Disclaimer: I do not own Diablo 2 or its expansion.

This is my first fan fiction though, and it is based on the new Necromancer character and his adventures. Other characters from other professions might come in sooner or later in time.

Chapter 8: Tools of the Trade Part 2

Once they were close, Blood Raven ventured forth and asked. " What is wrong, Charsi? I have never seen you this way. Could you please tell me what is wrong? What has upset you, dear Sister?"

Charsi sighed and looked up at Blood Raven and sighed. " It is really my fault, Blood Raven. I do not know if I can be forgiven after comitting such a blunder. Do you still remember the blessed hammer that I used to forge weapons and armor, when we were still back at the Monastery? "

Blood Raven nodded and said. " Of course I remember. It is called the Horadric Malus, is it not?"

Charsi nodded. " That is the one. If you can recall, when Andariel begun her assault, I was forced to leave that smithing hammer behind. Oh, I know that the forces of Hell would not be able to wield or even touch the Malus, for it is a holy relic and item. But still... the loss of the hammer might be the doom of us all. If you are able to retrieve it back for me, I am able to use its power to help make your armor and weapons even stronger. Not to mention it would help me to make stronger and powerful weapons and armor for our Sisters."

Haimler listened to her words and then looked around and then said. " Well, I think we have enough reason to make a trip to the Monastery even if for a short moment. In a way, this might prove to be an advantageous situation for us. Firstly, once we retrieve the Malus, we are able to strengthen our own equipment. Secondly, the camp's defenses will be strengthened as well, with Charsi able to produce even better armor and weapons for the Rogues. And thirdly, it gives us a chance to decimate, at least another portion of Andariel's forces, which I do not doubt, will be lurking close to the Monastery and even inside it."

All of them nodded, after listening to Haimler's explanation and plan. Indeed it makes a lot of sense, and they do not have any reason to refute against it, and they all unanimously decided to proceed to the

Meanwhile, at the border between the Blood Moor and the Cold Plains, Flavie was as usual, dispatching any odd monster that dared to get close or accidentally stumbled close to her position. After a while, she lowered her bow for a moment and walked towards one of the walls of the pass, and leaned back against it, intending to rest for a moment. She felt grateful for Haimler and his party, for with Bishiboshi's and Rakanishu's demise, the frequency of Fallen attacks and incursions have been greatly reduced, save for the few that are either too fanatical to care about their own lives, or those that are too foolish to think that they are still able to win. Sure, their Shamans might provide them with a semblance of leadership and discipline, but in the end, they are still quite a disorganized mob. She smiled as she saw the ample quivers of arrows that some of the Rogue sisters had sent over. It seems that Haimler did keep his word after all.

A faint movement in the distance gaught her attention, and she took up her position once more, and was a bit surprised. The approaching figure was not the usual lone zombie or some quill rats or even a small ragged band of Fallen. The thing that was approaching floated slowly towards her position, shimmering softly. A ghost... She thought. But what was one doing so far out here? She raised her bow and said. " Halt! You are trespassing on Rogue territory. State your business or meet your doom! "

The figure stopped, a few yards from where she stood and then she heard it speak, its voice soft and not unlike whispers in the wind. " I... do not... come... in hostility. I... bring a message... only to be... spoken... in the presence of Haimler... the necromancer... on behalf... of my Master... Bonebreak."

Flavie raised an eyebrow at the ghost's words, eyeing it warily for quite some time, before lowering her bow and said brusquely. " Very well, I shall trust you... for now. Follow me. I will lead you to camp, where you may speak to the necromancer. But be warned, an act of treachery will not go unpunished."

She turned and the ghost followed, floating slowly towards the direction of the encampment. The Rogue that was on guard duty was alarmed to see Flavie walking back towards the encampment, with what seemms to be a ghost following her. " Flavie... what are you doing? Aren't you supposed to be guarding the pass? And who is that behind you?? "

Flavie just smiled and said. " Blaise, do not worry. I want you to cover my duties for a moment at the pass. While our guest here, is a ghost. A minion of one of Andariel's underlings, it seems. It says that it has a message to be brought into the presence of the necromancer that has helped us for quite some time."

After some time of thinking, Blaise nodded and then walked towards the pass connecting the Blood Moor and the Cold Plains, while Flavie entered the encampment with the ghost in tow. Needless to say, there were many wary glances given to them, and rather surprised looks. The ghost did not seem hostile for them at the moment, but many of the Rogues checked their weapons, just in case.

Even Haimler and his party raised an eyebrow at Flavie's arrival. He then stepped forward and said. " Greetings, Flavie. Why are you here? And why is that specter behind you? "

She then said softly. " Greetings, Haimler. I am here only to escort this ghost... which says that it has a message from one of Andariel's minion that is called BoneBreak, only to be spoken in your presence."

He looked at the ghost incredulously for a moment and said. " Very well, Flavie. Thank you for being this being's escort. Messenger, I would hear this message now."

The ghost slowly floated forward and said. " Thank... you... O... necromancer... My Master... Bonebreak... wishes... to meet you... to discuss a proposition... that would benefit him... as well as the Rogues... "

Haimler nodded. " Thank you. Do not leave just yet, my companions and I wish to discuss this." He then turned and called a small council, comprising of himself, Blood Raven, Kashya, Leoric, Paige and Gharbad, and even Akara, and Cain as well.

" I believe you have heard what the messenger had said. What do you all think about it ?"

Cain and Akara was worried about this being a trap to eliminate Haimler, and they spoke to him about it. While Kashya was rather skeptical, though she did not say anything much. " I do not know about this. What proposition could a minion of Andariel's have for us ? "

Leoric and Gharbad had the same thought and it was Gharbad who voiced it out. " In my opinion, it is an act of cowardice... or something else, such as discontent, or perharps both. Diablo's minions were never loyal to each other, and I guess that seeing that how badly things are going for Andariel right now, they decided to throw in their lot for the winning side, and if I guess correctly, Andariel is a harsh taskmistress and might have earned the ire of many of her minions for one reason or another."

But it was Blood Raven, who voiced out the strongest argument. " I know of this BoneBreak. He has a brother, Bone Ash, that is Andariel's trusted Advisor in this campaign of hers. Bonebreak was a great warrior when he was alive, and his sense of loyalty and honor are somewhat twisted in a sense, but I know that he is able to be trusted, as I have worked with him briefly, while I was still under Andariel's control. And my guess, if he sent a messenger to us, no doubt that his brother will receive a similar message as well. And for us, in our weak state, would do well to meet him and hear out what he has prposed to us, before we decide on what to do."

Haimler nodded and then returned to the ghost's side and said. " Very well, I shall meet with your Master, but tell him to come to the Blood Moor and he is allowed to bring three of his minions as guards, no more. I will do the same."

The ghost nodded and said. " Very... well... I will... give your... reply... to my Master... " With that, it floated away, in the direction of the Mausoleum in the Burial Grounds.

Once it was gone, Flavie bowed. " I will take my leave now, to relieve Blaise, which I sent to relieve me for a moment. " She then left the camp as well.

Haimler waited a moment before speaking. " Well, I suppose you all know that this Bonebreak is coming to talk about this proposition of his. Blood Raven shall come with me of course, but what about the other two? "

Leoric stood forward and said. " I shall go with you, for I am well versed in the art of diplomacy. I will be able to negotiate something or detect any political subtlety or any lying that this Bonebreak might intend to make from his words. "

Fenric stood forward as well. " The spirits will be able to inform me of any deception that this Bonebreak might commit, so we will not be caught off guard. "

Haimler nodded and said. " Then it is decided. Now we wait for Bonebreak to arrive. " He turned to Akara and asked. " I do not suppose you would know the location of the Monastery, since it is your people's domain? "

Akara nodded and said. " Yes, Haimler. The Monastery of the Sisterhood of the Sightless Eye lies in the Tamoe highlands, only a distance away from the Black Marsh, where you destroyed the Countess of Blood."

" I see... but where do you propose we meet this Bone Break? Does any of you have any idea? " Haimler asked.

Kashya pointed towards the edge of the camp. " The meeting should be done right outside our walls. Even though you gave the creature a choice to bring three guards, I still do not fully trust the thing. Allow me to post more rogues just inside the walls, to lie as a back up plan, as a surprise element, just in case something goes awry."

Haimler nodded. " It will be as you desire, Kashya. Though I would like to see something fruitful come out of this meeting, but you do have a point. Unless whatever thing this Bonebreak is proposing is finalised and done, the creature is still a part of Andariel's retinue, and therefore, an enemy. "

Kashya nodded and said. " Then I will make preparations at once. " She then left and began issuing commands, and the Rogues lined up against the walls, checking their weapons, testing bowstrings, and loading as many arrows they can into quivers. Some of them brought multiple quivers of arrows, to prevent any lack of ammunition if things do turn out bad.

Meanwhile, in the Mausoleum, Bonebreak was sitting on his throne, when the first wraith returned and whispered something. He let out a grin. " Excellent! Brethren! I have received good tidings! It seems that my brother Bone Ash, have also decided to throw in his lot in our plan. Even now he is trying to find allies within ' Queen' Andariel's fort. " He ground out the name in contempt, and his disdain towards the Maiden of Anguish was echoed throughout the undead ranks in the Mausoleum, but a resounding cheer followed as they knew that their chance of success have been significantly increased.

Bonebreak was once a powerful warrior, skilled in martial prowess, and his brother Bone Ash was a powerful mage. They had died in valor, fighting against Diablo's forces as agents of the Zakarum. They certainly impressed Andariel, who resurrected them as undead skeleton leaders in her army. But they would never forget the contempt and hatred they had for Andariel and her ilk, but as they were lacking in power, they were forced to be subservient to the Maiden of Anguish's commands.

This same fate had befallen many of Bone Break and Bone Ash's followers, who were converted to Andariel's cause by force. Now is the time to get some much-deserved payback, against the one that damned them to eternal undeath.

It was at this time that the second ghost returned and whispered something, conveying a message about what the Necromancer had said, and the people he saw there. " Are you certain? You did not make a mistake? " He asked, slightly in disbelief.

" No... Master... I did not make... a mistake. Somehow... he is alive once more... and he is an ally of the Rogues as well. " The ghost replied.

Bonebreak nodded and then spoke to the two ghosts. " Both of you have done well. You may retire. " With a wave of his skeletal hand, he dismissed the two ghosts and then turned to his underlings. " Well, it seems that the Necromancer accepts and wishes to meet us. In a while, I shall personally handpick three of our number to act as my honor guard. But there are even greater tidings... Leoric, our former High King, and esteemed Senior Paladin of the Zakarum has now returned from the dead, albeit in a state not unlike ours, but more. It seems that he has retained most of his Zakarumite training, but the armor that he garbs is one of the Blood Knights of Diablo's army."

A loud cheer resounded through the chamber. " Long live the King! "

Bone Break raised his hand and all grew quiet once more. " I know, brethren. This is glad tidings indeed, for we have our former monarch to swear fealty to. But there is more. It seems that a Druid from Harrogath had also joined the quest in slaying Andariel, and ultimately Diablo himself. And Gharbad himself has returned from the dead as well. " A ripple of cheers followed once more, with these glad news.

Bonebreak nodded. " Aye this is good news indeed." He then pointed to three of his toughest looking skeletons and then said. " The three of you. Garb yourselves with the finest gear that you can find. I shall do the same. It is time to meet our future allies. "

He then went to the sarcophagus that he was housed, and put on his chain boots, and gauntlets. He also took his trusty long sword, while his men were garbed in leather armor and had simple short swords and axes as weapons. The four of them marched out of the Mausoleum and out of the Burial Grounds, and into the Cold Plains. Due to their allegiance to Andariel, the myriad of creatures there paid them no heed, and let them pass unmolested.

Flavie noticed four figures garbed in full battle gear approaching the pass, and readied her bow, and prepared to fire. She barked. " Halt! Return from whence you came from, foul beasts! "

Bone Break looked at the Rogue maiden in an amused grin, though it was very hard to see, due to his skeletal nature. " Peace, Rogue Maiden. My companions, and I mean you no harm. I am Bone Break. I seek only to meet the Necromancer to discuss a proposition, as agreed."

Flavie snorted and looked at the four skeletons. The one with the bluish tinged bones was the most well armed, and it seems the leader and spokesman of the group. She looked at them warily for a moment, before lowering her bow. " Very well, if you are who you speak. You may pass. They will be waiting for you at the Encampment. "

She lowered her bow, and then stood aside, allowing them to cross over into the Blood Moor.

One by one, the skeletons marched past her. Bone Break was the last to go, and he stopped for a moment." Your commitment to your duty is very admirable, Rogue Maiden, even if you are alone here. Most of Diablo's or Andariel's minions, would never do such a thing. Pure selfishness and a great deal of self preservation, you know." He then grinned at her. " Perhaps when all this is over, we should get together, and exchange pointers about weapon skills. I notice that you Rogues have more aptitude towards the bow, but it could not hurt to learn some close combat forms, you know."

Flavie raised an eyebrow at his words, and his supposed hidden meaning. While his comment about the need to learn close combat forms, and the Rogues' expertise in ranged battles, she swore that he was trying to flirt with her. She smirked and said. " Thank you for your compliments, and I will bear that in mind. But I do need to warn you. My taste in men... only applies to living ones. Undead ones, especially one devoid of any flesh such as yourself, can consider yourself out of selection."

Bonebreak then grinned. " That hurt, Rogue Maiden... I was trying to show my true admiration to your commitment, nothing more. Although I do admit, that I do have this little niggling interest in your person. But we shall talk of this when I pass this way once more. Farewell, fair maiden." He bowed and then strode over to where his men were and strode into the Blood Moor, towards the direction where the Rogue Encampment is said to be found.

Flavie rolled her eyes, shaking her head and muttered how this minion of Andariel's seem to be an accomplished flirt and charmer, when he was alive and now just got worse now that he is practically dead. But she also chuckled, at the way the skeleton warrior tried to impress her. At least he has a likeable personality, she thought to herself.

Back at the camp, Haimler, Blood Raven, Leoric and Fenric waited outside the Encampment. It was Blood Raven, who spotted the four figures coming towards them from the distance. " They are here... " She said softly.

Haimler nodded and waited until the four skeletons stopped in front of him. Their leader, a bluish boned skeleton, seemed to be the leader of this party, as he is the most well armed and armored of the four. He then spoke. " You are Bone Break, I presume. "

Bone Break nodded and said. " Indeed I am, Necromancer. It is a pleasure to meet you at last, the bane of Andariel's existence. " He then turned to Leoric, and knelt down, dropped to one knee, his sword placed in front of him, which was followed by his three followers. " And my respects to you, Your Majesty. It is good to see that you have returned to destroy Andariel, and the Prime Evils."

Leoric spoke mildly. " Rise, Bone Break, I am no longer a monarch, but a mere warrior like yourself. So please, do not give me any formalities when you speak to me. Just call me Leoric as everyone else does around here."

Bone Break nodded and rose to his feet. " Very well... Leoric. " He then turned to Haimler and Blood Raven. " Now, it is time I mentioned the reason for this visit. As you know, I and my brother Bone Ash were former members of the Good peoples. I was a mere warrior in the Zakarumite order, not yet a Paladin, but close to becoming one, while my brother Bone Ash is a most accomplished mage in the Orders of the Vizjeraej. Upon our deaths doing battle against the forces of Hell, Andariel looked upon us in 'favor' and raised us back to what you see before you to fight for her. We resent and detest her, for we are fighting for the forces we sought to destroy when we were still in our mortal bodies. Alas, as we are far too weak to defeat her, we are forced to be subservient for some time. "

He then pointed to Haimler. " But you, Necromancer, have given us hope once more. All of us, even my brother have heard of your exploits and we feel that we can now strike back against the she-devil that cursed us to this life. I propose an alliance between the Rogues, my brother and myself. Even as we speak, he is trying to persuade and win allies inside the Monastery's very walls for both our causes. I believe that will be more beneficial for your side rather than ours, in a way. What do you say? "

Haimler looked at Blood Raven and then at Leoric and Fenric. He then said softly. " You propose something that is indeed beneficial to us. Wait here while I confer with my colleagues."

He turned and asked Leoric and Fenric. " Well, what do you two think about this offer? "

Leoric was the first one to speak. " I detect no subtlety in his words, nor do I sense any hidden agenda behind them. Even the way he spoke was calm and confident, and do not betray any notion of lies."

Fenric nodded. " I agree to what Leoric says. The spirits are not able to discern or tell me that the creature is lying, so we can safely assume that it is telling the truth. "

Haimler nodded and then said. " I see… but what about you, Raven? " He asked the Rogue Captain and she replied. " As I said before, Bone Break is an honorable person, and I do not think he will betray his oath or pact once he has made them. Moreover, like what Leoric and Fenric has just mentioned, I too, could not detect any hidden agendas that he might have. So I think accepting to work together with them is a very favorable pact, I believe."

Haimler turned around and said. " Very well then. We agree to your proposition. How soon are you able to reinforce the defenses around the Rogue Encampment? "

" Spoken like a true leader! " Bone Break commented. " I can send some of my skeletal guards immediately as well as some ghosts and zombies, and I will place them in the cave where that fool, Corpsefire was."

Haimler nodded. " Agreed. Then let us hope that there were be everlasting peace between the Rogues and your kind."

" I would hope so too. Fare thee well, my friends. " Bone Break turned around and left the Encampment, his followers in tow.

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