Why I hate undead

Grell rushed towards the small group of traveling undead, no more than nine. He almost felt overwhelmed by the exact movements of the undead and how when he rushed them they did not react...

" STOP!" a voice behind the undead screamed. Grell continued his advance but noticed the undead stopped like a well formed army's unit. The undead kept their eyes forward and did not move, even as a young woman walked out of their ranks and turned to the charging Darkblood.

" WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING!!!" she roared at the now confused darkblood. Grell slowed and came to a jog as he neared the woman and the undead. Then without warning tripped on a stone protruding from the road and stumbled. The woman stared daggers at him and he did not really know what to say.

" Who are you?" she asked reaching back as an undead passed up a staff of some kind. " Speak before I kill you."

Grell straighted himself and slowly sheathed Mugen, his short sword, in the sheath on his hip. " I am Grell Grainstaff... who are you?"

She looked him over and then sniffed the air, " Why do you ask, demon?" She gripped the staff tight and sneered, " Do you wish me ill?"

Grell felt like nodding then reaching out and touching her arm or bare hand... the let her be ill. But he chose not to. Not because she had the undead behind her... or that she was a powerful enough Necromancer that she could control them all, but because his mother had instilled in him to be as a galant knight to women he met. No matter how illtempered or boarish they may be.

" I ask because I spoke my own name in fellowship and goodwill to you. I would only ask the same." he answered trying to keep the growl and anger out of his voice.

" I am Roe." she handed her staff back to the undead that had given it to her, " I was a resident of this town... left for a few years and have come back to see my kin."

" With undead in tow?"

" They are my servants. They do what I need them to do. Then I put them to rest when I am done." she raised her eyebrow, " Such is what a Necromancer does."

He nodded then shuffled uneasy on his feet, " I do apologize for rushing your group." He didn't think he had to apologize but he did anyways. " I thought you were... another."

" Another?" she asked, " You mean you don't know?" she asked him a grin creeping into place on her face.

" Know?" He felt like a grand joke had been played on him. The laughter of the old woman that sold him the light summer clothes rung in his mind. " Know what?"

She pointed to the village and smiled, " Those that live in the town are mostly Necromancers. Didn't you know that?"

He shook his head, " No... no one told me."

She laughed out loud, " Boy... who hired you?" Grell didn't answer but pulled out the letter and handed it to her, making sure not to touch her bare hand with his. She read it slowly and then after a few moments she shook her head. Her grin faded and she returned to her grim appearence when he had first spoke to her. " You did not take the job?"

Grell shook his head.

" Why not?" she asked.

Grell thought about the undead woman kissing him... and the large mayor that made the references about keeping his undead lover warm... it made his skin crawl. " I am a Merc... I can choose if I take a job."

She looked him over again. " You have one horn demon. I think I have heard of you."

" Many of my race have one horn." he growled, " We come in many varieties."

" Have you been to Dalla?" she asked her eyes narrowing.

" I have been there once." he met her gaze and didn not flinch, " Why do you ask?"

She smiled, " Do you have the shield still?" she asked as she slid a hand down her left thigh. To anyone else this would be a semi erotic scene, to a Merc like Grell this ment she was going for a dagger or some hidden weapon... his grip tightened on Mugen and he got ready to bring it out at a moments notice.

However she pulled out a small note and handed it to him, " From Faun, daughter of Cleo."

He took the note and read it slowly, then afterwards nodded, " Why did she give this to you?" he asked very suspicious of this woman.

Roe shrugged, " The girl came to me when I was studying a wanted poster. Said that the man in the poster was a friend." she made a small gesture towards Grell, " She was talking about you. She told me what happened...or what she knew of what happened and then handed me that letter. she said do not look at it... it is for the man with one horn that saved Dalla. She told me I would meet him near my home."

Grell thought back to little Faun and her mother Cleo... of the matter at Dalla and the crime in which put the price on his head. " I am glad she is doing well." He forced a smile and placed the note into his money pouch and then hid it on his person. He did not know how Faun knew where he was.. granted some of his people were given some of their bloodlines gifts... but those were very sparse.

Roe then nodded, " Well then. You are leaving right? I need to pass to head home." Grell nodded and stepped aside. " Will you take the job?"

Grell shut his eyes, " I am going up to a cave along the road... I need to think... then maybe I will give an answer."

" I will be up around moonrise with some ale from the tavern. You can tell me your answer." She smiled then called out, " COME!" The undead then picked up their march and followed their Mistress to the town.

Grell Watched her for a few moments before turning and starting towards the cave. He retrieved the note from Faun again and re-read it. " Mr. Grainstaff... I am glad your alright. Take care in the south. We are trying to get the bounty off you. Hope to see you soon, Faun."

He smiled and placed it back into his money pouch and then hid it again. Moonrise was a long time off and he needed to catch himself his dinner.