you ask him where to buy socks, the answer will be something like: ‘At the store!?’

So Adar decides to change the subject, pointing to the nearby lake and asking, “And the lake — what’s it called?”

Nero turns to look where Adar’s pointing and replies, “The lake... is a lake.”

Which nearly makes Adar roll his eyes, but he restrains himself and continues, “And are the monsters in it that bad? Because fishing could be a good idea.” Thinking that some fresh fish might actually be a nice addition to their diet.

The necromancer studies the lake thoughtfully before slowly saying, “I don’t remember anything major in the lake. A few annoying creatures, but only in the deeper parts... Oh, right, there’s something like a giant squid...”

As he speaks, Nero starts scratching his head.

“But if the squid’s still around, it should be among the rocks on the far side...”

Then, turning to Adar again, he adds, “It’s not a very important place. But we can pass by it if you want...”

Then, suddenly, his eyes go wide in shock, his mouth drops open slightly, and he stammers, “My ring!!”

Without another word, he starts walking toward the water, declaring, “We’re going to the lake!”

Adar and Seres exchange a look, and his friend shrugs. “He must’ve just remembered something.” Then he follows the necromancer.

Adar sighs, allowing himself a brief fantasy — how good it would be to simply abandon Nero. The guy is so difficult to deal with, and, as the town had just proved once again, he seems to attract trouble like no one else.

But, on the other hand, when that trouble comes... It’s very handy to have him around.

And with that final thought, Adar looks to the mule by his side. That looks like it is waiting for him to start walking to close the group. And follows after them.

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