It took about a week, but I managed to pack a sack full of supplies for the trek to Augustus's mansion. In it were all the foodstuffs and camping supplies I could scrounge from around town. The people were mostly sympathetic to my quest for truth and wanted to see Lord Albion brought to justice. I borrowed a particularly sharp kitchen knife from the abbey as well as a few bottles of holy water, just in case I encountered a vile undead. I wasn't planning on hurting anyone, just defending myself or running away at the first sign of trouble. Someone of my stature would have a difficult time defeating a group of bone soldiers anyway, especially alone.
And so I set off on that path to Augustus's estate in the morning. This time, no birds chirped in the forest. I saw very few wild animals about, and I almost tripped many times due to rogue roots sprouting from irregular places in the path. What was going on? On the bright side, the trees in the forest seemed to be growing at a significant rate. However, it was enough to start blocking some of the sunlight. I knew it would be tough to travel through the forest at night without even the dim light from the moon. I would definitely need to camp for at least one night and return through the forest during the day.
I passed by the enormous Albion keep on the way. I heard the clanging of metal and sounds of combat coming from within. It had been a while since the Albion family had recruited soldiers. It made sense that Augustus would hire them now, seeing as how the town was starting to get riled up. It was insurance just in case the whole town decided to riot and send an angry mob to his doorstep.
I finally arrived at Augustus's manor. I took a deep breath and then knocked on the solid wooden door. After a tense minute, Lord Augustus himself opened the door. He looked even more pale than before.
"Sydney. What are you doing here?"
"The town is stirring up some crazy rumors about you. Do you have time to talk, my lord?" He scrunched up his face for an instant and puckered his lips.
"My fair Sydney. Let us take a stroll along the ocean path and we can discuss the situation."
We walked down the path from his manor alongside the steef cliff overlooking the ocean. Though it was a long drop, the crashing of the waves against the cliffside could still be heard.
"The ocean: calm and simple on the surface, but unknown in the depths. The size and contents of the ocean are more incomprehensible to us mortals than many other things and concepts, but still supremely elementary compared to all of the existences in the cosmos," he mused, looking upset. "Tell me Sydney, is it a grievous wrong to attempt to understand the ocean?"
"No, of course not. There are many explorers still mapping out the rest of the ocean. It's a noble goal, in my humble opinion."
"Perhaps it is. Ah, have you heard the noteworthy tale of the old sailor obsessed with vengeance upon a seemingly inscrutable white whale?"
"I have not. It sounds interesting."
"There is no need to feign interest, little waif. Anyways, this man's undying passion for the concept of this one creature ultimately is the cause for his own destruction. It is a most disturbing thing."
"I see. What brought this to mind, Lord?"
"I am but one man… one human man. And yet I seek to understand all things, with a burning passion. It is unquenchable. I fear I will go insane if I fail in my quest. I may well throw myself into the very ocean."
"Please don't do that, Lord! I believe in you. Don't do something so foolish."
"Only time will tell who the true fool is," he remarked, staring down at the ocean. I gently turned him around towards me.
"Let's head back to the manor, Lord. These unclean thoughts need to be avoided."
"I killed them, Sydney."
"...What, Lord?"
"I assume that is the reason why you are here. Those men… those necromancers. A few days ago, they came to my manor to pillage it and take from me all of my family's knowledge. You see, I have a library brimming with priceless books. I saw their skeleton soldiers. I had no choice but to defend myself. In doing so, I murdered them. Their horrid faces are burned into my mind! I would do anything to get them out!"
He started to walk to the edge of the cliff, but I firmly grabbed his hand and pulled him back.
"No, Lord! You did what you had to do. They came to kill you, and you defended yourself. It's not your fault." He sighed.
"Yes, that is what logic dictates. But mere logic cannot drive the realization of my actions away. I am a cursed man, Sydney. Just let me be."
I refused to let go of his hand. I felt that the moment I released my grip, he would go running and leap off into the depths without a second thought. He sighed deeply.
"I appreciate your concern, little waif. Do not worry, I will not end myself. There is still much understanding that needs to be done. This is simply the first mental obstacle on my path to true enlightenment." He turned to me and gave me a weak smile. "Please inform the townspeople that I have dispatched of the necromancers and that I had nothing to do with their coming here, save for my family's wealth."
I breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, I will do as you say, Lord. I must say that I'm very glad to hear that you weren't consorting with such wicked men."
"Their path led them to ruins. They are serving a greater purpose now, in the realm of the dead," Augustus stated, looking over my head towards the horizon.
"The powers that be will take care of it."
"Whatever they are."
We walked back to his manor. I told him about my daily routines and the mood of the town in the wake of the necromancer encounter. He nodded grimly and told me that he would be prepared to address the town personally if it came to it. As we got to the door, there was a sound of a loud explosion from within the manor.
"Sydney, you must return home immediately. The caretaker will send you back in my stagecoach."
"What's going on? Is everything okay?"
"It is something I must handle alone. Do not worry. Now go."
He shouted for the caretaker and practically shoved me into the stagecoach.
"As quickly as possible, caretaker."
"Yes, Lord," he grunted.
And with that, I was sent back to town with a message meant to sooth the people. However, the explosion was anything but soothing.
